PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR AMMUNITION

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a protective enclosure for ammunition and a protective enclosure for ammunition boxes, for use in transporting and storing ammunition, as for instance described in US2008/0223857 A.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Ammunition, for example rifle or machine gun rounds, is usually packed in boxes for transportation, but in order to permit carriage of ammunition on ordinary commercial flights, for example, it must be carried in containers that are certified resistant to the effects of fire, because of the risks from a fire in the transporting vehicle causing ignition of the propellant in the ammunition. The resulting high speed and random ejection of bullets and metal fragments presents a substantial hazard to personnel in the vicinity, for example firefighters seeking to extinguish the fire. Additionally, protective measures are required to prevent theft of the ammunition.

[0003] In order to be certified for use on commercial transport, the boxes must undergo testing to NATO Series 6 Test Protocol. A problem in achieving a transport box that will pass the test is that the box must have sufficient strength to contain the bullets and metal fragments ejected by exploding ammunition, while allowing the gases resulting from ignition of the propellant to vent safely, and at the same time achieve a cost-effective solution, both in terms of capital cost of the box and transport costs.

[0004] A further problem arises in the bulk transport of ammunition boxes. Individual boxes can be stacked on a pallet for transportation, but simply strapping the boxes on to the pallet leaves it relatively easy for an individual box to be removed by an unauthorised person during transport. Providing a security enclosure for the pallet would be desirable, but has the potential disadvantages of a relatively large bulk to return after the ammunition has reached its destination, and creating an explosion hazard if the container completely encloses the ammunition boxes.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide protective enclosures for ammunition which overcome these problems, enabling ammunition to be transported and stored safely and securely.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective enclosure for ammunition, comprising a box containing a first liner suitable to receive the ammunition, the first liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel, and a second liner suitable to receive the first liner, the second liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed end panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the top and end panels being formed of perforated steel and the second liner closely conforming with the first liner so as to close the ends thereof. Preferably, a third liner is slidably engageable over the second liner, the third liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 shows the inner liner;

Figure 2 shows the intermediate liner;

Figure 3 shows the outer liner;

Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically a simple ammunition box with the liners of Figures 1 to 3 in place therein; and

Figure 5 is a view of a secure enclosure for stacked ammunition boxes, partially constructed, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

[0008] Referring first to Figures 1-3, the first or inner liner 1 consists of a rectangular top panel 2, a bottom panel 3 and two end panels 4 and 5. The panels are all of perforated steel, the perforations having a maximum dimension of 4mm and representing 20% to 60%, preferably 40% of the total area of each perforated side. The second or intermediate liner 6 has a top panel 7, a bottom panel 8 and two side panels 9 and 10, all panels being perforated in a similar manner to the panels of the outer liner. The inner 1 is a sliding fit within the intermediate liner 6 and is dimensioned so that the ends of the inner liner are fully closed by the intermediate liner. Figure 3 shows the third or outer liner 21, which is of similar form to the inner liner 1, but is dimensioned to be a sliding fit over the intermediate liner 6. The outer liner has a rectangular top panel 22, a bottom panel 23 and two end panels 24 and 25, again all perforated. The perforations are arranged so that, where multiple panels overlap, the perforations are not aligned, i.e. the centres of the perforations do not coincide, but still allow the direct passage of gases. This is to ensure that any fragments expelled by explosion of the contents of the liners do not have an uninterrupted pathway through the perforations.

[0009] The ammunition to be transported is placed in the inner liner, in use, and the liner assembly is then located as a close fit within a conventional steel ammunition box, indicated schematically at 12 in Figure 4, and having a hinged lid 14.

[0010] Following a test according to NATO Test Protocol Series 6c using an ammunition box with liner as indicated in Figure 4, it was confirmed that no significant metal fragments had escaped from the box; the gases resulting from ignition of the propellant in the ammunition had vented, opening the lid 14 of the box 12, but the liner assembly had safely contained all the bullets and fragments of casing within it.

[0011] Referring now to Figure 5, a protective enclosure for a pallet load of conventional ammunition boxes (or indeed the boxes lined in accordance with the invention, for extra security) comprises a rectangular base 30 having a circumferential vertically-extending low walls 32 therearound. At each corner, the flange carries an inwardly-directed pin 34 having an enlarged head. Four corner posts 36 are located on the base 30 and are each held in position by means of a keyhole slot 38 which is engaged with the respective pin 34, sliding the post fully into the corner formed by the adjacent walls 32 engaging the enlarged head of the pin into the narrow part of the keyhole slot 38 and thereby retaining the post in the base.

[0012] Each corner post 36 is provided with a vertical flange 40 extending from each side thereof spaced from and parallel to the respective wall 32. Side panels 42 are located between each pair of corner posts 36, being held in place by the low walls 32 and the flanges 40.

[0013] Each of the side panels 42 consists of a frame 42a of box-section steel members faced on each side by a sheet 42b of perforated steel. Conveniently, the steel is mild steel of 1.5mm thickness, perforated with 4mm diameter holes set at 6mm pitch so as to achieve an open area in each panel of approximately 40%, but with the holes on the inner sheet of each panel arranged so as to be out of direct alignment with the holes on the outer sheet. This ensures that, in the event of the enclosure being exposed to fire causing ignition of the ammunition propellant and consequent discharge of bullets or flying metal fragments from ruptured cartridge casings, for example, the bullets and any harmful fragments of metal are fully contained within the enclosure, and therefore do not present a hazard to personnel, while allowing gases to discharge safely and in a controlled manner.

[0014] The enclosure is provided with a lid 44 consisting of a steel frame 44a with a downwardly-directed circumferential rim 44b, and a spaced pair of perforated steel sheets 44c, of the same specification as those in the side panels 42, mounted within the frame 44a. The lid 44 is received over the upper parts of the posts 36 and side panels 42, serving to secure the side panels 42 in place. Locking means (not shown) may be provided to engage with, and be locked to, the corner posts 34, thereby making theft from the container load more difficult. The lid 44 is provided with carrying handles 46 to facilitate its manhandling into and out of position.

[0015] In use, the base 30 will first be loaded with the boxes, and thus can serve as a pallet or a pallet cover, and the corner posts 36 are located into the corners of the low walls 32 as hereinbefore described. The side panels 42 are positioned between the corner posts 36 and the lid 44 is secured in place. After transportation to the delivery location, the cover, side panels and corner posts are then removed to allow access to the ammunition boxes. The empty enclosure can then be transported back to the source with the panels stacked flat with the corner posts on the base and covered by the cover to reduce bulk and so minimise transport costs.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure for ammunition, comprising an ammunition box containing a first liner (1) suitable for receiving the ammunition, the first liner (1) comprising a top panel (2), a bottom panel (3) and two opposed side panels (4, 5) extending between the top and bottom panels (2, 3), at least the top and side panels (2, 4, 5) being formed of perforated steel, and a second liner (6) suitable for receiving the first liner (1), the second liner (6) comprising a top panel (7), a bottom panel (8) and two opposed end panels (9, 10) extending between the top and bottom panels (7, 8), at least the top and end (7, 9, 10) being formed of perforated steel and the second liner (6) closely conforming with the first liner (1) so as to close the ends thereof.

2. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1, having a third liner slidably engageable over the second liner, the third liner comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and two opposed side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, at least the top and side panels being formed of perforated steel.

3. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the perforations in the top panels are configured so that the centres of the perforations in one panel do not coincide with the centres of the perforations in the or each other top panel.

4. A protective enclosure according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ammunition box is a steel ammunition box.

5. A protective enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the perforations occupy 40% of the surface area of the perforated panels.

Ansprüche

1. Schutzumhüllung für Munition, umfassend eine Munitionskiste, die eine erste Auskleidung (1) enthält, welche zur Aufnahme von Munition geeignet ist, wobei die erste Auskleidung (1) eine obere Platte (2), eine untere Platte (3) und zwei einander gegenüberliegende Seitenplatten (4, 5), die sich zwischen der oberen und der unteren Platte (2, 3) erstrecken, umfasst, wobei zumindest die obere Platte und die Seitenplatten (2, 4, 5) aus perforiertem Stahl hergestellt sind, und eine zweite Auskleidung (6), welche zur Aufnahme der ersten Auskleidung (1) geeignet ist, wobei die zweite Auskleidung (6) eine obere Platte (7), eine untere Platte (8) und zwei einander gegenüberliegende Endplatten (9, 10), die sich zwischen der oberen Platte (8) und der unteren Platte (9) erstrecken, umfasst, wobei zumindest die obere Platte und die Endplatten (7, 9, 10) aus perforiertem Stahl hergestellt sind und die zweite Auskleidung (6) eng an die ersten Auskleidung (1) angepasst ist, um die Enden derselben zu schließen.

2. Schutzumhüllung nach Anspruch 1 mit einer dritten Auskleidung, welche über die zweite Auskleidung schiebbar ist, wobei die dritte Auskleidung eine obere Platte, eine untere Platte und zwei einander gegenüberliegende Seitenplatten, die sich zwischen der oberen Platte und unteren Platte erstrecken, umfasst, wobei zumindest die obere Platte und die Seitenplatten aus perforiertem Stahl hergestellt sind.

3. Schutzumhüllung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Perforationen in den oberen Platten derart konfiguriert sind, dass die Mitten der Perforationen in einer Platte nicht mit den Mitten der Perforationen in der oder jeder anderen oberen Platte zusammenfallen.

4. Schutzumhüllung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Munitionskiste eine Stahlmunitionskiste ist.

5. Schutzumhüllung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Perforationen 40% der Oberfläche der perforierten Platten einnehmen.

Revendications

1. Enveloppe de protection pour munition, comprenant une boîte de munition contenant une première doublure (1) appropriée pour recevoir la munition, la première doublure (1) comprenant un panneau supérieur (2), un panneau inférieur (3) et deux panneaux latéraux opposés (4, 5) s'étendant entre les panneaux supérieur et inférieur (2, 3), au moins les panneaux supérieur et latéraux (2, 4, 5) étant formés d'acier perforé, et une deuxième doublure (6) appropriée pour recevoir la première doublure (1), la deuxième doublure (6) comprenant un panneau supérieur (7), un panneau inférieur (8) et deux panneaux d'extrémité opposés (9, 10) s'étendant entre les panneaux supérieur et inférieur (7, 8), au moins les panneaux supérieur et d'extrémité (7, 9, 10) étant formés d'acier perforé, et la deuxième doublure (6) se conformant étroitement à la première doublure (1) de façon à fermer les extrémités de celle-ci.

2. Enveloppe de protection selon la revendication 1, ayant une troisième doublure apte à être engagée de manière coulissante sur la deuxième doublure, la troisième doublure comprenant un panneau supérieur, un panneau inférieur et deux panneaux latéraux opposés s'étendant entre les panneaux supérieur et inférieur, au moins les panneaux supérieur et latéraux étant formés d'acier perforé.

3. Enveloppe de protection selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les perforations dans les panneaux supérieurs sont configurées de telle sorte que les centres des perforations dans un panneau ne coïncident pas avec les centres des perforations dans le ou chaque autre panneau supérieur.

4. Enveloppe de protection selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans laquelle la boîte de munition est une boîte de munition en acier.

5. Enveloppe de protection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les perforations occupent 40 % de l'aire de surface des panneaux perforés.

Drawing