PERSONNEL CARRIER

Abstract: Personnel carrier vehicle (10) having seats (21) facing outwardly of the sides of the vehicle, side panels (16a and 16b) hingedly attached to the vehicle side that they can be dropped to provide rapid egress from the seats over the side of the vehicle, and armored plates (15a and 15b) located behind the seats to provide protection from the rear for seated personnel. In one arrangement the carrier can be converted between a personnel carrier and a cargo carrier by shifting the position of the armored plates. In another arrangement the side panels can act as ramps to facilitate access to and egress from the seats.

Description: PERSONNEL CARRIER This invention relates to military vehicles and in particular provides a troop or other personnel carrier for transporting and deploying ground troops, other armed personnel and the like. 5 One common form of troop carrier used in deploying ground troops is a motorized truck having a rear body portion with half-or three-quarter height side panels. Overhead covering is frequently provided in the form of a canvas top, and access to the interior of the 10 rear body portion is through a tailgate-which drops down to provide clear access into the interior of the rear of the truck at floor level. Such a carrier is conventionally provided with two rows of seats, each against a side panel such that troops can be carried 15 in the truck seated on the seats facing each other with their equipment stowed between them. This type of carrier has a disadvantage that the troops are all exposed and when rapid evacuation is requir¬ ed it must be through the rear opening and usually not 20 more than two persons at a time. It is thus. an.important opject of this invention to provide a troop carrier vehicle providing some measure of protection for the troops while being transported and It is also an important object of this invention to I can be readily and easily converted to a cargo carrier ; the interior, such that the vehicle,; 30 can be used as a general cargo carrier when" * its use as a troop carrier is not required ' . It is further an V- : object of this invention to provide such a carrier which •• ιr. can be reconverted to a troop carrxer whenever and-where-- ' ever required. 35 These and other objects of this invention are obtairi-_ , ed utilizing a troop carrier of otherwise conventional construction in which the troop -2- located on the rear portion of the truck or other vehicle is provided with an elongated, approximately upright armored(bullet and shrapnel resistant), panel extending .lengthwise of the troop, carrier body portion and* " -^ 5 located inwardly of the sides of the body portion - " a sufficient distance to permit troops to be seated - ' on an exteriorly exposed side of the panel. - ■ " - • -*•.; The carrier body portion is also provided with a side panel extending lengthwise of the body portion 10 located on the exterior side of the armored panel " -and which is hinged along its lower edge such that it can be moved from a vertical position to a position swu-riep " out¬ wardly away from the body portion providing cleats-access to the interior of the carrier body portion from the side 15 of the vehicle to enable troops si-tting- in seats in front of the armored panel to exit simultaneously thus enabling rapid evacuation. - . - -• ' - In accordance with one aspect of this invention the side panel has a height above the floor of the body 20 portion of the vheicle sufficient to provide at least chest height screening of troops seated behind the'.side panel and such that when swung down the side panel can function as a ramp enabling rapid loading, and evacuation of troops into and from the body portion of the -carrier. 25 The side panel thus should have a height greater than the height.above the ground of its lower hinged edge... £Toe holes, cleats and the like can desirably be forme .in the inner face of the side .panel to facilitate troop movement over it when swung down. . - , 30 In accordance with another aspect of this invention- provision is made to relocate the armored panels to provide clear access to the carrier interior. Preferably the armored panels are transferable to the side panels by rotating transfer mechanism. 35 Preferably in any case the side panel is provided with a latch having an operating mechanism located con¬ veniently for operation by the troop leader or person in command. - -3- , Preferably the vehicle is provided on both sides of ...the carrier portion with such arrangements as described there is a space between the armored storage of arms and other equipment or 6 for transporting wounded. Preferably, also, the r . - s τ:-armored panel or panels are of a height sufficient to provide protection for the seated troops such that £ { While exposed on the side which they face they are pro- -jec;ted from behind..while being transported and while 0 evacuating the carrier. .;--,.*. • For a more complete understanding of the practical ' ••.application of this invention reference is made to the appended drawings in which „: . FIG..1 is a perspective view of a troop carrier 5 i accordance with this convention; ; -,- -FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of a portion of the carrier . shown in FIG. 1 showing an armored panel trans¬ fer mechanism in accordance with this invention; ij rc FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a 0 portion of the transfer mechanism; _ . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of. another portion .of the invention; ---.or.- . FIG.5 is an end view of a clamp for securing :armored panels in spaced relations; 5 5-1: FIG.6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a ■ ' t latch mechanism to retain the side panels and a gate; <:- • ' - FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical section of a hand strap on an armored panel to be used in rough 0 terrain; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrat¬ ing installation of a canvas top in adverse weather; FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 of a modified troop carrier in accordance with this 5 invention; FIG. 10 is a rear elevation of the carrier shown mechanism utilized in retaining the side panels in vertical position; and FIG. 12 is a vertical section of a side panel. Referring more ' particularly to FIG.l the reference numeral 10 designates a motorized troop carrier such as a 6 x 6 truck. Truck 10 is provided to the rear of its cab 11 with a carrier body 12 in accordance . with this invention resting on the chassis 12A and extending over the rear wheels 13. - Body portion 12 is provided with a floor 14 of conventional construction feee FIG. 2.).. . A pair of armor plate panels 15a and 15b are rigidly mounted in body portion 12 extending length¬ wise of body portion 12 in approximately upright position resting on floor 14. Panel 15a is located on the right side of the vehicle spaced inwardly from ■ the outer side of floor 14, a sufficient distance to permit seating of troops between panel 15a and the right side of vehicle 10. Panel 15b is similarly . ■ positioned on the left side of vehicle 10. Preferably panels 15a and 15b are canted- inwardly at their upper ends and .are held spaced apart at their upper edges by clamps 24 and at their lower edges by transfer mechanisms 23 such that they sit at an angle from the - vertical to facilitate the seating of troops in front of panels.15a and 15b, to deflect shrapnel and bullets. Plate brackets 25 (See also FIG. 4 are used to aid in positioning panels 15a and 15b. Body portion 12 of vehicle 10 is further provided with ' side panels 16a and 16b running lengthwise of body portion 12, side panel 16a being on the outer side of floor 14 along the right of the truck and side panel 16b being on the outer side of floor 14 on the left side of the truck. Panels 16a and 16b are approximately the same length as armor plate panels 15a and 15b, and are hingedly fastened at their lower edge, for example to floor 14 as indicated in FIG. 2 by the reference numeral 17. Referring also to FIG.'s 11 and 12, each side panel 16a and 16b is retained normally in an upright position by a latch mechanism, such as a spring loaded latch 18 mounted on the inside of the side panel which cooperates with a detent located in the rear wall of cab l- 1 - ~ - n -~ which can be released against spring biasing by pulling on a ring 19. A lanyard 19A is attached to ring 19, and runs along the upper edge of its associated side panel 16a and 16b to the rear end of such panel where the lanyard is secured. Rings 19B on the upper edge of each side panel 16a and 16b retain the lanyards on such upper edges, such that the lanyards 19A are accessible to any persons seated along their associated side panels 16a and 16b. Preferably body portion 12 of -vehicle 10 is provided with a rear end panel, such as a tailgate 20, which can be hinged to floor 14 and latched -to armor panels 15a and 15b at their rear ends or retention in upright position. Side panels 16a and 16b can also be provided with releasable latch mechanisms securing them to rear panel 20. Seats are provided backing up against panels 15a and 15b on their exterior sides, that is, the sides facing side panels 16a and 16b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2 such seats can be in the form of boards 21 which are horizontally positioned at the appropriate height extending lengthwise along the exterior side of panels 15a and 15b to which they can be hingedly attached, as indicated at 22. Latches (not shown) or removeable props (not shown) are required to retain the seats in horizontal position. Such latches or props can be disengaged to permit boards 21 to be lowered or raised flat against the exterior surfaces of panesl 15a and 15b in order to permit loading and unloading the compartment between panels 15a and 15b and their associated side panels 16 a and 16b, respectively. Canvas straps 26 (see FIG. 7) , one for each trooper, and fastened to panels Vehicle 10 is employed in transportation and de¬ ployment of armed troops or other personnel generally where rapid ground deployment is required. In loading vehicle 10 panels 16a and 16b are lowered, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 by releasing the latch mechanisms to permit boarding by the troops, Seats ' 21 are placed in horizontal position such that the troops sit with their backs to armored panels 15a and 15b facing outwardly of the side of the vehicle. Side panels 15a and i5b are then raised and latched in position. The release mechanisms for the latches should be located where they are accessible to the person in command. Remote release mechanisms may be desirable, particularly where the commander is located in the cab 11 of the vehicle 10. Supplies and other materiel can be stored in the space located between panels 15a and 15b where such . storage is required. Where the weather requires, canvas- tops can -be ■ mounted on the top edges of panels 15a and 15b. To this end the interiorly facing sides of panels 15a and 15b are preferably provided with horizontal slides 41 confronting each other located such that their spacing is suitable to receive a stretcher rack for transportation while the vehicle is set up in the troop carrier mode. Where the weather requires, canvas tops .can be mounted above the top edge of panels 15a and 15b by roof supports 28 as shown in FIG. 8. When it is necessary to evacuate the vehicle, for example, in the event of surprise attack, releasing the latches 18 for panels 16a and 16b permits such panels to drop out enabling complete leg ^ clearance for simultan ous evacuation of all troops in the carrier 12. At the same time where the attack is from one side of the vehic the troops on the other side who can not see the attack are protected by the panels 15a and 15b while they th v A transfer mechanism 23 is employed for each panel 15a and 15b and functions to retain the lower edge of such panel either at the troop carrying position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 when vehicle 10 is used as a troop carrier or at the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 when vehicle 10 is used as a general cargo . carrier. Each transfer mechanism 23 includes two or more aligned bearing blocks 30 mounted spaced along floor 14 rotatahly receiving a shaft 31 extending lengthwise of body 12 spaced outwardly from the lower edge of the armored panel (.solid line position) . A series of link rods 32 are fixed at one set of ends- to shaft 31, such that rods 32 are aligned and spaced along shaft 31. Rods 32 are rotatably attached at their other set of ends to the lower edge of the associated armor panel 15a and 15b. A lever 33 (see FIG. 3) is secured to the end of each shaft 31 adjacent the rear end of floor 14. Each clamp mechanism 24 is a wooden beam 34 formed of oak or other suitable hard wood having a steel plate 35 attached to its underside. The ends 34a of each beam 34 are extended at a downward angle and plates 35 are bifurcated at their ends 35a to form slots 36 sized to receive an edge of an armored panel 15a and 15b. Apertures 37 in beam ends 34a are aligned with tapped apertures 38 in plate ends 35a which threadedly receive bolts 39 which span slots 36. Thus clamps 24 can be secured to the upper edges of panels 15a and 15b by placing holes 40 spaced along the upper edges of panels 15a and 15b positioned to receive bolts 39 when such upper edges are received in slots 36. Vehicle 10 can be readily converted to a cargo carrying truck by shifting panels ' 15a and 15b by the use and rotation of transfer mechanisms 23. To carry < out the conversion, seats 21 are raised to positions parellel with their associated armored panels 15a 15b (dashed line position shown in FIG. 2.) Clamp mechanisms 24 are then loosened and removed. Plate brackets 25 are removed, if these were used, and levers 33 are rotated to relocate panels 15a and 15b. -*•" Thus, for example, the lever 33 associated with the shaft 31 on the right side of vehicle 10 is rotated clockwise one-half turn to flip the lower edge of panel 15a, as shown in dashed lines, to a position adjacent side panel 16a in which panel lΞa can be 10 rested against and attached to body side panel 16a. - When both panels 15a and 15b.are thus fastened to side panels 16a and 16b vehicle 10 converts to a high-sided, cargo carrying vehicle. Reconversion simply involves the reverse procedure. - 5 FIG's 9 and 10 illustrate a modification facilitatin unloading troops over the side of a vehicle. In FIG.'s 9 and 10 the reference numeral 10' indicates a troop carrier similar, to troop carrier 10 except panels 15a and 15b are fixed in position and side panels 16a 0 and 16b are replaced by side panels 16*a and 16' . - Side- panels 16'a and 16'b differ in that- they have- a height substantially greater than the height of their hinged lower edges above ground such that when lowered to rest their upper edges on the ground they 5 form ramps providing access to and egress from body portion 12 along the sides of body portion 12. Side panels 16*aand 16 bare preferably formed of armored material, as, when raised to upright position, " they afford approximately chest height screening for troops 0 seated in body portion 12, as discussed later. Each side panel 16'a and 16'b is retained normally in an upright position by a latch mechanism, such as a spring loaded latch 18 described above. Vehicle 10* is employed in transportation and 5 deployment of armed troops generally as described with respect to vehicle 10. In loading vehicle 10' panels I t 16a and 16b are lowered, however, to form a ramp, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10 by releasing the latcϊr, mechanis s to permit boarding by the troops. Toe holes 34 or the like are provided in side panels 16'a and 16'b to facilitate boarding. Seats 21 are placed in horizontal position, as before, such that the troops sit with their backs to armored panels 15a and 15b facing outwardly of the side of the vehicle. Side panels 16'a and 16'b are then raised and latched in position. ' . When it is necessary to evacuate the vehicle for example, in the event of surprise attack, releasing the latches for panels 16'a and 16'b permits such . panels to form a ramp for simultaneous evacuation of all troops in the carrier 12 as schematically in¬ dicated in FIG. 10..

Claims: - THE- CLAIMS 1. A personnel carrier vehicle having a carrier body adapted to transporting troops which includes an armored panel extending lengthwise of said body in approximately upright position having an exterior side set inward- ly from one side of said body, a side panel on said body located along said one side of said body on said exterior side of said armored panel, said side panel being pivotly mounted along the lower edge thereat whereby said side panel can be lowered from an uprigh .position in front of said armored panel outwardly of said body portion and seating means posi-r tioned along the exterior side of mid armored panel between mid-armored panel and said side panel. 2. A personnel carrier, vehicle having a carrier body according to claim 1 which further includes second armored panel, . side panel and. seating means according to claim ! positioned along the other side of said body. 3. A personnel carrier vehicle having a carrier body according to claim 1 in which said side panel has ~ - height greater than the height above ground of the lower edge of said. side panel whereby said side panel can be lowered from an upright position in front of said panel outwardly of said body portion to form a ramp providing lateral access to and egress from said body portion. 4. A personnel carrier having a carrier body accord¬ ing to claim 1 which further includes means for re¬ locating said armored panel between a first position inward of said side panel and a second position adjacent said side panel. 5. A personnel carrier vehicle having a body portion according to claim 4 which further comprises a second armored panel, side panel, relocating means and seating means according to claim 4 positioned along the other side of said body.

Inventors: LAW W
Applicants: AAL ENTERPRISES INC
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B60P3
IPC codes: B60N2, B60P3