Ammunition Holder Deflector Plate for Machine Gun Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side-mounted ammunition holders in machine guns cause imbalance, damage to ammunition bags, and pose a risk to operators due to downwardly ejecting spent cartridges, which can bounce back and hit the operator, and add unnecessary weight and complexity during carrying and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A novel ammunition holder with an angled deflector plate is positioned under the machine gun to balance the center of gravity and deflect downwardly ejecting spent cartridges to the side, preventing damage to the bag and operator, and allowing the ammunition holder to be retrofitted to existing systems without adding substantial weight or gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If side-mounted ammunition holders are used, then ammunition storage capacity is improved, but firearm balance and operator safety deteriorate due to off-center weight and downward cartridge ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design by positioning the ammunition holder on the right side of the firearm and incorporating an angled deflector plate that redirects spent cartridges to the right side. This asymmetric configuration balances the overall weight distribution and directs ejection away from the operator's position, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and operational balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled deflector plate serves as an intermediary component between the spent cartridges and the operator. It intercepts downwardly ejecting cartridges and redirects them to the right side, preventing direct contact with the operator while maintaining the side-mounted ammunition holder configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If side-mounted ammunition holders are used, then ammunition storage is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to spent cartridges hitting the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The angled deflector plate acts as a protective intermediary that intercepts spent cartridges before they can reach the operator. By redirecting cartridges to the right side, it creates a safe path that eliminates the harmful ejection effect while preserving side-mounted ammunition storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful downward ejection trajectory into a beneficial rightward redirection. The angled deflector plate transforms the potentially dangerous vertical discharge into a safe horizontal trajectory away from the operator, turning a harmful effect into a safe operational characteristic.
3Ease of operation
If counter-weights or additional bags are added to balance the firearm, then firearm balance improves, but device complexity and operator burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ammunition storage function with the balance function by positioning the ammunition holder on the right side to counterbalance the left-side ejection forces. This integration eliminates the need for separate counter-weight devices, reducing overall system complexity while achieving firearm balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-mounted ammunition holder serves dual functions: storing ammunition and providing counterbalance to offset ejection forces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated balancing equipment, simplifying the overall system while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of mounting ammunition holders for side loading machine guns and weapons that downwardly ejects spent cartridges. The ammunition holders include a side plate that both moves the center of gravity of the left side supported ammunition holder to move in a right direction underneath the machine gun until the ammunition holder is balanced relative to the machine gun. The side plate further deflects the spent cartridges from being directly ejected downward from the machine gun and instead deflect the spent cartridges to one side of the machine gun away from both the machine gun and an operator of the gun. The ammunition containers can be ammunition belt boxes. The ammunition containers can be ammunition pouch bags.