Device for retrieving casings and weapon provided with such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for recovering pellets and a weapon equipped with such a device (1). The device (1) comprises a deployable structure (4) between a non-deployed state and a deployed state and having a pellet-receiving opening. A displacement mechanism (6, 7, 8) is arranged such that the structure (4) is automatically displaced to the deployed state when the breech wedge is displaced from its closed position to its open position during the return to battery of the weapon, and that the structure (4) is automatically displaced to the non-deployed state before arrival in battery and independently of the movement of the breech wedge.

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of devices for recovering bases, in particular devices for recovering large-calibre ammunition bases for weapons comprising a sleeve breech system and a breech wedge which can slide relative to the sleeve, in particular for tank weapons.

[0002] It should be emphasized that the recovery device according to the present invention is not limited to the recovery of pellets, but could also be used for the recovery of any non-combustible part of the ammunition such as a case.

[0003] When ammunition is fired by a tank-type weapon, a projectile is expelled from a barrel of the weapon and a base is ejected at an ejection port of the weapon.

[0004] To prevent the pellets from accumulating near the ejection port, which could lead to a firing incident due to clogging, it is known to use a pellet recovery device.

[0005] For example, the pellet recovery device disclosed in French patent FR2613235 is known. This device comprises a reinforced canvas recovery bag which is placed at the rear of the breech sleeve. The bag must be manually released after firing and recovery of the pellet, to allow the introduction of new ammunition into the weapon, then also manually replaced before firing.

[0006] However, this device requires human intervention and the steps of manually installing and manually removing the collection bag are time-consuming. Therefore, such a device is not suitable when the turret is equipped with automatic loading means and a high rate of fire is desired.

[0007] US patent US8555767 proposes an ammunition butt recovery device that operates automatically, without any human intervention. This device comprises a butt recovery bag carried by two movable upper arms and two movable lower arms, such that the bag is placed in a deployed state or in an undeployed state by the movement of the breech sleeve. When the bag is in its undeployed state, the device is retracted under the weapon.

[0008] However, when not in use, i.e. when stowed, such a device significantly encroaches on the volume surrounding the weapon. This bulk is not compatible with cramped environments that may be encountered, for example in a vehicle turret.

[0009] The present invention thus aims to propose a solution making it possible to maintain high rates of fire by rapid deployment and disengagement of the base recovery device in masked time during firing, and therefore allowing the recovery of ammunition bases fired in a weapon fed using an automatic loading device allowing a very short time interval between two successive shots. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a recovery device operating automatically and adjustable in relation to the firing sequence of the weapon, without any human intervention. Yet another aim of the present invention is to propose a solution that is less bulky than the solutions of the prior art, and therefore limiting the size necessary for the deployment and disengagement of the device.Finally, the present invention aims to propose an inexpensive solution, the recovery device not requiring the addition of an actuator.

[0010] The present invention relates to a device for recovering ammunition bases for a weapon of the type comprising a movable breech wedge in a breech sleeve between a closed position, in which the breech wedge closes a chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open to receive ammunition, which device comprises: a structure deployable between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the deployable structure having a base receiving opening intended to be placed opposite the chamber in the deployed state and not to be opposite the chamber in the non-deployed state, the base receiving opening being delimited by a first arm intended to be connected to the breech sleeve and a second arm parallel to the first arm; at least one lever movable in rotation about a pivot axis parallel to the first and second arms and intended to be connected to the breech sleeve, the at least one lever supporting the second arm; and a mechanism for moving the at least one lever, arranged to place the at least one lever in a folded position, in which the structure is in the non-deployed state, and in an unfolded position, in which the structure is in the deployed state, characterized by the fact that the movement mechanism comprises: an actuating member capable of being moved in translation and in rotation, the rotational movement being intended to be controlled by a system for controlling the movement of the breech wedge; a drive assembly connected to the at least one lever and capable of moving the at least one lever in rotation about its pivot axis as a result of a rotation of the actuating member; and a clutch assembly intended to be carried by the breech sleeve and capable of occupying a coupling position, in which the actuating member and the drive assembly are coupled in rotation, and a decoupling position, in which the actuating member and the drive assembly are decoupled, the clutch assembly being arranged to be placed in the coupling position during the phase of the weapon returning to battery during which the breech wedge is moved from its closed position to its open position,whereby the at least one lever is moved to its unfolded position by the drive assembly to allow ejection of a base into the deployable structure in the deployed state once the breech wedge is in its open position, and to be placed in the decoupling position as the weapon approaches the end of return to battery, whereby the at least one movable lever is then moved to its folded position by the action of a return means, independently of the movement of the breech wedge.

[0011] Such a device allows automatic recovery of the bases and in masked time during firing. Therefore, thanks to such a device, no human intervention is necessary for the recovery of the bases and the rate of fire is not reduced, the weapon being able to be reloaded as soon as it returns to battery. In addition, the device being configured to be indexed, on the one hand on the movement of the breech wedge, and on the other hand, on the movement of the breech sleeve, no additional actuator is necessary, thus making it possible to obtain a low-cost device.

[0012] Advantageously, the recovery device comprises a single lever, a distal end of which is secured to the second arm and a proximal end of which is connected to the pivot axis, the lever and the second arm being perpendicular to each other.

[0013] Such a single-lever kinematics is space-saving.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the actuating member is a part mounted for translation along a rotary cylinder intended to be connected for rotation to the cylinder head sleeve around an axis of rotation parallel to the pivot axis, the rotation of the rotary cylinder being intended to be controlled by the system for controlling the movement of the cylinder head wedge, said part being coupled in rotation to the rotary cylinder and comprising: a first connecting part connected to the clutch assembly such that said part is movable in translation along the rotary cylinder by moving the clutch assembly between the coupling and decoupling positions, but that a rotation of said part about the axis of rotation is not transmitted to the clutch assembly; a second connecting part comprising a lug carrying a coupling member in rotation to the drive assembly when the clutch assembly is in the coupling position; and a third connecting part around which the drive assembly is mounted so as to allow a relative rotation between the actuating member and the drive assembly when the clutch assembly is in the decoupling position.

[0015] Preferably, the clutch assembly comprises: a thrust element intended to be connected to the cylinder head sleeve and mounted to move in translation along a thrust direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first and second arms and parallel to the plane in which the at least one lever pivots; a coupling element integral in translation with the actuating member; and an intermediate element connected on the one hand to the thrust element and on the other hand to the coupling element, and arranged to transform a translational movement of the thrust element towards the coupling element into a translational movement of the coupling element, and therefore of the actuating member, away from the drive assembly, and vice versa, the coupling element being furthermore arranged to prevent any transmission of a rotation of the actuating member to the intermediate element.

[0016] Preferably, the training set comprises: a first drive element configured to be rotationally coupled to the actuating member when the clutch assembly is in the coupling position; a second drive element connected to the first drive element and cooperating with the at least one lever such that a rotation of the first drive element under the action of the actuating member causes a rotation of the at least one lever towards its unfolded position; and the return means connected to one of the first drive element and the second drive element and arranged such that, when the clutch assembly is in the uncoupling position, the return means urges the drive elements so as to cause a rotation of the at least one lever towards its folded position.

[0017] The second drive member may include a locking hook arranged to engage the at least one lever when the at least one lever is in its stowed position.

[0018] This locking hook ensures that at least one lever is kept in the folded position and therefore that the deployable structure is kept in the non-deployed state when the weapon is ready for loading.

[0019] Advantageously, the deployable structure comprises an envelope made of flexible material in the form of a bag, the opening for receiving bases being the only opening of the bag.

[0020] Alternatively, the deployable structure could be in the form of a chute having an upper opening formed by the base receiving opening and a lower opening oriented towards a base storage system.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the first arm is a lower arm intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the breech sleeve at a lower region of the breech sleeve cheeks located below the chamber opening, and the second arm is an upper arm, the first and second arms extending horizontally.

[0022] Alternatively, the first and second arms could be left and right arms extending vertically. In yet another alternative, the first arm could be hinged relative to the breech sleeve, with both the first and second arms being movable arms.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a large-caliber weapon comprising a movable breech wedge in a breech sleeve between a closed position, in which the breech wedge closes a chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open to receive ammunition, characterized in that it is equipped with a device for recovering ammunition bases as defined above, the pivot axis of the at least one lever being positioned on a rear face of one of the cheeks of the breech sleeve, the rotational movement of the actuating member being controlled by a system for controlling the movement of the breech wedge and the clutch assembly being carried by the breech sleeve.

[0024] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a weapon equipped with the pellet recovery device according to the present invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is an enlarged perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention mounted at the rear of the breech sleeve, the device not being deployed; [ Fig. 3 ] is a perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention, the device not being deployed; [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention, the device being deployed; [ Fig. 5 ] is a detailed perspective view of the actuating member; [ Fig. 6 ] is a detailed perspective view showing the cooperation between the actuating member and the first drive element in the coupling position; [ Fig. 7 ] is a detailed perspective view in section along the longitudinal axis of the lever, showing the position of the drive assembly before opening the breech wedge; [ Fig. 8 ] is a detailed perspective view in section along a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the actuating member, showing the connection between the actuating member and the coupling element; [ Fig. 9 ] is a bottom view, showing the clutch assembly in the engaged position; [ Fig. 10 ] is a rear view of the device, showing the clutch assembly in the decoupled position; and [ Fig. 11 ] is a schematic view of the system for controlling the movement of the breech wedge and the rotation of the rotating cylinder and the actuating member.

[0025] The pellet recovery device 1 according to the present invention, as illustrated in the Figures 1 has 4, is intended to be mounted on a breech sleeve 2 of a weapon 3. This sleeve 2 comprises, in a manner known per se, an ejection hole 20 in the extension of which is the chamber of the weapon. Conventionally, a breech wedge 22 ( Figure 11 ) can be moved vertically relative to the breech sleeve 2 between a closed position, in which the breech wedge 22 closes the chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open. To load the weapon 3, ammunition is brought to the hole 20, in particular by an automatic loading device, then introduced into the chamber. When the ammunition is fired, the breech wedge 22 is in the closed position. After the ammunition is fired, only the base remains in the chamber of the weapon. The breech sleeve 2 then moves back before returning to its initial position. During this return to battery, the breech wedge 22 is moved to its open position. Once the breech wedge 22 is in the open position, the base is ejected through the ejection hole 20 with a certain speed and must be recovered by the device 1 according to the present invention.

[0026] In order to recover the ejected pellet, the pellet recovery device 1 according to the present invention comprises a deployable structure 4, at least one lever 5 and a mechanism 6, 7, 8 for moving the at least one lever.

[0027] If we refer to the Figures 2 has 4 , we can see that the deployable structure 4 can be placed in a deployed state and in an undeployed state. In the deployed state ( Figure 4 ), the deployable structure 4 is located opposite the ejection hole 20, in other words opposite the opening of the chamber, such that it is able to receive the ejected base. In the undeployed state ( Figure 3 ), the deployable structure 4 is released from the ejection hole 20 to allow the passage of ammunition.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the deployable structure 4 comprises a first fixed lower arm 40, a second movable upper arm 41 and an envelope 42 made of flexible material having an opening 42a for receiving bases connected to the first 40 and second 41 arms.

[0029] The term "lower" used in the context of the present invention designates an element intended to be located at a lower region of the sleeve 2 of the weapon 3. The term "upper" designates an element intended to be located above the lower element and capable of being moved to an upper region of the sleeve 2 of the weapon 3.

[0030] The first arm 40 is fixed on the rear face 2A of the breech sleeve 2, here by means of two arm supports 43, screwed into the breech sleeve 2 and each integral with one of the ends of the first arm 40. The two arm supports 43 are positioned opposite each other on the rear face 2A of each of the two cheeks 21 of the sleeve 2 and below the opening of the ejection hole 20, such that the first arm 40 extends between the two cheeks 21 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A0 of the weapon 3 and horizontally. Preferably, the first arm 40 is fixed in the vicinity of the lower edge of the breech sleeve 2 and is in the form of a tube.

[0031] The second arm 41, parallel to the first arm 40, is articulated relative to the cylinder head sleeve 2 by means of at least one lever 5 to which it is fixed by one of its ends. The second arm 41 may also be formed in one piece with the at least one lever 5. When the structure 4 is in the non-deployed state, the second arm 41 is positioned above the first arm 40, in other words between the first arm 40 and the base of the ejection hole 20, in the vicinity of the first arm 40 and in the same vertical plane as the first arm 40. When the structure 4 is in the deployed state, the second arm 41 is positioned above the opening of the ejection hole 20, in other words between the upper edge of the ejection hole 20 and the upper edge of the breech sleeve 2, and in a vertical plane parallel to the vertical plane comprising the first arm 40, in other words further away from the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2 than the first arm 40.The first 40 and second 41 arms are substantially the same length. Preferably, the second arm 41 is also in the form of a tube.

[0032] Alternatively, the first and second arms could be vertically extending left and right arms. In this case, the first arm should be positioned at a distance from the lateral edge of the opening of the ejection hole 20 such that in the undeployed state both arms are sufficiently far from the opening so as not to impede the passage of ammunition to the chamber. In yet another alternative, the first arm could be hinged relative to the breech sleeve 2, the first and second arms both being movable arms.For example, the first arm could be mounted to rotate freely relative to the breech sleeve 2 such that in the undeployed state the first arm extends below the plane of the lower face 2B of the breech sleeve 2 and forward relative to the plane of the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2, and in the deployed state this first arm extends below the plane of the lower face 2B of the breech sleeve 2 and rear AR relative to the plane of the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2.

[0033] The envelope 42 made of flexible material, shown in dotted lines on the Figures 2 And 4, is in the form of a bag having a single opening constituted by the opening 42a for receiving bases. This opening 42a is delimited by at least one lower lip and one upper lip. The lower lip is connected to the first arm 40 by any suitable fixing member. The upper lip is connected to the second arm 41 by any suitable fixing member. The envelope 42 can be made of reinforced canvas or any other flexible material that is sufficiently strong to prevent tearing during ejection of the base. Such an envelope 42 with a single opening 42a makes it possible to recover the ejected bases for storage. The envelope 42 collects the bases until it is completely full, then once full it is emptied to be ready again to collect bases.

[0034] The term "flexible material enclosure" includes any unit capable of receiving the bases and of occupying a deployed state and an undeployed state.

[0035] Alternatively, the flexible material casing 42 with a single opening 42a could be replaced by a chute having an upper opening formed by the base receiving opening and a lower opening oriented towards a base storage system. In this case, the chute recovers the bases with a view to diverting them to a remote storage system.

[0036] The at least one lever 5 is intended to connect the second arm 41 to the cylinder head sleeve 2. In the preferred embodiment shown, the device 1 comprises a single lever 5 in order to reduce the size of the device 1. Thus, one of the ends of the second arm 41 is a free end, while the other end of the second arm 41 is integral with the lever 5.

[0037] The lever 5 is movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear face 2A of one of the cheeks 21 of the sleeve 2, and therefore in a plane perpendicular to the second arm 41.

[0038] The lever 5 has a distal end 5a to which the second arm 41 is secured and a proximal end 5b articulated relative to the breech sleeve 2. In particular, the proximal end 5b of the lever 5 is secured to a pivot axis 50 parallel to the second arm 41 and which passes through the lever 5. This pivot axis 50 is rotatably mounted in a yoke 51 secured to the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2 and positioned in the vicinity of the upper edge of the opening of the ejection hole 20. Thus, the second arm 41 is movable relative to the breech sleeve 2 by rotation of the lever 5 around its pivot axis 50 between a folded position and an unfolded position.

[0039] In the folded position ( Figures 1 has 3 And 7), the lever 5 is arranged against the rear face 2A of the breech sleeve 2, substantially vertically and the second arm 41 extends below the opening of the ejection hole 20, in other words the deployable structure 4 is in the non-deployed state. In the unfolded position ( Figure 4 ), the lever 5 extends away from the rear face 2A of the breech sleeve 2 and rear AR relative to the latter in a plane here forming an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to a vertical plane, and the second arm 41 extends above the opening of the ejection hole 20, in other words the deployable structure 4 is in the deployed state.

[0040] As can be seen on the Figure 7 , the lever 5 has a longitudinal groove 52 opening on its face directed towards the breech sleeve 2 in the folded position. The end region of the groove 52 on the pivot axis 50 side is crossed by a lug 53 parallel to the pivot axis 50. The end region of the groove 52 on the second arm 41 side is crossed by a pin 54 mounted to slide along the groove 52. The pin 54 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lever 5 and parallel to the axis of the second arm 41, and is guided by its two ends each extending in a longitudinal notch 55 formed in a respective lateral wall of the lever 5. Each end of the pin 54 is connected to one end of an extension spring 56 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lever 5 and the other end of which is connected to an axis secured to the lever 5, mounted closer to the lug 53 than the pin 54.The springs 56 therefore elastically stress the pin 54 in the direction towards the lug 53.

[0041] The mechanism 6, 7, 8 for moving the at least one lever 5 is connected on the one hand to the at least one lever 5 and on the other hand to the breech sleeve 2 and to the breech wedge 22. The movement mechanism 6, 7, 8 is arranged and configured to move the lever 5 to its unfolded position when the breech wedge 22 is moved from its closed position to its open position during the return to battery of the weapon 3, and to its folded position as the end of the return to battery of the weapon 3 approaches.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the displacement mechanism 6, 7, 8 comprises an actuating member 6, a drive assembly 7 and a clutch assembly 8.

[0043] The actuating member 6 has the function of transforming the downward movement of the breech wedge 22 from its closed position to its open position into a rotational movement of the lever 5 from its folded position to its unfolded position by means of the drive assembly 7. For this purpose, the actuating member 6 is connected to the breech wedge 22, in particular to the system 9 which manages the downward movement of the breech wedge 22.

[0044] Advantageously, as shown schematically in the Figure 11 , the control system 9 for the movement of the breech wedge 22, in particular its descent, comprises a rack 90 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A0 of the weapon 3 and carried in the lower part of the breech sleeve 2 so as to be able to slide relative to a bearing 91 secured to the breech sleeve 2. A compression spring 92 is mounted around the rack 90 and is interposed between the bearing 91 and a stop 93 secured to the rack 90. ​​The rack 90 also meshes with a first pinion 94 which itself meshes with a second pinion 95.

[0045] During the return to battery, the front end AV of the rack 90 comes to bear against an obstacle or cam (not shown), carried by the carriage of the weapon 3, which moves the rack 90 towards the rear AR relative to the breech sleeve 2, compressing the compression spring 91. The rack 90 then pivots a lever which is, in a known manner, pivotally mounted around a pivot axis, for example here integral in rotation with the first pinion 94, and with one end of the lever which cooperates with a cam path formed in the breech wedge 22, such that the pivoting of the lever leads to a downward movement of the breech wedge 2 to its open position where it will be maintained.

[0046] After loading ammunition, the obstacle or cam is moved, for example by a cam pusher, so as to no longer oppose the rack 90, which is then caused, under the action of the compression spring 91 which relaxes, to move forward AV to its initial position, thus pivoting the lever in the opposite direction and raising the breech wedge 2 to the closed position.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, as can be seen in the Figure 5 , the actuating member 6 is a tubular part which is mounted around a rotary cylinder 60 carried by the breech sleeve 2 and the rotation of which is controlled by the control system 9 which manages the movement of the breech wedge 22, the connection between the tubular part and the rotary cylinder 60 being a sliding connection.

[0048] If we consider the control system 9 of the movement of the breech wedge 22 described above, in order to allow the control of the rotation of the rotary cylinder 60, the rack 90 is connected to the rotary cylinder 60 by means of the first pinion 94 and the second pinion 95, the latter being integral with the rotary cylinder 60, on the side of the rotary cylinder 60 opposite the actuating member 6. Thus, the movement of the rack 90 towards the rear simultaneously leads to the descent of the breech wedge 22 and to the rotation of the rotary cylinder 60 in a direction of rotation allowing the lever 5 to be moved to its unfolded position.

[0049] More specifically, the rotary cylinder 60 extends between the two cheeks 21 in the vicinity of the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2 and below the lower face 2B of the sleeve 2, therefore below the first fixed arm 40. The rotary cylinder 60 is mounted to rotate relative to the cylinder head sleeve 2. Thus, the rotary cylinder-tubular part assembly is mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis A1 of the rotary cylinder 60 which is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first 40 and second 41 arms. The actuating member 6 is mounted to slide axially along the rotary cylinder 60 at the lever-side end region 5 of the rotary cylinder 60. The rotary cylinder 60 is a notched shaft whose notches 60a penetrate into complementary housings 6a which are provided in the inner peripheral surface of said tubular part and which pass through it in the longitudinal direction of the latter.The complementarity of shape between the notches 60a and the housings 6a allows said tubular part to move in translation along the rotary cylinder 60 while being guided by the notches 60a, but to be fixed in rotation relative to the rotary cylinder 60. Rims 6b projecting towards the inside of said tubular part, at the end of said tubular part on the clutch assembly 8 side, make it possible to form a stop for the positioning of the rotary cylinder 60 in said tubular part, the rotary cylinder 60 bearing against these rims 6b in the coupling position of the clutch assembly 8, as will be described in more detail below.

[0050] The tubular part of the actuating member 6 is a part formed from a single piece and comprising first 61, second 62 and third 63 connecting parts.

[0051] The first connecting part 61 is a first tubular section integral with the clutch assembly 8. In particular, the outer diameter of this first tubular section is dimensioned such that the first connecting part 61 is received in a corresponding tubular section of the clutch assembly 8 and made integral with it, in particular by screwing. This connection between the actuating member 6 and the clutch assembly 8 allows the axial translational movement of the actuating member 6 relative to the rotary cylinder 60 by control of the clutch assembly 8.

[0052] The second connecting part 62 is a second tubular section juxtaposed with the first tubular section, with an external diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first tubular section. This second tubular section carries on its periphery a tab 62a which extends in the same plane as the second tubular section and is orthogonal to the rotating cylinder 60. This tab 62a has a through hole 62b.

[0053] The third connecting portion 63 is a third tubular section of the same outer diameter as the first tubular section and juxtaposed with the second tubular section. Thus, the second tubular section is arranged between the first and third tubular sections. The outer diameter of this third tubular section is dimensioned such that the third connecting portion 63 is adapted to be received in a corresponding tubular section of the drive assembly 7 so as to be able to pivot relative thereto and also to slide towards or away from it.

[0054] The drive assembly 7 has the function of transmitting the rotational movement of the actuating member 6 to the lever 5 when the drive assembly 7 is rotationally coupled to the actuating member 6, in order to move the lever 5 from its folded position to its unfolded position. The drive assembly 7 also has the function of returning the lever 5 to its folded position when the drive assembly 7 is no longer rotationally coupled to the actuating member 6.

[0055] The drive assembly 7 comprises a first drive element 71 capable of being coupled in rotation to the actuating member 6 ( Figure 6 ), a second drive element 72 connected to the first drive element 71 and cooperating with the lever 5, and a return means 73 connected to one of the first drive element 71 and the second drive element 72.

[0056] The first drive element 71 is mounted around the rotary cylinder 60 and around the third connecting part 63. Thus, when the third connecting part 63 is received in the first drive element 71, the first drive element 71 is mounted to be movable in rotation around the longitudinal axis A1 of the rotary cylinder 60, in the plane containing the lever 5, in other words in vertical alignment with the pivot axis 50.

[0057] The first drive element 71 has a tubular body from the periphery of which two pairs of legs 71a, 71b extend radially. The two pairs of legs 71a, 71b are diametrically opposed and each have an axis passing through them. The second drive element 72 is rotatably mounted about the axis carried by the first pair of legs 71a. The return means 73 is connected to the axis 71c, called the drive axis, carried by the second pair of legs 71b, which drive axis 71c projects out of the leg 71b on the actuating member 6 side. The diameter of the drive axis 71c corresponds to the diameter of the through hole 62b, and the legs 71b and the leg 62a are dimensioned so that the through hole 62b can be aligned with the drive axis 71c and, if necessary, engaged thereon to secure in rotation the first drive element 71 and the actuating member 6, as will be explained below.The tubular body of the first drive element 71 has an internal diameter sized so as to be able to receive the third connecting part 63 while allowing translational movement of the third connecting part 63 along the notched rotating cylinder 60 and inside the tubular body.

[0058] The second drive element 72 is connected to the first drive element 71, to the return means 73 and to the lever 5. As can be seen in the Figures 4 And 7, it is in the form of a connecting rod having a first low end 72a and a second high end 72b. The connecting rod extends in a vertical plane, orthogonal to the pivot axis 50 and to the first 40 and second 41 arms. The first end 72a of the connecting rod has a hole for the passage of the axis carried by the first pair of legs 71a of the first drive element 71. Thus, the connecting rod is rotatably mounted relative to the first drive element 71 at its first end 72a. The lower end region of the connecting rod has an arcuate shape to allow the connecting rod to move around the first drive element 71. The second end 72b of the connecting rod has an oblong hole 74 through which the lug 53 of the lever 5 extends, which oblong hole 74 is sized to allow the lug 53 to slide therealong.Between its first 72a and second 72b ends, the connecting rod comprises a locking hook 75 directed away from the breech sleeve 2. This locking hook 75 is configured so as to be engaged by the pin 54 of the lever 5, under the action of the springs 56, when the lever 5 is in the folded position, in order to ensure that the device 1 is clear of the opening of the ejection hole 20. Between its first end 72a and the locking hook 75, the connecting rod comprises a hole 76 making it possible to connect the return means 73 to the connecting rod. The thickness of the connecting rod is chosen such that the connecting rod is capable of being received in the longitudinal groove 52 of the lever 5.

[0059] The return means 73 is a spring whose two ends are respectively connected to the first drive element 71 and to the connecting rod 72. This spring 73 is an extension spring having the function of bringing the lugs 71b of the first drive element 71 closer to the connecting rod 72. Thus, when the first drive element 71 is no longer coupled in rotation to the actuating member 6, the spring 73 tends to move the first drive element 71 in rotation so that the connecting rod 72 is pulled towards the axis of the first drive element 71, and therefore the lever 5 is returned to its folded position.

[0060] Alternatively, the return means 73 could be connected to the connecting rod 72 and to the cylinder head sleeve 2.

[0061] The clutch assembly 8 has the function of decoupling the actuating member 6 and the drive assembly 7 when the weapon 3 reaches the return-to-battery position, such that the movement of the drive assembly 7 and therefore of the lever 5 is no longer linked to the closing movement of the breech block 22. The clutch assembly 8 also has the function of coupling the actuating member 6 and the drive assembly 7 at least during the return-to-battery, such that the movement of the drive assembly 7 and therefore of the lever 5 is again linked to the opening movement of the breech block 22.

[0062] To this end, as can be seen from the Figures 3 , 4 And 9 , the clutch assembly 8 comprises a thrust element 80, a coupling element 81 and an intermediate element 82.

[0063] The thrust element 80 is connected on the one hand to the cylinder head sleeve 2 and on the other hand to the intermediate element 82. It is in the form of a cylindrical rod supported by two supports 83 spaced from each other and secured to the sleeve 2, in particular by screwing. These two supports 83 each have a through hole for the passage of the rod. The rod is dimensioned such that it is able to slide in the through holes. The longitudinal axis A2 of the rod is orthogonal to the pivot axis 50 and to the first 40 and second 41 arms. Thus, the sliding direction of the rod, called thrust direction A2, is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the two arms 40, 41. The two supports 83 are arranged opposite each other at the base of the cylinder head sleeve 2, on the side of the cheek 21 carrying the pivot axis 50. In other words, the two supports 83 and therefore the thrust element 80 are positioned below the lower face 2B of the cylinder head sleeve 2.The region of the rod which extends beyond the support 83 on the front AV side of the sleeve 2 comprises a fin 80a extending into a corresponding groove formed in the lower face 2B of the cylinder head sleeve 2, the fin 80a projecting on the front AV side of the cylinder head sleeve 2.

[0064] A return spring 84, in particular a compression spring, is mounted around the rod between the two supports 83 so as to tend to move the thrust element 80 forwards AV. In particular, one end of the spring 84 bears against a shoulder 80b of the rod which is located between the two supports 83 and the other end bears against the support 83 on the rear side AR of the sleeve 2. The end region of the rod opposite the region carrying the fin 80a comprises a drive finger 80c. The drive finger 80c extends vertically through an orifice made in the end region of the rod, namely orthogonally to the thrust direction A2 and to the first 40 and second 41 arms.

[0065] The coupling element 81 is connected on the one hand to the intermediate element 82 and on the other hand to the actuating member 6. The coupling element 81 comprises a part 81a for connection to the actuating member 6 and a part 81b for connection to the intermediate element 82. As can be seen in the Figure 8, the connecting part 81a is a tubular body mounted to rotate freely around the connecting part 81b and mounted coaxially with the rotating cylinder 60. Thus, the coupling element 81 is mounted to move in translation along an axis coaxial with the rotating cylinder 60. The tubular body is made integral, by screwing, with the first connecting part 61 which is received in said tubular body. The free-rotating mounting allows the connecting part 81b to remain fixed in rotation despite a rotation of the actuating member 6. The connecting part 81b comprises a disc and a tab. The disc is housed in the tubular body of the connecting part 81a and is taken between the first connecting part 61 and an inwardly directed rim formed at the end of the connecting part 81a. The tab is carried by the disc, perpendicular to the plane of the disc, and therefore projects relative to the connecting part 81a opposite the actuating member 6.The leg extends in a horizontal plane and is crossed by a follower finger 81c. The follower finger 81c extends vertically, parallel to the drive finger 80c and orthogonally to the translation axis of the coupling element 81.

[0066] The intermediate element 82 is connected on the one hand to the drive finger 80c of the thrust element 80 and on the other hand to the follower finger 81c of the coupling element 81. It comprises a central tube 82a having a longitudinal axis A3 vertical and orthogonal to the thrust direction A2. Two pairs of legs 82b extend radially from the central tube 82a. The two pairs of legs 82b form an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees between them. The two pairs 82b are vertically offset from each other, in other words the two pairs 82b do not extend in the same horizontal plane. Each of the legs 82b has an oblong hole 82c, the oblong holes 82c of two legs 82b of the same pair being in vertical alignment with each other. One of the pairs of legs 82b is crossed by the follower finger 81c which is able to slide along the oblong holes 82c.The other pair of legs 82b is crossed by the drive finger 80c which is able to slide along the oblong holes 82c, the end region of the pushing element 80 comprising the drive finger 80c being received in the space between the two legs 82b.

[0067] With such an arrangement, a translational movement of the thrust element 80 along the thrust direction A2 towards the coupling element 81 causes the intermediate element 82 to rotate around the fingers 80c, 81c and to move along them, which causes a translational movement of the coupling element 81, and therefore of the actuating member 6, away from the drive assembly 7, until the tab 62a is disengaged from the drive shaft 71c, the actuating member 6 then no longer being rotationally integral with the first drive element 71 and the thrust element 80 then having been moved in translation to a decoupling position.This translational movement of the thrust element 80, against the action of the spring 84, is obtained as the end of the return to battery is approached, by the fact that the free end of the fin 80a, which is located further forward than the free end of the rod of the thrust element 80, comes for example to bear against a fixed support piece, for example integral with the gun mount, the forces used to bring the gun 3 back into battery being greater than the elastic stress of the spring 84.

[0068] Conversely, a translational movement of the thrust element 80 in the thrust direction A2 away from the coupling element 81 causes the intermediate element 82 to rotate around the fingers 80c, 81c and to move along them, which causes a translational movement of the coupling element 81, and therefore of the actuating member 6, towards the drive assembly 7, until the through hole 62b of the tab 62a of the actuating member 6 is engaged on the drive axis 71c, thus securing in rotation the actuating member 6 and the first drive element 71, the thrust element 80 then having been moved to a coupling position. This translational movement of the thrust element 80 can be obtained by the action of the spring 84 when no more support is exerted on the fin 80a.

[0069] The operation of the pellet recovery device 1 according to the invention is as follows. When firing a round and recoiling the breech sleeve 2, the lever 5 is in the folded position, and therefore the deployable structure 4 is in the non-deployed state. At the end of the recoil, the clutch assembly 8 is held in the coupling position by the action of the spring 84.

[0070] During the return to battery of the breech sleeve 2, the breech wedge 22 is moved from its closed position to its open position. Together with the movement of the breech wedge 22 to its open position, the control system 9 for the movement of the breech wedge 22 causes a rotation of the rotary cylinder 60, and therefore of the actuating member 6. The actuating member 6 being coupled in rotation to the first drive element 71 by the drive axis 71c, the first drive element 71 is then also driven in rotation about the axis of rotation A1. The first drive element 71 being connected to the connecting rod 72, the connecting rod 72 is in turn moved in a vertical plane and rises while being guided by the sliding of the lug 53 of the lever 5 in the oblong hole 74 of the connecting rod 72.Once the lug 53 comes into abutment against the lower edge of the oblong hole 74, the locking hook 75 is disengaged from the pin 54, which releases the lever 5 from its folded position. The continued upward movement of the connecting rod 72 then causes the lever 5 to rotate around the pivot axis 50. Thus, the lever 5 is moved to its unfolded position. As the lever 5 moves, the deployable structure 4 is also unfolded to its deployed state due to the movement of the second arm 41, and the base receiving opening 42a is opened until it is opposite the opening of the base ejection hole 20 at the rear AR of the breech sleeve 2. The various parts are sized for the deployable structure 4 to be in the deployed state as soon as the breech wedge 22 has been cleared of the ejection hole 20.The deployable structure 4 is then maintained in the deployed state as long as the breech wedge 22 is locked in the open position by a conventional extractor system. Thus, the base which is ejected at the end of the opening of the breech wedge 22 passes through the base receiving opening 42a and is recovered in the casing 42 of the deployable structure 4.

[0071] As the end of the return to battery approaches, after ejection of the base, the thrust element 80 is moved along the thrust direction A2 towards the rear AR of the sleeve 2, namely towards the actuating member 6, against the spring 84, for example by pressing against a fixed support piece secured to the carriage of the weapon 3. This translational movement of the thrust element 80 then moves the coupling element 81 in translation along the axis A1 via the intermediate element 82, opposite the actuating member 6. Thus, this movement of the clutch assembly 8 towards its decoupling position causes the translational movement of the actuating member 6, secured in translation to the coupling element 81, along the axis A1 and opposite the first drive element 71, until the member actuating element 6 and the first drive element 71 are no longer rotationally coupled by the drive shaft 71c.Consequently, the actuating member 6 is still indexed in rotation on the rotating cylinder 60 and therefore to the control of the movement of the breech wedge 22, but the first drive element 71 is no longer linked to the control of the movement of the breech wedge 22 and is therefore free to rotate independently of the angular position of the actuating member 6. The biasing of the return spring 73 on the first drive element 71 then makes it possible to pull the connecting rod 72 downwards, which returns the lever 5 to the folded position and therefore the deployable structure 4 to the non-deployed state. Once the lever 5 is in the folded position, the return force of the springs 56 engages the pin 54 with the locking hook 75. Thus, the lever 5 is locked relative to the connecting rod 72. The passage to the chamber of the weapon 3 is freed and in this way the weapon 3 is ready to be loaded for a new shot as soon as it has been brought back into battery.

[0072] Once the ammunition is loaded, the breech wedge 22 is moved to its closed position by the action of the spring. Controlling this movement of the breech wedge 22 causes the actuating member 6 to rotate so as to return the actuating member 6 to an angular position enabling it to rotate the first drive element 71 after the clutch assembly 8 has moved into the coupling position, namely a position in which the through hole 62b of the lug 62a is aligned with the drive axis 71c.

[0073] The movement of the clutch assembly 8 from the decoupling position to the coupling position is obtained during firing, by the action of the return spring 84 at the start of the recoil movement of the weapon 3 and the breech sleeve 2, recoil which releases the thrust element 80 with respect to said support piece and therefore allows the return spring 84 to move the thrust element 80 in translation towards the front AV of the breech sleeve 2.

[0074] Thus, before the end of the recoil of the breech sleeve 2, the actuating member 6 is again coupled to the drive assembly 7 and therefore the movement of the lever 5 can again be caused by the control of the descent of the breech wedge 22 towards its open position during the subsequent return to battery.

[0075] It is understood that the particular embodiment which has just been described has been given for informational purposes and is not limiting, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. - Device (1) for recovering ammunition bases for a weapon (3) of the type comprising a breech wedge (22) movable in a breech sleeve (2) between a closed position, in which the breech wedge (22) closes a chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open to receive ammunition, which device (1) comprises: - a deployable structure (4) between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the deployable structure (4) having a base-receiving opening (42a) intended to be placed opposite the chamber in the deployed state and not to be opposite the chamber in the non-deployed state, the base-receiving opening (42a) being delimited by a first arm (40) intended to be connected to the breech sleeve (2) and a second arm (41) parallel to the first arm (40);- at least one lever (5) movable in rotation about a pivot axis (50) parallel to the first (40) and second (41) arms and intended to be connected to the breech sleeve (2), the at least one lever (5) supporting the second arm (41); and - a movement mechanism (6, 7, 8) of the at least one lever (5), arranged to place the at least one lever (5) in a folded position, in which the structure (4) is in the non-deployed state, and in an unfolded position, in which the structure (4) is in the deployed state, ; characterized by the fact thatthe movement mechanism (6, 7, 8) comprises: - an actuating member (6) capable of being moved in translation and in rotation, the rotational movement being intended to be controlled by a control system (9) for the movement of the breech wedge (22); - a drive assembly (7) connected to the at least one lever (5) and capable of moving the at least one lever (5) in rotation about its pivot axis (50) as a result of a rotation of the actuating member (6); and - a clutch assembly (8) intended to be carried by the breech sleeve (2) and capable of occupying a coupling position, in which the actuating member (6) and the drive assembly (7) are coupled in rotation, and a decoupling position, in which the actuating member (6) and the drive assembly (7) are decoupled,the clutch assembly (8) being arranged to be placed in the coupling position during the phase of the return to battery of the weapon (3) during which the breech wedge (22) is moved from its closed position to its open position, whereby the at least one lever (5) is moved to its unfolded position by the drive assembly (7) to allow the ejection of a base into the deployable structure (4) in the deployed state once the breech wedge (22) is in its open position, and to be placed in the decoupling position as the end of the return to battery of the weapon (3) approaches, whereby the at least one movable lever (5) is then moved to its folded position by the action of return means (73), independently of the movement of the breech wedge (22).

2. - Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatit comprises a single lever (5) of which a distal end (5a) is integral with the second arm (41) and a proximal end (5b) is connected to the pivot axis (50), the lever (5) and the second arm (41) being perpendicular to each other.

3. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact thatthe actuating member (6) is a part mounted in translation along a rotary cylinder (60) intended to be connected in rotation to the cylinder head sleeve (2) about an axis of rotation (A1) parallel to the pivot axis (50), the rotation of the rotary cylinder (60) being intended to be controlled by the control system (9) of the movement of the cylinder head wedge (22), said part being coupled in rotation to the rotary cylinder (60) and comprising: - a first connecting part (61) connected to the clutch assembly (8) such that said part is movable in translation along the rotary cylinder (60) by moving the clutch assembly (8) between the coupling and decoupling positions, but that a rotation of said part about the axis of rotation (A1) is not transmitted to the clutch assembly (8);- a second connecting part (62) comprising a lug (62a) carrying a member (62b) for rotationally coupling the drive assembly (7) when the clutch assembly (8) is in the coupling position; and - a third connecting part (63) around which the drive assembly (7) is mounted so as to allow relative rotation between the actuating member (6) and the drive assembly (7) when the clutch assembly (8) is in the decoupling position.; 4. - Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact thatthe clutch assembly (8) comprises: - a thrust element (80) intended to be connected to the cylinder head sleeve (2) and mounted to move in translation along a thrust direction (A2) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first (40) and second (41) arms and parallel to the plane in which the at least one lever (5) pivots; - a coupling element (81) integral in translation with the actuating member (6); and - an intermediate element (82) connected on the one hand to the thrust element (80) and on the other hand to the coupling element (81), and arranged to transform a translational movement of the thrust element (80) towards the coupling element (81) into a translational movement of the coupling element (81), and therefore of the actuating member (6), away from the drive assembly (7), and vice versa, the coupling element (81) being further arranged to prevent any transmission of a rotation of the actuating member (6) to the intermediate element (82).

5. - Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact thatthe drive assembly (7) comprises: - a first drive element (71) configured to be rotationally coupled to the actuating member (6) when the clutch assembly (8) is in the coupling position; - a second drive element (72) connected to the first drive element (71) and cooperating with the at least one lever (5) such that a rotation of the first drive element (71) under the action of the actuating member (6) causes a rotation of the at least one lever (5) towards its unfolded position; and - the return means (73) connected to one of the first drive element (71) and the second drive element (72) and arranged such that, when the clutch assembly (8) is in the decoupling position, the return means (73) biases the drive elements (71, 72) so as to cause rotation of the at least one lever (5) to its folded position.

6. - Recovery device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the second drive element (72) comprises a locking hook (75) arranged to engage the at least one lever (5) when the at least one lever (5) is in its folded position.

7. - Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the deployable structure (4) comprises an envelope (42) made of flexible material in the form of a bag, the opening (42a) for receiving bases being the only opening of the bag.

8. - Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact thatthe first arm (40) is a lower arm intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the breech sleeve (2) at a lower region of the cheeks (21) of the breech sleeve (2) located below the opening of the chamber, and the second arm (41) is an upper arm, the first (40) and second (41) arms extending horizontally.

9. - Large caliber weapon (3) comprising a breech wedge (22) movable in a breech sleeve (2) between a closed position, in which the breech wedge (22) closes a chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open to receive ammunition, characterized by the fact thatit is equipped with a device (1) for recovering ammunition bases according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the pivot axis (50) of the at least one lever (5) being positioned on a rear face (2A) of one of the cheeks (21) of the breech sleeve (2), the rotational movement of the actuating member (6) being controlled by a control system (9) for the movement of the breech wedge (22) and the clutch assembly (8) being carried by the breech sleeve (2).

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