Patent ID: 12215946

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a tactical turret for deployment in protection and defense equipment, such as but not limited to ballistic shields, windows, doors, barricades, and the like.

In one embodiment, a tactical turret is a ball turret mountable in an opening and capable of rotation and with at least one of an aiming laser, a video camera, a disruptor light/flashlight, and a quick-release sleeve system that enables various pistol platforms to interchangeably fit and lock into an enhanced tactical stabilization platform of the ball turret is provided. In one embodiment, a locking piece referred to as a “stinger” connects to a pistol guard and then mates into position with a locking connector in the ball turret. In one embodiment, the ball turret houses a high-density green laser for painting and aiming at a target, a high-density strobe light/flashlight to provide light and use as an LED disruptor light to disorient possible attackers, and a micro camera that records all aspects of the use of the turret.

Use of the ball turret in, for example, a ballistic shield or the like, provides protection to a user's entire upper body and enables a user to fire various weapon platforms from a safe position in which the head of the user is better aligned with the weapon site and the user's arm is protected behind the shield. In addition, the shield and turret allow the user to engage targets at further distances from longer stand-off distances, thus affording greater safety to the operator.

FIG.1is an exploded view of a Picatinny enabled block assembly7according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A Picatinny device attaches in a known fashion on a Picatinny rail of any weapon system employing it. Block assembly7comprises in one embodiment, a stand-off block1. Stand-off block1is mounted on a weapon and around a trigger guard of the weapon platform (6, see below) to retain the weapon platform inside a tactical turret (70, see below). The stand-off block is used to locate and control movement and accuracy of the weapon platform inside a tactical turret. Stinger pin2is mounted into stand-off block1. The stinger pin2locates and is restrained in a ball-cam collet (seeFIG.3). A clamp plate4mates with stand-off block1, and is secured thereto with retaining bolts or screws5that mount through openings1aand4aof stand-off block1and clamp plate4, respectively. Retaining bolts or screws5are in one embodiment secured in openings1aand4awith retaining nuts3that thread onto bolts or screws5to mate stand-off block1and clamp plate4. Rails71on the stand-off block1and clamp plate4are suitable for mounting the block assembly7to a Picatinny rail of a weapon system. It should be understood that while a Picatinny rail system mount is discussed, other mounting systems may be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG.2is an illustration of a weapon system6, such as a handgun, Taser, long gun, or the like, engaged with the block assembly7. The weapon system6includes a Picatinny rail61and a trigger guard62. The block assembly7has rails71that engage the Picatinny rail61of weapon system6for mounting thereto.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view of a system300, including a yoke carriage assembly30according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in relation to the weapon system6and block assembly7ofFIGS.1-2. Yoke carriage assembly30comprises a yoke frame10having openings31sized to fit bushings9therein, and an opening32sized to fit a collet11therein. Yoke frame10further includes restraining holes102aand102bthat are used to assist in the retention of bushings9and finger release arms12(discussed below) in yoke frame10, respectively.

Yoke frame10openings31receive bushings9. Retaining rings8are used at either end of bushings9to assist in the retention of bushings9in openings31. Bushings serve to stabilize in a controlled fashion motion of the yoke carriage assembly30on the rails61when the attached weapon system6is discharged. Recoil energy of the weapon system is dampened by the yoke carriage assembly30.

Collet11is sized in one embodiment to fit yoke frame10opening32. Collet11has an opening111(seeFIG.4) that is sized to fit stinger pin2when the yoke carriage assembly30is mounted to the block assembly7and weapon system6. Collet11comprises a spring-loaded taper ball assembly that retains kinetic energy from a discharge force of the weapon system6when the stinger pin2is mounted within opening111of collet11. Collet11further comprises a sliding feature100that moves in the direction of arrow101. Sliding feature100moves forward to open the taper ball mechanism of collet11to release stinger pin2when acted on by stubs113of release arms12(described below). Stubs113of release arms12, when pivoted as shown by arrow112, press on sliding feature100, moving it forward to release the stinger pin2when the stinger pin is engaged in opening111of collet11.

Release arms12are mounted to yoke frame10in a pivotable manner. Release arms12pivot in the direction of arrow112, and are pivotable by pressing of a user's fingers or hand against pressure arms114of release arms12. Release arms12have mounting forks115each having openings116which are aligned with openings102bin mounting blocks104of yoke frame10. Release arms pivot about an axis of retaining pins13bwhich extend through openings116and102b.

FIG.4is a front elevation view of the assembled system300as shown in exploded view inFIG.3.FIG.5is a section view of the system300taken along lines5-5ofFIG.4

A laser assembly60suitable for use with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in perspective form inFIG.6. Laser assembly60comprises a laser/strobe/camera (LSC) unit14containing at least one of a laser, disruptor light/flashlight, and camera. LSC unit in one embodiment contains electronic devices to record what a user is aiming at and any conversations taking place, strobe light for confusion or illumination, and a laser beam for accurately aiming weapon system6. Laser assembly60further comprises a laser attachment plate15coupled to the laser/strobe/camera unit14, having a mounting system151to securely mount the laser assembly60into tactical turret70(described below).

FIG.7is an exploded view of a ball turret/tactical turret70which houses system300(weapon system6, block assembly7, and yoke carriage assembly30) and laser assembly60for deployment of weapon system6through, for example, a ballistic shield, window, door, barricade, or the like. Tactical turret70comprises in one embodiment turret front portion16and rear portion23which fit together to form a turret shell. Turret front portion16has in one embodiment, a semi-spherical like shape with a flattened front face161. In one embodiment, turret rear portion23has a semi-spherical line shape with a flattened face231. When assembled, the tactical turret has a spherical-like shape that allows the assembled turret70to roll, pitch and yaw within a mount in a manner in which the operator of the weapon system6housed in the turret70can successfully remain protected and return fire with any ballistic ordinate being used. When the turret is mounted in a shield, window, door, barricade, or the like, the operator is afforded the protection of the shield, window, door, barricade, or the like, and does not have to reach around the protection to deploy the weapon system6.

Front portion16has openings therein for various components of system300. Opening162allows laser assembly access to the environment forward of tactical turret70. Opening163allows passage of ordnance from weapon system6. Openings164receive retainer bolts/screws17that mate with openings234(seeFIG.10) in the rear portion23to secure front portion16and rear portion17of tactical turret70together. Release arms12of the system300extend out through an opening in the rear face231of rear portion23.

Guide rods18within a center space between the front portion16and rear portion23are positioned to be fitted into the bushings9of yoke carriage assembly30when the turret70is assembled. Guide rods18carry shock absorbers19, in one embodiment springs. Shock absorbers19provide a counter to recoil from firing the weapon system6. This reduces the effects of recoil, and allows greater control of the weapon system6.

LSC unit14is couplable to power supply22and universal serial bus connector port20to receive power from power supply22, and to transmit information from LSC unit to an external system. A switch21is mounted in the rear face231of rear portion23for controlling an on/off condition of the LSC unit14.

FIG.8is a section view of an assembled tactical turret70according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIGS.9,10, and11show, respectively, a side elevation view, a rear elevation view, and a front elevation view of an assembled tactical turret70.

FIG.12is an exploded view of a ballistic shield120in which a tactical turret70embodiment may be mounted. Mounting system130for tactical turret70mounts the tactical turret70in an opening121of shield120. Mounting system130comprises in one embodiment a front bezel131and front and rear mounting plates132and133, respectively. Tactical turret70fits into opening143of bezel131. Bezel131fits opening121of shield120. Front and rear mounting plates132and133secure turret70and bezel131within opening121, such as with bolts or screws (not shown). Shield120is shown with a transparent ballistic material window122, a handle123mounted to an inside (facing away from a threat) of the shield120, and straps124for securing the shield120to a user.

When the tactical turret70is mounted to the shield120, a weapon system6mounted to a block assembly7may be mounted to the yoke carriage assembly30carried in the turret70as described above. The turret70is movable and rotatable for pitch, roll, and yaw adjustment of the weapon system, while providing protection for the user from exposure of an arm, hand, head, or the like from the protection of the shield120. Aiming of the weapon system6is facilitated by the LSC unit14and window122. The weapon system aim is adjustable without the user being exposed to incoming weapons fire.

FIG.13is a front elevation view of a shield120employing a tactical turret according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.14is a rear elevation view of a shield120employing a tactical turret according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

While a shield120is shown, it should be understood that the tactical turret70may be mounted in any number of other systems, including but not limited to windows, doors, walls, barricades, and the like, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Shield120may further include a device that can geolocate its position and then provide that position via a second electronic signal. For example, the shield120may include a transmitter that is capable of receiving signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and then transmitting the location of the shield120to a distant receiver. The transmitter may be a commercially available GPS tracking device or a custom-built device that is structured and configured to integrate with the shield120without interfering with the operation of the shield. By providing location information, a user of the shield120can be accounted for in a crisis situation.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.