US3643545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero breech grenade-launching system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-11-13
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1989-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A grenade-launching pod including a housing supporting a matrix of spigots aimed to cover a sector of approximately 20*. Each spigot includes a hollow pipe containing a slidable firing pin biased rearwardly by a coil spring. A matrix of solenoids is secured to the inside of the housing, each one aligned with a respective spigot and having its plunger in contact with the firing pin of the associated spigot. A propellant cartridge is removably held in a slot in the end of each spigot and a grenade tail pipe is fitted over the spigot. When energized, the solenoid propels its plunger which pushes the firing pin into a primer in the propellant cartridge which in turn fires the cartridge and propels the grenade off the spigot and along a ballistic trajectory.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A Nahas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:26
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A grenade-launching pod, comprising: a housing having formed therethrough a plurality of apertures, a plurality of guide tubes secured to said housing in alignment with said apertures and extending outwardly therefrom each of said guide tubes having formed in the outer end thereof a Tshaped slot for receiving and independently supporting externally thereon a complementary shaped cartridge for propelling a grenade; a firing pin slidably disposed within each of said guide tubes; a solenoid secured to the inside of said housing in alignment with each of said guide tubes; each of said solenoids having an associated plunger extendable thereby through said aperture to impel said firing pin outward when said solenoid is energized; and means for connecting said solenoids to an energize source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A grenade-launching pod, comprising: a housing having formed therethrough a plurality of apertures, a plurality of guide tubes secured to said housing in alignment with said apertures and extending outwardly therefrom each of said guide tubes having formed in the outer end thereof a Tshaped slot for receiving and independently supporting externally thereon a complementary shaped cartridge for propelling a grenade; a firing pin slidably disposed within each of said guide tubes; a solenoid secured to the inside of said housing in alignment with each of said guide tubes; each of said solenoids having an associated plunger extendable thereby through said aperture to impel said firing pin outward when said solenoid is energized; and means for connecting said solenoids to an energize source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The grenade-launching pod defined in claim 1, wherein: said guide tube has formed therein an axial bore; a rod having a guide disk fixed to each end being slidably disposed in said bore; and said firing pin being secured to the outward one of said guide disks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The grenade-launching pod of claim 2, further comprising: a compression spring disposed within said bore outwardly of the rearward one of said guide disk and bearing thereagainst; said solenoid plunger abutting against said rearward guide disk and effective, when said solenoid is energized, to push said rod outwardly, overcoming the compressive force of said compression spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The grenade-launching pod defined in claim 1, wherein: said housing comprises a pair of heavy supporting side walls, a plurality of segment-shaped stringers extending between and supported by said sidewalls and having their arcuate sides facing outwardly, and a plurality of top plates secured perpendicular to said stringers across the outer arcuate sides thereof; and said apertures being formed in a symmetrical matrix in said top plates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |