US4434700A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated ammunition mixer
Assignee: General Dynamics OTS Inc
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Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1984-03-06
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Ammunition sorting system including a plurality of storage hoppers each adapted to releasably store a different type of ammunition, and a conveyor system including in sequence a plurality of rungs, each rung having two alternative dispositions, one wherein the rung provides a pocket in the conveyor adapted to receive therein a round of ammunition from a hopper, the other wherein said rung precludes entry of a round into such pocket, and cams and followers for controlling the disposition of each rung as it passes each of the storage hoppers.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Aloi
- 👤 George D. Brooks
- 👤 Ronald E. Prince
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; B65G47/248; F; F41; F41A; F41A9/00; F41A9/37; F41A9/61; F41A9/64; F41A9/76; F41A9/82; F42; F42B; F42B35/00; F42B35/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An ammunition sorting system comprising: a plurality of storage means, each adapted to releasably store a different type of ammunition; a conveyor system including in sequence a plurality of rungs, each rung movable between two alternative positions, one position wherein said rung provides a passageway in the conveyor adapted to receive therein a round of ammunition from one of said plurality of storage means, the other position wherein said rung precludes entry of a round into said passageway; and means for selecting the position of each rung as it passes each of said plurality of storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An ammunition sorting system comprising: a plurality of storage means, each adapted to releasably store a different type of ammunition; a conveyor system including in sequence a plurality of rungs, each rung movable between two alternative positions, one position wherein said rung provides a passageway in the conveyor adapted to receive therein a round of ammunition from one of said plurality of storage means, the other position wherein said rung precludes entry of a round into said passageway; and means for selecting the position of each rung as it passes each of said plurality of storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein: said means for selecting the position of each rung includes, a plurality of cam followers, each coupled to a respective rung; and a cam means for controlling each of said cam followers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein: said cam means includes a plurality of cam surfaces whereby each cam surface is adapted to cause one of said cam followers to move its respective rung to and from either of its positions to or from the other of its positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein: said conveyor system further includes a pair of spaced apart endless chains, a plurality of pairs of brackets, one of each pair of brackets carried by a respective one of said pair of chains, each of said plurality of rungs being carried by and between a respective pair of said brackets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein: each of said rungs is journaled to said respective pair of brackets for pivotal movement to and between said two alternative positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein: said passageway has an open top and an open bottom, and further including means for closing said open bottom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein: said conveyor system is endless and includes an upper flight of rungs spaced adjacent to said plurality of storage means, and a lower flight of rungs spaced remote from said plurality of storage means, whereby each of said passageways receives, if at all, a round of ammunition from one of said storage means while it is in said upper flight, and each of said passageways progresses from said upper flight to said lower flight and again to said upper flight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system according to claim 7 further including means for precluding any of said rungs which provides a passageway which contains a round of ammunition from attempting to shift from said one position to said other position as it would otherwise be controlled by said means for selecting the position of said rung upon progression from said lower flight to said upper flight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-06 | 1987-09-05 | 1988-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-09-05 | 1992-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-06 | 1995-09-05 | 1996-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |