U.S. patent application number 11/414067 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for segmented gun turret for quick assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation. Invention is credited to Jeffrey B. Colburn, Shane F. Mills.
Application Number | 20070251375 11/414067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38647091 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070251375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colburn; Jeffrey B. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
Segmented gun turret for quick assembly
Abstract
A gun turret according to the invention feature a segmented or
sectored configuration, which reduces the weight of the individual
components of the turret assembly to facilitate mounting of the
turret assembly to the roof of the vehicle by a single person. The
gun turret features quick-release clamps or latches by means of
which the gun turret can be attached to the roof of a vehicle
without tools.
Inventors: |
Colburn; Jeffrey B.;
(Harpursville, NY) ; Mills; Shane F.; (Owego,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURNS & LEVINSON, LLP
125 SUMMER STREET
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Assignee: |
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Bethesda
MD
|
Family ID: |
38647091 |
Appl. No.: |
11/414067 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/37.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 27/06 20130101;
F41A 23/34 20130101; F41A 27/18 20130101; F41A 23/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
089/037.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 23/00 20060101
F41A023/00 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AND INTEREST
[0001] This invention was made in part with U.S. Government support
from the U.S. Army under contract number W56HZV-05-9-0002. The U.S.
Government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A gun turret comprising: a plurality of segments being
releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each of said
plurality of segments having two ends and a gun mount track defined
by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each of
said ends includes an interlocking mechanism; and a clamping device
operably attached to at least one segment of said plurality of
segments, said clamping device being adapted to engage a roof of a
vehicle, wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the
vehicle when said clamping device engages the roof of the
vehicle.
2. The gun turret according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of
clamping devices, each of said clamping devices attached proximate
one end to a different one of said plurality of segments and
proximate another end adapted to engage the roof of the
vehicle.
3. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said
segments is semi-circular.
4. The gun turret according to claim 1 further comprising at least
one projection disposed radially outward along an outer surface of
at least one of said segments.
5. The gun turret according to claim 4 wherein said clamping device
is mounted on said at least one projection.
6. The gun turret according to claim 5 wherein said clamping device
comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, wherein one
section of said sections being adapted to dispose the roof of the
vehicle between said one section and said at least one
projection.
7. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein said interlocking
mechanism comprises a male connector at one end of said two ends
and a female receiver at the other end of said two ends.
8. The gun turret according to claim 7 wherein said male connector
is a dovetail configuration and said female receiver is a dovetail
configuration complimentary with said male connector dovetail
configuration.
9. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein said gun mount track
includes low friction surfaces.
10. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein said gun mount
track includes roller elements.
11. The gun turret according to claim 9 wherein said roller
elements are ball bearings.
12. The gun turret according to claim 9 wherein said roller
elements are disposed on opposing surfaces of said upper and lower
sections of said segments.
13. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein said back section
further comprises a circumferential channel adapted to entrap a gun
mount whereby the gun mount is impeded from substantial outward
radial movement.
14. The gun turret according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of
segments form a ring when said segments interlock.
15. A removable gun turret kit comprising: a plurality of segments
being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each said
segment having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper
section, a lower section, and a back section, each said end
includes an interlocking mechanism; a clamping device attached to
each said segment, and an anchor device attachable to a roof of a
vehicle, said anchor device adapted to engage said clamping device,
wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when
said segments are interlocked with each other and said clamping
device engages said anchor device.
16. The removable gun turret kit according to claim 15 wherein:
said clamping device includes a hook; and said anchor device
includes a cross member to engage said hook.
17. The removable gun turret kit according to claim 16 wherein:
said clamping device comprises a plurality of pivotally connected
sections, wherein one section of said sections being adapted to
dispose the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said
at least one projection; and said anchor device includes a socket
therein adapted to receive said clamping device.
18. A tactical vehicle with a removable gun turret and a roof, the
improvement comprising: a gun turret having a plurality of segments
being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each said
segment having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper
section, a lower section, and a back section, each said end
includes an interlocking mechanism; a clamping device attached to
at least one segment of said plurality of segments; and a plurality
of anchor devices for attachment to the roof, said plurality of
anchor devices adapted to receive said clamping device, wherein the
gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when said clamping
device engages the anchor devices which are attached to the
roof.
19. The improvement according to claim 18 comprising a plurality of
clamping devices, each of said clamping devices attached proximate
one end to a different one of said plurality of segments and
proximate another end adapted to engage a different one of said
anchor devices, respectively.
20. The improvement according to claim 18 wherein: said clamping
device includes a hook; and at one of said anchor devices includes
a cross member to engage said hook.
21. The improvement according to claim 18 wherein: said clamping
device comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections,
wherein one section of said sections adapted to dispose the roof of
the vehicle between said one section and said at least one
projection; and at least one of said anchor devices includes a
socket therein adapted to receive said clamping device.
22. A gun turret comprising: a plurality of segments being
releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each of said
plurality of segments having two ends and a gun mount track defined
by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each of
said ends includes an interlocking mechanism; said plurality of
segments form a ring when said segments interlock; at least one
projection disposed radially outward along an outer surface of at
least one of said segments at least one anchor device attachable to
a roof of a vehicle; a plurality of clamping devices, each of said
clamping devices attached proximate one end to a different one of
said plurality of segments and proximate another end adapted to
engage said at least one anchor device; and at least one of said
clamping devices comprises a plurality of pivotally connected
sections, wherein one section of said sections adapted to dispose
the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said at least
one projection; wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of
the vehicle when said clamping device engages the anchor device
when said anchor device is attached to the roof of the vehicle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to rotating support structures, more
particularly, the invention relates to gun turrets used to support
heavy caliber weapons, e.g., machine guns, which can be assembled
and dissembled by only one individual without tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Light military or tactical vehicles may be outfitted with
relatively heavy-caliber defensive armaments such as machine guns.
These armaments are often turret-mounted on the roof of the vehicle
for maximum operational versatility. A conventional gun support
turret is bolted to the roof of a vehicle. A gun mounting bracket
(sometimes referred to as a "batwing") is, in turn, bolted to the
gun support turret, and a machine gun assembly is supported on the
gun mounting bracket.
[0004] Military vehicles are often transported on cargo aircraft,
where space is at a premium. Therefore, in order to reduce the
height of the vehicle for transport, protruding items--including,
in particular, the roof-mounted gun support turret are typically
removed for transport and then remounted to the vehicle after the
vehicle has been delivered to the theater of operations. However,
the conventional configuration of roof-mounted gun support turrets
gives rise to at least two problems. First, bolting the gun support
turret to the roof of the vehicle is time-consuming. Second, the
gun support turret is quite heavy, e.g., on the order of 200-400
pounds. Therefore, lifting it into place requires either multiple
personnel, which consumes man-power that could be better use
elsewhere, or a hoist/crane, which represents yet further equipment
that needs to be delivered to the theater of operations.
[0005] There is therefore a need to provide a gun turret that is
more quickly and easily mountable to the roof of a military or
tactical vehicle.
[0006] There is a further need to provide a gun turret that is
mountable to the roof of a military or tactical vehicle by a single
person without a hoist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The needs for the invention set forth above as well as
further and other needs and advantages of the present invention are
achieved by the embodiments of the invention described herein
below.
[0008] In a first aspect, the invention provides a gun turret that
can be mounted to the roof of a military or tactical vehicle by a
single person, without the use of a hoist/crane to do so. The gun
turret is divided into a number of segments, each of which is of a
more manageable size and weight than an entire gun turret as per
the prior art. The gun turret utilizes quick-release clamps to
secure the gun turret to the roof of a military or tactical
vehicle. One embodiment of the quick-release clamps are cam-action
hook-and-latch-plate latch members to secure the gun turret to the
roof of a military or tactical vehicle.
[0009] In a second aspect, the invention provides a segmented gun
turret that can be retrofitted or mounted to the existing roof of a
vehicle more quickly than in the case of prior gun turrets.
[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention,
together with other and further needs thereof, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings and detailed description, and its scope
will be pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating one
embodiment of the gun turret according to the present invention
mounted onto the roof of a vehicle;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the gun turret of FIG. 1B;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a magnified view of View A of FIG. 2 illustrating
one embodiment of a segment connector;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the segment assembly
illustrated using the segment connector embodiment of FIGS. 2 and
3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the present invention of
FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of the bearing mechanism;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the present invention of
FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of the quick release clamps and
the operation thereof (phantom image is disengaged clamp and solid
image is engaged clamp);
[0017] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cam-action
hook-and-latch-plate latch member of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention to retrofit a conventional vehicle; and
[0018] FIG. 7B is a cross section view of socket assembly of
another alternative embodiment of the present invention to retrofit
a conventional vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] An exemplary embodiment of segmented gun turret 10 according
to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. As shown in
FIG. 1A, vehicle 46 includes an access port 13 that allows a gun
operator to stand through the middle of the turret to operate the
gun assembly. Access port 13 is covered by lid or hatch 15 when the
gun operator is inside the vehicle and the gun is not being used.
The lid or latch 15 act as armament to protect the gunner when lid
or hatch 15 is open, as shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B,
inner diameter 11 of the segmented gun turret 10 is larger than the
gunner's access port 13 in roof 44. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,
segmented gun turret 10 includes a plurality of curved C-shaped
frames 12. Curve C-shaped frames 12 are shown as being
semi-circular, however any geometric curved shape (e.g. oval or
oblong, parabolic or horseshoe-shaped configuration) is acceptable
and within the contemplation of the invention. Therefore, though a
plurality of segments 12 form a ring when fully assembled as shown
when each segment is connected at its ends by another segment, gun
turret 10 can be considered completely assembled when the
continuous ring is not formed. For example, gun mount 24 cannot
make a complete 360.degree. rotation around gun turret 10 when the
lid or hatch 15 is open as shown in FIG. 1A. Under such operational
conditions, a horseshoe-shaped gun turret would be adequate.
[0020] Semi-circular C-shaped frame 12 has a lower section 16,
upper section 18, and back section 20 that define a gun mount track
or gap 22 (FIG. 5). Gun mount 24 will travel within gap 22 as gun
mount 24 traverses the circumference 26 of segmented gun turret 10
(FIG. 2). The height (H1) and depth (D1) of gap 22 is sized to
cooperate with gun mount 24 to avoid binding of gun mount 24 within
gap 22 (FIG. 4). It is preferable that gap 22 and gun mount 24 have
the same circular shape as segmented gun turret 10, meaning that
each has the same radial center (C) (FIG. 2). Though the present
invention illustrates (4) segments 12, the number of segments is
dependent on the size of the assembled gun turret. Any number of
segments is acceptable and contemplated within the scope of the
invention.
[0021] Now turning to FIG. 5, channel 27 can be incorporated into
front surface 28 (FIG. 4) of back section 20 to act as a stop such
that gun mount 24 does not significantly move radially outward. Gun
mount 24 must include member 30 or equivalent that contacts channel
surface 32 of channel 27 as gun mount moves radially outward
therefore entrapping gun mount 24 without gun turret 10. Gun mount
24 can be inserted or assembled into gap 22 and channel 27 at
anytime prior to the assembly of the last segment 12 to complete
the circular gun turret 10. The height (H2) and depth (D2) of
channel 27 is sized to cooperate with member 30 to avoid binding of
member 30 within channel 27. It is preferable that channel 27 and
member 30 have the same circular shape as segmented gun turret 10,
meaning that each has the same radial center (C) (FIG. 2). In this
embodiment, the dimensions of H1 and D1 are not critical dimensions
since the design of the roller elements 36 will be able to
accommodate any imperfections such as loose fit or large tolerances
from nominal dimensions. Alternatively, axial bearings (not shown)
can also be used instead of channel 27 and member 30.
[0022] Inner surface 37 of upper section 18 and upper surface 39 of
lower section 16 of semi-circular C-shaped frames 12 can be a low
friction (coefficient of friction less than 0.1) surface 34 (FIG.
2) or include roller elements 36 (FIG. 4) embedded therein or a
combination of both to create a substantially friction-less
semi-circular path for gun mount 24 to travel thereon. The roller
elements can be balls or cylindrical rollers or any other suitable
rolling structure. Roller elements can be contained within bearing
race 38. Bearing races 38 are set into resets 40 made inner surface
37 of upper section 18 and upper surface 39 of lower section 16 of
semi-circular C-shaped frames 12.
[0023] Alternatively, roller elements can be embedded in the gun
mount (not shown) instead of inner surface 37 of upper section 18
and upper surface 39 of lower section 16 of semi-circular C-shaped
frames 12. In this alternative embodiment, inner surface 37 of
upper section 18 and upper surface 39 of lower section 16 of
semi-circular C-shaped frames 12 can have a low coefficient of
friction surface condition to provide a substantially friction-less
track for the gun mount to travel on.
[0024] Now turning to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, segmented gun turret 10
includes a plurality of projections 42 extending radially outward
from the outer surface 43 of the lower section 16 of semi-circular
C-shaped frames 12. Projections 42 are used as anchor points to
secure the segmented gun turret 10 to the roof 44 of vehicle 46 to
which it is being attached. It is preferred that projections 42 be
spaced equi-distance from adjacent tabs in each segment 12. The
number of projections 42 is dependent of the clamping force or
pressure required to secure segmented gun turret 10, gun mount 24,
gun 48, ammunitions, and other miscellaneous combat equipment to
vehicle 46.
[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, roof 44 of vehicle 46 is
constructed with sockets 50 corresponding in proximity to the
positions of projections 42. Sockets 50 are formed with undercuts
52, thereby providing shoulder surfaces 54. Quick-release
cam-action pressure clamps 56 have a plurality of pivotally
connected sections where lower end 58 fits down into socket 50,
surface 59 disposes roof 44 between surface 59 and projection 42,
and surface 59 mates with shoulder surfaces 54 when engaged to
secure gun turret 10 to vehicle 46. The phantom image illustrates
quick-release cam-action clamps 56 in disengaged position, whereas
the solid image of quick-release cam-action clamps 56 illustrates
the engaged position. By moving the lever 60 outward and down, as
illustrated in FIG. 6, lower end 58 is drawn up toward the upper
end 62 pivoting about axes 55A and 55B, thereby clamping projection
42, and hence the segmented gun turret 10, to the roof 44 of
vehicle 46. The present invention is not to be limited to the
quick-release clamps and vehicle roof configuration described
herein. Any quick-release clamp and/or vehicle roof configuration
are within the contemplation of the present invention.
[0026] Now turning to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, semi-circular frames 12
interlock with each other at their ends 84 to form an assembled gun
turret 10. One embodiment of the interlocking mechanism 78 is a
dovetail configuration with a male connector 80 and a cooperating
female receiver 82. FIG. 2 shows an assembled gun turret 10 with
four interlocking mechanisms 78 (View A). FIG. 3 shows in magnified
view of the View A of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the
assembly of two semi-circular frames 12. The present invention is
not to be limited to the interlocking mechanism described herein.
Any interlocking mechanism is within the contemplation of the
present invention.
[0027] A retrofit embodiment utilizes cam-action
hook-and-latch-plate latch members--e.g., De-Sta-Co Model 330 latch
members, which are illustrated in FIG. 7, to secure gun turret 110
to roof 144 of a conventional military or tactical vehicle. In this
embodiment, roof 144 of the vehicle does not have sockets. Rather,
cam-action hook units 164 are attached by conventional means (e.g.,
bolts, screws, weld, braze, solder, and/or adhesive) to
quick-connect projection 142 of gun turret 110, and cooperatively
configured latch plate units 166 are attached by conventional means
(described above) to the roof 144 of the vehicle in corresponding
locations (or vice-versa). Lever 168 is moved about pivot axis 170
in the direction of arrow A. Hook member 172 is extended outwardly
in the direction of arrow B, such that the hook portion 174 of hook
member 172 is able to be hooked around cross member 176 of latch
plate unit 166. Lever 168 is then moved back down into the original
position shown in FIG. 7, and camming operation of the unit
secures/clamps the gun turret 110 to roof 144 of the vehicle.
[0028] Yet another alternative embodiment of a retrofit kit is
illustrated in FIG. 7B. Clamping device 56 and roof socket 50 are
the same as described in FIG. 6 and use the same reference numbers
to identified key features. However, roof socket 50 is integrated
into a removable element 246 instead of being integral to roof 44
as previous disclosed. Removable element 246 can be a block made of
suitable material and be of suitable dimensions to sustain
operational and clamp loads. Removable element 246 can be attached
to roof 244 by any conventional joining means such as bolts,
screws, adhesive, weld, solder, or brazing. Segmented gun turret
210 is substantially the same as segmented gun turret 10 as
described above with the addition of extended base 246 to
compensate for height (H3) of removable element 246. The addition
of extended base 246 provides for gun turret 210 to seat level on
roof 244, thereby distributing the load of segmented gun turret 210
over a wider area and reducing stresses in projections 42.
[0029] It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that
other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made
consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure
and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the
following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law,
including the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *