Artillery deployment device

Abstract

An artillery deployment device for reversibly moving artillery comprises a base adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle, a primary carriage and a secondary carriage, wherein the artillery is mounted on the secondary carriage, and the secondary carriage is connected to the primary carriage by a hinge, a linear actuator attached to the base, and a rail assembly. The rail assembly has a first rail and a second rail, the first rail defines a first run channel and the second rail defines a second run channel, and the rail assembly limits a range of motion of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage in response to the linear actuator. The linear actuator drives the primary carriage and the secondary carriage along the rail assembly as the artillery moves from a stowed position to a second intermediate position.

Description

ARTILLERY DEPLOYMENT DEVICEThis patent application claims priority benefit of Singapore patent application 10202402829V filed on 11 September 2024.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to artillery deployment devices, and more particularly to artillery deployment devices mounted on motor vehicles.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Artillery refers to cannon, and in contemporary usage, usually refers to shellfiring guns, howitzers, and mortars (collectively called barrel artillery, cannon artillery or gun artillery) and rocket artillery. It is desirable to make artillery mobile, and several efforts have been made to attach artillery to motor vehicles. However, such mobile artillery has problems with speed of deployment, as well as accuracy. It would therefore be desirable to provide artillery which deploys and retracts rapidly, and provides stability for launching mortars.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with a first aspect, an artillery deployment device for reversibly deploying artillery comprises a base adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle, a primary carriage and a secondary carriage, wherein the artillery ismounted on the secondary carriage, and the secondary carriage is connected to the primary carriage by a hinge, a linear actuator attached to the base on one end and primary carriage on the other end, and a rail assembly. The rail assembly has a first rail and a second rail, the first rail defines a first run channel and the second rail defines a second run channel, and the rail assembly limits a range of motion of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage in response to the linear actuator. The linear actuator drives the primary carriage and the secondary carriage along the rail assembly as the artillery moves from a stowed position to a second intermediate position.

[0004] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology of artillery deployment devices. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing an artillery deployment device which allows for rapid deployment and return from a stowed position to a deployed position and back again. Additional elements and advantages of various embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of artillery mounted on a motor vehicle in a stowed position in accordance with one embodiment.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a side view of the artillery in the stowed position of Fig. 1 .

[0007] Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the artillery of the embodiment of Fig. 1 shown in moved to an intermediate position, where a primary carriage carrying the artillery moves longitudinally with respect to a secondary carriage.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a side view of the artillery of Fig. 3.

[0009] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the artillery of the embodiment of Fig. 1 , shown in another intermediate position after a gun support structure has pivoted.

[0010] Fig. 6 is a side view of the artillery of Fig. 5.

[0011] Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the artillery of the embodiment of Fig. 1 , shown in a deployed position with a baseplate on the ground.

[0012] Fig. 8 is a side view of the artillery of Fig. 1 , shown in the deployed position.

[0013] Fig. 9 is an isolated isometric view of the artillery deployment device, shown when the artillery is in the stowed position.

[0014] Fig. 10 is an isolated isometric view of the artillery deployment device, shown when the artillery is at least in the second intermediate position (after the second carriage has pivoted).

[0015] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily toscale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the artillery deployment device disclosed herein, including, for example, the specific dimensions of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to help provide clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation illustrated in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0016] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the rapid artillery deployment device disclosed here. The following detailed discussion of various alternate elements and embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to an artillery deployment device suitable for use on a motor vehicle such a truck or SUV. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0017] Turning now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an artillery deployment device 100 mounted on a motor vehicle 10, and adapted to move artillery 20 from a stowed position on the motor vehicle to a deployed position. In the views of Figs. 1-2, the artillery is in the stowed position, front tyres 22 and rear tyres 24 are on the groundand the motor vehicle can be driven to and from a location for firing the artillery. The artillery 20 typically comprises a gun 25 for launching mortar rounds, a baseplate assembly 50, a gun support structure 40. As shown in the next sequence of drawings, the artillery 20 is reversibly movable from the stowed position of Figs. 1 -2, to an intermediate position in Figs. 3-4, to a second intermediate position in Figs. 5- 6, and a deployed position in Figs. 7-8. The artillery piece is mobile and can be rapidly deployed. This is particularly useful where anti-artillery measures are used and speed of deployment and movement is essential.

[0018] Figs. 3-4 show the artillery in an intermediate position where the artillery deployment device 100 has started to move the artillery 20 away from the front of the motor vehicle 10. The baseplate assembly 50 needs clearance from the motor vehicle 10 to be mounted properly on the ground. Further the act of firing the gun introduces large shock forces. Therefore, it is preferable a large amount of such shock force is transmitted to the ground instead of the to the motor vehicle.

[0019] Figs. 5-6 show the artillery in another intermediate position where in the artillery deployment device 100 has caused the artillery 20 to clear the motor vehicle and pivot into generally vertical alignment with respect to the ground so that the gun 25 is pointing more vertically. The artillery deployment device 100 may further comprise a vertical translation assembly 30, which is housed within gun support structure 40, for movement down to the ground to the deployed position. In addition to the gun 20, the artillery also comprises the baseplate assembly 50, and both the gun and the baseplate assembly can be operatively connected to the gun support structure 40.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 7-8, when the artillery 20 is moved to the deployed position by the artillery deployment device 100, force may be applied through the gun support structure 40 to the baseplate assembly 50 sufficient to not only have the baseplate assembly 50 firmly planted on the ground, but also have the rear tyres 24 of the motor vehicle 10 based off the ground as shown, providing three-point stability (front tyres 22 and baseplate assembly 50). The artillery piece 20 may only translate after it moves from a second intermediate position to the deployed position.

[0021] Fig. 9 shows the artillery deployment device 100 when the artillery is in the stowed position. A base 68 is mounted to the motor vehicle and a linear actuator 75 is mounted on the base. The linear actuator is operatively connected to a primary carriage 70, and the primary carriage 70 is operatively connected to a secondary carriage 60 via a hinge 76. Movement of the primary carriage 70 and the secondary carriage 60 is controlled by a rail assembly 79. The rail assembly 79 comprises a first rail 77 and a second rail 78, with the first rail 77 defining a first run channel 73 and the second rail 78 defining a second run channel 74. The first run channel 73 may face the second run channel 74, as shown. The rail assembly limits a range of motion of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage in response to driving by the linear actuator. A stop may also be provided at each end of the rail such that motion of the carriages in further limited. Alternatively, the linear actuator may act as a stop when the artillery returns to the stowed position. When the linear actuator 75 drives the primary carriage 70 and in turn, the secondary carriage, along the rail assembly, away from the linear actuator, the artillery moves from the stowed position to the second intermediate position. In Fig. 9, primary pins or rollers 71 , 72 may beprovided with each primary roller extending into a corresponding run channel 73, 74. Similarly, secondary pins or rollers 81 , 82 may extend from the secondary carriage 60, with each secondary roller extending into the corresponding run channel 73, 74. (Pin 82 is visible in Fig. 9 and pins 71 , 72 and 81 are visible in Fig. 10 (with pins 71 and 81 visible in the cutaway portion of the rail 71 in Fig. 10). More than one set of pins may be used for each carriage in each run channel. The rail assembly may be provided with a straight section (to allow for translation of the artillery away from the motor vehicle) and a curved section 89 formed as a curved portion 87 of the first rail 77, and a corresponding curved portion 88 of the second rail 78.

[0022] Fig. 10 shows the secondary carriage 60 pivots with respect to the primary carriage 70 (about hinge 76) as the secondary carriage traverses the curved section 89 of the rail assembly. This allows for both translation and rotation of the artillery as the artillery is moved between the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position. During movement of the artillery between the stowed position and the first intermediate position, the primary carriage 70 only translates. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the motion of the primary carriage is restricted by the primary pins / rollers in the run channels 73, 74. But the artillery advantageously pivots when moving from the first intermediate position (after translating to an area where the artillery is clear of a rear of the motor vehicle) to the secondary position.

[0023] The gun support structure 40 is attached to the secondary carriage 60 such that the artillery moves reversibly from the stowed position to a first intermediate position and to a second intermediate position with the carriage. The linear actuator drives the primary carriage and the secondary carriage along the rail assembly asthe artillery moves between the stowed position to the first intermediate position, and between the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position. Optionally, movement of the artillery from the second intermediate position to the deployed position may be independent of the secondary carriage, as shown. That is, the gun support structure 40 translates with respect to the secondary carriage when the artillery moves between the second intermediate position and the deployed position. The vertical translation assembly 30 can use an actuating mechanism to move the artillery to the ground and the deployed position. The vertical translation assembly can comprise a screw drive, a gear assembly, or a second linear actuator, for example, mounted on the gun support structure 40. The baseplate assembly 50 can be biased towards the ground by the vertical translation assembly with the vertical translation assembly mounted on the gun support structure 40, and the gun support structure 40 operatively connected to the second carriage 60, for example. The vertical translation assembly 30 can apply sufficient force to the baseplate assembly 50 to bias the rear tyres 24 of the motor vehicle 10 off the ground when the artillery is in the deployed position, as shown in Figs. 7-8.

[0024] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope of the invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of theinvention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An artillery deployment device for reversibly moving artillery between a stowed position on a motor vehicle and a first intermediate position, and then to a second intermediate position, and then to a deployed position, the artillery deployment device comprising, in combination: a base adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle; a primary carriage and a secondary carriage, wherein the artillery is mounted on the secondary carriage, and the secondary carriage is connected to the primary carriage by a hinge; a linear actuator attached to the base and operatively connected to the primary carriage; and a rail assembly comprising a first rail and a second rail, wherein the first rail defines a first run channel and the second rail defines a second run channel, and the rail assembly limits a range of motion of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage in response to the linear actuator; wherein the linear actuator drives the primary carriage and the secondary carriage along the rail assembly as the artillery moves between the stowed position and the second intermediate position.

2. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the rail assembly has a curved section.

3. The artillery deployment device of claim 2 wherein the second carriage pivots with respect to the primary carriage as the secondary carriage traverses the curved section of the rail assembly, and thereby moves the artillery between the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position.

4. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the primary carriage translates when the artillery moves between the stowed position and the first intermediate position.

5. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the artillery pivots when moving between the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position.

6. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the artillery translates when moving between the second intermediate position and the deployed position.

7. The artillery deployment device of claim 6 wherein the artillery comprises a gun, a gun support structure, and a baseplate assembly, wherein the gun support structure is attached to the secondary carriage, the gun is attached to the baseplate assembly, and the baseplate assembly is attached to the gun support structure, wherein the baseplate assembly contacts the ground when the artillery is in the deployed position.

8. The artillery deployment device of claim 7 wherein the gun support structure translates with respect to the secondary carriage when the artillery moves between the second intermediate position and the deployed position.

9. The artillery deployment device of claim 7 wherein as the baseplate assembly is biased towards the ground by a vertical translation assembly mounted on the gun support structure.

10. The artillery deployment device of claim 9 wherein the vertical translation assembly applied sufficient force to the baseplate assembly to bias the rear tyres of the motor vehicle off the ground when the artillery is in the deployed position.11 . The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the first run channel faces the second run channel.

12. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the primary carriage has at least a pair of primary pins, wherein a first of the at least a pair of primary pins extends into the first run channel, and a second of the at least a pair of primary pins extends into the second run channel.

13. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein the secondary carriage has at least a pair of secondary pins, wherein a first of the at least a pair of secondary pins extend into the first run channel, and a second of the at least a pair of secondary pins extends into the second run channel.

14. The artillery deployment device of claim 1 wherein in response to translation of the primary carriage away from the linear actuator as the artillery moves from thestowed position to the first intermediate position, the secondary carriage is also biased away from the linear actuator.

Images