Projectile stowage rack

Abstract

A stowage rack unit consisting of a plurality of upright stanchions to prde a basic rack framework. The rack includes upper clamps and collars to restrict upward and horizontal motion of the projectiles. The collars have a two-piece threaded arrangement which allows adjustment to accommodate minor variations in projectile length. Lower clamps are provided for additional restraint against horizontal motion of the projectiles. Base plates are provided to support and restrict downward motion of the projectiles and side channels receive and secure the clamps and base plates. Additional special brackets are provided for attaching racks to bulkheads or for joining adjacent racks. To load the rack, side channels are attached to the stanchions and base plates are inserted into the lower pair of side channels and secured with pins. Individual upper and lower clamps are inserted into upper and middle side channels respectively and secured with pins. Projectiles are loaded vertically into receiving slots in the upper and lower clamps and an additional set of upper and lower clamps are inserted into their respective side channels and secured. The projectiles are locked in place by the two-piece collars which are secured by a quick release bolt. The process is repeated for each row of projectiles until the rack is completely loaded.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.