OP-755 Part 2 Pages 197-401 - Personal Page of GENE SLOVER

238
20. The fulcrwn and cradle assembly is equipped with indica
tor, interlock and buffer devices which have arrangement
and purpose as indicated below.
(a) Cradle buffer. - A buffer of hydraulic, variable
flow type is mounted on the fulcrum, offset
at the front, with plunger positioned in
the way of a phenol-fabric pad on bottom of
the cradle. The unit operates to buff cradle
opening.
(b) Spanning tray buffer. - A rubber pad cemented
in a recess in the bottom of the cradle provides
for contact buffing between the tray and cradle
when the unit is closed.
(C) Cradle latch. - A latch is located on the inside
of the fulcrum in the way of a cam lug on
the cradle. It is moved by spring to latch
the cradle in hoist or folded position. It is
actuated to release the cradle by a foot pedal
and connecting lever and shaft linkage. It is
interlocked by a trigger and bumper unit in
such manner that the latch cannot be released
untiI the bumper) which is on the loader T s platform,
contacts the trigger. The bumper and
trigger function only when the gun is at loading
position. The arrangement is shown on the
reference drawings of paragraph 18.
(d) Projectile indicator lever and indicator ret
a i ner . - A bracket secured to the shelf plate
provides a hinge pivot for a lever which is
posi tioned in front of the folded cradle. The
hook-shaped toe of this lever proj ects through
a cored hoLe in the cradle. It is displaced
when a projectile rises into the cradle and
thus actuates two interconnected elements of
an indicator system. These are: a projectile
hoist indicator located at each hoist control
station, and a projectile indicator retainer.
The latter is attached in a guide on the fulcrum
in the way of a latch lug and arc-shaped .carn
on the cradle. Its movement unlatches the
cradle, and thereafter, during cradle opening
and until the cradle is again folded, the arc
cam holds the retainer unlatched. This action
holds the indicator at the control stations at
llDangerll. (See also Control Handle Interlock,
pars. 37, 38 and 39.)