Patents Assigned to North American Dynamics
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Patent number: 5149909Abstract: An ammunition feed system wherein a single layer of alternatingly opposing rounds of ammunition is conveyed in a magazine by a single closed loop conveyor disposed along a serpentine path. The opposing rounds are fed into a twister conveyor apparatus which aligns the rounds and conveys the aligned rounds onto a pair of parallel paths. The aligned rounds on the parallel paths are received by a pair of feed rotors for alternate insertion into a single gun feeding conveyor. Spent rounds are withdrawn from the conveyor by a pair of return rotors, which return the spent rounds to a second twister conveyor. The second twister conveyor reorients the rounds into an alternating opposed configuration and returns the rounds to the serpentine path. Each twister conveyor includes two pairs of sprockets oriented in a perpendicular configuration. Each pair of sprockets carries one closed loop of conveyor elements for conveying rounds.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1991Date of Patent: September 22, 1992Assignee: North American DynamicsInventors: Richard L. Hagen, William C. Baldwin, William W. Thompson
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Patent number: 5147972Abstract: An ammunition feed system wherein a single layer of ammunition is conveyed in a magazine by two independent closed loop conveyors disposed side by side in parallel, serpentine paths. Live rounds are fed on parallel output paths into first and second expansion rotor systems which, in turn, supply the rounds to a pair of feed rotors which insert the rounds alternately into a gun feeding conveyor. Spent rounds are withdrawn from the conveyor by a pair of return rotors, which, in turn, supply third and fourth expansion rotors, which return the spent rounds to the first and second parallel serpentine paths. The feed and return rotors contain pockets for receiving rounds alternating with surfaces for guiding rounds and cooperate with the expansion rotors to double the rate at which ammunition exits the system over that at which it is transferred out of the magazine.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1991Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: North American DynamicsInventors: Richard L. Hagen, William W. Thompson
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Patent number: 5109751Abstract: An ammunition feed system wherein a single layer of ammunition is conveyed in a magazine by two independent closed loop conveyors disposed side by side in parallel, serpentine paths. Live rounds are fed on parallel output paths into first and second expansion rotor systems which, in turn, supply the rounds to a pair of feed rotors which insert the rounds alternately into a gun feeding conveyor. Spent rounds are withdrawn from the conveyor by a pair of return rotors, which, in turn, supply third and fourth expansion rotors, which return the spend rounds to the first and second parallel serpentine paths. The feed and return rotors contain pockets for receiving rounds alternating with surfaces for guiding rounds and cooperate with the expansion rotors to double the rate at which ammunition exits the system over that at which it is transferred out of the magazine.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1990Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: North American DynamicsInventors: Richard L. Hagen, William W. Thompson
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Patent number: 4967640Abstract: Gun mounting apparatus is provided which includes a pivotable shoe for slidably engaging a mating bracket on a gun in order to support a substantial amount of the gun weight to facilitate movement of the gun and engagement of coaxial fittings along with quick release means for both engaging the coaxial gun fittings and enabling gun rotation in elevation thereabout.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1989Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Assignee: North American DynamicsInventor: Richard E. Dodd
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Patent number: 4955280Abstract: A universal gun mount and ammunition feed system wherein an M242 chain gun is disposed with its dual feed chutes vertically oriented and fed with a symmetrical dual feed arrangement wherein linked rounds are rotated 180 degrees and wherein flex chuting is mounted about the sides of the turret and extends upwardly into the feed mechanism, thereby preventing binding, excessive loading, and jamming.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1989Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Assignee: North American DynamicsInventor: William C. Baldwin
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Patent number: 4941393Abstract: An ammunition transport system employing a container wherein an endless wire rope ladder chain is mounted to move in serpentine fashion, the ladder chain including transport tubes disposed as the ladder "steps," which serve to move ammunition through the container. The ladder chain includes successive ladder segments joined together by mounting respective swaged end fittings in special connector tubes. The transport tubes snap onto steel balls disposed along the ladder, while the connector tubes are positively retained by pop-on retainers.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1989Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Assignee: North American DynamicsInventors: Richard E. Dodd, William C. Baldwin
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Patent number: 4926743Abstract: Gun mounting apparatus is provided which includes a pivotable shoe for slidably engaging a mating bracket on a gun in order to support a substantial amount of the gun weight to facilitate movement of the gun and engagement of coaxial fittings along with quick release means for both engaging the coaxial gun fittings and enabling gun rotation in elevation thereabout.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: North American DynamicsInventor: Richard E. Dodd