IP Library Granted Patent US 7,866,265
Granted Patent B1
US 7,866,265 · App. 11/770,914 · Granted Jan 11, 2011

Flare apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,866,265
App. No.
11/770,914
Granted
Jan 11, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

A flare apparatus constructed of a flare case with a primer functionally coupled to a propellant charge. Loaded within the flare case is a flare cup, having within, a starter composition, a flare composition, and a flash charge. The flare composition is functionally coupled to the flare starter composition, and the flash charge is functionally coupled to the flare composition. Upon primer activation the propellant charge is ignited. Flame and hot gasses from the propellant charge propel the flare cup out of the flare case and downrange while also igniting the flare starter composition within the flare cup. The flare starter composition ignites the flare composition, which produces a visual artifact and subsequently ignites the flash charge which produces a visual and audible artifact at or near the end of its flight.

Claims (13)

1. A flare apparatus comprising:

a flare case having a primer functionally coupled to a propellant charge;

a flare cup loaded within the flare case, and the flare cup having a flare composition and a flash charge loaded therein, the flare composition functionally coupled to the propellant charge, and the flash charge functionally coupled to the flare composition;

wherein the propellant charge is confined by a propellant charge plug;

wherein the propellant charge plug has a wall with a manifold; and

wherein the manifold is covered by a tab having less structural strength than the wall of the propellant charge plug.

2. A flare apparatus, comprising:

a flare case including a propellant charge confined by a propellant charge plug and functionally coupled to an ignition device;

a flare cup positioned inside the flare case, the flare cup comprising a confinement for a flare composition that is functionally coupled to the propellant charge;

a flash cup positioned in the flare cup, the flash cup comprising a confinement for a flash charge that is functionally coupled to the flare composition; and

wherein the flash cup comprises a confinement structure having a fuse aperture, and a fuse positioned in the fuse aperture and contacting the flash charge and the flare composition.

3. The flare apparatus in claim 2 wherein,

the confinement structure comprises at least two portions which are manipulated to provide access to a compartment for receipt of the flash charge.

Assignments (6)
PATENT, TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 3, 2023
From: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.; CTS-CSI HOLDINGS, INC.
To: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 065448/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2023
From: FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
To: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 065432/0324 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2020
From: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.
To: FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051696/0132 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2020
From: FIRST EAGLE PRIVATE CREDIT, LLC (FKA NEWSTAR BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC)
To: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051687/0760 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO ADD PATENT NO. 7444941 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 036101 FRAME: 0021. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Aug 13, 2015
From: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.
To: NEWSTAR BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 036501/0251 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2015
From: COMBINED SYSTEMS, INC.
To: NEWSTAR BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 036101/0021 →