Packing case for a large-caliber cartridge

Abstract

A packing case ( 1 ) for a large-caliber cartridge ( 2 ), having a thin-walled cartridge case ( 3 ) and a projectile ( 4 ), which protrudes at least partially out of the front of the cartridge casing ( 3 ), and has at its outer circumference an annular stop groove ( 5 ), with the packing case ( 1 ) including an outer case ( 6 ) and an inner case ( 7 ) that comprises at least two partial cases disposed one behind the other. To enable the cartridge to be easily secured in the packing case and subsequently removed, at least two spring-loaded stop elements ( 19 ) that can pivot toward the projectile ( 4 ) and have guide elements ( 21 ) are provided. The stop elements extend with a form-fit into the stop groove ( 5 ) of the projectile ( 4 ) and are supported at the rear against a partial case ( 11 ) of the inner case ( 7 ). When the inner case is pulled out of the inner case, the stop elements ( 19 ) rotate with the guide elements ( 21 ) relative to radial guide grooves ( 22 ) on which the guide elements ( 21 ) are supported, and pivot stop elements ( 19 ) radially out of the stop groove ( 5 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A packing case for a large-caliber cartridge, which has a thin-walled cartridge casing and a projectile that projects at least partially from a front of the cartridge casing, and which has an annular stop groove on its outer circumferential surface, said packing case comprising: 
 an outer case that can be closed at the front and the rear;    an inner case that receives the cartridge and is disposed inside the outer case, with the inner case including at least two partial cases that are disposed one behind the other in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the packing case;    at least two spring-loaded stop elements that can each pivot about a respective shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the packing case, disposed between facing end surface of the two partial cases, and, in a locked position, extend with a form-fit into the stop groove of a projectile located in the packing case, thereby supporting the projectile at the rear against the rear partial case; and    each of the stop elements having a guide element that is supported against a respective guide groove such that, when the inner case is pulled out of the outer case, the guide elements rotate relative to the guide grooves by a maximum angle of rotation, causing the stop elements to pivot outwardly from their locked position into an unlocked position.    
     
     
         2 . The packing case according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the inner case includes at least first, second and third partial cases that are disposed one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the packing case, with the first partial case being attached to the outer case and receiving a front tip of a projectile and the adjoining second and third cases being connected to one another for relative rotation, and disposed to be axially displaceable in the outer case;    at least two guide rails are secured, with equidistant spacing over the circumference, to the outer surface of the first partial case, with the rails extending in the longitudinal direction to the third partial case and being connected to the outer surface of the third partial case;    each of the rails is provided with inward-oriented radial cams, that extend into corresponding radial grooves in an outer surface of the second partial case such that, when the second and third partial cases are displaced axially from a first end position, in which the inner case is completely inside the outer case, and into a second end position, in which the inner case is partially pulled out of the outer case, the second partial case rotates by a maximum preset angle of rotation relative to the third partial case, which is fixed against rotating inside the outer case by the guide rails; and    the spring-loaded stop elements that can pivot about a shaft that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the packing case are disposed between the end surfaces of the second and third partial cases.    
     
     
         3 . The packing case according to  claim 2 , wherein at least four guide rails are provided with equidistant spacing over the circumferences of the partial cases.  
     
     
         4 . The packing case according to  claim 2 , wherein the guide rails are seated in respective grooves formed in the outer surfaces of the respective partial cases, with the guide rails engaging side walls of the grooves in the first and third partial cases in a form-fit, and with the spacing between the side walls, of the grooves in the surface of the second partial case being selected such that they serve as end stops for securing the locked and unlocked positions of the second partial case.  
     
     
         5 . The packing case according to  claim 1 , wherein four pivotable stop elements are provided with equidistant spacing over the circumference of the inner case, and their rotating shafts are seated in the second partial case.  
     
     
         6 . The packing case according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide element of a respective stop element is a cam that is secured to the end of the stop element facing away from the rotating shaft.  
     
     
         7 . The packing case according to  claim 2 , wherein the second and third partial cases are connected to one another for relative rotation via a multi-part connecting ring, with the radial guide grooves into which the respective guide element of the corresponding stop element extends being mounted on the connecting ring.  
     
     
         8 . The packing case according to  claim 7 , wherein each respective radial guide groove is disposed in a hook-shaped part at the end of a lever connected to the connecting ring, with the guide element of the respective stop element being supported on a side wall of the hook-shaped part facing the connecting ring.