Patent models are not very well known, maybe because they’re not supposed to be. They are technical models and their purpose is to illustrate the mechanisms and systems intended to be protected by a patent. The model presented here is of an air weapon patented in 1940. It is called “Torpille aérienne à grand rayon d’action et dispositif du lancement “(Long range aerial torpedo and launching device). It is an air-to-air defensive weapon designed to protect an airplane chased by another one, by releasing explosives (torpedoes) in its trail and aimed at its assailant. The document (in French) that details the mechanism and operation comes with a model made of several parts put together and mobile in a way to understand its operation, something that is not at all required when reading the patent…
The torpedo itself is a fine brass piece that is in strict accordance with the plans and drawings shown in the official document. It is fitted with fins that spread thanks to spring pistons. The various subsets are mobile and come together so as to show the different implementation phases described in the patent.
Additionally, two other pieces that are of a different scale from a quick look, come with the patent. They could not be identified but this should be possible to do so by reading the document thoroughly.
In any case, this patent/model set is rare and very interesting, especially as it dates back to a time when in France one might have expected patents of this kind to be somewhat restricted or intended only to a few companies under strict control. In all likelihood, this was not the case as the patent application was filed on 13 April 1940, by its inventor, and the patent was issued on 19 May 1941…
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