# US 8,770,083 B1 · Quick release flare tube adapter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,083 B1 - Document ID: US8770083B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/767,304 - Filed: 2013-02-14 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-14 - Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security - Applicants: Charles A. Hatfield; Thomas Morrow; Alexander Brown; Trent Meyers; Katie Spira - Inventors: Charles A. Hatfield; Thomas Morrow; Alexander Brown; Trent Meyers; Katie Spira - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770083B1 ## CPC - B64D 1/02: Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles (jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract A quick release illumination flare mounting arrangement particularly adapted for use in an aircraft. Includes a base plate mounted to the aircraft's deck, and an aperture in sealed contact with an upper end of a flare discharge tube coupled to a discharge aperture in the fuselage. A coupling assembly which includes a second aperture is easily coupled to and removed from the base plate by coupling pins. The coupling assembly further includes an upper plate adapted for secure, sealed, easily removable mounting to the lower end of a flare receiving tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for mounting a removable flare tube to the deck of an aircraft, wherein a flare is discharged from the aircraft via a main tube disposed between the aircraft deck and the fuselage of the aircraft, said apparatus comprising: a lower mounting assembly attached to an upper surface of the aircraft deck and having a first aperture aligned and in contact with an upper end of the main tube, said lower mounting assembly further including plural spaced first outer lugs each having a respective first slot therein; an upper mounting assembly disposed on an upper portion of said lower mounting assembly and having a second aperture therein, wherein said second aperture is aligned and continuous with said first aperture, said upper mounting assembly further including an upper mounting plate disposed about said second aperture and adapted for sealed coupling to a lower end of the flare tube, wherein said aligned first and second apertures are adapted for directing a flare discharged from the flare tube to said main tube, said upper mounting assembly further including plural spaced second outer lugs each having a respective second slot therein, wherein each of said second lugs is adapted for alignment and tight-fitting positioning with a respective one of said first lugs with their respective first and second slots aligned with one another; a seal member disposed between and in contact with said lower mounting assembly and said upper mount assembly; and plural coupling pins each adapted for tight-fitting insertion in a pair of aligned first and second slots disposed in respective first and second lugs for securely connecting said lower and upper mounting assemblies together in a sealed, removable manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said second lugs includes a respective pair of third and fourth lugs each adapted for tight-fitting positioning on opposed sides of a respective first lug, with the apertures of associated first, third and fourth lugs aligned and adapted to receive a respective coupling pin in tight-fitting engagement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower mounting assembly includes a generally planar base plate attached to an upper surface of the aircraft deck, and wherein said lower mounting assembly further includes a base mount attached to and extending upwardly from an upper surface of said base plate and adapted to receive said upper mounting assembly in tight-fitting engagement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said base plate and said base mount have respective aligned, adjacent apertures forming the first aperture in said lower mounting assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an upper surface of said base mount includes, in combination, a recessed slot and a compressible, resilient first seal member disposed within said slot for forming a tight seal between said lower and upper mounting assemblies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said seal member is comprised of silicone or rubber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said base mount extends on the order of 1″ upwardly from the upper surface of said base plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper mounting plate of said upper mounting assembly includes first plural spaced apertures each adapted to receive a respective threaded coupling member for attaching said upper mounting assembly to the lower end of the flare tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said threaded coupling members are screws or nut and bolt combinations. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a lightweight, high strength metal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said metal is aluminum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising stainless steel inner sleeves disposed within the apertures of said first and second lugs to prevent corrosion of the aluminum lugs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein with all but one of the coupling pins removed from adjacent first and second lugs, the flare tube is adapted for pivoting displacement about the remaining coupling pin attached to adjacent first and second lugs for assuming a folded position generally parallel, and in closely spaced relation, to the aircraft's deck. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover plate including plural third lugs each adapted for tight-fitting positioning in contact with a respective adjacent first lug on said lower mounting assembly, wherein each third lug is adapted, with said upper mounting assembly and flare tube removed, to receive with an adjacent first lug a respective coupling pin for securely maintaining said cover plate on said lower mounting assembly in a sealed manner. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a compressible resilient second seal disposed between and in tight fitting contact with said lower mounting assembly and said aircraft deck. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a compressible, resilient third seal disposed between and in tight fitting contact with said upper mounting assembly and the lower end of said main tube.