Feed Chute Adapter Plate for Direct Gun-Mounted Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Belt fed machine guns lack mounting points for feed chute latches in remotely operated applications, leading to increased cradle complexity and potential jams.
Innovation Solution
A feed chute adapter with a plate design that includes cutouts for ammunition passage, recesses for guide lips, and bores for pins, allowing direct connection of a flexible feed chute to the firearm without modifying the gun, using additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bracket is placed on the cradle of the turret to interface the feed chute, then the feed chute can be connected to the gun, but the complexity of the cradle design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the feed chute interface into two separate components: the feed chute assembly with its latches, and the adapter plate mounted on the gun. This segmentation allows the feed chute to be connected directly to the gun without requiring modifications to the cradle, thereby reducing cradle design complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter plate serves as an intermediary component that bridges the feed chute latches and the gun's guide lips. By providing mounting points for the latches directly on the adapter plate, which attaches to the existing gun structure, the invention enables feed chute connection without involving the cradle design.
2Device complexity
If the feed chute terminates directly to the gun without a bracket, then the cradle design remains simple, but there are no mounting points for the feed chute latches
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate incorporates mounting features (bosses with threaded holes) at specific locations where the feed chute latches need to attach. This local addition of mounting capability to the gun structure allows direct feed chute connection without requiring global modifications to the cradle assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to the gun structure by attaching the adapter plate to the external surface of the gun body, utilizing the available space around the guide lips. This approach avoids modifying the internal cradle structure while providing the necessary mounting points for the feed chute latches.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for a belt fed firearm. The adapter includes a plate, a cutout in the plate that allows ammunition to pass through the plate, a plurality of recesses for receiving a plurality of guide lips fixed to the firearm, and a plurality of bosses for receiving a plurality of latches fixed to a feed chute.