Oct 14, 2025

US12442622 - Variable payload launch device

A spring loaded device for launching projectiles in a hostile environment. The device has an articulable launch assembly. The launch assembly has a spring loaded carriage for holding the projectile when loaded by an operator or a superjacent magazine. The carriage is retracted by a screw to a predetermined position based upon spring rate and the desired initial launch velocity and launch angle. Upon command or target acquisition a release mechanism releases the carriage for forward translation and launch of the projectile.

Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
Inventors: Michael Anderson, Grant Appel, Seth Konig, George Gardner, Shawn Mathis, William Yates, John Olson, Hugh Briggs
Filing date: 2023-06-08

The patent describes a spring-loaded variable payload launch device designed for automatic projectile delivery in hostile environments, featuring an articulable launch assembly and a retraction mechanism controlled by a screw. The device allows for precise positioning and launching of projectiles through a spring-biased carriage that can be remotely activated, enhancing operational efficiency and targeting capabilities.

Claim 1

A device for automatic projectile delivery, the device comprising: a base and a launch assembly operably connected thereto; the base comprising a frame and at least one stanchion upstanding from the frame for supporting the launch assembly; a fore panel and an aft panel longitudinally opposed thereto; at least one rail extending between the fore panel and the aft panel and holding the fore panel and aft panel in fixed relationship the launch assembly being articulable relative to a support surface; a carriage having a sled supported by the at least one rail to be longitudinally translatable, the carriage being spring biased towards the fore panel and having a bucket separable from the sled and configured to receive a projectile therein and launch a projectile therefrom; a screw, the screw being longitudinally parallel and being operably connected to the carriage whereby rotation of the screw imparts longitudinal retraction to the carriage as determined by a remote user; a launch motor adapted to impart rotation to the screw to cause longitudinal movement of the carriage in response to the rotation of the screw; and at least one rotatable tab for holding the sled in a predetermined longitudinal position between the fore panel and the aft panel and upon release allowing the bucket to advance forward under the spring bias to thereby launch a projectile therefrom. a base and a launch assembly operably connected thereto; the base comprising a frame and at least one stanchion upstanding from the frame for supporting the launch assembly; a fore panel and an aft panel longitudinally opposed thereto; at least one rail extending between the fore panel and the aft panel and holding the fore panel and aft panel in fixed relationship the launch assembly being articulable relative to a support surface; a carriage having a sled supported by the at least one rail to be longitudinally translatable, the carriage being spring biased towards the fore panel and having a bucket separable from the sled and configured to receive a projectile therein and launch a projectile therefrom; a screw, the screw being longitudinally parallel and being operably connected to the carriage whereby rotation of the screw imparts longitudinal retraction to the carriage as determined by a remote user; a launch motor adapted to impart rotation to the screw to cause longitudinal movement of the carriage in response to the rotation of the screw; and at least one rotatable tab for holding the sled in a predetermined longitudinal position between the fore panel and the aft panel and upon release allowing the bucket to advance forward under the spring bias to thereby launch a projectile therefrom.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12442622

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12442622