ES2671800T3 - Adjustable afuste for single-use launcher tube light missile launcher - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable pitch for single-use single-tube launcher with a self-propelled missile, said launcher tube being mechanically and electrically attachable to a reusable control unit (44) through complementary connectors, allowing said control unit to locate the target , firing the missile and / or guiding the missile, including said adjustable thrust: * a first support (11) fixed to a base (2), equipped with a first joint (10) capable of rotating around a vertical axis (EV) and to avoid axial displacement in the direction of the vertical axis (EV); * a second support (21) attached to the first support (11) by at least a second joint (20) suitable for tilting around a horizontal axis (EH) and to avoid axial displacement in said horizontal axis direction (EH) ; * at least one locking element (14) which allows to fix, in a desired angular position, said first joint (10) and / or second joint (20); characterized in that the spindle (1) also incorporates: * a guided carriage (30) connected to the second support (21) by means of guide elements that allow a guided movement of said guided carriage (30) with respect to said second support (21) between a disarmament position, in which the launch tube and the missile control unit are decoupled from each other, and an armed position, in which the launch tube and the missile control unit are coupled through the aforementioned connectors and ready to be triggered; * control unit anchors (22) designed to precisely position and to securely and securely fix a control unit (41) of a missile launcher (40) to the shaft (1); and * launching tube anchors (31) provided to precisely position and securely and securely fix a single-use launching tube (42) to the spindle (1); wherein the control unit anchors (22) and the launcher tube anchors (31) are attached one on the guided carriage (30) and the others on the second support (21) or vice versa, allowing a guided displacement of the launch tube anchors (31) relative to the control unit anchors (22); and wherein said guided displacement of the guided carriage (30) includes, with respect to the axis defined by the firing direction (DD), which is defined by the launch tube (42), a lateral displacement and an axial displacement in the direction of shot (DD).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Adjustable afuste for single-use launcher tube light missile launcher Technical field

The present invention concerns the field of orientable supports, or afustes, provided for the support of light launchers of single-use launcher tube, said afuste being provided with two degrees of freedom with respect to two axis of rotation perpendicular to each other, by means of a first articulated support with respect to a base around a vertical axis, and a second articulated support with respect to the first support around a horizontal axis, thus allowing a missile launcher anchored on said second support to move by means of a lateral rotation or by means of a vertical swing.

State of the art

Single-use launcher tube launchers are widely known. It is also known that they have a reusable control unit suitable to be easily and quickly coupled to said launch tube, to allow the aiming and firing of the missile from said control unit, or optionally also to allow the guided of the fired missile. These missile launchers are lightweight and can be transported by one or two users, and be fired on a tripod or some models even on the user's shoulder. Examples of this type of missile launchers are those marketed by Rafael, under the Spike brand.

Adjustable shafts adapted to support missile launchers of this type are also known, for example by means of documents US3389637 and GB1223922. A light missile launcher according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from document NL1008288C1. None of these documents anticipates an aftertaste that allows the launching tube to be held in an uncoupled position of the control unit and its connectors, avoiding fatigue or breakage of said connectors that join both elements during transport, and that also allows a quick coupling of both elements by means of a displacement of one of them guided by the afuste itself, allowing to prepare the afuste for its use of fast way.

Exhibition of the invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable flush for light-weight single-use launcher with a reusable control unit that allows locating the target, firing the missile and / or guiding the missile according to the appended claims. These types of missile launchers are designed to be transported by one or two soldiers, and consist of a single-use launcher tube that contains a self-propelled missile and the aforementioned control unit that contains the optical and / or electronic elements that allow the User locate the target as well as the missile trigger. Optionally, the control unit may also contain instruments that allow guidance of the missile during its flight to the target.

Both the launch tube and the control unit have complementary connectors that allow said elements to be transported separately but, for use, the launch tube is coupled both mechanically and electrically to the control unit, then becoming in solidarity, allowing a user to hold the missile launcher on his shoulder, or to arrange it on a shoulder, to proceed with the aiming and firing of the missile towards a target.

After firing, the missile launch tube can be separated from the control unit and replaced by another new launch tube allowing another shot to be taken.

This type of missile launcher does not have recoil, since the missile is self-propelled, and they are also provided for the separate transport of the launcher tube and the control unit, for these reasons the mentioned connectors are not very resistant and are not sized to resist prolonged vibrations or large inertial loads. This limitation prevents the transport of the control unit attached to the launcher tube, as the connectors would eventually break down, and it is therefore unfeasible to have said missile launcher ready for use mounted on a groove on, for example, a vehicle, and preventing its rapid use against an enemy that is fast approaching.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a fitting that allows the control unit and the launch tube to be held in the disarmed position, that is to say, both elements being disengaged, allowing the transport of said aforementioned with said missile launcher in the disarmament position avoiding fatigue. of the connectors, and allowing the aforesaid a quick connection of the launch tube with the control unit through said connectors, then becoming in the armed position, and allowing the missile launcher to be used, by means of a simple and fast operation, allowing thus react quickly to a threat.

The aforementioned adjustable afuste includes:

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• a first support that can be fixed to a base, and equipped with a first joint capable of rotating around a vertical axis and to avoid axial displacement in the direction of the vertical axis;

• a second support attached to the first support by means of at least a second joint suitable for tilting around a horizontal axis and to avoid axial displacement in said direction of the horizontal axis;

• at least one locking element that allows to fix, in a desired angular position, said first joint and / or second joint;

The first joint, when rotating relative to a vertical axis, provides the first support with freedom of lateral angular movement. The base on which the first support is fixed can be, for example, a coupling configuration provided in a military vehicle. It is also envisaged that said afloat includes vibration absorption devices that reduce the vibrations transmitted to the missile launcher coupled thereto. Such devices may be, for example, elastomeric elements arranged between the base and the vehicle, or in other locations.

These elements provide the afuste with two degrees of freedom, allowing the missile launcher attached to said afuste to point in any direction.

In addition, in a novel way, the proposed setting also incorporates:

• a guided carriage connected to the second support by means of guide elements that allow a guided movement of said guided carriage with respect to said second support between a disarmament position and an armed position;

• control unit anchors designed to precisely position and securely and securely fasten the control unit to the flush; Y

• launcher tube anchors designed to precisely position and securely and securely fix the single-use launcher tube to the shaft;

the control unit anchors being on the second support and the launch tube anchors on the guided carriage, or vice versa the control unit anchors on the guided carriage and the launch pipe anchors on the second support, allowing a guided displacement of the launch tube anchors with respect to the control unit anchors. Therefore, in an embodiment according to the invention, the second support of the afuste incorporates anchors of control unit in which to fix the control unit of the missile launcher, and in addition the second support of the afuste incorporates a guided carriage on which Launcher tube anchors are arranged in which to fix the launcher tube of the missile launcher, in a complementary way with the missile control unit fixed directly on the second support. A reverse embodiment is also contemplated in which the control unit is fixed on the guided car.

Optionally, it is provided that between the missile element fixed to the second support and said second support, a coupling element or other guided carriage is also interposed, thus allowing the aforesaid to be adapted to different models of missile launchers, or allowing relative movement with respect to the rest of the afuste of any of the two parts that make up the missile launcher.

Therefore, said guided carriage can be guided with respect to the rest of the second support in a guided manner, by means of the guide elements, moving the launcher tube of the missile launcher with respect to the missile control unit, between the disarmament position, in which both parts they are decoupled, and the armed position, in which both parts are coupled through said connectors and ready to be fired.

It will be understood that an embodiment in which the launch tube was fixed on the second support, and it was the control unit that is fixed on the guided carriage would be perfectly feasible, and totally obvious in view of the exposed embodiment, both of which can be considered identical and integral embodiments of the proposed invention.

It is also understood that the anchors can be of a very different nature, being able, for example, to be straps, clamps, pins, screws, or anchors produced by the interaction of complementary geometries such as groove and groove configurations.

According to a further embodiment, the guided car admits, with respect to the axis defined by the firing direction, a lateral displacement and an axial displacement. These two directions of movement, combined, provide a bolt-type displacement, or L-shaped path, which allows the coupling of the launch tube with the control unit to occur through a lateral insertion of the connectors, and a sliding of the themselves in the firing direction. However, other coupling paths are also contemplated, such as a U-shaped path, or others.

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Additionally, it is expected that the lateral displacement of the guided carriage follows a curved path, which allows the lateral insertion path of the connectors of the launch tube with respect to the connectors of the control unit to be more similar to that which would continue to be performed manually by the user of the missile launcher.

According to another embodiment, a lever is connected to the guided carriage, and allows driving the guided movement by a user by manipulating said lever, which makes it easier for the user to put the missile launcher in the armed position or in the position of disassembled by manipulating the lever with one hand.

Optionally said lever protrudes from a lower face of the guided carriage and the second support.

Additionally, the guide elements include the lever attached to the guided carriage, and a cam groove integrated in the second support that defines the travel of the lever.

Retention means are also provided that allow the position of the guided car to be locked in the disarmament position and / or in the armed position.

The disarming position keeps the control unit and the launcher tube physically disconnected and separated, which protects the union connectors of said control unit with the launcher tube against breakage or wear caused by vibrations or shaking, for example during transport on board a vehicle. Therefore, thanks to said afuste, the missile launcher can be transported on board a vehicle fixed to the afuste in disarmament position, without risk of damage, and allowing at the same time to be able to place the missile launcher in an armed position in a few seconds, allowing to react quickly to a threat.

It will be understood that references to geometric position, such as parallel, perpendicular, tangent, etc. they admit deviations of up to ± 5 ° with respect to the theoretical position defined by said nomenclature.

Other features of the invention will appear in the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment.

Brief description of the figures

The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the gun from a first point of view, according to a first embodiment, the gun being mounted and devoid of missile launchers;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the aft shown in Fig. 1 from a second point of view opposite to the first point of view, the set being mounted and devoid of missile launchers;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the aft shown in Fig. 1 from the first point of view, the aforesaid being exploded and devoid of missile launchers;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the aft shown in Fig. exploded and devoid of missile launchers;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the flush shown in Fig. flush mounted and provided with a missile launcher in the disassembled position of the control unit;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the aft shown in Fig. assembled and equipped with a missile launcher in armed position, control unit.

Detailed description of an embodiment example

The present invention relates to an adjustable flush for a light missile launcher 40 with a single-use launcher tube 42 and reusable control unit 41, the control unit 41 being able to locate the target and shoot, and optionally also the responsible for guiding the missile during its flight to the target. In said missile launcher 40, the launch tube 42 is connected to the control unit 41 by means of mutually complementary and attachable connectors 43 located both in the control unit 41 and in the launch tube 42. Such connectors 43 allow both the mechanical support of the tube launcher 42 attached to the control unit 41, such as the electrical connection between both halves of the missile launcher 40, allowing the ignition of the missile, among other functions thereof, to be controlled from the control unit 41.

2 from the second point of view, the

2 from the second point of view, being the, with the launch tube physically separated from

2 from the second point of view, the one with the launch tube attached and connected to the

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According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 1 for illustrative, non-limiting purposes, the proposed set 1 consists of a first support 11 articulated with respect to a base 2 around a vertical axis EV, giving freedom of horizontal angular rotation .

Said first support 11 has a vertical side arm, with an upper end approximately parallel to said vertical axis EV, at which end a second support 21 is articulated, which is articulated around a horizontal axis EH, allowing a second degree of freedom of the afuste 1 in a tilting direction.

On said second support 21, control unit anchors 22 are provided for fixing said control unit 41 of the missile launcher 40 to said second support 21 removably, the shape and position of said control unit anchors 22 being complementary to the shape and position of the control unit 41 in operative position (armed or disarmed), or part thereof.

Said second support 21 also supports a guided carriage 30 which, by means of guide elements 32, 33, 34, 35, can move relative to the rest of the second support 21 following a path determined by said guide elements 32, 33, 34, 35 The path determined by said guide elements 32, 33, 34, 35 will depend on the path required for the connection and connection of the control unit 41 with the launch tube 42, typically being a bolt-type path L, but contemplating other different paths, for example U-shaped.

On said guided carriage 30, launching tube anchors 31 are provided for fixing said launching tube 42 to the guided carriage 30 precisely and safely. In the present embodiment, said launch tube anchors 31 consist of adjustable fasteners with quick release that clamp said launch tube 42 against the guided carriage 30.

In this example, the guided carriage 30 and the guide elements 32, 33, 34, 35 consist of a pair of parallel walls perpendicular to the firing direction DD defined by the launch tube 42, said walls being arranged on the second support 21 , each endowed with lateral guide grooves 34. Two cylindrical shafts 35 parallel to each other and with respect to the firing direction DD, have their ends inserted in said lateral guide grooves 34, allowing lateral displacement, relative to the direction of DD trip, of said two cylindrical axes 35, following the path defined by the lateral guide grooves 34, which in this case are curved. Both cylindrical shafts 35 are connected to each other to keep their distance constant, and preferably have bearings to facilitate their movement along the lateral guide grooves 34.

On said cylindrical axes 35, the guided carriage 30 is arranged, joined thereto by means of sliding skates provided for sliding along said cylindrical axes 35, allowing the axial displacement of the guided carriage 30 in the firing direction DD.

The guided carriage 30 has a lever 32 attached to its lower face and protruding downwards through a cam groove 33 made in the second support 21. The interaction between the lever 32 and the cam groove 33 defines the trajectory of the guided carriage 30, between the assembly position, in which the launch tube 42 is coupled to the control unit 41, and the disarmament position, in which said components of the missile launcher 40 are decoupled and separated, allowing safe transport of the missile launchers 40 without risk of transport vibrations damaging the connectors 43. Obviously the path defined by the lever 32 and the cam groove 33 must be contained within the freedom of movement allowed by both the lateral guide grooves 34 and axes cylindrical 35.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 1. - Adjustable afuste for light missile of single-use launcher tube containing a self-propelled missile, said launcher tube being both mechanically and electrically attachable to a reusable control unit (44) through complementary connectors, allowing said control unit Locate the target, fire the missile and / or guide the missile, including the adjustable direction: • a first support (11) attachable to a base (2), equipped with a first joint (10) capable of rotating around a vertical axis (EV) and to avoid axial displacement in the direction of the vertical axis (EV); • a second support (21) attached to the first support (11) by at least a second joint (20) suitable for tilting around a horizontal axis (EH) and to avoid axial displacement in the said direction of the horizontal axis (EH) ; • at least one locking element (14) which allows to fix, in a desired angular position, said first joint (10) and / or second joint (20); characterized in that the flute (1) also incorporates: • a guided carriage (30) connected to the second support (21) by means of guide elements that allow a guided movement of said guided carriage (30) with respect to said second support (21) between a disarming position, in which the tube launcher and the missile control unit are decoupled from each other, and an armed position, in which the launcher tube and the missile control unit are coupled through said connectors and ready to be fired; • control unit anchors (22) designed to precisely position and to securely and securely fix a control unit (41) of a missile launcher (40) to the shaft (1); Y • launching tube anchors (31) designed to precisely position and securely and securely fix a single-use launch tube (42) to the spindle (1); wherein the control unit anchors (22) and the launcher tube anchors (31) are attached one on the guided carriage (30) and the others on the second support (21) or vice versa, allowing a guided displacement of the launch tube anchors (31) relative to the control unit anchors (22); Y wherein said guided displacement of the guided carriage (30) includes, with respect to the axis defined by the firing direction (DD), which is defined by the launching tube (42), a lateral displacement and an axial displacement in the firing direction (DD). 2. - Flush according to claim 1 characterized in that the lateral displacement of the guided carriage (30) follows a curved path defined by lateral guide grooves (34). 3. - Flush according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the axial displacement in the firing direction (DD) of the guided carriage (30) follows a rectilinear path defined by a pair of cylindrical axes (35) parallel to the firing direction (DD). 4. - Flush according to claim 2 and 3 characterized in that the cylindrical shafts (35) are laterally guided by the lateral guide grooves (34). 5. -Adjustment according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that the guided carriage has a lever (32) connected thereto which allows to drive the guided movement by a user. 6. - Flush according to claim 6 characterized in that the lever (32) protrudes from a lower face of the guided carriage (30) and from a lower face of the second support (21). 7. - Flush according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the guide elements include the lever (32) attached to the guided carriage (30), and a cam slot (33) integrated in the second support (21) defining the lever travel (32). 8. - Flush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that retaining means allow to block the position of the guided carriage (30) in the disarmament position and / or in the armed position.