GB682964A - Improvements in or relating to harpoons and like weapons - Google Patents

Abstract

682,964. Projectiles. WESTLEY RICHAR DS & CO., Ltd. Nov. 1, 1950 [Nov. 7, 1949; May 12, 1950], Nos. 28409/49 and 11880/50. Class 9(i) An electric whaling harpoon carrying a stop-plate to limit penetration a n d adapted to be fired from a gun has a tubular shank 10 of of tensile steel reinforced by a steel sleeve 11 and closed at the forward end by a cylindrical steel block 12 welded to the tube. The block has a screw-threaded recess in which fits an insulating brush 13'bored to receive a hollow steel stem 14 screwed into a cast or forged light alloy head 15 having a blunt circular nose in which is a partspherical depression 16. Four projections 17 are equally spaced round the nose. Welded to the stem is a collar 18 provided with three slotted lugs 20 in which are pivoted steel barbs or flukes 21. These barbs are normally parallel -to the stem but after penetrating a target, any pull on the harpoon causes the barbs to swing outwardly, the swinging movement being arrested by inclined faces 23 engaging with the inner surface of the slotted lugs. Penetration of the harpoon is limited by a stop-plate, 24 by which a cable 25 is attached. The stop-plate is a light-alloy casting having on one side a boss 26 through which the cable is threaded and anchored on the shank. The bared ends of the conducting wires are carried round the shank under a clip 30 on the stop-plate and into a rubber plug 31 having a push-fit in a bush 32 is closed insulating material. The bush 32 is closed at the rear and is secured in a boss 33 on the plate. A similar insulated wire 34 is inserted in a parallel bore in the plug 31 and the bared ends of the two wires are twisted together and abut a copper washer 35 backed by a fibre washer 36. The wire 34 is threaded through a steel tube 39 welded to the shank and passes thence through a bore 40 in the insulating bush 13 and its bared end is secured by a band 41 to the steel stem 14. The harpoon is fired from a spigot gun by fitting the shank over the spigot and firing a cartridge which is mounted in a steel tube having a sliding fit in the shank. The cartridge tube has a screw-threaded recess engaging a thread on the gun, while at the other end the tube abuts the steel block 12. The free end of the cable 25 is connected through a switch to a source of electric power and after a hit has been made, the switch is closed to electrocute the whale.