SPRING ARRANGEMENT FOR COUNTERMEASURE MAGAZINES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spring arrangement for use in a countermeasure magazine, said spring arrangement including a plurality of elements, wherein each one of said elements has a base portion and a plurality of spring portions extending from a first edge of said base portion, and wherein said spring portions of each element are distributed along a length of said base portion, and wherein said elements include mating connection means such that said elements may be connected to each other.

Claims

1. A spring arrangement in a countermeasure magazine, said spring arrangement comprising a plurality of elements, wherein each one of said elements has a base portion and a plurality of spring portions extending from a first edge of said base portion, wherein said spring portions of each element are distributed along a length of said base portion, and wherein said elements comprise mating connection means such that said elements may be connected to each other.

2. The spring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said mating connection means is a slit provided on each one of said elements such that cross lap joints may be formed between said elements.

3. The spring arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of elements comprise a first element and a second element, and wherein said slits of said first element extend from said first edge of said base portion of said first element and said slits of said second element extend from a second edge of said base portion of said second element, wherein said first edge and said second edge are arranged on opposite sides of said base portion.

4. The spring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said base portions comprise magazine connectors arranged at two opposite ends of each one of said base portions.

5. The spring arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said magazine connector of said second element comprises a locking mechanism such that said spring arrangement may be locked in place in relation to a countermeasure magazine.

6. The spring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said base portion and said spring portions of each one of said plurality of elements are made from a single piece.

7. The spring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each one of said spring portions is a leaf spring.

8. The spring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said elements are made from sheet metal.

9. A countermeasure magazine in a countermeasure dispenser, said countermeasure magazine comprising a frame and a spring arrangement comprising a plurality of elements, wherein each element of the plurality of elements has a base portion and a plurality of spring portions extending from a first edge of said base portion, wherein said spring portions of each element are distributed along a length of said base portion, wherein the plurality of elements comprises mating connection means such that said elements may be connected to each other, and wherein said spring arrangement is connected to said frame such that said spring arrangement and said frame jointly define a grid of cartridge chambers.

10. The countermeasure magazine according to claim 9, wherein said frame comprises a first set of openings arranged on two opposite side walls thereof, and a second set of openings arranged on two opposite side walls thereof, wherein said first and second set of openings are arranged to receive said magazine connectors.

11. The countermeasure magazine according to claim 10, wherein said second set of openings is a set of elongated openings, in which said magazine connectors of said second element may be received and moved between a first and a second position, said second position being such that said element is locked in place in relation to said frame.

12. The countermeasure magazine according to claim 9, wherein said frame comprises guides arranged to receive said second edges of said elements of said spring arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will now be further clarified and described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing different embodiments of a spring arrangement and of a countermeasure magazine according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first element of a spring arrangement,

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second element of said spring arrangement,

[0042] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of said first and second elements before connecting to each other,

[0043] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of said first and second elements after being connected to each other,

[0044] FIG. 3c is a perspective view of a plurality of first and second elements that have been connected to form a spring arrangement according to the present invention,

[0045] FIG. 4a is a perspective cutaway view of a countermeasure magazine comprising a spring arrangement according to the present invention,

[0046] FIG. 4b is another perspective cutaway view of the countermeasure magazine of FIG. 4a,

[0047] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the second set of openings of the frame, and the magazine connectors of said second elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. Spatial references such as upper, lower, distal, proximal, inner and outer are to be interpreted according to their normal meaning. To further clarify; up, upwards and upper refer to the direction from which the spring arrangement is connected to the frame. Similarly; down, downwards and lower refer to the opposite direction, i.e. the direction in which the second elements of the spring arrangement moves when moving from the first position to the second position. Inner and proximal should be interpreted in relation to a longitudinal centerline of the countermeasure magazine, as should outer and distal.

[0049] It is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. Even though in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first element 10 of a spring arrangement 1. The first element 10 has a base portion 11 in the shape of a perforated band of sheet metal, as well as spring portions 13 extending therefrom. The base portion 11 is provided with through-holes 111 for reducing the weight of the spring arrangement 1. The through-holes 111 extend from one lateral side of the base portion 11 to the other, wherein the through-holes 11 are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the base portion 11.

[0051] The spring portions 13 extend from a first edge 15 of the base portion 11 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the base portion 11. In the illustrated example, there are six spring portions 13 extending from the base portion 11, the spring portion 13 being distributed along a length of the base portion 11. Each one of the spring portions 13 is provided in the shape of an elliptical leaf spring having three metal strips 131, two of which have a curved shape protruding in a first direction, and the third of which having a curved shape protruding in a second, opposite direction. The three strips of metal 131 are joined at the top and bottom, i.e. at both the most proximal and the most distal position relative to the base portion 11. The spring portions 13 are configured to elastically deform in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of both the spring portions 13 themselves, and the base portion 11 from which they extend. Thus, the spring portions 13 allow the spring arrangement 1 to dampen vibrations experienced by cartridges held in the cartridge chambers 35 defined by a grid 33 of spring elements 10, 20.

[0052] Furthermore, the first element 10 comprises mating connection means 17 in the shape of slits 17′ for connecting the first element 10 to a second element 20. The slits 17′ extend from the first edge 15 of the base portion 11, and towards the oppositely arranged second edge 16 of the base portion 11. The slits 17′ extend half-way through the base portion 11, measured in a direction from the first edge 15 to the second edge 16. This, in combination with the shape of the mating connection means 27 of the second element 20, allow the two elements 10, 20 to be joined together with a cross lap joint 31. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3b.

[0053] FIG. 1 also shows magazine connectors 18 arranged at either end of the base portion 11. The magazine connectors 18 are arranged such that the first element 10 may be connected to a frame 41 or countermeasure magazine 4.

[0054] As is seen in FIG. 1, the base portion 11 and the spring portions 13 are made from a single piece of material. The first element 10 may for example be produced by punching out the outer shape of the first element 10 from a sheet of metal, and then plastically deform the strips to form the elliptical leaf spring of the spring portion 13.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second element 20 of the spring arrangement 1. Like the first element 10, the second element 20 has a base portion 21 in the shape of a perforated band of sheet metal, as well as spring portions 23 extending therefrom. The base portion 21 is provided with through-holes 211 extending from one lateral side of the base portion 21 to the other, wherein the through-holes 21 are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the base portion 21.

[0056] The spring portions 23 extend from a first edge 25 of the base portion 21, in the same direction as with the first element 10. The spring portions 23 of the second element 20 are substantially identical to the spring portions 13 of the first element 10, and will therefore not be discussed in greater detail.

[0057] The second element 10 comprises mating connection means 27 in the shape of slits 27′ for connecting the second element 20 to the first element 10. The slits 27′ extend from the second edge 26 of the base portion 21, and towards the oppositely arranged first edge 25 of the base portion 21. The slits 27′ extend half-way through the base portion 21, measured in a direction from the second edge 26 to the first edge 25. By joining the mating connection means 17 of the first element 10 with the mating connection means 27 of the second element 20, a cross lap joint 31 is formed. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3b.

[0058] FIG. 2 also shows magazine connectors 28 arranged at either end of the base portion 21. The magazine connectors 28 each comprises a locking mechanism 29 that allows the second element 20 to be locked in place in relation to a frame 41 or countermeasure magazine 4. With the mating connection means 17, 27 being arranged as they are, locking the second element 20 in place prevents the first element 10 from moving in a direction towards the spring portions 13, 23 of the two elements 10, 20. This is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 5.

[0059] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the first and second elements 10, 20 before connecting to each other. Here, the two elements 10, 20 are provided at a right angle relative to each other, and their mating connection means 17, 27 are aligned with each other so as to allow the two elements 10, 20 to intersect.

[0060] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the first and second elements 10, 20 after being connected to each other. Here, a cross lap joint 31 has been formed between the two elements 10, 20 by intersecting their mating connection means 17, 27. Due to the relative dimensioning of the mating connection means 17, 27 of each respective element 10, 20, a flush edge is formed at the intersection of the first edges 15, 25 of the two elements 10, 20, and at the intersection of their second edges 16, 26.

[0061] FIG. 3c is a perspective view of a plurality of first and second elements 10, that have been connected to each other. Each first element 10 is parallel with the other first elements 10, and each first element 10 is perpendicular to each one of the second elements 20. When connected to each other, the first and second elements 10, 20 form a spring arrangement 1 according to the present invention. The spring arrangement 1 defines a portion of a grid 33 of cartridge chambers 35, into which cartridges of countermeasure may be held. The outermost rows and columns of cartridge chambers 35 in the grid 33 are jointly defined by the spring arrangement 1 and the frame 41, when the spring arrangement 1 is connected thereto.

[0062] FIG. 4a is a perspective cutaway view of a countermeasure magazine 4 comprising a spring arrangement 1 according to the present invention. The countermeasure magazine 4 comprises a frame 41, inside of which the spring arrangement 1 is held. The spring arrangement 1 is connected to the frame 41 in a manner such that the spring arrangement 1 and the frame 41 jointly define a grid 33 of cartridge chambers 35. The frame 41 is rectangular and has four walls 43, 43′, on which walls 43, 43′ openings 45, 45′ are arranged that are configured to receive the magazine connectors 18, 28 of the first and second element 10, 20 of the spring arrangement 1. By connecting the magazine connectors 18, 28 to the openings 45, 45′, the spring arrangement 1 may be locked in place in relation to the frame 41.

[0063] Furthermore, the frame 41 comprises a grid-like support structure 47 extending between the walls 43, 43′ of the frame 41 and along a portion of the height of the frame 41. The support structure 47 is arranged to receive the spring arrangement 1 on top thereof, and consequently does not extend all the way to the top of the frame 41. This leaves room for placement of the spring arrangement 1 thereupon.

[0064] Additionally, the support structure 47 is provided with guides 49 that are arranged to receive the second edges 16, 26 of the elements 10, 20 of the spring arrangement 1. The guides 49 are provided in the shape of flanges or protrusions extending from the top of the support structure 47, and being dimensioned to abut at least one side of the base portions 11, 21 of the spring arrangement 1. Thus, the elements 10, 20 may be more securely fastened to the frame 41 of the countermeasure magazine 4. Finally, the support structure 47 is arranged to support cartridges loaded into the countermeasure magazine 4, and separate them from one another.

[0065] FIG. 4b is another perspective cutaway view of the countermeasure magazine 4 of FIG. 4a. Here, the openings 45, 45′ in the walls 43, 43′ of the frame 41 are more clearly seen. On one pair of opposing walls 43 of the frame 41, the openings 45 are shaped to receive the magazine connectors 18 of the first elements in a way so that the first elements are prevented from moving in any direction without deforming, e.g. bending, the element 10. In other words, the inner dimensions of these openings 45 are substantially the same as the outer dimensions of the protruding portion of the magazine connectors 18 of the first elements 10. On the other pair of opposing walls 43′, a set of elongated openings 45′ is provided. In these openings 45′, the magazine connectors 28 of the second element 20 may be received and moved between a first and a second position. The first position is when the magazine connector 28 of the second element 20 has been received by the upper portion of the elongated opening 45′, and the second position is when the second element has been slid downwards so that the magazine connector 28 moves past and engages the protrusion 46 of the elongated opening 45′. This allows the second element 20 to be connected to the frame 41 in a first position, before being moved to a second position in which the first and second elements 10, 20 intersect to form a cross lap joint 31. Also, in the second position, a locking mechanism 29 of the magazine connector 28 of the second element 20 engages with a protrusion 46 of the elongated opening 45′ to lock the second element 20 in place in relation to the frame 41.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the elongated openings 45′ of the frame 41, and the magazine connectors 28 of the second elements 20. Here, the second elements have been moved to the second position, in which the snap-lock locking mechanism 29 of the second element 20 has engaged the protrusion 46 of the elongated opening 45′ so as to prevent the second element from moving back to the first position in the elongated opening 45′. Thus, the cross lap joint 31 causes the first element 10 to be held in place by the second element 20, which in turn is held in place by the snap-lock locking mechanism 29 having engaged the protrusion 46 of the elongated opening 45′. The spring arrangement 1 as a whole is held in place by the guides 49 on the frame 41, and the walls 43, 43′ of the frame 41.

[0067] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. The features of the described embodiments may be combined in different ways, and many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting to the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in the claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.