Improvements in or relating to machines for assembling and charging machine-gun cartridge belts of the disintegrating type

摘要

539,184. Cartridge belt filling machines CHALMERS, J. W., DEARSLEY, G., HARRIS, R. W., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. Nov. 27, 1939, Nos. 30822/39, 8782/40 and 8783/40. [Class 92 (ii)] [Also in Group XXX] A machine for charging clips with cartridges to form belts for feeding automatic guns comprises, in combination, conveyer mechanism to feed forwardly a succession of unassembled clips and cartridges arranged transversely to the conveyer in position for assembly, and means for assembling the cartridges and clips by moving the cartridges into gripping engagement with their respective clips whilst these items are being fed forwardly by the conveyer. In the machine shown in plan in Figs. 5A, 5B and in part elevation in Fig. 4B, a bed 10 supports a chain conveyer 11 the sprockets 25 of which are mounted on spindles 26, 27 and the links of which form a straight upper run with transverse flutes 21 to receive the separated but aligned cartridges x and clips y as shown to the right of Fig. 5A. The clips are of the kind which are hinged together by the inserted cartridges to form a disintegrating chain belt. The cartridges are supplied from hoppers 12 as described in Specification 541,955, [Group II], to shoots 48 leading to fluted drums 13 which feed the conveyer at four stations, the number of flutes in each drum being preferably suited to the desired disposition of cartridges of different kinds in the assembled belt as described in Specification 539,221, [Group XXX]. The clips are arranged in correct orientation in containers which are fed at 15 to means as described in Specification 541,954, [Group XXX], for stripping and ejecting the containers so that the clips can fall by gravity down an incline 14 on to the conveyer. The cartridges are moved progressively into the clips by plungers 54 on an inclined endless chain 51 which passes over a sprocket 52 and a shaped guide 53. The plungers move in such a way that they exert components of movement on the cartridges both along the cartridge and in the direction of movement of the conveyer. A sprocket wheel 57 ensures correct positioning of the cartridges whilst the pressure is being applied, the links being supported by abutments 23. The leading end of the charged belt passes under a pressure plate 58 and over a stripping plate 59 to a guide 60 perforated at 61 for the passage of loose links when starting up the machine. The machine is power driven by a pulley 100 on a main shaft 101 having worm gears 104 for driving the drums 13, a worm gear 108 for driving the vertical spindle 106 of the sprocket 52 for the chain 51, and a worm 109 which drives the sprocket shaft 26 of the conveyer. The shaft 26 also drives a counter shaft 113 geared to the sprocket 57 and has cams 45 for driving the hopper feed members 32, and a bevel gear 123 actuating the shaft 82 of the charger-clip feed. Specification 325,972, [Class 92 (ii)], also is referred to.