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US3961556A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rocket launcher telescoping tube locking mechanism

Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-10-03
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1994-10-03
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Abstract

Abstract A locking mechanism for a man-transportable anti-tank rocket launcher tubeaving cooperative mating parts on the inner and outer telescoping launcher tubes. This mechanism prevents the relative longitudinal and rotational movement of the inner tube to the outer tube when the tubes are either in the extended or retracted positions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Glen A. Clodfelter

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 03:41
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/045; F41F3/0455; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32426; Y10T403/32442; Y10T403/32451; Y10T403/32459

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 145 words
A lightweight man-transportable rocket launcher comprising: a. inner and outer tubular sections connected to telescope between a shortened, inoperative position and an extended operative position; b. a first sight mounted on said outer tubular member, and, a second sight mounted on said inner tubular member; and c. a locking mechanism carried by said tubular sections for cooperation therebetween for securing said sections in said extended position, said locking mechanism including a retainer ring secured to the forward end of the outer tubular section and a locking plate secured to said inner tubular section, said retainer ring having an outer cylindrical portion provided with a groove therein, a lock spring disposed in said groove, said groove being provided with openings therethrough whereby during displacement of said tubes to said extended position said lock spring extends through said openings in said groove to engage said locking plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 145 words
A lightweight man-transportable rocket launcher comprising: a. inner and outer tubular sections connected to telescope between a shortened, inoperative position and an extended operative position; b. a first sight mounted on said outer tubular member, and, a second sight mounted on said inner tubular member; and c. a locking mechanism carried by said tubular sections for cooperation therebetween for securing said sections in said extended position, said locking mechanism including a retainer ring secured to the forward end of the outer tubular section and a locking plate secured to said inner tubular section, said retainer ring having an outer cylindrical portion provided with a groove therein, a lock spring disposed in said groove, said groove being provided with openings therethrough whereby during displacement of said tubes to said extended position said lock spring extends through said openings in said groove to engage said locking plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
A rocket launcher as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking plate is provided with a recess and said lock spring is provided with a flattened portion which engages said recess when the tubes are displaced to the extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
A rocket launcher as set forth in claim 2 wherein said outer tubular section is provided with a arcuate slot and said inner tubular section includes an elongated guide for mating with said slot to fix orientation between said tubes.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2850307A Cited
US3745876A Cited
US3182553A Cited
US3208347A Cited
US3371578A Cited
US3698747A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-06-08 1979-12-08 1980-06-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-06-08 1983-12-08 1984-06-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-06-08 1987-12-08 1988-06-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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