US 11,841,203 B2
Action timer switch and system for internal ballistic measurements
Lex Shea, Tallahassee, FL (US)
Assigned to General Dynamics-OTS, Inc.
Filed by General Dynamics-OTS, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL (US)
Filed on Aug. 5, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/947,519.
Prior Publication US 2022/0042761 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. F41A 31/00 (2006.01); H01H 1/58 (2006.01)
CPC F41A 31/00 (2013.01) [H01H 1/58 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A breech block having an action timer switch comprising:
a breech block body;
a firing pin assembly including a firing pin plate supported in the breech block body, a firing pin slidably supported in the firing pin plate, wherein the firing pin is movable between a first position with the firing pin retracted into the firing pin plate and a second position with at least a portion of the firing pin extending from the firing pin plate;
a hammer pivotally supported in the breech block body, the hammer including a hammer body having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a poll extending from the first edge and terminating at a hammer face, wherein the hammer is pivotable with respect to the breech block body for bringing the hammer face into contact with the firing pin; and
an action start timer switch including:
an adjustable contact supported in the hammer body and extending through the first edge, wherein the adjustable contact terminates at a first contact element that is positionable relative to the hammer face; and
a contact switch fixedly supported in the breech block body, the contact switch having a second contact element electrically coupled to a test lead;
wherein the first contact element contacts the second contact element when the hammer face contacts the firing pin for transmitting a start pulse in the test lead.