US2346494A - Bomb rack - Google Patents

Description

G. H. I 'ELAND BOMB RACK Filed Dec. 5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l prl 11,- 1944;

April ll, 1944. G. H. LELAND BOMB RACK lFiled Dec.

5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /A/vfA/of? afa/mf MHA/vn By 'M ATTORNEY atente Apr. ll, 19

RACK f 21 Claims.

This invention relates to a bomb rack and is designed primarily to support a plurality of bombs on and to release the same from an airplane.

One object of the invention is to provide a bomb rack having means for supporting a plurality of bombs thereon and having means for simultaneously releasing the bombs for individual flight.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a bomb rack which may be released from the airplane while the bombs are secured thereto and which will automatically release the bombs from the rack after the latter has moved downwardly from the airplane a predetermined distance.

A further object of the inventiongis to provide such a bomb rack in which the firing mechanisms for the individual bombs will be released for operation after the rack has been released from the airplane and while the bombs are still secured to the rack.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a bomb rack with simple eicient means for releasing the bombs therefrom substantially simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bomb rack of such a character that it may be dropped from the airplane either in an armed condition or in a safe condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bomb rack of such a character that the several bombs may be quickly and easily assembled thereon and releasably secured'thereto. `Other objects of the invention may appear as the apparatus. is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a bomb rack embodying my invention, with the bombs secured thereto; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the empty bomb rack and the supporting device therefor; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, with the bomb in position thereon; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the severing mechanism, partly broken away; Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the bomb rack and its supporting device, on an enlarged scale; Fig. 6 is a rear end elevation of the bomb rack with the bombs secured thereto; Fig. '7 is a section taken on the line 'i-'l of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the rear end portion of the severing device: and Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the front end portion of one of the bombs.

y22, is commonly called the arming wire. 35'

bodiment of the invention and have shown the same as adapted to support six bombs in two groups of three bombs each, but it will be understood that the rack may take various forms and that it may be adapted to accommodate any suitable number of bombs arranged in one or more groups.

The device as illustrated is designed for use with bombs of alrelatively small size and of the type known as fragmentation" bombs. Such a bomb usually comprises a cylindrical body portion l5 having a rearwardly projecting small diameter part I to which are secured the vanes Il whichcontrol the flight of the bomb. At its front end the bomb has a part i8 of reduced diameter in which is located the firing mechanism for controlling the explosion of the bomb, part of this mechanism being shown at I9. The firing mechanism is held normally against operation by a pin 20 which extends chordwise through the reduced portion i8 of the bomb. This pin extends entirely through the part I8 of the bomb and is provided with two openings adapted to receive retaining devices for retaining the pin in the bomb. One of these retaining devices is preferably in the form of a cotter pin 2| to Aretain the control pin 2U in its operative position during the handling of the bomb prior to the mounting of the bomb rack on the airplane. The other opening is adapted to receive a retaining device, adapted to be automatically withdrawn, as will be hereinafter described. This latter retaining device, which is shown at The control pin 20 is provided with means for withdrawing the same from the opening in the bomb when the pin is released, such as a spring 23 arranged between the head 26 of the pin and the adjacent side of the bomb and adapted to be confined under pressure when the pin is retained in its opening by either of said retaining devices and to expand and eject the pin when the latter is released for 'such movement.

As has been stated, the b omb rack may be adapted to support any suitable number of bombs and as illustrated itis provided with means for supporting two groups of bombs in longitudinally spaced relation thereon. The rack comprises an elongate frame which may take various forms and which is here shown as comprising two pairs of bomb supporting members or plates 25 and 26 and 25a and 26a, the several plates being rigidly connected one to the other. In the present instance, a rod 21 extends through and is rigidly secured In these drawings I have illustrated one emto the several plates. The front plate,i 25-250' of each pair is provided in its peripheral edge with three recesses 28 adapted to receive and form seats for the reduced end portions I8 of the bombs. The rear plates, 26-26a, of each pair are provided in their peripheral edges with somewhat similar recesses 29 to receive and form seats for the small diameter rearwardly extending parts |6 of the bombs. The several plates are provided with upwardly extending parts 30 in which is mounted a second rod 3| which is also rigidly secured to the plates and to which is secured a plurality, in the present instance two, attaching devices 32 which extend upwardly therefrom and are provided in their upper ends with openings 33 to 'receive retaining devices by means of which they are releasably connected with the supporting structure carried by the airplane. In the construction shown this supporting device is of a construction which is standard with the United States iArmy Air Corps and is commonly known as a bomb shackle. Therefore it is not necessary to describe the supporting device in detail but it will be sufficient to note that it comprises an elongate body portion 34 having in its lower portion two recesses 35 adapted respectively to receive the attaching devices 32. Pivotally mounted on this body portion adjacent the respective rebomb shackle and permit the rack to drop from the airplane.

The bombs may be releasably secured on their seats by any suitable means but I prefer to so secure them by means of a band or bands extending about the bombs, each band being of such a character that it can be readily separated to release the bombs from the rack. The bands may be of any suitable character but are preferably of such a character that they may be readily severed to release the bombsand ordinarily baling wire may be conveniently used for this purpose as it is readily available and can be easily severed. In the arrangement shown two bands 38 extend about each group of bombs, the ends of each band or Wire being drawn together to bind the bombs.,

rmly upon their seats and the ends of the wire being then connected one to the other, as shown at 39. The ends of the wires may be connected one to the other in any suitable manner, as by means of commercial connecting devices such as are used in connection with baling presses.

Suitable means are provided for severing 'the respective bands so as to release the bombs and this means should be of such a character that the bands will he severed simultaneously, or in such rapid succession as to amount to substantially simultaneous severing. In the present arrangement the upper rod 3| of the frame is in the form of a tubular element having a longitudinal bore and is provided with transverse openings 4|) intersecting the longitudinal bore of the tubular element and the bands are passed through the respective openings 40 when they are applied to the bombs. In' this manner those portions of the bands which extend through the bore of the tubular element are firmly held in position for severing and suitable means are provided for acting on these portions of the bands to sever the same. This may be accomplished in various ways but I prefer to utilize a projectile to sever the bands. The rear end 4| of the tubular element 3| extends rearwardly beyond the rear supporting plate 26 and is provided with means for projecting the projectile through the bore of the tubular element 3l at high velocity so that it will sever the several bands in rapid succession and substantially simultaneously. For this purpose I employ a powder and bullet cartridge 42 having a hard metal bullet 43, the front end of which is preferably recessed to provide the same with an annular cutting edge 44. The rearwardly extending part 4| of the tubular element is of slightly larger diameter than the bore thereof so as to provide a seat for the flange of the cartridge when the latter is inserted in the bore. A tubular plug 45 is screw threaded into the part 4| of the tubular element to retain the cartridge on its seat and to prevent the rearward movement.

'the rear end of the part 4| of the tubular element serves to hold the bayonet slot in rm engagement with the studs. Slidably mounted in the bearing block is a ring pin and arranged between this pin and the rear end of the hollow ring block is a spring 5| adapted to be placed under compression by the movement of the firing pin to its retracted position, and adapted to move the firing pin forcibly into contact with the percussion cap of the cartridge when the spring is released for expansion. The bullet is thereby projected through the bore of the tubular elementA at high velocity and caused to sever the several bands. The forward end of the tubular element is preferably tightly closed, as by a plug 64 to prevent the escape of *the bullet from the tubular element and this tubular element is provided beyond the last band opening with a relief opening 65.

The ring pin is retained in its retracted position during the handling of the device prior to the mounting of the same on the airplane by a suitable detent and when or before the rack is mounted on the supporting device a tripping device is substituted for the detent and the latter is withdrawn, thereby placing the'ring pin under the control of the tripping device. In the arrangement shown the ring pin is provided with two apertures 52 and 53 adapted to register respectively with corresponding openings 54 and 55 in the firing block when the ring pin is in its properly retracted position. The detent may conveniently be in the form of a Cotter pin 56 which is inserted through the openings '52 and 54 when the ring pin is rst retracted. At or about the time that the rack is tobe mounted on the supporting device the tripping device, preferably in the form of a tripping wire 51, is extended through the openings 53 and 55 and the Cotter pin is withdrawn, thus placing the liring pin under the control of the tripping wire so that it will be released when that wire is withdrawn from its openings.I

` The arming wires 22 which control the ring mechanism for the bombs and the tripping wire 5I are connected with the supporting device or bomb shackle 34 and preferably all of these wires are connected with a single element 58 which .assaggi may be termed a master arming wire. As here shown, this master wire is relatively short and has a loop-Shaped portion 59 which extends-into a recess S in the lower side of the body 34 of the bomb shackle where itis adapted to be engaged by the hook-shaped lower end 6l o i an arming lever 62,A which serves to connect the master wire with or disconnect the same from the bomb shackle. When the bomb rack is to be dropped from the airplane and the bombs released therefrom the hook-shaped end of the arming lever is engaged with the loop of the masf ter arming wire, thereby rmly securing the latter to the bomb shackle. The release lever 31 is then actuated to withdraw the retaining devices 36 and release the rack so that it may fall from the shackle. The master arming wire, and therefore the individual karming wires and the tripping wire, being positively connected with the bomb shackle are retained thereon and the several wires arevwithdrawn from the openings in the bomb and in the firing device respectively, thus releasing the ring mechanism of the bombs for operation and releasing the firing pin so that it will fire the cartridge and cause the projectile to sever the several bands and thus release the bombs from the rack, the bombs then settling into their trajectory positions and the rack falling to the ground. It is preferable that the bombs should be released from the rack before'they have entered the slipstream and it is also desirable that the arming wires should be Withdrawn from the bombs before the latter are released from the rack. In the drawings the several wires are shown as substantially taut but they may be provided with slack suicient to cause them to be withdrawn at the desired times, or those parts thereof which extend through the bomb and the ring device respectively may be of such length that they will not release the firing mechanism and the cartridge fring` deviceo until the rack has fallen a predetermined distance. When released from the rack the bombs will scatter more or less and if it is desired to havev the bombs scatter to a greater extent than they will scatter by gravity this may be accomplished by providing means for imparting a lateral thrust to each bomb when it is released. This may be readily accomplished by interposing. a spring between each bomb and an adjacent portionof the rack. As shown in Fig. 2 a bowed spring 63 is rigidly secured at one end to one of the bomb supporting plates and has' its free end bifurcated to engage the rod .2l and hold the spring againstdisplace- .ment with relation thereto. When the bomb is in.,

position on the rack, as shown in Fig. 3. this spring will be compressed vand as soon as the bomb is released it will expand and thrust the bomb outward. Each bomb being provided with such a Spring it will be obvious that they will be scattered and caused to fall at more or less widely separated points. l

While I have shown and described oneernbodimentof my invention I wish it to be understood that do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a' person skilled in the art.

AHaving now fully described myinvention` what I claim as new and desire tov secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bomb rack having means whereby it 'may be supported vby an aircraft and released fo.` downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising a bomb supporting frame, a projectile carried by saidframe, means for projecting. said projectile Ain a predetermined path, means for securing a plurality of bombsto said frame, said securing means having apart y arranged in the pathofl said projectile and adapted to release said bombs from said frame when said part is engaged by said projectile, and a controlling device including interengaging parts to normally prevent the operation ot' said projecting means, one of said parts being adapted to be connected with said aircraft and -another of said parts being carried by said rack and movable out of engagement with the first mentioned'part to release said projecting means for operation.

2. A bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising a bomb supporting frame, a tubular element carried by said frame and having at one end of its bore means for supporting a powder and bullet cartridge, means for securing a plurality of bombs to said frame, said securing means having a, part arranged in the bore of said tubular element and adapted to release said bombs from said frame when said part is struck by said bullet, and a device controlled by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft to re said cartridge.

3. A bomb rack having means whereby it may1 be supported by an aircraftand released for downward movement with relation to said. aircraft, said rack comprising a bomb supporting frame, a tubular element carried by said frame and having at one end of its bore means for supporting a powder and bullet cartridge, a spring actuated device for firing said cartridge, means for secu-ring a plurality of bombs to saidframe. said securing means having a part arranged in the bore of said tubular element and adapted to release said bombs from said frame when said part is struck by said bullet, and a device comprising` interengaging parts for retaining the spring of said ring device normally under compression, one of said parts being adapted for connection with said aircraft and the other of said parts being movable out of engagement with the rst mentioned part by the downward movement of lsaid rack with relation to said aircraft to release said ring device and cause said bullet to be projected through the bore of said tubular element. v

4. A bomb rack having means whereby it `may be supported by an aircraft and .released v for downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising an elongatev frame having a plurality o f groups of bomb seats, said groups being spaced one fromthe other lengthwise of said frame, severable devices extending about the bombs on the respective groups of bomb seats for securing the same thereon, and means controlled by the downward movement of said rack with relation-to said aircraft for severing said securing devices substantially simultaneously and thereby releasing said bombs from said frame. l

5. i bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported' by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising an elongate frame having a plurality of groups of bomb seats, said groups being spaced one from the other lengthwise of said` frame, a projectile carried by said frame, means for projecting said projectile vin a predetermined path, separate means associated with the respective groups of bomb seats for securing the bombs thereto, each of said securing means having a part arranged in the path of said projectile and adapted to release the bombs secured thereby when said part is engaged by said projectile, and a controlling device including interengaging parts to normally prevent the operation of said projecting means, one of said parts being adapted for connection with said aircraft and the other of said parts being carried by said rack and movable out of engagement with the first mentioned part to render said projecting means operative and thereby cause said projectile to engage said parts of said securing means in rapid succession.

6. In a bomb rack adapted for use with a supporting device carried by an aircraft and having means for releasably connecting a bomb rack thereto, said rack comprising a frame having parts forming seats for a plurality f bombs, a tubular element rigidly connected with said frame and having a transverse' opening intersecting the bore thereof, said bore having at one end thereof means for receiving and supporting a powder and bullet cartridge, a spring pressed device for firing said cartridge, a band extending about said bombs and through said transverse opening in said tubular element to secure said bombs on said seats and adapted to be severed by said bullet and to release said bombs when` said cartridge is fired, a tripping wire connected with said supporting device and having an end portion to be removably supported in an opening in-said rack and arranged to prevent the operation of said firing device by its spring, and arming wires connected with said supporting device and having end portions to be removably supported in openings in the respective bombs and arranged to hold the ring mechanisms of said bombs against operation, whereby the downward movement of said rack when released from said supporting device will cause said' wires to be withdrawn from the respective openings, thus releasing said firing device and said firing mechanisms for operation.

'7. In a bomb rack adapted for use with a supporting device carried by an aircraft and having means for releasably connecting a bomb rack thereto, said rack comprising a frame having parts forming seats for a plurality of bombs, a tubular element rigidly connected with said frame and having a transverse opening intersecting the bore thereof, said bore having at one end thereof means for receiving and supporting a powder and bullet cartridge, a spring' pressed device for firing said cartridge, a band extending about said bombs and through said transverse opening insaid tubular element to secure said bombs on said seats and adapted to be severed by said bullet and to release said bombs when said cartridge is fired, a master arming wire, means for detachably connecting said master wire with said supporting device, a trippingA wire connected with said master wire and having an end portion to be removably supported in an opening in said rack to prevent the operation of said ring device by its spring,l arming wires connected with said master ,wire and having end portions to be removably supported in openings in the respective bombs to prevent the operation of the ring mechanisms for said bombs, whereby when said rack is released from said supporting device while said master wire is connected with the latter the downward movement of said rack will cause said tripping and arming wires to be withdrawn from said openings to release said firing device and said ring mechanisms for operation, and when said rack is released from said supporting device while said master wire is disconnected from said supporting device said tripping and arming wires will not be withdrawn and said rack and bombs will fall as a unit with said bombs in an inoperative condition.

