Patent US4602552A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4602552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Zero adhesion system
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1984-06-25
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Granted: 1986-07-29
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Expires: 2004-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A zero adhesion system whereby a protective missile launch pad is held against an EPM-coated missile skin surface having an intermediary cloth sheet thereinbetween. The pad comprises a steel sheet having perforated cleats defined therein, which sheet is affixed to the underside of the pad and releasably bears against the intermediary cloth sheet. This arrangement operates such that the protective missile launch pad is freely released from the missile at launch without adhesion to the EPM-coated missile skin.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph N. Steinmetz, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:52
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/052; F41F3/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for obtaining zero adhesion of protective missile launch pads against the skin of a missile at launch, where at least a portion of the missile outer surface is coated with an EPM material, comprising the steps of: a. placing a close-woven fiberous cloth material on said EPM-coated surface, b. securely releasably mounting a protective missile launch pad having steel cleats on its inner face against said close-woven material with said cleats bearing against said close-woven material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for obtaining zero adhesion of protective missile launch pads against the skin of a missile at launch, where at least a portion of the missile outer surface is coated with an EPM material, comprising the steps of: a. placing a close-woven fiberous cloth material on said EPM-coated surface, b. securely releasably mounting a protective missile launch pad having steel cleats on its inner face against said close-woven material with said cleats bearing against said close-woven material.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus to provide for zero adhesion of a protective missile launch pad, which launch pad is designed for retention against a missile for protective storage purposes, said missile having at least a portion of its outer surface covered with an EPM protective material, comprising: a protective missile launch pad having cleated operative outer surface, an intermediary sheet of close-woven material which does not adhere to the cleats of the protective missile launch pad, means for retention of said pad against said missile, and said means for retention operable to urge said cleated surface against one side of said intermediary sheet when the other side of said intermediary sheet is placed on said EPM-coated missile surface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus to provide for zero adhesion of a protective missile launch pad, which launch pad is designed for retention against a missile for protective storage purposes, said missile having at least a portion of its outer surface covered with an EPM protective material, comprising: a protective missile launch pad having cleated operative outer surface, an intermediary sheet of close-woven material which does not adhere to the cleats of the protective missile launch pad, means for retention of said pad against said missile, and said means for retention operable to urge said cleated surface against one side of said intermediary sheet when the other side of said intermediary sheet is placed on said EPM-coated missile surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said intermediary sheet has the following characteristics: Yarn: 1500 Denier, Weave: 2×2 Basket, Count: 34×33+1, Weight: 14 oz/sq yd nominal, Thickness: 0.025 nominal, and Finish: scoured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said intermediary sheet is approximately 25 mils thick and wherein said cleated protective missile launch pad further comprises a perforated steel sheet and a urethane cushion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said steel sheet defines a multiplicity of perforations, said sheet being approximately 0.005 inches thick and said perforations being raised from the surface of said sheet by between 0.018 and 0.021 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the walls of each said cleat are tapered inward and upward at a typical angle of between 58 and 60 degrees from the surface of said steel sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a resilient underlayer located between said perforated steel sheet and said urethane cushion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pad further defines at least one spring-receiving recess on its cleated surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A protective missile launch pad system for protection of an EPM-coated missile, comprising: a steel sheet having raised perforated cleats defined on its outer surface, said steel sheet bonded to a resilient underlayer material, said underlayer material in turn bonded to a urethane cushion, a cable support, for receipt of a retention cable, mounted on the rear of said cushion, means for urging said protective missile launch pad away from the skin of the missile at launch cooperative with said cleated steel sheet, and an intermediary sheet for disposition between said EPM-coated missile surface and said cleated steel sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A protective missile launch pad system for protection of an EPM-coated missile, comprising: a steel sheet having raised perforated cleats defined on its outer surface, said steel sheet bonded to a resilient underlayer material, said underlayer material in turn bonded to a urethane cushion, a cable support, for receipt of a retention cable, mounted on the rear of said cushion, means for urging said protective missile launch pad away from the skin of the missile at launch cooperative with said cleated steel sheet, and an intermediary sheet for disposition between said EPM-coated missile surface and said cleated steel sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means comprises at least one spring-receiving recess defined in said cleated steel sheet for receipt of a conical separation spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said intermediary sheet has the following characteristics: Yarn: 1500 Denier, Weave: 2×2 Basket, Count: 34×33+1, Weight: 14 oz/sq yd nominal, Thickness: 0.025 nominal, and Finish: scoured.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said intermediary sheet is approximately 25 mils thick.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said steel sheet defines a multiplicity of perforations, said sheet being approximately 0.005 inches thick and said perforations being raised from the surface of said sheet by between 0.018 and 0.021 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the walls of each said cleat are tapered inward and upward at a typical angle of between 58 and 60 degrees from the surface of said steel sheet.
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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) | 1989-07-28 | 1990-01-27 | 1990-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-28 | 1994-01-27 | 1994-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | 1998-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |