US3355988A - Laterally sliding breechblock for loading a large caliber gun - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1967 e. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

March 5, 1966 11 Sheets-Sheet l Giuliunn D'AnElI'Eu (5. DANDREA Dec. 5, 1967 LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1966 INVENTOR 8 ATTORNEYS H Dec. 5, 1967 G. DANDFLEA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March 5, 1966 ll heets-Sheet 5 iNVENTOR EiuhunnD'AnElTEu w fli miw ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1967 G. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN [Jam 7 W Muiii I I W $2 2553 ATTORNEYS G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Dec. 5, 1967 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 filed March 3, 1966 Dec. 5, 1967 G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March 3, 1966 ll heetsSheet '7 :W/WWiWWEIHIE fw/m INV ENTOR Elluhunn II Andrea mi 2 m ATTORNEYS 11 heets-Sheet 8 G. D'ANDREA LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Dec. 5, 1967 Filed March 5, 1966 |NV\ENTOR Emfllunu DAnflTEu g/ a .1 I I ATT RNEYs G. D'ANDREA Dec. 5, 1967 LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 3, 1966 E EL INV'ENTOR EI'Lfliunn I] Anflreu ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1967 G. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN filed March 3, 1966 ll heets-Sh et l0 IEE ii 46 32 34 46 97 L y a INVENTOR EIiIfliUHD D'AnflTEu ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1967 G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March 3, 1966 ll heets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR Eiuliunn DAnElTEtL BY '7 S ,W

I ATTORNEYS i United States Patent 3,355,988 LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING A LARGE CALIBER GUN Giuliano DAndrea, Troy, N.Y., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed Mar. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 533,379 7 Claims. (Cl. 8945) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to significantly increase the rate of fire of relatively large caliber guns of the type in which the ammunition consists of separately loaded projectiles and powder charges, the present invention provides a laterally slidable breechblock designed to open and close the breech independently of the recoil and counterrecoil cycle of the gun. A projectile loading tray is releasably connected to one side of the breechblock for concurrent movement therewith during the opening and closing of the breech and such connection is so arranged that the breechblock is automatically freed for longitudinal movement during the recoil and counterrecoil cycle of the gun. Thus, as the breechblock is actuated to open the breech upon the conclusion of counterrecoil, the leading projectile on the loading tray is drawn into the gun receiver into position to be pushed into the firing tube by a rammer mounted on the loading tray. In addition, the breechblock is provided with a forwardly opening firing chamber into which a powder charge can be loaded at the conclusion of the breech opening movement thereof so that the closing of the breech will automatically position the powder charge into firing alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube.

This invention relates to breechloading artillery with a recoiling breech adapted for the firing of ammunition consisting of separate projectiles and powder charges and is more particularly directed to improved means for combining the opening and closing of the breech with the loading of the ammunition into firing position.

In recent years, considerable emphasis has been placed on the need for increasing the rate of fire of medium and heavy artillery. However, the many efforts in this direction have generally met with little or no success from a military standpoint due to the complexity and unreliability of the mechanisms utilized to automatically load the ammunition into firing position. This has been particularly true in those guns wherein the ammunition therefor consists of a separate projectile and powder charge which must be consecutively rammed into the breech end of the firing tube subsequent to the opening of the breech. In order to accomplish the entire loading operation with a minimum of manual handling, these artillery weapons generally incorporate an automatic mechanism which advances the leading projectile into the feedway into axial alignment with the firing tube, rams such projectile into firing position in the interior of the tube, retracts the ramming mechanism to the original position thereof, and thereafter repeats this same series of steps in loading the powder charge into the firing tube up against the base of the projectile. Obviously, even if the operating time for some or all of the individual steps in this loading sequence could be reduced, the relatively large number of separate operations which are involved renders it extremely diflicult to produce any significant decrease in the 7 time required to repetitively load the separate projectiles 3,355,988 Patented Dec. 5, 1987 and powder charges into firing position. Furthermore, the interval between successive firings is additionally increased by the time required to open the breech for entry of the ammunition into the firing tube and by the time required to close and lock the breech after the ammunition has been loaded into firing position. It is therefore readily apparent that the rate of fire of this type of gun is limited by the rapidity with which the separate projectiles and powder charges can be transferred into the gun and aligned into firing position.

Accordingly, it is a general object of thu's invention to provide a simplified procedure for loading a large caliber recoiling breech gun with ammunition consisting of separate projectiles and powder charges.

It is an important object of this invention to increase the rate of fire of a gun as aforesaid by feeding the sep arate projectiles and powder charges into firing alignment simultaneously with the opening and closing of the breech.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an ammunition loading procedure as aforesaid wherein the advancement of the separate projectiles and powder charges into firing alignment is accomplished by a transversely slidable breechblock during the reciprocation imparted thereto for opening and closing the breech.

A further object of this invention is to provide a breechblock as aforesaid which will serve as a firing chamber for the powder charge and thereby eliminate the necessitty for any subsequent ramming thereof into the firing tu e.

' Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a breechblock as aforesaid which can be utilized to impart transverse movement to a loading tray for positioning a projectile into axial alignment with the firing tube without creating subsequent interference with the longitudinal movement required by the breechblock during recoil and counterrecoil.

It is a final object of this invention to provide ammunition loading means as aforesaid which will function in a simple and positive fashion regardless of the attitude at which the gun is being fired. I v

These objects can best be achieved in a large caliber gun with a recoiling breech mechanism by utilizing the breech opening and closing movements of a transversely or laterally sliding breechblock to actuate a loading tray for advancing projectiles into successive axial alignment with the firing tube. The term transversely used throughout the specification to describe the sliding movement of the breechblock is intended to refer to lateral movement only. The breech mechanism consists of a firing tube secured in the forward end of a receiver which is in turn slidably mounted on a stationary frame for longitudinal recoil and counterrecoil movement. The breechblock is slidably mounted in the receiver in position to be transversely actuated by an external source of hydraulic power to block and unblock the breech end of the firing tube. The loading of a projectile into position to be'rammed into the firing tube is a'ccomplished by a loading tray releasably connected to one side of the breechblock for concurrent transverse movement therewith. The breechblock is also provided with a forwardly opening firing chamber which is disposed outside the receiver when the breech is fully open to permit a powder charge to be loaded therein while a projectile is being rammed into the breech end of the firing tube. Thus, when the breechblock returns to the breech closing position thereof, the powder charge is advanced into firing alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube.

Inasmuch as the projectile loading tray is slidably mounted in a feed channel which is fixedly secured to the stationary frame, it is necessary that the connection between the loading tray and the breechblock permit the latter to accompany the receiver during the recoil and counterrecoil movement thereof. This is accomplished by the provision of a sliding wedge type of tongue and groove connection therebetween which will facilitate reengagement during the return of the recoiling components to battery position. In addition, the use of a hydraulically powered actuator for reciprocating the breechblock to open and close the breech also requires a releasable engagement therebetween to permit the subsequent recoil and counterrecoil movement of the breechblock. This is accomplished by a hook on the actuator positioned to move into and out of an eye member protruding from the rack which actuates the gearing and lever assembly utilized to reciprocate the breechblock.

Thus, inasmuch as the loading of the projectile into alignment with the firing tube is accomplished concurrently with the opening of the breech and the powder charge is loaded into its firing chamber in the breechblock simultaneously with the ramming of the projectile into the firing tube, a substantial portion of the loading operation required in conventional guns of this type is completely eliminated thereby enabling a significant increase in the rate of fire, whether manual, semi-automatic, or full automatic. The loading time is even further decreased by utilizing the return of the breechblock to the closed breech position thereof to automatically position the powder charge into firing alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a howitzer type gun to which the present invention is particularly adapted with a portion of the receiver and a cover thereon being broken away to show the gearing and lever arrangement utilized to impart transverse reciprocation to the breech block and a portion of the loading tray being broken away to show the interior thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational rear end view of a portion of the gun with the breechblock shown in the position in which the breech is fully open;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on a reduced scale taken along a line indicated by 3-3 in FIG. 2 to show the position of the projectiles on the fixed and movable sections of the loading tray at the conclusion of the projectile feeding stroke of the breechblock;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 on the same scale as FIG. 2 to show the interior details of the fixed and slidable sections of the loading tray assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 to show the gearing arrangement utilized to actuate the pivoting levers which impart transverse movement to the breechblock;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 5 to show the configuration and mounting details of the breechblock actuating levers in the breech open position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the actuating levers pivoted to lock the breechblock in the closed breech position thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but taken with the breech fully closed by the breechblock in the position required during the recoil movement thereof;

FIG. 9 is a plan view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 4 to. show the position of the feed lever arm upon the conclusion of the feeding movement imparted to the projectiles in the stationary section of the loading tray;

FIG. 10 is a plan view similar to that in FIG. 9 but taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8 to show the position of the feed lever arm after the breechblock has recoiled sufiiciently to permit the feed slide to return to the preactuated position thereof;

FIG. ll is an enlarged fragmentary section of the gun in the area in which the gearing is connected to the levers which actuate the breechblock;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top view illustrating the hook and eye connection between the receiver and the hydraulic actuator during the initial portion of the recoil movement of the breech mechanism, the top of the receiver being partially broken away to show the pinion gear in meshing engagement with the gear rack;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section taken along line 1313 in FIG. 4 and enlarged to show the sliding wedge type of tongue and groove connection between the breechblock and the loading tray in the fully engaged position required during the transverse reciprocation of the breechblock; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary section similar to that of FIG. 13 but taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 8 to show the tongue and groove connection during the initial recoil travel of the breechblock.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to the perspective representation of FIG. 1, the gun for which the present invention is intended includes an elongated generally rectangular frame 12 in which a receiver 14 is slidably supported for recoil and counterrecoil movement. Frame 12 is provided with opposing tracks 16 along the interior surfaces of the longitudinal sidewalls thereof for the slidable reception of mating ribs 18 extending along the opposite sides of a rectangular base 20 on receiver 14. Extending upwardly from base 20 is a rectangular housing 22 containing a transverse passage 24 therethrough for the slidable reception of a breechblock 26. A firing tube 28 is threadably mounted into the forward wall of receiver 14 substantially centrally of passage 24 and in communication therewith.

Housing 22 is provided with a centrally positioned channel of T-slot configuration as indicated at 30 extending transversely across the top surface thereof for the slidable reception of a gear rack 32. The portion of rack 32 which projects upwardly from channel 30' is provided with vertical teeth 34 along the opposite sides thereof. Ari upstanding lug 36 at the outer end of rack 32 is formed with a hole 38 therethrough parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun for the reception of a hook 40 projecting from the outer end of an actuator 42 powered by suitable hydraulic mechanism (not shown). Hook 40 terminates in a linear end portion 44 which is oriented to pass through hole 38 from the front end thereof and thereby permit automatic disengagement therehetween during the initial recoil movement of receiver 14. 1

Movement of actuator 42 is transmitted to breechblock 26 by a gear and lever assembly in which a pair of annular pinion gears 46 are rotatably mounted on the top of receiver housing 22 to straddle rack 32 in meshing engage ment with gear teeth 34 thereon. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a driving gear 48 is disposed beneath each pinion gear 46 in axial alignment therewith and is secured thereto for joint rotation. This is accomplished by an elongated hub 50 on driving gear 48 which extends upwardly into the central opening 52 of pinion gear 46. The exterior periphery of hub 50 is provided with a plurality of semicylindrical vertically disposed notches 54 adapted to mate with correspondingly formed notches 56 spaced about the interior wall surface of opening 52 in pinion gear 46 and provide cylindrical seats for connecting pins 58. Driving gear 48 is journaled on a bushing 60- which is retained in a counter-bored opening 62 in the top of receiver 14 by a bolt 64 threadably secured therein as indicated at 66. The base of bushing 60 is diametrically enlarged as indicated at 68 and a collar 70 is provided at the upper end of bolt 64 to retain driving gear 48 and pins 58 against vertical displacement in receiver 14.

Each driving gear 48 is utilized to transmit rotation to a spur gear 72 which is fixedly keyed, as best indicated at 74, to a vertical shaft 76 rotatably mounted in the top of receiver 14. Shaft 76 is provided with a circular flange 78 which is rotatably seated on the enlarged head of a sleeve 80 fitted into a corresponding counterbored recess 82 in the top of receiver 14. The lower end of shaft 76 projects into passage 24 and terminates in a rectangular end 84 engageable in a corresponding opening 86 in one end of an actuating lever 88 and pinned thereto as shown at 90. The opposite end of each lever 88 is provided with a depending roller 92 extending into slidable engagement with a longitudinal slot 94 formed into the top of breechblock 26. Slots 94 originate at the opposite ends of breechblock 26 and extend inwardly therealong toward each other in axial alignment to terminate in arcuate closed ends 96 which are inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis as best shown in FIG. 6 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Gears 46, 48 and 72 and the major portion of rack 32 are protectively housed beneath a cover 97 fastened to the top of receiver 14.

As a result of the foregoing construction, the movement imparted to rack 32 by hydraulic actuator 42 rotates gears 46 and 48 to drive spur gears 72 for imparting corresponding rotation to shafts 76. In view of the fixed connection between each shaft 76 and the end of lever 88, roller 92 on the opposite end thereof is swung in an are about the vertical axis of shaft 76. Since rollers 92 are slidably retained in slots 94, the swinging movement of levers 88 is imparted directly to breechblock 26 which is thereby slidably actuated in transverse passage 24 of receiver 14 to open and close the breech in accordance with the direction of movement of rack 32.

At the forward end of breechblock 26, a series of spaced apart substantially rectangular ribs 98 extend transversely thereacross for slidable engagement with corresponding grooves 100 formed in the upper interior wall surface of transverse passage 24. Ribs 98 and grooves 106 are identically inclined at a slight angle to the front face of breechblock 26 in order to facilitate the movement thereof into and out of surface contact with the breech face of firing tube 28 without any sacrifice in the required degree of pressure therebetween. As breechblock 26 moves into contact with the breech end of firing tube 28, rollers 92 in slots 94 enter into the arcuate ends 96 thereof. Thus, when travel of breechblock 26 is halted, levers 88 continue to swing in overtravel until rollers 92 are fully engaged in ends 96 of slots 94. At this point, linear surfaces 102 at the extreme end of each lever 88 are brought into wedging engagement with locking lugs 104 which project upwardly from an elongated base 105 suitably secured to the top of breechblock 26 inwardly of and adjacent to arcuate ends 96 of slots 94. Since levers 88 are then positioned slightly beyond the angle at which the longitudinal axes thereof are normal to the longitudinal axis of breechblock 26, any tendency for the latter to move out of the locked breech closing position actually increases the locking pressure between levers 88 and locking lugs 104.

A bracket 106 is suitably fixed to the side of frame 12 beneath breechblock 26 and is provided with a platform 108 in planar alignment with the floor of transverse pas sage 24 for supporting the portion of breechblock 26 which projects from passage 24 during the breech opening movement thereof. The outer end of platform 108 is provided with a buffer 110 at each corner thereof in position to halt the transverse breech opening movement of breechblock 26. On the opposite side of frame 12, a feed tray 112 is fixedly secured thereto and is provided with a rectangular feedway 114 therethrough in coextensive alignment with transverse passage 24 in receiver 14. A rectangular box 116 is transversely set into the upper wall of feed tray 112 in communication with feedway 114 and is retained in place by vertical stiffening members 118 fastened to the top of feed tray 112. Box 116 houses a feed slide 120 (FIG. 4) provided with laterally spaced compartments 122 in the underside thereof. A feed pawl 124 is pivotally pinned in each compartment 122 as indicated at 126 and is provided with a projecting stop surface 128 at the upper end thereof which is normally biased into contact with the underside of compartment 122 by a spiral spring 130 encircling pivot pin 126. The inner end of feed slide 120 is provided with a vertically projecting screw 132 which extends upwardly through a slot 134 in the top of box 116 to terminate in a cylindrical head 136.

A bellcrank lever 138 is pivotally mounted in the top of feed tray 112 adjacent the inner end thereof and forwardly of box 116 thereon. One end of lever 138 is arcuately recessed as indicated at 140 in FIG. 9 to engage screw head 136 while the opposite end of lever 138 is provided with a depending follower roller 142 adapted to ride along a fixed cam surface 144 projecting laterally from the side of receiver 14 above transverse passage 24 therein. Feed slide 120 is normally biased toward the outer end of box 116 by a pair of concentrically coiled springs 146 of the negator type, with each being wound on a vertical pin 148 depending from a triangular plate 150 welded or otherwise fixed to the top surfaces of box 116 and stiffening ribs 118 at the. junction therebetween. The free end of each spring 146 is provided with a leader 152 containing a transverse pin 153 therethrough which extends into box 116 to engage in the side of feed slide 120. Thus,.whenever, feed slide 120 is actuated to advance feed pawls 124 for feeding a correspondingly spaced pair of projectiles 154 toward the exit end of feed tray 112, springs 146 are unwound to provide the-bias necessary to return feed slide 120 to the outer position thereof in which each feel pawl 124 is disposed behind a corresponding projectile 154 ready to advance such projectile along feedway 114.

In order to prevent retrograde movement of projectiles 154 as feed slide 129rides thereover during the outward stroke thereof, retainers 156 of inverted V-shaped configuration are pivotally spaced in the floor of feedway 114. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, retainers 156 are each provided with an arcuate hinge portion 158 along one edge to permit rotatable mounting thereof on a hinge rod 160 fixedly retained between the sidewalls of spaced parallel channel members 162 and 164 extending transversely beneath feed tray 112. The V-shaped portions of retainers 156 project upwardly through rectangular recesses 166 in the floor of feed tray 112 and are normally retained in such position by a plurality of torsion springs 168 mounted on hinge rods 160 with one end bearing against the underside of feed tray 112 and the opposite end bearing against the underside of retainer 156. In each recess 166, there is also provided a fixed pin 170 which serves as a stop for retainer 156 during the downward pivotal movement imparted thereto as projectile 154 is advanced thereover in feed tray 112. Channel member 162 is secured to the underside of feed tray 112 while channel member 164 is attached to feed tray 112 in communication with the interior of feedway 114 but separated therefrom by a rectangular barrier 171 which guides the passage of projectiles 154 as best shown in FIG. 1. Channels 162 and 164 are utilized for the slidable reception of correspondingly spaced arms 172 extending from beneath a projectile loading tray 174 which is in turn slidably joined to an extension.176 projecting from the inner side of breechblock 26. The slidable nature of this joint is achieved by a tongue 178 which extends along the underside of loading tray 174 adjacent the end facing breechblock 26 in position to be slidably received in a mating groove 180 formed along breechblock extension 176. As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, tongue 178 is tapered along the opposite sides thereof with a constant decrease from front to rear while groove 180 is formed with correspondingly tapered sides to facilitate the ease with which breechblock 26 can be actuated into and out of battery position. 7

Loading tray 174 is designed so that the inner end portion thereof to which arms 172 are connected will fit beneath a shelf 182 projecting from the adjacent end of feed tray 112 when breechblock 26 is in the battery position thereof. Inaddition, a third projectile retainer 156 is. pivotally mounted between arms 172 to extend upwardly through a rectangular recess 184 in the floor of loading tray 174 in the same manner and for the same purpose as retainers 156 in feed tray 112. A stop rod 186 is also mounted between the endwalls of recess 184 in position to halt the downward movement of the third retainer 156 as the leading projectile 154 is advanced thereover. An. inclined plate 188 is welded to the top of loading tray 174 in position to halt the advance of the leading projectile 154 in axial alignment with firing tube 28.

Loading tray 174 is rearwardly extended as indicated at 190 to support a bracket 192 which is in turn utilized to mount a hydraulically operated rammer 19.4 in axial alignment with firing tube 28. The rear end of breechblock housing 22 is arcuately recessed as indicated at 193 to provide access for rammer 194 which consists of a cylindrical body 196 housing a series. of concentric telescoping cylinders 198, as best shown in FIG. 3. The innermost cylinder terminates in a circular pusher 200 at the front end thereof which is convexly shaped to mate with the concave base of each projectile 154. Thus, when hydraulic fluid is introduced into rammer body 196 through a suitable connection 202 at the rear end thereof, cylinders 198 are extended forwardly to ram projectile 154 into the interior of firing tube 28. A second hydraulic connection 202 in the forward end of rammer body 196 admits the fluid necessary to telescope cylinders 198 and return pusher 200 to the retracted condition in which the next projectile can be advanced into position to be rammed thereby during the next cycle of operation.

A cylindrical opening 204 is formed into the front face of breechblock 26 in position to be forwardly exposed when breechblock 26 has been actuated outwardly to open the breech. Opening 204 is designed to be manually or mechanically loaded with a cylindrical powder charge 206 adapted to be fired by any conventional device which can be located in the interior of breechblock 26 or in some other portion of the gun which is still in direct communication with opening 204.

Upon discharge of powder charge 206, receiver 14 begins to recoil together with firing tube 28 whereupon the tongue and groove connection between loading tray 174 and breechblock 26 permits the latter to recoil together with receiver 14 which thereupon disengages from the hook end 44 of hydraulic actuator 42 as best shown in FIG. 12. As receiver 14 travels to the rear, the outwardly projecting cam surface 144 on the side thereof rides off follower roller 142 and frees feed lever 138 for pivotal movement. As a result, feed slide 120 is free to be actuated by springs 146 to the outermost position thereof in box 116 as best shown in FIG. 8. During this movement of feed slide 120, feed pawls 124 are pivoted upwardly to compress springs 130 and are thereafter dragged across the tops of projectiles 154' which are being held on the floor of feed tray 112 by retainers 156. Thus, when feed slide 120 reaches the outermost position thereof, springs 1'30 bias feed pawls 124' into respective contact with the outwardly facing sides of projectiles 15.4. At the conclusion of the outward movement of feed slide 120,, a depending lug 208 (FIG. 4) at the inner end thereof is brought into contact with the forward side of the leading projectile 154 in feed tray 112 to restrain such projectile against accidental displacement prior to the inward movement of feed slide 20. Such retention is required since the bias of retainer springs 168 is insufiicient to support the weight of projectile 154.

As receiver 14 counterrecoils toward battery position, cam surface 144 contacts roller 142 and pivots feed lever 138 to actuate feed slide 120 so that feed pawls 124 thereon advance projectiles 154 over retainers 156 in feed tray 112. As the leading projectile is thus advanced, it rolls off shelf 182, and over retainer 156 onto the lower level of loading tray 174 where it is halted as. shown in phantom outline in FIG. 8 by the inclined stop plate 188 thereon. In this position, the leading projectile 154'18 disposed in axial aligrr,..ent with rarnmer 194 and due to the lower elevation thereof will clear depending lug 208 during the subsequent actuation of loading tray 174.

As the counterrecoiling parts reach battery, book 40 reengages lug 36 on gear rack 32 to restore the operating connection thereof with hydraulic actuator 42., At the same time, the reengagement of tongue 178 and groove 180 reconnects loading tray 174 to breechblock 26. Thus, as actuator 42 is energized to pull rack 32 out wardly across the top of receiver 14, pinion gears. 46 are rotated so that the corresponding rotation of gears 48 drives spur gears 72 to rotate the shafts 76v to which levers 88 are fixedly secured at one end. As levers. 88 begin to. move. from the position shown in FIG. 7, rollers 92 thereon ride along the inclined ends of slots 94 and out of contact with locking lugs 104 thereby freeing breechblock 26 for transverse movement in receiver 14 in direct response to the pressure exerted thereon by the swinging movement of rollers 92 on the sides of slots 94. Thus, as breechblock 26 is being moved outwardly in receiver 14 to uncover the breech face of firing tube 28, loading tray 174 is being simultaneously pulled away from stationary feed tray 112 to advance the leading projectile 154 into the interior of receiver 14. When this outward travel of breechblock 26 is finally halted by bufiers. 110-, projectile 154 is in axial alignment with firing tube 28 in position to be rammed forwardly therein by rammer 194.

While projectile 154 on loading tray 174 is being rammed into firing tube 28, another projectile 154 can be, placed in feed tray 112 and a powder charge 206 can be simultaneously loaded manually or by suitable automatic mechanism into firing chamber 204 which Was uncovered during the movement of breechblock 26 outwardly of receiver 14. Thus, when hydraulic actuator 42. is reversed to return breechblock 26 into receiver 14, powder charge 206 will be carried. into axial alignment with projectile 154 then in firing tube 28. During the return of breechblock 26 to the breech closure position thereof, the forward face thereof is wedged tightly against the breech face of firing tube 28 as a result of the slightly inclined orientation of ribs 98 on breechblock 26 and the mating grooves 100 in transverse passage 24. At the same time, actuating levers 88 are returned to the position wherein the linear end surfaces 102 thereof become wedged into locking engagement with lugs 104 on breechblock 26. The return of breechblock 26 to the breech closure position thereof also returns loading tray 174 into adjacent relation with feed tray 112 in position to receive the leading projectile 154 during the next. feed stroke of feed slide 120. The gun is now ready for another cycle of operation and as long as the projectiles and powder charges are systematically replenished, firing can be conducted on an automatic basis.

Thus, the present invention provides a simple. and. reliable means for significantly reducing the interval in which a projectile and a powder charge can be separately loaded into firing position in a relatively large caliber artillery weapon. Such reduction is chiefly due to the unique concept of releasably attaching the projectile loading tray to the breechblock for concurrent transverse movement therewith only during the opening and closing of the breech. As a result, it is no longer necessary to limit the loading of the ammunition to the period in which the breechblock is stationary, as is the case in guns of present design. Furthermore, the concept of mounting the rammer on the same loading tray utilized to bring a projectile into axial alignment with the firing tube also reduces the length of the loading cycle by eliminating the former necessity for subsequently positioning the rammer into axial alignment with the projectile. In addition, since the manner is mounted on the loading tray, it will be automatically moved out of the ramming position thereof simultaneously with the closing of the breech, thereby eliminating the prior art necessity of removing the rammer from the path of the recoiling parts before firing can be initiated.

Another significant reduction in the length of the loading cycle heretofore required in guns of this type is achieved by the fact that the powder charge can be loaded into the gun from the front end thereof while the projectile is being loaded into the feed tray on the side of the gun or even while the leading projectile is being rammed into the firing tube. This feature is, of course, a tremendous improvement over guns of current design which require that the projectile be fully rammed into the firing chamber before the powder charge can be introduced into the gun. Furthermore, inasmuch as the projectiles and power charges can be fed into the gun at widely separate locations, this can be accomplished manually without the customary interference problems encountered by the handlers of the ammunition components in those guns in which the projectiles and powder charges must be introduced into the gun at substantially the same location.

In addition to the foregoing improvements in the loading of the projectiles and powder charges into the gun, the incorporation of the powder charge firing chamber in the transversely slidable breechblock is an important innovation since it eliminates the necessity for ramming the powder charge into the firing tube behind the projectile chambered therein. Thus, the ammunition loading cycle can be completed in a significantly shorter interval than in conventional guns in which the loading of the powder charge must be delayed until the projectile is fully chambered in the firing tube and the rammer fully retracted to the original position thereof. Also, inasmuch as the powder charge need not be rammed into the firing tube, it is no longer necessary to ram the projectile deep enough therein to leave sufficient space for the powder charge. This is a desirable feature which minimizes the depth to which the rammer is required to enter into the firing tube and consequently avoids the difficulties heretofore encountered in conventional guns due to the hydraulic hoses which are attached to the forward portion of the rammer.

Thus, the present invention provides a rugged breech mechanism which is uniquely adapted for loading separate projectiles and powder charges into large caliber guns such as cannon or howitzers in far less time than that heretofore required in similar Weapons with a conventional breech. Obviously, any reduction in loading time provides a corresponding increase in the rate of fire regardless of whether the feeding of the projectiles and powder charges into the gun is to be accomplished manually or by fully automatic mechanism. Moreover, the transverse movement of the breechblock and the loading tray attached thereto is relatively unaffected by the angle at which the gun is being fired. In conventional guns in which the breechblock is longitudinally or pivotally actuated, and the projectiles and powder charges are loaded in a forward direction, firing at extreme elevations introduces gravity forces which tend to delay the return of the breechblock to the closed breech position thereof.

The present invention has been described in detail above for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a large caliber gun having a stationary frame, a receiver slidably mounted in the frame for longitudinal recoil and counterrecoil movement, and a firing tube fixed in the forward end of the receiver in communication with the interior thereof, means for loading projectiles into position to be rammed into the firing tube, comprising a breechblock slidably mounted in the receiver for lateral movement into and out of a closed breech position, a

projectile loading tray slidably mounted on the stationary frame, means on said tray for retaining a projectile thereon, and means for connecting said loading tray to one side of said breechblock whereby the breech opening movement thereof advances the projectile into axial alignment with the firing tube, said connection between: said loading tray and said breechblock being releasable in a longitudinal direction whereby the latter is free to reciprocate jointly with the receiver when the breech is fully closed.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable connection between said projectile loading tray and said breechblock comprises a longitudinal tongue and groove arrangement tapered along the mating surfaces thereof to facilitate reengagement therebetween during the counterrecoil movement of said breechblock.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a feed tray secured to the stationary frame for slidably housing said loading tray, means in said feed tray for laterally transferring a projectile to said loading tray, a lever pivoted on said feed tray with one end in engagement with said projectile transfer means, and a cam projecting from the side of the receiver in position to contact the opposite end of said lever during counterrecoil whereby the pivotal movement imparted thereto actuates said projectile transfer means in said feed tray.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a rammer mounted on said loading tray in position to ram the projectile thereon into the firing tube at the conclusion of the breech opening movement of said breechblock.

5. In a large caliber gun having a stationary frame, a receiver slidably mounted in the frame for longitudinal recoil and counterrecoil movement, and a firing tube fixed in the forward end of the receiver in communication with the interior thereof, means for feeding separate projectiles and powder charges into axial firing alignment, comprising a breechblock slidably mounted in the receiver for lateral movement into and out of a closed breech position, a forwardly opening firing chamber in said breechblock for holding a powder charge, a feed tray fixed to one side of the stationary frame in open communication with the interior of the receiver, means for releasably retaining a plurality of projectiles in said feed tray, a projectile loading tray slidably mounted in said feed tray in releasable engagement with one side of said breechblock, a rammer fixedly mounted on said loading tray, means operable during the recoil movement of the receiver for transferring the leading projectile in said feed tray onto said loading tray into axial alignment with said rammer thereon, and means for laterally reciprocating said breechblock in the receiver to open and close the breech whereby the breech opening movement of said breechblock positions said firing chamber therein outwardly of the receiver for the reception of a powder charge and simultaneously actuates said loading tray to position the projectile thereon in ramming alignment with the breech end of the firing tube, and whereby the breech closing movement of said breechblock positions the powder charge in the firing chamber thereof in firing alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube and simultaneously returns said loading tray into position to receive the next successive projectile in said feed tray.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for releasably retaining a plurality of projectiles in said feed tray comprises a series of inverted V-shaped retainers pivotally mounted at spaced locations in the floor of said feed tray, and spring means normally biasing each retainer upwardly into contact with the trailing side of a projectile, said spring means being adapted to be overcome by the feeding movement imparted to the projectiles.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for reciprocating said breechblock to open and close the breech comprises a gear rack slidably mounted on the top of the receiver for lateral reciprocal move- 1 1 ment, responsive to an exterior source of power, a pair of pinion gears; rotatably mounted on the top of the receiver in. position, tostraddle said gear rack and in meshing engagement therewith, a reduction gear secured to the underside of each, pinion gear, a pair of vertical shafts rotatably mounted in the top of the receiver and extendi ng thereth-rough into the interior thereof, a spur gear secured to the upper end ofi each of said shafts inrespective meshing engagement with each of said reduction gears, a lever fixed at one end thereof to the lower end of-eaeh of said vertieal gear shafts and having 21 depending roller at the other end thereof, and slot means in the top of said breechblock in slidable engagement with said depending rollers on said levers whereby lateral movement of said gear rack is converted to corresponding movement of said breechblock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 30,760 11/1860 Reecler 42- 1s 38,638 5/1863 Lee 89-47X 435,803 9/1890 Dashiel l' 89-.45X

704,955 7/1902 Brankston' 89-45 2,122,423 7/1938 Joyce.

10 2,988,963 6/1961 Goodhue 89-413 3,021,762 2/1962 Soderq-vi-st 89 33.1

BENJAMIN A. BORGIHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A LARGE CALIBER GUN HAVING A STATIONARY FRAME, A RECEIVER SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE FRAME FOR LONGITUDINAL RECOIL AND COUNTERRECOIL MOVEMENT, AND A FIRING TUBE FIXED IN THE FORWARD END OF THE RECEIVER IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF, MEANS FOR LOADING PROJECTILES INTO POSITION TO BE RAMMED INTO THE FIRING TUBE, COMPRISING A BREECHBLOCK SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE RECEIVE FOR LATERAL MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF A CLOSED BREECH POSITION, A PROJECTILE LOADING TRAY SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE STATIONARY FRAME, MEANS ON SAID TRAY FOR RETAINING A PROJECTILE THEREON, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID LOADING TRAY TO ONE SIDE OF SAID BREECHBLOCK WHEREBY THE BREECH OPENING MOVEMENT THEREOF ADVANCES THE PROJECTILE INTO AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE FIRING TUBE, SAID CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID LOADING TRAY AND SAID BREECHBLOCK BEING RELEASABLE IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION WHEREBY THE LATTER IS FREE TO RECIPROCATE JOINTLY WITH THE RECEIVER WHEN THE BREECH IS FULLY CLOSED.

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