U.S. patent application number 16/532479 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-05 for mission configurable mounting system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Spirit of America Corp.. Invention is credited to Thomas D. Gardner, Gerard J. Muegerl.
Application Number | 20200072581 16/532479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69639728 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-05 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200072581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muegerl; Gerard J. ; et
al. |
March 5, 2020 |
MISSION CONFIGURABLE MOUNTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A mounting system alternatively configurable as either a mount
for a remotely operated weapon, or as a defensive fighting
position, including a container portion and a platform assembly
portion disposed within the container portion. The platform
assembly portion includes a vertically moveable platform
selectively attachable to which is a remotely operated weapon mount
or a plurality of ballistic wall and roof panels, and frame members
for supporting the panels. A lift mechanism is operably connected
to the platform, and the platform is moveable by the lift mechanism
from a first vertical position to a second vertical position
located above the first vertical position. The mounting system has
a fully deployed state in the second vertical position in which
either the weapon mount or the defensive fighting position
structure is supported by the platform and is disposed above the
container portion.
Inventors: |
Muegerl; Gerard J.; (Warsaw,
IN) ; Gardner; Thomas D.; (Wharton, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spirit of America Corp. |
Warsaw |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69639728 |
Appl. No.: |
16/532479 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62714659 |
Aug 3, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/16 20130101; F41A
23/36 20130101; F41A 27/24 20130101; F41G 5/04 20130101; F41A 23/00
20130101; F41A 23/24 20130101; F41H 5/023 20130101; F41G 5/06
20130101; F41H 5/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41H 5/24 20060101
F41H005/24; F41H 5/16 20060101 F41H005/16; F41H 5/02 20060101
F41H005/02; F41A 27/24 20060101 F41A027/24; F41G 5/06 20060101
F41G005/06; F41A 23/24 20060101 F41A023/24 |
Claims
1. A mission configurable mounting system alternatively
configurable as either a mount for a remotely operated weapon, or
as a defensive fighting position comprising ballistic panels, the
mission configurable mounting system comprising: a container
portion; and a platform assembly portion disposed within the
container portion, the platform assembly portion comprising: a
vertically moveable platform selectively attachable to which is a
mount for a remotely operated weapon or a defensive fighting
position structure including a plurality of ballistic wall and roof
panels, and frame members for supporting the panels, and a lift
mechanism operably connected to the platform, the platform moveable
by the lift mechanism from a first vertical position to a second
vertical position located above the first vertical position;
wherein the mounting system has a fully deployed state in the
second vertical position in which either a remotely operable weapon
mount or an occupiable defensive fighting position is supported by
the platform and is disposed above the container portion.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under Title 35, U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/714,659 entitled MISSION CONFIGURABLE MOUNTING SYSTEM, filed
Aug. 3, 2018, the disclosure of which in its entirety is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to portable, containerized
systems configurable to provide either a mount for a Common
Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), or a Defensive Fighting
Position (DFP) to support differing mission-specific operational
needs in the field.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention provides, in one form thereof, a
Mission Configurable Mounting System (MCMS) alternatively
configurable as either a mount for a remotely operated weapon for a
Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), or a Defensive
Fighting Position (DFP) adapted for occupation by at least one
user. The MCMS includes a container portion and a platform assembly
portion disposed within the container portion. The platform
assembly portion includes a vertically moveable platform
selectively attachable to which is a mount for a remotely operated
weapon, or a DPF structure including a plurality of ballistic wall
and roof panels and frame members for supporting the panels. The
MCMS includes a lift mechanism operably connected to the platform,
which is moveable by the lift mechanism from a first vertical
position to a second vertical position located above the first
vertical position. The MCMS has a fully deployed state in the
second vertical position. In the fully deployed state, either a
remotely operable weapon mount or an occupiable DFP is supported by
the platform and is disposed above the container portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The various objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Although the drawings represent embodiments
of the disclosed apparatus, the drawings are not necessarily to
scale or to the same scale and certain features may be exaggerated
or omitted in order to better illustrate and explain the present
disclosure. Moreover, in accompanying drawings that show sectional
views, cross-hatching of various sectional elements may have been
omitted for clarity. It is to be understood that this omission of
cross-hatching is for the purpose of clarity in illustration only.
Herein, the term "rectangular" also means square unless indicated
otherwise.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a right rear perspective view of a first
embodiment of a Mission Configurable Mounting System (MCMS)
according to the present invention configured as a Common Remotely
Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) mount, shown in a fully deployed
state with no weapon mounted thereto;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an upper right rear perspective view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIG. 1 in its fully deployed state;
[0007] FIG. 3 is the MCMS embodiment of FIG. 1, in a closed state,
with its hinged top doors closed;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the MCMS embodiment of FIG. 1 in
its fully deployed state, with the container access doors omitted
for clarity, and schematically showing a remotely operable weapon
mounted thereto;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the MCMS embodiment of FIG.
4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an upper right rear perspective view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an upper left front perspective view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a left side view of a first embodiment MCMS
configured to provide a CROWS mount in its fully deployed state,
with a remotely operable weapon mounted thereto, the depicted MCMS
including or, alternatively, shown secured to, a load lifting and
transporting trailer attachable to a tow vehicle;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a right front perspective view of MCMS according
to the first embodiment in its fully closed state, the depicted
MCMS including or, alternatively, shown secured to, a transport
trailer attachable to a tow vehicle for transport;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a right rear perspective view of an MCMS
according to the first embodiment configured to provide one type of
open DFP, and shown in its fully deployed state;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a partial, upper left rear perspective view of
the MCMS embodiment of FIG. 10;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an upper right rear perspective view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIG. 10 shown in its fully lowered state, without its
roof or the roof-supporting stanchions and overhead frame members
attached, or its ladder fully assembled;
[0017] FIG. 13 is another upper right rear perspective view of the
MCMS embodiment of FIG. 12 with its roof, roof-supporting
stanchions and overhead frame members attached, but without its
ladder fully assembled;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a partial, cross sectional rear view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13 in its fully deployed state;
[0019] FIG. 15 is a right rear perspective view of an MCMS
according to the first embodiment configured to provide one type of
enclosed DFP, shown in its fully lowered state with its windowed
walls, roof and supporting framework attached;
[0020] FIG. 16 is an upper right rear perspective view of the MCMS
embodiment of FIG. 15, shown in its fully deployed state;
[0021] FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial, upper left rear perspective
view of the MCMS embodiment of FIG. 16, showing its DFP access door
in an open position;
[0022] FIG. 18 (i.e., FIGS. 18A to 18F, collectively) is a series
of upper right rear perspective views of an MCMS according to the
first embodiment in its fully lowered state, with the container
access doors variously omitted for clarity, showing various stages
of assembly into the DFP configuration shown in FIGS. 15 and
16;
[0023] FIG. 19 (i.e., FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, collectively) is a
series of views of a retractable cover for the container portion of
an MCMS showing the cover in fully closed, partially closed and
fully open positions;
[0024] FIG. 20 is a left perspective view of an MCMS embodiment,
the top of the container portion of which is covered by a tarp
secured thereto;
[0025] FIGS. 21 to 31 are views of a second MCMS embodiment
variously configured as a CROWS mount and/or a DFP.
[0026] Corresponding reference characters indicated corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale or to the same scale and certain features may
be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The disclosed invention is adaptable to various
modifications and alternative forms, and the specific embodiments
thereof shown by way of example in the drawings is herein described
in detail. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are
chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may
appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the
present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the
drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] MCMS 30 generally comprises, in each of its various
embodiments, container portion 32 and platform assembly portion 34
enclosed within and carried by container portion 32. Container
portion 32 of MCMS 30 is generally cuboid, and of a type and
construction known in the relevant art, for example, a Tri-con (8'
long.times.6.5' wide.times.8' tall) container. Container portion 32
has a steel frame of interconnected tubular members of rectangular
cross-section, that generally defines a parallelepiped. The
interior space of container portion 32 is defined by a horizontal
floor and the interior surfaces of vertical sides, which in certain
embodiments are all formed from low carbon sheet steel.
[0029] Container portion 32 includes base 36 that substantially
lies in a horizontally-extending plane; vertically-extending left
sidewall 38, right sidewall 40, front sidewall 42, and adjacent
rear sidewalls defined by left container access door 44 and right
container access door 46 when these doors are in their closed
positions. Left and right container access doors 44 and 46 are
pivotally attached with hinges 48 to the container frame near the
rear edges of left and right sidewalls 38 and 40, respectively.
Door latch mechanisms 50 are provided at the rear of the container
frame at positions along its top and bottom edges, and on each of
left and right container access doors 44 and 46. Door latch
mechanisms 50 secure doors 44 and 46 in their closed positions
independently of each other and are selectively lockable to prevent
access to the interior of container portion 32. Container access
doors 44 and 46 are each provided with seals 51 about their
respective outer peripheries whereby the interior of container
portion 32 is substantially sealed from dust and moisture in either
its closed or fully deployed states.
[0030] Base 36 defines a generally rectangular footprint of
container portion 32 and supports substantially planar floor 52 of
the interior space of container portion 32. In MCMS 30 according to
a first embodiment, platform assembly portion 34 is disposed on
stand 54 affixed to floor 52 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, whereby
platform assembly portion 34 is elevated from floor 52. In MCMS 30
according to a second embodiment, platform assembly portion 34 is
disposed on and affixed to floor 52 itself, as shown, for example,
in FIGS. # to #. The first and second embodiments of MCMS 30 are
configurable to provide the CROWS mount and DFP variants described
herein.
[0031] The parallel, tubular steel front and rear members of
rectangular container portion base 36 is provided with spaced
apertures 56 in the front and rear members, for receiving the tines
of, for example, a forklift, for moving or supporting the MCMS 30.
The eight corners of container portion 32 are provided with
receptacles 58 for receiving twist locks of a known type, whereby
the container portions 32 of a plurality of MCMS units may be
retained to each other in a stacked configuration, if desired, or
an MCMS 30 may be retained to a trailer either temporarily for
transport, or indefinitely with the trailer comprising part of the
MCMS as described further below.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, certain MCMS embodiments have a closed
state in which container portion 32 has a top surface defined by
left container lid 60 and right container lid 62 in their closed
positions. Lids 60, 62, which may, for example, be molded of a
suitable plastic material, are respectively attached to left and
right sides 38 and 40 of container portion 32 by hinges 64. In some
such embodiments, the top surface of container portion 32 defined
by closed lids 60, 62 is substantially flat and planar.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 19, certain other MCMS embodiments have a
closed state in which container portion 32 has a top surface
defined by retractable door assembly 65 in its closed position
(FIG. 19A). Retractable door assembly 65 includes flexible door 66
whose laterally opposite edges are slidably engaged with
interfacing track openings in laterally opposite rails of frame 67
having a box into which door 66 is receivable. Door 66 is
longitudinally moveable between its fully closed position (FIG.
19A), and its fully open position (FIG. 19C). In its open positions
(FIGS. 19B and 19C), at least a portion of door 66 has a
spiral-shaped longitudinal cross-sectional shape within the box of
frame 67. Door 66 and frame 67 of retractable door assembly 65 may
be made of aluminum, with door 66 comprising a plurality of
hingedly interconnected slat members. Alternatively, door 66 may be
a flexible plastic extrusion comprising pluralities of
integrally-formed, laterally-extending slat portions and interposed
living hinge portions.
[0034] Still other MCMS embodiments have a closed state in which
container portion 32 has a top surface defined by top side 88 of
platform 84 in its fully elevated position, a DFP roof with the
platform in its fully lowered position (see, e.g., FIG. #), or a
tarp secured to container portion 32 (see, e.g., FIG. 20).
[0035] Platform assembly portion 34 includes lift mechanism 68
which, in certain MCMS embodiments includes scissor jack assembly
69. Scissor jack assembly 69 includes lower half 70 and
interconnected upper half 72. Lower half 70 of scissor jack
assembly 69 includes a first pair of elongate, rigid,
laterally-spaced, parallel arms 74, a second pair of elongate,
rigid, laterally-spaced, parallel arms 76, and a rectangular bottom
frame 77. In MCMS 30 according to its first embodiment, frame 77 is
affixed to stand 54 (FIGS. 1 to 4); in MCMS 30 according to its
second embodiment, frame 77 is affixed to container portion floor
52 (FIGS. # to #). Each scissor jack assembly arm 74 of the first
pair is pivotally connected to a cooperating scissor jack assembly
arm 76 of the second pair near their respective longitudinal
midpoints.
[0036] Upper half 72 of scissor jack assembly 69 includes a third
pair of elongate, rigid, laterally-spaced, parallel arms 78, a
fourth pair of elongate, rigid, laterally-spaced, parallel arms 80,
and a rectangular top frame 81. Each arm 78 of the third pair is
pivotally connected to a cooperating arm 80 of the fourth pair near
their respective longitudinal midpoints. A first terminal end of
each arm 74 is pivotally attached to a first terminal end of a
cooperating arm 78, and a first terminal end of each arm 76 is
pivotally attached to a first terminal end of a cooperating arm
80.
[0037] Scissor jack assembly 69 further includes a pair of linear
actuators 82, which in certain embodiments are hydraulic cylinders
82 as shown. Linear actuators 82 extend between and are pivotally
connected to the first pair of legs 74 and the fourth pair of legs
80.
[0038] Platform assembly portion 34 of MCMS 30 includes rectangular
platform 84 that is moveable by scissor jack assembly 69 between a
platform lowermost position and a platform uppermost position.
Platform 84 has a bottom side 86 and an opposing top side 88. Top
frame 81 of scissor jack assembly 69 is affixed to platform bottom
side 86. In certain MCMS embodiments, platform 84 rests on the
padded upper ends of stanchions 89 that are generally located in
the four corners of container portion 32 and affixed to its floor
52.
[0039] As depicted herein, in certain MCMS embodiments the second
terminal end of each arm 74 is rotatable about a fixed pivot point
on scissor jack assembly bottom frame 77, and the second terminal
end of each arm 80 is rotatable about a fixed pivot point on
scissor jack assembly top frame 81. In such embodiments, the second
terminal end of each arm 76 is slidably coupled to bottom frame 77,
and the second terminal end of each arm 78 is slidably coupled to
top frame 81, whereby platform 84 is substantially maintained in a
horizontal orientation and in the same fore-aft and lateral
positions relative to container portion 32, throughout its range of
motion.
[0040] Certain MCMS embodiments include battery 90 for powering
hydraulic pump assembly 92, which is operably connected to
hydraulic cylinders 82 of scissor jack assembly 69. Hydraulic pump
92 is of a commercially available type known in the art, and
includes fluid control valving, an attached hydraulic fluid
reservoir, and an electric drive motor selectively powered by
battery 90. Hydraulic pump assembly 92 need be activated only to
raise platform 84; platform 84 may be lowered by allowing fluid in
hydraulic cylinders 82 to return to the reservoir through
manipulation of the control valving, in a manner known to one of
ordinary skill in the relevant art. In certain unshown MCMS
embodiments, linear actuators 82 are electrically, rather than
hydraulically, driven and motivated by power received from battery
90 through control circuitry. Some MCMS embodiments include
invertor circuitry for converting the DC voltage of battery 90 to
AC voltage that is usable by a user of MCMS 30.
[0041] The depicted embodiments of MCMS 30 include turnbuckle
assemblies 94 attached near the upper ends of the upright frame
members of container portion 32, in its interior corners.
Turnbuckles 94 remain secured to container portion 32 and are
selectively attached to platform 84 once in its uppermost position,
thereby interengaging platform 84 and container portion 32 to
secure platform 84 into its uppermost position, at which MCMS 30 is
in its fully deployed state configured as either CROWS mount 96 or
DFP 98.
[0042] The detailed description provided so far is common to MCMS
embodiments regardless of whether configured to provide CROWS mount
96 or DFP 98. Each embodiment of MCMS 30 according to the present
invention facilitates the configuration of either one of, or the
reconfiguration between, CROWS mount 96 and DFP 98 as desired.
Moreover, MCMS 30 is capable of being reconfigured from a CROWS
mount 96 to a DFP 98, or vice versa, by an individual using
ordinary hand tools, before MCMS 30 is transported to, or while
MCMS 30 is located at, its operating site.
[0043] CROWS Mount Configurations.
[0044] As depicted, certain embodiments of MCMS 30 configured as
CROWS mount 96 include weapon mount 100 attached to top side 88 of
platform 84. Weapon mount 100 includes a plurality of
interconnected, elongate legs 102 (four in the depicted
embodiments), with the lower ends of legs 102 affixed, as by welds,
to a pair of elongate, spaced parallel brackets 104 that are
affixed to platform 84 with fasteners 106. Legs 102 converge toward
each other in an upward direction such that the upper ends of legs
102 are positioned closer to each other than are their lower ends.
The upper ends of legs 102 are affixed, as by welds, to a
horizontal plate that forms central mounting hub 108 to which a
weapon 110 is rotatably mounted about imaginary vertical axis
112.
[0045] A generic example of weapon 110 is shown schematically in
FIGS. 1 to 9 and may be of any type remotely operable utilizing
CROWS technology. As depicted in FIGS. 10 to 12, weapon 110 is a
belt-fed machine gun having an attached ammunition magazine. MCMS
30 may similarly accommodate a weapon 110 of a different type, such
as a missile launcher, for example. By utilizing known CROWS
technology, weapon 110 can be aimed, fired or otherwise controlled
by an operator located remotely from MCMS 30 configured to provide
a CROWS mount and while the MCMS is in its fully deployed state.
Hence, MCMS 30 need not be attended by an operator co-located with
MCMS 30 other than as required, for example, to deploy, maintain,
and/or reload or rearm the mounted weapon 110.
[0046] In certain MCMS embodiments configured as CROWS mount 96,
with MCMS 30 in its fully closed state wherein platform 84 is in
its lowermost position and, with, for example, container lids 60,
62 or retractable cover 66 closed, mounted weapon 110 may be stored
within the interior of container portion 32, entirely enclosed and
protected from the elements.
[0047] The MCMS embodiments configured to provide CROWS mounts 96
are of types that are manually deployed by an on-site operator, and
whose weaponry 110 is placed under operational control of a
remotely-located operator. However, certain other MCMS embodiments
configured to provide CROWS mounts 96 are contemplated that are of
a type in which the remote operation includes deployment of MCMS
30, i.e., remotely opening the container portion top cover (e.g.,
left and right container lids 60, 62, retractable cover 66, or a
tarp) and moving platform 84 from its lowermost position to its
uppermost position and securing the MCMS into its fully deployed
state, in addition to operationally controlling its weaponry.
[0048] DFP Configurations.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14, certain versions of MCMS 30
according to the first embodiment are configured to provide an
open, or window-less version of DFP 98. The depicted MCMS
embodiment configured as such a DFP version comprise a plurality of
walls 120, stanchions 122, and roof 124. Ladder 126 is attached to
the exterior of left container access door 44. Personnel access the
space surrounded by walls 120 via ladder 126 and passage 128
located above ladder 126. Walls 120 define passage 128 through
which personnel may access the partially enclosed platform. In the
depicted embodiment, walls 120 of passage 128 define a 90.degree.
passage turn, whereby lines of sight from outside of DFP 98 into
the interior DFP space through passage 128 are substantially
blocked. Certain other MCMS embodiments providing an open version
of DFP 98 provide a hinged ballistic steel door panel (not shown)
to close the opening to passage 128 in rear wall 120. Certain DFP
configurations include handrails 130 above ladder 126 to help
access passage 128 and the interior space within walls 120.
[0050] In certain MCMS embodiments, ladder 126 is temporarily
attached to the interior of container access door 44 during storage
and transport and is affixed to the exterior of door 44 during
deployment of MCMS 30 as shown. In certain other embodiments,
ladder 126 is attached to the exterior of container access door 44
at all times.
[0051] Walls 120 are formed of a plurality of ballistic steel wall
panels 132 that are attached to each other, to stanchions 122, and
to platform 84 with fasteners 134. Referring to FIG. 14,
substantially planar platform 84 has a substantially hat-shaped
cross-section that provides circumferentially-extending vertical
surface 135 to which the lowermost portions of wall panels 132 are
attached. In certain embodiments, floor 136 of the DFP space within
walls 120 is formed by a plurality of contiguous ballistic steel
plates 137 that overlay and are attached to top side 88 of platform
84.
[0052] In certain embodiments, stanchions 122 are positioned in the
four interior corners of the DFP space and are telescopic. In such
embodiments, each stanchion 122 has an elongate, tubular steel
lower portion 138 and an elongate, tubular steel upper portion 140
that is slidably disposed within lower portion 138. During assembly
of DFP 98, the lower and upper stanchion portions 138, 140 are
slidably extended relative to each other and secured into an
extended stanchion configuration. Stanchion upper portions 140
support a corner of a substantially rectangular roof frame 142
defined by four elongate, tubular steel roof frame members that are
interconnected at their adjacent terminal ends, thereby forming
four corners of DFP roof frame 142. Roof frame 142 supports DFP
roof 124, which is formed of a plurality of ballistic steel roof
panels 146. Roof panels 146 are affixed to each other and to roof
frame 142 with fasteners 134. In certain embodiments, with platform
84 in its lowermost position and portions 138, 140 of
telescopically retracted, planar DFP roof 124 is vertically
positioned at a height substantially coinciding with the height of
the upper edges of the contiguous sidewalls 38, 40, 42 of MCMS
container portion 32, and traverses the top opening of container
portion 32. In such embodiments, the top surface of DFP roof 124
then defines the top surface of MCMS 30 in its fully closed state,
thereby obviating the need for left and right container lids 60,
62. In certain other embodiments, left and right container lids 60,
62 may be closed into superposition with the top surface of DFP
roof 124 in the fully closed state of MCMS 30.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 14, in certain MCMS embodiments configured
to provide an open version of DFP 98, the overall height between
platform top side 88 and telescopically extended roof 124 has a
distance H.sub.1; and walls 120 extend above the surface of floor
136 by a distance H.sub.2, which is preferably four (4) feet.
[0054] In such embodiments, each of the plurality of ballistic
steel wall panels 132 is elongate and has a vertical length
H.sub.3, with the lowermost portions of wall panels 132 attachable
with fasteners 134 to a circumferentially extending vertical
surface 135 of platform 84 as described above. The width of each
ballistic panel 132 is identified in FIG. 14 as width W, though
certain of the panels may be of different widths W depending on
their location and configuration.
[0055] In certain embodiments, DFP 98 is provided with brackets 148
affixed to the interior surface of wall 120, to which a weapon
(e.g., a medium or heavy machine gun) may be mounted and supported
at an operable position relative to the upper edge of walls
120.
[0056] FIGS. 15 to 18 show a first embodiment MCMS 30 configured to
provide an alternative version of DFP 98 that is, other than as
herein disclosed, substantially identical in structure, use and
function to that of the open version of DFP 98 described above. As
shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, DFP 98 has a fully enclosable interior
space and is provided with walls 120 formed of interconnected
ballistic steel wall panels 150 that that define window frames; the
window frames in walls 120 are fitted with ballistic windows 152 of
transparent armour panels. Ballistic windows 152 are attached to
walls 120 with vertically or horizontally oriented hinges about
which windows 152 are openable to facilitate weapon firing from the
DFP interior space. In the depicted alternative embodiment of DEP
98, rear wall 120 is formed from interconnected ballistic steel
wall panels 154 that define a door frame; the door frame is fitted
with latching ballistic steel door 156. In certain embodiments,
door 156 is attached to rearward wall 120 with vertically oriented
hinges about which door 156 is openable inwardly. In certain
embodiments, wall panels 154 are provided with hand grips 158 at
the lower corners of the door frame and exclude above-mentioned
handrails 130. In certain embodiments, door 156 is provided with
one or more handles 160, as shown in FIG. 16. As in the prior DFP
embodiment, the floor of the DFP space within walls 120 is formed
by a plurality of contiguous ballistic steel plates 137 that
overlay platform top surface 88, and roof 124 is formed of a
plurality of interconnected ballistic steel roof panels 146
supported by roof frame 142.
[0057] FIGS. 18A to 18F, which collectively comprise FIG. 18, show
a series of views of the alternative DFP embodiment of FIGS. 15 to
17 at various stages of assembly. In each of FIGS. 18A to 18F,
platform 84 is shown in its lowermost position. In the depicted
embodiment of the alternative DFP version, stanchions 122 are not
telescopic, but are instead of fixed length, whereby upon
attachment of the stanchions during assembly of the DFP, a portion
of the DFP projects above the upper edge of container portion 32 as
shown in FIGS. 18C to 18F. When MCMS 30 is fully deployed and
platform 84 is moved to its uppermost position wherein DFP 98 is
positioned substantially as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, its ballistic
steel walls 120 extend above the height of container portion
32.
[0058] Preferably, all ballistic steel panels utilized in all MCMS
embodiments configured to provide a DFP meet NIJ Level IV ballistic
protection and are sized to facilitate easy handling and assembly
by no more than two individuals, and possibly a single individual,
acting to assemble or disassemble the DFP during configuration or
reconfiguration of MCMS 30.
[0059] Moreover, with DFP 98 in its fully deployed state, wherein
platform 84 is in its uppermost position, the eyes of a DFP
occupant will typically be approximately 14 feet above the bottom
edge of container portion base 36, which for certain MCMS 30
configurations and uses will normally be at ground level during DFP
98 deployment.
[0060] Transportation of the MCMS.
[0061] MCMS 30 can be slung and moved by helicopter. Alternatively,
MCMS 30 can be transported on a or transported by a towed trailer
#, and can be unloaded with mechanical assistance, such as a
forklift, on-site. Certain embodiments of MCMS 30 may be
transported by a pallet trailer having tines that extend through
apertures 56 as shown in FIG. 8. Once on site, the pallet trailer's
DC hydraulic lift system can be used to unload MCMS 30.
Alternatively, MCMS 30 may be affixed to a transporting trailer #
provided with twist locks that are received within receptacles 58
at the corners of container portion base 36, as shown in FIG. 9.
Once transported to its operating site, MCMS 30 may be offloaded
from the trailer for use.
[0062] Alternatively, according to certain embodiments, container
portion 32 remains secured to the transporting trailer # during
MCMS 30 deployment in a CROWS mount or DFP configuration; in such
embodiments, the MCMS comprises trailer #. The trailer of such an
MCMS embodiment may be of a type shown in FIG. 9, which is provided
with stabilizing outriggers that, when deployed, hold MCMS 30
firmly in place while positioned in the field. Such embodiments may
also provide additional storage space or and auxiliary power source
(e.g., battery 90) mounted on the trailer external to container
portion 32, as shown.
[0063] @
[0064] MCMS 30 may be transported configured as either CROWS mount
96 or DFP 98. Alternatively, MCMS 30 may be transported configured
as neither, and assembled into either configuration on-site.
Regardless, MCMS 30 may be accompanied by the tools and componentry
necessary to assemble or reassemble it into one or the other of a
CROWS mount or DFP configuration. The accompanying tools and
componentry may be transported and/or stored separately from MCMS
30, or on or within the MCMS.
[0065] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed hereinabove,
the invention is not necessarily limited to the disclosed
embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any
variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure using
its general principles. Further, this application is intended to
cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within
known or customary practice in the art to which this present
disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the
appended claims.
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