GB2166527A - Weapons training aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A training device for explosive weapons, eg a Claymore mine 10, in which the detonator and explosive are replaced by an adaptor 15 having light emitting means 20, e.g. a photographic flash, connected to it and the adaptor 15 interconnects with the triggering mechanism of the explosive weapon so that triggering of the weapon actuates the light emitting means 20. This has the advantage of providing a dramatic indication of device actuation using the actual weapon without any safety problems and without the use of pyrotechnic devices. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Weapons training aid This invention relates to training aids particularly those relating to Defence forces explosive devices actuated by detonation.

In training defence personnel, it is important to provide simulated conditions which are relatively close to actual conditions and yet are as safe as possible. With explosive devices such as Claymore mines or detonators for demolition devices, training is conventionally carried out with the explosive devices modified by the absence of any explosive charge. Thus in the class-room or in the field the triggering of the device is only noticeable by the "click" of the triggering mechanism. It has been proposed for Claymore mines to use a pyrotechnic device to provide a louder noise and emission of smoke. However these pyrotechnic devices are not suitable for class-room use because of the dangers of smoke in confined spaces and are not very suitable for night exercises because they are not highly visible.

Training devices for other combat explosive weapons similarly include a small explosive charge and the use of liquid or clay as a dispersal material. Many proposals have been put forward with respect to improving the effect of practice hand grenades. U.K. Patent 1074288 provides a practice grenade having a detonation device which disperses powdered clay or coloured liquid on detonation. A special construction of the grenade is required so that the external shell can be formed from two holes which are free to open out when the safety pin is released exposing a frangible inner container enclosing the detonator, charge of liquid or clay.

U.K. Patent 1194034 provides a practice grenade composed of rubber or other soft material and an explosive cartridge. It is highly desirable that training devices resemble and in fact be very slight modifications only of the actual weapon so that there is no difference in handling the weapons. Also no costs are incurred in making a special training version.

Neither of the above U.K. Patents avoid that particular objection.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a safe yet effective detonation training device.

To this end the present invention provides a training device for use in simulating detonation of an explosive consisting of an adaptor connectable to the triggering mechanism of a detonation device said adaptor comprising means to hold a light emitting device and actuating means to actuate said light emitting device held in said adaptor said actuation means being operably connected to the triggering mechanism of said detonation device so that triggering of the detonator actuates said light emitting device.

The advantage of the training aids provided by this invention are that a brilliant flash of light can be produced to simulate the firing of the explosive device. The effect of this sudden flash makes a greater impression upon trainees than the training devices previously available. This is true of the class-room and in field exercises (particularly night exercises).

Furthermore, although the effect of firing the training device is dramatic it is entirely safe and produces 1) no noxious gases or irritant particles, 2) no noise output which would be undesirable in a confined classroom or in a training location adjacent to a residential area.

Preferably the means for producing the flash of light is a photographic flash bulb or an electronic flash device as used in photography.

To adapt existing explosive devices for training purposes it is necessary to provide means for receiving the light flash device onto that portion of the weapon which would normally contain the explosive charge. Where flash bulbs are used, a socket is required to accept the bulb and the means to actuate the bulb needs to be connected to the detonation means.

Preferably an adaptor is provided to interfit with the explosive device to link the actuation means of the weapon to the actuation of the light flash device. The adaptor will include a socket for the light flash device.

The means for actuating the light flash devices may be mechanical or electrical. For example, detonation of Claymore mines is electrical so that the adaptor fits into the Claymore mine to make electrical connection with the mine's detonation circuit and links that electrical connection to the flash device.

Alternatively with a demolition firing device which is used in booby traps, the actuation is mechanical and the adaptor provides a mechanical link to mechanically actuate the flash device. Flash bulbs which can be mechanically or electrically actuated can be used.

Some photographic flash devices are available as multiple units (usually 4 bulbs). It is preferred to use these but to provide actuation for the four bulbs simultaneously.

To reload the training device, the bulb unit is replaced and the weapon reactivated for actuation.

