Flexible weapon handling support system

Abstract

A dolly system having a pair of flexible lashing straps which are tightenedy a single turnbuckle. The upper clamps to which the lashing straps attach are reversible, one position having an arcuate surface with a contour matching a first weapon diameter, D1, and the other position having an arcuate surface contour matching a second larger weapon diameter, D2. The strap connection point on this double contoured clamp piece permits the same lashing straps to be used for both weapon diameters. Further, each dolly has two reversible bottom clamping pads, each with an arcuate surface contour that selectively matches either the D1 or the D2 weapon diameter. Each bottom pad is held in place with a pivot pin and a position pin, each of which is of a quick release type. The primary advantage of such a dolly system is that storage of present size weapons is relatively unaffected by providing this future growth potential.

Description

Claims

1. Apparatii for storing and restraining cylindrical weapons of preselected smaller and larger diameters D1 and D2 respectively onboard a submarine, said submarine having a pre-configured weapon support structure for receiving said apparatii so as to produce a preplanned weapon storage arrangement, each said apparatus comprising:

a base means, affixed to said weapon support structure of said submarine, said base means providing a support cradle to said weapon, said base means further comprising, a dolly base having a preselected width and at least one button attached to the underside thereof, said dolly base being affixed to said support structure by said at least one button, first and second bottom pads, each said bottom pad having a first arcuate surface on one side thereof of diameter D1 and a second arcuate surface on the obverse side of a diameter D2 adjustably attached to said dolly base, for selectably supporting a preselected weapon diameter, first and second pivot pins, one each moveably attached through a corresponding said bottom pad to said dolly base at a point near the outer extremity of said dolly base, and first and second position pins, one each moveably attached through a corresponding said bottom pad to said dolly base at point near the button on said dolly base;

a pair of flexible lashing straps of equal length, one end of each said flexible strap being attached to said base means, extending generally vertically from said base means and contacting the outer surface of said weapon, for securing said weapon to said base means; and

clamping means, in contact with the top outer cylindrical surface of said weapon and attached to the other end of said pair of flexible lashing straps, for providing, in cooperation with said flexible lashing straps and said base means, said storage and restraint of said weapon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping means further comprises:

first and second upper clamps, each said upper clamp having a first arcuate surface on one side thereof of diameter D1, a second arcuate surface on the obverse side thereof of diameter D2 and a threaded aperture therein aligned on a generally horizontal axis with respect thereto, for providing clamping surfaces of a diameter matching the diameter of said bottom pads and in contact with the top cylindrical surface of said weapon; and

a turnbuckle, threadably attached to each of said first and second upper clamps, for providing, upon tightening, the motive force to pull said first and second upper clamps toward each other thereby tightening said pair of flexible lashing straps so as to compressively secure said weapon by producing inwardly directed contact forces at said arcuate surfaces of said first and second upper clamps and said first and second bottom pads.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pivot pins and said position pins are of a quick release type.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said dolly base width is greater than the diameter D2 of said larger weapon.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said dolly base width is greater than the diameter D1 of said smaller weapon but less than the diameter D2 of said larger weapon.