SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A SHIELD AND WEAPONS SYSTEM

A support structure for a shield has a frame adapted for connection to a wearer, the frame having an elongated first portion defining a frame axis and adapted for positioning adjacent to the spine of the wearer, the frame having an upper end, a boom connected to the upper end of the frame and having a first boom portion extending away from the frame, and a second boom portion angled with respect to the first boom portion and extending away from the frame axis, the boom having a free end, a cable reel mechanism connected to the frame, a cable having a first end connected to the cable reel mechanism and a free end extending from the free end of the boom and adapted to connect to the shield, and the cable reel mechanism including a biasing facility to exert tension on the cable to provide support for the shield.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms and shields, and more particularly to a support structure for a shield and weapons system that allows the user to operate a protective shield and/or weapons system for much longer periods of time compared to an unsupported shield and/or weapons system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For several years, military and law enforcement agencies have been researching and developing products that assist the individual firearm operator with gear carriage and operation. A significant emphasis has been placed on increasing an operator's load bearing abilities utilizing body armor, weapons carriage, and backpack mounting advancements. The end goal is to provide equipment that provides the user with enhanced functionality while reducing weight and effort required.

For example, giving a user the ability to carry a shield or a shield and weapon system combination at a ready position is a force multiplier option that requires equipment to reduce the user's effort required to carry the heavy shield. In addition, heavier shields that provide greater protection often require the user to use both hands to carry the shield, thereby preventing the user from also carrying a rifle or side arm in a ready position. Furthermore, although one prior art solution to the problem of carrying a heavy shield is to mount the heavy shield on wheels, the wheels limit shield maneuverability and do not eliminate the need for the heavy shield to be carried when the user encounters rough terrain or stairs that the wheels cannot navigate.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3, an example of prior art equipment that seeks to achieve somewhat similar objectives in the field of handheld camera operation is the Easyrig® 3 Cinema manufactured by EASYRIG AB of Umeå, Sweden. The Easyrig® 3 Cinema, generally designated by the reference numeral10, is shown in use holding a camera12over the shoulder14of the wearer16inFIGS. 1-2, and with the camera at the level of the wearer's hips18inFIG. 3. The Easyrig® 3 Cinema seeks to transfer the load of the camera from the wearer's back20and shoulders to the hips to reduce fatigue and increase the steadiness of the camera.

The Easyrig® 3 Cinema includes a frame22that defines a frame axis40and is connected to a hip and back support24by upper and lower adjustment clamps26,28with upper and lower adjustment knobs30,32. The location of the transfer of the weight of the handheld camera12to the wearer's hips is controlled by the side support struts34,36. A boom38extending upward and to the right of the frame has a downward facing exit aperture42for a cable44. A camera hook46releasably connects a handheld camera to the cable. A shock absorber and pulley system (not shown) internal to the frame and boom holds the majority of the weight of the camera while also helping to steady the camera by creating moderate resistance to movement. The cable has a sufficient length to enable the camera to be moved as far as the user's arms48can reach, which enables shooting at both hip and shoulder level.

Although the Easyrig® 3 Cinema is suitable for its intended field of use in handheld camera operation, it has a number of disadvantages that make it unsuitable for use as a support structure for a shield or a weapons system. The boom's exit aperture for the cable is intended for use with an object with a center of mass located directly below the exit aperture. Since a handheld camera is held over the wearer's shoulder or against the wearer's hip, the boom's exit aperture functions as intended. However, the center of mass of a shield or weapons system is located well forward of these positions and the wearer's torso when the shield is held at a ready position, especially in the standing position (seeFIGS. 4 and 16-20). As a result, the cable rubs on the boom at the exit aperture, which has the potential for causing cable failure with disastrous consequences if a dangerous high-powered weapons system or a shield is attached to the cable instead of a camera.

Other features of the boom make the boom unsuitable for use as a support structure for a shield or a weapons system. The boom is quite large and bulky and presents itself too much if pointed towards an enemy position. The boom is also enclosed, which makes it extremely difficult for the wearer to access the boom's internal components if maintenance or repair is required, making it unsuitable for repair in the field.

Additional characteristics of the Easyrig® 3 Cinema that make it unsuitable for use as a support structure for a shield or a weapons system include a handheld-camera specific camera hook attachment mechanism that does not adequately support a weapons system or a shield and cannot be quickly released if immediate separation of the object being supported by the Easyrig® 3 Cinema is required. The wearer must adjust the Easyrig® 3 Cinema utilizing the adjustment knobs and side support adjustments, and must use a custom rigid metal and plastic attachment system and back support to wear the Easyrig® 3 Cinema, which prevents the wearer from also wearing utility vests, body armor, and/or backpacks during use. Finally, the Easyrig® 3 Cinema utilizes a single shock absorber to hold the majority of the weight of the camera, which does not provide any redundancy in the event the shock absorber were to fail, and which instead creates sudden loss of support. This is a very dangerous outcome if a high-powered weapons system or a heavy shield is attached to the cable instead of a camera.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved support structure for a shield and weapons system that allows the user to operate a shield and/or weapon system for much longer periods of time compared to an unsupported shield and/or weapons system. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the support structure for a shield according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a device support structure for a shield and/or weapons system that allows the user to operate a shield and/or weapon system for much longer periods of time compared to an unsupported shield and/or weapon system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved support structure for a shield and/or weapon system, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved support structure for a shield and/or weapon system that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a frame adapted for connection to a wearer, the frame having an elongated first portion defining a frame axis and adapted for positioning adjacent to the spine of the wearer, the frame having an upper end, a boom connected to the upper end of the frame and having a first boom portion extending away from the frame, and a second boom portion angled with respect to the first boom portion and extending away from the frame axis, the boom having a free end, a cable reel mechanism connected to the frame, a cable having a first end connected to the cable reel mechanism and a free end extending from the free end of the boom and adapted to connect to the shield, and the cable reel mechanism including a biasing facility to exert tension on the cable, such that tension on the cable provides support for the shield. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the support structure for a shield and weapons system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral100.

FIGS. 4-12illustrate the improved support structure for a shield and weapons system100of the present invention. More particularly, the support structure has a frame102having a right side104, left side106, upper end108, lower end110, front300, and rear308. The frame defines a frame axis112, has a hollow interior118, and is closed at the lower end by bottom cap116and at the upper end by top cap114. Upper bolts304and lower bolts302secure a cable reel mechanism306within the interior of the frame. The cable reel mechanism will be described in more detail in the discussion ofFIGS. 7, 8, and 11. The top cap defines a central aperture120.

A boom122is pivotally attached to the upper end108of the frame102by an elongated portion176of a pivot shaft128received within the central aperture120of the top cap114. The boom also has a right side plate124, left side plate126, front lower plate130, rear lower plate132, front upper plate134, and rear upper plate136. The right side plate has a right free end138, right lower end140, and apertures142,144,146,148. The left side plate has a left free end150, left lower end152, and apertures154,156,158,160. The front lower plate has a right edge162, left edge164, and bottom edge166. The rear lower plate has a right edge168, left edge170, and bottom edge172. In addition to the elongated portion, the pivot shaft has a head174, a notch178, and central bore180. The front upper plate has a right edge182and a left edge184. The rear upper plate has a right edge186and a left edge188.

When the boom122is assembled, the right lower end140of the right side plate124, left lower end152of the left side plate126, bottom edge166of the lower front plate130, and bottom edge172of the rear lower plate132are received within the notch178of the pivot shaft128and secured by welding in the current embodiment. The right edges162,168,182,186of the lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper front plate, and upper rear plate are welded to the right side plate. The left edges164,170,184,188of the lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper front plate, and upper rear plate are welded to the left side plate. The lower front plate, lower rear plate, upper from plate, and upper rear plate are used to help hold the right and left side plates in place and to improve weld adhesion of the right and left side plates to the pivot shaft128.

In the assembled state, the boom122defines a channel282between the right side plate124and left side plate126, a first boom portion286, and a second boom portion288. The channel within the first boom portion286is axially registered with the bore180in the pivot shaft128. The first boom portion extends vertically away from the frame102along the frame axis112, and the second boom portion is angled with respect to the first boom portion and extends away from the frame axis.

Hex bolts190,192,194,196are received in the apertures154,156,158,160of the left side plate126. Hex nuts198,200,202,204are received in the apertures142,144,146,148of the right side plate124. The hex bolts have heads206,212,218,224, smooth portions208,214,220,226, and threaded portions210,216,222,228. The hex nuts have heads230,234,238,242and smooth portions232,236,240,244. The hex nuts also have threaded central bores (not visible) that receive the threaded portions of the hex bolts. The hex bolts and nuts mount spacers248,258,268,278within the channel282. The spacers have bores250,260,270,280that are rotatably mounted on the smooth portions of the hex bolts and nuts. A front upper pulley252having a cable groove254and bore256is mounted on spacer258. An intermediate upper pulley262having a cable groove264and bore266is mounted on spacer268. A rear upper pulley272having a cable groove274and a bore276is mounted on spacer278. Spacer248omits a pulley and serves as a cable support element246. An exit aperture284at the forwardmost portion of the channel is defined between the cable support element, front upper pulley, right free end138of the right side plate, and the left free end150of the left side plate.

The free end292of a cable290extends upwards through the bore180in the pivot shaft128, is guided forwards within the channel282by the cable grooves274,264,254in the rear upper pulley272, intermediate upper pulley262, and front upper pulley252, and exits the channel by passing through exit aperture284. A clip294is attached to the free end of the cable. A cable stop298is attached to the cable behind the free end. The cable stop is larger than the exit aperture and keeps the free end of the cable spaced apart from the boom by preventing the free end of the cable from being retracted back into the channel by the cable reel mechanism306.

A shield and weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release296is connected to the clip294. The shield and weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release is connected to an intermediate portion402of a weapons system400, which is a rifle in the current embodiment. The shield and weapons system attachment mechanism with quick release enables the weapon system and/or shield to be easily and swiftly disengaged from the cable290when necessary. The quick release is manufactured to a military specification that allows it to be used by soldiers and law enforcement under their rigid requirements. The quick release system is also required by aviation regulators for users in airframes.

The quick release296is attached permanently to the free end292of the cable290. The quick release is then attached to a specific weapon and/or shield mounting attachment that is designed to support a specific weapon and/or shield. Because of different configurations, weapon and shield sizes, and usage conditions, the use of a customized mounting attachment is important because a mounting attachment suitable for a smaller carbine or shield will cause mechanical issues with a larger machine gun or shield. There are four distinct weapon mounting attachments that can be connected to the quick release depending on the weapon to be attached.

The support structure for a shield and weapons system100has the considerable advantage of enabling the wearer to easily access the parts contained within the channel282and the frame102and replace them if necessary so that any needed repairs can be performed in the field. The open boom122provides the user with access to the cable290for field stripping and maintenance if the cable is damaged in combat.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 10illustrate the improved cable reel mechanism306of the present invention. More particularly, the cable reel mechanism has an upper pulley head312and a lower pulley head314that are connected together by a pair of pneumatic springs in the form of left shock absorber316and right shock absorber318. The upper pulley head has a transverse shaft320that rotatably mounts two upper pulleys322within two channels330. The lower pulley head has a transverse shaft324that rotatably mounts three lower pulleys326within a channel332. Together these form a cable take-up mechanism between the pneumatic springs that supports the cable290. A cable capture328retains the opposed end of the cable and prevents the opposed end of the cable from pulling out from the cable reel mechanism. The cable reel mechanism exerts tension on the cable and resists withdrawal of the cable from the frame102, thereby supporting a shield400attached to the free end292of the cable and transferring the weight of the weapon system and/or shield to the user's hips via the frame102and belt rig506. Two shocks are used to provide redundancy and avoid sudden loss of complete support of the shield and/or weapons system, which would potentially be very dangerous. The dashed lines inFIG. 8illustrate the fully extended position of the cable reel mechanism, and the solid lines illustrate the fully compressed position of the cable reel mechanism. The cable reel mechanism includes a block and tackle mechanism of limited length providing an extended range of cable payout length relative to the limited length of the block and tackle mechanism.

In the current embodiment, the left and right shock absorbers316,318are each 200 N gas springs. However, the gas spring system can be configured from 80 N to 800 N of combined compression force, depending upon the spring choice. The cable reel mechanism306has a 6:1 ratio, which requires the application of 67 N of force with the 2×200 N gas springs to create movement. If the cable reel mechanism is inverted relative to the position shown inFIG. 7, the ratio is reduced to 5:1, which requires an extra 13 N of force to create movement with the 2×200 N gas springs. The inverted position is essential for supporting larger caliber, and therefore heavier, weapon systems, such as medium and heavy machine guns, large caliber rifles, and/or rifles with heavy optical scopes or other attachments, as well as heavy shields. The shock absorbers can be accessed by the user in the field so they can be inverted as needed, thereby allowing a single support structure for a shield and weapons system100be configured as needed to support a wider variety of attached shields and weapons systems.

The upper and lower pulley heads312,314are made of a self-lubricating plastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene in the current embodiment, which enables smooth travel of the upper pulley block within the frame102because of self-lubrication. The upper and lower pulleys322,326and the front upper pulley252, intermediate upper pulley262, and rear upper pulley272are made of polyoxymethylene in the current embodiment to provide high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. The pulleys enable smooth movement of the cable290, which is essential for sniper and other applications requiring extremely precise shield movements. The upper and lower pulley heads are through bolted for strength and have threaded brass inserts that receive the lower and upper bolts302,304and the ends of the left and right shock absorbers to increase durability. Although the cable is held under tension like the Easyrig® 3 Cinema's cable44, the cable retracts at half the speed of the Easyrig® 3 Cinema's cable if the quick release296is initiated. This slower retraction feature is important for safe use of lighter weapons systems and shields.

In the current embodiment, the frame102is an aluminum extrusion with a generally trapezoidal cross-section that is 30 mm×55 mm with a 1.5 mm thick sidewall. The frame extrusion is shaped to accommodate the dual shock absorber cable reel mechanism306, has a larger surface area positioned against the utility vest508for stability in operation, and is lightweight and strong to operate in harsh conditions. The boom122is made of 6061 aluminum in the current embodiment, is shaped via waterjet computer-aided cutting processes, and is finished with multicam camouflage dipping technology. The right and left side plates124,126are made of aluminum with a thickness of 4.75 mm. The side plates are sufficiently thick to be strong and durable, but are minimally bulky to have a minimalist visual signature when pointed towards an enemy position. The complete boom has a weight of 510 g in the current embodiment. The spacers248,258,268,278are made of aluminum in the current embodiment and, in combination with the hex nuts and bolts, pinch and hold the right and left side plates in place to keep the side plates straight and parallel after welding. The sleeves510,512,414are made of military-specification nylon fabric in the current embodiment. The cable290is made of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide in the current embodiment for strength and durability.

FIGS. 12-13illustrate the improved exit aperture284of the present invention. More particularly, the exit aperture is defined by the space between the right side plate124, left side plate126, cable support element246with spacer248, and front upper pulley252. Because the support point at the intermediate portion402of a shield400in the ready position is well forward of the exit aperture rather than directly below the exit aperture, the exit aperture has to allow for at least 30° of displacement from the frame axis, and preferably 120° of displacement (denoted by the double-headed arrow310) of the cable290without causing the cable to rub and wear on the boom122. The cable is positioned at an angle close to horizontal when the attached weapons system is a large machine gun. This range of cable movement is accomplished by providing an angled exit aperture that opens both forward and downward, with the cable support element at the top to prevent the cable from rubbing and wearing on the boom, and the front upper pulley252at the bottom to assist with smooth movement of the cable in and out of the exit aperture. The exit aperture faces at least partly away from the frame axis112, and is open in a forward direction away from the frame axis, such that the cable may angle away from the frame102at an angle without contacting the boom122.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the support structure for a shield and weapons system100is shown in use being worn by a wearer500in the standing position. The wearer is shown wearing a standard Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) utility vest508covering the wearer's chest502and back516, and a MOLLE belt rig506around the wearer's hips518. An upper sleeve510, intermediate sleeve512are removably attached to the utility vest in line with the wearer's spine504, and the bottom sleeve514is removably attached to the belt rig in line with the wearer's spine. The sleeves are strong, yet flexible, eliminate the need for side supports and adjustment struts, and enable a customizable fit using the MOLLE attachment points on the utility vest and belt rig. In use, the frame102portion of the support structure for a shield is removably inserted into the sleeves such that the lower end110is received within the bottom sleeve, the upper end108protrudes above the upper sleeve, and the front300of the frame faces the wearer's back. The first boom portion286of the boom122extends upward in alignment with the frame axis112so that the second boom portion288can curve forward above the wearer's head520. The support structure for a shield and weapons system100supports an attached weapon far forward of the exit aperture284of the boom with the user500leaning his or her head520forward and canting his head to create a “cheek weld” to the stock of the weapon being employed. In contrast, the Easyrig® 3 Cinema is designed for the user to be standing upright with his or her head in a normal erect position, which does not work for shooting.

Referring now toFIGS. 14-15, the support structure for a shield and weapons system100is shown in use being worn by a wearer500in the seated position in a rotary wing aircraft. As is also the case in the standing position, the support structure for a shield and weapons system supports the weapons system in alignment with the wearer's spine504with the boom extending forward on a medial plane of the wearer directly over the wearer's head520rather than off to one side. The cable reel mechanism transfers the weight of the attached weapons system400to the wearer's hips518, and the free end292of the cable290urges the weapons system to exert a compressive force on the wearer's chest502. The support structure for a shield and weapons system enables the wearer to switch between the standing and seated positions without requiring any adjustments, and enables the wearer to still hold the weapons system in the comfortable, natural shooting position he or she is accustomed to with the butt404of the weapons system on the wearer's shoulder522. The support structure for a shield and weapons system also enhances accuracy by stabilizing shooting from rotary wing aircraft.

Regardless of the wearer's position, the support structure for a shield and weapons system100enables the wearer to hold aim on target for much longer periods of time and with higher levels of stability compared to an unsupported weapons system. The support structure for a shield and weapons system improves sight management, trigger control, operational endurance, and shot follow through of the user by removing the majority of muscular and skeletal load from the wearer. The weapons system enables the shooter to employ the same level of accuracy that was previously reserved for those shooting in the prone position. This allows the user to be more effective and permits safer and better tactics to be employed.

The support structure for a shield and weapons system100also enables the ability to shoot one-handed by supporting the attached weapon well forward of the exit aperture284of the boom122that would be severely inhibited if the weapon were supported vertically directly beneath the boom. Vertical support of the weapon directly beneath the boom also does not allow for the traditional shooting stance that shooters use to control and manage recoil. Recoil management is one of the most important aspects that need to be addressed to shoot accurately and repeatedly during combat. Therefore, it is not sufficient for the support structure for a shield and weapons system100to merely support a weapon, but the weapon must be supported in a way that promotes recoil management. The forward weapons support position enabled by the support structure for a shield and weapons system100also pushes the stock into the shooter's shoulder, which greatly aids recoil management.

Referring now toFIGS. 16-20, the support structure for a shield and weapons system100is shown in use being worn by a wearer500to support a shield600with viewing port610(FIG. 16), a shield700with an upper firearm rest710(FIGS. 17 and 18), and a shield800with opposing side firearm rests810,812(FIGS. 19 and 20). The shield600has a right612, left614, top616, bottom (not visible), rear628, and front630. A right D-ring624and a left D-ring626are attached to the rear of the shield. A shield cable618has an intermediate portion connected to clip294and opposing ends connected to the D-rings by a right clip620and a left clip622.

The shield700has a right712, left714, top716, bottom718, rear726, and front728. A right D-ring724and a left D-ring (not visible) are attached to the rear of the shield. A shield cable720has an intermediate portion connected to clip294and opposing ends connected to the D-rings by a right clip722and a left clip (not visible).

The shield800has a left814, right816, top818, bottom820, rear832, and front834. A left D-ring828and a right D-ring830are attached to the rear of the shield. A shield cable822has an intermediate portion connected to clip294and opposing ends connected to the D rings by a left clip824and a right clip826.

The cable reel mechanism306transfers the weight of the attached shield600,700,800or shield and weapon400combination to the wearer's hips518. The wearer can carry the weight of up to level IV ballistic shields without requiring the use of both hands to support the shield, thereby enabling the wearer to also carry a rifle or side arm in a ready position. The wearer can also rapidly swivel even heavy shields left, right, up, and down to adjust for the changes in the tactical situation.

The angle of the cable290brings the attached shield600,700,800back into the wearer500for greater control of the shield. In the case where the shield possesses a firearm rest710,810,812, the free end292of the cable urges the shield against the magazine well406of the weapon system400to create axial compression between the shield and the wearer's shoulder522. This compression enables the wearer to still hold the weapon system in the comfortable, natural shooting position he or she is accustomed to with the butt404of the weapon system on the wearer's shoulder. The user can also use his or her shooting hand524to reload the weapon system or perform other countermeasures without losing control of the weapon system while using his or her other hand526to control the shield.

While a current embodiment of a support structure for a shield and weapons system has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although a MOLLE utility vest and belt rig have been disclosed, the current invention is suitable for use with any body armor, other military apparel, and backpacks that are MOLLE-enabled. Furthermore, the support structure for a shield and weapons system disclosed is also suitable for civilian hunting applications in addition to the disclosed military and law enforcement applications. In addition, although rifles have been disclosed, the support structure for a shield and weapons system is also suitable for use with medium and heavy machine guns and other firearms of comparable weight, including large caliber rifles and/or rifles with heavy optical scopes or other attachments. Although a welded aluminum boom has been disclosed, the boom can also be made from injection molded plastic or via 3D printing. Although the shield being attached to the free end of the cable has been disclosed, an intermediate cable or array of cables can also connect the shield to the free end of the cable to ensure the shield remains balanced and held at the desired elevation and orientation with respect to the wearer. Finally, the support structure for a shield and weapon system is suitable for use with any type of shield, including riot shields, transparent shields, shields defining gun ports, shields defining viewing ports, and ballistic shields. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.