DK3029409T3

DK3029409T3 - Small tower for small caliber weapons

Info

Publication number: DK3029409T3
Application number: DK15197664.4T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Olivier Germenot; Samuel Ciria
Original assignee: Nexter Systems
Priority date: 2014-12-05
Filing date: 2015-12-02
Publication date: 2018-01-08
Also published as: NO3029409T3; PL3029409T3; FR3029613B1; EP3029409A1; EP3029409B1; FR3029613A1; ES2653796T3

Description

The technical field of the invention is that of movable small turrets for small-calibre weapons.

Small calibre means a weapon calibre smaller than or equal to 12.7 mm. The turrets of armoured vehicles often have medium- or large-calibre primary weapon (between 20 mm and 120 mm) . This primary weapon is generally associated with small-calibre secondary weapon which has a different operational use. The movable small turrets can also be provided to fixed structures, such as shelters or command posts.

The secondary weapon is sometimes coaxial to the primary weapon and thus it can be directed to a target only by also directing the primary weapon. Such an arrangement is constraining and it is most often preferred to attach the secondary weapon to a small turret which has its own capacities of elevation and bearing.

This small turret can, in some cases, be remotely controlled from within the turret.

It can also be manually manoeuvered by an operator exiting his/her chest out of the turret at an upper hatch. A known type remotely-controlled small turret is described, for example, in patent EP2306137.

One of the difficulties with small turrets that have to be manually manoeuvered is that the firing position of the remotely-controlled small turret is not adapted to a manual firing. The cradle is thus often positioned away from the hatch giving access to the turret.

Patent application DE10-2009-022358 describes a small turret for small-calibre weapon in which the cradle of the weapon is carried by a pivoting arm. This solution allows rapidly moving the weapon from one side of the turret to the other, thereby facilitating a manual manoeuver.

However, this solution is not adapted to some turret configurations for which observation means or sight means can obstruct the movement of the arm. Furthermore, the rigidity of the mounting is insufficient, the weapon being cantilevered at the end of the arm.

Patent EP2789963 also discloses a small turret support mounting which allows reducing the overall dimensions of the turret during transport operations. The capacities of movement which are provided by this support device are however insufficient to allow a manual use of the turret by an operator .

Patent EP1717540 also discloses an armed turret, according to preamble of claims 1 and 4, able to be moved by a movable arm, which movable arm being made integral with a base pivotable around a vertical axis.

The aim of the invention is to provide a small turret allowing using the secondary weapon according to different operating modes, which small turret however ensuring a sufficient rigidity when using the secondary weapon.

Thus, the invention relates to a small turret for a small-calibre weapon, which small turret is integral with a structure such as a turret of armoured vehicle, which small turret comprises a weapon cradle pivotally mounted with respect to a vertical shaft carrying a base intended to be made integral, using first fastening means, with a first platform carried by the structure, wherein the small turret is characterised in that the shaft is connected to a vertical pivot by a connecting means allowing a circular movement of the shaft around the vertical axis of the pivot as well as a vertical translation of the base, wherein the base is able to be made integral, using second fastening means, with at least one second platform carried by the structure and arranged at a horizontal plane located above that of the first platform.

According to the invention, the connecting means could comprise a bushing pivotally mounted around the vertical pivot, which bushing is connected to the base by links forming at least one deformable parallelogram, the deformable parallelogram allowing a vertical translation of the base with respect to the bushing.

The connecting means could comprise two deformable parallelograms symmetrically mounted with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of the shaft and through the axis of the pivot.

Advantageously, the small turret could comprise at least one equilibrator mounted between the base and the bushing.

Also according to the invention, the connecting means could comprise an arm provided with a bearing surrounding the vertical pivot, which bearing comprises fingers cooperating with at least one groove carried by the central pivot, which groove comprises an inclined profile defined such that the swiveling of the arm around the vertical axis also causes a vertical movement of the arm.

Advantageously, the one or more fingers which follow the grooves are provided with rollers.

The inclined profile of the grooves could be extended by horizontal grooves which allow a limited swiveling of the arm in horizontal planes, allowing to position the base on either one of the platforms.

According to a particular embodiment, the small turret could comprise means ensuring the positioning and centering of the base with each of the platforms.

According to another embodiment, the small turret could comprise an actuator allowing to control the rotation movement of the vertical shaft carrying the base around the vertical axis of the pivot.

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of different embodiments, made in reference to the appended drawings in which: - FIG.l is a side view of a first embodiment of a small turret according to the invention, attached to a turret of vehicle, the small turret being in a first position; - FIG. 2 is a side view of this first embodiment, the small turret being in a second position; - FIG. 3 is a top view of this first embodiment, the small turret being in the first position of FIG.l; - FIG. 4 is a top view of this first embodiment, the small turret being in the second position of FIG.2; - FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of this first embodiment, the small turret being in the first position of FIG.l; - FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of this first embodiment, the small turret being in the second position of FIG.2; - FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a small turret according to the invention, attached to a turret of vehicle, the small turret being in a first position; - FIG.8 is a side view of this second embodiment, the small turret being in a second position; - FIG. 9 is a top view of this second embodiment, the small turret being in the second position of FIG.7; - FIG.10 is a top view of this second embodiment, the small turret being in the second position of FIG.8; - FIG.11 is a front perspective view of this second embodiment, the small turret being in the first position of FIG.7; - FIG.12 is a front perspective view of this second embodiment, the small turret being in the second position of FIG.8.

With reference to FIG.l, a small turret 1 according to the invention is integral with a structure 2 which is here a turret of an armoured vehicle (not shown) . Only an upper part 2a of the turret 2 is shown here. The turret has a lower part 2b shown here by a cut block. The lower part 2b could be provided with a primary weapon system (not shown) and will be connected to the vehicle body. The turret 2 will be pivotable around a bearing axis 3 that is vertical.

The upper part 2a of the turret 2 forms an observation tower which is provided with episcopes 4 angularly distributed around the vertical axis 3.

The tower 2a carries a hatch 5 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) which allows access to the interior of the turret 2 and which allows an operator to exit for observation missions or implementing the small turret 1.

The tower 2a also carries a sight 7 of the conventional type .

The small turret 1 comprises a cradle 8 which receives a small-calibre (12.7 mm, for example) weapon 9. The cradle 8 is pivotally mounted with respect to a vertical shaft 10 carrying a base 11. The cradle 8 can thus pivot in bearing with respect to a vertical axis 12 which is that of the shaft 10.

The cradle 8 also carries a magazine 9a for the ammunition of the weapon 9. The front part 8a of the cradle 8 further comprises a magazine for storing gunshot residue (bushings and cartridge links).

The shaft 10 and its base 11 are integral with an arm 13 which is substantially horizontal and is provided, at one of its ends, with a bearing 14 surrounding a fixed vertical pivot 15.

The arm 13 provided with its bearing 14 constitutes a connecting means between the shaft 10 and the fixed vertical pivot 15. This connecting means allows a circular movement of the shaft 10 around a vertical axis 16 of the pivot 15.

In the first position of the small turret 1 which is visible in FIGS.l, 3 and 5, the base 11 is positioned on a first platform 17 carried by the structure 2.

Moreover, the base 11 is made integral with this first platform 17 using first fastening means which could comprise one or more screws (not shown) carried by the base 11 and engaged into the first platform 17. Means for positioning and centering the base with respect to the platform (not shown) will also be provided, for example one or more positioning pins integral with the platform 17 and engaging into holes of the base 11 (or vice versa). Such an arrangement allows a more accurate positioning of the base with respect to the platform, which improves the firing accuracy.

For the sake of the clarity of the figures, only the axis 18 of one of the fastening screws is shown. It will be advantageous to use quick-clamping fastening means, for example one or more rods integral with the platform 17 and able to be engaged by tilting into grooves of the base, the rods carrying an eccentric clamping means which can be applied on the base. The quick-clamping means could also be associated with positioning and centering means, such as one or more centering pins .

According to the invention, the small turret can also assume a second position which is visible in FIGS.2, 4 and 6.

In this second position, the base 11 is positioned on a second platform 19 which is carried by the structure 2. The base will be made integral with the second platform 19 using second fastening means, for example screws (only an axis 18 of which is shown), or a quick-clamping means carried by the second platform 19 and able to be engaged into the base 11. At the second platform 19, means for positioning and centering the base with respect to the platform (not shown) could also be provided, for example one or more positioning pins integral with the platform 19 and engaging into holes of the base 11 (or vice versa) . Such an arrangement allows a more accurate positioning of the base with respect to the platform, which improves the firing accuracy.

Both platforms 17, 19, associated with the means for fastening (and with the means for positioning) the base on each platform, ensure the stability of the position of the small turret 1 in either position.

According to the embodiment shown here, the second platform 19 is arranged at a horizontal plane that is located above that of the first platform 17. Thus, as it can more particularly seen in FIGS.l and 2, the small turret 1 is in a higher position when positioned on the second platform 19 (FIG.2). This position is adapted to an operating mode of remotely controlling the small turret. The second platform 19 is above the episcopes 4 of the tower 2a. The small turret 1 then does not obstruct the visibility of the external environment from within the turret 2.

When the small turret 1 is positioned on the first platform 17 (FIG.l), it can be noted that the weapon is vertically lower, thus it can be manoeuvered by an operator exiting his/her chest through the hatch 5. Furthermore, the first platform 17 is positioned in front of the hatch 5 (see FIG. 3) . When the small turret 1 is attached to the first platform 17, the controls of the weapon are thus in front of the hatch 5 and the weapon can be easily manoeuvered by the operator.

As it can be seen in the different figures, and particularly in FIGS.5 and 6, the sight 7 is integrated in the middle and above the pivot 15. Thus, when the small turret 1 assumes its first position (or low position - FIG.5) or when it assumes its second position (or high position - FIG.6), the sight 7 is unobstructed and is not hidden by the connecting means of the small turret.

The connecting means between the shaft 10 and the pivot 15 comprises the arm 13 provided with the bearing 14. In order to allow a movement of the small turret 1 that associates a swiveling of the arm 13 around the vertical axis 16 of the pivot 15 and a vertical translation of the arm 13 between both platforms 17 and 19, the pivot 15 has at least one groove 20 (here, two grooves to balance the stresses), comprising an inclined profile 20a which is defined such that the swiveling of the arm 13 around the vertical axis 16 also causes a vertical movement of the arm 13.

The inclined profiles 20a of the grooves are, for example, helical, the bearing 14 comprises radial fingers 21 (only the outer end of which is visible in the figures) , the inner end of which moves in the grooves 20, the cooperation of the fingers 21 and the grooves 20 allowing to guide the movement of the bearing 14. Advantageously, the inner end of each finger 21 will carry a roller (not shown) which will roll within the groove 20 considered, thereby reducing the friction .

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inclined groove 20a is extended at its upper end by a horizontal groove 20b and, at its lower end, by another horizontal groove 20c.

These horizontal grooves 20b and 20c allow a limited swiveling of the arm 13, in high and low end positions, in horizontal planes. It is thus possible to position, simply by pivoting around the axis 16, the base 11 on either platform 17 or 19 . FIGS.7-12 show a second embodiment of the invention, which differs from the preceding one by the structure of the connecting means between the shaft 10 and the pivot 15.

According to this embodiment, the connecting means comprises a bushing 22 which is pivotally mounted around an upper end of the vertical pivot 15. The bushing 22 is connected to the base 11 by links 23a, 23b (see FIG.11) forming at least one deformable parallelogram 24i or 242 (see FIG.10).

Each link is pivotally mounted by a joint 25a or 25b on the base 11 and by another joint 25c or 25d on the bushing 22 (FIG.11).

For stress balancing, the connecting means here comprises two deformable parallelograms 24i and 242, one on either side of the base 11. These parallelograms are symmetrically mounted with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis 12 of the shaft 10 and through the axis 16 of the pivot 15. The deformable parallelograms allow a vertical translation of the base 11 with respect to the bushing 22, thus with respect to the pivot 15.

Equilibrators 26 (such as gas springs) are attached between the base 11 and the bushing 22 (see FIG. 11). They allow reducing the stresses related to the vertical movement of the small turret.

With this embodiment, the swiveling of the small turret 1 with respect to the axis 16 of the pivot 15 is uncorrelated with the vertical translation movement of the base 11. When the base is unlocked from a platform 17 or 19, it is thus possible to translate and/or pivot the small turret according to any movement in order to move it to the other platform.

It is even possible, to some extent, to position the base 11 above the upper platform 19.

Such an arrangement facilitates the placement and then the locking of the base 11 on either platform 17 or 19.

The means for locking the base on the platforms are not described in detail. They are similar to those previously described (an axis 18 representing a fastening screw is shown in the figures).

Again, at the first platform 17 and the second platform 19, means for positioning and centering the base with respect to the platform (not shown) could be provided. For example, as previously described, there could have one or more positioning pins integral with the platform 17 or 19 and engaging into holes of the base 11 (or vice versa). Such an arrangement also allows a more accurate positioning of the base with respect to the platform, which improves the firing accuracy.

With this particular embodiment, it is possible to provide an intermediary platform vertically located between the first platform 17 and the second platform 19. The base 11 could be positioned and attached to this intermediary platform.

Various alternatives are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, for the first or second embodiment, the rotating movement of the vertical shaft 10 carrying the base 11 around the vertical axis 16 of the pivot 15 could be manually controlled by the operator.

According to an alternative, this movement could be performed using a rotating actuator (such as a cylinder not shown) driving the arm 13 (embodiment of FIGS.1-6) or using a motor reducer (not shown) driving the bushing 22 (embodiment of FIGS .7-12) .

Claims

A small tower (1) for a small caliber weapon (9), wherein the small tower is capable of being firmly connected to a structure (2) such as an armored vehicle tower, the small tower comprising a cradle of arms (8) rotatably mounted relative to a vertical shaft (10), the shaft carries a base (11) which, by means of first fasteners, is intended to be firmly connected to a first platform (17) supported by the structure (2) ), wherein the shaft (10) is connected to a vertical pivot (15) via a connecting means (13, 14) allowing a circular movement of the shaft (10) about the vertical axis (16) of the pivot (15), as well as a vertical moving the base (11), wherein the base (11), by means of second fasteners, can be firmly connected to at least one other platform (19) supported by the structure (2), and arranged in a horizontal plane placed on top of the first platform ( (17) horizontal plane, characterized in that the vertical pivot (15) is fixed, and The connecting means comprises a sleeve (22) pivotally mounted about the vertical pivot pin (15), said sleeve (22) being connected to the base (11) by connecting rods (23a, 23b) forming at least one deformable parallelogram ( 24, 242), the deformable parallelogram permits vertical movement of the base (11) relative to the bush (22).

Small tower according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means comprises two deformable parallelograms (24lf 242) symmetrically mounted with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis (12) of the shaft (10) and through the axis (16) of the pivot pin (15). ).

Small tower according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one stabilizer (26) mounted between the base (11) and the bushing (22).

A small tower (1) for a small caliber weapon (9), the small tower being capable of being firmly connected to a structure (2) such as an armored vehicle tower, the small tower comprising a cradle of arms (8). rotatably mounted relative to a vertical shaft (10), the shaft carries a base (11) which, by means of first fasteners, is intended to be firmly connected to a first platform (17) supported by the structure (2) ), wherein the shaft (10) is connected to a vertical pivot (15) via a connecting means (13, 14) allowing a circular movement of the shaft (10) about the vertical axis (16) of the pivot (15) as well as a vertical movement of the base (11), wherein the base (11), by means of second fastening means, may be fixedly connected to at least one other platform (19) supported by the structure (2), and arranged in a horizontal plane placed on top of the first platform (17) horizontal plane, characterized in that the vertical pivot pin (15) is fixed, and the connecting means comprises an arm (13) provided with a bearing (14) enclosing the vertical pivot pin (15), said bearing (14) comprising fingers (21) cooperating with at least one groove (20) carried by the central pivot pin (15), said groove comprising an inclined profile (20a) defined such that rotation of said arm (13) about said vertical axis (16) also causes vertical movement of said arm (13).

Small tower according to claim 4, characterized in that the finger (s) (21) which follow the grooves (20) are provided with running rollers.

Small tower according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the inclined profile (20a) of the grooves (20) extends by means of horizontal grooves (20b, 20c) which allow a limited rotation of the arm (13) in horizontal plans, which allow the base (11) to be placed on one or the other of the platforms (17,19).

Small tower according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for ensuring positioning and centering of the base (11) with each of the platforms (17, 19).

Small tower according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an actuator which enables the rotational movement of the vertical shaft (10) to be controlled about the vertical axis (16) of the pivot pin (15), wherein the vertical shaft ( 10) carries the base (11).