US2112174A - Bomb - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1938. J B, McGAY ET AL 2,112,174

BOMB

Filed Oct. 26, 1955 mm: mm

INVENTOEZS John B. 9 ga l v Cjeor ge f./\//'(: 0150/? BY My 49 FIG. 5 ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 22, 1938 PATENT OFFICE BOMB , John B-MOGSY and George E. Nicholson, Tulsa,

kla., assignors, by mesne assignments, to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, a corporation of Delaware Application October 26, 1935, Serial No. 46,874 23 Claims. (Cl. 102-41 This invention relates to bombs for use in shooting oil wells, and more particularly to bombs provided with timing mechanism for controlling the explosion of the charge.

One object of the invention is to provide a bomb embodying igniting means fired by a firing pin, a hammer for strikingthe pin, which hammer is held cocked when the bomb is set, and

driven means for controlling and releasing the hammer, such means being adjustable to control the elapsed time between the setting of the releasing means and the release of the hammer. A further object is to provide a bomb wherein the releasing means is carriedupon a rod driven lengthwise by clockwork and releases the hammer in its travel, the initial position of the rod being adjustable for control of the time of release.

A further object is to provide a bomb wherein the releasing means also serves as a carrier for the firing pin. Another object is to provide a bomb wherein a plurality of firing pins are simultaneously struck by the hammer and a corresponding plurality of detonating charges simultaneously ignited. Another object is to provide a bomb wherein, should the hammer be accidentally released, the travel of the member carrying the firing pin is stopped and accidental firing of the bomb prevented. Other objects will appear hereinafter. I

These objects may be accomplished by the bomb illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and without limiting the invention thereto, it is described with more particular reference thereto.

Inthe drawing:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal diametrical crosssectional view of the bomb (thus giving a rear view of the timing and firing mechanism shown in face view in Figure 2), -a portion of the lower 1 portion of the case being omitted; Figure 2 is an elevation, partially in section looking in the direction of the arrow a in Figures and 7, of the timing and firing mechanism; Figure 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view throughthe combined carrier and controller slide showing the firing pins and the mounting therefor; .Fig-

- ure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the slide taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing the pin-holding spring; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an elevational fragmentary section through the two slides with the firing pins omitted; Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure2; Figure 8 is a view taken substantially at the line 8 -8 of Figure 9 and showing the bottom plate of the frame, the side bars being omitted; and Figure 9 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. It is to be understood that various figures are 5 to difierent scales. The bomb may comprise two complete sets of timing and firing mechanisms arranged back to back, as is indicated in Figures 5 to 8, the two sets being arranged to operate each on its own igniting devices and all the igniting devices being grouped together at the firing ends of the sets. Since, however, a description of one set will sufiice for both, for the most part but one set'is described in detail.

Referring to the illustrated bomb, in general the bombcomprises the case I within which are received the firing and timing mechanism 2, the igniting means 3, the detonating means 4.

and the explosive charge 5. The explosion of the charge 5, that is, the explosion of the bomb,

explodes the main charge for shooting the well and which is placed in the well along with the bomb.

The timing and firing mechanism comprises the spring-driven hammer 6, the pivoted leverlike latches or triggers l, 1, the crosshead or carrier-controller 8 travelling between the. side bars or guides 9 and carrying the firing pins l0, and on the rod II. The rod II is driven downward (in the drawing) by the clockwork II to carry the crosshead close to the igniter 3, in which position the hammer can strike the pins I II and move them .in the'crosshead to set off the igniter.

The crosshead 8 also serves as a stop to prevent the movement of the latches I to release the hammer, but when the crosshead reaches firing position it passes beyond the lower ends of the latches and releases them, whereupon the ham 40 mer, urged by its spring l3, trips the latches, descends, and strikes the firing pins.

The rod ll carrying the controller 8 may be adjusted up or down independently of the clock mechanism, to thus initiallyplace the controller at any selected distance above the lower ends of the latch levers, and the clock mechanism then drives the rod and controller over the path extending from .the selected position to latch-releasing position. Evidently the length of this path represents the elapsed time between the setting of the mechanism and the release of the hammer and consequent firing. The guides or slideways 9 may be provided with a time scale in hours and fractions thereof, if desired, as indicated at. H.

The time mechanism, here exemplified by the clockwork l2, conveniently key wound, may be of any desired character adapted to the ends sought and, as indicated just above in reference to the time scale, is desirably such as to ensure a controlled rate of travel for the controller 8, the details thereof not forming a primary feature of the present invention. Of particular present significance, the clockwork presents the final driving pinion l5 engaging the circular involute tooth rack It, provided with friction retainer H to prevent the rod from turning under the driving pressure of the pinion on the rack. The rack is provided on the rod ll. With this arrangement the rod can be adjusted up or down as before mentioned, by turning it, as with a screw-driverlike tool engaged in a slot 23 in the lower end of the rod, the rod screwing up or down through the teeth of the pinion. The pinion thereafter drives the rod downward by its engagement with the rack. By changing the ratio between the pinion and .the rack, as by changing to different sized pinions, any desired maximum time limit for the bomb may be provided.

.The hammer 6 is mounted slidably upon the rod II, which passes freely therethrough, and the hammer is actuated by the coil spring [3 held under compression between the hammer and the structural plate It. Desirably the hammer passes through, and when in its set" position rests in, a guide I! fixed to the side bars or guides 9. Also a sleeve 20, here shown as a short extension of the hammer 6, may be used within the spring to brace the same against under cramping or buckling in the event that the spring is of considerably larger diameter than the rod ll. Also, if desired, the sleeve 5| that houses the upper end of the rod II, as hereafter described, may be extended somewhat below the plate l8, to be received within the spring for the support thereof.

The hammer 6 is provided with a shoulder 2| with a peripheral bevel 2| against which the rounded end 22 of the short arm of latch lever I rests. These are of such cooperating contours that the hammer, urged downward by the spring It, tends to, push the upper end of the lever (pivoted at 23) away from the shoulder 2| and release the hammer. (The angle of the bevel 2 I is such that the power required to hold the latch in place is very small.) This action is normally prevented by the crosshead 3 which prevents movement of the lever by contact with the longer arm thereof, until the crossheadpasses beyond the end 24, whereupon the pressure of the hammer can move the short arm of the lever outward and the hammer is released. with this arrangement, as the clock runs down, and the crosshead and firing pins approach the igniters, the leverage ratio of the distances of crosshead to pivot 23] and pivot to end 22 constantly increases, thereby decreasing the pressure of the crosshead against the latch and decreasing the amount of clock power required to drive the crosshead.

The slide 3 comprises the lever-contacting plate 25 and the cam plate 26 connected by the back plate 26. As shown in Figure 3 the end of the rod II is reduced in diameter to provide shoulder 21 and threaded extension 23. A member 23 is screwed fast upon the extension 23 to hold the slide upon the rod. The rod and its member 23 are rotatable in the slide. Between the plate 25 and the shoulder 3| of the member 23 is mounted the dished spring plate or friction retainer 11.

7 project.

The pressure thereof against the shoulder 33 prevents the turning of the rod under the driving pressure of the pinion l5, but permits manual turning of the rod to adjust the travel of the rod and crosshead. The slide 8 is prevented from rotation by the notched ends 25 of the plate 25, and the rear jaws of the notches 32 hereafter referred to, overlapping the edges of the guides 9.

The firing pins H) are mounted in the crosshead for movement therein, both longitudinally and sidewise, the plate 25 being provided with the holes 3|, 3| surrounding the shanks of the pins with some clearance, and the plate 26 having notches 32, 32, in which the pins normally rest. A spring 33 normally holds the pins lightly invertical position.

Each pin is provided with a sharp edged peripheral skirt 34 and with a peripheral downwardly tapering cam 35. This arrangement provides a safety feature. If the hammer 6 is accidently released before the crosshead has descended far enough to bring the pins into proper and intended position (to be described below) the hammer in striking the pins drives them so far through the notches 32 that the tapered projections 35 cam on the edges of the notches 32 and forcibly cant the pins outward, the loose fit in the holes 3|, the'open notches 32 and the light spring 33 permitting this. This causes the edges of the skirts 34 to bite into the sides of the guides 9 and prevent further downward movement of the crosshead, wherefor the pins in are prevented from reaching firing position and firing the bomb.

The bottom plate 36, mounted adjacent the ends of the guides 9, is provided with trueing holes 31 to receive the pins illat the end of the stroke of the crosshead, and properly present the pins in firing position before the igniting means 3, that is, specifically in the arrangement here shown, the caps 38 of the cartridges 39. As will be understood, the parts are so proportioned and arranged that the crosshead reaches a position to properly present the pins before the caps 33 by, or before, the moment when the crosshead frees the lower ends of the levers 1 and releases the hammer. Also, of course, the arrangement is such that the hammer can give the full neces-' sary firing stroke to the pins without driving them so far that the earns 35 come into action and bind the pins against the sides of the holes 31.

In addition to the holes 31 for the firing pins, the plate 36, in devices such as the illustrated one wherein it is intended to turn the rack bar H with a screw-driver-like tool, is provided with a hole 40 in alignment with the end of the member 29. Through this the tool for engagement with the slot 29' may be introduced. (See Figures 5 and 8, the slot 29" which lies above the hole 43 being indicated by phantom lines in Figure 8.) The bottom plate 36 may be assembled with the guides 3 in any desired manner. In the present instance it is slipped tightly over the extensions 4|, ll of the side bars 9, 3. These extensions receive betweenthem the holder, designated generally as 42, for the cartridges 3!.

The holder 42 comprises head 43 detachably received between the ends II and held assembled therewith by the removable pin 44. The head receives the cartridges 39 in holes 45, the heads of the cartridges resting on the upper face of the head. The head is provided with a cylindrical skirt 45 into the interior of which the cartridges As detonating means 4 in the present instance, the cartridges have blasting caps assembled thereon, a cap with fuse removed, being igniter, it having been found that the usual explosive charge of the cartridge is not necessary for present purposes. assembly of timer, cartridges, etc. is placed above as much eirplosive charge, carried in the lower portion of the case, as desired; and if desired the explosive charge may be extended into the skirt l5 and packed around the blasting caps. (It will be evident the removal of the holder 42 gives ready access to the screw driver hole Iii).

With this arrangement, the separable holder 42,the igniter, and other elements immediately associated with the unit 42, may be kept entirely separated from the remaining parts, rnore par, ticularly the hammer and firing pins, until such time as the loading is entirely completed. Thus,

- the hazard of handling is greatly'decreased. The

- tion, one mechanism may be set to operate a short time after the other, and thus even through one holder 42 is then finally assembled with the timer and immediately related parts by introducing the prepared unit 42 between'the ends ll and inserting the crosspin 44. As a further safety feature,

a removable crosspin 41 is provided which when in place forms a positive stop preventing the crosshead descending sumciently to release the levers or to place the firing pins in firing position. 1

As will be evident, when the holder 42 is in position below the plate 36, access to the hole I for the introduction of the tool to adjust the rack bar II is prevented. Thus, afterthe mechanism has been set for the predetermined time, and the carrier has been fastened in place, any changing of the flring time is precluded, unless the holder, carrying the caps and so forthwith it, is first completely removed.

The timing assembly may, if desired, be provided with a handle 48. Also a cover 49, say a sheet of transparent cellulosic plastic, may be provided as a closure for the clockwork. This may be wrapped about the structure formed by the plate l8, top plate 50, side bars 9, 9 and sleeve or sleeves 5| housing the rack bar or rack bars II, and cemented along its edges. (The sleeves 5i have apertures 5| permitting engagement of the rack and pinion).

It is to be noted that with the provision of' two firing pins, operated by the single timing mechanism, and two cartridges and two blasting caps there are provided two complete operating trains from the timer to the charge. Thus the possible failure to function of one train is unlikely to re-' suit in a misfire. Furthermore, as herebefore mentioned, the timing and firing mechanism may be completely duplicated in the bomb, much of this duplication being omitted in the drawing for simplicity, but being indicated in Figures 5 to 8, and the cartridge holder being shown as capable of the mechanisms fails to fire both of the cartridges arranged for it, the possibility that the.

other mechanism will not fire either of its cartridges is so far remote that the possibility of the bomb not firing is practically wholly eliminated.

While in the illustrated bomb,"a pair of latches I is provided, and a pair of pins or devices I!) for biting into the guides, as is preferable for safety,

it will be understood that but one latch and/or but one biting device may be used if desired.

The preferably metal casing of the bomb is, in

In assembling the bomb, the

With this duplicathe illustrated device, of cylindrical form with end closures designated generally as 52 and 53. The top 52 comprises closure proper 54 shouldered at 55 to cooperate with the corresponding shoulder 56 of the body of the casing, a gasket 51 of rubber or the like being inserted between the shoulders.

The closure proper 54 carries a, stud 58 to reserted' in the open end of the case, and anchored in place by the wire 53, turning the nut 59 will force the plates 54 and 5| apart and thus force the plate into tight fit upon the gasket 51. Conveniently the threads within the nut, and the flange 52, are provided by an interior threaded member 65 provided with the flange and (after the plate 6| has been mounted thereon) drivefitted-and-pinned into the center hole of the nut. For the bottom closure 53, the nut may be omitted and the edge of the casing spun tightly down upon the edge of the pressure plate 5i, to hold the closure 54' against the gasket 51, the wire split ring beingomitted.

The casing is desirably I of aluminum alloy.- This alloy is preferably of substantially the composition aluminum 97.9, magnesium 0.9, silicon 1.2, per cent.

The various mechanical parts of the bomb are desirably of any suitable metal or metals. Care ceive theg ut 59 rotated by the handle or bail 60.

should be taken of course to so mate the metals of the pins Ill and the guides 8 that the pins can properly bite into the guides. -Should it be desired not to embody the stop feature provided by the illustrated pins ill the cams 35 may be omitted, and the skirts, if desired, given the form of simple'fianges to prevent theloss of the pins through the apertures 3i and 32. Furthermore, but a single firing pin and igniting device may be used if it is not desired to embody the present double firing train features.

The operation of the bomb will be evident from the above description. In brief, with the crosshead in lowered position the hammer is pulled back, the latches placed in looking position and the crosshead moved up to hold the lower end of the levers spread, the rod and crosshead bein screwed upward to the desired time position. If the bomb embodies two timers, hammers, etc.) (the clockwork for a second timer being indicated at I2 in Figure 2) the other timer is also set and the pin 41 (arranged to intersect the paths of both crossheads when two are used) inserted. The

prepared carrier 43 is now attached. When the and the main charge for blowing the well, may be if desired, say dynamite packed about the blasting caps for the charge of the bomb and nitroglycerin for the main charge.

While the bomb has, for definiteness, been more particularly described in connection with its use for the shooting of oil wells, it will be understood that bombs of the present invention are of use in various other connections, and

therefore such bombs are not confined in their uses to the shooting of oil wells.

It is apparentthat many widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

We claim: g

1. In a bomb, in combination, a releasable element adapted to operate an igniting device, means for actuating said element, releasable means for holding said element cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said element but being normally held in cocked position by the hereafter named travelling controller and released thereby upon the controller reaching releasing position on its stroke, a travelling controller, time mechanism for driving said controller from initial position to releasing position, and means in driving relation to said controller and in driven connection with said time mechanism and adjustable in respect to said time mechanism, whereby the controller may be adjusted to different selected initial positions to change the length of its stroke from initial position to releasing position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller while in position to hold said releasable means in cocked position.

