Patents Assigned to ENVIRON-METAL, INC.
  • Patent number: 10900759
    Abstract: Die assemblies for forming a firearm projectile and methods of utilizing the die assemblies are disclosed herein. The die assemblies include a forming die, a first punch, and a second punch. The forming die defines a first side, a second side that is opposed to the first side, and a die cavity that extends between the first side and the second side. The first punch is configured to seal against the forming die from the first side. The second punch is configured to be received within the die cavity from the second side. When the first punch seals against the forming die and the second punch is received within the die cavity, the first punch, the second punch, and the forming die collectively define a forming surface shaped to define an external contour of the firearm projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: 10690465
    Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming the same. The firearm projectiles are formed from compacted metal powders that may include an anti-sparking agent. The compacted metal powders may be or include a compacted mixture of metal powders that may include powders of one or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, copper, tungsten, nickel, boron, and/or alloys thereof, and/or oxides thereof. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. The frangible firearm projectile may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does not include forming a liquid phase of any of the metal powders or utilizing a polymeric binder. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin Morse, Ralph Nauman, Robert Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: 10260850
    Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming the same. The firearm projectiles are formed from a compacted mixture of metal powders that includes zinc and iron powders and which may include an anti-sparking agent. The compacted mixture is heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. The frangible firearm projectile may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does not include forming a liquid phase of any of the metal powders or utilizing a polymeric binder. A majority component of the frangible firearm projectile may be iron. One or more of zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form a minority component of the frangible firearm projectile. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin Morse, Ralph Nauman, Robert Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: 10209044
    Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the fireman's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Clifford Sorensen, Ralph Nauman
  • Patent number: 9897424
    Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Clifford Sorensen, Ralph Nauman
  • Patent number: 9677860
    Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ENVIRON-METAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Clifford Sorensen, Ralph Nauman
  • Patent number: 9046328
    Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Environ-Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Nauman, Michael Clifford Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20130145951
    Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ENVIRON-METAL, INC.
    Inventor: ENVIRON-METAL, INC.