Support member for supporting shell into breech-loading weapon barrel, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a support member ( 6 ) for supporting a mortar shell ( 1 ) into a breech-loading weapon barrel. The support member ( 6 ) comprises a support element ( 8 ) with an edge flange ( 7 ) and a firing mechanism for firing the actual primer of the mortar shell ( 1 ) and further comprising connecting means ( 10 ) for attaching the support element ( 8 ) to a tail ( 4 ) of the mortar shell ( 1 ). The connecting means ( 10 ) for attaching the support element ( 8 ) to the tail ( 4 ) of the mortar shell ( 1 ) comprise at least one flexible part ( 13, 20, 30 ) arranged to be attached to the tail ( 4 ) of the mortar shell ( 1 ) by means of spring force.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A support member for supporting a mortar shell into a breech-loading weapon barrel, the support member comprising a support element with an edge flange and a firing mechanism for firing the actual primer of the mortar shell and further comprising connecting means for attaching the support element to a tail of the mortar shell, the tail comprising guiding fins, wherein that the connecting means for attaching the support element to the tail of the mortar shell comprise at least one flexible part arranged to direct spring force at one or more guiding fins forming a part of the tail of the mortar shell. 
     
     
         12 . A support member according to  claim 11 , wherein that the flexible part is arranged to direct spring force at the outer periphery of the tail of the mortar shell. 
     
     
         13 . A support member according to  claim 12 , wherein that the flexible part comprises a spring ring arranged to receive the tail of the mortar shell in such a way that it directs spring force at the outer periphery of the tail of the mortar shell. 
     
     
         14 . A support member according to  claim 12 , wherein that it comprises one or more laminated rings comprising, on its periphery, two or more adjacent lamellas and arranged to receive the tail of the mortar shell in such a way that one or more lamellas of the laminated ring direct spring force at the outer periphery of the tail of the mortar shell. 
     
     
         15 . A support member according to  claim 13 , wherein that the flexible part comprises a spring ring with slots arranged to receive one or more guiding fins forming a part of the tail of the mortar shell such that it directs spring force at one or more guiding fins forming a part of the tail of the mortar shell. 
     
     
         16 . A method for attaching a support member to a mortar shell, the method comprising:
 arranging in the tail of the mortar shell a support member which comprises a support element; and   attaching the support member to the tail of the mortar shell, wherein by attaching the support member to one or more guiding fins forming a part of the mortar shell tail by means of one or more flexible parts in such a way that when receiving the mortar shell tail, the flexible part directs spring at one or more guiding fins forming a part of the mortar shell tail.