GB617852A - Improvements in or relating to an explosively actuated tool - Google Patents

Abstract

617,852. Cable-cutting guns. TEMPLE VELOCITY EQUIPMENT, Inc. Nov. 6, 1946, No. 32949. Convention date, Feb. 11, 1944. [Classes 9 (i) and 119] A hand-operated explosively-actuated tool for cutting cables under water and for like operations has, at the end of a handle, a frame with a cable-receiving recess communicating through a barrel in the frame with a chamber block having a plurality of chambers which can be selectively brought into alignment with the cable recess by sliding the block transversely through the frame. Further, each chamber is adapted to receive a projectile member propelled to cut a cable held in the recess by firing a cartridge in an opening behind the chamber. Furthermore, by a continuation of the sliding movement, the chamber or chambers are made accessible for loading. A metal frame 1 with a recess 2 has a transverse slot 3 accommodating a chamber block 4 having elongated chambers 6 and 7, the chamber 6 being in alignment with a barrel 8 communicating with the recess 2 and in alignment with a passage 12 in a cutting block 10 in the front of the frame 1. Each chamber 6, 7 contains a projectile held at its forward end by a shear pin projecting into a counterbore in the chamber block. Behind each projectile is an explosive cartridge 21, the cartridge in chamber 6 being aligned with a firing pin 22 slidable in a breech member 24 and held away from the chamber block by a spring 26. A spring 27 is compressed by a pull on a flexible line 38 attached to an actuating element 36 engaging with the free end of a cocking lever 32. The element 36 after moving the lever a certain distance slides over it whereupon the spring 27 is released and kicks the firing pin forward to detonate the cartridge 21. When the explosive pressure becomes sufficient to shear the pin, the projectile is driven forward through any obstruction in the recess 2. The lever 32 is recocked by sliding the actuating element 36 forward by hand and chamber 7 is brought into register with the barrel 8 by sliding the chamber block in the frame. A spring-pressed plug 48 in a transverse opening in the frame 1 can be brought into register with any one of sockets 45, 46 and 47 in the chamber block according as chamber 7 is being loaded, chamber 6 is in alignment with the barrel 8 or.chamber 7 is in alignment with the barrel. When chamber 7 is in alignment with the barrel, chamber 6 is exposed for reloading. A stop screw 52 on the opposite side of the frame is provided to limit the sliding movement of the chamber block. The firing pin may be locked by a safety key extending through the breech member and the firing pin.