WO2016071658A1

WO2016071658A1 - Protective enclosure for ammunition

Info

Publication number: WO2016071658A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/053307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter PIERRINI
Original assignee: Epa Manufacturing Limited
Priority date: 2014-11-06
Filing date: 2014-11-06
Publication date: 2016-05-12
Also published as: EP3215803A1; EP3215803B1

Abstract

A protective enclosure for ammunition comprises a box (12) containing a first liner (6), within which the ammunition can be disposed in use, the first liner comprising a top panel (7), a bottom panel (8), and two opposed side panels (9 and 10) extending between the top and bottom panels, the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel, and a second liner (1) in which the first liner is located, the second liner (1) comprising a top panel (2), a bottom panel (3), and two opposed end panels (4 and 5) extending between the top and bottom pan- els, the top and end panels being formed of perforated steel and the second lin- er closely conforming with the first liner so as to close the ends thereof. A third liner may slidably engage over the second liner, the third liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel.

Description

PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR AMMUNITION Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a protective enclosure for ammunition and a protective enclosure for ammunition boxes, for use in transporting and storing ammunition.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Ammunition, for example rifle or machine gun rounds, is usually packed in boxes for transportation, but in order to permit carriage of ammunition on ordinary commercial flights, for example, it must be carried in containers that are certified resistant to the effects of fire, because of the risks from a fire in the transporting vehicle causing ignition of the propellant in the ammunition. The resulting high speed and random ejection of bullets and metal fragments presents a substantial hazard to personnel in the vicinity, for example firefighters seeking to extinguish the fire. Additionally, protective measures are required to prevent theft of the ammunition.

[0003] In order to be certified for use on commercial transport, the boxes must undergo testing to NATO Series 6 Test Protocol. A problem in achieving a transport box that will pass the test is that the box must have sufficient strength to contain the bullets and metal fragments ejected by exploding ammunition, while allowing the gases resulting from ignition of the propellant to vent safely, and at the same time achieve a cost-effective solution, both in terms of capital cost of the box and transport costs.

[0004] A further problem arises in the bulk transport of ammunition boxes. Individual boxes can be stacked on a pallet for transportation, but simply strap- ping the boxes on to the pallet leaves it relatively easy for an individual box to be removed by an unauthorised person during transport. Providing a security enclosure for the pallet would be desirable, but has the potential disadvantages of a relatively large bulk to return after the ammunition has reached its destination, and creating an explosion hazard if the container completely encloses the ammunition boxes. [0005] The present invention seeks to provide protective enclosures for ammunition which overcome these problems, enabling ammunition to be transported and stored safely and securely.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective enclosure for ammunition, comprising a box containing a first liner, within which the ammunition can be disposed in use, the first liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel, and a second liner in which the first liner is located, the second liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed end panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the top and end panels being formed of perforated steel and the second liner closely conforming with the first liner so as to close the ends thereof. Preferably, a third liner is slidably engageable over the sec- ond liner, the third liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective enclosure for ammunition boxes, comprising a rectangular base on to which a plurality of ammunition boxes can be stacked, four corner posts extending upwardly therefrom, a side panel extending between and securable to each adjacent pair of the corner posts and engageable with the base, and a removable cover extending over the top of the enclosure and attachable to each of the corner posts, each of the side panels having a portion containing perforations allowing the venting of gases from within the enclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 shows the inner liner;

Figure 2 shows the intermediate liner; Figure 3 shows the outer liner;

Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically a simple ammunition box with the liners of Figures 1 to 3 in place therein; and

Figure 5 is a view of a secure enclosure for stacked ammunition boxes, partially constructed, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

[0009] Referring first to Figures 1 -3, the first or inner liner 1 consists of a rectangular top panel 2, a bottom panel 3 and two end panels 4 and 5. The panels are all of perforated steel, the perforations having a maximum dimension of 4mm and representing 20% to 60%, preferably 40% of the total area of each perforated side. The second or intermediate liner 6 has a top panel 7, a bottom panel 8 and two side panels 9 and 10, all panels being perforated in a similar manner to the panels of the outer liner. The inner 1 is a sliding fit within the intermediate liner 6 and is dimensioned so that the ends of the inner liner are fully closed by the intermediate liner. Figure 3 shows the third or outer liner 21 , which is of similar form to the inner liner 1 , but is dimensioned to be a sliding fit over the intermediate liner 6. The outer liner has a rectangular top panel 22, a bottom panel 23 and two end panels 24 and 25, again all perforated. The perforations are arranged so that, where multiple panels overlap, the perforations are not aligned, i.e. the centres of the perforations do not coincide, but still allow the direct passage of gases. This is to ensure that any fragments expelled by explosion of the contents of the liners do not have an uninterrupted pathway through the perforations.

[0010] The ammunition to be transported is placed in the inner liner, in use, and the liner assembly is then located as a close fit within a conventional steel ammunition box, indicated schematically at 12 in Figure 4, and having a hinged lid 14.

