US3799054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled fragmentation explosive device
Assignee: ARMAMENT SYST Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling the fragmentation of explosive devices of the type including a cylindrical metallic fragmentation casing having a longitudinal axis and an explosive charge therein. The present invention teaches applying to the inner or outer surface of the casing a longitudinal array of metallic strips, so that the strips conform to the contour of the cylindrical casing, the longitudinal axis of the array being substantially parallel to that of the casing. The density of the metal from which the strips are formed is greater than that of the metal from which the casing is formed. The arrays may be in the form of rectangles, diamonds, or parallel bars.
Inventors
- 👤 Rocca E La
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:35
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/20; F42B12/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device comprising: a cylindrical metallic fragmentation casing having a longitudinal axis; and means applied to the inner or outer surface of said casing for causing fractures in said casing along predetermined lines upon detonation of said said explosive device thereby forming controlled fragments from said casing defined by said lines, said means comprising: an array of metallic strips positioned along said predetermined lines so as to conform to the contour of said cylindrical casing, the density of the metal from which said strips are formed being greater than that of the metal from which said casing is formed, said fractures being formed as a result of the interference between said casing and said metallic strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device comprising: a cylindrical metallic fragmentation casing having a longitudinal axis; and means applied to the inner or outer surface of said casing for causing fractures in said casing along predetermined lines upon detonation of said said explosive device thereby forming controlled fragments from said casing defined by said lines, said means comprising: an array of metallic strips positioned along said predetermined lines so as to conform to the contour of said cylindrical casing, the density of the metal from which said strips are formed being greater than that of the metal from which said casing is formed, said fractures being formed as a result of the interference between said casing and said metallic strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said array of metallic strips has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said array forms a series of rectangles, the longer sides of said rectangles being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are applied to said casing in an overlapping pattern to form an elongated, diamond-shaped array, the longitudinal axis of said array being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are applied to said casing parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein a first set of metallic strips is applied to said casing parallel to said longitudinal axis thereof, and wherein a second set of metallic strips is applied to said casing perpendicular to said first set of strips, the spacing between said second set of strips being greater than the spacing between said first set of strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are applied to the outer surface of said casing with an adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are in the form of thin rods or wires.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A controlled fRagmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are in the form of flat ribbons or a metallic network in the form of a preconfigured sheet, or mesh, fashioned from flat sheet metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said casing is made of steel and said metallic strips are made of lead.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said casing is made of steel and said strips are made of tungsten.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of controlling the fragmentation of an explosive device, including a cylindrical metallic fragmentation casing having a longitudinal axis and an explosive charge therein, comprising the step of: applying to the outer surface of said casing an array of flexible metallic strips so that the strips conform to the contour of said cylindrical casing, the density of the metal from which said strips are formed being greater than that of the metal from which said casing is formed, said array of strips causing fractures in said casing along lines defined by said strips upon detonation of said explosive device thereby forming controlled fragments from said casing defined by said strips.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of controlling the fragmentation of an explosive device, including a cylindrical metallic fragmentation casing having a longitudinal axis and an explosive charge therein, comprising the step of: applying to the outer surface of said casing an array of flexible metallic strips so that the strips conform to the contour of said cylindrical casing, the density of the metal from which said strips are formed being greater than that of the metal from which said casing is formed, said array of strips causing fractures in said casing along lines defined by said strips upon detonation of said explosive device thereby forming controlled fragments from said casing defined by said strips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said strips are applied to the outer surface of said casing in a rectangular pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said strips are applied to said casing in an overlapping pattern to form an elongated, diamond-shaped array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said metallic strips are applied to said casing parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said metallic strips are applied to said casing with an adhesive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are flexible to permit said array to conform to the contour of said cylindrical casing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A controlled fragmentation explosive device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic strips are in the form of flat, thin, flexible ribbons having a thickness which is substantially less than the wall thickness of said cylindrical casing.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |