Declipper/feeder
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorJoseph L. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A declipper/feeder that removes the clip holding several cartridges and fs the cartridges into a linking machine to provide belted ammunition. A reciprocating push plate pushes the cartridges from the clip into a feed tray, permitting the clip to fall into a disposal container. From the feed tray the cartridges are gravity fed to a linking machine for the next operation in providing belted ammunition. The push plate reciprocating mechanism has a "breakover" arm that will pivot over upon itself to prevent damaging a jammed cartridge or stalling the motor and allowing automatic reset on the next rotation of the motor drive.
Claims2
A combination declipper and feeder for use in removing an individual clip from a plurality of cartridges held together in alignment by such clip and feeding said declipped cartridges to a tray for further assembly into a belt comprising:
- a vertical chute receiving a plurality of gravity feed clipped cartridges,
- said chute having a bottom provided with an aligned first and second slot,
- a push block reciprocating across said chute from said first to said second slot,
- said second slot having a vertical edge against which said clip abuts declipping said clipped cartridges as said reciprocating block pushes said cartridges through said second slot said chute having a gap adjacent said edge through which said declipped clip falls by gravity,
- a crank having a rotary shaft driven by a motor,
- said push block connected to said crank by pivotally connected first and second arms,
- said first arm connected to said crank and said second arm pivotally connected to said block,
- a sloping slightly curved feed tray adjacent said second slot to receive said declipped cartridges,
- said curve facilitating the natural roll of said declipped cartridges,
- a guard overhead said feed tray to prevent spillage, and
- a sensor having a microswitch provided with an activating contact plate also overhead said feed tray,
- said sensor deactivating the reciprocation of said push block when said tray is full of cartridges.
A combination declipper and feeder for use in removing an individual clip from a plurality of cartridges held together in alignment by such clip and feeding said declipped cartridges to a tray for further assembly into a belt comprising:
- a vertical chute receiving a plurality of gravity feed clipped cartridges,
- said chute having a bottom provided with an aligned first and second slot,
- a push block reciprocating across said chute from said first to said second slot,
- said second slot having a vertical edge against which said clip abuts declipping said clipped cartridges as said reciprocating block pushes said cartridges through said second slot said chute having a gap adjacent said edge through which said declipped clip falls by gravity,
- a crank having a rotary shaft driven by a motor,
- said push block connected to said crank by pivotally connected first and second arms,
- said first arm connected to said crank and said second arm pivotally connected to said block,
- an extension having an aperture on said first arm pivotally engaging said second arm,
- a ball seated in said aperture functionally engaging said second arm, resilient means on said first arm urging said ball against said second arm
- a sloping slightly curved feed tray adjacent said second slot to receive said declipped cartridges,
- said curve facilitating the natural roll of said declipped cartridges,
- a guard overhead said feed tray to prevent spillage, and
- a sensor having a microswitch provided with an activating contact plate also overhead said feed tray, and
- said sensor deactivating the reciprocation of said push block when said tray is full of cartridges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.