US4412475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft rocket and missile launcher
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1980-05-27
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Granted: 1983-11-01
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Expires: 2000-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A jettisonable missile launcher pod has support lugs which extend upwardly through a relatively small separate hardback structure to latch into standard release hooks in an aircraft-mounted pylon. The hardback is adjustably attached to the pylon and contains the required high technology electronic gear for the missile system. When the pod is jettisoned, it drops from the release hooks as usual, but the electronic gear remains with the aircraft in the hardback. The hardback is shaped as a thin top section or portion of a conventional launcher pod.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. Hornby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:12
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/06; F41F3/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Missile launcher apparatus for carrying missiles on an aircraft having a pylon member and release hook means mounted in said pylon member, the apparatus comprising: a hardback portion fixable adjustably to said pylon member and having spaced lug receiving openings therethrough; a jettisonable missile launcher portion for holding and firing a plurality of missiles therefrom, having support lug means arranged in spaced relation on the upper side thereof, and an upper surface configuration for receiving said hardback portion, said launcher portion having an installed position abutting the lower side of said hardback portion with said lugs of said launcher portion positioned through said lug receiving openings in said hardback portion for engagement with said hook means of said aircraft, and release therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Missile launcher apparatus for carrying missiles on an aircraft having a pylon member and release hook means mounted in said pylon member, the apparatus comprising: a hardback portion fixable adjustably to said pylon member and having spaced lug receiving openings therethrough; a jettisonable missile launcher portion for holding and firing a plurality of missiles therefrom, having support lug means arranged in spaced relation on the upper side thereof, and an upper surface configuration for receiving said hardback portion, said launcher portion having an installed position abutting the lower side of said hardback portion with said lugs of said launcher portion positioned through said lug receiving openings in said hardback portion for engagement with said hook means of said aircraft, and release therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said missile launcher portion is of a generally cylindrical shape, having a substantially horizontal section near the top for mating said launcher portion and said hardback portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Missile launcher apparatus as in claim 1 including structure to which said lug means is attached projecting upwardly from the upper side of said missile launcher portion, and into said lug receiving openings in said hardback portion to form a closed flush upper surface on said hardback portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said hardback portion is configured as a substantially flat elongated member securable to said sway brace means for adjustment relative to the pylon member of the aircraft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including electronic missile equipment mounted in said hardback portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said electronic missile equipment in said hardback portion which remains therein when said missile launcher portion is jettisoned upon release from said hardback portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including adjustable fastening means between said hardback portion and said pylon whereby said launcher portion, when in the installed position, can be boresighted with respect to said aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said adjustable fastening means comprises a plurality of sway braces symmetrically attached to said pylon, a floating nut positioned in said hardback portion in line with the outer end of each said sway brace, and adjustable-length bolt means connecting said sway braces respectively to said floating nuts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
A missile pod assembly for use on an aircraft having a pylon member with release hooks therein, for releasably retaining stores externally of said aircraft, comprising: a generally cylindrical pod having a plurality of missile holding and launching means therein, the upper side of said cylindrical pod being truncated to leave a substantially flat upper surface, support lug means extending upwardly from said upper surface to engage with the release hooks in the aircraft pylon, and an elongated hardback member adjustably attached on said pylon member, and having openings through which said support lug means protrude said hardback member containing space for mounting therein electronic equipment to be retained with the aircraft upon release of said generally cylindrical pod from the hardback member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
A missile pod assembly for use on an aircraft having a pylon member with release hooks therein, for releasably retaining stores externally of said aircraft, comprising: a generally cylindrical pod having a plurality of missile holding and launching means therein, the upper side of said cylindrical pod being truncated to leave a substantially flat upper surface, support lug means extending upwardly from said upper surface to engage with the release hooks in the aircraft pylon, and an elongated hardback member adjustably attached on said pylon member, and having openings through which said support lug means protrude said hardback member containing space for mounting therein electronic equipment to be retained with the aircraft upon release of said generally cylindrical pod from the hardback member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-31 | 1987-05-02 | 1987-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-31 | 1991-05-02 | 1991-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-31 | 1995-05-02 | 1995-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |