Ordnance – Loading
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-08-28
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Ordnance
Loading
C089S033010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279450
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority of German Application No. 199 13 283.6, filed Mar. 24, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a loading apparatus for a large-caliber weapon, including an ammunition magazine situated behind the weapon and a device for loading the weapon.
Loading apparatus of the above-outlined type are disclosed, for example, in German Offenlegungsschriften (applications published without examination) 25 01 426 and 32 38 893 as well as German Patent No. 31 32 631. In the known loading apparatus described therein the ammunition magazines are designed as circulating magazines and require complex devices for supporting and guiding the ammunition. Such devices occupy a relatively large space and are of substantial weight. Further, circulating magazines may be charged, as a rule, only in two or four tiers so that the space available for the magazine is often not optimally utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a weapon having an improved loading apparatus of the above-outlined type which is of simple construction and which makes possible an optimal utilization of the available space.
This object and others to become apparent as the specification progresses, are accomplished by the invention, according to which, briefly stated, the weapon includes a weapon barrel having a longitudinal axis and a magazine positioned behind the weapon barrel and formed of two spaced, facing, partial magazines situated on either side of the barrel axis. Each partial magazine has at least one tier accommodating a series of ammunition in a side-by-side relationship. A loading tray is positioned behind the weapon barrel and between the partial magazines for receiving ammunition therefrom to be loaded by the loading tray into the weapon barrel. A displacing mechanism shifts the ammunition in each tier onto the loading tray. At least two spaced guide rails are positioned in each tier and extend perpendicularly to the barrel axis. Each ammunition has a frontal region, a rearward region and at least two guide portions releasably secured to the ammunition in the frontal and rearward regions, respectively. The guide portions engage into respective guide rails.
According to the basic principle of the invention the ammunition magazine of the loading apparatus is composed of two partial magazines which are in a mirror-image arrangement and which are located at the rear of the weapon. Between the partial magazines a loading tray is situated for charging the weapon. In the partial magazines the ammunition is arranged in several superposed tiers. The ammunition in each tier is disposed horizontally side-by-side and is shiftable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the weapon barrel. Each tier is bounded by guide rails forming part of the magazine. Each piece of ammunition carries guide portions which project into the respective guide rails. The loading tray is vertically movable and thus forms part of an elevator for receiving ammunition from any tier and moving the ammunition into a loading position.
With each tier drives are associated which shift the ammunition towards the elevator transversely to the longitudinal axis of the weapon barrel. Thereafter the elevator moves into the loading position and a charger subsequently axially moves the ammunition through an opening out of the magazine and into the chamber of the weapon barrel. During this occurrence, the ammunition is stripped of the guide portions.
By virtue of the simple mechanical construction of the magazine according to the invention, a high degree of operational reliability and a low weight compared to similar known loading apparatus are ensured. Further, by varying the number of tiers and the number of ammunition for each tier the loading capacity and the magazine outline may be adapted optimally to the available space and/or environment (for example, a tank turret)
To ensure that the ammunition is held captive in the guide rails, the latter have retractable abutments at their ends oriented towards the loading tray. The respective abutment is pivoted away (retracted) only after the elevator has been moved to the predetermined tier for receiving an ammunition, and then the ammunition is shifted one step to bring a new piece of ammunition in alignment with the loading tray to be pushed thereonto by the charger.
The guide portions of the ammunition may be of very simple construction. They have to withstand, however, mechanical stresses in the magazine. Further, the guide portions must be separable from the ammunition during he loading process and must be removable.
Guide portions of the above-outlined type require very little space compared to known loading sleeves which are generally used in circulating magazines. The guide portions may be made, for example, of hard foam material, rubber, plastics, natural fibers, wood, craft paper or compound materials. The selection of the material depends, among others, from the expected stresses and whether the guide portions should be of the reusable type. The manner in which the guide portions are to be separated from the ammunition upon introducing the ammunition into the weapon barrel is affected by the material selected for the guide portions. Thus, in case of relatively soft materials, the separation of the guide portions may occur by cutting or breaking deliberately weakened areas. If relatively hard materials are used for the guide portions, they may be held together by a strap which is severed during the loading process.
The guide portions are preferably so constructed that they also constitute parts of the packaging which is required for the transport and storing of the ammunition externally of the magazine.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2785607 (1957-03-01), Henstrom et al.
patent: 3986432 (1976-10-01), Schreckenberg
patent: 4457209 (1984-07-01), Scheurich et al.
patent: 5347911 (1994-09-01), Hallqvist
patent: 5844163 (1998-12-01), Lindskog
patent: 25 01 426 (1975-07-01), None
patent: 32 38 893 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 31 32 631 (1988-11-01), None
Jordan Charles T.
Kelemen Gabor J.
Rheinmetall W&M GmbH
Venable
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