Patents by Inventor Harley L. West

Harley L. West has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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