UNIVERSAL BRACKET FOR ATTACHING A SEGMENTED SLEEVE OR RIGID AMMUNITION FEED TRAY TO A MACHINE GUN

Abstract

The utility model relates to military equipment, namely to belt feed systems for machine guns. A universal bracket for attaching a segmented sleeve or a rigid ammunition feed tray to a machine gun comprises a fastening element for fixing it to the weapon. The bracket consists of a support base (1) having a first bend (2) and a second bend (11) at their ends, made at right angles in opposite directions. A plate (4) with guides (5) for attaching a sleeve (18) is fixed to the second bend (11), and a fastening projection (3) is made on the first bend (2), oriented in the direction opposite from the plate (4). The guides (5) contain hooks (6) on the inner side, forming through cavities (7) between the walls of the guides (5) and the hooks (6) for fixing the mating elements of the sleeve (18). The possibility is provided of both connecting the sleeve and directly feeding the cartridge belt into the receiver. 2 pp. f-ly, 15 ill.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to military equipment, to automatic weapons with belt feeding and can be used in uninterrupted supply systems for machine guns with the connection of a segmented sleeve or cartridge belt directly into the cartridge receiver of a large-caliber machine gun.

[0002] The prior art includes patent US4955280A, which describes a similar bracket to which the sleeves are attached. This mechanism is a mechanized ammunition feed device and is not directly attached to the weapon. It cannot be used for the purpose claimed in the present invention.

[0003] A device for the uninterrupted supply of ammunition is known (RU2609850, published: 06.02.2017), containing a cartridge belt, the belt is passed through a segmented sleeve in the form of links, wherein each link is provided on one side with T-shaped clamps for connection with the next link, and on the other side has holes for the entry of T-shaped clamps of the previous link, characterized in that it contains a holder, the links are made of sheet steel, a sleeve is connected to the holder, the links of the sleeve are connected to each other by aligning T-shaped clamps made on the side faces of the links with holes made on opposite sides of the links; a bracket is mounted on the second end of the sleeve, wherein the mounting of the bracket and the fixation of the sleeve on the holder are performed similarly to the connection of the links.

[0004] This solution uses a bracket at the end of the sleeve. However, its drawback is that it is not universal. Also, the bracket in the prototype is not universal. It cannot be used with a segmented sleeve or for direct feeding of cartridge belts through it. The sleeve bracket in solution RU2609850 can only be used with the segmented sleeve itself.

[0005] The closest analogue is the solution according to patent RU2513334, published: 20.04.2014., which describes a feeding system for an automatic weapon, containing a guide neck, fixed at one end on the receiving window of the weapon, and the other - on a magazine with a cartridge belt, characterized in that the end of the neck, fixed on the weapon, is bent in a plane parallel to the axis of the barrel bore of the weapon, rollers are installed at the entrance of the belt into the weapon, providing the supply of cartridges into the receiving window of the weapon, the other end of the neck is provided with a limiter and is pivotally fixed on the magazine, the axis of the hinge coincides with the axis of rotation of the weapon, the end of the neck, installed on the magazine, is made in the form of a movably fixed carrier with a guide and two rollers interacting with the cartridge belt.

[0006] A disadvantage of the well-known mount is its bulkiness. It requires additional infrastructure around itself, including gun carriages and other fittings, as well as additional mounting points beyond the standard ones. Furthermore, this solution does not allow for quick installation and removal of the flexible or rigid ammunition feed tray. Furthermore, the ammunition feed into the receiver is insufficiently reliable due to the weapon's rotation changing its position.

[0007] Also, the bracket in the prototype is not universal. It cannot be used for a segment sleeve or for direct feeding of cartridge belts through it.

[0008] The technical problem solved by the claimed utility model is the creation of a compact and reliable coupling unit for a machine gun with an ammunition supply system, devoid of the shortcomings of analogs.

[0009] The technical result is to ensure the versatility of the bracket, which allows both the connection of a segmented sleeve (flexible or rigid tray) and the direct feeding of a cartridge belt directly into the weapon receiver without the use of additional adapters.

[0010] The stated technical result is achieved by a universal bracket for attaching a segmented ammunition supply sleeve or rigid ammunition feed tray to a machine gun, comprising a support base with first and second bends at their ends, oriented at right angles in opposite directions relative to each other. A plate with guides for attaching the sleeve is secured to the first bend. A mounting protrusion is provided on the second bend, oriented in the direction opposite the plate. Moreover, the guides on the inner side contain hooks, forming through cavities between the walls of the guides and the hooks for securing the mating elements of the sleeve.

[0011] In particular cases of implementation of the invention:

[0012] - Reinforcement gussets can be provided between the support base and the second bend, as well as between the second bend and the fastening protrusion.

[0013] - The mounting protrusion can be made in the form of a plate with holes for fixing with screws to the standard mounting unit of the weapon.

[0014] Brief description of drawings

[0015] The essence of the solution is explained by drawings, where:

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a general view of the device (axonometry).

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a top view.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows a side view.

[0019] Fig. 4 shows the principle of fixing the bracket to the weapon.

