US4356770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overflying munitions device and system
Assignee: Avco Corp
•
Filing: 1979-11-09
•
Granted: 1982-11-02
•
Expires: 1999-11-09
Abstract
Abstract In a munitions system, a cylindrical canister is fired over a target. The canister carries a target sensing infrared device and, when a target is detected, a projectile is fired downward from the bottom of the overflying missile. A spinning motion is imparted to the missile to stabilize its flight, and a wobbling motion is imparted to the missile to provide a larger target area. The projectile forms a concave lower end to the missile and is fired by an explosive charge.
Inventors
- 👤 John V. Atanasoff
- 👤 W. Kenneth Clark
- 👤 David Henderson
- 👤 Kenneth W. Wreghitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:37
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; B; B64; B64D; B64D7/00; B64D7/08; F42B10/00; F42B10/02; F42B10/26; F42B12/04; F42B12/10; F42B15/00; F42B15/10; F42B15/105; F42C; F42C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A munitions system comprising: a missile having a projectile mounted for downward firing from the bottom of the missile; means for propelling the missile along a trajectory to overfly a target; stabilizing means for stabilizing the missile in flight with the projectile directed downward; means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the target; detector means carried by the missile for detecting a target below the missile; and means carried by the missile for propelling the projectile downward from the missile toward the target upon detection of the target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A munitions system comprising: a missile having a projectile mounted for downward firing from the bottom of the missile; means for propelling the missile along a trajectory to overfly a target; stabilizing means for stabilizing the missile in flight with the projectile directed downward; means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the target; detector means carried by the missile for detecting a target below the missile; and means carried by the missile for propelling the projectile downward from the missile toward the target upon detection of the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stabilizing means includes means for imparting spin to the missile about a near vertical axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the detector means is an infrared detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for imparting precession is an offcenter bob extending outwardly from the spinning missile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for imparting precession is an explosive charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the missile is a cylindrical canister.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cylindrical canister carries an explosive charge for propelling the projectile downward from the bottom end of the canister.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the projectile is a lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projectile is a self-forging device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the missile has a concave bottom end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a disconnectable strap attached to the missile and to the means for propelling the missile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is an off-center weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a pin and groove connection between the missile and the means for propelling the missile.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A munitions sytem as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a high friction surface between the missile and the means for propelling the missile.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for imparting spin to the missile is a rack and pinion connection between the missile and the means for propelling the missile.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for sensing the target is an infrared detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the missile carries an explosive charge for propelling the projectile downward from the missile.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A munitions system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the projectile is a self-forging lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
A submunition to be launched along a trajectory to overfly a target, the submunition including: a generally circular missile to be propelled over a target with a spinning motion about a near vertical axis; means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the target; a projectile carried by the missile and to be fired downward from the bottom of the missile toward the target; detector means carried by the missile for detecting the target; and means for propelling the projectile downward from the bottom of the missile upon detection of a target.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A submunition to be launched along a trajectory to overfly a target, the submunition including: a generally circular missile to be propelled over a target with a spinning motion about a near vertical axis; means for imparting a lateral precession motion to the missile relative to the target; a projectile carried by the missile and to be fired downward from the bottom of the missile toward the target; detector means carried by the missile for detecting the target; and means for propelling the projectile downward from the bottom of the missile upon detection of a target.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A submunition as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for sensing a target is an infrared detector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A submunition as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for propelling the projectile is an explosive charge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A submunition as claimed in claim 21 wherein the projectile is a lens which forms a concave lower end to the missile.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A submunition as claimed in claim 22 wherein the projectile is a self-forging device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A submunition as claimed in claim 19 wherein the submunition has a concave lower end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2925965A
Cited
US3264985A
Cited
US4050381A
Cited
US3818833A
Cited
US4160415A
Cited
US4172407A
Cited
US4242962A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |