US2473716A

US2473716A - Flexible ammunition chute

Info

Publication number: US2473716A
Application number: US488384A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard B Lewis; Glen M Larson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-05-25
Filing date: 1943-05-25
Publication date: 1949-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1966-06-21

Description

June 21, 1949. 1- w1s AL 2,473,716

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Filed May 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet i 4 15 we! 22 25 W L 2s0/v,

INVENTORS ATTORNEY.-

GLEN 111.

June 21,1949. H, B, LEWIS ETAL 2,473,716

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Filed May 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i U m [1 [JUL (1 0 W L1" 0 I 25" 23 .Z/M/AQD BLEW/s,

GAE/v.44. LAQso/v,

INVENTOR5 J0 BY ATTORNEY.

Patented June 21,1949

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Howard B. Lewis, Venice, and Glen M. Larson, Hollywood, Calif.

Application May 25, 1943, Serial No. 488,384

16 Claims.

This invention relates to flexible ammunition chutes for the supply of ammunition such as cartridges from fixed containers, that is ammunition boxes, to movable firearms such as machine guns, turret guns and the like.

Guns of the type referred to are flexible in their movement during operation as well as flexible in position, consequently it is desirable to have ammunition chutes which may adapt themselves to the various changing positions of the gun and breech of the same to which the ammunition chute is attached. This flexibility of the chute is extremely desirable as ordinarily the ammunition box while adjacent the gun is not in fixed relation thereto. In some cases with various small arms the ammunition box is attached to the gun but with the increase in caliber and size of ammunition it has now become objectionable to mount the ammunition box on the gun itself due to the size and weight of the box of ammunition.

It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible ammunition chute of the class described which has a maximum flexibility, minimum weight and which aiiords a minimum of resistance to the flow of ammunition through the chute.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an ammunition chute of the character described to provide a chute which may be readily taken apart to remove damaged portions and also for the purpose of varying the length of the chute as occasion may require. To attain this object the chute is preferably made up of a series of links arranged transversely of the length of the chute, the links being secured to each other in such a manner as to allow a predetermined relative movement between the links, flexibility of the chute when assembled and at the same time so arranged that the links may be readily attached or detached from each other.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter from the following description and the drawings, it being understood that the ammunition chute illustrated embodies a preferred form of our invention but that the invention is not limited to the particular structure of the links and associated parts shown. Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only- Fig. 1 is a face view of a series of links forming a part of the ammunition chute, the links being shown in extended position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the links in collapsed position;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3--3 A? O1 Flg. 1,

Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a face view of a metal strip on which the lint-rs are formed, the portion at the left of the figure showing the strip and the portion at the right showing the tabs bent over the body of the link to form hooks hereinafter more par- Fig. 9 is a face view of a series of links forming a modified form of ammunition chute;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line l0lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of two adjacent links and illustrating the manner of disconnecting the links;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the chute connected at one end to the ammunition box and at the other to the breech of a gun.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, each link E5 of the chute is formed from a thin metal blank or strip indicated at l6 (see Fig. 5). Formed on this blank is a series of double eye members indicated at I! having arranged therebetween single eye members indicated at l8. Formed on the blank and extending oppositely therefrom with relation to the eye members is a series of tabs indicated at l9. The central portion of the blank is depressed or deformed as indicated at 28 thereby forming a bridge hereinafter more particularly referred to. As shown in the right hand portion of Fig. 5 the next step in forming the link consists in bending the tabs l9 over the blank thereby forming hooks indicated at 2 L When the hooks have been bent or formed on the blank as just described the ends of the blank are folded or bent into the form shown in Fig. 8. The two ends of the blank form U-shaped' members connected by means of the bridge 29. Formed on sheets 22 of thin spring material are a plurality of leaves 23 which are extensive enough to cover the double eyes of the blank. Between each of the leaves 23 is a leaf 24 which is extensive enough to cover the single eye. The sheets 22 are bent to conform to the interior of the U-shaped members. and are then secured to the blank by means of spot welding as indicated at 25.

It is to be noted that the blank between the eye members is depressed as indicated at 26 thereby forming together with the leaf members pockets indicated at 21.

After each individual link has been formed, as above described, the links are assembled by inserting the eye members, of one linkinto the pocket 21. of the next link until the ends of the eye members of one link have passed the books on the next link as is best illustrated in Fig. 4, the eye members being inserted between the hooks and the leaf member of the respctiv links and when so inserted the eye members are engaged by the hooks as illustrated.

When so assembled the leaves en one link overlap the leaves on the next link thereby forming a smooth unobstructed friction surface or track engaged by the ammunition and affording a free flow o f ammunition through the chute in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4,

1 1 8 nksmay be. taken apart as illustrated in Fig. 11 by collapsing the chute into the position indicated in Fig. 2 and by the insertion of a small fiat tool 29 in one of the eyes or openings 30 in the links into engagement with the end of the eye member and depressing such end until it is. free of its associated hook, it being understood that the leaves are sufiiciently yieldable to per mil; suchdisplaeement of the eye members.

Diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12 is an mmun tion. box .2 and the breech porti n f machine gun or other firearm 33;.and an ammuni-. tion chute embodyingour invention connected to the ammunition box and the breech of the, gun. It is to be understood that various types of tt n m y e. mplo d f r connecting the chute to the boxand gun, a hqok; illustrated at being us d t a iv pur oses a a n.- nection for the chute to the ammunition box and a clamp indicated at .35 for connectionwiththe ree h of th em Ami S a e fo m connecting means may be used it being llIldQlffiOQQ' that such connection means is spot welded or otherwis attached to the links at the ends Of the chute.

It is further to be understood that the chuteis e i e or use h a elt. of c r ridge u h-es is commonly sed. In Fig. 3 is illustrated a Q l Q Of a artridg 49 in the chu it e d l ed. that e cart d s. r fre mo ein the chute, guidedin the track formed by the overlappin leaves. The depressed bridge por:. tion of the chute allows free movement of the. cartridge belt, illustrated at ll, and the open portion'of the chute indicated at 42 also, allows. free movement of the cartridge belt throughtlre chute.

In the modified form of our invention, illus trated in Figs. 9 and 10, the links arepermanently secured to each other. This is accomplished by spot welding, as indicated at 2 the hooks Z-l to the sheets 22 on which the

leaves

23 and 24 are. formed. This operation is performed; through the openings 30. after thelin-ksare assembled.

With this construction flexibility of the chute is not detracted from but the eye members [land I8 cannot be disengaged from the hooks.

We claim as. our invention:

1. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of sheet metal links loosely associated with each other; means at the ends, top and bottom of each link for extensibly. connecting-said links together- 4 and for limiting the movement between said links; and a plurality of leaves mounted on each link, the leaves on each link overlapping and slidably engaging the leaves on the next adjacent link.

2. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of sheet metal links loosely associated with each other; means at the ends, top and bottom of each link: for extensibly and detachably connecting said links together and for limiting the movement between said links; and a plurality of leaves mounted on each link, the leaves on each link overlapping and slidably engaging the leaves on the next adjacent link.

3, In an ammunition chute the combination of:- a series of transversely disposed links loosely associated with each other, each of said links comprising an elongated member having its ends bent toform two oppositely disposed U-shaped guides connected by a bridge member; cooperating means on the guide portions of said links connecting the linksv with a limited extensible relative movement therebetween, and overlapping leaves, on said links in slidable engagement with each other forming friction surfaces for engagement by the ammunition.

4. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a, series of transversely disposed sheet metal links loosely associated with each other, each of said links comprising an elongated member having its ends bent to form two oppositely disposed U.-shaped ammunition guides connected by a bridge member; hooks formed on the top, bottom and ends of each link; and eye members formed on the. top, bottom and ends of each link cooperatin with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow a predetermined limited extensible movement between the links.

In an ammunition chute the combination ofrfi: a; series of transversely disposed sheet metal links loosely associated with each other, each of said links comprising an elongated strip havingv its endsbent to form two oppositely disposed U- shapedammunition guides connected by a bridge me r nber; hooks formed on each link; and eye members formed on each link cooperating with the hook members on the-adjacent links to allow a predetermined extensible relative movement between the links, each of said links having a leaf secured thereto overlapping the leaf on another link.

6.. In an ammunition chute the combination oi: a, series of transversely disposed. sheet metal links. loosely associated with each other, each of said links comprising an elongated strip having its ends bent to form two oppositely disposed rsh pfl ammuni ion uides conne ed y a bridge member; a plurality of hooks formed on. eachlink; and a plurality of eye members formed on each link cooperating with the, hook members on the adjacent links to allow a predetermined extensible movement, between the links, said eyes. being clepressible out of engagement with their associated hook members.

7. In an ammunition chute the combination, ofta seriesof transversely disposed sheet metal. links loosely associated with each other, each of said'linkscomprising an elongated strip having itsends bent to form two oppositely disposed U-shaped ammunition guides connected by a bridge member; a plurality of hooks formed on each link; and a plurality of eye members formed on each link cooperatin with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow a predetermined extensible movement between the links, each of said links having a leaf secured thereto overlap ping the leaf on another link, certain of the hooks being attached at their open ends to the link on which the hook is formed to prevent dislodgement of their associated ye members.

8. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of transversely disposed sheet metal links, each of said links comprising an elongated strip having its ends bent to form two oppositely dis posed U-shaped ammunition guides connected by a bridge member; hooks formed on each link; eye members formed on each link cooperating with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow a predetermined relative movement between the links; a sheet of yieldable metal bent to conform to the inner face of the U-shaped guides attached thereto; and leaves formed on said sheet each extending over the leaves on an adjacent link to form substantially uninterrupted ammunition engaging surfaces.

9. In an ammunition chute: a link comprising an elongated sheet metal strip; eye members formed on said strip extending laterally therefrom each having an elongated eye therein; hook members formed on said strip consisting of tabs formed on the strip and bent thereover; and a plurality of yieldable metal leaves attached to the strip extending laterally therefrom.

10. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of transversely disposed links loosely associated with each other; means at the ends, top and bottom of said links for extensibly connecting said links; a plurality of thin spring leaves secured to each link extending laterally therefrom, the leaves on one link overlapping the leaves on the next link.

11. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of links loosely associated with each other; hook members at the ends, top and bottom of each link; eye members on each link cooperating with the hook members on the adjacent link to allow a predetermined limited extensible movement between the links; a plurality of leaves on each link, the leaves on each link overlapping and slideably engaging the leaves on the next adjacent link.

12. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of links loosely associated with each other; a plurality of hook members on each link at the ends, top and bottom of said links; eye members on each link cooperating with the hook members on the adjacent link to allow a predetermined limited extensible movement between the links; a leaf on each link, the leaf on one link overlapping and slideably engaging the leaf on the next adjacent link; said links having openings therein over the hook members on the links to afford access to the eyes thereunder; said eye members being depressible out of engagement with their associated hook members.

13. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of transversely disposed metal links,

each of said links comprising an elongated memberhaving its ends bent to form two oppositely disposed U-shaped ammunition guides connected by a bridge member; hooks formed on each link; eye members formed on each link cooperating with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow a predetermined relative movement between the links; a sheet of yieldable metal bent to conform to the inner face of the U-shaped guides attached thereto; and leaves formed on said sheet in overlapping engagement with th leaves on an adjacent link to form substantially uninterrupted ammunition engaging surfaces.

14. In a flexible feed chute, the combination of a plurality of transverse elements disposed sideby-side to outline a member-guiding passage, means for detachably interconnecting said trans verse elements for limited movement in a direction toward and away from each other, and a plurality of overlapping wall plates supported within said passage by said transverse elements and forming an articulated lining therefor.

15. In a flexible feed chute, the combination of a plurality of transverse elements disposed side-by-side to outline a member-guiding passage, means for detacha-bly interconnecting said transverse elements for limited movement in a direction toward and away from each other, said means including flexible interengaging portions on adjacent transverse elements relatively mov able to a position of non-engagement, and a plurality of overlapping wall plates supported within said passage by said transverse elements and forming an articulated lining therefor.

16. In an ammunition chute, a link comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to form U-shaped ends and to form a central depressed bridging portion, means forming flexible eye members projecting laterally from one edge of the U-shaped ends, and tab-like means projecting from the other edge of the U-shaped ends bent back upon the member to overlie the same forming hooks within the lateral limits of the member on the inside of the U-shaped ends.

HOWARD B. LEWIS. GLEN M. LARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,284,488 Johnson May 26, 1942 2,307,389 Carter Jan. 5, 1943 2,378,652 Nobles et al June 19, 1945 2,419,315 Elliott Apr. 22, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 779,026 France Jan. 5, 1943 644,053 Germany Apr. 23, 1937