US2051331A

US2051331A - Projecting bomb

Info

Publication number: US2051331A
Application number: US728597A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bobula Titus De
Original assignee: CHARLES JAGEMANN
Current assignee: CHARLES JAGEMANN
Priority date: 1934-06-01
Filing date: 1934-06-01
Publication date: 1936-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1953-08-18

Description

Aug. l, 1936. r T E B BU A 2,051,331

PROJECTING BOMB Filed June 1, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Iii/as @Bdwla l6 (4 ML' E I Aug. 18, 1936. 5 BQBULA 2,051,331

PROJECTING BOMB Filed June 1, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Aug. 18, 1936. T, DE BQBULA 2,051,331

PROJECTING BOMB Filed June 1, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fi'ius debabula Aug. 18,1936. T. DE BOBULA 2,051,331

PROJECTING BOMB Filed June 1, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 20 w m i, 42 Q I 7 2/6 & zaa

23X z 237 22 339 240(24/ Z36 certainty.

Another object is to provide a throwing bomb which can be made to explode or commence to Patented Aug. 18, 1936.

'UNITED'VISTATES PATENT OFFICE PROJECTING BOMB Titus de Bobula, New York, N. Y.. assignmto Charles Jagemann, New York, N. Y.

ApplicationJune 1, 1934, Serial No. 728,597

lo claims. (Ci. roa-za) This invention relates to throwingbombs, by which I mean any of the various kinds of missiles com ing acasing containing an explosive, incen ary. or gas-producing material for the purpose of fragmentation or emission of smoke, flame, or gases. The present application is a continuation-in-part of myapplication, Serial No. 650,149, filed January 4, 1933.

One object of my invention is to provide -a bomb which can be easily and accurately thrown. 1

Another object is to provide a throwing bomb having a firing mechanism which operates with produce smoke, flame, or gases at a time separated by an accurately regulated interval from the instant the bomb is thrown.

Another object is to provide a bomb in which the period of delay in firing 'can be adjusted.

Another object is to simplify the construction of the bomb so that its parts can be made and assembled economically.

Another object is to provide a bomb having a double safety device to preventpremature firing. Another object is to provide a bomb in which the active charge is completely sealed within a space formed by a container and ahardened plastic sealing layer. Another object is to provide the active charge is tightly held between a casing and a plate which screws into the casing,

- the plate bearing a firing mechanism which projects into a cylindrical. depression in the body of the charge, this depression being lined with an inflammable hardened plastic layer.

Another object is to provide a bomb having a firing'mechanism provided with a compressed timing pellet composed and held in a, way which insures regular burning and an exact 'intervalzof delay.

Other objects will appear from the following specification describing several embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is an elevation of an assembled tear gas bomb in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. I

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section looking down on the line of Fig.1,

Fig. 5 isa central vertical section of a fraga bomb in which mentation bomb made in accordance with my invention,

Fig. -6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-5 of Fig-5,

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a modified form of 5 tear gas bomb in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof, I

Fig. 9 is a ;.view of the same bomb from above, withthe cover and safety devices removed,

Fig; 10 is .a vertical section on the line I lI-lil 10 of Fig.8,

Figa-ll is a perspective view of a wrench used in assembling the bomb,

Fig. 12 is-a detail'sectional view of a modified formof barrel and firing pin, Figs. 13 and 14 are transverse sections through two different iorxns-ofthe firing pin.

Fig. 15 is a transverse section through a barrel and firing pin of still another form,

Fig. 16 is a detail axial-section-of the percussion cap cup shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 17 is a similar view of the timing cup shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the timing cup shown in Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional viewof a modified form of fragmentation bomb,

Fig. 20 is a detail sectional view of the timing device 0! the bomb shown in Fig. 19,

I Fig. 21 is a bottom view of the timing device,

Fig. 22 is an exploded view in perspective sec tion of the parts composing the timing device, and Fig. 23 is a sectional view of the timing cup,

illustrating the method oi'iillin'g the same.

The bomb shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is an. incendiary, or smoke, or gas-producing bomb. In this illustrative. embodiment the casing 8 is of a truncated spherical shape. The tiring mechanism is carried by a support in the form of a spider plate I placed across the mouth of the casing andattached to flange I! in any suitable way, as by

lugs

8, or 80. .5. barrel 4. fixed to plate I, extends downward into the casing and contains a firing s pin 5 having a pointed head which guides it in the barrel 4 and behind which is an actuating spring 45 6 abutting at its upper endagainst the bottom of plate i. The lower end of barrel 4 is threaded to receive an internailyttmeaded cup 3 (Fig. 3), or in (Fig. 2) contaiainga percussion cap 2 (Fig. 3) in a central recess formed bya flange-- 2.1: in the firing hole I 'or a percussion capia v(Fig. 2) in a central recess formed by a bent piece of metal 211 resting in the firing hole I a.

0n the top side of plate I are bearings 14 carrying latch devices in the form of layers It piv- 55 fluence of spring 6. The latches are held in this position by a cover III which, when it rests upon the plate 1, completes the spherical shape of the bomb. The top of the firing pin extends through a hole in cover I8 and is provided with an aperture I8 to receive a combined safety clamp and handle II.

The casing 9 is partially filled with a charge I1 of a desired composition for producing the intend- 'ed effect and is covered in known manner with a stable surface layer I6. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the filling composition is shaped with a central depression to receive the firing mechanism.

The bomb is assembled in the following manner:

' The plate 1 and barrel 4 being fixed together,

' spring 6 is slipped into the open end of the barrel and, while the latches are held in the dotted line position I 3 (Fig. 3) firing pin 5 is'slipped through the inside of spring 6 and pushed against the spring as the latches are adjusted into position in the neck of the firing pin. Thereupon, by pressing down cover I8 against the ends of latches I2, the outer endsof the latches are pushed down while the inner ends draw the firing pin upward through the hole in the cover. When the aperture I8 is exposed, clamp II is snapped into place. The firing mechanism is now locked in cocked position. Next 'a percussion cap or primer 2 is fitted in the recess of the cup 3 and the cup is screwed onto the end of barrel 4. The composition I1 is packed into the casing, shaped up as shown, and covered with a coating I6. The firing mechanism is now applied to the casing by slipping lugs 8, or 8a, through slots (not shown) in flange I9 and turning the plate 1 to a full portion of the flange, in which positions the lugs 8, or 8:1, may be separated from the slots in rim I9 by raised points (not shown) on the rim.

When the bomb is tobe thrown, it is held in the palm of the hand while the cover In is held down by two fingers, then clamp I I is removed and the bomb is thrown. At the instant it leaves the hand, the cover is thrown off as latches I2 snap tothe dotted line position I3 under the influence of spring 8. The head of the firing pin 5 strikes percussion cap 2,- which discharges through firinghole I and ignites the charge of the bomb. The firing of the charge of the bomb is preferably timed to occur during the flight of the bomb through the air, so that there is no time for the bomb to be picked up and thrown back. The gas, smoke, or flame pours out through the openings in plate 1, thus the casing is not ruptured, nor can it get into a position in which the openings I would be closed, because the latches prevent it.

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentation bomb. A casing 89, which in this case also is shown in the preferred spherical shape, is preferably composed of cast metal deeply grooved on the inside, as shown at 2I, to facilitate fragmentation. The spherical casing is cut oil on ,a plane surface 88, at the center. of which an aperture opens into the interior of the casing. The sides of the aperture 48 are threaded to receive an externally threaded circular plate 81, which forms a support for the firing mechanism. A barrel 84 is screwed to the bottom of plate 81 and holds a firing pin and an, actuating spring 88. The firing pin extends through a central aperture in plate 81 into the space between a cover IIIIJ and the plate 81.

Bearings H4, which may be secured to plate 81 by screws or rivets IIB, carry latches II2 pivoted at I I5. These latches are arranged radially with respect to the firing pin, but their inner ends are curved around the narrowed neck of the firing pin to engage the same laterally. The firing pin extends through a hole in cover I88 and is provided with an aperture II8 to receive a locking element or clamp in the-form of a looped wire I I I.

A cup 83 is screwed onto the bottom of barrel 84 to hold in place a timing pipe II9 containing 'a timing pellet, wafer, or rod 20, preferably composed of an explosive compressed by a pressure dependent upon'the time interval desired between the firing of the primer and the explosion of the charge. At the upper end of timing pipe H9 is a percussion cap or primer 82. The timing pipe and percussion cap may be flanged at their upper ends to be clamped between a fiber washer 22 at the base of the barrel 84 and a flange surrounding the aperture in cup 83. The timing pipe may also be cast or machined in one piece with cup 83.

7 At the bottom of timing pellet 28 is a tinfoil disk 24 sealing the firing hole 8 I. 1

The assembly of this form of the bomb is substantially the same as the one first described, with such modification as is required by the different form of the primer and timing pellet. The casing may be filled with'the explosive charge through an aperture at the bottom which will be sealed by a plug 23 in known manner. The packing of the explosive into the casing will take placeas the last step after the firing mechanism has been fixed in place.

In operation the bomb is held in the palm'of the hand, the cover is held down by two fingers, the locking wire III is pulled out, and the bomb is thrown. The cover flies off as the latches H2 move to dotted line position H3 under the influence of the actuating spring of the firing pin. The firing of the charge occurs at a definite interval after the percussion cap 82 is struck, this interval being determined by the length and degree of compression of the timing pellet 28.

Figs. 7 to 10 show a somewhat better form of tear gas bomb than the one represented in Figs. 1-4, though the two are the same in their principal features. A casing I30 of truncated spherical shape has at "the edges of its open top a threaded flange I3I. Into this flange is screwed a slab l32 perforated at I33 for the escape of gases from the charge. From the lower face of slab I32 depends a barrel I34 containing a firing pin I35. The bottom of the barrel is threaded toreceive a cup I36 (Fig. 16) holding between radial ribs I39 a percussion cap I31. The pointed head of the firing pin is urged toward the percussion cap I31 by a spring I38. On the top of slab I32 are two diametrically opposed bifurcated bearings I40 pivo-tally supporting latches I4I which engage at their inner ends in a slot I42 in the firing pin I35. Fitting over the latchesl4l and engaging their upper edges is a cover I45, which rests at its lower edge against the edge of the casing I30 and which completes the spherical shape of the bomb. At the center of the cover is a hole I46 to let through the-end of firing pin I35. Just clear of the cover in the exposed end'of firing pin I35 is a hole I41 to receive a locking pin I48. Beyond this hole the firing pin is threaded to receive a wing nut I 49. 8 With the locking pin I48 in place the cover I45 holds latches MI in retracting position. It the locking pin I48 should accidentally be pulled out prematurely, as occasionally happens, the wing nut I49 stands as a second safety device to stop the cover before it has released the latches. The kind of packing illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is not entirely satisfactory in all cases, because it tends to loosen up in time, due to changing atmospheric conditions, jarring, etc.; so that it may happen that at least a part of the charge will be free to tumble around in the casing. To avoid this, I prefer to pack the casing in the following manner;

First, a tube I50 of inflammable composition such-as celluloid, is plugged at one end with a ball of primer I54, such as black powder and a binder. This tube is then placed in the casing and accurately centered therein by a plug device (not shown) which fits into the tube I50 and is provided at the top with braces to engage the sides of casing I30. The braces are arranged so as to leave openings through which the filling material I5I can be poured and tamped into the space between the casing I and tube I50. During this operation the plug device prevents the filling composition from falling into the tube I50.

' The filling composition is packed up to the level I52, whereupon a plastic inflammable coating I53 is pouredover the top of the charge. This coating is of such a nature as to become sealed tightly to the top of tube I50 and the wall of casing I30.

-When the coating I53 has hardened, the firing mechanism is mounted on the casing, the barrel slipping into tube I50, and screwed into place until plate I32 comes firmly against the coating layer I53. The casing is now packed solidly, except for a central well reserved for the firing mechanism, with a filling, composition which presses tightly against the cylindrical tube I50, thus binding tube'and filler firmly in place. The

slab I32 pressing against the coating layer I53 forms a solid wall to hold the charge in place. The coating I53, the tube I50, and the priming ball I54 form a complete seal over the active charge, preventingaccess of moisture or other detrimental elements. The barrel I34 and cup I36 fit into the tube I50 with sufiicient clearance to permit a rapid progress of the burning of the tube and escape ot gases toward the top of the barrel. 'Channels I55 in the bottom of slab I32 provide paths of escape for the gases to the holes The slab I32 has to be screwed into the casing I30 after the firing pin has been retracted and the cover locked on. In order to avoid straining the firing pin and cover, as would ,be necessary if these were used to effect the screwing in of the slab, I provide means for engaging the slab with a wrench. The cover I46 is perforated by slots I56 which are alined above pairs of lugs I51 on the top of the slab. The proper alinement of the slots and lugs may be secured by making the upper end of the firing pin with fiat sides and shaping the hole- I46 in the cover accordingly. Fig. 11 shows a wrench having two arms I58 adapted to pass through slots I56 and engage between the lugs I51.

