Article handling apparatus

Shell handling apparatus which is operable in a storage mode to store the shells and in a transfer mode to transfer the shells to and from storage respectively from or to shell loading and unloading stations, which apparatus comprises a storage magazine having a storage rack on which the shells can be stored, conveying means for traversing the shells along the storage rack when the apparatus is operating in its transfer mode, and restraining means shaped so as to be capable of locking the shells relative thereto and thereby positively locating the shells on the storage rack, in which:

• the conveying means comprises indexing means engageable with the shells and operable, in the transfer mode of the apparatus, to roll the shells along the storage rack, wherein the indexing means
• (a) is movable through an indexing cycle in which (i) it has a starting position in which it is engageable with a first batch of shells, consisting of one or more shells, (ii) it causes one increment of traversing movement of the batch, (iii) it releases itself from the engaged first batch, (iv) it returns to the starting position, and (v) it engages with a second batch of shells;
• and
• (b) comprises a pawl arrangement which positively locates the shells relative thereto, during traversing of the shells along the storage rack, the pawl arrangement comprising a pawl bar having cut-outs in which the shells are located and which include rollers or low friction pads to permit rotation of the shells during traversing of the latter along the storage rack;
• and
• the restraining means operable to locate any shells which may be present on a storage rack against first, generally up and down movement and also second, traversing movement relative to the storage rack while the apparatus is in its storage mode, and also while the indexing means is returning to a starting position during operation of the apparatus in its transfer mode.