Modular construction system for shells

[0002] The invention relates to a modular construction system for shells (particularly, 40 mm shells) for different uses. In particular, the modular construction system has identical shell bodies and shell heads matched for respective application.

[0003] Such modular construction systems (specifically, of the 40 mm type) have a container defining the shell body or shell, which is filled according to the particular use, and is closed by a front shell head. The shell head thus provides a closing or lid function, while also providing an application-specific function. For example, in the case of explosive shells, the shell head bursts following percussion and releases the contents (marking dye, smoke, and so forth). In these instances, the shell head is fabricated from plastics and provided with pre-determined breakage points.

[0004] In order to now obtain economical fabrication and the same technical parameters in use, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular construction system for shells, in which the shell bodies are constructed as a container and the shell heads can be selected based on different fillings and from different shell tips matched to the fillings. In other words, each different type of shell head is appropriate for use with at least one of the different types of fillings, and an appropriate shell head is thus selected based on the type of filings. The shell heads form a closure of the shell body.

[0005] In such a modular construction system, all the shell bodies can now be produced using a single tool. Adaptations of the shell body can then possibly take place based on the intended use, for example, coloration or boring of a hole in the base of the shell body.

[0006] Based on the intended use, filling then takes place, and the purpose-specific shell head (i.e., the shell head appropriate for use with the selected fillings) is selected, with which the shell body is then closed. At least two such shell heads are provided, according to whether there is to be an explosive or non-explosive shell. Optionally, another two or three different shell heads are provided for non-explosive shells.

[0007] The unitary connection of the shell body and the shell tip selected can be constructed as a screw connection, bayonet connection, snap connection, or the like.

[0008] The invention will now be described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a shell body of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a first embodiment of a shell head for closing a shell body of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment of a shell head for closing a shell body of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a third embodiment of a shell head for closing a shell body of the present invention, and

[0013] FIG. 5 are views including a partial sectional view of a shell in FIG. 5A, a detail view of a first type of a head-to-body connection in FIG. 5B, and a sectional view of a second type of head-to-body connection in FIG. 5C.

[0014] The modular construction system includes identical shell bodies 1, such as that shown in FIG. 1. Each shell body is shaped as a cylindrical container for an application-specific filling 2. According to the type of shell to be constructed, the shell body 1 is closed by one of an application-specific selected shell head 3, 3′, 3″ (for example, screwed on, latched on, or glued on) as shown in FIGS. 2-4, respectively.

[0015] For explosive shells, a fragmentation filling and explosive filling are used, and a shell tip 3 of metal or a thermoplastic material is placed, preferably with a rubber-type bearing, on the shell body 1 as shown in FIG. 2. Corresponding explosive shells 4, 5 are shown on the left-hand side of the drawing.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows four non-explosive shells 6, 7, 8, and 9. These are composed of the shell body 1, the application-specific filling 2 (ballast, flare compound, tear gas, detonation charge, marking dye, marking dye with light trace, smoke compound), and shell head 3′ formed of plastics material. The plastics shell head 3′ has ray-shaped pre-determined breakage points 13.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows three non-explosive shells 10, 11 and 12. These shells include shell body 1, the desired filling 2 (ballast, flare compound, tear gas, detonation charge, marking dye marking dye with light trace, smoke compound), and shell head 3″ formed of plastics material. The plastics shell head 3″ has additional grooves around the periphery.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates various manners in which the shell head 3, 3′ 3″ can be connected to the shell body 1. In particular, FIG. 5B shows a thread 15 at the edge of shell body 1 onto which the shell head 3, 3′, 3″ is screwed. Alternatively, FIG. 5C shows an annular bead 16 at the edge of shell body 1 onto which the shell head 3, 3′, 3″ can be snapped. Although only head 3″ is shown in FIG. 5, these connections are also applicable to shell heads 3, 3′.