US1374705A - Projectile - Google Patents

Description

R. L. WRIGHT.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED APII. II, |920.

Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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R. L. WRIGHT.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I7, |920.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr 12 1921 Application filed April 17, 1920. Serial No. 374,612.'

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT LEE WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a.

new and useful Improvement in Projectiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to projectiles, and is a modified form of the projectiles shown in my copending applications, Serial Numbers 218,797; 235,482; and 314,165; being a continuation in part of my application for patent filed July 29, 1919, Serial No.v 314,165.

One of lthe particular objects of this invention is to provide a shell-pointer with a plurality of separate means therein to explode projectiles upon contact with the ground, object or target, and a plurality of separate means to explode projectiles at a predetermined time after having been discharged from any gun or firearm.

Another object of my invention is to provide a projectile with a shell-pointer with a channel therein and explosives within said channel leading to the explosive charge in the projectile in a way that the shellpointer and projectile will be simultaneously exploded when tliecombined firing pin and electric switch mounted in the forward end of the shell-pointer comes in contact with the ground, object or target.

The value and objects of my invention will be fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, which show a longitudinal sectional view of my invention.

Figure 1 shows an explosive projectile l with explosive charge therein and shellpointer extending out from the forward 'end of the projectile.

Fig. 2 is a modified form of Fig. 1.

1 shows an explosive projectile with a cavity and a charge 2 therein, a slim shellpointer 38 extending out of -the point of the projectile. 3 indicates a removable plug and screw-threads where the plug may be removed to place explosives within the projectile; 4 is a cavity in the removable plug suitable to hold a timing device; 5 is the removable plug and screwthreadson saine,

which may be removed to place a timing device Within the cavity 4. 6 shows the removable plug and screwthreads on same, in which a part of the timer and cap is secured and may be removed by unscrewing said plug. 7 is a cap secured to the plug, and 8 indicates a timing device co'm osed of clo work casing and firing pin with lug therefiii a driving spring and a rotatable shaft witli a notch in same connected to the clockwork 1n a way to rotate said shaft. 9 shows the casing in which the firing pin moves. 10 indicates the firing pin; 11 is the driving riliiig in the casing Y e ring pin; l2 is the lu on the rin 13 shows the rotatable sliaft connectgeclfutd the clock work, and 14 indicates the notch in said shaft through which the lug 12 on the firing pin escapes. The operation of this timing device is explained as follows: When the clockwork 8 is wound, it rotates the shaft. 13 and presses the firing pini\10 vback against the driving spring 11, and as the shaft continues to rotate the lug 12 on the firing pin 10 escapes through the notch v14 in the shaftl3, at'grgliich time the driving .spring l1 drives the lirin c in 10 forw and explodes the cap 7 bygpgrcussion. ard

48 indicates a bushing in the point of the projectile in which one end of the shellpointer 38 is screwed, as shown, by screwthreads 22. 20 indicates the screwthreads where the bushing is screwed into the point of the projectile and 21 shows the screwthreads where the light tube 15 is screwed into the inner part ofthe bushing abut the inner end of the shell-pointer, 16 is the explosive charge within the light tube 15. 23 indicates an electric socket containing a removable tube with explosives therein as shown at 19 and electric wires 18 leading from the socket to a `cap or detonator 17. 25 is copper contact plates on the electric socket. 24 shows screwthreads where the electric socket 23 is screwedinto the rear end of the shell-pointer. 26 is the removable cap secured in the forward end of the perforated tube 19, as shown, with explosives therein.

27 indicates the firing pin in the electric plug 30 lthat explodes the cap 26 by percussion, and 28 shows pins that form an electric switch which closes the electric circuit when the ends of the pins come in contact with the copper, plates 25. 37 indicates a shoulder on the shell-pointer that abuts the bushing 48. 29 shows the shoulder on the electric pins and percussion pin forming the electric switch which shoulders abut the electric plug 30, as shown. 31 is the Screwthreads where the electric plug 3 0 is screwed into the rear end of the combined firing pin and elecaround the rear end'of tric switch. 32 shows nuts or taps screwed -on to ends o f the pins to hold s'ame in position in the electric plug 30. 36 shows shoulders in the combined firing pin and electric switch to hold the electric plug 30 and the electric battery 40 in position.

34 shows electric wires'leading from the electric battery 40 to the pins 28 and 35 shows where said wires are secured to said pins. 33 indicates a set screw or any suitable means for holding the combined firing pin and electric switch in position. 41 shows a spring to hold the electric batter 40 in position. 42 indicates screwthreads where the forward end of the shellpointer 44 is screwed onto the shell-pointer as shown. 43 indicates a removable end and screw-threads on same in the forward part of the combined firing pin and electric switch for the purpose of removing the electric battery 40. 45 indicates the forward end of the combined ring pin and electric switch; the same can be made any length desired to best pierce the water and explode the projectile .above the surface of the ground when the forward end of same comes in Contact with the ground, object or target. 46 shows an enlarged head on the forward end of the combined firing pin and electric switch, but the same may be used as well or better in some cases if desired without the enlarged head as shown. The forward point of the shell-pointer 44 may be made thicker or stronger if desired instead of the inside part belng made hollow as shown. 47 is a raised place on 45 that moves in a groove within the point 44 in order to cause the combined ring pin and electric switch to move directly inward when the forward end of same comes in contact with the ground, object or target. 49 indicates a nut or cap screwed on the perforated tube 19, to hold same in position, in the electric socket. The shoulders on the three pins that form the combined firing pin and electric switch are indicated at 29 and the nuts or taps on same are indicated at 32. The cap 26 may be placed in a cap holder and screwed into the forward end of the perforated tube 19 or the cap may be secured in the end of the perforated tube. A removable plug may be screwed into the end of the perforated tube. 56 shows the driving band. The special shape of the forward part of the shell pointer as shown by 44 is important as it allows the forward end of the combined {iring pin and electric switch to come in contact with the ground, object o r target more quickly when fired at an angle, and also pierces the waterl and air with less resistance. j

The operation of Fig. 1 may be understood as follows: When the forward end of the combined firing pin and electric switch comes Ji'n'v contact with the ground, object or target the same is pressed inward by cussion, thereby causing the pins 27 an 28 to explode the percussion cap 26 and close the electric circuit at 25, thus' igniting the explosive charge within the perforated tube 19 and cap or detonator 17, and ignite the explosive charge 16 and i ite the explosives in tube 15, and thus 1 niting the explosive charge 2 in the cavlty of the projectile by a plurality of separate means, and also ignlte the explosive 2 by a plurality of separate means at a redetermined time with timing devices as s own and explained.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 as shown by the numerals being the same and meaning the same in every way as explained in Fig. 1, excepting the numerals hereinafter ex# plained and for this reason the same numerals shown in Fig. 2 tha-t are shown in Fig. l will not be explained again in Fig. 2. The diferences are explalned as follows: 14a shows a lug on the shaft 13 and as the clock work 8, when wound, rotates the shaft 13, the lug 14il presses against the lug 12 on the firing pin 10; lby continuous rotating it releases the luv 12 and the driving spring 11 drives the 'flaring pin forward and explodes the cap 7. 50 indicates the old time well known cord fuse that ignites the explosive charge 2 when the cord burns up to the end of the fuse adjacent to explosive charge within the cavity of the projectile. The end of the cords are ignited when the projectile is fired from a gun. These cord fuses may be made removable by placing same in a plug for each of same and screwed into the projectile or removable plug in a way to reach the charge in the projectile as shown. Itis well known that any one of the ways shown will explode if it operates and the plurality of separate means shown and explained are for the purpose of making it positive that the projectile will be exploded and will not be wasted. Should one means fail to explode same which very often happens, it is plainly to be seen that this invention of a plurality of separate means for exploding projections is a great saving on account of preventing man projectiles being wasted by one means ailing to explode same. 51 shows the screwthreads where the shell-pointer 38 is taken apart in order to screw the electric socket 23 'and casing 15d into that part of the shell-pointer about the rear end of the electric socket 23.

.52 is the rear part of the shell-pointer as shown with a tube 21b formed around the rear end of the shell-pointer and screwed into the projectile as shown at 54. 55 indicates the explosive charge in the tube 21" surrounding the rear end of the shellpointer, as shown, and 53 is the explosive charge in the shell pointer. This chare may be made any size, by increasing t e length and width 'of the shell-pointer and the cavityl for holding explosives therein. Driving bands are shown at 56. The operation of Fig. 2 may be'understood as follows Vhen the forward end of lthe combined firing pin and electric switch comes in contact with the ground, object or target the same is pressed inward by percussion, thus causing the pins 27 and 28 to explode the percussion ca 26 and close the electric circuit at 25, t us exploding the perforated tube 19 and cap or detonator 17, and ignite the explosive charge 16 and explode the tube 15d, thus ignitino` the explosives 53 and exploding the shell-pointer and igniting the explosive charge 55 within the tube 2lb and igniting theexplosive charge 2 w1th1n the projectile by a plurality of separate means and also ignite the explosive charge 2 by a plurality of separate means at a predetermined time with timing devices as shown and explained.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as well as arrangements of parts without departlng from the spirit of the invention, and therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ordnance rojectile having an explosive charge and) means for detonating same, said means including an axially arranged projection at the forward end of the projectile, a longitudinal bore within said projection, a detonating charge in alinement with the rear of said bore through said projection and in operative relation to the explosive charge in the projectile, another detonating charge and means for detonating the latter including a combined contact electric switch and firing pin engageable by contact electric switch means and contact percussion cap and fuse.

2. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge within and having a projection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities formed within said'projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, means to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection with a plurality of separate means and means to ignite and explode a plurality of explosive charges within the projection and projectile with the effects and force of the explosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

3. An ordnance shell having an explosive charge within and having a projection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities secured within said projection, an explosive charge the effects and force of explosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

4. A n ordnanceshell having a projection secured to the forward end thereof extend-v ing axially, a plurality of cavities secured 'within said projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, a combined contact electric switch and firing pin and fuse secured within said projection in a way to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection when said contact electric switch and firing pin4 comes in contact with the ground, object or target, and means to ignite and .explode a plurality of explosive charges within said projection with the effects and force of the explosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

5. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the .forward end thereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities formed within said projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, a combined contact electric switch, detonator, firing pin and fuse secured in said projection in a way to ignite and explode the most forward ex-V plosive charge within said projection when the said combined contact firing pin and electric switch comes in contact with the ground, object or target, and means to ignite and explode the second explosive charge within said projection with the effects and 105 force of the explosion of the said first explosive charge.

6. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities secured 110 within said projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, a combined contact firing pin and electric switch, and tube having an explosive charge within a cap secured in said tube engageable by said firing pin in a way to explode said cap and ignite said explosive charge within said tube when the combined contact ring pin and electric switch comes in contact with the ground, object or target, and means to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection and means to ignite and explode a plurality of said explosive charges with the effects and force of the explosion of each explosive charge ex loded in advance of each other.

An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities secured within said projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, means to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projectlon vwith a lurality of separate means slmultaneous y and with one means if the other fails, means to i ite yand explodev f ar second explosive cslrge with the effects and force of the explosionr of the said rst exploslve char e. 8. A projectile having a suitable cavlty within to hold an explosive charge and a pointy rformed thereon, yan exploslve char within said cavity, a removable breech plu'gy with a cavity therein, a timing device positioned in said cavity, means to remove said timing device, said timing device com-v prising a springpressed rmg pm, a lug v on said firing pm, ya 'rotatable shaft, a lug binationy with a pair of electric contactplates and a contact fuse having a plurallty of rdetonating charges in alinement with the bore of said shell-pointer and at the rear end a detonating charge in operatlon to the booster charge of the shell and communlcating with and in alinement with the said passage.

l 10. A11 ordnance projectile having a shellpointer comprising a projection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially and formed with a longitudinal passage in combination with a pair of electric contact plates and a contact fuse having a plurality of detonating charges in operative relation to the forward end of said assage and a second detonating charge at t e rear end of said passage in operative relation to the explosive charge of the projectile.

11. An ordnance projectile having a shellpointer at the forward endthereof formed with a longitudinal passage therethrough in combination with a air of electric contact plates and a contact use secured in the forward part of said shell-pointer and having a plurality of detonating charges in operative relation to the forward end of said passage and a second detonating charge in operative relation to the rear end of said passage in operative relation to the explosive charge of the projectlle.

12. An ordnance projectile having a shellpointer comprising a' projection at the forward end thereof formed with a longitudinal passage therethrough in combination with a ypair ofy electric contact plates and a contact fuse secured in the forward part ofy said shell-pointer on, and having a plurality f of detonatingy charges 1n o erative relation to the forward end of sai passage, and a second detonating charge in operative relation to the rear endof said the explosive charge of the s ell, 'the walls of sald projection, the assage therethrough, the contact fuse and t e being substantially symmetrical with re-V speci: to the axisvoffthe shell and havin t eir axes in 'alinement with each other an with said axis of the shell so that the centrifugal forces due to axialfrotation of the shell when it is fired will be balanced in each cross section of the. device.

13. An ordnance vprojectile having a shellpointer comprising a projection at the forward end thereof formed with a longitudinal pair of electric contact plates and a contact fuse secured in the forward part of said shelldetonating charges' assage and to f pointer and having a plurality of detonating Y f charges in operative relation to the forward rend of said passage and a second detonatin charge in operative relation to the rear en of sald passage and to the explosive charge of the projectile, said shellepointer yhaving its walls of material and thickness suiiicient to confine the pair of electric contact plates and a contact'fuse and a plurality of detonator explosions against material lateral ex- V pansion.

14. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge and means for detonating same, said means including an axially arranged tubular projection at` the forward end -of the projectile, a detonating charge in alinement with the rear of the passage through said projection and in operative relation to the explosive charge m the projectile and in alinement with the forward end of said passage another Idetonating charge and means for detonating the latter including a combined contact electric switch and irin pin engageable by the electric contact plgates and contact fuse.

15. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge, a detonating charge 1n operative relation thereto and a pair of electric contact plates and a contact fuse having a plurality of detonating charges and means including a combined contact electric switch and firing pin for detonating the latter, in combinat1on with a tubular forward extension for the shell of small diameter, light Weight and considerable length as compared -with the projectile, said extension having 85 passage therethrough iny combination with a within and a cap secured within said tube in a way to ignite the explosive chargie when the cap is exploded secured in said projection, means to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection and means to ignite and explode a plurality of said explosive charges with the effects and force of the explosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

17. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward end thereofextending axially, a plurality of cavities secured within said-projections, an explosive' charge within each of said cavities, in combination with a combined contact firing pin, and electric switch, a tube for explosives and ca andfuse and electric battery secured in sai projection, means `to ignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection and means to ignite and explode a second ex losive charge with the effects and force o the explosion of the saidfirst explosive charge. 18. An ordnance shell or projectile ha a `projection secured to the'forward en thereof extending axially, an electric battery and electrical means secured` within' said projection to ignite a plurality of explosive charges within said shell or proj ectile.`

- 19. A breech block for an ordnance shell having a cavity within 'provided with a time fuse extending therethrough, to an explosive within the shell front and rear apertures in said -breech bloclr, a closure threaded in each aperture, one of said closures carrying a firing mechanism operative after a predetermined time to fire a denonator associated therewith.

20. A breech block for an ordnance shell fhaving a cavity within provided with a time fuse extending therethrough to an explosive within the shell, front and rear apertures in said breech block, a closure threaded in each aperture, and a firing device secured within said cavity within said breechblock operative after a predetermined time to re al detonator charge associated therewith.

21. A breech block for an ordnance shell having a cavity within provided with a time fuse extending therethrou h to an explosive within the shell front an rear apertures in said breach blocli, a closure threaded in each aperture, and a firing device comprising a spring pressed firing pin with a lu'g on the firing pin, a rotating shaft carrying means to e age and disengage the lug on the ir ing pm when the said shaft is rotated ,and clock work to rotate said rotating shaft when the sprin of the clock work is wound, op.- erative a er a predetermined time to exlode a percussion cap by ercussion and ignite the explosive within t e shell.

ROBERT LEE WRIGHT.

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