US3580176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuze with impact switch
Assignee: Susquehanna Corp
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Filing: 1968-02-28
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An impact weight is releasably engaged, supported, and caged by a plurality of springlike supports which also releasably engage a spring-loaded operator and hold it in the cocked position. The weight moves in response to impact or a predetermined level of vibration to dislodge the supports and allow the operator to be driven home by the spring. In the fuze, a safety slide locks the supports until removed by the action of an explosive or mechanical delay mechanism. Once the supports are unlocked the weight is free to move upon impact, then dislodging the supports and allowing the operator to strike a detonator to fire the weapon. Should there be little or no impact, the delay train causes the operator to be released after a predetermined interval notwithstanding the position of the supports.
Inventors
- 👤 George T Boswell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:32
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C15/00; F42C15/24; F42C15/26; F42C1/00; F42C1/02; F42C1/08; F42C14/00; F42C19/00; F42C19/06; F42C9/00; F42C9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A fuze having a casing containing all the components thereof and comprising a detonator for firing an ordnance item, an operator having a firing pin portion, said operator being movable between an armed position and a firing position, biasing means for urging said operator toward said firing position, a plurality of supports radially disposed about a support axis to form an envelope, said support releaseably engaging said operator and holding said operator in said armed position against the action of said biasing means, and a weight positioned within said envelope established by said plurality of supports, said weight being releaseably engaged and supported by said supports, whereby movement of said weight in response to a predetermined degree of impact of said fuze in any direction disengages said supports from said operator, thereby allowing said operator to be moved to said second position by said biasing means and said firing pin portion to contact said detonator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A fuze having a casing containing all the components thereof and comprising a detonator for firing an ordnance item, an operator having a firing pin portion, said operator being movable between an armed position and a firing position, biasing means for urging said operator toward said firing position, a plurality of supports radially disposed about a support axis to form an envelope, said support releaseably engaging said operator and holding said operator in said armed position against the action of said biasing means, and a weight positioned within said envelope established by said plurality of supports, said weight being releaseably engaged and supported by said supports, whereby movement of said weight in response to a predetermined degree of impact of said fuze in any direction disengages said supports from said operator, thereby allowing said operator to be moved to said second position by said biasing means and said firing pin portion to contact said detonator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The fuze of claim 1 wherein said weight has a passage through the center thereof, said passage being coincident to said support axis, wherein said operator is aligned longitudinally and coincident with said support axis, said firing pin portion extending through said passage in said weight, and wherein said detonator is aligned along said support axis and positioned adjacent to said weight, whereby said firing pin portion extending through said passage contacts said detonator when said operator moves to said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuze of claim 2 wherein said operator further comprises an annular flange spaced from said firing pin portion, said flange being engaged on one side by said supports and on the other side by said biasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The fuze of claim 2 further comprising an annular safety cage slideably mounted in said casing and radially disposed about and aligned with said support axis, said safety cage being movable between a safe position and an armed position and having an annular skirt engaging said plurality of supports to lock said supports against movement when said safety cage is in said safe position, biasing means for urging said safety cage toward said armed position, and locking means for releasably holding said safety cage in said safe position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The fuze of claim 4 wherein said biasing means for said operator and said biasiNg means for said safety cage together comprise a coil spring disposed about and aligned with said support axis, said spring being of radius less than the radius of said safety cage, being interposed between and engaging said operator and said safety cage, and operating to bias said operator toward said firing position, and said safety cage toward said armed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuze of claim 5 wherein said operator further comprises an annular flange longitudinally spaced from said firing pin portion and engaging said spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The fuze of claim 6 further comprising a piston of radius greater than said spring but less than said safety cage disposed about and longitudinally aligned with said support axis, said piston having an inward-turned shoulder extending past said operator flange and engaging said plurality of supports, a first fast-burning combustible spacer disposed about said support axis and interposed between and engaging said operator flange and said piston shoulder, and means for igniting said combustible spacer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The fuze of claim 7 further comprising an explosive powder train having a radius less than the radius of said spring disposed about and longitudinally aligned with said support axis and communicating at one end with said combustible spacer, and means for igniting said powder train at the end opposite from said combustible spacer, whereby said combustible spacer will be ignited by said powder train when said powder train has burned to completion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
The fuze of claim 8 wherein said locking means for releasably holding said safety cage in said safe position comprises a second fast-burning combustible spacer interposed between said casing and said safety cage, said explosive powder train being in communication with said second spacer and igniting said second spacer after a portion of said powder train has burned, whereby, after a predetermined time, said second spacer will be consumed, allowing said spring to move said safety cage to said armed position, thus allowing said weight and said supports to react and interact upon impact of said fuze to allow said spring to move said operator to said firing position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The fuze of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to centrifugal force interposed between said firing pin and said detonator for blocking operator movement and movable in response to rotational movement of said fuze to a position offset from said firing pin portion, whereby free passage of said firing pin portion is allowed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fuze of claim 2 further comprising means responsive to centrifugal force interposed between said firing pin portion and said detonator for blocking operator movement and movable in response to rotational movement of said fuze to a position offset from said firing pin portion, whereby free passage of said firing pin portion is allowed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuze of claim 11 further comprising means for locking said blocking means in said interposed position until said safety cage has moved to said armed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
The fuze of claim 6 further comprising a first fast-burning combustible spacer annularly disposed about said firing pin portion of said operator and abutting said annular flange, and a washer loosely and slideably positioned on said firing pin portion of said operator, said washer abutting said first spacer and being engaged by said supports, whereby upon dislocation of said supports by movement of said weight in response to impact of said fuze, said operator will be moved to said firing position wherein said firing pin portion contacts said detonator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The fuze of claim 13 further comprising an explosive powder train having a radius less than the radius of said spring disposed about and longitudinally aligned with said support axis and communicating at one end with said combustible spacer, and means for igniting said powder train at the end opposite said combustible spacer, whereby said combustible spAcer will be ignited by said powder train when said powder train has burned to completion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
The fuze of claim 14 wherein said locking means for releasably holding said safety cage in said safe position comprises a second fast-burning combustible spacer interposed between said casing and said safety cage, said explosive powder train being in communication with said second spacer and igniting said second spacer after a portion of said powder train has burned, whereby after a predetermined time said second spacer will be consumed, allowing said spring to move said safety cage to said armed position, thus allowing said weight and said support to react and interact upon impact of said fuze to allow said spring to move said operator into said firing position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fuze of claim 15 further comprising means responsive to centrifugal force interposed between said firing pin portion and said detonator for blocking operator movement and movable in response to rotational movement of said fuze to a position offset from said firing pin portion whereby free passage of said firing pin portion is allowed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuze of claim 16 further comprising means for locking said blocking means in said interposed position until said safety cage has moved to said armed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2818812A
Cited
US2949783A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |