Method and apparatus for a mine protection vehicle system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an improved mine resistant ambush protected vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention features the use of a plurality of armored pods positioned on an armored frame. These pods are large enough to accommodate one crew member each and are spaced far enough apart from each other to allow the energy impulse and overpressure created from an IED attack to pass in between the pods. These armored pods also provide an improved method of defense against RPG attacks for if one pod is hit by a RPG, the other pods have a high probability of surviving that attack.

1 . A vehicle product with protection against the effects of an impact or blast, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of individual pods with an outer surface,   (b) said pods being large enough to accommodate a crew member,   (c) said pods are attached to a frame,   (d) said pods each having a hatch for entry and exit,   (d) said frame is attached to a plurality of axels.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are capable of being replaced when the pod is damaged. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising at least two pods. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising at least three pods. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising a means for armoring the pods and frame. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are positioned on the frame so the outer surface of a pod is separated from the outer surface of a nearest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any pod. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are air conditioned. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising means for communicating between the crew members of the pods. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods have a means for securing the crew members in the pods. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods have an armored cone shaped bottom. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are lined with an internal padding. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are lined with a fire retardant material. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising a means for providing rotation of the pod around its connection to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of means for entry and exit into and out of the pod by the crew member. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a mount for a platform or an accessory. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle product of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are arranged on the frame to vent energy and effluent from a blast originating beneath the vehicle through, around, or through and around the pods. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle product of  claim 1  further comprising a vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the vehicle comprises an armored vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of transporting soldiers safely through enemy territory comprising:
 (a) placing a soldier into a an armored pod,   (b) mounting that pod to a frame,   (c) separating an outer surface of the pod from an outer surface of a closest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any of the pods,   (d) attaching that frame to plurality of wheeled axels.   
     
     
         20 . A blast energy mitigation system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of individual pods with an outer surface,   (b) said pods being large enough to accommodate a person,   (c) said pods are attached to a frame,   (d) said pods positioned on the frame so an outer surface of one pod is separated from the outer surface of a nearest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any of the pods,   (e) said frame is attached to a plurality of wheel axels.