Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A system providing transfer of ammunition rounds to a breech of a cannon which is independently movable in both azimuth and elevation positions, characterized in that means is mounted in fixed azimuthal relation with the cannon for movement therewith in azimuth and for storing an array of ammunition rounds, said means for storing being non-movable with said cannon in elevation, that a support tray is adapted to receive the ammunition rounds from said array, that means is provided for moving said support tray from a receiving position adjacent said means for storing to a loading position adjacent the breech, that means is provided for transferring ammunition rounds from said means for storing to said support tray in said receiving position, that means is provided for loading ammunition rounds into breech from said support tray when in said loading position, and that control means is present for sequentially actuating said means for storing, means for transferring, means for moving and means for loading to deliver a series of ammunition rounds from said array to the breech.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A system providing transfer of ammunition rounds to a breech of a cannon which is independently movable in both azimuth and elevation positions, characterized in that means is mounted in fixed azimuthal relation with the cannon for movement therewith in azimuth and for storing an array of ammunition rounds, said means for storing being non-movable with said cannon in elevation, that a support tray is adapted to receive the ammunition rounds from said array, that means is provided for moving said support tray from a receiving position adjacent said means for storing to a loading position adjacent the breech, that means is provided for transferring ammunition rounds from said means for storing to said support tray in said receiving position, that means is provided for loading ammunition rounds into breech from said support tray when in said loading position, and that control means is present for sequentially actuating said means for storing, means for transferring, means for moving and means for loading to deliver a series of ammunition rounds from said array to the breech.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the ammunition rounds are projectiles and projectile propellant charges and wherein said means for storing comprises: a projectile store having a plurality of chambers therein accepting the projectiles, a propellant charge store having a plurality of chambers therein accepting the charges, and means for indexing each of said stores to bring ones of said plurality of chambers adjacent to said receiving position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1.where in said means for transferring comprises a pawl adapted to contact said ammunition rounds, a drive chain attached to said pawl, and means for driving said drive chain so that said pawl contacts and moves ones of said ammunition rounds from said means for storing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for moving said support tray, comprises: a cradle arm pivotally attached to the cannon, and means for attaching said support tray to said cradle arm and for providing rotational movement thereon between said receiving and loading positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the cannon is controllable in elevation position about an elevation axis wherein said cradle arm is disposed for rotating movement about the elevation axis, and wherein said means for moving comprises means for driving said cradle arm about the elevation axis so that said support tray is aligned with the breech when in said loading position for all elevation positions of the cannon.