초록 ▼

A fin retention system having a plurality of fin retention units and in which each unit is associated with one deployable fin of the projectile. Each retention unit has an alignment device and a pair of span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the alignment device. An attachment device a

A fin retention system having a plurality of fin retention units and in which each unit is associated with one deployable fin of the projectile. Each retention unit has an alignment device and a pair of span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the alignment device. An attachment device attaches the free ends of the span arms of adjacent fin retention units together. In doing so, the alignment device engages and holds each fin in its undeployed position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fin retention system for a projectile having a plurality of deployable fins comprising: a plurality of fin retention units, each retention unit having an alignment device and a pair of span arms, said span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of said alignment device,an attachment devic

1. A fin retention system for a projectile having a plurality of deployable fins comprising: a plurality of fin retention units, each retention unit having an alignment device and a pair of span arms, said span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of said alignment device,an attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of one of said span arms and a cooperating attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of the other of said span arms,wherein, with the fins of the projectile in an undeployed position, one alignment device is aligned with each fin and the attachment device of each retention unit is attached to said cooperating attachment device of its adjacent retention unit to lock said retention units together and simultaneously hold the fins in an undeployed position. 2. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said fin retention units are constructed of a combustible material, that, when burned, does not add appreciably to a launch tube peak pressure or a propelling force behind the projectile during its forward travel within a launch tube. 3. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein the fins each include a notch and wherein said alignment device includes a pin which cooperates with said notch to lock said alignment unit preventing axial movement with respect to its associated fin. 4. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said attachment device and said cooperating attachment device comprise a snap lock having a cooperating male member and female member. 5. The fin retention system as defined in claim 4 wherein said male member comprises a pin and said female member comprises an opening complementary in shape, but slightly smaller in cross-sectional shape than said male member. 6. The fin retention system as defined in claim 4 wherein said male member and said female member are easily mated and un-mated by hand at the original point of assembly or manufacture or in-the-field. 7. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein each said retention unit is constructed of an inert, flame-retardant material. 8. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said retention unit is constructed of either a combustible or inert, flame-retardant material that adds neglible mass to the total projectile weight at launch. 9. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said retention units are constructed of either a combustible material or an inert, flame-retardant material that adds neglible mass to the total projectile weight at launch. 10. The fin retention system as defined in claim 3 wherein said retentions unit are constructed of either a combustible material or an inert, flame-retardant material that adds neglible mass to the total projectile weight at launch. 11. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein each fin retention unit is of a one piece construction allowing for multiple inter-locking units to retain at least 3 independently-deploying fins. 12. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said fin retention system is durable enough to keep all fins undeployed during projectile handling and manipulation within a launch tube prior to launch yet be of low enough strength to harmlessly remove itself from the fins and projectile during and/or just after launch. 13. The fin retention system as defined in claim 12 wherein said fin retention system is durable enough to keep all fins undeployed during projectile handling and manipulation within a launch tube prior to launch yet be of low enough strength to harmlessly remove itself from the fins and projectile during and/or just after launch. 14. The fin retention system as defined in claim 1 wherein said span arms are generally planar. 15. The fin retention system as defined in claim 8 wherein each span arm defines a plane and the planes of the span arms on each retention unit intersect each other at an angle equal to 60, 90, and 108 degrees for a projectile with 3, 4, or 5fins, respectively. 16. The fin retention system as defined in claim 9 wherein each span arm defines a plane and the planes of the span arms on each retention unit intersect each other at an angle equal to 60, 90, and 108 degrees for a projectile with 3, 4, or 5fins, respectively. 17. The fin retention system as defined in claim 10 wherein each span arm defines a plane and the planes of the span arms on each retention unit intersect each other at an angle equal to 60, 90, and 108 degrees for a projectile with 3, 4, or 5fins, respectively. 18. A fin retention system for a projectile having a plurality of deployable fins comprising: a plurality of fin retention units, each retention unit having an alignment device and a pair of span arms, said span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of said alignment device wherein said fin retention units are constructed of a combustible material, that, when burned, does not add appreciably to a launch tube peak pressure or propelling force behind the projectile during its forward travel within the launch tube and further wherein each fin retention unit is of a one piece construction allowing for multiple inter-locking units to retain 3 to 5 independently-deploying fins,an attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of one of said span arms and a cooperating attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of the other of said span arms wherein said attachment device and said cooperating attachment device comprise a snap lock having a cooperating male member and female member,wherein said male member comprises a snap pin and said female member comprises an opening complementary in shape to said snap pin, but slightly smaller in cross-sectional shape than said male member and further wherein said male member and said female member are easily mated and un-mated by hand at the original point of assembly or manufacture or in-the-field,wherein, with the fins of the projectile in an undeployed position, one alignment device is aligned with each fin and the attachment device of each retention unit is attached to said cooperating attachment device of its adjacent retention unit to lock said retention units together and simultaneously hold the fins in said undeployed positionwherein the fins each include a notch and wherein said alignment device includes a pin which cooperates with said notch to lock said alignment unit preventing axial movement with respect to its associated fin. 19. A fin retention system for a projectile having a plurality of deployable fins comprising: a plurality of fin retention units, each retention unit having an alignment device and a pair of span arms, said span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of said alignment device wherein each fin retention unit is of a one piece construction allowing for multiple inter-locking units to retain 3 to 5 independently-deploying fins,an attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of one of said span arms and a cooperating attachment device positioned adjacent a free end of the other of said span arms wherein said attachment device and said cooperating attachment device comprise a snap lock having a cooperating male member and female member,wherein said male member comprises a snap pin and said female member comprises an opening complementary in shape to said snap pin, but slightly smaller in cross-sectional shape than said male member and further wherein said male member and said female member are easily mated and un-mated by hand at the original point of assembly or manufacture or in-the-field,wherein, with the fins of the projectile in an undeployed position, one alignment device is aligned with each fin and the attachment device of each retention unit is attached to said cooperating attachment device of its adjacent retention unit to lock said retention units together and simultaneously hold the fins in said undeployed positionwherein the fins each include a notch and wherein said alignment device includes a pin which cooperates with said notch to lock said alignment unit preventing axial movement with respect to its associated fin. 20. The fin retention system as defined in claim 19 wherein said retention unit is constructed of either a combustible or inert, flame-retardant material that adds neglible mass to the total projectile weight at launch.