Muzzle Loading Patents (Class 89/1.3)
  • Patent number: 11846485
    Abstract: A bolt action rifle having a receiver; a bolt in slidable communication within said receiver, having an elongated body and a bolt head at a first end, and an exposed bolt face with a primer recess cavity having a base with a forward-facing surface, the base having an aperture therein, where the aperture is circumscribed by the forward-facing surface for receiving a propellant charge having an extended primer cap, and a firing pin within the bolt and movable between a disengaged position wherein a firing pin head is receded within the aperture and an engaged position wherein the firing pin head extends beyond the forward-facing surface into the primer recess cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ardesa, S.A.
    Inventors: Angel Calvete, Thomas F. Hall, John Myles, Ryan Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11754366
    Abstract: A muzzle loader AR upper receiver can include a muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver configured to be coupled with an AR pattern lower receiver. The muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver includes a body with a barrel opening. A muzzle loader barrel is coupled to the barrel opening of the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver. A muzzle loader AR rifle can include the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver and the AR pattern lower receiver coupled to the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver. A method of forming a muzzle loader rifle can include: providing a muzzle loader AR upper receiver; and coupling the muzzle loader AR upper receiver to an AR pattern lower receiver. A muzzle loader kit can include the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver and any other component, such as a ramrod, barrel, or AR pattern lower receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: UINTAH PRECISION LLC
    Inventor: Richard Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11313645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination mortar weapon (1) with a base (4) and mortar barrel (12). A frame (7) with a receiving area (8) for receiving an additional base (10) is attached to the base (4). The base (4) belongs to a standard mortar (2) and the additional base (10) belongs to a commando mortar (3). The mortar barrel (12) is secured to the additional base (10) of the commando mortar (3). The mortar barrel (12) is used by the standard mortar (2) and by the commando mortar (3). The connection between the base (4) of the standard mortar (2) and the base (10) of the commando motor (3) is produced at least by a rapid-action closure (11). The frame (7) comprises an arm (13), to which a monopod (14) is attached as the support device and for the purpose of elevating the mortar barrel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Guth
  • Patent number: 10386144
    Abstract: An external firing mechanism for a muzzle loaded mortar system incorporates a drop fire mode, a lever fire mode and a safe mode. The firing mechanism is easy to assemble or replace and does not require an adjustment procedure when mounting to the mortar system. The firing mechanism utilizes bearing balls as a tripping device which transfers potential energy in a compressed spring to kinetic energy of a firing pin oriented orthogonal to that spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert J. Facteau, George E. Hathaway, IV
  • Patent number: 8991089
    Abstract: A ramrod for a muzzleloader is provided. The ramrod includes a shaft having a knob releasably coupled to one end thereof, the knob having a rounded end and a tapered end that oppose one another. The knob may have a central bore therein, and the shaft may be inserted into the central bore. The tapered end of the knob is configured with respect to the shaft to allow any object that contacts the shaft and slides along the shaft to also slide along and eventually off of the tapered end of the knob without snagging or catching the knob. The rounded end of the knob is positioned at a distal end of the shaft and is configured with respect to the shaft to allow a user of the ramrod to place his/her palm against the rounded end while operating the ramrod to load a muzzleloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: James Perry Hunsaker
  • Patent number: 8931194
    Abstract: An improved muzzle-loading firearm with a removable, threadless breech plug retained by a breech plug retaining collar, and a barrel retaining nut for simplifying manufacture, cleaning, preventing fouling and over-pressure situations, and minimizing alignment issues during, assembly of the firearm. The removable, threadless breech plug also allows for straightforward interchangeability of breech plugs for use with various primers and propellants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: LHR Sporting Arms, LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Laney, Karl K. Ricker
  • Patent number: 8707602
    Abstract: An electrically-ignited muzzle loader is provided having a stock portion, a trigger assembly, and a barrel portion. The trigger assembly is electrically coupled to a spark plug which extends partially into the barrel portion of the gun. Within the stock is a hand cranked magneto for generating an electric charge. The magneto is electrically coupled to capacitor and coil portions to configure the electrical charge so as to cause the spark plug to generate an igniting spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Sean Robertson
  • Patent number: 8707846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weapon (1), constructed relatively simply and compactly, for shooting ammunition (2), with a barrel (3) with recoil and a braking device (12) damping the barrel recoil. According to the invention, a plastically deformable absorption body (12) is used as the braking device (12) for reducing the recoil energy. Thus, a weapon assembly for firing ammunition is provided, wherein the weapon assembly includes: (a) a weapon including a weapon barrel provided with a recoil spring that holds the weapon barrel in an initial position; and (b) a braking device that damps barrel recoil of the weapon barrel when firing ammunition, wherein the braking device is a plastically deformable absorption body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Anke Hasenkox
  • Patent number: 8468731
    Abstract: A firearm having a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, with the barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel and has a breech face. The barrel moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel and/or the breech plug's rear face. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug includes a central passage that communicates between the primer and the flash hole. The passage forms a primer pocket at the breech end of the breech plug. The primer pocket has a diameter greater than the central passage. A circumferential groove in the primer pocket receives an O-ring. The O-ring encompasses the primer's cylindrical exterior to create a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Western Powders, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Phair
  • Patent number: 8438767
    Abstract: An improved projectile having a penetrator and a body is disclosed. The penetrator is secured to the body. Upon impacting a target, the penetrator travels into the body and deforms the body. The body optionally has one or more portions, such as slots in the body, to promote deformation of the body upon the penetrator impacting the target. The body optionally has a bore extending at least partially therethrough that permits attachment of the penetrator at a second end of the body opposite the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: P-Bar Co., LLC
    Inventor: Peter Rebar
  • Patent number: 8312657
    Abstract: Muzzle-loading rifle, which comprises a breech plug (1) and a barrel (2), both fixed in a connection area (3), characterized in that the breech plug (1) is provided with a continuous flange (11) that presses from inside against a seating surface (12) of the barrel (2) when the breech plug (1) is fitted in the interior of the barrel (2), so that said pressure increases when the powder (7) explodes on the second end (5) of the breech plug (1). As a result, the seal between the breech plug (1) and the barrel (2) is strengthened and the gunpowder is prevented from reaching the connection area (3), thereby making it easier to detach the breech plug (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dikar, S. Coop.
    Inventor: Iñigo Lizarralde Ibarguren
  • Publication number: 20120132059
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weapon (1), constructed relatively simply and compactly, for shooting ammunition (2), with a barrel (3) with recoil and a braking device (12) damping the barrel recoil. According to the invention, a plastically deformable absorption body (12) is used as the braking device (12) for reducing the recoil energy. Thus, a weapon assembly for firing ammunition is provided, wherein the weapon assembly includes: (a) a weapon including a weapon barrel provided with a recoil spring that holds the weapon barrel in an initial position; and (b) a braking device that damps barrel recoil of the weapon barrel when firing ammunition, wherein the braking device is a plastically deformable absorption body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Kohnen, Anke Hasenkox
  • Patent number: 8132348
    Abstract: An action breech assembly features a one-piece action housing movable between a horizontal at rest position and a vertical cocked position to move a cocking plunger rearwardly as a result of a lateral offset between a pivot pin on which the housing is mounted and a plunger stop pin to which the plunger is attached. Pressure relief devices are provided for the powder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas R Post
  • Publication number: 20120024135
    Abstract: A mortar includes at least one barrel mounted movably over a ball journal in a bottom supporting device, and an aiming device serving to aim the barrel vertically and horizontally. In order to be able to aim the barrel of the mortar automatically in a simple and cost advantageous manner, the aiming device preferably comprises a carriage that can be moved along guideways essentially horizontally towards or away from the barrel. At the carriage, the first end region of a pivoted arm is mounted so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis, and the second end region of the pivoted arm is connected with a spherical plain bearing, guiding the barrel. The spherical plain bearing embraces a housing part, which is open at its end faces and in which an inner part is mounted spherically (rotatably), which contains a cylindrical barrel guide, for movably accommodating the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert KOHNEN, Berthold BAUMANN, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Anke Hasenkox
  • Patent number: 8079167
    Abstract: A muzzleloading rifle includes an action and a barrel assembly attached to a forward end of the action. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and an intervening wall. The barrel has a breach end, a muzzle end and a primary chamber at the breach end for receiving a primary charge loaded through the muzzle end. The barrel extension is attached to the breach end of the barrel and includes a casing chamber positioned rearwardly from the primary chamber. The casing chamber is configured to receive a standard ammunition casing with an integral primer therein. The intervening wall separates the primary chamber from the casing chamber. The intervening wall includes a flash hole communicating between the casing chamber and the primary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: John L. Overstreet
  • Patent number: 8011128
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for loading a barrel of a muzzle loading firearm to provide powder and a projectile at a breach end of the barrel. The apparatus comprises: (i) a handle having a central longitudinal axis and adapted to be gripped by one hand, the handle having an opening between opposed ends along the axis; (ii) a moveable casing having a head and mounted in the opening adjacent one end of the handle and adapted to receive a ramrod of the muzzle loading rifle into the casing; (iii) a retaining means for retaining the casing within the opening, the retaining means mounted on the handle with at least a portion of the retaining means mounted inside the opening; and (iv) a coil spring mounted in the opening inside the handle between the portion of the retaining means mounted in the opening and the head of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Johnston
  • Patent number: 7849623
    Abstract: A muzzleloading firearm for engaging a firing pin to discharge a primer includes a trigger plate connected between a front stock and a rear stock, with a central cavity traversing the trigger plate to support a sear and a trigger in mechanical communication with the sear. A hammer assembly is pivotally mounted to the trigger plate to rotate between a cocked position and a resting position, and includes a base extending into the central cavity. The base includes an upper arcuate surface opposite a lower locking surface having a shoulder. A hammer head member is connected to the upper arcuate surface to engage a firing pin. A rolling breechblock is pivotally attached to the plate between a retracted loading position and a firing position, and has a curved upper surface to engage the arcuate surface of the hammer assembly when moving between the loading position and the firing position to force the distal end of the sear to engage shoulder of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: P.I. Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Woller, Douglas Thornburg, Aaron Simms
  • Patent number: 7814694
    Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and the barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug including a seal element closely received by the bore. The seal element may be a set of piston rings that are received in a circumferential groove about a forward end of the plug, or may be a cup at the forward end, with a forward rim that flares under pressure to provide a gas seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Thompson Center Arms Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Laney, Gene L. Garland
  • Patent number: 7774971
    Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm has an elongated barrel defining an elongated bore, with a muzzle end and a breech end. A breech cap is removably connected the breech end of the barrel to enclose a chamber at the rear of the bore. A portion of the breech cap may be external to the barrel, which may be externally threaded. The breech cap may be entirely clear of the breech bore, and the bore may have a consistent profile from end to end. The barrel threads may be standard, multistart or interrupted. The breech cap may overlay the face of the rear end of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Thompson Center Arms Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Laney, Gregory James Ritz
  • Patent number: 7526888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a two piece breech plug for converting a breech loading firearm to a muzzle loading firearm. The invention includes a forward breech plug having a powder chamber and a flash passage and a nesting rear breech plug having a primer pocket therein for accepting a primer and a flash passage that generally aligns with the flash passage of the forward breech plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Roger D. Joyce
  • Patent number: 7520203
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a dud is disclosed, which makes it possible to safely remove a dud from various kinds of guns used as long-range firepower when a shell is caught in the inner diameter of a gun barrel and thus is not discharged. The apparatus includes a forward driving means providing a propulsive force for forwarding the apparatus along an inner surface of a gun barrel, a press driving part directly connected to the forward driving means and having a built-in motor to provide a rotating force, a sticking means connected to the press driving part and extended to an outside to be tightly stuck on the inner surface of the gun barrel by a main shaft being rotated by the motor, and a pushing part having one end part connected to the sticking means and the other end part coupled to a cap that is in contact with the dud, and pushing the cap through a forward movement of the main shaft after the sticking on the inner surface of the gun barrel is performed by the sticking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Patent number: 7257917
    Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm has a barrel with a bore defining a bore axis. The barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end, with a breech plug removably attached to the barrel and having a rear surface. An extractor is connected to the barrel and has a portion positioned rearward of the plug, and movable away from a position rearward of the plug, so that the plug may be removed without removing the extractor. The extractor may pivot, and may have a cylindrical portion received in a bore parallel to the barrel bore. The rear face of the extractor may be flush with the rear face of the breech plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Thompson Center Arms Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gene L. Garland
  • Patent number: 7197843
    Abstract: Electronic ignition systems which are designed for use with personal firearms utilizing black powder (or black powder substitutes) such as shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Generally, the firearms will be of the type classified as muzzleloaders. The electronic ignition systems generate an electric arc in the barrel of the firearm which ignites the propellant charge in the firearm discharging it when a firing switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: OPG Gun Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Terrance D. Oertwig
  • Patent number: 7165351
    Abstract: A device for loading powder and a projectile into the muzzle of a muzzle loading firearm. The device consists of a hollow cylindrical tubular body with a rod (“ball starter”) attached for loading a firearm. The tubular body has an elongated bore or cavity that is preloaded with a measured quantity of powder and a bullet. The tubular body fits onto the barrel, with all elements in line with the barrel opening. To load the firearm, a pin which holds the powder and bullet in place must be pulled, and the ball starter pushes all the elements into the barrel, followed by a ramrod to prepare the rifle for firing. The pin is held by an elastic band outside the tubular body during loading and post loading it is removably repositioned and held in the cavity by the flexible band. The present invention includes a groove along its longitudinal side for storing the ball starter prior to use; the ball starter is held in place by a removable flexible band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Douglas W. Church
  • Patent number: 6865838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and ejecting ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm. A magazine contains a plurality of ignition devices, which are sequentially loaded from the magazine onto the breech plug of the firearm by a sliding bolt or other loading assembly. After firing, the loading assembly is actuated to extract and eject the spent ignition device and load a new ignition device onto the breech plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Dean N. Williams, Ned J. Hollenbach
  • Patent number: 6688032
    Abstract: A rifle muzzle launched projectile having a launch tube defining an interior cavity, and having an opening at one end with an inner diameter sized to fit over the end of a rifle muzzle; a bullet trap located in the launch tube cavity; and a payload assembly mounted on the launch tube. The payload assembly is further configured for safely releasing a payload in a controlled manner. The payload assembly also includes a casing for retaining an aerosol composition; a propellant located in the casing; a primer for igniting the propellant; and a frangible portion of the casing in contact with the aerosol composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Noel Gonzalez, Daniel J. Hartman, William G. Rouse, Raymond J. Malecki, Paul W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6523478
    Abstract: A rifle muzzle launched projectile having a launch tube defining an interior cavity, and having an opening at one end with an inner diameter sized to fit over the end of a rifle muzzle; a bullet trap located in the launch tube cavity; and a payload assembly mounted on the launch tube. The payload assembly is further configured for safely releasing a payload in a controlled manner. The payload assembly also includes a casing for retaining an aerosol composition; a propellant located in the casing; a primer for igniting the propellant; and a frangible portion of the casing in contact with the aerosol composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Noel Gonzalez, Daniel J. Hartman, William G. Rouse, Raymond J. Malecki, Paul W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6516549
    Abstract: A muzzle-loading firearm is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the muzzle-loading firearm includes a receiver having a locking mechanism; a barrel having a breech end, a bore and a muzzle end; a primer carrier for transporting a primer to the breech end of the barrel prior to firing and for extracting the primer from the breech end of the barrel after firing; and a breech plug in the breech end of the barrel, wherein the breech plug receives the primer from the primer carrier. In the preferred embodiment, the primer carrier includes a horseshoe-shaped primer holder attached to the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Savage Arms, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl B. Hildebrandt, Charles W. Hodgdon, Ronald Coburn, Lee Cavanaugh, Yasmine A. Adham, Daniel Borecki, Henry C. Ball
  • Patent number: 6460448
    Abstract: The loader assist for mortars allows for the automated loading of ammunition through the muzzle. The invention assists soldiers by transporting the shell into the muzzle from a lower position near the base of the mortar tube thus reducing exposure to enfilade enemy fire and the effects of muzzle blast. The loader assist comprises a frame surrounding the mortar and attached thereto. The frame is supported on pivots mounted to a turntable such that both the invention and mortar move as a unit. A lift device is positioned at the center of the frame and parallel to the mortar axis. A carriage comprising a transfer device is positioned on top of said frame. Said elevator is comprised of two linear actuators which are positioned opposite each other, allowing the jaws on each shuttle to act in pairs with the respective jaws on the other, to grip the shell in two places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Roy A. Zangrando
  • Patent number: 6431076
    Abstract: A method of minimising misfiring or alleviating their consequences is provided by forming at least each trailing projectile (30) in a series of housed projectiles with a sealing portion (34) extending about a tapered anvil portion (31) and moveable therealong for expansion into sealing engagement with the barrel (11). The sealing portion (34) disengages forwardly in response to a misfire or the like to provide a bleed path for igniting the propellant charge (41) associated with the next leading projectile (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: James Michael O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6343553
    Abstract: This invention provides a projectile assembly (10) having a body part (14) including a trailing portion (19) which reduces in diameter rearwardly and supports a sealing band (16) having a substantially cylindrical outer face for engagement with the bore (21) of the barrel (11). The body part (14) may move rearwardly through the sealing band (16) to expand it outwardly into sealing engagement with the bore (21). Upon firing the body part (14) moves forwardly relative to the sealing band (16) to free it from the bore (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: James Michael O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: RE37968
    Abstract: An improved detonator assembly for a black powder firearm having a breech block, a receiver, and a nipple. The detonator assembly comprises a primer and a primer carrier. The primer carrier has an axial bore dimensioned to receive the primer at one end and slip over the firearm nipple at the opposite end. The primer carrier has a lip that abuts the breech block rear end. A tab laterally extends from the lip to provide a handle for installing and removing the assembly and a visual indication that the firearm is primed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: The Marlin Firearms Company
    Inventors: William E. Osborne, Harold J. Waterman, Jr., David Findlay