US1994081A - Grenade - Google Patents

Description

i lMarch 12,` 1935. J. A. WILLNERsl GRENADE Filed Aprilv 19, 1932 Patented l Mal'. l2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Willners executrix of deceased said John A. Willners,

\ Application April 19, 1932, Serial No. 606,111

13 Claims. (Cl. 102-29) 'My invention relates to improvements `in grenades. The Objectis to provide improved ring means and controls therefor.

The invention 'comprises a plurality of detents, one detent controlling the firing pin and another detent controlling the release of the firing pin detent. i Y

The invention also comprises details in construction.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates merely by way `of example a preferred embodiment of the invention:'-

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation. l

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on line 3, 3 of Fig. 2. t p

Fig. 4 ls a planvew. l

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of one of the controlling elements.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts through the several views. t

The hollow or chambered body or shell 11 is preferably of spherical formation, slightly larger than a base ball and easily grasped in the hand. It is provided in its peripheral wall with an elongated opening, flanked by the inwardly projecting parallel side flanges 12, and having the oppositely directed end flanges 13 in a plane at right angles tothe planes of the side flanges.

A formation, for example, a plate or block 14 fits snugly between the flanges 12 and rests upon the flanges 13 to which it is secured, as by the screws 15. Block 14 is` provided with a finger receiving recess or channel 14. This block is providedV with a centrally positioned `threaded opening 16, in which is secured the threaded end of cylinder or housing 17.

The housing 17 is provided at its lower or inner end with a threaded flange 18 ntowhich is.

threaded the tube 19. Within the tube 19 is secured the time fuse 20, projecting from the lower end and of the required length, depending upon the delay of action desired. At the upper end of this tube 19 is securedthe cap or primer or detonator 21 of usual form.

Within the housing 17 is also4 provided the slide tube 22 having its lend 23 projecting through the'block 14, into the recess 14', but'not above the normal periphery of the shell, for manual operation. Between the inner end of slide tube 22 and the flange `18, is provided the spring 24 for normallymaintaining the slide tube in elevated position, that is with the end 23 projecting into the recess 14. 1

Within the upper end of slide tube 22, is provided the firing pin 25, flanged at its lower end and provided with a spring 26 effective between the flange and the top of the slide tube.

The slide tube 22 is also provided with a slot 27 on one side thereof adapted to move into and 5 partly out of register with a corresponding slot 28 provided in the wall of housing 17. Through these slots projects a detent 29 pivoted at 30 to a bifurcated lug 31, secured to the underside of block 14. This detent 29 projects into the slide 10 tube beneath the end of firing pin 25 and normally holds the same against the actuation of spring 26.

The slide tube 22 and housing 17 are also provided with registering holes 32 and 33 on the 15 y side opposite the slots 27 and 28, and are adapted to receive the detent or locking pin 34 carried by the detent pin-plate 35, which is slidably mounted in grooves 36 in the underside of block 14. This plate 35 has a portion which normally pro- 20 jects beyond the periphery of body 11 and is held in such position normally by the leaf spring 37 secured to the underside of block 14 with its free end engaging the inner end of plate 35. 'I'he detent pin 34 is adapted to project through the registering holes 32 and 33 normally to hold 0r lock the slide tube 22 against actuation.

`The chambered body 11 is also usually provided with evenly spaced small holes or openings 38 in its wall.

In operation:-

It will be understood that grenades'of the character above described are adapted to contain high explosives, or substances which create and distribute various forms of gases.

The combustible or explosive substance is introduced into the chambered body, after which the block 14 with its housing and associated mechanism, detonator and fuse, as above decribed, is then secured in place.

With the arrangement and position of parts as shown in Fig. 2, it will be noted that the slide tube 22 is locked against movement bythe detent or locking pin 34, and the firing Ipin is locked against movement by the detent 29. When it is desired to use the grenade, the same is grasped in the hand with the palm of the hand engaging the projecting end of slide plate 35, and with one finger in the depression 14' over or resting upon the end 23 of slide tube 22.

In grasping the grenade in the act ofthrowing .same the palm ofthe hand will push the slide plate 35 so that pin 34 will release or unlock the slide tube or detent releaser 22; until this happens the slide tube cannot be moved.

Upon release of the slide tube by the disengagement therewith of the locking pin 34, the slide tube may be depressed by the nger. pression first puts the spring 26 under tension: further depression of the slide tube brings the two slots 27 and 28 toward register and permits the downward movement of the free end of pivoted detent 29 to release the ring pin 25, whereupon, in response to the built up power in spring 26, the pin is given a quick movement to impinge the cap or detonator 21, which causes ignition of the fuse. The depressing of the slide tube 22 may be, and is naturally, the last act before releasing the grenade in throwing same.

In case it should, for any reason become desirable not to fire the grenade, after actuation of the slide plate 35, and before depressing the slide tube 22, the release of pressure on slide plate 35 Will result in automatically re-locking the slide tube 22; or in case the slide tube 22 hasl been partially depressed, but not sufficiently to release the firing pin, upon withdrawing pressure from slide tube and plate, the parts will automatically return to initial position andlock.

It will be noted that the block and entire firing system constitute a complete self-containing unit, adapted to be inserted in and removed from the shell 11, as such.

The holes 38 Amay be temporarily closed or sealed, said closing means adapted to be dislodged by the pressure created within the chamber upon ignition of the charge.

I have shown the shell spherical, as the preferred form, but it will be understood that the same may be spheroidal if desired.

What I claim is:-

1. In a grenade, the combination of a chambered formation, a fuse and means for holding same within the chamber, a fuse igniter, including a firing pin and means for normally operating same, and a control therefor, comprising a firing pin detent, manually operated means for arbitrarily releasing said detent, a detent for said releasing means, said last mentioned detent having an actuating spring and adapted to be moved against the spring into releasing position.

2. A grenade, comprising a chambered `body for containing a combustible substance, a housing and housing support associated with said chambered body, a fuse and detonator supported therein, a tube slidable in the housing, a firing element associated therewith, a detent for normally restraining said iiring element arranged to release upon actuation of the sliding tube and means for controlling said actuation, said sliding tube and said controlling means adapted to be manually operated in connection with the holding and throwing of the grenade.

3.r A grenade, comprising a chambered body for containing a combustible substance, a housing and housing support associated with said chambered body, said housing comprising a stationary tube, a fuse and detonator supported therein, a tube slidable in the stationary tube, a firing element associated therewith, a detent for normally restraining said firing element arranged to release upon actuation of the sliding-tube and means for controlling said actuation, said sliding tube and said controlling means adapted to be manually operated' in connection with the holding and throwing of the grenade.

4. A shell, and a firing system therefor comprising a ring pin and a detent, a detent releaser, a spring, eifective between the releaser This deand the firing pin, adapted to be compressed by the preliminary movement of the releaser and then to react upon the pin at the moment of release, and a control for said releaser, comprising a locking element and a spring for normally the preliminary movement of the releaser and then to react upon the pin at the moment of release, and a control for said releaser, comprising a spring actuated locking element manually operated against the spring tension into unlock- 15 ing position.

6. In a grenade, the combination tof a shell having an opening in its peripheral w'all, a formation adapted to close said opening, said formation provided with a finger receiving channel 20 within the normal peripheral contour of the shell, a depressible element projecting into said channel, and a firing system within the shell controlled by saidl depressible element.

'7. In a grenade, the combination of a shell 25 having an opening in its peripheral wall, a formation itting in said opening, a depressible element projecting through said formation, a slide and a spring for actuating same to lock with the depressible element, said slide having a part nor- 30 mally projecting beyond the 'periphery of the shell for engagement with the palm of the hand,f and a firing system Within the shell controlled by said depressible element.

8. In a grenade, the combination of a shell 35 having an opening in its peripheral wall, a formation fitting in said opening, a spring controlled depressible element projecting through said formation, a spring controlled slide associated with the formation and having a part normally projecting beyond the periphery of the shell, and a ring system within the shell including a ring pin controlled by said depressible element and slide, the depressible element and the slide adapted for simultaneous actuation against their springs for the release of the ring pin.

9. In a grenade, the combination of a shell having an opening in its peripheral wall, a for.- mation fitting in said opening, a depressible element projecting through said formation, a hand operated slide associated with the formation for engaging the depressible element and having a part normally projecting beyond the periphery of the shell, and r'a ring system within the shell controlled by said element and slide, the said element and slide being each spring actuated automatically to return to initial locking position in case of manual pressure being released therefrom prior to consummation of the firing operation.

10. In a grenade, the combination of a substantially spherical shell having a recess in its peripheral wall, the sides of said recess flanked by inwardly projecting parallel flanges, the ends of the recess having oppositely projecting anges in the same plane, a formation tting between the inwardly projecting flanges and resting upon and secured to the oppositely directed anges, and a ring mechanism secured to and supported entirely by said formation.

11. In a grenade, the combination of a firing system including-a spring actuated element, a

y detent therefor. areleasing element manually op- 1 ,994,08 1 ually operated to unlock the releasing element, the" releasing element and the second detent beingso coordinated that the second detent must be man ually operated simultaneously with the manual operation of the releasing element.

12. In a grenade. thevcombination of a shell having a recess inA its peripheral wall, a formation fitting inv said recess, an inwardly projecting cylindrical housing secured to said formation, a tu bular member slidablypositioned in said hous` ing having an operating part projecting through the formation, a `spring control `for said tubular member, a spring operated firing pin, within said tubular member, a detent for the firing pinadaptedto be released by the movement of the tubular member when manually operated against its spring, a spring actuated member, forlocking the tubular` member against movement, and hand operated to unlock the same. l

13. In a grenade, the combination of a shell having a recessI in its peripheral wall, a formation fitting in Saidrecess, an inwardly projecting cylindrical housing secured to said formation, a tubular member slidably positioned in said housing having an operating part projecting through the formation,` a spring control for said tubular JOHN A. WILLNERS.

Images