Patent ID: 8686329
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
1. A wing deployment assisting mechanism for increasing an initial deployment force applied to a guidance wing of a rocket or missile so as to propel the guidance wing outward from a stowed configuration at least through an initial phase of movement toward a deployed configuration of the guidance wing, the wing deployment assisting mechanism comprising: at least one lever arm pivotally fixed to the rocket or missile, the lever arm being distinct and separate from the guidance wing, but cooperative with the guidance wing so as to propel the guidance wing outward from the stowed configuration when the lever arm is pivoted outward, the lever arm being separated from the guidance wing and providing no support to the guidance wing when the guidance wing is in the deployed configuration; and at least one torsion spring cooperative with the lever arm and configured to apply a deploying force tending to pivot the lever arm outward.