US 4,114,510 AGranted

Muzzle clamp assembly

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

InventorsRonald E. Prince, Rene W. Bonnette

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Abstract

A muzzle clamp assembly, adapted for use with a multi-barrel gun of the Gatling type, for predictably controlling the dispersion, i.e., the impact point of projectiles fired from the multi-barrel gun. The assembly is removably attached to the forward end, i.e., the muzzle end, of the barrel cluster; and, it includes a perforated cylindrical clamp member, a plurality of movable and removable clamps, and a removable perforated front plate with the perforations at positions preselected to effectuate the desired controlled dispersion. These components are assembled and integrated in an untightened condition; are slipped over the muzzle end of the cluster of barrels; and, the movable clamps are tightened to the barrels, while the front plate is tightened to the clamp member. This front plate thereby positions the muzzles of the barrels to effectuate the preselected desired controlled dispersion of the fired projectiles, such as a dispersion pattern of 360.degree. about a theoretical focal point.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A muzzle clamp assembly, adapted for use with a multi-barrel gun, wherein each barrel has a muzzle end, comprising:

a. a front plate having a first plurality of openings therein and therethrough, one opening for each barrel of said multi-barrel gun, with each opening so dimensioned and configurated to accept, snugly fit on, and surround said muzzle end of its respective barrel, wherein said openings are located at preselected positions on and in said front plate;
b. a clamp member, disposed rearward of said front plate, having a first plurality of openings therein and therethrough, one opening for each of said first plurality of front plate openings, with each said clamp member opening of said first plurality and in eccentric geometric relationship with and to its respective front plate opening;
c. means for releasably connecting said front plate to said clamp member;
d. and, means for removably attaching said front plate, said clamp member, and said releasable front plate-to-clamp member connecting means, to said multi-barrel gun at the muzzle end of said barrels of said gun.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.