Patent US3868884A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3868884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract An article handling system is provided which includes means to receive a series of articles progressively, continuously, and at minimum linear acceleration; means to distribute the articles to a plurality of work stations progressively, continuously and at minimum linear acceleration, to halt each article at a respective work station for a given period, and to withdraw the articles progressively, continuously at minimum linear acceleration.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S Rose
- 👤 Burton P Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:05
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A9/00; F41A9/01; F41A9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A machine gun comprising: a housing; a plurality of gun barrels fixed to said housing in an annular row about a central axis, each barrel having a respective chamber and gun bolt; a rounds distributor ring journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis, said ring having a first plurality of first pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis, and a second plurality of second pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis; a feeder sprocket journalled to said housing for rotation about an additional axis for receiving rounds and for discharging fired cases; guide means journalled to said housing for oscillation between a first position whereat it guides a round from said feeder sprocket into one of said first pockets, and a second position whereat it guides a fired case from one of said second pockets into said feeder sprocket; and transfer means journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis and having first means for transferring rounds from said first plurality of pockets to said gun bolts, and second means for transferring fired cases from said gun bolts to said second plurality of pockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A machine gun comprising: a housing; a plurality of gun barrels fixed to said housing in an annular row about a central axis, each barrel having a respective chamber and gun bolt; a rounds distributor ring journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis, said ring having a first plurality of first pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis, and a second plurality of second pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis; a feeder sprocket journalled to said housing for rotation about an additional axis for receiving rounds and for discharging fired cases; guide means journalled to said housing for oscillation between a first position whereat it guides a round from said feeder sprocket into one of said first pockets, and a second position whereat it guides a fired case from one of said second pockets into said feeder sprocket; and transfer means journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis and having first means for transferring rounds from said first plurality of pockets to said gun bolts, and second means for transferring fired cases from said gun bolts to said second plurality of pockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gun according to claim 1 further including: a cam follower coupled to said guide means; a cam driver journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis for driving said cam follower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gun according to claim 1 further including: drive means for rotating said distributor ring, for rotating said transfer means at twice the angular rate of said distributor ring, and for oscillating said guide means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
A machine gun comprising: a housing; a plurality of gun barrels fixed to said housing in an annular row about a central axis, each barrel having a respective chamber and gun bolt; a rounds distributor ring journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis, said ring having a first plurality of first pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis, and a second plurality of second pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis; a feeder sprocket journalled to said housing for rotation about an additional axis for receiving rounds and for discharging fired cases; guide means coupled to said housing for guiding rounds from said feeder sprocket into said first plurality of first pockets and for guiding fired cases from said second plurality of second pockets into said feeder sprocket; and transfer means journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis and having first means for transferring rounds from said first plurality of pockets to said gun bolts, and second means for transferring fired cases from said gun bolts to said second plurality of pockets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
A machine gun comprising: a housing; a plurality of gun barrels fixed to said housing in an annular row about a central axis, each barrel having a respective chamber and gun bolt; a rounds distributor ring journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis, said ring having a first plurality of first pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis, and a second plurality of second pockets disposed in an annular row about said central axis; a feeder sprocket journalled to said housing for rotation about an additional axis for receiving rounds and for discharging fired cases; guide means coupled to said housing for guiding rounds from said feeder sprocket into said first plurality of first pockets and for guiding fired cases from said second plurality of second pockets into said feeder sprocket; and transfer means journalled to said housing for rotation about said central axis and having first means for transferring rounds from said first plurality of pockets to said gun bolts, and second means for transferring fired cases from said gun bolts to said second plurality of pockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gun according to claim 4 further including: drive means for rotating said distributor ring, and for rotating said transfer means at twice the angular rate of said distributor ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A gun according to claim 4 wherein: said first means of said transfer means includes a first sprocket journalled for rotation about its own axis and for travelling along a path which is concentric with said central axis, and for directly cooperating with said first plurality of pockets and for cooperating with said gun bolts, said second means of said transfer means includes a second sprocket journalled for rotation about its own axis and for travelling along a path which is concentric with said central axis, and for directly cooperating with said second plurality of pockets and for cooperating with said gun bolts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3741069A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |