Patent US4616567A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4616567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for covering a target area with ammunition
Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie AG
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Filing: 1985-06-20
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Granted: 1986-10-14
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Expires: 2005-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for covering a target area with ammunition, wherein a container, which contains active bodies W arranged on different decks 30.1, 30.2 and which is to be brought over the target area, releases the active bodies W through release openings 34 on its sides to become effective from above on respective individual flight paths against objects, for example armored vehicles, present in the target area.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolf Romer
- 👤 Karl W. Bethmann
- 👤 Christian Jaeneke
- 👤 Manfred Moll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:20
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
In an apparatus for covering an area with ammunition using a container which is moved toward the target area at a given height and which contains a plurality of active units, said apparatus including a container, a plurality of active units each having an essentially circular cross section, a number of linear receptacles in said container for simultaneously receiving a number of said active units in each said receptacle, with said receptacles being disposed in the interior of said container such that said receptacle extends along a respective straight line to an associated release opening in the lateral wall of said container when in flight, and with each said straight line (or its extension) forming a given acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said container, and means for causing the release of the active units from the receptacles; the improvement wherein: said container is a gliding or cruise missile; the point of each said acute angle is disposed in front of the respective release opening when seen in the direction of flight; and said releasing means includes a booster charge which acts in the direction of flight to accelerate said missile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
In an apparatus for covering an area with ammunition using a container which is moved toward the target area at a given height and which contains a plurality of active units, said apparatus including a container, a plurality of active units each having an essentially circular cross section, a number of linear receptacles in said container for simultaneously receiving a number of said active units in each said receptacle, with said receptacles being disposed in the interior of said container such that said receptacle extends along a respective straight line to an associated release opening in the lateral wall of said container when in flight, and with each said straight line (or its extension) forming a given acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said container, and means for causing the release of the active units from the receptacles; the improvement wherein: said container is a gliding or cruise missile; the point of each said acute angle is disposed in front of the respective release opening when seen in the direction of flight; and said releasing means includes a booster charge which acts in the direction of flight to accelerate said missile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the point of each said acute angle is disposed at the same vertical height as the associated release opening when seen in the direction of flight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising respective means, associated with each said receptacle, for causing each associated said active unit to rotate about an axis which is essentially transverse to the direction of release and which will be oriented downwardly toward the target area during descent of the respective said active unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each said means for causing said active units to rotate includes an element extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the associated said receptacle and being provided with form-locking means for engaging the associated said active units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said element is a toothed rod or a toothed belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each said receptacle is designed as a tube which is adapted to the profile of the active units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said active unit includes further form-locking means for cooperating with the corresponding form-locking means of the respective one of said elements associated with the receptacles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said further form-locking means are arranged on the circumference of said active unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said further form-locking means of adjacent said active unit in a receptacle are arranged on circumferential surfaces having different radii, with said further form locking means of all said active units in a respective receptacle being in direct form locking engagement, and with only the said further form locking means of alternate ones of said active units in a respective said receptacle directly engaging said form locking means of the associated said receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said active unit includes means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit; and wherein said further form-locking means are connected to said means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising: a magazine to accommodate at least two of said active units and with said magazine being disposed in one of said receptacles; and spacers disposed between adjacent active units within said magazine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said spacers are designed to be separable into two portions; and wherein means are provided for separating said spacers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for separating said spacers includes at least one compression spring disposed between said two portions of a spacer when said spacers are in said magazine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one further linear receptacle for a number of active units extending at least essentially along the longitudinal axis of said missile and having a release opening for said active units.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said release opening associated with said further linear receptacle is disposed at the front or rear of said missile.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said receptacles are disposed on different decks of said missile.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the central axis of each said active unit is shorter than its diameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said central axis is oriented transversely to the release direction when said active unit is in said receptacle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said active unit has, at its underside, a P charge insert which is covered by an explosive charge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said active unit includes at least one sensor for actuating a detonator for the explosive charge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said active unit includes means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means for reducing includes deflectable wings attached to said active unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said wings are articulated to a disc disposed at the upper side of said active unit so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the active unit about the axis of rotation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means for reducing includes rotor blades arranged at the top of the active unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 24, including a plurality of said rotor blades combined to form a rotatable unit at the upper side of the active unit, so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the active unit about the axis of rotation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means for reducing includes a laterally extending foil disposed at the upper side of the active unit and having an essentially rectangular cross section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
184 words
In an apparatus for covering an area with ammunition using a container which is moved toward the target area at a given height and which contains a plurality of active units, said apparatus including a container, a plurality of active units each having an essentially circular cross section, a number of linear receptacles in said container for simultaneously receiving a number of said active units in each said receptacle, with said receptacles being disposed in the interior of said container such that said receptacle extends along a respective straight line to an associated release opening in the lateral wall of said container when in flight, and with each said straight line forming a given acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said container, and means for causing the release of the active units from the receptacles; the improvement wherein: said container is a gliding or cruise missile; the point of each said acute angle is disposed behind the respective release opening when seen in the direction of flight and said releasing means including a retro-rocket charge which acts on said missile to decelerate same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
184 words
In an apparatus for covering an area with ammunition using a container which is moved toward the target area at a given height and which contains a plurality of active units, said apparatus including a container, a plurality of active units each having an essentially circular cross section, a number of linear receptacles in said container for simultaneously receiving a number of said active units in each said receptacle, with said receptacles being disposed in the interior of said container such that said receptacle extends along a respective straight line to an associated release opening in the lateral wall of said container when in flight, and with each said straight line forming a given acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said container, and means for causing the release of the active units from the receptacles; the improvement wherein: said container is a gliding or cruise missile; the point of each said acute angle is disposed behind the respective release opening when seen in the direction of flight and said releasing means including a retro-rocket charge which acts on said missile to decelerate same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said point of each said acute angle is disposed at the same vertical height as the associated release opening when seen in the direction of flight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 27 further comprising respective means, associated with each said receptacle, for causing each associated said active unit to rotate about an axis which is essentially transverse to the direction of release and which will be oriented downwardly toward the target area during descent of the respective said active unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein each said means for causing said active units to rotate includes an element extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the associated said receptacle and being provided with form-locking means for engaging the associated said active units.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said element is a toothed rod or a toothed belt.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein each said receptacle is designed as a tube which is adapted to the profile of the active units.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said active unit includes further form-locking means for cooperating with the corresponding form-locking means of the respective one of said elements associated with the receptacles.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said further form-locking means are arranged on the circumference of said active unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said further form-locking means of adjacent said active unit in a receptacle are arranged on circumferential surfaces having different radii, with said further form locking means of all said active units in a respective receptacle being in direct form locking engagement, and with only the said further form locking means of alternate ones of said active units in a respective said receptacle directly engaging said form locking means of the associated said receptacle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said active unit includes means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit; and wherein said further form-locking means are connected to said means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising: a magazine to accommodate at least two of said active units and with said magazine being disposed in one of said receptacles; and spacers disposed between adjacent active units within said magazine.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said spacers are designed to be separable into two portions; and wherein means are provided for separating said spacers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said means for separating said spacers includes at least one compression spring disposed between said two portions of a spacer when said spacers are in said magazine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising at least one further linear receptacle for a number of active units extending at least essentially along the longitudinal axis of said missile and having a release opening for said active units.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said release opening associated with said further linear receptacle is disposed at the front or rear of said missile.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said receptacles are disposed on different decks of said missile.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the central axis of each said active unit is shorter than its diameter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said central axis is oriented transversely to the release direction when said active unit is in said receptacle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said active unit has, at its underside, a P charge insert which is covered by an explosive charge.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said active unit includes at least one sensor for actuating a detonator for the explosive charge.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said active unit includes means for reducing the rate of descent of the active unit.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said means for reducing includes deflectable wings attached to said active unit.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said wings are articulated to a disc disposed at the upper side of said active unit so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the active unit about the axis of rotation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said means for reducing includes rotor blades arranged at the top of the active unit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 including a plurality of said rotor blades combined to form a rotatable unit at the upper side of the active unit, so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the active unit about the axis of rotation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said means for reducing includes a laterally extending foil disposed at the upper side of the active unit and having an essentially rectangular cross section.
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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) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |