A POSITIONING AND POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR A PROJECTILE ON A STRETCHER AND A LOADING ASSISTANCE DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (5) for positioning and holding a projectile (2) in a stretcher (3) and a loading aid device (1) comprising such an assembly (5). The assembly (5) includes at least one pivotally mounted arm (8) 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 actuation mechanism (9) intended to cooperate with drive means (4) of the stretcher (3) and capable of transmitting a movement from said drive means (4) to the at least one arm (8). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY FOR POSITIONING AND POSITIONING A PROJECTILE IN A STRETCHER AND LOADING ASSISTANCE DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of devices enabling 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 its approach to the chamber of the weapon and the positioning of the projectile.

[0002] To feed a large caliber weapon, it is well known to use a stretcher designed 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 mounted sliding 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 in more detail such a stretcher, which stretcher is equipped with a positioning pusher intended to come against the base of a shell received in the stretcher and to exert a push on the shell for its positioning.

[0005] French patent FR2721387 also describes a shell receiving stretcher that is brought into position by rotation, in particular by means of a helical piston rotary jack, along the axis of the gun chamber. This stretcher has the advantage of being equipped with an anti-extraction device designed to prevent the shell from being ejected during the rotation of the stretcher.

[0006] French patent FR2796713 also discloses a stretcher equipped with a device for preventing the shell from being ejected during the stretcher's movement. In particular, this patent describes a stretcher carrying a chain ram supporting a means for automatically locking the shell when it is placed on the stretcher. This locking means has an eccentric cam shape that allows the shell to be placed in the stretcher but prevents its radial removal by wedging.

[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 during the movement of the stretcher, do not ensure positioning and retention in the position of the shell in the stretcher, in particular, the alignment of the shell with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

[0008] However, aligning the shell with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, and therefore with the longitudinal axis of the barrel into which the shell is to be inserted, is necessary to ensure that the shell is correctly positioned in the weapon's chamber. Indeed, if the shell is not perfectly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, there is a risk that the shell will be inserted crookedly into the weapon's chamber, which creates safety problems. For example, if the shell is positioned crookedly in the weapon's chamber, it may reach the forcing cone at a reduced velocity and not be properly engaged, thus potentially disengaging.

[0009] The present invention thus aims to provide a solution that not only prevents the ejection of the shell during the movement of the stretcher, but also improves the positioning and retention of the shell in the stretcher and therefore ensures perfect alignment of the shell with the chamber of the weapon when the shell is put into position.

[0010] The solution according to the present invention is based on the arrangement of at least one movable arm 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 held in this correct position before the projectile is pushed forward in the stretcher, in particular to position and hold 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 a projectile, such as a shell, in a stretcher having a longitudinal axis, the stretcher being movable between a first position, referred to as the projectile placement position, and a second position, referred to as the projectile loading position, by means of mobile drive means, the positioning and holding assembly being characterized in that it comprises: - at least one movable arm comprising a bearing surface, the at least one arm being intended to be mounted pivoting, 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 placed 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 actuation mechanism designed to cooperate with the drive means and arranged to transform a movement of the drive means during the movement of the stretcher from the position of lowering to the positioning position, by pivoting at least one arm from the raised position to the lowered position, and - elastic retraction means for at least one arm to return it to its raised position once the stretcher is placed in the firing position.

[0012] Such an assembly, applied to a projectile loading stretcher and arranged and configured to allow the projectile to be placed in the stretcher, not only prevents radial withdrawal of the projectile before it is pushed back, but also ensures the alignment of the projectile's longitudinal axis with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher and therefore with the longitudinal axis of the barrel in which the projectile is intended to be fired. Thus, the assembly according to the present invention improves 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 part and a conical part.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly comprises a pair of arms connected by an actuating rod having a longitudinal axis which, in use, is coaxial with the pivot axis. The actuating rod is fixed to the pivoting actuating mechanism and free to rotate about the pivot axis. The two arms are spaced apart along said actuating rod. The arrangement of two arms provides better support and therefore better positioning of the projectile against the bottom of the stretcher, without 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 projectile geometries by enabling 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 torsion spring mounted coaxially around the pivot axis or parallel to said pivot axis. Such a return spring is a simple and inexpensive means of returning at least one arm to the raised position in the absence of rotational movement of the stretcher, which return to the raised position allows, in use, the ejection of the deposited projectile as well as the deposit of a new projectile.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the pivoting actuation mechanism comprises: - a pusher designed to cooperate with the drive means and mounted to slide along a sliding axis orthogonal to the pivot axis, - a rocker hinged on the pusher and mounted to pivot around an axis orthogonal to the sliding axis of the pusher and parallel to the pivot axis of at least one arm, - a articulated copying rod, connected by two pivot joints with parallel axes, between the rocker arm and an actuating element, and - said actuating member, which is pivotally mounted around the pivot axis of at least one arm and is rotationally fixed to at least one arm, where applicable, of the actuating rod,

[0018] the pivoting actuation mechanism being arranged in such a way 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 rod which brings the actuation member and therefore at least one arm to pivot around the pivoting axis.

[0019] Such a mechanism has the advantage of being reliable and having a reduced number of parts.

[0020] Advantageously, the pivoting actuation mechanism is configured such that the pivoting angle of at least one movable arm is approximately 90 degrees.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a device for assisting in the loading of 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 drop-off 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 at least one arm parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

[0022] Thus, the control of the pivoting actuation mechanism by the drive means of the stretcher makes it possible to place the positioning and 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 drop-off position to the positioning position, and to let it return to its raised position upon arrival at the positioning position and in the absence of said movement of the stretcher, to allow the dropping of a projectile into the stretcher, in the drop-off position, and the pushing of a dropped projectile, to the positioning position.

[0023] Preferably, the pivot axis of at least one arm is positioned above and near the upper edge of the lateral side of the stretcher, in the plane of said lateral side.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the drive means comprise a set of connecting rods intended to be articulated between the weapon and the stretcher around an articulation axis orthogonal to the pivot axis of at least one arm, one of the connecting rods in the set of connecting rods having a means for recovering the rotational movement of the connecting rod and capable of cooperating with the pivoting actuation mechanism of at least one arm.

[0025] Preferably, the recovery means is a cam track formed on the connecting rod.

[0026] Preferably, the recovery means is formed on a rear connecting rod of the set of connecting rods, the pivoting actuation mechanism being positioned near the rear end of a projectile drop zone of the stretcher.

[0027] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0028] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the positioning and holding assembly in position according to the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal side view of the whole of the [Fig.1];

[0030] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional side view of the whole of [Fig.1];

[0031] [Fig.4] is a perspective view, three-quarter rear view, of the aid device loading according to the present invention, a projectile being placed in the stretcher and the positioning and holding assembly of the [Fig.1] being in the raised position;

[0032] [Fig.5] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.4], the positioning assembly and maintaining the [Fig.l] in the lowered position;

[0033] [Fig.6] is a bottom view of the device in [Fig.4];

[0034] [Fig.7] is a rear view of the device in [Fig.4]; and

[0035] [Fig.8] is a detailed top view showing the cooperation between the set positioning and holding in position and the rear connecting rod of the means of rotational drive of the stretcher.

[0036] Referring first to 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 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 the stretcher 3, in particular for pressing the projectile 2 against the bottom of the stretcher 3, a pressed position in which 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.

[0037] The stretcher 3, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, is a well-known stretcher 3 described, for example, by French patent FR3043190. This stretcher 3 comprises a A trough 30, substantially in the shape of a semi-cylindrical straight profile, is designed to receive a projectile 2, which can be deposited into the stretcher 3 from above using a depositing device (not shown), for example, a clamp. The concave open surface of the trough 30 defines the deposit area for the projectile 2. The diameter of the deposit area is slightly larger than the diameter of the projectile 2. Lateral stringers 31, 32 extend on either side of the trough 30, along the longitudinal direction of the trough 30, opposite 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 stringers 31, 32. The front end 3a of the stretcher 3 has a positioning ring 33 intended to interface the stretcher 3 with the entrance of the chamber of a weapon (weapon not shown).At the rear end 3b of the stretcher 3 is a positioning pusher 6 capable of being moved along the length of the stretcher 3 in order to push the projectile 2 received on the tray 30 towards the chamber of the weapon.

[0038] The drive means 4 allow the movement of the stretcher 3 from a first position, called the projectile 2 drop-off position, to a second position, called the projectile 2 positioning position.

[0039] The means for driving the stretcher 3 4, partially represented in Figures 4 to 8, are well known means and described for example by French patent FR3114384. These means 4 include connecting rods, including a front supporting connecting rod and a rear supporting connecting rod 40, connected on one side to the stretcher 3 and on the other side to the weapon and whose pivoting relative to the weapon leads to the movement of the stretcher 3 between the unloading and mounting positions. In the particular embodiment shown, it is the rear supporting connecting rod 40, shown in 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.

[0040] As can be seen more particularly in Figures 6 and 8, this connecting rod 40 also carries, at its first end 40a, the means for recovering 42 of the rotational movement of the connecting rod 40.

[0041] In the particular embodiment shown, this retrieval means 42 is a cam track formed on the connecting rod 40. The cam track is defined here by the lateral flank of the first end 40a of the connecting rod 40. The cam track comprises a concave area 42a, generally V-shaped, formed on a first longitudinal side 40b of the connecting rod 40, on the side of the positioning and retaining assembly 5, at the level of the pivot axis 4L. The concave area 42a is rounded to allow transmission of the rotational motion without risk of jamming. The concave area 42a is followed by a rounded bulge area 42b, to which the width of the connecting rod 40 increases, then a flat 42c which starts generally 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 with respect to the longitudinal axis Xb.

[0042] 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 specifically, the assembly 5 is connected to the stretcher 3 via 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 placement area 2, the lower flange 71 being in the transverse alignment of the articulation axis 41 of the rear connecting rod 40.

[0043] The assembly 5 shown in Figures 1 to 8 comprises a pair of arms 8 movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a pivoting actuation mechanism 9 of the arms 8 from the raised position to the lowered position and means for returning the arms 8 to the raised position.

[0044] The two movable arms 8 are configured and arranged so as to lie in the plane of the lateral side member 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 ([Fig. 5]). The two arms 8 are spaced apart along the lateral side member 31, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the stretcher 3, and extend parallel to each other and in longitudinal alignment. Each arm 8 has a concave longitudinal profile and an opposing convex longitudinal profile. The concave longitudinal profile is directed towards the interior of the stretcher 3, and its surface, referred to as the bearing surface 80, is designed to cooperate with the contour of the projectile 2.

[0045] One longitudinal end of each arm 8 is free and the other longitudinal end of each arm 8 is fixed to a common actuating rod 11. This actuating rod 11 is a cylindrical rod mounted to rotate freely 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.

[0046] The actuating rod 11, whose longitudinal axis 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 rotate only about the pivot axis A0.

[0047] 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 lug having an end attached to the actuating rod 11, and therefore mobile in rotation around the pivot axis AO, and one end connected to the copying rod 52 of said mechanism 9.

[0048] The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described implementing a pair of arms 8. However, it is possible to provide a single arm or more than two arms, for example two pairs arranged at a distance from each other.

[0049] The pivoting actuation mechanism 9 is mounted between the actuating rod 11 and the connecting rod 40. As can be seen more particularly in Figures 1 to 3, this mechanism 9 comprises, in addition to the actuation member 12, three other movable parts connected to each other in an articulated manner, namely a pusher 50, a rocker 51 and a copying rod 52.

[0050] The pusher 50 comprises a base portion 50a, a connecting portion 50b, and a cooperative portion 50c, all formed as a single unit. The base portion 50a is in the form of a plate, for example, with a square cross-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 XL. This sliding axis XI is orthogonal to the pivot axis A0 and lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the connecting rod 40. The connecting portion 50b is supported by the base portion 50a and extends from and above it, substantially at its center. This connecting part 50b has a straight slot 500 opening out opposite the base part 50a and suitable for receiving one of the axes of the rocker 51 in a pivoting and sliding manner.The cooperating portion 50c extends from the connecting portion 50b towards the cam track carried by the connecting rod 40. This cooperating portion 50c is in the form of a rod whose free end, intended to cooperate with the cam track, is cylindrical. Thus, the pivoting of the connecting rod 40 will cause the cam track to move relative to the cooperating portion 50c and will push it in such a way as to move the tappet 50 in translation along its sliding axis XL.

[0051] The rocker 51 comprises three axes 510, 511, 512, each arranged at a respective vertex of a triangle when viewed from the side. The axis 510 is received in the slot 500 of the pusher 50, the axis 511 is rotatably mounted in corresponding bores of the lower flange 71, and the axis 512 is 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 lugs 513 facing each other and arranged on either side of the connecting portion 50b. These two lugs 513 are 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.

[0052] The copying rod 52 connects the rocker 51 to the actuating member 12 via a pivot joint with an axis parallel to the pivot axis AO. The pivot joint between the copying rod 52 and the rocker 51 is defined here by the axis 512, namely the two coaxial cylindrical pivots that 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 joint 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.

[0053] The means 10 for returning the arms 8 to the raised position are formed by a return spring, in particular a spiral torsion spring mounted around the actuating rod 11, one end of the spring being fixed to the actuating rod 11 while the other end is fixed to an upper flange 70. Such a spring is schematically represented in Figures 1 and 2. The return means 10 are arranged and configured so as to cause the actuating rod 11 to rotate about 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 move from a lowered, substantially horizontal position to a raised, substantially vertical position.In the raised position, the arms 8 extend with their free end pointing upwards and are outside the placement plane.

[0054] Such a mechanism 9 makes it possible to transform, in a reliable and simple way, a rotational movement of the connecting rod 40, involved during the movement of the stretcher 3 from the drop-off position to the positioning position, into a rotational movement of the arms 8 towards their lowered position, and thus 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 forward on the stretcher 3.

[0055] When the stretcher 3 is in the unloading position, a projectile 2 is placed in the stretcher 3. In this unloading position, the cooperation part 50c is located in the concave area 42a of the cam track, resulting in the absence of outward pressure on the pusher 50, and the movable arms 8 are in the raised position, under the action of the return means 10. After unloading, the projectile 2 is positioned in the stretcher 3, with its base resting against the positioning pusher 6.

[0056] When the drive means 4 are moved in rotation, to move the stretcher 3 to the positioning position, the connecting rod 40 is made to pivot, which causes the cam path to cooperate with the cooperation part 50c of the pusher 50, as can be seen in Figures 6 to 8.

[0057] In particular, during the pivoting of the connecting rod 40 from the removal position, the bulge area 42b will push the cooperating part 40c away from the articulation axis 41, causing the pusher 50 to move translationally in the plane of the connecting rod 40 and along the sliding axis XI, which in turn causes the rocker 51 to pivot about its axis 511, relative to the fixed lower flange 71, in a direction such that its articulation axis 512 with the copying rod 52 rises towards the stretcher 3, that is to say, clockwise when observed in [Fig. 3]. This therefore causes the copying rod 52 to rise.

[0058] Due to the pivot joint 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 support surface 80 comes into contact with the projectile 2, which position is the lowered position of the arms 8. The contact of the arms 8 with the projectile 2 allows the projectile 2 to be pressed against the bottom of the stretcher 3 and thus positions and maintains 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 misaligned before its thrust towards the front of stretcher 3.

[0059] Upon arrival in the positioning stage, the cooperation part 50c rests against 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 translationally 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 forward of the stretcher 3 by the pushing action of the positioning pusher 6 on the projectile 2.

[0060] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

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 (XO), the stretcher (3) being movable between a first position called the projectile (2) deposit position and a second position called the projectile (2) mounting position, by means of drive means (4) which are movable, the positioning and holding assembly (5) being characterized in that it comprises: - at least one movable arm (8) comprising a bearing surface (80), the at least one arm (8) being intended to be mounted pivoting, around a pivot axis (AO) orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the at least one arm (8) and, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis (XO) of the stretcher (3), between a raised position allowing the projectile (2) to be placed 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 (XO) of the stretcher (3), - a pivoting actuation 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 unloading position to the positioning position, into a pivoting of at least one arm (8) from the raised position to the lowered position, and - elastic retrieval means (10) of at least one arm (8) to retrieve it into its raised position once the stretcher (3) has been placed in the positioning position.

2. Positioning and holding assembly (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of arms (8) connected to each other by an actuating rod (11) having a longitudinal axis which in use is coaxial with the pivot axis (AO), the actuating rod (11) being fixed to the pivoting actuation mechanism and movable in rotation about the pivot axis (AO), the two arms (8) being spaced apart from each other along said actuating rod (11).

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

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

5. Assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivoting actuation mechanism (9) comprises: - a pusher (50) for cooperating with the drive means (4) and mounted to slide about a sliding axis (XI) orthogonal to the pivot axis (AO), - a rocker (51) articulated on the pusher (50) and mounted to pivot about an axis orthogonal to the sliding axis (XI) of the pusher (50) and parallel to the pivot axis (A0) of at least one arm (8), - a copying link (52) articulated, by two pivot joints whose axes are parallel, between the rocker (51) and an actuation member (12), and - said actuation member (12), which is mounted to pivot about the pivot axis (A0) of at least an arm (8) and is rotationally fixed to at least one arm (8), where applicable to the actuating rod (11),the pivoting actuation mechanism being arranged such that a translation of the pusher (50), under the action of the movement of the drive means (4), causes a pivoting of the rocker (51), which in turn causes a displacement of the copying rod (52) which causes the actuation member (12) and therefore 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 in that the actuation mechanism in pivoting (9) is configured such that the pivoting angle of at least one arm (8) is approximately 90 degrees.

7. A device for assisting in loading (1) 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 means for driving the stretcher (3) capable of moving the stretcher (3) between a first position referred to as the projectile (2) drop-off position and a second position referred to as the projectile (2) positioning position, characterized in that the 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 (AO) of at least one arm (8) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in 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 (AO) of at least one arm (8), one of the connecting rods (40) of the set of connecting rods comprising a means of recovering the rotational movement of the connecting rod (40) and capable of cooperating with the pivoting actuation mechanism (9) of at least one arm (8).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in 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 in that the recovery means (42) is formed on a rear connecting rod (40) of the connecting rod set, the actuation mechanism being positioned in the vicinity of the rear end of a projectile drop zone (2) of the stretcher (3).

Images