GB2025584A - Pyrotechnic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pyrotechnic device which comprises a charge of explosive material, preferably gunpowder or other flash composition, means for ignition of this charge suitably frictional or electrical, and a protective casing, suitably made of a plastics material or metal, which is adapted to direct the force of the explosive charge on ignition. The device preferably further comprises means for attachment of the device such as a clip or bracket, to a fixed object such as a building or a tree. The device is useful for the training of personnel, in particular armed service personnel, to accustom them to conditions of combat.

Description

SPECIFICATION Pyrotechnic device This invention relates to a pyrotechnic device for use in the training of personnel in particular armed service personnel to accustom them to conditions of combat.

Pyrotechnic devices for use in such training are known, for example thunderflashes. These known devices have the disadvantage that they are nondirectional, and therefore potentially dangerous. In use, they are hand-held, and then thrown prior to ignition, with the result that they may cause injuries due to premature ignition or fragmentation. Because the devices are non-directional, they are not suitable for attachment to fixed objects such as buildings or trees.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a directionally controlled explosive simulator in which these disadvantages are reduced or substantially overcome.

The invention therefore provides a pyrotechnic device which comprises a charge of explosive material, means for ignition of this charge, and a protective casing which is adapted to direct the force of the explosive charge on ignition.

The protective casing is made of a material which withstands the force of the explosive charge, and is preferably a suitable plastics material or metal.

Suitable materials include low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ferrous metal and nonferrous metal. The most preferred material is high density polyethylene. The casing is preferably in the shape of a hollow cylinder which is closed at one end.

The charge of explosive material may be any suitable known explosive material, in particular gunpowder or other flash compositions. The means for ignition of the charge may be frictional or electrical.

The device according to the invention may be free-standing or may be provided with means for attachment to a fixed object, for example a building, tree or vehicle. Suitable means for attachment include a clip or bracket, which are suitably made of metal or plastics.

The device is preferably designed to be expend gable: in particular to be used once and then dis garded.

The invention will now be described with refer ence to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows a section through a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. A charge 2 of a flash composition is contained within a protective casing 3 made of a material which withstands the force of the explosion. The casing is provided with a sealing disc 1 which retains the charge in the casing and protects it. The device is further provided with an electric fuse 4 which ignites the charge on passage of a current.

1. A pyrotechnic device which comprises a charge of explosive material, means for ignition of this charge and a protective casing which is adapted to direct the force of the explosive charge on ignition.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the casing is made of a plastics material or metal.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the casing is made of low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene.

4. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the charge is gunpowder or other flash composition.

5. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the means for ignition is frictional or electrical.

6. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 which further comprises means for attachment to a fixed object.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 in which the means for attachment is a clip or bracket.

8. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 which is designed to be used once and then discarded.

9. A pyrotechnic device substantialiy as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pyrotechnic device This invention relates to a pyrotechnic device for use in the training of personnel in particular armed service personnel to accustom them to conditions of combat. Pyrotechnic devices for use in such training are known, for example thunderflashes. These known devices have the disadvantage that they are nondirectional, and therefore potentially dangerous. In use, they are hand-held, and then thrown prior to ignition, with the result that they may cause injuries due to premature ignition or fragmentation. Because the devices are non-directional, they are not suitable for attachment to fixed objects such as buildings or trees. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a directionally controlled explosive simulator in which these disadvantages are reduced or substantially overcome. The invention therefore provides a pyrotechnic device which comprises a charge of explosive material, means for ignition of this charge, and a protective casing which is adapted to direct the force of the explosive charge on ignition. The protective casing is made of a material which withstands the force of the explosive charge, and is preferably a suitable plastics material or metal. Suitable materials include low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ferrous metal and nonferrous metal. The most preferred material is high density polyethylene. The casing is preferably in the shape of a hollow cylinder which is closed at one end. The charge of explosive material may be any suitable known explosive material, in particular gunpowder or other flash compositions. The means for ignition of the charge may be frictional or electrical. The device according to the invention may be free-standing or may be provided with means for attachment to a fixed object, for example a building, tree or vehicle. Suitable means for attachment include a clip or bracket, which are suitably made of metal or plastics. The device is preferably designed to be expend gable: in particular to be used once and then dis garded. The invention will now be described with refer ence to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows a section through a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. A charge 2 of a flash composition is contained within a protective casing 3 made of a material which withstands the force of the explosion. The casing is provided with a sealing disc 1 which retains the charge in the casing and protects it. The device is further provided with an electric fuse 4 which ignites the charge on passage of a current. CLAIMS

1. A pyrotechnic device which comprises a charge of explosive material, means for ignition of this charge and a protective casing which is adapted to direct the force of the explosive charge on ignition.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the casing is made of a plastics material or metal.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the casing is made of low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene.

4. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the charge is gunpowder or other flash composition.

5. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the means for ignition is frictional or electrical.

6. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 which further comprises means for attachment to a fixed object.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 in which the means for attachment is a clip or bracket.

8. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 which is designed to be used once and then discarded.

9. A pyrotechnic device substantialiy as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.