Machine gun feeding means

Claim 2

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing, a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing, each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a single, continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the single train of cartridges from said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding cartridges to each of said chambers in sequence, for locking each cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence, for firing eaCh cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence.

Claim 3

A machine gun according to claim 1 wherein: said distributor means provides said feeding, locking, firing and extraction functions as out of phase, overlapping cycles of operation.

Claim 4

A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein: said distributor means discharges said fired cartridge cases in a continuous and regular train.

Claim 5

A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein: said distributor means includes; a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, lock, fire and extract a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; and first transfer means for transfering cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge.

Claim 6

A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein: said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means.

Claim 7

A machine gun according to claim 24 having: n barrels; n chambers; n bolt assemblies; n feed pawL assemblies; and n2 pockets.

Claim 8

A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein: said second transfer means transfers each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.

Claim 9

A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein: said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridges sequentially from said gun.

Claim 10

A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein: said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies, a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.

Claim 11

A machine gun according to claim 8 having: n barrels; n chambers; n bolt assemblies; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.

Claim 12

A machine gun according to claim 9 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.

Claim 13

An article handling system including: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row; article distribution means including an annular conveyor spaced from, and rotating about said annular row of work stations and passing a stationary receiving station for receiving a single continuous series of articles from said stationary station, means for sequentially transporting each of the articles from said annular conveyor to a respective one of said work stations, each work station in progressive sequence receiving one such article, for halting such article at such respective work station for a given period of time, and for thereafter withdrawing such article from said work station.

Claim 14

An article handling system including: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row; article distribution means including an annular conveyor spaced from, and rotating about said annular row of work stations and passing a stationary receiving station for receiving a single continuous series of articles from said stationary station, means for sequentially transporting each of the articles from said annular conveyor to a respective one of said work stations, each work station in progressive sequence receiving one such article, for halting such article at such respective work station for a given period of time, and for thereafter withdrawing such article from said work station.

Claim 15

An article handling system including: a stationary housing; a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a single, continuous and regular train of workpieces,; and distributor means for receiving the single train of workpieces From said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding workpieces to each of said chambers in sequence, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said respective chamber in sequence, and for extracting each workpiece from said respective chamber in sequence.

Claim 16

An article handling system including: a stationary housing; a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a single, continuous and regular train of workpieces,; and distributor means for receiving the single train of workpieces From said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding workpieces to each of said chambers in sequence, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said respective chamber in sequence, and for extracting each workpiece from said respective chamber in sequence.

Claim 17

An article handling system according to claim 12 wherein: said distributor means provides said feeding, retention, and extraction functions as out of phase, overlapping cycles of operation.

Claim 18

A system according to claim 13 wherein: aid distributor means discharges said processed workpieces in a continuous and regular train.

Claim 19

A system according to claim 13 wherein: said distributor means includes; a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, retain and extract a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transfering workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece.

Claim 20

A system according to claim 15 wherein: said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means.

Claim 21

A system according to claim 16 wherein: second transfer means transfers each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.

Claim 22

A system according to claim 16 wherein: said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.

Claim 23

A system according to claim 15 wherein: said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.

Claim 24

A system according to claim 19 having: n work stations; n chambers; n rectilinear transfer means; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.

Claim 25

A system according to claim 20 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each rectilinear transfer means once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member.

Claim 26

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.

Claim 27

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.

Claim 28

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridge cases sequentially from said gun.

Claim 29

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridge cases sequentially from said gun.

Claim 30

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; said first transfer means including a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies, a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.

Claim 31

A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; said first transfer means including a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies, a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.

Claim 32

A machine gun according to claim 25 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.

Claim 33

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.

Claim 34

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.

Claim 35

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces, from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.

Claim 36

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces, from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.

Claim 37

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for provIding workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; a first means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer mean, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; said first transfer means including: a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means; a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.

Claim 38

An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for provIding workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; a first means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer mean, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; said first transfer means including: a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means; a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.

Claim 39

A system according to claim 29 having: n work stations; n stations; n chambers; n rectilinear transfer means; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.

Claim 40

A system according to claim 30 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each rectilinear transfer means once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member.