Support structure for a weapons system

Abstract

A support structure for a weapons system has a frame adapted for connection to a wearer, the frame having an elongated first portion defining a frame axis and adapted for positioning adjacent to the spine of the wearer, the frame having an upper end, a boom connected to the upper end of the frame and having a first boom portion extending away from the frame, and a second boom portion angled with respect to the first boom portion and extending away from the frame axis, the boom having a free end, a cable reel mechanism connected to the frame, a cable having a first end connected to the cable reel mechanism and a free end extending from the free end of the boom and adapted to connect to the weapons system, and the cable reel mechanism including a biasing facility to exert tension on the cable to provide support for the weapons system.

Claims

1. A support structure for a weapons system comprising: a frame adapted for connection to a wearer; the frame having an elongated first portion defining a frame axis and adapted for positioning adjacent to the spine of the wearer; the frame having an upper end; a boom connected to the upper end of the frame and having a first boom portion extending away from the frame, and a second boom portion angled with respect to the first boom portion and extending away from the frame axis; the boom having a free end; a cable reel mechanism connected to the frame; a cable having a first end connected to the cable reel mechanism and a free end extending from the free end of the boom and adapted to connect to the weapons system; the cable reel mechanism including a biasing facility to exert tension on the cable, such that tension on the cable provides support for the weapons system, the second boom portion having a cable support wheel spaced apart from the free end; and a spacer having an arcuate guide surface for contacting the cable proximate the free end and forward of the cable support wheel, the spacer having an arcuate guide surface for contacting the cable adapted to limit the upward angle of the cable.

2. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the free end of the boom includes a cable support element, and wherein the free end of the cable extends from the cable support element to the weapons system and remains spaced apart from the boom.

3. The support structure of claim 2 wherein the free end of the boom defines an exit aperture through which the cable passes, the exit aperture facing at least partly away from the axis, such that the cable may angle away from the frame without contacting the boom.

4. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the free end of the boom is open in a forward direction away from the axis, such that the cable may extend away from the frame at an angle.

5. The support structure of claim 4 wherein the angle is at least 30 degrees from the frame axis.

6. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the cable reel mechanism includes a pair of pneumatic springs.

7. The support structure of claim 6 including a cable take-up mechanism between the springs.

8. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the cable reel mechanism includes a plurality of pulleys supporting the cable.

9. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the cable reel mechanism includes a block and tackle mechanism of limited length providing an extended range of cable payout length relative to the limited length of the block and tackle mechanism.

10. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a facility for connection to the back of the wearer, and wherein the free end of the cable is operable to connect to an intermediate portion of a weapons system, and to urge the weapons system to exert a compressive force on the chest of the wearer.

11. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a facility for connection to the back of the wearer, and wherein the boom extends forward on a medial plane of the wearer.

12. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the weapons system is selected from the group consisting of rifles, medium machine guns, and heavy machine guns.

13. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the cable support element is above a centerline axis of the cable support wheel.

14. The support structure of claim 1 wherein the cable support wheel and cable support element define an exit aperture for the cable.

15. The support structure of claim 14 wherein the exit aperture is open forward.

16. The support structure of claim 14 wherein the exit aperture is open forward and downward.

17. The support structure of claim 14 wherein the exit aperture faces at least partly away from the frame axis.

18. A support structure for a weapons system comprising: a frame adapted for connection to a wearer; the frame having an elongated first portion defining a frame axis and adapted for positioning adjacent to the spine of the wearer; the frame having an upper end; a boom connected to the upper end of the frame and having a first boom portion extending away from the frame, and a second boom portion angled with respect to the first boom portion and extending away from the frame axis; the boom having a free end; a cable reel mechanism connected to the frame; a cable having a first end connected to the cable reel mechanism and a free end extending from the free end of the boom and adapted to connect to the weapons system; the cable reel mechanism including a biasing facility to exert tension on the cable, such that tension on the cable provides support for the weapons system; the cable reel mechanism includes a pair of elongated pneumatic springs each with a first end connected to the frame and a opposed movable second end; a cable take-up mechanism between the springs and having a first pulley connected to the first ends of the springs, and an opposed second end connected to the second ends of the springs; and an elongated tubular housing defining an elongated passage receiving the cable reel mechanism.

19. The support structure of claim 18 wherein the housing is a flat body having a selected width and a limited thickness less than the width such that is it adapted for positioning along a wearer's spine.

20. The support structure of claim 18 wherein the pneumatic springs operate in compression to bias apart the cable reel mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a prior art Easyrig® 3 Cinema portable camera support with the camera on the user's shoulder.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the prior art Easyrig® 3 Cinema portable camera support of FIG. 1 with the camera on the user's shoulder.

(3) FIG. 3 a front isometric view of a prior art Easyrig® 3 Cinema portable camera support of FIG. 1 with the camera extended forward at the user's hip level.

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the current embodiment of a support structure for a weapons system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the frame and boom of FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of the frame and boom of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of the frame and boom of FIG. 4 with the frame cutaway to expose the cable reel mechanism of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of the cable reel mechanism of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a right isometric view of the boom of FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 10 is a rear isometric view of the frame of FIG. 4 with the frame cutaway to expose the cable reel mechanism of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the boom of FIG. 4.

(12) FIG. 12 is a front isometric fragmentary view of the boom of FIG. 4.

(13) FIG. 13 is a right side fragmentary view of the boom of FIG. 4.

(14) FIG. 14 is a left side isometric view of the support structure for a weapons system of FIG. 4 in use in a rotary wing aircraft.

(15) FIG. 15 is a front view of the support structure for a weapons system of FIG. 4 in use in a rotary wing aircraft.

(16) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

(17) An embodiment of the support structure for a weapons system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 100.

(18) FIGS. 4-12 illustrate the improved support structure for a weapons system 100 of the present invention. More particularly, the support structure has a frame 102 having a right side 104, left side 106, upper end 108, lower end 110, front 300, and rear 308. The frame defines a frame axis 112, has a hollow interior 118, and is closed at the lower end by bottom cap 116 and at the upper end by top cap 114. Upper bolts 304 and lower bolts 302 secure a cable reel mechanism 306 within the interior of the frame. The cable reel mechanism will be described in more detail in the discussion of FIGS. 7, 8, and 11. The top cap defines a central aperture 120.

(19) A boom 122 is pivotally attached to the upper end 108 of the frame 102 by an elongated portion 176 of a pivot shaft 128 received within the central aperture 120 of the top cap 114. The boom also has a right side plate 124, left side plate 126, front lower plate 130, rear lower plate 132, front upper plate 134, and rear upper plate 136. The right side plate has a right free end 138, right lower end 140, and apertures 142, 144, 146, 148. The left side plate has a left free end 150, left lower end 152, and apertures 154, 156, 158, 160. The front lower plate has a right edge 162, left edge 164, and bottom edge 166. The rear lower plate has a right edge 168, left edge 170, and bottom edge 172. In addition to the elongated portion, the pivot shaft has a head 174, a notch 178, and central bore 180. The front upper plate has a right edge 182 and a left edge 184. The rear upper plate has a right edge 186 and a left edge 188.

(20) When the boom 122 is assembled, the right lower end 140 of the right side plate 124, left lower end 152 of the left side plate 126, bottom edge 166 of the lower front plate 130, and bottom edge 172 of the rear lower plate 132 are received within the notch 178 of the pivot shaft 128 and secured by welding in the current embodiment. The right edges 162, 168, 182, 186 of the lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper front plate, and upper rear plate are welded to the right side plate. The left edges 164, 170, 184, 188 of the lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper front plate, and upper rear plate are welded to the left side plate. The lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper from plate, and upper rear plate are used to help hold the right and left side plates in place and to improve weld adhesion of the right and left side plates to the pivot shaft 128.

(21) In the assembled state, the boom 122 defines a channel 282 between the right side plate 124 and left side plate 126, a first boom portion 286, and a second boom portion 288. The channel within the first boom portion 286 is axially registered with the bore 180 in the pivot shaft 128. The first boom portion extends vertically away from the frame 102 along the frame axis 112, and the second boom portion is angled with respect to the first boom portion and extends away from the frame axis.

(22) Hex bolts 190, 192, 194, 196 are received in the apertures 154, 156, 158, 160 of the left side plate 126. Hex nuts 198, 200, 202, 204 are received in the apertures 142, 144, 146, 148 of the right side plate 124. The hex bolts have heads 206, 212, 218, 224, smooth portions 208, 214, 220, 226, and threaded portions 210, 216, 222, 228. The hex nuts have heads 230, 234, 238, 242 and smooth portions 232, 236, 240, 244. The hex nuts also have threaded central bores (not visible) that receive the threaded portions of the hex bolts. The hex bolts and nuts mount spacers 248, 258, 268, 278 within the channel 282. The spacers have bores 250, 260, 270, 280 that are rotatably mounted on the smooth portions of the hex bolts and nuts. A front upper pulley 252 having a cable groove 254 and bore 256 is mounted on spacer 258. An intermediate upper pulley 262 having a cable groove 264 and bore 266 is mounted on spacer 268. A rear upper pulley 272 having a cable groove 274 and a bore 276 is mounted on spacer 278. Spacer 248 omits a pulley and serves as a cable support element 246. An exit aperture 284 at the forwardmost portion of the channel is defined between the cable support element, front upper pulley, right free end 138 of the right side plate, and the left free end 150 of the left side plate.

(23) The free end 292 of a cable 290 extends upwards through the bore 180 in the pivot shaft 128, is guided forwards within the channel 282 by the cable grooves 274, 264, 254 in the rear upper pulley 272, intermediate upper pulley 262, and front upper pulley 252, and exits the channel by passing through exit aperture 284. A clip 294 is attached to the free end of the cable. A cable stop 298 is attached to the cable behind the free end. The cable stop is larger than the exit aperture and keeps the free end of the cable spaced apart from the boom by preventing the free end of the cable from being retracted back into the channel by the cable reel mechanism 306.

(24) A weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release 296 is connected to the clip 294. The weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release is connected to an intermediate portion 402 of a weapons system 400, which is a rifle in the current embodiment. The weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release enables the weapons system to be easily and swiftly disengaged from the cable 290 when necessary. The quick release is manufactured to a military specification that allows it to be used by soldiers and law enforcement under their rigid requirements. The quick release system is also required by aviation regulators for users in airframes.

(25) The quick release 296 is attached permanently to the free end 292 of the cable 290. The quick release is then attached to a specific weapon mounting attachment that is designed to support a specific weapon. Because of different configurations, weapon sizes, and usage conditions, the use of a customized mounting attachment is important because a mounting attachment suitable for a smaller carbine will cause mechanical issues with a larger machine gun. There are four distinct weapon mounting attachments that can be connected to the quick release depending on the weapon to be attached.

(26) The support structure for a weapons system 100 has the considerable advantage of enabling the wearer to easily access the parts contained within the channel 282 and the frame 102 and replace them if necessary so that any needed repairs can be performed in the field. The open boom 122 provides the user with access to the cable 290 for field stripping and maintenance if the cable is damaged in combat.

(27) FIGS. 7, 8, and 10 illustrate the improved cable reel mechanism 306 of the present invention. More particularly, the cable reel mechanism has an upper pulley head 312 and a lower pulley head 314 that are connected together by a pair of pneumatic springs in the form of left shock absorber 316 and right shock absorber 318. The upper pulley head has a transverse shaft 320 that rotatably mounts two upper pulleys 322 within two channels 330. The lower pulley head has a transverse shaft 324 that rotatably mounts three lower pulleys 326 within a channel 332. Together these form a cable take-up mechanism between the pneumatic springs that supports the cable 290. A cable capture 328 retains the opposed end of the cable and prevents the opposed end of the cable from pulling out from the cable reel mechanism. The cable reel mechanism exerts tension on the cable and resists withdrawal of the cable from the frame 102, thereby supporting a weapons system 400 attached to the free end 292 of the cable and transferring the weight of the weapons system to the user's hips via the frame 102 and belt rig 506. Two shocks are used to provide redundancy and avoid sudden loss of complete support of the weapons system, which would potentially be very dangerous. The dashed lines in FIG. 8 illustrate the fully extended position of the cable reel mechanism, and the solid lines illustrate the fully compressed position of the cable reel mechanism. The cable reel mechanism includes a block and tackle mechanism of limited length providing an extended range of cable payout length relative to the limited length of the block and tackle mechanism.

(28) In the current embodiment, the left and right shock absorbers 316, 318 are each 200 N gas springs. However, the gas spring system can be configured from 80 N to 800 N of combined compression force, depending upon the spring choice. The cable reel mechanism 306 has a 6:1 ratio, which requires the application of 67 N of force with the 2×200 N gas springs to create movement. If the cable reel mechanism is inverted relative to the position shown in FIG. 7, the ratio is reduced to 5:1, which requires an extra 13 N of force to create movement with the 2×200 N gas springs. The inverted position is essential for supporting larger caliber, and therefore heavier, weapon systems, such as medium and heavy machine guns, large caliber rifles, and/or rifles with heavy optical scopes or other attachments. The shock absorbers can be accessed by the user in the field so they can be inverted as needed, thereby allowing a single support structure for a weapons system 100 be configured as needed to support a wider variety of attached weapons systems.

(29) The upper and lower pulley heads 312, 314 are made of a self-lubricating plastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene in the current embodiment, which enables smooth travel of the upper pulley block within the frame 102 because of self-lubrication. The upper and lower pulleys 322, 326 and the front upper pulley 252, intermediate upper pulley 262, and rear upper pulley 272 are made of polyoxymethylene in the current embodiment to provide high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. The pulleys enable smooth movement of the cable 290, which is essential for sniper and other applications requiring extremely precise weapons system movements. The upper and lower pulley heads are through bolted for strength and have threaded brass inserts that receive the lower and upper bolts 302, 304 and the ends of the left and right shock absorbers to increase durability. Although the cable is held under tension like the Easyrig® 3 Cinema's cable 44, the cable retracts at half the speed of the Easyrig® 3 Cinema's cable if the quick release 296 is initiated. This slower retraction feature is important for safe use of lighter weapons systems.

(30) In the current embodiment, the frame 102 is an aluminum extrusion with a generally trapezoidal cross-section that is 30 mm×55 mm with a 1.5 mm thick sidewall. The frame extrusion is shaped to accommodate the dual shock absorber cable reel mechanism 306, has a larger surface area positioned against the utility vest 508 for stability in operation, and is lightweight and strong to operate in harsh conditions. The boom 122 is made of 6061 aluminum in the current embodiment, is shaped via waterjet computer-aided cutting processes, and is finished with multicam camouflage dipping technology. The right and left side plates 124, 126 are made of aluminum with a thickness of 4.75 mm. The side plates are sufficiently thick to be strong and durable, but are minimally bulky to have a minimalist visual signature when pointed towards an enemy position. The complete boom has a weight of 510 g in the current embodiment. The spacers 248, 258, 268, 278 are made of aluminum in the current embodiment and, in combination with the hex nuts and bolts, pinch and hold the right and left side plates in place to keep the side plates straight and parallel after welding. The sleeves 510, 512, 414 are made of military-specification nylon fabric in the current embodiment. The cable 290 is made of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide in the current embodiment for strength and durability.

(31) FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the improved exit aperture 284 of the present invention. More particularly, the exit aperture is defined by the space between the right side plate 124, left side plate 126, cable support element 246 with spacer 248, and front upper pulley 252. Because the support point at the intermediate portion 402 of a weapons system 400 in the ready position is well forward of the exit aperture rather than directly below the exit aperture, the exit aperture has to allow for at least 30° of displacement from the frame axis, and preferably 120° of displacement (denoted by the double-headed arrow 310) of the cable 290 without causing the cable to rub and wear on the boom 122. The cable is positioned at an angle close to horizontal when the attached weapons system is a large machine gun. This range of cable movement is accomplished by providing an angled exit aperture that opens both forward and downward, with the cable support element at the top to prevent the cable from rubbing and wearing on the boom, and the front upper pulley 252 at the bottom to assist with smooth movement of the cable in and out of the exit aperture. The exit aperture faces at least partly away from the frame axis 112, and is open in a forward direction away from the frame axis, such that the cable may angle away from the frame 102 at an angle without contacting the boom 122.

(32) Referring now to FIG. 4, the support structure for a weapons system 100 is shown in use being worn by a wearer 500 in the standing position. The wearer is shown wearing a standard Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) utility vest 508 covering the wearer's chest 502 and back 516, and a MOLLE belt rig 506 around the wearer's hips 518. An upper sleeve 510, intermediate sleeve 512 are removably attached to the utility vest in line with the wearer's spine 504, and the bottom sleeve 514 is removably attached to the belt rig in line with the wearer's spine. The sleeves are strong, yet flexible, eliminate the need for side supports and adjustment struts, and enable a customizable fit using the MOLLE attachment points on the utility vest and belt rig. In use, the frame 102 portion of the support structure for a weapons system is removably inserted into the sleeves such that the lower end 110 is received within the bottom sleeve, the upper end 108 protrudes above the upper sleeve, and the front 300 of the frame faces the wearer's back. The first boom portion 286 of the boom 122 extends upward in alignment with the frame axis 112 so that the second boom portion 288 can curve forward above the wearer's head 520. The support structure for a weapons system 100 supports an attached weapon far forward of the exit aperture 284 of the boom with the user 500 leaning his or her head 520 forward and canting his head to create a “cheek weld” to the stock of the weapon being employed. In contrast, the Easyrig® 3 Cinema is designed for the user to be standing upright with his or her head in a normal erect position, which does not work for shooting.

(33) Referring now to FIGS. 14-15, the support structure for a weapons system 100 is shown in use being worn by a wearer 500 in the seated position in a rotary wing aircraft. As is also the case in the standing position, the support structure for a weapons system supports the weapons system in alignment with the wearer's spine 504 with the boom extending forward on a medial plane of the wearer directly over the wearer's head 520 rather than off to one side. The cable reel mechanism transfers the weight of the attached weapons system 400 to the wearer's hips 518, and the free end 292 of the cable 290 urges the weapons system to exert a compressive force on the wearer's chest 502. The support structure for a weapons system enables the wearer to switch between the standing and seated positions without requiring any adjustments, and enables the wearer to still hold the weapons system in the comfortable, natural shooting position he or she is accustomed to with the butt 404 of the weapons system on the wearer's shoulder 522. The support structure for a weapons system also enhances accuracy by stabilizing shooting from rotary wing aircraft.

(34) Regardless of the wearer's position, the support structure for a weapons system 100 enables the wearer to hold aim on target for much longer periods of time and with higher levels of stability compared to an unsupported weapons system. The support structure for a weapons system improves sight management, trigger control, operational endurance, and shot follow through of the user by removing the majority of muscular and skeletal load from the wearer. The weapons system enables the shooter to employ the same level of accuracy that was previously reserved for those shooting in the prone position. This allows the user to be more effective and permits safer and better tactics to be employed.

(35) The support structure for a weapons system 100 also enables the ability to shoot one-handed by supporting the attached weapon well forward of the exit aperture 284 of the boom 122 that would be severely inhibited if the weapon were supported vertically directly beneath the boom. Vertical support of the weapon directly beneath the boom also does not allow for the traditional shooting stance that shooters use to control and manage recoil. Recoil management is one of the most important aspects that need to be addressed to shoot accurately and repeatedly during combat. Therefore, it is not sufficient for the support structure for a weapons system 100 to merely support a weapon, but the weapon must be supported in a way that promotes recoil management. The forward weapons support position enabled by the support structure for a weapons system 100 also pushes the stock into the shooter's shoulder, which greatly aids recoil management.

(36) While a current embodiment of a support structure for a weapons system has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although a MOLLE utility vest and belt rig have been disclosed, the current invention is suitable for use with any body armor, other military apparel, and backpacks that are MOLLE-enabled. Furthermore, the support structure for a weapons system disclosed is also suitable for civilian hunting applications in addition to the disclosed military and law enforcement applications. In addition, although rifles have been disclosed, the support structure for a weapons system is also suitable for use with medium and heavy machine guns and other firearms of comparable weight, including large caliber rifles and/or rifles with heavy optical scopes or other attachments. Finally, although a welded aluminum boom has been disclosed, the boom can also be made from injection molded plastic or via 3D printing. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(37) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.