Holder for cylindrical containers

May 17, I960

2,936,992

H. BROWNING

HOLDER FOR CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS

Filed Dec. 5, 1957

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ATTORNEY

United States Patent Office

2,936,992

Patented May 17, 1960

2,936,992

HOLDER FOR CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS

Harrison Browning, Tucson, Ariz., assignor to Arizona Gear &amp; Manufacturing Co., Tucson, Ariz., a corporation of Arizona

Application December 5,1957, Serial No. 700,901 1 Claim. (CI. 248—361)

This invention relates to means for storing the fuse for the propulsion unit of a guided missile in close proximity thereto.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple device of the type described that is adapted to store various sized fuses.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will permit storing the fuse securely and safely, on the one hand, while permitting rapid release of the fuse from its storage place, on the other hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage rack for an arming device which retains the arming de- 20 vice in its stored position inside a desiccated storage container by means of a single strap.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the specification and claim which follow.

Although my invention will be described in connection with a device for storing the fuse for the propulsion unit of a guided missile inside a desiccated guided-missile storage container, it is to be understood that the invention applies to devices for storing any fuse or arming means in close proximity to any type of device adapted ³⁰to be armed.

In the past it was necessary to store the fuse used for firing the propulsion unit of a guided missile at a place remote from the propulsion unit and the missile. This caused great inconvenience when the missile was readied ³^ for use by necessitating an extra trip to the area where the fuses were stored. The problem was further complicated by the fact that the fuse had to be stored in a desiccated area.

It is now safe to store the fuses in close proximity to the missiles, provided, however, that the fuses are firmly secured in their storage place. My invention permits such storage by welding or bolting an M-shaped trough inside the missile-storage container and securing a fuse case to the trough by means of a web strap or similar 45 fastening means which is adapted to be quickly released when it is desirable to remove the fuse case.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the drawings which form a part hereof and wherein like reference characters designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical, end view of the device looking in the direction of the arrows on line 2—2 of Figure l;and

Figure 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the device of the invention associated with a guided missile storage container.

As shown in Figure 1, a cylindrical case 10 containing a fuse, not shown, is secured to an M-shaped carrier or trough 11 by means of a strap 12. The carrier or trough 11 may be made of plastic, lightweight metal or other suitable material and comprises a body portion 15 provided with base portions 16 and 17. The base portions 16 and 17 may be an integral part of the body portion 15 or they may be rigidly affixed thereto, as by welding. A slot 20 is provided on One side of the body portion 15 intermediate its ends and an opening 21 is placed diametrically opposite the slot 20 on the other side of the body portion 15. A projection 22 is attached to the body portion 15 over the opening 21. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the opening 21 and projection 22 may be formed by stamping the body portion 15. The holes 25 may be provided at the outer corners of the base portions 16 and 17 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The strap 12, made of any suitable material, such as webbing, has a fixed clip 30 and a releasable clip 31 and is used to secure the cylindrical case 10 to the M-shaped trough 11. The fixed clip 30 engages the slot 20 in body portion 15 and may be retained in position thereon by any suitable means, such as a spring clip 32 engaging the outside surface of body portion 15 and a shoulder, not shown, engaging its inside surface. The releasable clip 31 has a lip 33 which engages projection 22 on the body portion 15. The clip 30 is somewhat R-shaped, as shown in Figure 2, to give it sufiicient resiliency to permit the lip 33 to pass the projection 22. The strap 12 and clip 39 are stiff enough to cause the lip 33 to tightly engage the projection 22 so that the cylindrical case 10 will be firmly secured in place on the trough 11. The clips 30 and 31 are provided with slots 34 (as best seen in Figure 1 on the clip 31) so that the length of strap 12 can be varied to accommodate cylindrical cases of various sizes. A larger case 10α is shown in broken lines in Figure 2. Such a case is secured in position by moving the clips 30 and 31 sufficiently near the ends of the strap 12 to permit the lip 33 to tightly engage projection 22 while strap 12 encircles the case 10α having the larger periphery.

As shown in Figure 3, the trough 11 having a case 10 secured thereto is rigidly affixed to the wall 40 of a storage container 41 for a guided missile 42. The trough 11 may be secured to the wall 40 by welding or by means of bolts, not shown, engaging the holes 25 in base portions 16 and 17.

When the missile is ready for use, the case 10 is removed from the trough 11 by releasing the lip 33 from projection 22 by pulling on the strap 12.

It will be seen that the invention provides a simple, inexpensive means for storing fuses for the propulsion unit of a guided missile in close proximity thereto.

It will be obvious that various modifications of the embodiments of the invention shown and described for purposes of illustration can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, retaining means may be provided near the ends of the trough 11 to engage the ends of the case 10 thereby preventing longitudinal movement thereof in case the strap 12 stretches during long storage periods. It should, therefore, be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the exact structural details of the device shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation.