Barrel with lockable ammunition

Abstract

The invention relates to ammunition (4) for cooperation with a barrel (3) comprising first fastening means (11), said ammunition (4) comprising a cartridge case (5) housing a projectile (8) and an electrically ignited primer (7) which, in the operating state, makes it possible to launch the projectile (8), said cartridge case (5) comprising second fastening means (10) for locking, in the operating state, the ammunition (4) in the barrel (3) on the first fastening means (11).

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of firearms, in particular so-called "reduced lethality" launchers, and in particular to that of suitable ammunition and magazines, adapted to this type of launcher.

[0002] The disclosure specifically concerns a simplification of weapons compatible with low-power ammunition, in order to avoid as many moving parts as possible. State of the art

[0003] As is known to those skilled in the art, a typical ammunition consists of a case housing a projectile (such as a bullet) and a pyrotechnic charge, as well as a primer for igniting the propellant. The propellant, located behind the bullet, is ignited, creating a combustion reaction, the gases generated from which allow the bullet to be projected from the barrel of the weapon.

[0004] In the well-known case of the revolver, the weapon comprises a cylinder in which chambers are hollowed out to contain individual ammunition. The chambers are brought in turn by rotation in front of an independent barrel, thus allowing several shots to be fired successively. The mechanical operation of the revolver induces a certain number of movements of moving parts. Indeed, when the trigger is pressed, a lever pushes the hammer back, which compresses a spring located in the stock. At the same time, another lever pushes a notch at the rear of the cylinder which allows it to be rotated a fraction of a turn so as to place the next chamber facing the barrel and which, at the end of the movement, engages the locking of the cylinder guaranteeing precise alignment with the barrel. Then, the trigger at the end of the stroke releases the hammer, the spring relaxes and pushes the hammer forward until the firing pin comes to meet the primer of the ammunition.

[0005] The revolver therefore has the advantage of being a handgun with a magazine (cylinder in this case) that can hold several rounds of ammunition to fire several shots before having to reload. However, the classic revolver requires the use of several moving parts, entirely activated by the shooter's finger on the trigger. The sequence of movements of the different moving parts can be uncomfortable and represent a potentially annoying delay in firing.

[0006] On the other hand, in semi-automatic pistols, the impulse generated by the firing during a shot allows the moving parts to return to their initial positions in order to then re-cock the weapon. This mechanism is complex, expensive and susceptible to jamming. Furthermore, in the context of ammunition for "reduced lethality" weapons, the charge may prove too weak to cause the movement of the moving parts, which would hinder the correct re-cocking of the weapon. DE 30 44 452 A1 and FR 1 605 300 A disclose barrels pre-loaded with ammunition, said barrels comprise first fixing means, said ammunition comprises a case, said cases comprise second fixing means capable of locking, in use, said ammunition in said barrels on the first fixing means. Aims of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art. In particular, it aims to provide a weapon with the fewest moving parts, leading to essentially electrical operation.

[0008] One of the objectives of the present invention is therefore to simplify the design of the weapon as much as possible, in order to also simplify its manufacture and maintenance.

[0009] Another goal is to have a magazine that acts as a barrel, the magazine actually having the function of a barrel, allowing for a more compact weapon. The magazine can also offer the ability to fire multiple shots in succession without having to reload the weapon.

[0010] The present invention also makes it possible to avoid having a combustion chamber in the launcher, this being part of the case, which allows the magazine to be used with any type of device for activating the primer. More specifically, this can be achieved by a launcher having a handgun design, but also a launcher with a simple straight handle, similar to a flashlight handle for example.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide a launcher with a removable magazine, which can be separated from the gripping part of the launcher. The ammunition can therefore be pre-loaded into the magazine, before placing it on the gripping part of the launcher.

[0012] Another objective is to allow manual locking of the ammunition in the barrel, avoiding the need for an insertion mechanism in the chamber.

[0013] The invention is also particularly suitable for so-called reduced lethality launchers. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention is defined by claim 1 and discloses a barrel pre-loaded with ammunition, said barrel comprising first fixing means, the ammunition comprising a case housing a projectile as well as an electrically primed primer, said case comprising second fixing means adapted to lock, in use, said ammunition in said barrel on the first fixing means.

[0015] The invention comprises at least one or a suitable combination of the following features: the electrically ignited primer comprises a resistive bridge having a low resistance before use and a high resistance after use; the ammunition comprises a pyrotechnic charge producing, in use, a kinetic energy of the projectile related to the impact surface of less than 100 Joules / cm 2< , preferably less than 50 J / cm 2< , typically of the order of 30 / cm 2< ; the ammunition comprises a pyrotechnic charge producing a projection kinetic energy related to the impact surface of at least 7 J / cm 2< , preferably at least 15 J / cm 2< . The ammunition comprises only a primary charge (i.e. no secondary charge, more specifically, the ammunition comprises a primer but no propellant charge).

[0016] The barrel is intended to cooperate with the electrically primed ammunition, comprising first fixing means allowing, in use, the locking of the ammunition inside the barrel by cooperation of the first fixing means and the second fixing means. The locking of the ammunition in the barrel is preferably of the bayonet connection type.

[0017] The barrel is pre-loaded with ammunition. The ammunition is preferably locked into the barrel by a bayonet connection.

[0018] Preferably, the first barrel fixing means are of the female type and the second socket fixing means are of the male type.

[0019] The ammunition case protrudes from the barrel and is only partially sleeved by the barrel.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a magazine assembly comprising a plurality of barrels according to the invention, each barrel allowing the loading of ammunition, the ammunition being lockable in the barrel using the first fixing means and the second fixing means.

[0021] Advantageously, the magazine assembly includes five barrels allowing the loading and unloading of five rounds of ammunition.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention relates to a launcher comprising a magazine assembly which is removable and separable from the weapon.

[0023] Preferably, the launcher includes a gripping portion with holes for receiving, in use, the casing protruding from the magazine when the magazine is inserted onto the gripping portion.

[0024] Preferably, the socket part being located in one of the orifices when the magazine is inserted on the gripping part is not held by this orifice, a clearance of between 0.3 and 5 mm being provided between the socket and the orifice, preferably between 0.8 and 3 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm.

[0025] Advantageously, the launcher of the invention is a launcher with reduced lethality. Brief description of the figures

[0026] There Figure 1 represents a three-dimensional view of an exemplary launcher according to the present invention comprising the magazine. The Figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of an exemplary launcher according to the present invention with the magazine disconnected from the launcher. The Figure 3 represents a three-dimensional view of an example of a magazine according to the invention, comprising five barrels. The Figure 4 represents a rear view of the charger of the Figure 3 , the magazine being empty. The Figure 5represents a three-dimensional view of an example of ammunition according to the present invention. The Figure 6 represents another three-dimensional view of the ammunition of the Figure 5 . There Figure 7 represents a three-dimensional view of the charger of the Figures 3 and 4 , this one being loaded with five rounds of ammunition. The figure 8 represents a sectional view of an exemplary launcher according to the present invention. Numerical references of the figures

[0027] 1: launcher 2: magazine 3: barrel 4: ammunition 5: cartridge case 6: gripping part of the launcher 7: primer 8: projectile 9: combustion chamber 10: male fastening element (locking lug) 11: female fastening element (locking slot) 12: trigger 13: hole in the launcher Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The present invention discloses a launcher 1 whose number of so-called "moving" parts has been considerably reduced. The launcher of the invention is generally shown in the Figures 1 and 2 , with a handgun appearance. However, its design can be completely different as explained in more detail below.

[0029] By "weapon with reduced lethality", we mean launchers with reduced probabilities of causing serious injuries. This reduced lethality can be achieved by using specific projectiles with low penetration (plastic projectile, rubber, breakable envelope containing shot disintegrating on impact, etc.) and / or density, reduced kinetic energy (i.e. the kinetic energy related to the impact surface is less than 100 joules / cm 2 <, preferably less than 50 joules / cm 2 <, typically around 30 joules / cm 2 <). These projectiles can nevertheless be disabling, causing pain and / or a recoil effect sufficient to dissuade an aggressor from continuing their action. They also allow, in the case of certain projectiles, to "mark" the target using easily identifiable dyes.

[0030] As shown on the Figure 1, the launcher 1 comprises a magazine 2. This magazine 2 is removable, and can therefore be detached from a gripping part 6 of the launcher 1 as shown in the Figure 2 . Charger 2 has the specific feature of also having the function of a cannon. Indeed, as illustrated on the Figures 3 and 4 , the magazine 2 comprises cylindrical holes 3 acting as barrels. The ammunition 4 is therefore loaded beforehand into the different barrels 3, before placing the magazine assembly 2 on the launcher 1. These barrels can be simple bores in the magazine, or include an internal liner acting as a barrel, for example in the case of a plastic magazine comprising a metal liner. The magazine can also be molded in one piece.

