US3793921A - Sprocket assembly - Google Patents

Sprocket assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3793921A
US3793921A US00296799A US3793921DA US3793921A US 3793921 A US3793921 A US 3793921A US 00296799 A US00296799 A US 00296799A US 3793921D A US3793921D A US 3793921DA US 3793921 A US3793921 A US 3793921A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
cusp
sprocket
sprocket assembly
assembly according
valley
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00296799A
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English (en)
Inventor
O Meier
D Tassie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3793921A publication Critical patent/US3793921A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/29—Feeding of belted ammunition
    • F41A9/30—Sprocket-type belt transporters

Definitions

  • a sprocket assembly has a sliding cusp on each tooth [52] Cl 89/33 CA, 89/33 E, 198/210 to increase and decrease the spacing between adjacent Cl. teeth The position of the cusp is controlled the ⁇ 58] held of Search89/33 R, 33 BA, 33 33 CA, round and the angular orientation of the tooth.
  • This invention relates to feeding mechanisms for automatic guns.
  • the rotary feeder which receives rounds from the conveyor system and inserts them onto the rotary ammunition tray may be synchronized with the tray by means of a cam operated positive clutch and brake such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,118 issued May 11, 1971 toLK. Wetzel, fitted with a spring back device to absorb the inertia of a sudden stop of the feeder.
  • a cam operated positive clutch and brake such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,118 issued May 11, 1971 toLK. Wetzel, fitted with a spring back device to absorb the inertia of a sudden stop of the feeder.
  • In the feeder it is usually necessary to accelerate the rounds; that is, to increase the pitch or space between rounds. Conventionally this is achieved by entering the rounds into the feeder sprocket at a radius which has an annular velocity equal to the linear velocity of the conveyor system, and exiting the rounds from the same feeder sprocket at a radius which has an annular velocity equal to the annular velocity of the rotary tray.
  • the tooth shape which is generated by the necessary entrance and exit paths of the round through the feeder, which are defined by guides external to the sprocket, requires a relatively wide space between adjacent teeth at the outer radial portion of the sprocket. This wide space tends to permit a loss of positive control or constraint of the round as it exits the sprocket.
  • a further object is to provide such a sprocket as will accept the entrance of rounds in the reverse direction during a halting and spring back of the system.
  • a feature of this invention is the provision of a sprocket assembly having a sliding cusp on each tooth to increase and decrease the spacing between adjacent teeth.
  • the position of the cusp is controlled by the round and the angular orientation of the tooth;
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a sprocket assembly embodying this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the sprocket of the assembly of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of the sprocket of FIG. 4.
  • the sprocket assembly is fixed on a shaft 10 and rotates through a rounds path which is defined by an inner guide 12 and an outer guide 14.
  • the normal direction of the movement from the conveyor into the feeder during feeding is indicated by the arrow A.
  • the reverse direction of movement from the rotary feed tray back into the sprocket during spring back when the feeder is being halted is indicated by the arrow B.
  • the sprocket assembly includes three sprockets 16, each sprocket having four teeth 18, and each tooth having a sliding cusp 20.
  • Each tooth 18 has an arcuate groove 22 into each of its two side faces 23, a tangential blind bore 24, and an arcuate cross-slot 26.
  • Each cusp 20 has a U-shaped cross-section, as seen in FIG. 5, with a base portion 27 integral with two side portions 28, each of which side portions is integral with a respective inwardly directed foot portion 30.
  • Each foot portion 30 rides in a respective groove 22 in the tooth.
  • Each cusp also has a cross-hole 32 passing through the two side portions 28.
  • a pin 34 is fixed in the cross-hole 32 and passes through the arcuate cross-slot 26 and the tangential bore 24 to retain the cusp on the tooth.
  • a helical compression spring 36 is disposed in the blind bore 24 and is captured by and bears against the pin 34 thereby biasing the cusp centrifugally on the tooth.
  • Each cusp also has a dorsal slot 38 in the base portion 27 extending centrifugally from the centripetal end of the cusp and terminating in an cylindrical enlargement 40.
  • Each tooth has an additional blind bore 42 adjacent its base, in which is disposed a plunger 44 having main body 46 of a first diameter slightly less than the bore 42, a neck portion 48 of a lesser diameter and slightly less than the enlargement 40, and a tip portion 50 of a yet lesser diameter and slightly less than the width of the dorsal slot 38.
  • the main body 46 also has a longitudinal blind bore 52.
  • a helical compression spring 54 is disposed in the blind bore 52 and captured against the base of the blind bore 42, serving to bias the plunger centrifugally.
  • the plunger 44 is captured in the bore 42 by the cusp. When the cusp is in its centrifugal position, limited by the cross-pin 34, the tip portion 50 rides in the slot 38.
  • the neck portion 48 enters the slot enlargement 40, under the bias of the spring 54 and holds the cusp against centrifugal return.
  • the tip portion 50 is depressed, against the base of the spring 54, depressing the neck portion, the cusp is released, and shifts centrifugally under the bias of the spring 36.
  • each round R approaches the sprocket in the direction A as it travels between and along the guides 12 and 14.
  • the round engages a centrifugally extended cusp on a tooth and progressively pushes the cusp centripetally, as it enters the valley between two adjacent teeth until the cusp reaches and is locked in its centripetal position.
  • the round approaches a fully seated position in the valley, it depresses the tip portion 50, to release the cusp, which snaps back to its centrifugal position to more fully encircle the round.
  • the round still travelling between the guides 12 and 14 leaves the valley the cusp provides the last contact between the sprocket and the round, pushing the round further along between the guides, whereat it is picked up by the rotary feed tray.
  • the round has pushed th cusp far enough centripetally to enlarge the annular entry distance to permit entry, it has pushed the cusp to lock it in its full centripetal position; and may back out of the valley in the direction B during spring back without being followed by the cusp and possibly being seized between the cusp and the outer guide 14.
  • a sprocket assembly for handling articles comprising:
  • a sprocket having a plurality of teeth
  • each two immediately adjacent teeth defining a respective valley therebetween having a respective first, fixed, concave peripheral surface and adapted to receive an article therein;
  • each cusp having a respective, second, concave peripheral surface and each mounted for translation on and along the first, fixed peripheral surface of a respective tooth, between a maximum centrifugal position and a maximum centripetal position.
  • each of said first peripheral surfaces has a first radius of curvature, about a respective axis
  • each of said second peripheral surfaces has said first radius of curvature about said respective axis.
  • a sprocket assembly according to claim 2 wherein:
  • said maximum centrifugal disposition of a respective cusp provides a minimum annular opening to the respective valley
  • said maximum centripetal disposition of a respective cusp provides a maximum annular opening to the respective valley.
  • a sprocket assembly according to claim 3 further including:
  • bias means one for each tooth and 6 thereto mounted cusp, for biasing said cusp to said maximum centrifugal position.
  • a sprocket assembly according to claim 4 further including:
  • a sprocket assembly according to claim 5 further including:
  • each said detent mean includes a slot and a slot enlargement in said respective cusp;
  • a spring loaded plunger disposed in a bore in said respective tooth, having a tip for travel along said slot and out said enlargement to project into said valley, and a neck too large for entry into said slot but small enough to enter into and interlock with said enlargement.
  • said sprocket assembly is part of a feed of a machine gun
  • said articles are rounds of ammunition.
  • a sprocket assembly for handling articles, comprising:
  • a sprocket having a plurality of teeth
  • each two immediately adjacent teeth defining a respective valley therebetween, adapted to receive an article therein;
  • each said valley having a respective annular opening defined by the respective distal ends of said respective two teeth
  • a like plurality of cusps each mounted for translation on and along a respective tooth, between a maximum centrifugal position providing a minimum annular opening of a respective valley and a maximum centripetal position providing a maximum annular opening of said respective valley; a like plurality of bias means, one for each tooth and thereto mounted cusp, for biasing said cusp to said maxi mum centrifugal position; and a like plurality of detent means, one for each tooth and thereto mounted cusp, for releasably retaining said cusp in said maximum centripetal position.
  • a sprocket assembly according to claim 11 further including:
  • a spring loaded plunger disposed in a bore in said respective tooth, having a tip for travel along said slot and out said enlargement to project into said valley, and a neck too large for entry into said slot but small enough to enter into and interlock with said enlargement.
  • .said sprocket assembly is part of a feed of a machine gun
  • said articles are rounds of ammunition.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Gears, Cams (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
US00296799A 1972-10-12 1972-10-12 Sprocket assembly Expired - Lifetime US3793921A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29679972A 1972-10-12 1972-10-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3793921A true US3793921A (en) 1974-02-26

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ID=23143609

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00296799A Expired - Lifetime US3793921A (en) 1972-10-12 1972-10-12 Sprocket assembly

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3793921A (tr)
JP (1) JPS4994199A (tr)
CH (1) CH570318A5 (tr)
DE (1) DE2349558A1 (tr)
GB (1) GB1441938A (tr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3916762A (en) * 1973-04-03 1975-11-04 France Etat Twin feed ammunition conveyor for feeding shells to an automatic weapon
KR20160024359A (ko) * 2013-06-03 2016-03-04 프로펜스, 엘엘시 공급 스프로켓과 축이 개량된 미니건

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2820315C3 (de) * 1978-05-10 1981-08-06 Kronseder, Hermann, 8404 Wörth Sortierstern für Flaschen o.dgl.
DE4400976B4 (de) * 1993-08-21 2004-04-29 Rheinmetall Landsysteme Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Übergabe eines Körpers

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710928A (en) * 1969-10-30 1973-01-16 Leidsche Apparatenfab Nv Gripping device for bottles

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710928A (en) * 1969-10-30 1973-01-16 Leidsche Apparatenfab Nv Gripping device for bottles

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3916762A (en) * 1973-04-03 1975-11-04 France Etat Twin feed ammunition conveyor for feeding shells to an automatic weapon
KR20160024359A (ko) * 2013-06-03 2016-03-04 프로펜스, 엘엘시 공급 스프로켓과 축이 개량된 미니건

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH570318A5 (tr) 1975-12-15
JPS4994199A (tr) 1974-09-06
DE2349558A1 (de) 1974-04-18
GB1441938A (en) 1976-07-07

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