Loading pendulum

Abstract

Apparatus for the loading of rounds of ammunition from a magazine into the barrel of a firearm, particularly a firearm supported on a tank. The firearm is movable in elevation about a first axis, and a pendulum-like member is provided which is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the axis about which the barrel rotates. The pendulum-like member is also movable translationally along the axis about which it rotates. Apparatus is provided for rotating the pendulum-like member about the axis of rotation between first and second angular positions, and further apparatus is provided for translationally moving the pendulum-like member along its rotational axis between predetermined spaced locations. To transfer a round of ammunition to the pendulum-like member from a magazine, the member is translationally moved along the axis and also rotated about the axis so as to be disposed adjacent the magazine, thereby making possible the transfer of an ammunition round into the member. Thereafter, the member is rotated about its axis of rotation and also moved along the axis so as to place the round in position where it can readily be rammed into the breach of the firearm barrel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.