Linear linkless ammunition feed system

Claim 2

A cartridge storage and feed system comprising: a magazine assembly having a plurality of side by side channels in a planar array, each channel for storing a column of cartridges; an endless stripping conveyor assembly for serially withdrawing the leading cartridge from the respective leading end of each of said plurality of channels for providing a train of cartridges; and an endless delivery conveyor assembly for receiving cartridges from said stripping conveyor for delivery to a weapon; said endless stripping conveyor assembly including a plurality of series of stripping units, and each series including seriatim: a sprocket means, a scoop and leading ramp unit, a plurality of intermediate ramp units, a trailing ramp unit; each ramp unit having a ramp surface for cooperation with said leading ends of said channels whereby to support the leading cartridges at different instantaneous predetermined heights within their respective channels, the difference between the maximum height of said scoop and leading ramp unit and the minimum height of said trailing ramp unit being equal to the maximum diameter of a cartridge.

Claim 3

A system according to claim 1 wherein: said endless delivery conveyor assembly includes: a train of cradles, each for receiving a cartridge.

Claim 4

A system according to claim 2 wherein: Nm the number of said plurality of channels: Pm the distance between the centerlines of immediately adjacent ones of said plurality of channels; Pc the distance between centerlines of immediately adjacent cradles of said delivery conveyor assembly; Xs the distance between the centerlines of immediately adjacent sprockets of said stripping conveyor assembly; Vc the velocity of the delivery conveyor assembly; Vs the velocity of the stripping conveyor assembly; Xs Nm ((Pc Pm)/Pm+Pc); and Vc/Vs (Pc + Pm)/Pm.

Claim 5

A system according to claim 3 further including a pressure bar assembly including a plurality of fingers, each finger riding in a respective one of said plurality of channels for positively engaging the respective trailing cartridge in said channel.

Claim 6

A system according to claim 4 further including a drive system for positively and synchronously driving said stripping conveyor assembly, said delivery conveyor assembly, and said pressure bar assembly.

Claim 7

A system according to claim 5 wherein: said stripping conveyor assembly includes an endless first train of interconnected links; said delivery conveyor assembly includes a second train of interconnected links; and said drive system includes a first driven sprocket engaging said first train of links, the second driven sprocket engaging said second train of links, third driven means engaging said pressure bar assembly, and driving means coupled to said first driven sprocket, said second driven sprocket, and said third driven means.

Claim 8

A system according to claim 1 wherein: said channels are formed in a rectangular plate having a front face onto which said channels open and a trailing edge and a leading edge which said channels also open; said stripping conveyor assembly being disposed adjacent said leading edge and encircling said plate, said series of stripping units passing closely adjacent said front face of said front plate, whereby to engage cartridges disposed in said channels and extending therefrom.

Claim 9

A system according to claim 1 wherein each scoop unit has an arcuate hook shaped leading edge and and in each said series, said sprocket means is supported between the trailing ramp unit of the preceding series and the hook-shaped leading edge of the scoop unit of the instant series, whereby the leading cartridge in a column advances in said column as the preceding series passes thereunder until it leaves said trailing ramp unit of said preceding series and is caught between said hook-shaped leading edge and said sprocket, and is carried around and down by said sprocket to said delivery conveyor assembly.

Claim 10

An article storage and feed system, comprising: a magazine assembly having a plurality of channels, each channel storing a plurality of articles in a column; and a stripping conveyor assembly including an endless,articulated, train of links carrying means for individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a first one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a second one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a third one of said plurality of channels; and so on in sequence to individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the last one of said plurality of channels, and thereby providing a train of articles, one from each channel, seriatim.

Claim 11

An article storage and feed system, comprising: a magazine assembly having a plurality of channels, each channel storing a plurality of articles in a column; and a stripping conveyor assembly including an endless,articulated, train of links carrying means for individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a first one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a second one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a third one of said plurality of channels; and so on in sequence to individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the last one of said plurality of channels, and thereby providing a train of articles, one from each channel, seriatim.

Claim 12

An article storage and feed system, comprising: a magazine assembly having a plurality of channels, each channel for storing a column of articles; and a stripping conveyor assembly including an endless, articulated, train of links carrying means for individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a first one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a second one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a third one of said plurality of channels; and so on in sequence to individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the last one of said plurality of channels, and thereby providing a train of articles consisting of a group of one from each channel, seriatim; and then commencing another cycle of individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from said discharge end of said first one of said plurality of channels, and so on as before, thereby providing a succeeding train of articles consisting of a group of one from each channel, seriatim; and so on, cyclically.

Claim 13

An article storage and feed system, comprising: a magazine assembly having a plurality of channels, each channel for storing a column of articles; and a stripping conveyor assembly including an endless, articulated, train of links carrying means for individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a first one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a second one of said plurality of channels; and next, individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the discharge end of a third one of said plurality of channels; and so on in sequence to individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from the last one of said plurality of channels, and thereby providing a train of articles consisting of a group of one from each channel, seriatim; and then commencing another cycle of individually engaging, accelerating and withdrawing the leading article from said discharge end of said first one of said plurality of channels, and so on as before, thereby providing a succeeding train of articles consisting of a group of one from each channel, seriatim; and so on, cyclically.

Claim 14

An article storage and feed system according to claim 10 wherein the articles are cartridges of ammunition, and said channels are in a planar array.