Two embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a Claymore mine training device, Figure 2 is a detailed view of ignition circuit of the Claymore mine training device, Figure 3 is a detailed view showing the adaptor and flash cube used in the Claymore mine training device, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a demolition ignition training device, and Figure 5 is a detailed view of the adaptor and the flash cube used in the device of Fig.

4.

With reference to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 to 3 a standard Claymore mine 10 is modified by providing a charge block 11 as illustrated in Fig. 2. This charge block is connected by electrical leads 12 to a conventional triggering circuit which actuates the mine. These leads 12 have a configuration similar to a blasting cap conventionally used in Claymore mines. The cylindrical hole 13 has the exposed electrical contacts 14 in its inner walls. The cylindrical hole 13 is shaped to receive the adaptor 15 which extends from the back of the Claymore body 10 to its front face. The electrical contacts 16 on the adaptor body make contact with the exposed contacts 14 in the cylindrical hole 13 of charge block 11. The contacts 16 are electrically connected to the flash cube contact surface 17.The flash cube 20 is connectible to the receiving socket 18 of the adaptor and makes electrical contact with the contact surface 17.

As explained above, in this training device ignition of the Claymore mine results in actuation of the flash cube. It is preferred that a cube containing four bulbs be used and that all four be actuated upon triggering of the Claymore.

The second embodiment of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The demolition firing device 30 is fitted with an adaptor 35 to which is fitted a flash cube 40.

The firing device 30 incorporates a striker pin assembly 31 and a safety pin 32. The firing device 30 is conventionally used for actuating booby traps and is generally activated by using a trip wire or a pressure plate to activate release of the striker pin 31. The adaptor 35 interfits within the end of the firing device 30 and includes a mechanical actuation means 36 including a body 37 which is adapted to be struck by the firing device striker pin 31. The actuation means incorporates four flash cube striker pins 38 which are connected to the body 37 and when the striker pin 31 strikes body 37 this results in the projection of the flash cube striker pins through the slots 41 to mechanically actuate the four bulbs of the flash cube 40.

The flash cube 40 seats within socket 39 of the adaptor 35 so that the four striker pins 38 align with the four slots 41.

Once again triggering of the firing device results in the actuation of the flash cube 40 which provides a realistic simulation of an explosion.

Thus the present invention provides a unique means of improving the training value of military devices without affecting the safety of trainees.

Claims (9)

1. A training device for use in simulating detonation of an explosive consisting of an adaptor connectable to the triggering mechanism of a detonation device said adaptor comprising means to hold a light emitting device and actuation means to actuate said light emitting device held in said adaptor said actuation means being operably connected to the triggering mechanism of said detonation device so that triggering of the detonator actuates said light emitting device.

2. A training device as claimed in claim 1 in which said light emitting device is a photographic flash unit.

3. A training device as claimed in claim 1 in which the triggering mechanism generates an electrical output and the actuation means provides an electrical connection to an electrically operated light flash emitting device actuable by the electrical output of said triggering mechanism.

4. A training device as claimed in claim 1 in which the triggering mechanism is a mechanical spring device which transmits a mechanical force to a mechanically actuable light flash emitting device.

5. A training device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which the light flash device is a photographic flash device.

6. An explosive weapon modified for training wherein said weapon comprises a triggering mechanism a detonator actuated by said triggering mechanism and an explosive charge located adjacent said detonator wherein the modification comprises removing of the explosive charge and replacing the detonator with the training device as claimed in claim 1.

7. A Claymore mine modified for training wherein the explosive charge'is removed and an adaptor is held in the detonator receiving portion of the Claymore mine and electrically connected to the triggering mechanism of said Claymore mine, said adaptor comprising means to hold an electrically actuated photographic flash device and flash device actuation means electrically connected to said triggering mechanism.

8. A demolition detonation device modified for training in which the detonator is removed and an adaptor is held in the detonator receiving portion of the device said adaptor comprising a means to held a mechanically actuated photographic flash device and flash device actuation means operable by impact of a striker pin of the triggering mechanisms of said detonation device when said adaptor is held on said detonator receiving portion.

9. A detonation training device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.