[0001] The present invention refers to an obturator for firearms.
[0002] The object of the present invention concerns the field of firearms, like for example
pistols, rifles, machine guns and/or similar automatic weapons.
[0003] As known, automatic weapons are provided with at least one obturator that has the
purpose of closing the breech and withstanding the expansion force of the gases generated
by the detonation of the cartridges. Amongst the various types of obturators that
exist, it is possible to identify blowback action or recoil operated obturators and
obturators with geometric closure or with stable closure.
[0004] Amongst obturators with geometric closure, the mechanical constraint between the
barrel and the slide is ensured by various systems, like for example the Browning
system, the Walter system, the Steyr system, the roller system and the rotary obturator
system where the head of the obturator, generally equipped with suitable closing tabs,
inserts, with a rotational movement, inside the breech block-barrel.
[0005] As can be seen in the attached figures 1a to 1c, an example of a known rotary obturator
1 is schematically represented simplified and in the structure for reasons of clarity.
[0006] In detail, the obturator 1 has a substantially cylindrical structure 2 able to be
operatively arranged in a slide (not represented) which carries the obturator of a
firearm (also not illustrated).
[0007] The structure 2 has an end 2a provided with a closing head 3 of the rotary type suitable
for closing the breech of the respective firearm.
[0008] The closing head 3 defines a resting surface 4 suitable for engaging the bottom of
at least one cartridge (not illustrated in figures 1a to 1c) coming from a respective
magazine of the respective firearm.
[0009] The resting surface 4 is substantially flat to abut against the bottom of the cartridge.
[0010] As can be seen in figures 1b and 1c, the obturator 1 has at least one through channel
5 extending longitudinally through the cylindrical structure 2 thereof. The through
channel 5 is arranged to operatively house a respective striker (not illustrated)
of the respective firearm. The through channel 5, at the resting surface 4 of the
closing head 3, has at least one opening 6, through which it is free to act directly
on the firing capsule of the respective cartridge to cause it to detonate.
[0011] Although the aforementioned obturators carry out their operative functions in a satisfactory
manner, the Applicant has realised that they can be improved, in some aspects, mainly
in relation to the use of defective cartridges, to the correct operation of the firearm
with which they are associated as well as to the pressure that is generated following
the detonation of defective cartridges.
[0012] In particular, the Applicant has realised that, among the various cartridges on the
market, there are defective cartridges the detonation of which causes unwanted structural
yielding at the firing capsules.
[0013] In detail, such cartridges are subject to partial or complete detachment of the firing
capsule relative to the bottom, for which reason the expulsion of the respective cases
is inevitably compromised by an anomalous geometry thereof.
[0014] The aforementioned drawback involves a series of further more or less serious problems,
which generally cause the firearm to jam.
[0015] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an obturator for firearms,
capable of solving the problems encountered in the prior art, i.e.
an obturator capable of avoiding and making up for structural yielding of defective
and/or structurally weak cartridges.
[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an obturator that ensures
the correct operation of the respective firearm in the presence of detonations of
defective cartridges.
[0017] The purposes specified above, and yet others, are substantially accomplished by an
obturator for firearms, as expressed and described in the following claims.
[0018] Now, as an example, it is provided a description of a preferred but not exclusive
embodiment of an obturator for firearms, in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] Such a description will be made hereafter with reference to the attached drawings,
provided for indicating and therefore not limiting purposes, in which:
figure 1a is a simplified schematic view of a known obturator;
figure 1b is a simplified schematic section of the known obturator illustrated in
the previous figure;
figure 1c is an enlarged detail in section of the known obturator represented in the
previous figures;
figure 2 is a schematic and simplified perspective representation of an obturator
in accordance with the present invention,
figure 3 is an elevation view of the obturator according to the previous figure;
figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the obturator carried out along the line IV-IV
of the previous figure;
figure 5 is an enlarged detail in section of the obturator represented in the previous
figure;
figure 6 is an interrupted elevation view of the obturator according to figures 2
to 5 engaged with a breech of a barrel of a firearm;
figure 7 is a schematic representation in section carried out along the line VII-VII
of figure 6, of the obturator according to figures 2 to 7, before the detonation of
the cartridge;
figure 8 is a further enlarged schematic representation in section of the obturator
and of the cartridge according to figure 7, represented in deformation condition of
the firing capsule and/or of the bottom of the ammunition following detonation of
the cartridge.
[0020] With reference to figures 2 to 8, reference numeral 100 wholly indicates an obturator
for firearms, in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] As can be seen in figures 2 to 8, the obturator 100 comprises a substantially cylindrical
structure 101 able to be operatively arranged in a slide (not illustrated) which carries
the obturator 100 of an automatic or semi-automatic firearm (not represented). As
can be seen in figures 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the obturator 100 has a closing head 102,
in particular a rotary one, arranged at an end 103 of the cylindrical structure 101.
[0022] Again with reference to figures 2 to 5, 7 and 8, the closing head 102 has at least
a resting surface 104 suitable for engaging a bottom F (figures 7 and 8) of at least
one cartridge C (figures 7 and 8) to be detonated.
[0023] In order to receive, in engagement, a striker (not represented as it is known) of
the respective firearm with which the obturator 100 is associated, the latter has
at least one through channel 105 (figures 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8) extending longitudinally
through its cylindrical structure 101.
[0024] As can be seen in figures 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the through channel 105 extends, substantially
axially, from one side of the structure 101 of the obturator 100 to the other so as
to open out, at the resting surface 104, with at least one opening 106. The opening
106 is positioned in the centre of the resting surface 104 so as to correspond to
at least one central area of a firing capsule 109 (schematically illustrated in figures
7 and 8) located on the bottom F of the loaded cartridge C.
[0025] Advantageously, as can be seen in figures 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the obturator 1 comprises
deformation means 108 associated with the closing head 102 so as to at least partially
deform the seat of the firing capsule 109 of the cartridge C.
[0026] In particular, the high internal pressures, generated by the detonation of the cartridge
C, determine a force between the resting surface of the bottom of the ammunition and
the obturator 100 causing a deformation of the bottom and/or of the firing capsule
of the ammunition. In other words, the pressures generated by the detonation of the
cartridge C compress the ammunition C against the deformation means 108 of the obturator
100 deforming the bottom and/or the firing capsule of the ammunition so as to keep
the latter together with the cartridge C. The engagement of the firing capsule 109
with the cartridge C, obtained by means of the deformation of the bottom and/or of
the firing capsule 109 at the firing seat of the cartridge C, prevents the firing
capsule 109 from disengaging from the cartridge C during and after detonation. Therefore,
the action of the striker cannot in any way pull away and detach the structure of
the firing capsule 109 from the respective seat, for which reason the firing capsule
109 stays engaged with the bottom F. Advantageously, the deformation means 108 are
arranged at the resting surface 104 of the closing head 102. Preferably, the deformation
means 108 comprise at least one surface relief 108a that projects from the resting
surface 104 of the closing head 102.
[0027] The surface relief 108a extends on the resting surface 104 of the closing head 102
according to a ring-shaped development.
[0028] Advantageously, the surface relief 108a substantially surrounds the opening 106 of
the through channel 105, as can be seen in figure 2. Preferably, the surface relief
108a extends according to a substantially circular development to deform a respective
area of the firing capsule seat 109.
[0029] As can be seen in figures 5, 7 and 8, the surface relief 108a has a profile, along
a section plane that extends longitudinally with respect to the cylindrical structure
101, tapering away from the resting surface 104 of the closing head 102 for which
reason, following the impact between the surface relief 108a and the cartridge C,
the deformation of the bottom and/or of the firing capsule 109 at the firing seat
is facilitated and improved by the shape of the relief 108a.
[0030] The obturator according to the present invention solves the problems met in the prior
art and achieves important advantages.
[0031] Firstly, the obturator described above deals with the structural yielding of defective
cartridges.
[0032] In particular, the presence of the surface relief of the resting surface of the closing
head permits, after an impact between the latter and the defective cartridge, the
deformation of the firing capsule and/or of the bottom that fixes the position of
the firing capsule in the respective firing seat of the cartridge, preventing the
deflagration forces from being able to pull away and disengage the firing capsule
from the bottom. In this way, every firing capsule of each cartridge loaded, be it
defective or structurally weak, is locked on the bottom in its predetermined position
without interfering with the correct operation of the cartridge and of the firearm.
[0033] Of course, the fixing of the firing capsule to the cartridge brings a series of big
advantages.
[0034] Firstly, the cases of defective cartridges do not suffer damage following detonation.
Secondarily, the cases can be expelled in the correct manner, avoiding jamming of
the respective firearm used.
1. Obturator (100), for firearms comprising:
a structure (101);
a closing head (102), arranged at an end (103) of said cylindrical structure (101);
at least a resting surface (104) defined on said closing head (102), said resting
surface (104) being adapted to engage the bottom (F) of at least one cartridge (C),
at least one through channel (105) developing longitudinally through said cylindrical
structure (101) for operatively engaging at least one striker of said firearm, said
through channel (105) having, at said resting surface (104) of said closing head (102)
at least one opening (106),
characterised in that it comprises deformation means (108) associated to said closing head (102) adapted
to deform, at least partially, the bottom and/or the firing capsule of said cartridge
(C).
2. Obturator according to claim 1, wherein said deformation means (108) are arranged
at said resting surface (104) of said closing head (102).
3. Obturator according to claim 2, wherein said deformation means (108) comprise at least
a surface relief (108a) projecting from said resting surface (104) of said closing
head (102).
4. Obturator according to claim 3, wherein said surface relief (108a) extends, on said
resting surface (104) of said closing head (102) according to a ring-shaped development.
5. Obturator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said surface relief (108a) substantially
surrounds said opening (106) of said through channel (105).
6. Obturator according to one or more of claims from 3 to 5, wherein said surface relief
(108a) extends according to a substantially circular development.
7. Obturator according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, wherein said surface relief (108a)
has a profile, along a section plane extending longitudinally with respect to said
cylindrical structure (101), tapering away from said resting surface (104) of said
closing head (102).