2. In a bomb, in. combination, releasable igniter-operating means, means for actuating said igniter-operating means, releasable locking means for holding said igniter-operating means cocked, a travelling carrier-controller normally holding said locking means in cocked position, and releasing said locking means upon the carrier-controller reaching releasing position in its stroke, said carrier-controller being mounted for travel backward and forward before the hereafter named igniter, an igniter, a device operatively relating said igniter-operating means and said igniter for operation of said igniter by said igniter-operating means and carried by said carrier-controller, for presentation in operating relation to said igniter upon the forward stroke of said carrier-controller, time mechanism for driving said carrier-controller forwardly toward said igniter and into position to release said locking means, and to present said device in igniter-operating position with respect to said igniter, and means whereby said carrier-controller may be adjusted backward from the igniter to selected position, thus to change the length of the timed travel of the carrier-controller, and hence the firing time,

3. In a bomb, in combination, an igniter firable by a firing pin, a firing pin carrier located before said igniter and movable toward and from the same, a firing pin carried by said carrier, a hammer for striking said pin, means for actuating said hammer, releasable means for holding said hammer cocked and held in cocked position by said pin carrier during its travel toward said igniter and released by said carrier adjacent the end of the stroke thereof, said carrier being adjustable away from said igniter to initial stroke position, and time mechanism for driving said carrier from said position to hammer-releasing position.

4. In a bomb, in combination, a hammer, means for actuating said hammer, a latch for holding the hammer cocked, a travelling carriercontroller normally holding said latch in cocked position "and releasing said latch upon the carrier-controller reaching releasing position in its stroke, said carrier-controller being mounted for travel backward'and forward before the hereafter named igniter, an igniter, a firing pin for said igniter carried on said carrier-controller for presentation before said igniter upon the forward stroke of said carrier-controller, time mechanism for driving said carrier-controller forwardly toward said igniter and into latch-releasing position, the parts being so related that such releasing position and the position of presentation of the firing pin in igniter-operating relation to said igniter are substantially coincident, and means whereby said carrier-controller may be adjusted backward from the igniter to selected position to change the length of the time travel ofthe carrier-controller from initial position to latch-releasing and firing-pin-presentation position.

5. In a bomb, in combination, an igniter firable by a firing pin, a firing pin movably mounted independently of the hereafter named hammer for movement toward and from said igniter, a hammer for striking said pin, means for actuating said hammer, releasable means for holding said hammer cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said hammer but being normally held in cocked position by the hereafter named travelling controller and released thereby adjacent the end of the stroke thereof, a travelling controller, said controller being adjustable to initial stroke position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller while in position to hold said releasable means in cocked position, there being connections between said pin and said time mechanism whereby the position of said pin with respect to said igniter is determined by said time mechanism independently of said hammer, and time mechanism for driving said controller from said position to hammer-releasing position. I

6. In a bomb, in combination, an igniter firable by a firing pin, a firing pin movably mounted independently of the hereafter named hammer for movement toward and from said igniter, a hammer for striking said pin, means for actuating said hammer, releasable means for holding said hammer cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said hammer but being normally held in cocked position by the hereafter named travelling controller and released thereby adjacent the end of the stroke thereof, a travelling controller, said controller being adjustable to initial stroke position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller while in position to hold said releasable means in cocked position, there being connections between said pin and said controller whereby the position of said pin with respect to said igniter is determined by said controller independently of said hammer, and time mechanism for driving said controller from said position to hammer-releasing position.

7. In a bomb, in combination, an igniting device, a releasable element for operating the same, means for actuating said element, releasable means for holding said releasable element cocked, a travelling device for holding said means in cocked position, a member for cooperatively relating said element and said igniting device for operation of said igniting device by said element,

said travelling device holding said releasing means in cocked position during its travel and ultimately releasing such means, said travelling device presenting said cooperative member in cooperative relation with said igniting device when such ultimate releasing position is reached, and said travelling device being located to itself serve as a stop for said releasable element upon 00- casion, and means whereby travel of said device is stopped should said releasable element be prematurely released, thusto stop said releasable element, prior to said device presenting said cooperative member in cooperative relation to said igniter.

8. In a bomb, in combination, a releasable element adapted to operate arr: igniting device, means for actuating said element, releasable means for holding said element cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said element but bein normally held in cocked position by the hereafter named travelling controller and released thereby upon the controller reachingreleasing position on its stroke, a travelling controller time mechanism for driving said controller from initial position to releasing position, and means whereby the controller may be adjusted to difierent selected initial positions to change the length of its stroke from initial position to releasing position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller while in position to hold said releasable means in cocked position, such means comprising a rack in driving relation to said controller and in driven connection with a pinion of said time mechanism, said rack being shiftable past said pinion to select its initial position with respect thereto.

9. In a bomb, in combination,a releasable element adapted to operate an igniting device, means for actuating said element, releasable means for Holding said element cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said element but being normally held in cocked position by the hereafter named I travelling controller and released thereby upon the controller reaching releasing position on its stroke, a travelling controllertime mechanism for driving said controller from initial position to releasing position, and means whereby the controller may be adjusted to different selected initial positions to change the length of its stroke from initial position to releasing position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller while in position to hold said releasable means in cocked position, such means comprising a rack in' driving relation to said controller and in driven connection with a pinion of said time mechanism, said rack having circular involute teeth in mesh with said pinion whereby said rack may be turned through the teeth of the pinion to select the racks initial position with respect to said pinion.

10. In a bomb, in combination, a releasable element adapted to operate an igniting device, means for actuating said element, releasable means for holding said element cocked, such releasable means being movable into releasing position under the urge of said element but being normally held. in cocked position by the hereafter named travelling controller and released thereby upon the controller-reaching releasing position on its stroke, a travelling controller time mechanism for driving said controller from initial position to releasing position, and means whereby the controller may be adjusted to different selected initial positions to change the length of its stroke from initial position to releasing position, whereby the firing time of the bomb is controlled by the predetermined and adjustable length of the path of travel of the controller ,through the teeth of the pinion to select the racks initial position with respect to said pinion,-

and retaining means to prevent the rotation of said rack and turning under the driving pressure of the pinion.

11. In a bomb, in combination, an igniting device, releasable means for operating the same, means for actuating said operating means, a slideway, a controller slide mounted to travel therealong, a firing pin carried by said controller slide for cooperation between said releasable means and said igniting device, a trigger member mounted adjacent said slideway and extending therealong for engagement with said controller slide and normally serving to hold said releasable means cocked when in engagement with said controller slide, said controller slide being movable, in its travel forward towards said igniting device to'a position out of engagement driving said controller slide along said slideway to its out-oi-engagement position with respect to said trigger member, thereby to release said means for operating the igniter.

12. In a bomb, in combination, an igniting device, means for operating the same and including a driven hammer and means for actuating said hammer, a slideway, a controller slide mounted to travel therealong, a firing pin carried by said controller slide for cooperation between said hammer and said igniting device, a trigger lever mounted adjacent said slideway and having one arm in restraining relation to said hammer and the other arm'extending along said slideway for engagement with said con'troller slide and normally serving to hold said hammer cocked, when in engagement with said controller slide, said controller slide being movable, in its travel forward towards said igniting device to a position out of engagement with said lever to release the same, and said controller slide being adjustable to initial stroke position, and time mechanism for driving said controller slide along said slideway to its out-of-engagement position with respect to said lever member thereby to release saidhammer for operating the igniter.

13. A bomb as set forth in claim 12.wherein the arms of the lever are of unequal length and the short arm is in restraining relation to the hammer.

