Patent ID: 6430859
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: F41A,F41C

Abstract:
A firing mechanism for a pyrotechnic flare signalling device, the firing mechanism having a hollow casing with an opening formed by one end, the casing being adapted to be fitted by said one end to the pyrotechnic flare signalling device so that the opening is aligned with ignition means of pyrotechnic means of the pyrotechnic flare signalling device, a firing pin within the casing and means operable when the pyrotechnic flare signalling device is fitted to said one end of the casing to thrust the firing pin through the opening to impact the ignition means and actuate the pyrotechnic means, said means that are operable to thrust the firing pin through the opening, including an energy storage device, means operable to load the energy storage device, releasable catch means operable to hold the energy storage device in a loaded condition and releasable to cause or allow release of energy by said energy storage device whereby to generate the thrust that thrusts the firing pin through the opening, a plunger slidably mounted within an axially extending chamber which is formed by the interior of the casing, said releasable catch means being operable to hold the plunger against movement towards said opening and releasable to free the plunger for movement towards said opening, and a trigger mechanism which is adapted to be actuated to release said catch means and allow said plunger to be urged towards said opening by release of energy by said energy storage device, wherein the plunger is rotatable about its axis within a cylindrical portion of the chamber as well as being axially slidable therein, the releasable catch means including a stop member which is carried by the casing and which is adapted to be abutted by an abutment on the plunger when the plunger is in one angular orientation relative to the casing whereby to stop axial movement of the plunger towards said opening, said plunger being formed so as to bypass said stop member when the plunger is displaced angularly from said one angular orientation relative to the casing so that said abutment is displaced angularly with respect to said stop member and the plunger is free to slide towards the opening past the stop member, said trigger mechanism including means operable to rotate the plunger after said energy storage device has been loaded to a certain extent and to displace the abutment angularly with respect to the stop member with further loading of the energy storage device.