Cartridge recovery device and weapon equipped with such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge case recovery device (1) and a weapon equipped with such a device (1). The device (1) comprises a deployable structure (4) between a non-deployed and a deployed state and having a cartridge case receiving opening. A movement mechanism (6, 7, 8) is arranged such that the structure (4) is automatically moved to the deployed state when the bolt handle is moved from its closed to its open position during the weapon's return to battery, and that the structure (4) is automatically moved to the non-deployed state before the weapon is brought into battery, independently of the bolt handle movement. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: BUCKLE RECOVERY DEVICE AND WEAPON EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of casing recovery devices, in particular casing recovery devices for large caliber ammunition 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 casings, but could also be used for the recovery of any non-combustible part of the munition such as a casing.

[0003] After a round is fired by a tank gun type weapon, a projectile is expelled from a barrel of the weapon and a base is ejected at the level of an ejection port of the weapon.

[0004] In order to prevent pellets from accumulating in the vicinity of the ejection orifice, which could lead to a firing incident due to clogging, it is known to use a pellet recovery device.

[0005] For example, the spent cartridge case recovery device disclosed in French patent FR2613235 is known. This device comprises a reinforced canvas recovery bag that is placed at the rear of the breech sleeve. The bag must be manually removed after firing and recovery of the spent cartridge case to allow the insertion of a new round into the weapon, and then manually replaced before firing.

[0006] However, this device requires human intervention, and the manual placement and removal of the recovery bag are time-consuming. Therefore, such a device is unsuitable when the turret is equipped with automatic loading means and a high rate of fire is desired.

[0007] U.S. patent US8555767 describes a cartridge case recovery device that operates automatically, without any human intervention. This device comprises a cartridge case recovery bag carried by two movable upper arms and two movable lower arms, such that the bag is placed in a deployed or retracted state by the movement of the breech sleeve. When the bag is in its retracted state, the device is retracted beneath the weapon.

[0008] However, when not in use, in other words when retracted, such a device significantly encroaches on the volume surrounding the weapon. This The bulkiness is not compatible with confined environments that may be encountered, for example in a vehicle turret.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a solution for maintaining high rates of fire through rapid deployment and retraction of the spent casing retrieval device during firing, thus enabling the retrieval of spent casings from a weapon fed by an automatic loading device that allows for a very short interval between successive shots. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a retrieval device that operates automatically and is adjustable in relation to the weapon's firing sequence, without any human intervention. Yet another objective of the present invention is to offer a less bulky solution than prior art solutions, thereby reducing the space required for deploying and retracting the device.Finally, the present invention aims to provide a low-cost solution, as the recovery device does not require the addition of an actuator.

[0010] The present invention relates to a device for recovering spent ammunition casings for a weapon of the type comprising a movable breech wedge in a breech sleeve between a closed position, in which the breech wedge seals a chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open to receive a round, which device comprises: - a deployable structure between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the deployable structure having a cartridge reception opening intended to be placed opposite the chamber in the deployed state and not opposite the chamber in the non-deployed state, the cartridge reception 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 movable lever rotating around a pivot axis parallel to the first and second arms and intended to be connected to the breech sleeve, at least one lever supporting the second arm; and - a mechanism for moving at least one lever, arranged to place the at least one lever in a folded position, in which the structure is in the undeployed state, and in an unfolded position, in which the structure is in the deployed state,

[0011] characterized by the fact that the displacement mechanism comprises: - an actuation element capable of being moved in translation and rotation, the rotational movement being intended to be controlled by a control system for the movement of the breech wedge; - a drive assembly connected to at least one lever and capable of rotating at least one lever around its pivot axis as a result of rotating 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 rotationally coupled, 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 return-to-battery phase of the weapon during which the breech wedge is moved from its closed position to its open position, whereby at least one lever is moved to its deployed position by the drive assembly to allow the ejection of a cartridge case in 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 end of the return-to-battery phase of the weapon approaches,whereby at least one movable lever is then moved to its folded position by the action of a return mechanism, independently of the movement of the breech wedge.

