US2133541A - Bomb or hand grenade - Google Patents

Description

Oct.- 18, 1938. R. -ANI-:GEK

BOMB OR HAND GRENADE Filed June 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Oct. 18, 1938. R. JANEcz-:K

BOMB OR HAND GRENADE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1937 INVENTOR 'oRN Ew? Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITE ST'EES Application June 23, 1937, Serial No. 149,981 In Czechoslovakia June 30, 1936 15 Claims.

This invention relates to a bomb or hand grenade which explodes on impact. An object of the invention is to provide an improved grenade of this type which is absolutely reliable in operation and can be repeatedly locked in the safety position. This locking is possible even after a double lock has been released, that is to say after the grenade has been mechanically unlocked and after the ring pin has been set by swinging the grenade in the hand Without however throwing it at the last moment.

A hand grenade in accordance with the invention is illustrated diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in

112 which:-

Fig. 1 is vertical axial section through the grenade the parts being shown in their normal locked position.

Figs. 2 to 5 are cross-sections respectively along the lines II-II to V-V of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the auxiliary safety device of the grenade.

Fig. '7 shows the grenade in the mechanically unlocked condition after swinging in the hand is completed.

Fig. 8 is a crossfsection along the plane VIII-' VIII of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a partial section showing certain parts of the grenade after it has been unlocked and has again been locked in the safety position, the grenade having been swung in the hand but not thrown.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the position of the locking or safety device when the parts are in the position corresponding to Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, the hand grenade which explodes on impact consists in accordance with the invention of a fixed central spindle on and around which the stationary and movable parts of the grenade are arranged as is hereinafter described. To the spindle I is fixed a plate 2 which contains on the one hand a recess 3 for the detonator 4 and on the other hand a guide tube 5 for the axially displaceable locking pin 6 of an auxiliary safety device which is hereinafter described in detail. A cylindrical mass 'i which is axially displaceable but not rotatable on the spindle I is mounted above the plate 2. This mass 'I represents an inertia mass and is drawn towards the plate 2 by means of two symmetrically arranged coiled springs 3, of which only one is illustrated in Fig. 1. To the lower circular surface of the cylindrical mass 'I are fixed the pointed firing pin 9 and a pin I 0, the latter being preferably disposed symmetrically to the firing pin 9.

Within the range of movement of the cylindrical mass I the spindle I is of quadrangular crosssection and it is provided in the vicinity of its upper end with two opposite hemispherical recesses I I and also with two grooves I2, with which balls I3, which are carried in transverse holes I4 bored in the mass l, coact. The balls are pressed against the spindle by means of small helical springs I5 (see Fig. 3). On the plate 2 is mounted a hollow cylinder I6 which encloses the parts which have just been described and is closed at its upper end by means of a cap il' which is preferably of conical shape and is screwed by means of the plate 23 on the threaded end of the spindle I. This cap I l contains a substantially cylindrical or slightly conical body I 8 provided with a cover plate I9. The body I8 is held in the cap Il by means of one or more spring-controlled balls 2l] in such a manner that, when the cover plate I9, is withdrawn in the direction of the axis of the grenade, the body I8 is raised and is retained by means of the balls 20 which then engage in a groove 2| in the cap I1 which is situated at a higher level. The body I3 is provided on its lower or inner face with, for example, three pins 22, which normally engage inside the hollow cylinder I6 and act in a manner to be hereinafter described. When the body I3 is drawn out into the outermost end position as shown in Fig. '7, these pins 22 enter the cavity in the cap I'I so that the inertia mass 'I can move as far as the inner face of the cap I'I for a purpose which is hereinafter described.

A flat two-armed lever 24 is passed by means of a bore with which it is provided over the reduced part of the spindle I above the plate 2. The lever 2d is freely revoluble but is pressed by means of a spring 26 into its end position, that is to say against the stop (see Fig. 8) in which it does not cover the percussion cap 4 and the upper end of the locking pin ti. This two-armed lever is provided on one of its arms with a small tube 2l which, after the lever 24 has been rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 8, comes to rest exactly below the firing pin 9, so that the mass 'l and the firing pin 9 are then in the locked or safety position which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4.

Between the cap il and a fixed handle 28 is the outer shell 29 of the grenade, the inner surface of which in conjunction with the outer surface of the hollow cylinder I6 defines the space available for the explosive charge. The cap il, the outer shell 29 and the stationary handle 28 are fixed on the central longitudinal spindle I by means CJI of the handle end 28' which is screwed on a screw thread provided on the lower end of the spindle l.

In the outside of the handle 28 is formed a rectangular groove 30 in which a pin 3l of the spring-actuated locking pin 6 engages.

The method of operation of the hand grenade which has been described is as follows.

After the end 28 of the handle has been unscrewed and the fixed part 28 of the handle has been removed from the spindle l, the hollow space 32 between the outer shell 29 and the inner cylinder i6 `can be filled with the explosive charge, the detonator having been previously inserted in the recess in the plate 2 and the two-armed lever 24 having been rotated against the action of the spring 26 into the position in which it is opposite the ring pin 9, so that the ring pin engages in the Vtube 2 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. The body i8 is then in its normal inner position in which the pins 22 engage in the hollow space in the inner cylinder I6. When the hand grenade is locked in this manner it can fall to the ground or may be thrown about,

I or the filling removed without it being possible Yfor the firing pin Sito leave its position of safety in the tube 2l, because the pins 22 prevent the mass 'I which carries the ring pin from moving right up to the upper end of the grenade, that is to say against the plate 23. 'I'he hand grenade is therefore reliably locked and doubly secured against the detonator E being struck and therefore againstexplosion. When in this locked condition, even if the grenade is thrown by means of the handle 28 or is whirled round quickly without actually being thrown, no explosion 'can takeplace, since the mass l is then merely displaced along a part of its course and is then retracted by means of the springs 8 without the firing pin S being able to come out of the tube 2l.

Only after the grenade has been unlocked by withdrawing the body i8 and the cover plate i9 into the position illustrated in Fig. 7 and has been whirled round, it being immaterial whether it is then thrown or is retained in the hand, does the mass l move into the unlocked position (Fig. 7) in which it is retained by means of the balls i3 which then enter the hemispherical recesses H. When the mass l has completed its full movement, the ring pin 9 is also displaced in such a way that it comes right out of the tube 2, so that this tube 2l together with the two-armed lever 22 is rotated by the action of the return spring 26 in the direction of the arrow b (Fig. 4) into the position illustrated in Fig. 8. In this position the two-armed lever 2li is clear of both the detonator 4 and the upper end of the locking pin 6. As soon as the grenade, which has been doubly unlocked in the manner described falls to the ground it explodes at once, since the slightest blow in a direction parallel to the axis of the grenade or at right angles or obliquely thereto causes the balls I3 to slide out of the recesses li and the mass 'I together with the ring pin 9 moves under the action of the springs 8 and owing to its inertia, so that the firing pin strikes the percussion cap with certainty, ignites it and thereby causes the charge in the grenade to explode.

If however the bomber notices at the last moment that he is about to throw the bomb not against an enemy but against a friend, he can retain the grenade in his hand, in which case of course he must take care it is not subjected to a blow. I-Ie can then lock the grenade with the mass 'i in its lowered position, by moving with his thumb the lug or button 3l of the locking pin 6 along the groove 30 and then to the right (Fig. whereby the locking pin 6 is brought into the safety position illustrated in Fig. 9. After this the mass 1 can be displaced by a light blow into the safety position in which it rests on the inner end of the locking pin 6. n this position the ring pin 9 cannot hit the detonator l, since its point comes to rest a few millimeters, for example, abovethe7 detonator. When locked in this position the grenade can either be retained in the hand or it 'can be put aside or thrown away. It can even be given a blow without causing an explosion.

If the grenade which has been locked in this manner is to be used again, the pin 3l is slowly withdrawn with the thumb so that the ring pin 9 moves back slowly towards the detonator 4 and comes to rest on it without however penetrating it. The grenade which has thus been again unlocked can then either be thrown against the enemy or, after the throwing' movement has been completed, it can be locked afresh by moving the locking pin 6 if it is not thrown.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the hand grenade is of extremely simple construction and is inexpensive to manufacture. It is not only absolutely reliable in operation but, in comparison with the known forms. of grenade which explode on impact and with hand grenades which are operated by means of a fuse and must necessarily be thrown after they have been set going, is safer and more certain in operation.

When hand grenades in accordance with the invention have been locked in the safety position, they can be thrown, even if charged with explosive, into an ammunition wagon or other conveying means and can be discharged at the ammunition dump or other place where they are required merely by tipping them out of the vehicle, without any special safety precautions being necessary and even if the mechanical safety device I8 has been released. For throwing the grenade no special practice in unlocking or in manipulating the grenade is necessary. Y

The grenade is extremely sensitive to the lightest blow as soon as it has been unlocked and swung round in the hand. It is notl necessary to rotate it in a particular manner for throwing but it may describe any path and strike the ground in any direction.

