INERTIAL RESTRAINT MECHANISM FOR RAIL-MOUNTED MISSILES

摘要

An inertial restraint mechanism restrains a rail mounted missile (10) against forward movement along a missile launch rail (12) in response to a deceleration force. The restraint mechanism comprises a mass (36) the movement of which is opposed by a spring force (44). When the mass overcomes the spring force due to a deceleration force in excess of a threshold magnitude, a locking mechanism (53) is activated to a missile restraining position, thereby restraining the missile against forward movement. The restraint mechanism is locked (62, 65) in the missile restraining position to prevent release of a missile in response to multiple deceleration forces experienced by the missile and launch rail. Additionally, a detent (75) may be provided which prevents actuation of the restraint mechanism to the missile restraining position unless the missile is stored in a storage compartment.