Shoulder Bar Attachment for Rapid Weapon Traversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional direct fire, externally-powered weapon systems, such as the M134 family, face challenges with slow mechanical traversing and elevation, leading to instability and inaccuracy when these devices are bypassed, necessitating a means to stabilize and improve accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A shoulder bar attachment for direct fire weapon systems that allows for manual, rapid elevation and traversal without modifying the weapon, featuring an elongate arm that can be coupled to the weapon system, providing additional support and leverage through articulatable segments and a quick-release mechanism for adjustable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If mechanical traversing and elevation devices are used, then the weapon system is stable and accurate, but the movement speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraversing and elevation speedVSAvoidmanual control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon system is divided into two control modes: mechanical traversing/elevation devices for precise positioning, and manual shouldering capability for rapid repositioning. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the speed advantage of manual operation while maintaining the accuracy benefits of mechanical devices when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weapon mount is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing transition between mechanical control mode and manual shouldering mode. This dynamic configuration enables the system to optimize performance based on operational requirements, switching from slow but precise mechanical movement to fast manual repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If mechanical traversing and elevation devices are bypassed for manual control, then the movement speed increases, but the weapon system becomes unstable and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning speedVSAvoidweapon stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon system is pre-configured with shouldering interfaces and mounting features that enable rapid transition to manual control. This preliminary preparation allows the operator to quickly assume manual control and stabilize the weapon without requiring complex assembly or adjustment procedures, thus maintaining both speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the weapon system is configured for free manual control, then the operational flexibility increases, but the weight and instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidweapon system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon mount is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mechanical traversing/elevation platform and as a shouldering interface for manual control. This universal design eliminates the need for separate lightweight manual control components, achieving operational flexibility without proportionally increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11486678B2Direct fire weapon system training and firing aid

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 MOORE DENNIS JOSEPH

AI summary

A direct fire weapon system training and firing aid having a shoulder bar attachment for elevating and/or traversing a direct fire weapon system. It has an elongate arm for attachment to the weapon system and extending in a generally rearward direction from the weapon system.