Training grenade

• US 5,246,372 A
• Filed: 11/05/1990
• Issued: 09/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Gross, Donald, Clark, Wesley K., Campagnuolo, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAHR, JENNIFER DOYLE
• Application Number:
  US07/608,923
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 446/473, 446/398, 446/401, 446/402, 446/405, 102/487, 434/11, 434/24, 273/416
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/26 Hand grenades

Abstract

A training grenade uses a high intensity flash to simulate an explosion in a time delayed fashion when thrown and/or a sonic device such as a buzzer for indicating arming. Alternative means to simulate the explosion can include sonic devices or radio frequency sources. An internal power source and firing circuit connected to an internal timer control the activation of the indicator or flash upon closure of an externally controllable switch. The switch can be locked in an open position through the use of a release pin which closes upon removal of the pin or can be held open through the use of a pivotally attached safety lever as used in conventional grenades.

Claims

1. A grenade training device comprising:

a housing,

indicator means simulative of an explosion associated with said housing,

a switch operatively controlled externally to said housing, and

means responsive to closure of said switch for activating said indicating means after a predetermined time delay.

2. A grenade training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises a light-emitting means for producing a flash visually simulative of the explosion associated with said housing.

3. A grenade training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises a sound generator for generating a predetermined frequency sound.

4. A grenade training device as defined in claim 1 further comprising,

a release pin removably attachable from said housing which closes said switch upon removal.

5. A grenade training device as defined in claim 1 further comprising,

a release pin removably attachable from said housing,

a lever pivotally attached to said housing and locked in a first position by said release pin for holding said switch open where removal of said release pin permits said lever to pivot to a second position thereby closing said switch.

6. A grenade training device as defined in claim 1 comprising:

a battery connected in series with said switch,

means connected to said activating means and said battery for reducing current flow from said battery to said activating means after activation of said indicator means.

8. A grenade training device as defined in claims 2, 3, or 4 in which said activating means further comprises:

a power source,

timing means connected to said power source,

a voltage divider network connected in parallel with said timing means, and

a firing circuit connected to said indicator means and having a firing threshold set by said voltage divider, said firing circuit being triggered by said timing means.

9. A grenade training device as defined in claim 5 wherein said timing means comprises,

a resistor and capacitor in series combination.

11. A grenade training device as defined in claim 4 further comprising:

sound generation means responsive to said activating means upon closure of said switch and inhibited by said activation means upon activation of said indicator means.

7. A grenade training device comprising:

a housing,

indicator means simulative of an explosion associated with said housing,

a switch operatively controlled externally to said housing,

means responsive to closure of said switch for activating said indicator means after a predetermined time delay, wherein said indicator means comprises a ratio frequency transmitter.

10. A grenade training device comprising,

a housing,

indicator means simulative of an explosion associated with said housing wherein said indicator means comprises a light-emitting means for producing a flash,

a switch operatively controlled externally to said housing,

means responsive to closure of said switch for activating said indicator means after a predetermined time delay, said activating means comprising,

a power supply

timing means connected to said power supply,

a voltage divider network connected in parallel with said timing means,

a firing circuit connected to said indicator means and having a firing threshold set by said voltage divider, said firing circuit being triggered by said timing means and comprising,

a programmable unijunction transistor having its gate connected to said voltage divider and its annode connected to said timing means, and

a silicon controlled rectifier having its gate connected to said programmable unijunction transistor.

13. A grenade training device as defined in claim 10, or 12 further comprising:

means connected to said activating means and said power supply for reducing current flow from said power supply to said activating means after activation of said indicator means, wherein said current reducing means comprises;

a silicon controlled rectifier having its anode connected to said power supply, and

means connected to said silicon controlled rectifier whereby said silicon controlled rectifier turns off.

14. A grenade training device as defined in claims 7, 10 or 12 wherein said housing is barrel shaped, translucent, and flexible.

15. A grenade training device as defined in claim 13 wherein said housing is barrel shaped, translucent, and flexible.

12. A grenade training device comprising:

a housing,

a voltage divider enclosed within said housing,

timing means connected in parallel with said voltage divider,

activation means set by said voltage divider and triggered by said timing means,

a power supply,

a switch connected in series combination with said power supply, the series combination connected in parallel across the parallel combination of said voltage divider and said timing means,

a release pin removably attachable from said housing which closes said switch upon removal from said housing,

sound generation means connected to the series combination of said switch and said power supply for generating a predetermined frequency sound upon removal of said release pin and is inhibited by said activation means, and

indicator means connected to the series combination of said switch and said power supply and responsive to said activation means,

whereby upon removal of said release pin said sound generation means generates a predetermined frequency sound and after a predetermined time said timing means triggers said activation means to energize said indicator means and turn off said sound generation means.

16. A grenade training device comprising:

a housing,

indicator means simulative of an explosion associated with said housing,

a switch operatively controlled externally to said housing,

means responsive to closure of said switch for activating said indicating means after a predetermined timed delay,

wherein said indicator means comprises a light-emitting means for producing a flash visually simulative of the explosion associated with said housing, and

sound generation means responsive to said activating means upon closure of said switch and inhibited by said activation means upon activation of said indicator means.

17. A grenade training device comprising:

a housing,

indicator means simulative of an explosion associated with said housing,

a switch operatively controlled externally to said housing,

means responsive to closure of said switch for activating said indicating means after a predetermined time delay,

a voltage divider enclosed within said housing,

timing means connected in parallel with said voltage divider,

activation means set by said voltage divider and triggered by said timing means,

a battery,

a release pin removably attachable from said housing for closing said switch upon removal from said housing,

a second switch connected in series combination with said switch and said battery being externally accessible to said housing said second switch closure controlled externally to said housing, the series combination connected in parallel across the parallel combination of said voltage divider and said timing means, and

indicator means connected to the series combination of said switch and said second switch and said battery and responsive to said activation means,

whereby upon removal of said release pin, which closes said switch, and closure of said second switch said activation means energizes said indicator means after a predetermined time period according to said timing means.