Societe Anonyme Dite Hispano-suiza

Societe Nationale D'etude Et De Construction De Moteurs D'aviation

Alain R Guillermond

Jean-Philippe P Allais

Pascal G Rouyer

Didier J Lenormand

An armored turret for a light-armored vehicle is disclosed having an auxiliary weapon mounted on the side of the turret by a hollow support arm. A control mechanism for operating the gun extends from the interior of the turret through the hollow arm and is connected to the auxiliary weapon to enable the operator to operate the auxiliary weapon from inside the turret. The auxiliary weapon is pivotally attached to the auxiliary weapon mount to enable it to be elevated about an elevation axis extending substantially parallel to the elevational axis of the primary weapon. A mechanical linkage device interconnects a shaft, which is rotated by the elevation changes of the primary weapon and the auxiliary weapon such that any elevational changes in the primary weapon are imparted to the auxiliary weapon. The linkage is mounted externally of the turret.

Armored turret having an auxiliary weapon

The trunnion assembly according to the present invention has a pivot pin with a longitudinal axis defining the pivot axis of a weapon carrier with respect to a support member. A pair of pivot pins are located on either side of the weapon carrier with their longitudinal axes generally co-axial and are each mounted in the support member by a bearing enabling each of the pivot pins to readily rotate about their longitudinal axes with respect to the support members. The pivot pins, which may be supported in a mounting box attached to each of the support members, are biased in a first direction toward each other by a spring device interposed between the bearing and the mounting box. When in their most extreme biased position, the distance between them is inadequate to accommodate the insertion of the weapon carrier between them. Thus, in order to overcome the biasing force exerted on the pins in the first direction, a nut is attached to a threaded portion of the pivot pin and is prevented from disengagement from the pin via a spring clip of the like. Rotation of the nut causes it to bear against a portion of the mounting box such that further nut rotation axially moves the pin in a second direction, generally opposite to the first direction, thereby overcoming the spring biasing force and moving the pins further apart. Once in these positions, the weapons carrier may be physically inserted between the pivot pins, which then may be moved back in the first direction and be attached to the weapon carrier. Once attached, the nuts on the pivot pins are retracted away from contact with the mounting box to enable the weapons carrier to move laterally with respect to the support turret against the spring biasing forces.

Trunnion assembly

The present invention relates to a light weight turret for use on an armored vehicle that is easily movable between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position, the turret is folded downwardly adjacent to the top of the armored vehicle. In the deployed position, the turret extends above the top of the vehicle to provide the necessary clearances for use of the weapon at elevational angles between -15.degree. and +45.degree. . The turret consists of a pair of mounting members, each having a generally 'U' shape with their bases pivotally attached to a support plate which, in turn, is pivotally attached to the top of the vehicle. Cross members connect the mounting members and pivotally mount a weapon support. The pivot axis of the weapon support extends generally horizontally and, when the turret is deployed, is located in a plane with the generally vertical azimuth axis about which the turret rotates. Actuators may be provided to assist in the movement of the members from their stowed to their deployed positions.

Lightweight deployable turret

A mechanical servosystem for connecting the pivoting weapon support to an tical aiming device such that the optical sighting axis remain in alignment with the elevation of the weapon is described. A motion input mechanism is connected to the pivoting weapons mounting. The optical device is connected to a mechanical motion output mechanism which, in turn, is connected to the motion input mechanism via a flexible motion transmission device. A linkage interconnects the weapon mounting with the motion input mechanism such that any elevational movement of the weapon is automatically transferred to the optical aiming device to maintain the alignment of the optical axis with the weapon.

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Epouville, France

Alain R Guillermond