Patent Publication Number: US-2020299989-A1

Title: Turret cover stand

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to implementations of a turret cover stand. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Military vehicles, such as mine-resistant ambush-protected military vehicles (“MRAPs”), have one or more gun turrets or similar openings. The turrets are covered by a tarp or other canopy cover, for example when the vehicles are not in use, to keep out rainwater and other elements. However, the tarps or other canopy covers used to cover the turrets often hold or pool rainwater that eventually leaks into the vehicles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an implementation of an example turret cover stand according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an implementation of example unassembled components of the turret cover stand of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate an implementation of an example central hub of the turret cover stand of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an implementation of an example end cap or end plug of the turret cover stand of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of a turret cover stand are provided. In some implementations, the turret cover stand comprises a hub (or “central hub”), a plurality of legs or uprights, and a corresponding plurality of end caps or end plugs. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to cover a turret, such as a gun turret, of a mine-resistant ambush-protected military vehicle (“MRAP”). 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to cover any other suitable opening of an MRAP. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to cover a turret of any other suitable military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to cover any other suitable opening of any other suitable military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to keeps its shape and not collapse under the weight of water from rain. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to support a tarp or other canopy cover to elevate the tarp above a turret or similar opening to shed rainwater or other elements, such as snow or debris, off of the tarp and prevent the rainwater or other elements from pooling on the tarp or leaking into an MRAP or other military. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to provide protection in four directions. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be durable. In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to not rust. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be sturdy. In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be heavy duty. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to have a small storage size to consume relatively little storage space in an MRAP or other military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be easy to assemble and disassemble. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be assembled or disassembled by hand or with a screwdriver. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand is configured to be easily and quickly deployed. 
     In some implementations, an example use of the turret cover stand comprises positioning the turret cover stand over a turret of a military vehicle and placing a tarp over the turret cover stand to cover the turret of the military vehicle. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an implementation of an example turret cover stand  100  according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an implementation of example unassembled components  200  of the turret cover stand  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate an implementation of an example central hub  100   b  of the turret cover stand  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an implementation of an example end cap  100   c  of the turret cover stand  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
     As shown for example in  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2 , in some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises a plurality of legs or uprights  100   a , a hub (or “central hub”)  100   b , and a plurality of end caps or end plugs  100   c.    
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises four legs  100   a . In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises more than four legs. In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises less than four legs. 
     In some implementations, the legs  100   a  are cylindrical, such as tubular or solid. In some implementations, the legs  100   a  are any other suitable shape. 
     In some implementations, the legs  100   a  extend up vertically from a lower end  100   a   1 , bend or curve inward, and extend horizontally to connect to the central hub  100   b  at an upper end  100   a   2 . 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises four end caps  100   c  corresponding to the four legs  100   a  respectively. 
     In some implementations, each end cap  100   c  attaches to the lower end  100   a   1  of each leg  100   a  respectively. 
     As shown for example in  FIGS. 3A-3C , in some implementations, the central hub  100   b  is a ring-shaped plate. 
     In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  comprises round, smooth edges that will not tear a tarp or other canopy cover. 
     In some implementations, such tarp is waterproof, water resistant, or otherwise configured to prevent rainwater or other moisture from permeating or otherwise passing through it. 
     As shown for example in  FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A , in some implementations, the central hub  100   b  comprises a plurality of sleeves  100   b   1 . In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  comprises four sleeves  100   b   1  corresponding to the four legs  100   a  respectively. 
     In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  are attached to a downward-facing surface  100   b   2  of the central hub  100   b . In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  are attached evenly or equally spaced around the downward-facing surface  100   b   2 . 
     In some implementations, the downward-facing surface  100   b   2  is a downward facing radially extending bottom surface of the hub  100   b.    
     In some implementations, an upward facing radially extending top surface of the hub  100   b  is opposite the downward-facing surface  100   b   2 . 
     In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  are attached extending radially across the downward-facing surface  100   b   2  of the central hub  100   b  with respect to the ring-shape. 
     In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  are configured for the legs  100   a  to be inserted into the sleeves  100   b   1 . 
     As shown for example in  FIG. 3A , in some implementations, each sleeve  100   b   1  comprises a screw or setscrew  100   b   1   a . In some implementations, the screw  100   b   1   a  is configured to secure a leg  100   a  within a respective sleeve  100   b   1  to thereby attach the leg  100   a  to the central hub  100   b.    
     In some implementations, the screw  100   b   1   a  is any suitable type or configuration of screw. 
     As shown for example in  FIG. 4 , in some implementations, each end cap  100   c  is configured to fit over the lower end  100   a   1  of each leg  100   a  respectively. 
     In some implementations, the end cap  100   c  is a non-slip non-scratch tubular end cap. 
     In some implementations, the end cap  100   c  is configured to prevent the lower end  100   a   1  of the leg  100   a  from scratching a surface, such as the surface surrounding a turret, such as a gun turret, of an MRAP or other military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the end cap  100   c  is configured to provide friction between the lower end  100   a   1  of the leg  100   a  and a surface, such as the surface surrounding a turret of an MRAP or other military vehicle, whereby the lower end  100   a   1  does not slip or slide when positioned on the surface. 
     In some implementations, the end cap  100   c  may be an end plug or any other suitable end attachment allowing non-scratch, non-slip, and non-slide surface contact by the lower end  100   a   1  of the leg  100   a.    
     As shown for example in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the unassembled components  200  of the turret cover stand  100  comprise the legs  100   a  with the end caps  100   c  attached and the central hub  100   b.    
     In some implementations, the unassembled components  200  of the turret cover stand  100  are configured to have a small storage size. 
     In some implementations, the unassembled components  200  of the turret cover stand  100  are configured to consume relatively little storage space in an MRAP or other military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the legs  100   a  comprise a diameter of 0.5 inch. In some implementations, the legs  100   a  comprise any other suitable diameter. 
     In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  comprises an outer diameter of 3.5 inches. In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  comprises any other suitable outer diameter. 
     In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  comprise a length of 0.75 inch. In some implementations, the sleeves  100   b   1  comprise any other suitable length. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises an overall height of 35.25 inches and an overall width of 14 inches. In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises any other suitable overall dimensions. 
     In some implementations, the components of the turret cover stand  100  comprise any other suitable dimensions. 
     In some implementations, the turret cover stand  100  comprises any other suitable dimensions. 
     In some implementations, the legs  100   a  of the turret cover stand  100  are composed of galvanized steel tubing. 
     In some implementations, the legs  100   a  are composed of electrical metallic tubing (EMT) conduit. In some implementations, the legs  100   a  are composed of any other suitable material. 
     In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  of the turret cover stand  100  is composed of galvanized steel. In some implementations, the central hub  100   b  is composed of any other suitable material. 
     In some implementations, the end caps  100   c  of the turret cover stand  100  are composed of rubber. 
     In some implementations, the end caps  100   c  are composed of plastic. In some implementations, the end caps  100   c  are composed of any other suitable material. 
     In some implementations, the components of the turret cover stand  100  are composed of any other suitable materials. 
     In some implementations, the components of the turret cover stand  100  can have any suitable appearance. 
     In some implementations, an example use of the turret cover stand  100  comprises positioning the turret cover stand  100  over a turret of a military vehicle with the end caps  100   c  on the surface of the military vehicle and placing a tarp on the turret cover stand  100  positioned over the central hub  100   b  to cover the turret of the military vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the example use of the turret cover stand  100  further comprises assembling the turret cover stand  100  by inserting the upper end  100   a   2  of each leg  100   a  into each sleeve  100   b   1  respectively and tightening the screw  100   b   1   a  of each sleeve  100   b   1  to secure each inserted leg  100   a.    
     In some implementations, the example use of the turret cover stand  100  further comprises disassembling the turret cover stand  100  by loosening the screw  100   b   1   a  of each sleeve  100   b   1  to release each inserted leg  100   a  and removing the upper end  100   a   2  of each leg  100   a  from each sleeve  100   b   1  respectively. 
     The figures, including photographs and drawings, comprised herewith may represent one or more implementations of the turret cover stand. 
     Details shown in the figures, such as dimensions, descriptions, etc., are exemplary, and there may be implementations of other suitable details according to the present disclosure. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is comprised in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. 
     The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail. 
     While operations may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.