US2180667A - Parachute signal - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21,1939. J. B. DECKER PARACHUTE SIGNAL I Filed April 13, 1938 New. Eli, 1939 rcnn'rn SIGNAL Application April 13, 1938, Serial No. 201,818

7 Claims.

and parachute during its initial flight into the air so that it will not drop at a dangerous speed.

An important feature of the invention con- 15 sists in the arrangement of the cable which suspends the projectile casing from the parachute lanyards whereby it is readily and securely attached to this casing.

Another feature of the invention resides in 3a the p of the casing supporting cable through the base of the casing and looping the same about an extension of the base whereby attachment is obtained without weakening of any of the parts or without requiring soldering, welding or the like.

Other and further features and objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accomiw drawing and following specification as wherein are disclosed several exemplary ements thereof with the understanding that such changes and variations may be executed therein as fall within the scope of the appended cl without departing from the spirit of the g invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section through a parachute signal of the fixed ammunition type intended to be fired from a hand fire 443 am, constructed according to thepres'ent invention;

e 2 is a similar view of a, Stokes mortar type of parachute signal intended for firing to considerable ranges from a mounted mortar;

as e 3 is a view showing the signal and projectile c suspended from ,a parachute; and

"z dis a fragmentary section on line 4-6 of Figure 2 showing the manner of securing the cable.

In the use of pyrotechnic signals such as colcred lights, flares, smoke pots and the like, for aerial display, particularly for military and naval purposes, the requirement for sturdy construc- 55 non, watarprooiness; and the like dictates a fairly heavy and usually metal casing comprisin the projectile which is fired into the air carrying the pyrotechnic and its suspending parachute. .These-parts are ejected from the casing near the zenith of its flight by means of the 5 suitable ejecting charge which serves also to ignite the pyrotechnic. If the parachute and its signal are thrown free of the projectile shell or casing, this casing falls with considerable velocity, and if used over inhabited areas or where maneuvers are taking place, there is grave danger of injury to persons or objects below on which this casing may fall at the considerably augmented velocity due to the effect of gravity.

It has heretofore been proposed to support the 16 shell from a parachute-which may be a separate -one or that usedto carry the pyrotechnic signal during its burning period. Dimculty, however, has been experienced in conveniently attaching a suspending cord or cable to the casing in a 2Q manner adequate to withstand the strain of stopping the casing from its considerable velocity relative to the parachute imparted by the ex- 1 pelling charge.

Most military types of signals use aluminum casings, the main portion of which is quite thin so that the supporting cord which is usually a small flexible metal cable cannot readily be attached. Solder does not adhere well to aluminum nor to steel, and welding on the thin aluminum is dificult without damage thereto. In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to pass this cord or cable outwardly through the heavy base of the shell, to provide a loop in the end thereof and to pass this loop overa s5 tube or post projecting rearwardly beyond the base. Since this post forms a rigid part of the projectile and is subsequently capped, the loop is prevented from becoming displaced and provides a secure attachment for the cable.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a form of signal cartridge described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 195,403 for Signal flare, filed March 11, 1938. This type of ,ammunition is intended for use in a large pistol of the sci-called Very type having a barrel arranged for muzzle loading to receive the short cartridge case l0, carrying the percussion cap II. This cartridge case closely receives and holds the stem 12 appropriately secured to the heavy base Id of the projectile shell I. A compartment l5 closed by a fiber cap near the bottom 01 the stem carries a propelling charge for driving the projectile out of the cartridge casing and pistol, and this charge is ignited from the percussion cap which also ignites the delay fuse l6 arranged in the central tube l'l formed integral with the heavy base 13 of the cartridge case. This delay fuse ignites the expelling charge It at a predetermined interval after the firing of the percussion cap.

Within the loading chamber of the projectile shell I4 is arranged -flrst and closest to the bottom the pyrotechnic signal or candle 20 which may be a colored or white flare, smoke pot or the like and may be provided in multiple if desired. Above this is the flame stop washer 22 serving to prevent the ignition of the parachute 23, loaded in the upper end of the chamber, by sparks or flames from the expelling charge or pyrotechnic. The pyrotechnic is ignited by the burning of the expelling charge.

The lanyards 25 of the parachute are brought to a single knot 26 to which is attached a noninflammable cord 21 which passes through or around the edge of the flame stop washer 22 and is attached in any well known manner, not shown, to the upper head of the cup of the pyrotechnic candle 20. Asecond and preferably wire cable 28 is also secured in the knot 26, leads around the edge of the washer 2-2, closely beside the flare 20 and between it and the wall of the cartridge case M and is flnally passed through the inclined hole 30 in the base I3. This lower end is arranged to prevent it from passing back through the hole. It may be provided with a large knot, but preferably is secured into a loop 3| by knotting, twisting, welding, brazing, splicing, or the like, which loop is passed around the central post or tube I'I, before complete assembly of the stem l2, permanently securing the cable to the cartridge case. The partition 32 secured over the end of this post when the stem I2 is applied to the main portion of the cartridge case prevents any possibility of accidental removal of the loop. If essential, suitable luting may be used to close the space between the cable and the walls of the hole 30 to prevent the possibility of the passage of flame from the propelling charge to the expelling charge.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 is a shell for the so-called Stokes or trench mortar, adapted to be dropped into-the muzzle thereof and to fall by gravity through the length of the elevated barrel so that the percussion cap 40 in the base of the shell strikes the firing pin permanently mounted in the breech of the mortar. This percussion cap is mounted in a tubular extension 4| from the main heavy base 42 of the cartridge case which has the'iorward loading chamber defined by the thin tubular shell 49 integral with the base 42. The propelling charge 40' is ignited from the percussion cap and blows out sections of the lead washer 44 so that the gases issue through the openings 45 to discharge the projectile from the mortar, the whole assembly shown being thrown from the gunand therefore having even more weight than the lighter cartridge case of Figure l.

The percussion cap 40 ignites the delay fuse 45 which sets ofi the expelling .charge 41 near the top of the trajectory of the shell.

The explosion of the charge 41 lights and ejects the several pyrotechnic signals 48 which are attached by a heavy asbestos cord 49 to the parachute- 50 loaded in the outer end of the casing. The cord 49 is of course attached in the knot 5| which gathers the lowerends of the lanyards 52 to ether.

The cord 49 as shown in Figure 3 preferably passes through the flame stop washer 54 and below this washer a swivel 55 is attached. From this a second asbestos cord 56 leads to the several pyrotechnic signals 48 as shown.

Also issuing from the knot 5| is the metal cable 58 which passes around the edge of the washer 54 a down beside the signals 48 and through the diagonal hole 59 in the base 42 to terminate in a loop 60, best shown in Figure 4, surrounding the tube 4| from which it is prevented from being displaced by the cup 6| scewed onto the base of the projectile and forming the container for the explosive charge. Suitable means, as previously described, may be resorted to to prevent premature ignition of the expelling charge directlyfrom the propelling charge.

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2 after being expelled from the shell and as it is falling through the air suspended from the parachute. Except for the slightly different configuration of the parts, this view is equally as representative of the structure of Figure 1, under the same conditions.

The extended parachute 5D suspendsthe burning signals by the means of the lanyards 52, the knot 5|, the cord 49, swivel 55, and cord 56. Likewise, from the knot 5| the cable 58 carries the cartridge case or shell 43. The lengths of the cable and cords are such that the flares depend below the cartridge case so that it'does not cast a shadow or obscure the light therefrom.

Obviously, various arrangements of the cords, cables, swivels and the like may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be seen in the arrangement of Figure 3 that the washer separates the cord 56 from the cable 58 and prevents interference. It may be found that a somewhat larger parachute than customary will be necessary to carry the additional weight of the cartridge case and still suspend the signals for the desired period of time.

In the case of the device of Figure 1, the loop of the cable is out of contact with any burning explosive, being arranged in the expansion chamber between the tube I! and the stem l2. The loop of Figure 2 is not so favorably situated, but can be made of adequate size and appropriate materal so that there is no possibility of its melting or burning oil from the type of explosive used in that form of projectile.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A signal projectile including, in combination, a casing having a closed base, a pyrotechnic signal and parachute housed in said casing, means to eject the casing contents, lanyards on said parachute, acord for supporting said signal from said lanyards and cable means for supporting said casing from said lanyards, said cable means passing through the base of said casing, and including a loop outside of said base said loop encircling a portion of the base of reduced diameter.

2. A signal projectile including, in combination a casing having a closed base, a pyrotechnic signal and parachute housed in said casing, means to eject the casing contents, lanyards on said parachute, a cord for supporting said signal from said lanyards and cable means for supporting said casing'from said lanyards, said base having an opening therethrough, said cable means passing from said lanyards'within the case and through.

said opening and including means outside of said opening.

3. A signal projectile including, in combination,

a casing having a closed base, a pyrotechnic signal and parachute housed in said'casing, means to eject the casing contents, lanyards on said parachute, a cord for supporting said signal from said lanyards and cable means for supporting said casing from said lanyards, said base having a rearwardly projecting. portion of reduced diameter and an opening adjacent thereto, said cable means passing through said opening and including a loop on: the outer end thereof, said loop being fitted over said portion.

4. A signal projectile including, in combination, a casing having a closed base, a pyrotechnic signal and parachute housed in said casing, means to eject the casing contents, lanyards on said parachute, a cord for supporting said signal from said lanyards and a cable for-supporting said casing from said lanyards, said base,having a rearwardly projecting portion of reduced diameter and an opening adjacent thereto, said cable passing throughsaid opemng and including a loop on the outer end thereof, said loop being fitted over said portion, and means on said portion to retain said loop in position thereon.

5. Signal ammunition including, in combination, a short cartridge case, a projectile casing having a loading chamber closed by a heavy base, a tube extending rearwardly from said base, a stem sleeve extending rearwardly from said base, spaced radially from said tube and closely fitting said cartridge case, a hole through said base between the tube and sleeve, a flare and aparachute in said loading chamber, a cord from said parachute to said flare to support the frame in the air after firing, a cable-from said parachute passing through said hole, said cable being formed into a loop surrounding said tube, a propelling charge loaded in said stem and a partition bi.-

tween said charge and loop and surrounding said tube. -ii

6. Signal ammunition of the Stokes mortar type including, in combination, a projectile casing having a loading chamber closed by a heavy base, a pyrotechnic signal and parachute loaded in said casing, a tube extending rearwardly from said base, a hole in the base adjacent said tube,

a cord connecting the parachute and signal, a cable extending from the parachute through said hole,and being looped about said tube and a charge containing cup secured over the said tube and'base to retain the loop in position.

7. Signal ammunition comprising a projectile casing having a loading chamber closed by a heavy base, a pyrotechnic signal in said chamber adjacent said base, a fire stop washer covering said signal, a parachute in said casing above said washer, lanyards on said parachute, a non-inflammable cord extending from said lanyard through said washer and being secured to said signal, a cable extending from said lanyards past said washer and signal and through said base, means to prevent the return of the cable through the base, said cord and cable being of such lengths that the signal is suspended below the casing when it and the parachute are expelled from the casing, said washer maintaining the cord and cable separated. v

JOSEF B. DECKER.

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