Abstract: A safety and arming device for an instant impact point fuse for a gyratory projectile and a fuse equipped with such a device. The device includes a rotor carrying a primer held in a safe, non-aligned position with respect to a striker by a sleeve pressed against a flat spot of the rotor. The device also includes a flyweight that, when subjected to the longitudinal acceleration resulting from the shot, exerts a pushing force on a first end of at least one lever, the second end of the at least one lever being located below a collar of the sleeve. The pushing force of the flyweight causes the lever(s) to pivot about a pivot point, the pivoting of the lever then separates the sleeve from the flat spot of the rotor permanently, releasing the rotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an improved penetrator design and associated arming generator relocator adaptor. In some embodiments, the arming generator relocator adaptor is positioned external to the penetrator, thereby removing the need to mount the FZU inside the warhead or include traditional internal plumbing. The arming generator relocator adaptor allows the FZU to be rotated to an optimal position to arm the penetrator. While the improved penetrator design and arming generator relocator adaptor can be used independently of each other, in the preferred embodiment, they are utilized together.

Abstract: A time control device for the movement of a micro-machined or micro-engraved counterweight with respect to a substrate, said counterweight incorporating at least one face having at least one indentation intended to cooperate with at least one other indentation on a housing in which said counterweight moves so as to ensure the delaying of said movement of said counterweight, wherein said one indentation on said counterweight respectively on said housing receiving said counterweight is made on at least one flexible tongue itself integral with said counterweight respectively said housing, said at least one flexible tongue being able to be deformed by bending during the displacement of said counterweight.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of escapement mechanisms for providing mechanical control of motion based on desired timing criteria and more particularly to micro-scale and millimeter scale escapement mechanisms, and even more particularly to such mechanisms produced in whole or in part using multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods. In some embodiments, such escapement mechanisms are used in safing and arming applications for munitions or other explosive devices where two or more accelerations are present at appropriate times where after an arming delay occurs.

Abstract: A hand grenade fuze has a firing cap, a delay charge, which can be fired by the firing cap, in a delay charge holder, a detonator, which can be fired by the delay charge, in a detonator holder, and a booster charge, which can be fired by the detonator, for firing a hand grenade explosive charge.

Abstract: A hand grenade fuze has a firing cap, a delay charge, which can be fired by the firing cap, in a delay charge holder, a detonator, which can be fired by the delay charge, in a detonator holder, and a booster charge, which can be fired by the detonator, for firing a hand grenade explosive charge.

Abstract: A MEMS mechanical initiator having a striker arm extending from a striker body. The tip of the striker arm is adjacent to, but does not touch, the side of a microdetonator. A cocking and release mechanism moves the striker body such that the striker arm pulls away from the side of the microdetonator against the action of a set of springs connected to the striker body. Thereafter the cocking and release mechanism releases the striker body such that the tip of the striker arm swipes the side of the microdetonator causing initiation thereof.

Abstract: An exemplary self-destruct fuze delay for a submuntion includes a container filled with an activation fluid, a spring-loaded ampoule breaker to break the container upon deployment of the munition, a spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to initiate a secondary detonator in close proximity to a primary detonator, and an interlock ball supported by the ampoule breaker that locks the self-destruct firing pin away from the secondary detonator. The ampoule breaker includes a piston and a timing ball, which accesses the activation liquid. The action of the activation liquid on the timing ball over time causes the timing ball to erode until it is forced into the container by the spring-loaded piston. The movement of the piston frees the interlock ball, allowing the spring-loaded self-destruct firing pin to move under force and impact or initiate the secondary detonator.

Abstract: The improvements are applicable to fuses provided with a container (9) inside which may move axially a slider (10) having an electrical generator (1), the activation of which provides the electrical energy required for the operation of the fuse, delivering this energy to an electronic circuit (11) which discharges on a detonator (8), which causes the detonation which through a multiplier (12) is transmitted to the explosive charge of the grenade. The novelty consists in that two electronic timers are provided which are mutually independent and which may operate under different or identical technologies, one analogue and the other digital, and in that the detonator (8) and the multiplier (12) in a resting position are unaligned, with alignment resulting from a displacement caused by a specific arrangement of the elements of the explosive chain.

