Fig. 90.
The cartridges in one column of the feed becoming exhausted, the weight of those in the other column causes the swinging-piece to rotate sufficiently for them to be fed to the piece.
The Accles Feed ([Fig. 91]) consists of a brass drum the distance between whose heads slightly exceeds the length of the cartridge to be used. The inside of the head is grooved in a spiral form ending at the mouth of the drum. The central part of the spiral is removed and replaced by the axis of a set of radial arms which rotate about this axis. The cartridges are inserted through the mouth of the drum into the spirals with the heads to the rear. When in use, the drum, a, is placed in position, with its mouth, c, down and over the grooves in the carrier-block, d. Projections, e, on the outer edges of the grooves in the block engage in the outer extremities, f, of the radial arms, b, of the drum so as to cause the latter to rotate when the crank is turned; and the arms, bearing against the cartridges, force them along the spirals towards the opening in the drum, whence they are delivered to the grooves in the carrier-block.
Fig. 91.
The Latest Improved Feed ([Fig. 93]) has but a small surface exposed to fire, is cheap, light, and independent of gravity, so that it may be used at any angle.
Long strips ([Fig. 92]) of tin or any cheap flexible metal have tongues, a, punched in them, one end of the tongue being left attached to the strip and the other separated. These tongues surround the cartridge and hold it in place on the strip. The small rectangular slots, b, are punched completely through, and in these slots fit the rims of the cartridge-cases.
Fig. 92.
