Abstract:
A system and method for mounting large caliber guns with a laser emitter is disclosed. The laser emitter mounting system includes an elongated tubular member for insertion into a gun chamber. The elongated tubular member is compressively secured within the gun bore. A mounting surface for a laser emitter and a breech assembly detachably engaged with the elongated tubular member by an anti-roll plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/885,953, filed on Jan. 22, 2007, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are in the field of weapons such as for military ordnance. In particular, one exemplary embodiment relates to a weapons training system which uses an in-bore laser emitting device to provide cost effective operator training. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
     Large munitions are expensive and dangerous to operate. However, there is a need to train soldiers so that they will be combat-ready in the event an actual conflict should arrive. In connection with training and practice use of larger caliber guns such as the main gun on a tank, it is common practice to insert into the barrel of the larger caliber gun, a device that is the size of the shell that would normally be placed inside the larger caliber gun, but instead contains centrally disposed therein, a smaller caliber weapon. Thus, when this weapon is fired, it simulates the direction and accuracy of the larger caliber gun for training and practice purposes but reduces the costs of the exercise dramatically. 
     While cost effective, these systems still have certain drawbacks. Although the smaller caliber rounds are cheaper, they still use live ammunition. Therefore, sub-caliber systems are inappropriate for certain types of training, such as force-on-force. 
     A particularly promising development is the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System or MILES system used by the United States Armed Forces and other armed forces around the world for training purposes. It uses lasers to simulate actual battle. In large caliber weapons these lasers are often placed inside the bore of the main gun chamber. 
     Under the MILES system, individual targets carry laser receivers, which detect when the target has been successfully “hit” by another firearm&#39;s laser. Each laser transmitter is set to mimic the effective range of the weapon on which it is used. Often these systems are coupled with a real-time datalink allowing position and event data to be transmitted back to a central site for data collection and display. Thus, when this laser is employed it simulates the targeting of the larger caliber gun for training and practice purposes but reduces the costs of such armament dramatically. Furthermore, the selected laser is not hazardous to those involved. Therefore, the system is appropriate for force-on-force exercises 
     Unfortunately, the laser systems currently employed for large caliber guns, such as the 120 mm M256 cannon found on the United States M1-series tank, lack effective means for mounting and centering the laser beam within the main gun bore. Therefore, current systems have proven to be inaccurate, imprecise, and cumbersome to employ in the field. Thus, their value as a training tool has been greatly diminished. 
     Because the military needs to repeatedly alternate between the training device and live ammunition, the device must be easy to install and quickly ready to use. When installed, the beam-alignment of the laser should most nearly match that of the main gun bore without the need for extensive independent calibration procedures. A negative aspect of current systems is that they lack means to consistently position the laser within the chamber. Therefore, current systems must be re-calibrated every time they are installed. The calibration process can be tedious and time consuming, and therefore, may absorb valuable training hours. 
     It is also desirable to provide a training device that requires the active participation of all those who would be involved in a real mission. Under current systems, the individual responsible for loading the shell in actual combat is often neglected in the training exercise. Therefore, there is an unmet need for a device which can require the active participation of the loader in the training firing sequence. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may meet some or all of the aforementioned needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This and other unmet needs of the prior art may be met by a device as described in more detail below. Applicant has devised a laser mounting system that will quickly and precisely position a laser emitter within a large caliber gun. 
     An exemplary embodiment of this invention may provide a mounting system to quickly outfit an existing large caliber barrel with a laser emitter which may be used in training exercises. A further advantage of at least one exemplary embodiment is that the laser, so mounted, may possess an alignment most nearly matching that of the main gun bore. Therefore, no independent calibration procedures may be required beyond the standard bore sighting performed on the main gun bore. Yet another advantage of an exemplary embodiment of this invention is that the laser mounting system may be easily disengaged and reinstalled while still maintaining the lasers precise alignment and position within the barrel. Furthermore, when used in combination with another portion of an exemplary embodiment of this device, the device may not rotate within or back out of the main gun bore during training conditions. Still further, an exemplary embodiment of this invention may facilitate training by involving the loader in the simulation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention will be had when reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are identified with identical reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of an embodiment with the proximal end of the mounting system in the foreground as it would appear installed in the main gun chamber. 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of an embodiment showing the distal end of the mounting system in the foreground as it would appear installed in the main gun chamber. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the mounting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the laser emitter mounting system  1  comprises a breech assembly  3  detachably engaged with a mounting assembly  5 . With respect to the mounting assembly  5 , a tubular member  11  may connect and support forward adapter  16  and aft adapter  15 . A mounting block  24  may be detachably fixed to the interior surface of aft adapter  15 . A laser emitter  22  may be seated on mounting block  24  so as to precisely align the laser inside the mounting assembly  5 , preferably at the concentric center of the mounting assembly  5 . In this embodiment, adapters  15  and  16  have a diameter slightly less than, but approximating, the barrel diameter at their respective locations when slidably engaged within the main gun barrel  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, forward and aft O-rings  19  and  12  are positioned on their respective adapters to provide a removably fixed interface with the proximal interior surface of the main gun bore  100 . When installed, breech assembly  3  securely seats the mounting assembly  5  in position by engaging an anti-roll plate which is secured to the proximal surface of aft adaptor  15 . The breech assembly  3  comprises a U-shaped member  81  that is composed of a cross-member  85  connecting oppositely disposed parallel sides  26 . The U-shaped member  81  is designed and is of such a shape as to fit securely in the mortises of the breech ring of the main gun. The U-shaped member  81  may have structure to house a spring loaded piston assembly which is engaged by lever  20 . A loader interface box  14  may be secured to cross-member  85  and may be in electrical communication with the laser emitter and/or the electrical triggering mechanism of the main gun  100 . The loader interface box  14  may have a loader interface button  17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the posterior side of the breech assembly  3  is shown with cross-member  85  connecting oppositely disposed parallel sides  26 . Cross-member  85  may have forwardly extending arms  89  which project forward to capture anti-roll plate  29 . In this figure, the breech assembly  3  is shown fully engaged with the anti-roll plate  29 . When the breech assembly  3  engages the anti-roll plate  29 , the mounting assembly  5  is prevented from rotating in either direction. An optional piston assembly with optional spring-loading may be provided with the breech assembly  3 . When the breech assembly  3  is correctly seated on the mounting assembly  5 , the piston cylinder housing  86  is in line so that its piston  35  may penetrate anti-roll plate  29  at aperture  18 , as shown. The piston assembly may be engaged by lowering the lever arm  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . When the piston engages, piston shoulder  36  abuts anti-roll plate  29  and provides a compression force on anti-roll plate  29  such that mounting assembly  5 , so attached to the breech assembly  3 , is prevented from backing out of the main gun  100  bore during operations. Besides receiving the breech assembly  3 , anti-roll plate  29  also provides a stop analogous to that provided by the rim of a standard shell casing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment showing the breech assembly  3  with loader interface box  14 , a laser emitter  22  with electrical communication ports  126 , mounting block  24 , aft O-rings  12 , anti-roll plate  29 , aft adaptor  15  with grooves  12 A, tubular member  11 , forward adaptor  16  with grooves  19 A, and forward O-rings  19 . Grooves  19 A and  12 A can accommodate and retain O-rings. Tubular member  11  may be used to connect and support forward adaptor  16  and aft adaptor  15  such that a laser passing through the center of mounting assembly  5  would pass through the concentric centers of both adaptors. The anti-roll plate  29  is attached to the base of mounting assembly  5  simulating the cartridge case of a larger caliber weapon. 
     In one exemplary operational embodiment, mounting assembly  5  is slideably inserted into the main gun chamber in the same manner as a live round. Upon inserting the mounting assembly  5  into the main gun chamber, the O-rings compress within the main gun bore  100  to provide constant seating and maintain the accuracy of the device. Laser emitter  22  is suspended within the main gun bore  100  such that the laser is aligned with the concentric center of the bore. After the mounting assembly  5  is fully seated in the main gun chamber, the breech assembly  3  is placed in position in the mortises of the breech ring of the main gun  100  until it seats on the anti-roll plate  29 . Thereafter, lever  20  is moved downwardly so that piston  35  may engage the aperture  18  so that piston shoulder  36  abuts anti-roll plate  29  providing a compressive force on the mounting assembly  5 . Installing the breech assembly  3  captures the mounting assembly  5  to eliminate rotation inside the chamber and to ensure the device stays firmly seated in the main gun chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, a laser beam (not shown) emitted by the laser emitter  22  may be aligned with the concentric center of the main gun bore  100 . The system may be wired so that the laser transmission is activated by the gun&#39;s electronic triggering mechanism  102 . Optionally, the guns electronic triggering mechanism  102  may be in electrical communication with the loader interface box  14 . If a loader interface button is utilized, the unit may require depression of the loader&#39;s button  17  in the firing sequence. For example, in one embodiment, pushing the loader interface button  17  might simulate pushing a shell into the main gun bore  100 . In that way, the loader&#39;s interface box  14  may include the loader by adding a simulated load function. In one embodiment, the loader interface box may contain electronics that provide a simulated blast sound to the loader. 
     It should be recognized by a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the object of a number of elements mentioned may be accomplished with alternative structures. For example, the mounting assembly  5  may be a single molded member having the same or similar geometry and grooves. Alternatively, instead of using a tubular member, a frame-type architecture with support members that connect and support a plurality of conceivable adaptors may be substituted. Similarly, although O-rings are particularly well-suited to promote a compression fit, there are many conceivable means that may be utilized to achieve a stable compression fit. For example, one could attach rubber or plastic tabs equidistantly around the tubular member to achieve a similar compression fit. As the above shows, many alternative structures may be substituted that would still fit within the concept of this invention. 
     Unless particularly excluded, any disclosed embodiment may include any of the optional or exemplary features of the other embodiments. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles utilized, so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the appended claims.