14. A bomb as set forth in claim 12 wherein the arms of the lever are of unequal length and the short arm is in restraining relation to the hammer and the hammer and such arm are in contact and so related that the power required Ill) in which said carrier is mounted for travel therealong, a hammer for longitudinally moving said pin on said carrier to operate said igniter, said carrier being so located with respect to said hammer as to serve as a stop for said hammer upon occasion, means for actuating said hammer, and means whereby upon movement of said pin in said carrier greater than that required for operation of said igniter, said carrier is locked in said guideway and prevents travel of said hammer.

16. In a bomb, in combination, an igniter operable by a firing pin, a firing pin carrier, a firing pin mounted on said carrier for longitudinal travel thereon, a guideway for said carrier, and in which said carrier is mounted for travel therealong, a hammer for longitudinally moving said pin on said carrier to operate said igniter, said carrier being so located with respect to said hammer as to serve as a stop for said hammer upon occasion, means for actuating said hammer, said pin and carrier being cooperatively related to provide for axial travel of said pin suflicient to actuate said igniter, and for canted travel upon passing the limit of axial travel, said pin having means for forcibly engaging said guideway in the 18. In a bomb, in combination, an igniting device, adjustable means for the timed operation of said device and including a rack bar rotatable to adjust said means for the selected timing of the bomb, and means for supporting said device and including a plate arranged crosswise of the end of said rack bar when said adjustable means and said device-supporting means are assembled, thus to prevent access to the end of said rack bar by a tool for the rotation of said rack bar.

19. In a bomb, in combination, a casing interiorly shouldered and provided above said shoulder and, spaced therefrom, with an interior circumferential retaining groove, an explosive charge received in said casing, a timed firing mechanism received in said casing, and a removable closure for said casing, said closure comprising a closure proper received upon said shoulder, a pressure plate arranged below said retaining groove, means to force said closure proper g and said plate apart thus to force said closure said end, with the land of said shoulder facing said end and the interior surface of said casing above said shoulder of a character permitting crowding of the hereinafter named closure element toward the hereinafter named gasket by external fluid pressure upon such element, an explosive charge received in said casing, a timed firing mechanism received in said casing, a closure element received upon said shoulder and thus located for exposure to exterior pressure, such closure element and the hereafter named gasket being peripherally encompassed by said casing above said shoulder, a gasket received upon said shoulder between the same and said element, and means exterior of said closure element and thus accessible from the exterior of said casing, cooperable with said closure element for crowding said closure element toward said gasket and shoulder.

21. A bomb casing interiorly shouldered and provided above said shoulder and spaced therefrom with an interior circumferential retaining groove, and a removable closure for said casing, said closure comprising a closure proper received upon said shoulder, a pressure plate arranged below said retaining groove, means to force said closure proper and said plate apart thus to force said closure toward said shoulder, and a retaining ring received in said groove and backing said pressure plate.

22. A bomb casing having an open end and interiorly shouldered adjacent said end, with the land of said shoulder facing said end and the interior surface of said casing above said shoulder of a character permitting crowding of the hereinafter named closure element toward the hereinafter named gasket by external fluid pressure upon such element, a closure element received upon said shoulder and thus located forexposure to exterior pressure, such closure element and the hereafter named gasket being peripherally encompassed by said casing above said shoulder, a gasket received upon said shoulder betweenv the same and said element, and means exterior of said closure element and thus accessible from the exterior of said casing, cooperable with said closure element for crowding said closure element toward said gasket and shoulder.

23. A bomb casing having an open end and interiorly shouldered adjacent said end, of a closure seated upon said shoulder and exposed to external fluid pressure, means for securing the closure in place during normal handling of the bomb, comprising means engaging the casing between the shoulder and the open end, a plate between the closure and the securing means, and a handle secured thereto for suspending the bomb.

JOHN B. McGAY. GEORGE E. NICHOLSON.

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