GB2210148A - Multiconnector for low energy fuse - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiconnector for low energy fuse comprises a body part (14) having an inlet port (44) to receive an end of a length of initiating fuse and a plurality of outlet ports (44) to receive ends of lengths of secondary fuses, all the outlet ports being in communication with the inlet part, and locking means (30) displaceable into the ports into locking engagement with fuse therein. The locking means may project from a second part 12 so as to be transversely displaceable into the ports and may have planar angled surfaces defining angled edges to grip the fuse when the locking member partially blocks a port. A plug 26 on part 12 fits into cavity 42 on part 14 to define a chamber with which parallel inlet and outlet ports 44 communicate to propagate a shock wave. <IMAGE>

Description

IN-LINE CONNECTOR ' ' THIS INVENTION relates to a multiconnector for low energy fuse.

By a "multiconnector" is meant a device whereby several lengths of low energy fuse~may be connected to one another, so that a shock wave in one may be transferred to all the others to be passed therealong.

The low energy fuse may comprise a length of tubing that is partly filled with an explosive composition. One fond of such a low energy fuse is known by the registered trademark "Nonel N, According to the invention there is provided a multiconnector for low energy fuse, which includes a body part that defines an inlet port wherein an end of a length of initiating fuse is receivable and a plurality of outlet ports wherein ends of a desired number of lengths of secondary fuse are receivable, all of the outlet ports being in communica- tion with the inlet port; and a locking means displaceable relative to the body and exter nally displaceable into the ports into locking engagement with fuse therein.

The ports may be elongate and parallel and the locking means may have a plurality of locking members that are transversely displaceable into the ports. The body part may have access openings through which the locking members may enter the ports to engage fuse therein. Conveniently, the ports may be defined by passages and an access opening may be provided between adjacent passages, so that a locking member only blocks part of the passage.

Each locking member may have a tapered leading end to facilitate insertion thereof into fts opening and deformation of a wall portion of a fuse in the associated passage.

The multiconnector may comprise two parts - the body part which defines the ports and a second part which includes the, locking members. Conveniently, the passages open out into a hollow space which is closed off by the second part, to define a chamber.

In order to improve locking of the fuses in their ports, the locking members may have planar angled surfaces which define a tooth-like formation, one side of the fonnation being transversely directed with respect to its passage and facing towards the inner end of its passage. rach member may have two opposed formations, with one formation extending into one passage and the other formation an adjacent passage so that one member can grip two fuses.

The two parts may also have retaining formations to retain the parts together in their operative configuration, le.

with the locking members projecting into the passages.

The invention Is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompany drawings, fn which Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a multiconnector in accordance with the invention, with a part thereof being sec toned; Figure 2 -shows a front view of a body part of the multiconnector, the sectioned view in Figure 1 being along tine I - I in Figure 2; and Figure 3 shows a front view of a second part of the multiconnector.

Referring to the drawings, a multiconnector in accordance with the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The multiconnector 10 is formed from two parts 12 and 14. It is to be noted that Figure 3 is a view of part 12 as indicated by the arrow 16 in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a view of the part 14 as indicated by arrow 18 In Figure 1.

The pin part 12 has a substantially flat body portion 20 which may be of any shape but is shown as circular in the drawings. On one side, a peripheral edge of the body portion 20 is chamfered as shown at 22. The chamfer 22 bounds a planar face 24.

Projecting from the face 24, close to the chamfer 22, is a plug portion 26. The plug portion 26 has a sealing and retaining lip 28.

Also extending from the face 24, and close to the chamfer 22 on an opposite side of the face 24 to the plug portion 26, are two triangular pins 30, Although the pins 30 are triangu.

lar for a major part of their length, they have circular cylin drical base portions 32. As will be seen in figure 3, the pins 30 each have a side 34 that faces towards the plug portion 26. The tips of the pins 30 are chamfered.

Referring now to the body part 14, it will be noted that it has a substantially round body portion 36 with a boss 38 on one side. It also has a circular recess 40 which is offset to be close to the boss 38. The recessed portion 40 is substantially the same size as the body portion 20 of the pin part 12 so that tne body portion ao 1S receivable tnerein. A cavity 4g Is turther provided in the base of the recess 40, the plug portion 26 being receivable therein.

Three passages 44 extend between the boss 38 and the cavity 42, the passages 44 being linear and substantially paral lel and being accessible via entrance openings in an angled planar face 46 on the boss 38. Although the passages 44 extend linearly, they are slightly tapered as seen in Figure 1. Thus, the passages 44 get smaller as they progress from the boss 38 to the cavity 42 to facilitate a watertight seal between the fuse and the passages. It will be understood that the ends of three lengths. of low energy fuse (not shown) are inserted, in use, in the passages 44. One length is an initiating fuse and the other two are secondary fuses.

Further, the body part 14 has two holes 48 that extend into the body member 36 from the base of the recess 40, the pins 30 being receivable in these holes 48. As is seen in Figure 2, these holes 48 are each positioned between two of the passages 44 and interfere therewith, to provide access openings into the passages 44. The holes 48 are Initially suitably large for the base portions 32 to be a snug fit therein and at their bottom ends they have a triangular shape to accept and hold the chamfered tips of the pins 30. It will thus be appreciated that when the pin part 12 is engaged with the body part 14, with the plug portion 26 clipped .into the cavity 42, the pins 30 project slightly into the passages 44 with the sides 34 facing towards the cavity 42, le. inwardly with respect to the passages 44. It will further be appreciated that the pins 48 will grip fuse located in the passages 44 and inhibit withdrawal thereof. It will still further be appreciated that the plug portion 26 closes off the cavity 42 to define a chamber with which the passages 44 and fuse located therein will be in communication. Thus, 2 shockwave in an initiating fuse will transferred to two secondary fuses to be propagated therealong. The lip 28 is an interference fit in the cavity 42, so that the two parts 12 and 14 are held together.

Claims (12)

1. A multiconnector for low energy fuse, which includes a body part that defines an inlet port wherein an end of a length of initiating fuse is receivable and a plurality of outlet ports wherein ends of a desired number of lengths of secondary fuse are receivabless all of the outlet ports being in communication with the inlet port; and a locking means displaceable relative to the body and exter nally displaceable into the ports into locking engagement with fuse therein.

2. The multiconnector of Claim 1, In which the inlet port and outlet ports are elongate and parallel and the locking means has a plurality of locking members that are transversely displaceable into the ports.

3. The multiconnector of Claim 2, in which the ports are defined by passages and the body part has central access openings through which the locking members may pass to project into the passages.

4. The multiconnector of Claim 3, which has an access opening located between two.adjacent passages and the access opening and Its associated locking member are sufficiently large and the passges sufficiently close together for the locking member to project into both passages.

5. The tifulticonnector of Claim 2,in which each locking member has a tapered leading end.

6. The multiconnector of Claim 2,in which each locking member has planar angled surfaces to define angled edges to grip the fuse.

7. The multiconnector of Claim 6,in which each locking member has three sides to have a substantially triangular cross-sectional profile,one side being transversely orientated with respect to the ports and the other two sides being angled with respect to them.

8. The multiconnector of Claim 7,in which the ports have their mouths at a common end and the transversely oriented side faces away from this end.

9. The multiconnector of Claim 1 in which the locking means includes projecting locking members,on a second body part which is displaceable relative to the first body part.

10. The multiconnector of Claim 9,in which the ports are defined by passages that open out into a hollow space in the body part, and this hollow space is closed by the second

11. The multiconnector of Claim 9, or Claim 10 which includes a retaining means for retaining the body parts together with the locking members projecting into the ports.

12. A multiconnector for low energy fuse, substantially as described in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings,