EP4698841A1 - Magazine for an artillery installation, provided with a guide structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The magazine (100) comprises a frame (102) configured for internally housing a plurality of pieces of ammunition (A) and comprising a guide structure (110) which defines a guide path (112) and which is configured to allow the pieces of ammunition (A) to slide laterally along the guide path (112). A moving system (114) comprises a movable chain structure (120) which can be moved supported by the frame (102) and which is configured for carrying and laterally pushing the pieces of ammunition (A). The guide structure (110) is configured to be crossed by an axially intermediate portion of each one of the pieces of ammunition (A). The movable chain structure (120) is configured for receiving each one of the pieces of ammunition (A) and comprises a pair of chains (122-b) supported by the frame (102). A plurality of rod members (124) connect the chains (122a-b) in the axial direction and axially cross the guide structure (110) at the guide path (112). The chains (122a-b) are configured for axially holding, between themselves, each one of the pieces of ammunition (A). Each pair of successive rod members (124) is configured for laterally holding, on opposite sides, each one of the pieces of ammunition (A).

Description

TITLE : "Magazine for an artillery installation , provided with a guide structure"

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DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a magazine for an artillery installation .

Technical background

In the artillery industry, magazines are known which generally consist of a system capable of containing and automatically moving one or more pieces of ammunition to be fed to an artillery installation .

US 2 464 920 A describes a rocket launcher, a launching rail , a magazine , feeding means for advancing rockets through the magazine and into firing position on the rail . The feeding means comprise a plurality of members spaced to receive rockets therebetween and mounted for movement in parallelism with each other toward the firing position .

CH 670 698 A5 describes a weapon magazine feed wherein there are two chains between which cartridges are supported, separated by spacer rods also secured between the two chains .

EP 0 337 735 Al describes an ammunition feeding system that comprises an endless conveyor trained throughout the interior of a magazine in a serpentine formation consisting of a plurality of straight l ine sections and interconnecting turnaround sections .

US 3 , 101 , 647 A describes an ammunition handling apparatus including a hoist conveyor having a series o f spaced shell holders .

ER 2 743 414 Al relates to a magazine for storage and supply of modules consisting of propulsive charges for an artillery gun . Such magazine has a single upper opening for the entry/exit of the propulsive charges .

Summary of the invention

It is one obj ect of the present invention to provide a magazine for an artillery installation which is improved over the prior art . In particular, according to the present invention, a magazine is provided which is equipped with a structure that ensures safe and precise guidance of the ammunition therein .

According to the present invention, this and other obj ects are achieved through a magazine having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim .

It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention . In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features .

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a nonlimiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summari zed below .

Brief description of the drawings

Figures 1 and 2 are , respectively, a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a turret f itted with an artillery installation which, in turn, comprises a magazine made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the next drawings .

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view similar to Figure 2 , wherein some external walls of the turret have been removed in order to show a magazine made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, a rear perspective view and a front perspective view showing the magazine of Figure 3 in magni fied form .

Figure 6 includes a pair of schematic rear elevation views of the turret and, respectively, of the magazine shown in the preceding figures . Such views illustrate how pieces of ammunition are introduced into the magazine .

Figure 7 is a top view of the magazine shown in the preceding figures , showing a door allowing access to the inlet .

Figure 8 is a perspective view along line VI I I of Figure 7 , which shows some details of the door and of an opening sensor co-operating therewith .

Figures 9 and 10 are , respectively, a rear perspective view and a rear elevation view showing a guide structure of a frame of the magazine shown in the preceding figures , viewed from the rear perspective of Figure 4 .

Figure 11 is a rear perspective view showing a movable chain structure of the magazine shown in the preceding figures , viewed from the rear perspective of Figures 4 , 9 and 10 .

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view showing a detail of the movable chain structure shown in Figure 11 .

Figure 13 is a rear elevation view similar to Figure 10 , wherein the guide structure houses the movable chain structure with a piece of ammunition, and wherein the magazine internally contains a single piece of ammunition .

Figures 14 and 15 are , respectively, a magni fied perspective view and a magni fied top view showing a part of the magazine that contains the single piece of ammunition shown in Figure 13 . In such figures a part of the movable chain structure is visible , which is contained in the guide structure part and which supports the piece of ammunition.

Figure 16 is a further magnified partial view of the details of the movable chain structure as viewed in Figure 14.

For completeness' sake, the following is a list of alphanumerical references and names used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the abovesummarized drawings.

A. Piece of ammunition

Al . Front portion

A2. Projectile body

A3. Base

Ma. Tapered mating portion

Mb. Border mating portion

10. Turret

12. Artillery installation

14. Traversing mass

16. Oscillating mass

18. Weapon assembly

20. Cheeks

22. Barrel

24. Gun mount

100. Magazine

102. Frame

103. Inlet

104. Door

105. Outlet

106. Handles

108. Opening sensor

110. Guide structure

112. Guide path

112a. Front groove 112b. Back groove

114. Moving system

115a. Front support element

115b. Back support element

116a. Front plate assembly 116b. Back plate assembly

117. Motor

119. Transmission mechanism

118. Spacers

120 Movable chain structure 121a. Front gearwheels 121b. Back gearwheels 122a. Front chain 122b. Back chain 124. Rod members

126a. Flanged coupling portion

126b. Channeled coupling portion

128. Annular channel

130. Outer plates

132. Inner plates

134. Pins

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown as a whole a turret 10 containing an artillery installation 12. As will be described in further detail below, the artillery installation 12 includes a magazine 100, shown in Figure 3 et seq., which is made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Turret 10 is particularly suitable for installation on ships, typically on a deck. It may nevertheless be installed on terrestrial vehicles as well, e.g. on armoured vehicles such as tanks, and/or on aircraft and/or on fixed installations .

Artillery installation 12 is supported by and contained in turret 10 , and comprises a traversing mass ( or portion ) 14 , an oscillating mass ( or portion) 16 , and a weapon ass e mb 1 y 18 .

Traversing mass 14 is configured to be rotatably mounted and supported on a stationary support structure (not numbered) , so as to rotate about a substantially vertical traversing ( or azimuthal ) axis Z .

Oscillating mass 16 is rotatably supported by traversing mass 14 about an elevating axis Y, which is substantially hori zontal and perpendicular to vertical axis Z . In particular, in a per se known manner, typically traversing mass 14 and oscillating mass 16 are mutually assembled by means of a pair of cheeks 20 fixed to traversing mass 14 , whereon elevation bearings are mounted, particularly at elevating axis Y .

In its turn, weapon assembly 18 is supported by oscillating mass 16 . Weapon assembly 18 comprises a barrel 22 configured for firing pieces of ammunition A . In the illustrated embodiment , barrel 22 is an artillery gun, e . g . having a caliber of 30mm.

As is also visible in Figure 3 , oscillating mass 16 comprises a gun mount 24 that supports barrel 22 , in particular allowing it to be oriented about the traversing and elevating axes , in addition to permitting its recoiling motion .

As mentioned above and as particularly visible in Figure 3 , installation 12 comprises also a magazine 100 configured to contain a plurality of pieces of ammunition A to be fed to weapon assembly 18 , in particular in order to be fired through barrel 22 . In the embodiment illustrated herein, with particular reference to Figures 14 and 15, each piece of ammunition A comprises, in a per se known manner, a front portion Al, a projectile body A2 and a base A3.

Front portion Al comprises, at its end, a warhead having a (conical) shape suitable to reduce air resistance. In particular, front portion Al internally includes a fuse, e.g. in the warhead.

Projectile body A2 is situated centrally between front portion Al and base A3.

Base A3, constituting the rear end of piece of ammunition A, protrudes peripherally from projectile body A2.

Magazine 100 is configured for automatically moving the plurality of pieces of ammunition A. Moreover, as will be further described hereinafter, ammunition A contained in magazine 100 is, advantageously, of the linkless type.

Magazine 100 is supported by oscillating mass 16 and is operatively integral with the latter; in particular, magazine 100 is integrated into gun mount 24. Therefore, magazine 100 is separate and distinct from traversing mass 14. Furthermore, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 is located on top of oscillating mass 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, magazine 100 comprises a frame 102 configured for internally housing a plurality of pieces of ammunition A. Frame 102 comprises an inlet 103 configured for receiving pieces of ammunition A to be introduced into frame 102. In addition, with particular reference to Figures 9, 10 and 13, frame 102 comprises an outlet 105 configured for feeding pieces of ammunition A out of said frame 102 towards weapon assembly 18 of artillery installation 10. As can be unambiguously inferred from the above, inlet 103 and outlet 105 are separate and distinct from each other .

Furthermore , magazine 100 comprises a door 104 which can be opened relative to frame 102 , in particular being hinged thereto . Door 104 is suitably situated on top of frame 102 .

As is more clearly visible in Figure 6 , door 104 i s designed to allow the operator to gain access to inlet 103 through which ammunition A can be introduced into or removed from magazine 100 . In particular, door 104 can be rai sed from a closed position, shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 7 , to an open position, shown in Figure 6 . In the closed position, door 104 is lowered against frame 102 and prevents the operator from accessing inlet 103 . Vice versa, in the open position, door 104 is raised from frame 102 and allows the operator to gain access to inlet 103 of magazine 100 , so that pieces of ammunition A can be introduced or removed through inlet 103 .

In the illustrated embodiment, magazine 100 may comprise a locking device configured to prevent door 104 from unintentionally moving from the closed position to the open position . In particular, in the closed pos ition the locking device creates a repeatably removable and restorable mechanical constraint between door 104 and frame 102 . For example , the locking device may comprise a ( trans latable and/or rotatable ) latch associated with either one of frame 102 and door 104 . The latch can be moved by an operator into a position in which it mutually disengages frame 102 and door 104 , thereby allowing door 104 to be raised into the open position from the closed position . In the illustrated embodiment , the latch is provided with one or more gripping portions , in particular consisting of one or more handles 106 that can be gripped by the operator for moving the latch into the disengaged position - e . g . in the directions indicated by arrows in Figure 7 .

Preferably, with particular reference to Figure 8 , the locking device further comprises an opening sensor 108 , e . g . mounted on frame 102 , configured for detecting when door 104 is raised from the closed position to switch into the open position . In particular, when opening sensor 108 detects the open position of door 104 , it is configured for inhibiting the actuation of magazine 100 and/or of weapon assembly 18 . In the illustrated embodiment , opening sensor 108 is a mechanical one , e . g . a switch ( in particular, a microswitch) , e . g . capable of detecting the position of the above-described latch .

As mentioned above, according to the illustrated embodiment , magazine 100 provides an automatic system for loading linkless ammunition A, which will be described in detail below .

As is particularly visible in Figures 9 and 10 , frame

102 comprises a guide structure 110 situated between inlet

103 and outlet 105 . Guide structure 110 defines a guide path 112 and is configured to allow pieces of ammunition A to slide laterally along guide path 112 . In particular, guide path 112 lies in a plane which i s substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of ammunition A and, more particularly, also substantially perpendicular to the firing axis of barrel 22 .

In the illustrated embodiment , guide structure 110 is configured to allow such pieces of ammunition A to be moved within frame 102 of magazine 100 , in particular by traveling from inlet 103 to outlet 105 , and reach weapon assembly 18 . As shown in the drawings , outlet 105 is situated on a bottom side of frame 102 .

Also , as shown in Figures 3 to 6 , magazine 100 comprises a moving system 114 configured for transporting ammunition A along guide path 112 defined by guide structure 110 .

Preferably, guide path 112 defines a closed path and i s shaped substantially as a loop and/or a serpentine .

Guide structure 110 is configured to be crossed by an axially intermediate portion, e . g . proj ectile body A2 , of each piece of ammunition A intended to slide laterally along guide path 112 . Preferably, as will be further described hereinafter, guide structure 110 is also configured to support in abutment the axially intermediate portion o f pieces of ammunition A as they slide laterally .

As shown in particular in Figures 9- 10 and 14- 15 , guide structure 110 preferably comprises a pair of plate assemblies 116a-b, which are so shaped as to define guide path 112 . However, in other less preferable embodiments , it is also conceivable to employ j ust a single plate as sembly . Preferably, plate assemblies 116a-b support in abutment an axially intermediate portion, e . g . the proj ectile body, o f each piece of ammunition A positioned along guide path 112 .

In the illustrated embodiment, guide structure 110 comprises a front plate assembly 116a and a back plate assembly 116b facing and substantially parallel to each other . Guide path 112 is created by, in a front position, a front groove 112a defined by front plate assembly 116a and, in a rear position, a corresponding back groove 112b defined by back plate assembly 116b . On one side , each piece o f ammunition A is guided at the front , as it moves laterally in guide structure 110 , by the front groove 112a ; on the other side , each piece of ammunition A is guided at the rear, as it moves laterally in guide structure 110 , by back groove 112b . Guide grooves 112a-b are configured to be crossed by an axially intermediate portion - in particular, by proj ectile body A2 - of each piece of ammunition A and to be traveled, with a lateral sliding action, by each one of said pieces of ammunition A.

As aforementioned, and as clearly shown in Figure 14 , the axially intermediate portions of pieces of ammunition A are supported along guide path 112 by plate assemblies 116a- b, being in abutment therewith . In more detail , during the lateral sliding motion along guide path 112 , the axially intermediate portion of each piece of ammunition A is supported in abutment with plate assemblies 116a-b on the edges of guide grooves 112a-b . In the illustrated embodiment , front plate assembly 116a is in the foremost position, while back plate assembly 116b is in the rearmost position, such assemblies being at some distance from the ends of pieces o f ammunition A to be guided by them . In other words , piece of ammunition A crosses on one s ide , i . e . at the front , front plate assembly 116a and on the other side , i . e . at the rear , back plate assembly 116b . In the illustrated embodiment , as pieces of ammunition A travel along guide path 112 , front portion Al of each piece of ammunition will not slide against guide structure 110 and/or its plate assemblies 116a-b .

Furthermore , guide structure 110 comprises a plurality of spacers 118 , each one of them connecting, in the axial direction, front plate assembly 116a to back plate assembly 116b . In particular, spacers 118 comprise bars which are connected, at a front end thereof , to front plate as sembly 116a and, at a rear end thereof , to back plate assembly 116b .

As shown in Figures 11 and 12 , moving system 114 comprises a movable chain structure 120 which can be moved supported by frame 102 and which is configured for carrying and laterally pushing the plurality of pieces of ammunition A along guide path 112 . Moving system 114 further comprises a motor 117 (only visible in Figure 5 in the form of its output shaft ) , e . g . an electric motor, configured for generating mechanical power to be supplied to the movable chain structure 120 , and a transmission mechanism, designated as a whole by numeral 119 , configured for trans ferring the mechanical power generated by motor 117 to movable chain structure 120 .

Movable chain structure 120 is configured for receiving each one of pieces of ammunition A, and further comprises a pair of chains 122a-b supported by frame 102 and a plurality of rod members 124 that connect chains 122a-b in the axial direction . Rod members 124 axially cross guide structure 110 at guide path 112 . As will be further clari fied below, chains 122a-b are configured for axially holding, between themselves , each one of pieces of ammunition A. Likewise , each pair of successive rod members 124 is configured for laterally holding, on opposite sides , each piece o f ammunition .

In more detail , each one of the rod members 124 i s connected, at a front end thereof , to a link of front chain 122a and, at a rear end thereof , to a correspondingly aligned link of back chain 122b . In the illustrated embodiment , rod members 124 axially cross both grooves 112a-b defined by plate assemblies 116a-b .

Preferably, frame 102 comprises a pair of support elements 115a-b ( see , for example , Figures 3 to 6 ) situated on axially opposite sides relative to guide structure 110 . Each one of support elements 115a-b supports a respective chain 122a-b . More particularly, a front support element 115a supports front chain 122a and, respectively, a back support element 115b supports back chain 122b .

In the illustrated embodiment, front support element 115a is provided with a plurality of front gearwheels 121 a acting as idler elements for front chain 122a, while back support element 115b is provided with a plurality of back gearwheels 121b acting as idler elements for back chain 122b .

Figures 13 to 15 show guide structure 110 of frame 102 and movable chain structure 120 of moving system 114 , wherein, for explanation purposes , a single piece o f ammunition A is shown to be housed in magazine 100 .

In the illustrated embodiment , with reference to the axial direction, front chain 122a and associated front support element 115a are situated at the front beyond guide structure 110 , particularly beyond front plate assembly 116a . Vice versa, still with reference to the axial direction, back chain 122b and associated back support element 115b are situated at the rear beyond guide structure 110 , particularly beyond back plate assembly 116b .

Therefore , in the illustrated embodiment , each piece o f ammunition A to be contained in magazine 100 is configured to be inserted through inlet 103 situated at the top of frame 102 and be received between chains 122a-b and a pair o f successive rod members 124 .

In more detail , each pair of successive rod members 124 is configured for laterally and releasably coupling with a respective piece of ammunition A held between them .

Preferably, chains 122a-b are axially spaced from piece of ammunition A, when the pair of successive rod members 124 are laterally coupled with said piece of ammunition A. More speci fically, with particular reference to Figures 14 and 15 , front portion Al is configured to be received into movable chain structure 120 behind front chain 122a, without touching it. Furthermore, base A2 is configured to be received into movable chain structure 120 in front of back chain 122b, without touching it.

