US3818833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Independent multiple head forward firing system
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-18
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A missile carries a plurality of independent explosive heads which when fired direct fragments only in a forward direction. The missile releases all heads either in response to a timed delay from drop or launch or in response to movement of the missile to a predetermined position relative to the target. Upon release the explosive heads are rotated to swing each head away from the other heads while retaining orientation of each head so that firing of the dispersed heads will cause fragments to discharge forwardly toward the target without undue interference with the fragments from other heads.
Inventors
- 👤 G Throner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:27
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/20; F42B12/201; F42B12/202; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/48; F42B10/56; F42B12/204; F42B12/208; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A forward firing system comprising a missile movable in a forward direction toward a target area and including a tubular body; a plurality of explosive heads in the form of discs positioned in said body defining a stack of heads having a longitudinal axis; each head including an explosive charge, a fragmentation wall disposed only on the forward end of said explosive charge, and a thin walled housing enclosing the remaining portion of the head; means for rotating the stack of heads; means for simultaneously releasing all heads in said stack of heads from said body in response to the movement of the missile into range of the target area; connecting means for releasably interconnecting said heads in said stack and being responsive to rotation of said stack and to the release of said stack from said body for dispensing said heads from said stack and from each other in a plurality of different directions while retaining directional orientation of said heads relative to said target area; and means for thereafter detonating the explosive charge in each of said heads prior to the heads reaching the target area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A forward firing system comprising a missile movable in a forward direction toward a target area and including a tubular body; a plurality of explosive heads in the form of discs positioned in said body defining a stack of heads having a longitudinal axis; each head including an explosive charge, a fragmentation wall disposed only on the forward end of said explosive charge, and a thin walled housing enclosing the remaining portion of the head; means for rotating the stack of heads; means for simultaneously releasing all heads in said stack of heads from said body in response to the movement of the missile into range of the target area; connecting means for releasably interconnecting said heads in said stack and being responsive to rotation of said stack and to the release of said stack from said body for dispensing said heads from said stack and from each other in a plurality of different directions while retaining directional orientation of said heads relative to said target area; and means for thereafter detonating the explosive charge in each of said heads prior to the heads reaching the target area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A forward firing system according to claim 1 whErein said detonating means is a proximity fuze.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A forward firing system according to claim 2 wherein each of said heads carries a signal wave generator and a signal reflector, and means mounting at least a portion of said reflector for movement from a compact stacked position against one end surface of said head to an extended reflecting position spaced from said one end of said head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A forward firing system according to claim 3 wherein said one end is the forward end of said head, and additionally comprising forward expansible reflector supporting means movable between a compact position encompassed within said associated head when said head is in said stack, and an extended position forwardly of said forward end of the head after the head has been swung away from said stack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A forward firing system according to claim 3 wherein said one end is the rear end of said head and wherein said reflector is a concave dish which contacts and conforms to the shape of the rear wall of said head when the head is in said stack, and which is spaced rearwardly of said rear wall in an operative reflecting position when the head is released from said stack, and extendible connecting means for connecting said reflector to said head when in its operative reflecting position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A forward firing head according to claim 3 wherein said tubular body is a cylindrical housing having an axis of generation and wherein said signal reflector includes a plurality of resiliently stressed pie shaped leaves having their inner ends connected to the forward end of said housing about said axis of generation and having their outer ends free to move forwardly away from said forward end, and means engaging the free ends of said pie shaped leaves for bowing said leaves by moving the outer ends of said leaves forwardly away from said fragmentation wall in position to define a parabolic reflector for sending and collecting signals reflected back from the target area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A forward firing head according to claim 6 and additionally comprising forwardly extendible resilient means movable between a compact position encompassed by said housing and an extended position projecting forwardly of said housing, said antenna being mounted on the projectable end of said extendible resilient means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A forward firing head according to claim 1 wherein said fragmentation wall is a planar wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |