EXPANDING BULLET

Abstract

A projectile for firing from a weapon to strike a target, comprising a body and a layered exterior, wherein the layered exterior is adapted to remain intact when fired, and which is adapted to transform upon striking a target, the body into a towing mass and the layered exterior into a towed mass, the towing mass being a mass that comprises a path of travel and tows the towing mass in the direction of the path of travel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/767,243, filed Nov. 14, 2018, titled “EXPANDING BULLET”.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to bullets and armor piercing rounds, and more specifically, to an expanding bullet device and method.

BACKGROUND

It may be appreciated that one problem associated with conventional bullets and armor piercing rounds is that they are unable to generate a wide wound profile after passing through a hardened outer layer. For example, high velocity rounds that are adapted to penetrate body armor are able to do so by resisting fragmentation and deformation. They preserve their momentum at impact in order to pierce hardened material. By maximizing the momentum for penetration, the bullet then continues into and through the softer material behind the armor, with a narrow wound and with much of the remaining momentum being wasted when the bullet exits the target.

None of the solutions in the art fully address the problem of a bullet that is able to penetrate armor being unable to generate a wide wound profile as it progresses through the target which was covered by the armor.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an expanding bullet. It uses the distinct properties of target's hardened outer covering and softer covered material to transform the bullet into a projectile with a translating mass and a mass that is pulled away from the translating mass as the translating mass propagates through the target.

Whereas other bullets and projectiles are designed to deform upon impact or resist deformation, the present invention uses the progress of the bullet against depth or length of penetration, to effect a change in the bullet that causes greater detriment and radial damage from the trajectory of the projectile.

The solution allows higher velocity rounds to pass through armor, but still allow for a significant amount of damage, by using friction to initiate a deformation that expands the bullet's path wise profile and diameter as it progresses through the target. At least one exemplary embodiment initiates deformation by unwrapping radially from the axis of the bullet. A narrower version does so by spirally unwinding.

Another desired embodiment catches outermost plies and tugs then open like a flower. As outer petal-like plies bend outward, plies which are radically closer to the axis are caught and pulled outward. Ideal penetration of at least one contemplated embodiment dissipates substantially all of the bullet's inertia to the target by the force of the expanding projectile, but still allowing the bullet to exit at low velocity, to maximize the depth of the wound and total surface area and quantity of tissues damaged.

The device structurally comprises a body and a layered exterior. After impact, the device transforms, such that it includes a towed mass and a towing mass. The distinction between body and towing mass, and layered exterior and towed mass, is that the bullet progressively shifts from a unitary arrangement into portions which are either interacting with material of a target or penetrating it. One embodiment's ideal trajectory would come to rest after all of the layered exterior has been pulled away from the body, and in such case, there would be a complete identity between the body and towing mass, and the exterior/towed mass. However, the transition occurs progressively during penetration of a target. As the layered exterior plies away, each particular amount transfers from the towing mass to the towed mass.

The body can be a hardened projectile of smaller caliber than the desired outer diameter. For example, a tungsten core or cylindrical axial section. Another example would be a core which is bulletlike but has diameter which is scaled-down to receive exterior features that may effect the diameter of a larger bullet, as fired and during flight.

Embodiments of the layered exterior comprise plural concentrically encircling layers or plies, or at least one axially wrapping ply which effects a continuously applied and continuously removed exterior that is geometrically similar to a multilayer composition, when viewed in section.

Exemplary embodiments of the towing mass are ones which desirably are effected as a result of the transformation of the bullet during the progression of the bullet into and with increasing penetration into a target. One contemplated embodiment of the towing mass is one in which the body is largely preserved intact, and the layered exterior is pulled away in progressively greater radial depth. At the beginning of the impact, the towing mass would comprise at least the body and a significant majority of the mass of the layered exterior, but not some amount of the outermost portion of the layered exterior. With increasing depth, the towing mass would still include the body, but very little of the layered exterior, because it would have been pulled away over the course of the penetration between impact and that particular depth of penetration.

The towed mass, immediately following impact, would include primarily just a small portion of the layered exterior, the majority of the exterior being unaffected, and remaining with the body. After a significant amount of penetration, shortly thereafter, almost all of the layered exterior would have been pulled away progressively, and that amount of the exterior which had been pulled away would have been transformed into part of the towed mass.

According to another embodiment, a method for making and/or using the expanding bullet device is contemplated and disclosed herein and in the figures. The method includes providing a body and a layered exterior. The method further includes providing a towing mass and a towed mass by transformation during steps of operation of the invention during an impact and target penetration process of the method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary blooming bullet layered exterior projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is side section view of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core and tall and thick layers.

FIG. 3 is a partial section perspective angle view of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core and tall and thick layers, in a pre-impact arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core and tall and thick layers, in a stage of early blooming impact.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a shark-skin pronged pattern of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a continuous ply and hardened core of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is side view of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention during initial impact into a soft composition target.

FIG. 8 is side view of an exemplary bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention during initial impact into a target having a hardened composition exterior in front of a soft composition.

FIG. 9 is a side view exemplary continuous-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, after initial strike into a soft exterior surface of a target.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, after initial strike into a soft exterior surface of a target.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with some propagation into a soft exterior surface of a target, beyond initial strike.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with some propagation into a soft composition of a target, after penetrating a hardened exterior surface.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with significant propagation into a soft composition of a target, after penetrating a hardened exterior surface.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an exemplary triangular-shape leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an exemplary triangular-stages leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, shown in an initial blooming expansion transformation stage.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an exemplary triangular-stages leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with significant expansion following an initial blooming expansion transformation stage.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with a plunger-like body, in a state of impact-force-driven initial unwrapping.

FIG. 20 is a close perspective view of a snaggable leading-edge feature of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a section perspective view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, shown traversing along the interior of a rifled barrel of a weapon, a bullet-firing gun.

FIG. 22 is a section view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, comprising a bullet-like interior body, shown penetrating a target and slidingly increasing in length, into a towing and towed mass.

FIG. 23 is a low angle perspective view of an exemplary wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with a blooming ply having a shark-skin-profile leading edge, arranged in an early stage of transformation following an initial strike of a target.

FIG. 24 is a section view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with sequentially blooming profile leading edge, in a static state, with the plies terminating at a common plane.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with stagewise overlappingly opening petal layers having a cooperatively blooming sequentially blooming profile leading edge, shown with a petal of plural stages opened, for clarity.

FIG. 26 is a section view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, with sequentially blooming profile leading edge, in a static state, and cupped concentrically and overwrappingly, similar to the arrangement of the petals of a flower before blooming, with petals closed.

FIG. 27 is a section view of an exemplary wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile embodiment of the present invention, as shown pre-fired and seated in a bullet shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

A preliminary note on the difference between different types of surrounding material:

Trajectory refers to the propagation of the bullet, whereas impact refers to where a bullet strikes, and penetration refers to where a bullet enters or begins to propagate. What is meant by trajectory surrounding material is material which surrounds the bullet at all of the particular places which are adjacent the path of the bullet as it propagates along the direction of travel. What is meant by impact or penetration surrounding material is the material which is generally local or spreading more immediately radially around, or in increasing radius from such points-thereafter, with respect to the subsequent propagation of the bullet along the direction of travel.

Several of the embodiments are adept at increasing the amount of area that the bullet engages, with respect to the path of travel, in either or both of the trajectory surrounding material and the impact and penetration surrounding material.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4: what are shown are concentrically wrapped, and/or blooming bullet layered exterior embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hardened or narrow core 9 with a series of layers 17 which have been bent away from the core 9.

Such an embodiment is exemplary of how a very narrow embodiment may be capable of significant width in inflicting a wound on a target of a particular material. See FIGS. 7 and 8 for a depiction of engaging such a target an increased amount of surrounding material 35, material which surrounds an impact point 37 and penetration points 39 (penetration surrounding material 41), and in increasing radius, as the bullet projectile 1 proceeds along a path of travel 23, into such a target 5.

Referring now to FIG. 2: What is shown is a side section view of an exemplary bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core 9 and a layered exterior 15 comprising several tall and thick layers 17.

Referring now to FIG. 3: What is shown is a perspective view of an exemplary bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core 9 and a layered exterior 15 comprising several tall and thick layers 17, in a pre-impact arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 4: What is shown is a perspective view of an exemplary bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, comprising a narrow hardened core 9 and a layered exterior 15 comprising several tall and thick layers 17, in a stage of early blooming impact. Here, to show how such concentric layers would diverge, all but the innermost layer 17 are omitted from view.

