On Armored Car Patents (Class 89/40.03)
  • Patent number: 11614303
    Abstract: A protection shield for handguns has a transparent or translucid shield made of ballistic material, or not, and a pass-through aperture centered therein of a big enough size so that it can be transpierced by the barrel and a portion of the gun frame. The shield includes a handgun coupling that has a block having on its upper portion a groove for receiving a gun rail and having on the lower portion a rail projecting crosswise in relation to the shield plane for the coupling of accessories such as: gun sights, flashlight and laser aims. The coupling is fixedly mounted on the front face of the shield, on the lower portion of the shield's pass-through aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAE CONSULTORIA E ASSESSORIA EM SEGURANÇA LTDA.
    Inventor: Vicente Paulo Ancona
  • Patent number: 11565782
    Abstract: An outboard engine ballistic protection system is provided that can be adapted for use with existing small water craft outboard motors. A mounting band circumscribes and is affixed to the power head cowling. The mounting band may be formed of a pair of symmetrically affixed band straps that may be impinged about the cowling and secured fore and aft via a fastening mechanism. Laterally extended struts are provided offset from the port, starboard and aft sections of the power head. A panel support is perpendicularly affixed at an outer terminus of each strut. Mounted to the panel supports about an outer perimeter are a port protection panel, a starboard protection panel, and an aft protection panel. Each protection panel forms ballistic barrier system providing low weight, high energy absorbing structures and materials for ballistic protection against projectiles from munitions and/or shrapnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SHOTSTOP BALLISTICS LLC
    Inventors: Vall Iliev, Martin Iliev
  • Patent number: 11466953
    Abstract: An elevating assembly that includes an elevating strut that is manipulated mechanically between a first retracted configuration and a second extended configuration for moving the gun. An internal chamber can be defined within the elevating strut for compressible fluid. A pressure of the compressible fluid within the elevating strut can be tuned and maintained in order to reduce the weight of the gun overcome by the elevating strut during the manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MANDUS GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Curtis Nathan, John Michael Stanley
  • Patent number: 11307575
    Abstract: An anti-personnel autonomous vehicle (AGAR) system has a chassis formed by a directional fragmentation weapon (DFW). An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assembly is engaged to the DFW, the UAV assembly having a plurality of wheel and motor units positioned to provide balanced wheel and motor on the DFW. A control module integrated in the UAV assembly has a wireless transmitter/receiver communicating with a remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gentry B. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10942010
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a three-dimensional architected armor structure includes a core structure and a matrix. The core structure includes: a plurality of impact members; a plurality of joint members below the impact members; and a plurality of connection members respectively extending between one of the impact members and one of the joint members. The matrix fills at least a portion of a space between the impact members, the joint members, and the connection members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Martin, Brennon D. Yahata, Robert W. Cumberland, Jacob M. Hundley, Robert Mone, Eric C. Clough
  • Patent number: 10866044
    Abstract: An ammunition monitoring apparatus of the present disclosure includes at least one object-position detection sensor and a controller. The at least one object-position detection sensor is installed near a shell or charge route to face at least one set area and to output position information of each shell or charge in the at least one set area. The controller is configured to determine whether a position range occupied by the shell or the charge in the at least one set area exceeds an allowable position range, based on the position information received from the at least one object-position detection sensor, and to output an alert signal indicating a poor position upon determining that the position range occupied by the shell or the charge in the at least one set area exceeds the allowable position range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HANWHA DEFENSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bae Jin Kim, Byoung Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 10845151
    Abstract: A turret includes a firearm, which is configured to shoot munitions. A support assembly supports the firearm and is configured to move the firearm about an azimuthal rotation or swiveling axis (Y) and about a zenithal rotation or elevation axis (X). A munition guidance device mounts on the support assembly and is configured to direct a precision-guided munition, which is shot by the firearm towards a target. A protection apparatus is mounted on the support assembly and is configured to assume: a covering condition, in which the protection apparatus hides the munition guidance device on the inside of the support assembly; and an opening condition, in which the protection apparatus exposes the munition guidance device on the outside of the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Pellegri
  • Patent number: 9903690
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) to provide a predetermined amount of current for each pulse of the stimulus signal. Providing the predetermined amount of current, close thereto, increases the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in impeding locomotion of a human or animal target. The calibration process enables a CEW to calibrate the amount of charge in a pulse of the stimulus signal in the environmental conditions where the tester operates and also in the field where the environmental conditions may be different from the environmental conditions during calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Magne H. Nerheim, Valerie Renee Barry Barber-Axthelm, Eric Heindel Goodchild, Siddharth Heroor
  • Patent number: 9746287
    Abstract: A window in an asset having an active adaptive stealth system including a plurality of stealth plates whose temperature can be controlled to control an IR signature of the plates, the window including a window pane pivotally mounted in a wall of the asset adjacent the stealth plates, a motor drivingly coupled to the window pane, and a tilt mechanism coupled to the motor and arranged to position the window pane such that the IR signature of the stealth plates approximates an IR signature of the window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ELTICS LTD
    Inventor: Ronen Meir
  • Patent number: 9360266
    Abstract: A cannon and a military vehicle having such a cannon, which includes a support, a turret that is rotatable relative to the support and is provided with an opening, and a closure element disposed on the support and configured for the closing off of the opening of the turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KRAUSS-MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Raczek, Jens Koester, Matthias Czok
  • Patent number: 8967666
    Abstract: Positioning structure for an armament on a vehicle equipped with an armored cockpit (A) and wherein the armament is constrained to the top of the vehicle. The positioning structure engages directly to the frame of the vehicle and in particular to the reinforcement bars (B) typically called roll-bars, which delimit the armored cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: OTO Melara S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Alberto Iardella, Paolo Arrighi
  • Patent number: 8930066
    Abstract: A customizable apparatus for controlling rotational movement of a turret of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a memory that stores information relating to operation of the turret. A communication port of the apparatus is adapted to exchange communications relating to operation of the turret with an external computing device. A controller processes communications received at the communication port from the external computing device. The controller processes the communications, and the controller selectively provides access to the stored information relating to operation of the turret to the external computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. McKee, John E. Hayden
  • Patent number: 8726784
    Abstract: A howitzer suitable for deployment on a ground plane, the howitzer having an ordnance for firing a projectile. The ordnance can include a barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech assembly at the back end of the barrel; a cradle for holding the ordnance at a traverse and an elevation; two trunnion pins located on the cradle, which co-locate with receiving trunnion bearings on a saddle, wherein in a first position said breech is located forward of the trunnion, in a second position, at the end of the recoil stroke, the breech is retracted substantially behind the trunnion, wherein a recoil stroke is variable depending on the selection of the elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Keith Dawson, Frederick Herbert, John Michael Webb
  • Patent number: 8701538
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system are disclosed for defeating enemy missiles and rockets by the use of a non-lethal cloud of pellets that collide with the missile a certain distance away from the target causing premature detonation of the missile, and/or possible severe damage to the missile, and/or deflection of the missile, and/or a deformation to the ogive cones to cause a short in the fuze circuit, and/or deposition of conductive material to cause a short in the fuze circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mechanical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William Donnelly Marscher, William Joseph Kelly
  • Patent number: 8584573
    Abstract: A weapon/recon mount device, comprising: a base ring fixable to a vehicle; a slewing ring concentric with and rotatable relative to the base ring; a pivot mount attached to the slewing ring and having a stowed state and a deployed state; and a back rest attached to the slewing ring and having a stowed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Prado, Larry Lopez, Eric Beazer
  • Patent number: 8561519
    Abstract: A multi-weapons system comprising: an active defense system (ADS) comprising a mortar launch tube mounted on a support base-plate rotatable 360 degrees; a weapons system comprising a machine gun mounted alongside the active defense system (ADS) on the support base, a motor with mechanism to rotate the support base-plate with the active defense system (ADS) 360 degrees, drive means to adjust the power capacity of the motor between that required for the active defense system and that required for the machine gun, control means to rotate and adjust the elevation of the launch tube and adjust the directional movement of the machine gun, computer and electronic means to automatically rotate and fire the active defense system display and control means to manually operate the machine gun, control means to override the manual operation of the machine gun and prevent its firing when the active defense system is automatically activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Israel Military Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuval Karakookly
  • Patent number: 8549980
    Abstract: A handling system is for a weapon (2) placed on a turret. The weapon is provided with a barrel (21) from which the bullets are shot and with a handle (22) through which the operator determines the traverse of the weapon. The weapon is mounted on a circumferential fifth wheel including a fixed portion (31) integral with the turret and a movable portion (32) on which the weapon is mounted, in order that the movable fifth wheel rotates on the fixed one, permitting the movement of the weapon along the circumference (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: OTO Melara S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Alberto Iardella
  • Patent number: 8534180
    Abstract: A weapon system includes a carrier vehicle and a vehicle dependent mortar, wherein the carrier vehicle has a crew space and a weaponry space to house the mortar, and the mortar is charged in an index position with mortar grenades, with several sheddable propellant modules on the tail shaft thereof. The weapon system avoids manual loading of the mortar with mortar grenades because an automatic loader is arranged in a weapon space separated from the crew space by a separating wall. The loader transports the mortar grenade from a magazine in the weapon space into the index position of the barrel of the mortar and axially inserts it into the mouth of the barrel, and an automatic shedding device is arranged in the weapon space to automatically remove unnecessary propellant modules from the mortar grenade after fixing target parameters and before insertion of the mortar grenade into the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Wolfgang Boer, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges, Hans Moser
  • Patent number: 8474161
    Abstract: Multitask vehicles for military use, rescue, transport, and explosive detection and removal. In one embodiment, the multitask, motorized vehicle, includes: a vehicle body having a rigid frame with a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels mounted thereon; and a rotary mounting platform disposed on top of the vehicle body and which has a mounting portion being configured to interchangeably mount and remove various secondary systems or components, thereby permitting the multitask, motorized vehicle to change functions. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: John Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8443710
    Abstract: The technology herein relates to rotating a second structure, which can be a turret, relative to a first structure, which can be a vehicle. The system can include a motor unit having a motor with a motor gear to rotate a drive shaft and a drive gear. A manual input shaft can also be configured to transmit rotation to the drive shaft. The motor can have a central axis that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with a plane substantially defined by an outer surface of a gear box coupled to the motor. A mounting bracket is configured to allow mechanical communication between the motor unit and an internal ring gear. The mounting bracket has a mounting frame defining at least a first slide channel. A first motor unit coupler has a slide flange that is slidably received by the mounting frame and receives a motor unit. The internal ring gear can be mounted to a vehicle and a turret can be pivotably disposed within the internal ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: NPC Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman L. Domholt, Richard Reid, John David, Tyler Andrew Jacobson, Michael R. Thoreson
  • Patent number: 8347776
    Abstract: A gun mount for mounting a weapon to a vehicle includes a weapon mount plate defining a planar surface. First and second side plates are oriented at an angle to the weapon mount plate planar surface. Front and rear plates are perpendicular to the weapon mount plate and the first and second side plates supporting the weapon mount plate and fixed to the first and second side plates. A male tab extends from both the first and second side plates. A female slot is created in individual ones of both the front and rear plates. The female slot is aligned to slidably receive the male tab with a male tab freely extending portion extending beyond the female slot. A tab weld joint created at the freely extending portion of the male tab fixes the first and second side plates to the front and rear plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Milton Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Frey, Richard J. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 8297171
    Abstract: Improvements in a torque limiter that uses a plurality of ball bearings that are retained in a cage. The ball bearings are compressed to create frictional drag on opposing flat plate surfaces. In some military vehicles the gun turret is rotated by personnel turning a crank that rotates the turret. The crank rotates a pinion or chain that turns the rack of the turret. When the turret does not move freely the personnel will typically apply more force that results in damaging the pinion, chain and or the rack. The torque limiter for a gun turret in this application connects between the crank and the drive train to allow the crank to turn without applying excessive torque forces on the pinion, chain and or the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Ben Gagnon, Thomas Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8196503
    Abstract: A hull for an armored vehicle is provided, comprising a set of panels constituting portions of the hull, and having a passenger cabin with an interior defined by at least some of the panels. The panels are attached to one another via a plurality of bolts. The hull comprises one or more preventing arrangements for preventing the bolts from reaching the interior of the passenger cabin in an event that they become secondary projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Plasan Sasa Ltd.
    Inventors: Eylam Ran, Nir Kahn
  • Patent number: 8146480
    Abstract: A protective structure for a vehicle having an opening on an upper surface is provided. One embodiment of the invention has at least a partial enclosure around an area defined laterally by the vehicle opening with an overhead and side protective capability. An embodiment of the invention has an overhead cover that is formed to substantially enclose a top area of the enclosure and having multiple panels that may be locked into place or opened by an occupant for exit through a top area of the enclosure. The multiple panels in this embodiment extend upwardly and inwardly from a section of the enclosure's side walls. Ballistic windows are provided on the protective structure such that an occupant can view laterally and vertically through the enclosure and overhead cover. A shield or protective plate can be mounted on one side of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John Schneider, Christopher Brown, Robin Cromwell, Donald Lowe
  • Patent number: 8087342
    Abstract: A multi-purpose armored vehicle is configured for a wide range of purposes by military and police units and in both defensive and offensive postures. A protective canopy covers an entrance to a cockpit capable of accommodating at least one person. The vehicle is sufficiently narrow to enable it to pass through conventional gates and also doorways to, and within buildings. A pair of armor-plated shields are pivotally engaged, and selectively positionable, with the sides of the vehicle, allowing shelter to personnel traveling alongside the vehicle. An extensible boom may be fitted with a wide range of hardware including weapons and communications equipment for dealing with situations involving criminals, terrorists, etc. The shields, boom movement and extension, and hardware are all controllable from the cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Kennith Hall
  • Patent number: 7669513
    Abstract: Land vehicle weapon system including a base mount coupled with a land vehicle, a weapon mount, a plurality of weapons coupled with the weapon mount, a weapon moving mechanism coupled between the base mount and the weapon mount, a plurality of moving elements coupled with at least one of the base mount, the weapon mount, the weapons, and with the weapon moving mechanism, a sensing mechanism coupled with at least one of the weapon mount, the weapons and the base mount, and at least one user interface coupled with the weapons, the weapon moving mechanism, the moving elements, and with the sensing mechanism, the user interface enabling a user to remotely operate the weapons, the weapon moving mechanism being operable to move the weapons between a plurality of configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Niv, Shlomo Alkaher, David Stavitsky, Adolf Schvartz
  • Patent number: 7030579
    Abstract: A mechanism for retrofitting a turret that has a manual rotation system with a motorized turret rotation system includes a gear box mechanically coupled to the turret, an electrically powered prime mover unit mechanically coupled to the gear box, a user operated control device electrically coupled to the prime mover unit, and an electrical power supply electrically coupled to the prime mover unit. The turret rotates relative to a body structure. The gear box and the prime mover unit are mounted to the body structure. The control device and the electrical power supply are positioned on the turret. The power supply provides electrical power to the prime mover. The control device presents a control signal to the prime mover when the user actuates the control device, and the turret rotates in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John J. Schmitz, Paul A. Petrovich, A. David Stormer, Robert G. Washburn
  • Publication number: 20040216597
    Abstract: An artillery gun having a weapon disposed on a carrier vehicle is provided and comprises a first module, containing the weapon and mounted on a gun mount and also containing at least a portion of an automatic projectile feed mechanism. A second module contains further portions of the projectile feed mechanism. A standby member disposed to the rear of a projectile transporter of the feed mechanism is displaceably guided and can be disposed in a transfer position parallel to a charger disposed on a free end of a projectile transfer arm of the first module. A third module is provided and is embodied as a munitions magazine in which are stored upright projectiles that are adapted to be grasped via a projectile transporter and, accompanied by rotation and alignment, are conveyed via the standby member and charger into a region at the rear of the end of the weapon and to be raised into a loading position. At least one fourth module forms the carrier vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Kohlstedt, Heinz-Jurgen Schlomer, Heinrich Heldmann, Lars Schneider, Ernst Reitting, Peter Liebel
  • Patent number: 6675694
    Abstract: A gun mount for use with weapons that do not have a forward mount point or a mid weapon mount orientation is required. The gun mount is securely attached to the weapon by using two existing separate structural features of the gun as attach points. The first point of attachment is the ammunition can mounting bracket and the second attachment point is the main mounting lug located proximate the trigger guard. Once attached to the gun, the mount can be attached via a main coupling to an existing tripod or vehicle mount. The two-point attachment allows the shooter to steady the gun and eliminate vibration and improve accuracy of aim. In addition, the ammunition can is relocated from the common position underneath the gun to a vertical position on the left side of the gun for better alignment and ammunition feed. The entire assembly is formed of coated aluminum to effect a strong, compact and lightweight design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael T. Liebig
  • Patent number: 6260465
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a driven track suspension on each side of the hull, whereby the track suspension and the hull are connected by means of a vibration damping material. The track suspension is mounted on a U-shaped bridge element with lateral track supports with the use of a connecting floor plate, whereby each of the track supports is equipped with an electric drive motor as a track drive. The hull is suspended in the bridge element by means of vibration damping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mak System Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Armin Zonak, Ralf Böttcher