Abstract: Disclosed is a gas fired gun having a valve body for communicating gas under pressure from a gas cartridge to the gun barrel to fire a projectile. The gun has a frame carrying a chamber for receiving a gas cartridge and a lever for urging the cartridge in the chamber against a conical element carried in a stepped bore in the valve body. A retainer ring having triangular shaped projections disposed in a direction toward the tip of the conical element is provided about the element. A seal seats on a stepped shoulder in the bore and a retainer nut bears against the seal which, in turn, bears against the triangular projections on the ring to retain the conical element in the bore. Upon actuation of the lever, the end of the cartridge is fully inserted into the bore and pierced by the element. When the lever is in final position, the cartridge backs off the piercing element to enable gas flow through the seal between the projections of the retainer ring and the element into the valve body passage.

Abstract: A penetrator/nozzle arrangement, particularly for enabling fighting of fires in aircraft and other difficult access target units, in which the penetrator/nozzle arrangement has a telescopic nozzle formed by a spray nozzle tube section telescopically slidable on a concentric feed tube, with a cylindrical cutter mounted for sliding movement about the nozzle and toward a target unit. A cartridge is fired to drive the cutter toward the forward spray end of the nozzle, thereby cutting the effective skin of a target and enabling the nozzle to be moved therethrough with its forward spray discharge end extending into the target interior zone for passage of fluid, powder or other desired agent through the nozzle into the target interior.

Abstract: A small hand-held tubular device, utilizes gas under pressure in a replaceable cartridge carried in the device, to be controllably fed to a hollow needle for skinning purposes. The interior of the tubular body of the device is sealed at the end opposite the needle by a screw cap which, when screwed inwardly presses the tip end of the cartridge against a sharp projection inside the body, thereby piercing the tip of the cartridge. The tip of the cartridge seats on a rubber washer surrounding the piercing point which prevents release of gas under pressure from the pierced cartridge to the needle, until the screw cap relieves the pressure exerted thereby on the cartridge. Capillary feed grooves in a disc having the sharp projection, serve to control the rate of flow of the gas to the needle.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a driven device in an emergency comprises: an actuator mechanism having a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder and coupled to the driven device, an operational chamber defined by the cylinder and piston, and a passage communicating with the operational chamber; a high pressure gas generating source comprising a container vessel having an opening, a high pressure gas generating medium contained within the vessel, and a sealing member for sealing the opening of the vessel; and unsealing means operating in response to an emergency operation signal from the outside to unseal the sealing member of the high pressure gas generating source. High pressure gas from the high pressure gas generating medium flows through the opening and passage into the operational chamber upon unsealing of the sealing member of the high pressure gas generating source and operates the piston thereby to drive the driven device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adaptor which enables a gas-consuming tool or appliance, for example a blowlamp or a light, to be attached to a puncturable gas cartridge.The adaptor comprises a main body part defining a through passage, a valve member which may be moved from a position in which the through passage is closed to a position in which this passage is open, means for urging the valve member into a closed position, a piercing member, means for creating a seal between the adaptor and a gas cartridge, and means for urging the adaptor and a gas cartridge together.The adaptor includes a housing into which in operation a gas cartridge is received and which is apertured at its top to allow insertion of the main body part.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device for use as anti-burglar device is disclosed which discharges a fluid, containing a chemical such as tear gas, into an area to be protected when an intruder causes the device to be actuated. The anti-burglar device employs an electrothermal actuator strip for causing fluid discharge when an electric current flows through it. In addition, the fluid dispensing device may also be used as a metered spray atomizing device by the addition of a timing device for periodically actuating the valve of the pressurized container for emitting sprays of atomized fluid into the atmosphere for the spray application of insecticides, disinfectants, deodorants, room air fresheners and the like.

Abstract: A chemical dispensing anti-burglar booby trap device is disclosed from which a chemical such as tear gas is discharged into an area to be protected when an intruder opens a window or a door or forces open a window or a door to enter an unauthorized area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglar booby trap device employs a spring biased actuating member for discharging a chemical from a pressurized container. An improved trigger for releasably retaining the actuating member in a cocked position and for releasing the chemical are described.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing anti-burglar device is disclosed from which a pressurized fluid such as tear gas is discharged, when an unauthorized movement of an object is attempted. The anti-burglar device employs a security cable which will permit limited movement of the object but will cause the release of the pressurized fluid when the security cable is severed or removed from its terminations.

Abstract: A manually operable device is placed over the drain opening so as to seal this opening. Contained within the device and in fluid communication with the drain is a cartridge which contains one or more materials which react with each other when mixed or with water in the drain to cause the emission of a blast of gas. The materials may comprise a solid and a liquid, the liquid being contained within a capsule, the device including a hand operated trigger pin which is used to pierce the capsule to effect the mixture and resultant reaction, or may comprise a single material contained within a capsule which is mixed with water above the drain when the capsule is either pierced by the trigger pin or dissolved by the water. In this manner, gas pressure is provided to clear the drain by virtue of the reaction produced when certain of the materials are mixed.

Abstract: Valve apparatus is disclosed for discharging pressurized fire extinguisher fluid from a container. The valve includes a diaphragm which is removably mounted within a two-part housing to facilitate field replacement. The diaphragm is formed with a semi-spherical shell which is mounted across a passage in the housing with a concave side of the shell facing the pressurized fluid. The shell is fabricated of a metal which is pre-stressed so that the diaphragm ruptures above a predetermined fluid pressure for relieving over-pressure from the container. An annular rim of the diaphragm includes a ductile metal ring which is compressed between the housing parts into fluid sealing relationship with an annular knife edge seal. A squib cartridge is mounted in the housing to rupture the diaphragm and permit the fluid to discharge through the passage. A screen is mounted in the passage to screen out fragments of the ruptured diaphragm from the flow stream.

Abstract: A camping stove having a housing for receiving an expendable gas container. The gas container is punctuated by a puncturing means at the upper inner end of the housing to connect the container with valve supporting the puncturing means. The valve means and the puncturing means are rotationally and stationarily mounted in the housing. The container is enclosed in the housing by a lid which supports a screw employed to press the container against the puncturing means without rotating the gas container.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing anti-burglar device is disclosed which discharges a fluid, containing a chemical such as tear gas, into an area to be protected when an intruder opens a window or a door or forces open a window or a door to enter a private or unauthorized area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglar device employs a spring biased actuating member for discharging a pressurized container. A mechanical trigger for releasably retaining the actuating member in a cocked position and for releasing the actuating member to dispense the fluid, containing a chemical such as tear gas, is described. In addition, a lock mechanism to place the device in a non-triggerable condition is also shown.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing anti-burglary device is disclosed in which a fluid, containing a chemical such as tear gas, is discharged into an area to be protected when an intruder forces entry into the area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglar device employs an electrothermal actuator as a trigger for releasing a spring biased member to cause the discharge of fluid from a pressurized container.

Abstract: An inflating system of the type utilizing a propellant charge and stored fluid under pressure to inflate an inflatable member such as a vehicle safety bag. The propellant chamber in which the propellant burns is separated from the reservoir in which the fluid is stored by a nozzle member. Means is provided for reducing the throat area of the nozzle member upon actuation of the high or fast deployment of the system to increase the burning rate of the propellant charge.

Abstract: A self-inflating device for lifesaving equipment, in which the lifesaving equipment automatically inflates itself as soon as a piercing member forming part of the device is projected by a spring-urged shank into a closure diaphragm of a compressed air containing vessel. The spring-urged shank pertaining to a first housing section is prevented from hitting the piercing member by a preferably annular member arranged in a second housing member disengageably connected to the first housing member, as long as the device is not in the water but as soon as the device is in the water, the preferably annular member disintegrates and thereby permits the shank under the influence of the spring acting thereon to cause the piercing member to pierce the closure diaphragm for the compressed air containing vessel which then dispenses its content into the lifesaving equipment to be inflated.

Abstract: A compact vehicle crash cushion assembly including, within a single receptacle, a source of pressurized fluid, an inertia-type actuator for releasing fluid from the source and an inflatable bag. The inertia member is held in a cocked position by ball detents. Movement of the member starts withdrawal of a sear pin from engagement with a spring-biased hammer which results in a special cutting member piercing a diaphragm in the source of pressurized fluid causing the fluid to be released to inflate the bag.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing anti-burglar device is disclosed in which a chemical irritant such as tear gas is discharged into the area to be protected when an intruder forces entry into an area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglar device employs an element to delay the release of the chemical irritant. It also has provisions for resetting the trigger and recocking the spring associated with the device if the device is accidentally triggered.

Abstract: A vehicle subject to high level and low level impact conditions includes an occupant restraint cushion which is inflated at a relatively high rate under high impact conditions and at a relatively low rate under low level impact conditions. The inflator for the cushion includes a pressure vessel containing pressurized stored gas and a combustion chamber containing a propellant. Under low level impact conditions, the propellant is ignited and the resultant gases flow through a fluted orifice into the pressure vessel and then flow with the stored gas to the cushion. The area of the orifice controls the flow rate of the resultant gases out of the combustion chamber to control the pressure within the chamber and the burn rate. Under high level impact conditions, a ball within the combustion chamber is explosively fired into the orifice to restrict the flow area of the orifice. This increases the pressure within the combustion chamber to increase the burn rate and the flow rate to the cushion.

Abstract: A chemical dispensing anti-burglary device is described in which a chemical irritant such as tear gas is discharged into the area to be protected when an intruder opens a window or opens a door or enters an unauthorized area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglary device employs a spring biased pressurized container for discharging a chemical through a passageway and nozzle. A mechanical trigger for releasably retaining the pressurized container in a cocked position, an improved mechanical and electromechanical trigger to release the chemical, and a built in safety to deactivate the device which makes it virtually impossible to accidentally discharge the device are described.

Abstract: A self-contained propellant gas generating cartridge for use in connection with safety systems utilizing inflatable confinements. The cartridge has a tubular body portion housing a propellant charge, a head portion at one end of the body portion in which is mounted an ignitor for the propellant charge, and a nozzle member closing the other end of the body portion. In one embodiment the tubular body and head portion may be metallic while in another embodiment they may be plastic. The cartridge may also include means to reduce the effective throat area of the nozzle when a fast deployment of the system is desired.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a confinement with a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during a collision of the vehicle, a fluid supply, and a diffuser for directing gas from the fluid supply into the confinement. The fluid supply includes a pressure vessel having a chamber for housing a gas generating material and an oxidizing gas. The gas generating material is combusted upon the occurrence of the collision of the vehicle to generate gas. The oxidizing gas is pressurized and reacts with the generated gas to augment the combustion process and thereby reduce the toxicity of the generated gas, and is present in a sufficient quantity to cool the generated gas to an acceptable temperature. A shear disk, seals a passage between the chamber in the pressure vessel and the diffuser. This disk is ruptured by a shear piston propelled by the pressure increase occurring upon combustion of the gas generating material.

Abstract: A chemical dispensing anti-burglary device is disclosed in which a chemical such as tear gas is discharged into the area to be protected when an intruder opens a door or forces open a door to enter a private or unauthorized area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglary device employs a spring biased actuating member moving a pressurized container to discharge a chemical irritant. A mechanical trigger for releasably retaining the biased actuating member in cocked position and for triggering the device and a lock mechanism to place the device in a non-triggerable condition are described. A combination for using the device with a door locking bolt and bolt latch plate is also shown.

Abstract: A fluid supply for an occupant restraint system includes a pair of concentric cylindrical vessels defining inner and outer fluid chambers in fluid communication with each other and with a discharge passage which is normally closed by a shearable member and with expandable confinement. A valve member is slidingly carried within the inner cylinder, exposing one end of the valve member to the inner fluid chamber, and partially defines a control pressure chamber providing metered communication therefrom to the inner fluid chamber. The valve is responsive to the difference in pressure between the control chamber and the inner chamber to move from a position restricting flow from the outer fluid chamber to the inner to a position allowing relatively free flow.A shearing member is also provided for opening the discharge passage in response to the occurrence of a collision.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the application a valve including a body in which is slidably mounted a cam-actuated puncturing pin for piercing the seal of a pressurized gas supply container. The body includes a passage for conducting gas from the supply to an inflatable device and a normally open passage for venting the device while it is in a deflated state. Rotation of the cam is accomplished by a detachably coupled lanyard and the cam includes a restraint against inadvertent rotation and a coupling to the pin to prevent accidental operation until inflation is desired. In addition, a projection of the cam engageable by the pin prevents return motion of the cam once its puncturing tool actuation has started.

Abstract: A triggering device intended to be actuated upon being immersed in water uses a force-transmitting member of variable length in the form of an array of collapsible struts restrained from folding, and hence triggering the device by at least one tensile member of which the strength reduces greatly when wetted.