Belt-Fed Rotary Gun

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/503,500 filed Nov. 7, 2023 for a “BELT-FED ROTARY GUN,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/423,240 filed Nov. 7, 2022 for a “BELT-FED ROTARY GUN,” each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

This disclosure generally relates to Gatling-style guns. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a Gatling-style gun that is belt-fed.

Rotary cannons, rotary autocannons, rotary guns, and Gatling-style guns, are a type of firearm with a rotating barrel assembly. The barrels fire as the barrel assembly rotates. In some cases, the barrels may be externally driven via an electric motor; some rotary guns are driven via recoil or gas impulse from spent ammunition; some guns are driven with a manual crank.

According to one aspect, this disclosure provides a belt-feed assembly for feeding cartridges into the chambers of a rotary gun. In some embodiments, this disclosure includes a belt-feed assembly, which could include a plurality of separable belt links. In some cases, each of the separable belt links includes a cartridge holder configured to hold a cartridge, a belt tooth configured to engage with the gun barrel system, and a feed channel configured to accept a feed ram. Depending on the circumstances, the plurality of separable belt links could be made from a belt material with one or more of plastics, natural rubbers, and/or synthetic rubbers.

In some embodiments, the feed ram may engage a cartridge in the cartridge holder, thereby forcing the cartridge into a gun barrel system. For example, the cartridge holder may have a variable size cartridge holder configured to accept a wide variety of different caliber munitions, including, but not limited to, 9 mm, 0.22, 0.223, 5.56 mm, and 7.62 mm.

In some cases, the separable belt links could have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion may be configured such that the feed channel is formed between the first portion and the second portion of the separable belt links.

Embodiments are contemplated in which the separable belt links include a belt link connector. For example, the belt link connector of the separable belt links could have a hook portion and a rail portion. The hook portion of the separable belt links may be configured to engage with the rail portion of the separable belt links such that a continuous belt is formed by joining multiple separable belt links together. The belt tooth could be configured to engage with a belt tooth acceptor on the gun barrel system such that the belt tooth on the separable belt links is drawn into the gun barrel system sequentially.

Depending on the circumstances, the system might have a lock door. For example, the lock door could include a feed tray configured to accept the separable belt links.

According to another aspect, this disclosure provides a system for feeding cartridges to a rotary gun. In some embodiments, the system may have a delivery vehicle with a plurality of separable belt links. In some cases, each of the plurality of separable belt links has a cartridge holder configured to hold a cartridge. Each of the plurality of separable belt links may have a belt tooth configured to engage with the gun barrel system. Additionally, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of separable belt links includes a feed channel configured to accept a feed ram. During operation, the delivery vehicle could orient cartridges with respect to the gun barrel system, feed cartridges by being pulled through the gun barrel system via the belt tooth on each belt link, load a cartridge into the gun barrel system by injecting it in the gun barrel system via a feed ram, and eject from the gun barrel system.

According to a further aspect, this disclosure provides a method for belt-feeding a rotary gun. In some embodiments, the method includes orienting a cartridge within a reusable modular belt. The reusable modular belt is fed to a rotary gun via a series of belt teeth on the reusable modular belt. For example, the belt teeth on the reusable modular belt could be configured to slot into a gun barrel system such that they are pulled through the gun barrel system. The method may include the step of loading the cartridge into the gun barrel system via a feed ram. In some cases, the feed ram is configured to pass through a central channel in the reusable modular belt and disengage the cartridge from the reusable modular belt. The method may also include injecting the cartridge into the gun barrel system, and ejecting the reusable modular belt from the rotary gun.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).

The present disclosure is directed towards a belt-fed rotary gun. In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a technical advantage of having an adjustable length belt assembly. This allows the user to determine how many cartridges to feed the gun. For example, the belt assembly could be adjusted between X links and Y links to adjust the number of cartridges fed into the gun from X cartridges to Y cartridges, similar to how magazines have different capacities. Another technical advantage, in some embodiments, is the direct feed of the belt assembly into the gun's chambers; instead of the belt placing the cartridges into another feed mechanism that inserts the cartridge into the chamber, the belt assembly in some embodiments directly deposits cartridges into the chambers for firing. For example, each link in the belt assembly could drop a cartridge via gravity feed directly into respective chambers of the gun as the belt is fed through the gun.

Turning to, an example embodiment of a rotary gunis shown. As shown, the rotary gunhas a gun barrel system, a belt-feed assembly, a gun lock system, and a gun drive system.

In the embodiment shown, the gun barrel systemincludes a plurality of barrelsarranged in a cyclic array. As the barrelsrotate, the rotary gunfires providing saturational directional fire. As shown, the belt-feed assemblyis formed from a plurality of individual belt links. The individual belt linksmay be joined together to form a continuous belt with any number of individual belt links. Each belt linkhas a cartridge holderbuilt into the belt link. The cartridge holderis configured to accept and retain a cartridgewhich the belt-feed assemblycycles through the rotary gun.

As shown, the gun lock systemhas a lock doorand a gun firing assembly. The lock doorcovers the gun firing assemblyduring operation and prevents dirt and grime from agglomerating in the gun lock system. Additionally, the lock door, in some embodiments, may be removable such that jams in the gun firing assemblyduring operation may be cleared quickly. The belt-feed assemblyis cycled through the gun lock systemto load the rotary gunduring operation. The gun firing assemblyis the location where the cartridgeis disengaged from the cartridge holderin the belt linkand deposited into a chamber() of the gun lock system. Each of the plurality of barrelshas a chamber. In the embodiment shown, the gun lock systemalso has a feed ramwhich disengages the cartridgefrom the belt linkand effectively loads the rotary gun.

The gun drive systemdrives the rotation of the barrelsduring operation. In some embodiments, the gun drive systemincludes a handleand mounting holesthat allow the rotary gunto be mounted and used by an operator. As shown, the gun drive systemalso has a drive unit. The drive unitmay be gas or recoil actuated, electrically actuated via a motor (not shown), or manually actuated via a crank handle (not shown).

Turning next to, an example embodiment of a belt-feed assemblyis shown. As shown, the belt-feed assemblyincludes a plurality of connected belt links. In some embodiments, the connected belt linksfurther comprise a first portionand a second portion. The first portionand second portionare substantially parallel. Any number of individual belt linksmay be connected together to form a belt-feed assemblywith a belt of any length. For example, individual belt links could have a cartridge holderconfigured to accept a cartridgeof varying size. The cartridge holdermay be in the shape of a semicircular detent. Any number of different size cartridges may be used, including, but not limited to, 9 mm, 0.22, 0.223, 5.56 mm, and 7.62 mm.

In the embodiment shown, each belt linkincludes at least one belt tooth. The belt toothengages with the gun barrel system. The belt toothof a first belt linkis spatially distanced from the belt toothof a second belt linksuch that they match with a plurality of indents on the gun barrel system. The gun barrel systemdraws the belt linksthrough the rotary gunduring operation, effectively allowing for a continuous influx of cartridgesto the rotary gun, which in turns provides for continuous saturational directional fire from the rotary gun. As shown, the belt linksalso have a feed channelwhich allows for the feed ramto disengage the cartridgefrom the belt linkduring operation. The feed channelis formed between the first portionand second portionon the belt link. In some embodiments, the belt linkalso has a belt connectorwhich allows multiple belt linksto be joined together to form belts of varying lengths depending on the needs of the operator. The belt connectorfurther includes a belt hookwhich is designed to slot on to a belt railon an adjoining belt linkin a rotatable manner. The belt rail, in some embodiments, is substantially cylindrical. This linkage allows belts of varying lengths to be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, and does not require any specialized tools.

Turning next to, the linkage between two individual belt linksis shown. The belt hookof the belt connectoris shown slotted over the belt railof the adjoining belt link.further shows a single belt link according to this embodiment in detail.

shows the rotary gun. The belt linkscontaining the cartridgeare in a first position where the cartridgein the belt linkhas not yet been disengaged from the belt linkvia the feed ramand inserted into the gun firing assembly.

shows the rotary gunin a second position where the cartridgehas been disengaged from the belt linkby the feed ramand inserted into the chamberwithin the gun firing assembly. In the second position, the barrelof the gun barrel systemis in a position such that it is ready to be fired.

Turning next to, a lock dooris shown. The lock doorcovers the gun firing assemblyand each chamberduring operation of the rotary gun. The lock doorcovers the gun firing assemblyduring operation and prevents dirt and grime from agglomerating in the gun lock system. The lock door, in some embodiments, is removable such that any jams during operation of the rotary gunmay be cleared quickly and efficiently on the field. The lock doorfurther comprises the feed ramwhich disengages the cartridge from the belt linkand forces it into the gun lock system. The lock dooris connected to the gun lock systemvia a feed tray. The feed trayguides the belt linksand cartridgesinto the gun firing assemblyin preparation for loading the rotary gun.

are progressive views showing the belt-feed assemblydepositing a cartridge into a chamber via the gun firing assemblyaccording to an embodiment.shows the loading process in a first position. The belt linksare fed into the gun lock systemvia the feed tray. The belt linksare joined together via the belt hookand belt railforming a continuous belt which allows for consistent and continuous feed to the gun lock system. In the first position, the cartridgeis still engaged to the belt linkvia the cartridge holder. The feed ramhas not disengaged the cartridgeand deposited it into the gun firing assemblyand chamberin the first position. The belt toothis engaged to the gun barrel systemvia a belt tooth acceptor. The belt tooth acceptorpulls the belt linksvia the belt toothlocated on each belt linkinto the gun barrel systemand gun lock system. The continuous feed of cartridges via the belt linksand this mechanism allow for continuous saturational directional fire of the rotary gunduring operation.

shows the loading process in a second position. The belt link, via the belt toothbeing pulled forward into the gun lock systemby the belt tooth acceptoron the gun barrel system, has advanced forward into the gun firing assembly. The cartridgecontained in the cartridge holderhas engaged the feed ram. The feed ramhas begun to disengage the cartridgefrom the cartridge holderon the belt link. The cartridgehas started to be forced into the chamberin the gun firing mechanismin the first position. The belt-feed assemblyis pulled into the gun lock systemby the belt toothengaging with the belt tooth acceptor.

shows the loading process in a third position. In the third position, the feed ramhas disengaged the cartridgefrom the cartridge holderon the belt link. The cartridgehas been injected into the gun lock systemvia the gun firing assemblyand chamberwithin the respective barrelbeing loaded. The lock door covers the gun lock systemduring operation. Once the cartridgehas been fully disengaged from the belt linkand injected into the gun lock system, the barrelrotates to the firing position and the cartridgeis fired. The barrelcontinues rotating and ejects the cartridgeafter firing as well as ejects the belt linkafter the cartridgehas been disengaged from the belt link. The belt linkafter being ejected from the rotary guncan be reused. This simplified loading system for injecting cartridgesinto the gun lock systemreduces the amount of maintenance needed because there are fewer moving parts in the gun lock systemand belt-feed assemblythan in the prior art. It is advantageous to have easier serviceability with fewer parts to ensure the rotary guncan be easily maintained and serviced in the field.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.