Patent Publication Number: US-7707922-B1

Title: Mobile carrier for a projectile launcher

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention refers to a projectile launcher, such as for launching rockets and missiles, which is provided with a support plate by which protection for the projectiles is provided, access to the projectiles is facilitated, and streams of hot gases generated in the launching are deflected. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rocket launchers are mounted for transport in different ways, for instance on tracked carriers, trucks or on trailers that may be attached or detached from vehicles. In certain cases the direction of firing is parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. In other cases, the direction of firing is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carrier. The term “front” and “rear” will be used in this specification and claims as defined with respect to the direction of firing, irrespective of whether said direction is parallel or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carrier or vehicle. 
   In the prior art, the canisters in which rockets are contained prior to being launched are generally exposed. Military personnel mechanically couple the canisters to a launcher, electronically connect the launcher to the rockets during launching and trial studies, and load the rockets within the canisters. Military personnel need also to carry out required maintenance of the canisters and launchers, as well as other types of preparation, prior to the launching of the rockets. Since the canisters occupy the whole width of the vehicle, which is limited by mobility requirements, operators have to stand on neighboring canisters or on the ground, while carrying out these tasks, usually in an inconvenient and/or unsafe position. 
   Prior art carriers for a rocket launcher also suffer from other drawbacks. Firstly, when the rockets are fired, streams of hot gases are discharged from the unobstructed rear of the canister and impact the ground, possibly igniting a fire in surrounding brush or other combustible matter, particularly if many rockets are fired at short intervals. Also, the impact of the plume onto the ground raises dust and even small stones, which are harmful to the personnel and to the launcher equipment, and which also expose the location of the launcher to the enemy during firing. Secondly, are exposed when the canisters are transported, and are therefore susceptible to bomb fragments, exposure to enemy observation, or even to terrorist activities. 
   It is an object of the present invention to overcome said drawbacks of prior art rocket launcher carriers. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a rocket launcher carrier which shields and hides the rockets during transportation. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a rocket launcher carrier which prevents the rocket plume from impacting the surrounding ground, so as to avoid ignition of combustible matter or to avoid detection during launching. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rocket launcher which facilitates the access of personnel to the canisters when desired. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rocket launcher of limited width, to simplify transportation and to increase the number of possible locations from which rockets may be launched. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a rocket launcher carrier which allows for military personnel to work conveniently and safely during the loading, connection and maintenance of canisters. 
   Other purposes and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a mobile projectile launcher, which comprises: (a) a plurality of canisters in each of which projectiles to be launched are stored and fired; (b) a horizontal cargo bed; (c) at least one tiltable launching platform for supporting said plurality of canisters; (d) at least one support plate which is pivotally connected to said cargo bed, said at least one support plate being made of a material which is resistant to the projectile plume following launching and sufficiently sturdy to support a person standing thereon; and (e) at least one linear actuator for each of said plates by which said at least one support plate is swingable from a closed position wherein said at least one support plate is substantially perpendicular to said cargo bed to an open position wherein said at least one support plate is substantially parallel to said cargo bed. 
   Preferably, each linear actuator comprises a housing and a linearly extendable rod. 
   Preferably, the inclination of a support plate changes with respect to the cargo bed as a linearly extendable rod is extended. 
   Preferably, each actuator is of the hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric type. 
   Preferably, the housing is pivotally connected to a first lug which is connected to a side wall vertically protruding from the cargo bed. 
   Preferably, the extendable rod is pivotally connected to a second lug which is attached to a corresponding support plate. 
   Preferably, the first lug is attached to a member attached to said side wall. Preferably, the at least one support plate is lockable in its closed position. Preferably, the at least one support plate is lockable in its open position. 
   Preferably, the at least one support plate in an open position is suitable for deflecting the projectile plume. 
   Preferably, at least one supporting plate is pivotally connected to the cargo bed at the rear of the plurality of canisters. 
   Preferably, at least one support plate is also pivotally connected to the cargo bed in front of the plurality of canisters. 
   Preferably, the carrier of the invention further comprises tilting mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the tiltable platforms supporting the plurality of canisters with respect to the cargo bed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIGS. 1-5  are photographs of prior art projectile carriers; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a perspective view of a carrier for a projectile launcher according to one embodiment of the invention; in  FIG. 6  the launcher is ready for launching, the canisters are tilted and the support plate is in its horizontal position; in  FIG. 7  the launcher is ready to move, the canisters tilting mechanism is depressed and the support plate is in its vertical position; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a support plate which is held open by means of two linear actuators; and 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a side view of a linear actuator pivotally connected to a support plate in retracted and fully extended positions, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a novel projectile launcher carrier provided with an integral pivotable support plate for supporting technicians during the loading of projectiles and for deflecting the projectile plume following launching when set in an open position, yet which protects and hides the loaded canisters when set in a closed position. 
     FIGS. 1-5  illustrate prior art projectile launcher carriers. The carrier of  FIG. 1  travels in the direction of launching, and a plurality of launch tubes are shown to be tilted at an inclination suitable for launching. The carrier of  FIG. 2  transports projectile canisters in a horizontal disposition, two of which being carried by a towed, wheeled unit. The carrier of  FIG. 4  transports projectile canisters by means of chain treads. It may be seen that although the canisters are shielded from the sides and top, their aft is exposed, and rocket plume is free to hit the ground. The transported projectiles are exposed to enemy observation, bomb fragments or even to terrorist activities. 
   Military personnel are shown in  FIG. 5  to unload projectile canisters onto a carrier platform, to which the canisters are subsequently attached prior to launching. It may be seen that they have to stand unsafely on neighboring canisters because there is no working platform on the vehicle. A projectile is shown to be fired from the carrier of  FIG. 3 , along a predetermined inclination with respect to the ground. The plume exits the rear of the canister and is liable to ignite the trees or brush in the vicinity of the launcher, thereby risking exposure by the enemy and causing damage to the surroundings. 
   In the embodiments to be described, it will be assumed that a projectile launcher is mounted on a carrier of any kind which travels perpendicularly to the directions of launching. This is done for purposes of description and does not constitute a limitation in any way, as what will be described would continue to apply if the carrier were traveling in the direction of launching. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary mobile rocket or missile launcher which is generally designated by numeral  5 , Mobile launcher  5  comprises driver cabin  2 , a cargo bed  15 , tiltable platform (not indicated) supporting a plurality of canisters  12 , and front wall  18  and side walls  19  for protecting and hiding the plurality of canisters  12 . The mobile launcher comprises conventional means (not shown) for tilting canisters  12  from a horizontal disposition which is the orientation during transportation, to an inclination with respect to the ground which is suitable for launching. The launcher also comprises conventional means for launching a projectile  9  (not shown), including electronic equipment and cables connected to the canisters, in the direction of launching indicated by arrow  14 . The orientation of wheels  10  indicate that carrier  5  moves perpendicularly to the direction of launching. 
   In accordance with the present invention, mobile launcher  5  further comprises a single support plate  20 , which is in pivotal connection with the cargo bed. Support plate  20  has two functional positions. A first position (hereinafter an “open position”) is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , whereat support plate  20  is substantially horizontal, being substantially parallel to the cargo bed. A second position (hereinafter a “closed position”) is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , whereat support plate  20  is substantially perpendicular to the cargo bed. When in a closed upright position, support plate  20  contacts side walls  19 , whereby to protect and hide the canisters. Consequently, the projectiles are transported in a horizontal disposition, are concealed by upright plate  20 , and are shielded and hidden. Support plate  20 , in addition to its pivotal connection, is sturdy enough to support military personnel standing thereon. 
   The support plate  20  is made of a suitable type of materials well known to those skilled in the art, that are resistant to the high temperature of the projectile plume following launching, and therefore serves as a plume deflector, thereby preventing the ignition of combustible matter and avoiding detection of the launcher during launching. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 A and  9 B, support plate  20  is pivotable by means of two linear actuators  50 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of two extended actuators, which retain support plate in a closed position. 
     FIG. 9A  is a side view of support plate  20  and a front view of a linear actuator in a retracted position.  FIG. 9B  is a side view of support plate  20  and a front view of a linear actuator in an extended position. 
   Each linear actuator  50 , which may be of the hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric type, comprises a housing  52  and a rod  54  which linearly extends from housing  52 . Cylinder  52  is pivotally connected by means of pin joint  57  to lug  56 , which in turn is attached to pillar  59  attached to side wall  19 , or alternatively attached directly to side wall  19 . Extendable rod  54  is pivotally connected by means of pin joint  59  to lug  58 , which in turn is attached to support plate  20 . When support plate  20  is in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 9A , extendable rod  54  is as its most retracted position. As rod  54  is extended, a force is applied to support plate  20 , causing the latter to change its inclination with respect to cargo bed  15 . Extendable rod  54  then pivots about pin joint  59 , causing cylinder  52  to pivot about pin joint  57 . As rod  54  continuously extends its length and pivots, the inclination of support plate  20  continues to change with respect to cargo bed  15  until achieving a completely open and horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 9B . The illustrated open position of support plate  20  corresponds to the maximum extension of rod  54 . When rod  54  is retracted to its minimal extent, it is locked in place by conventional means well known to those skilled in the art to prevent support plate  20  against unwanted opening. 
   It will be appreciated that any other type of linear actuator may be employed, as well known to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that one linear actuator may be employed instead of two, and may be positioned at the center of support plate  20 . Similarly, instead of one support plate  20  being employed as shown, two support plates may be in use, each of which being separately pivoted by means of a corresponding linear actuator  50 . Likewise additional pivotable plates may also be deployed at other sides of the canisters. 
   The advantages of the invented apparatus appear clearly from the description. It should be noted that the supporting plate will generally be a heavy metal piece, preferably made of steel, weighing on the order of hundreds of kilograms, so that at least one linear actuator is needed to pivot the supporting plate from the open to closed position, or vice versa. The supporting plate provides a support which permits easy access to the electrical elements required for launching the projectiles, easy loading and unloading of the canisters by means of a raising or lowering mechanism, and easy access to the firing control and the electrical control. The opened plate prevents the ignition of combustible material during a launch, the creation of dust clouds, and the projection of rocks when a large number of projectiles are fired in a short time. The activation of linear actuator  50  to extend rod  54  permits a rapid preparation to the firing of a projectile. The activation of linear actuator  50  to retract rod  54  permits a rapid preparation to departure from the firing site. Plate  20  is locked in a closed or open position, to prevent serious damage or bodily injury. When the plate is open, there is full visibility of the projectile canisters and the control equipment needed for launching, in general, and in particular from the direction of the driver cabin. 
   While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.