Weapon retention device

{
  "publication_number": "US4016796A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Weapon retention device",
  "abstract": "A break-away retention device for restraining a missile against launching rust until a predetermined thrust level has been attained is disclosed which employs a preweakened tensile link within a compression barrel. The barrel supplies flexural rigidity and physical protection to the preloaded portion of the tensile link. Tensile preload is adjustable to any predetermined level less than the ultimate strength of the tensile link.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A retention device for releaseably retaining a missile to a launching apparatus, said retention device comprising: a cylindrical member having first and second ends, a central bore, and a slot which communicates with said second end; an elongated tensile link having first and second ends, a region of reduced tensile strength, means for attachment of said first end of said link within said central bore, and a transverse hole located between said region of reduced tensile strength and said second end; a link preloading element having means for attachment to said elongated tensile link, and a bearing surface for engagement against said second end of said cylindrical member; said first end of said elongated tensile link being retained within said cylindrical member central bore, and said link preloading element being attached to said elongated tensile link at a point between said hole and said second end of said link; and an anti-torque pin penetrating said elongated tensile link through said hole, and said pin also penetrating said cylindrical member through said slot in said second end of said cylindrical member for preventing relative rotation between said tensile link and said cylindrical member.",
    "2. The retention device of claim 1 wherein said link preloading element bears compressively against said second end of said cylindrical member.",
    "3. The retention device of claim 1 wherein said link preloading element may be adjusted to change the amount of tensile preload present in said elongated tensile link.",
    "4. The retention device of claim 1 wherein means are provided for maintaining coaxial alignment of said elongated tensile link with said cylindrical member.",
    "5. The retention device of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member has a circumferential groove at said first end for attachment to a launching apparatus, and said elongated tensile link has threads on said second end for attachment to a missile.",
    "6. The retention device of claim 1 wherein said means for attachment of said link preloading element to said elongated tensile link comprises a threaded connection.",
    "7. The retention device of claim 6 wherein said link preloading element comprises at least one threaded nut.",
    "8. The retention device of claim 1 wherein said means for attachment of said first end of said link within said cylindrical member central bore comprises a threaded connection.",
    "9. The retention device of claim 8 wherein said elongated tensile link has means for locking said first end of said link in threaded engagement with said cylindrical member central bore.",
    "10. The retention device of claim 8 wherein said tensile link has a shoulder for maintaining coaxial alignment of said link with said central bore."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to break-away tensile links which are used to retain one body to another until a predetermined separation force level is reached. More particularly, this invention pertains to such break-away links which possess high resistance to flexural fatique damage coupled with predictable tensile parting force. 2. Description of the Prior Art. When certain types of thrust propelled missiles, such as rocket powered missiles, are ignited and launched, some releasable means for retaining the missile to its launching apparatus must be used to prevent the missile from leaving the launching apparatus before the rocket motor reaches its full thrust level. Unless some retaining means is used, the missile may launch at a low thrust level and become unstable, resulting in uncontrollable flight. Past attempts to solve this problem have utilized a frangible tensile link between the rocket and the launching apparatus. This link restrains the rocket until rocket thrust exceeds the strength of the tensile link, at which time the link parts, releasing the rocket. One problem encountered with such a tensile release link is that if the link has been subjected to bending stresses over a period of time, structural fatique in the link will take place. A fatigue weakened link may part prematurely with resultant adverse effects upon the rocket trajectory.\n\nOther attempts to solve this problem utilize complicated mechanisms which clamp the rocket to the launching apparatus until the moment of release. At the proper time the clamping mechanisms spring away from the rocket, releasing it.",
  "cpc": [
    "F41F 3/052",
    "F16B 2200/63",
    "Y10T 403/556"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F41F 3/052"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US NAVY"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BRANNAN JACK D"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1976-03-29",
  "publication_date": "1977-04-12",
  "grant_date": "1977-04-12",
  "priority_date": "1976-03-29",
  "application_number": "US-67123576-A",
  "family_id": "24693671",
  "citations": [
    "US2602513A",
    "US2935767A",
    "US3102594A",
    "US3415156A",
    "US3444773A",
    "US3717068A",
    "US3811784A",
    "US3922104A"
  ]
}