GB190828534A - Improvements in and relating to Loading Apparatus for Ordnance. - Google Patents

Abstract

28,534. Soc. Schneider et Cie. Dec. 31, 1907, [date applied for under Section 91 of Patents &c. Act, 1907]. Loading - applia n c e s ; ordnance breech - mechanism. -Apparatus is provided for automatically alining with the gun, as the breech is opened, a loading-cage carry-. ing ramming-appliances. Figs. 2 and 3 show plans of the arrangement with the loading-cage in the ramming and removed positions respectively. The arm a, which has teeth 26 gearing with the breechopening mechanism and which pivotally supports the loading - cage f, has a pivot d fixed to the gun - cradle, and a parallel motion consisting of rods o, n, p, which causes the cage f to remain parallel to the gun's axis during its transverse motion from the side of the gun, where it receives the projectile from an endless-belt conveyer 3 to the gun breech. A flexible apron k attached to the cage f and to the conveyer allows the powder charges to roll into the cage. Mounted on the gun-cradle b is a motor m which operates the rammer when the cage f is in line with the gun through a shaft 12, chain drive 13, and clutch y, z, and which may also serve to open the breech when wheels 20, 21 are in gear, through worm-gearing 19, shafts 18, 17, and bevelgearing 16, 15, the last-named being directly connected with the hinge-pin of the breech-block. The shafts 17, 18 are connected by a sleeve 23, which forms a guide for the shaft 17 when the gun recoils, and which has a quick-threaded screw engaging with a second sleeve 25 which is provided with teeth 27, a rack 28, gearing with the sector 26, and a groove 29, partly semicircular and partly straight, engaging with a pin 30. During the unlocking of the breech-screw threads, the sleeve 25 can only rotate, and the arm a is not moved ; but when the breesh-screw is withdrawn and swung aside, the sleeve 25 is prevented from rotating by the straight part of the groove 29, it therefore moves forwards and rotates the arm a by means of the teeth 28. The opening of the breech also rotates a shaft 35, which causes a loading-tray 33 to be inserted into the breech to protect the threads. The breech may also be operated by hand or automatically.