Cam rotor gun

Claim 2

A gun comprising: a barrel with a firing chamber; a receiver attached to the barrel and positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver and having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver and having a follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; means for locking the breech block in an in-battery position in a manner to isolate the rotor from the reaction forces of an exploding round of ammunition; and cam means formed on said cam rotor for operating said breech block lock means with the proper timing to lock and unlock the breech block.

Claim 3

The gun of claim 1: including a breech ring connecting the barrel to the receiver, and wherein said breech block lock means comprises a reciprocating lock mounted in said breech ring adjacent the front of the cam rotor and having means for cooperating with the breech block to lock and unlock the breech block; and said cam means comprises a cam groove formed on the forward end of the cam rotor, the breech block lock having a follower which rides within said groove to cause the breech block lock to reciprocate at the proper time.

Claim 4

The gun of claim 2 wherein said lock reciprocates in a plane perpendicular to the breech block movement, the lock having an opening for receiving the forward end of the breech block and having a follower which extends into the cam groove on the rotor forward end, the breech block lock and the breech block having interengaging lug and groove means for locking the block in its forwardmost position, said cam groove having generally an annular shape except for a locking portion which protrudes radially outwardly from the remainder of the groove, said locking portion being circumferentially aligned with the forward end of said slot in the side of the rotor so that the cam lock is moved to its locking position when the breech block is in its forwardmost position.

Claim 5

The gun of claim 1: including a breech ring connecting the barrel to said receiver having an opening for receiving the forward end of the block, the block and the ring having interengaging grooves and lugs; and wherein said breech block has cam follower means formed thereon, said cam means on said cam rotor comprises an outwardly extending cam on the forward peripheral surface of the rotor, said cam follower means engaging said cam to rotate and lock the breech block after the breech block enters the breech ring, and to rotate the block to unlock it from the breech ring after a firing operation.

Claim 6

A gun comprising: a receiver; a barrel fixeD to the receiver and having a firing chamber; an ammunition feeder attached to the receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in said receiver positioned to the rear of the barrel and to the side of the feeder with the exterior of the rotor being open to the feeder, said rotor having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; and a breech block mounted for reciprocation in said feeder and having a cam follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; extractor means on said breech block for withdrawing a spent cartridge; and ejector means on said rotor for thrusting the spent cartridge sidewise out of the receiver.

Claim 7

A gun comprising: a receiver; a barrel fixeD to the receiver and having a firing chamber; an ammunition feeder attached to the receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in said receiver positioned to the rear of the barrel and to the side of the feeder with the exterior of the rotor being open to the feeder, said rotor having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; and a breech block mounted for reciprocation in said feeder and having a cam follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; extractor means on said breech block for withdrawing a spent cartridge; and ejector means on said rotor for thrusting the spent cartridge sidewise out of the receiver.

Claim 8

The gun of claim 5 wherein said receiver is a cylindrical housing enclosing said rotor and said feeder extends along an opening in the housing, said housing having a cartridge outlet in its sidewall spaced from the feeder, and said housing having ramp means on an internal wall which guide a spent cartridge out of the housing as it is moved by said ejector means.

Claim 9

A gun comprising: a barrel with a firing chamber; a receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver and having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver and having a follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; means operated by said cam rotor for locking and unlocking the breech block in an in-battery position; means on said rotor for operating a firing pin carried by said breech block; and means on said rotor for moving spent cartridges out of said receiver.

Claim 10

A gun comprising: a barrel with a firing chamber; a receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver and having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver and having a follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; means operated by said cam rotor for locking and unlocking the breech block in an in-battery position; means on said rotor for operating a firing pin carried by said breech block; and means on said rotor for moving spent cartridges out of said receiver.

Claim 11

The gun of claim 7 including means on said rotor for operating an ammunition feed mechanism for feeding ammunition to the breech block in accordance with rotation of the cam rotor.

Claim 12

The gun of claim 8 wherein said ammunition operating means comprises a cam formed on the periphery of the rear portion of the rotor, a high portion of the ammunition feed cam extending radially outwardly beyond the low portion of the cam, the location of the high portion being correlated with the position of the breech block such that a round of ammunition is fed at the correct time in the firing cycle.

Claim 13

A gun comprising: a barrel with a firing chamber; a receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver and having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver and having a follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; and a motor assembly positioned within said cam rotor and connected to rotate the cam rotor.

Claim 14

A gun comprising: a barrel with a firing chamber; a receiver positioned to the rear of the firing chamber; a cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver and having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior extending spirally around the rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver and having a follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; and a motor assembly positioned within said cam rotor and connected to rotate the cam rotor.

Claim 15

The gun of claim 10 wherein said motor assembly includes mounting means attached to the rear of the receiver, an electric motor attached to the mounting means and extending into the rotor, and gear means driven by the motor cooperating with a gear attached to the rotor for rotating the rotor.

Claim 16

The gun of claim 11 wherein said receiver comprises a cylindrical housing and said mounting means comprises a cover for the rear of said receiver, the cover including a portion which extends inwardly to support rotatably the rear of the cam rotor and to support the motor.

Claim 17

A gun comprising: a breech block mounted for axial reciprocation to drive ammunition into an aligned gun barrel; a cam follower carried by the breech block; a cam rotor rotatably mounted adjacent the breech block having a cam slot in its periphery receiving said cam follower and oriented to reciprocate the breech block; an ammunition feeder for moving a round of ammunition into the path of the reciprocating breech block; a cam surfaCe on said rotor connected to operate said feeder; and ratchet and pawl means for driving said feeder including a pawl carrier mounted for movement by said cam surface.

Claim 18

A gun comprising: a breech block mounted for axial reciprocation to drive ammunition into an aligned gun barrel; a cam follower carried by the breech block; a cam rotor rotatably mounted adjacent the breech block having a cam slot in its periphery receiving said cam follower and oriented to reciprocate the breech block; an ammunition feeder for moving a round of ammunition into the path of the reciprocating breech block; a cam surfaCe on said rotor connected to operate said feeder; and ratchet and pawl means for driving said feeder including a pawl carrier mounted for movement by said cam surface.

Claim 19

The gun of claim 13 wherein said feeder is an elongated rotor having a sprocket for engaging a round of ammunition, the feeder rotor being mounted on a shaft parallel to the barrel axis, said ratchet being mounted on the shaft driving said feeder rotor, said pawl carrier being mounted for reciprocation adjacent the end of said cam rotor, the pawl carrier supporting a cam follower engaging said cam surface which extends radially from the end of said cam rotor.

Claim 20

A high speed gun comprising: a generally cylindrical receiver housing; a breech ring attached to the upper portion of the front wall of the receiver; a barrel supported by the breech ring having its axis approximately parallel to the axis of the receiver and approximately aligned with the outer periphery of the receiver; a cam rotor positioned within the receiver with its forward end rotatably mounted in the front wall of the receiver, said rotor having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior and extending spirally around the rotor; a rear cover attached to the rear of the receiver and including an inwardly extending portion which rotatably supports the rear of said rotor; a motor supported by said cover and extending into said rotor, gear means supported by said cover drivingly connecting the motor drive shaft to said rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver aligned with the barrel, said breech block carrying a cam follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; a breech lock mounted for reciprocation in said breech ring in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocating movement of the breech block, said block having a U-shaped portion for receiving the forward end of said breech block as it is reciprocated into its forwardmost position, said breech block and said lock having interengaging lugs and grooves which permit the forward end of the breech block to be moved into the lock and which lock the block in its forwardmost position, said cam rotor having a cam slot on its forward face and said lock having a cam follower extending into said cam slot, said cam slot being oriented such that the lock is reciprocated to lock and unlock the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; a firing pin included in said breech block, and means mounted on said rotor for operating the firing pin; ammunition feed means mounted on said receiver for positioning a round of ammunition in the path of said reciprocating breech block; cam means on said cam rotor for operating said ammunition feed mechanism in accordance with rotation of the cam rotor; and ejector pins mounted on said cam rotor for ejecting a spent cartridge of a round of ammunition sideways out through an outlet in the wall of said receiver.

Claim 21

A high speed gun comprising: a generally cylindrical receiver housing; a breech ring attached to the upper portion of the front wall of the receiver; a barrel supported by the breech ring having its axis approximately parallel to the axis of the receiver and approximately aligned with the outer periphery of the receiver; a cam rotor positioned within the receiver with its forward end rotatably mounted in the front wall of the receiver, said rotor having a continuous cam slot formed in its exterior and extending spirally around the rotor; a rear cover attached to the rear of the receiver and including an inwardly extending portion which rotatably supports the rear of said rotor; a motor supported by said cover and extending into said rotor, gear means supported by said cover drivingly connecting the motor drive shaft to said rotor; a breech block mounted for reciprocation on said receiver aligned with the barrel, said breech block carrying a cam follower extending into said cam slot to reciprocate the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; a breech lock mounted for reciprocation in said breech ring in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocating movement of the breech block, said block having a U-shaped portion for receiving the forward end of said breech block as it is reciprocated into its forwardmost position, said breech block and said lock having interengaging lugs and grooves which permit the forward end of the breech block to be moved into the lock and which lock the block in its forwardmost position, said cam rotor having a cam slot on its forward face and said lock having a cam follower extending into said cam slot, said cam slot being oriented such that the lock is reciprocated to lock and unlock the breech block as the cam rotor rotates; a firing pin included in said breech block, and means mounted on said rotor for operating the firing pin; ammunition feed means mounted on said receiver for positioning a round of ammunition in the path of said reciprocating breech block; cam means on said cam rotor for operating said ammunition feed mechanism in accordance with rotation of the cam rotor; and ejector pins mounted on said cam rotor for ejecting a spent cartridge of a round of ammunition sideways out through an outlet in the wall of said receiver.

Claim 22

A gun comprising: a cylindrical receiver; a barrel attached to the upper forward end of the receiver; a cylindrical cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver with the ends of the rotor being positioned close to the ends of the receiver, and the cylindrical wall of the rotor being spaced from the surrounding receiver wall sufficiently to define a circumferentially extending space to receive the cartridge of a spent round of ammunition; ammunition feed means mounted on said receiver transversely from the rotor, means defining an opening leading downwardly from the feed means into the forward part of the receiver and into the firing chamber; a breech block mounted for reciprocation in the upper part of the receiver aligned with the barrel and having rammer means extending into the feed means to drive a round of ammunition into the barrel, said breech block further having a firing pin for firing the round and means for extracting the spent cartridge from the barrel into said space between The rotor and surrounding wall of the receiver; ejector means mounted on said rotor which engage the side of a spent cartridge to thrust it sideways out of axial alignment with the breech block; and cam means on said rotor for reciprocating the breech block as the rotor rotates.

Claim 23

A gun comprising: a cylindrical receiver; a barrel attached to the upper forward end of the receiver; a cylindrical cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver with the ends of the rotor being positioned close to the ends of the receiver, and the cylindrical wall of the rotor being spaced from the surrounding receiver wall sufficiently to define a circumferentially extending space to receive the cartridge of a spent round of ammunition; ammunition feed means mounted on said receiver transversely from the rotor, means defining an opening leading downwardly from the feed means into the forward part of the receiver and into the firing chamber; a breech block mounted for reciprocation in the upper part of the receiver aligned with the barrel and having rammer means extending into the feed means to drive a round of ammunition into the barrel, said breech block further having a firing pin for firing the round and means for extracting the spent cartridge from the barrel into said space between The rotor and surrounding wall of the receiver; ejector means mounted on said rotor which engage the side of a spent cartridge to thrust it sideways out of axial alignment with the breech block; and cam means on said rotor for reciprocating the breech block as the rotor rotates.

Claim 24

The gun of claim 16 wherein said ejector means includes a pair of axially spaced radially extending ejector pins.

Claim 25

The gun of claim 16 including means formed on the receiver for limiting axial movement of the spent cartridge being ejected by said ejector means.

Claim 26

The gun of claim 17 wherein: the breech block is dimensioned such that when the empty cartridge is withdrawn it is spaced transversely a slight amount from the rotor and the gun includes cam means guiding the cartridge downwardly into the space between the rotor and the receiver wall; and the gun further includes a radially short, leading ejector pin which is mounted on the rotor at a point axially between the pair of ejector pins but circumferentially spaced from the pair of ejector pins a distance about equal to the diameter of the cartridge whereby the short pin can pass beneath the cartridge and the cartridge is then thrust sideways by said pair of pins and guided downwardly by said cam means and the cartridge is held by the three ejector pins.

Claim 27

The gun of claim 19 including means defining a cartridge outlet in the wall of said receiver, and ramp means mounted on the receiver wall for guiding the cartridge away from the ejector pins and out through said outlet.

Claim 28

A gun comprising: a receiver; a barrel attached to the receiver; a cylindrical cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver; a breech block mounted for reciprocation in the receiver aligned with the barrel and having means for driving a round of ammunition into the barrel, a firing pin for firing the round, and means to extract the spent cartridge into the receiver adjacent the rotor; cam means on said rotor for reciprocating the breech block as the rotor rotates; ejector pins mounted on said rotor which engage the side of the spent cartridge to thrust it sideways out of alignment with the breech block; and means mounted on said rotor for retracting the firing pin slightly when said ejector pins engage the spent cartridge so that the tip of the firing pin is withdrawn from the path of the cartridge.

Claim 29

A gun comprising: a receiver; a barrel attached to the receiver; a cylindrical cam rotor rotatably mounted in the receiver; a breech block mounted for reciprocation in the receiver aligned with the barrel and having means for driving a round of ammunition into the barrel, a firing pin for firing the round, and means to extract the spent cartridge into the receiver adjacent the rotor; cam means on said rotor for reciprocating the breech block as the rotor rotates; ejector pins mounted on said rotor which engage the side of the spent cartridge to thrust it sideways out of alignment with the breech block; and means mounted on said rotor for retracting the firing pin slightly when said ejector pins engage the spent cartridge so that the tip of the firing pin is withdrawn from the path of the cartridge.