Referring now to FIG. 5: What is shown here is a specific type of blooming bullet projectile 1, in which the layers are a wrapped ply 25, about the periphery of a core body 7, the core body 7 being shaped like a bullet, and is thereby a body bullet 13. Because the body bullet 13 is thicker than another type of a core (such as core 9, see FIG. 1), the projectile 1 has typical width, the layered exterior 15 has a smaller thickness (measured radially (with respect to the central axis 29 of the particular body 7, core 9, etc., here the body bullet 13), from the core body bullet 13 to the overall width of the bullet projectile 1. Thereby, to provide the same number of layers 17, each of the layers 17 must be thinner, and the ply 25 thereby has very thin layer thickness.

The leading edge 45 of the ply 25 is stepped to create prongs 67, and the prongs 67 are sized so that the points of each successively outward (from the body 7) layer 17 (a continuous ply 25 having demarcated layers by a layer 17 being defined to begin at the angular position at which it overlaps a part of the ply 25 which is at the same angular position about the axis 29 of the body) are arranged about the axis 29 of the body 9 (see FIGS. 2,3,4), such that there are an equal number of prongs 67 on each layer.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the layered exterior 15 is wrapped tightly about the body (body bullet 13), such that the points of each prong 67 of a layer 17 align with the valley between the prongs 67 of the layer 17 that is successively closer to the axis of the body, within the layered exterior 15. Note that this alignment is not preserved in the event of an impact in which this bullet projectile 1 unwraps the ply 25 as it propagates (see FIGS. 7,8, 16-18).

Referring now to FIG. 6: What is shown in FIG. 6 is an exemplary ply 25 to be wrapped about a hardened core 9, with a similar 3-tooth-per-layer arrangement as the 3-shark-skin-prong (67)-per-layer embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Here, though, the ply 25 is shown laying flat, before being wrapped about the core 9. Here, the rightmost edge of the ply 25 would be located to the contact the core 9, and wrapping the ply 25 about the core 9 would arrange the tallest teeth, in the “innermost layer” about the core, and then the successively smaller teeth of the second layer about the innermost layer, and then the successively smaller teeth of the outer layer about the second layer.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8: What are shown are initial impacts of exemplary bullet projectiles 1 with a hardened core 9, wrapped ply 25 layered exterior 15, making contact with distinct compositions of targets. The core 9 also comprises a hardened tip 11.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the target 5 has a contiguous composition is soft and unarmored. Here, the bullet projectile 1 resists deformation as it proceeds along a path of travel/trajectory, and the projectile 1 appears to impact the impact point 37 and proceed to a shallow penetration point 39 with an unaffected body 7 and layered exterior 15. One embodiment of further behavior which ensues with further travel into material similar to that of the target 5 shown here is shown in FIGS. 10-13.

Referring now to FIG. 8: In the case of FIG. 8, the target 5 has a similar main composition to that of FIG. 7, but it also comprises a hardened exterior 33, similar to stiff, thin, lightweight composite body armor, such as aramid. Here, the layered exterior 15 of the projectile 1 has deformed at the impact point 37, and the outermost of the layers 17 of the ply 25 have become snagged at the impact point 37 in the hardened exterior 33 and has plied away from the path of travel/trajectory. The body 7 has continued to a similar penetration point 39 of FIG. 7, but the deformation of the layered exterior 15, has thereby begun a transformation of the projectile 1 into separably translating towing mass 19 and towed mass 21. One embodiment of further behavior which ensues with further travel, through the exterior 33, and into material similar to that of the target 5 shown here, is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Referring now to FIG. 9: What is shown is an exemplary embodiment of a wrapped bullet projectile 1 with a cylindrical hardened core 9, with a layered exterior 15 that comprises a wrapped ply 25 having a continuous leading edge profile before firing and/or as it would appear in use without deformation. This is roughly representative of a broad notion of many contemplated narrower embodiments, though the specific behavior of each of the bullets depends upon the impact and target and material, as well as the profile of the leading edge. See FIGS. 10-15 for variation in behavior reflecting one exemplary leading edge profile in the context of targets having distinct materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-15: In all of FIGS. 10-15, what is shown is an exemplary embodiment of a wrapped bullet projectile 1 with a hardened 9 core an exemplary profile, a serrated or sharkskin-like pattern, has been applied to the leading edge. This is a profile type which encourages a cutting progress through surrounding material 35 (e.g. penetration surrounding material 41 and trajectory surrounding material 43, see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, with respect to unarmored impacts, as in FIG. 7:

Referring now to FIG. 10: Here, the projectile 1 is shown as it would appear at an initial impact of the bullet with a soft target (not shown). The soft material does little to dislodge the layered exterior 15 from the body, and transformation does not begin right away.

Referring now to FIG. 11, what is shown is the exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 10, as it would appear after initial strike into a hardened exterior surface of a target. With some penetration beyond initial impact (FIG. 11), the outermost of the layers 17 engages the surrounding areas, and the layered exterior 15 pulls away from the body 7. This begins a transition of some of the exterior 15 to deform increasingly as a wound ply 25, into a towed mass 21, and thereby render the body 7 (and some of the innermost layers) into a towing mass 19.

Referring now to FIG. 12: What is shown is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet embodiment of the present invention, after initial strike into a soft exterior surface of a target. The outermost layer 17 of the ply 25 begins to trail the towing mass 19 (the body 7 and innermost layers), and the bullet projectile 1 increases in length (27). Here, the evenness and regularity of the profile of the leading edge 45 begins to come into play, and the outermost layers progressively cut into the surrounding areas. Here, the surrounding areas predominantly comprises surrounding material 35 that is penetration surrounding material 41, and the leading edge 45 of the layers 17 are deflected outward, as the trailing edge remains relatively less deflected, turning the width 49 of the ply outward, away from the axis 29 of the body 7, and increasing the radius of the ply 25 away from the direction of travel.

Referring now to FIG. 13: What is shown is a side view of an exemplary serrated-leading edge wrapped layered exterior bullet embodiment of the present invention, with some propagation into a soft exterior surface of a target, beyond initial strike.

This increase in radius has the effect of increasing the rate at which the ply 25 is pulled outwardly away from the body 7, and the ply 25 increases in diameter quickly, increasing transverse wound area, and causing an increasing amount of penetration surrounding material 41 to absorb momentum of the towed mass 21. The projectile 1 thereby decelerates, and the momentum of the towing mass 19 is distributed into maximizing cutting and pressure on the surrounding areas, until the towing mass comes to a stop, without exiting. The wound is wide and may be relatively deep, but is relatively far less likely to exit and waste its momentum without imparting force on the target than would a comparable bullet.

With respect to the deformation of the projectile 1 over the course of FIGS. 10-13, the overall elongation of the projectile 1 is relatively small, but the radial increase of the ply 25 is relatively large, and thereby the layered exterior 15 increased in radius through several layers 17 (not just the outermost layer), as the spiraling outward motion had an “unfurling” radially-loosening motion, rather than a more cardioid-like serially-unwinding motion.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, with respect to impacts with a target with a hardened exterior, or with respect to armored impacts, as in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 14, what is shown is an exemplary projectile 1 otherwise similar to that shown in FIGS. 10-13, as it would appear shortly after an initial impact of the bullet projectile 1 with a target having a hardened exterior (not shown, see 33, FIG. 8) before penetrating the material of the target (5, see FIGS. 7, 8) itself.

Here, an initial impact of the projectile 1 with a hardened exterior (33, FIG. 8) has the effect of compressing the forward portion (s) of a bullet projectile 1, such as the tip of the body 7, and the leading edge 45 of the ply 25 of the layered exterior 15. While the ply 25 is pliant, though, the body 7 of the bullet projectile 1 is solid metal, and is shaped to resist deformation. The body thereby pierces the hardened exterior (33, FIG. 8), and penetrates the exterior, to enter the softer material of the target (5, FIG. 8). The body 7 of the projectile 1 penetrates and continues to carry high velocity. Unlike in FIGS. 7 and 10-13, though, the small puncture and toughness of the hardened exterior (33, FIG. 8) prevents the soft material of the target (5, FIGS. 7 and 8) from slowing down the ply with radial propagation through the surrounding areas at the penetration point 39 (FIGS. 7 and 8; the penetration surrounding material 41, FIG. 7).

Instead of penetrating the target (5, FIG. 7), the outermost layer 17 of the layered exterior 15 snags (FIG. 8) at the impact point (37, FIG. 8) on the edge of the puncture through the hardened exterior (33, FIG. 8), and rapidly decelerates the outermost layer 17 of the layered exterior 15, creating a rapid shearing-away of the ply 25, along the path of travel, propagating through the layers 17 and rapidly slowing them, causing them to trail the body 7. The body 7 initially remains relatively undisturbed as the layers 17 rapidly slow in the surrounding areas, (Trajectory surrounding material 43, not shown, see FIG. 22) and quickly slip into its wake, stripping the projectile 1 of the layered exterior 15, to transform it into towed mass 21 and towing mass 19. The decreasing radius of the towing mass 19 (the towing mass 19 includes incrementally progressively smaller amounts of the ply 25 with increasing penetration into the target (5, FIG. 8)), allows the towing mass 19 an additional degree of penetration. This distributed deceleration allows the projectile 1 to effect a longer wound.

As the ply 25 reaches the end of its elongation, however, the body 7 is ultimately decelerated, as the ply 25 goes taut and is tugged against the trajectory surrounding material (43, of the target 5, FIG. 8). The twisting motion of the ply 25, turning the leading edge 45 of the ply 25 tangentially to a wound profile that would be created, as the layered exterior 15 unfurled into towed mass 21 along the path of travel. The unfurling has the effect of dragging and boring the surface area of the wound profile, separating and circumferentially slicing material that was pushed aside by the forwardmost parts of the bullet, about the direction of the path of travel.

Eventually, the body comes to rest, and the amount of momentum which imparted damage to the material of the target is greater, and the likelihood of the bullet projectile 1 exiting and wasting its energy is minimized.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18: What are shown are side views of successive stages of a wrapped layered exterior bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention. The projectile 1 comprises a ply 25 with a leading edge 45 which is similar to that of FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the projectile 1 is shown in an undeformed state, before blooming.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the projectile 1 is shown in an initial blooming expansion transformation stage, and with significant expansion following initial blooming expansion transformation stage. It can be seen that the leading edge 45 of the ply 25 first snags the penetration-surrounding material, moreso than the trailing edge 47, such that the width 49 of the ply 25 is deflected away from the central axis 29 of the body 7.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the projectile 1 is shown in a late stage of blooming expansion, in succession of FIG. 17. After being deflected away from the body 7, the ply 25 unwraps as the bloom reaches its predominant limit of outward deflection, relative to the direction of travel. At that point, it can be seen that further transformation, begins to resemble the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-13, in which the ply 25 is shown unwrapping in a manner that increases the transformation of the layered exterior 15 into towed mass 21 and engages the trajectory-surrounding material 43.

Referring now to FIG. 19: What is shown is an embodiment of the present invention which comprises a body 7 that is tapered to a smaller diameter behind the point along the length of the body 7 extending rearward from the tip of the bullet, at which the frontal area reaches a width approximately equal to the maximum width of the bullet. In this embodiment, the tapering allows for the deceleration of the bullet at the moment of impact with a target (not shown, see 5, FIGS. 7 and 8), to nudge-outward the leading edge 45 of the outermost layer 17 of a wrapped ply 25. By the ply 25 extending to a radial width which is larger than the body of the bullet, it has greater likelihood of snagging on the surface or hardened exterior surface (33, FIG. 8) of a target (5, FIG. 8), proximate to the impact point (37, FIG. 8), increasing the reliability of such an embodiment to initiate a lengthwise transformation from the very beginning of penetration, and maximize the ability of the bullet projectile 1 to transform and apply its momentum to engage and damage the trajectory-surrounding material 43 of the target 5.

In another contemplated embodiment, using an alternative body that is configured to slightly deform at the impact point 37, such that flattening in the direction of travel at the impact point 37, would effect an increase in radius that may assist in the initial outward deflection of the leading edge 45 of the ply 25 away from such a body.

Referring now to FIG. 20: What is shown is a close perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bullet projectile 1 configured to be particularly snaggable by comprising a snagging feature 15 on the leading edge 45 of the outermost layer 17 ply 25 to initiate the transformation of the layered exterior 51 into towed mass 21. In this case, the snagging feature 51 reaches forward of the leading edge 45, and onto the forwardmost part of the bulletlike body 13, such that impact with a target 5 and friction as the projectile 1 proceeds along the direction of travel can separate the snagging feature 51 from the body 13. This interaction with a target is particularly likely for an embodiment in which the projectile 1 is a spinning high velocity bullet.

