Projectile Structure Patents (Class 102/439)
  • Publication number: 20140326156
    Abstract: A non armor piercing monolithic composite projectile includes a high temperature polymer and a filler material. The filler material is intimately dispersed throughout the high temperature polymer such that the projectile is uniform in appearance and composition and a portion of the filler forms a portion of an outer surface of the body. The projectile is preferably lead-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: William Franklin Flowers
  • Publication number: 20140326155
    Abstract: A frangible projectile includes a sintered mass of a plurality of copper or copper alloy plated iron or iron alloy core particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: OLIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Greg A. Smith, Victor D. Levin
  • Publication number: 20140318402
    Abstract: A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the rifling of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel, Lawrence P. Head
  • Patent number: 8869701
    Abstract: The present invention describes an improved cartridged projectile (100). The cartridged projectile (100) comprises a projectile (110) seating at a mouth of a cartridge case (130). The cartridge case (130) has a base (134) that houses a high pressure chamber (150). A side of the high pressure chamber (150) is capped by a pressure disc (170), which is secured onto the base of the cartridge case by a nozzle ring (160). The nozzle ring (160) has a tapered or conical surface that allows the pressure disc (170) to flex, and a surface (171) of the pressure disc (170) exterior of the high pressure chamber has intersecting V-shaped grooves (172). When propellant in the high pressure chamber (150) is burned efficiently, high pressure gases developing inside the high pressure chamber cause the pressure disc (170) to rupture at a predetermined pressure along the grooves (172) so that the gases propel the projectile (110) out of a barrel at a higher speed of about 100 m/s or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Material Engineering Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Cheng Hok Aw, Chee Keong Yak, Soo Chew Sie, Renjie Xie
  • Publication number: 20140230680
    Abstract: A less than lethal projectile comprising a shell body made of elastic material and accommodating a plurality of separate pellets encapsulated therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: UFB TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Yehuda Meller
  • Patent number: 8794155
    Abstract: A system includes an incomplete cartridge for a firearm and a field-selectable capsule for the cartridge. The capsule contains a product that may tag a person for tracing, induce sleep, cause disease, or have other effects. Capsules are preferably removably adhered to a strip with each strip of capsules potentially serving a different purpose. The incomplete cartridge includes a bullet that has an opening at the payload end. The opening receives and retains a capsule upon insertion. The capsule is made of a frangible material that releases the product upon impact. The capsule may be formed with a snap-in ridge extending from its exterior wall, which snaps into a complementary recess in the bullet opening. Alternatively, the capsule may be coated with a contact adhesive so that it sticks to the bullet wall defining the opening. A peel-off covering atop the strip shields the contact adhesive from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: HP Associates
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Patent number: 8783184
    Abstract: A cartridge for a firearm has a bullet that defines an internal chamber. The chamber has a broader top portion than a lower portion. The bullet further defines a channel passage leading out of the top end of the bullet. The bullet contains an arrowhead slidable engaged within the channel passage. A shaft is connected to the arrowhead and passes down from the arrowhead into the lower portion of the chamber. A thrust plate is connected to the shaft end in the chamber. The thrust plate is spring metal and when the cartridge is fired, the thrust plate rises pushing the arrowhead so that it extends from the leading end of the bullet. When the thrust plate rises to the second portion of the chamber, it springs open to prevent subsequent downward motion of the thrust plate and consequently prevents subsequent retraction of the arrowhead during flight and after impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: BPOB Associates, Trustee for Broadhead POB CRT Trust
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Publication number: 20140190364
    Abstract: A projectile assembly comprises a base portion for receiving projectiles such as slugs and has an associated pusher plate at a rear end thereof for minimizing or controlling deformation of the rear end of the base portion during firing. The pusher plate has a disc with one or more axially extending projections that extend axially into the rearward end of the base portion thereby reinforcing the base portion and upon firing providing uniform axial deformation and/or obturation of the base portion with respect to a firearm barrel. The projectile assembly may be, for example, part of a shotgun shell slug cartridge, and provides enhanced accuracy over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Erik K. Carlson, Adam J. Moser, Lawrence P. Head
  • Patent number: 8763596
    Abstract: A cartridge for launching a bullet, includes a shell case, a pressure chamber and a push rod; the shell case defines concentric through-holes; the pressure chamber is set up between the through-holes; the push rod defines an air vent and an airway, the air vent being in fluid communication with the firing chamber via the airway; a piston is mounted to the push rod and is received in the pressure chamber for compressing the chamber; when uncompressed, the air vent is located in the pressure chamber, when the push rod is struck the air vent moves forwards, back into the pressure chamber, the compressed air in the pressure chamber is discharged via the air vent and the airway to fire the bullet. The invention has a simple and compact structure, and is safe in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: APS Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung Ho Lam
  • Patent number: 8752484
    Abstract: A three component bullet with an improved core retention feature and a method of manufacturing the bullet is described including a cylindrical jacket having an open end and a closed end containing a malleable metal core which is forced into a forming die having a bottleneck shaped interior resulting in a bottleneck shaped pre-form wherein the outside diameter of the open-ended forward portion of the jacket is smaller than the outside diameter of its closed rearward portion. The open end of the pre-form may be dropped through or forced through a malleable locking band of appropriate height, diameter and wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: RA Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burczynski
  • Publication number: 20140150319
    Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet titling within the internal bore may be tired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas F. Mirabile
  • Patent number: 8689696
    Abstract: A projectile includes: (a) a cured, toughened polymer resin; and (b) a particulate filler distributed through the resin, the filler having a density greater than a density of the resin, wherein the projectile has average density less than the density of lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caneel Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Jonathan Seeman, Dewey Privette
  • Patent number: 8671841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ballistic ammunition or projectile that is non-lethal or has controlled effects, of small or medium caliber. An internal structure is provided, made of a low-density cellular material with an elongation at break of less than 10%. An external casing encases the structure. The casing is made of a low hardness material with an elongation at break in excess of 100%. The casing is attached to the structure. The projectile may contain at least one cavity containing a different material from that of the structure and may also contain a payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Securinov SA
    Inventors: Cyrille Raquin, Richard Guillot
  • Patent number: 8640623
    Abstract: A multiple-purpose projectile assembly includes an anti-personnel projectile, an armor-penetrating projectile, a propellant, a base bleed gas, and a primer. The anti-personnel projectile includes a cavity having a scored surface and is made out of a soft metal. The armor-penetrating projectile is made from a hard metal and is housed partially within the cavity of the anti-personnel projectile prior to firing from a weapon. The propellant and the primer are both housed within the cavity. The firing of the projectile assembly causes the armor-penetrating projectile to drive into the primer, thereby detonating the primer, causing the detonation of the propellant, thereby increasing the pressure of the cavity and causing the two projectiles to separate after the projectile assembly leaves the bore of the weapon. The burning of the propellant releases a base bleed gas that reduces the drag experienced by the anti-personnel projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald B. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 8640622
    Abstract: A projectile assembly 10 includes an individual projectile 20 and a composite projectile 30. The individual projectile 20 has a communicating portion 22. The composite projectile 30 includes at least one flechette 32. Prior to the projection of the projectile assembly 10, the composite projectile 30 is located adjacent to the communicating portion 22 of the individual projectile 20. The individual projectile 20 and the composite projectile 30 are structured and disposed for separating from one another after the initial projection of the projectile assembly 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald B. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 8640624
    Abstract: A kinetic energy penetrator with a longitudinal axis may include a forward segment having a lateral surface, a rear surface, and at least one air bleed channel extending from the lateral surface to the rear surface. A second segment may be disposed aft of and torsionally engaged with the forward segment. The second segment may include a front surface adjacent the rear surface of the forward segment. The forward and second segments may each be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis of the penetrator. When the penetrator is in flight, bleed air through the bleed channels may impinge on the front surface of the second segment. The second segment may separate from the front segment. Kinetic energies of each of the forward and second segments may be less than about 75 joules upon impact with a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ahmed Hassan, Marco Duca, Mohan Palathingal, Daniel Vo, Anthony Vella
  • Patent number: 8627770
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly for large bore gun systems having an integrated retention assembly for maintaining propellant charges within the cartridge case. The cartridge case having an interior space for receiving propellant charges and an open proximate end through which the propellant charges can be fed. An insulating sleeve defining an interior channel is affixed to the cartridge case and extends out of the proximate end of the cartridge case. The interior channel serves as a chute through which propellant charges can be fed. After the propellant charges are loaded, the insulating sleeve is crimped closed to retain the propellant charges within the cartridge case. A closure plug can be inserted into the proximate end of the cartridge case after the insulating sleeve is crimped closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Land & Armaments, L.P.
    Inventor: Gregg J. Severson
  • Publication number: 20140000471
    Abstract: A telescoped ammunition cartridge assembly including a case having a front end and a base end positioned along a longitudinal axis. A projectile is positioned along the longitudinal axis towards the front end of the case. An endcap is coupled to the front end of the case and is adapted to retain the projectile entirely within the case. A primer is positioned along the longitudinal axis towards the base end of the case. A primer support is coupled to the base end of the case and is adapted to support the primer within the case. The cartridge assembly includes at least one obturating lip seal to seal at least one of the endcap or the primer support to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: AAI Corporation
    Inventors: David Alan Carpenter, William Henry Engel, IV, Brandon S. Recchia, Paul Andrew Shipley
  • Patent number: 8616129
    Abstract: A cartridge useful as an activator of other systems, and related method of manufacture. The cartridge's casing includes a fuse delimited by placing a plate at each end staked to the casing for fixing the fuse. This configuration permits precise control of the length of the fuse during manufacture, eliminates the need for separate structures in the casing to aid fuse location, and simplifies manufacture and assembly. This configuration supports the fuse lessening stresses that can lead to fractures. A portion of the casing is thinned by a preselected amount to permit fracturing of the casing to launch the projectile. The projectile may be attached to the cartridge casing more simply, e.g. by screw threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ryan Barrow, James Mackie-Smith
  • Patent number: 8607707
    Abstract: The invention relates to an identifiable bullet and methods for making an identifiable bullet. In one embodiment, the bullet has a generally circumferential body that tapers from a rearward end toward a forward end. A generally circumferential bore extends from an orifice on the forward end into the body at least part of the way between the forward end and the rearward end. The end of the bore opposite the orifice includes a polymeric material support surface. A polymeric material is placed between the polymeric material support surface and the forward end. The polymeric material may include a user identifiable marker for allowing a user to identify the bullet when viewing the forward end. Alternatively, the polymeric material may cover a user identifiable marker and seal the user identifiable marker in the bore. A user may identify the bullet by viewing the marker from the forward end of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Harry Arnon, Josef Arnon, Neil Murray
  • Publication number: 20130284045
    Abstract: An ammunition capable of improving flying speed, shooting range, flight velocity, and straightness of a bullet by reducing the air resistance of the bullet due to the eddy flow of air generated at the rear portion of the bullet is provided. The wad of the ammunition includes a pressing portion having a through hole in which the cylindrical surface of the bullet is inserted, a coupling surface closely contacted to the vertical surface of the bullet, and a pressing surface extending from the through hole; and a cover portion having an inner peripheral surface which extends from the coupling surface of the pressing portion in the thrust force acting direction to cover a part of the circumferential surface of the streamlined tail portion of the bullet, and an outer peripheral surface which extends from an outer periphery of the pressing portion substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface of the bullet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA NUCLEAR ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Se-Yup Lee
  • Publication number: 20130263754
    Abstract: An ammunition round and method of hunting is provided that allows a hunter of the Muslim faith to hunt with a firearm and ensure the flesh of the hunted animal is halal. The ammunition rounds include a shotgun pellet, shotgun slug, handgun round, and rifle round having sharpened edges designed into their body structure to induce a cutting or slicing operation upon impact with a game animal. The shotgun pellets comprise raised cutting surfaces or a defined bi-pyramidal shape having cutting edges and intersection thereon. The shotgun slug, handgun round, and rifle round of the present invention comprise leading ends having cutting surfaces forming sharpened edges. These cutting surfaces include a plurality of sharpened extension members extending from the round leading end, or different surface geometries to create a cutting interface upon contact with a target animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Neme
  • Patent number: 8550002
    Abstract: An arrangement for supporting a mortar shell into a breech-loading weapon barrel (2). The arrangement comprises a support piece (6) provided with an edge flange (7) and to be attached to the tail of the mortar shell (1), whereby the arrangement further comprises a connecting piece (8) between the support piece and the mortar shell tail, which connecting piece is arranged to be attached to the mortar shell and the support piece and thus to attach the support piece with a mechanical joint to the mortar shell tail. In connection with the connecting piece (8), there is a point which is arranged to yield in a firing situation and thus to allow the mortar shell (1) to be detached from the support piece (6); and a firing mechanism (17) for firing the actual primer (10) of the mortar shell. The mechanical joint between the connecting piece (8) and the support piece (6) has been formed by means of cotter attachment (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Patria Land Systems Oy
    Inventor: Kari Reunamäki
  • Patent number: 8539885
    Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Rick Huffman
  • Patent number: 8528481
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a less lethal munition including a ring airfoil projectile. The flight trajectory of the projectile has increased accuracy resulting from the aerodynamic stabilization of the projectile. In some embodiments, the projectile is both aerodynamically stabilized and spin stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Kimball Rustin Scarr
  • Publication number: 20130220160
    Abstract: An identification device such as an RFID is delivered and embedded in a target by flechette means for target tracking and identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: ROBERT VAN BURDINE, Dorothy Devine Burdine
  • Patent number: 8511231
    Abstract: A less than lethal projectile and method of producing the same comprising of a sealed filled polymeric pouch containing a shot within. The sealed filled polymeric pouch is formed in a form, fill, and seal machine. An automatic loading ammunition machine is fed empty shell casings; the ammunition machine automatically loads the empty shell casing with pre-determined quantities of wad, primer, and gun powder, and subsequently moves the sealed filled polymeric pouch into a projectile compartment of the empty shell casing producing a fully-loaded shell casing to be loaded into a barrel of an ammunition. The polymeric pouch is capable of being inserted into various shell casings depending on the intended use thus allowing for officers and soldiers to select from an array of munitions when confronted with a situation where less than lethal means are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Brejon Holdings (BVI), Ltd.
    Inventors: John Hayes, Daniel Smith
  • Publication number: 20130167747
    Abstract: A round of ammunition for use in a 5.56 NATO-specification chamber comprises a cartridge casing and a bullet having a casing engaging segment, a sealing band and a groove. The sealing band encircles the casing engaging segment. The casing engagement segment of the bullet is engaged within a bullet receiving opening of the cartridge casing with a rear surface of the sealing band abutting a front edge of the cartridge casing. The groove encircles the casing engagement segment. A rear portion of the sealing band intersects a front portion of the groove. A front face of the sealing band is substantially flat. An angle of the front face of the sealing band is approximately the same as an angle of a neck-to-throat transition portion of the 5.56 NATO-specification chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ENGEL BALLISTIC RESEARCH INC.
    Inventor: ENGEL BALLISTIC RESEARCH INC.
  • Patent number: 8474380
    Abstract: A projectile (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12) with a first (leading) end (14) and a second trailing axially opposed end (16). An internal cavity (18) is formed between the ends (14 and 16) and holds a volume of propellant material (22). The first end (14) is closed by a nose (20) that is fixed to the body (12). The end (14) is sealed with a base seal (26) that seats a primer (24) for igniting the propellant (22). The primer (24) is located inboard of the second end (16) and the base seal (26) to reduce the likelihood of accidental activation. Seals (30) are formed about the body (12) for maintaining gas pressure of deflagrating propellant. The seals (30) may be formed integrally with the body (12) or separately from the body (12) and seated in respective grooves (40) formed circumferentially about the body (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Techventure Investments Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Leslie Mervyn Harrison
  • Patent number: 8434409
    Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile comprises a tail assembly. The tail assembly comprises a casing and a closure in the tail assembly, the casing and closure forming a chamber containing a propellant charge, an exit from the casing for release of propellant gases into the barrel when the propellant is ignited to launch the projectile from the barrel, the closure closing the exit, wherein the closure is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber, a primer in a leading end of the casing, an inductor around the casing, and a signal detector at a leading end of the casing and inductor, wherein the signal detector triggers the primer and the signal detector receives a signal output from the inductor to trigger the primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: Sean Patrick O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8434410
    Abstract: A round of ammunition for an assault rifle or the like includes a cartridge and a bullet or projectile. The cartridge includes a rear portion and a forward portion with a reduced diameter while the rear portion is dimensioned to fit into the breach of a rifle and defines a hollow chamber or interior volume for a mass of gun powder and primer. The forward portion of the cartridge joins a bullet. The bullet includes a bullet shaped rounded lead tip and an aerodynamically shaped forward portion including a tapered shell and a solid cylindrically shaped lead middle portion. The forward portion also includes an axial steel rod between the tip and the middle portion. The bullet also includes a rear portion including a tapered shell surrounding a second hollow chamber with a small opening in the distal part of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Salem A. S. AlSalem
  • Publication number: 20130098258
    Abstract: A cartridge for a small arms weapon, comprising a cover for housing a projectile; a metal cap at a rear end of the cover; a propellant charge located inside the cover at the rear thereof; and a gas seal element located inside the cover adjacent to the propellant charge and having an annular sealing formation projecting rearwardly towards the propellant charge and being outwardly deformable on detonation of the propellant charge for sealing against an internal surface of the cover. The metal cap has a rim extending longitudinally over a portion of the external surface of the cover for supporting the cover where the sealing formation first seals against its internal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Alculumbre
  • Publication number: 20130092041
    Abstract: Ammunition which includes a bullet having an effective caliber that is larger than its nominal caliber, comprised of a bullet body with a longitudinal cavity in the forward end, and one or more bores extending from the cavity to bore openings on the exterior of the bullet. In use, target media is gathered in the cavity and ejected under force through the bore openings, increasing the damage done by the bullet. Optional embodiments include filled, irritant payload, and jacketed embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Lueder Seecamp
  • Patent number: 8418624
    Abstract: An invention in which a projectile device is deployed from a compressed air firing system that, upon impact of the projectile device into a target, the projectile device embeds itself in the intended target's outer surface or material. In one application, a GPS receiver and transmitter provided within the projectile device relays position data to a receiving apparatus that is monitored by a stationary or mobile conveyance. In another application, the projectile device, may include remotely operable explosives which are preferably triggered once the target is an area where the explosives can be detonated with minimal collateral damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Thomas McGarraugh, Barron Christopher Miller
  • Publication number: 20130087063
    Abstract: A liquid-filled bullet has a bullet cap and a bullet base with a cavity therebetween, the cavity containing a liquid. The bullet base has a chamfer and an extension above the chamfer where the base mates with the bullet cap. The bullet cap is deformed and the cavity content released inside a target by pressure of the chamfered portion of the bullet base deforming the bullet cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Theodore John HALTER
  • Patent number: 8402897
    Abstract: Projectiles with sealed propellant are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a projectile includes a chamber having a propellant charger, an exit from the chamber for release of propellant gases into a barrel when the propellant is ignited to fire the projectile, and a seal to block the exit which is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to ignition of other propellant in the barrel, where the seal is carried from the barrel by the projectile after the ignition. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventors: James Michael O'Dwyer, Sean Patrick O'Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20130055917
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for payload delivery systems and cartridges and methods that incorporate these payload delivery systems. In one aspect, the payload delivery system can comprise a payload cup and a pleated cup nested within the payload cup and having a pleated side wall. The disclosed cartridges can be used to deliver payloads such as solid projectiles, shot of all sizes, powders, gels, liquids, and other payloads to exploit their specific function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: James Y. Menefee, III
  • Publication number: 20130055916
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for payload delivery systems and cartridges and methods that incorporate the payload delivery systems. The payload delivery system can comprise a stabilizer having a longitudinally cut side wall defining a series of vanes that are folded forward in the pre-launched configuration. Other aspects combine a payload cup nested within the forward folding stabilizer. Still other aspects integrate the payload portion and the stabilizer portion into a single piece that constitutes a stabilized payload cup. The disclosed cartridges can be used to deliver payloads such as solid projectiles, shot of all sizes, powders, gels, liquids, and other payloads to exploit their specific function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: James Y. Menefee, III
  • Publication number: 20130025490
    Abstract: A three component bullet with an improved core retention feature and a method of manufacturing the bullet is described including a cylindrical jacket having an open end and a closed end containing a malleable metal core which is forced into a forming die having a bottleneck shaped interior resulting in a bottleneck shaped pre-form wherein the outside diameter of the open-ended forward portion of the jacket is smaller than the outside diameter of its closed rearward portion. The open end of the pre-form may be dropped through or forced through a malleable locking band of appropriate height, diameter and wall thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: RA Brands L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas J. BURCZYNSKI
  • Publication number: 20130014664
    Abstract: A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes an upper component of polymer, a bullet of a standard weight, a lower component of polymer, and an insert. The upper component has a shoulder portion and an upper component inner wall has a first slope extending from the shoulder. The lower component has a lower component inner wall having a second slope. The upper and lower component inner walls form a propellant chamber; and the first and second slopes reduce a volume of the propellant chamber. The reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: PCP Ammunition Company, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Padgett
  • Patent number: 8342097
    Abstract: A launcher system includes a launcher having a barrel adapted to receive a projectile with a charge of propellant and a magazine adapted to hold additional projectiles, with each projectile including a piston shiftably mounted for movement relative to a main body. When propellant in the projectile is ignited, either mechanically or electrically, the propellant forces the piston from a retracted position during a period of initial thrust and then the propellant exits through at least one vent hole to provide an additional thrust for the projectile upon the piston moving to a fully extended position and safely discharge pressure from within the projectile. The projectile may be fired at lethal or non-lethal velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Widder, Christopher A. Perhala
  • Patent number: 8336458
    Abstract: A projectile in which the metallic base body itself is used as a ground wire and only the signal line is passed through the inside of the base body so that it is insulated by a suitable bore of the base body. The signal line is insulated from the ground wire by a coating of an electrically insulating material applied to the base body, before the signal line is introduced into the bore. The two ends of the signal line are provided with connecting contacts, which preferably can be screwed at least partially into the base body and are mounted in such a way that they are insulated from the base body. To allow contacting of the ground wire, which is formed by the base body itself, the front end and the rear end of the base body are provided with coating-free blind bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Torsten Niemeyer, Juergen Pellnath
  • Patent number: 8336460
    Abstract: A support member and method for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon. The support member (6) comprises a support element (8) with an rim flange (7), end (16), and edge casing (12), and means for fastening the support element (8) to at least one fin (5) belonging to the tail end (4) of the shell (1). The means for fastening the support element (8) to the tail end (4) of the shell (1) comprise a retainer part (9) arranged to the edge casing (12) and arranged to circle the inner surface (10) of the edge casing essentially level with the plane of the rim flange (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Patria Land Systems Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Tiainen, Jari Grönlund, Kalevi Yli-Paavola
  • Patent number: 8327767
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a reduced energy training cartridge for use in a straight blowback operated firearm having a barrel with firing chamber, the cartridge comprising a cartridge case being defined by a rear portion with an external groove, a front portion having a velocity reduction structure and a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, a sabot slideably engaged within the cartridge case, the sabot having a rear portion with an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the inner surface of the cartridge case and which contains a gas sealing and braking structure and a primer disposed in the rear portion of the cartridge case where, upon percussion of the primer, the cartridge case rapidly slides relative to the sabot until such point when the velocity reduction structure of the cartridge case engages with the sealing and braking structure of the sabot, thereby stopping further movement of the cartridge case relative to the sabot, The present invention also contemplat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Lafortune
  • Patent number: 8316769
    Abstract: A reloadable training munition having a reusable shell base having a propulsion system reload inserted into a hollow cavity of the shell base and a reusable single piece projectile inserted into the shell base, the projectile having a hollow body portion, a driving band adjacent the body portion, and a nose portion adjacent the driving band having void spaces for controlling both density and mass properties of the nose portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Wilson
  • Patent number: 8307766
    Abstract: A projectile includes a cartridge and a hollow bullet. A propellant fills the cartridge and the hollow bullet to increase the velocity of the bullet when fired. The hollow bullet has a flattened leading end and an annular ring is secured to the flattened leading end in the center of the flat region. The flattened leading end and the annular ring move a center of pressure forwardly so that a center of pressure is forward of a center of gravity of the bullet when the bullet is in flight. In a second embodiment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slits is formed in a trailing end of the hollow bullet, creating a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fins that flare radially outwardly upon impact with a soft target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Liberty Ammunition, Inc.
    Inventor: PJ Marx
  • Patent number: 8307768
    Abstract: A bullet for a firearm includes a rear unit that comprises substantially a solid structure. Additionally, the bullet includes a front unit separate and discrete from the rear unit. The front unit defines a cavity and at least a portion of the rear unit is secured in the cavity of the front unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Cziglenyi
  • Patent number: 8297190
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly for breaching a door including a cartridge case, a cartridge body, and a fuse. The cartridge case contains a first propellant and a primer. The cartridge body has a rearward end in locking engagement with a forward end of the cartridge case, a channel located in the cartridge body contains an extrudable explosive, a piston in slidable engagement in the channel is in a forward end of said channel, the piston being forward of the extrudable explosive contained in the channel, whereby rearward movement of the piston forces extrudable explosive rearwardly and radially outwardly through extrusion ports into a cavity inside of the cartridge body where a bladder is stowed. The piston has a rearwardly projecting detonator pin which upon movement to a rearward most position engages a rearward escapement and detonator which in turn initiates detonation of explosive in the bladder. A fuse is attached to a forward end of the cartridge body. A proximity fuse or contact fuse may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Frank J Dindl, Kenneth R Jones
  • Publication number: 20120266772
    Abstract: A projectile assembly 10 includes an individual projectile 20 and a composite projectile 30. The individual projectile 20 has a communicating portion 22. The composite projectile 30 includes at least one flechette 32. Prior to the projection of the projectile assembly 10, the composite projectile 30 is located adjacent to the communicating portion 22 of the individual projectile 20. The individual projectile 20 and the composite projectile 30 are structured and disposed for separating from one another after the initial projection of the projectile assembly 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Donald B. Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20120240807
    Abstract: A less than lethal cartridge for a projectile which when fired has a velocity which will not kill an individual struck by the projectile. The less than lethal cartridge has a rim which is deeper or thicker than a rim on a conventional lethal cartridge. The caliber of the cartridge is also selected so that regular lethal ammunition is not available in this caliber. The preferred caliber of the less than lethal cartridge is .490. The less than lethal cartridge contains a polymeric projectile or alternatively, a sealed filled polymeric pouch containing shot therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: John Hayes