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US3673963A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Trip-line system

Assignee: Avco Corp
•
Filing: 1968-03-05
•
Granted: 1972-07-04
•
Expires: 1988-03-05
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Abstract

Abstract The invention is a method and an apparatus for laying trip lines for sensing disturbances which are used to detonate explosive devices such as land mines. A controlled charge is used to generate a force in excess of that required to throw the trip line a predetermined distance and a stainless steel wire capable of substantial elongation without rupture is simultaneously used to dissipate such excess force.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth J J Mcgowan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 18:09
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/68; F42B23/00; F42B23/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 180 words
In combination with a cylindrical cartridge formed with an open end and a rear end and adapted to be closed by an initiator, and an initiator mounted in said rear end, a projectile adapted to be loaded therein and launched therefrom comprising: a spool extending axially in the direction of flight having a nose and a tail, a coaxial line guide secured to the nose of said spool and formed to extend axially beyond said tail, said line guide tapering at its rear to form an exit port, anchor means secured to said nose, an extensible stainless steel wire trip line, capable of elongation under tension, coiled between said nose and tail, one end of said wire being connected to said spool and the other end of said wire extending through said exit port and being connected to said cartridge, said line being adapted and arranged to unwind during flight of said spool, and said initiator producing a force in excess of that necessary to project the spool to such a distance as to fully extend said trip line wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 180 words
In combination with a cylindrical cartridge formed with an open end and a rear end and adapted to be closed by an initiator, and an initiator mounted in said rear end, a projectile adapted to be loaded therein and launched therefrom comprising: a spool extending axially in the direction of flight having a nose and a tail, a coaxial line guide secured to the nose of said spool and formed to extend axially beyond said tail, said line guide tapering at its rear to form an exit port, anchor means secured to said nose, an extensible stainless steel wire trip line, capable of elongation under tension, coiled between said nose and tail, one end of said wire being connected to said spool and the other end of said wire extending through said exit port and being connected to said cartridge, said line being adapted and arranged to unwind during flight of said spool, and said initiator producing a force in excess of that necessary to project the spool to such a distance as to fully extend said trip line wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 82 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which the anchor means furtHer comprises fan-like spring tines which are biased inwardly and folded against the line guide when said projectile is loaded in the cartridge wherein when said projectile is launched from said cartridge said tines spring outwardly from the line guide and thus provide an anchor which will attach to any irregularities in terrain and vegetation whereby the projectile will resist movement when a pull is exerted on said trip wire.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-07-04 1976-01-03 1976-07-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-07-04 1980-01-03 1980-07-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-07-04 1984-01-03 1984-07-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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