US3820253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gunnery trainer
Assignee: WILLEY CORP
•
Filing: 1972-03-24
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1992-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A burst-on-target gunnery simulator, particularly suitable for training tank gunners, includes a slide projector for projecting realistic target scene images through a reticle slide to an eyepiece for a gunner-trainee. The projector is movable under trainee control to permit movement of the target scene relative to the reticle, thereby giving the trainee the feeling of gun movement. A laser beam is momentarily combined with the target image in response to operator actuation of a firing mechanism, thereby optically simulating a gun burst on the viewed target scene. By noting where the burst falls the trainee can re-aim the gun, i.e., re-position the projector, as needed to hit the target with the next round. The target scene and burst is also viewable on an instructor''s screen. Instructor-operated controls permit the laser mount to be moved relative to the target to simulate various firing trajectories and wind conditions. The instructor is provided with a control which permits the laser burst to be blocked from the trainee''s view without impairing the burst image on the instructor''s screen.
Inventors
- 👤 R Willey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:11
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41G3/2616; F41G3/2622; F41G3/2627
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A gunnery trainer or the like comprising: an enclosure including a front panel; viewing means, including a lens having an optical axis, for providing a limited field of view of the interior of said enclosure in a first direction along an optical path defined at least in part by said optical axis; a transparency projector mounted inside said enclosure and including: means for projecting a realistic target scene image via said optical path in a direction opposite said first direction and onto said viewinG means; means for focusing the projected target scene image at said viewing means such that only a portion of said target scene image lies within said limited field of view; selectively actuable means for providing selectively controlled movement of said projector, and thereby said target scene, in two directions transverse to said optical path; support means for mounting a reticle along said optical path between said projection means and said eyepiece in fixed position relative to said viewing means; operator controlled means for selectively generating and optically projecting a momentary light burst; and beam splitter means for optically combining said projected light burst with said projected target scene image as viewed at said viewing means, such that the location of said light burst as viewed relative to said target scene from said viewing means is determined by the position of said projection means and the resulting position of said target scene image relative to said optical path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A gunnery trainer or the like comprising: an enclosure including a front panel; viewing means, including a lens having an optical axis, for providing a limited field of view of the interior of said enclosure in a first direction along an optical path defined at least in part by said optical axis; a transparency projector mounted inside said enclosure and including: means for projecting a realistic target scene image via said optical path in a direction opposite said first direction and onto said viewinG means; means for focusing the projected target scene image at said viewing means such that only a portion of said target scene image lies within said limited field of view; selectively actuable means for providing selectively controlled movement of said projector, and thereby said target scene, in two directions transverse to said optical path; support means for mounting a reticle along said optical path between said projection means and said eyepiece in fixed position relative to said viewing means; operator controlled means for selectively generating and optically projecting a momentary light burst; and beam splitter means for optically combining said projected light burst with said projected target scene image as viewed at said viewing means, such that the location of said light burst as viewed relative to said target scene from said viewing means is determined by the position of said projection means and the resulting position of said target scene image relative to said optical path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The trainer according to claim 1 further comprising means for selectively redirecting said light burst to reposition said light burst within the field of view of said eyepiece independently of the position of said projector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said source is a laser normally maintained in standby condition during system operation, said means for providing a beam of light further comprising manually actuable means for momentarily applying high voltage to said source to provide a corresponding momentary burst of light from said laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The trainer according to claim 1 wherein said operator-controlled means comprises: actuable source means for generating a light beam when actuated; and manually operable means for momentarily actuating said source means to generate said light beam, said light beam being directed along a second axis perpendicular to and intersecting said optical axis; and wherein said beam splitter means is disposed at the intersection of said optical and second axes so that it passes said projected target scene image and reflects said light beam toward said viewing means along said optical path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The trainer according to claim 4 further comprising: a viewing screen mounted on said front panel of said enclosure; and further means for projecting said target scene image and said light beam onto said viewing screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The trainer according to claim 5 wherein said operator controlled means includes means for automatically producing a series of momentary actuations of said source at a predetermined frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The trainer according to claim 5 wherein said further means comprises: a first mirror disposed along said optical axis between said projection means and said eyepiece for reflecting said projected target scene image and light beam out of said optical path, said mirror including a small hole positioned on said axis to permit a portion of the projected target scene image and light beam to reach said viewing means; and additional mirror means for projecting the target scene images reflected by said first mirror onto said viewing screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The trainer according to claim 7 further comprising selectively actuable means for at will blocking the portion of said projected light beam passing through said small hole while permitting the projected target scene and light beam to be viewed at said viewing screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The trainer according to claim 7 wherein said source means comprises a low power laser and further including means for selectively positioning said laser to vary the point at which said light beam is incident on said beam splitter means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The trainer according to claim 9 further comprising selectively actuable means for selectively blocking the portion of said light burst viewable at said viewing means while permitting said light burst to be viewed on said viewing screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trainer according to claim 1 further comprIsing: a viewing screen mounted on said enclosure; and means for projecting said target scene and said light burst into said viewing screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gunnery trainer according to claim 1 further comprising actuable interlock means for preventing generation of said light burst unless said interlock means are actuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The trainer according to claim 1 further comprising means for optically combining a reticle with said target scene as viewed from said operator''s eyepiece, said reticle being disposed on a slide positioned along said optical axis between said eyepiece and said projector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said projector includes a projection lens having an exit pupil via which said target scene image is projected, and wherein said selectively actuable means comprises means for selectively pivoting said projector about said exit pupil, whereby said controlled movement of said projector is constituted by said pivoting, and thereby enhances the realism of the projected target scene image at said viewing means during movement of said projector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |