Abstract: A protective cover for firearm percussion caps is provided which is removably mounted to the existing firearm nipple and secured to another portion of the firearm by an elastomeric loop. The cover has a hollow, generally cylindrical configuration formed from resilient and weatherproof material, such as rubber, and can flex off of its longitudinal axis to facilitate installation onto the nipple in close confines. A radially extending handle formed from a more rigid material is mechanically mounted to the cover between two O-rings formed from material more easily bonded to the cover. The interior of the cover is sufficiently resilient and sized so as to sealingly receive most commonly used firearm nipples via an interference fit to prevent moisture penetration to the percussion cap.

Abstract: A discriminating deceleration sensing electrical switch assembly is enclosed within a munitions projectile for providing an electrical circuit path between a pair of electrical contacts upon deceleration of the projectile being greater than a selected deceleration threshold value. The discriminating deceleration electrical switch assembly includes a switch support having a bore hole for holding a spherical mass or ball. A tactile dome switch or snap switch is juxtaposed between an electrical contact assembly, including a pair of electrically conductive surface regions, and the spherical mass. The components are arranged along the munitions firing axis such that, upon sufficient deceleration along the firing axis, a force acting on the spherical mass will cause the dome switch to deform and contact the conductive surface regions to provide switch closure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved apparatus for performing safe and reliable built-in testing (BIT) of a laser initiated ordnance device. The system transmits light energy from a laser through optical fibers to achieve initiation of pyrotechnic or explosive charges and other ordnance. In the preferred embodiment, a separate BIT return fiber is included in the system in addition to the energy transmission fiber. The invention also incorporates a "telescope" comprising a pair of gradient-index (GRIN) rod lenses in series to first collimate and then reconcentrate light emitted by the energy transmitting fiber, while reflecting part of the light to an image at the face of the BIT fiber. Alternatively, an arrangement using a pair of aspheric silica lenses can be substituted for the GRIN lenses. The fraction of the light reflected to the BIT fiber can be controlled by specifying the reflectance at one of the lens end surfaces.

Abstract: A blade seal (20) for an aircraft has a mounting structure (22). A composite blade (26) is attached to the mounting structure (22). The composite blade (26) has a plurality of holes (28). An elastomer substance (30) is used to fill the plurality of holes (28).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integral hoist and weapon rack interface assembly adaptable for loading a weapon onto an aircraft. The assembly includes a hoist mechanism positioned at an aircraft weapon station and a separate rack attached to the hoist by straps is lowered into contact with the weapon. After the weapon is attached to the rack, the combination of weapon and rack are raised into engagement with a structural plate supporting the hoist mechanism. A plurality of uplock hooks mounted on the plate automatically engage swaybraces mounted on the rack to mechanically lock the rack to the hoist.

Abstract: A device for transporting and launching rockets carrying a payload for transportation into space includes a floatable structure. The floatable structure includes a hoist for moving the rocket in a horizontal orientation from a ship to a deck of the floatable structure. The floatable structure also includes a hanger for the rocket, and facilities necessary for moving the horizontally oriented rocket to a launching pad, and for raising the rocket into a vertical position.

Abstract: A barrel and receiver assembly providing an improved means of connecting the barrel assembly to the receiver wherein the improved means of connecting the barrel assembly to the receiver comprises a wedge that imparts a force in a direction perpendicular to the barrel, and a means for attaching the barrel assembly to the receiver that imparts a force in a direction parallel to the barrel, and wherein the combination imparts a bi-directional force to the barrel assembly.

Abstract: A stores ejection system for retaining a store on the underside of an aircraft and forcibly jettisoning the store away from the aircraft. The ejection system includes an ejector mechanism for releasably holding and jettisoning the store away from the aircraft and a storage device for storing pressurized gas at an operating pressure selected for actuating the ejector mechanism to release the store and forcibly jettison the store. The system further includes a dump valve movable between a closed position in which the storage device is isolated from the ejector mechanism, and an open position in which the pressurized gas is free to flow from the storage device to the ejector mechanism for pneumatic actuation of the ejector mechanism to release and jettison the store.

Abstract: An escape slide and life raft assembly for evacuating personnel from an aircraft, with the slide having side tubes and cross tubes along with a slide panel that extends the full length of the slide. The slide has a head end and a toe end with one of the cross tubes located at the head end defining a head end tube. A girt, secured to the aircraft, has a quick release connection to the escape slide that is actuated by a lanyard, which lanyard is also connected to a plurality of releasable straps which provide support to the slide while it is being inflated. Such releasable straps are located at the head end of the slide and interconnect the head end tube and the side tubes to the girt.

Abstract: A bolt-on air chamber that increases the volume of air stored inside a paintball gun. The increased volume of air allows the use of low pressure/high volume valves in the gun. The bolt-on air chamber also holds the gun together.

Abstract: A rolling gimbal harness for interconnecting between a gimbal mounted electronics assembly and a near gimbal electronics assembly in an airborne missile. The harness negotiates the dynamic range of the gimbal while exerting very little spring torque and friction. The harness is a flat ribbon of many shielded twisted wire pairs embedded in a highly flexible insulation material. The twisted wire pairs are terminated in very small connectors with pins having 0.025 spacing. The harness includes a pre-formed arcuate region which follows a circumferential path defined by the periphery of the gimbal platform.

Abstract: An anti tip-off device for rocket rockets adapted for collapsible tube-inbe launchers is provided. The dual-diameter launch tube requires stabilization of the rocket within the larger diameter tube. The anti tip-off device has two segments which together form a hollow cylinder which fits over the nose section of a standard high explosive anti-armor rocket. A sliding surface is located around the circumference of the cylinder to provide support for the rocket during transit of the larger launch tube. The surface contact prevents the rocket from wobbling or tipping during the rocket's transit of the launch tube. Alternately, permanently-bonded stabilizer legs or a bonded ring may be attached to the rocket to match the diameter of the larger launch tube. The anti tip-off device may be fabricated using any material suited to the launcher and rocket combination, including lexan, teflon, nylon, wood, or aluminum.

Abstract: A reloading apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support for supporting a casing and a casing feed station for placing the casing on the support. The apparatus also includes a primer removal station for resizing the casing and removing a spent primer from the casing. The apparatus further includes an expanding station for enlarging a diameter of a mouth of the casing. The apparatus still further includes a primer insertion station for inserting a charged primer into the casing. The apparatus also includes a gunpowder dispensing station for dispensing a quantity of gunpowder into the casing. The apparatus further includes a bullet setting station for setting a bullet into the casing so as to form a cartridge. The bullet setting station includes a bullet aligner for positioning a bullet adjacent the mouth of the casing, and a plunger. The plunger is movable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position.

Abstract: A weapon system is disclose whose design permits simple reconfiguration of the weapon to perform optimally in many configurations. By reconfigurations, the weapon can be configured to fire a wide variety of cartridges, including but not limited to 7.62.times.39 mm, 5.45.times.39 mm, 5.56 NATO, 0.45 ACP, 9 mm, 40 S&W, and 0.300 Magnum. This reconfiguration is accomplished by easily changing the following components: barrel; operating rod, recoil spring, and buffer; gas tube, bolt head, firing pin and extractor; and magazine well. The weapon can be reconfigured to accept a wide variety of cartridge feeding devices, including but not limited to AR15/M16 magazines, AK47 magazines, and a variety of ammunition belts and links. Also, the weapon system can be easily reconfigured to position a cartridge magazine either under the firearm or above the firearm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom plate member (6) which is designed and made for initially tightening a chamber in which a high gas pressure is generated, for example the propellant charge chamber (4) in an ammuniton round for a recoilless weapon system or in pipes or containers within the process industry. The plate member (6) is breakable and opens for the gases to exit when the gas pressure within the chamber exceeds a certain level. The plate member has a through hole (12) in the center which gives an effective starting point for the cracking process as well as fractural impressions (10) to control the cracking process so that the plate is divided into a number of well defined parts of flaps (11) which are connected to each other. The plate member (6) further comprises a number of straight edges (16), which number corresponds to the number of flaps (11), against which edges the base of the flaps are arranged to be folded when the plate member opens due to the gas pressure.

Abstract: A sealing device (30) is provided for sealing the interior of a pressure vessel such as the containment tube (20) of a separation device (8). The sealing device may comprises a detonation manifold (130, 230 or 330) having a body portion (31) having at least one initiation port (32) for receiving a secondary device such as initiation devices (15a, 15b) and at least one mounting boss (138 or 238) having an annular locking channel (162 or 262) along the side surface (138b or 238b) of the mounting boss. A locking collar (150 or 250) having an integral crimping band (158 or 258) which extends along and protrudes from an inner circumferential contact surface (151 or 251) of locking collar (150 or 250).

Abstract: A tube launched projectile having a shaft member at the aft section is slidably mounted on a boom extending aft from the body of the projectile. The boom has a cavity in its aft end which receives some combustion gas from the projectile propellant burn and retains this gas at elevated pressure until the projectile exits the tube. Upon reaching atmospheric pressure, the stored cavity gas expands and drives the slidable shaft aft, elongating the projectile to its flight configuration.

Abstract: A locking assembly in a launcher for missiles comprises a pivotally mounted blocking latch which is provided with two blocking lugs for extending over a shoe provided on the missile. The blocking latch is biased by a spring toward a blocking position, in which the shoe of the missile is retained by the blocking lugs. A locking lug is provided on the blocking latch. In the blocking position the locking lug engages a safety lever having a contact surface, when inertial forces of the missile act on the blocking latch such that the blocking latch is retained in the blocking position, in which the blocking lugs extend over the shoe of the missile. The safety lever is pivotable about a pivot axis out of the pivotal path of the locking lug. The safety lever comprises means for reducing the distance between the contact surface and the pivot axis during the pivotal movement of the safety lever, such that the contact surface is removed from the locking lug during the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A detonator (100) assembled from a housing (112), an output charge (144) and an initiation means (110, 120, 58, 54) includes a pulverulent ignition charge (46a) disposed in direct initiation relation to the initiation means, and an output charge (144) that may contain a pulverulent deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) charge (144a) and a base charge (144b). The ignition charge (46a) has an average particle size of less than 10 microns, or even less than 5 microns, e.g., 1 to 2 microns. The initiation means may include a semiconductor bridge (18) and the ignition charge (46a) may be compacted with a force of less than about 5880 psi, e.g., with a force of 1000 psi.

Abstract: A long range artillery shell (1) comprising rocket propellant material (10), a rocket motor nozzle (14) and base bleed propellant material (12). Ignition of the rocket propellant material (10) is delayed until the base bleed propellant material (12) has substantially finished burning. The base bleed propellant material (12) may be housed in the same chamber and behind the rocket propellant material (10) in order to provide support to the rocket propellant material (10) during launch. The two propellant materials (10, 12) may be separated by a thermal ignition barrier (18) to prevent premature rocket ignition.