Patent ID: 7127994

Claim:
A low shock separation joint for attaching a first structure to a second structure, the low shock separation joint comprising: a first member including a structure attachment side, a joint side, a clevis formed at said structure attachment side, a first flange formed at said joint side, and a second flange formed at said joint side; a second member including a third flange corresponding to said first flange on said first member and a fourth flange corresponding to said second flange on said second member, wherein said first member is elastically flexed in response to compressive force placed on said clevis to increase spacing between said first and second flanges, to allow alignment and coupling of said first flange and said third flange, and to allow alignment and coupling of said second flange and said fourth flange, and wherein said first and third flanges mate with one another and said second and fourth flanges mate with one another after said first member is released from flexing to prevent separation of said first and second members under tensile and compressive forces; and an explosive device within said first member, said explosive device being configured to spread said first and second flanges apart from one another when detonated to decouple said first and second members.