Primer loader assembly

Abstract

A primer loader assembly ( 10 ) comprises a loading and feeding assembly ( 26 ) for receiving an elongate magazine ( 28 ) containing primers ( 24 ); an advancement member ( 30 ) for advancing the magazine ( 28 ) along its longitudinal axis, through the primer loader assembly ( 10 ) to bring a primer ( 24 ) in register with the said primer chamber ( 22 ); and a push rod ( 32 ) for loading the primer ( 24 ) into the primer chamber ( 22 ) by moving the primer ( 24 ) from the magazine ( 28 ) into the chamber ( 22 ). The magazine ( 28 ) defines a plurality of individual separate tubular openings ( 28.1 ) for containing the primers ( 24 ) separate from each other. The magazine ( 28 ) further defines a plurality of curved guide slots ( 28.5 ), for engaging the advancement member ( 30 ) and to advance the magazine ( 28 ) step-wise along its longitudinal axis.

1 . A primer loader assembly for loading a primer into a primer chamber in a spindle of a gun, such as a cannon, the primer loader assembly comprising a loading and feeding assembly adapted to receive a magazine containing primers; an advancement member; and a loading member, the invention being characterised in that the advancement member is adapted to advance the magazine along its longitudinal axis through the loading and feeding assembly, so that the primer is brought into register with the primer chamber and loaded into said primer chamber by being moved from the magazine into the chamber by the loading member. 
   
   
       2 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the magazine includes separating formations, in the form of side walls of a plurality of individual separate tubular openings extending through the magazine, for retaining the primers separate from each other, the arrangement being such that the loading member moves through the tubular opening to load the primer into the primer chamber. 
   
   
       3 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the magazine is provided with a first connecting formation, in the form of a male T-formation, at one end thereof and a complementary second connecting formation, in the form of a female T-formation, at an opposite end thereof, the arrangement being such that opposite ends of the magazine are adapted to connect to the complementary connecting formations of other identical magazines, in one way only, so that the primers all face in the same direction, for loading into the primer chamber. 
   
   
       4 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the magazine further defines an advancement formation for engaging the advancement member. 
   
   
       5 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the advancement member includes at least one follower pin and the advancement formation is in the form of a plurality of guide slots defined in two opposite side walls of the magazine, providing a cam track along which the follower pin travels, which are arranged such that the magazine is adapted to be advanced step-wise, in a single direction, along its longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       6 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the advancement member further includes a guide assembly, in which the follower pin and a first biasing means are located, the arrangement being such that the first biasing means biases the follower pin towards and in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the magazine so that the follower pin engages the guide slots. 
   
   
       7 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide assembly is movable between an engaged position wherein the follower pin engages the guide slots; and a disengaged position wherein the follower pin is disengaged from the guide slots, the arrangement being such that the magazine is removable from the loading and feeding assembly when the guide assembly is in the disengaged position. 
   
   
       8 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the follower pin is a first follower pin and the advancement member includes a second opposing follower pin, each pin being located within a guide assembly. 
   
   
       9 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , which further includes a bracket assembly defining an adjustment cradle in the bottom of the bracket assembly, and which includes two parallel support bars extending from the bottom of the bracket assembly on opposing sides of the adjustment cradle, each support bar defining an opening for supporting one of the guide assemblies. 
   
   
       10 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the loading and feeding assembly includes a loader cylinder assembly and a chamber block assembly arranged relative to each other so that their longitudinal axes are aligned. 
   
   
       11 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the chamber block assembly defines a magazine guide slot for receiving the magazine and guiding movement of the magazine when progressing along its longitudinal axis through the chamber block assembly. 
   
   
       12 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the magazine guide slot is adapted to receive the magazine from either side thereof, the arrangement being such that the magazine is advanced in a single direction from any one side of the chamber block assembly to the other side thereof. 
   
   
       13 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 10 , which includes a support member, attached to the chamber block assembly, for supporting the magazine as it progresses through the chamber block assembly. 
   
   
       14 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the chamber block assembly further defines two pin guide slots extending transverse the magazine guide slot with each guide assembly extending through the opening in each support bar, the arrangement being such that when the magazine is located in the magazine guide slot of the chamber block assembly, the follower pins engage the guide slots of the magazine via the pin guide slots. 
   
   
       15 . A primer loader assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the loader cylinder assembly includes a first outer cylinder; a second inner cylinder in the form of an inner rod, being contained within the first outer cylinder and being telescopically movable relative to the first outer cylinder; and the loading member, in the form of a push rod, which is contained within the second inner cylinder and which is telescopically movable relative to the second inner cylinder for pushing the primer through the magazine and loading the primer into the primer chamber. 
   
   
       16 . A magazine for containing primers to be loaded into a primer chamber in a spindle of a gun, such as a cannon, by means of the primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . A magazine according to  claim 16 , which includes a body with separating formations for retaining the primers separate from each other. 
   
   
       18 . A magazine according to  claim 17 , which defines a plurality of individual separate tubular openings extending through the body of the magazine from one side to the other side thereof, and with the side walls of the openings providing the said separating formations. 
   
   
       19 . A magazine according to  claim 16 , which is provided with a first connecting formation at one end thereof and a complementary second connecting formation at an opposite end thereof, the arrangement being such that opposite ends of the magazine are respectively connectable to the connecting formations of other identical magazines. 
   
   
       20 . A magazine according to  claim 19 , wherein the first connecting formation is in the form of a male T-formation and the second connecting formation is in the form of a female T-formation for mating with the male T-formation of another identical magazine. 
   
   
       21 . A magazine according to  claim 20  wherein the male T-formation of the magazine and the female T-formation of another identical magazine are adapted to mate with each other in one way only, the arrangement being such that the magazines are connectable so that the primers all face the same direction. 
   
   
       22 . A magazine according to  claim 16 , which further defines an advancement formation. 
   
   
       23 . A magazine according to  claim 22 , wherein the advancement formation is in the form of a plurality of guide slots defined in at least one side wall of the magazine, and providing a cam track. 
   
   
       24 . A magazine according to  claim 23 , wherein the guide slots are arranged such that the magazine is adapted to be advanced in a single direction through the primer loader assembly, along its longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       25 . A magazine according to  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of guide slots are defined in two opposite side walls of the magazine. 
   
   
       26 . A magazine according to  claim 16 , which includes a retaining formation for releasably retaining the primers in the tubular openings. 
   
   
       27 . A magazine according to  claim 26 , wherein the retaining formation is in the form of two deformable O-rings, between which an end of the primer is releasably retained. 
   
   
       28 . A magazine according to  claim 16 , wherein the two opposite sides of the magazine are sealed, such that the tubular openings containing the primers are closed at both ends thereof. 
   
   
       29 . A magazine according to  claim 28 , wherein the magazine is sealed by means of a film of a material selected from the group consisting of foil; thermoplastic polymer; paper; and laminated combinations thereof. 
   
   
       30 . A gun including a primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , for loading primers into a primer chamber in a spindle of a gun. 
   
   
       31 . A gun including a primer loader assembly according to  claim 1 , for loading primers into a primer chamber of a gun. 
   
   
       32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . (canceled)