US3758055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Release mechanism for flare parachute
Assignee: ATK Launch Systems LLC
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Filing: 1972-02-17
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for releasing a drogue parachute from an aerial flare has a base plate with a central lug extending therefrom that has means for attaching a drogue parachute at its outer end, and an intermediate zone of reduced diameter; the lug extends centrally through a disk to which a pair of opposing pawls are attached for a sliding movement thereon; spring means bias the disk away from the base plate so that the pawls, which are spring biased toward each other, normally abut the central lug at its larger diameter. Hence, the pawls are normally extended beyond the diameters of the base plate and the disk to fit beneath the shoulder in a flare case, whereby the mechanism may be retained therein. Means are also provided for limiting the space between the base plate and the disk, and a shear pin that extends radially from the lug adjacent the disk may be used to insure that the pawls are normally maintained in their extended positions by abutting the larger diameter of the central lug.
Inventors
- 👤 G Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:24
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D17/00; B64D17/22; B64D17/38; B64D17/383; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for releasing a drogue parachute from an aerial flare having a tubular case with a shoulder therein, comprising: a base plate having recesses therein; a lug centrally fixed to the base plate and extending perpendicular thereto, the lug having means for attaching a drogue parachute and an intermediate zone of reduced diameter; a disk having a central hole through which the lug extends and recesses opposing those of the base plate; a pair of diametrically opposing pawls the inner ends of which abut the cEntral lug and the outer ends which are arcuate and equipped with flanges and extend beyond the diameters of the base plate and disk when the pawls abut the larger diameter of the central lug, in which position they may be locked in place below the shoulder in the flare case for attaching the drogue parachute thereto; spring means attaching the pawls together and biasing them toward the central lug; means for attaching the pawls to the disk for radial sliding motion thereon; springs seated in the recesses for biasing the base plate and the disk away from each other; and means for limiting the space between the base plate and the disk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for releasing a drogue parachute from an aerial flare having a tubular case with a shoulder therein, comprising: a base plate having recesses therein; a lug centrally fixed to the base plate and extending perpendicular thereto, the lug having means for attaching a drogue parachute and an intermediate zone of reduced diameter; a disk having a central hole through which the lug extends and recesses opposing those of the base plate; a pair of diametrically opposing pawls the inner ends of which abut the cEntral lug and the outer ends which are arcuate and equipped with flanges and extend beyond the diameters of the base plate and disk when the pawls abut the larger diameter of the central lug, in which position they may be locked in place below the shoulder in the flare case for attaching the drogue parachute thereto; spring means attaching the pawls together and biasing them toward the central lug; means for attaching the pawls to the disk for radial sliding motion thereon; springs seated in the recesses for biasing the base plate and the disk away from each other; and means for limiting the space between the base plate and the disk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the pawls to the disks and the means for limiting the space between the base plate and the disk are a pair of screws, each extending through aligned holes in the base plate and disk and through a slot in the corresponding pawl.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including a cup shaped housing member, the annular edge of which fits against the disk and is fixed in that position by the screws that are extended through holes therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring means biasing the pawls toward each other is a pair of tension springs, each fastened at one end to a lug on one of the pawls and at its other end to a lug on the opposite pawl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central lug comprises: a dashpot comprising a cylindrical boss extending from the center of the base plate and having a counterbore that extends through the base plate and forms an inwardly-extending, annular flange defining a central orifice at the end of the boss; a piston seated in the counterbore; and a shaft fixed to the piston, extending through the orifice, and equipped at its outer end with threads, a dashpot chamber for hydraulic fluid being formed between the piston and the annular flange of the boss; and a cylindrical lug member, having substantially the same diameter as that of the boss, threadedly engaged to the shaft, the lug member having means for attaching a drogue parachute thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including a shear pin fixed in the central piston and extending radially therefrom adjacent the disk, whereby it may be sheared off by a sudden shock force on the central lug.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |