Detonator assembly

Abstract

A detonator assembly for mating a gas cartridge to an expandable chamber, such as a life vest, the cartridge having a sealing diaphragm across one end thereof and the chamber having a wall, comprising a body having a threaded collar on one side thereof which is adapted to extend through a hole in the chamber wall, the body having first and second intersecting passageways therein, the first passageway extending through the collar, one end of the second passageway being threaded to receive the one end of the cartridge; a nut positionable in the chamber for engaging the collar and connecting the body to the chamber wall with the first passageway providing a flow path into the chamber; a firing pin positioned for axial movement in the second passageway and having a diaphragm puncturing element at one end thereof positioned in facing relationship with the one end of the cartridge; a spring positioned within the body and surrounding the firing pin for biasing the firing pin with the diaphragm puncturing element spaced from the cartridge sealing diaphragm; a manually operable lever for moving the firing pin axially to puncture the cartridge diaphragm; and a one-way valve positioned within the first passageway for permitting gas flow from the cartridge to the chamber via the first and second passageways and preventing escape of the gas from the chamber.