Self-compensating spade assembly
AssigneeOrdinance Development and Engineering Company of Singapore (1996) Pte Ltd.
InventorTeoh Hwa Ang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spade assembly for use on an artillery vehicle compensates any gaps which would otherwise be formed between a ground supporting portion of the spade assembly and the soil. The length of the spade assembly is advantageously compensated to maintain the spade assembly in firm contact with the soil. This can increase the accuracy in the weapon in firing, and avoid violent displacement of the gun which can be caused when the spade assembly is not maintained firmly engaged with the earth.
Claims21
A self-compensating spade assembly for use on a self-propelled vehicle having a mounted weapon for generating a recurring recoil force, the spade assembly comprising:
- an elongate spade arm;
- a spade mounting at one end of the spade arm for mounting the spade to the vehicle;
- a ground contacting portion at the other end of the spade arm, the ground contacting portion comprising a support plate and a spade portion which are mutually positioned so that when the spade assembly is in use the support plate rests against the earth to at least partly transfer recoil forces from the weapon to the earth;
- the spade arm having compensating means able to automatically biasing the spade assembly in an extended position to regulate the length of the spade arm and thus ensure that the ground contacting portion is generally maintained in firm and constant contact with the earth on which the vehicle is standing;
- the compensating means including a telescopic engagement of two relatively slidable members;
- and
- a valve for regulating fluid communication between two distinct chambers during use of the self-compensating spade assembly to adjust the relative position of the two relatively slidable members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.