GB2122553A

GB2122553A - Bomb disposal vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2122553A
Application number: GB08315065A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Isack Agadi
Original assignee: Sivan Dev & Implement
Current assignee: Sivan Dev & Implement
Priority date: 1982-06-09
Filing date: 1983-06-01
Publication date: 1984-01-18
Also published as: IT1206751B; GB8315065D0; BE896974A; DE3320675A1; IT8321464A0; IL66022A0; ZA833917B; GB2122553B; ES523026A0; ES8500437A1

Abstract

The vehicle is provided with an extensible arm 1 and means for operating this arm from said vehicle. In front the vehicle is provided with a protective shield 15 hinged to the main frame of the device at an angle with the ground and slanting towards the top of the vehicle. This angle is advantageously 40 to 70 DEG , preferably 45 to 50 DEG . The hinge structure results in a downward movement of the protective shield when same is hit by a shock-wave of an exploding charge. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bomb disposal device The invention relates to a bomb disposal vehicle. The operator is enabled to closely approach the suspected item, to handle it by remote control, and to explode it if necessary, and this without endangering himself. The invention is based on unique means for the dissipation of the energy of an explosive charge of up to a few kilograms weight, without any undue damage or harm to the said vehicle or its operator.

Various means for the disposal of suspected explosive charges have been resorted to. First of all, an explosive expert has to able to approach the suspected item (package, bag or the like), to examine same whether it is harmless or whether it contains an explosive charge, and if so--this must be rendered harmless or it must be exploded under controlled conditions. Sabotage experts have handled such charges, but from time to time, when such charges explode, grievous bodily harm is caused to the person handling this matter. There have been various attempts to produce "robot devices" which can be operated from a distance, and the operator of which is thus at a safe distance while being able to handle the suspected item from a certain distance.Most of these robot-devices do not provide adequate information to the person handling its "arm" or other operating extension in order to decide whether the item is harmless or not, and what course of action is best taken. furthermore, in spite of rather heavy protective means, such robot devices are not able to withstand,without damage, the explosion of an explosive charge of above a certain rather limited weight. Most of the drawbacks of the known devices are eliminated by the novel device.

There is provided a bomb-disposal vehicle comprising control means for approaching the suspected charge up to a desired distance, of about 1.5-2 meters, said vehicle comprising a suitable engine for locomotion (internal combustion or electrical engine), means for steering the vehicle, an extensible telescopic arm provided with means for grabbing the suspected article (parcel, bag, container or the like), for shaking same or hitting it in order to disrupt it, and with means in order to explode the suspected charge if necessary, unique protective means being provided in order to protect the operator located in the vehicle against the effects of an exploding charge or bomb up to a certain size.

The protective means comprises a shield located in front of the operator and protecting him to above the level of his head, provided with a suitable window, said protective shield being hinged in such a manner that the explosive force of a detonating charge is dissipated, pushing the shield downwards so that its lowermost edge hits the ground in front of the vehicle. The protective shield can be made from a suitable metal, and it is advantageously made of a reinforced high strength plastic material of a thickness of from 6 to about 1 5 mm, provided with an armoured window in front of the face of the operator, of adequate strength. This can be a suitable shatterproof glass or plastic of about 2 to 5 cm thickness, and good results were obtained with laminated glass of such thickness.The protective shield, positioned at an angle, is hinged by a system of levers and by a suitable spring so that the shock-wave of an explosive charge results in a downward movement of the shield, the edge of which hits the ground and dissipates a large percentage of the energy of the impacting shock-wave.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the enclosed schematical drawings, not according to size, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the device; Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the arrangement of the front shield and its attachment to the body of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a front view of the suspension mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle comprises a structure 11, provided with 4 wheels 1 2, with an internal combustion engine for locomotion 13, and for actuating the various devices of the device, provided with a seat 14 for the operator, who faces to the left hand, there being provided in front of him a protective shield 15, provided with an armored window 16, to which there are attached side4lap closure members 1 7. There are provided levers 1 8 and 1 9 enabling the operator to steer and move the device to any desired position respective the suspected charge, 1 9 being a lever for operating the telescopic arm 21, which is attached to one of the sides of the structure 11, and which can be extended to a length of about 2 meters in front of the device. The forward end of this telescopic arm is provided with means for grabbing a suspected parcel or the like, the arm can be elevated soa as to raise the article and to drop it, it can be used for hitting the article, and means are provided for exploding a small charge to set off the charge in the parcel if this ought to be exploded.One of the main features of the bomb-disposal device of the invention is the protective shield 15, which is positioned at an angle of about 40 to 70 with the ground, preferably about 45-50", and which is attached to the body of the vehicle by means of two robust arms 21 and 22, hinged at 23,24 to the structure, and at 25 and 26 to the shield, there being provided one or more strong springs 27 attached at 28 to the shield and at 29 to structure 11.

The operator approaches the suspected ob ject to a distance of about 2 meters, within reach of the telescopic arm, and handles same in order to ascertain whether it is harmless or not. If he decides that it must be exploded, this is done by means of means provided in said telescopic arm 21 (a small explosive charge, firing a bullet into the suspected article or the like), and as the shock-wave of the exploding charge hits the device, the main force of the explosion is absorbed by the protective shield 1 5. Instead of resorting to rigid protective means, the hinged protective shield receives an impulse which pushes it downwards, contrary to the force of the spring or springs 27, and the lower edge of the shield hits the ground in front of the vehicle, dissipating a large part of the energy of the shock-wave.The device was tried out with explosive charges of various types, and up to about a weight of 10 kg of explosive no damage was caused to the vehicle or to its operator, and the shield hitting the ground with some force was not damaged to any appreciable extent. The operator is advantageously protected with ear plugs and the like against the effects of the shock wave which passes around and above him.

The above description relates to a device operated by a person inside it. There can also be provided a device operated from a certain distance, and also in this case a protective shield of the type described above protects same against damage, even against relatively large explosive charges.

It is clear that the above description is by way of illustration only and that many and various changes in the nature and arrangement of parts can be resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A bomb-disposal vehicle provided with an extensible arm, means for operating this arm from said vehicle, wherein there is provided in front of said vehicle a protective shield hinged to the main frame of the device at an angle with the ground and slanting towards the top of the vehicle, said hinge structure resulting in a downward movement of the protective shield when same is hit by a shock-wave of an exploding charge.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, provided with steering means and with a seat for an operator facing the front of the vehicle, said shield being provided with an armored window for the operator.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shield is at an angle of from 40 to 70 with the ground, preferably 45 to 50".

4. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shield is made of reinforced plastic.

5. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinged structure of the shield is provided with one or more strong springs absorbing part of the downward force of the shock-wave.

6. A bomb-disposal device according to any of claims 1 to 5, which is operated from a distance, provided with means for remote control of the movement of the vehicle and for the operation of the telescopic arm and its implements.

7. A bomb disposal device provided with protective means against the effect of the explosion of the explosive charge, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the enclosed drawings.