CA1334493C - Projectile for smooth bore weapon - Google Patents
Projectile for smooth bore weaponInfo
- Publication number
- CA1334493C CA1334493C CA000613885A CA613885A CA1334493C CA 1334493 C CA1334493 C CA 1334493C CA 000613885 A CA000613885 A CA 000613885A CA 613885 A CA613885 A CA 613885A CA 1334493 C CA1334493 C CA 1334493C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- projectile
- casing
- pin
- safety
- firing pin
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000003999 initiator Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims 4
- 230000000979 retarding effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000006187 pill Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000001404 mediated effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241001501536 Alethe Species 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- YYFGRAGNYHYWEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N eprobemide Chemical compound C1=CC(Cl)=CC=C1C(=O)NCCCN1CCOCC1 YYFGRAGNYHYWEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000700 radioactive tracer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013077 target material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
- F42C15/36—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein arming is effected by combustion or fusion of an element; Arming methods using temperature gradients
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B10/00—Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
- F42B10/02—Stabilising arrangements
- F42B10/14—Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel
- F42B10/16—Wrap-around fins
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/20—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type
- F42B12/22—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction
- F42B12/32—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction the hull or case comprising a plurality of discrete bodies, e.g. steel balls, embedded therein or disposed around the explosive charge
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C1/00—Impact fuzes, i.e. fuzes actuated only by ammunition impact
- F42C1/02—Impact fuzes, i.e. fuzes actuated only by ammunition impact with firing-pin structurally combined with fuze
- F42C1/04—Impact fuzes, i.e. fuzes actuated only by ammunition impact with firing-pin structurally combined with fuze operating by inertia of members on impact
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
- F42C15/20—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin
- F42C15/21—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing-pin using spring action
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
- Coating By Spraying Or Casting (AREA)
- Turning (AREA)
- Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
- Electromagnets (AREA)
- Reciprocating, Oscillating Or Vibrating Motors (AREA)
- Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides a projectile (1) adapted to be fired from a weapon, preferably from a cartridge with a propellant charge therein, wherein the projectile (1) comprises a generally cylindrical casing (3) and a warhead assembly (2), said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge (16) and an initiator (14), the casing being formed with a firing pin (4) spring biased (6) to a safety position and locked in safety position by a spring biased safety pin (6), wherein the spring biased safety pin is adapted to release on exit from the weapon and wherein said casing includes a plurality of fins (8) foldable within the cartridge, but which deploy radially on leaving the weapon.
The invention allows the projectile to be fired from a smooth bore weapon, such as a shotgun.
The invention also provides all arming time delay mechanism to ensure that the projectile is only armed when at a safe distance from the operator.
The invention allows the projectile to be fired from a smooth bore weapon, such as a shotgun.
The invention also provides all arming time delay mechanism to ensure that the projectile is only armed when at a safe distance from the operator.
Description
The present invention relates to a projectile particularly suitable for a smooth bore weapon.
Explosive projectiles are well known in the art but mainly for large bore weapons. The present invention pertains to projectiles which may be provided in cartridge form, and are particularly suitable for use in standard 12-bore shotguns, although of course they are equally applicable to weapons of greater or 10 smaller bores, and may be adapted for use with rifled weapons, or may be fired from pods on helicopters or small aircraft by means of compressed air, for example.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided Small Arms ammunition suitable for use in a smooth bore weapon, which ammunition comprises a projectile comprising a generally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and initiator, the casing being formed with an 20 axially disposed firing pin spring biased to a safety position and locked in said safety position by means of a radially biased safety pin cooperating in a radial bore of the firing pin; the invention being characterized in that a portion at least of the projectile is at least in part retained prior to firing in a cartridge case including a propellant charge, and in that the cartridge also retains a plurality of fins in the folded down condition disposed upon the casing of the projectile, each said fin being spaced an equal 30 distance about the periphery of the casing, and being pivoted thereto, thereby to displace radially outwardly relative to the casing on exit from the weapon. The term pivoted used herein includes fins formed of a resilient material that can be bent into an arcuate form for assembly with the cartridge, but which regain their upstanding, radially outwardly urged condition immediately after leaving the barrel of the weapon.
~'' ~
~ - 2a - 1 334493 In a preferred form of the invention, the casing and the warhead are separately formed and interlock only on assembly of the cartridge.
In another preferred form of the invention, the casing is provided with three or four fins thereupon, each fin being spaced in equal distance about the periphery of the casing.
It is most preferred that one plane of the fin be angularly displaced from the axial plane of the 10 projectile by a set amount, for example, 3 to 7 to the ~;
- 1 334~3 longitudillal axi~ of the plo~ectile 50 as to izlll)alt B})ill to the projectile theleby increa~ing stability thel eof, The fill~ m~y l)e ~l cuate BO as to lie ovel tlleextelnal pelipllely of the casing while t;lley ale wishin the caltlidge Ol l;he l~allel of the weapon. The fins may~ of course~ be folmed of a resiliellt matelial, one end of which is located in the casing, the allangemellt beillg BUC~l that the f"lll8 8pl'illg outwal'dly 011 1~elea8e fl~OIll the balrel aftel f'lring. In a pl~eferred forlll of the invelltion tlle fins~ ~lthougll genelally dilecl;ed in a plane p~ssillg thlough the axis of the projectile ale formed witll a tliangulfll transvelse closs section whereby a fir~t plane of each fill lie in the plane of the axis of the projectile while the other is angled thereto in the rallge of up to 30". pleferal~ly 2u to 10"~
and most prefelal)ly 3" so as l;o impalt ~pin.
In an alternative folm of tlle invention, ~ pivo~al hinge i~ provided immediately adjacent the periphely of the casing and arcuate f~ll8 al~e provided aCCOldillgly~
Air pressure p~ing over the plojectile on exit from the barrel will cause the 16 fins to be upst~n~ g especially if an axiB iB angled to the exit of the projectile;
however this mechflni~m may be a6sisted by resilient means if desired.
The casing is preferably formed with an axial bore to accommodate Q generally cylindrical f~ring pin. The firing pin is biased to its safe position by means of a compression spring between the operative end of the firing pin and the initiator.
Said compression pin acts to ~pring bias the filing pin to it~ 'at re~t' position. In .the "at rest" position the firing pill is also secured by means of a safety pinwhich locates in a bole llormal to l;he axis of the firillg pin. This bore prefelably extends through the filillg pin and both sides of the CJ3Billg. The safety pin is spring biased away fiom the filillg pin and is provided with an outwaldly arcuate 26 head exterllal of said casing which~ in u~e~ is in sliding contact with the interllal face of the cartridge fiolll which the plojectile i8 to be fired, and with the intelnal sulface of the bole of the weapon, It will be appreciated. therefole, that the safety pin is relea6ed Oll exit fiom the barleL wheleupon the firillg l~in is letained in its "at rest" condil;ion by llleans of the spling biasing separatelyprovided.
In an alternative arlallgemellt two coaxial safety pins are provided B})l~illg biaBed in opposed directions thereby to balance the projectile in the eally part of itsflight.
- 1 3344q3 The warhead may be formed of a hollow casillg, pleferably provided with a number of f~agmentatioll recesses about its interilal or ex~ernal peliphery. In another embodiment the hollow casing is pl~in, but has interf~tted therein a fragmented helical spling over which the ex})losive iB cast in manufacture. The 6 Wal'head i6 also provided towards its intended fol~ald pOl~tiOll with a se~lnnt rece6s ~ccon~ odatillg a soft plastic sealant ling which, in use, contacts the bole of the smooth bore weapon. Tlle sealant ring, which i8 soft, ensures a propel seal between the projectile and the bole, even if the bore iB in 60me way , deformed.
Internally of the warhead is provided ~ ~t~lldard explosive. ~uch a8 ~DX, provided towards it~ real end with an initiat;ol which is either held on a ~UppOlt plate immediately adjacent tlle leal of the chnrge, Ol intelfit~ in a lecess in the chalge itself.
The casing may be formed of alumillum Ol steel depending UpOll weight require~t-ents, or alterllatively may be llloulded fi~om an epoxy re~in into which ~all bearings to the necessary weight have been dispersed. The casing may l~e similarly provided in ~teel. aluminum, Ol a mouldable pla6tics matelial such as epoxy resin. The ca6ing rnay be provided with a tracer compound initiated by the propellant chalge if desired.
The projectile is particularly suitable for use in smooth bole weapon6 ~uch as-~hotguns. In an alternative form of the invention there iB provided an arrallgement for using the projectile in a lifled weapon whelein the fins are etained by, ol located immediately adjacent, a soft plastics annulus which en6ure~ that the extelnal faces of the fin~ do not come into direct contact with26 the rifle in use.
l:)E-A-3033061 discio~e~ a ~rojectile haVillg a ~afety device including a locking pin, one end of which i6 inserted into the projectile perpendicular to the projectileaxis and locks the fuse relfltive to a strikel pin, The outer head of this pin is flush with the outer surface of the projectile 60 that, hl use, it can contact the barlel of a weapon fiom which it i8 fired. Since the pin is outwardly spring biased and is urged radially outwardly and hellce, ejects after leaving the bar~el to release the fuse and the firing pin on ;mpact.
__ 5 1 3344~3 If this projectile contacts intermediate objects, the active charge may be initiated, and if this occurs too soon after the operator has fired the projectile, the operator could himself be in danger.
This problem has been addressed in EP-A-0187932 (US-A-4697524). The solution proposed therein is to provide for a locking pin which is ejected by gas pressure alone. The inherent complexity of the system leads to high costs and munitions failure in use.
The present invention in a second aspect, seeks to provide a projectile of the spring biased locking pin type but with an adequate arming time delay mechanism. This arrangement is simple to manufacture and safe to use.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a projectile suitable for use with a smooth bore weapon, comprising a generally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, the warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an 20 initiator, the casing being formed with a firing pin, spring biased to a safety position and locked in said safety position by means of a spring biased safety pin, the invention being characterized in that the safety device additionally comprises a friction-mediated time delay retaining means adapted to retain the safety pin in a safety position for a predetermined period after the projectile has left the weapon and to arm the same prior to impact and in that the casing has mounted thereupon a plurality of equally spaced fins pivoted 30 for radial deployment between a folded down condition and a radially extended condition on exit from the barrel of the weapon. The predetermined period is preferably a time under one second, and most preferably ~e delay of from 0.01 to 0.3 seconds.
The retaining means may include a pair of lal safety pins spring biased in radially opposed ions, said retaining means being adapted to cause __ - 5a - 1 334493 a friction-mediated time delay before the safety pins are expelled. In an alternative, a secondary safety means is formed by a crank in the safety pin co-operating in a suitable bore in the casing, said crank allowing the release of the pin only on being swivelled forward on deceleration of the projectile as the said projectile leaves the weapon in use.
In a particularly preferred form of the invention, and when the projectile is fired by an 10 explosive propellant charge, the retaining means may be a layer of combustible adhesive material interposed between the firing pin and the hollow portion of the casing, whereby combustion of the adhesive material is actuated on explosion of the propellant charge to give a time delay before the firing pin can be released from the casing. In a preferred form of the invention of this ~`t, type, the layel of combu~tible adhesive material is comlected by a bore to the rear end of the casing The invention will now be described, by wsy of illuEtr~tion ollly, with refelence to the accompanying dlawillgs wllicll show, in Figures I and 3 in vertical Cl'OBS
b ~ection~ different projectile~ in acco~dance with the present invention removed ~ om a 3" (7 ~6 cm) 12 gauge cartridge and ~eparated into compollent parts; while Figure 2 shows a ~ransverse cross-section through fins suitable for use with the , inventioll.
With refelence to Figule I a plojectile (1) i~ folmed with a warhead (2) and a casing (3) The plojectile ha~ ~ genelally cylindli&al configulation about a central axis, and iB formed in thi~ illstance of aluminum r~t;--gs The warhead ~2) and the casing (3) are sepalately formed Cfl~ti~gP~ provided with interloclcillg means (11~ 12) whereby the two poltions n1ay be intellocked immediately prior to assembly with a 12~bole cartrldge~
16 The casing (3) is provided with an ~xial bol e (10) which accomlllodates a cylindrical filing pin (4) provided at it~ operfltive end with n conical neecllepOltiOll (4A) The f~nillg pin i8 alBo l~rovicled with a l~ole (~A) nollual to the axi~
thereof, to accolnl1lodate a safety pin shaft (~) The ~afety pill Rllaft (6) i~, in the safe pOSitiOll~ located in the bore (GA), said safety pin being provided with a safety pin cap (6B) and a compression 8plillg (7) located in a suitable recess in the casing (3)~ The safety pin shaft (6) is biased by means of the spring (7) away fiom the f~lring pin (4), said safety pin being held in the safe position by means of itB contact, in u6e, with the internal wall of the cartlidge Ol' the intelnal bore of the smooth bole weapon~
26 L.ocated at the remote end of the casing and about the exterllal periphely thereof ale foul flllB (8) which, in use, extend radially outwardly fiom the body of the Ca~3illg (3) The fins (8) are of an arcuate conf5guration such that they will, in thei- folded-down pOSitiOll within the cartridge, lie ovel the body of the casing To this end they are hinged at (9), the axis of the hinge being slightly angled to the longitudinnl axis of the projectile such that air pressure will cause the fins to open alld to spin the plojectile when it has exited fiom the bo~e of -7 l 334493 the weapon, The f'ms may be formed of a re6ilient material ~uch as copper~ or may be moulded into their fSnal form of plastics or ~ mou~da~ metal such as alun~num.
The warhead assembly (2) is formed of a hollow aluminum casting of a genelally 6 cylindrical configulation formed with a dollled fol~wald end. The domed fol~ard end coruoins the cylindrical portion at al~out ~he point at which an annular rece~s (10) is provided therein. The amlular reces~ i5 provided with a ~oft plastics rnaterial sealant (18) which iB adapted in u~e to contact the internal bore of the weapon after firing, The hollow pOltiOIl of the warhead (2) is provided with an explosive (16), for example RDX. The l)lock of explosive (16) iB~ in thi~ particular embodiment, plovided with a centlal l~lind bole for she accommodation of an initiator (1~) which, in this particular instance, is retained by mean~ of a letaining plate (13) which locates the ~xplosive (15) in the body of the warhead (2), In an alternative 1~ embodiment the retaining plate (13) may be dispensed with, and the initiator (14) may be formed as a ~liding ~lt illtO the l'eCeSS ill the explo~ive chalge (16), Pre-moulded frs3gme~tation portions (16) may al80 be formed Oll the internal or external face6 of the walhead (2), In an alterllative the warhead (2) may l~e formed of hard epoxy re6in- illtO which a plurality of ball bearings (17) has been ` 20 di~posed. The advantage of this lattel con~tructioll i~ that the weight of tlle warhead ca~ e c~lefully acljusted by meall~ of the utilisAtioll of the collect nwllbel and weight of ball l~earillgs. Furthel~ of course. the point of balance of the projectile ~ssembly can be altered by placing the ball bealillg~ at variou~
positions in varyillg numbers withill the body of the material forming the 26 warhead, In u6e, the explosive charge which i6 moulded to a predeterlllilled shape is interfitted in the warhead (2) and the initiator t14) positioned therein, The casillg (3) i8 assembled by sliding the firing pin (4) into the bore (10) of the casing (3) with the bore (6A) in legister with the shaft of the safety pin (~), The cap t6B) of tlle safety pin i~ then retained in its "pre~sed in" conditioll in order to retain the safety pin in it6 "at rest" condition, The casing (3) and warhead (2) are then interf'ltted by s}iding the two together ensuring that the complession ~ ing (6) is fiee to move. Tlle asse~ ly of the casi~lg (3) and tllewal~head (2) 6uch that the intellockillg mealls (11l 12) inter-relate~ causes tlle fi~ g pin (4) to be folced away f~om tlle initiatol (14) by lllealls of the Spl'illg (~), while letaining the safety pin cap (I~B) in its ~prillg (7). While letainillg the ~afety pin cap (6B) in ~t6 "pressed ill" conditioll, the fims (8) ale then positioned in their radially inward position6 and the device iB ~lid into a 6tandald 12 bore cartridge so a6 to fit on the top of the wadding immediately ovel the propellellt charge. AB the casing (3) slides into the standard 12 bore cartridge, the cap (613) of the safety pin will come into ~liding relation~hip thelewith ~uch that the firing pin (4) iB retained against any possibility of releaBe 80 that even if the cartridge is dropped during use the explosive chalge will not f~lle.
The cartridge may then be positioned in a ~tan~ald ~hotgun and f5led in the normal way. On filillg the projectile (1) leaves the cartlidge (not shown) and travel~ along the ~mooth bore barlel with the sealant (18) and the cap (6B) of 1~ the safety pin in contact tllelewitll. On exit fiolll the b~lleL the le~haillt is l~emoved fiom the safety pin cap (~B) and this will tend to l~e thlown outwardlyby means of the complession spring (7) thereby releasing the firillg pin (4) foractuation. Of course. in1ll1ediately UpOll exit fiol1l the barlel. the projectile (1) will undergo fairly sevele deceleration and hence there is a dangel that the firillg pin might contact the initiatol (14). This is pIevellted by means of the6pl'illg (5) which loads the filrillg pill into its "at rest" position until impact, Furthel, said deceleratioll al~o imparts 6heal to the safety pin shaft (~) thereby tending to delay its exit from the bore (6A).
At the 6ame time the fins (8) wllich previou6ly have been in sliding contact with 2~ the intelnal wall of the barlel~ are fieed fi~on~ constraint and expand radially outwardly. In one forlll of the invelltioll the f~lns extend in a plane parallel to the axis of the projectile. in which case the f'lllS act merely to stal~ilise the pl~ojectile during its flight. In the prefe~lecl forlll of the invelltioll~ however~ the fins are slightly angled to the axis of the projectile itself and hence cause the plojectile to ~pin in a stabilised fashion. ~t the end of its flight the dome of the warheatl will contact the target alea thereby causing the firing pin to contact the initiatol (14)~ which in turll initiates tlle explo~ion. It will be appleciated that thele i~ a small delay between the contact of the domed l)ortioll of the warhead with the target area and the explosion being initiated, This delay allows t-he plojectile to 3~ penetrate, in 80 far as it can~ the target material thereby increasing the B
effectivenes6 of the explosion then genelated, Fi~ule 2 shows a trallsvelse Cl'OS8 seCtiOll tlll'OUgh a21 nl~CU~I;e fln ill aCCOldflnCe with the pl esent invelltion ~howillg the angles of attack of two pol tions thereof.
In Figule 3 a casing of the genelal form showll in Figule I iB shown. The casing6 of Figure 3 i8 adapted to co-operate with a warhead (2) shown in Figure I~ witll the exception that the illtel lockin~ mealls (12) i~ replaced by a screw thlead means for co opelation with ~crew thlead means (llA) in Figule 3.
With reference to Figule 3 like parts to those described in Figure I ale given similar numbers and ale the same unless specifically referred to.
Casing (3A) is of the basic folm a6 S}lOWll in Figure I, but i8 provided towaldsits upper end with a screw thread portion (llA) for inter comlection with the warhead (2). The bore (6A) in the firing pin (4) accommodates a pair of co-axialsafety pin shafts (6)~ each termillating in a safety pin cap (6B). The safety pin shafts (6) are ~pring bia~ed by means of 8pring (7) in opposite directions so as1~ to balallce the casing on exit fiom the barrel of a weapon.
If desiled~ a fiiction collar can be intelposed betweell the two shaft6 (6) 80 as to delay by a shol~t pe~iod the till1e which it l;akes to expel the shaft (~) B0 as to elease the filin~ pin (4). This ~l~angement Call folm an alming time delay meoll~nifim as hereinbefole set fortll.
Alternatively~ or additionally, the ~lrillg pin (4) of Figure 3 can be folmed with an alcuate base (20) overlaying an adhe6ive layel~ (21), which adhesive layer e~rte~l~R through equally spaced bole~ (22) to the rear of the casing (3A). The adhesive is combustible and hellce will r elease the firillg pin ~4) aftel a predetermined time delay. The firing of the plopellant chal-ge will, in tUlll.
26 commence the combustion of the adhesive matelial (21) which accordingly will retain the firing pill fo} a peliod of up to one ~econd~ and mole prefelably 0.01 to 0.2 seconds. This armillg time delay mecllfl1-ism allows the plojectile to cove a safe distance befole being almed, tllereby plotecting the operatol.
The casing (3A) also beals a tlacel compound (24) dispo~ed centlally of the lealof the casing (3A), said tracel compoul~d being actuated by a tracel initiatol (23~.
The opelation of the alrangement of Figure 3 iB in preci6e accord with that of Figure I~ except th~t the arnlillg time delay mechn~ provides a furthe guarantee of safety for the operatol and provides a tr~cer facility.
