Patents Assigned to Federal Cartridge Company
  • Patent number: 12281884
    Abstract: Devices and methods for a bullet with a strengthened mouth for improved penetration and expansion. In embodiments, a portion of the jacket is folded to provide double walls at the mouth. In embodiments, the jacket and core are partially bonded and partially separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Richard Hurt, Lawrence P. Head
  • Patent number: 12259225
    Abstract: A rimless cartridge comprising a case and a bullet mounted therein. In embodiments, the bullet comprises a jacket having a cylindrical body portion, an ogive portion, and a plurality of longitudinally extending paths of weakness formed in the ogive portion and defining petals there between and extending rearward from the mouth. The bullet includes a malleable core mounted within the jacket. The bullet further comprises a circumferential groove between forward and rearward circumferential indentations imparted in the body portion of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Frederick Frees, Richard D. Hurt, David M. Laska, Lawrence P. Head, Shawn D. Fitzsimonds
  • Patent number: 12215960
    Abstract: Devices and methods for forming and assembling a bullet in a multi-stage press. In some embodiments, a forward component is radially oversized and forces a jacket outward during a press-fitting stage. In embodiments, the bullet workpiece does not turn over between any stages. In embodiments, one or more stages provide a reduced-diameter stem along with a radial ledge in the die to support the bullet while minimizing potential disturbances to a boat tail region from a punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 12215955
    Abstract: Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Adam J. Moser
  • Patent number: 12135198
    Abstract: A cartridge that generates higher than typical chamber pressures has an enhanced means of primer retention for retaining the primer in the primer recess of the casing. The means may be a lip folded onto a conical surface, a annular groove to receive deformed primer wall portion material upon detonation, a concavity in the rearward facing wall of the primer, a check valve in the flash tube to inhibit propellant gases from reaching the primer recess, or specifically configured primers with a greater length than diameter and with greater wall thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan Peterson, Jared Kutney, Joel L. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 12007210
    Abstract: A cartridge with an expanding bullet that has advantageous terminal effects over an extended range. The expanding bullet including a bullet body including a metal jacket extending from a tail portion to a nose portion and surrounding an interior solid core and defining a forward opening and interior cavity. A tip has an exterior surface substantially flush with an exterior surface of the metal jacket. The tip has a main portion forward of the opening and a tip retention portion that at least partially fills the interior cavity. In certain embodiments the tip retention portion includes one or more fluid entry facilitation means such as a fracture regions configured to, upon impact of the bullet with a target, fracture or deform to expose one or more fluid pathways into the interior cavity and to a forward facing interior surface for initiating expansion of the expanding bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Justin A. Carbone, Jared Kutney, Shawn Fitzsimonds, Lawrence P. Head, Bryan Peterson, Richard Hurt, Joel J. Foley
  • Patent number: 11940259
    Abstract: Shot projectiles are disclosed that are not completely spherical. The shot has an equatorial ring, top and bottom poles, and one or more sections extending between the ring and the respective poles. The ring defines a vertical height relative to an overall diameter of the projectile. The one or more sections provide flat, concave, or convex surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Matthew S. Schroeder, Adam J. Moser, Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11933593
    Abstract: Devices and methods for shotshell cartridges, particularly shotshell cartridges with biodegradable components. One or more of the casing, shot wad, spacer, and powder wad may be formed of biodegradable materials. A biodegradable shot wad is manufactured of cellulosic fibers and wax to provide obturation and gas seal properties at high pressures with high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Alex R. Schmieg, Robert A. Strange, Anthony C. Stockey, Steven P. Schommer, Adam J. Moser
  • Patent number: 11852449
    Abstract: Bismuth-based firearm projectiles, optionally firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming bismuth-tin-copper alloys or bismuth-nickel alloys and bismuth-based firearm projectiles are disclosed herein. The bismuth-based firearm projectiles include a projectile body comprising a bismuth-tin-copper alloy or bismuth-nickel alloy that forms at least 90 wt % of the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Robert Charles Nichols, Zachary Hugh Smith, Ralph Nauman
  • Patent number: 11808551
    Abstract: A cartridge with a bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The bullet having a forward nose portion with a plurality of cutaways spaced circumferentially about the nose portion. The copper jacket having a leading edge portion positioned at the cutaways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11788811
    Abstract: Devices and methods for chambering and releasing a high pressure cartridge case from a firearm. In some embodiments, a static chamber insert of high elastic modulus is disclosed. In some embodiments, a dynamic or adaptable chamber insert that radially expands in an out-of-battery configuration and radially contracts in a battery configuration is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11788823
    Abstract: Devices and methods for an 8 mm semiautomatic handgun cartridge providing a reduced form factor for carrying a greater number of rounds in a smaller space while maintaining ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Matthew S. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11781843
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a projectile includes a projectile body including a tail portion, a nose portion, a barrel engaging portion between the nose portion and the tail portion, and a metal jacket that defines an exterior of the projectile that surrounds an interior solid core. In one or more embodiments the projectile includes one or more circumferential grooves defined in the interior core portion, each of the one or more circumferential grooves covered by and positioned adjacent to the metal jacket and within the barrel-engaging portion. In various embodiments, during firing of the projectile, the one or more circumferential grooves define a void that allows material of one or more of the metal jacket and interior solid core to displace into the void for reduction in radial stiffness to the projectile in the barrel engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11774221
    Abstract: Devices and methods for an 8 mm or .32 caliber semiautomatic handgun cartridge providing a reduced form factor for carrying a greater number of rounds in a smaller space while maintaining ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Matthew S. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11740061
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to manufacturing an insert-molded expanding projectile. Aspects of the disclosure include locating a portion of a projectile body within a converging tip mold, the projectile body including a metal jacket extending from a tail portion to a nose portion and surrounding an interior solid core. The metal jacket and nose portion may be tapered in a forward direction to an annular forward edge defining an opening to an undercut interior cavity. Melted polymer may be injected into the converging tip mold and allowed to cool thereby forming a polymer tip having a main portion forward of the opening and a tip retention portion filling the undercut interior cavity and having a shape corresponding to the undercut interior cavity to retain the polymer tip in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11713935
    Abstract: A system for firing reduced energy cartridges from a modern sporting rifle utilizes a bolt assembly weighing less than a conventional bolt assembly for such rifles and utilizes blow back for cycling the bolt assembly rather than gas operation. A bolt insert in a polymer bolt carrier of the bolt assembly has a projection that fits within a recess on the rear face of reduced energy cartridges. The reduced energy cartridges having a polymer casing, a rimfire power load for propellant, the power load recessed from the rear face of the casing. Tuning the bolt may comprise adjusting the weight of the bolt or the sliding resistance of the bolt assembly in the upper receiver. The bolt may be formed by metal injection molding with a polymer bolt carrier attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Jared Kutney, Matthew S. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11668546
    Abstract: Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Adam J. Moser
  • Patent number: 11668549
    Abstract: Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Erik K. Carlson, Lawrence P. Head, John W. Swenson, Sharon Jones
  • Patent number: 11359896
    Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin Morse, Ralph Nauman, Robert Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: D1017756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Erik K. Carlson