US1148082A - Pneumatic ammunition-conveying apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

J. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC AMMUNITION CONVEYING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED IUIIE 30.1913.

1,148,082. Patented July 27, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

LOW

PREL/RE BLOWER NVENTOR.

fnlr A TTORNEY.

.|. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC AMMUNITION CONVEYING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30.1913. 1,148,082. Patented July 27, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC AMMUNITION CONVEYING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED IuNE ao, 1913.

1,148,082. Patented July 27, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

il.) ATTORNEY.

1. T. Cown-N. I

PNEUMATIC AMIVIUNITION CONVEYING SYSTEM. I

APPLICATION FILED .IUNE 30, |913.

1,148,082. Patented July 27, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

V/TNESSES: IVVENTOR.

t? www J My m BY VQQ/Ldk-l 15:1: ATTORNEY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE.

JAMES T. COWLEY, OF SCITUATE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON COM- PANY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PNEUMATIC AMMUNITION-CONVEYING SYSTEM.

Application filed June 30, 1913.

T0 all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES T. CowLEY, 'a citizen of the United States, residing at Scituate, in the -county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Ammunition-'Conveying Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a pneumatic ammunition `conveying system of that class used for conveying bot-h a projectile and powder or the like from the handling-room of a magazine to the guns, preferably through a single tube. Systems of this character comprise a tube or conduit through which the charge is pneumatically propelled from 'the handling-room to a point near the guns to be served; the tube being provided with a sending terminal at the magazine or handling-room end thereof, and having a delivery terminal preferably at its outer eX- tremity adjacent to the broadside or other guns to which the charge is to be delivered; the system also having means for admitting compressed air to vthe sending terminal behind the gcharge to Ibe conveyed.

The invention herein described relates more particularly to certain improvements in a system of this character whereby not only may a charge be expeditiously and safely despatched from the magazine, but further the removal thereof from the conveying apparatus by the operatives stationed at the delivery terminal Iis facilitated.

A further object of the invention is to control the progress of the charge during its advance through the tube, whereby to insure greater safety in handling the explosive materials conveyed and reduce injurious stresses, imposed upon the conveying apparatus while ythe charge is -in transit, substantially to a minimum.

It is further aimed herein to automatically separate the shells or projectiles from the cases containing the powder, or other explosive material, at the delivery terminal by means of such a simple and effective construction that the likelihood of the system becoming deranged at this point, as may happen when a considerable number of movable elements are involved in the separating means, is practically eliminated.

A further object vof the invention is to so construct `the delivery terminal that suc- Specficaton of Letters Patent.

Patented July 27, 1915.

Serial No. 776,500.

ceeding charges may follow each other through the tube relatively closely, this terminal having provisions whereby the powder case, for example, of a preceding charge 1s automatically removed from the path of the 'shell and `case of a succeeding charge. In like manner the shells are brought to rest 1n positions where they, like the powder cases, may be most easily removed from the apparatus, while at the same time a previously delivered shell automatically so D'ositions itself as not to be subject to injury by a succeeding shell, or vice versa.

These and other objects of my invention will be hereinafter more fully set forth and the novel elements and combinations of elements whereby said Iobjects may be attained will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings I have exemplified a preferred system of the type in question, together with a modification of the delivery terminal which, in certain cases, may be -used in lieu of the delivery terminal shown in the general assembly.

I am aware, however, -that lmany other changes and modifications may be made in the system without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I hence desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

In the several vfigures like characters of reference designate like parts.

Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a somewhat Idiagrammatic representation of the preferredsystem, viewed in elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section of the despatching valve shown adjacent the terminal in the lower part of Fi g. l; the section being taken in the plane of the paper. Fig. 3 is a detail 'transverse section taken on line III-III of Fig. l. Fig. @t is a similar section'taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation, partly in section, of the despatching terminal; pipe connections being herein shown which for convenience of illustration have been omitted from Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of the terminal shown in Fig. 5; the section being taken on line VI-VI. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the terminal cover in its closed position. Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on line VIII--VIII of Fig. Fig. 9 is a detail vertical transverse section taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 5. 11o

Fig. 10 is an elevation of the delivery terminal shown in Fig. 1, drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 11 is a plan view of said delivery terminal; a portion of the frame of the latter being broken away. Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse section of said terminal taken on line XII-XII of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an elevation ofa modified form of the delivery terminal. Fig. 14 is a plan of the same, and Fig. 15 is a transverse section taken on line XV-XV of Fig. 13.

The sending terminal has been broadly designated A and the transmission tube B leads therefrom to the delivery terminal C, the latter being preferably unprovided with a cover while the former has hinged at 14-1 to the body or casing 2 thereof, a cover 3. This casing is extended forwardly to provide a slightly concaved shelf 4 upon which the charge, consisting of the shell D and a powder case E together with the piston or pusher F, may be laid, preparatory to inserting it into the terminal. Suitably journaled above the casing 2 is a rock-shaft 5 which carries at one end an arm 6 and at the other a triangular member 7; a pair of links 8 respectively connecting the extremities of members 6 and 7 to the cover so that a pair of toggles are provided, adapted when the respective joints thereof are in aline- -ment to hold the cover firmly closed. Links 9 connect the third corner of the member 7 with the depending rod of a piston 10, reciprocably mounted in a cylinder 11, supported from a hollow upright 12 disposed at the forward end of terminal A. A high pressure supply pipe 13 is connected by pipes 14 and 15, and port 16 in the wall of the cylinder 11, with the space .in the latter below the piston when the latter is in its upper position, whereby the cover 3 is normally held open. The rear end of the terminal is closed by a suitable cap 17, an extension 18 of which supports the outer end of the shaft 5, and the forward end is normally closed by a gate-valve 19 which rides in grooves 20 in the upright 12. Valve 19 is pneumatically operated through the intermediacy of a piston 21 disposed in a cylinder 22 also 'carried by said upright; the chamber in the cylinder above the piston 21 being normally in communication with pipe 13 through a'pipe 23 and chamber 24 in the casing 25 of the despatching valve 26. The latter is preferably cupped to receive a spring 27 which tends to hold it in -its lower position in which pipes 13 and 23 are in free communicatiombut in which position also communication between pipe 13 and a pipe 28, leading to the upper end of cylinder 11, is cut off. A valve stem 29 extends upwardly from valve 26 through the cap 30 of casing 25, and to this cap is pivoted an operating lever 31 having a slotted connection with a head 32, pinned to the upper end of said stem 29. The lower end of this valve stem is preferably enlarged and extends downwardly as shown in Fig. 2; a groove 33 immediately below the valve being adapted for the reception of aplocking-pin 34 when the valve is in its lower position, while the lower extremity of the stem correspondingly may rest upon this pin when the valve is in substantially its uppermost position and when said pin is projected against the action of its spring 35 into the path of the valve stem, in the manner hereinafter described. Mounted upon a shaft 36 journaled in the casing 37 which supports the valve and locking-pin parts, is a latch 38, the free end of which is also adapted to be moved in, by a spring 39, under the lower extremity of the valve stem 29 when the valve is in its upper position; and a trip arm 40, keyed to this shaft projects down through a slot 41 in the tube B, when the latch is so disposed; as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. r1he rear end of spring 39 is affixed to a pivoted stop 42, which, when the stem 29 is located in its lower position, is pressed down by said stem against the action of the spring 39, while, when the stem is raised the free end of this stop engages latch 38 immediately below its in-bent free end and limits the inward movement of said latch.

Assuming now that a `charge has been placed within the body of the sending terminal, the pointed end of the shell D being nearest the transmission tube, the powder case E being directly behind the shell and the pusher F being to the rear of the powder case (the relative positions of these articles being shown in the portion of the tube broken away in Fig. 1). The lever is now thrown to the right, raising valve 26 and thereby closing communication between the pipe 13 and the space above the piston 21, while also exhausting the air in said space through the port 43 below said valve. Simultaneously air under pressure flows through pipe 2S into the recess 44 in the upper end of cylinder 11 and thence flows past the check valve 45 in the piston head; more than counterbalancing the pressure upon the under side of said piston since the air there* beneath, and any which enters through port 16, escapes through port 46 in the lower extremity of the cylinder and thence through a pipe 47 to the space above piston 21, which, as previously noted, is at such time in communication with the atmosphere via port 43. The descent of piston 10 closes and ultimately toggle-locks the cover 3; but the fall of the cover is checked by the cushion formed 'by the air trapped below this piston after it closes the port 46 by its passage thereover. /Vhen piston 10 has reached substantially its lowermost position, so that the cover is held securely closed, it uncovers ports 16, permitting the air entering cylinder 11 through pipe 28 to pass thence through pipe 15 to .a recess 48 in the bottom of cylinder 22 and past a check valve 49 into the space below piston 21; elevating the latter and thereby lifting the gate-valve 19.

The upright 12 is hollow and the conduit 50 therein receives air from a low pressure supply pipe 51; which conduit is at all times in communication with the tube B, through which a current of air normally always Hows in the direction indicated by the full line arrows.