The arlangemellt pertaills~ tllerefole. to a plujectile suitable for use with a small 6 bore weapon, but i6 alBo applicable to rifled weapons; and particul~lly to a projectile for use in cartridge ammullitioll. The ~rojectiles in accordallce with the present invelltion may also l~e loaded illtO pOdB for utili~ation in helicoptel~
or small airclaft, each pod comprisillg 30 x 10 projectile~ prefelably in three tier8~ The projectile~ ale initiatecl l~y plopellallt chalge Ol l~y compres~ed air.
thereby ploviding snturation coverage of a tar~et area.
The illvelltion al80 relate~ to a metllod for the safe manufactule of a projectile in accordance Wit}l the presellt invelltioll wherein the warhead and the ca ing are separately provided and manufactured; only being intel-locked in the final manufacturing stage.
16 The invention al60 provides a finned projectile capable of l~eing filed fiom cartridge flmm~lnition~
Explosive projectiles are well known in the art but mainly for large bore weapons. The present invention pertains to projectiles which may be provided in cartridge form, and are particularly suitable for use in standard 12-bore shotguns, although of course they are equally applicable to weapons of greater or 10 smaller bores, and may be adapted for use with rifled weapons, or may be fired from pods on helicopters or small aircraft by means of compressed air, for example.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided Small Arms ammunition suitable for use in a smooth bore weapon, which ammunition comprises a projectile comprising a generally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and initiator, the casing being formed with an 20 axially disposed firing pin spring biased to a safety position and locked in said safety position by means of a radially biased safety pin cooperating in a radial bore of the firing pin; the invention being characterized in that a portion at least of the projectile is at least in part retained prior to firing in a cartridge case including a propellant charge, and in that the cartridge also retains a plurality of fins in the folded down condition disposed upon the casing of the projectile, each said fin being spaced an equal 30 distance about the periphery of the casing, and being pivoted thereto, thereby to displace radially outwardly relative to the casing on exit from the weapon. The term pivoted used herein includes fins formed of a resilient material that can be bent into an arcuate form for assembly with the cartridge, but which regain their upstanding, radially outwardly urged condition immediately after leaving the barrel of the weapon.
~'' ~
~ - 2a - 1 334493 In a preferred form of the invention, the casing and the warhead are separately formed and interlock only on assembly of the cartridge.
In another preferred form of the invention, the casing is provided with three or four fins thereupon, each fin being spaced in equal distance about the periphery of the casing.
It is most preferred that one plane of the fin be angularly displaced from the axial plane of the 10 projectile by a set amount, for example, 3 to 7 to the ~;
- 1 334~3 longitudillal axi~ of the plo~ectile 50 as to izlll)alt B})ill to the projectile theleby increa~ing stability thel eof, The fill~ m~y l)e ~l cuate BO as to lie ovel tlleextelnal pelipllely of the casing while t;lley ale wishin the caltlidge Ol l;he l~allel of the weapon. The fins may~ of course~ be folmed of a resiliellt matelial, one end of which is located in the casing, the allangemellt beillg BUC~l that the f"lll8 8pl'illg outwal'dly 011 1~elea8e fl~OIll the balrel aftel f'lring. In a pl~eferred forlll of the invelltion tlle fins~ ~lthougll genelally dilecl;ed in a plane p~ssillg thlough the axis of the projectile ale formed witll a tliangulfll transvelse closs section whereby a fir~t plane of each fill lie in the plane of the axis of the projectile while the other is angled thereto in the rallge of up to 30". pleferal~ly 2u to 10"~
and most prefelal)ly 3" so as l;o impalt ~pin.
In an alternative folm of tlle invention, ~ pivo~al hinge i~ provided immediately adjacent the periphely of the casing and arcuate f~ll8 al~e provided aCCOldillgly~
Air pressure p~ing over the plojectile on exit from the barrel will cause the 16 fins to be upst~n~ g especially if an axiB iB angled to the exit of the projectile;
however this mechflni~m may be a6sisted by resilient means if desired.
The casing is preferably formed with an axial bore to accommodate Q generally cylindrical f~ring pin. The firing pin is biased to its safe position by means of a compression spring between the operative end of the firing pin and the initiator.
Said compression pin acts to ~pring bias the filing pin to it~ 'at re~t' position. In .the "at rest" position the firing pill is also secured by means of a safety pinwhich locates in a bole llormal to l;he axis of the firillg pin. This bore prefelably extends through the filillg pin and both sides of the CJ3Billg. The safety pin is spring biased away fiom the filillg pin and is provided with an outwaldly arcuate 26 head exterllal of said casing which~ in u~e~ is in sliding contact with the interllal face of the cartridge fiolll which the plojectile i8 to be fired, and with the intelnal sulface of the bole of the weapon, It will be appreciated. therefole, that the safety pin is relea6ed Oll exit fiom the barleL wheleupon the firillg l~in is letained in its "at rest" condil;ion by llleans of the spling biasing separatelyprovided.
In an alternative arlallgemellt two coaxial safety pins are provided B})l~illg biaBed in opposed directions thereby to balance the projectile in the eally part of itsflight.
- 1 3344q3 The warhead may be formed of a hollow casillg, pleferably provided with a number of f~agmentatioll recesses about its interilal or ex~ernal peliphery. In another embodiment the hollow casing is pl~in, but has interf~tted therein a fragmented helical spling over which the ex})losive iB cast in manufacture. The 6 Wal'head i6 also provided towards its intended fol~ald pOl~tiOll with a se~lnnt rece6s ~ccon~ odatillg a soft plastic sealant ling which, in use, contacts the bole of the smooth bore weapon. Tlle sealant ring, which i8 soft, ensures a propel seal between the projectile and the bole, even if the bore iB in 60me way , deformed.
Internally of the warhead is provided ~ ~t~lldard explosive. ~uch a8 ~DX, provided towards it~ real end with an initiat;ol which is either held on a ~UppOlt plate immediately adjacent tlle leal of the chnrge, Ol intelfit~ in a lecess in the chalge itself.
The casing may be formed of alumillum Ol steel depending UpOll weight require~t-ents, or alterllatively may be llloulded fi~om an epoxy re~in into which ~all bearings to the necessary weight have been dispersed. The casing may l~e similarly provided in ~teel. aluminum, Ol a mouldable pla6tics matelial such as epoxy resin. The ca6ing rnay be provided with a tracer compound initiated by the propellant chalge if desired.
The projectile is particularly suitable for use in smooth bole weapon6 ~uch as-~hotguns. In an alternative form of the invention there iB provided an arrallgement for using the projectile in a lifled weapon whelein the fins are etained by, ol located immediately adjacent, a soft plastics annulus which en6ure~ that the extelnal faces of the fin~ do not come into direct contact with26 the rifle in use.
l:)E-A-3033061 discio~e~ a ~rojectile haVillg a ~afety device including a locking pin, one end of which i6 inserted into the projectile perpendicular to the projectileaxis and locks the fuse relfltive to a strikel pin, The outer head of this pin is flush with the outer surface of the projectile 60 that, hl use, it can contact the barlel of a weapon fiom which it i8 fired. Since the pin is outwardly spring biased and is urged radially outwardly and hellce, ejects after leaving the bar~el to release the fuse and the firing pin on ;mpact.
__ 5 1 3344~3 If this projectile contacts intermediate objects, the active charge may be initiated, and if this occurs too soon after the operator has fired the projectile, the operator could himself be in danger.
This problem has been addressed in EP-A-0187932 (US-A-4697524). The solution proposed therein is to provide for a locking pin which is ejected by gas pressure alone. The inherent complexity of the system leads to high costs and munitions failure in use.
The present invention in a second aspect, seeks to provide a projectile of the spring biased locking pin type but with an adequate arming time delay mechanism. This arrangement is simple to manufacture and safe to use.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a projectile suitable for use with a smooth bore weapon, comprising a generally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, the warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an 20 initiator, the casing being formed with a firing pin, spring biased to a safety position and locked in said safety position by means of a spring biased safety pin, the invention being characterized in that the safety device additionally comprises a friction-mediated time delay retaining means adapted to retain the safety pin in a safety position for a predetermined period after the projectile has left the weapon and to arm the same prior to impact and in that the casing has mounted thereupon a plurality of equally spaced fins pivoted 30 for radial deployment between a folded down condition and a radially extended condition on exit from the barrel of the weapon. The predetermined period is preferably a time under one second, and most preferably ~e delay of from 0.01 to 0.3 seconds.
The retaining means may include a pair of lal safety pins spring biased in radially opposed ions, said retaining means being adapted to cause __ - 5a - 1 334493 a friction-mediated time delay before the safety pins are expelled. In an alternative, a secondary safety means is formed by a crank in the safety pin co-operating in a suitable bore in the casing, said crank allowing the release of the pin only on being swivelled forward on deceleration of the projectile as the said projectile leaves the weapon in use.
In a particularly preferred form of the invention, and when the projectile is fired by an 10 explosive propellant charge, the retaining means may be a layer of combustible adhesive material interposed between the firing pin and the hollow portion of the casing, whereby combustion of the adhesive material is actuated on explosion of the propellant charge to give a time delay before the firing pin can be released from the casing. In a preferred form of the invention of this ~`t, type, the layel of combu~tible adhesive material is comlected by a bore to the rear end of the casing The invention will now be described, by wsy of illuEtr~tion ollly, with refelence to the accompanying dlawillgs wllicll show, in Figures I and 3 in vertical Cl'OBS
b ~ection~ different projectile~ in acco~dance with the present invention removed ~ om a 3" (7 ~6 cm) 12 gauge cartridge and ~eparated into compollent parts; while Figure 2 shows a ~ransverse cross-section through fins suitable for use with the , inventioll.
With refelence to Figule I a plojectile (1) i~ folmed with a warhead (2) and a casing (3) The plojectile ha~ ~ genelally cylindli&al configulation about a central axis, and iB formed in thi~ illstance of aluminum r~t;--gs The warhead ~2) and the casing (3) are sepalately formed Cfl~ti~gP~ provided with interloclcillg means (11~ 12) whereby the two poltions n1ay be intellocked immediately prior to assembly with a 12~bole cartrldge~
16 The casing (3) is provided with an ~xial bol e (10) which accomlllodates a cylindrical filing pin (4) provided at it~ operfltive end with n conical neecllepOltiOll (4A) The f~nillg pin i8 alBo l~rovicled with a l~ole (~A) nollual to the axi~
thereof, to accolnl1lodate a safety pin shaft (~) The ~afety pill Rllaft (6) i~, in the safe pOSitiOll~ located in the bore (GA), said safety pin being provided with a safety pin cap (6B) and a compression 8plillg (7) located in a suitable recess in the casing (3)~ The safety pin shaft (6) is biased by means of the spring (7) away fiom the f~lring pin (4), said safety pin being held in the safe position by means of itB contact, in u6e, with the internal wall of the cartlidge Ol' the intelnal bore of the smooth bole weapon~
26 L.ocated at the remote end of the casing and about the exterllal periphely thereof ale foul flllB (8) which, in use, extend radially outwardly fiom the body of the Ca~3illg (3) The fins (8) are of an arcuate conf5guration such that they will, in thei- folded-down pOSitiOll within the cartridge, lie ovel the body of the casing To this end they are hinged at (9), the axis of the hinge being slightly angled to the longitudinnl axis of the projectile such that air pressure will cause the fins to open alld to spin the plojectile when it has exited fiom the bo~e of -7 l 334493 the weapon, The f'ms may be formed of a re6ilient material ~uch as copper~ or may be moulded into their fSnal form of plastics or ~ mou~da~ metal such as alun~num.
The warhead assembly (2) is formed of a hollow aluminum casting of a genelally 6 cylindrical configulation formed with a dollled fol~wald end. The domed fol~ard end coruoins the cylindrical portion at al~out ~he point at which an annular rece~s (10) is provided therein. The amlular reces~ i5 provided with a ~oft plastics rnaterial sealant (18) which iB adapted in u~e to contact the internal bore of the weapon after firing, The hollow pOltiOIl of the warhead (2) is provided with an explosive (16), for example RDX. The l)lock of explosive (16) iB~ in thi~ particular embodiment, plovided with a centlal l~lind bole for she accommodation of an initiator (1~) which, in this particular instance, is retained by mean~ of a letaining plate (13) which locates the ~xplosive (15) in the body of the warhead (2), In an alternative 1~ embodiment the retaining plate (13) may be dispensed with, and the initiator (14) may be formed as a ~liding ~lt illtO the l'eCeSS ill the explo~ive chalge (16), Pre-moulded frs3gme~tation portions (16) may al80 be formed Oll the internal or external face6 of the walhead (2), In an alterllative the warhead (2) may l~e formed of hard epoxy re6in- illtO which a plurality of ball bearings (17) has been ` 20 di~posed. The advantage of this lattel con~tructioll i~ that the weight of tlle warhead ca~ e c~lefully acljusted by meall~ of the utilisAtioll of the collect nwllbel and weight of ball l~earillgs. Furthel~ of course. the point of balance of the projectile ~ssembly can be altered by placing the ball bealillg~ at variou~
positions in varyillg numbers withill the body of the material forming the 26 warhead, In u6e, the explosive charge which i6 moulded to a predeterlllilled shape is interfitted in the warhead (2) and the initiator t14) positioned therein, The casillg (3) i8 assembled by sliding the firing pin (4) into the bore (10) of the casing (3) with the bore (6A) in legister with the shaft of the safety pin (~), The cap t6B) of tlle safety pin i~ then retained in its "pre~sed in" conditioll in order to retain the safety pin in it6 "at rest" condition, The casing (3) and warhead (2) are then interf'ltted by s}iding the two together ensuring that the complession ~ ing (6) is fiee to move. Tlle asse~ ly of the casi~lg (3) and tllewal~head (2) 6uch that the intellockillg mealls (11l 12) inter-relate~ causes tlle fi~ g pin (4) to be folced away f~om tlle initiatol (14) by lllealls of the Spl'illg (~), while letaining the safety pin cap (I~B) in its ~prillg (7). While letainillg the ~afety pin cap (6B) in ~t6 "pressed ill" conditioll, the fims (8) ale then positioned in their radially inward position6 and the device iB ~lid into a 6tandald 12 bore cartridge so a6 to fit on the top of the wadding immediately ovel the propellellt charge. AB the casing (3) slides into the standard 12 bore cartridge, the cap (613) of the safety pin will come into ~liding relation~hip thelewith ~uch that the firing pin (4) iB retained against any possibility of releaBe 80 that even if the cartridge is dropped during use the explosive chalge will not f~lle.
The cartridge may then be positioned in a ~tan~ald ~hotgun and f5led in the normal way. On filillg the projectile (1) leaves the cartlidge (not shown) and travel~ along the ~mooth bore barlel with the sealant (18) and the cap (6B) of 1~ the safety pin in contact tllelewitll. On exit fiolll the b~lleL the le~haillt is l~emoved fiom the safety pin cap (~B) and this will tend to l~e thlown outwardlyby means of the complession spring (7) thereby releasing the firillg pin (4) foractuation. Of course. in1ll1ediately UpOll exit fiol1l the barlel. the projectile (1) will undergo fairly sevele deceleration and hence there is a dangel that the firillg pin might contact the initiatol (14). This is pIevellted by means of the6pl'illg (5) which loads the filrillg pill into its "at rest" position until impact, Furthel, said deceleratioll al~o imparts 6heal to the safety pin shaft (~) thereby tending to delay its exit from the bore (6A).
At the 6ame time the fins (8) wllich previou6ly have been in sliding contact with 2~ the intelnal wall of the barlel~ are fieed fi~on~ constraint and expand radially outwardly. In one forlll of the invelltioll the f~lns extend in a plane parallel to the axis of the projectile. in which case the f'lllS act merely to stal~ilise the pl~ojectile during its flight. In the prefe~lecl forlll of the invelltioll~ however~ the fins are slightly angled to the axis of the projectile itself and hence cause the plojectile to ~pin in a stabilised fashion. ~t the end of its flight the dome of the warheatl will contact the target alea thereby causing the firing pin to contact the initiatol (14)~ which in turll initiates tlle explo~ion. It will be appleciated that thele i~ a small delay between the contact of the domed l)ortioll of the warhead with the target area and the explosion being initiated, This delay allows t-he plojectile to 3~ penetrate, in 80 far as it can~ the target material thereby increasing the B
effectivenes6 of the explosion then genelated, Fi~ule 2 shows a trallsvelse Cl'OS8 seCtiOll tlll'OUgh a21 nl~CU~I;e fln ill aCCOldflnCe with the pl esent invelltion ~howillg the angles of attack of two pol tions thereof.
In Figule 3 a casing of the genelal form showll in Figule I iB shown. The casing6 of Figure 3 i8 adapted to co-operate with a warhead (2) shown in Figure I~ witll the exception that the illtel lockin~ mealls (12) i~ replaced by a screw thlead means for co opelation with ~crew thlead means (llA) in Figule 3.
With reference to Figule 3 like parts to those described in Figure I ale given similar numbers and ale the same unless specifically referred to.
Casing (3A) is of the basic folm a6 S}lOWll in Figure I, but i8 provided towaldsits upper end with a screw thread portion (llA) for inter comlection with the warhead (2). The bore (6A) in the firing pin (4) accommodates a pair of co-axialsafety pin shafts (6)~ each termillating in a safety pin cap (6B). The safety pin shafts (6) are ~pring bia~ed by means of 8pring (7) in opposite directions so as1~ to balallce the casing on exit fiom the barrel of a weapon.
If desiled~ a fiiction collar can be intelposed betweell the two shaft6 (6) 80 as to delay by a shol~t pe~iod the till1e which it l;akes to expel the shaft (~) B0 as to elease the filin~ pin (4). This ~l~angement Call folm an alming time delay meoll~nifim as hereinbefole set fortll.
Alternatively~ or additionally, the ~lrillg pin (4) of Figure 3 can be folmed with an alcuate base (20) overlaying an adhe6ive layel~ (21), which adhesive layer e~rte~l~R through equally spaced bole~ (22) to the rear of the casing (3A). The adhesive is combustible and hellce will r elease the firillg pin ~4) aftel a predetermined time delay. The firing of the plopellant chal-ge will, in tUlll.
26 commence the combustion of the adhesive matelial (21) which accordingly will retain the firing pill fo} a peliod of up to one ~econd~ and mole prefelably 0.01 to 0.2 seconds. This armillg time delay mecllfl1-ism allows the plojectile to cove a safe distance befole being almed, tllereby plotecting the operatol.
The casing (3A) also beals a tlacel compound (24) dispo~ed centlally of the lealof the casing (3A), said tracel compoul~d being actuated by a tracel initiatol (23~.
The opelation of the alrangement of Figure 3 iB in preci6e accord with that of Figure I~ except th~t the arnlillg time delay mechn~ provides a furthe guarantee of safety for the operatol and provides a tr~cer facility.
The arlangemellt pertaills~ tllerefole. to a plujectile suitable for use with a small 6 bore weapon, but i6 alBo applicable to rifled weapons; and particul~lly to a projectile for use in cartridge ammullitioll. The ~rojectiles in accordallce with the present invelltion may also l~e loaded illtO pOdB for utili~ation in helicoptel~
or small airclaft, each pod comprisillg 30 x 10 projectile~ prefelably in three tier8~ The projectile~ ale initiatecl l~y plopellallt chalge Ol l~y compres~ed air.
thereby ploviding snturation coverage of a tar~et area.
The illvelltion al80 relate~ to a metllod for the safe manufactule of a projectile in accordance Wit}l the presellt invelltioll wherein the warhead and the ca ing are separately provided and manufactured; only being intel-locked in the final manufacturing stage.
16 The invention al60 provides a finned projectile capable of l~eing filed fiom cartridge flmm~lnition~
Claims (24)
1. A small arms projectile for a small arms smooth bore weapon, which projectile comprises a gener-ally cylindrical casing and a warhead assembly, said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an initiator, the casing being formed with a firing pin spring biased to a safety position, and locked in said safety position by means of a safety pin, said projectile being retained prior to firing by a cartridge case including a propellant charge; charac-terized in that the safety pin is spring biased, and in that the cartridge also retains a plurality of fins in the folded down condition and disposed upon the casing of the projectile, each fin being spaced an equal dis-tance about the periphery of the casing and being pivoted thereby to displace radially outwardly relative to the casing on exit from the weapon.
2. A projectile according to claim 1, charac-terized in that the casing and the warhead are sepa-rately formed and are adapted to interlock on assembly with the cartridge.
3. A projectile according to claim 1, charac-terized in that the exterior of the casing is provided with three or four fins thereupon, each fin being spaced an equal distance about the periphery of the casing.
4. A projectile according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the plane of the fin is angularly displaced from the axial plane of the projectile by an angle of up to 30° thereby to impart spin thereto.
5. A projectile according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the fins are spring biased to their radial positions and are arcuate in form.
6. A projectile according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the warhead is provided with a soft plastics sealant ring for contact with the bore of the weapon on firing.
7. A projectile according to claim 1, charac-terized in that said safety device additionally comprises a secondary safety means adapted to retain the firing pin in a safety position for a predetermined period after the projectile has left the weapon and to allow arming of the same prior to impact.
8. A projectile according to claim 7, charac-terized in that the secondary safety means is formed by a crank in the safety pin, said crank allowing the release of the pin only on deceleration of the projec-tile as it leaves the weapon.
9. A projectile according to claim 7, charac-terized in that the secondary safety means is a layer of a combustible adhesive material interposed between the firing pin and the hollow portion of the casing, whereby combustion of the adhesive material is actuated by explosion of a propellant charge to give a time delay before the firing pin can be released from the casing.
10. A projectile according to claim 9, charac-terized in that the adhesive material is retained in a bore disposed between the rear end of the casing and the hollow portion of the casing.
11. An explosive device, including a projectile to be fired from a shotgun, said projectile comprising:
(a) a warhead having an explosive charge;
(b) a casing having means for joining said cas-ing to said warhead;
(c) a plurality of fins affixed to the periphery of said casing and having means for assuming radially retracted and radially extended positions, whereby said fins cause deceleration of said projectile when said fins assume said extended position;
(d) a firing pin disposed in an approximately axially extending passage in said casing, whereby the momentum of said firing pin upon deceleration of said casing urges said firing pin in the axial direction;
(e) a safety pin having means for engaging said firing pin, thereby locking said firing pin in a safe position, said safety pin disposed in a first approxi-mately radially oriented hole formed in said casing, whereby said firing pin applies a shear force to said safety pin upon said deceleration of said projectile when said fins assume said extended position; and (f) means for exerting a radial force for disen-gaging said safety pin from said firing pin, whereby said shear force applied by said firing pin restrains said safety pin against said radial force for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves a barrel of a shotgun.
(a) a warhead having an explosive charge;
(b) a casing having means for joining said cas-ing to said warhead;
(c) a plurality of fins affixed to the periphery of said casing and having means for assuming radially retracted and radially extended positions, whereby said fins cause deceleration of said projectile when said fins assume said extended position;
(d) a firing pin disposed in an approximately axially extending passage in said casing, whereby the momentum of said firing pin upon deceleration of said casing urges said firing pin in the axial direction;
(e) a safety pin having means for engaging said firing pin, thereby locking said firing pin in a safe position, said safety pin disposed in a first approxi-mately radially oriented hole formed in said casing, whereby said firing pin applies a shear force to said safety pin upon said deceleration of said projectile when said fins assume said extended position; and (f) means for exerting a radial force for disen-gaging said safety pin from said firing pin, whereby said shear force applied by said firing pin restrains said safety pin against said radial force for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves a barrel of a shotgun.
12. The explosive device according to claim 11, wherein said firing pin has a second approximately radially oriented hole formed therein, and wherein said means for engaging said firing pin comprises said safety pin slidably extending through said first hole into said second hole, whereby said deceleration of said projectile causes the sides of said second hole to bear against a portion of said safety pin, thereby retarding sliding of said safety pin in said first and second holes.
13. The explosive device according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined period of time is in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 seconds.
14. The explosive device according to claim 11, further comprising a cartridge case for said projec-tile, said cartridge case at least partially enclosing said casing and containing a propellent charge for pro-pelling said projectile through a barrel of a shotgun, and wherein said projectile has no other means for pro-pulsion, whereby exiting said barrel causes decelera-tion of said projectile.
15. The explosive device according to claim 11, wherein said fins are spring biased to assume their radially extended position upon exiting a barrel of a shotgun.
16. An explosive device, comprising a projectile to be fired from a weapon having a smooth bore barrel and a cartridge case at least partially enclosing said projectile prior to firing, said projectile having:
(a) a warhead having an explosive charge;
(b) a casing having means for joining said cas-ing to said warhead;
(c) a firing pin disposed in said casing, whereby forward motion of said projectile imparts for-ward acting inertia to said firing pin;
(d) a safety pin for locking said firing pin in a safe position, said safety pin being approximately radially oriented in said casing and slidably engaging said firing pin, whereby deceleration of said projec-tile causes said inertia of said firing pin to impose a force on said safety pin;
(e) means for exerting a radial force propelling said safety pin radially outward, thereby disengaging said safety pin from said firing pin;
(f) restraining means for restraining said safety pin against said radial force prior to firing said projectile; and (g) a plurality of fins affixed to said casing and having means for assuming radially retracted and radially extended positions for restraining said safety pin against said radial force for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves a weapon barrel, said fins having means for causing sufficient deceleration of said projectile when assuming said extended positions so that said force imposed by said firing pin on said safety pin is sufficiently great to restrain said safety pin against said radial force for said predetermined period of time.
(a) a warhead having an explosive charge;
(b) a casing having means for joining said cas-ing to said warhead;
(c) a firing pin disposed in said casing, whereby forward motion of said projectile imparts for-ward acting inertia to said firing pin;
(d) a safety pin for locking said firing pin in a safe position, said safety pin being approximately radially oriented in said casing and slidably engaging said firing pin, whereby deceleration of said projec-tile causes said inertia of said firing pin to impose a force on said safety pin;
(e) means for exerting a radial force propelling said safety pin radially outward, thereby disengaging said safety pin from said firing pin;
(f) restraining means for restraining said safety pin against said radial force prior to firing said projectile; and (g) a plurality of fins affixed to said casing and having means for assuming radially retracted and radially extended positions for restraining said safety pin against said radial force for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves a weapon barrel, said fins having means for causing sufficient deceleration of said projectile when assuming said extended positions so that said force imposed by said firing pin on said safety pin is sufficiently great to restrain said safety pin against said radial force for said predetermined period of time.
17. The explosive device according to claim 16, wherein said restraining means comprises said cartridge case enclosing said safety pin.
18. The explosive device according to claim 16, wherein:
(a) said casing and said firing pin have first and second radially oriented holes formed therein, respectively; and (b) said safety pin slidably extends through said first hole into said second hole, whereby said deceleration of said projectile causes the sides of said second hole to bear against a portion of said safety pin, thereby retarding sliding of said safety pin in said first and second holes.
(a) said casing and said firing pin have first and second radially oriented holes formed therein, respectively; and (b) said safety pin slidably extends through said first hole into said second hole, whereby said deceleration of said projectile causes the sides of said second hole to bear against a portion of said safety pin, thereby retarding sliding of said safety pin in said first and second holes.
19. The explosive device according to claim 16, wherein each of said fins has a surface extending in a plane, each of said planes being oriented at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of said projectile, thereby inducing deceleration of said projectile on meeting still air.
20. The explosive device according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined angle is in the range of approximately 8° to 25°.
21. The explosive device according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined period of time is in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 seconds.
22. The explosive device according to claim 16, wherein said cartridge case contains a propellent charge for propelling said projectile from a weapon barrel, and wherein said projectile has no other means for propulsion, whereby exiting said barrel causes deceleration of said projectile.
23. An explosive device comprising:
(a) a cartridge case including a propellent charge, and (b) a shotgun projectile for use in a shotgun having a barrel and a chamber, said projectile having a generally cylindrical casing and warhead assembly, said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an initiator, said casing having:
(i) a firing pin spring biased to a safety posi-tion, (ii) a safety pin extending approximately radi-ally through said casing and engaging said firing pin, thereby locking said firing pin in said safety position, (iii) means for biasing said safety pin radially outward, and (iv) a plurality of fins pivoted to the periphery of said casing so as to be capable of assum-ing both a folded-down upon said casing position and a radially outwardly deployed position, wherein said projectile is at least in part retained prior to firing in said cartridge case, whereby said cartridge case retains said fins in said folded-down condition, whereby said safety pin radially disengages from said firing pin under the urging of said biasing means and said fins deploy radially out-wardly subsequent to said projectile exiting from a shotgun barrel, whereby said deployment of said fins causes deceleration of said projectile sufficient to cause said firing pin to impose a shear force on said safety pin that delays said disengagement of said safety pin from said firing pin for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves said barrel.
(a) a cartridge case including a propellent charge, and (b) a shotgun projectile for use in a shotgun having a barrel and a chamber, said projectile having a generally cylindrical casing and warhead assembly, said warhead being hollow to accommodate an explosive charge and an initiator, said casing having:
(i) a firing pin spring biased to a safety posi-tion, (ii) a safety pin extending approximately radi-ally through said casing and engaging said firing pin, thereby locking said firing pin in said safety position, (iii) means for biasing said safety pin radially outward, and (iv) a plurality of fins pivoted to the periphery of said casing so as to be capable of assum-ing both a folded-down upon said casing position and a radially outwardly deployed position, wherein said projectile is at least in part retained prior to firing in said cartridge case, whereby said cartridge case retains said fins in said folded-down condition, whereby said safety pin radially disengages from said firing pin under the urging of said biasing means and said fins deploy radially out-wardly subsequent to said projectile exiting from a shotgun barrel, whereby said deployment of said fins causes deceleration of said projectile sufficient to cause said firing pin to impose a shear force on said safety pin that delays said disengagement of said safety pin from said firing pin for a predetermined period of time after said projectile leaves said barrel.
24. The explosive device according to claim 23, wherein said safety pin comprises a shaft sliding in a bore in said firing pin.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8823264.0 | 1988-10-05 | ||
| GB888823264A GB8823264D0 (en) | 1988-10-05 | 1988-10-05 | Projectile |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1334493C true CA1334493C (en) | 1995-02-21 |
Family
ID=10644686
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000613885A Expired - Fee Related CA1334493C (en) | 1988-10-05 | 1989-09-28 | Projectile for smooth bore weapon |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0363079B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE108541T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU624865B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1334493C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68916734T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK490289A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2057141T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB8823264D0 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL91889A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX173601B (en) |
| PH (1) | PH31355A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA897536B (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1095982C (en) | 1997-10-17 | 2002-12-11 | 罗克泰克有限公司 | Method and apparatus for removing obstructions in mines |
| ES2222698T3 (en) | 1998-04-03 | 2005-02-01 | Special Cartridge Company Limited | SAFETY SYSTEM FOR PROJECTIVE SPOOL. |
| GB0111171D0 (en) * | 2001-05-08 | 2001-06-27 | Special Cartridge Company Ltd | Projictile |
| FR3001536A1 (en) * | 2013-01-28 | 2014-08-01 | Luca Joel De | Impact device for explosive charge in contact with target, has striker secured by removable safety pin on shutter, where striker is intended to strike primer of explosive charge through perforated support |
| CN106403728B (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2018-05-04 | 北京北机机电工业有限责任公司 | A kind of fixed mechanism |
| CN106382858A (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2017-02-08 | 北京北机机电工业有限责任公司 | Fixing mechanism |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE793876A (en) * | 1973-01-11 | 1973-07-11 | Herstal Sa | EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE FOR HUNTING RIFLES AND PROJECTILE FOR THIS |
| DE2609932C2 (en) * | 1976-03-10 | 1984-04-05 | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München | Folding tail for missiles |
| DE3033061A1 (en) * | 1980-09-03 | 1982-04-22 | Dynamit Nobel Ag, 5210 Troisdorf | Sub-calibre practice mortar bomb - has propellant charge in chamber secured by sleeve in tail rear end |
| SE444725B (en) * | 1983-02-09 | 1986-04-28 | Ffv Affersverket | GRANTE CASTLE FRAMEWORK MUNICIPAL WITH SEPARATED PROJECT BODY AND TARGET WITH DRIVE CHARGING |
| DE3304393A1 (en) * | 1983-02-09 | 1983-10-13 | Manfred R. Dr. 2875 Ganderkesee Rosenberger | Gun-barrel projectile cartridge having a spin-stabilised projectile for hunting and policing purposes |
| DE3441556A1 (en) * | 1983-11-29 | 1985-06-05 | Oregon Etablissement für Patentverwertung, Mauren | IMPELLER |
-
1988
- 1988-10-05 GB GB888823264A patent/GB8823264D0/en active Pending
-
1989
- 1989-09-28 DE DE68916734T patent/DE68916734T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-09-28 AT AT89309902T patent/ATE108541T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-09-28 ES ES89309902T patent/ES2057141T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-09-28 CA CA000613885A patent/CA1334493C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-09-28 EP EP89309902A patent/EP0363079B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-03 AU AU42480/89A patent/AU624865B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1989-10-03 PH PH39321A patent/PH31355A/en unknown
- 1989-10-03 MX MX017810A patent/MX173601B/en unknown
- 1989-10-04 IL IL91889A patent/IL91889A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-10-04 ZA ZA897536A patent/ZA897536B/en unknown
- 1989-10-05 DK DK490289A patent/DK490289A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IL91889A0 (en) | 1990-06-10 |
| DK490289A (en) | 1990-04-06 |
| MX173601B (en) | 1994-03-17 |
| ATE108541T1 (en) | 1994-07-15 |
| AU624865B2 (en) | 1992-06-25 |
| PH31355A (en) | 1998-07-31 |
| ES2057141T3 (en) | 1994-10-16 |
| GB8823264D0 (en) | 1989-03-30 |
| EP0363079B1 (en) | 1994-07-13 |
| IL91889A (en) | 1998-01-04 |
| DE68916734D1 (en) | 1994-08-18 |
| DK490289D0 (en) | 1989-10-05 |
| EP0363079A2 (en) | 1990-04-11 |
| EP0363079A3 (en) | 1990-11-14 |
| AU4248089A (en) | 1990-04-12 |
| ZA897536B (en) | 1990-06-27 |
| DE68916734T2 (en) | 1994-11-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |