Apparatus for suspending, strapping, and launching a flying body from a carrier

US4922799A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Josef Bartl
• Wilhelm Schroettle · Munich, DE
• Dietmar Puttinger · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 2, 1989
• Grant date: May 8, 1990
• Expiry date: May 2, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64D1/06
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A flying body, such as a missile, is strapped to a carrier vehicle, such as an aircraft, by a strapping or locking mechanism mounted in a housing which also includes components for suspending and launching the flying body from launching rails forming part of the housing connected to the carrier aircraft. The strapping is accomplished with two strapping bridges which are pressed down onto the respective suspension block elements resting on the launching rail. The pressing down force is applied by a toggle lever arrangement, one of which is provided for each strapping bridge. The toggle lever arrangement cooperates with a respective spring arrangement which keeps the corresponding toggle levers in a strapping position until the spring arrangement is released through release pawls operated with a reverse magnet. A retaining mechanism which is effective between the release of the strapping mechanism and the actual launching after ignition of the propulsion system of the flying body, is made ready for launching. In this state of readiness the retaining mechanism holds the flying body in place until its propulsion thrust is large enough to overcome the retaining force.