US3766828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular airborne launcher
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1971-10-04
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract Missile-launching apparatus for mounting on aircraft, which enables conversion in the field between several configurations and which facilitates loading of missile containers in cramped locations. The apparatus includes a launching module having a central beam and a missile launcher on either side of the beam, the beam having mounts on its upper end for attachment to an aircraft bomb rack and mounted on its lower end for supporting another almost identical module. Each launcher includes a bulkhead at its front end, a debris tube at its rear end, and a gate at its center for receiving a missile-holding container. The missile container can be installed in a sideward direction by fully opening the gate, or in a front or rearward direction by pivoting open the bulk-head or debris tube. An arming handle is provided which sequentially moves a shear pin in the container to free the missile for launching, and then connects an electrical connector to the missile container.
Inventors
- 👤 E Cords
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:43
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/06; B; B64; B64D; B64D7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A missile-launching apparatus comprising: a beam for attachment to a support, said beam having a front and rear; engagement means mounted on said front of said beam for engaging the front of a missile container; engagement means mounted on the rear of said beam for engaging the rear of a missile container; a gate pivotally mounted on said beam intermediate the ends of said beam, said gate being movable from an open position wherein a missile container can be mounted with respect to said beam, and a closed position wherein said gate embraces said missile container so that said front-engaging means, said rearengaging means, and said gate retain said missile container with respect to said beam; and an arming handle pivotally mounted on said beam, interlocking means between said arming handle and said gate so that said arming handle can be moved to arming position only when said gate is in missile-retaining position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A missile-launching apparatus comprising: a beam for attachment to a support, said beam having a front and rear; engagement means mounted on said front of said beam for engaging the front of a missile container; engagement means mounted on the rear of said beam for engaging the rear of a missile container; a gate pivotally mounted on said beam intermediate the ends of said beam, said gate being movable from an open position wherein a missile container can be mounted with respect to said beam, and a closed position wherein said gate embraces said missile container so that said front-engaging means, said rearengaging means, and said gate retain said missile container with respect to said beam; and an arming handle pivotally mounted on said beam, interlocking means between said arming handle and said gate so that said arming handle can be moved to arming position only when said gate is in missile-retaining position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arming handle is pivotally movable on said beam from an unarmed position wherein said arming handle is away from a missile container to an armed position wherein said arming handle embraces the missile container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 2 wherein said beam has first and second sides, and there are front and rear securing means on each side of said beam so that a missile container can be mounted upon each side of said beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beam has first and second sides, and there are front and rear securing means on each side of said beam so that a missile container can be mounted upon each side of said beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said front and rear engagement means is movable with respect to said beam so that it can be moved toward and away from a missile container-engagement position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engagement means mounted on the rear of said beam comprises a rear tube for passing debris emitted from a missile as it is fired from its container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 6 wherein said debris-control tube is pivotable with respect to said beam to permit mounting and demounting of a missile container when said gate is open and said debris-control tube is pivoted away from the missile container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The missile-launching apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engagement means mounted on the front of said beam for engaging the front of a missile container is a bulkhead, said bulkhead having an opening therethrough for the passage therethrough of a missile as the missile is fired from its container, said bulkhead being movably mounted on said beam to permit mounting and demounting of a missile container when said gate is opened and said bulkhead is pivoted away from the missile container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2966827A
Cited
US3401597A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |