Assembly for positioning and holding a projectile in a tray and loading aid comprising such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (5) for positioning and holding in position a projectile (2) in a stretcher (3) and a loading assistance device (1) comprising such an assembly (5). The assembly (5) comprises at least one arm (8) pivotally mounted between a raised position allowing the projectile (2) to be placed in the stretcher (3) and a lowered position in which the at least one arm (8) cooperates with the projectile (2) received in the stretcher (3) so as to ensure its alignment with the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3). The at least one arm (8) is pivoted from the raised position to the lowered position by an actuating mechanism (9) intended to cooperate with drive means (4) of the stretcher (3) and capable of transmitting a movement of said drive means (4) to the at least one arm (8).

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of devices allowing the loading of a projectile into the chamber of a large caliber weapon, and in particular, devices comprising a stretcher which is intended to receive the projectile and which can be moved in order to allow it to be brought closer to the chamber of the weapon and the projectile to be positioned.

[0002] To feed a large caliber weapon, it is well known to use a stretcher intended to receive the projectile.

[0003] For example, French patent FR3114384 describes a device for loading a shell into the chamber of a weapon comprising a stretcher slidably mounted on a stretcher support which is itself connected to the weapon by a set of connecting rods whose pivoting relative to the weapon leads to the movement of the stretcher.

[0004] French patent FR3043190 describes more particularly such a stretcher, which stretcher is equipped with a positioning pusher intended to come into contact with the base of a shell received in the stretcher and to exert a thrust on the shell to position it.

[0005] French patent FR2721387 also describes a shell receiving stretcher which is brought by rotation, in particular by means of a rotary cylinder with a helical piston, into the axis of the gun chamber. This stretcher has the advantage of being provided with an anti-extraction device which is intended to prevent the ejection of the shell during rotation of the stretcher.

[0006] French patent FR2796713 also discloses a stretcher provided with a device for preventing the ejection of the shell when the stretcher is moved. In particular, this patent describes a stretcher carrying a chain rammer supporting a means for automatically blocking the shell when it is placed on the stretcher. This blocking means has the shape of an eccentric cam which allows the shell to be placed in the stretcher, but prevents the radial withdrawal of the shell by bracing.

[0007] The anti-extraction device of patent FR2721387, as well as the blocking means of patent FR2796713, although effective in preventing the ejection of the shell when the stretcher is moved, do not ensure the positioning and maintenance in position of the shell in the stretcher, in particular, the alignment of the shell with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

[0008] However, the alignment of the shell with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, and therefore with the longitudinal axis of the barrel in which the shell is to be placed, is necessary to ensure that the shell is correctly positioned in the chamber of the weapon. Indeed, in the case where the shell is not perfectly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, the risk is that the shell will be placed at an angle in the chamber of the weapon, which causes safety problems. For example, in the case where the shell is positioned at an angle in the chamber of the weapon, the shell may arrive at the level of the forcing cone with a reduced speed and not be correctly attached to the forcing cone and therefore become unhooked.

[0009] The present invention thus aims to propose a solution making it possible not only to prevent the ejection of the shell when moving the stretcher, but also to improve the positioning and maintenance of the shell in the stretcher and therefore to ensure perfect alignment of the shell with the chamber of the weapon when positioning the shell.

[0010] The solution according to the present invention is based on the arrangement of at least one arm movable between a raised position allowing the projectile to be placed in the stretcher and a lowered position allowing the projectile to be correctly positioned in the stretcher and to be kept in this correct position before the projectile is pushed towards the front of the stretcher, in particular to position it and keep it in position at the bottom of the stretcher and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

[0011] The present invention relates to a positioning and holding assembly for positioning and holding in position a projectile, such as a shell, in a stretcher having a longitudinal axis, the stretcher being movable between a first position called projectile depositing position and a second position called projectile positioning position, by means of drive means which are movable, the positioning and holding assembly being characterized by the fact that it comprises: at least one movable arm comprising a bearing surface, the at least one arm being intended to be pivotally mounted, around a pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the at least one arm and, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, between a raised position allowing the projectile to be deposited in the stretcher, and a lowered position in which the bearing surface is able to cooperate with the projectile received in the stretcher so as to ensure the alignment of the projectile with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, a pivoting actuating mechanism intended to cooperate with the drive means and arranged to transform a movement of the drive means during the movement of the stretcher from the depositing position to the positioning position, into a pivoting of the at least one arm from the raised position to the lowered position,and elastic return means for the at least one arm to return it to its raised position once the stretcher is placed in the positioning position.

[0012] Such an assembly, applied to a projectile loading stretcher, and arranged and configured to allow the projectile to be deposited in the stretcher, not only prevents the radial withdrawal of this projectile before its repulsion, but also guarantees the alignment of the longitudinal axis of the projectile with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher and therefore with the longitudinal axis of the barrel in which the projectile is intended to be placed. Thus, the assembly according to the present invention makes it possible to improve safety by positioning and maintaining the projectile in the correct position in the stretcher.

[0013] Preferably, the bearing surface has a concave longitudinal profile. Such a profile is particularly suitable for a projectile comprising a body having a cylindrical portion and a conical portion.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly comprises a pair of arms connected to each other by an actuating rod having a longitudinal axis which in use is coaxial with the pivot axis, the actuating rod being integral with the pivoting actuating mechanism and movable in rotation about the pivot axis, the two arms being spaced from each other along said actuating rod. The arrangement of two arms allows better support and therefore better positioning of the projectile against the bottom of the stretcher, without however excessively increasing the mass of the assembly.

[0015] Advantageously, the actuating rod is a torsion bar. Such a torsion bar allows for the consideration of variable geometries of the projectiles by allowing the arms to have a difference in angular positioning between them in the lowered position.

[0016] Preferably, the elastic return means are formed by a return spring, in particular a spiral-type torsion spring mounted coaxially around the pivot axis or parallel to said pivot axis. Such a return spring is a simple and inexpensive means allowing the at least one arm to return to the raised position in the absence of rotational movement of the stretcher, which return to the raised position allows, in use, the pushing back of the deposited projectile as well as the depositing of a new projectile.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the pivoting actuation mechanism comprises: a pusher intended to cooperate with the drive means and mounted to slide along a sliding axis orthogonal to the pivot axis, a rocker articulated on the pusher and mounted to pivot about an axis orthogonal to the sliding axis of the pusher and parallel to the pivot axis of the at least one arm, a copying rod articulated, by two pivot connections whose axes are parallel, between the rocker and an actuating member, and said actuating member, which is mounted to pivot about the pivot axis of the at least one arm and is integral in rotation with the at least one arm, where appropriate with the actuating rod, the pivoting actuating mechanism being arranged such that a translation of the pusher, under the action of the movement of the drive means, causes a pivoting of the rocker, which in turn causes a displacement of the copying connecting rod which causes the actuating member and therefore the at least one arm to pivot around the pivot axis.

[0018] Such a mechanism has the advantage of being reliable and having a reduced number of parts.

[0019] Advantageously, the pivoting actuation mechanism is configured such that the pivot angle of the at least one movable arm is approximately 90 degrees.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a device for assisting in loading a projectile, such as a shell, into the chamber of a weapon, which device comprises a stretcher for receiving the projectile and means for driving the stretcher capable of moving the stretcher between a first position called the projectile deposit position and a second position called the projectile positioning position, characterized in that the device further comprises a positioning and holding assembly as defined above, which is integral with the stretcher and is arranged on a lateral side of the stretcher with the pivot axis of the at least one arm parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

[0021] Thus, the control of the pivoting actuation mechanism by the drive means of the stretcher makes it possible to place the positioning and position-holding assembly in its lowered position, in which the projectile is pressed against the bottom of the stretcher, during the movement of the stretcher from the depositing position to the positioning position, and to allow it to return to its raised position upon arrival at the positioning position and in the absence of said movement of the stretcher, to allow the depositing of a projectile in the stretcher, at the depositing position, and the pushing back of a deposited projectile, at the positioning position.

[0022] Preferably, the pivot axis of the at least one arm is positioned above and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the lateral side of the stretcher, in the plane of said lateral side.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the drive means comprise a set of connecting rods intended to be articulated between the weapon and the stretcher around a hinge axis orthogonal to the pivot axis of the at least one arm, one of the connecting rods of the set of connecting rods comprising a means for recovering the rotational movement of the connecting rod and capable of cooperating with the pivoting actuation mechanism of the at least one arm.

[0024] Preferably, the recovery means is a cam track formed on the connecting rod.

[0025] Preferably, the recovery means is formed on a rear connecting rod of the connecting rod set, the pivoting actuating mechanism being positioned adjacent the rear end of a projectile drop zone of the stretcher.

[0026] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of the positioning and position holding assembly according to the present invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a longitudinal side view of the entire Figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3 ] is a cross-sectional side view of the entire Figure 1 ; [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view, seen from three-quarters rear, of the loading assistance device according to the present invention, a projectile being deposited in the stretcher and the assembly for positioning and maintaining in position the Figure 1 being in a raised position; [ Fig. 5 ] is a view analogous to that of the Figure 4 , the positioning and position holding assembly of the Figure 1 being in a lowered position; [ Fig. 6] is a bottom view of the device of the Figure 4 ; [ Fig. 7 ] is a rear view of the device of the Figure 4 ; And [ Fig. 8 ] is a detailed top view showing the cooperation between the positioning and position-holding assembly and the rear connecting rod of the stretcher rotation drive means.

[0027] If we first refer to the Figures 4 to 7, it can be seen that the device 1 for assisting in loading a projectile 2 into the chamber of a weapon according to the present invention comprises, in a known manner, a stretcher 3 and drive means 4 for the stretcher 3. The loading aid device 1 according to the present invention further comprises a positioning and holding assembly 5, hereinafter referred to more simply as "assembly 5", for positioning and holding the projectile 2 in position in the stretcher 3, in particular for pressing the projectile 2 against the bottom of the stretcher 3, in which pressed position the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X0 of the stretcher 3, during the movement of the stretcher 3.

[0028] Stretcher 3, as shown in the Figures 4 to 7, is a well-known stretcher 3 described for example by French patent FR3043190. This stretcher 3 comprises a trough 30 having substantially the shape of a semi-cylindrical rectilinear profile capable of receiving a projectile 2 which can be deposited in the stretcher 3 from above using a depositing means not shown, for example a clamp. The concave open surface of the trough 30 defines the depositing zone of the projectile 2. The diameter of the depositing zone is slightly greater than the diameter of the projectile 2. Lateral longitudinal members 31, 32 extend on either side of the trough 30, in the longitudinal direction of the trough 30, facing each other. Thus, a projectile 2, such as a shell, placed in the stretcher 3 is positioned on the trough 30 and between the lateral longitudinal members 31, 32. The front end 3a of the stretcher 3 comprises a positioning ring 33 intended to interface the stretcher 3 with the entrance to the chamber of a weapon (weapon not shown).At the rear end 3b of the stretcher 3 there is a positioning pusher 6 capable of being moved in translation along the length of the stretcher 3 in order to push the projectile 2 received on the trough 30 towards the chamber of the weapon.

[0029] The drive means 4 allow the movement of the stretcher 3 from a first position, called the position for depositing the projectile 2, to a second position, called the positioning of the projectile 2.

[0030] The drive means 4 of the stretcher 3, partially represented on the Figures 4 to 8, are well-known means and described for example by the French patent FR3114384. These means 4 comprise connecting rods, including a front supporting connecting rod and a rear supporting connecting rod 40, connected on the one hand to the stretcher 3 and on the other hand to the weapon and whose pivoting relative to the weapon leads to the movement of the stretcher 3 between the positions of deposit and of positioning. In the particular embodiment shown, it is the rear supporting connecting rod 40, shown on the Figures 4 to 8 , which is intended to cooperate with the pivoting actuation mechanism of the positioning and holding assembly 5. This connecting rod 40 carries, at its first end 40a, connected to the stretcher 3, a vertical articulation axis 41 housed in a bore provided on the convex lower face of the trough 30 of the stretcher 3.

[0031] As can be seen more particularly on the Figures 6 And 8, this connecting rod 40 also carries, at its first end 40a, the means 42 for recovering the rotational movement of the connecting rod 40.

[0032] In the particular embodiment shown, this recovery means 42 is a cam path formed on the connecting rod 40. The cam path is here defined by the lateral flank of the first end 40a of the connecting rod 40. The cam path comprises a concave zone 42a in the general shape of a V, arranged on a first longitudinal side 40b of the connecting rod 40, on the side of the positioning and holding assembly 5, at the level of the articulation axis 41. The concave zone 42a is rounded to allow transmission of the rotational movement without risk of jamming. The concave area 42a is followed by a rounded bulge area 42b, at which the width of the connecting rod 40 increases, then by a flat 42c which generally starts from the longitudinal axis Xb of the connecting rod 40 to join the second longitudinal side 40c of the connecting rod 40. The flat 42c is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis Xb.

[0033] The assembly 5 according to the present invention is connected to the stretcher 3 and is arranged on a lateral side of the stretcher 3, in particular on the lateral side of the stretcher 3 towards which the cam track is directed. More precisely, the assembly 5 is connected to the stretcher 3 by means of a support structure comprising upper flanges 70 fixed to the upper edge of a lateral spar 31 and a lower flange 71 fixed to the lower edge of this spar 31, the flanges 70, 71 being positioned in the vicinity of the rear end of the projectile deposition zone 2, the lower flange 71 being in transverse alignment with the hinge axis 41 of the rear connecting rod 40.

[0034] The set 5 shown on the Figures 1 to 8comprises a pair of arms 8 movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a pivoting actuating mechanism 9 for the arms 8 from the raised position to the lowered position and means 10 for returning the arms 8 to the raised position.

[0035] The two movable arms 8 are configured and arranged so as to be in the plane of the lateral beam 31 in the raised position ( Figures 4 And 7 ) and to come into contact with the projectile 2 in order to press it against the bottom of the stretcher 3 in the lowered position ( Figure 5). The two arms 8 are spaced apart from each other along the lateral spar 31, in other words along the longitudinal direction of the stretcher 3, and extend parallel to each other and in longitudinal alignment with each other. Each arm 8 has a concave longitudinal profile and an opposite convex longitudinal profile. The concave longitudinal profile is directed towards the inside of the stretcher 3 and its surface, called the bearing surface 80, is intended to cooperate with the contour of the projectile 2.

[0036] One of the longitudinal ends of each arm 8 is free and the other longitudinal end of each arm 8 is secured to a common actuating rod 11. This actuating rod 11 is a cylindrical rod mounted to rotate about a pivot axis A0 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each arm 8 and, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis X0 of the stretcher 3. Preferably, the actuating rod 11 is a torsion bar.

[0037] The actuating rod 11, the longitudinal axis of which is coaxial with the pivot axis A0, is received in corresponding bores provided in the upper flanges 70. Thus, the actuating rod 11 and therefore the arms 8 are mounted to be movable in rotation only around the pivot axis A0.

[0038] The actuating rod 11 also carries, between one of the arms 8 and its rear end, the actuating member 12 of the pivoting actuating mechanism 9. The actuating member 12 is in the form of a tab having one end secured to the actuating rod 11, and therefore movable in rotation around the pivot axis A0, and one end connected to the copying connecting rod 52 of said mechanism 9.

[0039] The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using a pair of arms 8. It is however possible to provide a single arm or more than two arms, for example two pairs arranged at a distance from each other.

[0040] The pivoting actuating mechanism 9 is mounted between the actuating rod 11 and the connecting rod 40. As can be seen more particularly in the Figures 1 to 3 , this mechanism 9 comprises, in addition to the actuating member 12, three other movable parts connected together in an articulated manner, namely a pusher 50, a rocker 51 and a copying connecting rod 52.

[0041] The pusher 50 comprises a base part 50a, a connecting part 50b and a cooperation part 50c formed in one piece. The base part 50a is in the form of a plate, for example of square section, and is slidably received in a pair of complementary grooves formed in the lower flange 71. Thus, the pusher 50 is mounted to move in translation relative to the stretcher 3, along a sliding axis X1. This sliding axis X1 is orthogonal to the pivot axis A0 and is located in a plane parallel to the plane of the connecting rod 40. The connecting part 50b is carried by the base part 50a and extends from the latter and above the latter, substantially in its center. This connecting part 50b comprises a rectilinear slot 500 opening opposite the base part 50a and capable of receiving in a pivoting and sliding manner one of the axes of the rocker 51.The cooperation part 50c extends from the connecting part 50b and towards the cam path carried by the connecting rod 40. This cooperation part 50c is in the form of a rod whose free end intended to cooperate with the cam path is cylindrical. Thus, the pivoting of the connecting rod 40 will cause the displacement of the cam path relative to the cooperation part 50c and will push it so as to move the pusher 50 in translation along its sliding axis X1.

[0042] The rocker 51 comprises three axes 510, 511, 512 each arranged at a respective vertex of a triangle, when seen from the side, including the axis 510 received in the slot 500 of the pusher 50, an axis 511 rotatably mounted in corresponding bores of the lower flange 71, and an axis 512 articulated to the copying rod 52. These three axes 510, 511, 512 are parallel to each other and parallel to the pivot axis A0 of the arms 8. In particular, the rocker 51 may have two legs 513 facing each other and arranged on either side of the connecting part 50b, these two legs 513 being connected by the axis 510 received in the pusher 50 and by the axis 511 received in the flange 71. The axis 512 articulated to the copying rod 52 consists here of two coaxial cylindrical pivots extending on either side of the two legs 513.

[0043] The copying rod 52 connects the rocker 51 to the actuating member 12 via a pivot connection with an axis parallel to the pivot axis A0. The pivot connection between the copying rod 52 and the rocker 51 is here defined by the axis 512, namely the two coaxial cylindrical pivots which pass through the two lugs 513 of the rocker 51 and two corresponding lugs 523 at a lower end of the copying rod 52. The pivot connection between the copying rod 52 and the actuating member 12 is defined by an axis 520 arranged above the axis 512 and passing through the actuating member 12 and two corresponding lugs 521 at the upper end of the copying rod 52.

[0044] The return means 10 of the arms 8 in the raised position are formed by a return spring, in particular a spiral-type torsion spring mounted around the actuating rod 11, one end of the spring being integral with the actuating rod 11 while the other end is integral with an upper flange 70. Such a spring is shown schematically in the Figures 1 And 2. The return means 10 are arranged and configured so as to cause the actuating rod 11 to rotate around the pivot axis A0 in the absence of resistance at the pusher 50, resistance provided by the connecting rod 40. In particular, the return means 10 allow a rotation of the actuating rod 11 corresponding to an angular displacement of approximately 90 degrees of the pair of arms 8. Thus, the arms 8 pass from a lowered, substantially horizontal position to a raised, substantially vertical position. In the raised position, the arms 8 extend with their free end directed upwards and are located outside the removal plane.

[0045] Such a mechanism 9 makes it possible to transform, in a reliable and simple manner, a rotational movement of the connecting rod 40, brought into play during the movement of the stretcher 3 from the depositing position to the positioning position, into a rotational movement of the arms 8 towards their lowered position, and therefore to place and maintain a projectile 2 received on the stretcher 3 coaxially with the longitudinal axis X0 of the stretcher 3 before the projectile 2 is pushed towards the front of the stretcher 3.

[0046] When the stretcher 3 occupies the depositing position, a projectile 2 is placed in the stretcher 3. At this depositing position, the cooperation part 50c is located in the concave zone 42a of the cam path, resulting in the absence of outward thrust on the pusher 50, and the movable arms 8 are in the raised position, under the action of the return means 10. At the end of the depositing, the projectile 2 is positioned in the stretcher 3, with its base resting against the positioning pusher 6.

[0047] When the drive means 4 are rotated, to move the stretcher 3 to the stationing position, the connecting rod 40 is caused to pivot, which causes the cam path to cooperate with the cooperating portion 50c of the pusher 50, as can be seen in the Figures 6 to 8 .

[0048] In particular, when pivoting the connecting rod 40 from the depositing position, the bulging zone 42b will push the cooperation part 40c in the direction moving it away from the articulation axis 41, causing the pusher 50 to move in translation in the plane of the connecting rod 40 and along the sliding axis X1, which in turn causes the rocker 51 to tilt around its axis 511, relative to the fixed lower flange 71, in a direction such that its axis 512 of articulation with the copying connecting rod 52 rises towards the stretcher 3, in other words in the clockwise direction when observing the Figure 3. This therefore causes the copying rod 52 to rise.

[0049] Due to the pivot connection around the axis 520 between the copying rod 52 and the actuating member 12, this upward movement causes the actuating member 12 to pivot around the pivot axis A0, and therefore the arms 8 to pivot around the pivot axis A0 in the direction of the projectile 2, until the bearing surface 80 comes to bear against the projectile 2, which position is the lowered position of the arms 8. The bearing of the arms 8 against the projectile 2 makes it possible to press the projectile 2 against the bottom of the stretcher 3 and therefore to place and maintain the longitudinal axis of the projectile 2 in alignment with the longitudinal axis X0 of the stretcher 3 and centered on the positioning ring 33. Thus, the positioning of the arms 8 in the lowered position ensures that the projectile 2 is not off-center before it is pushed forward. of stretcher 3.

[0050] Upon arrival in the stationing position, the cooperation part 50c comes to bear on the flat 42c, the inclination of which relative to the longitudinal axis Xb of the connecting rod 40 is such that the cooperation part 50c, and therefore the pusher 50, is allowed to move in translation in the direction bringing it closer to the articulation axis 41, under the action of the return means 10, thus simultaneously returning the arms 8 to their raised position. The projectile 2 can then be pushed towards the front of the stretcher 3 by the pushing action of the stationing pusher 6 on the projectile 2.

