Loral Aerospace Corp.

Richard S Lewis

A locking device for quickly attaching a wing to and removing the wing from a body of a missile, for example. The locking device is disposed in an opening in the wing and is adapted to secure the wing to the body of the missile using its attachment rail. The locking device comprises a rotatable cam, a rotatable cam follower for locking the wing to the attachment rail, and a cam latch for locking the cam follower in place. The cam has a opening disposed therein that is suitable for accepting a locking tool, such as an Allen wrench, for example, that is used to rotate the cam, and hence the cam follower, to attach the wing to and remove the wing from a m-fissile. A plurality of springs are respectively employed to retract the the cam follower when the locking device is disengaged, and to secure the cam latch in place when the cam follower is locked in place.

Locking device for attaching and removing missile wings and the like

A quick release mechanical attachment that forms part of a missile loading system for loading a missile onto a launch rail disposed on a vehicle. An electric crane mechanism, comprising a boom and hoist, is used to lift the missile adjacent the launch rail, and the quick release mechanical attachment is used to interface the electric crane to the deck of the vehicle. The quick release mechanical attachment comprises a base that includes a body having an internal bore and a counterbore. An electrical contact arrangement comprising a plurality of insulated conductive members is disposed in the counterbore. A plurality of electrical connectors are coupled to the conductive members, and first securing members are provided for securing the electrical contact arrangement in the counterbore. The base in its assembled condition has a predetermined internal taper. The electrical contact arrangement comprises a plurality of nonconductive spacers that surround the conductive members. The rotatable coupler comprises a body and an inner mast tube secured to the body. An electrical contact arrangement comprising a plurality of insulated conductive members is secured to the body and the inner mast tube. The electrical contact arrangement comprises a plurality of nonconductive spacers that surround the conductive members. A plurality of electrical connectors are coupled to the conductive members, and second securing members are coupled to the inner mast tube for securing the electrical contact arrangement to the body. The assembled coupler has a predetermined external taper that substantially matches the taper of the base.

Quick release mechanical attachment with integral electrical interconnect

A missile loading system for loading a missile onto a missile launcher disposed on a vehicle. The missile comprises fore and aft missile hangers that each have upper and lower hooks that have a predetermined separation distance therebetween. The improvement provided by the present invention comprises a launch rail disposed on the missile launcher that has two cut-outs disposed a predetermined distance apart that equals the separation distance between the fore and aft missile hangers on the missile. A plurality of load detent mechanisms (fore and aft) are provided that each comprise a body having the shape of the launch rail, and a lip by which the missile is secured, and an opening disposed therein. A plurality of holes are disposed in the body that are used to secure the load detent mechanism the cut-outs in the launch rail. A spring-loaded member having the shape of the launch rail is rotatably secured in the opening of the body. A spring member is coupled between the body and the spring-loaded member that permits it to be depressed.

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Chino Hills, CA, United States of America

Richard S Lewis