Abstract: An inertial igniter for igniting a thermal battery, including: a base having a first projection; a striker mass rotatably connected to the base having a second projection, when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; a member having a first portion engaging with a second portion of the striker mass to restrict rotation of the striker mass unless a predetermined acceleration is experienced; a mass movable from a first position where an acceleration is less than the predetermined acceleration and a second position where the acceleration is greater than the predetermined acceleration to permit the first and second portions to come out of engagement; a spring for biasing the mass in the first position; and a rotation prevention member for permitting impact of the first and second projections when the predetermined acceleration is experienced and the mass moves to the second position.

Abstract: A device including: a body having one or more walls defining an internal cavity, the wall(s) having one or more grooves extending in a longitudinal direction of the internal cavity and extending at least partially along a periphery of the wall(s); a mass movable in the longitudinal direction within the internal cavity, the mass having one or more holes extending in a direction offset from the longitudinal direction; a ball partially disposed in the groove(s) and partially disposed in each hole(s); and an elastic material for biasing the ball towards the groove(s). The groove(s) having a shape such that the acceleration greater than a predetermined acceleration profile causes the ball to first move opposite to the direction of the acceleration and then bounce to move in the direction of the acceleration until the ball(s) moves into the hole(s) to free the mass to move longitudinally opposite to the acceleration.

Abstract: An inertial igniter for igniting a thermal battery, including: a base having a first projection; a striker mass rotatably connected to the base having a second projection, when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; a member having a first portion engaging with a second portion of the striker mass to restrict rotation of the striker mass unless a predetermined acceleration is experienced; a mass movable from a first position where an acceleration is less than the predetermined acceleration and a second position where the acceleration is greater than the predetermined acceleration to permit the first and second portions to come out of engagement; a spring for biasing the mass in the first position; and a rotation prevention member for permitting impact of the first and second projections when the predetermined acceleration is experienced and the mass moves to the second position.

Abstract: Improvements in a less-lethal force device are disclosed. The less-lethal projectile device generally comprising a projectile, such as a rubber-encapsulated metal block, that is mated to a docking base by way of a mounting pins or base. The projectile may be made with a cavity located in its rearward section for enabling the projectile to fit onto the mounting pins portion of the docking base through compression or interference fit. The projectile captures a fired bullet and is propelled along the original path of the bullet at a less lethal velocity. The disclosed system results in converting a normally lethal weapon into a less-lethal blunt impact system. The mounting pins are configured to provide clearance to the sighting mechanism on the firearm.

Abstract: A G-switch including: a base and posts, the posts having a hole; a locking ball with a portion disposed in the holes; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the posts and having a concave portion, wherein a portion of the locking balls is disposed the concave portion; a collar movable relative to the posts; a biasing element for biasing the collar in a position which retains the locking balls within the concave portions, the biasing element permitting movement of the collar to a position in which the locking balls are released from the concave portions to release the striker mass upon a predetermined acceleration profile; and a member on the striker mass and first and second electrically conductive contacts on a portion of the body, the first member opening or closing an electrical circuit between the first and second contacts upon release of the striker mass.

Abstract: An inertial igniter including: a body having a base and three or more posts, each post having a hole; a locking ball corresponding to each post, wherein a portion of the locking balls are disposed in the hole; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the posts and having a surface corresponding to the posts, the striker mass further having a concave portion corresponding to the locking balls, wherein a second portion of each locking ball is disposed in a corresponding concave portion for retaining the striker mass relative to the posts; a collar movable relative to the posts; and a biasing element for biasing the collar in a first position which retains the striker mass, the biasing element permitting movement of the collar to a second position to release the striker mass relative to the posts upon a predetermined acceleration profile.

Abstract: A method of igniting one of a pyrotechnic material and primer during or after an all fire setback acceleration. The method including: positioning a mass element along an inclined surface; biasing the mass element in a direction into the inclined surface such that the mass element traverses the inclined surface upon the all fire setback acceleration against the biasing; drawing the mass element toward one of a pyrotechnic material and primer with the biasing after the mass element traverses the inclined surface. The method can further include delaying the drawing until the mass element experiences a set forward acceleration. The delaying can include drawing the mass element into a delay well after the mass element traverses the inclined surface and drawing the mass element across a delay wedge when the mass element experiences the set forward acceleration.

Abstract: A fuze for a projectile having a firing chain has an interrupter for interruption of the firing chain. The interrupter is configured to snap from a safe position to an armed position when unlocked. A locking device is disposed to lock the interrupter in the safe position and to unlock the interrupter by way of an unlocking movement. The fuze is rendered compact and reliable in that the unlocking movement of the locking device is an axial movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self destruction impact fuse for fail-proof detonating a projectile, preferably a low velocity projectile. The present invention further provides a projectile that can be detonated reliably even at low velocity.

Abstract: An inertial igniter for use with a thermal battery for producing power upon acceleration is provided. The inertial igniter including: a base; at least one member disposed on the base, the at least one member having a hole; a mass movable towards the base, the mass having a concave portion; a locking ball disposed in the hole in the at least one member and having a portion thereof disposed in the concave portion for preventing relative movement of the mass with the base when an acceleration time profile is below a predetermined threshold; and a biasing spring including a portion for preventing the locking ball from leaving the concave portion when the acceleration time profile is below the predetermined threshold and for allowing the locking ball to leave the concave portion when the acceleration time profile is below the predetermined threshold to unlock the mass and permit movement of the mass relative to the base.

Abstract: An inertia igniter including: a housing; and a movable striker supported by first and second stages, the first stage having a first locking element for releasing the second stage upon a first predetermined acceleration of the housing and the second stage having a second locking element for releasing the striker upon a second predetermined acceleration of the housing greater than the first predetermined acceleration. Wherein the first and second locking elements of the first and second stages occupy a common cross-sectional volume along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: An inertial igniter including: a first member having a wall and internal cavity; a second member slidable in the internal cavity, a striker disposed thereon and a first concave portion; a third member slidable on an exterior surface of the wall, a second concave portion; biasing springs for biasing the first and second members in a direction opposite an acceleration; locking balls in the first and second concave portions for preventing movement of the second and third members when the acceleration time profile is below a predetermined threshold; and a percussion cap primer on the first member; wherein when the acceleration time profile is greater than the predetermined threshold the locking balls are released from the concave portions to first permit relative movement of the third member with the first member and after a time delay to permit relative movement of the second member with the first member.

Abstract: A release mechanism between a projectile and a rocket motor in a missile. The projectile releases from the rocket motor during flight of the missile when the rocket motor burns out and aerodynamic retardation commences. The front end of the rocket motor comprises a forward closure, a lock retainer received and movable within the forward closure, at least one lock, at least one spring that biases the lock against the lock retainer in a direction opposite the to the direction of motion of the missile. The rear end of the projectile has a central boss surrounded by the forward closure of the rocket motor, wherein the boss comprises recesses or a circumferential groove in which the at least one lock lies and keeps the forward closure and the boss axially together.

Abstract: A time delay latch device of the arming assembly of a delay fuze which replaces the current system in support of the U.S. Navy Mine Clearing Program. The time delay mechanism is a mechanical run-away escapement having a one-half pound release force that unlatches an 800-pound load. The mechanical force reduction mechanism that makes up the latch device consists of 10 components rather than the existing 31 and a pyrotechnic time delay mechanism consisting of two components in lieu of the existing 14. Hence, the latch device taught herein provides not only the requisite delay and required latch release force but also reduces the total number of components from 44 to 12; thus creating significant cost savings in manufacturing. Time delay latch mechanism is located within the ram shaft that holds the ram shaft spring captive between the ram shafts and housing. The latching mechanism for the ram shaft comprises two ball detents located within the ram shaft and held in place by the housing.

Abstract: Illuminating flare has an igniter in which a two-part inertial mass is gud for relative aftward movement from a safe position to an armed position under launching forces. One part of the mass undergoes relative forward movement to an ignition position under parachute-opening, deceleration forces while the other part of the mass is restrained from moving as far forward as the first part. This separation of the parts of the mass releases locking balls to unlock a firing pin, which stabs a primer and initiates ignition of the flare. The primer is contained in a rotor, and as the mass traverses from the safe position to the armed position it rotates and the rotor rotates with the mass. In the safe position the primer is out of communication with an ignition passage through which ignition of the illuminant composition occurs. Rotation of the rotor as the mass traverses to the armed position places the primer in communication with the ignition passage where it remains until activated by the firing pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impact fuse (2) having fore-bore safety for a projectile (1), comprising a percussion needle (3) stationary on the fuse and an impact body (4) containing a percussion cap (5) and supported slidingly in the direction of flight, as well as a race for a blocking ball (23) between the impact body and the inner wall of the projectile casing. Which, upon premature impact on an obstacle, is jammed in its race (22) between a shoulder (18, 19, 20) on the inner wall of the casing and a ramp (17) of a groove (14, 15, 16) on the impact body (4), thereby preventing detonation. In order to allow for adjustment of predefined distances for the fore-bore safety, the invention proposes giving the race (22) for the blocking ball (23) a stepped design so that the blocking ball (23) can be jammed at several places within the fuse (2) between shoulders (18, 19, 20) and ramps (17) of different grooves (14, 15, 16).

Abstract: A fuze of the type used in a rifle grenade assembly with a striker, a rotor nd a rotor lock includes one or more improvements. One pertains to the striker to prevent it from reaching a detonator-striking forward position more than once. Once it advances to the forward position it is locked in it by a spring biased locking pin. Other improvements relate to the release of the rotor by the rotor lock. The rotor remains locked, i.e. in the disarmed state even after intentional launching. It is released to assume the armed state only when the launched assembly accelerates at a certain rate toward the target.

Abstract: An improved construction for a percussion fuse. The fuse function has a firing pin rigidly mounted in an ignition head an adapted to coact with a percussion cap mounted in an impact member. This impact member is securedly maintained in a first position by means of at least one blocking sphere which is partially mounted in an annular groove of the impact member and partially mounted in a bore of the cylindrical forward portion of the percussion fuse body. A movable inertial sphere is disposed in a chamber between the impact member and the ignition head. In order to improve the fail-safety there is mounted in this chamber a housing between the impact member and ignition head which is coaxially movable with respect to the firing pin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved integrating acceleration switch of the type having a mass suspended within a fluid filled chamber, with the motion of the mass initially opposed by a spring and subsequently not so opposed.

Abstract: It comprises a cylindrical body 1 which is intended to be fixed on an explosive projectile. A detonator 12 comprising a casing 13 whose rearward portion serves as armor plating 13' is mounted slidably in a casing 11 which is fixed coaxially in the cylindrical body, from an inactive position within the casing 11 to an active position within a case member 18 which extends the casing 11 rearwardly and which is disposed in the operating position within the explosive charge 4 of the projectile. In the inactive position, the detonator is retained by balls 19 which are partially engaged in a groove 16 provided in a cover 15 which extends the detonator in a forward direction, and emerge from openings 20 provided in the wall of the casing 11. The balls are held in position by the bore of an arming inertia weight member 21 which is mounted slidably outside of the casing 11 and which is subjected to a resilient action and to retardation of its movement in a forward direction.

Abstract: A fuze apparatus arms itself in flight and is especially adapted for use in training shells. The fuze has a casing with ignitable or explosive material located therein and an igniter mounted to ignite the ignitable material upon a sufficient impact against the igniter. The fuze is armed in flight by a movable cup moving against the spring bias which moves relative to the fuze casing by inertial force during acceleration, which allows an arming member to slide or roll between the sliding cup and the igniter where it is held until sufficient impact generated by inertial force from a larger mass is directed against the cup, driving the arming member against the igniter.

Abstract: A subprojectile to be expelled from a projectile. The subprojectile is provided with a fuze, which has an ignition body being capable of sensing acceleration forces appearing at the expelling of the subprojectile from the projectile, and being capable of sensing deceleration forces appearing after the expelling of the subprojectile from the projectile. The ignition body is arranged to bring arming means into an armed position in response to said sensing of acceleration forces. The ignition body is capable of initiating a detonation of a bursting charge in the projectile as a result of said sensing of deceleration forces when the arming means is brought to the armed position.

Abstract: Safety device for fuses, of the type which comprises a mobile element, which can be moved from a position of safety in which aforesaid mobile element may either be part of the pyrotechnical chain, of an electric or of an electronic circuit, or contain any one of such elements, or be solid or hollow in order to obstruct or permit the passage of an element of the fuse towards its active position, characterized by the combining of a tubular bolt, assuring the locking of aforesaid mobile element; of a sheath which at least partially surrounds aforesaid bolt, of balls entered in radial passages provided in aforesaid sheath; of a collar which can move axially by the effect of inertia so as to free aforesaid passages and permit the expulsion of aforesaid balls; and of an elastic means which stresses aforesaid collar towards the closing position of aforesaid passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom fuse for an explosive projectile for example a rifle grenade comprising a hollow revolution body the rear end of which is provided either with a primer or with a percussion point and inside of which a detonator is slidably mounted. The detonator is movable from an inactive stocking position completely inside said body to an active working position partly outside of said body, and means are provided for locking the detonator in stocking position. A sleeve is further slidably mounted outside of said body and is subjected to a resilient action and to the action of delay means of its forward motion under the effect of said resilient action. Finally a percussion point carrier or a primer carrier is slidably mounted outside of the rear end of said hollow revolution body and is subjected to a resilient action intended to maintain the percussion point away from the primer.