GB2204112A

GB2204112A - Target device

Info

Publication number: GB2204112A
Application number: GB08810034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jorgen Karlsson
Original assignee: Saab Training Systems AB
Current assignee: Saab Training Systems AB
Priority date: 1987-04-30
Filing date: 1988-04-28
Publication date: 1988-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-04-28
Also published as: GB8810034D0; DE3814281A1; SE8701795L; GB2204112B; SE8701795D0; BE1001867A4; DE8805591U1; SE461476B

Description

J G, r, n p TARGET DEVICE The present invention relates to a target device

which presents threedimensionally arranged target surfaces, preferably for weapon-training with simulated firing, said target surfaces being supported on a stand, which is preferably mobile and mounted on at least two wheels.

For weapon training exercises different types of target devices have been used hitherto, both two- dimensional and three-dimensional, stationary and mobile.

For example, when simulating firing at tanks, tank dummies have been used in a three-dimensional form, in some cases mounted on a trackbound wagon.

There is, however, a need for more flexible target devices, and the object of the present invention is is to provide a target device of the kind discussed above, which is flexible in use, and is of a simp.le, low-cost, construction.

According to the invention, such a target device is characterised in that it comprises means for effecting vertical displacement relatively to the stand of the target surfaces in three dimensions.

With.the aid of such a device, the target config- uration can be changed as appropriate, e.g a tank dummy can be represented in an optional vertical extension, such as a part target (e.g hatch and turret) a larger part of a tank, or the whole tank.

1 Suitably, the means for vertical displacement 2 comprises a frame element, which is arranged to carry the chosen target surfaces in three dimensions. The target surfaces can be made of textile cloth, reinforced film or rigid material, such as plywood, in sections with flexible joints (e.g flexible ribbons) inbetween. The target surfaces can, when not in use, be wound onto rolls supported on the stand, or be folded. When simulating firing with laser rays, the target surfaces are suitably provided with reflector me.ans, but also detector means linked to a radio-relay- link equipment are conceivable.

The vertical displacement can be effected in different ways. If the means comprises a frame element for carrying the target surfaces, this is suitably arranged to be guided by at least one guide means, but preferably by several, e.g four guide means, provided one in each corner of a rectangular stand in the horizontal plane. The frame element can, in that case, be arranged to be displaced vertically into. an optional vertical postion by a motor, suitably electric, via a rope and pulley system.

The vertical displacement can, however, be achieved in other ways, e.g with the aid of a linear motor, which may be hydraulic or pneumatic. When using such a motor the target device can be provided with a pressure accumulator for driving it, or possibly an electrically operated pump or compressor for maintaining the pressure for prolonged periods during changing between lower dnd upper positions of the target surfaces.

3 For realistic weapon-training, it is valuable if the target device is mobile, preferably in an optional direction. In an advantageous embodiment, the stand of the target device is mounted on a least three wheels, one of the wheels- being arranged to be driven by a motor, whereby the wheel axle is supported by a bearing element which is arranged to swivel about a vertical axis, swivelling movement being -controlled by steering means so that the target device can. be moved in an optional direction. Such a target device can be moved forward or backward, or be turned round, so that a desired target surface or surfaces is or are exposed during weapon training exercises.

In the preferred embodiment of the target device according to the invention, the means for vertical displacement of the target surfaces is remote -controlled, preferably through radio-control.

It is also advantageous to arrange for said bearing element to be remote-controlled, preferably through radio-control, and to provide a motor, which is arranged to drive the device, suitably the wheel which can swivel about a vertical.axis. Thereby, optional movement of the target..device and its target surfaces can be made as required.from a training command centre.

The invention will now be described more narticularly with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows one embodiment of the target device, by way of example, in which:

4 Figure i a perspective view of the stand for the target device (i.e without target surfaces), and Figure 2 is a similar perspective view of the target device, equipped with target surfaces and reflec tors.

Referring to Figure 1, the target device com- prises a rectangular horizontal stand 1, which functions as a chassis, provided with four guide means 2, in the form of vertical corner_ pillars. A horizontal frame element 3 is supported on these pillars and is guided in a vertical direction with the aid of a rope and pulley system comprising a first electric motor 4, an irrever sible worm gear 5, a winding shaft 6, provided with rope sheaves 7, for winding and unwinding of ropes 8, which via pulley wheels 9, 10, at the bottom and top respectively of each pillar 2, are connected to the frame element 3, the range of vertical displacement of the frame element being set by lower and upper limit switches (not shown). Thanks to the irreversible worm gear 5 the frame element can, in a simple way, be set in a desired vertical position relative to the stand 1.

The stand is provided with two wheels 11, sub- stantially centrally of its length to balance the target device to some extent. In this embodiment, a third wheel 13 is mounted on a supporting beam 12 extending centrally from one end of the stand in its longitudinal direction.

This wheel is mounted, via a bearing element 14, so as to swivel about a vertical axis. Swivelling movement of the wheel 13 is con trolled by a steering means 15, which preferably includes a second electric motor (not shown), which acts to set the wheel 13 in a desired direction of travel. The wheel 13 itself is driven by a third electric motor 16.

The above described target device is designed to be driven completely by electric motors and, to provide the power source, electrical accumulators 17 are used. All the-motors are remote -controlled through radio-relay-link equipment, of which only one receiver 18 is shown in Figure 1. All the functions, i.e vertical displacement of target surfaces and movement of the traget device, can thus be remote-controlled.

Instead of electrical-motors, linear motors could be used, in which case a hydraulic, or pneumatic power source as appropriate, would be provided.

In Figure 2, various target surfaces 19-21 and reflectors 22 are shown for the reflection of laser beams, which are used during weapon-training to simulate firing at the target device.

6

Claims

1. A target device for three-dimensionally arranged target surf.aces, preferably for weapon-training with simulated firing, said target devices being supported on a stand, which is preferably mobile and mounted on at least two wheels, characterised by means (2-10) for effecting vertical displacement relatively to the stand of the target surfaces (19-21) in three dimensions.

2. A target device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the vertical displacement means comprises a frame element (3), controlled by guide means (2).

3. A target device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the guide means comprise a number of vertical pillars on which the frame element (3) is movably mounted to be displaced vertically by a motor (4), via a rope and pulley system (8-10).

4. A target device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the frame element (3) is arranged to be displaced vertically by a linear motor.

5. A target device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the stand is mounted on at least three wheels (11, 13), characterised in that one of the wheels (13) 7 is arranged to swivel about a vertical axis via a bearing element (14), swivelling movement being controlled by steering means (15) including a motor, and in that a motor (16) is 'provided to drive the wheel (13) so that the target device can be moved in an optional direction.

6. A target device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the vertical displacement means for target surfaces and, where provided, the means (14,16) for moving the target device are adapted to be remote-controlled-, preferably through_ radio-control (18).

7. A target device constructd, arranged and adapted for use, substantially as heteinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Pubhshed lgaB at The Patent Otace, state llouse, 66.71 High Holborn, London WC1R 4TP. Purther copies may be obtained frorn The Patent Offlee, Salles Branch, St MarY Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187.