If the grenade .after having been unlocked and whirled round by hand is retained instead of being thrown, it can be locked'again in a simple manner and can be again transported in this condition in which it is locked by means of the auxiliary safety device 3|, 6, even if the inner safety device 27 has already been released. These hand grenades can be stored for years even when charged with explosive and no expensive storage and packing devices are necessary.

I claim:

l. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the ring pin, means in said plate for mounting a detonator in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, means co-acting with said firing pin to limit the movement of the inertia mass towards the said plate, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass can move away from said plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said firing in is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or can become disengaged therefrom, and means for automatically rendering said limiting means inoperative after the firing pin has been disengaged.

2, A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate lixed on said spindle below the ring pin, means in said plate for mounting a detonator in line with said iiring pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, means co-acting with said firing pin to limit the movement of the inertia mass towards the saidiplate, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass can move away from said plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said ring pin is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or can become disengaged therefrom, means for automatically rendering said limiting means inoperative after the ring pin has been disengaged and means for securing said adjusting means in either of its two positions.

3. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the firing pin, means in said plate for mounting a detonator in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, means co-acting with said ring pin to limit the movement of the inertia mass towards the said plate, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass can move away from said plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said firing pin is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or can become disengaged therefrom, means for automatically rendering said limiting means inoperative after the firing pin has been disengaged, and hand-operated means whereby after the ring pin has been disengaged from said limiting means the movement of the inertia mass towards the plate and detonator is limited so that the ring pin is unable to strike the detonator.

4. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate fixed on said spindle below the firing pin, a recess in said plate for receiving a detonator in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and firing pin towards said plate, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube on said lever into which said firing pin enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring tending to turn said lever into a position in which it and the tube are clear of the detonator when the ring pin is withdrawn from the tube, and adjustable means whereby away from the plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said ring pin is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or can become disengaged therefrom.

5, A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the firing pin, means in said plate for mounting a detonator in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and firing pin towards said plate, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube on said lever into which said ring pin enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springstowards said plate, a spring tending to turn the said lever into a position in which it and the tubes are clear of the detonator when the ring pin is withdrawn from the tube, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass moves away from the plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said ring pin is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or becomes disengaged therefrom and means for temporarily holding the inertia mass in the position in which the firing pin is disengaged.

6. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a ring p-in on said /inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the ring pin, means in said plate for mounting a detonator in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and iiring pin towards said plate, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube pin is withdrawn from the tube, adjustable' means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass moves away from the plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said firing pin is either unable to disengage from said limiting means or becomes disengaged therefrom, means for tempcrarily holding the inertia mass in the position in which the firing is disengaged and handoperated means whereby after the firing pin has been disengaged from said limiting means the movement of the inertia mass towards the plate and detonator is limited so that the ring pin is unable tostrike the detonator.

7. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the ring pin, means for mounting a detonator` in said plate in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and firing pin towards said plate, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube on said lever into which said firing pin enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring tending to turn the said lever into a position in which it and the tubes are clear of the detonator when the iiring pin is withdrawn from the tubes, a cap on the end of the grenade, and means for securing said cap in either of two positions, in one of which the inertia mass is prevented from and inthe other oi which it is about to move into a Vposition in which the rng pin is disengaged from said tube.

8. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a ring pin on said inertia mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the firing pin, a detonator in said plate in line with said firing pin, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and firing pin towards said plate, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube on said lever into which said firing pin enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a sp-ring tending to turn the said lever into a position in which it and the tube are clear of the detonat-or when the firing pin is withdrawn from the tubes, a cylinder enclosing said inertia mass, firing pin, plate and lever, a cap on the end of the grenade, pins projecting from the inside of the cap, and means for securing the cap either in a position in which said pins extend into said cylinder or in a position in which they are withdrawn from the cylinder and allow the inertia mass to move under the action of centrifugal force into a position in which the ring pin is withdrawn from said tube.

9. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a ring pin on said inertia mass, a plate fixed on said spindle below the firing pin, means for mounting a detonator in said plate in line with said ring pin, a locking pin displaceable in said plate, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, a double-armed lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, by one arm of which said locking pin is normally covered, a tube on the other arm of said lever into which said ring pin normally enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its spring towards said plate, a spring tending to turn the said lever into a position in which it is clear of the detonator and of said locking pin when the firing pin is withdrawn from the tube, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass can move away from the plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said ring pin iseither unable to disengage from said tube or can become disengaged therefrom and hand-operated means whereby said locking pin can be displaced after the said double-armed lever has been rotated by its spring.

l0. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a ring pin on said inertia-mass, a plate xed on said spindle below the ring pin, means for mounting a detonator in said plate in line with said firing pin, a springactuated locking pin displaceable in said plate,

` spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and iring pin towards said plate, a doublearmed lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate by one arm of which the end of said locking pin is normally covered, a tube on the other arm of the lever into which said iiring pin normally enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring by which the said lever is turned into a position in which it is clear of the detonator and of said locking pin when the firing pin is withdrawn from the tube, adjustable means whereby the distance by which the inertia mass moves away fromthe plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said firing pin is either unable to disengage from said tube or can become disengaged therefrom and a-member slidable in a groove in the handle whereby said locking pin can be displaced after the said lever has been rotated by its spring.

11. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pinon said inertia mass, a plate fixed on said spindle below the iring pin, means for mounting a detonator in said plate in line with said iiring pin, a spring-actuated locking pin displaceable in said plate, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and firing pin towards said plate, a double-armed lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, by one arm of which the end of said locking pin is normally covered, a tube on the other arm of the lever into which said firing pin normally enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring by which the said lever is turned into a position in which it is clear of the detonator and of said locking pin when the ring pin is withdrawn from the tube, adjustable means wherebyV the distance by which the inertia mass moves away from the plate under the action of centrifugal force can be adjusted in such a manner that said firing pin is either unable to disengage from said tube or can become disengaged therefrom, a pin on said inertia mass adapted to engage said locking pin when moved into the safety position and hand-operated means whereby said locking pin can be displaced after the said lever has been rotated by its spring.

l2. A hand grenade as claimed in claim 11 wherein the distance through which the locking pin can be displaced is such that, when it is withdrawn, after the pin on the inertia mass has come into contact with it, the firing pin is moved slowly on to the detonator without exploding it.

13. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate iixed on said spindle below the ring pin, means for mounting a detonator in said plate in line with said firing pin, a spring-actuated locking pin displaceable in said plate, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, a double-armed lever mounted torturn on said spindle above said plate, by one arm of which the end of said locking pin is normally covered, a tube on the other arm of the lever into Whichsaid ring pin normally enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring by which the said lever is turned into a position in which it is clear of the detonator and of said locking pin when the firing pin is withdrawn from the tube, an adjustable cap on the end of the grenade, means for securing said cap either in a position in which the inertia mass is prevented from moving so far er "the action of centrifugal force that the firing pin is disengaged or into a position in which the firing pin becomes disengaged, and handoperated means whereby said locking pin can be displaced after the said lever has been rotated by its spring.

14. A hand grenade which explodes on impact comprising a handle, an outer shell connected to said handle, a central longitudinal spindle mounted in said handle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a ring pin on said inertia mass, a plate iixed on said spindle below the firing pin, means for mounting a detonator in said plate in line with said ring pin, a spring-actuated locking pin displaceable in said plate, spring means tending to draw said inertia mass and ring pin towards said plate, a double-armed lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, by one arm of which the end of said locking pin is normally covered, a tube on the other arm of the lever into which said firing pin normally enters when the inertia mass is drawn by its springs towards said plate, a spring by which the said lever is turned into a position in which it is clear of the detonator and of said locking pin when the iiring pin is withdrawn from the tube, a

cylinder enclosing said inertia mass, ring pin, lever and plate, a movable cap on the end of the grenade, pins on said cap, and means for securing said cap either in a position in which said pins extend into said sleeve or in a position in which they are withdrawn therefrom; and hand-operated means for moving said locking pin.

15. A hand grenade comprising a central longitudinal spindle, an inertia mass movable along said spindle, a firing pin on said inertia mass, a plate fixed to said spindle, means for mounting a detonator in said plate below said ring pin, a lever mounted to turn on said spindle above said plate, a tube on said lever into which said ring pin can enter, a spring normally tending to hold the inertia mass in a position in which said firing pin enters said tube, a spring tending to turn the said lever into a position in which the detonator is exposed when the ring pin is withdrawn from the tube, means whereby the movement of the inertia mass under the action of centrifugal force can be varied so that the firing pin can either move clear of the tube or can be prevented from leaving the tube.

RUDOLF JANEEK.

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