US3687004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ammunition drum and turret for automatic weapons
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-25
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1989-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the automatic supply of munitions to automatic weapons disposed in turrets comprising a rotating drum for intermediate storage, means adapted to load a belt of munitions in helicoidal form in said drum and to discharge said belt from said drum and a servo control means for the control of the speed of rotation of said drum in dependance of the rate of firing.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Faisandier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:11
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A9/00; F41A9/29; F41A9/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a weapons system including a turret mounted automatic weapon, a munitions storage and feed apparatus comprising: drum means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, said drum means having an unobstructed annular portion of constant crosssection which provides for intermediate storage of munitions in flexible belt form for ultimate delivery to the weapon; sprocket-wheel means mounted ajacent to and above said drum means for delivering munitions to and extracting munitions from said drum means, munitions belts delivered by said sprocketwheel means falling freely into said drum means annular portion; means for rotating said drum means and sprocket-wheel means with a predetermined speed ratio therebetween whereby the downward movement of a munitions belt delivered into said drum means annular portion is matched to the rotational movement of the drum means in order to effect the laying of the belt in helicoidal form in said drum means annular portion; and means for supporting a munitions belt downstream of said sprocket-wheel means during extraction of a belt from said drum means for delivery thereof to a weapon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a weapons system including a turret mounted automatic weapon, a munitions storage and feed apparatus comprising: drum means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, said drum means having an unobstructed annular portion of constant crosssection which provides for intermediate storage of munitions in flexible belt form for ultimate delivery to the weapon; sprocket-wheel means mounted ajacent to and above said drum means for delivering munitions to and extracting munitions from said drum means, munitions belts delivered by said sprocketwheel means falling freely into said drum means annular portion; means for rotating said drum means and sprocket-wheel means with a predetermined speed ratio therebetween whereby the downward movement of a munitions belt delivered into said drum means annular portion is matched to the rotational movement of the drum means in order to effect the laying of the belt in helicoidal form in said drum means annular portion; and means for supporting a munitions belt downstream of said sprocket-wheel means during extraction of a belt from said drum means for delivery thereof to a weapon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which said supporting means comprises: conduit means for directing the munitions from said drum means to the turret; and means positioned in said conduit means for continuously measuring the tension of the munitions belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the turret includes a vertical well and said supporting means delivers the munitions belt to said well at the upper part thereof, the storage and feed apparatus further comprising: brake means disposed on the weapon side of said well in the direction of belt travel for controlling the descent of the munitions belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: carriage means on the turret, said carriage means being disposed coaxially of said vertical well and providing for the delivery of electrical and hydraulic power to the weapon mounted in said turret.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said carriage means includes: connection means extending between the stationary and movable parts of the turret, said connection means including flexible conduits housed in said carriage and being formed into a U-shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
A turret for an automatic weapon comprising: a rotatable weapon mounting platform, said platform including a vertical well through which a munitions belt may be delivered to a weapon; drum means having an unobstructed annular portion of constant cross-section positioned remotely of said platform, said drum means being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and providing for intermediate storage of munitions in flexible belt form; sprocket-wheel means mounted adjacent to and above said drum means for delivering munitions to and extracting munitions from said drum means annular portion, munitions belts delivered by said sprocket-wheel means falling freely into said drum means annular portion; means for rotating said drum and said sprocket-wheel means with a predetermined speed ratio therebetween; and brake means mounted in the turret on the weapon side of said vertical well in the direction of munitions travel for controlling the descent of a munitions belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A turret for an automatic weapon comprising: a rotatable weapon mounting platform, said platform including a vertical well through which a munitions belt may be delivered to a weapon; drum means having an unobstructed annular portion of constant cross-section positioned remotely of said platform, said drum means being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and providing for intermediate storage of munitions in flexible belt form; sprocket-wheel means mounted adjacent to and above said drum means for delivering munitions to and extracting munitions from said drum means annular portion, munitions belts delivered by said sprocket-wheel means falling freely into said drum means annular portion; means for rotating said drum and said sprocket-wheel means with a predetermined speed ratio therebetween; and brake means mounted in the turret on the weapon side of said vertical well in the direction of munitions travel for controlling the descent of a munitions belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus oF claim 6 wherein said weapon mounting platform further comprises: carriage means, said carriage means being disposed in the turret and coaxially of said vertical well and providing for the delivery of electrical and hydraulic power to the weapon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said carriage means is rotatable and includes: connection means extending between the stationary and movable parts of the turret, said connection means including flexible conduits housed in said carriage and being formed into U-shapes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |