Ammunition feeder

Claim 2

A dual feeder for a gun having a housing and a rotor with a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, comprising: a source of positive drive; a first endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said positive drive source, for in-feeding a first train of rounds of ammunition; a second endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said positive drive source, for in-feeding a second train of rounds of ammunition; a third means including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, driven positively by said positive drive source, for receiving and for placing onto the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; a fourth means for coupling said first conveyor means to said positive drive source and to said third means for the positive feeding of rounds to said third means and for concurrently decoupling said second endless conveyor means, and for coupling said second endless conveyor means to said positive drive source and to said third means for the positve feeding of rounds to said third means and for concurrently decoupling said first endless conveyor means.

Claim 3

A dual feeder for a gun having a housing and a rotor with a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, comprising: first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means, including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, for receiving and for storing and for passing to the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; wherein the gun rotor is adapted to rotate in a first direction for receiving and for firing rounds of ammunition and is adapted to rotate in a second, opposite to said first, direction for clearing the rotor of rounds of ammunition; and said third means serves for receiving cleared rounds from the gun bolts and for storing and passing rounds of ammunition in sequence to whichever of said first or second means is coupled thereto by said fourth means.

Claim 4

A dual feeder for a gun having a housing and a rotor with a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, comprising: first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means, including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, for receiving and for storing and for passing to the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; wherein the gun rotor is adapted to rotate in a first direction for receiving and for firing rounds of ammunition and is adapted to rotate in a second, opposite to said first, direction for clearing the rotor of rounds of ammunition; and said third means serves for receiving cleared rounds from the gun bolts and for storing and passing rounds of ammunition in sequence to whichever of said first or second means is coupled thereto by said fourth means.

Claim 5

A dual feeder for a gun having a housing and a rotor with a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, comprising: first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means for receiving and for storing and for passing to the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; said first means including a first sprocket means and a first additional sprocket means; said second means including a second sprocket means and a second additional sprocket means; said third means including a third sprocket means, a third first additional sprocket means and a third second additional sprocket means; said third first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said third second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means; and said second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means.

Claim 6

A dual feeder for a gun having a housing and a rotor with a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, comprising: first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means for receiving and for storing and for passing to the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; said first means including a first sprocket means and a first additional sprocket means; said second means including a second sprocket means and a second additional sprocket means; said third means including a third sprocket means, a third first additional sprocket means and a third second additional sprocket means; said third first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said third second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means; and said second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means.

Claim 7

A feeder according to claim 3 wherein: said first sprocket means includes a first endless conveyor for rounds; and said second sprocket means includes a second endless conveyor for rounds.

Claim 8

A feeder according to claim 4 wherein: said feeder has four alternative paths of travel: 1. from said first endless conveyor, to said third first additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said gun bolts, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said first endless conveyor; 2. the reverse of path 1 above; 3. from said second endless conveyor, to said second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said gun bolts, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said second endless conveyor; and 4. The reverse of path 3 above.

Claim 9

A feeder according to claim 4 wherein: said fourth means serves to alternatively couple: 1. said first endless conveyor to said third first additional sprocket means and said first additional sprocket means to said third sprocket means; or 2. said second endless conveyor to said third second additional sprocket means and said second additional sprocket means to said third sprocket means.

Claim 10

A feeder according to claim 6 wherein: said fourth means includes first guide means having two alternative configurations: a first configuration for guiding rounds from said first endless conveyor into said third sprocket means and out from said third sprocket means to said first endless conveyor; and a second configuration for guiding rounds within said third sprocket means; and second guide means having two alternative configurations: a first configuration for guiding rounds from said second endless conveyor into said third sprocket means and out from said third sprocket means to said second endless conveyor; and a second configuration for guiding rounds within said third sprocket means; said first guide means being in its first configuration when said second guide means is in its second configuration; and said second guide means being in its first configuration when said first guide means is in its second configuration.

Claim 11

A feeder according to claim 7 wherein: said first and second guide means each includes a respective pair of arms intercoupled in a toggle, wherein said arms are folded back in said respective first configuration and extended outwardly in said respective second configuration.

Claim 12

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, and adapted to rotate in a first direction and, alternatively, in a second direction opposite to said first direction; a feeder comprising: a first endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said rotor for in-feeding a first train of rounds of ammunition; a second endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said rotor for in-feeding a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, driven positively by said rotor, for receiving and for placing onto the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence, during rotation of the rotor in said first direction and for receiving rounds from the gun bolts during rotation of the rotor in said second direction; fourth means for coupling said first conveyor means to said rotor and to said third means for the positive feeding of rounds to and from said third means and for concurrently decoupling said second endless conveyor means, and for coupling said second conveyor means to said rotor and to said third means for the positive feeding of rounds to and from said third means and for concurrently decoupling said first endless conveyor means.

Claim 13

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts, and adapted to rotate in a first direction and, alternatively, in a second direction opposite to said first direction; a feeder comprising: a first endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said rotor for in-feeding a first train of rounds of ammunition; a second endless conveyor means, adapted to be driven positively by said rotor for in-feeding a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, driven positively by said rotor, for receiving and for placing onto the gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence, during rotation of the rotor in said first direction and for receiving rounds from the gun bolts during rotation of the rotor in said second direction; fourth means for coupling said first conveyor means to said rotor and to said third means for the positive feeding of rounds to and from said third means and for concurrently decoupling said second endless conveyor means, and for coupling said second conveyor means to said rotor and to said third means for the positive feeding of rounds to and from said third means and for concurrently decoupling said first endless conveyor means.

Claim 14

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts; and a feeder having first means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means, including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, for receiving and for storing and for passing to said gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; wherein said gun rotor rotates in a first direction for receiving and for firing rounds of ammunition and rotates in a second, opposite to said first, direction for clearing said rotor of rounds of ammunition; and said third means serves for receiving cleared rounds from said gun bolts and for storing and passing rounds of ammunition in sequence to whichever of said first or second means is coupled thereto by said fourth means.

Claim 15

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts; and a feeder having first means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means, including a sprocket having cutouts for receiving rounds passing towards the gun bolts and for receiving rounds passing from the gun bolts, for receiving and for storing and for passing to said gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; wherein said gun rotor rotates in a first direction for receiving and for firing rounds of ammunition and rotates in a second, opposite to said first, direction for clearing said rotor of rounds of ammunition; and said third means serves for receiving cleared rounds from said gun bolts and for storing and passing rounds of ammunition in sequence to whichever of said first or second means is coupled thereto by said fourth means.

Claim 16

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts; and a feeder having first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means for receiving and for storing and for passing to said gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; said first means includes a first sprocket means and a first additional sprocket means; said second means includes a second sprocket means and a second additional sprocket means; said third means includes a third sprocket means, a third first additional sprocket means and a third second additional sprocket means; said third first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said third second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means; and said second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means.

Claim 17

A weapon system comprising: a gun having a housing and a rotor having a plurality of gun barrels and a like plurality of gun bolts; and a feeder having first means for supplying a first train of rounds of ammunition; second means for supplying a second train of rounds of ammunition; third means for receiving and for storing and for passing to said gun bolts rounds of ammunition in sequence; and fourth means for coupling said first means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said second means, and for coupling said second means to said third means for the passage of rounds thereto and for concurrently decoupling said first means; said first means includes a first sprocket means and a first additional sprocket means; said second means includes a second sprocket means and a second additional sprocket means; said third means includes a third sprocket means, a third first additional sprocket means and a third second additional sprocket means; said third first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said third second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means and bidirectionally between said third sprocket means and said gun bolts; said first additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said first sprocket means and said third sprocket means; and said second additional sprocket means serving to pass rounds bidirectionally between said second sprocket means and said third sprocket means.

Claim 18

A feeder according to claim 11 wherein: said first sprocket means includes a first endless conveyor for rounds; and said second sprocket means includes a second endless conveyor for rounds.

Claim 19

A feeder according to claim 12 wherein: said feeder has four alternative paths of travel: 1. from said first endless conveyor, to said third first additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said gun bolts, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said first endless conveyor; 2. the reverse of path 1 above; 3. from said second endless conveyor, to said second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said first additional sprocket means, to said gun bolts, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said third sprocket means, to said third second additional sprocket means, to said second endless conveyor; and

Claim 20

the reverse of path 3 above.

Claim 21

the reverse of path 3 above.

Claim 22

A feeder according to claim 12 wherein: said fourth means serves to alternatively couple: 1. said first endless conveyor to said third first additional sprocket means and said first additional sprocket means to said third sprocket means; or 2. said second endless conveyor to said third second additional sprocket means and said second additional sprocket means to said third sprocket means.

Claim 23

A feeder according to claim 14 wherein: said fourth means includes first guide means having two alternative configurations: a first configuration for guiding rounds from said first endless conveyor into said third sprocket means and out from said third sprocket means to said first endless conveyor; and a second configuration for guiding rounds within said third sprocket means; and second guide means having two alternative configurations: a first configuration for guiding rounds from said second endless conveyor into said third sprocket means and out from said third sprocket means to said second endless conveyor; and a second configuration for guiding rounds within said third sprocket means; said first guide means being in its first configuration when said second guide means is in its second configuration; and said second guide means being in its first configuration when said first guide means is in its second configuration.

Claim 24

A feeder according to claim 15 wherein: said first and second guide means each includes a respective pair of arms intercoupled in a toggle, wherein said arms are folded back in said respective first configuration and extended outwardly in said respective second configuration.