Low retention force release and arming mechanism for ordinance devices
AssigneeBW/IP International, Inc.
InventorsColeman W. Conrad, Charles H. Pearson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A release and arming mechanism for an ordnance device having an arming block, a pair of opposed jaws pivotally mounted to the arming block, and a solenoid that, when energized, holds the jaws in a closed position around an arming wire. A release lanyard connectable to the ordnance device is clipped to the jaws in such a manner as to hold the jaws in the closed position until such time as the ordnance device is launched. A spring may be placed between the jaws below their pivot points to force the jaws open upon disconnection of the release lanyard.
Claims19
A release and arming mechanism for selectively retaining an arming lanyard associated with an ordnance device, the ordnance device being released in an armed condition when the arming lanyard is retained by the mechanism and being released in an unarmed condition when the arming lanyard is not retained by the mechanism, said mechanism comprising:
- an arming block;
- a pair of opposed jaws mounted to the arming block, at least one of said jaws being movable such that the jaws may assume a closed position and an open position, the jaws being configured to retain the arming lanyard between them when held in the closed position and to release the arming lanyard when not held in the closed position;
- solenoid means for selectively holding the jaws in the closed position;
- a release lanyard;
- and
- means for connecting the release lanyard to the jaws in such a manner as to hold the jaws in the closed position until the release lanyard is disconnected from the jaws.
A release and arming mechanism for selectively retaining an arming lanyard associated with an ordnance device, the ordnance device being released in an armed condition when the arming lanyard is retained by the mechanism and being released in an unarmed condition when the arming lanyard is not retained by the mechanism, said mechanism comprising:
- an arming block;
- a pair of .opposed jaws mounted to the arming block in a pivotable manner such that they may assume a closed position and an open position, the jaws having upper portions above their pivot points and lower portions below their pivot points, the lower portions being configured to retain the arming lanyard between them when the jaws are held in the closed position and to release the arming lanyard when the jaws are not held in the closed position;
- solenoid means for selectively holding the jaws in the closed position;
- a release lanyard;
- and
- means for connecting the release lanyard to the jaws in such a manner as to hold the jaws in the closed position until the release lanyard is disconnected from the jaws.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.