Installation provided with linkless ammunition loading system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12287169-B2
Application number	US-202218566040-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2022
Priority date	Jun 8, 2021
Publication date	Apr 29, 2025
Grant date	Apr 29, 2025

Abstract

The installation includes a traversing portion configured to be rotatably mounted and supported on a stationary support structure, to rotate about a traversing axis. An elevating portion is rotatably supported by the traversing portion about an elevating axis perpendicular to the traversing axis. A firearm assembly supported by the elevating portion has a barrel configured to fire linkless ammunitions through firearm assembly. A magazine is configured to contain a plurality of linkless ammunitions to be fed to the barrel. A feeding assembly is configured to transfer the linkless ammunitions from the magazine to the barrel. The magazine is carried by the traversing portion and is operatively integral therewith. The feeding assembly is carried by the elevating portion and is operatively integral therewith. A transfer device mounted on the traversing portion is configured to transfer the linkless ammunitions (A) from the magazine to the feeding assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A linkless ammunition loading installation comprising:
a traversing portion configured to be rotatably mounted and supported on a stationary support structure, and to rotate about a traversing axis;
an elevating portion rotatably supported by said traversing portion about an elevating axis perpendicular to the traversing axis;
a firearm assembly supported by the elevating portion and comprising a barrel configured to fire ammunitions through the barrel;
a magazine carried by said traversing portion and configured to contain a plurality of linkless ammunitions to be fed to said barrel;
a feeding assembly configured to transfer the linkless ammunitions from said magazine to said barrel for firing said linkless ammunitions, said feeding assembly being carried by said elevating portion; and
a transfer device configured to transfer said linkless ammunitions from said magazine to said feeding assembly;
wherein said magazine is separate and distinct from said elevating portion, and said feeding assembly is separate and distinct from said traversing portion;
wherein said transfer device is mounted on said traversing portion and comprises a star element rotatably supported about a rotation axis;
wherein said feeding assembly comprises a conveying guide mounted on said elevating portion and defining a path for transporting said linkless ammunitions from said transfer device towards said barrel;
wherein said rotation axis is parallel to said elevation axis;
wherein a center of ammunition to be picked up by said star element lies on said elevating axis during a part of a rotation path of said star element;
wherein said rotation axis is spaced apart from said elevating axis along a direction of said traversing axis;
wherein said conveying guide is provided as a rigid conduit;
wherein said conveying guide has an inlet located at said elevating axis; and
wherein said inlet is crossed transversely by said elevating axis.

2. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein said star element is aligned with the feeding assembly for rotating and picking up said linkless ammunitions exiting said magazine and supplying said linkless ammunitions to the inlet of said feeding assembly.

3. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein said feeding assembly further comprises a conveying mechanism configured to push said linkless ammunitions along said conveying guide.

4. The installation according to claim 3 , wherein said conveying mechanism comprises:
a hollow sliding structure,
a conveying chain sliding in a cavity defined by said sliding structure, and
a plurality of pushing members sliding in said conveying guide and carried by the conveying chain, each one of said pushing members being configured for pushing a respective linkless ammunition adjacent each one of said pushing members.

5. The installation according to claim 4 , wherein said sliding structure comprises a guide in which said conveying chain slides and from/by which said pushing members are suspended and/or supported.

6. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein said feeding assembly further comprises a loading guide positioned between said conveying guide and said barrel.

7. The installation according to claim 6 , wherein said feeding assembly further comprises a loading mechanism configured to push said linkless ammunitions along said loading guide towards an inlet of said barrel.

Assignees

• Leonardo Spa

Inventors

• D'Eusebio Manuel
• Nardi Claudio
• Mineo Luca

Classifications

• F41A27/00

  Gun mountings permitting traversing or elevating movement, e.g. gun carriages · CPC title

• F41A9/04

  using endless-chain belts carrying a plurality of ammunition · CPC title

• F41A9/02 Primary

  using wheel conveyors, e.g. star-wheel-shaped conveyors · CPC title