8. In a bomb rack, a frame having parts forming seats for a plurality of bombs, a tubular element secured to said frame and having a transverse opening intersecting the bore thereof, a wire extending 'through said opening in said tubular element and about said bombs to secure the latter on said seats, a cartridge supported in one end of said tubular element and having a hard metal bullet adapted to sever said wires, a firing block detachably secured to said end of said tubular element, a iiring device mounted in said block, a spring for actuating said firing device, and a tripping device removably supported in said ring block and arranged to hold said firing device in a retracted position with said spring under compression. l

9. In a bomb rack, a frame having parts forming seats for a plurality of bombs, a tubular element secured to said frame and having a transverse opening intersecting the bore thereof, a wire extending through said opening in said tubular element and about said bombs to secure the latter on said seats, a cartridge' supported in one end of said tubular element and having a hard metal bullet adapted to sever said Wires, a hollow firing block detachably secured to said end of said tubular element, a ring pin slidably mounted in said ring block, a spring arranged between said firing pin and the rear end of said ring block to be placed under compression when said ring pin is moved to a retracted position, the said ring block and said firing pin having openings to register one with the other when said ring pin is in a retracted position, and a tripping Wire adapted to be removably mounted in said openings to retain said ring pin normally in a retracted position and to be removed therefrom by a pull on said wire.

10. A bomb rack having means whereby it mayy be supported byv an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation to said airplane, said bomb rack comprising a frame having parts forming seats for a plurality of bombs, a tubular element secured to said frame and having a transverse 'opening intersecting the bore thereof, a binding wire extending through the opening in said tubular element and about said bombs to secure the latter on said seats, a cartridge supported in one end of said tubular element and having a hard metal bullet adapted to sever said wire, a. hollow ring block detachably secured to said end of said tubular element, a firing pin slidably mounted in said block, a spring arranged between said firing pin and the rear end of said block to be placed under compression when said ring pin is moved to a retracted position, said firing block and said firing pin having two pairs of cooperating openings so arranged that the openings of each pair will register one with the other when said firing pin is in its normally retracted position, a detent pin adapted to be inserted in one pair of openings to retain said ring pin in its retracted position prior to the mounting of said rack on said airplane, and a tripping wire adapted to be connected with said aircraft and having an end portion to be inserted in the other pair of openings when s aid rack is mounted on said airplane, thereby permitting said detent pin to be removed to place said ring pin'under the control of said tripping wire.

11. A bomb rack adapted to be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto and comprising a supporting member having means whereby it may be detachably connected with an aircraft, a bomb positioning device having a plurality of outwardly facing bomb seats spaced about the same, a flexible device to extend about a plurality of bombs on the respective seats and retain the same thereon, means for releasing said retaining device to permit said bombs to leave said seats, and means for controlling theoperation of said releasing means including apart adapted to be connected with said aircraft, and a part carried by said bomb rack, normally engaging the first mentioned part to prevent the operation of said releasing means and movable out of engagement with said first mentioned part by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft to render said releasing means operative.

12. In a bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto, said rack comprising a rod, two plates secured to said rod in spaced relation one to the other and each having a plurality of recesses in the edge thereof, the corresponding recesses in the two plates being alined to form seats for bombs, a second rod secured to said plates substantially parallel with and spaced from the rst mentioned rod and having means. where it may be detachably connected with said aircraft, a exible band to extend about a plurality of bombs on the respective seats and retain the same thereon, normally inoperative means connected wh said second rod for loosening said band to permit said bombs to leave said seats, and a device for rendering said loosening means operative including a part adapted to be connected withv said aircraft separately from said detachable means, and a part carried by said bomb rack, normally engaging the first mentioned part and movable out of engagement therewith by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft, said rst mentioned part being detachable from said aircraft to prevent the disengagement of said parts and thereby prevent the loosening of said band on the downward movement of said rack.

` 13. A bomb rack adapted to be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto and comprising a supporting member having means whereby it may be detachably connected with an aircraft, means for supporting a plurality of bombs in substantially parallel positions fixed with relation one to the other and to said supporting member, said means including a fiexible band to extend exteriorly about said bombs, and means controlled by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft to sever said band and release said bombs for separate movement.

le. A bomb rack comprising a .frame having parts forming seats for a plurality of bombs, a flexible band extending exteriorly about a plu rality of bombs on the respective seats to retain the same on said seats, means carried by said and is movable out of engagement with the first mentioned part by the downward movement of said frame with relation to said supporting structure.

15. A bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an ,aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto, said rack comprising a frame having a plurality of seats arranged about the same and adapted to receive bombs, a band to extend about a plurality of bombs Von the respective seats and retain the same thereon, a projectile carried by said frame, normally inoperative means for projecting said projectile in a path intersecting said band, and means rendered operative by the downward movement of said rack'with relation to said aircraft to cause actuation oisaid projecting means. p

16. A bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising an elongate member having a longitudinal bore and having at one end of said bore means to support a powder and bullet cartridge in line with said bore, bomb positioning means arranged about said elongate member and having a plurality 'of outwardly and Ithe bore of said elongate member in front of .said

cartridge, means for firing said cartridge and causing said bullet to sever said Iretaining member and thereby release said bombs, and means for normally preventing the operation of said nring means and for releasing the same for operation comprising interengaging parts one of which is adapted to Ibe connected with said aircraft and the other of which is carried by said bomb rack and is movable out of engagement with the irst mentioned part by the downward movement of said structure with relation to said aircraft.

17. A bomb rack comprising a supporting member having means whereby it may be detachably supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto,

means for supporting a plurality of bombs in substantially parallel positions iixed with relation one to the other and to said supporting member,-

said means including a, nexible device adapted to be drawn tightly about said plurality of bombs and .retained under tension, means carried by said supporting means for loosening said exible device to release said bombs for separate movement, and a device to normally prevent the operation of said loosening means and to release the same for operation including a part adapted to be connected with said aircraft, and a second part carried by said bomb rack normally engaging the iirst mentioned part and movable out of engagement therewith by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft.

18. A bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an aircraft and released by downward movement with relation to said aircraft, said rack comprising a structure having a plurality of outwardly facing bomb seats arranged about the axis thereof and each adapted to receive a bomb, a releasable device adapted to be of said releasing means including a part adapted to be connected with said aircraft, and a second part carried by said bomb rack and normally engaging the rst mentioned part to prevent the, operation of said releasing means, said second part being movable out of engagement with the first mentioned part by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft to render said releasing means operative.

19. In a bomb rack having means whereby it may be supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto, said rack comprising a frame having ,a plurality of seats arranged about the longitudinal axis thereof to receive bombs, a exible band adapted to be drawn tightly about a plurality of bombs on said seats and maintained under tension to retain the bombs on said seats, operable means for loosening said band to permit said bombs to leave said seats, and a device to normally prevent the operation of said loosening means, said device i11- cluding a part adapted to be detachably connected with said aircraft and a second part carried by said rack, normally engaging the first mentioned part to prevent the operation of said loosening means and movable out of engagement therewith by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft while said first mentioned part is connected with said aircraft, to permit the operation of said loosening means, whereby the detachment of said first mentioned part from said aircraft prior to said downward movement of said rack will prevent the disengagement of said parts.

20. A bomb rack having means whereby it may Abe supported by an aircraft and released for downward movement with relation thereto, said rack comprising an elongate frame having a plurality of outwardly facing bomb seats arranged about the longitudinal axis thereo, a exible band to extend about bombs on said seats to retain the same thereon, means for loosening said band to release said bombs for movement from saidl seats, means including interengaging parts to normally prevent the operation of said loosening means, one of said parts being adapted for connection with said aircraft and the other of said parts being carried by said rack and movable out of engagement with the first mentioned part by the downward movement of said rack with relation to said aircraft to release said loosening means for'operation, spring means interposed fbetween said bombs and said frame, held normally under compression by said bombs and adapted to impart lateral movement to said bombs with relation to said frame when said bombs are released from said frame.

21. A bomb rack comprising a structure having means whereby it may be supportedby an aircraft in a position substantially parallel with the line of iiight and released for downward movement with relation to said aircraft, means for rigidly securing a pluralityl of elongate bombs to said structure including a band adapted to extend about said plurality of bombs and to be drawn into and maintained in tight engagement therewith, means for loosening said band to permit the movement of said bombs with relation to said structure, and a controlling device comprisi'ng a part to be connected with said aircraft, and a second part carried by said structure and normally engaging the first mentioned part to prevent the operation of said loosening means, said second part being movable out of engagement with the rst mentioned part by the downward movement of said structure with relation to said aircraft to permit the operation of said loosening means. n

GEORGE H. LELAND.

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