EP0369922B1

EP0369922B1 - Smoke-producing projectile

Info

Publication number: EP0369922B1
Application number: EP89500104A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juan Bardisa Santacreu
Original assignee: " Falken Sa"; Falken SA
Current assignee: " Falken Sa"; Falken SA
Priority date: 1988-10-15
Filing date: 1989-10-14
Publication date: 1997-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-14
Also published as: PT91989B; GR3023477T3; EP0369922A2; DE68927819D1; ES2011681A6; DE68927819T2; ES2098228T3; ATE149671T1; PT91989A; EP0369922A3

Abstract

A smoke-producing projectile for riot control comprises three or more independent smoke-producing cylinders (5), which are dispersed by combustion gas pressure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates to a patent of invention referring to improvements in smoke-producing shells for riot control, the evident purpose of which is to be used in a way similar to the conventional "smoke cans", and which can be hand-thrown or being shot by a firearm provided with a big mouth within which a shell can be introduced without the need of carrying out any modification on the shell itself, and irrespective of being introduced into the firearm big mouth in a position either upside up or upside down.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention applies to the industry for the manufacture of armaments and ancillary material.

RELATED ART

The smoke-producing shells for riot control, broadly known as "smoke cans", are manufactured at present of a metal material, and they are activated after being thrown by the corresponding firearms of the Police officials, so that said smoke cans, when on the ground, release a gas provoking the dispersal of that group of persons to be purposely dispersed.
These smoke-producing shells or "smoke cans" for riot control - present several drawbacks when utilized, owing to the fact that they carry a great amount of kinetic energy, and, at the same time, that in their combustion flames are produced, which, sometimes, are a source of lamentable accidents caused by a direct impact, fire asphyxia, which accidents can be produced both among the mas of rioters and among the forces of law and order when said "smoke cans" or smoke-producing shells are sent back to them by the rioters.
If to the above exposed, we add the fact that, due to the nature of the cans, they are not desintegrated when exploding, it is obvious the high risk implying the use of these shells under the mentioned circumstances and occasions.
Likewise, it is known the existence at present of several - "smoke cans" or smoke-producing shells for riot control which should be fitted with several types of fuses to be hand-thrown or to be shot by a riffle, requiring specifically the incorporation of a determined type of fuse according to the throwing to be carried out.
Also, it has been checked that, on similar objects distributed and utilized at present, the insertion of same into the big mouth is to be carried out in an only way.
The French Patent of Invention No. 2,280,876 presents an ejecting fumigenic charge for shells, this invention referring to an object to be used in an exclusively military manner.
As known, the most asked for shells are those only and exclusively used for military purposes, and they are provided with a fumigenic or explosive charge, and their case containing a fumigenic and stable charge is manufactured of cast iron, a material which, as known by any expert in the art, is forbidden for civilian purposes.
Owing to the fact that their case is made of cast iron, their use as an element applied to be used for controlling civilian - rioters and practically utilized as an exclusive use by the police, is forbidden by the laws of any country.
It is also to be pointed out that the above-mentioned French patent of invention envisages an object provided with an ejecting fumigenic charge for heavily demanded shells containing an explosive charge, and, consequently the explosive charge is also forbidden in elements to be used for controlling civilian riots or outcries.
From the French Patent of Invention No. 2,612,287, it is known the existence of a fumigenic shell and ammunition so equipped, said invention stating clearly that it refers to a fumigenic shell the function of which is to protect, masked, ground vehicles, in particular tanks.
It is obvious that the use of this fumigenic or smoke-producing can is made starting from the incorporation into it of a powder charge, and, consequently, this charge is explosive and dangerous, its application being only and exclusively to military purposes.
From the US Patent of Invention No. 3,685,430, it is known the existence of a floating grenade case, the main aim of which is to allow a grenade containing a chemical reagent creating a smoke cloud to float, it being specifically designed so that the grenade itself floats on a water layer in order to allow the content of the grenade to be scattered, serving as a smoke screen for military purposes, or also as a marker for signallizing a particular situation on the water surface, which means also a second military application.
The above-mentioned invention is configured as a monoblock case having, for being operated, a ring similar to those conventionally used in hand grenades.
It is known the existence of the US Patent of Invention No. 3,726,226 relating to a signallizing fumigenic grenade, of the type known as universal, which is specifically designed to be - used both in dry zones and flooded zones.
This fumigenic grenade covered by the US patent of invention is to be only and exclusively used as a military arm, of special application to the infantry corps, and it is so configured that it allows to be used in marshy or flooded areas, owing to the fact that it has an external waterproof receiver, and relying on a firing gear which can be hand operated or being actuated by a gas direct impact or by inertial recoil forces.
It is configured as an element which is capable of producing a fumigenic effect, but it cannot be used simultaneously as a fragmentable element.
The US Patent of Invention No. 388,942 shows a method of providing a watertight closing for fluids between a thin wall pipe and a piston, which refers to a missile for correcting military shots.
It is configured as a fumigenic cartridge for monitoring adapted shots so that when effecting its ejection, it acts as a propelling element of a smoke-producing or similar reagent, at a determined altitude on the air, which determines an easy monitoring of the shot, and, consequently, a correction of same in case of error.
In synthesis, it dealts with an element which has been designed to be only and exclusively used within a military field, since apart of being fitted with the corresponding explosive, the material outwardly configuring it is cast iron.
The evident solution to the present problems in this matter would be to rely on a "smoke can" or fumigenic shell not requiring any modification to be operated, and specifically designed to be used in a civilian area, being inertially activated, and, at the same time, allowing it to be hand-thrown or by means of a rifle, without being necessary to carry out any kind of modification on it.
The most suitable invention must not contain any type of explosive and, at the same time, can operate irrespective of the fact that the shell could be introduced into the big mouth in a position either upside up or upside down, not requiring any kind of modification to be stored.
It would be also necessary to rely on an element the body, parts and gears of which were made of a plastic material, with no edges.
Nevertheless, up-to-date, nothing is known about the existence of an object fitted with the characteristics considered as suitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improvements in smoke-producing shells for riot control as proposed by the invention constitute, per se, an evident novelty in the industrial field into which they incorporate, since starting from same, it is possible to have an element capable of extensively surpass other similar elements existing in the market, allowing it to be thrown via any firearm fitted with an adequate big mouth, and being divided into three or more fragments on the aire, each of which will fall on the ground emitting a thick smoke cloud, and the exothermic chemical reaction simultaneously produced will consume each of the fragments, scarcely resting residues of same.
In a more definite way, the improvements in smoke-producing shells for riot control as proposed by the invention are constituted starting from a body capable of being splitted in two or three minutes, without remaining any type of metallic rests, with a flameless combustion, not having any kind of edges, and consequently without any risk for the physical integrity of persons, and creating simultaneously three smoke sources enhancing its spreading power and tripling the neutralizable zone.
In synthesis, the invention is constituted starting from a light metallic casing adopting a cylindrical shape, and being fitted with a fastened cover, capable of being separated from the body if an inner pressure acts on same, a part carrying an inertia fuse and a capsule initiating the shell being screwed in the cover.
Inside the light metallic cover, there are incorporated three axially drilled cylinders containing a fumigenic or tear-producing mixture, depending on the type of shell in question.
The casing of the three drilled cylinders is configured starting from a metal having a low melting point, and a separator has been provided between the cylinder and the light metallic cover, the function of this separator is to fix the cylinders within the casing and consequently to create a low pressure chamber capable of absorbing the gases originated by the combustion of the initiating strip, until the strip fulfills its specific fonction of initiation of the mixture of the three cylinders.
Along the axial drills of the cylinders and extending until the initiating capsule, incorporated in the part carrying the fuse, the rigid initiating strip is located, which is covered with a pyrotechnic mixture having an easy initiation and being capable of creating, in its combustion, the necessary thermic energy to initiate the fumigenic or tear-producing mixture of the three cylinders.
The object of the invention is complemented with a layer of plastic material, which is screwed in the part carrying the fuse, and adjusted, at its lower side, to the shell, the specific purpose of which is to protect the shell.
Lastly, it is to be pointed out that the lower side of the shell is fitted with a rubber disc, the function of which is to protect the shell in transit and when it is shot, forming an - assembly having a metal disc avoiding the shell to be perforated by the fire dart and the gases emitted by the firearm with which it is shot.
This two disc assembly is joined to the lower side of the shell by means of a plastic part into which the metal casing is tightly inserted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement this description and to aid to a better understanding of the features of the invention, the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification, show in an illustrative bot non limitative sense, the following:
The only figure shows a view of the object of the invention related to improvements in smoke-producing shells for riot control, seen in a sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

From the sole figure, it can be seen how the improvents in smoke-producing shells for riot control are constituted starting from a light metallic casing (1) having a cylindrical configuration, and fitted with a fastened cover (2) which can be separated from the body if an inner pressure acts on the cover itself (2).
The cover (2) is screwed in a part (3) carrying an inertia fuse, and, also, a capsule initiating (4) the shell.
Inside the light metallic casing (1), three axially drilled cylinders (5) are provided, these cylinders (5) containing a fumigenic or tear-producing mixture, according to the type of shell in question.
The cylinder (5) casing is made of a low melting point metal, and a separator (8) is located between the cylinders (5) and the casing cover (2); this separator (8) secures the cylinders within the light metallic casing (1), and, consequently, creates a low pressure chamber (15) capable of absorbing the gases emitted by the combustion of the initiating strip (6), until this latter carries out it's task of initiating the mixture of the three cylinders (5)
Along the axial drills of the three cylinders (5), and extending until the initiating capsule (4), incorporated in the part carrying the fuse (3), the rigid initiating strip (6) is located, which is covered of a pyrotechnic mixture, of easy initiation, and being capable of creating, in its combustion, the necessary thermic energy to initiate the fumigenic or tear-producing mixture of the three cylinders.
The shell is completed with a plastic cover (7), screwed in the part carrying the fuse (3); and adjusted, at its lower side, to the shell body, the function of which is exclusively to protect the fuse (3).
At its lower side, the shell is fitted with a rubber disc (9), which protects it in transit when it is shot.
Forming an assembly with the rubber disc, there is located a metal disc (10) avoiding the shell to be perforated by the fire dart and the gases emitted by the firearm with which the shell is shot.
The two disc assembly, that is to say, the rubber disc (9) and the metal disc (10), is joined to the lower side of the shell by means of a plastic part (11) in which the metallic casing is - tightly inserted (1).
The operation of the object of the invention is as follows, namely:
It is inserted, with the cover protecting the fuse forward, into the big mouth of the firearm to be used for shooting the shell, and when this firearm is fired and the shell is drawn forward, the fuse hammer (12), propelled by the inertia force provoked by the acceleration introduced into the shell, breaks the transit safety device (13), and overcomes the action of the opponent spring (1), falling upon the initiating capsule (4), causing its combustion a sudden blaze which will catch the initiating strip (6)
The combustion of this initiating strip (6) is not instantaneous owing to requirements with regard to thermic characteristics and the absence of a mechanical wave demanded in it, to initiate the mixture of the cylinders (5) contained by the shell.
At the same time, said combustion emits gases, a low pressure chamber (15) being necessary , created by the separator (8) at the upper part of the shell.
It is to bear in mind that all these characteristics in the combustion and the existence of said low pressure chamber cause a delay which is necessary for the good operation of the shell that, only when it is at a minimal distance of 20 meters from the shooting means, attains the necessary pressure for opening the casing cover, and so sending out duly the three cylinders (5) already initiated forwards, these cylinders maintaining a reach equivalent to that obtained by the whole shell.
Said cylinders (5) fall on the ground already initiated, emitting a fire dart and a thick smoke cloud via one of the orifices drilled at their bases, and when the reaction is progressed and the smoke emission is finished, the cylinder has disappeared leaving only a small residue on the place where it fell.
On the other side, the effect of multiplying by three the shell and the possibility of picking up any of the cylinders, even bearing protecting gloves, impedes same to be sent back, creating a great confusion among the people against which it has been thrown.

Claims

A smoke-producing shell for riot control, characterized in that it contains three or more independent cylinders (5), axially drilled, containing a fumigenic or tear-producing mixture each, which, when shot, disperse on the air, each of them emitting a thick smoke cloud, and there being a low pressure chamber (15) for absorbing the gases produced in the initiation reaction, and causing a delay at the opening of a light metallic casing (1), which adopts a cylindrical configuration and is fitted with a fastened cover which can be separated from the body according to the existence of an inner pressure acting on the cover itself (2), this cover being screwed in a part (3) carrying an inertia fuse and, at the same time, an initiating capsule (4) of the shell, relying on an initiating strip (6) which are placed in an axial position as regard the fumigenic cylinders (5).
A smoke-producing shell for riot control, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shell is fitted with protecting elements constituted by a rubber disc (9) and a metal disc (10), preferably made of steel.