Abstract: An explosive device comprises a charge of explosive material which can be fired by feeding power from a firing circuit to an igniter circuit which includes an electrically-energizable fuse. In order to check the integrity of the igniter circuit, a monitoring circuit feeds a continuous stream of electrical pulses to the fuse circuit at such a low energy level that the pulses cannot cause ignition of the explosive charge, but they are sufficient to cause a light-emitting diode to emit short bursts of light. The production of these bursts is monitored by a receiver circuit via an optical fibre, and provided that corresponding signals are received continuously by a timer, a lamp indicates that the igniter circuit is ready for operation. If there is a break in the received signals, for example due to open-circuiting of the fuse, an alarm is operated. The connections between the igniter circuit and the monitoring circuit may be made via a demountable transformer.

Abstract: A restraining device for controlling the movement of a loaded strop 3 comprises a power-driven reel for the strop and an associated pair of toggle-controlled clamping jaws 14, 15 pivoted at 16 and 17 respectively. The jaws are cross-connected by a link 18 and are loaded into the operative position to grip the strop 3 by a spring 25. The controlling toggle comprises links 28 and 30 pivoted together at 31, the link 28 being pivoted to the jaw 15 at 29 and the link 30 being pivoted to a fixed point 32. The link 30 carries a pivoted hand-lever 35 for releasing the toggle and formed with a hook portion 42 which engages with a corresponding hook portion 44 on the link 28 to lock the toggle in the released position to free the strop. The lever 35 can be released either manually or automatically by the piston 37 of a pneumatic cylinder 38. When the lever is released, the toggle moves to the braced position where it assists the action of the spring 25 in holding the jaws together to grip the strop.

Abstract: An ejector release unit comprising a pair of hooks for supporting a store and an ejection device for ejecting a store supported by the hooks also includes, adjacent each hook, a sway brace assembly comprising a pair of pads for engagement with the upper surface of a store supported by the hooks, the pads being so mounted that during loading of a store they are free to yield, but at the completion of loading are locked firmly in position in contact with the surface of the store by way of irreversible mechanical connections exerting a thrust on the pads and resisting reverse movement. Each irreversible connection includes a slideable member having an end surface co-operating with a wedge-shaped surface on a vertically slideable member.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ignition circuit assembly for an explosive device of the kind in which an electric heating element is energizable from a transformer secondary winding to ignite the explosive. A transformer primary winding, which in use is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, is contained in a casing, together with a generator circuit which is operable to energize the primary winding and an inhibiting circuit which inhibits operation of the generator circuit until a trigger signal is applied to the inhibiting circuit to cancel the inhibition.

Abstract: A fitting for securing to the end of a flat strop comprises a body formed with a through bore which is tapered for at least a greater part of its length, a correspondingly tapered plug accommodated within the bore, a screw-threaded retaining member engaging corresponding threads on the body so as to be screwed into position to engage the larger end of the plug to retain it in position in the body and an attachment portion forming part of the plug or the retaining member. The retaining member is preferably formed with an internally threaded, longitudinally-extending skirt which screws on to corresponding threads on the outer surface of the body and a bolt is inserted from the smaller end of the plug to engage a threaded bore in the retaining member.

Abstract: An aircraft handler for manoeuvring aircraft fitted with skids comprises a self-propelled frame having at least two coaxial wheels, a drive motor for the wheels and a jacking system for engagement with a strong point on the underside of the aircraft structure. The frame is provided with a steering arm which extends rigidly from one end of the frame and includes at its end remote from the frame controls for the driving motor and jacking system whereby an operator can move the arm to steer the frame while having access to the controls for the driving motor and jacking system. The handler is used in combination with a wheel assembly for attachment to the rear ends of the skids of the aircraft and when the jacking system is engaged with the strong point on the aircraft and operated to raise the aircraft, the aircraft is then supported by the wheels at the ends of the skids and by the self-propelled frame which, under the steering control of the arm is fully manoeuvrable.

Abstract: A cartridge holder for fitting into the breech of an ejection release unit comprises a generally cup-shaped body formed of two parts, one of which forms the base of the cup and the other of which forms a continuous cylindrical wall for the cup which fits into the base part. The base part has an external screw thread for engagement with the screw thread in the breech opening and the engaging surfaces of the two parts are shaped in relation to one another so as to define passages extending between the interior of the base part and the exterior above the screw thread, this preferably being achieved by forming the outer surface of the cylindrical part with a number of spaced longitudinal lands extending over the length of the surface engagement co-operating with a smooth and cylindrical inner surface on the base part.

Abstract: An aircraft handler for use with twin nosewheeled aircraft comprises a frame for fitting to the wheel-supporting structure of the aircraft, a pair of driving drums mounted to turn in the frame, for frictional engagement with respective wheels of the aircraft, a source of power providing independent drive to the two drums and a separate control unit connected to the frame by a flexible connection, by means of which the two drums may be controlled. The source of power may comprise a pair of independently-controllable electric motors operated by separate controls in the control unit, these conveniently being mounted on the frame and the flexible connection supplying signals to the motors from the control unit.Alternatively each drum may be driven by a separate, independently-controlled hydraulic motor mounted on the frame.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an ejection release unit for releasing and projecting a store from an aircraft. The unit comprises a releasable latching mechanism for supporting the store, a pair of telescopic ejection guns for projecting the store from the aircraft, a breech for one or more cartridges which, on ignition, produce pressure gas which causes the latching mechanism to release the store and also acts on a piston which indirectly transmits the resultant force to a body of hydraulic fluid, which, in its turn, operates the ejection gun at each side. Preferably, there are two oppositely acting pistons, each of which pistons transmits pressure to a separate body of hydraulic fluid for operating a respective ejection gun. The breeches may be formed in a removable unit which also defines the cylinders within which the pistons work.