This specification relates to maintenance equipment for military weapon systems.
Various military weapon systems may be very heavy, unbalanced, delicate, and/or awkward to move. Consequently, such loads are typically moved with cranes and rigged with wooden blocking, dunnage, and straps for shipping. These techniques are costly, time-intensive, and rely on operator skill to be performed safely and repeatedly. In addition, mounted weapons systems may include delicate umbilicals (e.g., cabling, wires, hoses, waveguides, etc.) that are used to control the weapon system and which extend from the bottom of the weapons system. The umbilicals may be prone to damage due to improper handling.
One broad aspect of the invention features a weapon maintenance system that includes a weapon maintenance stand and a pallet. The weapon maintenance stand includes a base plate, a support flange and a wall structure. The support flange is spaced from the base plate and defines a first plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the first plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the first plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall. The at least one tunnel is sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system. The pallet includes a top plate, a base structure, and a plurality of support legs. The top plate is configured to couple to a bottom surface of the base plate of the weapon maintenance stand. The base structure is spaced apart from the top plate. The plurality of support legs are attached to the top plate at respective first ends, with, at least a portion of the plurality of support legs being attached to the base structure at respective second ends. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
Some implementations include an umbilical guide structure attached to the base plate and located within a perimeter defined by the wall structure.
In some implementations, the umbilical guide structure includes a hollow cylindrically-shaped structure that defines one or more tunnels extending therethrough, the tunnels sized to accept umbilicals of the deck-mounted weapons system.
In some implementations, the weapon maintenance stand is made of at least one of steel or aluminum.
In some implementations, the support flange has a circular-shape defining a central void.
Another aspect of the invention features a weapon maintenance system that includes a weapon maintenance stand and a pallet. The weapon maintenance stand includes a base plate, a support flange, a wall structure, a plurality of braces, and an umbilical guide structure. The base plate defines a first plurality of holes extending through the base plate and a second plurality of holes extending through the base plate. The support flange is spaced from the base plate, and defines a third plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the third plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the third plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall. The at least one tunnel is sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system. The plurality of braces are attached to the wall structure and the base plate to support the wall structure. The umbilical guide structure is attached to the base plate and located within a perimeter defined by the wall structure. The first plurality of holes are located outside of the perimeter and the second plurality of holes are located inside the perimeter. The pallet includes a top plate, a base structure, and a plurality of support legs. The top plate defines a fourth plurality of holes extending through the top plate and a fifth plurality of holes extending through the top plate, with locations of the fourth plurality of holes corresponding to respective locations of the first plurality of holes of the weapon maintenance stand base plate and locations of the fifth plurality of holes corresponding to respective locations of the second plurality of holes of the weapon maintenance stand base plate. The base structure is spaced apart from the top plate. The plurality of support legs are attached to the top plate at respective first ends, with at least a portion of the plurality of support legs being attached to the base structure at respective second ends. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
In some implementations, the umbilical guide structure includes a hollow cylindrically-shaped structure that defines one or more tunnels extending therethrough, with the tunnels sized to accept umbilicals of the deck-mounted weapons system.
In some implementations, the weapon maintenance stand is made of at least one of steel or aluminum.
In some implementations, the support flange has a circular-shape defining a central void.
In some implementations, the base structure of the pallet defines a sixth plurality of holes extending therethrough, with locations of the sixth plurality of holes corresponding to the respective locations of the first and fourth plurality of holes.
In some implementations, the first, fourth, and sixth plurality of holes are aligned with respective hollow interiors of a subset of the plurality of support legs.
In some implementations, the base structure of the pallet has a rectangular shape defining a central void.
In some implementations, the deck-mounted weapon system is a MK-38 weapon system.
In some implementations, at least one of the third plurality of holes is spaced approximately 7.5 degrees from an axis of the support flange that extends between a front and a back of the support flange.
Another aspect of the invention features a weapon maintenance stand that includes a base plate, a support flange, and a wall structure. The support flange is spaced from the base plate and defines a first plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the first plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the first plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall, with the at least one tunnel being sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
Some implementations include an umbilical guide structure attached to the base plate and located within a perimeter defined by the wall structure.
In some implementations, the umbilical guide structure includes a hollow cylindrically-shaped structure that defines one or more tunnels extending therethrough, with the tunnels sized to accept umbilicals of the deck-mounted weapons system.
In some implementations, the base plate defines a second plurality of holes extending through the base plate and a third plurality of holes extending through the base plate.
In some implementations, the first plurality of holes are located outside of a perimeter defined by the wall structure and the second plurality of holes are located inside the perimeter.
Some implementations include a plurality of braces attached to the wall structure and the base plate to support the wall structure.
Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The invention described in this specification is a type of weapon maintenance system. The weapon maintenance system includes a weapon maintenance stand and a pallet. The weapon maintenance system may provide several advantages over the current methods of transporting and maintaining deck mounted weapon systems (e.g., Mk38 25 mm machine gun and similar weapon systems). Using the weapon maintenance system, weapon systems, such as deck-mounted weapons systems, can be safely transported and secured during maintenance without blocking, damaging, or severing the umbilicals of the weapons system. In addition, by allowing the umbilicals to be accessible and protected from damage, the weapons maintenance system permits operation and testing of a weapons system while it is mounted to the weapon maintenance system. The weapon maintenance stand, which carries the weapon system, can be secured to a pallet. By attaching the maintenance stand to a pallet, the weapon system, when placed on the weapon maintenance stand, can be moved by forklift, pallet jack, or other industrial vehicle, rather than by crane. This eliminates costly, time-consuming, and, potentially, dangerous rigging. This provides control and stability to the movement of the often unbalanced and delicate weapon system when transporting the system from one location to another. Additionally, the pallet may be secured to a surface, which further stabilizes the weapon system by preventing movement of the system during transport or while performing maintenance on the system. By allowing the umbilicals to be inserted through openings in the weapon maintenance stand, the umbilicals are not crushed or twisted, and are therefore less likely to be damaged. Additionally, by not blocking the umbilicals that control weapon functionality, the weapon maintenance system may permit post-maintenance testing of the weapon system while the weapon system is secured to the weapon maintenance stand. In some implementations, the weapon maintenance stand can be installed in a vehicle, vessel or in locations which were not previously designed to accommodate a particular weapon system that can be mounted on the weapon maintenance stand. For example, the weapon maintenance stand or weapon maintenance system can be mounted on a truck or trailer, thus, enabling a weapon system such as the Mk38 to be mounted and used on a truck, trailer, or vessel e.g., one that did not have a weapon system mount installed.
As shown in
Base plate 102 includes a first set of holes 110 that extend through base plate 102. Holes 110 provide openings for securing mechanisms, such as bolts, to be attached to weapon maintenance stand 100. This allows weapon maintenance stand 100 to be secured during transportation and maintenance. Holes 110 are located outside the perimeter defined by the wall structure 106. In one implementation, holes 110 are located in the four corners of base plate 102. Holes 110 can be constructed to accommodate a variety of mechanisms or fasteners used to secure pallet 200 (e.g., bolts).
The base plate 102 also includes a second set of holes 112 that extend through the base plate 102. Holes 112 provide openings for attachment of bolts on the weapon system to the weapon maintenance stand 100. This allows a weapon system to be secured to weapon maintenance stand 100. Holes 112 are sized to receive bolts of a deck-mounted weapon system (e.g. weapon system 300 (as shown in
Support flange 104 is attached to wall structure 106 of weapon maintenance stand 100. In one implementation, support flange 104 can be joined to wall structure 106 using welding techniques. In some implementations, support flange 104 can be circular-shaped, as shown in
Support flange 104 also includes a set of holes 114 extending through the support flange 104. Holes 114 are sized to receive bolts of a weapon system. In some implementations, holes 114 can be configured to match the bolt pattern of a weapon system.
Holes 116 on support flange 104 are configured to receive an alignment structure of a weapon system. Holes 116 function to keep a weapon system in a forward facing position when placed on weapon maintenance stand 100. This allows for more efficient and safe transport and repair of the weapon system by preventing any substantial relative movement between the system and weapon maintenance stand 100. As shown in
Wall structure 106 of weapon maintenance stand 100 is attached to both base plate 102 and support flange 104. As can be seen in
Wall structure 106 includes at least one tunnel 118. Tunnels 118 provide an opening for the umbilicals of the weapon system to pass through weapon maintenance stand 100 without being twisted or compressed. This allows for attachment of a weapon system to weapon maintenance stand 100 without damage to the system's umbilicals. In some implementations, wall structure 106 includes several tunnels 118. Tunnels 118 are sized to accept umbilicals of a weapon system. These umbilicals can include, for example, cables, hoses, or pipes attached to the weapon system. Tunnels 118 can be constructed to accommodate a variety of umbilicals.
In some implementations, weapon maintenance stand 100 includes an umbilical guide structure 108. Umbilical guide structure 108 is attached to base plate 102. Umbilical guide structure 108 is located within a perimeter defined by wall structure 106. As shown in
Umbilical guide structure 108 also includes a cross piece 126. The cross piece 126 can be configured couple with an umbilical securing device to secure the weapon system umbilicals (e.g., cables, hoses, etc.) to the umbilical guide structure 108. For example, an umbilical securing device can include a strap, clamp, tie, or other appropriate structure.
Umbilical guide structure 108 includes at least one umbilical guide tunnel 120. Umbilical guide tunnels 120 are sized to accept umbilicals of a weapon system. As can be seen in
Weapon maintenance stand 100 can be configured to accommodate a variety of weapon systems (e.g., Mk38 25 mm machine gun, MK15 Phalanx, Raytheon SeaRAM). For example, the holes 112 on weapon maintenance stand 100 can be different shapes (rectangular, circular, oval, square, star-shaped, t-slotted, etc.) to accommodate strapping, banding, bolts, ratchet straps, other proprietary fastening systems. Weapon maintenance stand 100 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as steel or aluminum.
In one implementation, top plate 202 is rectangular-shaped. In other implementations, top plate 202 is square-shaped. For example, top plate 202 can be a 56 inch by 56 inch square. In some implementations, top plate 122 may be other shapes (e.g., round or triangular) or sizes depending on the desired application. In some implementations, base plate 102 can be constructed to accommodate particular weapon systems. For example, top plate 202 can be 48 inches by 48 inches, 48 inches by 40 inches, 60 inches by 36 inches, 36 inches by 36 inches, or 24 inches by 24 inches.
As shown in
Top plate 202 includes another set of holes 212 that extend through top plate 202 and correspond with the location of holes 112 on base plate 202 of weapon maintenance stand 100. Holes 212 allow a weapon system to be secured to pallet 200 by providing opening for attachment of bolts on the weapon system to pallet 200. In one implementation, holes 212 are circular-shaped. In other implementations, holes 212 are the shape of slots. The use of a slot shape for holes 212 permits movement, such as alignment, of a weapon system on pallet 200. The number and location of holes 112 can correspond to a particular weapon system to be mounted on pallet 200. For example,
Pallet 200 also includes a base structure 204. Base structure 204 defines a central void in pallet 200. In one implementation, base structure 204 is rectangular-shaped. In other implementations, base structure 204 is square-shaped. In some implementations, base structure 204 may be other shapes (e.g., round or triangular) or sizes depending on the desired application. In some implementations, base structure 204 can be constructed to accommodate particular weapon systems. For example, base structure 204 can be 48 inches by 48 inches, 48 inches by 40 inches, 60 inches by 36 inches, 36 inches by 36 inches, or 24 inches by 24 inches.
As shown in
As shown in
Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in certain claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results.
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The PDI Group, “Maintenance Stands”, https://web.archive.org/web/20150822152744/http:/www.thepdigroup.com/Products/6, Aug. 22, 2015. |
The PDI Group, “20 MM Gun Maintenance Stand”, http://www.thepdigroup.com/ProductDetails/32, Aug. 22, 2015. |
Sales quote documents dated between Jul. 25, 2014 and Jul. 18, 2016 for a weapons maintenance stand (15 pages). |
Purchase order 342447 dated Mar. 4, 2015 (6 pages). |
Photos of weapons maintenance stand (2 pages). |
Engineering drawings of weapons maintenance stand (14 pages). |
Engineering drawings of weapons maintenance stand (13 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190033031 A1 | Jan 2019 | US |