US1709798A - Explosive projectile - Google Patents

Description

SALAMON LEBENSART,

jectiles, and more particularly to the type of projectiles generally known as hand-gremades or,- simply, as grenades; one of its objects being .to provide an improved percussion fusei'whieh will be exploded even on striking soft; wampy; or any other kind of non-coherent ground or whether it be covered by water" or snow and so on. The great sensitiveness necessary for such action constitutes, of course, a great danger for/the troops also'and in' order to avoid this danger, V I'have provided .Various new and improved v Q safety devices eliminating every undesired j lfiQex'plosio n any case which practically-may occur. Other-[and further objects and im-' provements are comprised in the invention andwill be explained in the course of the 1 a '.followingdetailed description.

flhe'accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment ofthe invention, and therein:

Figl 'l represents a longitudinal sectional j viewof a small l1and-g'renade,the right half of the figure showing theparts of the fuse 1 in section, and the left part of'thefigure fin elevation; v V Fig.2shows the fuse in transverse section on the broken line 22, Fig. 1;. i f Figs, 3 and 4 represent details of the construction; i

, "Figs. 5 S represent longitudinal sectional .5 views of the inner; parts of the fuse in their different positions: assumed during. the workgjng-lofth hand-grenade, each figui-eshoW- H ing on' ly'ofne half of the fuse, the other half 7 being-symmetrical to that represented. Re'feriing more particularly to the drawings, designates the casing of the grenade, whijch may yary in form and construction n 40 practice to meet different requirements The said casing is made'of sheet metal and is provide'dfwith bosses or ribs'U which serve not only tojsueen and strengthen it but also to form a surface of composite or consecutive cone'ave parts U which increase thefrictional resistance when the missile strikes the ground, thereby checking its tendency to slide or roll on hard ground or; to sink too easilynto soft jen'eu nd. f I r "The casing-U terminates in a cylindricalportion or rimwhich fits conformably' with- 7 in and maybe threaded or otherwise cenirected to the 1correspondinglyshaped rim-R ".proyided on the fuseeasing The explo- This invention relates to explosive proi 1 time or VIENNA, AUSTRIA.

EXPLosIvn PROJECTILE.

Application filed une 11, 1925, Serial No. 36,502, and in Austria July 17, 1924.

sive charge Y completely fills thespace between the casings'U and Band [may be'in powder form, though a compressed bloek is preferred. The inner portion of the fusecasing terminates in a neck of reduced diamcteri which serves as a holder cap X, Fig. 1.

The detonating charge in for the detonatorc'ap X is ignited A in the manner subsequently explained.

'The percussion cap B is mounted inaholder which constitutes the lowerportion or stem of a ?unnel-sl1aped,.sheet metal member B The previously mentioned funnel or cone 7 B isprovided with a set of upstanding arms B to the upper ends of Which a dished or concave-convex shell B is suitably fastened.

Six arms have been illustrated in the present mstance, Fig. 2, but such number, may, of

' course,'be varied; and these arms, together with the cap and its holder, the cone or funnel B and the shell 13 conjointly form a single unit which may be called the primercarrying unit and which is movable bodily toand fro axially of the casing 1% wherein it contained.

As stated above; the percussion cap B1 is ignited by the firing-pin A Which is preferably drawn from a second dished s hell' A of" the opposite convexity fronr shell B. This shell A is provided. withupstanding arms A; whichearry at their uppeiflends an inwardly bent lockingring A made integral,

with the arms A of dish these arms, together w th shell 'A' and locking ringA conjointly forma single unit which may be.

called the pin-carrying unit and whichis alsomovable bodily to andfro axiallyiof the easing R wherein 'itis contained, r

The arms A and B extend past each other or overlap as clearly shown on'the right half of Fig. 13' thereby associating the two units above referred to like two links of a chain. -l\foreover, the said two units are mounted 111 the fuse casing R in such a way as teen able their relative axial sliding movement only but not their rotation,,and to effect this,

the fuse easing isform'ed with inwardly-ex tending longitudinal pro1eetions"R ,-and. on, v

the parts A and 13, 5 wel as on the parts attached to] them, grooves are provided in which said projections are adapted toslide. 1

7 ,tion safety-device which serves to render Between the shells A and B there is inter: posed a weightC which acts, at the moment of impact, to ignite the percussion cap B by 7 means of the firing pm A,. This weightis here shown as spherical, but 1t may have any other shape desired. 7 7 i After the two aforementioned units and all parts associated With them have beeninsertedinto the fuse casing R, I attachto the latter a cover S leaving open the mouth of the fuse casing but otherwise adapted to preventall partsinsertedfinthe fuse casing from falling out therefrom.

.All safety devices employed 'are mounted infa space within'the aforementioned two v units in front of the mouth" of the fuse casingR. I employ, first of all, a so czilled'transportathe hand-grenade safe during transportation andhas to be released by hand before hurling the grenade; V p 1 The secondsafety-device I employ a self-' releasingone serving to protect the thrower during .the action of hurling, 1. e. to prevent 1 the hand grenade frolnqbeing exploded throughthe impetus given jto it during the :throwingactio'n, the said safetyr-devicebeing released automatically after the forces eX- or automatically, my-constructioncontains V series of self-lockingv safety-devices or, briefly, locks serving to "prevent a utomatical ly the ignition devices from performing their igniting movement in any case in which undesired explosions couldvoccur which would or mlght be dangerousfor the throwers owntroops, the said locks being provided with means preventing them-ifrom being released so that they look the-hand grenade once fori 1 iAllqthesesafety -devices and locks are placed cot-axially outside; and inside of. each other whereby a LSl-IHPlGySPZL CG saving con-f V structiorr is attained. I v

i and locking recesses whichj vil-l: betdescribed in a more detailed manner ml connection with the devicein the fuse casing'R V r t, Tlielcontraction of the spiral ringLis pre= vented bymembers E, M,'lW' of substantially The safety member .r ofj 'the self-releasin f safety-device consistsiof'a' spiral or coil spring L in ithegform of a ring havingla tendency to contracttO a smaller chame'te'r, the spirals or .c oils of the spring, however, being rigid enoughto form a stop forthe 'movementof direction of the axis of the sleeve=like form which Tare associated in a telescop cway, the sald members being provided wlthtapered gu ding surfaces or walls the. operation 'Of the grenadelgThe-"s a member Fand thius maintains the parts F,' and A 1n engagement, soithat'if the lockingi soon as such 'forfce ceases to actil'fThe' -lock thus formed may bere'le'ased by turning the lar F of 'the safety memberl lz'd oesinot ex; i tend so, far inward of'the fuseca'sing; as'to completely lock the weight againstmove V v and the cap B 'arethus permitted to' have a,

i plied a'regresiliently supported ior 'cushioned,

so that theshocks and vibrations "which 1 aren embers, E, M, derive the1rmovenie t from the pin-unit A, A A and the,primer-. unit B, B B and they permit a contraction" of the spiralling bysteps only and, in spe-" cial' cases, they cause a permanentffixing or V locking of same. r l I Thesafety-idevice providedfor the purpose 7 of securing the parts during transportation -comprises-a locking member F and an as- V sociated spring G; said member takingthe form of a sleeveandbelngprovlded with a central dependingeollar E the lower end of which terminates adjacent the shell B. The spring G is encircled'by' the said member F. andbe'arsat one end against member F and at the other-end, throughimembersM, W, E, I

against shell B, that the percussion cap B which-1s carried by said-shelhis. prevented from being ignited by the firing-pin A ey-en though" the self-releasing.safety"device' is V omitted; Hence, the tWo safety devices fcon'-. istitute separate means 'for protecting'the b i firing-pin and percussion capdirectlyi and independently of each wh I t The locking ring A, andsafety member 'F 7 may be connected together in, any 'desired{90 manner, but preferably by means'of inters locks orjojints which arejanalogous to bayonet" joints and'ea'ch of Which',' asshovv1r in'Figx 3, may comprise an inwardly projeeting lug l j A, formed upon'the-inner face or the Wall of the ring A and a likewise inwardly-pro jetting recessFQformed onthe safety.mem-' ber F and engageable with the edge of said I lug A thei recess-'havin giacurved surface V which normally receives lug A, in its central 5 9 parts and, hence, serves to: position the lock-' ing member The spring Gris designedto exert an upward {pressure against locking member F is displaced slightly by some accidental forcefromitsgnormal positiomit will 1 be res't'oredrto that' 'positionby, said spring m lockingmemberFin'either direction, inthe f manner subsequently explained, so tha tijthe 7' releaseisconsequently simplifie i i i' fits-Willbe understood frfom Fig.*1 ,the c o1-- ment but, on the contrary, a smallspace or gap is left between the-collar end and the shell B, so thatweight C,the firing-pin]A slight playwliic11,ofcourse, is 'sujficient'lvless I "j than the {distance b'e'twee nlthe firirigpii1 A,f 'i V and cap B, ;to prevent igriition' of the latter by theformer. Furthermore, itwillf1ik e- Wise be apparent that the various parts within the fuse, 'even"with; the safety devices, ap 1 'nevitable'Qduring transportation} will have ,ly in place.

transmitted to and taken up by the. spring G, whereby the dangers heretofore present from such source are avoided.

:In order to unlock the transportation safety device, a releasing means is provided which comprises a set of parts assembled in such a way as to form a water-tight cover for thegrenade; the main element thereof being a: closure member H and a thin, flexible sheet metal diaphragm J associated with the said closure member and holding it resilient- Tliis member H fits'over the top of the fuse casing R and is provided with a curved edgeadapted to engage the inclined *orj tapered outer flange portion of said casing R,adjacentwhich'edge it is formed with a series ofpr01ecting lugs H constituting han- T dies for effecting its rotation. At its center,

the closure member-TI is provided with an opening through which passes. the lockingmember E'which terminates in. a flange F serving tohold the inner'edge of the metaldiaphragm J, the outer edge of which bears againsttheelosure member H. Between the c said closure member H-and the cover S, I

have inserted a packing ring K which is, accordingly, owing to the action of spring J,

under 'suflicient pressure to form a watertightjoiiit. T he locking member F is preferably I formed ivith a plurality of depressions or pockets F to receive studs or projections H,

'- on the closure inember'H, so that the two parts Fand H will thus rotate in unison when the'latteris' turnedby means of its handles "H the rotation of the part F disengaging its recesses F from the lugs A on the locking I ringA Land thus releasing the transporta tion safety. device.-

The diaphragm member J as. well as sprint.

G is protected by means of an outer coyer Z whieh inaylb'e attached thereto by providing 1 thetwo parts witl'i interengaging threaded inns. though any other desired. connection mayebe substituted if preferred. .The memberTI may finally be equipped with a device for-"preventing its accidental rotation; such device consisting of'a lead seaL-one wireV j'o'f which is'engagedavith the handles H the other wire V with the rim R, of said member'H and on the fuse easing R. s

It will be apparent from the foregoing and "if particularly froman inspection of Fig. 1 .lltha'tj thefuse'may be entirely assembled and f fitted withallfsafety devices an d even with the lead seal beforearming it-that is to say, without inserting the percussion and deto-' fnating. capjs B and These two caps'may [be inserted after all other parts of the fuse havebeenfsasseinbled, so that there is nodan- 4 .ger iwhatelver ina handling the fuse during; manufacture. Moreover, the grenade and ,fuse be store'd in entirely unarmed con- ,{without the caps B and Xfand k the bursting chargelY, but otherwise com;

pletely assembled and even. equipped with thelead seal.

The grenades are distributed in quantity for use, preferably Without the-lead seals which may previously be detached. Before throwing, the outer safety device (which is the one used in tra sporation) is removed by-rotating the closure member H in. either direction to an'extent of about 60-90 by means of its handles H thus unlocking the joints A F between the locking member F and ring A, due to the engagement of the projections H andpockets' F The safety and cushioning springG will now act as an expelling spring and will eject the members F and H, togetherwitli spring dia .)l ragn'i J and the outer coverZ, and will itself be removed from the fuse casing, and the spring ring L will thereupon contract and, in so doing ump from the 'locking member F into contact with the outer wall M,, of sleeve lii belonging-to the self-releasing safety device, Fig. 5 v v The grenadmithen being ready for use, is grasped and hurled in any desired manner,

during which operation the Weight or ball Q will move out of its normal central position owing to its own inertia and .to the impetus glVGlI to the grenade itself. This resented in Fig'. 5 the shortening of. the

latter distance,however,' beinglimited by the ,movement'of the weight has the effect of, in-

contact of the spiral spring ring L of the self-releasing satety device \Vltlitl'lO bosses E; of sleeve. QE. When .this contact occurs, the movement of the Weight, due to, its inertia, ceases but, in the meantime, the spiral spring ring L has left the outer wall M of sleeve M due to the-axial shorteningv of the axial distance between B and A and has snapped beneaththe edge M of said walhthereby coming into contactwith the taperedwall E of the sleeve member E, Fig. During the throwing operation, however, the spiral spring ring L. is pressed outward by: the action of the. weight C, which action is trans mitted to the ring L by means of the shell A,

its arms A and its locking ring A and, accordingly, during the operation of throwing the shells A and B are kept locked by the momentum of'weight C and abutmentslfi, Fig. 5 in a position in which the 'firing pin A, has not yet reached the cap 13,; but as soon i as the actual throwing'operation is completed.

and the forces created by the momentum of I wveight C cease t'oact, the spiral spring ring L will move upward-and inward along the tapered. wall E, of; member E,.Fi,g'.;6 .to-

gether-with the part M whichispushed fo'r-.

Ward by; spring L, whereupon. weight. C re suni'es};v its normal central position 1and: :1tl1e 7 s5 against which it rests during transportation,

'proj ectioiis A spiral spring L contracts in diameter to an' extent sufficient to enable itto pass the edge A, of the locking ringlA Fig. 6% As soon as the spiral spring ring L passes edgeA the sleeve member E. is left free: to be moved away from shell B-by a. spring D interposedv between member 1E andshell Band, at the same time, sleeve member M is also moved outward by a spring 0 until it abuts against provided on the locking ring A Fig. .7 bpring 0 is supported by sleeve member E and acts upon the previ ously mentioned member W'which'has the; form of a sleeve telescoping within-the said sleeve member and transmitting the pres sure of spring 0 to sleeve member M. Sleeve memberW is thereby brought to approximately the same level asedgegE, of" sleeve member E so that when the spiral spring ring L contracts-and snaps-behind the said edge E it comes into engagement with the tapered outer wallof sleeve member W as clearly Y Inorder to prevent the said self-releasing' shown inFigl 7 The self releasing safety devicejthus becomes released. entirely, and the grenade assui'nesit-s staterea'dy for ignition in cas'eof striking thegrou'nd or target.

safety device from beii'igreleased too soon or while thegi'enadeis too near to the thrower; I I provide'iiieans for retarding the release;

.of the safety device. :Injthe embodiment shown the said. meanscom arise'a corru ated uiidulated slit sleeve Q, Fig 6 Wl1lCll6 h "7A, for n t after 9* f ight Ofabout six ,paces only.

the inner slit part E ofsleevejmember' E and is pushed forward by the spiralspring ring L. and spring'O through sleeve mem- JGI'S (and MI By the use of saidretarde" ing means, the hand-grenade will be'caused tdassume its state ready for. ignition, Fim' Nowit may happen thatthegrenadewith, the safety device for transportation released,

' i. e. rea'dyto throw, Fig. .5 {receives an accji identafl shockexceedi.

the momentum. of the regularforces created by ordinary throwing;

V the same may also occur duringthe action of "hurling, Fig. 6*, but before tllfistttbf re'adi- =ness for ignition ,F ig. 7 ,;is assumed. In; all the said casescoilrspring ringLidoe'snot' move towards thejpo'sitionshown .inFig. 7 but forced to engagegrooveFig of sleeve member E, .6, thereby'lockiiig once. I

forever the ignition'ineiiibers A 13 in the position lShOjWliln Fig. 4

" in. which the firing" pin A has not yet reached-'Fprimer'-B In 7 order to enable the spiral spring ring L to when and if such accidental shocks ioccur,-

igshoi'tly after the ;tlii'ow jthen pass the outer edge of theftapered wall" E and the' bosse s or abutments E -F g; 5 3,:-

wall. E1, or the wall carrying the abutments' .If the aidun'desirable shoclidoesaio' 06cm engaging the locking groove E in such 1101'- 'pris spring ring .L doesrnot pass from its position. shown in Fig. 5 intoeits lockingyposition, Fig. 6 but it will overcome .the'time re tardation eifected-by'slit'sleevesQ and E and 1 'Willgct into the positionshown-in Fig.z.7- which is the positionof release. It will be understood that; the lock.just describedl is Fig. 6. by the impetus itsel'fgivel to the grenade through the action of throwing, and;

it will balso apparent that the undesirable shock. at too neara distance does-not occur,

the poSsibi-lity that the; saidfloclbmay be actuated later is eliminated automatically by the elasticity of spring member-L, itself which automatically moves into the: position.

shown in Fig. 7 from which itcannot reach the locking groove E evenon impact;,with

the ground. :The said'lock; of course,;must V i notienteriinto action in normal cases--i'."e.t at

the regular hurling and; regular flight fand in! order to prevent thespring" member-L from silicnt'slit member: E against th'e ring L-to. prevent its passing theabiitinents"i E;.;and getting into the locking groove E lis rein .dei'ed so great that 'it can u-beTovercome neithei by, the momentum exerted through; hurling the grenade. nor bytheforcesof mo ineiitum acting. jupon the grenade during flight but only by s hocksl-l It W lll'"be alSO.".

apparent' thatthe elimination of the 'loc k aw't'uatedv by shocks at short d stances isefiect-i est-by the locking spiral ring L itself whose elasticity has been freed by the throwing action the freeing of thesaid sp'ringri'ng L,.

positions according to Fi s 5 3ml 6.; being accomplished by onefan d nert a element as well as thedisplacement of same into the N Iv, it may happenlthatg for some rea'sonf11h.

vithf. 3

the 'g'roi'iiid" target; Such bli-nd shellseon I stitute 'a' considerable danger *becausethey may be exploded later'through someacci: dental subsequent shoekgfor instance when the thrower or his. fellows advance,- so "that it may easily hurtt'he throwefisowntroops; To avoid the said danger, Ij-p'rovid'e a'bl ind shell lock actimtedQby"the. of the grenade with tlie gioundortargetand com pi'isin g" .inean's preventing .ignitiononce fo'r ever; 11i the embodiment of my nvention H; shown byway of example n 'tliejaceompany-.=.; W;

ingf drawings, the'fsaid blind shell lock ;com-

' kthesame. spiral sprin'gqringjL vand 5 sleeve .inembers M and which fo'rmip'art' f. 1 also. of the sel fi'eleasingsafety'device and the,

'auto n atic'iloekactuated by too .jshort throws already; described; I V V g sleeve member is provid d w' ith i' an win 5 For. the said" purpose,

' 1 wardly tapered wall M Fig. 7 the direction of taper of which is opposite to that of wall E of sleeve member E. Now, it may be seen from a comparison of Figs. 7 and 7 ,that on 5 impact with the, ground, ball C, by reason i ,sion cap B therebyigniting said cap through pin A and at the same time moves the lockiing ring, A and its abutments A Fig. 7 1 toward shell B, thereby compressing springs A D and O to such aneXt-ent that if pin A, has

penetrated. into the percussion cap B .shown in Fig. 7 the combination of the telescoping sleeve members E, IV and M assumes spring ring L is then forced to snap from the tapered wall .of sleeve member W into its c0c-ked* position .inengagement with. the tapered wall Mj of sleeve member M shown ".2 in Fig.7? Now, the spiral spring ring L tendsto dim-inishits diameterand, by exerting a resilient pressure upon groove W of sleeve member WV, Fig. 7 tends to displace v axially the saidsleeve members W and M J2 into the position shown, in Fig. 8 The said tendencies of the spiral-spring ring L,.how-

ever are checked by the impetus given to the ball C by the impact of the grenade with the ground or target which holdspin A and cap Q B as well as all parts attached to them in 1 Ltheiri ignition position, Fig. 7 in which pin A, has penetrated into cap 13,, thereby prej: venting the locking member L from passing 7 into its locking position, Fig. 8 Accordingly, as'long as; the influence of the sald impetus will act the spiral spring ring will beheld thereby in its cocked position shown 7 in Fig.7 but it will pass therefrom into its locking position shown in Fig. 8 as soon as 40 ,-,.the'in'1petus of the ball C ceases to act, thereby f. pulling pin A, out of cap B and preventing again. Of course, the said locking will take {of-the grenade, In order to avoid premature "lockingesuitable means may be provided to retard-the movement'of sleeve M into its 9v-saidretarding means for the blink shell'lock Fmay'be alsoiin the form of corrugatedv slit sleevessimilar to sleeves'E Q shown for the important feature of my blindshell-lock that the- -lo'ckingmember L is brought into its 7 ihurling and flight, whereby premature locking is effectively prevented.

- "I wish to be understood that the various various respects without many way departing from thespirlt of the inventlon because mydrawings aswell as the descrlptlon are of its-inertia, moves shelllA toward percus- 115 itsminimmhaxial dimension. The spiral.

having any suitable form'de'sired.

' f' it once forever from piercing into the cap B i place onlywhen and if the grenade gets blind. "and the fuse isnot destroyed by the explosion f lockingposition, Fig. 8 for instance,"theshortthrowactuatedlock, Fig. 6 It is an starting position, Fig. 7', only by the actual L details of construction may be modified in given'merelyby Way of exampleandin.an-

explanator and not in a limitative manner.

its own plane, performs a peculiar rolling movement which is of high practical value because it reduces to a. minimum'the resistance or losses owing to friction, thereby di-'.

minishingfthe throwing force absolutely necessary to cause the safety device to be released, and at the same time increasing the sensitiveness of the ignition devices which portant in connection with hand grenades which are thrown with very slight force and low velocity as compared with projectiles fired from agun;

In the embodiment of my invention shown, the source of power to produce the movement of the ignition devices, of the self-releasing safety-device, of the short shock" actuated safety-lock and of thefblind shell lock is one and the same weight G which I prefer to make in the form'of a ball although each of the said devices or groups of them may be operativelyrelated to a separate weight It will be also seen that I prefer 'to combine the is. that shownin Fig. 7a'nd thatthe said starting position-is identical-with the position ofrelease of the'self-releasing safety device and of the-short shock actuated safety device although. such combination need .not befused necessarily; i

In the embodiment described wayof,

example, I have shown the primerrcarryingunit and the pin-carrying-unit to be movable Now, it is but obvious that I maymake the fuse-casing R with a considerable .larger diameter. than the :two said units so that the two units may move within the fuse-cassafety-devices and locks'in such away that the starting position; of the blind shell lock 6 j V I "130999 ing' R- radially too; in that case, I provide the saidtwo units with guiding surfaces the form of a coneor shell ('simllar toshell fl lapted 'toslide along similar guiding surfaces provided on casingR, so that'the, weight of the said units assists theloall C in producing the firing movement of the two units even when the grenade strikes the ground perpendicularly to the axis of the fuse-casing R. Furthermore, it is obvious that in the case just described the-hall C may be dispensed with wholly if the two-units are :ma-de sufficiently heavy to-produce the firing movement even without theyhall C, I

In the embodiment described I have shown the weight to have a pathwaypr path of travel of abnormal length havlng: an extent and means independent offsaid spring 'for device. 1

positively retarding the? action of the' s'afety '43. }A hand-grenade, comprisingignition de vices; operating means :therefor; a safety device assoc ated with sand operating means v7'0 to lock the same against actuation underpr actof'throwing the grenade.

5 handQgreria'de, comprising ignition" {dev ces operat1ng means therefor; aself -rele'as1ng safety device --prevent1ng 1gnition in m co-pendin -a olication Ser. 1 No.

equal to atleast one-fourth the diameter of the weight and 1n any caseexceedlng 3 mm. as I have set out 1n a moredetalled manner during the -act of throwing, but thereafter i device automatically locking the ignition devices 'io'n impact I under predetermined conpermitting ignition; a self-locking; safety i i 671,726. Now, the said )-athsiof travel'mc,

ma ma m6 etc. Fig. 4, which are necessary to'bringthc point vof the'pin A into 0011- tact with thesurface of the cap B FigwS need. not, in connection with my present invention, necessarily'bc of ahnormal length but may have an extent'as iisedhitherto.

- Further, I have described; my invention,-: by way of example, in -connection with a per-V cussion fuse but my invent-ion, however,:maybe used as-Wcll in connection with'tim'eefuses, in which the weight G is operatively related j to a time ignition device and/or to one or more-safety devices of the type described.

I claim as my invention: g 1. A: projectile, comprising ignition 'de- *viceo'perable automatically to'lock'said op erating means against actuation; andmeans for rendering thesafety device inactive; said safety device being brought, by the act of disit charging the pro]ectile into an unbalanced position froinwhi'ch it-may pass' eithert'o its activeor its inactive position;

2. A: hand-grenade, comprising 4 a firing pin; a universally-rnovable inerti bodv to;

operatethesame';"a safety device associated i with said inertia body *to'look 'it' against acxcluding anexpansible and contractib'lehelt' cal spring ring which is movable bodily in tuation on impact under predetermined ir-x regular COIIClltlOIlS after thewgrenade has.

been-thrown regularly; andaanemher: for

offering resistance to said, safetydevice to prevent its operation by'theimpetus'cre ated during the act of throwing the grenade.

3. A= pro]cct1le, comprising ignition devices; operating means therefor a safety delv ce associated with said operating means :to

lock the same against"actuation'under predetermined condit ons, the safety-devlce'ina direction perpendicularto its own plane for controlling the action of said device SQ A hand-grenade, co

'ditions; and means preventing the safety look from being released automatically. 7

I 6,- A'- hand-grenade, comprising ignition] d'evices; a self-releasing safety device V "venting ignition during-the actof throwing, but thereafter permitting ignition; 121 selflocking saf'ety deviceautomatically locking the-ignition devices On 'impactYunder predetermined conditions ;-'and a universally mo v able Wei devices; a self-releasing safety device preventing ignition dtiring the actof'throwing, but' thereafter- 'permitting' ignition; a self- I -lockingsafety device automaticallyi locking vices; operating means therefor; asafety dethe ignition devices "on-impact under. prede-f' termined conditionsy and: a-safetymember 3 common to the two safety dev cesfor locking "themin successlon; 1 r

devices a self-releasing safety device ;pre-' ventingi-gniti'onaduringthe act of throwin but thereafter permitting ignition ;ia selii; -',lockin'g safety device automatically locking 11-10 V the igniti'onq devices 011 j impact undefpred'etermined conditions; and 1 an expansible': and

contractilole safety-ring common toi'the two 1 safety devlces for IOCklIlg them in {successions 9. A fproj ectile, comprising ignitionnde- 1 15 wvlces' includmga firingpm and a. primerya safety device forz automatically' locking 7, the

bfiring pin against subsequent movement, to- I :ward'theprimer after ithas completed an V Y :in'eifective "movement:toward'the same :on 120 impact of theprojectjile; and a common uni- 5 versally-movable weight"operatively related 7' I to at" least one of said 'igniti-on.ldeviceszand IStIid. safety'device. -10..A projectile, comprising 'ignition.dc- 125" yices; a-safetyidevice for automatically locklng sald ignitiondevicesv against-subsequent movement, on ineffective" impact, after! they i f ght for successivelyoperating the-two 9 [safety devices. Y

. mprising ignition" controlling the action of the safety device;

and operating means for said ignition de- VlCQS ZlIld safety'device.

11. In a projectile, .the combination, with ignition devices, of a self-releasing safety de- 1 vice to prevent actuation of the ignition devices during discharge; a safety device to lock 'said ignition devices against actuation r before they have effected their ignition move- Jment,'on inipact at too short a distance; and

operating-means for said ignition and safety I devices.

12. In'a projectile, the combination, with ignition devices, of aself-releasing safety device to prevent actuation of the ignitiondevicesi. 7 o

17,, In a projectile, the combination, with ignit on devices, of a self-releasing safetydevices during discharge; a safety device to f locksaid lgnltlOliClGVlCQS against subsequent movement, on ineffectiveiinpact, afterthey .have; performed their ignition movement; and operatin b means for said ignition and safety devices.

13. In a projectile, the combination, with 4 ignition devices, of a self-releasing safety dev ce to prevent actuation of the ignition devices during discharge; a safety device to "lock said gnition devices against actuation before they have effected their ignition movement, on mpact at too short a distance; a

safety deviceto Jock said ignition devices against subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their igni- 1 tionimovement and operating means for said ignition and safety devices.

14; A projectile,according to claim 13, in which the operat ng means for the several safety devices is common to at least two of "them;

, -15.A projectile,acchrdiiig to claim 13", in

'wvh'i'chithe operating. means for the several fsafety devices comprises a single universally- -iiiova-ble weight for operatii'ig at least two of -said devices. v i I 16. In a; projectile, the combination, with ignition devices, of a self-releasing safety device to prevent actuation of the ignition devices. during discharge; a safety device to lock -jsaidzi 'nition devices against actuation before they ia-veoeffecte'd their ignition movement, ;oii-inipact at; too. short a distance; a safety device to locksaid ignition device's against f 'l subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement; and-operating means for said ignitionand safetydevices con'iprisiiig a single member for operat ng all three safety-do,

vice to prevent actuatioiiof the ignition dev ces-during discharge; a safety device to lock said ignition devices against actuation before they have effected their ignition movement, on mpact attoo short a distance; a

safety device to lock'said ignition devices against subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement; and a'single universallymovable weight to which the ignition devices and all three safety devices are opcratively at least one safety device including an expansible and contractible annular locking member; and operating means for said safety and ignition devices. r

'19. In a projectile, the combination, with ignition devices, of a self-releasing safety. device to prevent actuation of the ignition devices during discharge; a safety device to lock said ignition devicesagainst-subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have pcrforn'icd thoir'i'gnition movement, at leastvone safety device including an expansible and conti'actible annular locking member; and operating means for said safety and ignition devices.

20. In a projectile, the combination, with ignition devices, of a self-releasing safety; devicetoprevcnt actuation of the ignition devices during discharge; a safety device to lock said ignition devicesagainst actuation before they have performed their ignition movement-on impact attoo' short a distance; a safety device to lock saidignitiondevices against subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have P'Jl'fOlll'lt'l their igni-v tion IHOVCHlGilt, at least one safety device including an eizpansihle and contractihle annular locking member; and operating means for safety and ignition devices.

v 21. A pro ectile, according to claim 19, in which the operating iiiGilliSfOi' the ign tion and safety devices in comiiio'n to at least twoagainst subsequent moven'ient, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement, at least one safety device iiicliiding an. e'xpansiblc and contractible annular locking ii'ieiiiber, and a single universally-movable weight to which the-ignt,

tion devices and all three safety devices are operatively related.

J 23. In a projectile,'the combination, with ignitiondevices, of aself-relcasing safety device to prevent actuation of the ignition de- I vices during discharge; a safety device to lock quent movement, on inefi'ective impact, after they have PQl'fOllllCl their ignition movenient; an'eiipansible and. coiitractible annular locking niembercomnion to all three safety devices; and operating means. for said ig- --I11t1011 and safety devices.

24. In. a )ro ectile the combination with .o J 7 ignit on devices, or a self-releasing safety device to prevent actuation of the ignition devices during discharge, a safety device to lock said ignition devices against actuation before they have performed their gnition movement, on impact at too short a distance,

a safety device to lock said ignition devices fagainstsubsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement; an expansible and contractible annular locking n'ielnbel common to all.

three safety devices; and a single operating means common to'the ignition devices and all three safety devices. 7 V

25. Inapro ectile, the combination, w th ignition devices, of a self-releasingsafety de-- vice to-prevent actuation of the ignition devices during 1 discharge; a safety device 7 to lock said ignition devices against actu- 7 them individually and indepeiidently and operating means for sa d ignition and safety devices are operatively related.

ation before they have performed their ignition movement, on impact 'at'too short a' distance; a safety device to lock said ignition devices against subsequent inoveinent,'on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement; an cxpansible andcontractib'le annularflocking member common to all threesafety: devices;

and a single universally-inovable weightto which the ignition devices and all three safety '26 In a projectile, the combinatioiniwith ignition devices, of' a-selfa'eleasing"safetyi 1 device to prevent actuatioirof the ignition devices duringdischarge; a'safety device to lock said ignitiondevices against actuation 1 r r of telescopically-niovable guide sleeveshavbefore they have performed their ignition movement, on impact at too shorta distance; a safety device to-lock sa d'ignition devices against subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performed their ignition movement; a single expans ble and contractible coil spring locking-ring associated with all. three safety devices but operable upon devices. g a p A V a 27. In a projectile, the-combination, Wltll ignition devices, of a self-releas ng safety 7 device to prevent actuation of the ignition devices-dui'ing discharge';a safety device to;

lockrsaid ignition devices against actuation before they have performed their ignition movement,oniinpactattoo short a'distance; 7.

a safety device 4 to lock said ignitiondevices against "subsequent movement, on ineffective impact, after they have performeditheir "i g .nition movement a single expansible and: vcontractible coil spring locking ring associ-' ated with all threesafetydevices but/operable upon them individually and independently;

- and a single operating-means conimon to the Y ignition devices and all three safetydevic'es.

28. In a-projectile,v'the combination ofuignition devices; aself-releasing safetydvice to-prevent actuation of the-ignition devicesv during discharge; operating meansrfor the safety device ;*'an annular C011" spring ;associated with-said safety deVice-tolockl the same; and a weight-associated with-said spring to successivelylock: and release it.

29.c Ina pr0jecti-1e,'the combination of,i'g-' nition devices 'a safety; device :to prevent, ac-fi; tuation thereof; a'coil spring safety ring associated with the vsafetyydevice; a plurality: of inclined guide members to control'ex'pansion and contractionof said ring; andfo'per ating means for saidguide members. I

i 30. In a projectile, the combination'of igi -nition devices a safety device toprevent ac.-

Jtua tion thereof; a-coil spring safety i'ing as- SOClZLt-GCI' w th the safety deviceya plurality of telescopically movable; guide sleeves having tapered "walls :for controllingexpansion j and contraction of's's'aid ring and operating Y JHQEIIISPIEOIY saidsleeves. H r

' 31. In a projectile, the c'ombinationof ignition devices a safety ideviceto prevent actuation thereof a coil spring safety ring associated withthesafety device ,a'plurfllity;

J of telescopicallyemovable guide sleeves "hay tapered walls for'controlling expansion; l'

V andcontraction of said ring, oneo'f the sleeves having a'circular recess wherein to catch the ring and thus-lock the safety-device against 32.; Inga projectile, the-combination V of igtuation thereof a coil spring safety ring as-fsociated with .the': safety device a plurality c ing tapered-walls for controlling expansion and contraction of said ring," one of-thesleeves beingslit to provlde spring tongues which 1 movement; {and operating m'eans {for said 7 sleeves.- r

"-i-io nition devices a safety; device to I prevent: a'ev Q offerradial .resistancetosaid ring; andoper ating means for said sleeves.

- 33. In a grenade' t-he combination of ignition devices operatingmeans therefor an expansib'le and contractible springring asso ciated with saidoperating, means; and a. member cooperative :with said 'ringfto lock the operating means againstactuati'onduring the act of throwing the grenade,"the ring being movable automatically at the conclusion 'of'theactualthrowing operation -to unlock said means; v, V I 349111 :a projectile, the combination-oft;

pair of oppositelyedished shells, one provided l With a firingpin; a Weight interposed therebetween; an expansible and contractible fspring ring; and a member cooperativewith V saidlringto lock said shells againstrelative ,anovement undcrthe. action of the Weight .during the actual operation of discharging the projectile, the ringlbein movable autmatically atJthe conclusion of said dischargin'g'operationto unlock said shells.

' I In a projectile, the combination of ig- Fexpansible and contractible spring ring associated \vithsaid operating means; a member cooperativeivith said ringto lockthe operatingme'ansagainst actuation during the actual f operationgof discharging the projectile, the ring being movable automatically atthe conclusionofsaid dischargin operation to un- ;locl\:'sai'd means and means for positively re- 'tarding-such automatic movement soils to de- ';laynnlo cking.; j A I .536,- In aprojectile, thecombination of ignitionidevices operating means therefor an .eipahsible and ,contractible spring ring as- .jsociatedlwithtsaid operating means a memberJCQOperative With'said ring to lock the op- I eiiatinglmeans against actuation during the Ctlial operation of discharging theprojectile, jthe ring being movable automatically at the onclusion-aofsaid discharging operation to v unlock said-means; and coac'tingsplit rings v lfor positi-vely retarding such automatic movementso'as to delay/unlocking.v V :1

B7; In a projectile, the coi'nbination of'a -P1lil1Qf Qppositely-dishedshells, one provid- 1. ed with a-fii-ing pin; a .Weight interposed i'therejbe een an expansilo'le and contractible spring, mg, iinember. cooperative with said. "ring to loclisaid shells against relative movement under the action of the Weight during 'I'the actiial operation of discharging the projectile,'thering being movable automatically at theconclusion of said discharging operafj tion to unlock said shells; and means for post- V tivelyretarding' such automaticmovement so i as to'delay unlocking. I I I38. In a grenade the combination or ignition devices; operating means therefor; an i f expansible and .contractible spring ring associated with said operating means; a member cooperative W'ithsaid ring to lockthe oper- "ajting means against actuation during-the act of throwing'the grenade, the ring being mov- 3 able automatically at the conclusion of the actualthrowing operation to'unlock ,said ineans; and-coacting split rings for positively retarding such automatic movement so as to fill-Billy unlocking.

In a pro ectile, the combination, 'vith ign t on devices and operating means there- *vi'cesoperabl'e, at difierent times for control -"ling ignitiOn; and a single expansible and nit-ion devices;operating means therefor; an

for, of a plurality of independent safety de contractible spring ring 'common to all the safety devices for controlling. their activity. 40. In a pr0jectile,1the combination, with ignitiondevices and operating means there- 'for, of a plurality of'independe'nt safety devices operable at different times for control ling ignition; and a single expansible and c ontractible spring ring common. to all the safety devices for controlling their activity, said ring havinga stepwise or stage contraction incidental to its coaction with thesuccessive safety devices. l

41. In a projectile, the combination, with ignition devices and operating ineans therefor, of a'pluralityof independent safetydevices for controllingignition embodying telescoping sleeve members of progressively decreasing diameters; and a single expansiblo and contractible spring ring common to all the safety devices adapted to snap into succcssive engagementwith the different sleeves. I 42. In a projectile, the-combination of a firingpin; a primer to beignited operating means for causing said pin to penetrate the -primer;on impact ofthe projectile; and means for Withdrawing the pin. from the primer after impact unattended by ignition. and for locking the pin against-subsequent-movement toward therprimer; i

43. In a projectilep itlie; areal-aha.

firingpin; a primer to be ignited thereby;-

operating means forcausingsaid pin to pence -trate theprimer on impact ofthe-projectile; an expansible andcontractible spring ring; r and means oper'atively associated with said Tingto cause thewithdraival of the pin from "the -primer by'said ringnfter impact unattended by ignition andvfor locking the pin iagainst x-ssubseque ifl movement toward: "the =-primer.=.

44.1n a projectile, the'c'ombination of a firing pin;a primer to. beignited thereby; operating means for causing said pin to penetrate the primer on impactof the projectile; means for Withdrawing: the .pin fromthe primer after impact unattended. by'i-gnition and 'for locking the pin :against subsequent l movement toward the primer; and means for,

retarding thelock ing action of the last-named means. 7

45. A projectile, comprising ignition devices including a firing'pin and a primer; Operating means therefor; and a safety device'including an expansibleand contracti'ble spring ring and sleeveflmeans cooperative I v 120.

therewith for lockingsaid-firing'pin against subsequent movement toward the primer after it has completedan meifectlve movement toward the same on impact of the prof if .jectile. v v r .46. A projectile, comprising ignition deincluding an ezgpansible .and 'contractible subsequent movement toward the primer. after 2 vices including a'fir-ing pin and a primerf; operating means therefor; a safety device it has completed an ineffective moVeinent to- Ward ithev same onimpact of the projectile and a single universally movable eight 015- eratively related to saidfirlng P111 and sald safety device.

4:7. In a projectilegthecombination; ivitli ignition devices, of aself-releasing safety .device to prevent actuation ofsthe 1gn1t10n devices during discharge; a safety device to lock said 1gn1t10n devices against subsequent actuation, on ineffective iinpact; after an ignition n'ioveinent unaccoinpaniedby explosion both safety devices'includingin common a continuous, flexible ring for controlling their v actioni said ring exerting a pressure that is proportionately distributed along its-entire circumference; andoperatingimeans forsaid ignition and safety devices.

v 483A projectile, comprising ignition devices; a universally-movable inertia body for operating the same; a safety device to control the operation of the ignition devlcesby sard body, the safety deviceincluding an expans ble and contractible springring. whichis movable bodilyina directionperpendicular to itsownplane for. controlling the action of said device; and means coacting I Witlr the inertia, body for transmitting the forces set upbythe inertia body, always in said. direction regard-V less of the original direction of fsuch'forces.. .49; A projectile, comprising ignltlOIY devices; a universally .movableweight forjoperating the same. by its'inertia; asafetydevice to control the operation of -the ignition de vices by saidwve'ight, thesafety device include; inglan pexpanisible and Vcontractibl'e helical spring ringhavinga' rolling motionin a direction perpendicular to its own plane'iori controlling the action of'said deviceyend means for transmitting the inertia forces set up by theiweight always in said direction'regardless of the original direction of such forces. l

, 5O.*A projectile,'coinprising dea Vices including a' firingpin and a primer; an expansible and contra'ctible sp'ring ring for locking thefiringfpin a ainst movementt'o- V ward'the primer afterlt has completed an 'f ineffective movement toward the same on im: -L

pact of the projectilqsaid spring ring being to its own. plane and a" universallymovable Weight operatively; related to measeom of said ignition devicesand-saidring; i

P 51. 'Ina] projectile, thecombin'ations' ivith ignition. devices. and operating means there'- for, of a plurality ofindependent safety. de-

vicesoperable" at difierent timesfor control-- ling ignition; and-asingle expansible and contractible 'springringcoinmonto alllj the v 7 safetydevices for controlling their'nctivity, said ring being movable bodily in a, direction r 52; In a projectile, the, combination,

'ig'nition devices "and operating me'aIisthere:

-forpof a pluralityfof independent sa'fety devices operable; at difierent times for control; i

lingignition;- and-a single expansible' and V contractible spring ring common; to all-the safety devices for controlling" their activity;

perpendicular tojits'flown plane incidentafl' to its coactionwith the safety devicesp i r 5 saidr-ing'beingmovablebodily inadirection i ing a stepwise onstage contractionduring the course of such movement 7 g r V In testimony'where'of I a-fii xf signature. V A MON LEBENSABT. "if

perpendicularto itsown planegincidental to i sits coaction -with theisafety devicesjand'hav-r V 50"" movable bodily inja direction"perpendicular

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