Cocking device for machine guns

Abstract

A cocking system for light cannons and machine guns providing an electrical actuation option to an otherwise manual actuation mechanism. The mechanism of the invention employs a pivot of a pulley that engages a cocking handle engaging tongue slidable along a grooved slider. The pulley, around which a cocking cable is wrapped, is pulled by either an auxiliary manual cocking handle, or by an electrical motor. As the engaging tongue is pulled backwards, in a certain point it inclines forwards allowing the forward movement of the cocking handle. The cocking assembly is adapted to both left hand and right hand cocking handle applications. In some embodiments the engaging tongue returns the coking handles to its forward position.

1 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons employing a bolt assembly, adapted for electrical and manual actuation mechanisms, said system comprising:
 a cocking handle engaging tongue (CHET) slidable along a CHET slider for at least pulling a bolt assembly of said bolt assembly;   a pulley around which a cocking cable is wrapped;   a pivot of said pulley for engaging with said CHET;   a spool to which one end of said cable is connected for winding said cocking cable;   a spring for urging said CHET forwards;   an electric actuator for rotating said spool, and   an auxiliary cocking handle for performing manual cocking.   
   
   
       2 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons as in  claim 1  and wherein said CHET is rotatable forwards to enable return of a cocking handle of said bolt assembly driven by a CHET spring. 
   
   
       3 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons as in  claim 1  and wherein said CHET module is engageable in both right hand side cocking handles and left hand side cocking handle gun assemblies 
   
   
       4 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons as in  claim 1  and wherein a proximity sensor senses the arrival of said CHET to its rearmost position. 
   
   
       5 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons as in  claim 4  and wherein the proximity sensor actuates a spool for winding a loose cocking cable. 
   
   
       6 . A bolt cocking system for machine guns and light cannons as in  claim 4  and wherein said proximity sensor stops a spool from winding a cocking cable. 
   
   
       7 . A method for cocking a bolt of a machine gun wherein a cable pulling a cocking handle engaging tongue (CHET), slidable along a slider, pulls said bolt backwards, and wherein the drive for actuating said cable pulling is selected from a group containing a manual pull and an electric pull, and wherein a proximity sensor senses the arrival of said CHET to its rearmost position and when doing so, it toggles the condition of a spool to which the cable is windably attached.