Abstract: The invention concerns a protective device comprising an airbag worn by a person, a pyrotechnic gas generator for inflating the airbag, and an actuator for the gas generator. The invention is such that the gas generator has a dual state combustion. Preferably, the generator is single-piece with single ignition. The invention device enables to provide a first inflating phase lasting about 60 ms at most, preferably between 30 and 50 ms; then a second phase maintaining inflation lasting at least a few seconds, preferably at least 4 s, more preferably still between 5 and 8 s.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protective device comprising an airbag (10) worn by a person, a pyrotechnic gas generator (7) for inflating the airbag, and means for actuating the gas generator. The invention is characterised in that the gas generator has a dual state combustion. Preferably, the generator is single-piece with single ignition. The inventive device enables to provide a first inflating phase lasting about 60 ms at most, preferably between 30 and 50 ms; then a second phase maintaining inflation lasting at least a few seconds, preferably at least 4 s, more preferably still between 5 and 8 s.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inflatable life buoy launcher gun for throwing, towards a shipwrecked person, a life buoy or life jacket folded in a sheathing body around a pyrotechnic gas generator. When the life buoy or life jacket reaches near the person, the life buoy or life jacket is inflated by means of gas generator gases. The folded life buoy or life jacket is launched from a launching tube provided with a firing handle and a launching gas generator.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic firing device for tools connected to a firing plunger movably mounted in a launch tube. The device consists of an inner barrel or frame (1), and a firing gas generator (9) housed in a modular breech (7) at one end of the launch tube (5) secured to a weight (3) which receives the recoil on the breech (7) during firing and is connected to one end of a damping cylinder (6) between the frame (1) and the weight (3). The device is useful as an easily adaptable and convertible firing device capable of being fitted with a wide variety of tools.

Abstract: The dynamic pyrotechnical penetrometer enables to determine the features of the soils by continuous detection and measurement of penetration of a probe rod (1) using the pressure created by a pyrotechnical gas generator (5). A standard probe rod (1) mounted on a piston (2) is placed in an amagnetic tube equipped with solenoids. This probe rod accommodates a magnet (3) on the one hand and a recoiling mass (4) on the other, which balances the amount of movement of the rod created by the gases of a pyrotechnical generator (5) contained in this recoiling mass. A unit for acquiring and processing the movement of the standard rod enables to calculate the resistance of the soil to the penetration of the rod.

Abstract: A device for protecting, by impact absorption, the occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision includes a pyrotechnic generator (2) of hot gases, the temperature of which at the outlet of the generator is equal to at least 1,800.degree. C. and a sealed or virtually sealed inflatable bag (3) fastened to the said generator. Communication between the bag (3) and the generator (2) is ensured by openings (27) with a constant cross-section arranged on the generator and by a deflector (28). The invention also relates to the use of a device of this type combined with a seat belt, in particular in order to improve the protection of motor vehicle drivers.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving anchors in the ground by gas pressure which includes on a frame to be maintained stationary relative to the ground, a mechanism for firing and combustion of a pyrotechnical composition, and for launching an anchor. The apparatus including an acoustic shield for gas expansion which is slidingly mounted on a recoil ramp so as to balance the impulse transmitted to the anchor by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A light-weight anti-tank weapon for use by infantry consists of a launching tube for a projectile such as a rocket contained either directly in the tube or in a container which, when firing takes place, forms an extension of the tube. To enable the weapon to be used either by a right-handed or left-handed marksman, the fittings associated with the weapon are symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal plane when the weapon is ready to be fired, and certain elements of the weapon, particularly an optical aiming device and a shoulder-piece, can be secured to one of the two sets of suitable supports or mountings in the right-hand and left-hand positions, respectively.

Abstract: A projectile-firing weapon wherein the firing of the projectile is brought about, at least partly, by the unfolding of a flexible bag under the effect of a pressure within the bag.