GB1461481A - Helical assemblies and article handling devices using such assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

1461481 Conveyers GENERAL ELECTRIC CO 22 Jan 1974 [17 April 1973] 02883/74 Heading B8A [Also in Division F3] A magazine 10, Fig. 1, is connected to a Gatling-type gun 12 via a conveyer 14 and has a drum 20, partitions 22, a helix 24, an entrance unit 26, an input scoop disc assembly 28, an output scoop disc assembly 30 and an exit unit 32. The conveyer delivers rounds 16 to the gun 12 and returns empty cases 18 to the magazine 10. The helix 24 which is prior art is replaced by a helix 60, Figs. 4 and 5, comprising a tube 62 having a fin 64 welded thereto. The fin 64 has corrugations 66 which extend substantially radially of the tube 62, has one end secured to and mounted between spiral angle sections 67, 70 welded to the tube 62, and has the other end secured to and mounted between spiral-shaped members 78, 80 which are also welded to the tube 62. Spiral rings 72, 74 are also fastened to the fin 64 and to a rim 76. The corrugations 66, Fig. 7, extend radially away from the longidutindal axis of the tube and gradually increase in width and decrease in depth until becoming as shown in Fig. 8. In use the rounds are guided by the members 67, 70 and 78, 80 and by spiral-shaped members 82, 84 which are attached, by spot welding for example, to the member 66. In a modification the fin 64 may be made the full radius, the rings 72, 74 and the rim 76 may be omitted and a U-shaped rim may be provided.