Actuation system for a firearm

Abstract

An actuation system includes a breechblock assembly, and a slide whereon the breechblock assembly is mounted. The slide is configured to slide linearly on a linear guide. A cylindrical cam is configured to be rotatably actuated by a motor and cooperating with the slide for controlling movement along the linear guide. The outer surface of the cam defines a path having a first parking section, a second parking section, a forward intermediate section and a backward intermediate section connecting the first annular parking section and the second annular parking section. The slide is moved forward from the first operating position to the second operating position and, respectively, backward from the second operating position to the first operating position.

1 . An actuation system for a firearm; said system comprising:
 a breechblock assembly adapted to close a breech ring of said firearm;   a slide whereon said breechblock assembly is mounted;   a linear guide whereon said slide is configured to slide linearly; and   a cylindrical cam configured to be rotatably actuated by a motor and co-operating with said slide for controlling movement of said slide along said linear guide between a first operating position and a second operating position; an outer surface of said cylindrical cam defining a path having:   a substantially annular first parking section wherein said slide is kept in said first operating position, wherein said breechblock assembly is in a remote position relative to said breech ring and allows extraction of the shell case and the insertion of a new piece of ammunition,   a substantially annular second parking section wherein said slide is kept in said second operating position, wherein said breechblock assembly is in proximity to said breech ring and cooperates with said breech ring during the ammunition firing phases,   a helical portion shaped forward intermediate section and a helical portion shaped backward intermediate section connecting said first parking section and said second parking section, and wherein said slide is moved forward from said first operating position to said second operating position and, respectively, backward from said second operating position to said first operating position.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises a single drum-type cam. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said slide comprises a coupling element, and said cam has an external groove which defines said path and in which said coupling element is configured to slide. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cam comprises a routing mechanism figured to selectively assume:
 a forward condition, wherein said routing mechanism constrains said slide to move from said first parking section to said second parking section through said forward intermediate section, and   a backward condition, wherein said routing mechanism constrains said slide to move from said second parking section ( 42   b ) to said first parking section through said backward intermediate section.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said routing mechanism comprises a pair of diverters, each one of said diverters being associated with a respective parking section and being configured for selectively connecting the respective parking section with the forward section and with the backward section, when the routing mechanism is in the forward condition and, respectively, in the backward condition. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein each one of said diverters is situated in the respective parking section with which each one of said diverters is associated. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said routing mechanism comprises a synchronization device configured for synchronizing movement of said pair of diverters, so that both of said diverters simultaneously provide connection with the forward intermediate section and, respectively, with the backward intermediate section when the routing mechanism assumes the forward condition and, respectively, the backward condition. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said synchronization device is a bistable linkage. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said bistable linkage comprises a shaft configured for simultaneously moving said diverters each time said routing mechanism switches between said forward condition and said backward condition. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said shaft is configured for simultaneously rotating the diverters about transverse axes of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said transverse axes of rotation are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said transverse axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to a central axis of rotation of said cam and to a longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
         14 . A firearm comprising:
 a breech ring configured to receive a shell to be fired;   a barrel through which the shell is to be channelled when firing occurs in the breech ring; and   an actuation system according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said forward intermediate section is shaped as a helical portion having a winding direction that is discordant from a rotation direction in which the cam is driven by the motor. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the backward intermediate section is shaped as a helical portion having a winding direction that is concordant with a rotation direction in which the cam is driven by the motor. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate sections intersect each other at ends of the intermediate sections, at the first parking section on one side and at the second parking section on the other side. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the intersection between the intermediate sections form cusp-shaped regions.