Ordnance – Mounts – Counterbalances
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-13
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Mounts
Counterbalances
C089S001816
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199469
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to counterbalance weight devices and more specifically, to a counterbalance weight device which allows for the use of the viewing or sensing equipment on the TOW weapons system without use of an installed launch tube, but using a pre-existing interface.
2. Description of Prior Art
TOW (tube launched optically tracked, wire command, link guided) is an assault missile weapon system capable of accurate, effective fire against armored vehicles and hard targets. Several versions of the system is in existence, including vehicle mounted and ground mounted configurations. On several past occasions TOW weapon systems have been and are now presently being deployed in the ground mounted configuration as a platform for observation and surveillance in non-hostile, but highly sensitive, areas of operations.
When used for observation and surveillance purposes, the system still requires the installation of the Launch Tube to aid in the ease of mechanical operation. Unfortunately, when the system is deployed and the Launch Tube installed, it has been interpreted as a hostile or threatening action which has provoked unwanted reactions. Without the launch tube in place, only the very strongest of men can overcome a strong equilibrator action inherent to the system, and then only for a very short time because of the continuous strain of holding against the strong spring action.
While the prior art has reported using a TOW system none have established a basis for a specific apparatus that is dedicated to the task of resolving the particular problem at hand. What is needed in this instance is a counterbalance weight device which allows for the use of the viewing or sensing equipment on the TOW weapons system without use of an installed launch tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a counterbalance weight device which allows for the use of the viewing or sensing equipment on the TOW weapons system without use of an installed launch tube.
According to the invention, there is disclosed a device for weight counterbalance of compensating equilibrators of a TOW weapons system. The TOW weapons system includes a missile launch tube interface further including launch tube brackets, locating pin, and launch tube latch for releasably coupling a launch tube to the missile launch tube interface.
The device includes a means provides ballast weight which rests upon a platform. Two platform support beams are coupled along their lengths to the platform bottom for support of said platform and coupled at one end to support beams. Platform braces are each coupled at one end to opposite platform sides and at each other end to a frame support bar, for bracing the platform. Two support beams couple and vertically support the platform support beams end and a frame support bar. A frame support bar with two ends is coupled perpendicular along its length to the platform braces other ends and the support beam for releasably coupling the frame support bar ends to the launch tube brackets.
A centering element coupled to the support beams other ends for insertion of the locating pin therethrough the centering element to be releasably coupled to the latch. Upon removal of the launch tube, the device is releasably coupled to the missile launch tube interface such that there is weight counterbalance of the compensating equilibrators.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2389726 (1945-11-01), Goodhue
patent: 2415340 (1947-02-01), D'Ardenne et al.
patent: 4452124 (1984-06-01), Morenus et al.
patent: 5062347 (1991-11-01), Allais et al.
patent: 174964 (1922-02-01), None
patent: 316020 (1934-03-01), None
Bashore Alain L.
Holford John E.
Johnson Stephen M.
Lee Milton W.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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