Float support member for rocket launcher

A float support member that comprises a base for mounting to an object, primary linkages rotatably coupled by a primary pin defining a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction, and secondary linkages rotatably coupled to said primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The first and second secondary linkages being rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, defining first and second stationary pin points, respectively. The position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a float support member that provides float to an object received in the housing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a float support member mountable to a rocket to provide float to the rocket within a launch tube housing while maintaining the electrical connection between the rocket and the launcher.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical small diameter rockets launched from tubular launchers require a rocket diameter significantly smaller than the tube diameter. In addition, it is often necessary to provide communication between the rocket and launcher prior to launch by means of a separable connection system. The connector components of the connection system often disengaged due to movement of the rocket within the launch tube. Also, any parts associated with the connector system usually increase the profile of the rocket making it difficult to install in the launcher.

Therefore, a need exists for a float mechanism that can maintain the connection system between the rocket and the launcher independent of the radial position of the rocket. In addition, there is a need for a float mechanism for a rocket that is low-profile to both allow installation in an associate launcher and improve the aerodynamics of the rocket once launched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a float support member that comprises a base for mounting to an object and first and second primary linkages that are rotatably coupled by a primary pin. The primary pin defines a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to the lateral direction. First and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to the first and second primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to the lateral direction. The first and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, that define first and second stationary pin points, respectively. The position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa.

The present invention may also provide a float support member that comprises a base configured for mounting to an object receivable in a housing, first and second primary linkages rotatably coupled by a primary pin, the primary pin is supported by the housing, and the primary pin defines a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to said lateral direction. First and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to said first and second primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to the lateral direction. The first and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, that define first and second stationary pin points, respectively. The position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa, thereby providing two degrees of freedom between the base and the housing.

The present invention may further provide a float support member for a rocket launcher, that comprises a base mounted to a rocket that is received in a launch tube housing. First and second primary linkages are rotatably coupled by a primary pin. The primary pin is coupled to a frame supported by the launch tube housing and the primary pin defines a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to the lateral direction. First and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to the first and second primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction transverse to the lateral direction. The first and second secondary linkages are rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, defining first and second stationary pin points, respectively. Each of the first and second secondary linkages including a spring member. The spring members biasing the first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, outwardly away from one another. The first and second stationary pins extending through each of the spring members, respectively. The position of the rocket with respect to the launch tube housing is determined by the position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions which depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa, thereby providing two degrees of freedom between the rocket and the launch tube housing.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, the present invention provides a float support member100preferably used with a rocket launcher that provides the rocket10with two degrees of freedom (e.g. X and Y axes) in a launch tube housing20of the rocket launcher that receives the rocket, thereby allowing the rocket to float freely at all tolerance extremes. The float support member100has a low-profile to facilitate installation of the rocket in the launch tube housing20and to improve the aerodynamics of the rocket when launched.

As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the float support member100is mounted to the rocket10and is coupled to a connector component30that is configured to electrically contact a mating connector component (not shown) of the launch tube housing20. The float support member100is designed such that the connector component30remains electrically connected to its mating connector component on the launcher independent of the position of the rocket10within the launch tube housing20. A frame32of the connector component30has a first part34that supports a plurality of contacts36, that engage contacts of the mating connector component, and a second part38that supports the float support member100. The second part38of the frame32includes an inner cavity40for receiving the float support member100and keyways42at either end of the inner cavity40for receiving a pin of the float support member100, as best seen inFIG. 2.

As seen inFIGS. 3a-3d, the float support member100generally includes a base300, first and second primary linkages302and304that are hinged together by a primary pin310, and first and second secondary linkages306and308that are hinged to the primary linkages302and304by secondary pins312and314, respectively. The primary pin310is preferably longer and larger in diameter than the secondary pin312and314. The base300has an elongate body320that includes first and second end portions322and324with an intermediate recessed portion326therebetween. The intermediate recessed portion326preferably has a length that accommodates the second linkages306and308, as best seen inFIG. 3b(showing secondary linkage306). Disposed in the intermediate recessed portion326is a wire opening328for receiving wiring that can extend through a wire routing path330(FIG. 4) defined between the linkages302,304,306, and308and the base300. The wiring extending through the wire routing path330can connect to the connector components of the rocket launcher. The base includes a rocket engaging surface332opposite the linkages and the base end portions322and324are adapted to accept fasteners334, such as bolts, for mounting the float support member100, and particularly its engaging surface332, to the rocket100.

The first and second primary linkages302and304are preferably substantially identical and may generally include a substantially curved body340with a primary hinge342at one side and two secondary hinges344and346at the opposite side of the body340. The primary hinge342includes an inner bore348for receiving the primary pin310. A recessed area350is formed adjacent to the primary hinge342to accommodate the primary hinge342of the other of the first and second first primary linkages302and304. That is, the primary hinge342of the first primary linkage302is positioned in the recessed area350of the second primary linkage304and likewise the primary hinge342of the second primary linkage304is positioned in the recessed area350of the first primary linkage302such that the inner bores348of the primary hinges342of both linkages align to receive the primary pin310. The opposing ends316preferably extend out of the bores348beyond the length of the primary linkages302and304for engagement with the keyways42of the connector component frame32, as seen inFIG. 2. The two secondary hinges344and346have aligned inner bores that accept one of the secondary pins312and314, respectively. Between the two secondary hinges344and346is a receiving area352that accepts a portion of one of the secondary linkages306and308, as best seen inFIGS. 3aand3bshowing first secondary linkage306.

As seen inFIGS. 3a,3band4, the secondary linkages306and308are preferably substantially identical and may generally include a body360with substantially flat surfaces and spaced first and second substantially parallel bores362and364extending through the body360. A portion of the body360of each secondary linkage306and308is accommodated in the receiving area352of the first and second primary linkages302and304, respectively, such that the second bore364of each secondary linkage306and308aligns with the bores of the secondary hinges344and346of the primary linkages302and304to receive the secondary pins312and314, respectively.

Another portion of the body360of each secondary linkage306and308is accommodated in the recessed area326of the base300such that the second bores364of the secondary linkages306and308align with corresponding holes in the end portions322and324of the base300to accept first and second stationary pins370and372(FIG. 4), respectively. Each second bore364of the secondary linkages306and308is preferably discontinuous in that a gap374is formed, as best seen inFIGS. 3aand3b. The gap374may receive a spring member380, such as a torsion spring. Each stationary pin370and372extends through one of the spring members380. Ends of the spring members380preferably engage the bodies360of the secondary linkages306and308, such that the secondary linkages306and308are driven outwardly away from one another to the lowest profile of the float support member100, as seen inFIG. 5b. By biasing the linkages306and308outwardly using spring members380, the float support member100becomes flatter and forms a low profile which keeps the connector component30tight against the rocket10even when not loaded in the launch tube housing20. This facilitates installation of the rocket10in the launch tube housing20and improves the aerodynamics of the rocket10.

As seen inFIG. 4, the primary pin310of the float support member100defines a primary movable pin point410, the first secondary pin312defines a first secondary movable pin point412, and the second secondary pin314defines a second secondary movable pin point414. The first and second stationary pins370and372define first and second stationary pin points470and472, respectively. As the float support member100moves, the primary movable pin point410and the secondary movable pin points412and414may move in two directions: a lateral direction (e.g. X axis) and a transverse direction (e.g. Y axis) that is transverse to the lateral direction, thereby providing two degrees of freedom for the rocket. The position of the primary movable pin point410(e.g. along the X and Y axes) depends on the positions of the secondary movable pin points412and414, and vice versa. The stationary pin points470and472do not move when the float support member100moves between positions.

FIGS. 5a,6a,7a, and8a, illustrate four exemplary float positions, respectively, of the rocket10with respect to the launch tube housing20provided by the float support member100of the present invention.FIGS. 5b,6b,7b, and8billustrate the position of the float support member100corresponding to the rocket position ofFIGS. 5a,6a,7aand8a, respectively. It will be understood that the illustrate positions are exemplary and that the float support member100allows float anywhere along the lateral (X-axis) and transverse (Y-axis) directions.

Referring toFIG. 5a, the rocket10may be positioned within the housing20such that it is radially offset closest to the connector component30mounted on the housing20(seen as the top of the housing inFIG. 5a, for example). In that position, a center point CRof the rocket10is offset from a center point of the housing CHby a distance dyin the Y axis or transverse direction while having no offset in the X axis or lateral direction. In a preferred embodiment, the distance dyofFIG. 5amay be approximately 0.09 inches, for example.FIG. 5billustrates the position of the linkages and pin points of the float support member100corresponding toFIG. 5a. In that position, the float support member100is in a generally compressed or low profile position such that the secondary linkages306and308pivot outwardly with respect to the stationary pins370and372away from one another and the corresponding first and second secondary movable point pins412and414move outwardly away from another. The primary linkages302and3o4compress such that the associated primary movable pin point410moves toward the stationary pin points470and472. The spring members380(FIG. 4) preferably bias the float support member100, and particularly the secondary linkages306and308in the compressed position shown inFIG. 5b.

Referring toFIG. 6a, the rocket10may be positioned within the housing20such that it is radially offset furthest away from the connector component30mounted on the housing20(seen as the bottom of the housing inFIG. 6a, for example). In that position, a center point CRof the rocket10is offset from the center point CHof the housing by a distance dyin the Y axis direction while having no offset in the X axis direction. In a preferred embodiment, the distance dyofFIG. 6amay be approximately −0.09 inches, for example.FIG. 6billustrates the position of the linkages and pin points of the float support member100corresponding toFIG. 6a. In that position, the float support member100is in a generally extended position such that the secondary linkages306and308are nearly parallel or slightly converge such that the first and second secondary movable pins312and314are nearly aligned with the first and second stationary pin370and372, respectively. The primary linkages302and304extend toward the stationary pins370and372and the primary movable pin point410moves to a position remote from the stationary pin points470and472. The float support member100may be moved to the extended position shown inFIG. 6bwhen there is sufficient force to over the spring members380that bias the float support member100in its compressed position shown inFIG. 5b. Such a force would be applied, for example, when the rocket is installed in the launch tube, during use of the launcher, or by motion of the launcher if attached to a vehicle or aircraft.

Referring toFIG. 7a, the rocket10may be positioned within the housing20such that it is radially offset towards a side the housing20(left side inFIG. 7a, for example). In that position, a center point CRof the rocket10is offset from the center point CHof the housing by a distance dxin the X axis direction while having no offset in the Y axis direction. In a preferred embodiment, the distance dxofFIG. 7amay be approximately −0.09 inches, for example.FIG. 7billustrates the position of the linkages and pin points of the float support member100corresponding toFIG. 7a. In that position, the first secondary linkage306and its associated movable pin point412pivot outwardly with respect to first stationary pin370and away from second secondary linkage308. The secondary movable pin314of the second secondary linkage308is nearly aligned with the second stationary pin372. The first primary linkage302extends past the second primary linkage304toward the first stationary pin370such that the primary movable pin point410moves more toward the first secondary linkage306and away from the second secondary linkage308. The float support member100may be moved to the position shown inFIG. 7bwhen there is sufficient force to over the spring members380in the same manner mentioned above.

Referring toFIG. 8a, the rocket10may be positioned within the housing20such that it is radially offset towards a side the housing20opposite that ofFIG. 7a(right side inFIG. 7b, for example). In that position, a center point CRof the rocket10is offset from the center point CHof the housing by a distance dxin the X axis direction while having no offset in the Y axis direction. In a preferred embodiment, the distance dxofFIG. 8amay be approximately 0.09 inches, for example.FIG. 8billustrates the position of the linkages and pin points of the float support member100corresponding toFIG. 8a. In that position, the second secondary linkage308and its associated movable pin point414pivot outwardly with respect to second stationary pin372and away from first secondary linkage306. The secondary movable pin312of the first secondary linkage306is nearly aligned with the first stationary pin370. The second primary linkage304extends past the first primary linkage302toward the second stationary pin372such that the primary movable pin point410moves more toward the second secondary linkage308and away from the first secondary linkage306. The float support member100may be moved to the position shown inFIG. 8bwhen there is sufficient force to over the spring members380in the same manner mentioned above.

While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the float support member of the present invention is shown as being used with the rocket and rocket launcher, the float support member of the present invention may be used with any object needing float within a housing. Additionally, the spring members380may be applied to any pivot pin or point to bias the float support member100to its compressed low profile position, as seen inFIG. 5b. Also, more than two spring members may be added to the float support member100to bias the same in the low profile position. Although only four positions of the rocket are illustrated, it will be understood that the design of the float support member100allows float in not just the positions illustrated inFIGS. 5a,6a,7a, and8a, but all positions therebetween, that is (dx, dy).