Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Donini

Joseph A. Donini has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6336407
    Abstract: A fuze operates in two modes. In a primary mode, the fuze functions similarly to a conventional M223 fuze. In a secondary, self-destruct mode, a pyrotechnic delay mechanism is initiated. The slide assembly is comprised of an aerodynamic safety release, a safety pin, a rotational firing pin fitted with a resilient member such as a spring, a M55 detonator, pyrotechnic initiator, a pyrotechnic delay mix and end cap. In use, the fuze is fitted to a grenade. As the grenade is dispensed from its carrier, a grenade stabilizer starts to oscillate. The oscillation results in an arming screw and an inertial weight to back out from a slide assembly, allowing the slide assembly to move to an in-line position relative to a main M55 detonator in-line with the arming screw (firing pin). Concurrently, the aerodynamic safety release is lifted in the upward direction under the force of the airstream, releasing the safety pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Louis J. Adimari, Keith R. Fulton, Joseph A. Donini
  • Patent number: 6311622
    Abstract: A secondary self-destruct fuze that functions in the event the primary fuze mode fails to function, and that meets the design requirements for a low cost, highly producible no-spin/low velocity operating environment. The fuze includes a bottom plate, two spacers, a firing pin, a striker, a rotor, a pyrotechnic mix, a rotor spring, a striker spring, a weight with a firing pin, a weight spring, a bore rider, a bore rider spring, a housing, a handling safety pin, and a ribbon retainer. In use, the handling safety pin is removed upon loading of the grenade in the main carrier. When the grenade is ejected, the expulsion event forces the ribbon retainer to be uncovered and the ribbon to unfurl, which releases the safety lock feature. The unfurling of the ribbon in the air stream stabilizes the grenade by causing an upward pull force. Simultaneously, the air stream forces the bore rider and the bore rider spring out of the fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Louis J. Adimari, Joseph A. Donini, Keith R. Fulton, Marc E. Ball, Edward F. Cooper, John R. Hertzler, John C. Yoo
  • Patent number: 6302025
    Abstract: A secondary self-destruct fuze that functions in the event the primary fuze mode fails to function, and that meets the design requirements for a low cost, highly producible no-spin/low velocity operating environment. The fuze includes an improved slide assembly comprised of an aerodynamic safety release (ASR), a safety pin, a secondary firing pin fitted with a spring, a secondary detonator which is placed in alignment with the secondary firing pin, a slide, an omni directional weight release that operates at various impact angles, and a weight release support. In use, the fuze is fitted to a munition or grenade. As the grenade is dispensed from its carrier, the oscillation of a grenade stabilizer causes an arming screw to back out from the fuze slide, allowing the slide assembly to move to an in-line position relative to the center of the fuze. Concurrently, the aerodynamic safety release is lifted in the upward direction under the force of the airstream, releasing the safety pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Louis J. Adimari, Keith R. Fulton, Joseph A. Donini