Abstract: The invention provides a safety system for a small arms projectile in which an initiating device is impacted by a firing member in order to detonate a main explosive charge. The system requires the firing member to be retained in a safe position in relation to the initiating device by at least two independent mechanisms. The firing member is initially supported in a forward position, in which it assists in holding the initiator device in a safe condition, and is caused to move rearwardly, through inertia, when the projectile is fired, destroying one of the retaining mechanisms and allowing the initiator device to adopt a primed position in which it can be activated by the firing member which at this time is retained by the other retaining mechanism which is automatically released when the projectile is in flight.

Abstract: A firing pin assembly for mechanically igniting a warhead detonator of a projectile by being accelerated in a forward direction by inertia upon impact, includes a firing pin having a rearward firing pin part and a frontal firing pin part arranged in series with the rearward firing pin part as viewed in the forward direction. The assembly further has a firing pin spring urging the firing pin in a direction opposite to the forward direction, and a mechanical device positioned between the rearward firing pin part and the frontal firing pin part. The mechanical device includes a transmission arrangement for transmitting a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part to the frontal firing pin part with a stepped up transmission ratio whereby a forward motion of the rearward firing pin part through a first distance results in a forward motion of the frontal firing pin part, against the force of the firing pin spring, through a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A self destructing impact fuse including a cylindrical firing pin having a hollow centrifugal chamber for holding a number of spheres and a number of radial openings on its surface for exposing portions of the spheres when the chamber is spun. At one end of the chamber is a spring for exerting compression force along the longitudinal axis of the chamber and at the other end is a self-destructing (SD) firing pin for striking the detonator. A centrifugal lock having a pivot offset from the longitudinal axis holds the chamber in place by mating with a groove on the surface of the centrifugal chamber. The cylindrical firing pin is seated concentrically within a frame and disposed over an escapement assembly featuring the detonator. The detonator is rotated into alignment with the SD firing pin after the projectile, incorporating the fuse, travels the minimum tactical distance. The frame is further coupled with a base, which features a point detonation (PD) firing pin for striking the detonator.

Abstract: A spherical safety rotor of a fuse of a spinning projectile comprises a recess to lock the rotor into its safety position. A retaining chamber for a detonator includes opposing orifices on the spherical surface. Cut-outs are provided in the rotor periphery to reduce the mass of the rotor. The cut-outs are arranged so that no portion thereof overlies a detonating chamber when the rotor is in its safety position.

Abstract: A fuze includes a conically shaped body having a central longitudinal chal communicating with a rearward central chamber, a firing pin assembly containing a primary and a biased secondary firing pin disposed in the channel, a delay arming assembly disposed in the chamber, a sleeve containing a setback locking assembly disposed in chamber, and a pyrotechnic smoke cartridge located in the hollow of the sleeve. The arming assembly contains two V-shaped pivotable levers held in the safe position by the secondary firing pin extending into a hole in each lever and by a detent pin extending into a hole in the lower lever, each lever having a hole containing a firing ball. On firing the projectile from the gun, the biased detent pin is withdrawn by setback force and the detents on the secondary firing pin are withdrawn by centrifugal force, releasing both levers to pivot by centrifugal force and align the firing balls with the firing pins and the cartridge primer.

Abstract: In a spin-stabilized projectile, an improved ignition fuse arrangement for a pyrotechnic ignition charge. The ignition charge is mounted in a rotor which is movable from a safety position to an armed (active) position. This rotor is held by actuating means in the safety position and is released by the actuating means and moves to the armed position when the projectile has been subjected to predetermined centrifugal and inertial forces. The actuating means include biasing means which are biased against the rotor to maintain it in its safety position.

Abstract: The provision of a delayed arming fuze utilizing a ball rotor, and a firing pin which is captured to the ball rotor by an unwinding ribbon, and which pin precludes the rotor from swinging into alignment for arming until the ribbon has unwound under the sequential presence of setback and spin forces.

Abstract: The ball rotor safety and arming device of this invention includes means for rendering the friction forces which effect the alignment time of the ball rotor more reproducible and controllable reducing the dispersion of arming distances of the device and in some cases increasing the mean arming distance.