US3714899A

US3714899A - Scoring module

Info

Publication number: US3714899A
Application number: US00051653A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Filippi
Original assignee: Special Devices Inc
Current assignee: Special Devices Inc
Priority date: 1970-07-01
Filing date: 1970-07-01
Publication date: 1973-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-06

Abstract

An improved scoring module for a weapons training aid for producing noise and/or smoke and/or a flash for simulating an explosive and providing the expulsion of a marking dye for simulating the effect of shrapnel-type hits. The scoring module is adaptable to any type of simulated weapons training aid that may be desired for utilization in realistic simulated combat training procedures. The scoring module is reusable and is designed for field refurbishing after each use. A single noise, smoke and gas generating cartridge means is utilized to provide both the gas pressure for expelling dye as well as the simulated noise, smoke and flash. The primer system is mechanically actuated by either a lanyard pole or a bore rider. Both the gas generator cartridge and the ignition means are replaceable units in the body member and the marking dye is contained within a a rupturable dye sack that is merely placed in the appropriate cavity. A flexible bladder attached to the body means operates under gas pressure generated by the gas generator to rupture the dye sack and expel the fluid. Substantially complete expulsion of the dye is provided by selection of the burst pressure for the burst diaphragm sealing the gas generator charge means.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Filippi Feb. 6, 1973 SCORING MODULE Ernest A. Filippi, Northridge, Calif. [73] Assignee: Special Devices, Inc. I

[22] Filed: July 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 51,653

[75] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerRobert F. Stahl Attorney-Robert J. Horn, Jr.

{57] ABSTRACT An improved scoring module for a weapons training aid for producing noise and/or smoke and/or a flash for simulating an explosive and providing the expulsion of a marking dye for simulating the effect of shrapnel-type hits. The scoring module is adaptable to any type of simulated weapons training aid that may be desired for utilization in realistic simulated combat training procedures. The scoring module is reusable and is designed for field refurbishing after each use. A single noise, smoke and gas generating cartridge means is utilized to provide both the gas pressure for expelling dye as well as the simulated noise, smoke and flash. The primer system is mechanically actuated by either a lanyard pole or a bore rider. Both the gas generator cartridge and the ignition means are replaceable units in the body member and the marking dye is contained within a a rupturable dye sack that is merely placed in the appropriate cavity. A flexible bladder attached to the body means operates under gas pressure generated by the gas generator to rupture the dye sack and expel the fluid. Substantially complete expulsion of the dye is provided by selection of the burst pressure for the burst diaphragm sealing the gas generator charge means.

7 9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 6 I973 SHEET 20F 3 m NW M 2 mH o l; 5 N W /M A R J SCORING MODULE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the weapons training art and more particularly to an improved scoring module that may be utilized in a variety of weapons training aids.

2. Description of the Prior Art In order to achieve realistic training it is generally conceded to be necessary to employ, during the training program, those physical objects and situations that are most nearly equivalent to the real purpose for which the training is to be'accomplished. In training military personnel it is desireable to have simulated combat training and military situations that very closely approximate the actual situations to which such personnel will be subjected. However, the hazards associated with utilizing, for example, live rounds are obvious. Nevertheless, though, live rounds were often utilized because of the psychological effect that such live rounds had during the training.

In order to produce realistic training without utilization of devices capable of inflicting fatal wounds, the visual and auditory effects of such training devices should closely approximate those associated with the real devices, such as the detonation of explosives, the flash, the smoke, the smell and/or the like of real weapons. Additionally, in order to evaluate the effects of such weapon simulators upon the personnel it is also desireable to provide some marking means for indicating some type of simulated shrapnel hits.

In the past, weapon training devices have been utilized and have incorporated scoring modules.

One type of weapons training aid incorporating a scoring module did produce noise and smoke and flash as well as expelling a dye for a shrapnel hit simulation. Such devices, though, often required liquid loading of the scoring module by pouring liquid into an appropriate cavity and rescaling the cavity. Further, such scoring modules were often electrically actuated and utilized two separate explosive type charges. One explosive charge was utilized to provide the above-mentioned noise, smoke and flash and the other charge was utilized to produce the gas for expelling the dye through orifices by movement of a flexible bladder. Such devices were often inappropriate for field servicing and refurbishing since the liquid filling was not conveniently done in the field and replacement of the ignition system and/or the gas and explosive charges was not convenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved scoring module.

