Dec. 3, 1963 J. L. A.

URDAPILLETA 3,112,703
UNIVERSAL HAND GRENADES AND PROJECTILES
Filed Nov. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet

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 Dec. 3, 1963 J. L. A. URDAPILLETA 3,112,703
UNIVERSAL HAND GRENADES AND PROJECTILES
Filed Nov 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2

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Dec. 3, 1963 J. L. A. URDAPILLETA 3,112,703
UNIVERSAL HAND GRENADES AND PROJECTILES
Filed Nov. 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3

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Dec. 3, 1963 J. L. A. URDAPILLETA 3,112,703
UNIVERSAL HAND GRENADES AND PROJECTILES
Filed Nov. 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4

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Dec. 3, 1963 J. L. A. URDAPILLETA 3,112,703
UNIVERSAL HAND GRENADES AND PROJECTILES
Filed Nov. 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5

INVENTOR
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BY

ATTORNEY
 United States Patent Office 3,112,703
Patented Dec. 3, 1963
2
thrower before the total combustion of the fuse, or else
3,12,733 it allows a certain length of time for the enemy to protect
UNIVERSALHAND GRENACES AND himself from the effects of the grenade. It also has the
PROSECTISES objection of revealing the location of the thrower at night.
Jose Luis Aniibia Uriapieta, Case Miramar 4, The effect of a time-fuse grenade in water is substantially
Sash Sebastian, Spain nil, and if the grenade is launched by a rifle, the action
Fied Nov. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 76,473
Cains priority, application Spain Dec. 13, 1954 is effiecient only when the explosion takes place over the
12 Claims. (C. 02-65.4) heads of the enemy.
By means of the herein disclosed improved device,
This invention relates to a universal hand grenade nad O if the grenade does not operate by the percussion fuse be
more particularly to a hand grenade which may be used cause of its being damped during the fall, it will then be
defensively or offensively. fired after a predetermined lapse of time, for example,
it is the object of the present invention to provide three or four seconds, by the time-fuse, thus causing posi
a hand grenade of simple and rugged construction, com tive functioning in all cases.
posed of a minimal number of parts which are capable While the grenade in accordance with the invention
of easy assembly without need for extreme watchfulness may be cast from metal such as iron, zinc or any suitable
for errors in assembly, and with provision for easy detec alloy, the same is preferably cast from Bakelite or a
tion of possible sabotage. similar plastic composition. The pressure casting of the
It is a further object of the invention to provide a grenade parts from plastic compositions results in long
grenade construction which may be stored and transported 20 life of the dies, and weapons of comparatively low cost.
safely with no possible deterioration of the component The grenade is formed of three principal parts, namely,
parts and which may be conveniently armed immediately the grenade case or body, the fuse case, which may be
before utilization. assembled therewith and which may be combined with
It is another object of the invention to provide a grenade bodies of different sizes, and a safety cap over
grenade construction which is effective upon contact or 25 lying the fuse case which hermetically seals the fuse case
percussion, failing which it is exploded by a time-fuse, and body to assure safety in storage and transportation,
or the grenade may be set conveniently to operate upon a without possibility of tampering with the parts of the
time-fuse delay only, by blocking its possibility of op fuse case. The grenade may be armed quickly and con
eration by percussion. To insure maximum safety in veniently by the insertion of the detonator into a central
the first instance, the percussion firing mechanism of the 30 opening in the end of the grenade body opposite the
grenade is inactivated permanently following an initial fuse case, immediately prior to its utilization so that no
contact or percussion without explosion, so that should it
fail to explode by the following time-fuse operation, the
digger of explosion of the grenade prior thereto is pos
S.
same may be picked up and handled by personnel with no The fuse case carries a fixed priming or percussion
35 cap at the end thereof adjacent to the grenade body, which
danger of explosion at a later time.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cap is adapted to be activated by a firing pin to produce
grenade which may be jacketed conveniently by a metallic a flame or jet which passes through aligned openings in the
body in order to convert the same from an offensive to a base of the fuse case and in the top of the grenade body
defensive grenade, with no other changes of parts. The for firing the detonator to explode the charge in the
provision of a spiral wire jacket around the body of the 40 grenade body. The percussion firing pin is operable
grenade produces an effect of shrapnel or fragmentation alternatively by a percussion hammer or sleeve which is
which is uniform in size, form and distribution in all moved by inertia upon contact of the grenade with a solid
directions. body; this movement may be blocked by a main safety pin.
It is another object of the invention to provide a The percussion pin may also be operated by the explosion
grenade which lends itself to use as an anti-personnel 45 of a firing cap in a time fuse housing disposed above the
mine or demolition charge. percussion pin sleeve, which is effective to blast a bushing
The grenades according to the invention may be retaining the percussion pin into firing penetration of the
launched by a rifle as well as by hand. fixed priming or percussion cap. The explosion of the
The invention proceeds upon the principle of providing firing cap takes place after a lapse of a predetermined time
a grenade construction which may be adjusted to dif 50 period following the triggering of the time-fuse by energiz
ferent uses in dependence upon special needs. This ing an igniter cap which in turn activates the time fuse
grenade may be used as a combined percussion and time and which in turn explodes the firing cap.
fuse grenade, or as a time-fuse grenade only, in order to A Secondary or auxiliary safety pin is provided for the
attain the advantages of both of these types, without their triggering mechanism for the time-fuse to assure that this
disadvantages. 55 alternative mode of actuating the percussion pin remains
Two general types of hand grenades are known and ineffective until after the grenade is launched.
used, namely, percussion or contact grenades and time Several safety features are incorporated in the grenade
fuse grenades. The first-mentioned type must have an assembly to assure maximum safety in the course of
extraordinary sensitivity, as many times the percussion launching the grenade. A safety device is associated with
has to take place on grounds or objects which are not 60 the above-mentioned safety pins for assuring explosive
solid, and due to the fact that the fall is damped, the per discharge of the grenade only at a safe distance from the
cussion is nullified. Under such conditions, the grenade thrower. This safety device consists of a length of tape
may fail to operate and, furthermore, should its per which is wound around a part of the fuse case and which
cussion fuse not be provided with a supersensitive safety terminates in a flexible weighted jacket on the exterior.
device, it will remain on the ground ready to explode by 65 of the grenade body. The tape and jacket must unwind
any jar, constituting a constant danger. in flight before the safety pins may be released from the
The time-fuse or delayed action grenade has its ad fuse case in preparation for the firing of the grenade by
vantages in that striking a solid obstruction is not neces concussion or by the time-fuse.
sary to effect its explosion, but it also has many serious A secondary safety device is incorporated in the per
disadvantages. For examples, the duration of the combus 70
tion of the fuse is constant, and in some cases allows cussion pin housing in order to inactivate or block the
enough time for the enemy to return the grenade to the percussion pin after it is operated upon striking an object
 3, 2,703
3. A.al
without igniting the priming cap in consequence of some F13. 8 is a sectional view of the grenade as well as the
transitory fault. fuse, set as shown in FEG. 5, at the instant cf firing, foll
This retrievement safety device includes a coiled spring, lowing the lapse of time required to explode the time
fitted to the cutside of the percussion pin, which is biasel fuse.
to exert its force to separate the sleeve carrying the per As shown in detail in FGS. 1, 2 and 2a of the draw
cussion firing pin from the priming cap while simultane ings, the grenade in accordance with the invention may be
ousiy appiying a torsional force to effect a rotatio; cf formed of several parts which preferably are die cast from
the sleeve. For this purpose, one end of the spring is a plastic such as Bakelite. The grenade is composed of
'bent inwards and inserted into a corresponding hole in a cylindrical grenade case having an open end at 69
the percussion sleeve, whereas the other end is bent out IO with internal threads 65 at the end of the internal wall.
wards and placed inside the lower portic:) of a groove The opposite closed end 62 is nuclided with a central re
on the lateral wall of the percussion firing pin housing. ceptacle 63 having an opening 64 at the center. The
This groove leads from the upper portion of the housing, lateral wall of the receptacle 63 is provided with internal
first following the direction cf its generatrix and there threads 65 for receiving the external threads 73 at the
after extending downwards to form a triangular window, 5 base of the fuse case . The grenade cage D encloses an
whose lower vertex constitutes a seat for one end of the explosive charge C which may be pressed or molded as
spring, while the other end of the triangle is slotted later an integral cake of trilite conforming to the interior cavity
ally. A stud, which is integral with the percussion sleeve, of the grenade body. The detonator B may be in the
moves along this groove, and will run along the straight form of a metallic cylinder, Such as copper, ciosed at its
portion of said window, until it reaches the end of the tri 20 lower eid and open at its upper end and containing an
angle, and after its advance will tuirn, due to the torsional explosive charge such as tetralite and fulminate of mer
force of the spring and will recede due to the force of cury for ignition by the percussion or priming cap 6 in
the coiled spring, thus being obliged to rotate in such a the fuse housing thereabove. The bottom of the detona
manner that the stuid will strike against the lateral extreme tor B is provided with an annular rim or stop 66 to limit
of the prolongation of the window, whereby the percus 25 the extent of protrusion of the detenator into the grenade
sion sleeve and firing pin carried thereby are im: nobilized. body from the base end of the latter. The base E of
Thereafter, the grenade may be retrieved, without any the grenade body threadedly engages the end of the in
risk whatsoever, in case it had not expioded. ernal lateral wall of the grenade case and a supplemental
When the grenade is thrown for retarded operation, the base plug F is disposed centrally of the base to enable the
unwinding of the tape introduces an element of time delay 30 insertion of the detonator B into the interior of the grenade
before the igniter cap is energized. if the tape is stripped body without disturbing the rest of the assembly, includ
off before casting the grenade, the igniter cap may start ing a detonator sleeve G extending between the upper
its firing action immediately. Of course, no danger to the and lower ends of the grenade body. A gasket K is dis
thrower arises, since several seconds clapse before the posed at the base of the threaded post of the base plug F
time fuse and firing cap are operated to act upon the 35 in order to effect a tight assembly, between the internal
bushing carrying the percussion pin to blast the bushing threads 67 in the central projection 68 of the base E and
from the percussion sleeve and to force the firing pin the external threads 69 of the plug F.
into engagement with the fixed percussion cap. The grenade body is preferably moided with longi
In addition to the distance safety device and retrieve tudinal ribs 72 on its exterior in order to facilitate grip
ment safety device generally described above, the grenade 40 ping thereof by the hand of the thrower as well as to
cap or hood overlying the grenade case and enclosing the receive and guide a spiral armor S (FIG. 3) on the ex
fuse case in tight sealing engagement with a gasket there terior thereof when the grenade is converted from an
between affords additional security against mishaps in the offensive to a defensive weapon.
course of storage and transportation of the grenade as The fuse case 1 containing a main percussion firing pin
sembly. Additional protection against sabotage may be as well as an auxiliary time fuse firing pin may be as
obtained by providing a seal adjacent to the open end of Sembled with the grenade case by threading the aper
the cap. tured base of the former into the receptacle 63 in the
Other objects and purposes will appear from the de latter to dispose the percussion cap 6 in opposite position
tailed description of the invention following hereinafter, with respect to the open end of the detonator B. A cap
taken in conjunction with the accompanying diaWings, 50 H threadedly engages an externally threaded upper part
wherein 83 of the fuse case in order to cover the fuse case and to
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the grenade assembly integrate the entire assembly by contacting the lower edge
with certain parts in elevation; of the fuse cap H with the skirted annular gasket J which
FIGS. 2 and 2a are exploded views of the parts of the is seated at the top of the grenade case between the main
grenade body, fuse case and grenade cap; 55 body thereof and the fuse case. A seal M may be
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spiral wire jacket threaded through the base of the grenade cap in engage
adapted to encase the grenade body for converting the ment with a part of the grenade assembly to assure of
grenade from an offensive to a defensive weapon; no tampering with the parts following the assembly of the
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the grenade with certain grenade and fuse cases at a central depot.
parts in elevation, showing the parts in position following 60 The fuse case 2 is formed with an internal conical or
the throwing of the grenade in space when it is set for tapered seat b at its base relative to the central longi
instantaneous impact percussion as well as time-delay per tudinal axis thereof, and is covered by a cap 3 provided
cussion; with a seat 32 likewise formed of a tapered, rounded or
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the grenade with certain conical surface to assure an effective firing of the fuse
parts in elevation, showing the parts in position following 65 by inertia or percussion no matter what may be the direc
the throwing of the grenade in space when it is set for tion of striking of the fuse case upon a solid body. The
delayed operation only, with the main safety-pin in posi base of the percussion cap housing 7 is of semispherical
tion to block percussion by impact; configuration as is the external surface of the time-fuse
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the grenade, set as SCW
si housing 8, so that the striking of the fuse case upon an
in F.G. 4, at the instant of firing by impact percussion; object, whether it be vertically, horizontally or at an
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the grenade as well as the intermediate angle, causes a movement of the elements 7
fuse, set as shown in FiG. 4, to show the position of the and 3 towards each other to effect the penetration of the
parts when fired by the time fuse following failure of firing pin 5i into the percussion cap 6 which overlies the
the main firing pin to ignite the firing cap by impact per opening 7a in the base and which is in alignment with
cussion, as shown in Fig. 6; and the opening 64 and open end of detonator B in the detona
 3,112,703
S 6
tor sleeve G. The base 7 may be in the form of an lector plate 10. This selector plate is provided with a
apertured plastic nut having a central recess overlying selector pin 16b which is movable within a recess 15a in
the aperture for receiving the priming cap 6 in an up wall 15w of retaining ring 5 between two limiting posi
right direction only and is provided with internal threads tions designated R and I (FIG. 2). A recess is provided
for engaging external threads at the base of the percussion at another portion of the plate is displaced from the pin.
firing pin housing 4, which may be formed of brass. Seb having an enlarged portion 8 c corresponding to the
The firing pin 51 is fastened in a shouldered bushing opening a in the fuse case, and an opening (d of more
51a which in turn is seated within the base of sleeve 52 restricted extent which is slightly larger than the diameter
which is slidable within the percussion firing pin housing of the reduced portion 1a of the percussion safety pin.
4. Sleeve 52 is also provided with a lateral pin or stud O Therefore, a positioning of the pin 10b adjacent to the
53 cooperating with a V-shaped slot 40 in housing 4. designation R carries the restricted portion 10d of the re
The slot is notched with a seat 4 at the upper end thereof cess into alignment with the reduced portion 11a of the
for the stud 53, a vertical passage ending in seat 42 be percussion safety pin to restrict the longitudinal move
low seat 41 and a laterally displaced seat 43 at the approxi ment of the latter in view of the portions of larger di
mate level of seat 41. 5 ameter and 11b adjacent thereto. This blocks a move
As described generally above, a coiled spiral spring 9 ment of the sleeve 52 for firing by percussion and sets
is torsioned to exert a force both axially and peripherally the grenade for retarded firing as a result of the firing by
by seating it within the upper chamber of the firing pin the time-fuse which is activated by the primer cap in the
housing with the outwardly bent lower end of the spring time fuse, the combustion of the time-fuse charge, and the
9 engaging terminal 42 of the slot 40 and its upper in 20 explosive cap which drives the firing pin 51 into action
wardly bent end engaging in an aperture in the exposed with the percussion cap, as shown in FIG. 8.
lateral wall of plug 5a, which may be of nylon or other On the other hand, by shifting pin 0b to the right and
plastic composition, to normally maintain the sleeve 52 into alignment with designation I on the retaining ring
spaced from the base of the housing 4 while tending to 15, the enlarged portion (c of the opening is brought into
torsionally rotate the sleeve relative to the housing when 25 alignment with the percussion safety pin to enable its pro
pin 53 is disengaged from its notched seat 41. Thus, jection from the fuse housing and thereby to permit the
when movement of the sleeve 52 by contact of the fuse free travel of the pin 52 to ignite the percussion cap 6
case with a solid object results in a movement of the per upon the grenade striking a solid object, and causing a
cussion pin 51 into piercing engagement with the per movement of the percussion sleeve 52 by inertia or per
cussion cap 6 and a freeing of the pin 53 from the seat 30 cussion, as indicated in FIG. 6. -
41, the spring serves to return the sleeve 52 to its upper In assembling the grenade, the main percussion safety
position while bringing the pin 53 into the lateral seat 43, pin a is threaded through the openings 52c of the per
which blocks any further downward movement of the cussion sleeve 52 and openings 1a in the fuse case , and
percussion pin 51 and a possible firing of the percussion preferably is locked in place by positioning the restricted
cap if the same failed to fire at its initial piercing. This 35 opening 28 d of the selector plate 16 in the reduced por
structure results in a reliable retrievement safety feature. tion Aa of the safety pin. Thereafter, the time-fuse
The upper end of the sleeve 52 is formed with a coni housing 3 and igniter assembly is mounted on the fuse
cal seat 52b in order to seat the correspondingly-shaped case in preparation for the winding therearound of the
base of the time-fuse housing 8, which assures freedom ribbon constituting part of the distance safety feature.
of movement of the component parts without binding in 40 The igniter assembly for the time-fuse is composed of a
order to secure the travel of the percussion pin 52 into comparatively small number of component parts. It con
firing engagement with the fixed percussion cap 6. The sists of igniter housing 3 (FIGS. 1, 2a), having a down
time fuse housing, following its seating on conical seat wardly extending annular skirt 3a with an internal di
52b is retained in position by the cap 3 of the time fuse ameter sufficiently great to receive the rounded end 8b
housing which in turn is fastened by externally threaded 45 of the time-fuse, but which is incapable of erroneously
retaining ring 2 engaging the internal threads 81 at the top accommodating the opposite end 8a of the time-fuse
of the fuse case. A reversal of time-fuse housing 8 (FIG. 1). The igniter housing is provided with a cen
from its proper position is impossible since the annular trally disposed chamber 3c in the upper portion thereof
skirt 8a surrounding the lower end of the time-fuse hous and a partition disc i8, of nylon or other similar plastic
ing 8 is of larger diameter than the lower bowl-shaped 50 material, is fixed within the housing 3 at the lower end
end of the cap 3 with its rounded roof 32. The time-fuse of the chamber 3c. The lower face of the disc 18 is
housing in its correct upright position is provided with a rounded concavely to accommodate the corresponding
- central bore 8b which may be lined with a brass bushing curvature of the upper end of the time-fuse 8.
and which is adapted to be filled with a firing cap at its A firing pin 3’ is embedded in disc 3 with the pointed
bottom end and the time-fuse thereabove which requires 55 end thereof facing internally of the chamber 3c. A
combustion for a predetermined number of seconds be passage or aperture 81p is formed in the disc 18 to afford
fore activating the firing cap. The time-fuse is adapted communication between the interior of chamber 3c and
to be activated by combustion of the movable primer cap the exterior thereof which is in alignment with the bore
at the upper end of the time-fuse assembly. 8b of the time-fuse 8.
The sleeve 52 is provided with openings 52c at di 60 The igniter housing 3 is seated against a fange 82 on
ametrically opposed points in its lateral wall for the pas the interior of the fuse case by the externally threaded
sage therethrough of the percussion safety pin F which is ring 2, which is provided with socket apertures 2a to
faced flatly at one end lib, and is tapered at the opposite screw the ring into place in conjunction with internal
end Ac. A portion 51a of reduced diameter is spaced threads 81 at the upper end of the fuse casing.
slightly from the end Ab thereof. The safety pin 11 is also 65 The cylindrical body 3b of the igniter housing extends
adapted to traverse circular openings a at diametrical upwardly through the central bore of the clamping ring
ly opposed points of the fuse case 1, as shown in FIG. 1. 2. A stepped circular recess 3d is bored into the lateral
An apertured fiber washer Ed embraces the safety pin wall of shaft 3b with an opening of small diameter,
15 at its portion of reduced diameter. opening into the chamber 3c and one of larger diameter on
A selector plate retaining ring 15 surrounds the base of 70
the exterior wall of the body 3b (FG. 1).
the fuse case 1 above the threads in engagement with the An auxiliary safety pin 16, surrounded by a coiled
grenade case and confines an arcuate selector plate 10 spring 17, is adapted to be inserted through the opening
(FIG. 2a) between the fuse case and its retaining ring
by means of an integrally formed upstanding lateral wall 3d. The pin is provided with an enlarged head i6h
5w extending slightly beyond the angular limits of se 75 having an annular recess 16a adjacent the shaft of the
 s3. :
y 3.
auxiliary safety pin 25 to seat one end of the spiral Spring reenforcement 14n at the upper edge thereof, terminating
17 therein. The other end of the spiral spring abuts in a bead 4 k which is adapted to surround the upper
against the base of the cpening of enlarged dia.ineter 3d, shoulder of the grenade body and which is retained in
as shown in F.G. 1, when the safety pin is pressed in place by the bottom edge of the grenade cap H.
wardly to bring the free end thereof into the chainber 3 C. 5 The metal retaining element 4c is flanged at its end
The cylindrical body 3b is of reduced diameter at its to engage the edge of the selector plate retainer 15W, and
upper end 3f and is provided with a longitudinal ridge 3g the grommet 84b may fit over the end ib of the main
along the height of the end 3f. The ridge 3g is dis safety pin 51 as an anchor for the winding of the Safety
placed angularly 90° with respect to the axis of opening ribbon 14 for several turns around the body of the fuse
3d. This outer edge of the ridge coincides Substantially O case with the restraining lever 2 in its vertical position.
with the lateral wall of the body 35. he ridge 3g The safety ribbon terminates in the jacket 4 in which
serves as a guide for receiving bushing 26, which is cast embraces more than one-half of the lateral wall of the
with special contours to fit around the central body 3b grenade body, and is retained in place until the cap H
and above the camping ring 2. The groove 2a is slid is removed from the grenade body and the grenade is
over the ridge 3g. The busiring is provided with a por cast away. Therefore, the weight on the mantle i4n
tion of reduced diameter 28b at the upper end thereof induces the unwinding of the safety libbon 14 until the
leaving a shelf 2c adjacent the top for the purpose of end :4c is released from the end of the main safety pin
seating a piastic ring 2a onto the shelf. The bushing 15, permitting its ejection, while the auxiliary safety pin
is formed with special seating slots 2Gd adjacent the 6 is released for ejection after the last turn of the Safety
upper end thereof for the purpose of accommodating the ribbon releases the restraining arm 2 for pivotal nove
risig 2ct with a chordal opening 25 defined by bar 2g ment as a result of the force of spring 57 acting against
and the periphery of the ring 22a, for the purpose of the head 6h of the auxiliary safety pin which is pressed
pivotally mounting the curved end E.2c of a restraining inwardly by arm 2.
arrin 52 thereoin. The length of the ribbon is such that before it may
An apron 2d, integral with the ring 52a and extending unwind its several turns from the fuse body, the grenade
downwardly from a finited portion thereof, is adapted may be 10 meters distant from the thrower, at which
to be seated in a slot 20h in the peripheral wail of the time it becomes set for contact or time-fuse operation.
bushing 23 which is displaced 90 from the internal groove FIG. 1 shows the grenade in assembled position with
2a in the bushing. Likewise, the bushing is provided both safety pins i and is in place, affording Safety
with an arched cut-out 25f (F.G. 4) in the lateral wall against the firing of either the percussion cap 6 or the
thereof opposite to the slot 23b to accommodate therein time-fuse in the housing 3 by percussion pins 51 and 8,
the enlarged end of the auxiliary safety pin 16h. The respectively. With the selector pin 30 b in position for
opening 2f is likewise displaced 90° from the internal instantaneous firing by percussion, position , the casting
groove 2 (a so that, in effect, the slot 23h and the cut-out of the grenade causes an unwinding of the distance rib
29f are in alignment with each other and the dovetail bon 4 from the fuse case to release the lower end of the
fitting of skirt portion 22d within slot 26th seats the ring retaining arm H2. Upon this release the Spring 7 acts
12a above the bushing 23 to bring the arm 2, which is on the enlarged shoulder iéh of the time fuse Safety pin
constrained in its movement in an annular direction, in to swing the retaining arm 2 around its pivotal Support
overlying relation with respect to the shouldered end of 52c on segment E.2b of ring E.2a. This leaves the primer
the auxiliary safety pin 6h. Thereby, when the arm 2 40 cap 22 free to move into igniting position against fixed
is in assembled position, as shown in FiG. 1, the auxiliary firing pin 3, by virtue of the force of spring 9. The
Safety pin is constrained against movement in opposition burning of the primer cap 22 at the base of chamber 3c
to the force of the spring 17, but as soon as the arm is is transmitted through passage 81p to the combustible
permitted to Swing upwardly from its vertical position composition of one or two portions 3", 82 above the
(FIG. 4), the auxiliary safety pin is free to move cut explosive cap 33 at the base of the bore 8b in the time
wardly through the enlarged opening 26f in the lateral fuse 8. The ultimate explosion of the explosive cap 83
wall of the bushing 26. at the lower end of the housing results in the blasting of
The igniter housing is provided with internal threads the cap 55a from the base of sleeve 52, as shown in
3k (FIG. 2a), adjacent the upper end thereof for the F.G. 7.
reception of a cap 2 which is externaily threaded for The disengagement of the end 4b of the safety ribbon
cooperation with the threads 3k. Within the cap 21 is 14 from the end Ab of the percussion safety pin it
provided a central chamber 23a for receiving a spiral frees the latter for movement together with the fiber
spring 59 which surrounds the shank 22a of prinner cap washer Aid through the end of the fuse cap, as indicated
22. The spring normally tends to force the primer cap in F.G. 4, so that the grenade is set for firing by contact
downwardly, but this movement is constrained by the 55 or percussion, if this occurs before the lapse of three to
auxiliary safety pin 6h. However, when the auxiliary five seconds required for the operation of the tine fuse.
safety pin is moved from the path of the primer cap 22, As indicated in F.G. 6, the grenade has encountered con
the same is free to move downwardly towards the igniter tact with a solid body in order to force the percussion
pin 3’ to fire the primer cap, the combustion of which sleeve and percussion pin 5 into firing contact with the
passes through the passage 3ip in the disc 18 to initiate (5) percussion cap 6, drawing away the time fuse housing 8
the combustion of the combustible charge 3i' in the upper from the rounded seat 32, although this does not affect
portion of the bore 3b of the time-fuse 3. the operation of the time fuse which has already been
The arm or restraining lever 2 is maintained in the initiated. If for any reason the percussion sleeve is
assembled position shown in FiG. 1 by the safety ribbon blocked, the time fuse operates to its full extent to blast
24 which is wound around the lower end of the fuse case the bushing 55a from the lower end of the sleeve 52,
on the approximate level of the main percussion Safety into engagement with the percussion cap 6, as indicated
FG. 7.
pin it. As shown in F.G. 2a, one end of the safety In the case of a transitory fault which may have failed
ribbon 4 is threaded through a metallic retaining element to detonate the grenade as a resuit of the movement of
4c and is riveted thereat with a hollow grommet 45. the percussion sleeve, as indicated in FIG. 6, the safety
The opposite end of the safety ribbon E4, which may stud 53 assumes a position in the peripherally displaced
extend for a length of 20' or longer, is riveted to a seat 43 of the firing pin housing in order to block the
flexible jacket of plastic material 4ni by means of groin percussion pin against repeated firing upon jar or vibra
mets 4:e, between which grommets is threaded a weight tion in order to render safe the retrievement of the
element 44'. The jacket 4 in is provided with a flexible 5 grenade without possibility of explosion.
 3,112,703
9 O
Upon setting of the selector plate 9 to the position position. This initiates the ignition of the time fuse, as
which blocks the ejection of the percussion safety pin 1, indicated in FIG. 5. The main safety pin 11 is locked
namely, position R, for retarded firing, the same is re in place by means of the selector plate 19 so that the
tained in place despite the unwinding of the safety rib main firing pin 5 may pierce the percussion cap 6 only
bon 14, as indicated in FIG. 5. This operation excludes 5 by the blasting of the shouldered bushing 5ia from the
instantaneous operation by contact or percussion and base of sleeve 52, as indicated in FIG. 8.
enforces a retarded firing of the grenade by the oper if it is desired that the grenade operate as a time-fuse
ation of the time-fuse, since only the safety pin 6 is only, the selector plate 0 is set to position R and the
ejected from the fuse case upon the casting of the safety ribbon is removed before throwing the grenade.
grenade, and the grenade is ultimately exploded by the 0 Thereby lever 12 swings immediately from its vertical
time-fuse as illustrated in FIG. 8. to horizontal position as shown in FIG. 8. This results
Another way of enforcing retarded operation may be in the immediate ejection of the auxiliary safety pin 16
realized by stripping the safety ribbon before the casting through the opening 20f of the bushing 20 by the action
of the grenade, as indicated in FIG. 8, which causes the of spring 7. The ejection of the auxiliary safety pin
immediate ejection of the time-fuse safety pin 16 and 5 16 permits the primer cap 22 to be fired by its striking
the initiation of the operation of the time-fuse. In this pin 3’ to initiate the firing of the combustibles in the
case, the retarded operation is attained without benefit time-fuse housing 8 so that after a lapse of a predeter
of the safety feature afforded by the unwinding of the mined time the explosive cap 83 blasts the firing pin 51
distance ribbon 14. into piercing engagement with the percussion cap 6 to
The grenade in accordance with the invention may be 20 effect the firing of the detonator B and the consequent
transformed to a defensive grenade by simply encompass explosion of the grenade.
ing the grenade case with a spiral jacket S, as shown in Therefore, the grenade in accordance with the inven
F.G. 3. This results in a grenade having shrapnel and tion may be operated as a combined percussion and time
fragmentation characteristics useful in defensive warfare. fuse grenade, a time-fuse grenade with a delay occasioned
The converted grenade may be operated as a combined 25 by the unwinding of a safety ribbon, or as a time-fuse
contact or percussion grenade and time-fuse grenade, or grenade only.
as a time-fuse grenade alone, in the same manner as This application is a continuation-in-part of my appli
explained above in the case of a simple grenade case cation Serial No. 687,267, filed September 30, 1957, now
having no jacket combined therewith. Preferably, the abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of
spring metal jacket is slipped onto the grenade case D 30 application Serial No. 551,871, filed December 8, 1955,
over the base end thereof and below the flexible mantle now abandoned.
4n. While I have described my invention as embodied in
The universal grenade may be operated as follows: specific forms and as operating in specific manners for
The same may be ejected with the spiral jecket S applied purposes of illustration, it should be understood that I
thereto if the same is to be used as a defensive grenade, 35 do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifica
or may be used without such a jacket, as shown in the tions will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art
drawings. Immediately prior to its use, the same may without departing from the spirit of my invention, the
be armed by the insertion of the detonator B through scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.
the opening at the base of the grenade which is closed claim:
by the plug F. Thereafter, the cap H is removed by 40 1. A grenade fuse assembly for use in combination
breaking of the seal M, if such has been applied, so that with a grenade body, said fuse being of generally cyl
the grenade is in readiness for casting or firing. indrical outline and having a cylindrical lateral Wall and
The grenade may be operated as a combined percussion an apertured base, an internally-facing concavely-shaped
and time-fuse grenade by setting the arcuate Selector seat in said base, an apertured cap having an internally
plate 10 to the position I which brings the enlarged open 45 facing rounded seat, a time-fuse having a rounded end in
ing 10c therein within the field of movement of the contact with said last-mentioned seat and provided with
main safety pin 11, so that the latter may be discharged an axial bore in communication with the aperture in
freely from the grenade. Following this setting, the said cap, said axial bore containing a combustible con
grenade is cast so that the weighted mantle 4n of the position adjacent to said last-mentioned aperture and a
safety ribbon 4 is disengaged and the latter is unwound 50 firing cap therebelow, a firing pin assembly between said
from the body of the fuse case in the first part of its first-mentioned seat and said time-fuse housing, with the
travel through space, to free the retaining arm 12 there contacting surfaces of said assembly and time-fuse housing
from after the grenade has travelled a predetermined having corresponding surface contours, said assembly
distance. This mode of operation is illustrated in FIG. 4. comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve with diametrically
The operation of the time fuse is initiated immediately 55 opposed lateral openings therein disposed in a common
upon the release of the auxiliary safety pin 16 by the horizontal plane, a main safety pin extending through
swinging of retaining arm 2, as shown, and thereafter said openings and lateral wall of said fuse and ejectable
the main safety pin A is ejected in order to permit the therefrom, a firing pin and holder therefor tightly seated
grenade to be fired by percussion, as indicated in FIG. 6, in the lower end of said cylindrical sleeve, a housing Sur
if the same strikes a solid object. If the grenade fails to 60 rounding said firing pin and the lower end of said cylin
fire by percussion, the travel of the lateral pin 53 into drical sleeve and having a transverse partition with a
the locking seat 43 of the housing 4 blocks a repeated central passage of said firing pin, a percussion cap mounted
operation of the locking sleeve so that the same may be below said partition for penetration by said firing pin, said
retrieved safely in the event that the same is not ultimately pin being adapted to be projected through said last
fired by the operation of the time fuse and the blasting 65 mentioned passage, an apertured nut for retaining said
of the firing pin 51 from the base of the sleeve 52. percussion cap having a convexly-shaped curvature co
If it is desired to prevent the operation of the grenade operating with the concave curvature of said first-men
by percussion, but to operate the grenade as a time fuse tioned seat, and a coiled spring above said partition and
grenade coupled with the safety afforded by the delay acting against the lower end of said cylindrical sleeve
enforced in the unwinding of the safety ribbon, the ar 70 for normally forcing said firing pin from said percussion
cuate selector plate E0 is set to the position R (FIG. 2) cap.
in order to block the ejection of the main safety pin 11. 2. A grenade-fuse assembly as set forth in claim 1
Thus, the casting of the grenade initiates the unwinding wherein said apertured cap is provided with a cylindrical
of the safety ribbon 14 and the ejection of the auxiliary chamber containing a fixed igniter pin therein pointing
safety pin 16 when the arm 12 is swung from restraining 75 in the direction opposite to that of the time fuse, a spring
 3,112,703
2
p cSS d rimer cap at the opposite end of said charaber asSeably acing the longitudiial thcreof, a percussion
cap dispeged at Said longitudiinal a gis in the base of said
in igiiiter pin, an auxiliary Safety pin engaging als

ast-nientioned primer cap to prevent energization asserinbiy, a movable sleeve is said assembly resiliently
al of by said igniter pin, meains for releasing both Spaced f'Cin Said percussio:n cap, said sleeve having its
said main and auxiliary safety pins in consequence of the upgar eiid open with a tapered seat threat and a plug
throwing of the grenade, and means for releasig only Scated in the lower end thereof, a firing pin extending
said auxiliary safety pin while biocking Said main Safety frona the botic in of said pig in perinanent overlying
pia to prevent instaintaneous firing by percussion. clation to said percussion cap, 3aid sleeve being readily
3. A grenade-fise assembly as set forth in claim 2 movable relative to said percussion cap for actuating said
wherein said main safety pin has a portion of reduced O firing pin against said percussion cap in respo:3e to sai
diameter adjacent to one end, and a selector plate having coiponent of impact transmitted along the longitudinal
an aperture of different area to selectively restrict or ren axis of the inertia assembly, said assembly including a
der free said mail safety pin at said portion for longitu ine-fuse housing having tapered ends, the iower ci
dinal lovement. thereof being seated against said open end of Said sleeve
4. A grenade-fuse assembly as set forth in claim 2 in 5 and the upper end thereof being in abutting contact with
retaining arm pivotaly mounted at the upper the tapered canning surface at the upper end of said
end of said assembly and biocking said auxiliary Safety hcilow casing, a time-delaying combustible composition
pin against ejection, and means for releasing said artin extending through said time-fuse housing to the open end
for swinging noverient to release said safety pin. of said sleeve for alternatively blasting said firing pin into
5. A grenade fuse operable selectively by percussion and 20 contact with said percussion cap at the end of a predeter
by time-delay, comprising a hollow casing having a mined tie-delay, and means for igniting said combustible
central longitudinal axis with tapered canning surfaces composition.
at the opposite ends thereof relative to said longitudinal 9. A device as set forth in cairn 8 wherein the lower
axis, an inertia asserably in said holioW casing having the tapered end of the time-fuse housing conforms to the
longitudinal axis thereof coaxial with said central axis tapered seat at the open end of the sleeve to render the
of said casing and provided with tapered ends in abutting tine-Íuse hoising universaily imovabie as a component
contact with said camshing surfaces of said casing so that of said iteitia assembly, and means at said lower tapered
any impacts in parted to said casing at any angle transmit end of said time-fuse housing for preventing a reverse
at isast a component thereof to said inertia assembly aiong O S tio: hing of said time-fuse housing.
the jongitudinal axis thereof, a percussion cap disposed 30 O. in combination with a grenade body provided with
at said longitudiinal axis in the base of Said assembly, a a recessed receptacle at one end thereof, a grenade fuse
firing pin normally spaced from said percission cap in adapted for detachable mounting in said receptacle, said
permainent overlying relation thereto, a hollow mount fuse coin prising a hollow casing having a cential longi
ing for said firing pia, said mounting being readily nov tuxiii:al axis with tapered camming surfaces at the opposite
able relative to said percussion cap and supporting said 35 ends thereof relative to said longitudiial axis, an inertia
firing pin at one cind thereof for rinovement against said assef:bly within said hollow casing having the longitudinal
percussion cap in response to said componeint of impact axis thercof coaxial with said central axis of Said casing
transmited along the longitudinal axis of the inertia as and provided with tapered ends in abutting contact with
scinbiy, said assembly including a time-fuse housing, a 40 said canning surfaces of said casing so that any impacts
time-delaying coinbustibie composition terminating in an imparted to said casing at any a 3gle transmit at least a
explosive cap in communication with said hollow mount component thereof to said inertia assembly along the
ing for said firing pin for blasting said firing pin from said longitudial axis thereof, a percussion cap disposed at
mounting into said percussion cap at the conclusion of the said longitudinal axis in the base of said assembly in
burning of the combustible composition, and means for proximity to the base of said recessed receptacle, a firing
ignitiiig said coinbustible composition. pin norfinally spaccd from said percussion cap in perma
6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said last nent overiying relation thereto, a sleeve mounting for said
mentioned means comprises a primer cap above said firing pin at one eid and open at the opposite end thereof,
time-fuse housing, a firing pin for said primer cap, and said mounting and firing pin being readily movable rea
a communicating passage between said primer cap and 50 tive to said percussion cap in response to said component
combustible composition. of impact transmitted along the longitudinal axis of the
7. A device as set forth in ciaim 5 wherein said last inertia asserabiy, said assembly including a time-fuse
mentioned means comprises a chamber above said time housing, a time-delaying combustible composition in said
fuse housing, ai, apertured partition at the base of said housing and terminating in an explosive cap in connmuni
chamber with the aperture overiying the combustible com cation with said sleeve mounting for said firing pin for
position, a primer cap at the upper end of said chamber blasting said firing pin from said mounting into Said per
remote from said time-fuse housing, a firing pin in said cussion cap at the conclusion of the burning of the combus
partition pointing towards said primer cap, a coiled spring tible composition, means for igniting said combustible com
behind said primer cap tending to force said cap into position, a main safety pin extending transversely of Said
engagement with said fixed firing pin, an auxiliary safety 60 Jongitudinal axes at least partially through said hollow
pin for restraining said primer cap against moverinent, and casing and inertia assembly for selectively blocking the
neans for releasing said auxiliary safety pin from blocking movement of said inertia assembly and said firing pin, an
action of said primer cap to effect the ignition thereof auxiliary safety pin normally blocking said last-mentioned
by said fixed firing pin and the consequent firing of the igniting means for preventing the ignition of said coin
combustible composition in the time-fuse housing through 65 bustible composition within said time-fuse housing, and a
the aperture in said partition. safety ribbon wound around said fuse and confining said
8. A detachable fuse for combination with a grenade safety pins, thereby barring outward movement of said
body, said fuse comprising a hollow casing having a safety pins to prevent their ejection from said fuse until
central longitudinal axis with tapered camming Surfaces at the ribbon has unwound and the grenade has traversed
the opposite ends thereof relative to said longitudinal 70 a predetermined distance in Space.
axis, an inertia assembly within said hollow casing having 11. A device as set forth in claim 10 including setting
the longitdinal axis thereof coaxial with said central axis means cooperating with said main safety pin for Selec
of said casing and provided with tapered ends in abutting tively blocking said main safety pin against ejection and
contact with said camming surfaces of said casing so enforcing actuation of said firing pin by the time-delayed
that any impacts imparted to said casing at any angle combustible composition.
transmit at least a component thereof to Said inertia
 3,112,703
3. 4.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said References (Cited in the file of this patent
safety ribboin terminates in a weighted element affixed UNITED STATES PATENTS
to a flexible jacket at least partially surrounding the
lateral wall of the grenade body, a reenforcing bead at the 2,397,781 Fisher ----------------- Apr. 2, 1946
upper end of said jacket, and a closure capsurrounding is 2,763.212 McCaslin -------------- Sept. 18, 1956
said fuse having the open-end thereof engaging the gre- FOREIGN PATENTS
inade body and clamping said reenforcing bead there- 789,511 France ---------------- Aug. 19, 1935
between. 1,048,876 France ---------------- Aug. 12, 1953