Ordnance – Mounts – Mortars
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-02
2001-11-27
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Mounts
Mortars
C089S037010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321632
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of Invention
This invention applies to the field of systems and of apparatus which support a military indirect (e.g. mortar, etc.) weapon and allow for the quick adjustment in elevation. In particular, a bipod support is provided which is employed with the indirect weapon such as the 120 mm M121 Mortar fielded inside a personnel weapons carrier, such as the mechanized tracked carrier M1064.
II. Background of Invention
The current 120 mm mortar is not able to be operated efficiently because to be effectively operated, an operator must constantly make elevation adjustments. Moreover, due to the mortar's inherent recoil, it is difficult to keep the mortar in one location throughout the various normal adjustment positions and elevation ranges projected based upon experience during combat firing missions.
The above cited problems have existed since the mortar was fielded in 1992. The current bipod support operates on a two position pivotal system, with an existing elevating mechanism
20
as shown by FIG.
1
.
At
FIGS. 1
,
2
,
3
the current bipod support
1
is angled at 45 degrees and has two elevation adjustment positions, low
2
a
and at
FIG. 2
, high
2
b.
These positions are basically coarse elevating adjustments. In order to achieve elevation ranges 800 mils to 1512 mils, three individual adjustments have to be made. These are achieved by
a. Pivoting the elevating Mechanism
20
to either the low
2
a
position at
FIG. 1
or high
2
b
position at
FIG. 2
of the bipod support
1
also shown at FIG.
3
.
b. Cranking the elevating Mechanism
20
on bipod between its minimum
3
a
and maximum
3
b
elevating extremes as shown at FIG.
1
.
c. Sliding the buffer mechanism
4
on mortar tube
5
between 15.54 inch location and stop
6
, to adjust for the additional elevation that the current bipod support
1
does not provide as shown at
FIGS. 1
,
2
.
This is time consuming with too many variables, particularly since the most common elevation ranges are between 980 mils to 1245 mils.
This causes the gunner (soldier) to be adjusting the current bipod support
1
from the low position
2
a
with elevating mechanism
20
near the maximum elevation extreme
3
b
and buffer mechanism
4
dose to or at the stop
6
, then change to high position
2
b
with elevating mechanism
20
near minimum elevation extreme
3
a
and buffer mechanism
4
dose to or at 15.54 inch location, and back again. This makes for a lot of adjustments for small elevation changes.
Accordingly it is an object of the invention to allow the mounting of the bipods buffer mechanism
4
to the 120 mm mortar tube
5
to stay in one location, at 15.54 inches from muzzle end of mortar tube
5
, throughout all the adjustment positions and elevation ranges (800 mils to 1512 mils).
Still another object of this invention is to eliminate constant changing of elevation adjustment positions.
Yet, another object of this invention is to allow for a smooth motion/transition between positions.
Moreover, another object of this invention is to allow for a one-hand operation to unlock-lift-lock the elevating support assembly.
Finally, another object of this invention is allow for a faster reaction time between position and elevation range adjustments.
Other objects will appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been discovered that the above and other objects of the present invention may be accomplished in the following manner.
Specifically, the invention eliminates a number of steps from the existing fielded design and uses the middle position for the most commonly used ranges, thus cutting down on adjustments. In particular, a new bipod support is provided with a 55 degree ramp and a longer travel distance between the low, middle to high positions which allows for the mounting of the bipods buffer mechanism to the 120 mm Mortar tube to stay in one location, at 15.54 inches from the muzzle end of the mortar tube, throughout all the adjustment positions and elevation ranges (800 mils to 1512 mils).
The three positions on a new bipod support eliminate the constant changing of elevation adjustment positions. The middle position encompasses the most commonly used elevation ranges, 980 mils to 1245 mils. There is only a seven (7) to ten (10) mil overlap between positions.
A new guide assembly allows for a smooth motion/transition between positions.
A new locking mechanism rotates a quarter turn (90 degrees) to lock or unlock the elevating support assembly. This only now requires a one-hand operation to unlock-lift-lock the elevating support assembly.
The principals of kinematics were applied to determine the design of the 55 degree ramp and the locations of the three positions on the new bipod support. The method of construction is not novel to the design; however durability of the mechanism is to be tailored to the usage and advice of the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2977858 (1961-04-01), Jasse
patent: 3745879 (1973-07-01), Asikainen et al.
patent: 4012986 (1977-03-01), Germershausen et al.
patent: 4721026 (1988-01-01), Ibarra
patent: 4724740 (1988-02-01), Garcia
patent: 5531150 (1996-07-01), Gegarian et al.
patent: 561549 (1957-10-01), None
patent: 70195 (1941-02-01), None
patent: 0075634 (1983-04-01), None
patent: 0187634 (1986-07-01), None
patent: 570613 (1924-01-01), None
Gutierrez Carlos I.
Hathaway, IV George E.
Holmes Edward William
Carone Michael J.
Moran John F.
Sachs Michael
Sukman Gabriel S
The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the
LandOfFree
Three position bipod support for the carrier mounted 120 mm... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Three position bipod support for the carrier mounted 120 mm..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Three position bipod support for the carrier mounted 120 mm... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2590566