Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W0 98/12495l0l520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242AP.RANGEMENT FOP. LAUNCHING SMOKE HAND GRENADESThe scope of the inventionThe present invention relates to a device for launchingsmoke hand grenades, in particular launching in salvos forown protection of vehicles.More specifically, the invention relates to that kind ofdevice which is described in the preamble of the attachedpatent claim No. 1.Background to the inventionThe present invention relates to a smoke launcher which wasdeveloped in connection with a user need for battlevehicles which are not originally fitted with smoke grenadelaunchers. A main requirement is for a low-cost, light andfreeâstanding launcher which may be mounted on e.g. trackedvehicles, lorries etc. without cost consuming modificationsof the vehicles itself. The launcher will moreover be ableto use a type of smoke ammunition already existing which issimple and cheap to make.Brief description of the inventionThe aim of the present invention was to provide alightweight smoke launcher which which can be produced atlow cost and which may rapidly establish a smoke cloud toscreen vehicles not equipped with their own smoke screenequipment.The principles behind the invention is firing of a smokehand grenade from a launcher. This is something new andwo 98/12495 2l0l520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242quite special. The aim may be achieved simply by throwingthe grenades out by means of the high pressure gases from agas generator. One advantage is that smoke hand grenadesare a relatively cheap ammunition compared with the type ofammunition usually intended for launching from today'slaunchers. A further benefit is achieved through lesscomplex ammunition logistics.The gas generator of the launcher is a single unit whichproduces gas by reaction of a standard blank cartridge or aseparate base fuze. Two important details of the inventionare, firstly, that the grenades are secured by means of asimple function which is integrated in the preferablythat thesame operation also activates and fires the gas generator.manually operated firing mechanism and, secondly,More specifically, the invention relates to a device of thekind mentioned initially which is according to theinvention characterised by the features evident from thecharacterising clause of the Attached patent claim No. l.Additional features and advantages of the present inventionwill be evident from the following description ofembodiments, taken in conjunction with the attacheddrawings, as well as from the additionally attached patentclaims.Brief description of the drawingsFigure l is a schematic plan, partly in section, of a baseplate on which is mounted a launching device according to afirst embodiment of the invention.Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show on a smaller scale most of theelements incorporated in Figure 1, Viewed, however, fromthree different angles, i.e. as a sideways view, a baseplan (partly) and an end-on view, respectively.wo 98/12495 3l0l520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/NO97l00242Figure 3 shows on the same scale as in Figure 1 an end-onview, partly in section, further details of the deviceaccording to the invention where elements forming part ofthe device are shown in a passive position.Figure 4 is a sketch, partly in section, similar to Figure3 where elements forming part of the device are shown in astarting, activating position.Figure 5 shows in details by a sketch similar to Figures 3and 4, and shows some elements of the device in a furtheractivated position.Figures 6A and 6B show in an expanded sketch detailsrespectively of a threaded socket and a bayonet socketcomprising a breech block.Figure 7 shows in an expanded View details of a hammer /striker cock.Figure 8 shows together with Figures 9A and 9B as well aswith Figures 10A and 10B how several launching devices maybe activated simultaneously.Figure 11 shows an outline of principle for an example oftransmission of power from motor to base pipe by means ofan electric motor.Figure 12 shows details of the outline of principleaccording to Figure 11.Figure 13 shows together with Figure 14 an alternativeexample of a breech block and attachment of the launchingpipe.Figures 15A and 15B show a further example of powertransmission from motor to base pipe.wo 98/12495 4l01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242Figure 16 shows a schematic plan, partly in section, of abase plate on which is mounted a launching device accordingto a second embodiment of the invention.Figure 17 is an end-on view, partly in section, in whichthe device is in a closed or passive position.Figures 18, 19 and 20 are end-on views similar to Figure 17and show the device respectively in a partially detachedposition, a partially ready position and a firing position.Figure 21 is an end-on view similar to Figures 17 to 20 andshows part of the charging procedure for the device.Figures 22A and 22B show respectively in sketches viewedfrom below and sideways how an embodiment of the firingmechanism may be executed.Figure 23 is a perspective sketch showing a furtherembodiment of the device according to the invention, with aspecial form of base plate.Figure 24 shows on a larger scale a sideways view partly insection of details of the embodiment according to Figure23,pipes.in particular as regards the individual launchingDescription of embodiments of the inventionA first embodiment of the invention according to theinvention will now be described under reference to FiguresltO5.The device itself is attached to a base plate 1, see inparticular Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The base plate 1shown in the figures are designed for mounting on the roofat the font of a tracked vehicle, in particular of the typewo 9s/12495 5l01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242Bv 206.of standard design, will be attached to a mounting plateIn a serial production a base plate which may bespecifically designed with a view to the type of vehicle onwhich the launcher is to be used.On the base plate l and associated with each launching pipe3, arches/hooks 2 are attached, see Figures l, 3, 4 and 5,into which the ring connected to the safety pin is to behooked when charging. The launcher may e.g. consist offour launching pipes 3, see Figures l, 3, 4 and 5,connected to a base pipe 4, Figures l and 2. For eachlaunching pipe 3, a ring is fitted having a protrusion 5,see Figure l, into which the safety arch of the handgrenade 6 indicated in Figure l is to be guided whencharging.The launching pipes 3 are attached to the base pipe 4 by aAm the undersideof the base pipe 4 are attached two round irons 8, Figure 2transition pipe 7, see Figures l and 2.being hinged in two bearings 9, see Figures 2, 3 and 5 sodesigned that when the launching pipes 3 are turnedbackwards (by more than 90°, a wing being attached to theaxle will slip over an edge l0, see Figures 2 and 5, sothat the base pipe 4 with the launching pipes 3 may bedetached / dismantled from the base plate l.Attached at one end of the base pipe 4 is a gas generatorcomprising a chamber ll, see Figure l, and a breech blockl2, see Figures l, 2 And 6. Mounted in the breech block l2is a ignition pin l3, which is retracted by means of aspring 14, see Figure 6. Also mounted on the breech blockl2 is a wing 15, see Figure 6, for tightening a hammermechanism mentioned below. This will rest in its correctposition when the breech block is locked by means of alocking device on the chamber l4a, see Figures 2, 3 and 4.The breech block l2 is attached to the chamber l4a eitherby means of respectively threads l6 or a bayonet socket l7,see Figure 6A respectively 6B.wo 9s/12495 6l01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242The device is protected from outside effects by a cover 18,see Figures 2, 3 and 4, having a spring loaded lid 19, seeFigures 3 and 4, which is tipped upwards when the pipes areAt its frontthe lid 19 is protected by a branch guard 20, see Figures 3and 4.1, at one end.raised/turned up into their firing position.The cover 18 is fitted with a hinge 21, see FigureAt its other end an angle profile 22 isarranged, see Figure 2, which will, at the pull of a handle23 in a locking arch 24, Figure 2, slip under a crossbar inthe locking arch 24, see Figure 2, which will subsequentlylock the lid/cover when the springs 25,Figure 2, pull backthe locking arch 24.At the inside of the lid/cover 18 against the breech blockthere is mounted in a bracket a striking device 26, seeFigure 1.27,axle 28,The striking device 26 comprises a hammer/cocksee Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 which is attached to ansee Figures 1, 2, 4 and 7 and will by means of astriking spring 29, Figures 1, 4 and 7, provides the cockwith a striking direction towards the ignition pin. At theother end of the axle a tension wing 30 is attached, see4 and 7,up into its strike position when the wing of the breechFigures 1, 2, 3, which turns the axle and the cockblock which lies below the tension wing, is forced upwardsby the turning movement of the base pipe/breech block.When the turning has completed a certain angle, the tensionwing slips under the wing of the breech block, and thehammer will strike against the ignition pin. This becomespossible when the breech block/the base pipe move into theimagined vertical plane in which the hammer lies since thelies below the centreturning axis 31, see Figures 3 and 5,line of the base pipe. When the launching pipes arelowered towards the base plate again, the wing of thebreech block which now lies above the tension wing, willforce the latter downwards against a spring force 30a, seeFigure 7, until it slips past and again remains resting inits starting position.wo 98/12495 7l01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242The pipes 3 in a launcher may be raised by means of amechanical device from the inside of a vehicle by pullingdown a lever, e.g. as shown in Figure 3.For mechanically activating two launchers on one vehiclealso just one lever may be used. This may be done as e.g.9A, 9B and 10. The arch 31,can then be connected to the struts 32a and 32b, Figures 8,shown in Figures 8, Figure 39A, 9B and 10 connected by a lever 33, Figure 8, which isturned 60° in one direction or the other, depending on thelauncher which it is desired to activate.The lever 33 which may be operated from inside the vehicle,is attached to an axle 34, passing through the roof of thevehicle and through a coupling housing 35, Figure 10, andcontinuing to two stable bearing supports 36, Figures 9 and10, attached to a box enveloping the coupling housing. Inthe coupling housing which can move on the axle, the axlepasses through three discs where the primary disc 37,Figures 9 and 10, is attached to the axle.handle 33,primary disc will still engage with the secondary disc 38a,9 and 10,The strut 32a, being hinged to the lifting arch 31,By turning theFigure 9B, anti-clockwise, Figure 10A, theFigures 8, and turn it in the same direction.Figures3 and 4, will then be given a movement inwards towards thelauncher 39, Figure 8, whereby the pipes are raised and thelaunching activated.In the course of that movement the primary disc will slipfrom its engagement with the secondary disc 38b, Figure 10Aand will press the latter and hence the coupling housingdownwards while compressing the coupling housing spring 40,Figures 9 and 10. When the handle is being returned to itsstarting position the barrier 41a, Figures 9 and 10, willprevent the strut 32b, Figure 10A, from shifting towardsthe launcher 42, Figure 8. Turning the handle 33, Figure 9anti-clockwise, Figure 10B, will cause the launcher 41,Figure 8, to be activated in that the primary disc 37,wo 98/12495 8l0l520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242Figure lOB, engages with the secondary disc 38b, Figurel0B, while at the same time disc 38a slips out ofengagement and is pressed up against the force from thespring 40, Figure 10B. The said spring presses thecoupling housing upwards, so that the underside of thehousing during the turning movement presses disc 38btowards engagement with disc 37. When the handle is movedback, the barrier 4lb will prevent movement of strut 32a,see Figure 8.Activating the launcher by means of an electric motor cane.g. be done as shown in the outlines of principles inFigures ll and l2. An eccentric tap on a wheel from a gearbox will at one rotation turn an arm 50 connected to theend of the base pipe 4, up into a position for launching ofthe grenades, and back again, in one continuous movement (2to 3 secs.). The movement of the raiser arm, i.e. thepipes, when the latter are in their launching position, isso slow that launching will take place in the course offractions of a second. The actual control of that movementmay be done in a simple manner e.g. with an electricalmechanical device with a twist switch controlled by thewheel on the gear box as well as a starter button/change-over switch and a power switch on a panel in the vehicle.Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative example of a breechblock and attachment of launching pipe.Figures l5A and l5B show an example of power transmissionfrom motor to base pipe.Shown in Figures 16 to 22A and 22B is a second embodimentof a device according to the invention.Here, too, the device is attached to a base plate 101,Figures 16 and 20, fitted with mounting attachments (notshown) to the vehicle, and arches 10, la, Figure 20, forpulling out the safety pin. The actual launcher consistswo 98/12495 9l0l520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242of four or more launching pipes 102, Figure 16, with acentred hole 103, Figure 16, in the bottom, furthermore abase pipe 104 supported at each end 104a a gas generatorconsisting of a breech block 105, and a hammer mechanism105a, Figure 16 and Figures 22A.and 22B. Furthermore thereare mounting pieces 106 with a through-going canal 107 to acanal in the base pipe 108. It is all being protected by alid 109, Figure 17, which can be raised by means of a lever110 connected to a pulling mechanism 111 which can bepulled back via a wire 112 to raise the lid 109, and thepipes by means of a pulley 113 with a handle 113a mountede.g. in the driver's cabin of a tracked vehicle.The launcher is being charged by first opening the lid 109without the pipes being raised. This is done by firstlifting the lid (by means of a handle not shown in thedrawing) while at the same time the hook 115 is beingpulled forward by hand, so that it does not engage with aThe lidis raised to its vertical position where it is blocked,deflected sheet 116, attached to one of the pipes.Figure 21. The grenade is then passed into the pipes whileat the same time the safety levers on the grenade areguided into a sheath on the outside of each pipe (notshown). The rings which are fastened to the safety pins ofthe grenades are then hooked on to the arches 101a, Figure20,charged by first removing the breech block with thein the base plate. The gas generator is subsequentlyA blankcartridge, e.g. a 7.62 mm red plastic cartridge 117, Figureignition pin attached to the end of the base pipe.16, is passed into the breech block and retained by meansThebreech block with the driving cartridge is then passed intothe chamber 118,a simple manner by means of a bayonet socket.of the groove in the metal bushing of the cartridge.Figure 16, on the base pipe and locked inThe cock ofthe hammer mechanism will during this operation rest 105a,Figure 16 and Figures 22A and 22B, against the bottom plateand will thus be out of the way. The lid is subsequentlytipped forwards down towards the bottom plate by a spring.wo 98/12495 10l01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCTINO97/00242During firing, the lid is first lifted by means of apulling mechanism 113, 113a, Figure 17, inside the vehicle.When the hook 115 engages with the plate 116, the launchingpipes will also start to rise. When that happens, thesafety pins are pulled out of the ignition mechanism of thegrenades, and the cock 105a, Figures 22A and 22B, is raisedup towards its correct position and simultaneously beingtightened by means of a raising and tightening lever 119.When the pipes are raised to the right angle of elevation,the lug 121 tightening the cock will be turned so that itreleases the cock which will then hit against the ignitionpin 120, Figure 16, in the breech block. The blankcartridge will thereby be reacted, and the grenades arelaunched by the gunpowder gases creating a high pressure inthe base plate and the distribution pipes to the bottom ofeach launching pipe. The safety lever is then releasedwhen the grenades have left the pipe, and the hammermechanism ignites a retarder which will after a certaintime ignite the charge which blows up the grenade in airwith subsequent formation of a smoke cloud.Shown in Figures 23 and 24 is a further embodiment of adevice according to the present invention.Used in this embodiment as carrier of the individuallaunching pipes is a block 238 in which seats have beenmachined for the individual launching pipes 203, so thatthe pipes obtain angles which provide a desired sidewaysspreading of the grenades to be launched from theIf the said block 238 is to be attachedto a vehicle, a bracket (not shown) will be used, so thatindividual pipes.the desired angle of elevation is provided. Each launchingpipe 203 is protected by a lid 239, see in particularFigure 24, the said lid 239 being attached to an arm 240 inwhich is incorporated a movable locking pin 241. The arm240 may turn on an axle 242 to which also a small wing 243is attached which can be affected by a gas piston 244. Thegas piston 244 will provide a torque on the axle 242 whichwo 98/12495 lll01520253035CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242will entail a opening of the lid 239 which in turn causes aring 245 with its pertaining safety pin 245A on the handgrenade 206in the pipe 203 to be pulled out. The safetywing on the grenade 206 will, however, still be retained,because the launching pipe 203 is equipped with doublewalls while at the same time the safety wing is passed downbetween the outer and the inner pipe.A springy pin 246 will retain the lid 239 in its closedWhen thegas piston 244 is activated, the springy pin 246 will beposition, preferably with a certain pre~tension,displaced and then across a dead point. when the said pin246 has passed the dead point, it will assist in openingthe lid 239 and subsequently ensure that the lid 239 iskept open.The block 238 may preferably be executed with two gascanals 247 and 248. The first gas canal 247 may have aconnection to the launching pipes 203, while the other gascanal 248 may have branches to each gas cylinder or gaspiston 244 which is to open the respective lids 239 whichin turn will pull out the ring 245 and pertaining safetypin 245A.for the respective grenade 206.The two gas canals 247 and 248 each have their own chamberThefiring unit for the said gas cylinders or gas pistons 244,with breech blocks for firing of a blank cartridge.here referred to as a a first chamber, may suitably bemounted in a hole 249, while a second firing unit, herereferred to as a second chamber, may also be placed betweenthe two middle firing pipes 203 (not shown). A firing unitmay consist of a block where the blank cartridge isfastened, an ignition pin, ignition piston, and a solenoidwhich will make contact with the ignition piston whencurrent is supplied.The activation initiating launching may appropriately takeplace from a switch suitably placed inside the vehicle.wo 93/12495 12l0CA 02265786 l999-03- 15PCT/N097/00242Connected to the switch may be two circuits, a firstcircuit being first activated for firing of the cartridgein the first chamber, following which the lids 239 of alllaunching pipes 206 are tipped up while at the same timethe respective grenades 206 have their safety catchreleased. Thereafter the second circuit will automaticallybe activated by means of a time delay for firing thecartridge in the second chamber, which entails that thegrenades 203 are ejected from their respective launchingpipes 203 by means of the smoke gas from the said secondchamber. The lids 209 may thereafter be closed, e.g.manually or by means of other suitable devices.
