Gun Mount

Abstract

A folding weapon mount installed on the deck of a carrier vehicle. In one folding configuration the profile of the vehicle, mount and mounted weapon is lowest with respect to the profile obtained in an upright configuration. The folding is achieved by the rotation of a threaded shaft which changes the distance between two parallel lower axes. Appropriate legs pivotally respectively connect each lower axis to one parallel upper axis serving also as a weapon bearing cross bar.

1 . A folding weapon mount for bearing at least one weapon, wherein said mount is installed on the deck of a carrier vehicle such that in one configuration the profile of the vehicle and mount and mounted weapon is low with respect to the profile obtained in an upright configuration of said mount, said mount comprising: 
 parallel front and a rear lower axes;    an upper axis serving as a weapon bearing cross-bar;    a weapon support connected with said upper axis,    at least one threaded shaft for changing the distance between said lower axes, and    legs connected to said lower axes for sustaining said weapon bearing cross-bar.    
   
   
       2 . A folding weapon mount as in  claim 1  and wherein said at least one threaded shaft is connected to a mechanical actuator.  
   
   
       3 . A folding weapon mount as in  claim 2  and wherein said actuator is an electric motor.  
   
   
       4 . A method for changing the distance of at least one weapon from the deck of the carrier vehicle vertically, wherein a folding weapon mount supports said at least one weapon, and wherein a weapon bearing cross-bar of said mount is lowered and raised by the rotation of at least one threaded shaft.  
   
   
       5 . A folding weapon mount for bearing at least one weapon on a carrier vehicle, wherein a firing control system thereof collects information related to at least one of the group containing distance from target, weapon inclination, horizontal weapon angle and folding state of said folding mount, and wherein said firing control system calculates angular parameters which are fed to a set of actuators to regulate the configuration of the folding weapon mount and the weapon.