Grenade

Abstract

According to the invention, and with reference to FIG. 5, there is provided a grenade, having a case 1 , a sabot 2 , and a cover 3 . The sabot has a base part 12 , a space for receiving a projectile or projectiles 18 , and a plurality of petals 14 . The grenade is formed such that when it is arranged for use the sabot 2 is fitted to the case 1 , the projectile or projectiles 18 are within the space, and the cover 3 is fitted around the petals 18 wherein end parts of the petals bend towards one another to substantially encapsulate the projectile or projectiles 18 . The grenade is formed such that when it is in use and is fired from a suitable rifle a charge in the case causes the sabot 2 and the projectile or projectiles 18 to be propelled forward and punch through the cover 3 such that the projectile or projectiles 18 are released from the sabot 2 to a target.

1 . A grenade, having a case, a sabot, and a cover; 
 the sabot having a base part, a space for receiving a projectile or projectiles, and a plurality of petals;    the grenade being formed such that when it is arranged for use the sabot is fitted to the case, the projectile or projectiles are within the space, and the cover is fitted around the petals wherein end parts of the petals bend towards one another to substantially encapsulate the projectile or projectiles;    the grenade being formed such that when it is in use and is fired from a suitable rifle a charge in the case causes the sabot and the projectile or projectiles to be propelled forward and punch through the cover such that the projectile or projectiles are released from the sabot to a target.    
     
     
         2 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the petals are arranged such that they fan outwards to release the projectile or projectiles when the grenade has been fired and the sabot leaves the rifle.  
     
     
         3 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the sabot is arranged such that it will spin within a barrel of the rifle when the grenade has been fired, the spin causing the petals to fan outwards when they contact air outside the barrel.  
     
     
         4 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the sabot has a resilient packing for receiving the projectile or projectiles.  
     
     
         5 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover is substantially conical and has an open end and a closed end, the open end engaging the case, and the closed end defining an extremity of the grenade, when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement.  
     
     
         6 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a plurality of lines of weakness to assist the sabot and the projectile or projectiles to punch through the cover when the grenade is fired with the rifle.  
     
     
         7 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover and the case are fitted to one another by way of screw threads when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement.  
     
     
         8 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case is arranged with an internal space adapted to act as at least part of a low pressure chamber, the low pressure chamber being defined in part by a wall and a floor, the wall and the floor being part of the case, the wall tapering in towards the floor and arranged such that the base part of the sabot butts against the wall such that the floor and the base part of the sabot are spaced from one another.  
     
     
         9 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case is arranged with an internal space adapted to act as at least part of a low pressure chamber, the low pressure chamber being defined in part by a wall and a floor, the wall and the floor being part of the case, the wall tapering in towards the floor and arranged such that the base part of the sabot butts against the wall such that the floor and the base part of the sabot are spaced from one another, and wherein the wall merges into the floor in a substantially curved fashion.  
     
     
         10 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case is arranged with an internal space adapted to act as at least part of a low pressure chamber, the low pressure chamber being defined in part by a wall and a floor, the wall and the floor being part of the case, the wall tapering in towards the floor and arranged such that the base part of the sabot butts against the wall such that the floor and the base part of the sabot are spaced from one another, and wherein the base part of the sabot has an obturating edge where it butts against the wall when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement.  
     
     
         11 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case has a high pressure chamber which, when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement, houses the charge.  
     
     
         12 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein when the grenade is ready for use the high pressure chamber is substantially closed by a plug inserted into the rest of the case.  
     
     
         13 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case has a high pressure chamber which, when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement, houses a charge, and wherein there is one of a passage and passages between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber.  
     
     
         14 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , wherein the case has a high pressure chamber which, when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement, houses a charge, and wherein there is one of a passage and passages between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber, and wherein there is a sheet member within the high pressure chamber which is against the passage or passages when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement.  
     
     
         15 . A grenade, having a case, a sabot, and a cover; 
 the sabot having a base part, a space for receiving projectiles, and a plurality of petals;    the grenade being formed such that when it is arranged for use the sabot is fitted to the case, the projectiles are within the space, and the cover is fitted around the petals wherein end parts of the petals bend towards one another to substantially encapsulate the projectiles;    the grenade being formed such that when it is in use and is fired from a suitable rifle a charge in the case causes the sabot and the projectiles to be propelled forward and punch through the cover such that the projectiles are released from the sabot to a target;    the grenade being formed such that the case is arranged with an internal space adapted to function as at least part of a low pressure chamber, the low pressure chamber being defined in part by a wall and a floor, the wall and the floor being part of the case, the wall tapering in towards the floor and arranged such that the base part of the sabot butts against the wall such that the floor and the base part of the sabot are spaced from one another;    the case having a high pressure chamber which, when the grenade is in a ready for use arrangement, houses the charge, and the high pressure chamber is substantially closed by a plug inserted into the rest of the case, and wherein there is a primer adapted for igniting the charge,    and wherein there are passages between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber.    
     
     
         16 . A grenade according to  claim 15 , wherein the petals are arranged to fan outwards when they leave the rifle, and wherein the cover has a plurality of lines of weakness to assist the sabot and the projectiles to punch through the cover when the grenade is fired with the rifle, and wherein there is a sheet member within the high pressure chamber which is against the passages.  
     
     
         17 . A grenade according to  claim 15 , wherein the petals are arranged to fan outwards when they leave the rifle, and wherein the cover has a plurality of lines of weakness to assist the sabot and the projectiles to punch through the cover when the grenade is fired with the rifle, there being a sheet member within the high pressure chamber which is against the passages, the wall merging with the floor in a substantially curved fashion, and wherein the base part of the sabot has an obturating edge where it butts against the wall.