SOLID METAL FRAGMENTATION SLEEVE

Abstract

A fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device is disclosed. The fragmentation sleeve may include a cylindrical side wall having a plurality of fragmentation portions. The cylindrical side wall may further include a plurality of longitudinally extending separation portions and a plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described herein includes contributions by one or more employees of the Department of the Navy made in performance of official duties and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the United States Government without payment of any royalties thereon.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to fragmentation sleeves and, more particularly, to field-assembled solid metal fragmentation sleeves. Illustratively, a removable fragmentation sleeve for use with a hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device is disclosed. The fragmentation sleeve may be used with any hand deployable explosive device, such as an offensive hand grenade or concussion grenade, but is not limited thereto.

Hand deployable explosive devices may be fragmenting or non-fragmenting. Upon detonation, fragmenting explosive devices, such as fragmentation grenades, are configured to propel a plurality of fragmentation portions toward a target. While non-fragmenting explosive devices, such as concussion grenades, are not configured to produce fragmentation portions (e.g., flechettes, shrapnel) upon detonation, these explosive devices may produce greater shock waves than fragmenting explosive devices. An explosive device capable of producing enhanced shock waves (as with concussion grenades) selectively with fragmentation portions (as with fragmentation grenades) may increase versatility in the field.

The fragmentation sleeve of the present disclosure is configured to be easily stowed and quickly assembled in the field. The solid fragmentation sleeve increases versatility in field applications. More particularly, a removable, solid fragmentation sleeve provides the option to add fragmentation portions to a non-fragmenting explosive device. As such, enhanced shock waves of the non-fragmenting explosive device may be combined with the fragmentation portions of a fragmenting explosive device.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device is shown. The fragmentation sleeve includes a cylindrical side wall defining a longitudinal axis. The side wall may include a plurality of fragmentation portions having a first wall thickness. The fragmentation sleeve further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending separation portions, each longitudinally extending separation portion extending between circumferentially spaced fragmentation portions. The fragmentation sleeve further includes a plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions, each circumferentially extending separation portion extending between longitudinally spaced fragmentation portions. The longitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentially extending separation portions have a second wall thickness. The second wall thickness is illustratively less than the first wall thickness.

A further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device, the sleeve having a wall with an inner surface defining a chamber configured to receive a hand held explosive device. The wall illustratively includes a plurality of fragmentation portions and a plurality of first separation portions extending longitudinally between adjacent fragmentation portions. The wall of the fragmentation sleeve also illustratively includes a plurality of second separation portions extending substantially perpendicular to the first separation portions and extending between adjacent fragmentation portions. A coupler is supported by the wall and is configured to releasably couple the hand held explosive device to the wall.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using a fragmentation sleeve with a non-fragmenting explosive device includes the steps of providing a hand held explosive device, and slidably receiving the explosive device within a fragmentation sleeve having a side wall supporting a plurality of fragmentation portions. The method may further include the step of detonating the explosive device. Upon detonation, the wall separates along a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separation portions and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending separation portions. The method further includes the step of propelling the plurality of fragmentation portions positioned between the plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separation portions and the plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending separation portions.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the intended advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative solid fragmentation sleeve, a retainer clip, and a hand deployable explosive device;

FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the solid fragmentation sleeve, the retainer clip, and the hand deployable explosive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fragmentation sleeve taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fragmentation sleeve taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of an alternative embodiment of an inner surface of the fragmentation sleeve; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed top view of the retainer clip of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principals of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative solid fragmentation sleeve 10 and a hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device 100 are shown. Hand deployable, or hand held, explosive device 100 may be an offensive hand grenade, often referred to as a concussion grenade. Such explosive devices may be carried in the field and are capable of being thrown or placed at a desired location by an operator without the use of a separate propellant. Hand deployable explosive devices may be used for concussion effects in enclosed areas. Additionally, hand deployable explosive devices may be used for blasting or other demolition operations.

An illustrative hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device is an offensive hand grenade (OHG), which may include approximately eight ounces of explosive material and weigh approximately 16 ounces. Furthermore, illustrative OHGs are often configured to be thrown a distance of approximately 130 feet. An illustrative OHG may have an effective radius of approximately six feet in an open area, resulting from a shock front moving at approximately 170,000 mph with an explosive loading of approximately 3,000,000 psi. An illustrative example of hand deployable explosive device 100 is the MK3A2 OHG.

Solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 may slidably receive non-fragmenting explosive device 100. More particularly, sleeve 10 includes a cylindrical side wall 20 having an inner diameter (id) dimensioned to receive a cylindrical body 103 of explosive device 100 (FIG. 4). An outer diameter (od) of side wall 20 is dimensioned to accommodate the detonation means of explosive device 100 (FIG. 4). The detonation means of explosive device 100 illustratively include a safety lever 101 and a pull ring 102. When pull ring 102 is removed and safety lever 101 is released, a fuse within explosive device 100 is ignited in order to detonate explosive material within body 103 of explosive device 100 after a predetermined time period. To prevent interference with safety lever 101 of explosive device 100, the outer surface of side wall 20, defined by outer diameter (od), should not contact the inner surface of safety lever 101. In this way, the dimensions of solid sleeve 10 are determined based upon the size and shape of explosive device 100. The dimensions of sleeve 10 disclosed herein are specific to the illustrative embodiment of explosive device 100; however, the dimensions of sleeve 10 may vary to accommodate different explosive devices.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, cylindrical side wall 20 illustratively extends between opposing ends 23 and 24 of fragmentation sleeve 10 along a longitudinal axis 25. Side wall 20 is illustratively formed of a solid, rigid material, such as metal. For example, cylindrical side wall 20 of sleeve 10 may be comprised of steel or aluminum. Cylindrical side wall 20 may be comprised of other material (e.g., ceramic) having a sufficient material properties (e.g., combination of tensile strength, density, and hardness) for providing desired impact during an explosion. Also, cylindrical side wall 20 is configured to maintain structural integrity and resist deformation if sleeve 10 is accidentally dropped, bounced, stepped on, or kicked during transport. Cylindrical side wall 20 further defines a circumference 26 extending perpendicular to longitudinal axis 25. Cylindrical side wall 20 is shown having a first wall thickness (t₁) of at least 0.20 inches (FIG. 4). Illustratively, solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 may have a length (l) extending axially approximately 3.5 inches (FIG. 3). Inner diameter (id) of sleeve 10 is illustratively approximately 2.1 inches, while outer diameter (od) of solid sleeve 10 is illustratively approximately 2.5 inches (FIG. 4).

Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 illustratively includes a base member 60 that provides a closed end of sleeve 10. More particularly, fragmentation sleeve 10 includes open, upper end 23 to receive explosive device 100 and lower end 24 to support base member 60. Body 103 of explosive device 100 may fit clearingly fit within solid sleeve 10 to avoid interference with the outer surface of side wall 20 and facilitate field assembly. Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 illustratively includes a coupler, such as a retainer clip 50, to secure explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. Solid sleeve 10 and explosive device 100 may include other conventional couplers to secure explosive device 100 within fragmentation sleeve 10. For example, fragmentation sleeve 10 and explosive device 100 may include cooperating pins, grooves, hook and loop fasteners, resilient fingers, adhesive, double-sided tape, suction cups, or other fasteners.

Cylindrical side wall 20 may further include a plurality of longitudinally extending separation portions 30 and a plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions 32. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 and circumferentially extending separation portions 32 illustratively intersect at right angles to define a plurality of fragmentation portions 40.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 extend parallel to longitudinal axis 25. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 are illustratively formed in the metal comprising cylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 may extend parallel to adjacent longitudinally extending separation portions 30 along an outer surface of cylindrical side wall 20. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 illustratively extend axially approximately 3.5 inches. Illustratively, longitudinally extending separation portions 30 are spaced approximately 0.13 inches apart from adjacent longitudinally extending separation portions 30. Furthermore, illustrative longitudinally extending separation portions 30 may have a width no greater than 0.06 inches. The width of longitudinally extending separation portions 30 may vary with different manufacturing methods. For example, it may be advantageous in certain situations to increase the size of fragmentation portions 40 by minimizing the width of adjacent longitudinally extending separation portions 30. In cross-section, longitudinally extending separation portions 30 may define a rectangle. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 are defined by cylindrical side wall 20 having a second wall thickness (t₂) of approximately 0.06 inches (FIG. 4). Second wall thickness (t₂) of side wall 20 is defined based upon material properties and environmental conditions such that separation portions 30, 32 maintain structural integrity during normal use (e.g., storage, transport, and deployment), but effectively fracture or separate during detonation of the explosive device 100 (e.g., operation).

Referring further to FIG. 3, cylindrical side wall 20 includes the plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions 32 positioned inwardly from the outer surface of cylindrical side wall 20. Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are illustratively formed integral with side wall 20, and may be comprised of the metal of cylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Each circumferentially extending separation portion 32 illustratively extends parallel to adjacent circumferentially extending separation portions 32. Adjacent circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are illustratively spaced apart by 0.09 inches. Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 also may extend parallel to circumference 26 of cylindrical side wall 20. Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 may extend at least seven inches around circumference 26 of cylindrical side wall 20. Further, circumferentially extending separation portions 32 may extend perpendicular to longitudinally extending separation portions 30. Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 illustratively have a height no greater than 0.06 inches and define a rectangle in cross-section. Different manufacturing methods may be used to minimize the height of circumferentially extending separation portions 32. By minimizing the height of circumferentially extending separation portions 32, the size of adjacent fragmentation portions 40 may increase, which may be advantageous in certain circumstances. Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are defined by cylindrical side wall 20 having second wall thickness (t₂) of approximately 0.06 inches.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 illustratively intersect at right angles with circumferentially extending separation portions 32 to define the plurality of fragmentation portions 40 supported by cylindrical side wall 20. Fragmentation portions 40 are illustratively formed integral with side wall 20, and may be comprised of the metal comprising cylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). The thickness of fragmentation portions 40 may be the first wall thickness (t₁) of cylindrical side wall 20. As such, the cooperation between outer diameter (od) of side wall 20 and safety lever 101 of explosive device 100 may limit the thickness of side wall 20, thereby limiting the thickness of fragmentation portions 40. In this way, fragmentation portions 40, longitudinally extending separation portions 30, and circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are all integral with cylindrical wall 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, fragmentation portions 40 are shown in a series of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced columns and a series of circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced rows. In the illustrative embodiments, there are 40 columns of fragmentation portions 40 extending longitudinally and 20 rows of fragmentation portions 40 extending circumferentially. Cylindrical side wall 20 supports at least 220 fragmentation portions 40, however, the total number of fragmentation portions 40 may vary, depending on the application for which sleeve 10 is needed. In the illustrative embodiment, side wall 20 supports 800 fragmentation portions 40. Adjacent longitudinally extending columns may be circumferentially spaced apart by a distance no greater than 0.06 inches (the width of longitudinally extending separation portions 30), and adjacent circumferentially extending rows may be longitudinally spaced apart by a distance no greater than 0.06 inches (the width of circumferentially extending separation portions 32).

Fragmentation portions 40 may define a plurality of shapes, although illustratively fragmentation portions 40 are rectangular prisms, or parallelepipeds. Fragmentation portions 40 having a parallelepiped configuration include flat surfaces for receiving the shock waves produced by explosive device 100. Flat surfaces of fragmentation portions 40 are effective in coupling the momentum of the shock waves. Fragmentation portions 40 may have a width of approximately 0.13 inches, a height of approximately 0.10 inches, and a thickness of approximately 0.20 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 may further include base member 60. Base member 60 may be coupled to lower end 24 of cylindrical side wall 20 to define a closed cylinder. Illustratively, base member 60 has a circular configuration, and may include a solid outer cylindrical surface or a row of fragmentation portions 40 defining the outer cylindrical surface. Base member 60 may further include a plurality of first separation portions 63 and a plurality of second separation portions 64. First separation portions 63 illustratively intersect at right angles with second separation portions 64 to define a plurality of base fragmentation portions 65. Base member 60 may be formed of the same metal comprising cylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). In one illustrative embodiment, base member 60 is integral with cylindrical side wall 20. In other embodiments, base member 60 may be coupled to cylindrical side wall 20 using conventional coupling means, such as welding or fasteners. Base member 60 may have a first base thickness of approximately 0.20 inches (t₁) and an outer diameter (od) of approximately 2.5 inches (FIGS. 5 and 6).

First separation portions 63 extend in a first direction along an outer surface of base member 60. First separation portions 63 are illustratively formed integral with base member 60, and may be comprised of the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Each first separation portion 63 may be positioned parallel to adjacent first separation portions 63. First separation portions 63 may have a width no greater than 0.06 inches and may be spaced apart from adjacent first separation portions 63 by at least 0.13 inches. In cross-section, first separation portions 63 may define a rectangle. Furthermore, first separation portions 63 may have a thickness of at least 0.06 inches (t₂), thereby giving base member 60 a second thickness of at least 0.06 inches (FIG. 6).

Second separation portions 64 are illustratively formed integral with base member 60, and may be comprised of the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Second separation portions 64 extend in a second direction along the outer surface of base member 60. Each second separation portion 64 may be parallel to adjacent second separation portions 64 and perpendicular to first separation portions 63. Second separation portions 64 may have a height no greater than 0.06 inches. In cross-section, second separation portions 64 may define a rectangle. Furthermore, second separation portions 64 may be spaced apart from adjacent second separation portions 64 by at least 0.10 inches. Additionally, second separation portions 64 may have a thickness of at least 0.06 inches, thereby also giving base member a second thickness of at least 0.06 inches.

Referring to FIG. 5, base member 60 may include a solid metal portion 66 extending along the perimeter of base member 60. Solid metal portion 66 may be comprised of the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). First separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 do not extend into solid portion 66 of base member 60. Solid metal portion 66 may have a width of at least 0.15 inches and generally surrounds first separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64. However, in other illustrative embodiments, first separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 may extend to the perimeter of base member 60, thereby eliminating solid metal portion 66 and increasing the number of base fragmentation portions 65.

First separation portions 63 illustratively intersect with second separation portions 64. This intersection of first separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 may define plurality of base fragmentation portions 65. Base fragmentation portions 65 are illustratively formed integral with base member 60, and may be comprised of the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Base fragmentation portions 65 may have a width of approximately 0.13 inches and a length of approximately 0.10 inches. Additionally, base member 60 and, therefore, base fragmentation portions 65 may have a first thickness (t₁) of at least 0.20 inches. Base fragmentation portions 65 may have a mass that is substantially similar to the mass of fragmentation portions 40. Base fragmentation portions 65 may define a plurality of shapes, although illustratively base fragmentation portions 65 are rectangular prisms or parallelepipeds. Base fragmentation portions 65 may be more effective for certain applications when in a parallelepiped configuration because the flat surfaces receive the shock waves produced by explosive device 100, and therefore, effectively couple the momentum of the shock waves.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, inner diameter (id) of fragmentation sleeve 10 and base member 60 may define a receiving chamber 70 of cylindrical side wall 20. Receiving chamber 70 may extend from upper end 23 of fragmentation sleeve 10 to base member 60. Receiving chamber 70 may be at least two inches in diameter and extend axially approximately 3.3 inches. Body 103 of hand deployable explosive device 100 may be received within receiving chamber 70.

Referring to FIG. 9, retainer clip 50 may cooperate with receiving chamber 70 to secure body 103 of hand held explosive device 100 within fragmentation sleeve 10. Retainer clip 50 may be comprised of metal. Illustratively, retainer clip 50 is comprised of stainless steel wire formed in a generally semi-circular configuration and includes an open end 53 extending between a first portion 54 and a second portion 56. Specifically, retainer clip 50 includes a retaining diameter (rd), defined by first portion 54 and second portion 56. Additionally, retainer clip 50 includes a base 57. Base 57 biases portions 54, 56 outwardly away from each other to define retaining diameter (rd). Retainer clip 50 is at least partially received within retaining groove 51, having a radius of approximately 0.05 inches, along an inner surface of cylindrical side wall 20. Furthermore, retainer clip 50 cooperates with a cooperating groove 104 on body 103 of explosive device 100 to retain explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. As such, retaining diameter (rd) of retainer clip 50 is greater than inner diameter (id) of sleeve 10.

Retainer clip 50 may have a wire gauge of approximately 0.06 inches. Retaining diameter (rd) is illustratively 2.25 inches but may vary with the wire gauge. Additionally, the dimensions of retainer clip 50 may vary, depending on the type of explosive device being used with sleeve 10. First portion 54 and second portion 56 of retainer clip 50 illustratively extend toward open end 53 of retainer clip 50. In the illustrative embodiment, open end 53 illustratively is 0.95 inches wide.

Illustratively, retainer clip 50 is positioned approximately one inch from the outer surface of base member 60 and extends along inner diameter (id) of cylindrical side wall 20. Illustratively, the inner surface of cylindrical wall 20 includes a smooth, or flat, surface surrounding receiving chamber 70. Retainer clip 50 may be configured to fit within retaining groove 51 within the inner surface of cylindrical side wall 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, retainer clip 50 also may be configured to cooperate along an outer surface of body 103 of hand held explosive device 100. Illustratively, explosive device 100 includes cooperating groove 104 for receiving retainer clip 50. In this way, retainer clip 50 assists in holding hand held explosive device 100 within receiving chamber 70 of cylindrical side wall 20 when sleeve 10 is thrown, bounced or dropped. Retainer clip 50 facilitates field assembly of explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. Additionally, by using retainer clip 50, no modifications to body 103 of explosive device 100 are required in order to retain explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. Furthermore, retainer clip 50 is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the inner surface of cylindrical side wall 20 is shown. The inner surface may include a plurality of wedged, or angled, separation portions 80 may improve separation of fragmentation portions 40 in sleeves having larger inner diameters. Wedged separation portions 80 may be positioned opposite separation portions 30, 32. Wedged separation portions 80 may extend longitudinally and circumferentially. In this way, wedged separation portions 80 may intersect other wedged separation portions 80. Illustratively, each wedged separation portion 80 includes a 45° angle.

Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 may be manufactured in a precision machining process. In this way, a solid ingot, or brick, of metal (i.e., steel or aluminum) may be machined to form fragmentation sleeve 10 and its features. As such, base member 60 may be integrally coupled to cylindrical side wall 20. This would eliminate the need for any convention fasteners or couplers (e.g., screws, welds, or adhesive) to secure base member 60 to cylindrical side wall 20. By machining cylindrical side 20 and base member 60 from a solid brick of metal, base member 60 may be less likely to separate from cylindrical wall 20 during the operation of hand deployable explosive device 100. This may ensure that only fragmentation portions 40 and base fragmentation portions 65 separate from fragmentation sleeve 10 during an explosion.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 and circumferentially extending separation portions 32 also may be precision machined along sleeve 10. A precision machining tool may be used to integrally form separation portions 30, 32 within cylindrical side wall 20. First separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 may be precision machined along base member 60 in the same manner as separation portions 30, 32. In this way, separation portions 63, 64 also may be integrally formed within base member 60. Separation portions 30, 32, 63, 64 may be machined to a thickness of approximately 0.06 inches. Receiving chamber 70 may be defined during a machining process.

In use, hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device 100 may be provided for use with fragmentation sleeve 10. Explosive device 100 may be slidably received within cylindrical side wall 20 of fragmentation sleeve 10. Additionally, explosive device 100 may be detonated when received within receiving chamber 70 of cylindrical side wall 20. Upon detonation of explosive device 100, an explosive force propagates shock waves into and through side wall 20 of sleeve 10. Side wall 20 may separate along longitudinally extending separation portions 30 and circumferentially extending separation portions 32 because second wall thickness (t₂) provides a path of least resistance for the shock front of explosive device 100. Therefore, fragmentation portions 40 may be propelled radially in a controlled manner. Additionally, base member 60 may separate along first separation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 to propel base fragmentation portions 65 axially. As such, the blast pattern of explosive device 100 may correspond to the shape of sleeve 10. Further, retainer clip 50 may be positioned around explosive device 100 so as to firmly receive explosive device 100 within fragmentation sleeve 10. Retainer clip 50 may couple with retaining groove 51 along the inner surface of cylindrical side wall 20. Retainer clip 50 also cooperates with cooperating groove 104 along the outer surface of body 103 of explosive device 100.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device comprising:

a cylindrical side wall defining a longitudinal axis, the side wall including: a plurality of fragmentation portions having a first wall thickness; a plurality of longitudinally extending separation portions, each longitudinally extending separation portion extending between circumferentially spaced fragmentation portions; and a plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions, each circumferentially extending separation portion extending between longitudinally spaced fragmentation portions, wherein the longitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentially extending separation portions have a second wall thickness, the second wall thickness being less than the first wall thickness.

2. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first wall thickness of the cylindrical side wall is at least 0.20 inches.

3. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the fragmentation portions are comprised of metal.

4. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the fragmentation portions are configured in the shape of a parallelepiped.

5. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 4, wherein the fragmentation portions include a length of at least 0.13 inches and a width of at least 0.10 inches.

6. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 5, wherein the plurality of fragmentation portions includes at least 220 fragmentation portions.

7. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 6, wherein the fragmentation portions are configured in a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced columns and a plurality of circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced rows, the longitudinally extending columns being perpendicular to the circumferentially extending TOWS.

8. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 7, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced columns includes 40 columns.

9. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 7, wherein the plurality of circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced rows includes 20 columns.

10. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentially extending separation portions are comprised of metal.

11. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 10, wherein the longitudinally extending separation portions include a width no greater than 0.06 inches and the circumferentially extending separation portions include a width no greater than 0.06 inches.

12. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 11, wherein the second wall thickness of the longitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentially extending separation portions is no greater than 0.06 inches.

13. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 12, wherein the longitudinally extending separation portions extend axially at least 3.3 inches.

14. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 12, wherein the circumferentially extending separation portions extend at least 7.8 inches around a circumference of the fragmentation sleeve.

15. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a base member, the base member being coupled to the cylindrical wall.

16. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 15, wherein the base member is comprised of metal, the side wall is comprised of metal, and the base member is integral with the side wall.

17. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 15, wherein the base member includes:

a plurality of fragmentation portions, the fragmentation portions having a first base thickness;

a plurality of first separation portions extending in a first direction; and

a plurality of second separation portions, the second separation portions extending perpendicular from the first separation portions, wherein the first separation portions and the second separation portions have a second base thickness, the second base thickness being less than the first base thickness.

18. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 17, wherein the first base thickness is at least 0.20 inches and the second base thickness is no greater than 0.06 inches.

19. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 17, wherein the first separation portions of the base member include a width no greater than 0.06 inches and the second separation portions of the base member include a width no greater than 0.06 inches.

20. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 17, wherein the base member includes an outer diameter of at least 2.5 inches.

21. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a retainer clip, the retainer clip being configured to cooperate with a retaining groove within the cylindrical side wall, the retainer clip coupling with the explosive device to retain the explosive device within the cylindrical side wall.

22. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 21, wherein the retainer clip includes a first portion and a second portion to be retained on the non-fragmenting explosive device, the second portion biased partially outwardly away from the first portion to be received within the retaining groove.

23. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical side wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including a plurality of wedged-shaped portions arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced columns and a plurality of circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced TOWS.

24. A fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device comprising:

a wall including an inner surface defining a chamber configured to receive a hand held, non-fragmenting explosive device, the wall further including: a plurality of fragmentation portions; a plurality of first separation portions extending longitudinally between adjacent fragmentation portions; a plurality of second separation portions extending substantially perpendicular to the first separation portions between adjacent fragmentation portions; and

a coupler supported by the wall and configured to releasably couple the hand held explosive device to the wall.

25. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein the fragmentation portions have a first wall thickness and the separation portions have a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness.

26. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, further comprising a base member coupled to the wall and including:

a plurality of fragmentation portions having a first base thickness;

a plurality of first separation portions extending in a first direction; and

a plurality of second separation portions extending perpendicular from the first separation portions, wherein the first and second separation portions have a second base thickness, the first base thickness is at least 0.20 inches and the second base thickness is no greater than 0.06 inches.

27. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein the plurality of first separation portions of the wall and the plurality of second separation portions of the wall include longitudinally extending separation portions and circumferentially extending separation portions, the longitudinally extending separation portions perpendicularly intersecting the circumferentially extending separation portions.

28. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 27, wherein the fragmentation portions are defined intermediate the longitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentially extending separation portions.

29. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein the coupler includes a retainer clip, the retainer clip being configured to cooperate with a retaining groove within the wall, the retainer clip coupling with the explosive device to retain the explosive device within the sleeve.

30. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 29, wherein the retainer clip wherein the retainer clip includes a first portion and a second portion to be retained on the non-fragmenting explosive device, the second portion biased partially outwardly away from the first portion to be received within the retaining groove.

31. A method of using a fragmentation sleeve with a non-fragmenting explosive device comprising the steps of:

providing a hand held, non-fragmenting explosive device;

slidably receiving the explosive device within a fragmentation sleeve having a side wall supporting a plurality of fragmentation portions;

detonating the explosive device, wherein the side wall separates along a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separation portions and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending separation portions; and

propelling the plurality of fragmentation portions positioned between the plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separation portions and the plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending separation portions.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of providing a base member at an end of the side wall.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of coupling the explosive device to an inner surface of the side wall.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of inserting a retainer clip within the sleeve between the inner surface of the side wall and the explosive device, a portion of the clip received within a groove formed in the inner surface.