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US 4,996,923 AGranted
Matrix-supported flechette load and method and apparatus for manufacturing the load
AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorJohn L. Theising
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorJohn L. Theising
Estimating the term…
In a method and apparatus for manufacturing a flechette load, a series of operative steps are carried out to produce a matrix-supported load of flechettes held in a desired array. First, a load of flechettes are mounted by a die end cap in a desired array in which at least the trailing end portions thereof are exposed and disposed in closely spaced side-by-side relation. Next, the die end cap is assembled to a die body such that at least the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes are placed in the mold cavity of the assembled die. A mixture of expandable thermoplastic beads and, preferably, a bond weakening agent is also placed in the mold cavity with the mixture surrounding the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes therein. Finally, the mixture is heated so as to produce in the mold cavity directly on and about the exposed trailing end portions of the flechettes a matrix in the form of a solid foam body of a thermoplastic foam material. The desired precise location and alignment of the flechettes relative to one another is thereby fixed by the solid matrix before placing the matrix-supported flechette load as a unit into a shell.
A fletchette load comprising:
A fletchette load comprising:
A fletchette load comprising:
A flechette load comprising at least one flechette having a pointed tipped leading portion and a matrix molded directly to said flechette such that said flechette is supported in a desired alignment with, at the most, only said pointed tipped leading portion of said flechette extending from said matrix whereby said matrix supported load of flechette can be placed as a unit into a shell casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.