US3857338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Warhead
Assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
•
Filing: 1972-10-24
•
Granted: 1974-12-31
•
Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract Warhead for bombs, projectiles, rockets and the like having a casing with several projectiles accommodated therein. The projectiles are disposed in launcher tubes which are connected with each other by a common central connecting component to form an independent unit in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the axis of the component. The independent unit is equipped with a descent-retarding device on one side thereof positioned toward one direction of the axis, while the other side is provided with a stabilizing device toward the other direction of the axis to vertically position the axis during descent. Preferred embodiments use parachutes as descent-retarding devices and rigid stabilizer rods or flexible members to interconnect a stabilizing weight with the respective independent units. Accommodations are made to telescope the stabilizer rods into one another to limit the total space utilized in the stored position. In the embodiments utilizing flexible members, the weights are provided with a recess at the undersides thereof to accommodate the next adjacent parachute and independent unit when in the stored position in the warhead.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bucklisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:48
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
An independent weapon unit for use with warheads in bombs, rockets and the like, of the type which accommodate a plurality of independent weapon units in a single warhead; said independent weapon unit comprising: common central connecting means having a centrally disposed longitudinally extending axis, a plurality of launcher tubes connected to said central connecting means, each of said launcher tubes including means for accommodating at least one projectile, descent retarding means connected to said central connecting means for controlling the rate of descent of said weapon unit, and stabilizing means connected to said central connecting means for stabilizing the weapon unit during the descent thereof, said descent retarding means and said stabilizing means being spaced from one another along said longitudinal axis at opposite sides of said central connecting means, wherein said stabilizing means includes a rigid rod member connected to said central connecting means and a stabilizing weight supported by said rod member at a position spaced from said central connecting means along said longitudinal axis at the side of said central connecting means which is opposite the descent retarding means, wherein said central connecting means includes an opening therethrough which extends along said longitudinal axis, wherein said descent retarding means includes an opening therethrough which extends along said longitudinal axis when said descent retarding means in a stored condition, and wherein said rigid rod includes an opening aligned with said openings in said central connecting means and said descent retarding means for accommodating storage of a plurality of said weapon units with insertion of a rigid rod of an adjacent weapon unit into said openings in telescoping relationship to the rigid rod of said weapon unit, whereby a plurality of said weapon units can be stored adjacent one another extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis with the combined length of the stabilizing means of said plurality of independent weapon units in the stored condition being less than the sum of the length of the individual stabilizing means when the independent weapon units are in an operative descent condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
An independent weapon unit for use with warheads in bombs, rockets and the like, of the type which accommodate a plurality of independent weapon units in a single warhead; said independent weapon unit comprising: common central connecting means having a centrally disposed longitudinally extending axis, a plurality of launcher tubes connected to said central connecting means, each of said launcher tubes including means for accommodating at least one projectile, descent retarding means connected to said central connecting means for controlling the rate of descent of said weapon unit, and stabilizing means connected to said central connecting means for stabilizing the weapon unit during the descent thereof, said descent retarding means and said stabilizing means being spaced from one another along said longitudinal axis at opposite sides of said central connecting means, wherein said stabilizing means includes a rigid rod member connected to said central connecting means and a stabilizing weight supported by said rod member at a position spaced from said central connecting means along said longitudinal axis at the side of said central connecting means which is opposite the descent retarding means, wherein said central connecting means includes an opening therethrough which extends along said longitudinal axis, wherein said descent retarding means includes an opening therethrough which extends along said longitudinal axis when said descent retarding means in a stored condition, and wherein said rigid rod includes an opening aligned with said openings in said central connecting means and said descent retarding means for accommodating storage of a plurality of said weapon units with insertion of a rigid rod of an adjacent weapon unit into said openings in telescoping relationship to the rigid rod of said weapon unit, whereby a plurality of said weapon units can be stored adjacent one another extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis with the combined length of the stabilizing means of said plurality of independent weapon units in the stored condition being less than the sum of the length of the individual stabilizing means when the independent weapon units are in an operative descent condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapon unit according to claim 1, wherein the launcher tubes are pivotally connected with the central connecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weapon unit according to claim 2, wherein means are provided for automatically pivoting said launcher tubes to an operative position when said weapon unit is released from a warhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A weapon unit according to claim 3, wherein means are provided for locking said launcher tubes in the operative position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A weapon unit according to claim 1, wherein propellant charge means are located in each launcher tube for firing the projectiles, and wherein operating fuse means are provided at the free end of said stabilizing means for ignition of the propellant charge means upon impact of the stabilizing means with a target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A weapon unit according to claim 1, wherein said rigid rod member is constructed as a longitudinally extending tube which has an open end at the central connecting means, and wherein said stabilizing weight is positioned within said tube at a position spaced from said central connecting means in such a manner that it Fills the cross-section of said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A weapon unit according to claim 1, wherein said rigid rod member is rigidly connected to said central connecting means and extends along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapon unit according to claim 7, wherein said descent retarding means includes a foldable parachute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A weapon unit according to claim 7, wherein said launcher tubes are symmetrically arranged with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapon unit according to claim 7, wherein the launcher tubes are pivotally connected with the central connecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapon unit according to claim 7, wherein said launcher tubes are rigidly fixed to said central connecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A weapon unit according to claim 7, wherein propellant charge means are located in each launcher tube for firing the projectiles, and wherein operating fuse means are provided at the free end of said stabilizing means for ignition of the propellant charge means upon impact of the stabilizing means with a target.
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) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |