FEEDING DEVICE FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING A RADIALLY OPENING AMMUNITION CUP FOR AN AUTOMATIC GUN LOADING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a feeding device (1) for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup (2) for an automatic loading system of a gun, comprising a housing (3), a loading opening (4) and a radially opening ammunition cup (2), wherein the housing (3) comprises an upper side (3.1), a lower side (3.2), two lateral sides (3.3, 3.4) and a rear side (3.5), wherein the loading opening (4) is arranged and/or embodied in the rear side of the housing (3), wherein the ammunition cup (2) has a cup opening (5), wherein an ammunition (6) can be inserted into the ammunition cup (2) in the radial direction through the cup opening (5), or wherein an ammunition (6) can be removed from the ammunition cup (2) in the radial direction through the cup opening (5).

Loading/unloading of ammunition cups (2) at the rear of an automatic loading system for guns is enabled by the fact that the feeding device (1) comprises a carriage (7) and a holding device (8), wherein the carriage (7) is movable from a first position (7.1) to a second position (7.2) and vice versa, wherein the carriage (7) in the first position (7.1) is arranged at least partially outside the housing (3) and wherein the slide (7) in the second position (7.2) is arranged at least partially inside the housing (3) and substantially parallel to an axis of the ammunition cup (2), wherein the holding device (8) is designed to move in the first position (7.1) to be loaded and unloaded with the ammunition (6), wherein the holding device (8) is adapted to transfer an ammunition (6) arranged in the holding device (8) to the ammunition cup (2) in the second position (7.2) to take an ammunition (6) arranged in the ammunition cup (2) out of the ammunition cup (2), wherein the carriage (7) can be guided through the loading opening (4) during the movement from the first position (7.1) into the second position (7.2) or vice versa.

Claims

1. Feeding device (1) for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup (2) for an automatic loading system of a gun, comprising a housing (3), a loading opening (4) and a radially opening ammunition cup (2), wherein the housing (3) comprises an upper side (3.1), a lower side (3.2), two lateral sides (3.3, 3.4) and a rear side (3.5), wherein the loading opening (4) is arranged and/or formed in the rear side of the housing (3), wherein the ammunition cup (2) has a cup opening (5), wherein an ammunition (6) is guided in the radial direction through the cup opening (3). 5) can be inserted into the ammunition cup (2) or wherein an ammunition (6) can be removed from the ammunition cup (2) in the radial direction through the cup opening (5), characterized in that the feeding device (1) has a carriage (7) and a holding device (8), wherein the carriage (7) can be moved from a first position (7.1) into a second position (7.2) and vice versa, wherein the carriage (7) is arranged at least partially outside the housing (3) in the first position (7.1) and wherein the carriage (7) is at least partially inside the housing (3) and essentially parallel to an axis of the ammunition cup (2), wherein the holding device (8) is designed to be loaded and unloaded with the ammunition (6) in the first position (7.1), wherein the holding device (8) is designed to transfer an ammunition (6) arranged in the holding device (8) to the ammunition cup (2) in the second position (7.2), wherein the holding device (8) is designed to take an ammunition (6) arranged in the ammunition cup (2) out of the ammunition cup (2) in the second position (7.2), wherein the carriage (7) can be guided through the loading opening (4) during the movement from the first position (7.1) into the second position (7.2) or vice versa.

2. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the carriage (7) is movable by means of a first motor from the first position (7.1) into the second position (7.2) and vice versa.

3. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (7) has a handle, the carriage (7) being movable by means of the handle by an operator of the feeding device (1) from the first position (7.1) into the second position (7.2) and vice versa.

4. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (7) and the holding device (8) are coupled by means of a gear mechanism (9), the gear mechanism (9) permitting movement of the holding device (8) substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the carriage (7), namely from a first holding position (8.1) to a second holding position (8.2), a first distance being formed between the holding device (8) and the carriage (7) when the holding device (8) is in the first holding position (8.1), a second distance being formed between the holding device (8) and the carriage (7) when the holding device (8) is in the second holding position (8.2), the first distance having a smaller value than the second distance.

5. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gearing (9) has a crank (10), it being possible for the holding device (8) to be guided by means of the crank (10) from the first holding position (8.1) into the second holding position (8.2) or back.

6. Feeding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the gearing (9) has a second motor, it being possible for the holding device (8) to be guided by means of the second motor from the first holding position (8.1) into the second holding position (8.2) or back.

7. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (8) is of at least partially tubular design.

8. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ammunition (6) can be enclosed by means of the holding device (8) by more than 180? in a radial direction of the ammunition (6), so that the ammunition (6) can be supported downwards, counter to the force of gravity, by means of the holding device (8), an opening (8.3) arranged at the bottom in the vertical direction extending on the holding device (8) over the entire horizontal length of the holding device (8).

9. Feeding device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the ammunition (6) can be supported in a first, rear region (6.1) of larger diameter by means of the holding device (8) in the downward direction against the force of gravity, wherein the ammunition (6) can be guided through the opening (8.3) of the holding device (8) in a second, front region (6.2) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ammunition (6).

10. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (8) has at least one gripping shell (8.4) and a main body (8.5), the at least one gripping shell (8.4) being held pivotably on the main body (8.5), the at least one gripping shell (8.4) being pivotable to and fro between a gripping shell release position (8.4.1) and a gripping shell holding position (8.4.2), the ammunition (6) being feedable to the holding device (8) in the radial direction and/or the ammunition (6) being removable from the holding device (8) in the radial direction when the at least one gripping shell (8.4) is in the gripping shell release position (8.4.1).

11. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding device (1) has at least one guide (11), the guide (11) being arranged and/or fastened to the housing (3), it being possible for the carriage (7) to be guided by means of the guide (11) during the movement from the first position (7.1) into the second position (7.2) or back by means of the guide (11).

12. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a length of the guide (11) is less than or equal to a length of the ammunition (6).

13. Feeding device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the guide (11) has at least one telescopic rod and at least one inner spindle, it being possible for the telescopic rod to be moved in and out by means of the spindle.

14. Feeding device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the guide (11) has at least one guide rail (11.1), it being possible for the carriage (7) to be guided and/or supported on the guide rail (11.1), in particular with the aid of rollers (7.3) mounted on the carriage (7).

15. Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide rail (11) has a guide rail opening, wherein the holding device (8) has a support, wherein the holding device (8) can be guided and/or supported by means of the support against the force of gravity on the guide rail (11), wherein the support can be guided through the guide rail opening when the carriage (7) is in the second position (7.2) or close to the second position (7.2), wherein the holding device (8) can then be guided from the first holding position (8.1) to the second holding position (8.2), in particular alone, on account of the force of gravity.

16. Feeding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the gear mechanism (9) has at least one spring (9.1), the movement of the holding device (8) from the first holding position (8.1) to the second holding position (8.2) taking place counter to a spring force exerted by the spring (9.1).

17. Feeding device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the gearing (9) has a second motor, it being possible for the holding device (8) to be guided by means of the second motor from the first holding position (8.1) into the second holding position (8.2) or back.

18. Feeding device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide (11) has at least one telescopic rod and at least one inner spindle, it being possible for the telescopic rod to be moved in and out by means of the spindle.

19. Feeding device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide (11) has at least one guide rail (11.1), it being possible for the carriage (7) to be guided and/or supported on the guide rail (11.1), in particular with the aid of rollers (7.3) mounted on the carriage (7).

Description

[0045] There are a number of possibilities for configuring and further developing the feeding device according to the invention for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup for an automatic loading system of a gun. Reference may first be made to the claims subordinate to Claim 1. In the following, a preferred embodiment of the feeding device according to the invention for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup for an automatic loading system of a gun will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing and the associated description. In the drawing:

[0046] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a feeding device for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup for an automatic loading system of a gun with a carriage in a first position and a holding device in a first holding position in a side view,

[0047] FIG. 2 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the carriage in a second position in a plan view,

[0048] FIG. 2a schematically shows the embodiment of the feeding device with the carriage between the first position and the second position and the holding device in the first holding position in a side view,

[0049] FIG. 2b schematically shows the embodiment of the feeding device with the carriage in the second position and the holding device in the second holding position in a side view,

[0050] FIG. 3 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the second holding position in a three-dimensional view,

[0051] FIG. 4 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the second holding position in a side view,

[0052] FIG. 5 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the second holding position and with a gripping shell in a gripping shell holding position in an end view,

[0053] FIG. 6 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the first holding position and with the gripping dish in the gripping dish holding position in an end view,

[0054] FIG. 7 schematically shows the exemplary embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the second holding position and with the gripping dish in a gripping dish release position in an end view, and

[0055] FIG. 8 schematically shows the embodiment of the feeding device with the holding device in the second holding position and with the gripping shell in the gripping shell release position in a three-dimensional view.

[0056] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a feeding device 1 for loading and unloading a radially opening ammunition cup 2 for an automatic loading system of a gun. All the other figures show the same exemplary embodiment and the same reference numerals are used for the same components in all the figures.

[0057] The feeding device 1 for loading and unloading the radially opening ammunition cup 2 for an automatic loading system of a gun comprises a housing 3, a loading opening 4 and the radially opening ammunition cup 2. The housing 3 comprises an upper side 3.1, a lower side 3.2, two lateral sides, namely a first lateral side 3.3 and a second lateral side 3.4, and a rear side 3.5. The loading opening 4 is arranged and/or formed in the rear side 3.5 of the housing 3. The ammunition cup 2 has a cup opening 5. An ammunition 6 can be inserted into the ammunition cup 2 in the radial direction through the cup opening 5, or an ammunition 6 can be removed from the ammunition cup 2 in the radial direction through the cup opening 5.

[0058] The cup opening 5 could be formed invariably in the ammunition cup 2. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the ammunition cup 2 to have a carrying shell and at least one flap, wherein the flap is held pivotably on the carrying shell, wherein the flap can be pivoted back and forth between a flap release position and a flap holding position. In this case, the cup opening 5 is formed in the ammunition cup 2 when the flap is in the flap release position.

[0059] The feeding device 1 has a carriage 7 and a holding device 8. The carriage 7 can be moved from a first position 7.1 into a second position 7.2 and vice versa. In the first position 7.1 the carriage 7 is arranged at least partially outside the housing 3. In contrast, in the second position 7.2, the carriage 7 is arranged at least partially inside the housing 3 and essentially parallel to an axis of the ammunition cup 2. The holding device 8 is designed to be loaded and unloaded with the ammunition 6 in the first position 7.1. The holding device 8 is also designed to transfer an ammunition 6 arranged in the holding device 8 to the ammunition cup 2 in the second position 7.2. The holding device 8 is further adapted to take out of the ammunition cup 2, in the second position 7.2, an ammunition 6 arranged in the ammunition cup 2 During the movement from the first position 7.1 into the second position 7.2 or vice versa, the carriage 7 can be guided through the loading opening 4.

[0060] The loading opening 4 can be closed by means of a loading flap 3.6. The loading flap 3.6 is arranged pivotably on the housing 3 adjacent to the loading opening 4. In order to guide the carriage 7 through the loading opening 4, the loading flap 3.6 must first be pivoted, in particular by means of a handle by hand.

[0061] The carriage 7 can be moved, for example, by means of a first motor from the first position 7.1 into the second position 7.2, and vice versa.

[0062] Alternatively or additionally, the carriage 7 has a handle. The carriage 7 can be moved by means of the handle by an operator of the feeding device 1 from the first position 7.1 into the second position 7.2, and vice versa.

[0063] In particular, the handle is movably arranged on the carriage 7, wherein the handle can be guided into an associated latching position in the first position 7.1 and/or in the second position 7.2, wherein a movement of the carriage 7 is mechanically prevented in the latching positions.

[0064] The carriage 7 and the holding device 8 are coupled by means of a gear 9. By means of the gear 9, a movement of the holding device 8 perpendicular to a direction of movement of the carriage 7, namely from a first holding position 8.1 to a second holding position 8.2, is essentially made possible.

[0065] When the holding device 8 is in the first holding position 8.1, a first distance is formed between the holding device 8 and the carriage 7. When the holding device 8 is in the second holding position 8.2, a second distance is formed between the holding device 8 and the carriage 7. The first distance has a smaller value than the second distance. FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a show the holding device 8 in the first holding position 8.1. FIG. 2b, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the holding device 8 in the second holding position 8.2.

[0066] In particular, the handle has a half shell, the half shell being open at the top when the carriage 7 is arranged in the first position 7.1 and the handle in the associated latching position, so that the ammunition 6 can be supported on the half shell by an operator, in particular by two operators, when it is fed to the holding device 8. In this way, the manual supply of the ammunition 6 to the holding device 8 is facilitated.

[0067] The gear 9 has a crank 10, wherein the holding device 8 can be guided by means of the crank 10 from the first holding position 8.1 into the second holding position 8.2 or back. The crank 10 has a plurality of joints, it being possible for the crank 10 to be arranged in a space-saving manner by means of the joints when it is not required at the moment. The gear 9 has a second motor. The holding device 8 can be guided by means of the second motor from the first holding position 8.1 into the second holding position 8.2 or back. The second motor is provided as an alternative or in addition to the crank 10.

[0068] The holding device 8 is at least partially tubular. The ammunition 6 can be enclosed by more than 180? in a radial direction of the ammunition 6 by means of the holding device 8, so that the ammunition 6 can be supported downwardly, against gravity, by means of the holding device 8. On the holding device 8, an opening 8.3 arranged at the bottom in the vertical direction extends over the entire horizontal length of the holding device 8.

[0069] In other words, the holding device 8 has a tube, the tube being slotted along the longitudinal axis of the tube to form the opening 8.3.

[0070] It is conceivable for the ammunition 6 to be able to be supported in a first, rear region 6.1 of larger diameter by means of the holding device 8 in the downward direction, counter to the force of gravity. The ammunition 6 can then be guided through the opening 8.3 of the holding device 8 in a second, front region 6.2 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ammunition 6.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the holding device 8 has at least one gripping shell 8.4, in particular a first gripping shell and a second gripping shell, and a main body 8.5. On the main body 8.5, the at least one gripping shell 8.4 is pivotably held, wherein the at least one gripping shell 8.4 is pivotable back and forth between a gripping shell release position 8.4.1 and a gripping shell holding position 8.4.2. The ammunition 6 can be fed to the holding device 8 in the radial direction or the ammunition 6 can be removed from the holding device 8 in the radial direction when the at least one gripping shell 8.4 is located in the gripping shell release position 8.4.1.

[0072] The function of the holding device 8 with the at least one gripping shell 8.4 can be seen in particular from FIG. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show two gripping shells 8.4 in the gripping shell holding position 8.4.2. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show two gripping shells 8.4 in the gripping shell release position 8.4.1.

[0073] The back and forth pivoting of the gripping shells 8.4 between the gripping shell release position 8.4.1 and the gripping shell holding position 8.4.2 could be implemented by means of a ratchet mechanism. A latch mechanism of this type could, for example, be mechanically activated by means of the ammunition cup when the holding device 8 is moved to the second position 8.2, so that the gripping shell 8.4 is then pivoted from the gripping shell holding 8.4.2 to the gripping shell release position 8.4.1.

[0074] The feeding device 1 has at least one guide 11. The guide 11 is arranged and/or fastened on the housing 3. The carriage 7 can be guided by means of the guide 11 during the movement from the first position 7.1 into the second position 7.2. or back by means of the guide 11. A length of the guide 11 is less than or equal to a length of the ammunition 6. The guide 11 could have at least one telescopic rod and at least one inner spindle. The telescopic rod can then be retracted and extended by means of the spindle. The guide 11 has at least one guide rail 11.1. The carriage 7 can be guided and/or supported on the guide rail 11, in particular with the aid of rollers 7.3 mounted on the carriage 7.

[0075] The guide rail 11.1 optionally has a guide rail opening. The holding device 8 has a support, wherein the holding device 8 can be guided and/or supported against the force of gravity on the guide rail 11.1 by means of the support. When the carriage 7 is in the second position 7.2. or close to the second position 7.2, the support can be guided through the guide rail opening, in which case the holding device 8 can then be guided from the first holding position 8.1 to the second holding position 8.2, in particular alone, on account of the force of gravity.

[0076] The gear 9 has at least one spring 9.1. The movement of the holding device 8 from the first holding position 8.1 to the second holding position 8.2 then takes place against a spring force exerted by the spring 9.1.

[0077] The feeding device 1 is designed in particular for an ammunition 6 with an ammunition caliber of 120 mm and greater.

[0078] It is conceivable that a haptic and/or visual and/or acoustic signal is generated by means of the feeding device 1 when the carriage 7 has reached the first position 7.1 or the second position 7.2. after a movement of the carriage 7, so that the operator is informed when the first position 7.1 or the second position 7.2. has been correctly assumed by the carriage 7.

[0079] The method for loading and unloading radially opening ammunition cups 2 in an automatic loading system will now be described below.

[0080] The method for loading radially opening ammunition cups 2 in the automatic loading system comprises the steps of: [0081] a) opening the loading flap 3.6 of the loading opening 4 of the automatic loading system, [0082] (b) extending the carriage 7 from the second position 7.2 to the first position 7.1; [0083] (c) inserting the ammunition 6 into the holding device 8; [0084] d) inserting the carriage 7 with the ammunition 6 into the second position 7.2 through the loading opening 4 into the housing 4, and [0085] e) Transferring the ammunition 6 from the holding device 8 into the radially opening ammunition cup 2 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ammunition cup 2.

[0086] The method for unloading radially opening ammunition cups 2 in the automatic loading system comprises the steps of: [0087] a) transferring the ammunition 6 from the radially opening ammunition cup 2 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ammunition cup 2 into the holding device 8, [0088] b) opening the loading flap 3.6 of the loading opening 4 of the automatic loading system; [0089] c) pulling the carriage 7 out of the second position 7.2 into the first position 7.1, and [0090] d) removing the ammunition 6 from the holding device 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0091] 1 Feeder [0092] 2 Ammunition cups [0093] 3 Housing [0094] 3.1 Top [0095] 3.2 Bottom [0096] 3.3 First lateral side [0097] 3.4 Second lateral side [0098] 3.5 Rear [0099] 3.6 Loading flap [0100] 4 Loading opening [0101] 5 Cup opening [0102] 6 Ammunition [0103] 6.1 First, rear region [0104] 6.2 Second, front region [0105] 7 Carriages [0106] 7.1 First position [0107] 7.2 Second position [0108] 7.3 Rollers [0109] 8 Holding device [0110] 8.1 First holding position [0111] 8.2 Second holding position [0112] 8.3 Opening [0113] 8.4 Gripping tray [0114] 8.4.1 Gripping tray release position [0115] 8.4.2 Gripping tray holding position [0116] 8.5 Main Body [0117] 9 Transmission [0118] 9.1 Spring [0119] 10 Crank [0120] 11 Guide [0121] 11.1 Guide rail