US3842711A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arming device for rocket type projectile launching tube
Assignee: Les Forges de Zeebrugge SA
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Filing: 1972-09-15
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1992-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to an arming device for rocket type projectile launching tube, including the combination of a firing device, a withholding-releasing device and a common support, said device forming an interchangeable, respectively reusable unit.
Inventors
- 👤 G Bodinaux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:03
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
In an arming device for a rocket launcher including a launch tube having an aperture feature in the tube wall, a rocket withholding-release means, and a rocket firing means spaced axially rearwardly on the launch tube with respect to said rocket withholding-release means; the improvement comprising a. a unitary support means for the rocket withholding-release means and the rocket firing means, said support means being removably secured to said launch tube in the area of the said aperture feature in the launch tube, said rocket withholdingrelease means and said firing means extending radially into the launch tube through the said aperture feature; b. said rocket withholding-release means comprising a multilobed catch element pivotally mounted on said unitary support means for rotation about a central axis outside the rocket launch tube and radially extending into said tube for positively engaging a rocket to be launched when said catch means is rotated in a first rocket securing direction, said catch means having a first lobe for positively engaging a rocket to be launched in said tube, and a second lobe; c. a releasable catch retaining means comprising a rigid finger element movably mounted on said unitary support means and means normally resiliently biasing said finger element in an extended position towards the catch means and engageable in a positive manner with said second lobe for preventing rotation of said catch means in a second reverse rocket release direction; and d. a rocket thrust gas pressure responsive actuator element supported by said unitary support member and extending radially into said launch tube, said actuator element being subject to rocket thrust gas pressure and operably connected to said finger element for causing retraction thereof away from engagement with said catch means for thereby releasing said catch means for rotation in a rocket releasing direction upon firing of the rocket by said firing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
In an arming device for a rocket launcher including a launch tube having an aperture feature in the tube wall, a rocket withholding-release means, and a rocket firing means spaced axially rearwardly on the launch tube with respect to said rocket withholding-release means; the improvement comprising a. a unitary support means for the rocket withholding-release means and the rocket firing means, said support means being removably secured to said launch tube in the area of the said aperture feature in the launch tube, said rocket withholdingrelease means and said firing means extending radially into the launch tube through the said aperture feature; b. said rocket withholding-release means comprising a multilobed catch element pivotally mounted on said unitary support means for rotation about a central axis outside the rocket launch tube and radially extending into said tube for positively engaging a rocket to be launched when said catch means is rotated in a first rocket securing direction, said catch means having a first lobe for positively engaging a rocket to be launched in said tube, and a second lobe; c. a releasable catch retaining means comprising a rigid finger element movably mounted on said unitary support means and means normally resiliently biasing said finger element in an extended position towards the catch means and engageable in a positive manner with said second lobe for preventing rotation of said catch means in a second reverse rocket release direction; and d. a rocket thrust gas pressure responsive actuator element supported by said unitary support member and extending radially into said launch tube, said actuator element being subject to rocket thrust gas pressure and operably connected to said finger element for causing retraction thereof away from engagement with said catch means for thereby releasing said catch means for rotation in a rocket releasing direction upon firing of the rocket by said firing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
296 words
said withholding-release means comprising: a. a pivoted catch element having an at-rest and a rocket securing position, and having circumferentially spaced thereabout first, second and third lobes, an abutment between the first and second lobes, and a sloping override surface between said abutment and said second lobe; b. a catch retaining means comprising a rigid finger element resiliently biased towards said catch element and normally engaging the said sloping override surface of said catch element when said catch element is in its at-rest position and positively engageable with said second lobe of said catch element when said catch element is rotated to its rocket securing position to prevent rotation of said catch element towards its at-rest position, the finger element sliding over said sloping override surface of said catch element when said catch element is rotated from its at-rest position to its rocket securing position; c. a release actuator comprising means responsive to rocket thrust gas pressure connected to said finger element for retracting said finger element away from engagement with said second lobe of said catch means when the rocket to be launched is fired; d. said third lobe of said catch element being engageable with a rocket to be launched as it is loaded in the launch tube in camming relationship therewith for rotating said catch element towards its tocket securing position from its at-rest position; e. a safety finger element in constant contact with said abutment of said catch element resiliently biased to urge said catch element towards its at-rest position whereby said catch element is resiliently retained in its at-rest position when the launch tube is empty, and said second lobe is resiliently urged into contact with said rigid retaining finger element when said catch means is in its rocket securing position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
296 words
said withholding-release means comprising: a. a pivoted catch element having an at-rest and a rocket securing position, and having circumferentially spaced thereabout first, second and third lobes, an abutment between the first and second lobes, and a sloping override surface between said abutment and said second lobe; b. a catch retaining means comprising a rigid finger element resiliently biased towards said catch element and normally engaging the said sloping override surface of said catch element when said catch element is in its at-rest position and positively engageable with said second lobe of said catch element when said catch element is rotated to its rocket securing position to prevent rotation of said catch element towards its at-rest position, the finger element sliding over said sloping override surface of said catch element when said catch element is rotated from its at-rest position to its rocket securing position; c. a release actuator comprising means responsive to rocket thrust gas pressure connected to said finger element for retracting said finger element away from engagement with said second lobe of said catch means when the rocket to be launched is fired; d. said third lobe of said catch element being engageable with a rocket to be launched as it is loaded in the launch tube in camming relationship therewith for rotating said catch element towards its tocket securing position from its at-rest position; e. a safety finger element in constant contact with said abutment of said catch element resiliently biased to urge said catch element towards its at-rest position whereby said catch element is resiliently retained in its at-rest position when the launch tube is empty, and said second lobe is resiliently urged into contact with said rigid retaining finger element when said catch means is in its rocket securing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The improvement in an arming device for a rocket launcher as recited in claim 1 including the further improvement wherein said catch element includes a third lobe, the third lobe being engageable with a rocket to be launched in a camming relationship when such rocket is loaded in the launch tube whereby motion of the rocket being loaded causes pivotal movement of said catch means in the rocket securing direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement in an arming device for a rocket launcher as recited in claim 2 including the further improvement comprising resilient biasing means for constantly urging said catch means towards the rocket releasing direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An arming device for a rocket launcher comprising: a. a launch tube having a pair of apertures in its wall; b. a rocket firing means; c. a rocket withholding-release means; and d. a unitary support means releasably secured to said launch tube for supporting said firing and withholding-release means axially spaced from each other on said launch tube, said support means extending across said apertures to close said apertures, and said firing and withholding-release means extending radially through said apertures into said launch tube for engaging a rocket to be launched within said tube;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An arming device for a rocket launcher comprising: a. a launch tube having a pair of apertures in its wall; b. a rocket firing means; c. a rocket withholding-release means; and d. a unitary support means releasably secured to said launch tube for supporting said firing and withholding-release means axially spaced from each other on said launch tube, said support means extending across said apertures to close said apertures, and said firing and withholding-release means extending radially through said apertures into said launch tube for engaging a rocket to be launched within said tube;
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) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |