US2510191A - Ammunition chute - Google Patents

Description

W. H. NOBLES AMMUNITION CHUTE June 6, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 29, 1948 War/en 7i. nob/e3 2 @bwmanm June 6, 1950 w, H, NQBLES 2,510,191

AMMUNITION CHUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 29, 1948 v War/"en W. 7101) les Patented June 6, 1950 U N [TED S TATES PATENT OFF-ICE AMMUNITION CHU'IE Warren HJNdbles, St. Paul, Minn. Application October 29, 1948, Serial-No. 57,157

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in ammunition chutes wherein it .is desired to provide a, chute construction through which ammunition orthe like may pass with-aiminimum oftfriction.

In the use of weapons which shoot a series of projectiles, it has beenifound desirable to provide :a flexible chute:through-which the chain of projectilesimay-be fed. Not "only is ,itznecessa'ry for these chutes to "be extremely flexible, but also it is essential that the projectiles pass through the :chute with a minimum of friction to .avoid difficulties in quickly deliverin'githe proiectiles'to the gun. In myipreviouszpatent, No. 2,488;6'79., for Flexible chute, I disclosed a chute which was extremely flexible andwhich included aseries of overlapping :plates for guiding the projectiles from one 'chutesection to the next. While this previous chute was 'found extremely advantageous'in use, there was in some instances .a tendency for :the projectile to catch on'the supporting edges of these overlapping plates, thus somewhat increasing the force necessary to move the projectiles through the chute. Furthermore, while the chute sections were so constructed to be assembled and disassembled in a relatively short period of time, thedetail construction was found to be:s1ight1y' more complicated thanwas required to serve-thepurpose.

The object of thepresent invention is to correct theseslight difficulties encountered in the :manufacture and use of-mypreviouschute construction and to provide a-simplified construction which may be :easily assembled and disassembled when necessary.

Aieature oi thepresent :invention lies in the provision ofaseries of chute sections equipped with plates designed to be assembledjin overlapping relation so as to provide a continuous guide for shells or othersarticles andto so support these plates that there is no danger-0f obstructing the passage of the shells'throughthe chute. The plates include an elongated :panel of sufficient lengthto overlap thenext radjacent chute. section and this panel is connected to thebody of the chute sectionby'rivets :or'oth'er suitable means which-extend through legs onopposite sides of the plate. These legs :areso connected with the surface of the plateover which the shells slide that there is no danger ofobstructing the free passage of theshell.

-An added featureof the present invention resides in the manner inwhich the various chute sections areconnected together. Each chute section is cormectedlto the next adjacent sections 2 by a pair of links arrangedin-overlapping relationship. Th'e'se Jinks :are :connected to the chute sections bya clip 'having -a pair oisprin ears which extend through-the links. Byflexing one or both ofthese spring ears the links may be detached from any chute section, permitting any section to be'qu'ickly removedrandreplaced.

Afeature of the present invention resides-in the provision oi a -link connecting means which includes a clipsupported in parallel relation'to a body portion 'of=each-section, but spaced therefrom. Spring earsare connected in opposedrelation to opposite sides :of this clip, the ears being bent to underlie the portion of the :body to which the :cl'ip attached :and 'to :be held against the :body a under spring tension. .Aperture means is provided through-the :body portion adj acent'these'earsso that the ears 'maybe'fiexed out of; normal position-by a to-011 inserted through the aperture to permit the links to be detached by sliding the :samerbetween the ears and the body portion.

These andpther objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully. set forth .in :the foll'owing specification and claims.

In the drawings forming apart of my specification:

Figure v1 is 'a'top plan view :of is, :series of chute sections showingsthe:constructionithereof.

Figure 2 is an end view of the chute :sections.

Figure3 is a sectional viewi'through one of the chute sections, the :position of the section being indicated bythe line 3-'3:of Figure 1.

Figure 41s a longitudinal section through a portion of the chute, the position of the section being irrdicatedfby-the linedl of Figure 1.

'Figure 5 is za sectional view llong'itudinally through the chute; the position :zofxthe section being indicated *byithe line 15- 5 of Figure I1.

Figure- 6 is a perspective view, partially in section showing the: manner 'in which the extension links are connected to *the various chute sections. 7

Figure is 'a View similar *to Figure 6 showing the mann'er in 'wl'ii'ch the individuallinks may be disconnected from a chute section.

Figure' 8'is-a perspectiveview=-0f one of the plates mounted oneach --chute section to overlap the next adjacent section.

Figure 9 is a perspective'view Of a second plate which is mounted on each chute section, to overlap the next adjacent section.

Figure 10 is a;perpective view of a detail portion of the chute-sections.

The chute A includes a series of sections B which are connected together so as to produce a flexible chute. In general my chute is similar to that illustrated in my previous application above identified, but is somewhat advantageous thereover.

Each chute section includes a U-shaped end portion designed to enclose one end of a shell such as C. The U-shaped end sections In include a top flange II, an end wall flange I2, and a bottom flange I3. The bottom flange I3 is provided with an off-set socket I 4 therein for accommodating one end of a rod I5. The rod I5 is preferably pressed into the socket I4 or is otherwise attached thereto and in the construction illustrated the rod I5 rotates with the socket I4.

The opposite end member I6 includes a top flange an end wall flange I9 and a bottom flange 29. The bottom flange 20 is provided with an integral socket comprising a bearing portion 2| and a, socket portion 22 arranged in spaced relationship. The bearing portion 2| is provided with an aperture 23 therethrough through which the rod I5 may extend. The socket portion 22 is provided with a recess or aperture 24 extending partially therethrough in which the end of the rod I5 is rotatably supported. A collar 25 isfrictionally engaged on the rod I5 between the socket portions 2| and 22 and holds the rod I5 from longitudinal movement relative to these socket portions. Obviously the rod I5 may rotate within the socket portions 2| and 22 to permit rotation of the end element I6 relative to the end element In.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings the flange II is provided with a groove 26 in its under-surface, this groove having a central portion 2! which is slightly deeper than the remainder of the groove. A similar groove 29 is provided in the end wall I2 and another similar groove 39 is provided in the bottom flange I3. The top flange I end wall flange I9 and bottom flange 20 of the end member it are likewise provided with similar grooves 3| 32, and 33, respectively. These grooves are all identical in construction and include similar elements. The various grooves are provided for the purpose of containing section connecting elements and overlapping guide plates which will be later described in detail.

Each of the grooves thus described is bridged by a pair of elements used either for connecting adjacent chute sections or providing a smooth slide for the ammunition. As best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7 of the drawings the flange I I is provided with a plate 34 bridging the grooves 26 and 21. This plate 34 is best constructed as illustrated in Figure of the drawings and includes a pair of oppositely disposed ears 35 and 35 which extend upwardly from opposite sides of the plate and which include opposed flanges- 3'! and 39 respectively, which extend into close proximity with one another. The ears 35 and 36 are formed of material possessing a certain degree of resilience so-that the flanges 3! and 39 may be bent toward the body of the plate 34 without permanently deforming the same. Apertures 40 are provided near opposite ends of the plate for accommodation of the fastening means which will be later described. Also bridging the grooves 26 and 21 and underlying the plate 34 I provide a plate 4| which is designed to extend into overlapping relation with the next adjacent section B. The plate 4| includes a generally flat upper surface which is bent out of the plane of the rest of the plate at one edge 42 as best illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. The plate 4| is supported by opposed legs 43 which are connected with oppositely extending feet or flanges 44. Apertures 45 are provided in the flanges 44 to accommodate fastening means, the apertures 45 being spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the apertures 49 in the plate 34.

When legs such as 43 are bent downwardly from a plate such as 4|, the bend usually occurs at a point slightly spaced from the edge of the plate. As a result, small rounded shoulders are produced at each side of the leg, these shoulders being flush with the surface of the plate. From time to time these shoulders catch or dig into articles passing through the chute, increasing the pull required to draw the articles through the chute and in some cases damaging the articles. One of the primary objects of this invention is to eliminate these shoulders.

It will be noticed that the upper edges of both of the parallel legs 43 are rounded so that the edges of these legs are somewhat below the surface of the plate 4|. The rounded edge of the legs adjacent the end 42 of the plate 4| curve together with the body of the plate. The other ends 43 of the legs 43 are connected to the plate 4| by curved edges which are below the level of the plate 4|. Thus an object passing over a series of plates 4| can not engage the corners between the plates 4| and the legs 43 and therefore can not interfere with the proper movement of ammunition or other material through the chute.

As best illustrated in Figures 3, 6, and 7 of the drawings an aperture 41 is provided in the flange II in alignment with the opposed flanges 31 and 39 of the plate 34. As a result a tool D may be inserted through the aperture 41 and bear against either of these flanges 3? or 39 to bend this flange downwardly. Normally, however, these flanges 3'! and 39 engage against the flange I I at the base of the groove 21.

A pair of rectangular links 49 are connected to the plate 34 in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Each link 49 is provided with substantially parallel side members 5|] and 5| which are connected by cross members 52 and 53 at a point spaced from the ends thereof. The cross member 52 of one link and the cross member 53 of the next adjacent link are positioned in the groove 26 between thebody of the plate 34 and the flanges 31 and 39 of the ears 35 and 36. These links 49 are longitudinallyslidable relative to the sections, the amount of the sliding movement being the difierence in the width of the cross members 52 and 53 and the distance between the ears 35 and 36. As the side members 50 and 5| of the links project beyond the cross members 52 and 53, these longitudinal members are always in overlapping relation, thus preventing the ends of the links from abutting to prevent the slidable movement of the links in one direction.

The links 49 are disengageable from the flange II in the manner best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. In Figure 6 of the drawings the tool D is shown flexing the extremity of the flange 39 downwardly toward the surface of the plate 34. While thus depressed the cross member 52 of one of the links 49 may be interposed between the free end of the flange 39 and the flange II as illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, whereupon thisl nls 48 may he with! drawn between the. flange. 39- and: the: flange; 1:1. and". disengaged froim the; section illustratedL.

I In; a similar: manner: theopposite linkImay be;

disengagedcfrorn. the section'to; which it, is. at.-.

tached by bending, the :flange. 31 downwardly to. wardzthe. plate 34 and; engaging the;link end 53; between the flange 31 and the flange II. When:

been described in detail. A similarstructure is,

provided to connect various others of the flanges. As many of] these connecting structuresare identicalin form the parts thereof, have been designated by the. same identifyingnumerals as those used;ir 1 connecting th'eflange 11. It should be noted also that the plates 34' and 4| which hold the links in place on the flange I I are connected to the flange I I by rivets 54 or other suitable attaching means.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that a set of plates 34 and 4| are likewise connected to the flange l2 of the end section III by rivets 55 or other suitable connecting means. The plates 34 and 4| enclose links 49 located in the slot 29, the various elements being connected in the manner previously described. An aperture 56 through the flange I2 permits the tool D to be inserted to detach any of the links 49 from the plate 34 in the manner previously described.

A similar set of plates 34 and 4| are connected to the flange I3 of the end section In by rivets 51 or the like. The plates 34 and 4| detachably connect links 49 which are slidable in the slot 39. An aperture 59 through the flange I3 permits the tool D to engage the flanges 31 and 39 of the plate 34 so that the rings may be detached when desired.

The flange I9 or end wall of the end I6 likewise supports a pair of plates 34 and 4|, these plates being connected by rivets 66. The plates 34 and 4| act to hold in overlapping relation a pair of links 49 which act to connect the end section I6 of one section B to the end section I6 of the next adjacent section B. An aperture 6| is provided through the end wall I9 so that the tool D may be used to flex the flanges 3'1 and 39 of the plate 34 in the event the links 49 connected thereto are to be removed.

The length of the legs 43 on the plate 4| depends upon the diameter of the part of the shell C engaged. It will be noted that the two ends of the chute are of substantially the same size, but one end 62 of the shell C is of smaller diameter than the opposite end 64 thereof. As a result the supporting legs on the plates must be varied in length to position the plates closer together on the end section I6 to accommodate the smaller diameter of the shell C. Obviously if the chute is designed to handle shells or other articles which are of similar thickness throughout their width, all of the plates used may be of similar size and shape.

In Figure 9 of the drawings I disclose a plate 65 which corresponds to the plate 4| previously described and which may be substituted therefor to shorten the distance between these plates at one end of the sections B. The plates 65 are substantially flat throughout the major portion of their length, but are bent at one end 66 out of the plane of the remainder of the plate as illustrated. Legs 61 are connected to opposite sides of the plate 65 near the end 66 thereof and flanges or feet 69 are provided on the legs 61 provide. a; means. of attaching; the. plates; tatt e cndi sections: I6. The; flanges 69., are. p vided: with apertures. 1.0:.- therethreugh. for; acoommm dating the. fastening"; rivets; orother. attachin -1 means. 7

- As previouslydescribed-in conjunction with the description; of the; plate: 4 I3. the. legs. 61 re. cone nected tothe plates Bil-along curvedalines of; c on-- nect-ion late. The. connectin line between each leg 61. and the-bent'end 6.6. of: the; plate 65-fo1; lows: the curvature of 1 this. bent end". The other: edge. 1:23. of. each; leg. 1.1. is; also; cunvedtoward. the; foot; 6:9: to produce rounded; connecting portions. l3: between ,theslegssfil andithe plate. 6.5.. Thus.- the shoulders normally; formed in, bending the legs:;6;1;into.parallel relation areeliminated; As; previousl described these shoulders usually. ex.. tend flush-with thQSlllffifiBe of the, plate 65. and. tend to catch or dig into articles passing over the plates 61. By recessing the connecting portions and eliminating the flush rounded shoulders the efiiciency of the chute is greatly increased.

The manner in which the plates 65 are used is best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings. As indicated in these figures a plate 34 overlies the groove 3| in the flange I1 of the end section I6 and a plate 65 overlies the plate 34. Rivets I4 connect the plates 34 and 65 to the flange 11. A pair of links 49 are connected in overlapping relation between each plate 34 and the adjacent flange II to connect each flange I1 to the corresponding flange ll of the next section B. An aperture 15 is provided through the flange 11 to provide access to the flanges 31 and 39 of the plate 34 in the event the links 49 are to be disengaged.

A similar arrangement is provided on the flange 26 of the end member I6. A plate 34 and a plate 65 are secured by rivets 13 to the flange 2|] to overlie the groove 33. Links 49 are connected in overlapping relation in the groove 33 between the plate 34 and the flange 29. An aperture 11 is provided in the flange 26 to admit the tool D and to allow flexing of a flange 31 or 39 to permit removal of one or both of the overlapping links 49.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my flexible chute construction, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A flexible chute including a series of sections, each of said sections being connected to the next adjacent section by a pair of overlapping links, said links being slidably supported between a portion of the section and a plate secured to the section, said plate having a pair of opposed hook shaped resilient ears extending therefrom in opposed relation and terminating adjacent said body, each of said hook shaped ears extending through one of said links, said ears being resiliently bendable toward the plate for permitting disconnection of the link through which the ear extends.

2. A flexible chute including a series of sections, means connecting said, sections for relative movement therebetween, a plate on each section designed to overlap a similar plate on the next adjacent section, a body portion on each section to which said plate is secured, a pair of substantially to parallel legs on each plate for spacing the plate 7 from the body portion, means for securing said legs to the body portion, and a curved fold line between said legs and said plate, the ends of said fold line terminating beneath the plane of the plate.

3. The structure described in claim 2 in which one end of the plate is bent out of the plane of the liner of the plate along said line of fold.

4. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections, means flexible connecting said sections together, a plate on each section extending in overlapping relation with a similar plate on the next adjacent section, said plates being substantially flat throughout the major portion of their length and having an end bent toward the adjacent portion of the section, legs on opposite sides of said plate for spacing the plate from the portion of the section to which the plate is attached, feet on 8. said legs, means for anchoring said feet to said section, and a rounded line of connection between said legs and said plate,.said rounded line terminating substantially below the level of the plate at each end thereof and being substantially flush with the surface of the plate intermediate the ends.

WARREN H. NOBLES.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,419,315 Elliott Aug. 22, 1947 2,449,849 Holmes Sept. 21, 1948

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