IL35940A - A disposable projectile launcher - Google Patents

Description

A DISPOSABLE PBOJBCTILE LAUNCHES The present invention relates to an improved handheld projectile launcher and, particularly to' one functioning as a container for a round of ammunition comprising a projectile and a propellant charge, and which is disposable after the discharge of the contained projectile.

Rocket launchers that are sufficiently light and compact to be carried and operated by one man have proved to be effective weapons. Such launchers have first and second tubular sections that are telescopingly connected, the smaller or second section being the breech end of the launcher and housing the rocket, the launcher being extensible from a shortened, inoperative relationship into an extended operative relationship. Launchers of this type are illustrated by United States Patents No, 3 , 122 , 059 , No.. 3 , 200, 70S, No. 3 , 256 , 777 , and No.' 3 , 371 , 57$ .

Such launchers are lightweight and strong and are sufficiently inexpensive so that they may be discarded after the rocket carried therein has been launched. As demands grow for more powerful projectiles so do the problems of maintaining the launchers sufficiently light in weight and low in cost for disposable uses.

In our co-pending application, U.S. No. 725,714 filed May 1, 1.968, now U.S. ft- ent No.3,494,249, a weapon is disclosed consisting of a forward launcher section and a round of ammunition whose casing is sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure of its contained propellant charge when ignited.

Means are provided to enable the forward part of the casing to be detachably attached to the breech of the launcher section, the attaching means also functioning to provide a gastight seal. This construction enables each casing section to serve as a discardable launcher section with the forward section being reusable with other like rounds of ammunition but has the disadvantageous feature of the types that are not self-contained, i.e., the weapon and its ammunition are separate.

The general objective of the present invention is to provide projectile launchers combining the advantages of launchers of the type disclosed in said patents with those of the type disclosed in said application to provide a launch er which is completely disposable and self-contained with a round of ammunition and in which the ammunition case serves as a launcher section.

According to the present invention there is provided a disposable hand-held projectile launcher comprising a forward tubular launcher section and a rearward tubular case section telescopingly received in the launcher section with its rear end exposed to enable the two sections to have a shortened, inoperative relationship and an extended operative relationship, and comprising firing means including a trigger mounted on the launcher section and connected to the firing means and operable only in the operative relationship of the sections characterized in that the case section has a nozzle fixed at its rear end and encases a projectile and a propellent charge, the firing means being connected to the pro-pellant charge, that retaining means connects the projectile to the case section to prevent relative axial movement there between but is releasable in response to gas pressure developed during the burning of the propellant charge, the case section having sufficient wall strength to withstand said pressure, that obturator means are provided between the projectile and the charge to cooperate with both the casing section and with the launcher section in obturating their respective cross-sections against the forward escape of gas, and in that gas-pressure sealing means are provided to seal the overlap of the sections to maintain the gas pressure within the sections suitable for the efficient burning of the charge.

Thus the round of ammunition or projectile and pro-pellant has a case section functioning as the inner, rearward section of a disposable launcher, and the rocket projectile is releasably attached to the case section at the nozzle end thereof.

Preferably there is a bulkhead between the projectile and the propellant charge, which has a connection with the projectile, the connection being desirably of a type that is released once the projectile is airborne, and a connection with a nozzle plug of a type that is releasable in response to pressures developing on the burning of the propellant charge.

The firin means can comprise a tubular member with one end fixed on the nozzle end of the case section and the other end extending freely into a housing on the launcher section and there having an axial chamber in the rear of which there is a primer for the ignition of a firing line extending rearwardly through the tubular member and operative ly connected to ignition means within the round. A sear can be slidably confined in the chamber to be moved forwardly therein against the action of a firing spring by its engagement with a trigger portion during the short relative movement of the launcher sections from a partly extended relationship into their fully extended, operative relationship.

The trigger mechanism can have a sear-engaging portion transversely movable into a sear-releasing position together ,h a safety member operable to block such movement.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown by way of example embodiments of the invention illustrative of its novel features, and advantages.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the launcher in its shortened, inoperative position; Fig. 2 is a like view but with the launcher extended into its operative position; Fig. 3 is a section, on an increase in scale, taken approximately along the indicated lines 3— of Fig. 2; Fig. is a fragmentary, longitudinal section showing the forward part of the round and the rear part of the launcher section with the two sections in their operative relationship; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section showing the rear part of the round; Fig. 6 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 6—6 of Fig. 5; Fig 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the launcher with the two sections so extended that only short further movement is required to bring them into their operative relationships, the housing being broken away to show the firing means; Fig. 6 is a like view but with the launcher sections ir. their operative relationship and the safety released; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an increase in scale, of the parts of the firing means within the housing; / Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section, on a further increase in scale, taken longitudinally of the firing means in the position thereof illustrated by Fig. 7 ; Fig. 11 is a like section but illustrating cocking of the firing means as the launcher sections are being further extended from their position illustrated by Fig. 7 ; Fig. 12 is a. like view illustrating the travel of the sear when released by the trigger; Fig. 13 is a like view showing the firing pin driven in firing contact with the primer when the rearward travel of the sear is arrested; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating a round of ammunition in accordance with another , embodiment of the invention; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section illustrating a seal between the launcher sections illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section taken lengthwise of the launcher showing the firing means and the,latch, the launcher sections being in a position corresponding to that illustrated by Fig. 7 ; and Fig. 17 is a like view but with the launcher sections in the position illustrated by Fig. β.

In accordance with the invention, a round of ammunition generally indicated at 20 is shown as having a tubular case section 21 provided with a nozzle 22 at its rear end. The case section 21 is telescopingly fitted v/ithin a tubular launcher section 23 with its nozzle 22 exposed at the rear end thereof in the shortened inoperative relationship of the launcher and provided with a hand grip 2 > see Fig. 5 » to facilitate the extension of the launcher to effect the operative relationship of its sections.

The launcher section 23 is shown as having a length-wise housing 25 having a recess 26 in one side accomodating a telescopic sight 27 connected to the section 23 by a hinged moun 28 to enable it to be swung laterally from a protected, inoperative position into a position in which it is exposed for use.

The housing 25 has a latch-receiving opening 29 in its top wall protected by a boot 30 and, rearwardly of the opening 29 , there is an opening 31 in one side wall of the housing 25 protected by a boot 32 overlying a trigger shown as a bar 33 having a central, transverse wall portion 34 slid-ably entrant of a vertical channel 35 on the interior face of the other side wall of the housing 25 . The trigger wall portion 34 has a transverse slot 36 with a vertical slot portion 37 opening into it adjacent the trigger 33 .

As may best be seen in Figs. 7 - 13 » a rigid tubular member 38 , extending freely through the slot 36 , is secured to the mount 39 by which the hand grip 24 is attached to the nozzle end of the case section 21 and has its forward end provided with a counter bore 40 threaded to eceive a plug 41 » see Fig. 10, to which one end of a leaf spring 42 is secured. A latch 43 is fixed on the other end of the spring 42 and is yieldably urged thereby against the upper surface of the housing 25 thus to enter the opening 29 to releasably interlock the sections when they are extended into their operative relationship, see Fig. 17.

The counter bore 40 of the tubular member 3& consti- tutes a chamber and has a lengthwise slot 44. A sear 45 » slid-ably confined in the chamber 40 , extends upwardly through the slot 44 and is urged rearwardly by a firing spring 46 , held in position by a post 47 extending forwardly from the sear 45 and freely through the plug 41. The exposed portion of the sear 45 is shaped and dimensioned to pass through the slot portion 37 of the transversely disposed trigger portion 34.

A firing line 48 extends through the tubular member 38 and is provided with a head 49 confined in the chamber 40 and having a recess in which a primer 50 is seated. The tubular member 38 is shown as extending into the round of ammunition through its nozzle 22 in a manner later detailed. The sear 45 has a chamber 51 opening through its rear face and having a central restriction slidably supporting a firing pin 53 provided , ί with a head 54 caught in back of the restriction 52 thus to permit predetermined movement of the firing pin 53 relative to the sear 45 .

When the rocket launcher has been extended so that only a short further movement will establish its operative position, see Fig. 7 , the sear 45 engages the trigger portion 35 and, on such movement, it is carried forwardly, compressing the firing spring 46 , see Fig. 8. It will be noted from Fig. 10 that when the firing means is uncocked, the sear 45 engages the head 49 of the firing line 48. While the firing pin 53 is or may be in contact with the primer 50, its permitted travel is too short to cause accidental ignition under any circumstances. When the sear 45 is in its cocked position and the trigger 35 is actuated, the momentum of the sear 45 , under the influence of the firing spring 46 , results in the firing pin 53 being impelled against the primer 50, causing Its ignition, as will be appreciated from a comparison of Figs. 12 and 13.

Until the trigger 33 is actuated by moving its bar 34 transversely, its wall portion 35 holds the sear 45 against being moved by the firing spring 46. When the trigger is so actuated, the sear 45 is free to move when the slot portion 37 of the trigger portion 35 comes into registry therewith it. A safety, generally indicated at 55, and best seen in Figs. 71 and 9 includes a slide portion 6 through which the tubular member 3$ freely extends and which has an offset, forwardly extending arm 57 terminating in a lock dimensioned to fit the slot 3 and the slot portion 37> see Fig. 3i thus to hold the trigger 33 against movement until the safety 55 has been pulled rearwardly to a predetermined extent. The slide portion 56 has a pair of rearwardly extending resilient arms 59> each terminating in a finger grip 60 and having a pair of longitudinally spaced notches 61 and 62. The rear end of the housing 25 has an inwardly disposed shoulder 63 at each side to catch in the appropriate notch 6l when the safety 55 is in its operative position, see Fig. 7, and disengageable therefrom when the arms 59 are squeezed towards each other and to catch in the appropriate forward notch 62 when the safety 55 is then pulled rearwardly until the stop 64 engages one of the shoulders 63 and the arms 59 released, the lock S then being withdrawn from its operative position, see Fig. 8.

Turning now to Figs. 4 - 6, it will be noted that the round of ammunition includes a projectile 65, a propellent charge 66, a bulkhead 67 betv/een the projectile and the pro ellant charge, and a support 68 in the form of a plug closing the nozzle 22 and carrying an axial, tubular member 69 having a sex-ies of vents 70 and supporting an igniter 71 to which the firing line 4# is operatively connected.

The front end of the tubular member 69 is threaded J to receive the plug 72 having an easily broken connection 73 with a plug 74 threaded axially into the rear face of the bulkhead 67. With this arrangement, the connection 73 releases the bulkhead in response to pressures developing when the propellant charge 66 is ignited. The bulkhead 67 has an i 1 annular obturator 75 ensuring the tight sealing of the bulkhead as it and the projectile 65 are discharged.

It will be noted that the projectile 65 has a shoulder 7 seated against the forward end of the case section 21 and is thereby held against rearward movement. The projectile 65 is connected to the bulkhead 67 thereby to prevent its forward movement, the bulkhead 67 being connected to the nozzle end of the section 21 as has previously been noted. The connection between the projectile 65 and the bulkhead 67 is shown as comprising an axial projection 77 on the front fade of the bulkhead 67 and entrant of a socket in the rear end of the projectile 65 . The projection 77 has a transverse bore 79 containing a pair of detents 80 resiliently urged by a spring 81 into aligned radial bores 82 with which the rear projectile end is formed thereby to connect the pro- jectile 65 to the bulkhead 67.

The projectile 65 is shown as having guidance fins ¾ connected to its rear part by pivots 6 and held in their inoperative position prior to launch by the sections 21 and 23 but yieldably urged into an erected position by springs 85 once the projectile is air borne. Each fin 33 has a cam portion 86 seating a retainer 87 against a detent SO and operable, as the fins become erect, to force the retainers S7 and accordingly the detents SO inwardly to an extent sufficient to disconnect the projectile from the bulkhead 67. spring 88 held compressed in the socket 7& is provided then to ensure the separation of the projectile 65 from the bulkhead 67.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that weapons in accordance with the invention are well adapted to meet a wide range of requirements but its functioning depends on an effective seal between the overlapping portions of the sections in their extended relationship as leakage would not only imperil the user but would also affect the burning of the fuel as to impair seriously the effectiveness of the round, the burning of the propellant within a casing involving pressure problems not encountered with exhaust gasses discharged from rockets. At the same time, sealing means between the sections must not make their relative movement too difficult.

In accordance with this requirement, the launcher section 23 is provided with a rearwardly projecting sleeve 89 having a series of annular channels 90, see Fig. 4. The rearmost channel 90 is shown as having a seal 91 of the 0-ring type confined therein and in engagement with the case section i, 2fo while the other channels 90 function as gas expansion chambers to ensure a reduction of the gas pressure to a level that the seal 91 can withstand. With a seal arrangement ensuring gas expansion with corresponding pressure reduction, the round of ammunition can be safely fired without loss of propellant efficiency.

When the launcher is in its extended, operative posi- tion, the firing means is cocked but the safety 55 is in its operative position. It will be apparent that the firing means may be uncocked by releasing the latch 43 and telescoping the sections to return the launcher to its shortened, inoperative position. When the safety 55 is released, and it may at any time be returned to its operative position, the trigger 33 may be squeezed towards the opposite side of the chamber 25 with the resulting release of the sear 45 effecting ignition of the propellant charge 66. When the pressure within the case section 21 builds up to a predetermined extent, the connection 73 fails with the bulkhead 67 travelling with the projectile 85 but being separated therefrom when the projectile is air borne. The plug 68 and tube 69 are driven rearwardly by exhaust gasses.

Rearward travel of the plug 6$ is desirably minimized and in Fig. 14 there is shown a preferred plug construction with parts corresponding to the previously described embodiment distinguished by the suffix addition "A" to the appropriate reference numerals. The plug 6SA is shown as in the form of a cup consisting of identical sections whose abutting edges have a tongue and groove interlock 92. The firing tube 69A extends through the end wall of the plug 68A to receive the tubular member 38A and has oppositely disposed flanges 93 one in engagement with each plug section and having a weakened area 94 thereby to respond to shear forces durin the burning of the propellant charge. This construction not only has the advantage that the firing tube 69A travels with the bulkhead of the round but also provides a plug of minimum weight consisting of sections that separate as the plug 68A is dislodged.

As previously stated, the sealing of the overlap between the sections against gas leakage is essential and while that previously detailed is effective, the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 15 may be used if a substantial difference in the diameter of the launcher sections can be tolerated. In this embodiment of the invention, parts corresponding to previously described embodiments are distinguished by the suffix addition "B" to the appropriate reference numerals. The forward end of the case section 21B is provided with an annular member 95 having a rearwardly opening annular channel 96 shown as having a sealin ring 97 lodged therein. The breech end of the launcher section 23B has an annular portion 96 having a bearing 99 engageable with the case section 21B and having a forwardly disposed, annular flange 100 shaped and dimensioned for sliding entry into the channel 96 and into sealing engagement with the sealing ring 97.

In practice, the nozzle 22 is slotted as at 101 so that the firing line 4^ is not exposed outside the nozzle. A plastic spray indicated at 102 provides an effective seal against moisture leakage into the round. It will be noted from Fig. 14 that a similar seal 102A is provided for the plug From the foregoing, it will be apparent that launchers in accordance with the invention are well adapted to provide an effective disposable unit meeting production and use requirements.

Claims (26)

NORRIS HL 325II REP 12:9:70 What we claim is:

1. A disposable hand-held projectile launcher comprising a forward tubular launcher section and a rearward tubular case section telescopingly received in the launcher section with its rear end exposed to enable the two sections to have a shortened, inoperative relationship and an extended operative relationship, and comprising firing means including a trigger mounted on the launcher section and connected to the firing means and operable only in the operative relationship of the sections characterized in that the case section has a nozzle fixed at its rear end and encases a projectile and a propellant charge, the firing means being connected to the propellant charge, that retaining means connects the projectile to the case section to prevent relative axial movement therebetween but is releasable in response to gas pressure developed during the burning of the propellant charge, the case section having sufficient wall strength to withstand said pressure, that obturator means are provided between the projectile and the charge to cooperate with both the casing section and with the launcher section in obturating their respective cross-sections against the forward escape of gas, and in that gas-pressure sealing means are provided to seal the overlap of the sections to maintain the gas pressure within the sections suitable for the efficient burning of the charge.

2. A launcher according to claim 1 characterized in that the gas-pressure sealing means includes a forward, gas-expansion section and a rearward, annular compressible seal in physical contact with both sections.

3. A launcher according to claim 1 characterized in that the gas-pressure sealing means includes annular portions, one adjacent the front end of the case section and secured thereto and and one adjacent the rear end of the launcher section and secured thereto, said annular portions being operatively engaged when the sections are in their operative relationship.

4. '. A launcher according to claim 3 characterized in that at least one annular portion is resiliently compressible.

5. A launcher according to claim 3 characterized in that one annular portion has a concentric channel opening towards the other annular portion and the other annular portion includes an annular bearing in engagement with the section to which said one annular portion is secured and a concentric flange shaped and dimensioned for entry into the concentric channel in the operative relationship of the sections.

6. A launcher according to any preceding claim characterize in that the retaining means includes a bulkhead member between the projectile and the propellant charge.

7. A launcher according to claim 6 characterized by a ' ' releasable connection between the projectile and the bulkhead member, and releasing means operable when the projectile is airborne.

8. S. A launcher according to claim 7 characterized in that the releasing means comprises an axial post extending forwardly from the front of the bulkhead member and includes a resilient detent, and the projectile includes a plurality of self-erecting fins, at least one fin including a cam portion, the projectile also having an axial bore to receive the post of the bulkhead and a radial bore in communication therewith to receive the detent when the post is seated in the axial socket, and a release pin in the radial bore confined between the detent and the cam portion to effect the release of the detent when the fins are erected.

9. A launcher according to claim 8 characterized in that an ejection spring is held between the post and the axial socket when the detent connects the projectile to the post.

10. A launcher according to any preceding claim characterized in that the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends from the projectile through the propel-lant charge and is connected to the nozzle, either the connection with the projectile or with the nozzle being releasable in response to gas pressure developed during the burning of the propellant charge.

11. A launcher according to claim 10 characterized by the retaining means being connected to the projectile through a bulkhead member located between the projectile and the prolpellant charge,

12. A launcher according to claim 11 characterized by the connection between the retaining means and the bulkhead being, releasable.

13. . A launcher according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that the retaining means includes a plug seated in the nozzle.

14. A launcher according to claim 13 characterized in that the releasable connection is with the plug.

15. A launcher according to claim 14 characterized in that the plug is tapered and has separable sections releasable from one another except when the plug is seated in the nczzle.

16. A launcher according to any one of claims 13 to 15 characterized in that the retaining means includes a perforated tube extending axially through the propellant charge, and in that the firing means includes a component within the tube, the retaining means connections being made to the tube.

17. I? , A launcher according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the releasable connection is between the retaining means and the projectile.

18. IS. A launcher according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the releasable connection is between the retaining means and the nozzle.

19. A launcher according to any preceding claim characterized in that the launcher section has a lengthwise housing having a latch-receiving opening, and the firing means includes a rigid member extending into the housing and secured to the nozzle end of the case section, the rigid member has a spring-pressed latch entering the opening in the operative relationship of the sections, a firing spring, and a sear movable forwardly to compress the firing spring, and in that the firing means also includes a trigger supported by the launcher section for movement transversely thereof with a portion thereof engageable by the sear during the short relative movement between the sections required to extend the sections into their operative relationship from a partly0 extended relationship and disengageable therefrom when the- trigger is released.

20. A launcher according to claim 19 characterized in that the member is in a tube having a chamber slidably confining the sear and supporting the spring between the sear and the forward end of the chamber, that the firing means includes a firing line extending from the chamber through the tube and into the case section through the nozzle e.nd thereof the firing line including a primer within the chamber, and in that the sear includes a primer-engaging firing pin supported thereby for movement relative thereto.

21. A launcher according to claim 20 and a safety member slidable lengthwise of the housing and including a portion engage-able with the trigger and holding it against movement into its sear-releasing position.

22. A launcher according to claim 21 characterized in that the safety member is slidably supported by the rigid tube.

23. A launcher according to any one of claims 19 to 22 characterized in that the trigger portion has a transverse slot throu which the tube extends and a vertical slot opening into the transvers slot and disposed and dimensioned to receive the sear when the trigge

24. 2 . A launcher according to claim 21 characterized in that the rear end of the housing includes an inwardly disposed detent portion and the safety member ihcludes a resilient arm having a recess entered by the detent / portion in the operative position of the safety member and manually engageable to be forced out of ' engagement with the detent porti and a stop operable to limit the extent to which the safety member may be moved when thus released.

25. A launcher according to claim 24 characterized in that the arm has a second recess entered by the detent portion when its movement is prevented by the stop.

26. A hand-held disposable projectile launcher substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings . COHEiNL ZEDE- & SPISBACH P. O. Box 33116 , Tel- Aviv Attorneys for Applicant J