[0012] Such a device allows for automatic retrieval of spent cartridges during firing. Consequently, thanks to this device, no human intervention is required for cartridge retrieval, and the rate of fire is not reduced, as the weapon can be reloaded immediately upon returning to battery. Furthermore, since the device is configured to be indexed, on the one hand, to the movement of the breechblock wedge, and on the other hand, to the movement of the breechblock sleeve, no additional actuator is necessary, thus resulting in a low-cost device.

[0013] Advantageously, the retrieval device comprises a single lever, a distal end of which is fixed 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.

[0014] Such a single-lever kinematic system is compact.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the actuating member is a part mounted for translation along a rotating cylinder intended to be rotationally connected to the cylinder head sleeve about an axis of rotation parallel to the pivot axis, the rotation of the rotating cylinder being intended to be controlled by the cylinder head wedge movement control system, said part being rotationally coupled to the rotating cylinder and comprising: - a first connecting part linked to the clutch assembly such that said part is movable in translation along the rotating cylinder by moving the clutch assembly between the coupling and positions decoupling, but that a rotation of said part around the axis of rotation is not transmitted to the clutch assembly; - a second connecting part comprising a lug carrying a coupling element that rotates to the drive assembly when the clutch assembly is in the coupled position; and - a third connecting part around which the drive assembly is mounted so as to permit relative rotation between the actuating member and the drive assembly when the clutch assembly is in the decoupling position.

[0016] 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 at least one lever pivots; - a coupling element fixed in translation to the actuating member; and - an intermediate element connected on one side to the thrust element and on the other side to the coupling element, and arranged to transform a translational displacement of the thrust element towards the coupling element into a translational displacement of the coupling element, and therefore of the actuating member, in the opposite direction to the drive assembly, and vice versa, the coupling element being further arranged to prevent any transmission of a rotation from the actuating member to the intermediate element.

[0017] 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 at least one lever such that a rotation of the first drive element under the action of the actuating member causes a rotation of 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 so that, when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position, the return means engages the drive elements in such a way as to cause a rotation of at least one lever towards its folded position.

[0018] The second drive element may include a locking hook arranged to engage with at least one lever when at least one lever is in its folded position.

[0019] This locking hook ensures that at least one lever remains in the folded position and therefore maintains the deployable structure in the undeployed state when the weapon is ready for loading.

[0020] Advantageously, the deployable structure comprises a flexible material envelope in the form of a bag, the pellet receiving opening being the only opening in the bag.

[0021] Alternatively, the deployable structure could be in the form of a chute having an upper opening formed by the pellet receiving opening and a lower opening oriented towards a pellet storage system.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the first arm is a lower arm intended to be fixed relative to the breech sleeve at the level of a lower region of the cheeks of the breech sleeve located below the chamber opening, and the second arm is an upper arm, the first and second arms extending horizontally.

[0023] Alternatively, the first and second arms could be left and right arms extending vertically. In yet another variant, the first arm could be articulated relative to the breech sleeve, with both the first and second arms being movable arms.

[0024] 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 by the fact that it is equipped with a device for recovering ammunition casings as defined above, the pivot axis of 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 breech wedge movement control system and the clutch assembly being carried by the breech sleeve.

[0025] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a weapon equipped with the cartridge recovery device according to the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] is an enlarged perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention mounted at the rear of the cylinder head sleeve, the device not being deployed;

[0028] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention, the device not being deployed;

[0029] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the pellet recovery device according to the invention, the device being deployed;

[0030] [Fig.5] is a detailed perspective view of the actuation member;

[0031] [Fig.6] is a detailed, perspective view showing the cooperation between the organ actuation and the first drive element in the coupling position;

[0032] [Fig.7] is a detailed perspective and cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the lever, showing the position of the drive assembly before the opening of the breech wedge;

[0033] [Fig.8] is a detailed perspective and cross-sectional view along a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the actuating member, showing the connection between the actuating member and the coupling element;

[0034] [Fig.9] is a bottom view, showing the clutch assembly in the coupling position;

[0035] [Fig. 10] is a rear view of the device, showing the clutch assembly in the disengaged position; and

[0036] [Fig. 11] is a schematic view of the control system for the movement of the cylinder head wedge and the rotation of the rotating cylinder and the actuating member.

[0037] The spent cartridge case recovery device 1 according to the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, is intended to be mounted on a breechblock sleeve 2 of a weapon 3. This sleeve 2 has, in a manner known per se, an ejection hole 20 in the extension of which is the chamber of the weapon. Conventionally, a breechblock wedge 22 ([Fig. 11]) can be moved vertically relative to the breechblock sleeve 2 between a closed position, in which the breechblock wedge 22 closes the chamber, and an open position, in which said chamber is open. To load the weapon 3, a cartridge is brought to the level of the hole 20, in particular by an automatic loading device, and then inserted into the chamber. When the cartridge is fired, the breechblock wedge 22 is in the closed position. After the cartridge is fired, only the spent cartridge case remains in the chamber of the weapon. The cylinder head 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 cartridge case is ejected through the ejection hole 20 with a certain velocity and must be recovered by the device 1 according to the present invention.

[0038] 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 at least one lever.

[0039] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, it can be seen that the deployable structure 4 can be placed in a deployed and a non-deployed state. In the deployed state ([Fig. 4]), the deployable structure 4 is positioned opposite the ejection hole 20, that is, opposite the chamber opening, so that it is ready to receive the ejected cartridge case. In the non-deployed state ([Fig. 3]), the deployable structure 4 is clear of the ejection hole 20 to allow the passage of a round.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the deployable structure 4 comprises a first fixed lower arm 40, a second movable upper arm 41 and a flexible material envelope 42 having an opening 42a for receiving sockets connected to the first 40 and second 41 arms.

[0041] The term "lower" used in the context of the present invention refers to an element intended to be located at a lower region of the sleeve 2 of the weapon 3. The term "upper" refers to an element intended to be located above the lower element and capable of being moved to a higher region of the sleeve 2 of the weapon 3.

[0042] The first arm 40 is fixed to 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 attached to one end 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 near the lower edge of the breech sleeve 2 and is in the form of a tube.

[0043] The second arm 41, parallel to the first arm 40, is articulated with respect 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 can also be formed in one piece with at least one lever 5. When the structure 4 is in the undeployed state, the second arm 41 is positioned above the first arm 40, i.e. 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, i.e. 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, i.e. further away from the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2 than the first arm 40.The first 40 and second 41 arms are approximately the same length. Preferably, the second arm 41 is also in the form of a tube.

[0044] Alternatively, the first and second arms could be left and right arms extending vertically. In this case, the first arm must be positioned at a distance from the lateral edge of the ejection port opening 20 such that, when not deployed, both arms are sufficiently far from the opening so as not to obstruct the passage of a round into the chamber. In yet another embodiment, the first arm could be articulated relative to the breech sleeve 2, with both the first and second arms being movable arms.For example, the first arm could be mounted to rotate freely relative to the cylinder head sleeve 2 such that in the undeployed state the first arm extends below the plane of the lower face 2B of the cylinder head sleeve 2 and forward relative to the plane of the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2, and that in the deployed state this first arm extends below the plane of the lower face 2B of the cylinder head sleeve 2 and rear AR relative to the plane of the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2.

[0045] The flexible material envelope 42, shown in dashed lines in Figures 2 and 4, is in the form of a bag having a single opening formed by the pellet-receiving opening 42a. 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 fastening element. The upper lip is connected to the second arm 41 by any suitable fastening element. The envelope 42 can be made of reinforced canvas or any other flexible material sufficiently resistant to prevent tearing during pellet ejection. Such an envelope 42 with a single opening 42a allows the ejected pellets to be collected for storage. The envelope 42 collects the pellets until it is completely full, and then, once full, it is emptied to be ready to collect pellets again.

[0046] The expression "flexible material envelope" encompasses any unit capable of receiving the sockets and of occupying a deployed state and a non-deployed state.

[0047] Alternatively, the flexible material casing 42 with a single opening 42a could be replaced by a chute having an upper opening formed by the pellet receiving opening and a lower opening oriented towards a pellet storage system. In this case, the chute collects the pellets in order to divert them to a remote storage system.

[0048] At least one lever 5 is intended to connect the second arm 41 to the breech sleeve 2. In the preferred embodiment shown, the device 1 includes a single lever 5 in order to reduce the size of the device 1. Thus, one end of the second arm 41 is a free end, while the other end of the second arm 41 is fixed to the lever 5.

[0049] 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 4L

[0050] The lever 5 has a distal end 5a to which the second arm 41 is attached and a proximal end 5b articulated relative to the breech sleeve 2. In particular, the proximal end 5b of the lever 5 is attached 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 attached to the rear face 2A of the sleeve 2 and positioned near the upper edge of the ejection hole opening 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.

[0051] In the folded position (Figures 1 to 3 and 7), the lever 5 is positioned 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 undeployed state. In the unfolded position ([Fig. 4]), the lever 5 extends at a distance from the rear face 2A of the breech sleeve 2 and to the rear of it in a plane forming an angle greater than 90 degrees with 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.

[0052] As can be seen in [Fig.7], the lever 5 has a longitudinal groove 52 opening onto its face directed towards the cylinder head sleeve 2 in the folded position. The end region of the groove 52 on the pivot axis 50 side is traversed by a lug 53 parallel to the pivot axis 50. The end region of the groove 52 on the second arm 41 side is traversed 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 into 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 a shaft integral with 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.

[0053] The mechanism 6, 7, 8 for moving at least one lever 5 is connected on one side to at least one lever 5 and on the other side to the breech sleeve 2 and 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.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the displacement mechanism 6, 7, 8 comprises an actuating member 6, a drive assembly 7 and a clutch assembly 8.

[0055] 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 descent of the breech wedge 22.

[0056] Advantageously, as schematically represented in [Fig. 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 integral with 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 integral with the rack 90. ​​The rack 90 also meshes with a first pinion 94 which itself meshes with a second pinion 95.

[0057] During the return to battery, the front end AV of the rack 90 comes to rest against an obstacle or cam (not shown), carried by the gun mount 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, mounted pivoting around a pivot axis, for example here rotationally fixed to the first pinion 94, and with one end of the lever cooperating with a cam track 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 held.

[0058] After loading a munition, the obstacle or cam is moved, for example by a cam pusher, so as not to oppose the rack 90, which is then brought, 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.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, as can be seen in [Fig.5], the actuation member 6 is a tubular part which is mounted around a rotating cylinder 60 carried by the cylinder head sleeve 2 and whose rotation is controlled by the control system 9 which manages the movement of the cylinder head wedge 22, the connection between the tubular part and the rotating cylinder 60 being a sliding connection.

[0060] Considering the control system 9 for the movement of the cylinder head wedge 22 described above, in order to control the rotation of the rotating cylinder 60, the rack 90 is connected to the rotating cylinder 60 via the first pinion 94 and the second pinion 95, the latter being fixed to the rotating cylinder 60 on the side of the rotating cylinder 60 opposite the actuating member 6. Thus, the rearward movement of the rack 90 simultaneously leads to the downward movement of the cylinder head wedge 22. and to the rotation of the rotating cylinder 60 in a direction of rotation allowing the lever 5 to be moved to its unfolded position.

[0061] More specifically, the rotating 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 rotating cylinder 60 is mounted for rotation relative to the cylinder head sleeve 2. Thus, the rotating cylinder-tubular part assembly is mounted to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis Al of the rotating 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 rotating cylinder 60 at the lever-side end region 5 of the rotating cylinder 60. The rotating cylinder 60 is a serrated shaft whose slots 60a engage in complementary recesses 6a provided in the inner peripheral surface of said tubular part and which pass through it in the longitudinal direction.The complementary shape between the slots 60a and the housings 6a allows said tubular part to move in translation along the rotating cylinder 60 while being guided by the slots 60a, but to be fixed in rotation relative to the rotating cylinder 60. Rims 6b projecting inwards from said tubular part, at the end of said tubular part on the clutch assembly 8 side, provide a stop for positioning the rotating cylinder 60 in said tubular part, the rotating cylinder 60 bearing against these rims 6b in the coupling position of the clutch assembly 8, as will be described in more detail below.

[0062] The tubular part of the actuating member 6 is a part formed in one piece and comprising first 61, second 62 and third 63 connecting parts.

[0063] The first connecting portion 61 is a first tubular section integral with the clutch assembly 8. In particular, the outside diameter of this first tubular section is dimensioned such that the first connecting portion 61 is received within a corresponding tubular section of the clutch assembly 8 and secured to it, notably by screwing. This connection between the actuating member 6 and the clutch assembly 8 allows the actuating member 6 to move axially relative to the rotating cylinder 60 by control of the clutch assembly 8.

[0064] The second connecting part 62 is a second tubular section juxtaposed to the first tubular section, with an outside diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the first tubular section. This second tubular section has 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.

[0065] The third connecting part 63 is a third tubular section with the same outside diameter as the first tubular section and is positioned adjacent to the second tubular section. Thus, the second tubular section is situated between the first and third tubular sections. The outside diameter of this third tubular section is dimensioned such that the third connecting part 63 is suitable for being received into a corresponding tubular section of the drive assembly 7 so as to be able to pivot relative to it and also to slide towards or away from it.

[0066] The drive assembly 7 functions to transmit 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 functions to return the lever 5 to its folded position when the drive assembly 7 is no longer rotationally coupled to the actuating member 6.

[0067] The drive assembly 7 comprises a first drive element 71 suitable for being coupled in rotation to the actuating member 6 ([Fig.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.

[0068] The first drive element 71 is mounted around the rotating 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 movable in rotation around the longitudinal axis Al of the rotating cylinder 60, in the plane containing the lever 5, in other words in the vertical alignment of the pivot axis 50.

[0069] 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 is traversed by an axis. 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 lugs 71b, which drive axis 71c protrudes out of the lug 71b on the side of the actuation member 6. The diameter of the drive axis 71c corresponds to the diameter of the through hole 62b, and the lugs 71b and the lug 62a are dimensioned so that the through hole 62b can be aligned with the drive axis 71c and, if necessary, engaged on it to lock the first drive element 71 and the actuation member 6 in rotation, as will be explained below.The tubular body of the first drive element 71 has an internal diameter dimensioned so as to be able to receive the third part of . link 63 while allowing translational movement of the third part of link 63 along the crenellated rotating cylinder 60 and inside the tubular body.

[0070] The second drive element 72 is connected to the first drive element 71 by means of a return link 73 and a lever 5. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 7, it is in the form of a connecting rod having a first lower end 72a and a second upper end 72b. The connecting rod extends in a vertical plane, orthogonally 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 shaft carried by the first pair of lugs 71a of the first drive element 71. Thus, the connecting rod is mounted for rotation about the first drive element 71 at its first end 72a. The lower end region of the connecting rod has an arc-shaped profile to allow movement of the connecting rod 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. This oblong hole 74 is sized to allow the lug 53 to slide along it. Between its first 72a and second 72b ends, the connecting rod has a locking hook 75 directed opposite the breech sleeve 2. This locking hook 75 is configured 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 ejection hole 20. Between its first end 72a and the locking hook 75, the connecting rod has a hole 76 for connecting the return means 73 to the connecting rod. The thickness of the connecting rod is chosen so that the connecting rod is suitable for being received in the longitudinal groove 52 of the lever 5.

[0071] 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 whose function is to bring 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.

[0072] Alternatively, the return means 73 could be connected to the connecting rod 72 and the cylinder head sleeve 2.

[0073] The clutch assembly 8 functions to decouple the actuating member 6 and the drive assembly 7 when the weapon 3 reaches the battery position, so 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 wedge 22. The clutch assembly 8 also functions to couple the actuating member 6 and the drive assembly 7 at least when returning to battery, so that the movement of the drive assembly 7 and therefore of the lever 5 is again linked to the movement, of opening, of the breech wedge 22.

[0074] For this purpose, as can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 9, the clutch assembly 8 comprises a thrust element 80, a coupling element 81 and an intermediate element 82.

[0075] The thrust element 80 is connected on one side to the cylinder head sleeve 2 and on the other side to the intermediate element 82. It is in the form of a cylindrical rod supported by two supports 83 spaced apart and fixed to the sleeve 2, notably by screw fastening. Each of these two supports 83 has a through hole for the passage of the rod. The rod is dimensioned so 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 the thrust direction A2, is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the two arms 40, 4L. The two supports 83 are arranged opposite each other at the base of the breech 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 breech sleeve 2.The region of the rod which extends beyond the support 83 on the front side AV of the sleeve 2 has a fin 80a extending in a corresponding groove formed in the lower face 2B of the cylinder head sleeve 2, the fin 80a projecting on the front side AV of the cylinder head sleeve 2.

[0076] 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 forward (AV). In particular, one end of the spring 84 bears against a shoulder 80b of the rod 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 has a drive finger 80c. The drive finger 80c extends vertically through an opening in the end region of the rod, namely orthogonally to the thrust direction A2 and to the first 40 and second 41 arms.

[0077] The coupling element 81 is connected on one side to the intermediate element 82 and on the other side to the actuating member 6. The coupling element 81 comprises a connecting portion 81a to the actuating member 6 and a connecting portion 81b to the intermediate element 82. As can be seen in [Fig. 8], the connecting portion 81a is a tubular body mounted for free rotation around the connecting portion 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 The connecting part 81b is secured by screwing to the first connecting portion 61, which is received within the tubular body. The free-rotating assembly allows the connecting portion 81b to remain fixed in rotation despite rotation of the actuating member 6. The connecting portion 81b comprises a disc and a tab. The disc is housed within the tubular body of the connecting portion 81a and is held between the first connecting portion 61 and an inwardly directed flange formed at the end of the connecting portion 81a. The tab is carried by the disc, perpendicular to the plane of the disc, and therefore protrudes from the connecting portion 81a opposite the actuating member 6. The tab extends in a horizontal plane and is traversed 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.

[0078] The intermediate element 82 is connected on one side to the drive finger 80c of the thrust element 80 and on the other side to the follower finger 81c of the coupling element 81. It comprises a central tube 82a having a vertical longitudinal axis A3 orthogonal to the thrust direction A2. Two pairs of lugs 82b extend radially from the central tube 82a. The two pairs of lugs 82b form an angle between 90 and 180 degrees with each other. 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 lugs 82b has an oblong hole 82c, the oblong holes 82c of two lugs 82b of the same pair being vertically aligned with each other. One of the pairs of legs 82b is traversed by the follower finger 81c which is able to slide along the oblong holes 82c.The other pair of legs 82b is traversed by the drive finger 80c which is able to slide along the oblong holes 82c, the end region of the thrust element 80 comprising the drive finger 80c being received in the space between the two legs 82b.