Preferably, each one of rod members 124 comprises one or more coupling portions, designated in the embodiment shown in Figure 15 as 126a and 126b. In more detail, each coupling portion 126a-b is configured for laterally coupling, e.g. by mechanical interference, with a respective mating portion Ma-Mb of a piece of ammunition A to be inserted into magazine 100.

Preferably, there is a flanged coupling portion 126a, e.g. situated in an axially intermediate position of each rod member 124. Each flanged coupling portion 126a is configured for coupling by laterally abutting against a side of a tapered mating portion Ma (e.g. of an axially intermediate portion or projectile body A2 ) of a respective piece of ammunition A. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment there is a channeled coupling portion 126b, e.g. situated in the vicinity of one end of each rod member 124. Channeled coupling portion 126b is configured for coupling by internally receiving a side of a border mating portion Mb (e.g. of the base A3) of the respective piece of ammunition A. For example, channeled coupling portion 126b is made as an annular channel 128 formed in rod member 124.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, each one of chains 122a-b is of the articulated type, wherein pairs of successive links are hinged to each other. In more detail, each link of chains 122a-b comprises, in a per se known manner, a pair of outer plates 130 parallel to each other and a respective pair of inner plates 132, also parallel to each other, situated between outer plates 130. Plates 130 and 132 have substantially the same pitch (or length) , and inner plates 132 are of fset by hal f pitch ( or hal f length) relative to outer plates 130 . Each link o f chains 122a-b further comprises a pair of pins 134 going through the pairs of plates 130 and 132 and allowing them to be hinged at their ends about their axes .

Preferably, each rod member 124 is mounted to a chain link at the hinging axis defined by pins 130 . As shown, rod members 124 can be positioned at predetermined distances along chains 122a-b, in particular corresponding to the length of a predefined number o f successive links , depending on the caliber of piece of ammunition A to be housed therebetween .

In the illustrated embodiment , therefore , when a piece of ammunition A has to be inserted through inlet 103 o f magazine 100 , door 104 can be moved from a closed position into an open position . In the closed position, door 104 prevents an operator from gaining access to movable chain structure 120 . Vice versa, when it is in the open position, door 104 allows an operator to gain access to movable chain structure 120 , in particular through inlet 103 . Subsequently, the operator inserts piece of ammunition A from above between two laterally consecutive rod members 124 . During the insertion operation, coupling portions 126a- b are brought into mechanical interference with mating portions Ma-b of piece of ammunition A. In this manner , through rod members 124 , a releasable coupling between movable chain structure 120 and piece of ammunition A i s accomplished . When movable chain structure 120 is moved, pieces of ammunition A coupled with rod members 124 are transported concordantly and integrally along guide path 112 . The coupling between movable chain structure 120 and piece of ammunition A and the subsequent transportation of piece of ammunition A along guide path 112 are accomplished without front portion Al undergoing any mechanical stress . This is advantageous because , typically, front portion Al includes the fuse of piece of ammunition A. Of course , without prej udice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non- limiting example , without however departing from the scope o f the invention as set out in the appended claims .

Claims

1. Magazine (100) for an artillery installation (10) , said magazine comprising: a frame (102) configured for internally housing a plurality of pieces of ammunition (A) and comprising, in turn, an inlet (103) configured for receiving said pieces of ammunition (A) to be introduced into said frame (102) , an outlet (105) configured for feeding said pieces of ammunition (A) out of said frame (102) , and a guide structure (110) , situated between said inlet (103) and said outlet (105) , which defines a guide path (112) and which is configured to allow said pieces of ammunition (A) to slide laterally along said guide path (112) ; and a moving system (114) comprising a movable chain structure (120) which can be moved supported by said frame (102) and which is configured for carrying and laterally pushing said pieces of ammunition (A) along said guide path (112) ; wherein said guide structure (110) is configured to be crossed by an axially intermediate portion of each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) intended to slide laterally along said guide path (112) ; and wherein said movable chain structure (120) is configured for receiving each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) and comprises a pair of chains (122-b) supported by the frame (102) and a plurality of rod members (124) that connect said chains (122a-b) in the axial direction and axially cross said guide structure (110) at said guide path (112) ; said chains (122a-b) being configured for axially holding, between themselves, each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) , and each pair of successive rod members (124) being configured for laterally holding, on opposite sides, each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) ; said magazine being characterized in that it further comprises a door (104) mounted movable relative to said frame (102) between an open position, in which said door (104) makes said movable chain structure (120) accessible to an operator through said inlet (103) for inserting said pieces of ammunition (A) into said magazine and/or removing said pieces of ammunition from said magazine, and a closed position, in which said door (104) makes said movable chain structure (120) inaccessible to an operator through said inlet (103) .

2. Magazine according to claim 1, wherein said door (104) is situated on top of the frame (102) .

3. Magazine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said door (104) is hinged to said frame (102) .

4. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said door (104) is lowered against said frame (102) in said closed position, thereby preventing an operator to gain access to said inlet (103) .

5. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said door (104) is raised from said frame (102) in said open position, thereby allowing an operator to gain access to said inlet (103) .

6. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking device (106, 108) configured for preventing any undesired movement of said door (104) between said open position and said closed position.

7. Magazine according to claim 6, wherein in said closed position said locking device (106, 108) creates a repeatably removable and restorable mechanical constraint between said door (104) and said frame (102) .

8. Magazine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said locking device (106, 108) may comprise a latch associated with either one of said frame (102) and said door (104) .

9. Magazine according to claim 8, wherein said latch is translatable and/or rotatable.

10. Magazine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said latch can be moved by an operator into a position where it disengages said frame (102) from said door (104) , thereby allowing said door (104) to be raised from said closed position to said open position.

11. Magazine according to claim 10, wherein said latch is provided with at least one gripping portion (106) which can be gripped by an operator in order to move said latch into the disengaged position.

12. Magazine according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein said locking device further comprises an opening sensor (108) configured for detecting when said door (104) moves from said closed position to said open position.

13. Magazine according to claim 12, wherein said opening sensor (108) is mounted on the frame (102) .

14. Magazine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said opening sensor (108) is configured for inhibiting the actuation of said magazine and/or of a weapon assembly (18) of said artillery installation (10) when said opening sensor (108) detects that said door (104) is in the open position.

15. Magazine according to claim 14, wherein said opening sensor (108) is of the mechanical type.

16. Magazine according to claim 15, wherein said opening sensor (108) is a switch.

17. Magazine according to claim 16, wherein said opening sensor (108) is a microswitch.

18. Magazine according to claim 16 or 17 when dependent on any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said switch or microswitch is configured to detect the position of said latch.

19. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide path (112) is substantially loop-shaped.

20. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide path (112) lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said pieces of ammunition (A) .

21. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide structure (110) comprises at least one plate assembly (116a-b) defining a respective guide groove (112a-b) forming said guide path (112) .

22. Magazine according to claim 21, wherein said guide groove (112a-b) is configured to be crossed by an axially intermediate portion of each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) and to be traveled, with a lateral sliding action, by each one of said pieces of ammunition (A) .

23. Magazine according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the guide structure (110) comprises a pair of plate assemblies (116a- b) facing and substantially parallel to each other, which define, respectively, a pair of guide grooves (112a-b) forming said guide path (112) .

24. Magazine according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said guide structure (110) comprises a plurality of spacers (118) axially connecting the plate assemblies (116a- b) .

25. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (102) comprises a pair of support elements (115a-b) situated on axially opposite sides relative to said guide structure (110) , each one of said support elements (115a-b) supporting a respective chain (122a-b) .

26. Magazine according to claim 25, wherein each support element (115a-b) comprises a plurality of idler elements (121a-b) that support each chain (122a-b) .

27. Magazine according to claim 26, wherein said idler elements are gearwheels (121a-b) rotatably supported by the respective support element (115a-b) and co-operating with the respective chain (122a-b) .

28. Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pair of successive rod members (124) is configured for laterally and releasably coupling with a respective piece of ammunition (A) held between said successive rod members (124) .

29. Magazine according to claim 28, wherein said chains (122a-b) are axially spaced apart from said piece of ammunition (A) when said pair of successive rod members (124) are laterally coupled with said piece of ammunition (A) .

30. Magazine according to claim 28 or 29, wherein each one of the rod members (124) comprises at least one coupling portion (126a, 126b) configured for laterally coupling, on one side, with a respective mating portion (Ma, Mb) of a respective piece of ammunition (A) .

31. Magazine according to claim 30, wherein said at least one coupling portion comprises a flanged coupling portion (126a) configured for laterally coupling with a side of a tapered mating portion (Ma) of a respective piece of ammunition (A) .

32. Magazine according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said at least one coupling portion comprises a channeled coupling portion (126b) configured for coupling by internally receiving a side of a border mating portion (Mb) of a respective piece of ammunition (A) .