Segmented gun turret for quick assembly

Abstract

A gun turret according to the invention feature a segmented or sectored configuration, which reduces the weight of the individual components of the turret assembly to facilitate mounting of the turret assembly to the roof of the vehicle by a single person. The gun turret features quick-release clamps or latches by means of which the gun turret can be attached to the roof of a vehicle without tools.

1 . A gun turret comprising: 
 a plurality of segments being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each of said plurality of segments having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each of said ends includes an interlocking mechanism; and    a clamping device operably attached to at least one segment of said plurality of segments, said clamping device being adapted to engage a roof of a vehicle,    wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when said clamping device engages the roof of the vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of clamping devices, each of said clamping devices attached proximate one end to a different one of said plurality of segments and proximate another end adapted to engage the roof of the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said segments is semi-circular.  
   
   
       4 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one projection disposed radially outward along an outer surface of at least one of said segments.  
   
   
       5 . The gun turret according to  claim 4  wherein said clamping device is mounted on said at least one projection.  
   
   
       6 . The gun turret according to  claim 5  wherein said clamping device comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, wherein one section of said sections being adapted to dispose the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said at least one projection.  
   
   
       7 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein said interlocking mechanism comprises a male connector at one end of said two ends and a female receiver at the other end of said two ends.  
   
   
       8 . The gun turret according to  claim 7  wherein said male connector is a dovetail configuration and said female receiver is a dovetail configuration complimentary with said male connector dovetail configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein said gun mount track includes low friction surfaces.  
   
   
       10 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein said gun mount track includes roller elements.  
   
   
       11 . The gun turret according to  claim 9  wherein said roller elements are ball bearings.  
   
   
       12 . The gun turret according to  claim 9  wherein said roller elements are disposed on opposing surfaces of said upper and lower sections of said segments.  
   
   
       13 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein said back section further comprises a circumferential channel adapted to entrap a gun mount whereby the gun mount is impeded from substantial outward radial movement.  
   
   
       14 . The gun turret according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of segments form a ring when said segments interlock.  
   
   
       15 . A removable gun turret kit comprising: 
 a plurality of segments being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each said segment having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each said end includes an interlocking mechanism;    a clamping device attached to each said segment, and    an anchor device attachable to a roof of a vehicle, said anchor device adapted to engage said clamping device,    wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when said segments are interlocked with each other and said clamping device engages said anchor device.    
   
   
       16 . The removable gun turret kit according to  claim 15  wherein: 
 said clamping device includes a hook; and    said anchor device includes a cross member to engage said hook.    
   
   
       17 . The removable gun turret kit according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 said clamping device comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, wherein one section of said sections being adapted to dispose the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said at least one projection; and    said anchor device includes a socket therein adapted to receive said clamping device.    
   
   
       18 . A tactical vehicle with a removable gun turret and a roof, the improvement comprising: 
 a gun turret having a plurality of segments being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each said segment having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each said end includes an interlocking mechanism;    a clamping device attached to at least one segment of said plurality of segments; and    a plurality of anchor devices for attachment to the roof, said plurality of anchor devices adapted to receive said clamping device,    wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when said clamping device engages the anchor devices which are attached to the roof.    
   
   
       19 . The improvement according to  claim 18  comprising a plurality of clamping devices, each of said clamping devices attached proximate one end to a different one of said plurality of segments and proximate another end adapted to engage a different one of said anchor devices, respectively.  
   
   
       20 . The improvement according to  claim 18  wherein: 
 said clamping device includes a hook; and    at one of said anchor devices includes a cross member to engage said hook.    
   
   
       21 . The improvement according to  claim 18  wherein: 
 said clamping device comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, wherein one section of said sections adapted to dispose the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said at least one projection; and    at least one of said anchor devices includes a socket therein adapted to receive said clamping device.    
   
   
       22 . A gun turret comprising: 
 a plurality of segments being releasably interlockable with adjacent segments, each of said plurality of segments having two ends and a gun mount track defined by a upper section, a lower section, and a back section, each of said ends includes an interlocking mechanism;    said plurality of segments form a ring when said segments interlock;    at least one projection disposed radially outward along an outer surface of at least one of said segments    at least one anchor device attachable to a roof of a vehicle;    a plurality of clamping devices, each of said clamping devices attached proximate one end to a different one of said plurality of segments and proximate another end adapted to engage said at least one anchor device; and    at least one of said clamping devices comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, wherein one section of said sections adapted to dispose the roof of the vehicle between said one section and said at least one projection;    wherein the gun turret is secured to the roof of the vehicle when said clamping device engages the anchor device when said anchor device is attached to the roof of the vehicle.