Fragmentable Grenade

Abstract

The invention relates to a fragmentable grenade ( 1 ) including an explosive charge ( 2 ) and a layer ( 4 ) of projectiles ( 5 ), which are elastically deformable and joined by bridges of material ( 6 ) produced by moulding together with the projectiles ( 5 ). The layer ( 4 ) surrounds the charge ( 2 ) and is designed for enabling the projectiles ( 5 ) to separate and disperse when the charge ( 2 ) explodes.

1 . A fragmentable grenade ( 1 ), comprising:
 an explosive charge ( 2 ),   a layer ( 4 ) of elastically deformable projectiles ( 5 ) connected together by bridges of material ( 6 ) produced by moulding together with the projectiles ( 5 ), said layer ( 4 ) surrounding the charge ( 2 ) and being designed for enabling the projectiles ( 5 ) to separate and to disperse when the said charge ( 2 ) explodes.   
   
   
       2 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the layer ( 4 ) comprises half-projectiles ( 5   a ,  5   b ) assembled along an assembly line (A), in particular by gluing. 
   
   
       3 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bridges of material ( 6 ) are situated on the external side of the layer ( 4 ). 
   
   
       4 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the thickness (e) of the bridges of material accounts for less than 10%, better less than 5% of the maximum thickness (E) of the projectiles. 
   
   
       5 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the projectiles ( 5 ) are deprived of sharp edges. 
   
   
       6 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the projectiles ( 5 ) exhibit radially internal and external faces, each at least partially and substantially in the form of a cylindrical portion and, between themselves, substantially planar and radial faces. 
   
   
       7 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the projectiles ( 5 ) delineate an inner housing ( 15 ) wherein the charge ( 2 ) is placed. 
   
   
       8 . A grenade according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the inner housing ( 15 ) exhibits two widened portions ( 15   b ,  15   c ) at its axial ends. 
   
   
       9 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the elastically deformable material whereof the projectiles are composed, has a hardness ranging between 20 and 55 Shore A, in particular between 35 and 45 Shore A, let alone approx. 40 Shore A. 
   
   
       10 . A grenade according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is deprived of an outer envelope. 
   
   
       11 . A method of assembly of a fragmentable grenade, including the following steps:
 the supply of a layer ( 4 ) of projectiles ( 5 ) connected together by bridges of material ( 6 ) obtained by moulding with the projectiles,   the placement of an explosive charge ( 2 ) in an inner housing delineated by the layer.   
   
   
       12 . A method of assembly of a layer of projectiles, including the following step:
 moulding with an elastically deformable material, in particular a natural or synthetic elastomer, a layer ( 4 ) of projectiles ( 5 ) linked together with bridges of material ( 6 ) uniting them.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , including the following step:
 the layer having been moulded with an annular shape, taking the layer out of the mould thanks to the elasticity thereof, by applying externally a pressure smaller than the pressure existing on the inner side of the layer of projectiles, or by applying internally an overpressure.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the layer ( 4 ) is immersed into a bath of a compound enabling to reduce the friction coefficient of the grenade.