Abstract: A securing and arming device has an operating body. Prior to an arming time, this operating body is secured in a position of rest on a support device, namely by means of a securing element, which here is in a securing position. If the securing element is moved into a release position, it releases the operating body to make a movement in relation to the support device. After the arming time, the trigger body is in an operating position by means of a rotating movement in relation to the support device. A delay element is designed to be driven in the course of the rotating movement of the trigger body and to delay the rotating movement of the trigger body. The trigger body and the delay element are arranged inside each other so that they constitute an outer wheel shaft-free wheel and an inner wheel shaft-free wheel. The two wheels have parallel geometric wheel axes and define a ring-like gap.

Abstract: A MEMS type safe and arm apparatus for a fuze includes a setback slider responsive to a first setback acceleration, the setback slider moving linearly in response to the first setback acceleration; a setforward slider responsive to a first setforward acceleration, the setback slider unlocking the setforward slider, the setforward slider moving linearly in response to the first setforward acceleration; a first rotor responsive to a second setback acceleration, the setforward slider unlocking the first rotor, the first rotor rotating in response to the second setback acceleration; a second rotor responsive to a second setforward acceleration, the first rotor unlocking the second rotor, the second rotor rotating in response to the second setforward acceleration; and an arming slider that moves linearly in response to the rotation of the second rotor to thereby arm the fuze.

Abstract: A securing and arming device (10) has an operating body (20). Prior to an arming time, this operating body (20) is secured in a position of rest on a support device (12), namely by means of a securing element (30), which here is in a securing position. If the securing element (30) is moved into a release position, it releases the operating body (20) to make a movement in relation to the support device (12). After the arming time, the trigger body (20) is in an operating position by means of a rotating movement in relation to the support device (12). A delay element (22) is designed to be driven in the course of the rotating movement of the trigger body (20) and to delay the rotating movement of the trigger body (20). The trigger body (20) and the delay element (22) are arranged inside each other so that they constitute an outer wheel shaft-free wheel and an inner wheel shaft-free wheel. The two wheels have parallel geometric wheel axes and delimit a ring-like gap.

Abstract: A control mechanism is provided for coupling/interrupting two transmission leads. A first cam configured for spring-loaded rotation in a direction of rotation is positioned between the two leads. A lead coupler attached to the first cam couples the two leads to one another when the first cam achieves a prescribed position.

Abstract: The Auto-destruct fuze is a mechanism that provides a primary mode detona and a delayed auto-destruct/self-neutralize mode detonator function for a grenade or similar munition. The mechanics for the primary mode detonation is similar to the M223 fuze which the present invention is designed to replace. Operation of the auto-destruct/self-neutralize mode is based on the working principles of the Liquid Annular Orifice Device (LAOD). The LAOD is released from a locked position upon expulsion of the device from a storage container. The LAOD moves slowly under the urging of a spring and eventually releases a cleanup firing pin which activates a cleanup detonator to auto-destruct or self-neutralize the grenade.

Abstract: The blocking disc serving as an explosive train interrupter of a safety and rming mechanism is angularly displaced from its safe position by a stepping motor through reduction gearing in response to timed energizing pulses applied thereto from a crystal-controlled pulse generator. The blocking disc is releasably latched in its safe position by a locking rod controlling the supply and cut-off of energizing voltage to the pulse generator to accurately time displacement of the disc to an armed position.

Abstract: Objects are detonated by placing charges adjacent respective ones of the objects and connecting the charges to a time fuse by means of respective explosive cords for detonating all of the charges simultaneously when the time fuse fires. The time fuse can be set by fitting a clock to the time fuse. The clock has separate timer mechanisms which can be wound-up simultaneously and which prevent the clock from being fitted to the time fuse if the timer mechanisms have run down asynchronously. An adapter can be attached to the time fuse for releasing a safety of the time fuse upon receiving a remote signal such as an encoded radio signal.

Abstract: The blocking disc serving as an explosive train interrupter of a safety and rming mechanism is angularly displaced from its safe position by a stepping motor through reduction gearing in response to timed energizing pulses applied thereto from a crystal-controlled pulse generator. The blocking disc is releasably latched in its safe position by a locking rod controlling the supply and cut-off of energizing voltage to the pulse generator to accurately time displacement of the disc to an armed position.

Abstract: The objectives of these inventions are to provide simple, reliable, and low-cost mechanical means to obtain (1) second impact detonation and (2) substantial safe arming separation from the gun for point detonating fuzes for small caliber spin stabilized shell. The first objective is attained by use of a heavy shield over the firing pin which is removable between the first and second impacts by spin forces; the second objective is attained by a centrifugally driven rotor, containing the out-of-line explosive element, which deforms a ductile material to effect the arming delay.

Abstract: A safe and arm device has a cylindrical body from which a plurality of exsive leads diverge from a rotor movable through an arming angle to electrically and mechanically arm a plurality of detonators and has a rotary solenoid with a shaft oscillating a predetermined number of times when the device is to assume an armed condition. The device has an axle extending alongside the shaft, and a setback weight is mounted on and helically coupled to the axle to motivate the axle through an angle actuating the rotor through the arming angle. The shaft bears an arcuate pawl having recesses, and the axle bears an arcuate cam having recesses juxtapositioned to the pawl. Latch balls are mounted in the body between the pawl and cam for movement partially into and from the recesses.

Abstract: A fuzing system for use in operating tandem demolition warheads to sequentially activate a propellant on the rear of a follow through charge, detonate a forward shaped charge and detonate the follow through charge after a brief delay. An interface charge is located proximate to blasting caps. A first fuze responsive to the interface charge is configured to ignite the propellant and to arm the first arming assembly. A second fuze responsive to the interface charge is configured to arm the second arming assembly. A first arming assembly containing a first firing pin is located proximate to the follow through charge. A delay fuze is interposed between the first primary charge and the follow through charge. A second arming assembly containing a second firing pin is located proximate to the forward-shaped charge. In the armed state, a primary explosives are interposed between the firing pins and the follow through charge and forward shaped charge.

Abstract: In a fuse arrangement, which can be used in both low velocity and in high velocity gun-launched grenades, which has a rotationally responsive fuse timing mechanism arranged in a fuse casing, The fuse casing being tiltable and axially movable upon impact of the grenade thereby forcing the entire fuse housing toward a fixed firing pin and detonating the grenade.

Abstract: A fuse for a projectile comprises a first igniter. A rotor is rotatable to bring a second igniter and a detonator into a live position in alignment with the first igniter. The second igniter and detonator are spaced apart to define a recess therebetween. A retardation charge is mounted in that recess which can be selectively brought into alignment with the first and second igniters and the detonator if delayed ignition is desired.

Abstract: A spin stabilized projectile (16) containing a high explosive bursting charge (24) is provided with a safing and arming mechanism (20) comprising a safety barrier (48) for blocking the firing train between the detonator (38) and the charge (24), and two mechanical components for restraining and releasing the barrier. The two mechanical components include a conventional setback tab (76), which is responsive to forces of linear acceleration during launching of the projectile (16), and a delayed action lock ball device (67, 68), which is responsive to centrifugal forces after the projectile (16) has begun to spin. The delay in the response of the lock ball device (67, 68) to the centrifugal forces is accomplished by means of a creep ribbon (54) which prevents release of the barrier (48) until the ribbon (54) has undergone a predetermined amount of time-dependent deformation.

Abstract: The dud de-arming device serves to de-arm a fuze of a projectile which has remained lying on the ground or the place where it landed as a dud in order to prevent the discovered dud from still exploding when touched or moved. As to spinning projectiles the dud de-arming device should de-arm the fuze after disappearance of the projectile spin and for spinless projectiles the dud de-arming device should de-arm the fuze after a certain time following the impact deceleration of the spinless projectile. The dud de-arming device comprises a rotor which can be rotated by spring force. This rotor can assume an armed or live position due to the projectile spin or by virtue of the firing acceleration. Upon disappearance of the projectile spin or by virtue of the impact deceleration the rotor should assume a de-armed or safety position.

Abstract: A fuse for low-spin or non-spin projectiles comprises a detonator-carrying rotor movable to a live position. The rotor is released for movement in response to firing recoil. Movement of the rotor is effected by a spring which is relaxed prior to recoil firing and is energized in response to firing recoil.

Abstract: A firing assembly for a hard target penetrating warhead is described. The firing assembly includes a safety and arming device with a truncated rotor that is normally retained in a safety position by its setback weight. On acceleration, the setback weight releases the rotor for rotation into a firing position where a pyrotechnical train carried by the rotor is aligned with the firing pin. To prevent over penetration of the pyrotechnical train by the firing pin on high deceleration, the firing pin has a striker with a radial flange that is captive in a chamber in the striker carrier. To prevent retrograde rotation of the rotor to its safety position or high deceleration of the warhead, such as in penetrating a hard target, the bore in the rotor accommodating the pyrotechnical train is chamfered at the entrance end to provide a camming surface that can be engaged by a tapered face on the front of the firing pin. This allows the firing pin to cam the rotor back into position when it has become displaced.

Abstract: A fuse comprises a cap carrying a rotor mounted in a rotatable fashion on a body with the help of a shaft and rotatable from an inactive position to an active position. A timer with an escapement permits the braking of the rotation of the rotor and has a multiplying gear carried by two frames and cooperating with a timing balance. The rotor is an integral part of a toothed sector meshing with the timer. The frames are mounted in a pivoting fashion on bearings of a shaft, which permits the angular displacement of the timer around this shaft to allow for the adjustment of the angular distance of meshing of the toothed sector with the timer and, therefore, the duration of passage from the safety position of the rotor to the armed position.

Abstract: A combined warhead arming and drive motor ignition device for a self-propelled missile having a warhead and a drive motor comprises a first acceleration responsive means (1, 2, 3, 4) to provide an output when the missile achieves a first acceleration, a timer initiated by the output from the first acceleration responsive means and providing a first output (i) after expiry of a first period and before expiry of a second period and a second output (v) after expiry of a third period, and a speed responsive means (5, 6) to provide a speed output (ii) when the missile has attained a predetermined speed and also to provide a first distance indication output (vi) when the missile has travelled a first distance but has not yet travelled a second distance and a second distance indication (vi) output when the missile has travelled a third distance.

Abstract: A projectile comprises a pyrotechnic charge and a mobile member inside the projectile which rotates between a safe position and an armed position. At least part of a pyrotechnic delay device is accommodated in a passage in this mobile member. The pyrotechnic charge is initiated via this pyrotechnic delay device. The passage is oriented so as to isolate functionally the pyrotechic delay device from the pyrotechnic charge when the mobile member is in the safe position. It functionally couples the pyrotechnic delay device to the pyrotechnic charge when the mobile member is in the armed position. The projectile further comprises an arrangement on the mobile member and on the projectile to guide relative rotation between them about an axis fixed relative to the mobile member and relative to the projectile. A mechanical arming device retains the mobile member in the safe position and against rotation about the aforementioned axis relative to the projectile at least until the projectile is fired.

Abstract: It happens time and again that a fuze does not function and that the projectile remains in the field or the place where it landed as a dud. When such a dud is found the danger exists that it might explode upon the finder's touch or when moved or lifted. To prevent this danger the impact fuze in a dud should be able to de-arm itself in a non-explosive manner. This is achieved by positioning a dud insert or de-arming device between an explosive or firing train and a booster charge. This dud de-arming device contains an escapement device which after a predetermined delay time following impact of the projectile moves a rotor from its armed or live position into its de-armed or inert position. The dud de-arming device contains structure which, by virtue of the impact delay or deceleration, that is a delay in ignition of the booster charge upon the projectile hitting the target or ground, activates the escapement mechanism.

Abstract: A projectile has a central part relative to the longitudinal direction of the projectile which is the direction in which it is fired. The projectile contains a pyrotechnic charge in the form of two identical operational charges. These are offset longitudinally relative to the central part of the projectile and symmetrically disposed one on each side of this central part. The projectile further contains a device for initiating the pyrotechnic charge subject to a time-delay. This device is accommodated in the central part of the projectile and adapted to initiate the two operational charges simultaneously.

Abstract: A safety means for an ordnance fuze. The arrangement includes an arming rotor (1) which is held in a safe position (A) by means of a half-shaft (6) which in the safe position of the rotor engages a first recess (7) located in the rotor. A clock mechanism (9) is provided so as to rotate the half-shaft (6) about its axis to a rotational position in which it no longer engages the rotor (1), thereby enabling the rotor to be rotated to its armed position. The rotor has provided therein a second recess (11) into which the half-shaft (6) is able to rotate should it be rotated at an excessively high speed, thereby returning the rotor to its safe position.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises a longitudinal tube having a transverse open end. A projectile is accommodated in and can slide longitudinally inside the tube. The projectile is ejected from the tube through the open end by sliding longitudinally relative to the tube. There is a pyrotechnic charge in the projectile. A device for securing delayed initiation of this charge comprises a fuse, a percussion member in the projectile movable between a retracted position in which it is removed from the fuse and a striking position in which it strikes the fuse, a device adapted to hold the percussion member temporarily in its retracted position and complementary mechanical devices on part of the projectile and part of the tube facing the path followed by this part of the projectile as it is ejected.

Abstract: A mortar shell time fuse of the type which consists of a body and a head, and characterized because it is comprised of:(a) a secondary mass floating upon a return spring in a hole in the body;(b) means for holding the secondary mass at rest;(c) a gear train subjected to the action of a torsion spring and linked at rest with the secondary mass, and comprised of:(c.sub.1) means of retarding its rotation.(c.sub.2) means for the restraining and releasing of:(d) a shell holder with a rotation shaft subject to the action of a torsion spring.

Abstract: A projectile fuse includes a carrier for an igniter. The carrier is held in a safety position by a safety element, which under the effect of centrifugal force moves to release the carrier. The safety element comprises a piston guided in a bore formed in the fuse body. The bore is filled with a flowable medium. The piston is provided with an orifice for enabling the medium to flow from one end of the piston to the other under the effect of the centrifugal force. The medium thus brakes the movement of the piston and creates a time delay before the carrier is released.

Abstract: The projectile fuse comprises a piezoelectric generator located forward of a piercing part (2) and formed by a striker (5), a hammer (6) and a crystal (8). The firing device comprises a watch movement (11) providing a muzzle safety and making possible the positioning of a rotary support (15) for at least one primer (24). A part (2) of material with high mechanical resistance acts as the piercing head for the projectile after the dislodging of the electric generator at the moment of impact and effectively protects the watch movement (11) and the rotary support (15).

Abstract: A safety arming device driven by a reversible motor including a detonator sitioned in a casing for initiating explosive logic through the reception of signals from an electric circuit. A driver wheel is rotated by the reversible motor which matingly engages a driven wheel. The driven wheel includes a groove into which a guide pin from the driver wheel moves and the driver wheel rotates through a predetermined angle to align detent slots at a latching position. There is provided an output wheel having gear teeth and explosive output leads, and upon the alignment of the slots in the latching position, the latching mechanism engages the driver/driven wheels, and upon further rotation the wheels are enmeshed to rotate the explosive output lead to an alignment position with the detonator.

Abstract: A fuse for a spinning projectile comprises a rotor having safety elements which prevent rotation of the rotor to an active position. The safety elements are arranged such that when the safety elements are properly installed, the center of gravity of the rotor induces rotation of the rotor in a first direction toward the active position. An escapement mechanism regulates the rate of rotation of the rotor in such first direction. A stop prevents rotation of the rotor in the opposite direction. When a safety element is missing, the center of gravity is positioned to induce rotation of the rotor in such opposite direction in which the rotor cannot rotate.

Abstract: 44A fuze is provided for projectiles of the nonspinning and slow spinning types which possess a rotor that carries a detonator, and a first safety device preventing the rotor from bringing the detonator to an active position. The first safety device is responsive to acceleration force when the projectile is fired, to release the rotor for at least limited rotation. A second safety device permits only limited rotation of the rotor unless released. Release of the second safety device occurs in response to retardation of the fired projectile after the latter leaves the barrel and encounters air resistance. Release of the second safety device is possible only after a predetermined amount of rotation of the rotor when a locking bolt of the second safety device becomes aligned with an orifice in a stationary frame that mounts the rotor.

Abstract: The mechanism comprises two toothed rotary bodies (1,2) sensitive to the gyratory centrifugal force of the projectile. The rotary bodies (1,2) mesh with each other. The body (1) simultaneously meshes with a toothed pinion (9) the shaft (10) of which carries, for example, the escapement wheel of a delay device having a balance of the fuze. The rotary bodies (1,2) conjointly develop a substantially constant driving couple which is the resultant of positive driving couple of one of them and of a negative braking couple of the other.

Abstract: The method of performing an arming operation in a falling munition which comprises the steps of decelerating the munition, quickly converting a portion of the energy of deceleration to potential energy, and slowly utilizing the potential energy to perform the arming operation.

Abstract: A fuze has a firing pin slidably mounted in a frame. A detonator mounted in he frame is operable to slide into alignment with the pin. An impact sensor can engage and restrain the pin. This sensor is pivotally mounted in the frame and is operable to disengage the pin in response to deceleration of the frame in excess of a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: The fuze comprises a primer-carrying rotor and an inertia mass tensioning a spring under the effect of the acceleration at the start of the explosion. The inertia mass entrains the rotor at the outlet of the firing muzzle in the armed position, under the action of the spring against the retarding action of an anchor rod. The fuze comprises a reduced number of components permitting ensuring successively detonator safety, muzzle safety and a substantial trajectory safety.

Abstract: A latch device in which movement of a shutter from a first to a second position is controlled by two latches in turn controlled by separate timers, the arrangement being such as to prevent the shutter reaching the second position unless the latches are operated in the correct sequence and the time between operation is above a nominal small value.

Abstract: An explosive hand grenade comprises a hollow spherical shell having a sin opening surrounded by a tubular hub, a tubular housing threaded into the hub and extending into the shell, a barrier plate with an eccentric hole closing the inner end of the housing, booster cup attached to the housing and extending beyond the plate to form a booster charge cavity, a rotatable mandrel in the housing, next to the barrier plate, having an eccentric passage therethrough out of alignment with the barrier plate hole in a first position, a bushing fixed in the housing, next to the mandrel, having a passage aligned with the mandrel passage, a unitary combustible delay cord extending through both passages and preventing rotation of the mandrel, an igniter and a striker therefor for igniting the end of the cord remote from the barrier plate, manually-releasable means for initially preventing rotation of the mandrel and operation of the striker until the grenade is thrown, and a torsion spring for rotating the mandrel, after the

Abstract: An improved safe and arming device for isolating the fuse from the main eosive charge in spin stabilized shells to prevent premature detonation of such shells. The improved safe and arming device comprises a housing adapted to be positioned intermediate of the fuse and the main explosive charge of such shells for rotation therewith about a shell spin axis when the shell is fired, a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about a rotor axis, and a rotatable control member engageable with the rotor and being rotatable about an axis extending in the same direction as the rotor axis for controlling the rate of rotation of the rotor. The rotor is positionable in a desired start position and is adapted to rotate in response to rotation of the shell to an armed position to communicate a detonation signal from the fuse to the explosive charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for a pyrotechnic assembly in a projectile, comprising a fire-screening flap disposed between an ignition primer and explosives, said flap being mounted so as to be escapable under the action of a mechanism provided with a regulator, said regulator being mounted on said flap itself.

Abstract: In a fuse for spinning explosive projectiles, a base member having a sliding member mounted thereon for generally radially outwardly sliding movement in response to centrifugal force, a shear pin holding the sliding member in a safe position with a piston actuator mounted to break the shear pin upon proper actuation thereof to allow the sliding member to move to an arm position, a detonator mounted so as to be properly positioned only when the sliding member has moved to the arm position, switch means normally maintaining the piston actuator and the detonator in a safe mode and operating in response to centrifugal force and the movement of the sliding member to provide a circuit for the actuation of the piston actuator and the detonator, a battery actuatable in response to setback and spin of the projectile, and redundant and sequential electrical timing means connected to the battery and the switch means for activating the piston actuator a predetermined time after the battery is activated and for arming the

Abstract: A setback motivated element has its movement to an armed position control by an electromechanical escapement which permits arming only upon the reception of a predetermined number of electrical pulses of opposite polarity to provide protection against improper arming due to either electronic or mechanical failure.

Abstract: A coupling device for use with a primer and blasting cap in demolition fig devices and the like. The device includes a body portion defining a straight line path from the primer to the blasting cap. Also included is a moveable slide positioned in the body to block the straight line path and moveable to clear that path. A spring is used to act on the slide to clear the path, and a safety pin holds the slide against the spring until firing is desired. A time delay device such as a liquid annular orifice dashpot delays movement of the slide. A preferred embodiment uses two slides and two springs to first clear the path and second place a blasting cap lead in alignment on the path when the slides clear the path.