It is another object of the invention to provide a scoring module adapted for field maintenance and refurbishing after each use.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide a scoring module that may be utilized in a variety of weapon training aids.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved universal scoring module in which the pattern of expelled marking dye may be easily and conveniently changed. I

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a universal scoring module that is comparatively low in initial cost, low in maintenance and refurbishing cost and may be reutilized for many cycles of operation.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved, according to the preferred embodiment thereof, by providing a body member in which there are provided a plurality of cavities. One of the cavities is a dye cavity, a second of the cavities is a plenum chamber and a third of the cavities is a gas generator cavity. Gas passages are in the body for providing gas flow paths between the gas generator cavity and the plenum chamber and between the plenum chamber and the dye cavity.

The gas generator cavity has a gas generator means detachably secured therein, for example by threading engagement therewith, and the gas generator cavity has a gas generating, noise and smoke emitting explosive charge means therein sealed by a preselected burst diaphragm. An ignition means is also detachably secured in the gas generator cavity in close proximity to the gas generator cartridge and the ignition means is a mechanically actuated assembly. The ignition means may be actuated by a lanyard pull or a bore rider, either technique causing a firing pin to strike a primer charge. The primer charge detonates and initiates detonation in the gas generating, noise and smoke emitting explosive charge means. The burst diaphragm containing the explosive charge means is designed to withstand pressure up to a predetermined pressure and thus the first gas that is generated by the detonating explosive charge means flows through the gas passageway into the plenum chamber and from the plenum chamber into the dye cavity.

A flexible bladder means is positioned within the dye cavity and is coupled to the body member. A dye sack having comparatively thin, rupturable walls contains a preselected amount of the marking dye and the entire dye sack with the dye is placed in the dye cavity adjacent to the bladder. A cover means having a plurality of dye discharge apertures therethrough arranged in a preselected pattern is coupled to the body means and restrains the flexible bladder therein. The cover means and the bladder define, essentially, a sealed dye sack containing chamber in which the dye sack is positioned.

When pressure from the detonating explosive charge means flows from the plenum chamber into the dye cavity it causes the flexible bladder to exert pressure on the dye sack. The comparatively thin walls of the dye sack rupture at the apertures in the cover,'and continued expulsion by the bladder causes the expulsion of the dye through the apertures so that the dye is emitted in the preselected pattern as defined by the aperture pattern in the cover.

As the gas pressure builds up to a higher value, the burst diaphragm adjacent to the discharge orifice of the gas generator cartridge is ruptured and noise, smoke and flash are emitted therefrom to provide the visual and auditory weapons simulation. I

The aperture pattern in the cover may be varied from cover to cover so that merely changing covers can give a completely different dispersion pattern for the dye thereby simulating different types of weapons and/or explosives. The entire gas generator cartridge assembly may be conveniently removed from the gas generator cavity in the body member and replaced with a new one after each use. The ignition means may also be removed, the primer charge replaced and the firing pin and release mechanisms repositioned for further actuation and then replaced. A new dye sack may be placed within the dye cavity and the scoring module is thus easily and conveniently field serviceable and refurbishible for repetitive utilizations. By utilizing a single charge means for all of the desired purposes a comparatively low cost is achieved. Similarly, since the mechanical portions of the ignition means are completely retained, only the primer portion thereof need be replaced. Handling of the liquid marking dye in convenient dye sacks rather than in bulk liquid form allows rapid replacement of the marking dye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other embodiments of the present invention may be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the improved scoring module according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of the housing body member for the improved scoring module;

FIG. 5 illustrates a gas generator cartridge useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate one cover means useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another cover means useful in the practice of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an ignition means useful in the practice of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention generally designated 10. The embodiment 10 of the improved scoring module according to the present invention is provided with a body member 12, a cover means 14, a gas generator cartridge means 16 for providing noise, smoke, visual flash and gas pressure. An ignition means 18 for igniting the explosive charge is also contained within the gas generator cartridge means 16.

The cover means 14 is detachably secured to the body member 12 by a plurality of screw means 20. As shown the cover means 14 is provided with a discharge portion 22 having a plurality of apertures 24 therein arranged in a preselected array. The preselected array of the apertures 24 is determined by the desired marking dye dispersion pattern for a particular application.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a sectional view through the improved scoring module 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown on FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the body member 12 has first walls 26 defining a plurality of cavities therein. A first portion 28 of the first walls 26 defines a dye cavity 30 therein. A second portion 32 of the first walls 26 define a plenum chamber 34 therein. A third portion 36 of the first walls 26 define a gas generator cavity 38 therein. The body member 12 is also provided with second walls 40 defining a gas passageway 42 providing gas flow communication between the gas generator cavity 38 and the plenum chamber 34. The body member 12 also has third walls 44 defining a second gas passageway 46 that provides gas flow communication between the plenum chamber 34 and the dye cavity 30.

A generally flexible, resilient, cup-shaped bladder means 48 is positioned within the dye cavity 30 and, as shown, has a flange portion 50 overlying a shoulder portion 52 of the body member 12 and sealed thereagainst by the cover means 14 held in place by screws 20. Thus the flexible, resilient nature of the bladder means 48 provides a fluid sealing around the shoulder 52 for the dye cavity 30.

The cover means 14 and the bladder means 48 together define a sealed dye sack chamber 54 in which there is positioned a thin-walled flexible rupturable dye sack 56 containing a marking dye 58 which, for example, may be a thixotropic dye, a liquid dye or the like. Thus, the flexible resilient nature of the bladder means 48 also provides a fluid-tight seal between the flange portion 14' of the cover means 14 and the dye sack chamber 54.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the bladder 48 and dye sack 56 in the unexpelled position. As shown, the dye sack 56 is adjacent the cover 14 and thus the comparatively thin rupturable, flexible dye sack 56 is also abutting the apertures 24 in the cover 14. The dye sack 56 is adapted to rupture when there is a first predetermined fluid pressure exerted thereon by the action of the bladder 48 squeezing the dye sack 56. The rupture takes place at the unsupported portions of the dye sack 56 which are those portions overlying the apertures 24 and allows the expulsion of the marking dye through the ruptured dye sack 56 and out of the apertures 24 to provide scoring indications in the preselected pattern as defined by the pattern of the apertures 24.

The noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means 16 provides the visual and auditory response including noise, smoke, fire flash, and/or odor characteristic of the detonation of explosives as well as providing the generation of gas utilized to expel the dye 58 through the apertures 24. As shown in more detail on FIGS. 5 and 6, the noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means 16 may be threadingly engaged in the third walls 36 defining the gas generator cavity 38 for removable retention therein as, for example, by threads 60 on the generator body member 62. The generator body member 62 has first walls 64 defining a charge receiving aperture 66 extending therethrough from an ignition end 68 to a diaphragm end 70 thereof. The generator body member 62 also has second walls 72 defining a discharge orifice that provides communication from said diaphragm end 70 of said charge receiving aperture 66 to regions external the cartridge means 16.

A generally cup-shaped charge container means 74 is positioned within the charge receiving cavity 66 and has side walls 76 that are substantially coextensive and in intimate contact with the first walls 64 of the generator body member 62. The base 78 of the generally cupshaped charge container means 74 comprises a burst diaphragm extending across the discharge orifice 72.

The burst diaphragm 78 may, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, be designed to have an orange peel rupture pattern for rupturing at a third predetermined pressure greater than the first pressure. The burst diaphragm 78 may have any desired burst pattern, such as for example the orange peel burst pattern shown in FIG. 6. However, other burst patterns may be utilized as desired. The scoring 78' on the burst diaphragm 78 may be to any desired depth to provide a burst pressure at the desired pressure level.

A generally cup-shaped charge seal means 80 is positioned within the cup-shaped charge container means 74 adjacent the ignition end 68 of the generator body 62. The cup-shaped charge seal means 80 has side walls 82 that are adjacent first portions 84 of the side walls 76 of the cup-shaped charge container means 74, and a base member 86 is adapted to rupture when it is subjected to a preselected explosive force from the ignition means, as described below. The base 82 of the seal means 80 is spaced a preselected axial distance from the frangible diaphragm 78 of the charge container means 74 and a noise, smoke and gas generating explosive charge means 88 is contained within the charge container means 74 between the burst diaphragm 78 thereof and the base 86 of the charge seal means 80.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cupshaped charge container means 74 is a press fit in the generator body member 62 and the charge seal means 80 is a press fit in the charge container means 74. The generator body means 62 may be provided with a head portion 90 that, for example, may be in the form of a standard nut hexhead to allow for convenient removable insertion in the gas generator cavity 38.

An ignition means 100 is also detachably positioned within the gas generator cavity 82 and the ignition means provides, upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, ignition of the gas generator 88 to allow the emission of noise, smoke, flash and pressurization of the dye cavity 30 to allow expulsion of the dye 58. In preferred embodiments of the invention the ignition means 100, illustrated in FIG. 11, is also detachably secured in the gas generator cavity 38 and is in ignition inducing relationship to the ignition end 68 of the gas generator cartridge means 16. Thus, for example, there may be threading engagement of the ignition means 100 into the gas generator cavity 38 and, to facilitate such removable insertion therein, the ignition means body member 102 may be provided with a hexagonal head 104 for convenient application of standard wrenches.

A primer container 104 is, for example, threadingly contained within the primer end 108 of the ignition body member 102 and the primer container 106 contains a standard primer charge 110 that is of the type designed to be percussion initiated and is positioned to supply the preselected primer explosion force for rupturing the base 86 of the charge seal means 80.

A firing pin 112 is slidingly mounted in the ignition body member 102 for movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 114 under the influence of spring means 116 restrained between the ring portion 120 of the firing pin 112 and a shoulder 122 of the ignition body member 102. The firing pin 112 is threadingly coupled, in this embodiment of the invention, to a carrier 124 so that the carrier 124 and the firing pin 112 are mounted in the body member 102 for unitary motion. A ball means 126 is contained within a ball retention cavity defined by an aperture 128 in the carrier means 124 and a groove means 130 in the head 104 of the body means 102.

A spring loaded sear 132 is slidingly mounted for spring loaded removal from the carrier 124 and, in the position shown in FIG. 2, the sear 132 is restrained against a wall portion 134 (which does not form part of the invention), after removal of the safety pin 136. The

safety pin 136 passes through appropriately aligned apertures in the sear 132 and the carrier 124 to restrain the sear 132 in place until the scoring module 10 is positioned adjacent to the wall 134. When positioned as shown, the pin 136 may be removed and other structure restrains the scoring module 10 adjacent the wall 134 until such relationship is disturbed. For example, if the scoring module 10 is utilized in some form of booby trap arrangement the unit may be placed so that gravity or other forces strain the sear 132 against the wall 134 until the object is moved.

In operation, when the relationship between the sear 132 and the wall 134 is disturbed the spring means 138 positioned between the head portion 140 of the sear 132 and a shoulder 124 of the carrier 124 moves the sear outwardly away from the scoring module 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow 142. When the sear 132 slides out of the carrier 124 the ball 126 drops down to clear the groove 130 in the body means 102 and allows forward motion of the carrier 124 with the ball 126 therein and the firing pin 112 in the direction indicated by the arrow 114 under the influence of spring means 116. When the nose means 144 of the firing pin 112 contacts the primer means 110 primer means detonates and ruptures the base means 86 of the charge seal and ignites the ignition end 88 of the charge means 88. A backup washer 146 may be utilized to cushion the shock of the moving firing pin 112 when it contacts the primer 1 10.

The rupturing of the base 86 of the charge seal 80 allows ignition of the ignition end 88' of the charge means 88. Detonation thereof takes place and gas is produced.