[0011] Following a test according to NATO Test Protocol Series 6c using an ammunition box with liner as indicated in Figure 4, it was confirmed that no sig- nificant metal fragments had escaped from the box; the gases resulting from ignition of the propellant in the ammunition had vented, opening the lid 14 of the box 12, but the liner assembly had safely contained all the bullets and fragments of casing within it.

[0012] Referring now to Figure 5, a protective enclosure for a pallet load of conventional ammunition boxes (or indeed the boxes lined in accordance with the invention, for extra security) comprises a rectangular base 30 having a circumferential vertically-extending low walls 32 therearound. At each corner, the flange carries an inwardly-directed pin 34 having an enlarged head. Four corner posts 36 are located on the base 30 and are each held in position by means of a keyhole slot 38 which is engaged with the respective pin 34, sliding the post fully into the corner formed by the adjacent walls 32 engaging the enlarged head of the pin into the narrow part of the keyhole slot 38 and thereby retaining the post in the base.

[0013] Each corner post 36 is provided with a vertical flange 40 extending from each side thereof spaced from and parallel to the respective wall 32. Side panels 42 are located between each pair of corner posts 36, being held in place by the low walls 32 and the flanges 40.

[0014] Each of the side panels 42 consists of a frame 42a of box-section steel members faced on each side by a sheet 42b of perforated steel. Conveniently, the steel is mild steel of 1 .5mm thickness, perforated with 4mm diameter holes set at 6mm pitch so as to achieve an open area in each panel of approximately 40%, but with the holes on the inner sheet of each panel arranged so as to be out of direct alignment with the holes on the outer sheet. This ensures that, in the event of the enclosure being exposed to fire causing ignition of the ammunition propellant and consequent discharge of bullets or flying metal fragments from ruptured cartridge casings, for example, the bullets and any harmful fragments of metal are fully contained within the enclosure, and therefore do not present a hazard to personnel, while allowing gases to discharge safely and in a controlled manner.

[0015] The enclosure is provided with a lid 44 consisting of a steel frame 44a with a downwardly-directed circumferential rim 44b, and a spaced pair of perforated steel sheets 44c, of the same specification as those in the side panels 42, mounted within the frame 44a. The lid 44 is received over the upper parts of the posts 36 and side panels 42, serving to secure the side panels 42 in place. Locking means (not shown) may be provided to engage with, and be locked to, the corner posts 34, thereby making theft from the container load more difficult. The lid 44 is provided with carrying handles 46 to facilitate its manhandling into and out of position.

[0016] In use, the base 30 will first be loaded with the boxes, and thus can serve as a pallet or a pallet cover, and the corner posts 36 are located into the corners of the low walls 32 as hereinbefore described. The side panels 42 are positioned between the corner posts 36 and the lid 44 is secured in place. After transportation to the delivery location, the cover, side panels and corner posts are then removed to allow access to the ammunition boxes. The empty enclosure can then be transported back to the source with the panels stacked flat with the corner posts on the base and covered by the cover to reduce bulk and so minimise transport costs.

[0017] While reference is made throughout to ammunition, it will be appreciated that the enclosures of the invention may also be suited to transporting other articles containing explosive, pyrotechnic or percussive charges where safe containment is required in the event of an accident, especially one involving fire.

Claims

1 . A protective enclosure for ammunition, comprising a box containing a first liner, within which the ammunition can be disposed in use, the first liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels ex- tending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel, and a second liner in which the first liner is located, the second liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed end panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and end panels being formed of perforated steel and the second liner closely con- forming with the first liner so as to close the ends thereof.

2. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1 , having a third liner slidably engageable over the second liner, the third liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel.

3. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the perforations in the top panels are configured so that the centres of the perforations in one panel do not coincide with the centres of the perforations in the or each other top panel.

4. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the box is a steel ammunition box.

5. A protective enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the perforations occupy 40% of the surface area of the perforated panels.

6. A protective enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein all the panels comprise unperforated steel.

7. A protective enclosure for ammunition boxes, comprising a rectangular base on to which a plurality of ammunition boxes can be stacked, four corner posts engageable with the base so as to extend upwardly therefrom, a side panel extending between and securable to each adjacent pair of the corner posts, and a removable cover extending over the top of the enclosure and at- tachable to each of the corner posts, each of the side panels having a portion containing perforations allowing the venting of gases from within the enclosure.

8. A protective enclosure according to Claim 7, wherein the side panels comprise two spaced layers of perforated steel, configured so that the perforations in one layer are not in alignment with the perforations of the other layer.

9. A protective enclosure according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the removable cover comprises locking means co-operable with at least one of the corner posts to lock the cover into position.

10. A protective enclosure according to Claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the removable cover has a portion containing perforations.

1 1 . A protective enclosure according to Claim 10, wherein the removable cover comprises two spaced layers of perforated steel, configured so that the perforations in one layer are not in alignment with the perforations of the other layer.

12. A protective enclosure according to any of Claims 7 to 1 1 , where- in, in the portions containing perforations, the perforations constitute 40% of the area of the said portions.