US4470336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Armored missile launch/shipping container
Assignee: Hughes Missile Systems Co
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Filing: 1982-08-05
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Granted: 1984-09-11
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Expires: 2002-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A missile launch system includes a missile launch support structure mounted on a launch platform and including a pair of spaced apart rails having longitudinal slots formed therein, and a cooperating missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching includes radially extending ribs spaced and oriented to engage and slide along the slots in the rails for supporting the missile launch container for launching of the missile.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn J. Swann
- 👤 Larry D. Wedertz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:19
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A23/00; F41A23/34; F41A23/42; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A missile launch systems comprising: a missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching, a missile launch support structure including a pair of spaced apart rails for releasably supporting a missile launch container, and said missile launch container including a pair of spaced apart rail engaging members disposed at about a 90° angle to one another about the axis of said cylindrical bore for engaging said rails for supporting said container on said rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A missile launch systems comprising: a missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching, a missile launch support structure including a pair of spaced apart rails for releasably supporting a missile launch container, and said missile launch container including a pair of spaced apart rail engaging members disposed at about a 90° angle to one another about the axis of said cylindrical bore for engaging said rails for supporting said container on said rails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The missile system of claim 1 including latch means associated with said rails for engaging and latching said rail engaging members in position in said rails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The missile launch system of claim 1 wherein said rails each include an elongated slot, and said rail engaging members engaging and being supported in said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The missile launch system of claim 3 wherein said rail engaging member is an elongated rib extending radially outward and longitudinally along the outer surface of said launch container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The missile launch system of claim 4 wherein said ribs are tapered along the length thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The missile launch system of claim 5 wherein said elongated slots are tapered in width from one end toward the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The missile launch system of claim 6 comprising latch means for latching said container in position on said rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The missile launch structure of claim 6 wherein said launch support structure comprises a plate disposed in a vertical plane and having a plurality of rails on each side thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The missile launch structure of claim 8 including latch means for engaging and retaining said ribs in said rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The missile launch system of claim 6 wherein: said launch support structure comprises a housing having a plurality of parallel open ended compartments, and a pair of said rails are disposed in each compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The missile launch system of claim 10 wherein said compartments are disposed in a common plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The missile launch system of claim 10 wherein said housing is pivotally mounted for orientation from a horizontal to a vertical angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The missile launch system of claim 12 wherein said compartments are of a generally square tubular configuration; and said rails are mounted in the top corners of said compartments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The missile launch system of claim 13 wherein said slots open toward the center of the compartments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The missile launch system of claim 14 wherein said housing is shielded by armor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
A missile launch system comprising: a missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching, a missile launch support structure including a pair of spaced apart rails each including an elongated slot for releasably supporting a missile launch container, and said missile launch container including spaced apart rail engaging elongated ribs extending radially outward and longitudinally along the outer surface of said launch container for engaging said rails for supporting said container on said rails wherein said container includes four ribs equally angularly positioned about the axis of said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A missile launch system comprising: a missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching, a missile launch support structure including a pair of spaced apart rails each including an elongated slot for releasably supporting a missile launch container, and said missile launch container including spaced apart rail engaging elongated ribs extending radially outward and longitudinally along the outer surface of said launch container for engaging said rails for supporting said container on said rails wherein said container includes four ribs equally angularly positioned about the axis of said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The missile launch system of claim 16 comprising latch means for latching said container in position on said rails.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The missile launch structure of claim 16 wherein said launch support structure comprises a plate disposed in a vertical plane and having a plurality of rails on each side thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The missile launch system of claim 16 wherein said ribs are tapered along the length thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The missile launch system of claim 19 wherein said elongated slots are tapered in width from one end toward the other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The missile launch system of claim 16 wherein: said launch support structure comprises a housing having a plurality of parallel open ended compartments, and a pair of said rails are disposed in each compartment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The missile launch system of claim 21 wherein said housing is pivotally mounted for orientation from a horizontal to a vertical angle
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The missile launch system of claim 21 wherein said compartments are of a generally square tubular configuration; and said rails are mounted in the top corners of said compartments.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The missile launch system of claim 21 wherein said slots open toward the center of the compartments.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The missile launch system of claim 21 wherein said housing is shielded by armor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The missile launch system of claim 21 wherein said compartments are disposed in a common plane.
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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) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |