US2468140A - Bomb - Google Patents

Description

. April 26, 1949.

L. w. THORNTON BOMB 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15 1944 I LAWRENEEWTHDRNTDN;

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N u T N R m I. E c N. E W A L Patented Apr. 26, 1949 "UNITED .s'rArs-s menu I OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 4"Glaims.

ture thereof, as well 'as to perfect details adding to efliciency of the projectiles against personnel and to enable improvement of tactical practices.

A special aim of the invention is to effect an economy in shipping space ,for (projectiles of a given weight of effective material.

Another end in View is to present a novel structure in a knock-down shell body and tail fin permitting shipment of the fins in flat sheet metal form stacked and adapted to be quickly attached without the use of machines by unskilled persons.

It is an important attainment of the invention that it is made possible to throw projectiles of somewhat fragile body structure whichcontain-' ing high explosive anddetonatin'g means would be fractured by ordinary firing apparatus, thus enabling use of very light and cheap materials not ordinarily available forproje'ctilesl A further aim is to present a novel projectile nose and a novel point detonator construction for such projectiles.

As is well known, the angle of impact of bombs dropped from airplanes is proportional to the height of flight and inversely proportional to the speed of the plane, so that ordinary bombs with tail fins have an angle of impact of in the neighborhood of '70 degrees, even when dropped from a height of 5,000 feet. My invention con plates the dropping of a multiplicity of small projectiles from very low heights, as, for instance, one or two hundred feet, instead of strafing at similar heights with machine gunfire. At such levels and at the high speeds necessary both for maintainin effective flight as well as for relative safety from enemy fire, the angle of impact of the missiles will be extremely low, the elements of horizontal movement largely predominating over the vertical components, of this movement;

For this use, as well as for other uses it is a highly important purpose of my invention to present a point-located detonating device which will be highly effective under such conditions of flight of the projectile, and for. response to impact on relatively soft materials, such as earth, sod, etc

A still further important purpose of the invention is to present novel features of shell structufe for anti-personnel, for dummy use, and for other special uses.

It is also a purpose to present novel structure in a catapulting device suited to the discharge of the projectiles as indicated. 4

In relation to economy of manufacture, a primary aim is, of course, to reduce the cost per unit of area of terrain inefiectingadequate dispersion and also concentration of destructive elements, either fragmentative or concussive, but'it is further an aim to at the same time effect a more uniform distribution of highly effective eon"- cussion, or high velocity fragmentation with .a large number of fragments per unit of area, than is accomplished by a corresponding use of projectiles currently available.

That is to say, using as a comparison present material and methods capable of distributing either a given quantity of explosive by weight, per unit of area, or projectiles of a given cost per unit of area, my method will reduce the changes of escape of enemy material and per-A sonnel within such area to a marked extent. In the case of a given quantity of explosive applied to a unit :area, my invention effects improvement by a distinct manner of distribution by unit projectiles when exploded, by utilizing a novel structure whereby voids between fragments the area are materially reduced, and by mini mizing the percentage of ineffective fragments too densely concentrated directly beneath th projectile when detonated and also by a construc; tion which increases the number of fragments and the certainty of uniform fragmentation.

In addition, both as to material, and 'cost, I am enabled to produce a larger number of c'entersiif detonation so that spots between zones Greece: tive concussion-or dispersion of individual bursts are fewer, and greater casualties and demolition of material are effected.

Additional objects, advantages and featuresof invention reside in the construction, arrangement and. combination of parts involved in theembodi ment of the invention, as will be apparent fr'oi'i'l' the followin description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.- 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a shell embodying my invention;

Fig, Z-is a crosssection on the line 2'2 of Fig. 1-:

Fig, 3 is a section on the line33- of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig; 1 of a dummy shell, but showing the same safety device;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig; 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification; a

Fig. 7 is a section on the line i---'! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan of the blank for the tail fin;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section of the wall joint or seam of the tail fin;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of a modification of the joint or seam;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section of a magazine and catapult device;

Fig, 12 is a horizontal section of the catapult device;

Fig. 13 is a cross section of the magazine and catapult;

There is illustrated in Fig. 1 a shell, case, or body consisting of a cylindrical wall 2i and integral slightly bulged back wall or head 22, the mouth or forward end of the shell opening flush with full diameter, being externally threaded and receiving thereon the interiorly threaded flange 23 of a thickened heavy cast iron nose cap 24 of a somewhat flattened ogival form, the head resistance of this projectile being a minor factor in contemplated uses, although in others it may conform to conventional shapes. The cap 24 has a flat inner face 25 in a plane normal to the axis of the body 20 while its outer or forward face 26 extends forwardly thereof a distance of less than one third the maximum diameter of the 'body 20. This cap is solid between these surfaces so as to aiford a substantial mass at the nose, throwing the center of gravity of the body and content well forward of its middle. Clamped by the cap against the extremity of the case there is a plam'form plate 21 centrally in which there is set a detonator cup 28 carrying a usual primer and booster, the details of which are well under stood in analogous detonators for bursting charges and therefore not illustrated in detail here. Within the case 20 a bursting charge 29 of appropriate explosive is contained. A high explosive such as TNT may be employed, especially if a concussive effect is desired in addition to fragmentation functions. Various others are also available, suited to appropriate effects.

The shell body 20 is formed with a multiplicity 'of external conical studs 30 arranged in close orderly relation throughout the areas of the wall 2| and head 22. These are arranged preferably in linear parallel rows extending from top to bottom of the body 2|, the studs in each row being in line horizontally (circumferentially) with those in the next adjacent longitudinal row. The longitudinal rows are preferably inclined so that the longitudinal rows are actually spiral, the inclination being such as to include an angle of rotation around the shell axis at least equal to that angle subtended by the spacing of the iongitudinal rows, so that no two studs in the same row are located on the same radius of the shell axis, and also so that there will be comparatively few radii on which studs are not located.

For anti-personnel use as herein described, the studs may be circular and conical approximately one quarter inch in diameter at their bases and slightly spaced from each other to facilitate fragmentation of the Wall and head, and the studs may be about one quarter inch high from their bases to their apexes. The body portion of the wall 2| between its inner face and the bases of the studs may measure less than one quarter inch. The maximum diameter of the shell may approximate that of a mm. mortar shell and the length may be proportionate to the amount of explosive used, or the proportions and size varied in accordance with other factors. Preferably, the complete projectile should weigh 4 less than two pounds for the specific use detailed herein.

The head cap 24 is flattened at its apex and axially bored entirely therethrough to receive slidably and frictionally a longitudinally split firingpin 3|, having a large mushroom-shaped head 32 of a diameter nearly or quite equal to the diameter of the shell body, and conforming to the shape of the external surface 26 of the nose cap 24 at the under side. This head is suitably spaced from the cap, its outer or forward side being slightly more conical, but of very low altitude, nevertheless. Its radial surface elements preferably extend at a mean angle of more than 45 degrees to the axis of the shell, for reasons which will appear. The pin 3| is formed with a furcated inner end, shaped so as to bind against the sides of the bore through the cap 24, and so that its extremities are pressed together; and it is suitably pointed to detonate the primer 28 when the pin is driven inward. Two parallel openings 33 are formed through the head 32 at each side, the pair at one side alined with those at the other side, and all being in a plane normal to the axis of the firing pin. Engaged through the openings are two parallel tines of a U-shaped wire safety pin 34 having an enlarged bight head 35. One of the tines has an outer part 36 inset slightly so as to engage the side of the pin 3| and prevent withdrawal of the safety pin 34 except purposely. The pin 34 is so positioned that with the point of the pin 3| safely spaced from the detonator the pin 34 is immediately next to the flat outer face of the cap 24, and

.. will stop inward movement of the firing pin until the safety pin 34 is Withdrawn.

The body of the projectile is provided with a tail piece 31, formed as a single blank of sheet metal substantially as shown in Fig. 8, which may be assembled on the shell at a supply base.

The tail piece blank is preferably shipped from production plants in flat stacked form and manually or otherwise assembled on the shell body before distribution to the planes from which it is to be fired. The tail blank may be given an initial set by which it tends to spring into cylindrical form when released from the bundled stacks in which it is kept fiat. It is an oblong rectangular piece of sheet metal which may be of very thin stock, as, for instance, 26 guage elastic steel sheet or thinner material; having two narrow longitudinal annealed tongues 38 extending from one end edge while at the other end two short transverse slots 39 are formed in the sheet parallel to the end edge and spaced from the latter about one-halfthe length of the tongues.

The length of the blank is equal to the circumference of the shell body 20 at the bases of the studs, and along one longitudinal edge portion, and in close parallel relation to that edge, there is a series of apertures 4i) each of a diameter equal to the base diameter of the studs 30, and similarly spaced so that these openings may be engaged over the last series of the studs 30 on the Wall 2| next the junction of the latter with the head 22, with the two end edges of the blank meeting flush, although an exact fit is not essential. The bases of the tongues 38 may be offset slightly to permit flush edge-to-edge meeting of the opposite sides of the blank. Each tongue is inserted through the respective alined slot 39 and bent inward towards its base, thereby holding the tail assembled.

Other means may be employed if desired to hold tail edges connected; as for instance a stapling machine oi conventional: form. now commercially available, by which a. staple 4,! may be coengagedwacross the meeting edges of; a simple blank 31,. as in. Fig. 10.,

The: tail piece has cut and pressed inward therein. a pluar'ality. of longitudinal fingers or vanes 4t). formed by Ill-shaped slits or cuts 42 in the blank transversely: of the blank, the rounded bight portions of: the cuts: being toward the edgeof the blank having the apertures therein. The extremitiesof the fingersthus formed are pressed inward a short dist'ance so that each vane extends as. a planifiorm plate from its base at a very acute angleto longitudinal elements of: the tailpiece, and ports 44 being thus formed. adjacent the forward part. of. they tail. for functions. which will "be subsequently described.

the same size and. shape as those designated 43*;

The nose of this device consists. ofaplaniform closure plate 46 having a cylindrical flange 4 1 secured; conventionally to and around the end portionpf the wall 5.5,. andhaving set centrally tl xereinv a detonator 48:, similar to the one 28: or otherwise constituted for detonating the burst.- ing; charge 49, which may be a high. explosive. Qver thisa wad 5,0. is dispQsed,

Over the wad 511 aquantity;v of; dusteproducing, or weight-imparting, or otherwise functioning material. 5! is disposed, sand being indicated, in this instance. Ifhis sandv is retained by a disc 52 consisting in thisinstance of a double thicknessof. strong fiber plate or other sheet material. The disc is. shown as secured to the wall bymeansofan L angle collar 53.11iveted or otherwi'se secured to the wall in tight engagement with the diS C.

The nose of, this projectile is completed by.- a dome-like pressed sheet, metal nose piece 54 havinga cylindrical base portion. or flange 5.5 fitted snugly over and riveted to the flange M andunderlyin'g portion" of the wall, 45'. A planiform circular plate 56 it secured at its peripheral edge to" the nose piece 54 near itsbase'. The apex of I the nose piece is flattened in a, plane normal to the axis of theprojectile, andboth this flat and the plate 56 are axially punchedand' formed? with annularguide sleeves as at 51, throughwhich the firingpin 3| is engaged slidably' and frictionally as in the cap-2'4; All details of the firing pin and its head, as wellas the safety pin 3'4 are the same-as before described.

The wall: 45 has secured exteriorly thereon three longitudinally spaced metal collars 58, L- shaped insection, one flange secured against the wall and the other projecting at right anglesin a;plane normal to the projectile'axis. Thesemay reinforce the wallet theprojectilebody, but are especially 'intend'edi-to serve as holds or thrust ribs to be engagedby; fingers of apropelling device orcatapult to be described.

The shelllastdescribed; has a use coordinated with: the use. of the. first;v describedrproje'ctile Whifih; will be; understood: tacticians, and the 6 form. shown in. Fig. 6: now? to be described. has possibilities of related use. in. conjunction: with the first two described. as will: be explained.

In Fig. 6. the projectile body consists of a. simple cylindricalthin. relativelysoftmetali-walled barrel or tube 59 of the samediameter'and. length as the body and tail part in each of the first two. forms. of projectile; described herein. Three integral planiform circumferential ribs 60? are formed thereon spaced. longitudinally to correspond to the positions; of the. collars: 58:, andzintended: forthe; same uses. Thew'lall; portion above the uppermost rib 60 constitutes. the; tail; 521i and i's-formed with. inwardly pressed vanes 43', the same as; in. the tail 31 of 1. A liquid-tight head 62 is. fixed: across the. barrel at. or adjacent the upper rib 60; The barrelwextends a distance below the lowermost rib 60 and is formed with pressed. threads 6?: extending to, its. extremity. This end: of thebarrel is: closed byan. introverted conical head 64 forming a chamber 6 5 inwardly thereof and: a cavity in the end of the barrel. Within this. cavity abursting; charge 66 is confined by means oi a planiform outer headplate 6'! having a screw flange- 69s screwed onto the threads at the barrel. enda Withim the chamber '55 an inflammable liquid 5521s. confined. The

plate 61 has a primer-detonator. 68 set therein; which may be the sameas those 28 and-48.

An outer heavy cast iron cap 10; similar tothe one 2s except that coarser threads. are formed thereon is screwed omto the end of the barrel, and has the firing pin 34 engaged therethroug h the same as before described, and having the same safety pin 3.4. The wall" of the barrel between the ribs Ellis scored as at H? in. a suitable manner to weaken it slightly along certain lines so that on detonationof the charge 66. the ma.- .terial will split under the hydrostatic pressure,- inducing the projection: of masses of theliquicl to considerable distances: rather than spraying the liquid flnely.

It is'planned'to-use the'projecti-l'es of'Fig. 1' very largely as an: 'anti personnel. weapon, and the othersfor special purposes which are: wellunderstood. In addition, proj'ectilesof the same size and shapemay be produced"in accordance' with practices known for producing: smoke, fog vapors or other gases or effects.

All are intended; principally to be dropped or discharged from airplanes, and for this purpose I have disclosed: means for effecting this mechanical-lyn and automatically. On account of the mass of the projectiles and their relatively frail structure, as well as to avoid complication in machine detailsandl to minimize weight in the ap paratus, I have preferred toembody the machine so as; to discharge the shellsat a very moderate speed, say, one'per second; and where tree top strafing requires the dropping of several each second along a: given line, I" am: able to connect my discharge machines in gang'smutually con'-. nected tooperate successively in rapid succession to each other without requiring abrupt or rapid movement of any projectile; oroperating mechanism.

The device illustrated comprises a magazine constructedto hold a quantity of the projectiles, formally represented in Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive, and to deliver them in ordered arrange-- ment through a loading device to the catapult.

In this instance the base structure 16' of the catapult includes-a trough-like tray 11 which extends from under the-magazine the desired direction or discharge-toa proper distance; as,

to a port in the fuselage or other body structure of an airplane. It is contemplated that one or more may be mounted in each wing and also on the longitudinal medial vertical plane of the craft. Or, insteadof in the wings, the lateral devices may be arranged to discharge shells at opposite sides of the fuselage so that they will reach the ground at a desired distance from a ground course of the craft.

The magazine includes a lower chute 18 the interior cross sectional dimensions of which correspond tot-he longitudinal and diametrical dimensions of the projectile to be accommodated, and the chute is vertically alined with a receiving port of the shuttle 80 as in Figs. 11 and 13, The chute terminates a distance above the tray "H slightly more than twice the diameter of the projectile.

In a suitable horizontal guide framing '19 immediately under the chute a projectile feeding valve or shuttle 80 is reciprocable consisting of a box-like member twice the length of the projectile, reciprocable from a rear position as in 'Fig.,11 with its forward half under the chute to a forward position with its rear half under the chute. The forward half of the shuttle includes a top plate 8| close under the mouth of the chute and closing the same in its rear position while the rear part of the shuttle is open at the upper side, with a port 82, so as to form a continuation of the chute when the shuttle is in forward position. The bottom of the shuttle is closed at its rear part by a bottom plate 83 of the same extent as the plate BI while the forward end of the bottom is open with a port clearance the same as that in the chute 18. The shuttle in ,cludes vertical side walls 84 extending throughout its length. It may include also a front wall 85 closing its forward end. It is supported conventionally for its sliding movement. The walls 84 are longitudinally slotted midway of their height, these slots 86 being coextensive with the bottom plate of the shuttle, and a stationary cross bar 81 is fixed on the framing 19 extending horizontally across the shuttle through the slots as a support for the shuttle and stop for rounds dropped from the magazine, this bar being positioned under the rear side of the mouth of the chute 18. The shuttle has pivot ears 88 projected rearwardly therefrom between which there is pivoted a pitman 89, the opposite end of which is connected to the wrist I of a crank shaft 90 with a throw equal the extent of movement required in the shuttle, the shaft being shown as horizontal.

. In the lower .part of the framing there is a pair of horizontal guide channels 9| located adjacent the level of the longitudinal axis of a projectile laid in the tray 11, and reciprocable in these there is a catapult carriage 92 consisting of parallel side bars 93 in respective channels, connected at their rear ends by a cross member 94 having rigidly fixed thereon a rearwardly extended plunger 95 carrying a lateral wiper wheel 96 arranged to rotate in a vertical plane to one side of the plunger and beyond the plane of movement of the crank of the shaft 90.

On the shaft 90 beside the crank there is a cam 91 consisting of a planiform plate having a cam flange 98 projected laterally therefrom at the side next the wiper 96. This cam may be considerably varied in form but in the present instance has a form correlated as will be later explained, to the function of the carriage and certain grippers thereon now to be described.

Pivoted on each of the side bars 93 there are pivoted pusher dogs 99 having gripper jaws I00 which in normal position project over the tray 11 sufficiently to engage behind respective collars 58 or ribs 60 of projectiles or to engage between rows of studs 30 of the first described projectile, as the case may be. The dogs are free to move forwardly on their pivots to clear the projectiles, but are checked in rearward movement. when fully extended, by suitable means, pins IOI being shown set in the bars 93 to receive the jaws thereagainst under rearward movement. Leaf springs I02 are mounted on the bars 93 bearing the jaws rearwardly against the pins, but yield-able to pressure of ribs or collars of prolectiles when the projectile moves forwardly with the tips of the jaws striking the collars or ribs, or the tips of the studs 30. The jaws I00 may be broadened if desired to insure their engagement with two or more of the studs 30 if desired.

The dogs on each bar are spaced longitudinally the same as the collars and ribs of the projectiles and respective circumferential rows of studs 30 also fall at the same intervals, so that any of the three forms of projectiles may be used alternatively in the catapult, as well as other projectiles having similarly spaced lateral projections.

The framing includes a back plate I03 through which the plunger extends slidably, the wiper being spaced rearwardly of this plate when the carriage 92 is at the forward limit of its movement. 3

The helical compression spring I04 is confined between the cross member 94 of the carriage and the back plate I03 of the framing, the cross member having movement with the carriage longitudinally somewhat less than the length of one of the projectiles although the'proportions may be varied in this respect as found desirable and expedient.

The cam flange has ends of maximum and minimum radius adjacent diametrically opposite radii of the shaft and the wrist I05 of the crank of the shaft may be close to or on the same radius as the cam end of maximum radius. The flange is curved progressively between its extremities.

The mounting of the wiper 96 may include a head block I06 positioned on the plunger to engage the back plate I03 when the carriage is at its forward limit of movement, the wiper being then spaced from the back plate. The shaft rotates in the direction in which the part of the cam of maximum radius is advanced as indicated by the arrow in Fig. II, and with the wiper in released position, it is sufficiently within the maximum radius of the cam to permit entry of the advancing end of the cam between the wiper and back plate I03. Continued rotation of the cam then draws the wiper and carriage rearwardly, at the same time that the crank and wrist I05 draw the shuttle rearwardly. The inner face of the cam flange thus serves as the cam surface.

Near the end of minimum radius, the flange 98 is formed with a slight rise or lobe I0! comprising a thickening of the flange at the inner side only and involving an abrupt reduction of radius of the cam surface, the flange continuing at I08 2. short distance beyond this lobe to its trailing extremity I09 as a symmetrical continuation of the curved part of the cam inward of the lobe-that is, with somewhat increased radius. As a result, when the trailing end portion of the cam engages the wiper the carriage is drawn rearwardly and then allowed to move forwardly a short distance before the wiper clears the cam.

The position of the carriage when the wiper is at the apex of the lobe I! is such that the jaws Hill are rearw-ardly of position for engagement with the collars or corresponding parts of projectiles, but as the wiperengages the extreme part of the cam, the carriage is permitted to move formardly sufiiciently for the jaws to engage properly if a projectile is in place.

The pitman 89 is connected to the shuttle 8!) at a higher level than that of the plunger, and in order to prevent interference with the plunger may be connected with the shuttle at one side of the vertical plane of the plunger.

The crank of the shaft is likewise spaced from the cam so that it may swing clear of the plunger. Before loading the magazine 1-5 the safety pins 34 are extracted.

In the useof the-apparatus, the shaft 9% may be manually or power driven, and when set in motion, operation of the crank and pitman will reciprocate the shuttle as a loader for the catapult, while rotation of the'cam will cause operation of the catapult immediately after each round is loaded by the shuttle.

With the shuttle in position as in Fig. 11, its next movement will be forward, allowing the first projectile in the chute to drop through the port 82 to rest on the bottomplate 83. The rear edge of the top plate 81 bevelled on its upper side, and the projectile next above the one newly received in the shuttle will have an inclined part of its cap 24 in line'w-ith this bevelled edge. At about the time that the shuttle starts its forward movement the wiper 96 will clear the trailing end of the cam flange and the oompressed spring will expand, propelling the carriage 92 forwardly and throwing the preceding projectile along the tray T! with sufiicient velocity to carry it to a proper distance, according to the strength of the spring. Expedients for varying the degree of compression of the spring under the same movements of the carriage .may be used if desired, to vary the range attained.

On return rearward movement of the shuttle from its position last named, the projectile resting on the bottom plate '83 will be held against rearward movement by the cross bar 81-, while the rear edge of the top plate will cam the lowermost projectile in the chute upward and pass rearwardly thereunder, the bevelled edge of the plate engaging below the collars or ribs and lifting the projectiles in the chute.

As the bottom plate 83 passes from under the projectile last received, in the shuttle, this projectile will drop to the now empty tray; first the forward end of the projectile falling, and finally the rear end. At about the time the shuttle starts its rearward motion, the advancing end of the cam will be engaging in front of the wiper, and the rearward camming of the carriage will be effected as the shuttle moves rearward, the 94 being thereby compressed.

The wiper will be at the apex of the lobe it! of the cam about when the rear end of the projectile drops to the tray. The laws It!!! will then be located just to the rear of the collars, studs, or ribs of the projectile. As the lobe I01 passes the wiper, the carriage is thereby permitted to move slowly forward so that the jaws Inn engage the collars or ribs of the projectile, or the studs 30, as the case may be. Thereafter, the wiper clears the trailing end of the cam, permitting the catapult action to be repeated.

Upon discharge of a projectile at low altitude it will describe a trajectory in accordance with its velocity and mass, speed of the plane, air resistance and other factors, reaching the ground or object while still moving at a, substantial speed due to remaining inertia of momentum imparted by movement of the plane, as well as with elements of motion due to operation of the catapult device. By directing the catapults toward the rear of the plane, much, if not all, of the movement of the plane may be negative in the trajectory so as to increase the angle of impact, but, even without such or other correction for the same purpose, due to the construction of my firing pin the projectile is effective at very small angles of impact, and on moderately yielding materials, such as sod, plowed soil, hay stacks, etc.

On account of the periphery of the head 32 being very close to the sides of the projectile, the likelihood of ricochet before detonation is reduced materially.

The angle of the axis of the projectile to the horizontal is considerably increased by the weighting of the nose caps 24.

In the event that a number of the catapults are used to project the bombs in one general direction, a common operating shaft may be used for all, with the cams and cranks for respective catapults arranged on different radii of the shaft, so that the several devices connected with the shaft will be operated in succession at proper intervals. In this way several projectiles may be fired within a second of time, although each catapult may operate at one second intervals. This minimizes liability of accident by too abrupt movement and stoppage of projectiles in the loader, as well as relieving the mechanism of severe stresses, and avoiding likelihood of fracture of frail projectile structure.

In the flight of the projectile any movement thereof with its axis at a material angle to the trajectory will be quickly corrected by reason of the extreme forward position of the center of gravity with relation to the lateral air pressures,

and in this respect the construction proportions and tail form may be found of value more generally for bombs.

With the projectile axis alined with or approximating more closely the line of the trajectory, the ports 44 serve to lessen retardation by reducing without abruptness the vacuous condition developed behind the projectile and also oppose rotation of the projectile.

The conical head 64 is preferably of weaker material than the external walls of the barrel 59 and may be weakened specially at its inner part if a low pressure explosive is used. Preferably the bursting charge 66 is a relatively slow burning one, so as to effect cleavage of the wall without fragmentation or scattering of pieces of the wall, but so that a moderate pressure will be maintained after sufficient opening of the wall of the barrel to form jets of liquid, or to project moderately large masses of the liquid.

In one construction of the tail, the securing means at the longitudinal seam may be perfected while the tail is separate from the body, leaving the seam open for a distance from the end, after which the tail may be put in place by simply thrusting it longitudinally on to the body until the lugs its snap-engage the apertures 40.

While I have disclosed my invention with particularity in its best form known to me, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modification in the structure arrangement and combination of parts, and substitution of materials and equivalents, mechanical and otherwise, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

As a part of the tactical coordination of the explosives shown, it is significant that the several projectiles of widely differing functions and explosive effects, differing in weights if necessary, and using a wide range of materials, some of them too frail for mortar firing may all be fired from the same apparatus, with good effect.

The three projectiles of Figs. 1, 4 and 6 are designed for cooperative military use, and while projectiles of dilTering functions have heretofore been use in coordination, as, demolition, incendiary and fragmentation devices, there is a peculiar coordination in the present instance that would leave, say, the device of Fig. 4 without peculiar utility if used alone and in which the device of Fig. 6 would be otherwise constructed if mere incendiary function-s were required.

Thus, it is contemplated to carryout an aerial attack to a stage of effectiveness using the projectile of Fig. 1, and also using projectiles as in Fig. 6 conjointly and especially in the latter part of the attack with the Fig. 1 projectile, then discontinuing the use of the Fig. 1 projectile and the one of Fig. 6, and concurrently, and with sus tained fire and continuity of average interval, as to times or number of explosive units, and as to distribution, beginning the use of the projectiles of Fig. 4, ceasing the use of the first two projectiles or any actually or comparatively destructive projectiles. no fragments of dangerous nature and will produce only loud explosions accompanied by the appearance of destructive effect, but actually only throwing the sand contents 5| harmlessly, possi- .bly accompanied by a small amount of dirt or rubble in which the projectile may have fallen, and which will be thrown only a few feet with small force.

An infantry force will have been prepared as a part of the attack, and before discontinuance of the use of the Fig. 1 projectiles in this attack the infantry will be movedforward to the edge of the zone of effectiveness of the Fig. 1 projectiles. The use of the latter projectiles will then, or immediately before, be discontinued; and the use solely of the Fig. 4 form continued while the infantry moves forward into the zone of effectiveness of the earlier dropped Fig. 1 projectiles. The dropping of the Fig, 4 projectiles is discontinued at the line of infantry advance but moved forward over the enemy-occupied territory and beyond, so that the whole objective area becomes fully occupied by the attacking infantry while explosions simulating aerial attack are continued so near that it would be dangerous if the missiles were antipersonnel in nature.

In the infantry advance some of the last pro- The projectiles of Fig. 4 willthrow jectiles of Fig. 6 may still be functioning, or the fires caused thereby in buildings and other material will still be raging, so that activity of the enemy will be greatly limited and the infiltrating infantry carrying on the attack may select and take positions of vantage to subdue any sunvivors of the earlier destructive attack who may appear from places of cover or concealment.

I claim:

1. A projectile of the character described comprising a body having a plurality of stud-like members, and a substantially tubular tail member of thin sheet material having openings positioned to receive the stud-like members when the body and tail member are in flight relation.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the last one end to engage over the studs.

3. A projectile body having peripheral studs and a tail piece comprising a blank of sheet metal adapted to be bent around the base of the projectile and having apertures to engage over the studs, and means to hold the tail in engaged form on the body. i

4. A projectile of the character described comprising a shell including a wall having, at one part at least, a circumferential part, said wall being formed with a multiplicity of studs to define lines of fragmentation, a plurality of said studs being located on said circumferential partand spaced thereon, and a tail including a contractable embracing part to fit said circumferential part and apertured at intervals corresponding to the studs, whereby to receive those at the circumferential part.

LAWRENCE W. THORNTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 415,719 Langfitt Nov. 26, 1889 1,272,461 Kocialek July 16, 1918 1,298,222 Kane Mar. 25, 1919 1,359,009 Williams Nov. 16, 1920 1,546,842 Lafitte July 21, 1925 1,623,893 Swiatecki Apr. 5, 1927 1,632,414 Nosan June 14, 1927 1,741,195 Lombardo Dec. 31, 1929 1,765,017 Marie June 17,1930 2,149,254 Corswirt --Mar. 7, 1939 2,330,636 Smith Sept. 28, 1943 2,354,882 Samann Aug, 1, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 494,205 France May 24, 1919 419,563 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1934

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