Patent ID: 8091460

Claim:
A secure-release mechanism ( 50 ) for a missile to be launched from a launch rail, said secure-release mechanism being attached to the launch rail and comprising: a wheel housing ( 72 ); a wheel slider ( 76 ) secured within said wheel housing; a secure-release wheel ( 70 ) rotatable on a pivot pin ( 74 ), said pivot pin being mounted on said wheel slider and extending through a pivot hole ( 70 K) of said secure-release wheel ( 70 ); a wheel lock ( 78 ) slidably engaged within a raceway ( 95 ) of said wheel housing; a lock link ( 80 ) connected to a rear end ( 79 ) of said wheel lock and extending through a bushing ( 89 ) of said wheel housing; a trigger assembly ( 66 ); a connecting rod ( 52 ) positioned between and connected to said lock link ( 80 ) and said trigger assembly ( 66 ); and wherein said secure-release wheel ( 70 ) is asymmetrical and defined by a plurality of surfaces which extend radially outward from said pivot hole ( 70 K), said plurality of surfaces including a wheel unlatch surface ( 70 H), a wheel notch stop surface ( 70 D), a wheel detent surface ( 70 G), a clockwise stop surface ( 70 C) and a counterclockwise stop surface ( 70 B).