Carrier for ammunition handling system

A method for operating an ammunition carrier for retaining ammunition, the method comprising:

• providing a stationary carrier body portion disposed about a space in which to retain the ammunition;
• providing a rotating carrier body portion disposed about the space and pivotally attached to the stationary carrier body portion, the stationary carrier body portion and the rotating carrier body portion collectively forming a cover assembly to secure the ammunition;
• and
• providing a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion;
• engaging, using the locking mechanism, the rotating carrier body portion with the stationary carrier body portion so as to prevent rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion;
• and
• disengaging, using the locking mechanism, the rotating carrier body portion with the stationary carrier body portion so as to allow rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion.

An ammunition carrier for retaining ammunition, the ammunition carrier comprising:

• a stationary carrier body portion disposed about a space in which to retain the ammunition;
• a rotating carrier body portion disposed about the space and pivotally attached to the stationary carrier body portion, the stationary carrier body portion and the rotating carrier body portion collectively forming a cover assembly to secure the ammunition;
• and
• a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion;
• means for engaging, using the locking mechanism, the rotating carrier body portion with the stationary carrier body portion so as to prevent rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion;
• and
• means for disengaging, using the locking mechanism, the rotating carrier body portion with the stationary carrier body portion so as to allow rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion.

An ammunition carrier for retaining ammunition, the ammunition carrier comprising:

• a stationary carrier body portion disposed about a space in which to retain the ammunition;
• a rotating carrier body portion disposed about the space and pivotally attached to the stationary carrier body portion, the stationary carrier body portion and the rotating carrier body portion collectively forming a cover assembly to secure the ammunition;
• and
• a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion, the locking mechanism:
• engageable, in an engaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to prevent rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion;
• and
• disengageable, in a disengaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to allow rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion;
• a gear assembly, the gear assembly including a driving actuator gear pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion and a driven actuator gear attached to the ammunition safety retention housing, wherein rotation of the driving actuator gear effects rotation of the driven actuator gear and the ammunition safety retention housing;
• and
• a driving gear pin on which the driving actuator gear is mounted, the driving gear pin pivotally disposed in the locking mechanism and
• an actuator, the actuator engageable with the driven gear pin so as to rotate the driven gear pin.