Practice Or Cleaning Patents (Class 102/529)
  • Patent number: 5679920
    Abstract: A non-toxic highly frangible training round bullet, and a method of making same, in which a plurality of segments of non-toxic metal selected from a group including zinc, iron, steel and copper are grouped or arranged within pressure-molding equipment and sufficient pressure is applied thereto to cause such segments to inter-engage and cohere, one to another, while being formed into a desired shape of bullet and retaining their individuality at least to a limited extent. Upon impact with a target, such a bullet fragments to a large extent along at least some of the original physical boundary lines of the original segments into new segments which are relatively small as compared to the size of the original segments. There is no substantial ricocheting or "bounce-back" activity associated with such fragmentation and, of course, there are no toxic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Federal Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hallis, Richard W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5677509
    Abstract: A mortar bedding or training round has a canister filled with a heavy, dispersible filling and a sidewall that will rupture after firing of the round. The canister sleeve may be dimensioned to provide an expansion gap within the barrel, allowing the canister sidewall to partially expand upon firing, weakening it for subsequent rupture upon leaving the mortar barrel. Such a round can bed a mortar without launching a projectile to a high altitude where it might be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: SNC Inudstrial Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Potvin, Rolland Belzil
  • Patent number: 5665808
    Abstract: A low toxicity, high density composite bullet material is disclosed and its use in a practice ammunition projectile. The material includes a compacted mixture of fine lead particles each encapsulated by a non toxic thermoplastic resin. The mixture which is compacted and formed by compression molding or injection molding, has a specific density of at least 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventors: Stephen J. Bilsbury, Bruce E. Burdick
  • Patent number: 5654524
    Abstract: A projectile has a hollow casing (1, 2) with a perforated nose portion (11), a piston (3) disposed within the casing, and a marking substance (4) disposed forwardly of the piston. The piston (3) is movable forwardly under force applied to it by gas used to discharge the projectile. The marking substance (4) is thereby compressed and expelled through the nose portion for contact with a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Constantia (International) Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Ernest Saxby
  • Patent number: 5649466
    Abstract: Rapidly deployable restraining systems and methods for rendering personnel, nimals and other objects immobile includes an assembly of confinement devices housed in a dispersion package. Each confinement device has a propellent, a primer and an inflatable bag that is rapidly inflated by the propellent when fired by the primer. A detonator, located in the package, is discharged to open the package, disperse the confinement devices and cause the primers to be energized, thereby inflating the bags. The package is pre-emplaced in a target area or it is projected into the area via a fired projectile of which it is a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James A. Genovese
  • Patent number: 5616642
    Abstract: The invention relates to lead-free frangible ammunition wherein the bullets are made of from 85% to 93% by weight of powders of copper, tungsten, ceramic, bismuth, stainless steel or bronze, or blends/alloys of the identified materials, the powder present in a polyester matrix with a small amount of ionomer. The bullets are injection molded under pressure to produce a projectile of appropriate size and weight and comparable to similarly sized live ammunition. The consistency of the bullet is such that it is frangible and will break upon impact with any hard surface, such as sheet steel. Polyester is a preferred polymeric matrix material in that it is a far more dense polymer than previously used nylons. The specific gravity of polyesters is .about.1.30, as compared with .about.1.02 for nylons. This enables the fabrication of a bullet with a greatly increased weight, for while the copper/polymer ratio remains at approximately the 90/10 range, the increased density allows for more actual copper by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventors: Harley L. West, John F. Mullins
  • Patent number: 5585595
    Abstract: Shots and hits are simulated with pyrotechnic indicator means e.g. in military maneuvers. For this purpose, devices are used which are designed for accommodating a plurality of pyrotechnic indicator means (15) . Each indicator means (15) can individually be ignited electrically. To this end, an ignition device is provided which has ignition connectors (16) leading to the ignition contacts of each indicator means (15). In known devices of this type making a contact between the indicator means (15) and the ignition connectors (16) requires relative high expenditure of time. Furthermore, faulty connections cannot be excluded. As a result, reloading the device becomes time-consuming and unreliable.The device according to the invention provides that either each ignition connector (16) or each indicator means (15) is provided with at least one annular circumferential contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Comet GmbH Pyrotechnik-Apparatebau
    Inventor: Ernst Dix
  • Patent number: 5565649
    Abstract: The projectile, in particular a bullet, comprises a body (1) comprising a receiving cavity (6) containing a product (8) which is active on the organism of a live target, and means for releasing this product upon the impact of the projectile on the target. The body (1) of the projectile includes a propelling motor (5) and, along the length of the body, a portion (30) of smaller diameter followed by a shoulder (32) constituting a braking plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the projectile. Application in bullets for disabling an opponent with no risk of fatal injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Ruggieri
    Inventors: Raymond Tougeron, Daniel Casenave
  • Patent number: 5505137
    Abstract: A practice projectile includes a body formed from assembling a number of sectors. The sectors are made of plastic and designed to be received in a receptacle of a base. The body is held together during handling by a holder. The holder is designed to release the sectors once they exit the barrel of a weapon when the projectile is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Manurhin Defense
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Godefroy, Philippe Maillard
  • Patent number: 5501155
    Abstract: A fin stabilized kinetic energy tank training device comprising a project having a nose and having nose and end sections, and constructed of a low density material such as aluminum, and having a hollowed-out section to further reduce weight thereof, so as to minimizing penetration of an armor system on impact thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Michael S. L. Hollis, Fred J. Brandon, Edward W. Kennedy, Edward M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5488909
    Abstract: A short range projectile includes a metal jacket, which surrounds a plastic material core and has an external diameter up to about 0.4% larger than the diameter of a normal projectile of the caliber involved and an axial length of about 2 to 3.5 times the diameter of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hirtenberger Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Moser
  • Patent number: 5477786
    Abstract: A subcaliber arrow projectile includes a projectile body which has a rearwardly widening, conical projectile tip having a forward point and a rearward base, whose caliber corresponds to the projectile caliber. The projectile body further has a rearwardly widening, resistance-stabilizing conical rear part immediately adjoining the base of the projectile tip. The rear part has an enlarged caliber which is greater than the projectile caliber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Leeker, Klaus Unterstein, Wilhelm Becker
  • Patent number: 5476045
    Abstract: A statically stable limited range projectile utilizes a fin assembly combd with a cylindrical body and low drag ogival front end to ballistically match the limited predetermined range flight characteristics of a standard round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Sung K. Chung, Roy W. Kline
  • Patent number: 5450795
    Abstract: A projectile for small firearms has an inner sealed container containing an impact charge of a mixture of pellets and a liquid or a mixture of pellets and a gel. This impact charge may be a mixture of dense metallic powder and a liquid or a mixture of dense metallic powder and a gel. The inner sealed container is rupturable upon impact with a target. An outer load distributing cover receives the inner sealed container and is shaped to provide a target impact surface greater than the target impact surface of the inner sealed container for reducing the force per unit area upon impact with a target. The outer load distributing cover is not penetrable by the impact charge upon impact with the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Adelman Associates
    Inventor: Barnet R. Adelman
  • Patent number: 5415104
    Abstract: A practice ammunition includes a propellant case having a case body; a circumferential mouth part; and a circumferential shoulder connecting the case body with the mouth part. The shoulder tapers from the case body toward the mouth part. The practice ammunition further includes a bursting body having a rear part fitted into the mouth part. The rear part is provided with a circumferential groove including a relatively deep frontal groove zone and an adjoining, relatively shallow rear groove zone, whereby the groove is stepped as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ammunition. There is further provided a holding ring so dimensioned that it is compressible such as to be fully receivable within the deep groove zone. The holding ring surrounds the rear part of the bursting body and is clamped between the rear groove zone and the inner surface of the shoulder, whereby the holding ring assumes a wedged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Reinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Bispling, Wilheim Scheland
  • Patent number: 5402729
    Abstract: Ammunition comprising a cylindrical case (1) with one of the closed ends having coaxially a concentric chamber (1a) capable of receiving a propulsive means for a projectile lodged in the case. The propulsive means consists of a blank cartridge (2) lodged in a diffusing means (3), the cartridge and diffusing means assembly being inserted into the coaxial chamber of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Pierre Richert
  • Patent number: 5394635
    Abstract: A firearm safety cartridge lodges a projectile in the breech end of the barrel of the firearm to prevent live ammunition from being inserted into the firing chamber of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Edward J. Krolak
    Inventor: John C. Stuart
  • Patent number: 5388524
    Abstract: A practice projectile free of any explosive or bursting charge, adapted for shooting from aircraft against ground targets or for other kinds of practice shooting and comprising a hollow shell, a projectile base and a nose portion which engages the shell along a circumferential partition therebetween, wherein the base is a separate part relatively to the shell, whereby a circumferential partition between the base and the shell is formed. The base is fastened to or made integral with a rod or a tube which extends centrally and axially through the shell and is fastened to or made integrally with the nose portion, whereby the rod or tube keeps the projectile together as a unit, and the rod or tube, or a fastening member thereof situated on the nose portion, has a weakened portion which axially is situated approximately at the level of the partition between the shell and the nose portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventors: Kare R. Strandli, Inge M. Angard
  • Patent number: 5375529
    Abstract: A projectile for firing from a self-loading firearm is provided that will rmit the self-loading mechanism to function while delivering a targeting projectile of reduced range and striking capacity. These latter characteristics may be varied in accordance with a designer's preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: SNC Industrial Technologies Inc./Les Technologies Industrielles SNC Inc.
    Inventors: C. Reed Knight, Jr., Michael G. Adkins
  • Patent number: 5363769
    Abstract: A practice tear gas round comprises a projectile having the same caliber as the standard tear gas gun, and a main adapter which is separately loadable into the launcher and has an outside diameter of the same caliber as the launcher while providing a chamber of reduced diameter for use of the launcher with devices of smaller caliber than the launcher. Preferably, an auxiliary adapter is receivable within the chamber of the main adapter in order to further reduce the caliber of propelling charge which is to be used for the practice round, while allowing removal of the auxiliary adaptor in order to receive in the main adaptor a standard 12 gauge shot shell, for example, for use of the launcher as a single shot 12 gauge shot gun. Additionally, the standard gas gun can be converted to a single shot rifle or shot gun for firing various other smaller calibers of cartridges and/or shot shells according to the auxiliary adaptor selected and inserted into the main adaptor for reception of a cartridge or shot shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventors: Jerry K. Bellak, Joel B. Freidhoff
  • Patent number: 5361700
    Abstract: A novel cartridge for conventional shot gun and other weapons, suitable for training and other applications, and containing a thin-walled ball encapsulating a substance to be ejected upon the ball hitting the target, provided with a folded fan enclosure for the ball and its holder within the cartridge which, upon expulsion of the ball-holder-fan unit upon firing, causes the ball to separate and continue to the target, while the folded fan segments spring open in free flight into an air-resistant disc and then pinwheel with the holder harmlessly to the ground within a short distance of the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Academy of Applied Science
    Inventor: Alfred V. Carbone
  • Patent number: 5353712
    Abstract: A target shooting capsule comprising a non-toxic, bio-degradable, injection molded shell of various shapes and forms having a dry wall thickness of from about 0.001 inches to about 0.1 inches, having a diameter from about 0.125 inches to about 1 inch, and containing a brightly colored water washable, non-toxic liquid dye fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Christy L. Olson
  • Patent number: 5341744
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the bore of a firearm including a shell housing having a rearwardly oriented base portion, a substantially tubular body defining a cavity, and a forward end, a tank for confining a compressed fluid, the tank being disposed within the cavity of the housing, a cleaning wad for cleaning the bore of the firearm, disposed forward of the tank, and a rupturing member disposed between the tank and the cleaning wad, whereby the compressed fluid is released from the tank and propels the cleaning wad through the bore of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Xiao Shi
  • Patent number: 5295439
    Abstract: A novel multi-slug bullet or round is provided that, through the use of flat-faced abutting end walls of successive cylindrical slugs, tightly packed above the powder charge in the cartridge casing, and appropriate fast-burning powder charge tailored to the weight of the multiple slugs, achieves multiple-hit stopping power within self-defense ranges and the like with greatly reduced penetration and thus minimal chance of lethality or collateral damage. With a single firing, multiple hits over a controlled area are achieved, materially lessening the requirement for precise aiming, reducing the amount of ammunition and the number of firings required in use, and reducing recoil, while eliminating ricochet effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Academy of Applied Science
    Inventor: Alfred Carbone
  • Patent number: 5291832
    Abstract: A dummy round for use in firearms training. The dummy round can be loaded in a conventional semi-automatic or fully automatic weapon. The dummy round is configured in the same manner as a standard round of live ammunition. This allows the dummy round to be loaded in a clip, chambered and ejected in a normal manner. The casing portion and the bullet portion of the dummy round are constructed of a single integral unit in order to eliminate the risk of separation of the dummy bullet from the casing during ejection of casing from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Magalene M. Plummer
  • Patent number: 5275108
    Abstract: Aerodynamic cartridge and bullet combination in which the bullet is provided with a substantially smooth, edge-free contour, and a heel having rebated boat tail. An upright wall in the cartridge is attached to the boat tail by crimping. The cartridge houses a radially expandable wad which is arranged between the bullet and a propellant. The wad permits use of harder bullets than conventionally employed in ammunition by ensuring an effective gas seal between the propellant and bullet, and heel swage out or minimal heel deformation depending on wad configuration during burning of the propellant. Etches are provided in the bullet for receiving a long-chain polymeric lubricant coating which reduces leading in the rifle barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Endowment Fund of the International Shooter Development Fund, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Chernicky, Gene L. Harwood
  • Patent number: 5259319
    Abstract: A reusable "training" or "practice" round has a reusable hollow casing and a reusable hollow projectile that "snap together" and are releasably retained in assembled relationship by utilizing a resilient connecting member such as a groove-carried O-ring that is interposed between juxtaposed surfaces of concentrically interfitting portions of the casing and the projectile. The assembled practice round is inserted into the chamber end region of the barrel of a firearm and, when the round is fired, the casing is retained in the chamber as the projectile is caused to move along the barrel of the firearm and to discharge along a trajectory that closely simulates the path of flight of a "live" round. Propellant is provided by a reloadable or disposable blank-type cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventors: Richard Dravecky, Joseph Dravecky, Frank G. Dravecky, Jr., John G. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5257936
    Abstract: Completely inert training grenade intended to be fired by a rifle and a propellant cartridge, comprising a metal tube (1) equipped with a rear stabilizing tail unit (2) and with a front solid part (3) which closes off the tube. This front part (3) carries a hollow nose (4) containing a marking substance (5), this nose (4) being fastened removably by engagement to the front solid part (3) of the tube. The nose (4) is sufficiently resistant to withstand the shot, but is destructible on impact. The solid front part (3) of the tube is produced in one piece with the tube, the diameter of this part being substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of the rest of the tube. The nose (4) engaged on this solid front part has an inner annular shoulder (11) bearing on the front surface (3a) of the solid part (3) of the tube, and the front end of the nose (4) is flat. The nose (4) is shaped so that its wall can break in the event of its impact on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense S.A.
    Inventors: Francois Ambrosi, Pierre Laurent, Thierry Dupre
  • Patent number: 5237930
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a frangible practice ammunition comprising a compacted mixture of fine copper powder and of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of nylon 11 and nylon 12. The mixture which is compacted by injection molding, has at least 90% by weight of copper and a specific gravity of 5.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: SNC Industrial Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Germain Belanger, Marc Potvin
  • Patent number: 5233128
    Abstract: A barrel-cleaning bullet contains a charge of cleaning fluid and an array of cleaning elements that extend about the exterior surface of the bullet. Upon firing of the bullet, a piston, slidably positioned in the cavity filled by the fluid, forces the fluid through at least one discharge port formed in the head of the bullet. The fluid is, thus, distributed along the walls of the gun barrel to treat accumulated deposits. As the projectile accelerates down the barrel, the cleaning elements contact the deposits to clean the barrel bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: David Lai
  • Patent number: 5221809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-lethal projectile of small mass for military or police use adapted to be fired from a standard launcher which projectile either increases in size during flight or at impact to spread the force over a large area to provide a knock-down-effect without body penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Jaime H. Cuadros
  • Patent number: 5214237
    Abstract: A bullet is provided which is substantially 100% pure fluorocarbon resin. In the preferred embodiment a fluorocarbon resin in the form of polytetrafluoroethylene, preferably Teflon from E.I. Dupont De Nemours Co., Inc. of New Jersey, also known as Dupont, is provided with multiple annular grooves near the rear end and a hollow point front end. The bullet in the preferred embodiment is characterized by having a high muzzle velocity, a very short effective range, and pulverizes on impact so as to deliver considerable hydrostatic shocking effect by delivery of all of its energy within the first two to three inches of target depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignees: Bruce D. McArthur, Carolyn M. McArthur
    Inventor: Bruce D. McArthur
  • Patent number: 5136951
    Abstract: A nosecone/fairing for reducing the aerodynamic drag of an underwing mounted chaff and flare dispenser has the shape of a flattened paraboloid and covers only the generally square front of the chaff and flare dispenser. The nosecone/fairing is made of fiberglass and attaches to the chaff and flare dispenser by mounting holes in the nosecone/fairing located to align with preexisting holes in the unmodified chaff and flare dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Stephen P. Herrlinger
  • Patent number: 5129325
    Abstract: There is proposed an ejector device (6) for grenade projector or mortar projectiles (1), which permits simulation of mortar firing even in halls or very limited areas. It is known that blank cartridges (17) for rifles, pistols or bolt firing devices have only a slight degree of scatter in terms of gas pressure. Therefore the ejection speed of a piston (13) which is inserted into the ejector device (6) and which is driven by the powder propellent gases of the blank cartridge (17) is always the same. In that way it is always possible to achieve the same firing ranges of only a few meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Matzagg
  • Patent number: 5125344
    Abstract: A limited range training projectile utilizes a two strake and flare combination or two slots with flare combination design to ballistically match a service round to a predetermined range. The design permits statically stable flight at a selected limited range and includes instability at a predetermined range to greatly limit the total range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: Roy W. Kline, Sung-Kwong Chung
  • Patent number: 5086703
    Abstract: Ammunition for a riot gun with a projectile of universal application. The projectile has a fluted end, with an internal cavity, which permits varied sleeves with a fluted throughbore to be used with varied nose inserts to define the type of ammunition desired, for example, a non-shattering flat nose shatterable ceramic cover tear gas nose, or the like. The projectile, sleeve and nose are insertable into a shell casing with a projectile propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: John M. Klein
  • Patent number: 5035183
    Abstract: A nonlethal frangible projectile for delivering fluids and the like to a target is composed of a soft cap portion, and a stronger base portion which plugs the rearward end of the cap. Scoring and a thinned nose region facilitates rupture upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: David Luxton
  • Patent number: 5027710
    Abstract: A practice projectile without an explosive for firing against a practice target with large-calibered weapons, wherein the projectile incorporates a projectile body which is in the configuration of a cylinder and which possesses a conical nose cone. The projectile includes a nose cone which is constructed in the shape of a truncated cone having a flat leading end surface with a diameter of about 0.08 to 0.1 that of the projectile caliber, wherein the nose cone forms a sharp contact edge with the cylinder of the projectile; a ratio in the length of the nose cone to that of the cylinder of approximately 1:1.+-.5%; a location of the center of gravity of 3 to 3.5 times the projectile caliber, measured commencing from the leading end surface; and a ratio of 4.0 to 7.0 for the moments of inertia between the transverse and longitudinal moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jurgen Wittmann, Wolfgang Mosig, Erich Bock
  • Patent number: 5009164
    Abstract: A projectile is described, which changes its shape upon impact on a target and thereby reduces the danger of penetration into a living target. The projectile is useful for the identification of individuals in crowds, by filling it with staining material which stains the target upon impact, and may further contain other liquid or gaseous materials, such as tear gas. The projectile of the invention is further useful for different uses, such as for gunfight simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: MNY Holdings and Agencies Limited
    Inventor: Oded Grinberg
  • Patent number: 5001986
    Abstract: Within the tactical operating distance, the projectile body in a short-range projectile ought to exhibit as far as possible the same performance characteristics as the corresponding normal or full-range projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle AG
    Inventor: Daniel Meister
  • Patent number: 4978088
    Abstract: A guidance mechanism for a subcaliber-sized fin-stabilized practice projectile including wings or vanes which are radially fixedly arranged on the shank of the projectile. The wings or vanes possess auxiliary vanes which extend transversely of their main axes, and wherein a hole which is produced in a target board by the fin-stabilized practice projectile corresponds, in general, with the diameter of a circle about which the auxiliary vanes are located on the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Himmert, Heinrich Brand, Josef Dommer, Erich Bock
  • Patent number: 4958572
    Abstract: A practice projectile for use with military aircraft and the like for training pilots in attacking ground targets comprises a unitary body formed of sintered sponge iron powder and having a sintered density equivalent to the apparent density of a projectile to be simulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
    Inventor: Yvan Martel
  • Patent number: 4958567
    Abstract: An improved training cartridge has a plastic case skeletonized at its leading portion and defining a powder chamber at its trailing portion closed by an integral forward wall. The location of the wall is preselected to tailor the internal volume of the powder chamber to substantially equal that of the quantity of propellant charge employed by the cartridge so as to retain the charge in a fixed position in the chamber adjacent the primer. The configuration can either include a plastic bullet for training with projectiles having limited (reduced) range, or be made without a bullet, for those training exercises requiring blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Richard H. Olson
  • Patent number: 4939996
    Abstract: A ceramic munitions projectile, particularly useful for practice or target munitions is provided. The projectile has a tensile strength greater than about 250 MPa, a critical stress intensity factor greater than about 6 MPam.sup.1/2, and a Weibull modulus greater than about 10. Preferably the projectile is frangible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Coors Porcelain Company
    Inventors: Brian I. Dinkha, Paul B. Jasa, Brian Seegmiller, Alden C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 4911080
    Abstract: A practice projectile has a cylindrical casing having front and rear portions; a bottom section attached to the rear portion of the cylindrical casing; a frontal nose section including at least two subcomponents which have front and rear portions. The subcomponents can assume a closed position in which the projectile has an external configuration identical to that of a live projectile having the same caliber and an open position in which the subcomponents are in a spread-apart state at a given opening angle. The rear portion of the subcomponents is pivotally connected to the front portion of the cylindrical casing. There is further provided a device for holding the subcomponents together in the closed position prior to firing the projectile. The holding device is arranged to be overcome by centrifugal forces derived from a projectile spin subsequent to firing, to thereafter allow the subcomponents to assume the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Leeker, Rudolf Rombach
  • Patent number: 4905602
    Abstract: High velocity projectiles are able to continue in flight for considerable distances beyond the normal target range. The present invention is a projectile for use in practice firing which becomes unstable after the normal target range has been exceeded and comprises a training round (1) having a body portion (3) engageable with a sabot (4) for projection from a rifled gun barrel, and a tapered nose portion (2) protrusive beyond the sabot, which is provided with a nose tip portion (6) having spin fins (9) extending in planes radial to the longitudinal axis. The fins increase the rate of spin decay and cause instability of the round and the fin geometry is chosen such that the instability occurs when the target range has been exceeded. The finned nose tip portion is separable from the round so as to permit selective attachment of a nose tip portion having fins specifically dimensioned for terminating the trajectory at a chosen safety range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Royal Ordnance
    Inventor: Roy W. Buckland
  • Patent number: H768
    Abstract: A ball or projectile for small caliber ammunition is disclosed. The projele is useful in training ammunition for the training of personnel on firing ranges having a limited area and a maximum range which is below the range of the standard service round for the weapon on which the training is conducted. The projectile has a body including an ogival forward section, a cylindrical center section, and a conical trailing section. A plurality of fins is mounted longitudinally on the conical trailing section for generating spin dampening torque to cause gyroscopic instability and thereby create high aerodynamic drag upon said projectile when fired from a weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Roy W. Kline, Sung-Kwong Chung
  • Patent number: H770
    Abstract: A tracer training bullet which can be assembled into a conventional cartre case and fired in a conventional M2 machine gun is disclosed. The bullet consists of a main body of relatively low strength material which is segmented so that, if not restrained, it will bend under the centrifugal rotational force imparted to the segments by the spinning action of the projectile when fired. The bending of the projectile segments away from their central axis is ordinarily prevented by a retainer in the form of a spider. The spider is made of a relatively low temperature melting material, preferably aluminum, having a given thermal mass. The burn of the tracer material during the flight of the bullet toward a target weakens the retainer to the point of rupture after the bullet has travelled a given distance toward a target position. After the target position is passed, the securement member is destroyed by the high temperature burning action and the segments of the projectile bend or flex apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Roy W. Kline, Sung-Kwong Chung
  • Patent number: H776
    Abstract: A flail is provided which reduces the spin of a projectile in a recovery system which includes a parachute, a cable connected to the parachute, a swivel, and means for connecting the swivel to the projectile. The flail includes a plurality of flexible filaments and a rotor for attaching the filaments to the front end of the projectile. The rotor is located radially with respect to the spinning axis of the projectile. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a first nose cone section housing a deployable spin damping assembly; a second nose cone section, housing a deployable parachute assembly; a shell section, supporting the first and second nose cone sections during flight of the projectile; a mechanism for releasing the first nose cone section from the second cone section; and a mechanism for releasing the second nose cone section from the shell section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James K. Cole
  • Patent number: H1150
    Abstract: An improved parachute recovery system for a gun fired projectile is discld. The projectile has a nose, a payload and a base section. The base section has a hollow cylindrical parachute cannister which is separated from the base section by rearward motion of an internal piston which is actuated by expulsion gas pressure initiated by a time fuze. The parachute cannister is thereby exposed and jettisoned to cause inflation of a parachute attached to the base section so that the parachute floats down in a nose-deployed projectile position for a soft landing and recovery. Also disclosed are alternative embodiments of a projectile base-deployed parachute recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul L. Fritch