[0079] With such an arrangement, a translational displacement 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 displacement of the coupling element 81, and therefore of the actuating member 6, in the opposite direction of the drive assembly 7, until the lug 62a is disengaged from the drive shaft 71c, the actuating member 6 then being no longer rotationally fixed to the first drive element 71 and the thrust element 80 having then 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 at the approach of the end of the return to battery, 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 rest against a support piece. fixed, for example attached to the gun carriage, the efforts made to bring the gun 3 back into battery being greater than the elastic stress of the spring 84.

[0080] Conversely, a translational displacement of the thrust element 80 along the thrust direction A2 opposite to 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 displacement of the coupling element 81, and therefore of the actuating member 6, towards the drive assembly 7, until the through hole 62b of the lug 62a of the actuating member 6 is engaged on the drive shaft 71c, thus locking the actuating member 6 and the first drive element 71 in rotation, the thrust element 80 having then been moved to a coupling position. This translational displacement of the thrust element 80 can be obtained by the action of the spring 84 when no further support is exerted on the fin 80a.

[0081] The operation of the spent cartridge recovery device 1 according to the invention is as follows. During the firing of a round and the recoil of the breech sleeve 2, the lever 5 is in the folded position, and therefore the deployable structure 4 is in the undeployed state. At the end of the recoil, the clutch assembly 8 is held in the coupled position by the action of the spring 84.

[0082] During the return to battery of the breech sleeve 2, the breech wedge 22 is moved from its closed position to its open position. Simultaneously 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 rotating cylinder 60, and therefore of the actuating member 6. Since the actuating member 6 is rotationally coupled to the first drive element 71 by the drive shaft 71c, the first drive element 71 is then also rotated around the axis of rotation AL. As the first drive element 71 is connected to the connecting rod 72, the connecting rod 72 is in turn moved in a vertical plane and rises, 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 reaches the bottom edge of the oblong hole 74, the locking hook 75 is disengaged from the pin 54, releasing 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 is moved, the deployable structure 4 is also unfolded into its deployed state due to the movement of the second arm 41, and the cartridge case receiving opening 42a is opened until it is opposite the cartridge case ejection hole opening 20 at the rear of the breech sleeve 2. The various parts are dimensioned 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 . 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 cartridge case that is ejected at the end of the opening of the breech wedge 22 passes through the cartridge case receiving opening 42a and is collected in the casing 42 of the deployable structure 4.

[0083] As the return to battery nears completion, after ejection of the cartridge case, 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 bearing against a fixed support piece integral with the gun mount 3. This translational movement of the thrust element 80 then moves the coupling element 81 translationally along the axis Al via the intermediate element 82, opposite the actuating member 6. Thus, this movement of the clutch assembly 8 towards its disengagement position causes the translational movement of the actuating member 6, which is translationally integral with the coupling element 81, along the axis Al and opposite the first drive element 71, until the member actuation 6 and the first drive element 71 are no longer coupled in rotation by the drive shaft 71c.Therefore, the actuating member 6 is still indexed in rotation on the rotating cylinder 60 and thus to the control of the displacement of the cylinder head wedge 22, but the first drive element 71 is no longer linked to the control of the displacement of the cylinder head wedge 22 and is therefore free to rotate independently of the angular position of the actuating member 6. The excitation of the return spring 73 on the first drive element 71 then makes it possible to pull the connecting rod 72 downwards, which brings the lever 5 back into the folded position and thus the deployable structure 4 into the undeployed state. Once lever 5 is in the folded position, the return force of the springs 56 engages the pin 54 with the locking hook 75. Thus, lever 5 is locked relative to the connecting rod 72. The passage to the chamber of the weapon 3 is opened and in this way the weapon 3 is ready to be loaded for another shot as soon as it has been returned to battery.

[0084] Once the ammunition is loaded, the breech wedge 22 is moved to its closed position by the action of the spring. The command for this movement of the breech wedge 22 causes the actuating member 6 to rotate so as to place the actuating member 6 in 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.

[0085] The movement of the clutch assembly 8 from the disengaged position to the engaged position is achieved during firing, by the action of the return spring 84 at the beginning of the recoil movement of the weapon 3 and the breech sleeve 2, recoil which releases the thrust element 80 vis-à-vis said support piece and thus allows the spring recall 84 to move the thrust element 80 in translation forward AV of the cylinder head sleeve 2.

[0086] 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 command to lower the breech wedge 22 to its open position during the subsequent return to battery.

[0087] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given by way of example and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Demands Ammunition casing recovery device (1) 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 cartridge reception 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 cartridge reception 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), at least one lever (5) supporting the second arm (41); and - a displacement mechanism (6, 7, 8) for at least one lever (5), arranged to place at least one lever (5) in a folded position, in which the structure (4) is in the unfolded state, and in an unfolded position, in which the structure (4) is in the deployed state, characterized by the fact that the displacement mechanism (6, 7, 8) includes: - an actuation member (6) capable of being moved in translation and rotation, the rotational movement being intended to be controlled by a control system (9) of the movement of the breech wedge (22); - a drive assembly (7) connected to at least one lever (5) and capable of moving at least one lever (5) in rotation around 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 rotationally coupled, 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 return-to-battery phase of the weapon (3) during which the breech wedge (22) is moved from its closed position to its open position, whereby at least one lever (5) is moved to its deployed position by the drive assembly (7) to allow the ejection of a spent cartridge case 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 upon approaching the end of the weapon's return to battery (3),whereby 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 in that it 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. A device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the actuating member (6) is a part mounted for translation along a rotating cylinder (60) intended to be rotationally connected to the cylinder head sleeve (2) about an axis of rotation (A1) parallel to the pivot axis (50), the rotation of the rotating cylinder (60) being intended to be controlled by the control system (9) of the movement of the cylinder head wedge (22), said part being rotationally coupled to the rotating cylinder (60) and comprising: - a first connecting portion (61) connected to the clutch assembly (8) such that said part is translationally movable along the rotating cylinder (60) by displacement of the clutch assembly (8) between

4. the coupling and decoupling positions, but that a rotation of said part around the axis of rotation (Al) is not transmitted to the clutch assembly (8); - a second connecting part (62) comprising a lug (62a) carrying a coupling member (62b) for rotation with 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 permit relative rotation between the actuating member (6) and the drive assembly (7) when the clutch assembly (8) is in the decoupling position. Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clutch assembly (8) comprises: - a thrust element (80) intended to be connected to the cylinder head sleeve (2) and mounted movable in translation along a thrust direction (A2) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first (40) and second (41) arm and parallel to the plane in which at least one lever (5) pivots; - a coupling element (81) fixed in translation to the actuating member (6); and - an intermediate element (82) connected on one side to the thrust element (80) and on the other side to the coupling element (81), and arranged to transform a translational displacement of the thrust element (80) towards the coupling element (81) into a translational displacement of the coupling element (81), and therefore of the actuating member (6), opposite the drive assembly (7), and vice versa, the coupling element (81) being further arranged to prevent any transmission of a rotation from the actuating member (6) to the intermediate element (82).

5. Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the 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 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 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 so that, when the clutch assembly (8) is in the disengaged position, the return means (73) engages the drive elements (71, 72) in such a way as to cause a rotation of at least one lever (5) to its folded position.;

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

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

8. Recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first arm (40) is a lower arm intended to be fixed relative to the breech sleeve (2) at the level of a lower region of the cheeks (21) of the breech sleeve (2) located below the chamber opening, 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 in that it is equipped with a device (1) for recovering ammunition casings according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the pivot axis (50) of 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) of the movement of the breech wedge (22) and the clutch assembly (8) being carried by the breech sleeve (2).

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