[0051] It is understood that the particular embodiment which has just been described has been given for informational purposes and is not limiting, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. - Positioning and holding assembly (5) for positioning and holding in position a projectile (2), such as a shell, in a stretcher (3) having a longitudinal axis (X0), the stretcher (3) being movable between a first position called for depositing the projectile (2) and a second position called for putting the projectile (2) into position, by means of drive means (4) which are movable, the positioning and holding assembly (5) being characterized by the fact thatit comprises: - at least one movable arm (8) comprising a bearing surface (80), the at least one arm (8) being intended to be pivotally mounted, around a pivot axis (A0) orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the at least one arm (8) and, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3), between a raised position allowing the projectile (2) to be deposited in the stretcher (3), and a lowered position in which the bearing surface (80) is able to cooperate with the projectile (2) received in the stretcher (3) so as to ensure the alignment of the projectile (2) with the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3), - a pivoting actuating mechanism (9) intended to cooperate with the drive means (4) and arranged to transform a movement of the drive means (4) during the movement of the stretcher (3) from the depositing position to the stationing position, by pivoting the at least one arm (8) from the raised position to the lowered position,and - elastic return means (10) of the at least one arm (8) to return it to its raised position once the stretcher (3) is placed in the positioning position., 2. - Positioning and holding assembly (5) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pair of arms (8) connected together by an actuating rod (11) having a longitudinal axis which in use is coaxial with the pivot axis (A0), the actuating rod (11) being integral with the pivoting actuating mechanism and movable in rotation around the pivot axis (A0), the two arms (8) being spaced from each other along said actuating rod (11).

3. - Assembly (5) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the actuating rod (11) is a torsion bar.

4. - Assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact thatthe elastic return means (10) are formed by a return spring (10), in particular a spiral-type torsion spring mounted coaxially around the pivot axis (A0) or parallel to said pivot axis (A0).

5. - Assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact thatthe pivoting actuating mechanism (9) comprises: - a pusher (50) intended to cooperate with the drive means (4) and slidably mounted along a sliding axis (X1) orthogonal to the pivot axis (A0), - a rocker (51) articulated on the pusher (50) and pivotally mounted about an axis orthogonal to the sliding axis (X1) of the pusher (50) and parallel to the pivot axis (A0) of the at least one arm (8), - a copying rod (52) articulated, by two pivot connections whose axes are parallel, between the rocker (51) and an actuating member (12), and - said actuating member (12), which is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis (A0) of the at least one arm (8) and is rotationally integral with the at least one arm (8), where appropriate the actuating rod (11), the pivoting actuating mechanism being arranged such that a translation of the pusher (50), under the action of the movement of the drive means (4),causes the rocker (51) to pivot, which in turn causes the copying rod (52) to move, causing the actuating member (12) and therefore the at least one arm (8) to pivot around the pivot axis (A0).

6. - Assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the pivoting actuating mechanism (9) is configured such that the pivot angle of the at least one arm (8) is approximately 90 degrees.

7. - Device for assisting the loading (1) of a projectile (2), such as a shell, into the chamber of a weapon, which device (1) comprises a stretcher (3) for receiving the projectile (2) and drive means (4) for the stretcher (3) capable of moving the stretcher (3) between a first position called the position for depositing the projectile (2) and a second position called the positioning of the projectile (2), characterized by the fact thatthe device (1) further comprises a positioning and holding assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is integral with the stretcher (3) and is arranged on a lateral side of the stretcher (3) with the pivot axis (A0) of the at least one arm (8) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3).

8. - Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the drive means (4) comprise a set of connecting rods intended to be articulated between the weapon and the stretcher (3) around an articulation axis orthogonal to the pivot axis (A0) of the at least one arm (8), one of the connecting rods (40) of the set of connecting rods comprising a means (42) for recovering the rotational movement of the connecting rod (40) and capable of cooperating with the pivoting actuation mechanism (9) of the at least one arm (8).

9. - Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the recovery means (42) is a cam track formed on the connecting rod (40).

10. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized by the fact that the recovery means (42) is formed on a rear connecting rod (40) of the connecting rod set, the actuating mechanism being positioned in the vicinity of the rear end of a projectile depositing zone (2) of the stretcher (3).

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