Abstract: In an automatic firearm, a cartridge feed device is provided in order to convey the uppermost cartridge in a magazine into an intermediate station transverse to its extent. A lifting device is used to grasp the cartridge in the intermediate station and to move it vertically into a feed station in which it is aligned parallel to the axis of the barrel of the weapon. The lifting device is implemented as a feed fork having prongs which engage the cartridge in the intermediate station from the front and which then lift the cartridge into the feed station in a tilting movement.

Abstract: An adaptor (10) which allows a standard cartridge firing action to be used with a muzzle loading firearm (100) is described. The adaptor includes a breech plug (12) and a nipple (16) and is configured to be inserted into the barrel (108) of the firearm adjacent the receiver (104). The breech end (16A) of the nipple (16) has a conical shape. In use, a standard ignition cartridge (150) with a casing (150A) and a head (150B) with a primer (154) mounted in the flash hole (152) in the head is loaded into the receiver of the firearm. Next, the ignition cartridge is moved into the breech end (108A) of the barrel such that the casing extends into the center bore (14) of the breech plug and the breech end of the nipple extends into the end (152B of the flash hole in the head of the cartridge and is adjacent the primer. When the firearm is fired, the firing pin (114A) contacts the primer which ignites the primer.

Abstract: A detonation arrestor cuts the detonating cord of a dud line charge to prevent the pressure wave from a nearby explosion from sympathetically detonating the dud line charge. A housing of the detonation arrestor has a transverse passageway to receive the detonating cord of the dud line charge and an axial bore intersecting the passageway. A cutter piston having a cutter blade is disposed in the bore and is sized to permit axial displacement by a shallow dish-shaped diaphragm spring. The diaphragm spring has its center adjacent to one end of the cutter piston and laterally extends from the bore to be secured to the housing along its round periphery in a sealed relationship. The diaphragm spring is formed in the configuration of a Belleville spring from a spring material providing strength, rigidity, and spring modulus to snap to an extended position when displaced to a position past an over center position by an impinging pressure wave.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (10) for provoking an avalanche comprising a gas gun (12) the end of which is fixed to a seat (13) solidly anchored to the mountain and the downstream end of which is born by at least one leg (14) such that the mouth of the gun is arranged above the snow cover. The gun (1q2) upstream end is fixed to the seat (13) by an articulation (17), and the downstream end is ballasted, the leg (14) being mounted freely on a base (15) made integral with the ground. The leg (14) is hollow and contains ballast consisting of chippings or concrete. The gun (12) is further provided with ignition mechanisms (54) arranged upstream in its proximity and ensures the ignition of the detonating gas mixture.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine is proposed for a firearm adapted to fire non-impact ammunition cartridges, the firearm includes a frame and a backstrap module which houses an electronic firing apparatus for generating a firing signal. The ammunition magazine also includes an elongated housing for accommodating the ammunition cartridges and has a pair of edge members formed along opposing lateral edges of the housing adjacent a bottom end, the housing being selectively insertable into a magazine chamber formed in the frame. An end cap is equipped with a pair of groove members formed along opposing lateral edges and adjacent a top end for selectively accommodating the pair of edge members and enabling the end cap to be secured to the bottom end of the housing. The ammnunition magazine further includes a blind bore formed in the end cap for accommodating a battery.

Abstract: An improved blast shield for use on a wheeled military vehicle. The blast shield has at least a portion responsive to a blast under the vehicle that reacts in response to the blast to block the door of the passenger compartment whereby the occupants of the compartment are protected from ejection from the vehicle for the duration of the blast effect.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a security apparatus for use in authorizing the discharge of a firearm having a firing apparatus includes a sensor assembly for receiving a plurality of operational parameters of the firearm and determining if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge said firearm therefrom. The security apparatus authorizes the firing apparatus to produce and send a check signal to an ammunition cartridge only if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge the firearm. The firing apparatus further generates a firing signal and provides the firing signal to the cartridge only if the check signal indicates that the cartridge is properly loaded in the firearm.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firearm having an electronic firing apparatus adapted to produce a firing signal includes a frame with a firing chamber to receive a percussively fired cartridge, a barrel with a firing axis attached to the frame in alignment with the firing chamber and a trigger member. A linearly displaceable firing probe is disposed within the frame for linear reciprocal movement from a probe recovered position, wherein the firing probe is retracted away from said cartridge, to a probe contacting position, wherein the firing probe is disposed forwardly in contact with the cartridge. A security apparatus is in electrical communication with the firing probe and is capable of determining an operational mode of the firearm. The firearm further includes an identification assembly for determining whether an operator of the firearm is an authorized operator and is in electrical communication with the security apparatus.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firing probe assembly adapted to deliver an electric firing signal from a firing apparatus to a non-impact fired ammunition cartridge in a firearm comprises a probe shaft, a probe spring, a probe tip, and an actuator bushing. The probe shaft is secured to a frame of the firearm and in communication with the firing apparatus. The probe spring is mounted between the probe shaft and probe tip, thereby urging the probe tip forwardly against the actuator bushing. The actuator bushing is biased rearwardly by an actuator bushing spring and is positioned and configured to be displaced forwardly by momentum of a firing mechanism of the firearm. The actuator bushing is further configured and positioned to bring the probe tip into contact with the cartridge when the firing mechanism drives the actuator bushing in the forward direction.

Abstract: A system for launching precision guided munitions (PGMs), artillery rockets/missiles, and cruise missiles from an aircraft includes a mobile unit having a storage compartment provided with a rack assembly arranged to define multiple tiers for storing munition ejection containers (MECs) therein. An elevator apparatus raises and lowers a tray between the tiers in order to load and remove the MECs from predetermined storage positions on the multiple tier rack assembly. Each MEC is structured to encapsulate one or more PGMs, artillery rockets/missiles, or cruise missiles and includes forward and rear end plates attached to longitudinal side panels. Pre-formed packing inserts protectively surround and stabilize the missile(s) contained in the MEC. An ejection ramp extends from the aft end of the mobile unit for individually directing the MECs through a cargo door of the aircraft for ejection therefrom.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a backstrap module is utilized in conjunction with a firearm having a security apparatus and a firing apparatus. The security apparatus authorizes operation of the firearm and generation of an electronic firing signal which is communicated to a firing probe of the firing apparatus. The backstrap module includes a molded shell which removably affixes the backstrap module to a frame of the firearm and houses the security apparatus. The backstrap module further includes a device for communicating the firing signal to the firing probe and provides for the energizing of the security apparatus and the firing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention involves a process for artificially triggering an avalanche. The invention process includes a first step of filling at least one flexible envelope with an explosive fluid and a second step of triggering an explosion of the aforesaid fluid within each envelope, each envelope being destroyed by the explosion of the fluid. The destruction of the envelope allows for propagation of an aerial spherical overpressure wave which will affect an optimal area of the blanket of snow to be removed and will shake the aforesaid area and trigger an avalanche. The invention also involves a device for applying this process, the aforesaid device including at least one envelope to contain the explosive fluid, and means to trigger the explosion of this fluid within each envelope.

Abstract: An unlocked self-loading pistol and a conversion kit for modifying a locked self-loading pistol adapted for firing normal and powerful cartridges into an unlocked self-loading pistol capable of firing weak cartridges as well as normal and powerful cartridges is disclosed. The unlocked self-loading pistol includes a return spring which is closely surrounded on the outside by a sleeve composed of an elastomer material. The length of the elastomer sleeve corresponds approximately to the length of the compressed return spring. The sleeve absorbs a part of the movement energy of the breech and passes it on into the grip. The conversion kit can be used to convert a locked self-loading pistol into an unlocked self-loading pistol as stated above and vice versa. The disclosed conversion kit includes: an alternate barrel which does not come into locked engagement with the breech, the abovementioned elastomer sleeve, and, optionally, a substitute return spring.

Abstract: A trunnion assembly for mounting a launching device including a barrel for launching a liquid or a solid including at least one horizontal locating assembly to allow limited horizontal movement of the launching device; and at least one vertical locating assembly for varying the vertical inclination of the launching device. The structure for varying the extent of horizontal movement of the trunnion assembly includes at least one resilient movable stop assembly; and the structure for varying the extent of vertical movement of the trunnion assembly includes at least one resilient stop assembly.

Abstract: A firearm for firing non-impact primer ammunition includes an electrically-conductive firing probe adapted to deliver a firing charge to ignite the primer and cause firing. The firing signal is controlled by a computer control system located in the firearm that determines firing ready conditions, including operator identification, and causes the firing signal to be delivered in response thereto.

Abstract: An improved braked or snubbed joint assembly for use for supporting a grapple, clam shell or like device, is disclosed. The present braked or snubbed joint assembly includes a first member including an element defining an elongate cylindrical bore therethrough having a central axis, and first and second outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end faces. A second member having first and second arms defining a space therebetween receives the first member, and an axial pin rotatably joins the first member and the second member. The second member includes an element located in the space which has a correspondingly tapered or conical concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the first outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end face and the second arm includes an element located in the space which has a correspondingly tapered or conical concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the second outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end face.

Abstract: A multilayered polymeric preform or container is disclosed wherein the blow temperatures of each polymer in a preform is controlled by the addition of a predetermined selected amount of a fast heat up additive such that each polymer layer blows at the same relative period of time to prepare the container.

Abstract: A tip and adapter assembly for an earthworking bucket has a replaceable tip mounted on an adapter. The adapter has a mounting end fitted into a socket cavity of the tip, which are provided with suitable mating surfaces for transferring loading forces from the tip to the adapter. The adapter is provided with an ear that projects into a U-shaped notch in each side of the tip. A gap is provided between the ear and the notch to indicate that excessive wear has not occurred in the tip/adapter interface. However, contact between the ear and notch serves as a visual indicator that excessive wear has occurred. The notch also serves as a fuse to ensure that the tip breaks due to excessive loads before the adapter.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a novel high molecular weight PBP of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed heterologous host cells for expressing the PBP and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit the enzymatic activity of the PBP.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding GrpE of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.