Container apparatus for object to be dropped
A container apparatus for an object to be dropped, which contains an object to be dropped functioning as a point marker or a hydrographic conditions measuring device or the like and is dropped by a transport airplane such as an aircraft flying in the air to a water surface of sea, lake or the like, or to land or the like. The container apparatus follows a substantially uniform trajectory after being dropped by the transport airplane, and after being dropped, reduces the flight speed thereof to a fixed speed, to release the object to be dropped housed therein.
1. A container apparatus for an object to be dropped, comprising
(a) a cylindrical container main body which is divided vertically into two portions, with first ends of said two portions at a first end section thereof being connected with each other by a hinge and second ends of said two portions at an opposite end section thereof capable of being decoupled from each other at both sides, said main body housing therein an object which exhibits a predetermined function to be dropped by a transport airplane;
(b) main body coupling means for coupling said second ends together, said coupling means comprising a thread-type member which draws said second ends toward each other for tying said second ends together, said thread-type member being severed by melting at a predetermined temperature;
(c) an automatic extending cable which extends from said first end section of said container main body and is attached to the transport airplane; and
(d) main body releasing means for releasing said main body coupling means to decouple said second ends from each other to release the object, said releasing means including
(1) a heating member activated by extension of said automatic extending cable and heating said thread-type member to melt and sever said member; and
(2) a controller for controlling a heating time of said heating member so that said heating member heats said thread-type member to at least the predetermined temperature, thereby permitting said thread-type member to be severed to decouple said main body.
2. A container apparatus for an object to be dropped as defined in claim 1 ,
wherein at least one plumb bob is incorporated at a predetermined location in said container main body, for adjusting a trajectory of said container apparatus after being dropped by the transport airplane.