Abstract:
A remotely-operated gun is mounted in a cradle having a linear actuator for charging the gun. A charging adapter that is fixed to the linear actuator enables different types of guns to be charged. The charging adapter is easily configured to accommodate different gun types.

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The inventions described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the United States Government. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates in general to remotely-operated weapons and in particular to charging mechanisms for remotely-operated guns. 
     Remotely-operated weapons may include a turret mounted on a vehicle, or on a fixed or mobile carriage. The turret may include a frame for supporting a firearm. The firearm used in a remotely-operated weapon may be a conventional, human-operated firearm. The firearm may be designed to be cycled manually or automatically, for example, by propellant gas or by gun recoil. The frame on which the weapon is mounted may accept multiple, different weapon configurations. An example of a remotely-operated weapon system is the U.S. military&#39;s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). 
     For a remotely-operated gun, a linear actuator may provide the input for the charging handle to move the weapon&#39;s bolt to the rear, to enable feeding ammunition. After locking the bolt rearward, the charging handle must then be returned forward to prevent weapon damage. The M240 Machine Gun, Mark 48 (Mk 48) Machine gun, and M249 Machine Gun are gas-operated automatic weapons which require charging (moving the charging handle rearward and then forward) to load and clear the weapon. When used on remote weapon stations, the linear actuator typically provides the external input required to actuate these weapons. The linear actuator moves the weapon&#39;s bolt assembly to the rear position to cycle and feed the next round on the belt. On the linear actuator return stroke, the charging handle is moved forward to the forward detent position. 
     While different remotely-operated weapons may use the same mounting cradle (for example, the CROWS Multi Adapter Small Caliber (MASC) cradle), these weapons often require different charging handle adapters because of different charging handle sizes and positions on the different weapons. The various adaptors are easily lost and do not allow for reliable return of the charging handle to the forward position. 
     A need exists for a simple apparatus and method for interfacing with different weapon charging handle configurations on a single gun cradle. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention is remote weapons charging handle adapter for charging a gun having a forward and a rear end. The gun is mounted in a cradle having a linear actuator. 
     The adapter includes a flange portion fixed to the linear actuator and a housing fixed to the flange portion. The housing has an upper rear bearing surface, a pair of side surfaces, a forward surface, and a rear stepped surface. A wire rope has a first end selectively engageable with one of a hard stop on the flange and a hard stop on the housing. A second end of the wire rope extends into an upper portion of the housing through a first spring and a piston such that the second end of the wire rope is translatable against the spring in a rear direction. 
     An arm block has a rear curved bearing surface and a front planar surface that bears against the rear stepped surface of the housing. A rod is fixed eccentrically to the arm block and extends through the housing. A second spring is disposed around the rod and bears against the forward surface of the housing and a spring stop on an end of the rod to thereby bias the arm block in a forward direction. 
     In a first configuration of the adapter, the arm block extends transversely beyond one of the pair of side surfaces of the housing, and, in a second configuration of the adapter, the arm block extends transversely beyond the other of the pair of side surfaces of the housing. 
     The invention will be better understood, and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, like or corresponding parts are denoted by like or corresponding reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a remote weapons charging handle adapter in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway view of the adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5 and 7  are perspective views of the adapter of  FIG. 1  in a second configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the adapter in the second configuration. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are side and perspective views, respectively, of a remote weapons charging handle adapter with an M249 machine gun. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective and side views, respectively, of a remote weapons charging handle adapter with an M240B machine gun. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective and side views, respectively, of a remote weapons charging handle adapter with an Mk48 machine gun. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are side and perspective views, respectively, of a remote weapons charging handle adapter with an M240 machine gun. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A novel remote weapons charging handle adapter (RWCHA) can be used with several different remotely-operated guns. The gun is mounted in a cradle, for example, the CROWS Multi Adapter Small Caliber (MASC) cradle. The RWCHA can be used with, for example, the M240, Mk 48 and M249 machine guns, and various series models of each type of machine gun. The RWCHA mounts to the existing cradle. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of an RWCHA or adapter  10  in a first configuration and  FIG. 5-7  show adapter  10  in a second configuration. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , adapter  10  includes a generally L-shaped flange portion  12  fixed to a housing  14 . Adapter  10  is mounted to the linear actuator of a weapon cradle using fasteners (not shown) inserted through mounting holes  16  in flange portion  12 . The linear actuator of the mounting cradle causes adapter  10  to translate in the directions F (forward) and R (rear) shown by the arrows in  FIG. 1 . 
     In general, to move the charging handle or mechanism of the gun rearward in direction R, adapter  10  translates to the left in  FIG. 1 . Depending on the particular model or series of gun, adapter  10  pushes the charging handle or mechanism of the gun rearward using either bearing surface  18  or bearing surface  20 . Bearing surface  18  is a rearward facing, planar surface of housing  14 . Bearing surface  20  is a rearward facing curved surface formed in an arm block  22 . The curved surface  20  is shaped to distribute load evenly on the cylindrical charging handles of guns. 
     In general, to move the charging handle or mechanism of the gun forward in direction F, adapter  10  translates to the right in  FIG. 1 . A loop portion  26  of a wire rope  24  engages the rearward surface of the weapon charging mechanism and the adapter  10  pulls the charging mechanism in the forward direction F. Some gun models may have an automatic return for the charging mechanism, in which case the adapter  10  is not required to positively move the charging mechanism forward. 
     One end of wire rope  24  includes a finger loop  28  formed by a compression sleeve  30 . Sleeve  30  is constrained from translation in direction R by a stop  32  fixed to flange portion  12 . In the second configuration of adapter  10  ( FIGS. 5-7 ), sleeve  30  is constrained from rearward translation in direction R by a slot  34  at the bottom of housing  14  and by a spring detent  36  that constrains wire rope  24  from moving laterally out of slot  34 . In the second configuration, there is, of course, more of the length of wire rope  24  available for loop portion  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the other end  38  of wire rope  24  passes through the rearward surface of housing  14 , through a compression spring  40  and a piston  42 , and is anchored with a fitting  41  against piston  42 . Piston  42  may be made of, for example, a plastic material. Spring  40  provides some flexibility to the available length of wire rope  24  to allow for different charging handle locations and variation in interface tolerances. A roll pin  44  inserted through housing  14  restrains translation of piston  42  with respect to housing  14  in forward direction F. 
     The position of arm block  22  in the first and second configurations is best seen by comparing  FIG. 3  (first configuration) with  FIG. 7  (second configuration). It is noted that wire rope  24  and arm block  22  are not mechanically connected. In  FIG. 3  it is seen that arm block  22  extends outward in direction A beyond the side surface  46  of housing  14 . On the other hand, in  FIG. 7 , it is seen that arm block  22  extends inward in direction B beyond the opposite side surface  48  of housing  14 . The two positions of arm block  22  enable adapter  10  to interface with different gun configurations, as will be explained in more detail. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , arm block  22  includes rear curved bearing surface  20  and a front planar surface  50 . Arm block  22  is biased against a rear facing stepped surface  60  of housing  14 . Arm block  22  is biased against surface  60  in the forward direction F by a compression spring  52  that bears against a spring stop  54  and a front surface  56  of housing  14 . Arm block  22  is fixed to a rod  58  that terminates at spring stop  54 . Arm block  22  is fixed in an off center or eccentric manner to rod  58  so that arm block  22  extends beyond side surface  46  (first configuration, see  FIG. 3 ) or side surface  48  (second configuration, see  FIG. 7 ). The position of arm block  22  is easily changed by manually pulling arm block  22  in direction R beyond rear bearing surface  18  of housing  14 . Then, arm block  22  is rotated 180 degrees and gently allowed to spring back so that front planar surface  50  is again abutting and biased against rear stepped surface  60  of housing  14 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are side and perspective views, respectively, of adapter  10  with an M249 machine gun  70 . Gun  70  is mounted on a cradle  72  having a linear actuator  74 . Adapter  10  is mounted to actuator  74  with fasteners in mounting holes  16 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first configuration ( FIGS. 1-4 ) of adapter  10  is used. The charging handle  76  of gun  70  bears against bearing surface  18  on housing  14  and is contained in wire loop portion  26  of wire rope  24 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , charging handle  76  is in its forward position. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective and side views, respectively, of adapter  10  with an M240B machine gun  80 . Gun  80  is mounted on a cradle  72  having a linear actuator  74 . Adapter  10  is mounted to actuator  74  with fasteners in mounting holes  16 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second configuration ( FIGS. 5-7 ) of adapter  10  is used. A forward curved surface  82  of a charging mechanism  84  of gun  80  bears against curved bearing surface  20  of arm block  22 . A charging handle  86  of charging mechanism  84  is contained in wire loop portion  26  of wire rope  24 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , charging mechanism  84  is in its forward position. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective and side views, respectively, of adapter  10  with an Mk48 machine gun  90 . Gun  90  is mounted on a cradle  72  having a linear actuator  74 . Adapter  10  is mounted to actuator  74  with fasteners in mounting holes  16 . In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first configuration ( FIGS. 1-4 ) of adapter  10  is used. The charging handle  92  of gun  90  bears against bearing surface  18  on housing  14  and is contained in wire loop portion  26  of wire rope  24 . In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , charging handle  92  is in its forward position. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are side and perspective views, respectively, of adapter  10  with an M240 machine gun  96 . Gun  96  is mounted on a cradle  72  having a linear actuator  74 . Adapter  10  is mounted to actuator  74  with fasteners in mounting holes  16 . In  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a variation of the second configuration ( FIGS. 5-7 ) of adapter  10  is used. Rather than being secured against the slot  34  and spring detent  36 , as in  FIGS. 5-7 , the compression sleeve  30  in  FIGS. 14 and 15  is secured against the stop  32  on the flange portion  12 . This is done to take slack out of the loop portion  26  of the wire rope  24  because the loop portion  26  is not needed, in as much as the M240 gun  96  has an automatic spring return for its charging mechanism  98 . A curved surface  100  of charging mechanism  98  of gun  96  bears against curved bearing surface  20  of arm block  22 . In  FIGS. 14 and 15 , charging mechanism  98  is in its forward position. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and equivalents thereof