Where a considerable time interval is to elapse between the striking of the firing pin and the ignition or detonation of the active charge, I prefer to construct the firing mechanism in the manner shown in Figs. 12-17. .A barrel I60 depending from. the slab I59 as in the other figures is threaded at its lower end to receive a cup I 6| In the bore of this cup a seat is I63 terminating in edges I630. equidistant from the axis of the cup. The bore at the lower end 01' the cup contains a compressed pellet I64 of an .device, such as a rifle projector. illustrate a bomb provided with such an adJustexplosive composition, and may also contain a looser priming composition I65. The pellet I64 is compressed directly into the bore of the cup by setting the cup on a plug which fills its firing hole I66 to the level of the inner surface of fiangeJ 61, pouring in a definite quantity of the composition which is to form the pellet, and pressing this composition into the botom of the bore by means of a plunger of the same diameter as the bore. The degree of compression and amount of the composition I64 determine the length of time which will be required for the pellet I64 to burn through. To assist the ignition of the pellet I64, particularly when it is highly compressed, the looser primer I65 may be used. By this procedure and construction the pellet I64 is so tightly compressed against the inner walls of the cup that there is no possibility of flashing through around the edges of the'pellet. In order to provide a way'of escape for the gases resulting from the burning of the cap I62 and the primer I65 and pellet I64, the firing pin and barrel are formed in such a way as to permit the escape of the gases up through the barrel. Fig. 12 shows one way in which this can be done. At its lower end the firing pin has a collar I68 with three or more knobs I69 arranged symmetrically around its periphery. These knobs guide the head of the firing pin along the inner wall of the barrel while holding the collar spaced from the barrel. Thus the gases from the explosives burning in the bore of cup I6I escape between ribs I63 to the top of the cup and thence through the barrel past collar I68 up to the hole I10 in the slab I59 through which the firing pin extends. In this way the timing pellet is relieved of pressure which might blow it through the hole I66 or interfere with its normal burning speed.

Alternative constructions of the firing pin and barrel for providing means of escape for. the gases are illustrated in Figs. 13-15. In Fig. 13 the collar I10 is provided with slots I1I opening through its edges. In Fig. 14 the collar I12 is perforated by holes I13. In Fig. 15 the collar I14 is solid, but the inner wall of the barrel I15 is provided with ribs I16 to guide the collar.

The time of delay between the throwing of the bomb and its discharge will depend upon how far the bomb is to be thrown. Therefore, it is desirable to have this period adjustable. This is particularly so in the ease of bombs which may be thrown either by hand or by a projecting Figs. 19-23 ment.

Figure 19 shows the bomb in vertical section,

and it will be seen that for the most part, it is very similar to the bomb shown in Fig. 6. A deeply grooved casing 200 is provided at the top with a threaded aperture 20I to receive a plate 202 bearing the firing mechanism. From the bottom of this plate depends a barrel 203 containing a firing pin 204 urged downward by a spring 205. The head of the firing pin is provided with knobs 206 to maintain a space through which gases .can escape upward through the barrel. The cover 201 and latch devices 208 are constructed and operate in the same way as in the forms of the invention previously described.

Onto the lower end of the barrel 203 is screwed a timing cup 209 of somewhat different form from the ones previously described. As shown particularly in Figs. 20 and 22, this timing cup has a central bore 210 closed at the bottom by an end wall 211, but provided along its sides with

holes

212 and 213. The bore 210 is packed to a certain level above the holes 212 with a compressed slow-burning composition 21 1. This packing may be performed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 23. The timing cup 209 is set int a die 2-20 to cover the

holes

212 and 213. Thereupon, there is filled into the bore 210 the proper amount of a composition which is to form the ignition device or.timing rod 214, and a plunger 221 is forced into the bore 210, compressing the composition to a degree which will give the required burning speed; the harder the compression, the slower the burning speed. The composition'214 is thereby pressed into the bottom of the timing cup and out into the

holes

212, 213 as far as permitted by the die 2'20. 7 W

Returning to Fig. 20, above the composition 2 14' is a percussion cap 2 15 mounted in seat formed by radial flanges 216. Between the percussion cap and the hard composition 214, there may be a more loosely packed composition 211 to facilitate the ignition by the percussion cap. The timin'g rod 214 after being ignited at the top burns progressively at a definite speed. The

holes

212 and 213 provide alternative ports through which the flame may spurt to ignite the active charge of the bomb. The alternative opening of these ports may be controlled in any desired way. I have shownone satisfactory arrangement for this purpose in the drawing. Fitting firmly, but rotatably over the lower end 225 of the timing cup 209, is a sleeve 226 having holes 221 to register with holes 212, and holes 228 to register with holes 213. There are two ofeach of these holes, the'pairs of

holes

212 and 213 being arranged in the same plane, while the pairs of holes 221 and 228 are in. planes at right angles to each other. Thus, when the sleeve 226 is turned through 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 20, the holes 228 will be brought into register with holes 213, and the holes 212 will be closed by the sleeve. In order to seal off the sleeve from the active charge of the bomb, to avoid the danger of ignition of the charge by friction in adjusting the sleeve, I provide a shield 230 having threads 218 to screw onto threads 219 on a shoulder 231 of the timing cup 209. The shield fits closely over the sleeve 226 and has

holes

232 and 233 registering with the

holes

212 and 213 of the timing cup. The

holes

232 and 233 can be closed before the active charge is packed into the bomb by destructible plates 23 1, in order to exclude the active charge from the sleeve 226. The lower end of shield 230 is externally .1 threaded at 235 to screw into corresponding threads in an aperture 222 at the bottom of the casing 200. The lower end of the shield also has a flange 236 provided with threads 231 to engage corresponding threads 238 on a plug .239 to which the sleeve 226 is integrally joined. The plug 239 bearsa lug 240 by which to turn it.

Figure 20 shows the parts in the short-interval position in which the flame from the composition 214 is to spurt through the

holes

212, 221, and 232. Since the plug 239 is connected'to the shield 230 by screw threads, when the plug is turned it will also rise. Therefore, the parts are designed to provide a space 241 between the plug 239 and the bottom wall 211 of the timing cup,

, equal to one quarter pitch of the screw threads 231. A similar space is provided at 242 between the upper edge of sleeve 226 and the shoulder 231 of the timing cup. Also, holes 220 ment of these holes may also be indicated by a pointer 244 on plug 239 and

graduations

245, 246 on the shield 230. These graduations may be marked according to the periods of delay, for instance, 5 and 10 seconds. 10

Inassembling the bomb, the timing cup 209 is mounted on barrel 203 and these parts are inserted in the casing and plate 202 screwed home. The sleeve 226 is then fitted into shield 230 and the plug 239 screwed into place. Thereupon, the 15 shield and sleeve are fitted over the lower end 225 of the timing cup 209 and the shield is simultaneously screwed onto the

threads

222 and 219. In order to avoid the necessity for accurate alignment ofthe barrel 203.with the opening 222 at 20 the bottom of the casing, the screw threads 235 may be made with considerable tolerance, the threads 2111, on the other hand, being preferably close fitting. The active charge can be packed into the casing through an opening 250 filled by 20 a plug 251 after the casing is packed. The bomb will normally be stored with the sleeve 226 in the short-interval position, which is the hand-throwing position; then if the bomb is to be projected by rifle, the sleeve 226 is adjusted to the long 3 interval.

When the timing device is set for the long interval, there is no danger of fire spurting through the upper holes 212 and along sleeve 226 to the lower holes v 228, which would cause a premature 35 explosion. The sleeve is fitted tightly on the timing cup and, furthermore, there is no high pressure tending to force the flame through this indirect path due to the venting of the combustion products from the percussion cap and timing composition up through the barrel of the firing mechanism.

The holes 233 are preferably given an upward flare at the top edge to direct the fire well up toward the active charge. 4

I have shown a rotary adjusting device, but the adjustment may be accomplished in any other desired way, for example, by longitudinal movement. Also, the threaded connection between plug 239 and shield 230 may be replaced by a 5 packed joint, in which case there will. be no provision for longitudinal movement of the sleeve.

I have shown a timing adjustment providing for i only two different intervals, and this will ordinarily be sufllcient. However, the invention is 55 not limited with respect to the number of different time intervals for which the adjustment may be provided.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a bomb, a shell, an inflammable cylinder of smaller diameter within said shell, a priming ball sealing one end of said cylinder, an active charge packed into the space between said cy'linder and'the inner walls of said casing, and means in said cylinder for igniting said priming 65 ball.

2 In a bomb, a casing having an opening therein, a plate extending across said opening, said plate and easing being provided with means for joining them together, an inflammable cylinder of smaller diameter than said casing extending from said plate toward the opposite wall of said casing, a priming ball sealing the end of said cylinder remote from said plate, means in said 7 cylinder for igniting said priming ball, an active charge filling the space between said cylinder and said casing to within a short distance of said plate, an inflammable coating filling the space 5 between said active charge and said plate, said coating being sealed to said cylinder and said casing, whereby said active charge is completely sealed within an enclosure formed by said casing, said inflammable coating and cylinder, and said ,0 priming ball.

3. In a bomb, a casing having a circular opening therein defined by a threaded flange, a circular plate of the size of said opening and threaded at its edges to fit the threads of said flange, an

,5 inflammable cylinder of smaller diameter than said casing extending from said plate toward the opposite wall of said casing, a priming ball at the end of said cylinder remote from said plate, means in said cylinder for igniting said priming 20 ball, and an active charge filling the space between said cylinder and said casing and compressed, by said plate.

4. A bomb as described in claim 3, wherein an inflammable coating is inserted between said ac- !5 tive charge and plate, said inflammable coating being sealed to said casing and to said cylinder.

5. In a bomb, a casing having a circular opening therein defined by a threaded flange, an inflammable tube dividing the space within said 30 casing into an active charge receiving space and 'afiring mechanism receiving space, a circular plate of the size of said opening threaded at its edges to fit the threads of said flange, and a firing mechanism depending from said plate and adapt- 35 ed to slide into said tube as said plate is screwed into said opening against the active charge.

6. In a bomb, a casing having a circular opening therein defined by a threaded flange, a circular plate of the size of said opening threaded at 40 its edges to fit the threads of said flange, a firing mechanism mounted on said plate comprising a firing pin, actuating means therefor, and restraining means therefor; a cover fitting over said plate, said cover and plate substantially enclos- 45 ing a space containing said restraining means, said restraining means being held in operative position by said cover, means on said plate to receive a wrench. said cover having holes therein through which to insert the wrench.

50 7. In a bomb, a shell having a circular screwthreaded mouth, a slab having screw-threaded edges to fit said mouth, a barrel extending downward from said slab into said shell, a spring influenced firing pin in said barrel projecting be,

55 yond the upper face of said slab, retracting means for said firing pin mounted on the upper face of said slab, a cap shaped to cover said retracting means and to hold the same in retracting position, said cover having an aperture through which said firing pin projects when retracted, locking 5 means to engage the projecting end of said firing pin and hold the same in retracted position by abutment against said cap, wrench engaging means on said slab accessible from the upper side thereof, said cap having holes through which to insert the wrench.

8. A bomb as described in claim '7, wherein the end of said firing pin projecting through said cover and the sides of said aperture in said cover have mutually conforming non-round shapes whereby the cover can he slipped over the firing pin only in a position in which said holes in said cover are alined with said wrench engaging means.

9. In a bomb, a shell having a circular screwthreaded mouth, a slab having screw-threaded edges to fit said mouth, a barrel extending downward from said slab into said shell, a spring infiuenced firing pin in said barrel projecting beyond the upper face of said slab, retracting means for said firing pin mounted on the upper face of said slab, a cap shaped to cover said retracting means and to hold the same in retracting position, said cover having an aperture through which said firing pin projects when retracted, locking means to engage the projecting end of said firing pin and hold the :same in retracted position by abutment against said cap, said looking means comprising a primary locking device consisting of a locking pin extending through a 85 hole in said firing pin in direct engagement with said cover, and a secondary locking device consisting of a nut screwed onto the end of said firing pin above said locking pin.

10. In a bomb, a casing, an active charge therein, firing means comprising a tube containing a slow burning composition, means for igniting said composition at one end, said tube having apertures spaced longitudinally along the same,

a sleeve fitting over said tube and having holes adapted to be selectively brought into register with the holes of said tube for admitting fire from said composition to said active charge, and

a shield mounted over said sleeve to exclude the active charge therefrom during adjustment, said shield having apertures registering with the apertures of said tube, the apertures of said sleeve being covered with destructible plates.

TITUS D! BOBULA.