FR3062905A1 - CONTAINER FOR ADDITIONAL LOADING OF LARGE SIZE AMMUNITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for additional load (16) of a large caliber munition comprising: - an outer casing (2) in the form of a shell closed by a cover (6) and having a necking (14), - an inner casing (17) consisting of two half-shells conforming generally to the external shape of said additional load (16) and inserted into the outer casing (2), characterized in that it comprises a shim front (20) having a frustoconical front end (22) interposed between said additional load (16), said inner casing being extended by a transverse wall (18), and intended to cooperate with the necking (14) of the casing external (2).

Description

© Publication number: 3,062,905 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 17 70148 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE

©) Int Cl ⁸ : F42 B 39/00 (2017.01), F42 B 39/22

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 16.02.17. © Applicant (s): TIAG INDUSTRIES - FR. (30) Priority: ©) Inventor (s): CAPITANI GILLES. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 17.08.18 Bulletin 18/33. (56) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet @) References to other national documents ©) Holder (s): TIAG INDUSTRIES. related: ©) Extension request (s): ©) Agent (s): CABINET CELANIE Company by simplified actions.

FR 3 062 905 - A1 (□ 4) CONTAINER FOR ADDITIONAL LOADING AMMUNITION OF LARGE CALIBER.

The invention relates to a container (1) for additional load (16) of a large caliber ammunition comprising:

- an external envelope (2) in the form of a shell closed by a cover (6) and comprising a necking (14),

- an internal envelope (17) consisting of two half-shells generally taking the external shape of said additional load (16) and inserted into the external envelope (2), characterized in that it comprises a front wedge (20) comprising an end front (22) of frustoconical shape interposed between said additional load (16), said internal envelope being extended by a transverse wall (18), and intended to cooperate with the necking (14) of the external envelope (2).

i

The technical sector of the present invention is that of containers for large caliber ammunition, and more particularly containers for additional loads of large caliber ammunition.

Large caliber ammunition is characterized by a large size because its mass is high (up to about 30 kg) and its length is long (about 1 meter). These ammunitions consist of a projectile and possibly a cartridge case, fixed or not on the projectile, these ammunition possibly being supplemented by an additional charge. The projectiles can in particular be arrow projectiles, projectiles with hollow charge, incendiary projectiles or also training projectiles. It is understood that these munitions and their additional charge are awkward to handle and must be protected. Current protections generally consist of containers incorporating means for wedging the ammunition.

US Pat. No. 4,762,222 describes a container for arrow munition comprising an internal tube inside which the front part of the ammunition is held by a wedge.

The patent US Pat. No. 6,357,582 is also known, describing an arrow munition in which the arrow projectile is immobilized by a bucket resting on the shoe.

FR-2724718 discloses a large caliber ammunition container intended to remedy the drawbacks previously mentioned in the form of a closed envelope.

We also know the patent FR-2884909 describing a container for hollow charge ammunition in which the projectile is immobilized radially by a wedge bearing on an internal envelope and longitudinally by a head wedge.

In all these documents, there is never mention of a container for additional charge of large caliber ammunition and even less of a container having means making it possible to immobilize an additional charge radially and longitudinally.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a container of simple design, protecting an additional load of a large caliber ammunition against severe stresses and ensuring its blocking in both directions while allowing its extraction instantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to propose a container which comprises an external envelope of polyvalent structure which can integrate either a large caliber ammunition, or an additional charge of a large caliber ammunition.

The subject of the invention is therefore a container for additional charge of a large caliber ammunition comprising:

- an external envelope in the form of a shell closed by a cover,

an internal envelope made up of two half-shells generally taking on the external shape of said additional load and inserted into the external envelope, characterized in that the external envelope comprises a necking, a front wedge comprising a front end of frustoconical shape interposed between said additional charge inserted in the internal envelope, said internal envelope being extended by a transverse wall, the front wedge being intended to cooperate with the necking of the external envelope.

According to a characteristic of the container according to the invention, the necking of the external envelope has a part of frustoconical shape complementary to that of the front end of the front wedge.

According to another characteristic of the container according to the invention, the internal envelope is open at its rear part and is extended by a rear wedge applied against the rear end of the additional load.

Advantageously, the external envelope is closed by a cover bearing against the rear wedge.

The invention also relates to a device for assembling at least one container of additional charge of a large caliber ammunition as described above with at least one container of large caliber ammunition, characterized in that said device 'assembly is a flange providing a gap between the containers.

According to a characteristic of the assembly device according to the invention, the flange consists of two half-ribs enclosing each container around a diameter.

According to another characteristic of the assembly device according to the invention, the additional load container and the large caliber ammunition container each have at least two smooth surfaces at a distance from each other on each of which the half-flanges are positioned.

A very first advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the additional forces exerted are transmitted to the front longitudinally and by the load the external envelope, to the wedge laterally and also to the internal envelope during falls in order to provide a higher breaking strength.

Another advantage of the present invention lies in the total immobilization of the additional load with respect to the internal envelope and the external envelope.

Yet another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that a large caliber ammunition as well as the associated additional load can be packaged in two containers having an identical versatile external envelope. This reduces the costs associated with the production of the outer casings. A single mold of external envelope is necessary and makes it possible to condition the ammunition and its additional charge each in an identical external envelope.

Yet another advantage of the present invention lies in the device for assembling the two containers. The flange which allows this assembly saves a free space between the containers and allows an easy and unconstrained opening of the lid. Thus, large caliber ammunition and its additional charge are easily and quickly extracted from their containers. This type of conditioning makes it possible to obtain high rate of fire when using large caliber weapons.

Other characteristics, advantages and details of the invention will be better understood on reading the additional description which follows of embodiments given by way of example in relation to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the container according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the various internal components of the container of additional charge for large caliber ammunition,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the container fitted with an additional charge of large caliber ammunition,

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device for assembling two containers, and

- Figure 5 is a top view of two containers assembled using a flange.

The invention will now be described in more detail. In the description which follows, there will be described a container containing an additional charge of a large caliber ammunition. We will also describe a double container in which two independent containers are assembled using a flange.

This embodiment of the invention makes it possible in particular to assemble two multipurpose containers, one of which contains large caliber ammunition and the other its additional charge. Indeed, in certain firing configurations, it is necessary to have an additional charge so as to enlarge the perimeter of action of the ammunition by increasing the range.

This is why the invention relates not only to a container of additional charge of large caliber ammunition but also to a set of a container of large caliber ammunition and of a container of additional charge of large caliber ammunition.

It goes without saying that the invention also makes it possible to assemble two containers each containing a large caliber ammunition or an additional charge. It also goes without saying that a marking is applied to one or other of the containers for identification purposes.

In Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a container 1 which may contain an additional charge 16 of large caliber ammunition or large caliber ammunition.

Said container 1 consists of an external envelope 2, the front end 3 of which is provided with a first operating handle 4 and the rear end 5 of which is closed by a cover 6 provided with a second operating handle 7.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the external envelope 2 of the container 1 is provided on the visible face with bosses 8 and 9 and grooves 10 and 11 separated respectively by smooth surfaces 12 and 13. It goes without saying that the bosses 8 and 9 are aligned on the same generator. On the opposite face, not visible in Figure 1, there are bosses and grooves of complementary shape allowing when stacking the containers 1 to ensure their positioning.

The design of such a container makes it possible to reinforce its resistance and thus maintain the integrity of the additional load which it contains, for example during a fall flat. The bosses 8 and 9 associated with the crests of the grooves 10 and 11 constitute shock absorption surfaces.

In addition, the elongated shape of the front end 3 of the outer casing 2 allows by deformation to absorb the shocks of the container 1 during a fall on the tip. These forms, combined with high molecular weight polyolefin materials, allow exceptional shock absorption.

In FIG. 1, it can also be seen that the front end 3 of the container 1 is separated from the body of the container 1 by a neck 14 delimiting a frustoconical wall 15, slightly visible in FIG. 1, the advantage of which will be explained below.

In Figure 2, there is shown an exploded view of the elements intended to be integrated in the container 1 of additional load. There is an additional charge 16 capped by an internal envelope 17 consisting of two half-shells 17a and 17b, the front end of which delimits a transverse wall 18 and the rear end of which is open. The internal envelope 17 generally follows the shape of the additional load 16 and is intended to be inserted in the external envelope 2.

It can also be seen that the internal envelope 17 has recesses 19a and bumps 19b which make it possible to absorb the impacts at the load level when the container falls flat. The bumps 19b are intended to bear against the internal wall of the external envelope 2 and thus limit the rotational movements of the additional load 16.

In FIG. 2, it can also be seen that the internal envelope 17 is extended at the front by the transverse wall 18 against which the additional load 16 abuts.

In FIG. 2, a front wedge 20 is also distinguished, the rear end 21 of which is intended to come into abutment against the transverse wall 18 of the internal envelope 17. The front end 22 is of frustoconical shape and is intended to cooperate with the frustoconical wall 15 of the external envelope 2. In this way, the frustoconical wall 15 delimited by the neck 14 of the external envelope 2 of the container 1, which is of shape complementary to that of the front end 22 of the wedge before 20, and which constitutes a stop for it preventing any longitudinal translation of the additional load 16 regardless of the direction.

FIG. 2 also shows the cover 6 comprising the second operating handle 7 and fitted with a rear wedge 23 intended to come into abutment against the rear part 24 of the additional load 16.

In FIG. 2, it can also be seen that the rear wedge 23 is fixed to the cover 6 and comes into close abutment against the rear part of 24 of the additional load 16 when the cover 6 is screwed on.

In Figure 3, there is shown a longitudinal section of the container 1 equipped with the additional load 16. The outer casing 2 of the container 1 is made in one piece obtained by molding (for example extrusion blow molding, injection) of materials plastics such as high density high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene copolymer.

In FIG. 3, the external envelope 2 is seen in which the front shim 20 is introduced then the additional load 16 disposed in the internal envelope 17. It can be seen that the front part 22 of the front shim 20 bears against the frustoconical wall 15 of the external envelope

2. In this way, the additional load 16 is maintained in the internal envelope 17. It is immobilized in translation by the cooperation of the frustoconical wall 1a with the cooperation part of front 22 of the front wedge 20 and by the transverse wall 18 of the inner casing 17 and the rear end 21 of the front wedge 20.

In FIG. 3, it can also be seen that the maintenance of the additional load 16 is completed by a rear wedge 23 which is applied intimately against the rear part 24 of the additional load 16 when the cover 6 is screwed on.

The container 1 according to the invention makes it possible to quickly and easily extract the additional charge 16 and therefore to have a very high rate of fire. Indeed, the open rear end of the internal envelope 17 offers immediate accessibility. Just unscrew the cover 6 the rear shim 23 to take the load

16. Advantageously, the rear end of the internal casing 17 can be provided with straps which further facilitate the extraction of the additional load 16.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the device for assembling two containers 1a and 1b. Only the references useful for a good understanding of the device are mentioned.

There are two containers 1a and 1b of identical structure as well as flanges 25 made up of two demibrids 25a and 25b which are also identical and complementary. Each half-flange 25a or 25b has two contact surfaces 26 and 27 of concave shape, generally matching the smooth surfaces 12 or 13 of each of these two. These half-flanges come into intimate contact with the smooth surfaces 12 or 13 of the respective outer envelope 2 of the two containers 1a and 1b. Therefore, the and to remove additional form of containers meeting two half-flanges 25a and 25b around a smooth surface 12 or 13 of two containers la and lb allows to assemble said containers to form a structure composed of two containers.

The joining of the two half-flanges 25a and 25b of a flange 25 is carried out using snap-on connecting means known in the art. To ensure good stability of the structure, two flanges are generally put in place as shown in the figure.

It can also be seen in FIG. 4 that the two contact surfaces 26 and 27 of the same half-flange 25a or 25b are joined together by a protuberance 29, the advantage of which will be explained below.

In Figure 5, there is shown a top view of two containers assembled using a flange 25. When assembling the half-flanges 25a and 25b of a flange, the protrusions 29 of each half flange 25a or 25b are in contact with one another and thus delimit a free space 30 between the two containers 1a and 1b.

This free space 30 and the protuberances 29 play a very important role in the opening of the cover 6 because this makes it possible to avoid any contact between the containers 1a and 1b and therefore to eliminate the friction zones between two adjacent covers 6. This free space thus makes it possible to ensure the unscrewing of said covers 6 and the opening of the containers 1a and 1b.

The flange therefore has a double objective because it allows two containers to be brought together, one of which contains, for example a large caliber ammunition and the other its additional load. The flange also allows good handling of the covers 6. It is essential on a battlefield to be able to quickly and easily dispose of large caliber ammunition and its additional charge.

Claims (8)

1. Container (1) for additional load (16) of a large caliber ammunition comprising: - an outer casing (2) in the form of a shell closed by a cover (6), - an internal envelope (17) made up of two half-shells (17a, 17b) taking overall shape of the external shape of said additional load (16) and inserted in the external envelope (2), characterized in that the external envelope (2) comprises a neck (14), a front wedge (20) comprising a front end (22) of frustoconical shape interposed between the external envelope and said additional load (16) inserted in the internal envelope (17), said internal envelope being extended by a transverse wall (18), the front wedge (20) being intended to cooperate with the necking (14) of the external envelope (2). 2. Container (1) for additional charge (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the neck (14) of the outer casing (2) has a part of frustoconical shape complementary to that from the front end (22) of the front wedge (20). 3. Container (1) for additional charge (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the internal casing (17) is open at its rear part and is extended by a rear wedge (23) applied against the rear end (24) of the additional load (16). 4. Container (1) for additional charge (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer casing (2) is closed by a cover (6) bearing against the rear wedge ( 23). 5. Container (1) for additional charge (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is assembled with at least one container (lb) of large caliber ammunition to using a flange (25) providing a gap between the containers. 6. Container (1) for additional charge (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to claim 5, characterized in that the flange (25) consists of two 5 half-flanges (25a, 25b) enclosing each container around a diameter. 7. Container (1) for additional load (16) of a large caliber ammunition according to claim 5, characterized in that the load container (la) 10 additional (16) and the container (lb) of large caliber ammunition each have at least two smooth surfaces (12, 13) at a distance from each other on each of which the half-flanges (25a, 25b) are positioned. ^Fi 9-2? 8