GB661198A - Anti-tank mine - Google Patents

Abstract

661,198. Land mines. ETABLISSEMENTS E. BRANDT. Jan. 28, 1949. [Feb. 5, 1948] No. 2395/49. Classes 9 (i) and 9 (ii). An anti-tank mine has a rigid outer body connected to the top along a weakened line, an explosive charge within the body being held apart from a firing device by spacing means fracturing when the explosive charge is forced downwards by the weight of a tank fracturing the mine. The mine has a body 1 of glass or synthetic non-metallic material, the top 2 being weakened by a groove 3 and protected during manipulation by a spider 5 engaging in a groove 4. The base 6 has reinforcing ribs 7 and a central hole with a screw-threaded flange 9. A fabric carrying- handle 11 is fastened to a band 12 surrounding the base. Within the body 1 is a frusto-conical container 15, filled with an explosive 16, into which fits a cellular mass 13, e.g. ebonite sponge. The container is extended downwardly by a screw-threaded coupling 18 and may be of glass, porcelain or synthetic non- metallic material. The part cd bears against a spacing sleeve 20 having slits 21 extending to a fracture groove 22. Diametrically opposed slots 24, Fig. 8, extend upwards from the lower edge of the sleeve which has teeth 25 along two sectors at 90 degrees to the slots. The sleeve bears on a plug 27 having screwthreads 28, 29 by which it can be engaged in either of two positions with the flange 9. The plug has two spring-pressed pawls engaging with opposing teeth of the sleeve 20. The plug cavity 36 contains explosive 37 and is closed by the plate 35. Radial holes 38 accommodate a detonator forming with the explosive 37 an auxiliary firing device which may be actuated externally of the mine. The main firing device comprises a plug 40 extending into the container 15 and screwed to the coupling 18. In the plug is a detonator 43 fixed by a bush 44 on a capsule 46 comprising two bulbs 47, 48 of fragile material, e.g. glass, filled with substances reacting to produce flames e.g. ethyl nitrate and sodium and/or potassium. The bulbs are fixed to a cellulose acelate plate 49 cemented to the capsule, which has projections 50 engaging the slots of the spacing sleeve and notches 51 in the plug 40, so that when the sleeve is rotated by unscrewing the plug 27 the projections 50 are carried along by the slots 24 causing the bulbs 47, 48 to break. The capsule is closed by a plate 52 cemented in position and separated from the plug 27 by a spacing ring 53. To assemble the mine the body 1 is inverted and the mass 13 inserted, followed by the "hollow charge" container 15 with the spacing sleeve and plug 40. The base 6 is then welded or cemented in position and the plug 27 screwed on, in reverse of Fig. 1. To lay the mine, the plug 27 is removed and the main firing device is inserted, the plug 27 is then replaced as in Fig. 1. The auxiliary detonators are connected to the external firing device and the safety spider removed. The mine will then be fired by pressure from above fracturing the body at the groove 3 and causing the mass 13 and the hollow charge to move downwards to fracture the sleeve 20. The plate 52 is then broken and the bulbs 47, 48 crushed, the escaping contents reacting together fire the detonator 43, which initiates the charge 16. If the tank passes over the external firing device the auxiliary detonators are actuated and the auxiliary charge 37 initiated to fire the mine.