Compact ammunition conveyor twister
AssigneeMeggitt Defense Systems, Inc.
InventorDino Yu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor mechanism for use with ammunition rounds includes a plurality of clamshells pivotally interconnected to each other, with each clamshell including a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body. Each clamshell is selectively transitional between an ammunition holding configuration and an ammunition release position, with the second body pivoting relative to the first body to facilitate transition between the ammunition holding configuration and the ammunition release configuration. The first and second bodies are configured to cooperatively engage one of the ammunition rounds when the clamshell is in the ammunition holding configuration.
Claims16
A conveyor mechanism for use with ammunition rounds, the conveyor mechanism comprising:
- a plurality of clamshells pivotally interconnected to each other, each clamshell includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body, each clamshell being selectively transitional between an ammunition holding configuration and an ammunition release position, the second body pivoting relative to the first body to facilitate transition between the ammunition holding configuration and the ammunition release configuration, the first and second bodies being configured to cooperatively engage one of the ammunition rounds when the clamshell is in the ammunition holding configuration;
- wherein the plurality of clamshells are interconnected to each other to define an enclosed loop, the conveyor mechanism further comprising a pair of rotors in spaced relation to each other, each rotor being coupled to the enclosed loop;
- a central spine interconnected to the plurality of clamshells, the plurality of clamshells being configured to move over the central spine;
- and
- multiple ribs extending from the central spine and attached with flexible guide wires.
A conveyor mechanism for use with ammunition rounds, the conveyor mechanism comprising:
- a plurality of clamshells pivotally interconnected to each other, each clamshell includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body, each clamshell being selectively transitional between an ammunition holding configuration and an ammunition release position, the second body pivoting relative to the first body to facilitate transition between the ammunition holding configuration and the ammunition release configuration, the first and second bodies being configured to cooperatively engage one of the ammunition rounds when the clamshell is in the ammunition holding configuration;
- a spine interconnected to the plurality of clamshells, the plurality of clamshells being configured to move over the spine;
- wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of clamshells are pivotable relative to each other about an axis of twist not centered on the clamshells but offset to a projected point at approximately the center of the spine.
A conveyor mechanism for use with ammunition rounds, the conveyor mechanism comprising:
- a plurality of clamshells pivotally interconnected to each other, each clamshell includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body, each clamshell being selectively transitional between an ammunition holding configuration and an ammunition release position, the second body pivoting relative to the first body to facilitate transition between the ammunition holding configuration and the ammunition release configuration, the first and second bodies being configured to cooperatively engage one of the ammunition rounds when the clamshell is in the ammunition holding configuration;
- and
- further comprising an external tubular housing sized to receive the plurality of clamshells to provide structural support and also prevent foreign object from getting into the path of the moving conveyor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.