Abstract:
A gunner protection system for positioning armored panels around a hatch opening and a mounted weapon or equipment system. The armored panels are arranged to create an armored envelope surrounding the vehicle hatch and defining an opening through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. The armored panels can be individually raised to define a portion of the armored envelope or lowered to change the geometry of the armored envelope or opening according to the particular weapon or equipment system. Similarly, all of the armored panels can be lowered to collapse the armorer envelope to allow for efficient transport of the vehicle with the gunner protection system attached to the vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/534,605 entitled “Adaptive Gunner Protection Kit”, filed Sep. 23, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a gunner protection system for positioning armor panels on the roof of armored vehicles to create an armored envelope protecting gunners operating roof mounted weaponry or equipment. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an adaptive gunner protection system having armored panels that can be repositioned to change the geometry and size of the armored envelope to accommodate different weapons or equipment or to collapse the armored envelope for efficient transport of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lightly armored vehicles have recently seen increased use in urban combat situations in which a gunner operating a roof mounted weapon is often exposed to close quarter small arms fire and/or improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”). Accordingly, these vehicles are often retrofitted with gunner protection kits (“GPKs”) that position armored panels or similar structures around the hatch of the vehicle to form an armored envelope shielding the upper body of a gunner operating the roof mounted weapon while standing in the hatch. The armored envelope typically defines an opening through which the weapon can be extended. The opening is typically sized to correspond to the type of weapon mounted and to provide sufficient visibility to allow the gunner to effectively aim and operate the weapon while still protecting the gunner from ballistic threats. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  2 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,and  2   c , the inherent challenge with sizing of the armored envelope as well as the opening is that necessary size and shape of the opening can vary substantially depending on the weapon and equipment mounted to the vehicle. With light or heavy machine guns such as M2, M240 or M249 machine guns, the opening defined by the armored envelope of the GPK is typically a narrow vertical slot through which the barrel of the machine gun can be extended. The vertical slot allows the gunner to rotate the gun within the vertical slot to aim the gun while shielding the gunner from ballistic threats. With large bore weapons such as MK19 grenade launcher or M120/M121 mortars, the larger diameter of the barrel of those weapons may not fit within the narrow vertical slot suitable for machine guns. Similarly, grenade launchers or mortars are often fired at angles approaching vertical so projectiles are filed toward the target on a parabolic trajectory. Thus the vertical slot used for machines guns cannot accommodate the high angles necessary to operate grenade launchers or mortars. While missile or rocket launchers are often fired at near horizontal angles compatible with the vertical slots used for machine guns, the launchers require substantially larger diameter slots through which the rocket or missile can pass through. In addition, the targeting system for the launcher is often offset from the launch tube itself requiring a second opening or an enlarged first opening through which the targeting system can be aimed. 
     In addition, the overall geometry of armored envelopes sized for machine guns and grenade launcher is often too small to fit the often substantially bulkier dimensions of missile or rocket launchers and other large weapon systems. The limited confines of the armored envelope can also present safety hazards for the gunner when operating missile launchers or other systems that produce significant back blast. Machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars produce no back blast. Accordingly, GPKs for those weapon systems typically do not include additional openings for venting back blast as doing so creates additional paths through which ballistic threats can travel. A similar drawback is that targeting systems used for painting targets for airstrikes or artillery fire are also often large and bulky making them incompatible with the often smaller envelope geometry created by GPKs for machine guns. The specific requirements of individual weapons and equipment systems typically requires that the entire GPKs be replaced when a different weapon or targeting system is to be mounted, thereby substantially increasing the logistical challenges of providing adequate protection for the gunner. 
     A similar challenge with GPKs is that the armored envelope formed by the GPK can substantially increase the overall height of the vehicle. The armored paneling must often extend a substantial distance above the top of the hatch to provide sufficient protection for the gunner. The armored envelope typically comprises paneling positioned around the hatch that is at least the height of the gunner&#39;s head. In addition, the armored envelope often comprises an armored roof for protecting the gunner from ballistic threats originating from above the vehicle. The top cover further increases the height of the armored envelope and the overall height of the vehicle. As the GPKs are often fitted to the vehicle before the armored vehicles are transported into the theater by ship or plane, the added height can make efficiently transporting the vehicles to the theater within the limited confines of a ship or plane difficult. Accordingly, GPKs are often separately transported and not fitted to the vehicle until after the vehicle has been transported into the theater. However, the inherent drawback of this approach is that the assembly process must be done in theater where maintenance and other equipment necessary for assembly may be more limited. In addition, the assembly process creates substantial downtime where the vehicle is otherwise ready for use, but is awaiting installation of the GPK. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a means of providing an armored envelope for gunners that can be used with multiple weapons or targeting systems, while allowing for efficient transport of the vehicle into the theater. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an adapted gunner protection system that comprises a plurality of armored panels that can be arranged around the roof hatch of a vehicle to provide an armored envelope for protecting a gunner operating a roof mounted weapon or equipment system. The panels can be arranged to define at least one opening through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. Each armored panel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle roof such that each panel can be individually raised to a generally vertical orientation to define a portion of the overall armored envelope or lowered to a position against the vehicle roof to increase the size of the armored envelope or create a second opening in the armored envelope. The individual positioning of the armored panels allows the size and shape of the armored envelope and opening to be customized for the particular weapon or equipment system mounted to the vehicle at that time. The armored envelope can be increased in size or provide additional openings for addressing back blast from certain weapon systems. Similarly, all of the panels can be lowered against the roof of the vehicle to collapse the armor panel without disengaging the panels from the vehicle allowing for efficient transport of the vehicle without the additional difficulty of attaching the armor system in theatre. 
     In one aspect, at least one of the armored panels can be upright when rotated into the vehicle orientation. In another aspect, at least one of the armored panels can be angled radially inward toward the center of the hatch when raised to the vertical orientation. In this configuration, two adjoining panels that are inwardly angled can be engaged together along a common edge, wherein the inward angle of the armored panels cooperates to maintain the panels in the generally vertical orientation without requiring an additional support structure to prevent the armored panels from collapsing inward from impacts to the exterior of the armored envelope. The inwardly angled armored panels also provide protection from ballistic threats directed from angles above the horizontal. In yet another, aspect, at least one of the panels can be angled outward to provide clearance for certain weapons and equipment system. Similarly, the outward angle of the panels can provide an angled surface for directing the back blast of certain weapon systems, such missiles, rockets or recoilless rifles, upwards away from the vehicle rather than downward toward the vehicle roof or back toward the weapon system or gunner. The panels are rotated radially outward to lower the panels into the generally horizontal position to collapse all or a portion of the armored envelope. 
     A gunner protection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a mounting plate and a plurality of armored panels including at least two fore panels, at least two side panels and at least one rear panel combinable to define an armored envelope. Each fore panel can further comprise a hinged bracket for rotatably mounting the fore panel to the mounting plate. In one aspect, each fore panel can comprise a fold out portion that can be rotated between a first position in which the fold out portion is positioned against the fore panel and a second position in which the fold out portion extends outward from the fore panel to increase the size of the armored envelope. Each side panel can comprise a hinged bracket for rotatable mounting the side panel to the mounting plate and an engagement assembly for securing the side panel to one of the fore panels along common edge when the fore panel and side panel are positioned in a generally vertical orientation. The back panel can similarly comprise a hinged bracket for rotatably mounting the back panel to the mounting plate. The back panel can also comprise an engagement assembly for affixing the back panel to the adjoining side panels. In one aspect, the back panel can also comprise a fold out portion rotatable between a first position in which the fold out portion is positioned against the rear panel and a second position in which the fold out portion is extends from the rear panel such that the back panel and fold out portion defines a continuous planar surface. 
     In one aspect, the fore panels, side panels and back panel can be arranged to define a u-shaped armored envelope. In this configuration, the fore panels generally define the ends of the U such that the fore panels cooperate to define an opening in the armored panel through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. Similarly, the side-panels define the arms of the U, while the back panel defines junction of the arms of the U. The individual panels can be raised and lowered according to the particular geometry of the armored envelope required for the specific weapon or equipment system mounted to the vehicle. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the fore panels, the side panels or back panel can each comprise a transparent armored window. The armored windows allow for increased visibility through the armored panels without requiring an additional slot or opening for providing a sight line through the armored envelope. In one aspect, the armored windows can be positioned in the armored panels to correspond to the sight lines of the gunner when operating the weapon or equipment system. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the gunner protection system can comprise a gun shield mountable to the weapon system. The gun shield further comprises an armored panel defining a slot for receiving the barrel or a portion of the action of a weapon system. The gun shield further comprises a weapon mount for attaching the panel to the weapon system. The gun shield is positioned on the weapon system such that the edges of the armored panel overlap with the edges of the opening defined by the fore panels to eliminate a direct path through the armored envelope between the gun shield and the fore panels. In one aspect, the overlap between the gun shield and fore panels can be sized such that the weapon system can be rotated and aimed during operation of the weapon system without creating gaps between the gun shield and fore panels. 
     A method of protecting a gunner operating a roof mounted weapon or equipment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises providing a plurality of armored panels each rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation. The method can further comprise arranging the plurality of armored panels around a hatch in a u-shaped configuration. The method also comprises rotating at least one of the armored panels into the generally vertical orientation to create an armored envelope providing ballistic protection for the gunner. The method can further comprise rotating at least one armored panel into the generally horizontal orientation to change the shape and size of the armored envelope. 
     The above summary of the various representative embodiments of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a set of perspective drawings depicting the prior art. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view of the prior art vehicle. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art vehicle. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a prior art vehicle. 
         FIGS. 2-2   c  depict prior art incorporation of fixed turret systems. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hatch for use with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hatch depicted in  FIG. 3  with a hatch door positioned within the hatch. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a hatch with a mount assembly for attaching a plurality of armored panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a hatch with a plurality of hinged brackets for attaching a plurality of armored panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a hatch with a mount assembly for attaching a plurality of armored panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a plurality of armored panels arranged to define an armored envelope according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a hatch with a side panel and a back panel affixed to the corresponding hinged brackets according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the hatch depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a hatch with both side panels and back panel affixed to the corresponding hinged brackets according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a hatch with both fore panels, both side panels and the back panel affixed to the corresponding hinged brackets, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the secondary fold out panel of one of the fore panels is extended. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the hatch depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a frontal perspective view of the hatch depicted in  FIG. 13  with both L-shaped fold out panels attached to the corresponding fore panels. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a hatch with a plurality of armored panels and a gun shield arranged around the hatch to define an armored envelope according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a gun shield according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17 ,  17   a ,  17   b , and  17   c  are a set of perspective drawings depicting the operation and elements of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the present invention mounted on an armored vehicle. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3-7 , a vehicle  20 , for use with the present invention, comprising a roof  22  with a hatch  24  defining a hatch opening  26  through the roof  22 . The hatch  24  further comprises a door  28  rotatable between a closed position in which the hatch door  28  is positioned within the hatch opening  26  to seal the hatch opening  26  and an open position in which the door  28  is rotated out of the hatch opening  26  to allow passage through the opening  26 . As depicted in  FIG. 5-7 , the door  28  comprises a multi-fold hatch door such that the door  28  can be folded in half or thirds after the door  28  is rotated into the open position to reduce the footprint of the door  28  after opening. Alternatively, the door  28  can comprise a fixed panel door as depicted in  FIG. 4 . In one aspect, the hatch  24  can further comprise a hatch ring  30  encircling the hatch opening  26  and to which the hatch door  28  is rotatable mounted. In one aspect, the hatch ring  30  can comprise a weapon/equipment mount  32  for attaching various weapon or equipment systems. The roof weapon/equipment mount  32  is positioned on the roof  22  and can further comprise a weapon/equipment mount plate  34  for supporting and stabilizing a weapon or equipment system secured to the mount  32 . For the purposes of this disclosure, a weapon or equipment system can include, but is not limited to machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars, missile or rocket launchers, recoilless rifles, laser designator systems and other conventional weapon or equipment systems. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8-18 , a gunner protection system  40 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a mount assembly  42  and a plurality of armored panels  44 . The mount assembly  42  can comprise at least one mount plate  46  having at least one edge contoured to follow the shape of the hatch opening  26 . As depicted in  FIGS. 9-15 , each mount plate  46  is secured to the hatch ring  30  such that the mount plates  46  are positioned around the periphery of the hatch opening  26 . In one aspect, the mount assembly  42  can comprise two mirrored mount plates  46  positioned on either side of the hatch opening  26  and extending at least partially along the periphery of the hatch opening  26 . In one aspect, the gunner protection  40  can be a modular system in which securing the mount plates  46  to the hatch ring  30  secures the gunner protection system  40  the vehicle  20 . In one aspect, each mount plate  46  can further comprise a handle  47  positioned for assisting the gunner in climbing through the hatch opening  26 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 13-14 , the plurality of armored panels  44  can include at least one fore panel  48  further comprising a hinged bracket  50  securable to at least one of the mount plates  46  to rotatably mount the fore panel  48  to the mount plate  46 . In one aspect, the hinged bracket  50  can be affixed to one of the mount plates  46  at one end and affixed to the weapon/equipment mount plate  34 . In another aspect, the fore panel hinge bracket  50  can be directly mounted to the hatch ring  30  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . The fore panel  48  can be rotated between a generally horizontal position in which the fore panel  48  is generally parallel to the mount plate  46  and a generally vertical position in which the fore panel  48  is generally upright. In one aspect, the fore panel  48  is angled relative to the mount plate  46  such that the fore panel  48  is angled radially inward toward the hatch opening  26  when the mount plate  46  is affixed to the hatch ring  30 . The inward angle of the fore panel  48  allows the fore panel  48  to deflect ballistic threats, shrapnel or debris upwards away from the gunner. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 13 . In one aspect, each fore panel  48  can further comprise a fold out panel  52  and a fold out hinged bracket  54  rotatably affixing the fold out panel  52  to the fore panel  48 . The fold out panel  52  is rotatable between a retracted position in which the fold out panel  52  is positioned against fore panel  48  decreasing the overall surface area of the fore panel  48  and a deployed position in which the fold out panel  52  extends from the fore panel  48  increasing the overall surface area of the fore panel  48  as depicted in  FIG. 14 . As depicted in  FIG. 14 , in one aspect, the fold out panel  52  can comprise an L-shape such that a second L-shaped fold out panel  52  of an opposing fore panel  48  can cooperate to define a U-shaped opening for receiving a weapon. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 12 , in one aspect, each fore panel  48  can further comprise a secondary fold out panel  56  and a hinged bracket  58  rotatably affixing the secondary fold out panel  56  to the fore panel  48 . The secondary fold out panel  56  is rotatable between a retracted position in which the secondary fold out panel  56  is positioned against fore panel  48  and a deployed position in which the secondary fold out panel  56  is positioned within the U-shaped opening to reduce the size of the U-shape opening. The secondary fold out panel  56  can be deployed to change the shape of the opening according to the type of weapon or equipment system mounted on the vehicle  20 . Specifically, the secondary fold out panel  56  can be deployed to provide an additional shield protecting the gunner from threats that may otherwise enter through the U-shape opening. The fold out panel  52  and the secondary fold out panel  56  can be deployed in varying combinations according to the type of weapon or equipment system mounted to the vehicle  20 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8-15 , the plurality of armored panels  44  can include at least one side panel  60  further comprising a side panel hinged bracket  62  securable to at least one of the mount plates  46  to rotatably mount the side panel  60  to the mount plate  46 . In one aspect, the hinge bracket  62  can be directly mounted to the hatch ring  30  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . As depicted in  FIGS. 17 ,  17   a ,  17   b , and  17   c  the side panel  60  can be rotated between a generally horizontal position in which the side panel  60  is generally parallel to the mount plate  46  and a generally vertical position in which the side panel  60  is generally upright. In one aspect, the side panel  60  is angled relative to the mount plate  46  such that the side panel  60  is angled radially inward toward the hatch opening  26  when the mount plate  46  is affixed to the hatch ring  30 . The inward angle of the side panel  60  allows the side panel  60  to deflect ballistic threats, shrapnel or debris upwards away from the gunner. In one aspect, the hinged bracket  62  can further comprise an integrated rifle mount  63  for mounting an infantry weapon when the side panel  60  is lowered into the generally horizontal position, wherein the infantry weapon can be operated through the opening in the armored envelope created by the lowered side panel  60 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8-15 , the plurality of armored panels  44  can include at least one back panel  64  further comprising a back panel hinged bracket  66  securable to at least one of the mount plates  46  to rotatably mount the back panel  64  to the mount plate  46 . In one aspect, the hinged bracket  66  of the back panel  64  can extend between the mirrored mount plates  46 . In another aspect, the hinge bracket  66  can be directly mounted to the hatch ring  30  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . As depicted in  FIGS. 17 ,  17   a ,  17   b , and  17   c , the back panel  64  can be rotated between a generally horizontal position in which the back panel  64  is generally parallel to the mount plate  46  and a generally vertical position in which the back panel  64  is generally upright. Obviously, the panels can be rotated on top of the hatch opening during transportation. In one aspect, the back panel  64  is angled relative to the mount plate  46  such that the back panel  64  is angled radially outward away from the hatch opening  26  when the mount plate  46  is affixed to the hatch ring  30 . The outward angle of the back panel  64  can direct back blast from a weapon system such as a missile launcher, rocket launcher or recoilless rifle upwards out away from the vehicle  20  rather than downward into the hatch opening  26  or back at the gunner. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8-10 , the back panel  64  can further comprise a fold out back panel  68  and a hinged bracket  70  rotatably affixing the fold out back panel  68  to the back panel  64 . The fold out back panel  68  can rotated between a deployed position in which the fold out back panel  68  is in alignment with the back panel  64  and a retracted position in which the fold out back panel  68  is positioned against the back panel  64 . When the fold out back panel  68  is positioned in the deployed position the fold out back panel  68  increases the protective area provided by the back panel  64 . The fold out back panel  68  can be lowered to provide a second opening opposite the opening defined by the fore panels  48  through which the back blast from the weapon system can be directed safely. In one aspect, the back panel  68  can further comprise a stop  72  for positioning the fold out back panel  68  when the fold out back panel  68  is rotated into the retracted position. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 12 , the plurality of armored panels  44  are arranged on the mount plates  46  such that the armored panels  44  define a U-shaped armored envelope surrounding the hatch opening  26  when the mount plates  46  are affixed to the hatch ring  30  and the armored panels  44  are rotated into the generally vertical orientation. In this configuration, the fore panels  48  correspond to the ends of the “U”, wherein the U-shaped opening defined by the L-shaped fold out panels  52  corresponds to the gap in the “U”. Similarly, the side panels  60  define the arms of the “U” while the back panel  64  defines the junction of the arms of the “U”. As depicted in  FIGS. 17 ,  17   a ,  17   b , and  17   c , the armored panels  44  can be individually raised or lowered to change the shape of the armored envelope or change the size of the opening through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. The individual orientation of the armored panels  44  allows the armored envelop to be configured for the particular weapon or equipment system mounted to the vehicle  20 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 13 , the fore panels  48  further comprises an engagement assembly  74  for affixing the fore panels  48  to the corresponding side panels  60  when the fore panels  48  and the side panels  60  is rotated to into the vertical orientation. The engagement assembly  74  can further comprise an engagement panel  76  for receiving a plurality of fasteners  78  for affixing the engagement panel  76  to both the fore panel  48  and the corresponding side panel  60  to secure the fore panel  48  to the side panel  60 . In one aspect, a portion of the fore panel  48  overlaps with the corresponding side panel  60 . A fastener  78  can be inserted through the overlapping portion to affix the fore panel  48  to the side panel  60 . As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the side panel  60  can further comprise an L-shape bracket  80  for receiving a plurality of fasteners  78  to affix the back panel  64  to the side panel  60 . In one aspect, a clip spring  82  can be affixed to the side panel  60  and back panel  64  to clip the panels  60 ,  64  together. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the fore panel  48  further comprises an armored window  84 . Similarly, the side panel  60  can also comprise armored window  86 . The armored windows  84 ,  86  can be aligned with the sight lines of the gunner when operating the weapon or equipment system. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 15-16 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the gunner protection system  40  can further comprise a gun shield  88  having an armored panel  90  defining a slot  92 . The gun shield  88  can be fitted to gun system such that the barrel or a portion of the action of the gun is positioned within the slot  92 . The armored panel  90  is sized to overlap with the edges of the U-shaped opening defined by the fore panel  48 . In one aspect, the gun shield  88  can further comprise a gun mount  94  for affixing the gun shield  88  directly to the gun. In another aspect, the gun shield  88  can further comprise a mount assembly  96  for linking the gun shield  88  to a corresponding shield mount  98  on at least one of the L-shaped fold out panel  52  as depicted in  FIG. 15 . In one aspect, the gun shield  88  can further comprise at least one armored window  99 . In operation, the gun shield  88  can be affixed to the armored panels  44  to the gun system and removed when a different weapon or equipment system is mounted to use the larger U-shaped opening. 
     The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.