Patent Publication Number: US-8523030-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for carrying and retrieval of a grenade

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter relates generally to a retrieval envelope for carrying grenades and rapidly deploying the grenades. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Grenades are explosive devices used by various personnel, such as law enforcement personnel or military officers, as a projectile to attack a target at a distance from a thrower. There are various types of grenades available, such as a fragment grenade, stun grenade, smoke grenade, incendiary grenade, etc. When used, grenades create an explosion which is intended to injure, emit a blaring noise, create smoke, and the like. Grenades may be thrown through a window or door of a crime location, such as a room in a house, and the like, to temporarily distract the occupants for a time sufficient to enable the law enforcement personnel to safely enter the location and neutralize any potential threats. 
     The grenade is held in a throwing hand with the thumb placed over a grenade lever while a safety pin is pulled out of a safety pin hole. When the grenade is thrown, the grenade lever is released, a spring throws off the grenade lever and rotates the striker into the primer. The primer contains material similar to the head of a match. When struck, it ignites and sets fire to the fuse. The fuse burns at a controlled rate, providing a time delay, for example about four to five seconds. When the flame of the fuse reaches a detonator the grenade explodes. 
     In order to separate the safety pin from the grenade, the user that throws the grenade is required to hold the grenade in one hand then pull the safety pin in the other hand, thus requiring the use of both hands in the handling of the grenade. A user that operates the grenade in both hands cannot operate the single weapon at the same time. During operation, removal of the grenade from a pouch and separating the safety pin from the grenade may be inconvenient, time consuming and intricate, factors which are critical to the success of situations requiring the use of grenades. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the subject matter to discloses an apparatus, comprising an envelope for holding a grenade, said grenade comprises a grenade lever and a grenade safety pin; an attaching utensil for attaching said envelope to a garment of a person; a safety lever container connected to the envelope, said safety lever container is configured to secure the grenade lever, such that the grenade is oriented in a predetermined direction; a ring holder connected to the envelope, said ring holder is configured to hold the safety pin, such that the safety pin is detached from the grenade responsive to removal of the grenade from the envelope. 
     In some cases, the apparatus further comprises a top cover for covering the upper portion of the grenade, said top cover is connected to a wall of the envelope; and springs to release the top cover from the top of the grenade. 
     In some cases, the top cover is inserted into a slit of the wall. In some cases, the apparatus further comprises two buttons to engage the springs to release the cover from the top of the grenade. 
     In some cases, the bottom of the envelope comprises one or more teeth to maintain the grenade orientation. In some cases, the one or more teeth are flexible to enable removal of the grenade from the apparatus. In some cases, the ring holder is a karabiner. 
     In some cases, the wall of the envelope comprises a ledge to maintain the orientation of the grenade. In some cases, the ring holder is connected to the envelope by a cord, such that the safety pin is detached from the grenade responsive to moving the grenade from the envelope at a distance longer than the cord&#39;s length. 
     In some cases, the envelope enables human access to the grenade while the grenade is secured by the safety lever container. In some cases, the top cover is detached from the grenade. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary non-limited embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be described, with reference to the following description of the embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. The figures are generally not shown to scale and any sizes are only meant to be exemplary and not necessarily limiting. Corresponding or like elements are optionally designated by the same numerals or letters. 
         FIG. 1  shows a retrieval envelope holding a grenade, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  shows a ring holder connection to a safety pin, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 3  shows a release of a grenade from a retrieval envelope, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 4  shows a retrieval envelope attached to a garment on a person, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; and, 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of a retrieval envelope holding a grenade, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present subject matter discloses a retrieval envelope for holding a grenade and a method of using the same, according to exemplary embodiments. A person, such as a law enforcement or military officer, inserts the grenade into the retrieval envelope, which partially envelopes the grenade while enabling rapid retrieval of the grenade. The grenade is secured in the retrieval envelope by a top cover, which is pushed down and locked into place over the top of the grenade. When the person wishes to use the grenade, he raises the top cover to enable removing the grenade. The top cover may be detached from the apparatus of the subject matter. Raising the top cover may be performed by activating a trigger, which releases a spring, which may also be a rubber band or a latch, which raises the top cover. In some cases, the trigger comprises pressing at least two triggers simultaneously to prevent unwanted release of the top cover. The grenade may further be secured by one or more teeth or flaps which hold the grenade in the retrieval envelope, but are flexible enough to enable rapid and easy removal of the grenade from the retrieval envelope. The retrieval envelope enables the person to rapidly retrieve the grenade from the retrieval envelope and throw it rapidly and accurately at a desired target. The retrieval of the grenade may be done with a single hand and may be done by a person&#39;s weak hand, while a strong hand carries a primary weapon, such as an automatic rifle. 
     The retrieval envelope comprises of a safety lever container for containing the grenade lever and for maintaining the orientation of the grenade in the retrieval envelope. The retrieval envelope comprises a ring holder attached to a safety pin of the grenade. The ring holder enables the person to release and use the grenade rapidly with a single hand. The ring holder holds onto the safety pin as the person moves the grenade away from the retrieval envelope, which releases the safety pin and permits throwing the grenade at a desired target. The retrieval envelope is attached to a garment, which may be a vest, a belt or any other apparel used by the person. The retrieval envelope may be attached to the garment by use of an attachment utensil, such as screws, sewing, buttons, or the like. 
       FIG. 1  shows a retrieval envelope holding a grenade, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The grenade  100  comprises a safety pin  110  and a grenade lever  105 . The safety pin  110  is placed into a pin hole  112  that keeps the grenade lever  105  in place, preventing a release spring (not shown) from releasing the grenade lever  105  and detonating the grenade  100 . The grenade  100  is placed into retrieval envelope  120 . 
     The retrieval envelope  120  is designed to hold the grenade  100  so the shape of the retrieval envelope  120  is configured for quick access and use. In some exemplary embodiments, the retrieval envelope  120  may comprise flaps  125 , which secure the grenade  100  in the retrieval envelope  120 . The retrieval envelope  120  may comprise a safety lever container  130 , which holds the grenade lever  105 . Holding the grenade lever  105  at the safety lever container  130  prevents the grenade  100  from disorienting when placed in the retrieval envelope  120 . In some cases, the safety lever container  130  may prevent the grenade lever  105  from releasing in situations where the safety pin  110  is prematurely removed or slips out of the safety pin hole  112 . 
     The retrieval envelope  120  may also comprise a hook  150  to attach the retrieval envelope  120  to a garment such as a vest or a belt. The hook  150  allows convenient transportation of one or multiple retrieval envelopes  120  to and from the garment. 
     The retrieval envelope  120  comprises a cord  135 , such as a rope or wire, which is connected to a ring holder  140 . The ring holder may be a karabiner comprising a mobile limb  142 . The ring holder  140  is attached to a safety pin ring  115 . Once the ring holder  140  is inserted into the safety pin ring  115 , the safety pin ring  115  may be removed once the person using the retrieval envelope  120  pulls the grenade  100  out and away from the retrieval envelope  120 , so the safety pin  110  is released from the safety pin hole  112  by the ring holder  140 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, a rubber band  145  may be used to secure the grenade  100  in the retrieval envelope  120 . The rubber band  145  is placed around the grenade  100  and the retrieval envelope  120  so the grenade  100  may be easily removed from the retrieval envelope  120  using a single hand. In some embodiments, the rubber band  145  may be attached to the retrieval envelope  120  so the rubber band  145  does not fall to the ground and get lost when the grenade  100  is removed from the retrieval envelope  120 . The rubber band  145  is detached from the grenade  100  when deploying the grenade  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a ring holder connection to a safety pin, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The safety pin  205  is inserted into a safety pin hole  203  located on a grenade lever  200  of a grenade  201 . The grenade pin  205  comprises a safety pin ring  210 . After the safety pin ring  210  is pulled, the safety pin  205  is removed out of the safety pin hole  203 , which enables the grenade lever  200  to be released, igniting the fuse to detonate the grenade  201 . A ring holder  230 , such as a karabiner, is inserted into the safety pin ring  210 . The ring holder  230  comprises a ring holder mechanism, such as a moveable limb  235 , which can open and close to enable insertion of the ring holder  230  into the safety pin ring  210 . The moveable limb  235  is attached to the body of the ring holder  230  by a bolt  240 , such as a screw, which enables the moveable limb  235  to open and close. The ring holder  230  is attached to a cord  250 , such as a rope or wire, which connects the ring holder  230  to the retrieval envelope  120  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Once the ring holder  230  is inserted into the safety pin ring  210 , the moveable limb  235  is placed so the ring holder  230  cannot be removed from the safety pin