Pressure Actuated Patents (Class 102/428)
  • Patent number: 8689695
    Abstract: A propelled lance provides a wounding non-lethal anti-insurgent action when stepped on by piercing an enemy insurgent's foot with a lance penetrator. The lance penetrator lodges in the foot and further penetration is impeded by a stop plate. The lance penetrator may insert an RFID or other identifiable device or other payload into the insurgent. The lance penetrator provides anti-personnel, anti-vehicle and anti-robot action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Van Burdine, Dorothy Devine Burdine
  • Patent number: 7640859
    Abstract: A stacked ordnance device provides a disposable and non reusable projectile weapon for passive area defense or denial. A stacked ordnance device has multiple projectiles and charges positioned sequentially in a barrel. A sensing module triggers a control module to enter a firing sequence. The firing sequence is the order and timing by which an electronic ignition system ignites firing charges and thereby shoots the projectiles. A mount positions the stacked ordnance device. The controller can also trigger a disabler that renders the stacked ordnance device unfit for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Hines
  • Patent number: 7543534
    Abstract: Described are flameless tracer munitions that are expelled from land mines or in hand thrown devices, which are used to mark an enemy person, vehicle body, or tires on the vehicle, with materials that emit infrared (IR) light, or heat emitting materials, or with a visible ink or a dye. The subjects are then identified and pursued because of the ink or seen with infrared reading or heat seeking devices. The devices are both long duration (several hours) and also have high light intensity tracing and marking. These munitions are non-impact and non-lethal; are non-toxic, and biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon R. Manole, Stewart Gilman, Kevin Stoddard, Ernest Logsdon, Mark Nicolich
  • Patent number: 7458321
    Abstract: A non-lethal anti-personnel land mine comprising a sealed container having a first chemical reactant contained therein, and a second container having a second chemical reactant contained therein, the container being positioned within the mine to assure that a stepping action on the mine will result in the opening of the container and the release of the contents thereof into contact with the second chemical reactant, whereby the contact results in a fast chemical reaction non-lethal to the person stepping on the mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Israel Atomic Energy Commission
    Inventors: Aharon Bornstein, Uri Bach, Noam Shafir
  • Patent number: 6748869
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of electrical firing mechanisms and particularly to a device for firing a primer of the type having, in particular, an electrical power supply for a circuit including a detector, a switch and an igniting device for igniting the primer, such as an electrical resistor or a striker and a device able to move the striker. The detector and switch may include a network of contacts able to open or close the circuit under the influence of a contact or a force and to close or open the circuit when the contact or the force has disappeared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Delegation Generale pour l'Armement Batiment la Rotonde, Jason Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Boyer, André Gilson
  • Patent number: 5796030
    Abstract: A mine has a casing which encloses an explosive and a primary charge arranged in the center of the explosive near the bottom of the mine. A liner is connected over the explosive in order to delimit the explosive to generate the shape charge effect and a spacing member is arranged between the primary charge and the liner. The spacing member has an upper portion which defines an opening and a lower portion which faces the bottom of the mine. The lower portion of the spacing member is shaped substantially as a circumference of a frustrum of a cone, with a base facing towards the bottom of the mine. A triggering arrangement, having a fuze and a trigger is supported by a holder. The holder is located above the opening in the spacing member. The trigger extends from an upper side of the mine through the opening to act on the primary charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Bofors AB
    Inventor: Goran Olofsson
  • Patent number: 4718347
    Abstract: A pressure plate for a mine comprises a hydraulic circuit. The mine is triggered by complete depression of the pressure plate. The hydraulic circuit comprises a pressure chamber containing a fluid that is compressed by a force applied to the pressure plate. The fluid is evacuated from the pressure chamber in a controled manner through a depressurization unit in response to a sustained force greater than a predetermined threshold being applied to the pressure plate. A bistable member moves between a first position in which it prevents communication between the pressure chamber and the depressurization unit and a second position in which it establishes communication between the pressure chamber and the depressurization unit. The bistable member is initially in the first position when no force is exerted on the pressure plate. It remains in the first position so long as the pressure plate is subjected to an increasing or stable force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Etienne LaCroix Tous Artifices S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Baricos, Denis Dilhan
  • Patent number: 4696232
    Abstract: A detonator safety device for a weapon, such as an artillery shell or a war ead, includes a detonator member, a detonator charge and an igniter plate for applying a firing impact with the aid of the igniter plate on a main explosive charge of the weapon in response to the firing of the detonator charge by the detonator member when the device is in a firing position. The arrangement is such, that the main explosive charge cannot be fired by the igniter plate when the device is in a safety position even if the detonator charge should accidentally be fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Manfred Held
  • Patent number: 4542694
    Abstract: An out-of-line water safing and arming device includes an out-of-line barrier assembly with an internal bore. When submerged, the bore fills with water which is entrapped by a hydrostatically-driven piston assembly to cause the barrier assembly to move to an in-line armed position. However, when the device is not utilized but is removed from the water or rises to the surface, the piston in reaction to the decrease hydrostatic pressure releases the hydraulic lock allowing the water to drain out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Quantic Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Wells
  • Patent number: 4476784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mine incorporating a pressure plate. Such a mine comprises, inter alia, a pressure plate, a pyrotechnic firing chain and an arming device. The pyrotechnic chain comprises a firing relay rotatably mobile in two substantially perpendicular directions to ensure alignment of the pyrotechnic chain by a double rotation of a support disc about a shaft and a mobile member about an axis. Maneuvering of an arming button ensures rotation of the mobile member; a clockwork timer device ensures rotation of the support disc. A further feature of the invention resides in the reversibility of arming, the opposite maneuver of the arming button ensuring that the mobile elements of the mine return to their intial position. In addition, an anti-blast device is incorporated in the pressure plate. The invention is applicable to anti-tank mines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Societe E. LaCroix-Tous Artifices
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Reynes