Patent ID: 6126109
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a projectile; an assembly supported on said projectile for rotation relative thereto about an axis approximately parallel to the direction of travel of said projectile, said assembly spinning freely with respect to said projectile in a rotating mode of operation; a plurality of fins supported on said assembly; and a locking structure cooperating with said projectile and said assembly, said locking structure preventing said assembly from freely rotating in a locking mode of operation and being responsive to a predetermined condition to switch from said locking mode to said rotating mode, and to permit said assembly to spin freely in said rotating mode of operation, wherein said locking structure includes:said projectile having a radially extending cavity;said assembly having a radially extending aperture aligned with said cavity; anda member disposed in said cavity and said aperture during said locking mode of operation, said member permitting said assembly to spin freely by ejecting from said cavity and said aperture in response to said predetermined condition, said predetermined condition being the elapse of a predetermined time interval after the launch of said projectile.