FR2507763A1 - Mobile anti-tank rocket launchers having anti-flash guards - involving components of expanded polyethylene opt. supported on polyamide fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

An arming device for an antitank rocket launcher involves a plunger which can shift, after disengagement of a safety pin, to connect in circuit components which ensure adequate incendive energy in the resulting detonation spark. Esp. applicable to mobile or portable launchers having a relatively short barrel. The body of such launchers pref. carries a light, robust cone of e.g. expanded polyethylene to deflect gases in the wake of the rocket from impinging back on the face of the operator of the launcher. For sighting purposes, one or more longitudinal slots are provided through the cone tangential to the barrel surface: these are provided with flaps of low inertia partly bonded to the barrel surface to deploy and block the slots automatically when the rocket is fitted.

Description

 The present invention relates to improvements made to anti-tank rocket launcher weapons, and in particular to the weapon system which is the subject of patent No. 80 21 901, of October 14, 1980, filed by the applicant.

 The energy of such a weapon, necessary for igniting the rocket, is supplied for example by chemical reservoirs, such as batteries, accumulators, etc.

 The present invention proposes to improve the safety of the user by switching on the power source just moments before firing. However, we know that with this type of tank d! energy, a certain delay, called "delay of deactivation", is often necessary before ensuring a new threshold of intensity or voltage of the delivered current, compatible with the operating characteristics of the igniter of the rocket propellant.

 According to the present invention, this instantaneous safety and reliability function is ensured by providing, in the case containing the energy tank, a tank switching pedal, or charging pedal, supplemented by a safety pin which maintains the interruption of the ignition circuit during handling, storage and transport prior to firing.

 Furthermore, the minimum space requirements, justified by the use on the ground and also by the motorization of the infantrymen, lead to the use of a short weapon tube. In this case, which is frequent, during shots at very low temperature, the emptying of the end-of-combustion gases of the propellant can be done partially outside the launch tube, thus creating nuisances with regard to the shooter. It is also necessary that the line of sight is not obscured by any protection, such as shield, mask ...

 According to the present invention, this protection is provided by a deflector and damper cone, placed at the front of the tube, in which one or two openings are provided, according to the "right-handed" or "left-handed" use characteristics of weapon, to allow aiming.

 In addition, according to another characteristic of this invention, to ensure the protection of the shooter against nuisances which would act through these openings, there is provided on said openings at least one tongue which can be deployed under the effect of gases from the mouth. These tabs leave the opening free during aiming, and close off said openings during the short emptying time, outside the tube, of the propellant.

The various characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description below. It is clearly specified, however, that these are only examples, and that all other modes of construction, shapes, proportions, arrangements, etc., can also be used without departing from the scope of the invention. description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which
- Figure 1 shows schematically the electrical supply circuit to the storage, then connected to the energy source
- Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the electrical supply circuit connected to the source, ready for use
- Figures 3 and 4 are respectively views in vertical axial section and at the end showing the front end of the weapon, before the rocket leaves its weapon barrel (free openings for aiming, folded tabs).

 Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 3 and 4, showing the front end of the weapon after removing the rocket from its barrel (openings closed by the tongues).

According to the present invention, the power supply to the weapon system comprises - a safety pin 1, which prohibits the translation of a setting pedal
in circuit, or cocking pedal 2, in the housing 3 of the shoemaker 2 'story
the energy source, constituted for example by a battery 11, a con
densifier 9 and resistor 10 - a set of contact strips 5, 6, 7, included in the bottom of the log
ment 3 of the bolier 2 '; - a contactor rod or pin 8, integral with the switch-on pedal 2.

 In Figure 1 (storage position), the contactor axis 8 provides the connection between the lamellae 5 and 6 which close a discharge circuit of the capacitor 9 in a resistor 10, so as not to conserve energy stored in this element . The pin 1 secures the pedal 2 and the short circuit 5 - 6.

 In Figure 2 (position of use), the pin 1 is removed, and the contactor pin 8 provides the connection between the strips 6 and 7, which close the discharge circuit of the capacitor 9.

 According to the invention, depressing the switch-on pedal, prior to the shoulder and aiming, enables the energy source, for example of the battery 11, to be deactivated and the energy instantly al; time of shooting.

 This depassivation is completed well before the end of the shoulder and aiming sequence, and the electrical energy necessary for firing is therefore instantaneously delivered, at the desired threshold, to the rocket at the time of the firing, by action of the servant. on the trigger of the weapon.

 This device according to the present invention therefore provides transport and storage security and firing reliability to the weapon's power supply system.

 In addition, and still according to the present invention, the launching tube 18 of the weapon system (Fig. 3 to 6) comprises, at the mouth, a deflector cone 12, preferably made of flexible material, additionally providing a damping role. handling and falling. This flexible material consists, by way of nonlimiting example, of low density closed cell polyethylene foam.

 The cone 12 has two notches or openings 13 and 14, which are substantially rectangular, corresponding to the sighting axes of the "right-handed" or "left-handed" shooters. The angle oC of the cone 12 is organized so as to deflect nuisances outside the volume occupied by the shooter.

 Two tongues 15 and 16 are placed in these notches or openings 13 and 14. They are glued, by their heels 17, to the launching tube 18.

These tongues 15 and 16, of substantially rectangular shape, consist, by way of nonlimiting example, of a core 19 of resistant fabric, for example of aramid fiber, and of one or more layers 20 of materials
flexible, such as polyethylene foam (nonlimiting example).

 In Figures 3 and 4, there is shown the tabs 15 and 16 in the erased position, leaving open the openings 13, 14, to allow the aim. Figure 3 is a section on 3-3 of Figure 4.

 Figures 5 and 6 show the AV assembly of the tube 18 according to the invention, after aiming and starting the shot. Figure 5 is a section on 5-5 of Figure 6.

 The free ends of the tongues 15 and 16 are disposed towards the front of the tube 18, so as to deploy, then fold back towards the rear under the action of the gases at the mouth, in order to absorb and deflect the effects thereof. , as well as possibly capturing the particles charging these gases, especially in the case of shots near sandy soil.

 This deployment of the tongues 15, 16, according to the invention is automatic, and the position which they assume closes the openings 13 and 14, after aiming only, therefore at a time when the shooter does not need to point, to search the target ... The choice of materials making up the tongues 15 and 16 (see above), their flexibility, their shape, etc., make it possible to obtain the desired effect according to the invention, bringing considerable progress in comfort to the weapon according to the invention.

 It will be recalled that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the improvements which are the subject of the present invention also apply to the weapon which is the subject of the applicant's patent No. 77 27 285, deposited on 9 November 1977.

Claims (7)

CLAIM TOTONS  1 - Weapon system, in particular anti-tank rocket launcher, characterized in that the generator or firing circuit comprises a source of electrical energy (9.- 10 - II) which is connected (for use), or interrupted (during storage), using a circuit pedal (2), locked in the interrupt position by a safety pin (1), said pedal then ensuring a short circuit, and in that the sequence of preparation for combat (aiming, acquisition ...) of the generator includes: the removal of the pin, followed by depressing the pedal causing the switching on of the energy source and its depassivation (capacitor ( 9) - resistance (10)), reliably providing the minimum threshold of voltage or intensity of the current delivered by the source, the weapon thus being well ready for use, without loss of time, all of these operations using the time of the inevitable firing preparation sequence.  2 - weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (18) is provided, at the mouth, with a cone (12) deflector of gas, particles or nuisances, provided with one or two openings (13-14) allowing aiming, and in that said openings can be closed automatically, after the start of the shot, by the deployment of at least one flexible tab (15-16), under 1 effect of gases in the mouth .  / one of and / or 2,  3 - weapon system according to claims 1 / characterized in that the tongues (15-16) are designed and arranged so as to occupy, during transport, a position uxtaposed to the tube (18), and, during deployment, a position projecting substantially perpendicular to the tube.  4 - weapon system according to one of claims 2 and / or 3, characterized in that the gas deflector cone (12) is made of a flexible material, for example polyethylene foam, capable of absorbing mechanical shock as well as the nuisance from the end of propulsion to the mouth, said cone deflecting nuisance outside the volume occupied by the shooter.  5 - weapon system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each opening (13-14) of the deflector cone (12) is equipped with a flexible deployable tongue (15-16) including free end is directed towards the front of the weapon tube, and the heel or rear part (17) is fixed or glued to said tube (18).  6 - weapon system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each deployable tongue consists of a core (19) of fiber fabric (preferably aramid), on which are bonded one or more layers (20) of flexible materials, such as polyethylene foam.  7 - weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings of the cone (18) and the tongues (15-16) are of substantially rectangular shape.