Weapon station and associated method
First Claim
1. A weapon station, comprising:
- a weapon mounting apparatus comprising;
a first rotational drive mechanism that rotates the weapon mounting apparatus about an azimuth axis; and
a weapon mount located at a position offset from the azimuth axis; and
a sight mounting apparatus coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and comprising;
a sighting device mount for retaining a sighting device that includes one or more sensors; and
a second rotational drive mechanism that rotates the sight mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis, the azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the sight mounting apparatus rotate being the same axis; and
wherein the weapon mounting apparatus comprises a shaft that retains the weapon mount, the weapon mount adapted to receive for attachment a weapon, the shaft being offset from and substantially perpendicular to the azimuth axis and adapted to rotate about a first elevation axis using a third rotational drive mechanism; and
wherein the weapon mounting apparatus further comprises;
a body portion; and
an elevation shaft housing extending from an outer surface of the body portion, the elevation shaft housing containing a portion of the shaft, wherein ends of the shaft extend through apertures in the elevation shaft housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In certain embodiments, a weapon station comprises a weapon mounting apparatus and a sight mounting apparatus. The weapon mounting apparatus is adapted to rotate, using a first rotational drive mechanism, about an azimuth axis. The weapon mounting apparatus is adapted to receive one or more weapons for attachment at a position offset from the azimuth axis. The sight mounting apparatus is coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and is adapted to receive for attachment a sighting device. The sighting device comprises one or more sensors and is adapted to rotate, using a second rotational drive mechanism, the one or more sensors about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis. The azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the one or more sensors rotate is a common azimuth axis.
23 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A weapon station, comprising:
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a weapon mounting apparatus comprising; a first rotational drive mechanism that rotates the weapon mounting apparatus about an azimuth axis; and a weapon mount located at a position offset from the azimuth axis; and a sight mounting apparatus coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and comprising; a sighting device mount for retaining a sighting device that includes one or more sensors; and a second rotational drive mechanism that rotates the sight mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis, the azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the sight mounting apparatus rotate being the same axis; and wherein the weapon mounting apparatus comprises a shaft that retains the weapon mount, the weapon mount adapted to receive for attachment a weapon, the shaft being offset from and substantially perpendicular to the azimuth axis and adapted to rotate about a first elevation axis using a third rotational drive mechanism; and wherein the weapon mounting apparatus further comprises; a body portion; and an elevation shaft housing extending from an outer surface of the body portion, the elevation shaft housing containing a portion of the shaft, wherein ends of the shaft extend through apertures in the elevation shaft housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A weapon station, comprising:
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a weapon mounting apparatus comprising; a first rotational drive mechanism that rotates the weapon mounting apparatus about an azimuth axis; and a weapon mount located at a position offset from the azimuth axis; and a sight mounting apparatus coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and comprising; a sighting device mount for retaining a sighting device that includes one or more sensors; and a second rotational drive mechanism that rotates the sight mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis, the azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the sight mounting apparatus rotate being the same axis; and
wherein;the weapon mounting apparatus comprises a body portion driven to rotate about the azimuth axis by the first rotational drive mechanism, the body portion circumscribing a cylindrical cavity; and the sight mounting apparatus is positioned concentrically with the body portion within the cylindrical cavity of the body portion and driven to rotate therein by the second rotational drive mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A weapon station, comprising:
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a weapon mounting apparatus comprising; a first rotational drive mechanism that rotates the weapon mounting apparatus about an azimuth axis; and a weapon mount located at a position offset from the azimuth axis; and a sight mounting apparatus coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and comprising; a sighting device mount for retaining a sighting device that includes one or more sensors; and a second rotational drive mechanism that rotates the sight mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis, the azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the sight mounting apparatus rotate being the same axis; and wherein the weapon mounting apparatus further comprises a kingpost, the kingpost aligned about the azimuth axis and the kingpost having a cavity for housing one or more electronics modules. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification