Aktiebolaget Bofors

Goran Sundmar

Olle Gustavsson

A loading pendulum is arranged at the rear of one side of a firearm suspended in an elevating mass. The loading pendulum has two arms which can be swung in the traversing direction of the firearm, the first ends of which are supported for co-ordinated driving by means of drive shafts (13, 14) which are parallel to each other and, when the pendulum adjusts itself to the angle of elevation or depression of the firearm extend at right angles to said traversing plane, and second ends support a loading tray (10) in supporting shafts (15, 16) also at right angles to the traversing plane when the pendulum adjusts itself to the angle of elevation or depression of the firearm. The arms (11, 12) are arranged to achieve a position swung to the side and a swung-in position of the loading tray which moreover in a feeding position, which can differ as regards the angle of elevation or depression from said position when swung to the side, is arranged to receive an ammunition unit (30) from a loading table or the like and which is arranged to make it possible to swing in the ammunition unit to the extension of the axis of the bore of the firearm, with which the loading tray coincides at the swung-in position. Said arms have different lengths, and are arranged so that in the feeding position they will hold the loading tray obliquely. An ammunition unit which with its front ends extends at the front of the loading tray will then extend with said front parts at the side of the elevating mass.

Loading pendulum

A loading table including a stable frame with a flat depositing plane (13) for shells (14) lying beside each other and feeding means for removing the shells, one at a time, from the plane, through lateral displacement. The feeding means utilize holding trough segments arranged in an endless chain with two stories of which the upper story comes into connection with the depositing plane. The segments are fastened in the links (16) of two drive chains which by means of the step drive mechanism can be actuated so that at a certain actuation of the step drive mechanism, holding troughs (15) for the shells, which can be composed of holding trough segments in the upper story, are moved forwards one spacing distance. The pairs of holding trough segments are arranged in such a way that said holding troughs which are formed are capable of receiving new shells directly from above under parallel displacement substantially at right angles to the depositing plane in a number corresponding to the number of shells removed from the plane. The holding troughs can then receive two or more shells simultaneously when these are arranged parallel to each other.

Loading table

A lifting device is used for live or practice ammunition, for which the device comprises a number of gripping elements. The gripping elements are made with a number of elements extending from the frame of the lifting device. The elements form pairs of elements that can be allotted each to its shell during the lifting. The elements are rotatably supported around their longitudinal axes in the frame and at their free ends have widened sections extending in one direction. The elements are rotatable to first rotation positions where the respective pair of elements from the side can be moved over a round of ammunition. In second rotation positions the respective pair of elements encloses its shell with the aid of the widened sections and secures the shell against movement in the transversal direction. At the respective pair of elements there is also arranged a holding trough which is rotatably supported via its back section in the frame so that its parts directed towards the sections in the pair of elements in question carry out a displacing movement towards the sections. Also a lifting hook is included, which in one embodiment is connected with the holding troughs via a linkage system so that the rotary movements and positions of the holding troughs in relation to the sections of the elements are controlled with the aid of the own weight of the shells and the lifting device.

Lifting device for ammunition

A loading tray (3) used for a loading unit (4) which can be swung in from the side from a feeding position for an ammunition unit, (6) to a swung-in position in the extension of the axis of the bore (2) of a firearm (1). The loading tray receives the ammunition unit fed in from the side, and supports the ammunition unit during the swinging-in process, and permits longitudinal displacement out of the loading tray by means of a rammer (8). The loading tray has an elongate element (16) which having received the ammunition unit extends above and along the ammunition unit. The element can spring away to the side temporarily in connection with the rolling of the ammunition unit. The element (16) is comprised in the holding function for the ammunition unit under the swinging-in process, and serves as a rearing guard during ramming of the ammunition unit.

Loading tray

A ramming unit comprises a tooth (5) which is placed at the front parts of the unit. The tooth is arranged so that it can be raised and lowered, and in its raised position the rear side (5a) of the tooth coacts with a shell (2) or the like when this is rammed in a firearm by means of the ramming unit. In its lowered position the tooth permits the passage of a bag charge (4) or the like which is to be placed behind the shell in the bore of the barrel. The tooth and the other parts are made with force relieving means which transfer substantial parts of the forces arising on the tooth in connection with the ramming direct to said other parts of the ramming unit, and not via the supporting means of the tooth.

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Karlskoga, Sweden

Goran Sundmar