Abstract:
The invention provides an ammunition carrier for retaining ammunition. The ammunition carrier includes a stationary carrier body portion disposed about a space in which to retain the ammunition; and a rotating carrier body portion disposed about the space and pivotally. attached to the stationary carrier body portion. The stationary carrier body portion and the rotating carrier body portion collectively form a cover assembly to secure the ammunition. The ammunition carrier further includes a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion, the locking mechanism (1) engageable, in an engaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to prevent rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion; and (2) disengageable, in a disengaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to allow rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The systems and methods of the invention relate to ammunition carriers used in an ammunition handling system. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various ammunition carriers are known in the art.  FIG. 1  shows one known ammunition carrier  10 . The ammunition carrier  10  includes an assembly that retains the ammunition until it is desired to unload the ammunition. Ammunition removal and uploading is accomplished by a hand-off mechanism that includes forks, gates and cams as shown in  FIG. 1 . The ammunition carrier  10  is typically transported along with other ammunition carriers in an ammunition handling system. The particular ammunition carrier  10  is transported in the ammunition handling system until it is disposed in a position for unloading. The ammunition will then be released from the fork via a cam arrangement effecting actuation of a gate. The gate as shown in  FIG. 1  effects the release of the ammunition from the ammunition carrier  10 . The fork cam is provided to engage with a suitable cam surface, i.e., so as to effect rotation of the fork and gate cam, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a further known ammunition carrier  20 . The ammunition carrier  20  includes mechanically preloaded spring clips. The clips secure the ammunition to the ammunition carrier  20 . However, there are various constraints to the “snap-in” ammunition carrier design. Such design is typically limited to a horizontal magazine orientation. As can be appreciated, there is a tight tolerance in the manufacture of the clips. Further, the clips are subject to fatigue. A further constraint is that the “snap-in” ammunition carrier design typically requires a hand-off mechanism to remove or upload the ammunition. 
   Accordingly, known ammunition carriers suffer from various drawbacks associated with ease of use, securement of the ammunition during various phases of manipulation of the ammunition, structural soundness, and additional weight and cost associated with hand-off mechanism. The systems and methods of the invention address these and other drawbacks of known arrangements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention provides an ammunition carrier for retaining ammunition. The ammunition carrier includes a stationary carrier body portion disposed about a space in which to retain the ammunition; and a rotating carrier body portion disposed about the space and pivotally attached to the stationary carrier body portion. The stationary carrier body portion and the rotating carrier body portion collectively form a cover assembly to secure the ammunition. The ammunition carrier further includes a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion, the locking mechanism (1) engageable, in an engaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to prevent rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion; and (2) disengageable, in a disengaged position, with the stationary carrier body portion so as to allow rotation of the rotating carrier body portion relative to the stationary carrier body portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a known ammunition handling system; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a known ammunition carrier with carrier clips; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective showing an ammunition carrier in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing further details of an ammunition carrier in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an ammunition handling system with ammunition carrier in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing further aspects of an ammunition carrier with locking mechanism in the closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing further aspects of an ammunition carrier with locking mechanism in the open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing an actuator with the ammunition carrier in the closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view further showing an actuator with the ammunition carrier in the closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an actuator with the ammunition carrier in the open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view further showing an actuator with the ammunition carrier in the open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the ammunition carrier with actuator in an ammunition handling system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing an ammunition unloading process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross sectional diagram showing the actuator of  FIG. 11  along line A-A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 15  is the actuator of  FIG. 8  modified to be automated (motorized) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   This invention relates to a carrier for an ammunition handling system, such as an ammunition handling system for tank or artillery ammunition. As used herein, any term in the singular may be interpreted to be in the plural, and alternatively, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular. 
   In accordance with embodiments, the design of the invention provides optimized control of an ammunition round in any position within the magazine. In implementation of the ammunition carrier typically a serpentine type magazine may be used. However, the ammunition carrier may be implemented in other types of systems. The ammunition carrier design provides entry and exit locations in the magazine for convenient round uploading and removal. 
   As discussed further below, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, each carrier includes two halves that can rotate around an axis of rotation to allow access to the ammunition. The carrier opening and closing can be done manually, or can be mechanically actuated. The carrier has a safety feature to prevent ammunition from accidentally falling out when the carrier opens. 
   Described in summary here, the various features of the carrier are discussed in detail below. The carrier design described herein may be used to work in a serpentine style magazine. This carrier is intended to optimize control of ammunition in the various positions within the magazine. The carrier includes two halves, which rotate around a common axis of rotation. The carrier pieces, i.e., the halves of the carrier are kept in a closed position by a locking mechanism. In the closed position, the carrier retains ammunition disposed inside the carrier. The carrier may handle ammunition in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. In the open position, the carrier allows for ammunition removal by releasing a safety retention feature, i.e., a cap, to prevent ammunition from falling out of the carrier. Carrier opening/closing can be done manually or via an automated mechanical locking arrangement. 
   As described below, the ammunition carrier is traveled from one location (e.g., a load location) to another location (e.g., an unload location), along with a plurality of other ammunition carriers that go to make up the serpentine ammunition handling system. During travel, the ammunition carrier is intended to remain closed at all times in the serpentine of the vertical or horizontal magazine. 
   At a specific location within the magazine, an actuator engages the carrier opening mechanism, releases the locking mechanism, and rotates the rotating portion of carrier body, i.e., what may be characterized as one-half of the ammunition carrier. Accordingly, the ammunition becomes exposed to the loader, but still remains secured within the carrier by the safety feature, i.e., the cap, being engaged in closed position. If the ammunition removal is intended, the carrier safety cap is released by means of rotating gears as part of a safety feature mechanism. After the safety cap is rotated, with the open side facing the loader, the ammunition can be freely removed from the carrier assembly. 
   Hereinafter, various details of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 3  is a perspective showing an ammunition carrier  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The ammunition carrier  100  includes a stationary carrier body portion  110  and a rotating carrier body portion  120 . The stationary carrier body portion  110  and the rotating carrier body portion  120  might be characterized as two halves of the ammunition carrier  100  that rotate around an axis of rotation to allow access to the ammunition  30 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing further aspects of the ammunition carrier  100  in accordance with an embodiment. As discussed above, the ammunition carrier  100  includes the stationary carrier body portion  110  and the rotating carrier body portion  120 . The ammunition carrier  100  further includes an ammunition safety retention housing  160 , which is disposed in the halves ( 110 ,  120 ). Each of the components ( 110 ,  120  and  160 ) rotates around a common axis of rotation. The ammunition safety retention housing  160  may be in the form of an inverted cap with sidewalls, wherein a portion of the sidewall includes an opening. 
   The ammunition carrier  100  includes a locking mechanism  130 . As shown, the locking mechanism  130  is pivotally connected to the rotating carrier body portion  120 . The locking mechanism  130  includes a locking pin  136 . In a closed position of the ammunition, the locking pin  136  engages with the stationary carrier body portion  110 . Accordingly, when the locking pin  136  is engaged with the stationary carrier body portion  110 , the rotating carrier body portion  120  cannot rotate relative to the stationary carrier body portion  110 . 
   The ammunition carrier  100  further includes components for attachment of the ammunition carrier  100  to a serpentine ammunition handling system. That is, the ammunition carrier  100  includes serpentine rollers ( 116 ,  117 ). The serpentine roller  116  is mounted on a serpentine center pin  114 , which is in turn integrally connected to the stationary carrier body portion  110 . Similarly, the serpentine roller  117  is mounted on a serpentine outer pin  115 . The rollers ( 116 ,  117 ) guide the ammunition carrier  100  along a suitable track in the ammunition handling system. A serpentine connector  119  is connected to the pins ( 114 ,  115 ). The serpentine connector  119  serves to connect a plurality of the ammunition carriers  100  so as to make up a series of ammunition carriers for an ammunition handling system. 
     FIG. 4  also shows aspects of the safety retention feature actuating gears  150 . The gears  150  include a driving actuator gear  152  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), as well as a driven actuator gear  154 , described below. The driving actuator gear  152  is fixedly mounted on a gear pin  153 . Further details of the safety retention feature actuating gears  150  are discussed below. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an ammunition handling system  190  with ammunition carriers in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The ammunition handling system  90  includes a plurality of ammunition carriers  100 . The ammunition carriers  100  may be arranged in a serpentine arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Each ammunition carrier  100  includes a stationary carrier body portion  110  and a rotating carrier body portion  120 , as discussed above. The ammunition handling system  90  includes a magazine housing  190 . The magazine housing  190  supports the serpentine arrangement of ammunition carriers  100 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a suitable motor assembly  180  may be used to move the various ammunition carriers  100  in the serpentine magazine housing  190 . 
   The ammunition handling system  90  also includes an actuator  170 . The actuator  170  may be used to manually open the ammunition carrier  100  by a human user manipulating the actuator  170  via an actuator handle  173 . That is, the actuator  170  opens the rotating carrier body portion  120  (relative to the stationary carrier body portion  110 ) and rotates the ammunition safety retention housing  160 , so that the ammunition may be removed. 
     FIG. 6  shows further aspects of the locking mechanism  130  in a closed position, i.e., a locked position. As described above, the locking mechanism  130  is pivotally attached to the rotating carrier body portion  120 . In the locked position, the locking mechanism  130  is engaged with the stationary carrier body portion  110 . Accordingly, in the locked position as shown in  FIG. 6 , the rotating carrier body portion  120  is not free to rotate relative to the stationary carrier body portion  110 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the locking mechanism  130  engages with the stationary carrier body portion  110  via a pin arrangement. That is, the locking mechanism  130  includes a locking pin  136 . The locking pin  136  extends into a locking pin aperture  112  in the stationary carrier body portion  110 . The locking mechanism  130  is pivotally mounted on the rotating carrier body portion  120 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the locking mechanism  130  includes a locking mechanism collar  134 , which forms an annular portion of the locking mechanism  130 . The locking mechanism collar  134  extends around a carrier collar  124 . The carrier collar  124  may be integrally formed with the rotating carrier body portion  120 . 
   Further, as described below, the locking mechanism collar  134  is telescopically mounted (and suitably secured) on the carrier collar  124 , such that the locking mechanism collar  134  may be moved down relative to the carrier collar  124 . The locking mechanism collar  134  might be spring loaded so as to bias the locking mechanism collar  134  up (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
   The movement down of the locking mechanism collar  134  is performed by the actuator  170  and effects the disengagement of the locking pin  136  from the locking pin aperture  112 . Accordingly, once the locking pin  136  is disengaged from the locking pin aperture  112 , the locking mechanism  130  no longer secures the rotating carrier body portion  120  vis-à-vis the stationary carrier body portion  110 , such that the rotating carrier body portion  120  is free to rotate. 
   As noted above, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism  130  may be spring-loaded so as to be biased into the locking position, i.e., biased into the position shown in  FIG. 6 . In operation, the actuator  170  overcomes the spring bias so as to disengage the locking pin  136  from the locking pin aperture  112 . 
     FIG. 6  also shows aspects of a safety retention gear assembly  150 . The safety retention gear assembly  150  includes a driving actuator gear  152 , as shown. The driving actuator gear  152  is fixed in a non-rotatable manner to a driving gear pin  156 . Accordingly, rotation of the driving gear pin  156  directly results in rotation of the driving actuator gear  152 . The driving gear pin  156 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, is provided with a pin engagement component  157  to effect rotation of the driving gear pin  156 . The pin engagement component  157  may be a suitable groove, for example, which the actuator  170  interlocks with so as to rotate the driving actuator gear  152 . 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the rotating carrier body portion  120  in the open position and the locking mechanism  130  disengaged from the stationary carrier body portion  110 .  FIG. 7  also shows further aspects of the safety retention gear assembly  150 . Specifically,  FIG. 7  shows the driving actuator gear  152 , as well as a driven actuator gear  154 . Both the driving actuator gear  152  and the driven actuator gear  154  are provided with suitable teeth such that rotation of the driving actuator gear  152  results in rotation of the driven actuator gear  154 . The driven actuator gear  154  is non-rotateably fixed to the ammunition safety retention housing  160 . Accordingly, rotation of the driven actuator gear  154  results in the rotation of the ammunition safety retention housing  160 , exposing the ammunition for removal. 
   The arrangement of the ammunition carrier  100  provides for a novel process to expose the ammunition. The first step to expose the ammunition is to depress the locking mechanism  130  such that the locking pin  136  disengages from the locking pin aperture  112 . Then, the rotating carrier body portion  120  is rotated relative to the stationary carrier body portion  110 . Thereafter, the driving gear pin  156  is rotated so as to rotate the driving actuator gear  152 . Rotation of the driving actuator gear  152  in turn rotates the driven actuator gear  154 . Since the driven actuator gear  154  is fixed to the ammunition safety retention housing  160 , the ammunition safety retention housing  160  is rotated so as to fully expose the ammunition. The rotation of the ammunition safety retention housing  160  may be performed as the very last step in the case where the ammunition is to be removed. 
     FIGS. 8-11  show further aspects of the actuator  170 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As noted above, the actuator  170  includes an actuator handle  173 . The actuator handle  173  is manipulated by an operator to control the actuator  170 . The actuator  170  includes a plunger sleeve  174 . Housed within the plunger sleeve  174  is an engagement plunger  175 . The engagement plunger  175  is vertically movable within the plunger sleeve  174 . Such vertical movement allows an engagement collar  176  to be engaged with the locking mechanism  130 . The engagement collar  176  is an integral part of the engagement plunger  175 . 
   That is, as the particular ammunition carrier  100  is positioned under the engagement plunger  175  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ), the operator depresses the engagement plunger  175  so as to engage the engagement collar  176  with the locking mechanism  130 . Specifically, the engagement collar  176  is engaged with an actuator engagement portion  131  (of the locking mechanism  130 ). Once engaged, the operator continues to depress the actuator  170  so as to disengage the locking pin  136  from the locking pin aperture  112 . The operator then rotates the actuator  170  so as to rotate the rotating carrier body portion  120  relative to the stationary carrier body portion  110 . 
   The operator then has access to the ammunition. The operator then decides whether it is desired to actually release the ammunition for unload, i.e., open the ammunition safety retention housing  160 . If the operator does wish to release the ammunition, the operator uses a gear driver  178 . 
   To explain,  FIG. 8  shows the gear driver  178 . The gear driver  178  may be in the form of a rod housed within the engagement plunger  175 . One end of the gear driver  178  is fitted with a handle as shown in  FIG. 8 . The other end of the rod is adapted to engage the pin engagement component  157  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Accordingly, by the operator rotating the gear driver  178 , the operator effects rotation of the driving gear pin  156 , the driving actuator gear  152  and in turn the driven actuator gear  154 . This results in the opening of the ammunition safety retention housing  160 . 
   It is appreciated that other arrangements may be used to effect the independent rotation of the locking mechanism  130  and driving gear pin  156 . The invention is not limited to the particular arrangement of the actuator  170  shown in  FIG. 8 . For example, a motorized actuator assembly might be used to rotate carrier body portion  120  and operatively engage with the gear driver  178 . Another motorized arrangement is described below. 
   Hereinafter, further aspects of embodiments will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing an unloading process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the process starts in step  200  and passes to step  210 . In step  210 , the ammunition carrier is transported until positioned at an unload position. This transport may be performed using a suitable ammunition handling system, equipped with features of the invention. 
   Then, in step  220 , the engagement collar  176  is positioned over the actuator engagement portion  131  of the locking mechanism  130 . The engagement collar  176  is then lowered until engaged with the actuator engagement portion  131 . 
   Then, in step  230  the carrier body portion  120  is rotated using the actuator handle  173  (to open rotating carrier body portion  120 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , this rotation would be clockwise. Step  240  of  FIG. 13  reflects that the ammunition safety retention housing  160  serves as a gate, i.e., a safety feature. That is, until the ammunition safety retention housing  160  is rotated so as to release the ammunition, the ammunition is still secured by the ammunition safety retention housing  160 . 
   In this example, it is concluded that the ammunition should be released. Accordingly, in step  250 , the gear driver  178 , i.e., the handle, is rotated to rotate the driving gear pin  156 . For example, the gear driver  178  is rotated counterclockwise as shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in step  260  of  FIG. 13 , rotation of driving gear pin  156  effects rotation of driving actuator gear  152  and driven actuator gear  154 , and results in ammunition safety retention housing  160  being rotated. The ammunition safety retention housing  160  is rotated (step  270 ) until housing opening  162  is exposed, i.e., vis-à-vis stationary carrier body portion  110 . In step  280 , the ammunition is then free to be removed. In step  290 , the process ends. 
   In further explanation of embodiments,  FIG. 14  is a cross sectional diagram showing the actuator  170  of  FIG. 11  along line A-A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 14  shows details of the internal structure of the actuator  170 . The actuator handle  173  may be fixed to the actuator arm  172  in a suitable manner, for example, so as to allow rotation within the actuator arm  172 . For example, insert ring  177  might be used to secure the actuator handle  173  in the actuator arm  172 , while allowing relative rotation. 
     FIG. 14  also shows the gear driver  178  disposed in the engagement plunger  175 ; and the engagement plunger  175  disposed in the actuator arm  172 . Such components may also be secured to each other using suitable insert rings  177 . That is, the insert ring  177 ′ allows rotation between the gear driver  178  and the engagement plunger  175 , but does not allow telescopic movement. On the other hand, insert ring  177 ″ allows rotational movement between the engagement plunger  175  and the actuator arm  172 , as well as limited telescopic movement, i.e., such that engagement collar  176  may be moved down to engage the locking mechanism  130 . A suitable spring  171  may be used to bias engagement plunger  175  to an up (disengaged) position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 14 , the gear driver  178  may be provided with a suitable spline  178 ′. The spline  178 ′ is provided to engage with the pin engagement component  157  (of the driving gear pin  156 ) as shown in  FIG. 6 , i.e., so as to rotate the driving gear pin  156 , as described herein. 
   With regard to further aspects of the invention,  FIG. 15  is the actuator of  FIG. 8  modified to be automated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. It is appreciated that any suitable arrangement may be provided to effect the above described movement of the actuator  170 , and the various components thereof. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 15  shows an actuator rotation assembly  192 . The actuator rotation assembly  192  may be in the form of a suitable motor arrangement for rotating the actuator  170  relative to the magazine housing  190 .  FIG. 15  also shows actuator engagement assembly  194 . The actuator engagement assembly  194  may be in the form of a suitable motor arrangement to effect telescope movement of the engagement plunger  175  within the plunger sleeve  174 , and to effect rotation of the gear driver  178  within the engagement plunger  175 . Such rotation of the gear driver  178  effects rotation of the driving actuator gear  152 , as described above. The assemblies ( 192 ,  194 ) may be provided with suitable gears, solenoids, etc., as may be desired. Further, the actuator engagement assembly  194  and the actuator rotation assembly  192  may be provided to effect other desired automated actuation, as is well within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure set forth herein. 
   It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention. 
   Accordingly, while the present invention has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.