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US 4,374,493 AGranted
System for model rocket construction
OwnerLawrence B. Hoffinginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method of construction is described for use in the field of model rocketry. Large sizes of model rockets can be achieved for purpose of visibility and accuracy of simulation by use of a structural framework of disks, ribs, and lightweight covering without exceeding weight limitations of the model.
Claims3
A model rocket assembly comprising:
- (a) a rocket body having an internal rigid tube containing a solid fuel rocket motor and extending substantially the entire length of the rocket and defining a frame;
- (b) substantially circular spacer disks concentric to said tube and spaced along the length of said tube;
- (c) a plurality of ribs joined to the outer circumferences of said disks substantially spanning the length of the body of the rocket and defining a frame;
- (d) skin formed around the frame of ribs in substantially cylindrical configuration spanning the length of the rocket and defining an enclosed void;
- (e) the top portion of said rocket body defining an aerodynamic nose assembly;
- (f) aerodynamic fins joined at the base of the rocket body;
- (g) said body being defined as a plurality of body sections, each constructed of an internal rigid tube, at least two circular spacer disks coaxial to said tube, a plurality of ribs joined to the outer circumferences of said disks and a skin formed around the frame of ribs in substantially cylindrical configuration such that the sections may be joined together by fastening the circular spacer disk of one section to a disk of next adjacent section forming a continuous cylindrical rocket body.
4 more elements
In a model rocket constructed of a rigid internal tube with a nozzle end containing a solid rocket fuel motor and a framework supporting a cylindrical outer skin, a recovery system comprising:
- (a) a hollow spool with an axial hollow slideably fitted into the internal rigid tube containing the solid fuel rocket motor and housing said motor in said hollow;
- (b) an upper flange around said spool defining with the upper portion of said rigid tube a gas pressure chamber for ejection of the spool from the nozzle end of the rigid tube together with the spent motor;
- (c) a lower flange surrounding said spool defining a space between said upper and lower flanges wherein a fabric parachute attached to said spool is wrapped around the outer circumference of the spool;
- and
- (d) a cord attaching the spool to the rocket body such that upon actuation the spool is ejected from the rocket, the parachute is deployed, lowering the rocket to the ground by the attached cord.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.