EP0244381A2

EP0244381A2 - An apparatus for enclosing, in a box-like unit, elongate objects primarily in the form of shells

Info

Publication number: EP0244381A2
Application number: EP87850128A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Torgy Röjare; Bengt Dahllöf
Original assignee: Bofors AB
Current assignee: Saab Bofors AB
Priority date: 1986-04-24
Filing date: 1987-04-21
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-21
Also published as: SE8601889L; ATE79464T1; EP0244381A3; DE3781013D1; ES2033930T3; GR3006074T3; EP0244381B1; SE8601889D0; SE453012B; DE3781013T2

Abstract

A number of elongate objects (4, 4', 5), tapering from their bases, are enclosed in a box-like unit. A first number of such objects (4, 4') are disposed with their bases (4a, 4a') at the first end wall (1a) of the unit, and a second number of objects (5) are disposed with their bases (5a) at the second end wall (1b) of the unit. The objects are disposed in parallel relationship and the first objects have their noses disposed at the bases of the second objects, and vice versa. The first objects (4,4') are disposed in cases (6,7) which each display, at their first end (6a, 7a) a cylindrical configuration, and at their other end (6b, 7b) display a four-pointed stellar configuration, and a smooth transition adhering to the tapering of the objects between cylindrical and stellar configuration. Each respective object is disposed in its associated case with its base at the cylindrical, first end and its nose at the four-pointed, stellar end. The second number of objects (5) extends between the cases and supports against their outsides.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for enclosing, in a box-like unit, a number of elongate objects tapering from their base. In this instance, a first number of such objects are disposed with their bases at the first end wall of the unit, and a second number of objects are disposed with their bases at the other end wall of the unit. As examples of elongate objects to which the present invention is appropriate, mention might be made of ammunition units, for example shells.

BACKGROUND ART

Boxes, lockers, limbers or cassettes for enclosing ammunition/shells are previously known in this art. In various contexts, it is of major interest that these objects be positionally fixed in the enclosing unit in question, such that lateral and longitudinal displacement of the objects is pre-empted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

In various contexts, it is also vitally important that the maximum number of objects or shells can be inserted in place in the box or cassette under consideration. Problems may here arise if, for example, it is to be possible to avoid lateral displacement. In those cases where it is also desirable to positionally fix the objects in the longitudinal direction, this problem is aggravated with large packing density of the objects in the cassette or box.

SOLUTION

The object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus which obviates the problem of large packing density of tapering elongate objects which, this notwithstanding, are reliably positionally fixed in the lateral and longitudinal displacement directions, if desired. The unit or box is particularly suitable as a storage unit for ammunition in the field.
That which may essentially be considered as characterising the novel apparatus according to the present invention is that the first number of objects are placed in cases which each at their first end display a cylindrical configuration, and at their other end display a four-pointed stellar configuration, and a smooth transition, related to the tapering of the object, between the cylindrical and stellar configurations. Further characterising features are that each first object is disposed in its associated case with its base at the cylindrical first end and its nose at the four-pointed stellar second end. A third characterising feature is that the second number of objects are not provided with individual cases, but is disposed between the cases for the first objects and support against the outsides of these cases.
According to further developments of the inventive concept as herein disclosed, it is proposed that the cases, at their second, four-pointed stellar ends, be designed, by the intermediary of end edges, to cooperate with projecting flanges on the second group of elongate objects. As a result, the second number of elongate objects will be positionally fixed in their longitudinal displacement directions. In the presently considered further developments of the inventive concept, the first number of elongate objects also display projecting flanges which atut against the end edges of the first ends of the cases. By such means, the first objects will also be positionally fixed in their longitudinal displacement directions in the unit.
Each respective one of the above-mentioned cases carries, at its cylindrical first end, a projecting flange, and at its four-pointed stellar end, a retracted flange. When ammunition shells are employed in the apparatus according to the present invention, these flanges constitute supports for driving band: at the forward regions of the shells. The externally disposed flanges cooperate with the driving bands on the second number of objects - or shells - and the retracted flanges cooperate with the driving bands on the shells disposed in the cases.
The shells display substantially the same outer diameter at their first and second ends and are preferably of substantially the same outer diameter throughout their entire longitudinal extent.
The insides of the box-like unit facing the objects, and the longitudinal sides of the cases are provided with special design which fills out the space between contemplated planar insides and the second number of objects located most proximally to these insides, and the cases such that the second number of objects disposed most proximally to the insides will abut circumferentially on their projecting flanges and such that the entire battery of elongate objects and cases be placed in the unit with but slight play in relation to the above-mentioned insides of the units.
The first and second end walls are also provided, on their insides, with depressions for the noses and projecting flanges of the objects. By being disposed in these depressions or recesses, the flanges of each object will provide positional fixing of the objects against lateral displacement movements.
Units of the type herein disclosed are eminently suitable for use in, for example, armoured vehicles and tanks in which the space available for the ammunition complement is greatly restricted and. in which it is nevertheless desirable to carry the largest possible ammunition complement. A number of box-like units of the above-mentioned type may, in such instance, be disposed in the armoured vehicle in question. These units are disposed beneath a fan-shaped magazine for the shells, and the units are also disposed to allow for manual transfer of rounds from the box-shaped units to the fan-shaped magazine. A number of units are disposed on a carrier device in which they are fixed by guides and grooves in the device and the units, and also by independent locking means.

ADVANTAGES

As a result of the present invention, it has now become possible to realise compact portable units for, for instance ammunition. Thanks to their design, the units may be manufactured of economical and light-weight material, for example a plastic material. The outer dimensions of each respective unit may be kept to a minimum despite the relatively large number of objects disposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying Drawings, and discussion of one currently proposed embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention recounting the significant characterising features thereof, in relation to the discussion.
In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a box-like unit intended to enclose 21 tightly-packed shells;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of the unit of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an end elevation and cross-section through the unit illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the accomodation placements for the shells;
Fig. 4 illustrates the mutual placement between four shells, of which three shells are disposed in cases of special design and a fourth shell is placed so as to abut against the outsides of the above-mentioned three cases;
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the shells and cases taken along the line A-A in Fig. 4; and
Fig. 6 illustrates the disposition of a number of units according to Figs. 1-3 in an armoured vehicle or tank with a fan-shaped section.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Drawings, the box-like cassette 1 according to Figs. 1-3 is of small outside dimensions. Its length is approx. 0.5 m, height approx. 0.4 m and width approx. 0.18 m. Despite these small dimensions, the cassette accomodates 21 rounds of the type which tapers from a cylindrical base towards its nose. At the base, each round is provided, in a per se known manner, with projecting flanges (case flanges). The rounds are fixed in the box or cassette in both the longitudinal and lateral displacement directions. On its upper side, the cassette is provided with two handles 2, 3 which, from a collapsed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be raised for manual accessibility.
A first number of rounds 4, 4' are placed with their bases 4a, 4a' at the first end wall la of the unit. A second number of rounds 5 are placed with their bases 5a at the second end wall lb of the unit. The first and second rounds 4, 4' and 5, respectively extend in substantially parallel relationship beside one another, i.e. the longitudinal axes 4b, 4b' and 5b, respectively of the rounds are substantially parallel. The noses 4c, 4c' of the first rounds are placed at the bases 5a of the second rounds. Correspondingly, the noses 5c of the second rounds are placed at the bases 4a, 4a' of the first rounds. The first end wall la 1s provided with internal recesses la for rear flanges 4d, 4d' on the first rounds. The first end wall also displays internal recesses la" for the noses 5c on the second rounds. Correspondingly, the second end wall lb is provided with internal recesses lb' for the case flanges 5d of the second rounds, and with internal recesses 1b'' for the noses 4c, 4c' of the first rounds.
All first rounds 4, 4' are disposed in cases of plastic material or corresponding light-weight material. The cases are of a particular design which is most readily apparent from Fig. 4 which illustrates 3 cases 6, 7 and 8. As will also be apparent from Fig. 5, each respective case is, at its first end 6a and 7a, respectively, of cylindrical design. At its other end 6b and 7b, respectively, each respective case displays a four-pointed stellar configuration, as is apparent from the end elevation according to Fig. 4. The transition between the cylindrical and stellar ends is uniform and continuous, and adheres to the tapering of the rounds to be stored in the box.
The second number of rounds are not indivudally disposed in cases, but instead abut against the outsides of the cases of the first rounds, these cases forming spaces between themselves which correspond to the outer configuration of the second rounds. The inner surfaces of the longitudinal sides of the unit are of a configuration which, together with the outer cases 6, 7, 8 etc. currently under discussion, form spaces which correspond to the outer configuration of the second rounds which are located adjacent the inner walls of the units. The configuration of these inner walls is apparent from Fig. 3. The inner sides of the units now under discussion are designated ld, lg, le and 1f, respectively. The wall ld is provided with the inner wall design 1d' which fills out the space between the outer cases and the outer, second rounds. The remaining walls le, lf and lg possess corresponding inner wall designs. In one embodiment, the above-mentioned inner wall designs ld' may conceivably be dispensed with.
Each respective first round, 4, 4' is disposed in its respective case 6, 7, such that at the end 6a and 7a, respectively of the case, the projecting flange 4d, 4d' projects beyond the end edge 6c and 7c, respectively of the case. The depressions or recesses la' are of a depth which corresponds substantially to the thickness of the flange 4d, 4d'. At the other end 6b and 7b, respectively, on each respective case, the case end edge 6d and 7d, respectively is designed to cooperate with the inner surface of the second end wall lb. By such means, the first rounds 4, 4' will be positionally fixed in their longitudinal displacement directions within the unit. The above-mentioned end edge surfaces 6d and 7d, respectively may also cooperate with upper edges on the projecting flanges 5d of the second rounds 5. The recesses 1b' for the projecting flanges 5d of the second round 5 are of a depth which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the flange 5d. Thus, the second rounds 5 are positionally fixed in the longitudinal displacement position by means of the end edges 6d and 7d, respectively of the cases 6 and 7. The noses 4c, 4c' and 5c, respectively project into the recesses 1b'' and la", respectively. The depressions or recesses la' and lb' also positionally fix the rounds against lateral displacement.
The cases 6 and 7 are also provided with inner flanges 6e and 7e, respectively. These inner flanges are designed to cooperate with a part, for example a driving band 4e, 4e' on the first rounds, at their forward regions. At their rear regions, the cases are also provided with projecting flanges or bosses 6f and 7f, respectively, which are designed to cooperate correspondingly with forward portions, for example driving bands 5e, on the second rounds. The skilled reader of this specification will readily perceive that the rounds are positionally fixed in the lateral displacement direction within the unit.
The unit can be emptied by, for example, removing one end wall of the unit, whereafter the rounds can be removed from this one end. Possibly, an upper side may also be rendered removable such that the crew may readily remove cases and rounds from the unit. The removable end wall anchorage, like the removable wall section, may be designed in a per se known manner which does not form part of the invention proper.
The units with tightly packed rounds may be disposed on an armoured vehicle or tank where, as a rule, there is a shortage of available space for the ammunition complement. Fig. 6 shows an example of a tank 9 in which space has been provided for a number of the above-described units. The units are placed beneath a fan-shaped magazine. The units are disposed such that they are provided with opening end walls, by the intermediary of which the rounds within the units may be withdrawn with or without their accompanying cases. Such withdrawal is intended to be effected manually and the rounds are transferred manually to the fan-shaped magazine once the cases, where present, have been removed.
The present invention should not be considered as restricted to the embodiment described above by way of example, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enclosing, in a box-like unit (1), a number of elongate objects (4, 4', 5), tapering from their bases, primarily in the form of rounds of ammunition. A first number of objects being disposed with their bases (4a, 4a') at the first end wall (la) of the unit, and a second number of objects (5) being disposed with their bases (5a) at the other end wall (lb) of the unit, characterised in that the first number of units (4, 4') are disposed in cases (6, 7, 8) which each at their respective first end (6a, 7a) display cylindrical configuration and, at their other end (6b, 7b) display a four-pointed stellar configuration, and a smooth transition, adhering to the tapering of the objects, between the cylindrical and stellar configurations; that each respective first object is disposed in its associated case with its base at the cylindrical first end and its nose at the four-pointed stellar second end; and that the second number of objects (5) extends between said cases (6, 7, 8) and abuts against the outsides thereof.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cases cooperate, by the intermediary of end edges (6d, 7d), at their second, four-pointed stellar ends, with projecting flanges (5d) disposed on said second elongate objects (5) at the bases thereof, said second number of elongate objects being positionally fixed in their longitudinal displacement directions.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each respective one of the first number of elongate objects (4, 4') disposed in cases abut, at the first ends (6a, 7a) of the cases, with a projecting flange (4d, 4d') against the end edge (6c, 7c) of each respective case; and that each respective case supports, with its second, four-pointed stellar end, against said second end wall (lb), said first objects (4, 4') being positionally fixed in their longitudinal displacement directions within the cases (6, 7, 8).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that each respective case carries, at its cylindrical, first end, a projecting flange, by the intermediary of which said cases cooperate with said second number of objects (5) at the tapering regions (5c) thereof.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each respective case (6, 7) carries, at its four-pointed, stellar second end (6b, 7b, respectively), an inwardly directed flange (6e, 7e), by the intermediary of which the case cooperates with one elongate object (4, 4') of said first number of objects, at the tapering region thereof disposed in the case.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each respective case displays substantially the same outer diameter at its first and second ends (6a, 7a; 6b, 7b, respectively).

7. The apparatus as claimed in any on of claims 2-6, characterised in that the first and second end walls (la, lb) are, on their insides, provided with depressions, or recesses (la", 1b''; la', lb', respectively) for the noses (4c, 4c'; 5c, respectively) and projecting flanges 84d, 4d'; 5d, respectively) of said objects.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a number of box-like units (1) are disposed in an armoured vehicle or tank (9) which is to carry a maximum number of objects in the form of rounds of ammunition.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said units are disposed beneath a fan-shaped magazine (10) for said rounds.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said units (1) are disposed for manual transfer from the box-like units to the fan-shaped magazine.