Abstract A missile launcher guide assembly including a housing for containing a missile. A removable launch rail is attached to the missile prior to loading the missile into the housing. To stow the missile in the launcher the missile and removable launch rail are slidably moved into the launcher and into alignment with a fixed launch rail mounted at the forward end of the housing. To ready the missile for firing the missile is initially moved a short distance backwards with a missile actuating mechanism that is not subject to missile blast. This rearward movement of the missile simultaneously applies electrical power and control signals to the missile, actuates a replaceable missile arming cam, connects the missile firing contact to the launcher assembly probe and disengages the launcher assembly latch mechanism that mechanically restrained the missile. When the missile is fired a shear pin in the missile actuating mechanism shears and releases the missile when the missile thrust reaches a predetermined value. After firing the missile, the expendable components including a male plug assembly, the shear pin and the arming cam are replaced.
Inventors
👤 Benjamin D Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-08 04:35
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/0406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A missile launcher guide assembly for launching a missile having forward and rearward shoes for supporting the missile comprising: a. a housing having forward and rearward sections; b. a longitudinally extending fixed launch rail being operatively connected to the forward section of said housing for slidably guiding the forward and rearward shoes of a missile; c. a longitudinally extending removable launch rail for retaining and slidably guiding the forward and rearward shoes of said missile; d. a longitudinally extending launch rail support member operably connected to the rearward section of said housing; e. said launch rail support member having longitudinally extending slots for slidably receiving and supporting said removable launch rail; f. one end of said longitudinally extending removable launch rail abuting one end of said fixed launch rail and being in axial alignment with said fixed launch rail when mounted in said launch rail support member; g. said longitudinally extending removable launch rail being slidable through the rear end of said housing; h. a missile activating means operatively connected to said housing; and i. a missile actuating mechanism operatively connected to said housing for sliding a missile rearward on said removable launch rail and into contact with said missile activating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A missile launcher guide assembly for launching a missile having forward and rearward shoes for supporting the missile comprising: a. a housing having forward and rearward sections; b. a longitudinally extending fixed launch rail being operatively connected to the forward section of said housing for slidably guiding the forward and rearward shoes of a missile; c. a longitudinally extending removable launch rail for retaining and slidably guiding the forward and rearward shoes of said missile; d. a longitudinally extending launch rail support member operably connected to the rearward section of said housing; e. said launch rail support member having longitudinally extending slots for slidably receiving and supporting said removable launch rail; f. one end of said longitudinally extending removable launch rail abuting one end of said fixed launch rail and being in axial alignment with said fixed launch rail when mounted in said launch rail support member; g. said longitudinally extending removable launch rail being slidable through the rear end of said housing; h. a missile activating means operatively connected to said housing; and i. a missile actuating mechanism operatively connected to said housing for sliding a missile rearward on said removable launch rail and into contact with said missile activating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein: a. said missile activating means includes connector assembly, connector, an arming cam and firing contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein: a. said connector assembly is operatively connected to the rear end of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein: a. said connector assembly is hinged to permit entry of a missile through the rear end of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 3 wherein: a. said missile actuating mechanism includes a shear release element; and b. said shear release element is operatively connected to said missile; whereby c. when said missile is moved rearward by said missile actuating mechanism into contact with said connector assembly, said missile is activated and said shear element shears when the thrust of said missile reaches a predetermined value.