Patent US3561705A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3561705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-inflating target deployment container
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-02-24
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A container for deploying a self-inflating target from an aircraft comprising an elongate tubular casing for the target, a nose cap and a weighted tail portion which also serves as an airscoop. Upon release from the aircraft the weighted tail portion orients the container vertically. A valve positioned in the airscoop controls the amount of air entering the target to prevent target ejection and inflation until the falling container and target have decelerated to a safe opening speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond S Daughenbaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:13
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J9/00; F41J9/08; B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An air-droppable device for housing a target made of thin flexible material which target is adapted to be inflated by ram air forced thereinto when dropped through the earth''s atmosphere comprising: a container of elongate overall shape formed of a plurality of breakaway parts having interfitting edges; a weighted airscoop positioned at the aft end of said container with an opening leading into the interior of said target; and means for orienting the major axis of the container along the path of the container trajectory with the weighted airscoop directed forwardly when the container is dropped from a moving body; so that said container breaks up during its fall to free said target in order that it may become fully inflated before impact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An air-droppable device for housing a target made of thin flexible material which target is adapted to be inflated by ram air forced thereinto when dropped through the earth''s atmosphere comprising: a container of elongate overall shape formed of a plurality of breakaway parts having interfitting edges; a weighted airscoop positioned at the aft end of said container with an opening leading into the interior of said target; and means for orienting the major axis of the container along the path of the container trajectory with the weighted airscoop directed forwardly when the container is dropped from a moving body; so that said container breaks up during its fall to free said target in order that it may become fully inflated before impact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a nose section, a central body section and a tail section, said sections being interfitted together and forced off during the disassembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the airscoop is provided with airflow control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the airflow control means automatically responds to ram air pressure so as to prevent air ingress during periods of high ram air pressure and to permit air ingress during periods of low ram air pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the airflow control means if adjustable to vary the point at which air ingress is permitted.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of erecting a collapsible target at a remote site comprising the steps of: collapsing said target into a small bundle; encapsulating said bundle within a breakaway container, said container having a weighted airscoop positioned at the aft end thereof with an opening leading into the interior of said target; transporting said container to a position above said site; releasing said container on a trajectory path directed toward said site, whereupon the container will become oriented with the airscoop directed forwardly; decelerating said container to its normal terminal velocity at free fall; and decapsulated said collapsed target when such normal terminal velocity is reached, so that the collapsed target may fully expand to its normal shape before impact at the target site.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of erecting a collapsible target at a remote site comprising the steps of: collapsing said target into a small bundle; encapsulating said bundle within a breakaway container, said container having a weighted airscoop positioned at the aft end thereof with an opening leading into the interior of said target; transporting said container to a position above said site; releasing said container on a trajectory path directed toward said site, whereupon the container will become oriented with the airscoop directed forwardly; decelerating said container to its normal terminal velocity at free fall; and decapsulated said collapsed target when such normal terminal velocity is reached, so that the collapsed target may fully expand to its normal shape before impact at the target site.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |