Automatic hard-soft rocket detent system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorJimmy M. Madderra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic hard-soft detent system for releasably retaining a missile in telescoping launcher/carrier. The system includes a detent that is a beam spring having a projection thereon that is rigidly held in engagement with a detent groove in the missile by a ramp or tapered surface on the inner launch tube when the launcher is collapsed in the carry mode. When the tubes are extended, the tapered surface is moved from under the projection and the projection is held in the detent groove by spring tension. The detent projection is completely released from the detent groove responsive to forward motion of the ignited missile after the launcher/carrier has been extended to the launch position.
Claims3
A hard-soft detent assembly for engagement with a detent groove on a missile for releasably securing said missile in a telescoping launcher/carrier having inner and outer launch tubes comprising:
- a. a housing secured to the inner surface of said outer launch tube;
- and,
- b. engaging means carried in said housing and disposed for releasably engaging said detent groove when said launcher/carrier is in collapsed position whereby said missile is rigidly secured in said launcher/carrier, said engaging means disposed for release of said missile responsive to forward motion of said missile subsequent to ignition thereof and extension of said launcher to extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.