Patent Publication Number: US-9841256-B2

Title: Combined launch and storage tube for missile

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application no. 62/279,808 filed Jan. 17, 2016. The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a combined storage tube and modular barrel/launch tube for a missile launcher. Barrel-interchangeable projectile weapon systems are known in the art, see, for example, commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/955,363 filed Jun. 2, 2016 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2016/0153744, published Jun. 2, 2016), which employs one or more modular barrel assemblies and one or more modular trigger assemblies which can be attached to a common chassis. The aforementioned publication no. US2016/0153744 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a modular barrel assembly which additionally functions as a storage tube for an ammunition round to be fired. The device has covers removably attached to each end of a tubular housing. The device also has a safety mechanism in which the rear cover is locked into place until the front cover is removed. This prevents the barrel assembly from being attached to a weapon in an in-battery condition before the front cover is removed from the exit end of the barrel tube. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a dual purpose missile storage and launch tube device includes a tubular housing and a front cover removably covering a first end of the tubular housing, the first end defining an opening for firing a missile. A rear cover assembly removably covers a second end of the tubular housing opposite the first end. A safety mechanism is attached to the tubular housing and includes a sliding member extending through a longitudinal passageway formed in the safety mechanism. A forward portion of the sliding member engages the front cover and a rearward portion of the sliding member engages a fastener locking the rear cover assembly onto the tubular housing when the front cover is attached to the first end of the tubular housing. The rearward portion of the sliding member is disengaged from the fastener when the front cover is removed from the first end of the tubular housing for unlocking the rear cover assembly from the tubular housing. 
     In certain embodiments, a spring member is disposed within the longitudinal passageway urging the sliding member toward the front cover. 
     In certain embodiments, the front cover includes a closure wall and an annular lip that extends from the closure wall axially toward the second end, the annular lip having a threaded surface which mates with a complementary threaded surface on the first end for securing the front cover over the opening for firing a missile. The annular lip has an edge which bears against the forward portion of the sliding member. The threaded surface and the complementary threaded surface are movable into mating engagement with each other by threading upon relative rotation between the front cover and the tubular housing. The rearward portion of the sliding member is moved into engagement with the fastener upon axial movement of the front cover over the first end of the tubular housing. 
     In certain embodiments, the device further includes an elastic disk disposed over the opening for firing a missile, the elastic disk having a plurality of slits defining a plurality of flaps. 
     In certain embodiments, the device further includes a missile received within the tubular housing. 
     In certain embodiments, the device further includes one or more indicia for visually indicating whether a missile contained within the tubular housing is safe to fire. 
     In certain embodiments, the indicia includes a first indicia which is visible through a window in a wall defining the longitudinal passageway when the front cover is removed from the first end and which is not visible through the window when the front cover is attached to the first end. 
     In certain embodiments, the fastener includes a latch on the rear cover assembly removably engaging a catch on the safety mechanism. 
     In certain embodiments, the device further includes a weapon interface attached to the tubular housing for removably attaching the device to a missile firing platform. 
     In certain embodiments, the rear cover assembly is configured to cover the weapon interface when the rear cover assembly is covering the second end of the tubular housing. 
     In certain embodiments, a second fastener removably secures the rear cover assembly to the weapon interface. 
     In certain embodiments, a second fastener removably secures the rear cover assembly to the tubular housing. 
     In certain embodiments, the device further includes a fastener for securing the device to an article having a plurality of loops of webbing material, the fastener comprising a first tongue attached to the rear cover assembly and a second tongue carried on a sliding member attached to the tubular hosing, the sliding member movable toward and away from the first tongue to selectively engage and disengage the plurality of loops of webbing material. 
     In a further aspect, a method is provided for assembling a dual purpose missile storage and launch tube device, wherein the device comprises (a) a tubular housing; (b) a front cover configured to removably cover a first end of the tubular housing, the first end defining an opening for firing a missile; (c) a rear cover assembly configured to removably cover a second end of the tubular housing, the second end opposite the first end; and (d) a safety mechanism attached to the tubular housing, the safety mechanism including a sliding member extending through a longitudinal passageway formed in the safety mechanism. The method includes attaching the rear cover to the second end of the tubular housing and moving the sliding member into engagement with a fastener on the rear cover assembly by attaching the front cover to the first end of the tubular housing, the sliding member and the fastener cooperating to lock the rear cover into position over the second end. 
     In certain embodiments, the force for moving the sliding member is transmitted by the front cover acting directly on the sliding member. 
     In certain embodiments, the front cover includes a closure wall and an annular lip that extends from the closure wall axially toward the second end. The annular lip has a threaded surface which mates with a complementary threaded surface on the first end and an edge which bears against a forward portion of the sliding member. 
     In certain embodiments, rotational movement of the front cover with respect to the tubular housing in one direction causes axial sliding movement of the sliding member. 
     In certain embodiments, the fastener includes a latch on the rear cover assembly which removably engages a catch on the safety mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a partially exploded view of an exemplary modular missile launcher barrel and storage tube taken generally from the front, right, and above. The terms “up,” “down,”, “top,”, “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, as used herein, refer to the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 . The terms “left” and “right” as used herein are in reference to a person facing the front of the unit. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the modular missile launcher barrel and storage tube appearing in  FIG. 1 , taken generally from the rear and right side and having the rear cover removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the modular missile launcher barrel and storage tube herein, taken generally from the rear and right side and having the rear cover rendered as a translucent object and the main housing rendered as a transparent object. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric side cross-sectional view taken generally from the rear, right side, and above, with the front and rear covers attached and having a missile stored therein. The missile payload and other internal components are omitted for ease of exposition. 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to the view appearing in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the manner of loading a missile into the unit. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view taken generally from the rear, right, and from above. 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged exploded view of the cover and the tube front end. 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged exploded view of the main tube having the rear cover, front cover, and front threaded finish piece removed. 
         FIG. 6C and 7  are enlarged exploded views of the rear cover and safety assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of an exemplary missile operable to be launched from and stored in the combined launch/storage tube of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view taken from the bottom and front wherein the front and rear covers are attached. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are enlarged, fragmentary isometric view taken from the front and bottom wherein the front cover is rendered as a transparent object illustrating the end of the sliding tongue being retained in the safety position by the rearward edge of the front cover threaded sidewall. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view taken from the bottom and front wherein the front and rear covers are attached and wherein the front cover, rear cover, and the safety housing cover are rendered as transparent objects illustrating the safety mechanism. 
         FIGS. 13-17  are enlarged fragmentary views illustrating the rear cover safety mechanism. 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged isometric view taken from below and the front with the cover removed so that the sliding tongue protrudes from the front and the green indicia appears in the window in the safety housing cover, indicating that the safety is disengaged. 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are an enlarged isometric view similar to the view in  FIG. 18 , wherein the rear cover and safety housing cover are rendered as transparent objects. 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view with the rear cover and safety housing cover rendered as transparent objects, illustrating the rear safety mechanism. 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view with the rear cover and safety housing cover removed, taken from the bottom and front. 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view similar to the view appearing in  FIG. 22 , taken from the bottom and rear. 
         FIGS. 24-26  are a fragmentary, bottom plan views with the rear cover and safety housing cover removed, illustrating the rear safety mechanism. 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged, isometric, exploded view of the weapon interface for attaching the launch tube herein to a firing platform. 
         FIGS. 28 and 29  are side/bottom views depicting the MOLLE latch assembly in open and closed configurations, respectively. 
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged, fragmentary bottom/side view of the latch assembly wherein the handle and the sliding fastener plate are rendered as translucent objects. 
         FIGS. 31-33  are enlarged, fragmentary side cross-sectional views of the latch release mechanism for the latch assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numeral refer to like components throughout the several views, combined launch/storage tube  100  according to the present disclosure includes a main housing  104  which defines a cavity  108 . The cavity  108  forms a storage compartment for storing a missile  156  when the storage tube  100  is not attached to a firing platform and also serves as a barrel for firing the missile when the storage tube  100  is attached to a firing platform. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the combined launch/storage tube  100  is configured for use in connection with the firing platform shown and described in the aforementioned publication no. US2016/0153744. It will be recognized, however, that the combined launch/storage tube herein may be adapted for use with other projectile weapon firing platforms. 
     The main housing  104  includes a front (muzzle) end  112  and a rear (breech) end  116 . A threaded finish piece  120  is secured to the front end of the main housing  104 . In certain embodiments, external helical threads  124  are formed on the threaded finish piece  120 . A slot  128  is formed in the threaded finish piece  120  for slidably receiving a sliding safety tongue  180  as will be described in greater detail below. 
     An elastic disk  132  which may be formed of rubber, elastomer, or other flexible and resilient material is secured over the front opening of the main housing  104  to prevent or reduce entry of moisture or debris into the cavity  108 . The elastic disk  132  includes a plurality of slots  136  slots defining a plurality of leaves or flaps  140  to define an exit opening for the missile  156 . A front cover  144  includes a threaded annular sidewall or lip  148 . In certain embodiments, the front cover has internal helical threads  152  which are complementary with the threads  124  on the front cover. 
     The missile  156  includes a firing cartridge  160  which may be, for example, a 40 mm shell casing or cartridge having a charge of explosive material to propel the missile  156  out of the launch tube  104 . In rocket-boosted missile configurations, the charge of explosive material in the firing cartridge  160  may be relatively small since it is only necessary to launch the missile  156  a sufficient distance away from the operator to safely fire the rocket motor. In alternative embodiments, a rocket motor may be omitted and a larger charge of explosive material in the cartridge  160  for firing the missile may be used. The cartridge  160  may be ignited via an associated trigger mechanism or module (not shown), which may employ a mechanical firing pin or an electronic firing mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the associated firing mechanism or module may be as described in the aforementioned publication no. US2016/0153744. A circuit board  162  is received within the safety housing. The circuit board may be provided for programming a guidance or flight control computer or processor within the missile  156  in the tube  104 , e.g., for guiding the missile  156  along a programmed fight path. 
     A safety assembly  164  includes a safety housing  168  secured to the bottom of the main housing  104 . A safety housing cover  172  is secured over the safety housing  168  to form an axial channel  176 . The safety tongue  180  is slidably received within the channel  176 . A spring  184  includes a first end  188  which is fixed and a second end  190  urging the tongue in the forward direction. 
     In certain embodiments, a window  192  is formed in the safety housing cover  172  and indicia or colored regions may be formed on the sliding tongue  180  to provide a visual indication of when the missile is safe to fire. For example the tongue  180  may include a first portion or indicia  196  visible through the window  192  when the front cover  144  is attached, indicating that the missile is not safe to fire. The first indicia may be, for example, a color such as the color red. The tongue may also include a second portion or indicia  200  visible through the window  192  when the front cover  144  is removed, indicating that indicating that the missile is safe to fire. The second indicia may be, for example, a color such as the color green. It will be recognized that the first and second indicia may be other types of indicia, such as words, symbols, and so forth. 
     A rear cover assembly  204  includes an upper, axially extending portion  208  which extends from a rear wall portion  220 . The portion  208  includes openings  216  removably receiving a rear cover retention pin  212 . The retention pin  212  engages an annular channel  388  in a main boss  380  and may be secured in position within the openings  216  via a mechanical means, such as a spring loaded ball detent, cotter pin, or the like. A sealing ring or gasket  224  is disposed between the rearward opening of the main housing  104  and the rear wall portion  220 . 
     The rear cover assembly  204  further includes a rear cover safety latch assembly  228 . The rear cover safety latch assembly  228  includes a latch housing  232  which is secured to the rear cover via fastener  236 . A pivot anchor  240  is secured to the latch housing via a fastener  244 . Two opposing latch arms  248  are pivotally attached in latch pivot channels  256  in the pivot anchor  240  via latch pivot pins  252 . 
     Each latch arm  248  includes latch hooks  260  disposed at a distal end thereof. Each latch arm includes a proximal end  264 . The proximal ends of the opposing latch arms  248  are secured to a latch spring  268  which urges distal ends of the latch arms apart, and thereby urging the latch hooks  260  toward each other. Two latch plates or catches  272  are configured to selectively engage the respective latch hooks  260  and are disposed within safety housing  168 . 
     When it is desired to use the unit  100  as a launch tube, the front cover  144  is first removed and the rear cover assembly  204  is then removed. When the front cover  144  is removed, the tongue  180  is urged in the forward direction by the spring  184 , wherein the front end or tip  182  of the safety tongue  180  extends or protrudes from the safety housing  168  through the slot  128 . Simultaneously, the rear end  276  of the tongue  180  is moved out from between the latch arms  248  to a position forward thereof, thereby allowing the latch spring  268  to urge the hooks  260  out of engagement with the respective latch plates  272 . After the hooks  260  are moved out of engagement with the respective latch plates  272  and the rear cover retention pin  212  is removed, the rear cover assembly  204  can be removed from the main housing  104 . 
     When it is desired to use the unit  100  as a storage tube, the rear cover assembly  204  is first attached to the device, followed by the front cover  144 . When the front cover  144  is rotatably secured to the threads  124 , the sidewall  148  advances in the rearward direction and the edge of the sidewall  148  urges the tongue  180  rearwardly, against the bias of the spring  184 . The tongue  180  may have a rounded or tapered end  276  for engaging the latch arms  248  and urging the distal ends of the latch arms apart, against the bias of the spring  184 , until the rear end of the tongue separates the latch arms and the latch hooks  260  engage the latch plates  272 . The presence of the tongue  180  between the latch arms prevents the latch arm hooks from disengaging the latch plates. 
     A fastener plate  280  cooperates with a fastener element  336  on the rear cover to allow the user to secure the unit  100  a load bearing article such as a garment or rig of the type having grids of webbing, such as a tactical vest, nick sack, or the like. Such equipment may include MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) gear, ALICE (All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) gear, PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) equipment, or the like. 
     The fastener plate  280  includes a handle  284  mounted to a handle boss  288  on the fastener plate  280 . The handle boss  288  includes a bore  292  and a counter bore  296 . A retractable pin  300  passes through the bore  292 . The pin  300  includes a shaft  304 , an enlarged diameter head  308 , and an internally threaded axial opening  312  in the opposite end of the pin. A coil spring  316  is disposed within the counterbore  296  around shaft  304  and bears against the enlarged diameter head  308 . 
     The handle  284  includes a bore  286  receiving a threaded fastener  328  recessed within a first counter bore  330  on a lower axial end of the handle  284  securing the handle  284  to the internally threaded end of pin, which protrudes through the bore  292  in the handle boss  296  and is received within a second counter bore  290  in the handle  284 . The handle boss  284 , in turn, is received within a third counterbore  294  in the handle  284 . First and second recesses  320  and  324 , respectively, are disposed in the safety housing cover and are axially spaced apart. Pulling on the handle  284  withdraws the pin  300  from the respective one of the recesses  320 ,  324  thereby allowing the user to slide the fastener plate  280  back and forth. 
     The fastener plate  280  includes a first MOLLE fastener tab  332  or the like and the second, stationary MOLLE fastener tab  336  or the like is disposed on rear cover. The fastener plate  280  includes a sliding rail  340  received within a channel  344  on the safety housing cover  172 . A retention plate  348  is secured to the sliding rail  340  via threaded fasteners  350  to secure the sliding rail  340  within the channel  344 . By using the handle  284  to alternately move the movable tab  332  away from and toward the fixed tab  336 , the user can alternately attach and detach the unit  100  to a garment or equipment having MOLLE or like webbing grid. 
     A weapon interface is provided to attach the main housing  104  to a firing platform. In certain embodiments, the main housing  104  includes a mounting surface  352  on the upper surface thereof. A first dovetail channel  356  is formed in the surface  352  and receives a first complementary dovetail plate  360 . The first dovetail plate  360  is secured within the first dovetail channel  356  with threaded fasteners  364 . A second dovetail channel  368  is formed in the surface  352  and receives a second complementary dovetail plate  372 . The second dovetail plate  372  is secured within the second dovetail channel  368  with threaded fasteners  376 . 
     A main boss  380  is secured to the first dovetail plate  360  with threaded fasteners  384 . The main boss  380  includes an annular channel  388 . A second boss  392  is secured to the first dovetail plate  360  with threaded fasteners  396 . A third boss  400  includes an upper flange  404  and is secured to the second dovetail plate  372  with threaded fasteners  408 . A protrusion  412  is secured to the second dovetail plate  372  by threaded fasteners  414  to permit pivoting movement of the barrel unit  100  about the main boss  380  (e.g., for the purpose of loading a missile  156  into the breech end of cavity  108 ) in one direction only as described in the aforementioned publication no. US2016/0153744. Likewise, an opening  416  in the dovetail plate  372  removably receives a complementary engaging member to prevent pivoting movement of the unit  100  relative to the firing platform about the main boss  380  unless disengaged by the user. In this manner, the unit  100  may be interchanged with the grenade launch barrel modules publication no. US2016/0153744. It will be recognized, however, that in alternative embodiments, the dove tail interface plates  360 ,  372  can be exchanged with alternatively configured interface members to adapt the unit  100  to different firing platforms. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.