Referring now to FIG. 21: What is shown is an exemplary wrapped bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention translating down the rifled barrel of a weapon 3. Here, the layered exterior 15 is wrapped such that the rifling of the barrel is able to accelerate the spin of the bullet projectile 1 without initiating the transformation of the exterior layers 17 into towed mass (21, see FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18).

Referring now to FIG. 22: What is shown is a side section view of an embodiment an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, comprising a bullet-like body 13 and a layered exterior 15, shown penetrating a target 5 and slidingly increasing in length, into a towing mass 19 and towed mass 21. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-12, where the trailing edge 47 of the outermost layer 17 has reached a significant length and the leading edge 45 begins to deflect outward away from the path of travel, and progressively deflect the outermost layers 17 of the ply 25 away from the body 13.

Referring now to FIG. 23: What is shown is an exemplary wrapped bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, from a low angle perspective, wherein the layers 17 of the layered exterior 15 are shown partially opened. Here, unlike the depictions in most of the preceding drawings, the layers 17 reach significantly farther toward the forwardmost part of the bullet projectile 1, and bloom outward from approximately the front, near the tip 11. This is achieved by the outmost layers 17 enclosing approximately the entire exterior length of the body core 7.

Referring now to FIG. 25 (FIG. 24 is discussed in coordination with FIG. 26, below): What is shown is an exploded view of an exemplary bullet embodiment projectile 1 of the present invention, showing several concentric stages of overlapping-petals, separated from one another along a line parallel to the central axis 29 of the bullet body 13. In this embodiment, the layered exterior 15 comprises concentrically surrounding layers 17 which comprise overlapping petals. The petals overlap by extending through an arc about the central axis 29 large enough that the exterior faces of plural petals partially sweep through an arc of adjacent petals and contact the interior faces of those petals.

The overlap of each stagewise layer 17 of petals blooms very similarly to the stacked and angularly-offset stages of the flower of a lily. As depicted, the closest petal is bent toward the normal view of the page, to make more apparent the overlapping geometry of the petals without omitting the nearest petal from view. Note how the petals overlap, where each petal comprises an angular sweep about the axis of the body that is larger than the fraction of the circumference of the bullet, divided by the number of petals.

Because of these proportions, when one petal deflects away from the central axis 29 of the bullet body 13 (also away from the path of motion), it initiates or otherwise advances the deflection of its adjacent and overlapping petals. As shown, there are 4 petals per stage, but a 3-petal-per-stage embodiment is also contemplated and is more consistent with typical fillies. Also, as shown, the stages of the concentric petals are not connected as part of a single ply, as would be the case in a wrapped embodiment with otherwise outwardly deflecting features, such as in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 16-18, and 23. It is contemplated that a petal-like embodiment is likewise capable of providing a petal-like deflection at least in initial bloom, somewhat similar to the outward deflection of the triangular-leading-edge embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

For an organic example of how unwrapping can be rotationally achieved as part of an outward deflection, a tulip is instructive.

Referring now to FIGS. 24 and 26: What is shown are side section views of alternative exemplary bullet projectile 1 embodiments of the present invention that comprise a layered exterior 15 comprising outer layers 17 which are unequal in length and which reach substantially forward along the length of a cylindrical core 9, to reach toward approximately the tip 11 of the bullet projectile 1.

Referring now to FIG. 24: What is shown is a section view of an exemplary layered exterior bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention, the layers 17 respectively comprising sequentially blooming plies 25, each with respective profile leading edges 45, in a static state, with the plies 25 terminating at a common plane/combustion surface of the body 7 that is fixed to the core 9. The layers 17 extend forward from the common combustion surface at the rearmost part of the bullet projectile 1.

Referring now to FIG. 26, the layers 17 extend substantially outward from a point along the core 9 which is a significant distance toward the tip 11, offset from the rearmost part of the bullet projectile 1. In the particular embodiment shown, the consecutively-more-outward layers 17 arcingly cover the more-inward layers of the layered exterior 15, and engage the core 9 at points within the bullet projectile 1, the more inward layers having a location of engagement relative to the body which is closer to the tip 11 than the relatively consecutively more-outward layers 17.

Referring now to FIG. 27: What is shown is a side section view of an exemplary bullet projectile 1 embodiment of the present invention which comprises a ply 25 which is wrapped about a central body core 9 (Also see FIG. 9), and comprises a combustion surface at the rearmost part of the core 9. The bullet projectile 1 is shown seated inside a shell, and the shell and combustion surface enclose an explosive charge for firing the bullet projectile 1 out of a weapon (not shown, see FIG. 21).

The above described embodiments are merely exemplary and non-limiting and should not be construed as limiting the patentable scope of the present invention, nor the language of the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A projectile for firing from a weapon to strike a target, comprising:

A body and

A layered exterior,

Wherein the layered exterior is adapted to remain intact when fired, and which is adapted to transform upon striking a target, the body into a towing mass and the layered exterior into a towed mass, the towing mass being a mass that comprises a path of travel and tows the towing mass in the direction of the path of travel.

2. The projectile of claim 1, and further wherein the layered exterior is layered by comprising a ply that is wrapped around the body.

3. The projectile of claim 1, and further wherein the body has a predominant length, and a central axis, and wherein the layered exterior is a plurality of panels and pliant petals overlapped in increasing distance from the central axis, such that the outermost of the plurality are approximately concentrically-wrapped about the central axis.

4. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the towing mass is adapted to maintain high velocity through a hardened exterior.

5. The projectile of claim 4, wherein the towing mass is adapted to resist deformation and maintain velocity through the body armor by comprising a solid metal construction, wherein the solid metal is one which is known to maintain/substantially maintain its shape as fired and as it penetrates a target of a particular composition and material.

6. The projectile of claim 4, wherein the towing mass is a full metal jacket projectile.

7. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the towed mass is adapted to be pulled rearwardly away, relative to the direction of travel, of the towing mass, upon striking a target

8. The projectile of claimed 2, wherein the layered exterior is adapted to transformation by outwardly spiraling transformation, relative to the direction of travel.

9. The projectile of claim 8, wherein the projectile is adapted to outwardly spiraling transformation by being plied away from the projectile and adapted to engaging and imparting force upon the trajectory surrounding material, trajectory surrounding material, being material of the target which surrounds the path of travel.

10. The projectile of claim 8, wherein the outwardly spiraling transformation outwardly spirals in a cardioid pattern.

11. The projectile of claim 8, wherein the ply comprises a leading edge, the leading edge being the edge of the ply which is forwardmost on the projectile, and wherein the outwardly spiraling transformation causes the ply to bend outwardly at the leading edge, and imposes an outwardly cutting motion through the material of a target which surround the path of travel relative to the path of the towing mass, relative to the path of the towing mass, as it proceeds to penetrate the target.

12. The projectile of claim 11, wherein the outwardly cutting motion results from the ply comprising a trailing edge, the distance between the leading edge and trailing edge defining a predominant width, and wherein the outwardly spiraling movement tugs the leading edge of the width of the ply outwardly more aggressively than the trailing edge of the layer, such that outward progress turns the width of the ply diagonally away, such that the trajectory of the ply is angularly offset from the direction of travel of the towing mass.

13. The projectile of claim 7, wherein the towed mass being pulled rearwardly pulls the progressively outermost parts of the towed mass to be pulled progressively further away and slow to a lower velocity as the towing mass proceeds in the direction of the path of travel.

14. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the ply being pulled progressively further away lengthens the towed mass and extends the length of the projectile.

15. The projectile of claim 14, wherein the slowing of the towed mass increasingly pulls against the progress of the towing mass along the path of travel and progressively decreases the velocity of the towing mass as proceeds into a target, and imparts the momentum of the towing mass to material of the target which surrounds the path of travel.

16. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the projectile transforms by the layered exterior transforms into the towed mass by plying away from the body as the projectile strikes the target.

17. The projectile of claim 2, wherein the towing mass comprises a feature adapted to ply-away the layers of the mass from the original alignment with the towing mass, to initiate the outward transformation.

18. The projectile of claim 2, wherein the towed mass is adapted to be plied away from the towing mass when the target comprises a reinforced initial-contact material or composition.

19. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the petals are adapted to overlappingly bloom away from the path of the towing mass as it proceeds into or through the target, and proceed outwardly by the penetration into the target the leading edge of the petals backward away from an original parallel alignment with the towing mass.

20. The projectile of claim 19, wherein the towed mass comprises petals in a desired quantity, and the petals each comprise a petal bloom width defined by an angular sweep dimension about the centerline of the projectile that is substantially larger than a fractional angular sweep of the circumference of the towing mass, the fractional angular sweep being approximately the circumference of the towing mass divided by the quantity of petals.