The casing 52 which closes the forward side of conduit 50 near its lower end is shaped as shown in Figs. 5 and 9 to provide pockets 52", and the base of the upright 12 is cored out to form a U shaped channel 51 around the central circular opening 53 through which the charge emerges when gate-valve 19 is raised. Apertures 53 in the respective front side walls of the channel 51 provide for communication between conduit 50 and said channel; but air can only flow through these openings when the gate-valve 19 has been raised sufficiently to uncover openings 53'; laterally disposed ports 54 being provided in valve 19 for this purpose.

The low pressure air then flows through channel 51 and the conduit or duct 55 into the cavity 56 in the cap 17, and from thence into the terminal chamber to the rear of the charge, transmitting member or piston F; driving the latter together with the charge in front of it past the now fully opened valve 19 and into the tube B, toward the delivery terminal.

It may be here noted that the valve 26 had meanwhile been held in position to eff'ectthe actions above described by the inward movement of the latch or dog 38, the moment that the valve stem was elevated sufficiently to clear this member. Correspondingly the trip arm or lever 40 had been, at such time, rocked down some distance into the transmission tube.

The shell D is of relatively small diameter and reposes upon the bottom of the tube so that the top thereof clears this lever 40 by a considerable distance when driven forward through the tube. The powder case E, is also of smaller diameter than the inside of the tube and correspondingly clears lever 40. Piston F is, however, of substantially the same diameter as the inside of the tube and when it encounters lever 40, it raises the latter and thereby frees valve stem 29, which is immediately driven down by spring 27, closing port 43, opening pipe 2S again to the atmosphere; air escaping from the upper end of cylinder' 11 through this pipeand a port 57 in cap 30; while live air is again admitted to the upper end of cylinder 22 through pipe 23.

The air entering the lower part of cylinder 11 through pipe 15 can no longer escape and raises piston 10, breaking the toggles which lock cover 3 closed, and raising said cover preparatory to the insertion of a second charge.

In pipes 13, 14, 23, 2S and 47 are throttle valves 58, 59, 60, 61, (32 and 63 which serve to regulate the flow of air to the several parts to be actuated. Around the throttle 62, however, in pipe 28, is a by-pass 64 in which is a check valve G5, so that valve 62 does not oppose the free upward movement of piston 10 but does affect the speed of its downward or cover closing movement. As the cover is raised the piston 21 descends, closing the gate-valve 19; air being first admitted to the upper side of this piston past a check valve 65 while the air below the piston is driven back into the high pressure` line by the weight of said piston and valve 19.

It will be observed that piston 21 is cushioned by air trapped therebeneath when nearly at the end of its downward movement; ports through which the air below this piston escapes to pipes 15, 14 and 13, being located somewhat above the bottom of the piston when in its lowermost position, like the port 46 in cylinder 11.

In both cylinder 11 and cylinder 21, provision is made for insuring an adequate cushion of air below the respective pistons to check their downward movement. -To this end cylinder 22 has a port 67 therein, preferably above the level of the port 68 which opens into pipe 47; and a conduit leads from this port 67 to a recess in which is disposed a spring pressed check valve 69. When the piston 21 has descended just far enough to uncover port G7, the compressed air above the piston raises valve 69 and passing thence through port 70, temporarily equalizes the pressure upon the respective sides of the piston. Immediately after this, however, the piston covers port 70 and the air trapped below said piston, being already under considerable pressure, serves as an effective cushioning medium. 1n like manner cylinder 11 is provided with a port 67', valve 69 and port 70 which co-act with piston 10 to effect a like result. 1n both of these cylinders, also, air is admitted in augmented quantity as the respective pistons are being raised. For example, in cylinder 11, air first raises check valve 6G and therei after is more freely admitted when the piston successively uncovers ports 4G and 16.

Similarly when piston 21 is being raised, valve 49 first opens and thereafter the piston successively uncovers ports G8 and GS and reversely covers these ports, aiding in cushioning piston 21 when the latter descends.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the gate valve 19 is slotted at 71, partly for the purpose of clearing the boss in which valve-69 vis disposed and partly to afford a free passage of air from conduit 50 into the tube, at all times. It has further been found desirable, however, to provide a by-pass 72 in order to insure an adequate flow of air through tube B to propel a preceding charge while a succeeding charge is being despatched, and a throttle 73 in a diaphragm 74 located'inthis by-pass permits of the adjustment of this flow of air to anicety.

The trip actuated lock for the operating valve 26 providesl means for insuring the proper despatch of a charge from the despatching terminal before any further operation of the controlling or operating valve can be effected; so that after the cover has once been closed and the gate-valve opened, no change inthe position of these parts can occur until the trip is engaged by the piston or pusher of the charge being despatched, and both the projectile, or shell, and its powder case, which together constitute the charge proper, must obviously always be well within the tube before the pusher therebehind actuates the trip. lt is hence practically impossible to inadvertently close the gate-valve upon, let us say, the case of powder or other explosive material, which action might result disastrously. In addition, however, it has also been found desirable to insure a proper spacing of charges in transit without undue loss of time, as is the case whereone charge must be delivered to the receiving terminal before a second can be despatched. The means by which charges may be spaced apart while yet permitting a plurality of charges to be in course of transit simultaneously through the transV mission tube will accordingly now be described.

The locking-pin 34, above referred to, has mounted upon the forward or outer eXtremity thereof a piston 74 lwhich is reciprocable in a cylindrical pocket 75 in the casting 7 6 within which rides said pin 34. The spring 35 normally holds this piston and pin in their outermost positions; the pin being then clear of stem 29. The cylinder 7 5 has a head or cap 78 to which is attached a pipe 79 which leads into tube B a short distance beyond the trip casing 37. A second pipe 80, connects kthe inner end of cylinder 75 with a point 8l in the tube relatively remote from the despatching terminal.

When the air iiows freely through the tube the pressure therein is not suiicient to overcome the spring 35, but when a charge is being propelled from terminal A, as soon as its piston clears the mouth of pipe 79, .air under pressure sufhcient to compress spring 35 enters the chamber 82 ,within cap 78 and drives piston 74 together with pin 34 inwardly, which enters the point of the pin into groove 33; stem 29 being at such time in its lower position. Thereafter, until the piston F of the charge has passed the point 8l, the operating lever31 cannot be moved so that the cover 3 must remain open, preventing the despatch of a succeeding charge for a substantially determined interval of time. When, however, the first charge with its piston has passed this point, air under pressure is admitted to pipe 8O and counterbalances the pressure in chamber 82, enabling spring 35 to retract the pin and free the despatching valve. lf, by. any chance, immediately after the instant that the piston of a first charge operates the trip lever 40 releasing valve 26, said valve should be raised before the piston uncovers the mouth of pipe 79, then when pin 34 isdriven in by its piston 74, in manner aforesaid, it will latch up the valve stem by engaging the lower end thereof; holding valve 26 in position to maintain the cover closed until the charge passes point 8l inthe tube, after which the locking pin is automatically withdrawn, valve 26 descends and the cover 3 again opens.

Itis frequently necessary to provide relatively sharp bends in the transmission tube and to avoid unnecessary wear and tear upon' the apparatus means have been provided in such cases for reducing the speed of the charge as it approaches and while it traverses the bend. In the eXemplification shown in Fig.' I a `connection 83 consisting of a pair of clamping members or straps connected together by bolts, as shown in Fig. 3, is affixed to the tube B some distance below the bend 83 therein and a correspond` ing structure is mounted upon the tube immediately beyond this bend. The tube is perforated as at 34 at each of these points and one lof the straps is recessed as at 85 to aiford communication between a pipe 86, which is connected to this element, and the tube B, through these perforations.

Pipe 86 virtually forms a by-pass around the bend 83 whereby a certain amount of the air, to the rear of the piston propelling a charge up the tube, is able to escape around back into the tube ahead of the charge; thus materially reducing the propulsive effort exerted upon said piston. lt isv advisable to provide a throttle valve 87 or the like in this bypass 86 so as to provide means for adjusting the speed ofthe charge when passing around the bend.k As the charge approaches the delivery terminal C it is also desirable to again check the. speed thereof so that it may not enter the delivery terminal under too great momenf tum. To this end valve casings 83, of which any suitable number may be provided, are inserted in, or adjacent to, the bend 89 in the upper portion of the pipe. As shown in Fig. 4 these valves consist of tubular sections provided with flanges 90 to which the iianges of the adjacent pipe sections may be 'The opening 91 in the side of each of these sections is normally closed by a valve 93 which is held upon its seat by means of a suitable compression spring 94; the outer extremity of this spring bearing against the hub of a spider at the mouth of the aperture 91; and the other extremity of said spring bearing against the head of a bolt 96 which extends outwardly through the spider and valve. Outward movement of this valve may be adj ustably limited by means of a set-screw 9? mounted in a yoke 98 attached to the outer side of the flange of the spider.

@bviously the spring 94 may be given any desired tension by screwing down the nut of the bolt 96 and in practice it is desirable to have the spring of the valve 88, which is first encountered by a charge, under greater compression than that of the subsequently encountered valve; so that when passing the lower or first of these valves the air behind the pusher or piston of a given charge escapes only to a moderate extent; but immediately thereafter, as the piston passes over the grating 92 of the second valve, a much larger proportion of the compressed air escapes to the atmosphere; the charge hence being delivered smoothly and comparatively gently to the delivery terminal.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the preferred delivery terminal consists substantially of but a single member which comprises a semi-tubular portion 99 which is flared out at the under side thereof to form a sloping shelf 100. The shell D as it emerges from the tube B is guided around by the curved tubular portion 99 until the point thereof strikes a bumper 101 which is located in a nearly rectangular bend 102 in the more remote end of the portion 99. The shell, however, does not come to rest at this point owing to the slope of the shelf which sustains it; but rolls or swivels downwardly, the butt end moving through an arc of greater radius than the point of the shell until it ultimately comes to rest against the flange-like eX- tremity 103 of the portion 99. The shell may then be drawn end-wise out of the terminal as indicated by the shell shown in dotted lines and designated D.

1t is evident that if a succeeding shell D be delivered to the terminal before the preceding shell D has been removed therefrom, no harmful collision can result since shell D after it strikes the bumper 101 has ample time wherein to roll itself around against theflange- 103 beforethe succeeding shell encounters this bumper. Thereafter the shell D will merely roll around in like manner until it comes to rest in the terminal substantially side by side with the preceding shell Df; and if the latter be withdrawn shell D will then roll down into the position occupied by the shell just removed.

Projecting inwardly from the inner extremity of the semi-tubular portion 99 is a powder case bumper 104 which consistsV preferably of a cup. 105 within which is a spring 106, the inner extremity of which bears against the head of a bolt 107 which projects through the bottom of the cup and the extremity of which is shouldered and threaded for engagement with a nut 108 which holds it firmly in position in the terminal casing. The other extremity of the spring 106 bears against a suitable closure 109 for the cup 105.; which closure is recessed to firmly hold the bumper proper 104 therein.

Bumpers 101 and 104 may be of any suitable material which is reasonably resilient and which Should be adapted to withstand the rough usage to which these parts are subjected. As best shown in Fig. 12 the bumper 104 is disposed at a sufficient elevation within the terminal casing to enable a shell to pass freely thereunder; but since the powder cases are of greater diameter than the shells the forward extremity of the powder case of each charge will encounter the bumper 104 and be thereby substantially brought to rest; the case thereafter merely rolling down the inclined shelf until it encounters a flange 110. To insure the end of the powder case striking fairly upon the bumper 104 the interior of the semi-tubular portion is ribbed as at 111; this rib holding the powder cases out somewihat, away from the interior wall of the terminal, and bringing the centers of their forward ends nearly in alinement with the center of the bumper 104. The pusher behind the charge also rolls down the shelf and may be conveniently removed from the portion 112 thereof at which the powder cases are withdrawn.

The shelf is preferably of suflicient width to permit of at least one additional powder case being delivered against the bumper 104 after a preceding case has come to rest against the flange 110.

It will hence be seen that by means of a terminal' having practically no movable parts, if we disregard the bumper 104, the shells may be effectively separated from their accompanying powder cases, while owing to the peculiar construction of the terminal, successive charges may be delivered thereto and the shells and cases of such charges will be automatically so positioned as to eliminate possible injury thereto by succeeding charges.

In Figs. 13 14 and 15 I have shown a lau modification of this terminal which, like the former, comprises a semi-cylindrical portion 99 and a shelf 100'; the latter in the present instance being substantially horizontal rather than inclined. In the former case gravity was depended upon to cause the shells and powder cases to dispose themselves in positions from whence they could be conveniently removed. In the modilied terminal, however, the shell passes out of the tube B and continues on, by its momentum, over the floor of the shelf and beneath a shoe 113, the function of which will be hereinafter referredA to.

As shown in Fig. 13, a short downward slope in the surface of the otherwise horizontal shelf, occurs between the points 114 and 115 and the relatively slowly moving shell slides down this slope onto the flat portion 116 of the floor of the casing; the shell bringing up against a bumper 117 and being conveniently positioned for removal through the opening 118 between the bumper 117 and a short `flange 119.

Again, in this case as in the former, the diiierence in diameter of the shell and powder case is taken advantage of to effect a separation of one from the other, so that while the relatively small diametered and short shell is able to pass freely through the terminal until it comes to rest against its bumper at the outer extremity thereof, the relatively long and somewhat larger diametered powder case cannot tilt around the edge 114 to slide down the short incline, but remains horizontally disposed upon the floor of the terminal and slips under the shoe 113; which latter frictionally engages the upper side of the powder case until the forward end of said case impinges against a bumper 120. l

The under surface of the shoe 113 is arched and hence holds the powder case against lateral displacement. This shoe is yieldingly mounted upon a pair of arms 121; springs 122 being interposed'between the said arms and the heads of the bolts 123 which suspend the shoe from said arms. These arms are fixedly mounted upon a rock shaft 124 journaled in suitable brackets 125--125 upon the outside of the terminal casing; and kick-off arms 126, preferably integrally connected to the arms 121, extend downwardly and inwardly around the side of the casing as indicated in Fig. 15 so that the toes 127 of these members project into apertures 128 in the rear wall of said casing, but normally not through said apertures suiiieiently to impede the progress of a powder case therepast. A crank 129 mounted upon the inner end of the rock shaft 124 is connected by means of a link 130 with a foot lever or treadle 131 pivoted to the casing as at 132,.

When it is desiredto remove a powder case from the casing, which is preferably immediately after the arrival thereof, the operator pushes down the treadle 131 with his foot and thereby rocks the shaft 124,

raising the shoe 113 from the powder case and simultaneously projecting the toes 127 of the kick-0E levers through the apertures 123 and against the wall of the powder case, rolling it out of the path of travel of a succeeding case; the so displaced case coming to rest against the flange 119 in position for removal from the terminal.

A compression spring 133 normally urges the kick-off arms toward their outer position and this spring also serves to hold the shoe 113 in its caseeengaging position. Downward movement of the shoe is limited by the stops 134, on the arms 121.

The shoe 113, it will be noted, prevents the powder case from bouncing ofl" from the terminal shelf upon its arrival at the terminal and insures the delivery of the case by the kick-off mechanism at a delinite point.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: j

1. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tubel provided witha dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile of given dimensions and a mass of explosive material of different size from said projectile, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having provisions for separating the projectile from said explosive material by said difference in size.

2. In a pneumatic ammunition rconveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile of given dimensions and a mass of explosive material of different size from said projectile, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having provisions for separatingv thev projectile from said explosive material by said dilference in size, said separating provisions acting substantially independently of differences in weight of the parts separated.

3. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer,

a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, ka tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile of smaller Amass of explosive material of larger diameter than said projectile, may be conveyed,

and a delivery terminal having substantially stationary provisions for separating the projectile from said explosive material by said difference in diameters thereof.

5. In a pneumatioammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a pusher or piston, against Which pneumatic pressure is exerted, to propel said charge through the tube, and a delivery terminal having bumpers for separately stopping the projectile and explosive material at different points in said terminal, said projectile traversing a. longer path before encountering its bumper, after emerging from the tube, than said explosive material.

6. In al pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a pusher or piston, against Which pneumatic pressure is exerted, to propel said charge through the tube, and a delivery terminal having bumpers for separately stopping the projectile and explosive material at different points in said terminal, said projectile traversing a longer path before encounteringv its bumper, after emerging from the tube, than said explosive material, said delivery terminal having a curved surface for swerving said projectile toward its bumper.

7. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a pusher or piston, against which pneumatic pressure is exerted, to propel said charge through the tube, and a delivery terminal having bumpers at different levels for separately stopping the projectile and explosive material, the bumper for said material being located above the path of said projectile through said terminal.

S. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive n aterial. may be conveyed, a pusher or piston, against which pneumatic pressure is exerted, to propel said charge through the tube, and a delivery terminal having provisions for separating, according to size, the said projectile and mass of eX- plosive material.

9. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge. comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having a shelf of Width sulicient to permit of the emplacement thereon of a plurality of charges and provisions for separating the component parts of said charges, whereby the projectiles may be collected upon one portion of said shelf and the explosive material on another portion thereof.

10. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having provisions for separately rolling the said parts of a charge out of the path of a succeeding charge.

11. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having means for separately stopping the projectile and explosive material and provisions for automatically removing one at least of said parts of the charge from its stopping means.

1Q. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having provisions for swiveling one end of one of the parts of a charge laterally out of the path of the like part of a succeeding charge.

13. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and

delivery terminal having provisions for positioning side by side corresponding parts of a plurality of charges successively delivered to said delivery terminal.

14. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided ivith a dispatching terminal, a` tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having provisions for positioning side by side all corresponding parts of a plurality of charges successively delivered to said delivery terminal.

15. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having means for supporting the component parts of a plurality of charges and provisions for asserting and disposing said parts separately upon said supporting means.

16. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube ju'ovidod with a dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of yexplosive material, may be conveyed, and a delivery terminal having means for supporting the component parts of a charge substantially out of the path of a succeeding charge and provisions for asserting said parts and separately disposing them upon said supporting means.

17. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dispatching terminal, a tube 'through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a delivery terminal adapted to separately arrest the component parts of said charge, means for creating a charge-transmitting flow of air through said tube, said tube having a bend therein, and means for reducing the speed of the charge When traversing said bend. l

18. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube provided With a dis patching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a delivery terminal adapted to separately arrest the component parts of said charge, means for creating a charge-transmitting flouT of air through said tube, said tube having a bend therein, and means for reducing the speed of the charge When traversing said bend, said last mentioned means having provisions for regulating said speed.

19. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer,

a transmission tube provided With aV dispatching terminal, a tube through which a charge, comprising a projectile and a mass of explosive material, may be conveyed, a delivery terminal adapted to separately arrest the component parts of said charge, means for creating a charge transmitting flow of air through said tube, said tube having a bend therein, and means including a by-pass for reducing the speed of the charge when traversing said bend.

20. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a delivery terminal adapted to receive and hold a plurality of charges each consisting of a projectile and explosive material therefor, a tube for conveying said charges to said delivery terminal, a dispatching terminal for introducing charges into said tube, means for insuring a proper spacing of charges traversing said tube at the same time, and pushers distinct from said charges and adapted to be driven through said tube by air pressure, for propelling the charges.

21. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a delivery terminal adapted to receive and hold portions at least of charges each consisting of a projectile and explosive material therefor, a tube for conveying said charges to said delivery terminal, a despatching terminal having a cover, means for actuating l said cover, and means for controlling said cover-'actuated means, said controlling means being subject to the movement of a charge through said tube avvay from said despatching terminal and includ` ing an operative connection at a point along the length of the tube a determined distance from said despatching terminal, said controlling means also having a locking part adapted to be moved into its unlocking position only after a despatched charge has passed said point.

22. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a delivery terminal adapted to receive charges each consisting of a projectile and explosive material therefor, a tube for conveying said charges to said delivery terminal, a pusher for propelling a charge through said tube and a despatching terminal having means for rendering it operative and provided With a part adapted for movement into the path of said pusher, said part When so positioned being out of the path of the charge pro# pelled by said pusher and adapted to prevent effective actuation of said means.

23. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a delivery terminal adapted to receive charges each consisting of a projectile and explosive material therefor, a tube for conveying said' charges to said delivery' terminal, a pusher for propelling a charge through said tube and a despatching terminal having means for rendering it operative and provided With a part adapted for movement into the path of said pusher, said part When so positioned being out of the path of the charge propelled by said pusher and adapted to prevent effective actuation of said means, said means When operated co-acting with said part to position the latter in the path of the pusher preparatory to its displacement therefrom by said pusher.

2,4. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal therefor, a pusher for propelling charges through said tube ahead of said pusher, said charges being of less diameter than said pusher, and means, a part of Which is substantially in the path of said pusher While the latter is traversing said tube, for controlling said terminal to prevent a re-actuation thereof until said pusher reaches said part, said charges being adapted to operatively clear said part, whereby the pusher alone actuates the latter.

25. In a pneumatic conveyer, a delivery terminal, a transmission tube normally freely open at said delivery terminal, a despatching terminal having a cover and mechanism for closing the entrance to said tube separately from said cover, and controlling devices for said despatching terminal cover and tube closing mechanism, comprising means for preventing re-actu ation of said mechanism after the entrance of a charge into said tube until said charge vhas traversed a determined portion thereof,

said portion being less than the entire length of the tube, ,and said cover permitting of the emplacement of a second charge in said terminal While the first charge is traversing said portion of said tube.

26. In a pneumatic conveyer, a delivery terminal, a transmission tube through which a current of air normally flows, a despatching terminal having mechanism for directing said current of air therethrough for the despatch of a charge, and means for limiting the flow of said current of air-through said despatching terminal to a substantially determined period of time after said charge emerges therefrom, said current thereafter resuming its normal course. v

27. In a pneumatic ammunition conveyer, a despatching terminal, a transmission tube, a source of low pressure air for propelling charges of ammunition through said tube, an operating mechanism for said terminal, a source of high pressure fluid for actuating said mechanism, and means for controlling said 'high pressure fluid and thereby said mechanism, said operating mechanism including a part, actuable by said high pressure fluid, for controlling the flow of said low pressure air through said terminal.

28. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a despatching terminal, a transmission tube, and means for controlling the despatch of a body of material to be transmitted from said terminal, said means including mechanism for preventing the despatch of a succeeding body of material until the preceding 'material has traversed the transmission tube a determined distance, and auxiliary mechanism for preventing actuation of said means in any oase until a charge being despatched has left said terminal.

29. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal having means for closing the entrance to said tube, mechanism for rendering said terminal operative for the despatch of a body of material to be transmitted through said tube and for inoperatively positioning said tube-closing means, said mechanism having provisions for preventing a re-actuation thereof, after being once operated, until the despatch material has passed said tube-closing means, and means-for preventing a reactuation of said mechanism until after the lapse of a substantially determined period subsequent to the despatch of a preceding body of material.

30. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal having means for closing the entrance to said tube, mechanism for rendering said terminal operative for the despatch of a body of material to be transmitted through said tube and for inoperatively positioning said tube-closing means, said mechanism having provisions for preventing a re-actuation thereof, after being once operated, until the despatched material has passed said tubeclosing means, and pneumatically controlled means for preventing a re-actuation of said mechanism until after the lapse of a substantially determined period subsequent to the1 despatch of a preceding body of materia 31. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a despatching terminal, a transmission tube, mechanism for rendering said terminal operative for the despatch of material to be transmitted, controlling means for said mechanism, la transmitting member adapted tocarry said material through said tube and a locking device for said controlling means having operative connections With said tube and adapted to be rendered operative by the passage of said transmitting member past a determined point in said tube and to become inoperative after the passage of said member past a second point in said tube.

32. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a delivery terminal, a despatching terminal, a transmission tube lconnecting said terminals, mechanism for rendering said despatching terminal operative for the despatch of material, controlling means for said mechanism, a transmitting member adapted to carry` said material through said tube, and a latch for locking a part of said controlling means in position to maintain the parts of said despatching terminal in the positions into Which they Were moved when despatching said member, said latch adapted to be tripped by said transmitting member as the latter is propelled toward said delivery terminal.

83. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal therefor having a valve for controlling the flow of air through said terminal, a transmitting member adapted to carry material through said tube, and power actuated mechanism for controlling the movements of said valve, said mechanism having a controlling part, a plurality of looking members for said part and provisions for separately actuating said locking members by the passage of said transmitting member past successive spaced points in said tube.

34. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal having a cover and a gate adapted to close the entrance to said tube, mechanism for opening and closing said cover, said mechanism including toggle connections to said cover adapted to lock the same closed, and means for automatically opening said gate after said cover has been substantially closed by its said connections.

35. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal having a gate adapted to close the entrance to said tube, mechanism for opening said a transmitting member adapted to carry material through said tube, meanscontrolled by said member for setting said mechanism to close said gate, and means, alsov controlled by said member, for normally preventing the Vre-opening of said gate by said mechanism until said member has traveled a determined distance through said tube. v

36. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a transmission tube, a despatching terminal having a cover and agate adapted to close the entrance tov said tube, said coverbeing normally open and said gate closed, -mech anism for closing said cover and opening said'gate, a transmitting member adapted to carry material through said tube, Vand means controlled by said member for setting said mechanism to 'close said gate and reopen said cover after the despatch of said member. Y

37. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a

transmission tube, a despatohing terminaly Y having a cover and a gate' adapted to closeV the entrance to said tube, said coverV being normally open and said gate closed, mechanism for closing said4 cover and opening said gate, a transmitting member adapted Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve rrcents each, by addressingthe Washington, D. G.

to carry material through said tube, means Ycontrolled by said member for setting said mechanism to close said gate and re-open said cover after the despatch of said member, and means, also controlled by said mem-V ber, for normally preventing the despatch of a second of said transmitting members from said terminal until after the rst'member has `traveled a determined distance through said tube.

38. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a despatching terminal, a transmission tube, power actuated mechanism for operatively displacing a part of said terminal 'for the despatch offcarriers'there-rom, said mechanism having a controlling part, means, operable by pneumaticpressure in a part of said tube, for lockingsaid controlling part against movement, and co-acting means,rop

erable by pneumatic pressure in another part of said tube forV releasing said controlling part. v

signature, in the lpresence of two witnesses.

' JAMES T. COWIJEY.

Witnesses: 1

C. S. JENNINGS,

' Commissioner of Patents.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my`

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