Ares, Inc.

Francis J Warin

Vernet F DeHaven

Vernet F De Haven

Shell feeding apparatus for a rapid fire, gun, such as a medium caliber cannon, comprises an elongate, linear shell rammer having a relatively small diameter, surrounded by a carousel-type shell magazine configured for holding several, for example, about six, shells. The shell rammer includes a pressurized fluid actuation cylinder having two transversely separated bores and two pistons mounted in the bores. Protruding ends of the pistons are interconnected by a motion multiplier which comprises a T-shaped member, to opposite sides of which are mounted two pairs of sprockets. A shell ramming member is fixed to two drive chains entrained over the two pairs of sprockets. The drive chains are fixed to the actuator cylinder so that when pressurized fluid moves the pistons, relative to the cylinder, a distance, 'd', at a velocity, 'v,' the shell ramming member, and hence a shell engaged thereby, is moved a substantially greater distance, 'D,' at a substantially greater velocity, 'V.' Typically the shell ramming distance, 'D,' and velocity, 'V,' are twice as great as the actuation distance, 'd,' and velocity, 'v.' The shell rammer functions as a spindle for the magazine which includes means for moving shells held thereon to a shell ramming position at which the shells are engaged by the shell ramming member.

Shell feeding apparatus for guns

Shell loading apparatus, particularly for an externally mounted tank cannon, provides automated loading of shells from a magazine in a vehicle to a cannon externally mounted to the vehicle. The shell loading apparatus includes a pair of opposed, generally D-shaped cam tracks mounted in a cannon pod rearwardly of the cannon breech. Linear portions of the cam tracks are parallel to the barrel bore axis, arcuate portions of the cam tracks are directed upwardly with straight lead-in segments thereof directed towards a magazine shell extraction position when the cannon barrel is in a specific elevational position for shell loading. A shell rammer is connected to cam followers disposed in the cam tracks. A rammer support is fixed to gun mounting structure parallel to the cam track lead in segment. Pressurized fluid actuators connected to the rammer move the rammer with cam followers constrained to the cam tracks from a first, shell extraction position to a second shell loading position, the cam tracks being configured for controlling upward and rearward and then forward movement from the first to the second positions. A deployable tripper mounted adjacent the second position causes the rammer to release the shell held thereby when the rammer is moved into the second position, the released shell being catapulted into the cannon breech. A sensor and control system control operation of the shell loading apparatus.

Automated shell loading apparatus for externally mounted tank cannon

Shell magazine apparatus for tanks having a gun crew basket rotably mounted within a vehicle and having a cannon mounted to the basket comprises a primary shell magazine mounted in the gun crew basket and a secondary shell magazine mounted in the vehicle. The primary magazine includes a number of shell holding canisters pivotally mounted to a canister carrier rotatably mounted on a core. A Geneva drive incrementally rotating the carrier and canisters to sequentially position the canisters in a particular elevating position. A pressurized fluid cylinder is provided for pivoting a canister in the elevating position into a position from which a shell can be extracted by an associated shell loading apparatus. The secondary magazine comprises first and second drums rotatably mounted, side-by-side, in the vehicle rearwardly of the primary magazine when the gun crew basket is azimuthally zeroed. The first and second drums are orientated relative to the primary magazine so that shells can be then transferred forwardly, at particular rotational transport positions, into the primary magazine. A sensor and control system is provided for operating the magazine.

Shell magazine for tanks

Shell feeding apparatus for a rapid fire, gun, such as a medium calibre cannon, comprises an elongate, linear shell rammer having a relatively small diameter, surrounded by a carousel-type shell magazine configured for holding several, for example, about six, shells. The shell rammer includes a pressurized fluid actuation cylinder having two transversely separated bores and two pistons mounted in the bores. Protruding ends of the pistons are interconnected by a motion multiplier which comprises a T-shaped member, to opposite sides of which are mounted two pairs of sprockets. A shell ramming member is fixed to two drive chains entrained over the two pairs of sprockets. The drive chains are fixed to the actuator cylinder so that when pressurized fluid moves the pistons, relative to the cylinder, a distance, 'd', at a velocity, 'v,' the shell ramming member, and hence a shell engaged thereby, is moved a substantially greater distance, 'D,' at a substantially greater velocity, 'V.' Typically the shell ramming distance, 'D,' and velocity, 'V,' are twice as great as the actuation distance, 'd,' and velocity, 'v.' The shell rammer functions as a spindle for the magazine which includes means for moving shells held thereon to a shell ramming position at which the shells are engaged by the shell ramming member.

A foldable gun, useful in mob control and police undercover work because of small size and unassuming appearance when it is in folded configuration, includes a magazine housing and stock pivotally mounted to a receiver assembly in a manner in which the magazine housing may be pivoted to a parallel position adjacent a receiver assembly underside while containing a magazine. Pivotal mounting of the stock enables the stock to fold to an underside of the receiver assembly. A U-shaped configuration of the stock enables it to both contain and conceal the magazine housing and magazine when the gun is in the folded configuration. In this manner, an extremely compact folded gun is achieved, and further, the gun, when folded, does not resemble a weapon.

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Oak Harbor, OH, United States of America

Francis J Warin