[0031] The magazine assembly 2, once detached from the launcher 1, is inoperative. It is indeed necessary for the magazine 2 to be fixed on the gripping part 6 of the launcher 1, namely the “active” part being capable of injecting the priming energy (electric current) to the ammunition 4 present in the barrel 3. This gripping part 6 can have very different designs. It is here represented in the form of a handgun with a stock, a trigger 12 and the entire firing trigger device in order to transmit the priming energy at the right time. It can nevertheless have a different design, with a straight handle like that of a flashlight. Indeed, in the case of the present invention, the launcher 1 must no longer include a combustion chamber 9 because this is part of the cartridge case 5 and ammunition 4 assembly itself. This aspect allows great freedom in terms of the type of launcher 1.In fact, the gripping part 6 must only include the firing trigger device allowing the priming energy to be transmitted at the right time.

[0032] The figures represent a magazine 2 with five barrels 3, but these could be of different numbers. It is also possible to have a magazine 2 with a single barrel 3. Having a removable magazine 2 allows the type of magazine 2 to be interchanged (with the advantage of having an ammunition caliber that can vary from one magazine to another, the electrical contacts on the magazine 2 being located in the same places in order to be compatible with the gripping part 6). Each barrel 3 can be loaded and unloaded multiple times.

[0033] Since the magazine assembly 2 acts as the barrel 3, the launcher is more compact, namely shorter since the ammunition 4 is already inserted into the barrel 3. The weapon of the present invention does not comprise both a barrel and a magazine, but rather a magazine acting as a barrel, the barrel 3 being therefore completely integrated into the removable magazine 2. As will be explained in more detail below, the barrels 3 comprise locking elements 11.

[0034] The present invention also relates to the ammunition 4, having the specificity of having several functions. Indeed, each ammunition 4 has the purpose of carrying the projectile 8, but also of locking it in the barrel 3. These ammunitions also have the particularity of comprising an electric primer as described for example in the patent document US 10,415,944. As illustrated in the Figures 5 and 6, the ammunition 4 of the invention comprises a case 5 housing a projectile 8 as well as a primer 7 comprising a primary charge, and possibly a secondary charge, making it possible to project the projectile 8 out of the barrel 3 of the launcher 1 during firing. The ammunition 1 also comprises a combustion chamber 9 being included inside the case 5, having the particularity that, when the ammunition 4 is inserted into the barrel 3, the case 5 and in particular the part of the case comprising the combustion chamber 9 is only partially lined by the barrel 3. The case 5 protrudes from the barrel 3 and therefore from the magazine 2. Orifices 13 are provided in the grippable part 6 of the launcher 1 (see Figure 2) in order to accommodate the protruding case parts 5 of the barrel 3 when the magazine 2 is inserted on the gripping part 6. However, the case parts 5 being located in the orifices 13 when the magazine 2 is inserted on the gripping part 6 are not held by these orifices 13. There is a clearance of approximately 1 mm between the case 5 and the orifice 13, which means that the case 5 is not sleeved by the gripping part 6 of the launcher 1. In this way, there is no combustion chamber present in the gripping part 6 of the launcher 1. It is the case 5 and ammunition 4 assembly itself which comprises the combustion chamber 9, the case 5 therefore only being partially sleeved by the barrel 3. The gripping part 6 of the launcher 1 is therefore not subjected to any stress during firing.

[0035] The case 5 comprises, on its external surface, fixing means 10 which make it possible to lock the ammunition 4 in the barrel 3, the latter comprising fixing means 11 cooperating with those of the case 5. Indeed, as shown in the Figures 3 and 4 , each barrel 3 comprises first fixing means 11 allowing cooperation with second fixing means 10 included on the case 5 of the ammunition 4.

[0036] The fastening of the ammunition 4 in the barrel 3 is preferably a bayonet type connection, namely a connection made by a "push-turn" movement, via lugs 10 penetrating into an L-shaped slot / recess 11. It is this type of fastening means which is shown in the figures, for which the first fastening means 11 are therefore female type fastening means, and the second fastening means 10 are male type fastening means. Obviously, any suitable type of fastening can be used. For example, screwing can be envisaged. Also a groove can be made in the ammunition 4, and a spring in the barrel 3, so that the ammunition 4 is clipped using the groove in the barrel 3 by pushing the spring. The ammunition of the present invention is therefore not smooth due to the presence of the fastening elements 10. The case is preferably made of plastic, with the projectile made of polymer.

[0037] The locking of the ammunition 4 in each barrel 3 is done manually. In this way, the extraction of the cases 5 after firing is facilitated. The ammunition 4 lockable in the barrel 3 makes it possible to simplify the mechanism of the semi-automatic launcher, since there is no need for an insertion mechanism in the barrel 3. Indeed, given that the magazine 2 acts as the barrel 3, the ammunition 4 is locked directly manually in the barrel 3. The case 5 of the ammunition 4 has a geometry such that it projects from the barrel 3 when it is inserted and locked there. In this way, the gripping of the ammunition 4 by the user is facilitated.

[0038] Magazine 2 with multiple barrels 3 has the advantage of semi-automatic launchers. In addition, since magazine 2 is removable, the user can have a stock of them in his pocket, with the ammunition 3 already placed in magazine 2. The principle of locking the ammunition 4 allows the loading to be prepared in advance without the risk of losing ammunition 4.

[0039] In order to minimize the use of moving parts, the launcher 1 of the present invention preferably has 100% electric use, with the exception of the firing trigger mechanism.

[0040] Since the bores in magazine 2 act as barrel 3, magazine 2 does not have to rotate as in the revolver (where in this case the bores in the cylinder must alternately face the launcher barrel). So, assuming that magazine 2 has multiple barrels 3, each barrel 3 carrying ammunition 4 will be used in turn when firing.

[0041] In addition, the launcher comprises a device configured to perform the steps of a securing method: measure an electrical quantity of the electrical circuit of the ammunition primer; deactivate the firing control (or alert the user by means of a signal, in particular audible, vibratory and / or visible) when the detected quantity is outside a predefined range of values.

[0042] In particular, the electrical element for priming the ammunition has a low heat resistance so that the ignition of the primary charge destroys it. In this way, the detection of an infinite resistance on the priming circuit makes it possible to determine that the loaded ammunition has already been used and needs to be replaced. This feature is particularly useful in the case of multiple ammunition placed in a circuit intended for sequential ignition of different cartridges loaded simultaneously.

Claims

1. Barrel (3) preloaded with an ammunition (4), said barrel comprising first fastening means (11), said ammunition (4) comprising a cartridge case (5) housing a projectile (8) and a combustion chamber (9) comprised inside the cartridge case (5) as well as an electrically ignited primer (7) allowing the projectile (8) to be projected during use, said cartridge case (5) comprising second fastening means (10) configured to lock, during use, said ammunition (4) inside said barrel (3) onto the first fastening means (11), and the cartridge case being only partially jacketed by said barrel (3) when the ammunition (4) is inserted during use into said barrel (3).

2. Barrel (3) preloaded with an ammunition (4) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically ignited primer (7) comprises a resistive bridge having a low resistance before its use and a high resistance after its use.

3. Barrel (3) preloaded with an ammunition (4) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a pyrotechnic charge producing, during use, a kinetic energy of the projectile relative to the impact surface area of less than 100 Joules / cm2, preferably less than 50 J / cm2, typically on the order of 30 J / cm2.

4. Preloaded barrel (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein during use the first fastening means (11) allow during use a bayonet-connection type locking of said ammunition (4) to the inside of said barrel (3).

5. Preloaded barrel (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first fastening means (11) of the barrel (3) are of the female type and the second fastening means (10) of the cartridge case (5) are of the male typ.

6. Magazine assembly (2) comprising a plurality of preloaded barrels (3) according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Magazine assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises five barrels (3) allowing the loading of five rounds of ammunition (4).

8. Launcher (1) comprising the magazine assembly (2) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that said magazine assembly (2) is removable and can be separated from the weapon (1).

9. Launcher (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a grip (6), said grip (6) comprising at least one hole (13) configured to house, during use, the cartridge case (5) sticking out from the magazine assembly (2) when the magazine assembly (2) is inserted onto the grip (6).

10. Launcher (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the parts of the cartridge case (5) being situated in the holes (13) when the magazine assembly (2) is inserted onto the grip (6) are not held by these holes (13), a clearance of 0.3 to 5 mm being provided between the cartridge case (5) and the hole (13), preferably of 0.8 to 3 mm, particularly preferably of 1 mm.

11. Launcher (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is a so-called reduced lethality launcher.

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