US3765335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target discriminating device
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-04-21
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A target discriminating device which is attached to the forward end of a projectile such as a bomblet and which spreads to keep the projectile from sinking too deeply if the projectile strikes a soft target such as soft earth but which is wiped off of the projectile if the projectile strikes a hard target.
Inventors
- 👤 J Blair
- 👤 O Saholt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:58
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B25/00; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A target discriminating device for attachment to the forward end of a projectile, said device comprising: a. a tube; b. a plurality of parallel spade cuts in said tube, said spade cuts beginning at the forward end of said tube and running toward the rear thereof to divide the tube into a plurality of spades and strips, each strip being flanked laterally on both sides by a spade; and c. a plurality of parallel spreader cuts running from at or near the rear end of said tube to points between and forward of the rear termination points of said spade cuts to divide the rear portions of said strips into approximately equal sized struts, d. shear means connecting the forward end of each of said strips to the forward end of said projectile whereby the device will be removed from the projectile if a hard target is encountered and whereby the device will remain attached to the projectile and the spades will spread laterally and act as a brake if a soft target is encountered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A target discriminating device for attachment to the forward end of a projectile, said device comprising: a. a tube; b. a plurality of parallel spade cuts in said tube, said spade cuts beginning at the forward end of said tube and running toward the rear thereof to divide the tube into a plurality of spades and strips, each strip being flanked laterally on both sides by a spade; and c. a plurality of parallel spreader cuts running from at or near the rear end of said tube to points between and forward of the rear termination points of said spade cuts to divide the rear portions of said strips into approximately equal sized struts, d. shear means connecting the forward end of each of said strips to the forward end of said projectile whereby the device will be removed from the projectile if a hard target is encountered and whereby the device will remain attached to the projectile and the spades will spread laterally and act as a brake if a soft target is encountered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A target discriminating device according to claim 1 having three spades and three strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A target discriminating device according to claim 1 wherein said spreader cuts start from the forward edges of circular openings drilled near the rear of said tube and extend forward therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A target discriminating device according to claim 1 wherein said spreader cuts extend forward from the extreme rear of said tube.
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) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |