For Field Use Patents (Class 89/40.01)
  • Patent number: 11719500
    Abstract: A launching device comprising at least two tubes intended to receive an ammunition round and each secured to a mount, the mounts being carried by a base, each tube being orientable in elevation and in bearing by motors, a first motor ensuring the pointing in bearing of the two tubes simultaneously and a second motor ensuring the pointing in elevation of the two tubes simultaneously. The bearing pointing axes of the two tubes are parallel to each other and each mount includes a sleeve carrying the tube, the sleeve of each mount being mounted so as to pivot in elevation relative to a fork, the fork being itself mounted so as to pivot in bearing relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NEXTER SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Xavier Descatoire
  • Patent number: 10969189
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention features a weapon maintenance stand cover. The cover has a top cover plate, a wall structure, and a flange. The wall structure extends away from an outer edge of the top cover plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the top cover plate. The flange extends outward from a bottom edge of the wall structure and around a perimeter of the wall structure and is sized to mate with a support flange of a weapon maintenance stand. The flange defines a first plurality of holes extending therethrough, where the first plurality of holes are arranged in a spaced-apart pattern around the flange that aligns with a subset of a second plurality of holes arranged around the support flange of the weapon maintenance stand. First and second lifting structures are attached to the top cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Workshops for Warriors
    Inventor: Hernán Luis y Prado
  • Patent number: 10240884
    Abstract: A fixture is provided for supporting load from weapons recoil, being mountable on a flat bed of a road vehicle disposed on ground. The flat bed can receive a weapons mount. The vehicle has longitudinal, lateral and vertical orientation directions. The fixture includes a horizontal deck, a slide assembly, a dampener housing, port and starboard lateral beams, together with first, second and third posts. The horizontal deck receives the weapons mount. The slide assembly supports the deck. The dampener housing receives the slide assembly. The port and starboard lateral beams extend laterally from the dampener housing. The first and second posts extend vertically downward from their corresponding beams to engage the ground. The third post extends vertically downward from the housing to engage the ground. Brackets on the slide assembly extend longitudinally from the platform for enabling the vehicle to drive away from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jorge David De Leon, James F. Cahill, Ishankumar Patel, Reginald Heggie, Gregorio Morales-Caez, Nelson C. Hall, Arnold R. Hamlet, III
  • Patent number: 9255751
    Abstract: A bipod includes a mount body, a clutch assembly, a clamp member, a side plate assembly including spaced side plates and legs. The mount body is suitable for mounting to a firearm. The clutch assembly is rotatably mounted to the mount body and is divided into lower and upper portions which define side plate slots suitable for receiving the side plates of the side plate assembly. The clamp member is common to the mount body and the clutch assembly. The clamp member can be tightened to fix the side plate assembly relative to the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly relative to the mount body or can be loosened to allow the side plate assembly to slide through the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly to rotate relative to the mount body. The bipod is supported by the legs which extend downwardly from opposite ends of the side plate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Kasey Dallas Beltz
  • Patent number: 8893604
    Abstract: The subject munitions deployment platform for an Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System munitions set provides prepositioned compartments to receive the ALICE packs of the munitions set to ensure that they are positioned and aligned for proper deployment. The pre-positioned compartments ensure that when the APOBS is deployed, the front edge of the rear ALICE pack properly engages the rear edge of the front ALICE pack providing a fulcrum aiding rotation of the rear pack allowing it to clear the engaging elements to lift the rear pack off the platform and into the air where it further functions as a drogue to assist in extending the charge line over the chosen target line. Combining the subject platform with a vehicle, or with a towed wagon, allows a Soldier to remain in a safe location while remotely positioning the munitions set to clear a minefield or other anti-personnel obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Gray, James R. Mason, Charles E. Dean, Jacob P. Warren
  • Publication number: 20140116239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a movable artillery gun comprising: a frame supporting a turning plate, turning plate comprising a first pivot link of a vertical axis, turning plate comprising at least one turning motor means for rotating a turning interface around the first pivot link, the turning interface supporting a firing carriage and comprising a fine traverse laying means allowing the carriage to rotate with respect to the turning interface around a second pivot link of a vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Nexter Systems
    Inventors: Philippe GRELAT, Bertrand REMANGEON, Jeremy DE SOUZA
  • Patent number: 8291809
    Abstract: A field gun comprising: a chassis, a barrel defining a barrel axis and having a traverse range and an elevation range, a cradle supporting the barrel, a joint for enabling pivoting in at least two axes, the joint connecting the cradle to the chassis, a first linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a first point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a first point on the cradle, a second linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a second point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a second point on the cradle, such that a first combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the traverse a second combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: David Andrew Eaglestone
  • Patent number: 8276500
    Abstract: A weapon mount including a housing through which the weapon translates when fired, a conversion subsystem configured to convert translation of the weapon when fired into rotational motion, and a braking subsystem for resisting rotation of the conversion subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan T. Fisk, Hans Hug, Michael T. Johnson, Nathan R. Desmeule
  • Publication number: 20120174769
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stand (100) for a motorcycle, a heavy weapon (70) or a motorcycle (1) equipped with the heavy weapon (70). The stand (100) includes a propping unit (101, 102 and 105) as well as pivoting means (103, 104) for enabling the propping unit (101, 102 and 105) to be swiveled between a working position and a storage position. The propping unit (101, 102 and 105) includes two propping elements (101 and 102). The pivoting means (103, 104) include a pivoting element (103), which allows a simultaneous swiveling and outward spreading motion of the propping elements (101 and 102) from the storage position in the proximity of the chassis of a motorcycle, the heavy weapon (70) or a motorcycle equipped with the heavy weapon (70) to the working position, and locking means (108, 109 and 110) for securing the propping elements (101 and 102) in the working position and in the storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Tom Rajalin, Mikko Helkama, Tero Huopaniemi
  • Patent number: 8029198
    Abstract: Provided are an actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom of movement and a sentry robot having the actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom of movement capable of performing wide and narrow monitoring and sentry in short and long ranges and automatically shooting at a target. The actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom includes a pivot driving portion and a vertical driving portion. The pivot driving portion includes a platform, a vertical driving portion connection portion rotatably installed on the platform, and a pivot driving portion including a motor which rotates the vertical driving portion connection portion. The vertical driving portion includes a pivot driving portion connection portion connected to an upper side of the vertical driving portion connection portion, a column standing on the pivot driving portion connection portion, a mount rotatably arranged in an upper portion of the column, and a motor rotating the mount with respect to the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-yeoul Ko
  • Patent number: 8020484
    Abstract: A towed howitzer interchangeable between a travelling mode and a firing mode, the towed howitzer being suitable for deployment on a ground plane, the towed howitzer includes: a barrel for firing a projectile, the barrel defining a barrel axis, a cradle for holding the barrel at an azimuth and an elevation, a mechanism for varying the elevation and the azimuth of the barrel and a front leg for supporting an aiming mechanism. The front leg includes a wheel intended for contacting the ground at a foremost ground contact point; a suspension mechanism for resiliently mounting the wheel and a restraining mechanism for selectively enabling the suspension. The howitzer includes a back leg for contacting the ground at a backmost ground contact point. The back leg includes a hinging for swinging the back leg out of contact with the round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: David Andrew Eagleston
  • Publication number: 20110100207
    Abstract: There is disclosed a field gun that may be converted between a firing condition and a travelling condition. In the firing condition, front legs and back legs rest on the ground and support the gun. In the travelling condition, the back legs are out of contact with the ground and the front legs are retracted towards the gun chassis. To facilitate conversion, a link joins a front leg to a back leg so that as the back leg is lifted off the ground, the front leg is retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventor: David Andrew Eaglestone
  • Patent number: 7836811
    Abstract: Systems are described herein for remotely aligning and placing disruptive devices at or near suspicious targets such as suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In particular, tools connected to remotely controllable robots include disruptor guns for firing disruptive materials at the targets and disruptive devices filled with explosive materials, e.g., water, for controllably detonating or disrupting the detonation of the targets when placed in close proximity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher W. Gardner, Benjamin V. Stratton, Aaron Robbins
  • Patent number: 7802391
    Abstract: A rounds counter for a weapon mount is disclosed. The rounds counter is mounted on the mount in a remote location from the weapon itself, such as to a pedestal supporting a gimbal rotating the weapon mount in azimuth, inside an elevation drive housing, or to other structure. The mounting location is selected to be one where shock loads are relatively high, as compared to other locations on the mount. The rounds counter includes a sensor which senses shock due to the firing of the weapon, such as an accelerometer or strain gauge. The sensor could also be an acoustic transducer. Analog and digital circuitry for processing the sensor signal and to count the firing of the gun is also disclosed. The rounds counter is particularly useful as a common, single rounds counter unit for a weapon mount is adapted to receive and fire a variety of weapons, such as remotely operated weapon mounts mounted to military vehicles and patrol watercraft adapted to receive and fire four different types of guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: EOS Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Quinn, Jason L. Seelye, Mark Prichard, James T. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20100147140
    Abstract: A firing device (1) for close-in defense ammunition (2), ammunition incorporating a rigid casing (6) enclosing at least one projectile (7), casing integral with a base (8) that can be joined by linking means to a firing device base (3) incorporating means to prime the ammunition, device characterized in that it incorporates a tube (10) capping the ammunition (2) after this ammunition has been fixed onto the firing base (3), such tube that is itself made integral with the firing base (3) by attachment means (11), such tube further carrying an articulated bipod (15) enabling the orientation in elevation of the device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: NEXTER SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Jean-François Cazalieres
  • Patent number: 7730824
    Abstract: A precision tactical mount (12) includes a horizontal controller (30) and a vertical controller (34) for determining azimuth angles and elevation angles for a sight line of the precision tactical mount (12). The horizontal controller (30) and the vertical controller (34) have friction blocks (102, 114, 196) which engage mating friction surfaces with selectable forces for providing specific resistance against azimuth and elevation angular movement, without requiring separate mechanisms for locking the tactical mount (12) in selected positions. The friction blocks (102, 114 and 196) are preferably formed of softer materials than the mating friction surfaces to conform to the shape of the mating friction surfaces with increased normal forces, providing varying surface areas. The vertical controller (34) includes a course threaded screw member (142) mounted at an angle to a centerline (6) of the precision tactical mount (12) to provide fine control adjustment for elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Robert O. Black
  • Patent number: 7614333
    Abstract: A rounds counter for a weapon mount is disclosed. The rounds counter is mounted on the mount in a remote location from the weapon itself, such as to a pedestal supporting a gimbal rotating the weapon mount in azimuth, inside an elevation drive housing, or to other structure. The mounting location is selected to be one where shock loads are relatively high, as compared to other locations on the mount. The rounds counter includes a sensor which senses shock due to the firing of the weapon, such as an accelerometer or strain gauge. The sensor could also be an acoustic transducer. Analog and digital circuitry for processing the sensor signal and to count the firing of the gun is also disclosed. The rounds counter is particularly useful as a common, single rounds counter unit for a weapon mount is adapted to receive and fire a variety of weapons, such as remotely operated weapon mounts mounted to military vehicles and patrol watercraft adapted to receive and fire four different types of guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Recon/Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Quinn, Jason L. Seelye, Mark Prichard, James T. Dillon
  • Patent number: 7610842
    Abstract: A weapon mounting system for securing a weapon such as a machine gun to a platform comprises a base mount that is secured to the platform and that rotatably supports a pintle receiver tube. The pintle receiver tube is adjustable and rotatable such that a weapon may be readily aimed in multiple planes. The invention further includes a cradle that is easily secured to the pintle and thus to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kiesler Police Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam S. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7357063
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weapon system incorporating a cannon mounted on a cradle integral with a vehicle, characterized in that the cradle is integral with a base fastened at the rear part of the vehicle, base on which at least two arms are hinged each carrying a spade at their ends, each arm able to be locked into its extended position and also incorporating a safety support intended to press on the ground between the spade and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Patrick Balbo
  • Publication number: 20080053301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weapon system incorporating a cannon mounted on a cradle integral with a vehicle, characterized in that the cradle is integral with a base fastened at the rear part of the vehicle, base on which at least two arms are hinged each carrying a spade at their ends, each arm able to be locked into its extended position and also incorporating a safety support intended to press on the ground between the spade and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: GIAT Industries
    Inventor: Patrick Balbo
  • Publication number: 20070209501
    Abstract: Provided are an actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom of movement and a sentry robot having the actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom of movement capable of performing wide and narrow monitoring and sentry in short and long ranges and automatically shooting at a target. The actuation mechanism having two degrees of freedom includes a pivot driving portion and a vertical driving portion. The pivot driving portion includes a platform, a vertical driving portion connection portion rotatably installed on the platform, and a pivot driving portion including a motor which rotates the vertical driving portion connection portion. The vertical driving portion includes a pivot driving portion connection portion connected to an upper side of the vertical driving portion connection portion, a column standing on the pivot driving portion connection portion, a mount rotatably arranged in an upper portion of the column, and a motor rotating the mount with respect to the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-yeoul Ko
  • Patent number: 6460447
    Abstract: An aiming system for a trajectory weapon such as a ground launcher, machine gun, mortar, or the like. The aiming system is attached to a conventional mount for the involved weapon. Also disclosed is a method of sighting in a weapon which employs the aiming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Brad E. Meyers, Mark Cameron
  • Patent number: 6457396
    Abstract: A self propelled gun (2) comprises a vehicle (4) possessing a source of primary power (6) and a gun assembly (8) movably attached to the vehicle. The gun assembly (8) comprises a base (10), a cradle (14) pivotally mounted to the base and a barrel (16) slidably mounted to the cradle (14) such as to be displaceable from a first, run-out, position to a second, recoiled, position as a consequence of the barrel (16) recoiling on firing. The gun assembly (8) is movably mounted to the vehicle (4), preferably by a pivot arrangement (24, 26) between vehicle (4) and base (10), such that in a first, “mobility”, mode the gun assembly (8) is free of any direct contact with the ground (42), and said barrel (16) points in a first direction allowing said vehicle (4) to be driven and a second, “firing”, mode of operation in which the gun assembly is deployed to a firing position in which the base moves towards and into engagement with the ground (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Bae Systems Marine Limited
    Inventors: Mervyn L Bean, Frederick Herbert, David A Eaglestone
  • Publication number: 20020129696
    Abstract: The invention provides a self-propelled mobile system that is characterized by a lightweight space frame chasis on which is mounted a large caliber artillery piece. The weight of the system is preferably less than 8.000 kg and the artillery piece preferably has a calibre of up to a 155 mm 52 caliber gun. The artillery piece may include a lightweight elevating and traversing mass and gun chasis mounted on a space frame vehicle, such vehicle having a weight which does not exceed 3,800 kg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: ORDNANCE DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chong Guat Pek, Richard Foo, Andy See, Swam Wui Lim, Khee Teik Phey
  • Patent number: 6308610
    Abstract: A trunnion assembly for mounting a launching device including a barrel for launching a liquid or a solid including at least one horizontal locating assembly to allow limited horizontal movement of the launching device; and at least one vertical locating assembly for varying the vertical inclination of the launching device. The structure for varying the extent of horizontal movement of the trunnion assembly includes at least one resilient movable stop assembly; and the structure for varying the extent of vertical movement of the trunnion assembly includes at least one resilient stop assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald S. Deichmann, Robert L. Kuykendal
  • Patent number: 6237463
    Abstract: An isolation system mount for mounting an electronic navigation system to the barrel of a non-recoiled artillery. The mount includes a navigation system cradle supported from an artillery barrel mount by first and second sets of elastomer isolators. The mount provides a high degree of three-dimensional shock and thermal isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Lauralee Grizzaffi