[0020] Fig. 5 shows the process of feeding the cartridge belt directly (the receiver cover is open).

[0021] Fig. 6 shows the cartridge belt installed in the weapon (combat position).

[0022] Fig. 7 shows a segment sleeve connected to a bracket.

[0023] Fig. 8 shows an example of making a holder at the end of a sleeve.

[0024] Fig. 9 shows a prototype bracket (side view).

[0025] Fig. 10 shows a prototype bracket (top view).

[0026] Fig. 11 shows an example of attaching the prototype to a weapon.

[0027] Fig. 12 shows an example of feeding the tape through the sleeve (the cover is open).

[0028] Fig. 13 shows an example of feeding the tape through the sleeve (combat position).

[0029] Fig. 14 shows an example of straight tape feed (cover open).

[0030] Fig. 15 shows an example of direct feed of the tape (combat position).

[0031] The following designations of elements are used in the drawings:

[0032] 1 - support base; 2 - first bend (from the side of the fastening projection); 3 - fastening projection; 4 - tape guide plate; 5 - sleeve guides; 6 - guide hooks; 7 - through cavities; 8 - reinforcing gusset (between base 1 and bend 2); 9 - reinforcing gusset (between bend 2 and projection 3); 10 - fastener holes; 11 - second bend (from the side of plate 4); 12 - cartridge belt; 13 - machine gun belt receiver; 14 - belt receiver cover; 15 - cartridge; 16 - belt links; 17 - weapon (machine gun); 18 - segment sleeve (tray); 19 - weapon fastening unit; 20 - sleeve holder, 21 - sleeve holder lock.

[0033] Implementation of a utility model

[0034] The universal bracket (Fig. 1-3) consists of a support base 1, made, for example, of sheet steel. The ends of the base 1 are folded in two directions: the first fold 2 and the second fold 11, bent at right angles in opposite directions. This configuration ensures the spatial arrangement of the functional elements.

[0035] A plate 4 is secured (or integrally formed) to the second bend 11, supporting the cartridge belt 12 during forward feed. Guides 5 with a U-shaped profile are rigidly secured to the plate 4, forming a channel for mounting the segment sleeve 18. Longitudinal hooks 6 are formed on the inner walls of the guides 5, forming through cavities 7. These cavities are designed to grip and retain the mating elements—the clamps 21 of the holder 20 of the sleeve 18.

[0036] At the first bend 2, a fastening protrusion 3 is formed, bent in the direction opposite to plate 4. Protrusion 3 contains holes 10 for fasteners (screws, bolts). To increase the rigidity and durability of the structure, reinforcing gussets 8 and 9 can be installed at the bends.

[0037] The device is mounted as follows (Fig. 4). The bracket is placed through the mounting protrusion 3 on the standard mounting unit 19 of the weapon 17 and secured with screws through the holes 10. As a result of installation, the plate 4 is positioned directly opposite the window of the tape receiver 13, ensuring a smooth feed of cartridges.

[0038] The bracket operates in two modes:

[0039] 1. Direct feed mode (Fig. 5, 6). When the cover 14 of the belt receiver is open, the cartridge belt 12 is placed on the plate 4, and the cartridges 15 are fed directly into the receiver 13 by the standard mechanism of the weapon.

[0040] 2. Sleeve feed mode (Fig. 7, 8). Segment sleeve 18 is connected to the weapon. To do this, holder 20, located at the end of the sleeve, is inserted into guides 5 until it clicks, while the mating projections of the holder are fixed in cavities 7 of hooks 6. Sleeve 18 is firmly connected to the bracket, ensuring a reliable trajectory of the belt from the box to the receiver of the weapon.

[0041] Thanks to the rigid mounting of the bracket directly to the gun body, the position of plate 4 and guides 5 relative to receiver 13 remains constant during any machine gun movement (rotation, tilt), ensuring a stable ammunition feed. Eliminating the need for additional supports and carriages simplifies operation.

[0042] The proposed device was implemented as a prototype (Figs. 9-11). Testing confirmed the design's operability and versatility (Figs. 12-15): it allows for quick changeover of feed type (straight / sleeve) without the use of tools, securely holds the sleeve, and allows unimpeded belt passage.

Claims

1. A universal bracket for attaching a segmented sleeve or a rigid ammunition feed tray to a machine gun, comprising a fastening element for fixing on the weapon, characterized in that it consists of a support base (1) having at its ends a first bend (2) and a second bend (11) made at a right angle in opposite directions, wherein a plate (4) with guides (5) for attaching the sleeve (18) is fixed to the second bend (11), and a fastening projection (3) is made on the first bend (2), oriented in the direction opposite from the plate (4), wherein the guides (5) on the inner side contain hooks (6) forming through cavities (7) between the walls of the guides (5) and the hooks (6) for fixing the mating elements of the sleeve (18).

2. The bracket according to item 1, characterized in that between the support base (1) and the first bend (2), as well as between the first bend (2) and the fastening projection (3), reinforcing gussets (8, 9) are made.

3. The bracket according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fastening projection (3) is made in the form of a plate with through holes (10) for fixing with screws to the fastening unit (19) of the weapon (17).

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