Abstract: A firearm locking device has a sleeve made of a resilient material with a collet formed at one end. With the one end of the sleeve inserted through the muzzle into the barrel of the firearm, the collet extends into the cartridge-receiving chamber of the firearm and the opposite end of the sleeve projects from the muzzle. An elongated element with an eccentric at one end is inserted in the sleeve, and when rotated by a lock cylinder, the eccentric expands the collet in the cartridge chamber and insures that no live cartridge is present in or is loaded into the chamber. An adapter allows the locking device to accommodate barrels of different length.

Abstract: The invention relates to carrier shells which can eject a payload in flight. A carrier shell for transporting a payload includes a body closed at one of its ends by a base and at the other by a head, inside of which is placed a pyrotechnic composition for generating gases intended to act on a piston at the time the payload is ejected. The shell includes an attachment between the piston and the shell after ejection of the payload. This invention is applicable to mine-dispersing carrier shells.

Abstract: A scissor type foldable hunting seat, comprising a pair of "U" shaped tubular members, each having a pair of vertical legs jointed by a horizontal fastening edge; both tubular members are coupled through their vertical legs; at least one of the vertical legs having a stop pin near its middle portion; a seat of flexible material grasped to the fastening edges of the tubular members; a weapon support arm having an upper vertical end and a "U" shaped horizontally bent lower end presenting two branches articulately fastened to the vertical legs of the tubular members and a horizontal connecting member which rests in the stop pin of the vertical leg to maintain the weapon support arm in a hunting position and allows to be folded when folding the seat; and a variable height weapon retaining fork coupled to the upper vertical end of the support arm.

Abstract: A countermass for recoilless weapons which is intended to be placed behind the projectile propelling charge (3) of the weapon and which is also intended to depart together with the propellant gases exiting rearwardly from the weapon when the projectile is propelled forwards. The countermass includes a countermass body (5) which is deformable at the pressure and the temperature prevailing in the barrel during firing of the projectile and which has at least one gas through flow passage (6) which widens rearwardly in nozzle form.

Abstract: A safety lever pin for insertion into a safety lever pin receipt aperture of the sear assembly of an MK-19 grenade launcher such pin having a machined cylindrical body with an arm extending from the top thereof and structure to retain the safety lever pin within the safety lever pin receipt aperture to prevent its inadvertent falling out therefrom when the sear assembly is removed from the weapon and inverted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a successive-actuation device of the type including at least one pyrotechnic cord and a trigger for actuating the operation thereof. Advantageously, the invention contains at least one element made from a shape-memory alloy having two stable states and disposed along the pyrotechnic cord, the element being capable of actuating a subsequent operation when it passes from one of its two stable states, for which the element occupies a neutral position, to its other stable state for which is occupies an active position, under the action of the heat generated by the pyrotechnic cord after triggering.

Abstract: Toy guns are disclosed which are capable of simultaneously generating light and sound effects, having rotating a barrel assembly, creating vibrations in the body of the toy gun and operating a rapid indexing and cap firing mechanism. The rotating barrels, the cap indexing and firing mechanism and the vibration mechanism are all driven from a motor-driven gear and shaft assembly positioned within the toy gun. A dual action trigger is used to energize the light and sound effects when the trigger is activated to make a first electrical contact. Upon further activation, the trigger makes a second electrical contact which powers the motor and the gear and shaft assembly to drive the rotating barrel assembly, the cap indexing and firing mechanism and the vibration mechanism, as the light and sound effects continue.

Abstract: A missile (20) comprises a missile body (22) and a plurality of (typically four) body flaps (28) located around the circumference of the missile body (22). Each body flap (28) is independently pivotable to an extended position wherein the body flap (28) is pivoted outwardly from a pivot axis along the leading edge (34) of the body flap (28). The forward edge (34) of the body flap (28) is displaced outwardly from the body (22) of the missile (20) by a distance no less than a boundary layer thickness of the body (22) of the missile (22) at the maximum operating speed and altitude of the missile (20), and preferably about the boundary layer thickness, which thickness typically is about 1-3 inches for a high-velocity missile.

Abstract: A launcher for holding and successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The launcher includes a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine and thus the launching tubes. A control apparatus opens and closes a valve to introduce compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube.

Abstract: A sub-combat unit to be separated from a flying body, comprises a warhead, a target detector and two diametrically disposed carrier surfaces designed and arranged to impart to the sub-combat unit a rotation for scanning of the target area in a helical pattern during the fall of the sub-combat unit down towards the target area. The two carrier surfaces are pivotable between a closed position and an opened position in which the two carrier surfaces form a retarding area for controlling the fall velocity of the sub-combat unit and a flow influencing means is provided at at least one of the two carrier surfaces for creating a turbulent area immediately above the carrier surface for completely relieving the carrier surfaces even for large differences in the direction of the impinging wind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sub-combat unit which is disposed to be separated from a flying body, for example a carrier shell or the like, over a target area, the sub-combat unit comprising a warhead (4), a target detector (5) and two diametrically located carrier surfaces (1, 2) which impart to the sub-combat unit a rotation for scanning the target area in a helical pattern during the fall of the sub-combat unit down towards the target area, and both of the carrier surfaces (1, 2) being pivotally disposed from a collapsed position to an opened position where both of the carrier surfaces form a retarding area for the fall velocity of the sub-combat unit. The sub-combat unit is designed such that the relationship between the largest main inertia moment and the other main inertia moments of the sub-combat unit lies within the range of between 1.05 and 1.15.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for rearward launch of a missile. The inventive apparatus (10) includes a launch tube (12) in which the missile (14) is mounted with the forward end of the missile being mounted at the forward end (16) of the tube. The rearward end of the launch tube is sealed with a break-away material (18) prior to expulsion of the missile (14). An expulsion mechanism expels the missile in a rearward direction from the launch tube. The expulsion mechanism includes an airbag (20) and a pressurization mechanism (30). The airbag (20) includes a bra (22) for maintaining the orientation of the missile (14) during the expulsion thereof. The airbag (20) also includes a metallized enclosure (24) for sealing the launch tube (14) after the expulsion of the missile (14).

Abstract: A sight apparatus is formed of a small housing having a curved top and an internally disposed chamber which is intended to be positioned generally at the location of a normal front sight as used with firearms intended for shooting remote targets. The housing incorporates a switchable light emitter such as an LED of substantial brightness which is positioned adjacent a small collimation portion and exit aperture pointed parallel with the gun barrel axis toward the shooter's eye station. The brightness of this emitter output is selected with respect to the brightness of the ambient suround about the target so as to achieve enhanced brightness contour via physiological lateral inhibition within the shooter's eye. There then results a sharp sighting image which represents gun tip positional data to the shooter. This data is available to the shooter even though both eyes are focused at the remote field of the target, generally at infinity, and defocused at the tip of the gun barrel.

Abstract: A ballistic optimizing system for use on a preferably bedded rifle comprising a movable weight element secured to the end of a rifle barrel such that said weight element can be moved axially along said barrel to change the effective weight applied for dampening purposes and having an indicator for indicating the relative position of said weight element on said barrel and further including an additional weight releasably secured to said movable weight element and ports through said weight element to allow gas escape.

Abstract: A pair of explosive detonators are recessed in the end of a cylindrical body containing a permanent magnet, which serves as the rotor in a brushless, bi-directional torque motor enclosed in a housing. A reversible positioning current causes the motor to rotate the body between armed and safe positions and thereby establish and interrupt axial explosive transfer paths from the detonators to a corresponding pair of explosive transfer lines ported through the housing cover. An internal switching circuit disables the detonators when the body is in the safe position and passes a firing current to them when the body is in the armed position. A detent ring secured to the rotatable body, and a pair of spring-loaded detents in the housing index the rotatable body in the armed and safe positions and prevent its accidental rotation. Mechanical safing means are provided for manually overriding an electrical arming signal.

Abstract: A mechanical ignition type gas generator ignited by a striker comprises a gunpowder holder incorporating a gunpowder, a striker caused to dash against the gunpowder in the gunpowder holder, a striker holding member having a striker guide aperture in which the striker is inserted, a main spring for resiliently biasing the striker in the detaching direction, a trigger for retaining the striker, and a balancer for releasing the retainment of the trigger. A tapered portion that diametrically enlarges toward the gunpowder holder is disposed in the inner circumferential surface of the striker guide aperture of the striker holding member. A gas leak inhibiting ring is apart from the outer circumferential surface of the striker during non-ignition state of the gunpowder.

Abstract: An area defense mine has an orientable launch tube to fire a projectile at any bearing angle. The projectile contains at least one explosive charge, an arrangement for spinning the projectile about an axis of rotation and a device for detecting a target. The launch tube is orientable according to at least two different angles of sight. An arrangement for positioning the projectile in the launch tube allows the projectile to be positioned on a sabot of the tube in such fashion that the axis of rotation of the projectile remains oriented at a given axis whatever the angle of sight selected. Such a mine can be used either in a short-range or in a medium-range operating mode.

Abstract: An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries an acoustic transmitter for sending out an acoustic wave pattern capable of exploding mines having acoustic responsive detonators. The vehicle includes a transmitter retraction apparatus for raising and lowering the transmitter between a storage position located just beneath the vehicle and an operative position spaced remotely from the vehicle, and also from raising the transmitter through an opening in the vehicle for placing it in an access position on the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an air seal or pressure boundary assembly which normally forms an air-tight cover for the aforementioned opening while still permitting the transmitter to be deployed to the operative position and retracted to the storage position while the vehicle is on cushion, but which opens to permit removal of the transmitter to the access position when the vehicle is off-cushion.

Abstract: A fluidic, volume-cycled respirator circuit comprising a fluidic flowmeter, a tidal volume selection controller and an inlet valve. The flowmeter is connected to the controller through a transmitting means which transmits gas flow frequency signals. Said controller is then connected to the inlet valve, which is connected back to the flowmeter; hence, the respirator circuit is complete. The tidal volume selection controller may operate by either fluidics, electronics, or the combination of the two. The flowmeter facilitates supply of air to the patient. The amount of air supplied is controlled by the tidal volume selection controller which senses inspiration and gas flow frequency. The controller is equipped with a timer back-up system in the event that either the system or the patient fail to respond. The valve is operated at the direction of the tidal volume selection controller. The valve is open during the inspiratory phase and closed during the exhalation phase.

Abstract: An electro-rheological fluid damped actuator having an actuator housing w a moveable element such as a piston and rod assembly disposed within the housing. The actuator further comprises a hydraulic circuit with an electro-rheological fluid disposed in the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit and rheological fluid provides an active and variable damping force on the moveable element. The damping force is controlled by the output of an electrical circuit which creates an electric field within the hydraulic circuit. The electric field will cause the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid which is exposed to the electric field to increase or decrease in accordance with the magnitude of the electric field. The increase in viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid as it flows through the actuator provides an active damping force on the actuator which allows a more precise control of the output motions of the actuator.