ring  210  without opening the moveable limb  235 . In some cases the ring holder  230  may have a locking bolt (not shown), such as a locking karabiner, which has the locking bolt to enable locking the moveable limb  235  into place to prevent the moveable limb  235  from opening and releasing the safety pin  205 , for example, while the grenade  201  is being removed from the retrieval envelope  120  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a method of releasing a grenade from a retrieval envelope, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. A person carrying the retrieval envelope  340  uses a hand  300  to grab onto a grenade  310  located in the retrieval envelope  340 . The hand  300  grabs the grenade  310  so that some fingers keep a grenade lever  315  from releasing, for example using a thumb  305  to hold the grenade lever  315  in place. The thumb  305  is used to remove the grenade  310  from the retrieval envelope  340  in a single fast motion. The grenade lever  315  is removed from a safety lever container  345  and controlled with the thumb  305  so the grenade lever  315  does not release, preventing the grenade  310  from detonating once a safety pin  325  is released. The safety pin  325  is located in a safety pin hole  327 , which keeps the grenade lever  315  locked and prevents the grenade  310  from detonating until the safety pin  325  is removed from the safety pin hole  327 . The safety pin  325  comprises a safety pin ring  320 , attached to a ring holder  330 . The ring holder  330  is inserted into the safety pin ring  320  so the ring holder  330  and the safety pin ring  320  are interlocked and cannot be detached. The ring holder  330  is attached to a cord  335 , such as a rope or wire, which is connected to the retrieval envelope  340  at the opposite end of the cord  335 . 
     To activate the grenade  310 , the person carrying the retrieval envelope  340  that holds the grenade  310 , grabs the grenade  310  with the person&#39;s hand  300 . The person places one of his/her fingers around the grenade lever  315  to ensure that the grenade  310  does not detonate in the person&#39;s hand  300 . After removing the grenade  310  from the retrieval envelope  340 , the person moves the grenade  310  away from the retrieval envelope  340 , for example moving the grenade  310  in a right direction  360  or moving the retrieval envelope  340  in a left direction  370 . The retrieval envelope  340  enables the person to use only a single hand to remove the grenade  310  from the retrieval envelope  340  and still have a second hand free for other requirements, such as carrying an automatic rifle. The retrieval envelope  340  enables the person to rapidly remove the grenade  310  from the retrieval envelope  340  and throw it rapidly with either a person&#39;s strong or weak hand. 
     As the grenade  310  is moved further from the retrieval envelope  340 , the cord  335  becomes tense and the ring holder  330  at the end of the cord  335  pulls the safety pin  325  out of the safety pin hole  327 . The retrieval envelope  340 , which sits on an garment of the person, such as a person&#39;s vest, creates tension in the cord  335 , which enables the ring holder  330  to remove the safety pin  325  from the safety pin hole  327  as the grenade  310  is distanced from the retrieval envelope  340 . The distance between the grenade  310  and the retrieval envelope  340  may be longer than the length of the cord  335  in order to release the safety pin  325 . Once the safety pin  325  is removed from the safety pin hole  327 , the grenade lever  315  is secured by the person&#39;s hand  300 , for example the thumb  305 . To activate the grenade  310 , the person releases the grenade  310  enabling the grenade lever  315  to be released by a spring (not shown). Once the grenade lever  315  releases the fuse inside the grenade  310  ignites the primer, which detonates the grenade  310 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a retrieval envelope attached to a garment on a person, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The person  400 , such as a law enforcement officer, wears a garment  410 , such as a vest or a belt (not shown), on which the retrieval envelope  420  may be attached. The retrieval envelope  420  may be attached to the garment  410  by hooks  445 , screws, stitches, and the like. The retrieval envelope  420  may be attached to a mechanical track using hooks  445 , which enables adjusting the location of the retrieval envelope  420  on the garment  410 . The retrieval envelope  420  is attached to the garment  410  so a grenade  430  is easily accessible to the person  400 . A top cover  450 , which may be attached to the body of the retrieval envelope  420 , is placed on top of the grenade  430 , to prevent the grenade  430  from falling out of the retrieval envelope  420 . A grenade lever  432  is placed in a safety lever container  440  on the retrieval envelope  420 . The safety lever container  440  orients the grenade  430  so the person  400  only requires one hand to remove the grenade  430  from the retrieval envelope  420 . The safety lever container  440  securely holds the grenade lever  432  so the grenade lever  432  is not detached from the grenade  430 . The person  400  releases the top cover  450  from the grenade  430  using a trigger, for example by pressing two buttons that release a spring, which lifts the top cover  450  from the grenade  430 . In some cases the spring may be a rubber band, a latch, or the like. The person  400  grabs the grenade  430  with the person&#39;s hand and removes the grenade lever  432  from the safety lever container  440  while removing the grenade  430  from the retrieval envelope  420 . The grenade  430  is moved away from the retrieval envelope  420 , for example by pulling the grenade  430 , a cord  425  becomes tense and a ring holder  427 , for example a karabiner, pulls on a safety pin  435  on the grenade  430 . The person  400  moves the grenade  430  until the safety pin  435  is removed from the grenade  430  and remains attached to the ring holder  427 . Once the safety pin  435  is removed the grenade  430  may be thrown at a desired target. When inserting the grenade  430  into the retrieval envelope  420 , the user may first attach the ring holder  427  to the safety pin  435 , then inserts the grenade  430  into the retrieval envelope  420  and finally covers the grenade  430  using the top cover  450 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a profile of retrieval envelope holding a grenade, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The grenade  500  is held in the retrieval envelope  510 . The grenade  500  is placed in a large cavity of the retrieval envelope  510 . In some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, the retrieval envelope  510  comprises one or more teeth  515 , which are located in the opening of the large cavity and keep the grenade  500  from falling out of the retrieval envelope  510 . The one or more teeth  515  are flexible, so the one or more teeth  515  bend as the grenade  500  is removed from the retrieval envelope. In some cases, the retrieval envelope  510  comprises a holding ledge  520 , which prevents the grenade  500  from moving while the grenade  500  is stored in the retrieval envelope  510 . The grenade  500  comprises a grenade lever  505 , which is stored in a safety lever container  550 . The retrieval envelope comprises a top cover  530 , which is placed on top of the grenade  500  to prevent the grenade  500  from moving while being stored in the retrieval envelope  510 . In some cases, the top cover  530  comprises a soft inner lining (not shown), such as a sponge or rubber, to further prevent the grenade  500  from moving while being stored in the retrieval envelope  510 . The top cover  530  pushes the grenade  500  down into the retrieval envelope to prevent the grenade  500  from falling. The top cover  530  may be detached from the grenade  500 . The top cover  530  comprises an elongated limb  535 , which enters into a wall of the retrieval envelope  510 , for example a back wall. The elongated limb  535  rests on a spring  540 , which is used to raise the top cover  530  when the grenade  500  is removed from the retrieval envelope  510 . In some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, the spring  540  may be a rubber band, a latch or the like. 
     After the grenade  500  is placed in the retrieval envelope  510  the top cover  530  is pressed down onto the top of the grenade  500  to hold the grenade  500  in place. As the top cover  530  is brought down the extended limb  535  is locked into place inside of the retrieval envelope  510 , for example, being caught on a ledge (not shown). To remove the grenade  500  from the retrieval envelope  510 , a trigger of some sort, for example pressing two buttons simultaneously, is used to release the extended limb  535  and the spring  540  pushes the top cover  530  up, which enables removing the grenade  500  from the retrieval envelope  510 . In some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, the top cover  530  moves backwards in a swinging motion from the top of the grenade  500 . The grenade lever  505  is removed from the safety lever container  550  and the grenade  500  is pulled out of the retrieval envelope  510  while bending the one or more teeth  515 . 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject matter, in addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this subject matter, but only by the claims that follow.