Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
In a generally tubular cradle system for supporting a space vehicle in a cargo bay of a reusable launch vehicle during launch and for deploying the space vehicle in outer space, said cradle consisting of two longitudinally divided sections, hinged together along one edge so that one section with a space vehicle secured thereto can be rotated relative to the second section during deployment, the improvement wherein a space vehicle is supported within the closed cradle by a continuous integrated normal clamping hoop system comprising at least two spaced inwardly extending cradle rings secured to the inner surface of said cradle, a first cradle ring having a continuous concave surface groove, the cradle rings other than said first cradle ring having a generally cylindrical surface bounded by two inwardly extending shoulders, at least two outwardly extending rings around at least a portion of said space vehicle, spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said cradle rings, a first space vehicle ring having a continuous convex ridge adapted to mate with said concave surface groove, the space vehicle rings other than said first space vehicle ring having a generally cylindrical surface which has a width less than half that of the cylindrical surface of said other cradle rings, and clamping means to press said cradle rings and vehicle rings tightly together when said cradle is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a generally tubular cradle system for supporting a space vehicle in a cargo bay of a reusable launch vehicle during launch and for deploying the space vehicle in outer space, said cradle consisting of two longitudinally divided sections, hinged together along one edge so that one section with a space vehicle secured thereto can be rotated relative to the second section during deployment, the improvement wherein a space vehicle is supported within the closed cradle by a continuous integrated normal clamping hoop system comprising at least two spaced inwardly extending cradle rings secured to the inner surface of said cradle, a first cradle ring having a continuous concave surface groove, the cradle rings other than said first cradle ring having a generally cylindrical surface bounded by two inwardly extending shoulders, at least two outwardly extending rings around at least a portion of said space vehicle, spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said cradle rings, a first space vehicle ring having a continuous convex ridge adapted to mate with said concave surface groove, the space vehicle rings other than said first space vehicle ring having a generally cylindrical surface which has a width less than half that of the cylindrical surface of said other cradle rings, and clamping means to press said cradle rings and vehicle rings tightly together when said cradle is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of rotatable hooks mounted on one cradle section, a plurality of corresponding eyes mounted on the other cradle section and drive means for rotating said hooks into engagement with said eyes and forcing said cradle sections more tightly together, whereby said cradle and space vehicle rings are brought into intimate contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said space vehicle rings extend entirely around the circumference of said spacecraft and said cradle rings consist of about 140° segments attached to each of said two cradle sections.