As can be seen, the passageway 42 has a termination in the gas generator cavity 38 intermediate the primer charge and the ignition end 68 of the gas generator cartridge 16. Gas flows through the passageway 42 into the plenum chamber 34 and thence through the passageway 46 to the dye cavity 30. As can be seen, the passageway 46 from the plenum chamber 34 to the dye cavity 30 may have its walls 44 defining a. substantially rectangular cross section passageway 46. The gas pressure in the dye cavity 30 is at a value equal to or greater than the first preselected pressure and thus the bladder means 48 is squeezed thereby to rupture the dye sack 56 at the apertures 24. The fluid pressure exerted by the gas in the cavity 30 then continues to collapse the flexible bladder 48 to continue expulsion of the dye 58 through the apertures 24.

Meanwhile, the detonation in the charge means 88 has continued and when the pressure rises to a level sufficient to rupture the burst diaphragm 78, it is burst and there is an emission of smoke, noise, flame and/or desired smell of conventional explosives.

After operation, the gas generator cartridge 16 may be conveniently removed and replaced with a new one. Similarly, the ignition means 100 may be conveniently removed from the body member 12, the primer holder 106 removed and a new primer charge 110 placed therein. The firing pin 1 l2 and carrier 124 may be retracted to reposition the ball 126 in the appropriate detent as described above and the sear replaced and the pin 136 for holding the sear and carrier 124 in the desired position reinstalled. The ignition means 100 may then be again replaced into the gas generator cavity 38.

The cover means 14 may be removed and the expended dye sack 56 removed and discarded. A new dye sack 56 full of dye 58 may then be positioned within the dye sack cavity 54 and the cover 14 replaced. The scoring module is then conveniently ready for reutilization.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate the cap 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in greater detail. The portion 22 having the appertures 24 therein is generally dome-shaped and the apertures 24 are in such a pattern that there is approximately a 90 dispersion pattern provided as shown by FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that virtually any angle and/or any pattern may be provided for the cover means 14 desired. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated a cover means 150 having a flange portion 152 through which there are provided bolt holes 154 to allow convenient detachable coupling to a body member 12 such as that shown in FIG. 1. The cover 150 has an aperture portion 156 with a plurality of apertures 158 arranged for a coplanar dye dispersion. It will be appreciated that any variation of aperture patterns may be incorporated in the cover to provide any desired dispersion effect.

This concludes the description of the improved scoring module according to the principals of the present invention. It will be appreciated that there has been provided a scoring module adapted to any desired weapons training aid for simulating the effect of live booby traps, grenades, or other weapons. The unit is comparatively low in cost and may be field maintained and refurbished after each use. Therefore, while those skilled in the art may find many variations and adaptations of the present invention, the following claims are intended to cover all such variations and adaptations falling within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved scoring module comprising, in combination:

a body member having first walls defining a plurality of cavities therein, a first portion of said first walls defining a dye cavity, a second portion of said first walls defining a plenum chamber and a third portion of said first walls defining a gas generator cavity, and second walls defining a first gas passageway providing communication between said gas generator cavity and said plenum chamber, and third walls defining a second gas passageway providing communication between said plenum chamber and said dye cavity, and fourth walls providing communication between said gas generator cavity and regions external said body member;

flexible, resilient cup-shaped bladder means positioned within said dye cavity;

cap means having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined array and coupled to said body means, and said cap means and said bladder defining a sealed dye sack chamber;

a thin walled, flexible, rupturable dye sack having a dye fluid therein positioned within said dye sack chamber, and said dye sack having walls positioned over said apertures for sealing said apertures for the condition of fluid pressure in said dye sack chamber less than a first predetermined pressure and said walls of said dye sack for rupturing of said apertures to allow the flow of said dye fluid through said apertures for the condition of fluid pressure in said dye chamber greater than said first predetermined pressure;

a noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means in said gas generator cavity for generating gas therein at a second pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure and for emitting smoke and noise, and said gas generator cartridge means further comprising: gas generating, noise and smoke emitting explosive charge means having an ignition end and a diaphragm end; burst diaphragm means adjacent said diaphragm end of said explosive charge means for sealing said explosive charge means in said gas generator cartridge means and said burst diaphragm bursting at a third predetermined fluid pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure; ignition means in said gas generator cavity of said body means for igniting said ignition end of said explosive charge means whereby gas is generated at said second predetermined pressure and flows through said first gas passageway to said plenum chamber and from said plenum chamber through said second gas passageway to said dye cavity for exerting pressure on said flexible bladder to rupture said dye sack at said first predetermined fluid pressure to discharge said dye from said apertures in said cap means to regions external said body member; and

said explosive charge means having a' predetermined axial length between said ignition end and said diaphragm end thereof for providing a predetermined time delay between ignition of said ignition end and ignition of said diaphragm end thereof whereby gas generated by said explosive charge means flows into said dye cavity of said body member for squeezing said bladder means for a predetermined time to allow substantially complete expulsion of said dye, and said rupturing of said diaphragm of said third predetermined pressure allows emission of smoke and noise from said gas generator cartridge means to regions external said body member.

2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said noise, smoke and gas generator comprises:

a body member having first walls defining a charge receiving aperture axially aligned and having a predetermined length from an ignition end thereof to a diaphragm end thereof, and second walls defining a discharge orifice providing communication from said diaphragm end of said charge receiving aperture to regions external said gas generator cartridge;

a cup-shaped charge container means positioned within said charge receiving aperture and having side walls substantially coextensive and in intimate contact with said first walls of said body member, and a base member, and said base member comprising said frangible diaphragm means base member across said discharge orifice of said body member;

a generally cup-shaped charge seal means positioned within said cup-shaped charge container means adjacent said ignition end of said body member and having side walls adjacent first portions of said side walls of said cup-shaped charge container, and a base member, and said base member adapted to rupture upon subjection to a preselected primer explosive force and said base member spaced a predetermined distance from said frangible diaphragm means base member of said cup-shaped charge container means;

said noise, smoke and gas generating explosive charge means positioned within said cup-shaped charge container and said diaphragm end thereof adjacent said frangible diaphragm means base member of said charger container, and said ignition end thereof adjacent said explosively rupturable base member of said charge seal means and having a predetermined axial length therebetween;

whereby application of a predetermined primer explosive force ruptures said base member of said charge seal means and ignites said ignition end of said noise, smoke and gas generating explosive charge means, and said charge means detonates axially between said ignition end and said diaphragm end, and said frangible diaphragm means base member of said cup-shaped charge container rupturing to allow noise and smoke emission through said discharge orifice of said body member.

3. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said cap means is detachably secured to said body member.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein:

said predetermined array of said plurality of apertures in said cap means defines a dye marking pattern.

5. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein:

said predetermined array of said plurality of apertures in said cap means defines a 360 dye marking pattern.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein:

said noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means is removably secured in said gas generator cavity of said body member.

7. The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein:

said noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means is detachably secured in said gas generator cavity.

8. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein:

said ignition means is detachably secured in said gas generator cavity and in ignition inducing relationship to said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge, and said ignition means comprises:

primer means spaced from said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge;

firing pin means for firing said primer means; and

release means for releasing said firing pin to fire said rimer;

and said irst gas passageway having a first end in said third portion of said first walls of said body member intermediate said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge and said primer means.

9. The arrangement defined in claim 8 and said third walls defining said second gas passageway providing communication between said plenum chamber and said dye cavity define a substantially rectangular passageway.

Claims

1. An improved scoring module comprising, in combination: a body member having first walls defining a plurality of cavities therein, a first portion of said fIrst walls defining a dye cavity, a second portion of said first walls defining a plenum chamber and a third portion of said first walls defining a gas generator cavity, and second walls defining a first gas passageway providing communication between said gas generator cavity and said plenum chamber, and third walls defining a second gas passageway providing communication between said plenum chamber and said dye cavity, and fourth walls providing communication between said gas generator cavity and regions external said body member; flexible, resilient cup-shaped bladder means positioned within said dye cavity; cap means having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined array and coupled to said body means, and said cap means and said bladder defining a sealed dye sack chamber; a thin walled, flexible, rupturable dye sack having a dye fluid therein positioned within said dye sack chamber, and said dye sack having walls positioned over said apertures for sealing said apertures for the condition of fluid pressure in said dye sack chamber less than a first predetermined pressure and said walls of said dye sack for rupturing of said apertures to allow the flow of said dye fluid through said apertures for the condition of fluid pressure in said dye chamber greater than said first predetermined pressure; a noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means in said gas generator cavity for generating gas therein at a second pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure and for emitting smoke and noise, and said gas generator cartridge means further comprising: gas generating, noise and smoke emitting explosive charge means having an ignition end and a diaphragm end; burst diaphragm means adjacent said diaphragm end of said explosive charge means for sealing said explosive charge means in said gas generator cartridge means and said burst diaphragm bursting at a third predetermined fluid pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure; ignition means in said gas generator cavity of said body means for igniting said ignition end of said explosive charge means whereby gas is generated at said second predetermined pressure and flows through said first gas passageway to said plenum chamber and from said plenum chamber through said second gas passageway to said dye cavity for exerting pressure on said flexible bladder to rupture said dye sack at said first predetermined fluid pressure to discharge said dye from said apertures in said cap means to regions external said body member; and said explosive charge means having a predetermined axial length between said ignition end and said diaphragm end thereof for providing a predetermined time delay between ignition of said ignition end and ignition of said diaphragm end thereof whereby gas generated by said explosive charge means flows into said dye cavity of said body member for squeezing said bladder means for a predetermined time to allow substantially complete expulsion of said dye, and said rupturing of said diaphragm of said third predetermined pressure allows emission of smoke and noise from said gas generator cartridge means to regions external said body member.

2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said noise, smoke and gas generator comprises: a body member having first walls defining a charge receiving aperture axially aligned and having a predetermined length from an ignition end thereof to a diaphragm end thereof, and second walls defining a discharge orifice providing communication from said diaphragm end of said charge receiving aperture to regions external said gas generator cartridge; a cup-shaped charge container means positioned within said charge receiving aperture and having side walls substantially coextensive and in intimate contact with said first walls of said body member, and a base member, and said base member comprising said frangible diaphragm means base member across said discharge orifice of said body member; a generally cup-Shaped charge seal means positioned within said cup-shaped charge container means adjacent said ignition end of said body member and having side walls adjacent first portions of said side walls of said cup-shaped charge container, and a base member, and said base member adapted to rupture upon subjection to a preselected primer explosive force and said base member spaced a predetermined distance from said frangible diaphragm means base member of said cup-shaped charge container means; said noise, smoke and gas generating explosive charge means positioned within said cup-shaped charge container and said diaphragm end thereof adjacent said frangible diaphragm means base member of said charger container, and said ignition end thereof adjacent said explosively rupturable base member of said charge seal means and having a predetermined axial length therebetween; whereby application of a predetermined primer explosive force ruptures said base member of said charge seal means and ignites said ignition end of said noise, smoke and gas generating explosive charge means, and said charge means detonates axially between said ignition end and said diaphragm end, and said frangible diaphragm means base member of said cup-shaped charge container rupturing to allow noise and smoke emission through said discharge orifice of said body member.

3. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said cap means is detachably secured to said body member.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined array of said plurality of apertures in said cap means defines a 90* dye marking pattern.

5. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined array of said plurality of apertures in said cap means defines a 360* dye marking pattern.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein: said noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means is removably secured in said gas generator cavity of said body member.

7. The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein: said noise, smoke and gas generator cartridge means is detachably secured in said gas generator cavity.

8. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein: said ignition means is detachably secured in said gas generator cavity and in ignition inducing relationship to said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge, and said ignition means comprises: primer means spaced from said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge; firing pin means for firing said primer means; and release means for releasing said firing pin to fire said primer; and said first gas passageway having a first end in said third portion of said first walls of said body member intermediate said ignition end of said gas generator cartridge and said primer means.