Projectile Structure Patents (Class 102/439)
  • Patent number: 4974517
    Abstract: An article of ammunition with propulsion mechanism, incorporating a fin-stabilized projectile, the propulsion mechanism, a casing for a propellant, and a propellent charge, and wherein the propulsion mechanism includes an empty volume or open void intermediate front and rear guidance segments thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Josef Kraft, Wolfgang Stein, Adolf Weber
  • Patent number: 4967668
    Abstract: This invention comprises a puller sabot characterized by a forward stabilizing disk, a rear stabilizing disk and a mid section. The obturator is located on the forward stabilizing disk. The rear stabilizing disk has a plurality of openings extending longitudinally through the rear stabilizing disk such that propellant may be located forward of the rear disk and ignited and vented. The sabot surrounds the peripheral mid section of a long rod fin stabilized projectile and guides the sub-projectile through a rifled barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Warren
  • Patent number: 4964341
    Abstract: An extendible probe projectile and an extendible probe assembly therefor, in which the extendible probe reduces drag on the projectile in its extended position and is moved to its extended locked drag-reducing position by ram air action which is converted into a forwardly acting force on the probe during forward motion of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Hebert
  • Patent number: 4958570
    Abstract: A bullet assembly includes a nose member having an outer cylindrical wall terminating at its forward end with a generally hemispherical nose. The nose member also includes an inner wall defining a concentric cavity inside the nose member having a predetermined axial depth. The bullet assembly also includes a base member having a cylindrical body portion and a projection that extends away from an upper surface of the body portion. The projection engages the inner wall of the nose member to secure the nose member to the base member. The projection has an axial length smaller than the predetermined depth of the cavity to form a hollow region completely disposed and enclosed inside the nose member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: David A. Harris
  • Patent number: 4947752
    Abstract: The ammunition features a chamber (1b) having substantially along its full length a constant and uniform internal diameter corresponding to the diameter of a cartridge (2), in order to avoid building up high pressure, the said cartridge (2) being filled with pyroxylin powder and fitted with a primer (3) overcharged with a fulminating compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Verney Carron
    Inventor: Pierre Richert
  • Patent number: 4938146
    Abstract: An ammunition comprises a cartridge casing and a propellant unit disposed in the cartridge casing including a propellant housing having a length oriented codirectionally with the length of the cartridge casing, a rear terminal portion held in a rear base of the casing and a frontal terminal portion provided with an external thread. The ammunition further has a projectile housing having a rear length portion received in the frontal end portion of the cartridge casing; and an annular sleeve affixed to the exterior face of the projectile housing base and being in alignment with the propellant housing. The annular sleeve has an internal thread being in a threaded engagement with the external thread of the propellant housing and weakened portions immediately adjacent the exterior face for causing a rupture of the annular sleeve in response to a predetermined propelling force seeking to separate the projectile housing from the cartridge casing upon igniting the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gunther, Wolfgang Graupner
  • Patent number: 4913056
    Abstract: In a cartridge fitted with a gun-barrel projectile comprising a lead head and a resilient body joined to the head by a plug-in connection, the connection is designed to be a positive and exact fit, and the body is constructed with a forward end part adjacent the head, a rod-like central part, and a rearward end part in the form of a flat top piston connected to the central part at a predetermined breakage point whereby the rearward part can break from the central part and move forwards, hence moving the center of gravity of the projectile forwards, when the cartridge is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Wilhelm Brenneke KG Fabrikation Von Jagdgeschossen
    Inventors: Peter Matysik, Heinz Wiechmann
  • Patent number: 4913054
    Abstract: A projectile delivery apparatus for enhancing the penetration capability of a projectile including a friable capsule, which traverses the distance from a firearm to a preselected target while retaining the launch weight of the projectile intact, and a projectile, which is mounted internally of the friable capsule and is released from the capsule to achieve increased penetration of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Dynafore Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 4911079
    Abstract: The invention relates to hunting ammunitions each comprising a projectile actuated by the combustion of a propellant charge and characterized in that it comprises an annular chamber separated from the propellant charge by a partition comprising one or several brittle areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 4909152
    Abstract: A cartridge for the expulsion of liquids under pressure, including a chamber for a propellent charge and a separating arrangement which is located intermediate the chamber for the propellent charge and a liquid chamber. The separating arrangement is constituted as a propulsion mechanism which consists of a driving member, and a closure element which is detachably connected therewith at the end surface of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf GmbH
    Inventor: Ingolf Reuter
  • Patent number: 4895076
    Abstract: A sub-caliber trainer round that includes a projectile with weighted means or weighting the projectile to the desired weight and the projectile having a rear piston like portion for sliding in a cylindrical bore and having a front portion as a marking means for marking the impact position of the projectile relative to a target. The projectile is designed to be mounted in a cylindrical bore as a shotgun shell with a primer and powder for launching the projectile in much the same manner as a shotgun shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Lonnie L. Looger, deceased, John W. Byrd
  • Patent number: 4892038
    Abstract: Cartridge ammunition 1 for a grenade pistol includes a casing 10 made, for example, of plastic, the casing having an opening. A projectile 11 disposed in the casing opening and includes a tracer charge and/or delayed-action charge 11b. A primer 13 and a propelling charge 14 the disposed in a cup 12 at the base of casing 10. The cup 12 is composed of two mutually concentric sleeves 12a, and 12b, with the inner sleeve 12b being mounted so as to be slidable in the outer sleeve 12a and extendable in the manner of a telescope. The outer sleeve 12a has a free end section which is provided, with an external thread 100 followed by an annular, predetermined, circumferential break location 12d. The base of projectile 11 includes a sleeve 17 provided with an internal thread which can be screwed onto the outer sleeve 12a of cup 12. A firing channel 12c is provided in the bottom or end wall 12e of the cup-shaped inner sleeve 12b, with such firing channel being oriented toward the tracer and/or delayed-action charge 11b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Jurgen Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Lubbers
  • Patent number: 4887534
    Abstract: An improved ignition system for a fin-stabilized, high intrusion projectile (10) comprises an elongated boom (14) and a hollow fin assembly (16) which extends rearwardly into an external cartridge case (28) containing a consumable containment bag (30) filled with granular propellant (34), and which fits slidably over a primer (54). The primer (54) comprises a stub flash tube (56) extending through the base (40) of the external cartridge case (28) and a long igniter cartridge (58) fitted within the axial bore of the stub flash tube (56). The outer walls of the igniter cartridge (58) are fabricated from a combustible material such as paper, and the interior of the igniter cartridge (58) is filled with strands of benite or a similar explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Dickovich, Steven P. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 4864934
    Abstract: An industrial shotshell has a load, such as an iron slug, assembled with a press-fitted, wad column-containing outer cup and housed with the cup in its shell. The outer cup encloses a wad column and, when pressed fitted onto a larger diameter rearward portion of the slug, seals the gases and supports the wad column during slug setback. A concavity formed in the interior of the base end of the outer cup provides empty space into which the wad column can compress during slug setback. The outer cup holds the wad column to the slug and remains attached thereto during flight, adding a degree of drag stabilization for improved accuracy of the slug and helping to stabilize the slug by changing its center of gravity. An obturating cup is formed integral at the rearward exterior of the base end of the outer cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Theising
  • Patent number: 4829904
    Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the rifling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Branscomb Corporation N. V.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4827650
    Abstract: The disclosed weapon system comprises a gun barrel and a cooperating caseless ammunition. The ammunition is temporarily retained within the gun barrel by means of a conical force fit. The coupling comprises a female conical surface in the rear of the gun barrel and a male conical surface on the rear of the projectile wherein both surfaces have the same conicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Serge Ladriere
  • Patent number: 4823699
    Abstract: A back-actuated forward ignition cartridge having a case, a puller sabot and rod penetrator projectile in the forward mouth end of the case, and a combination compacted propellant solid mass and loose propellant charge ignitable by back ignition through actuation of a rear primer and guided flame propagation through a guide tube extending through the compacted propellant mass and to the vicinity of the loose propellant charge, while preventing ignition of the compacted propellant mass as the flame passes along the tube therethrough. The guide tube has a booster ignition charge therein to assist in forward flame propagation and ignition of the loose propellant. Burning of the loose propellant charge effects pressurized constriction of the sabot about the projectile and drives the sabot/projectile from the case and along a barrel bore, thereby increasing the effective burning volume prior to ignition of the compacted propellant solid mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony L. Farinacci
  • Patent number: 4815387
    Abstract: Cartridge ammunition 1 for a grenade pistol includes a casing 10 made, for example, of plastic, the casing having an opening. A projectile 11 is disposed in the casing opening and includes a tracer charge and/or delayed-action charge 11b. A primer 13 and a propelling charge 14 are disposed in a cup 12 at the base of casing 10. The cup 12 is composed of two mutually concentric sleeves 12a and 12b, with the inner sleeve 12b being mounted so as to be slidable in the outer sleeve 12a and extendable in the manner of a telescope. The outer sleeve 12a has a free end section which is provided with an external thread 100 followed by an annular, predetermined, circumferential break location 12d. The base of projectile 11 includes a sleeve 17 provided with an internal thread which can be screwed onto the outer sleeve 12a of cup 12. A firing channel 12c is provided in the bottom or end wall 12e of the cup-shaped inner sleeve 12b, with such firing channel being oriented toward the tracer and/or delayed-action charge 11b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Jurgen Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Lubbers
  • Patent number: 4805535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to projectiles that are particularly useful in guns having smooth bores, but it is equally useful in guns having either smooth or rifled bores. The present projectiles are cylindrical, tubular composites comprised of low density and high density materials. The present projectiles have a heavier forward portion and a lighter rearward portion. The distance from a point at the rear of the projectile to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the projectile and passing through the center of mass of the projectile is from about 1.0 to about 5.0, and more preferably from about 1.2 to about 1.8, and most preferably from about 1.2 to about 1.6, times the distance from a corresponding point at the front of the projectile to such plane. The present projectiles may also include a guidance system consisting of internal vanes, or fins, positioned within the projectile body. The present projectiles present substantially less head-on surface area when the projectile is in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Robert V. Marcon
  • Patent number: 4788915
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to hunting ammunition for a fire-arm of the kind having a subcaliber bullet fitted with a feathering, the subcaliber bullet allowing for destabilization on its trajectory beyond a distance travelled outside of the fire-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 4782758
    Abstract: An improved telescoped ammunition round having a projectile comprising an aft recess to receive a booster tube that is affixed to the cartridge case and which remains stationary relative to the cartridge case throughout the firing sequence. The booster tube is provided with a primer to ignite the booster charge and is positioned within the projectile recess to initially propel the projectile and subsequently ignite the main propellant within the cartridge case after the projectile has been forced at least partially into the gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: AeroJet-General Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Washburn
  • Patent number: 4779535
    Abstract: A slug assembly for a shotgun shotshell having a case in which the slug assembly is incorporated, comprising a metal slug having a center axial cavity, an elastically deformable stabilizer which is fitted in the cavity, and a filler which is charged in the cavity. The stabilizer has a plunger having a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening of the cavity of the slug and an annular flange having a diameter substantially identical to a diameter of a barrel bore of a shotgun in which the slug assembly is to be used. The plunger and annular flange are coaxial to each other. The plunger cooperates with the cavity of the slug to maintain a distance between a rear end face of the slug and a front end face of the annular flange of the stabilizer at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Nagatoshi Maki
  • Patent number: 4762068
    Abstract: Cartridged ammunition 1 for a grenade pistol includes a casing 10 made, for example, of plastic, the casing having an opening. A projectile 11 is disposed in the casing opening and includes a tracer charge and/or delayed-action charge 11b. A primer 13 and a propelling charge 14 are disposed in a cup 12 at the base of casing 10. The cup 12 is composed of two mutually concentric sleeves 12a and 12b, with the inner sleeve 12b being mounted so as to be slidable in the outer sleeve 12a and extendable in the manner of a telescope. The outer sleeve 12a has a free end section which is provided with an external thread 100 followed by an annular, predetermined, circumferential break location 12d. The base of projectile 11 includes a sleeve 17 provided with an internal thread which can be screwed onto the outer sleeve 12a of cup 12. A firing channel 12c is provided in the bottom or endwall 12e of the cup-shaped inner sleeve 12b, with such firing channel being oriented toward the tracer and/or delayed-action charge 11b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Jurgen Diederichs GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Willi Lubbers
  • Patent number: 4742776
    Abstract: The invention relates to the art field of cartridges for conventional smoothbore shotguns used in hunting. A projectile is disclosed that consists in a hollow cylindrical leaden body the forward end of which is stopped by a dome reflexed back into the hollow body and exhibiting an external recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Cervo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Scuto
  • Patent number: 4742774
    Abstract: Improved small arms ammunition comprising a conventional primed cartridge case and a hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is provided according to the present invention. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is characterized by a nose of circular cross-section expanding back to the main body of the projectile. The main body of the projectile includes a rotational band about at least a portion of the periphery thereof and is backed by a pusher disc and obturator to seal off the central core of the projectile so that propulsive force may be imparted thereto. The tubular projectile is lighter than its comparable conventional counterparts, exhibits gyroscopic stability and is capable of being fired at higher muzzle velocities and producing less recoil than that associated with conventional small arms ammunition while at the same time depositing a great amount of kinetic energy upon impacting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Abraham Flatau
  • Patent number: 4733611
    Abstract: A multiple projectile cartridge for a handgun comprises four spherical projectiles embedded within a paraffin/powder filler material contained within a plastic casing enclosed in a conventional small caliber shell containing the usual primer assembly and powder charge. The projectiles each have a diameter slightly less than the internal casing diameter which maximizes the number of shots and mass traveling at high velocity to strike the target. The single row of projectiles are longitudinally spaced from each other by the filler material so that the projectiles do not crunch together during flight, resulting in a shot string held together in a close pattern of high ballistic integrity. The diametral relationship (i.e., clearance) between the projectile diameter and internal casing diameter also prevents the plastic casing side wall from laterally expanding as the casing travels through the gun barrel to prevent groove fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventors: Michael R. Janay, Richard R. Reuschling
  • Patent number: 4729321
    Abstract: A shell formed of a cylindrical casing having a reduced diameter cylindrical package of explosive contained therein and means to ignite the explosive and a plurality of metallic pellets positioned in the annular area between the explosive and the casing, each pellet being in the form of a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular faces meeting in a common apex, the base and all faces being equally dimensioned and shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Stafford
  • Patent number: 4718348
    Abstract: Projectiles for use in shells for shotguns and other smooth bore weapons are teardrop-shaped having a blunt hemispherical nose portion and an elongate tail portion tapering smoothly from a junction with the nose portion to a relatively sharp tip. The outer surface of the nose portion is provided with radiating curved grooves for imparting in-flight spin to the projectile so as to stabilize it in flight. The projectiles may be used in a shell case singly to provide a relatively large caliber slug or alternatively small caliber projectiles may be used in elongate stacks in a shell case to provide a form of buckshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: John E. Ferrigno
  • Patent number: 4700630
    Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the rifling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Branscomb Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4686904
    Abstract: A shell formed of a casing having a propellant in it and a means of igniting the propellant, and shot formed of a plurality of metallic pellets each of a pyramid shape, that is, in the form of a polyhedron having a equilateral triangular base and equilateral faces meeting in a common apex. The pyramidal shape causes the pellets to travel in a flatter trajectory than spherical pellets commonly used so that when the shell is of the type used in a shotgun, the pellets have greater range, more directional stability, and are less affected by sidewinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Stafford
  • Patent number: 4682545
    Abstract: An ammunition round for a small arms piece including a cartridge casing with a nose opening and base opening at opposite ends thereof and a casing defined internal chamber extending therebetween with the nose opening serving to snugly receive a pellet means and the base opening serving to snugly receive a primer means, the nose opening corresponding in cross-section with the original bore of the barrel of the small arms piece, the casing having an internal protruding displacement extending into the internal chamber adjacent the nose opening to provide a stop seat for the pellet means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas M. Jett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4676169
    Abstract: A slug assembly for a shotgun shotshell, having a slug which has a circular largest diameter portion, and which has at least one cylindroid portion consisting of inclined generatrices, a sleeve like spacer made of a plurality of split spacer elements coaxially surrounding the slug. The spacer has inner portions which come into close contact with the cylindroid portion of the slug. The slug assembly also has a disc like stabilizer between the wad and the slug, connected to the slug by means of male and female connectors. A front surface of the stabilizer comes into close contact with the rear end of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Nagatoshi Maki
  • Patent number: 4671179
    Abstract: The target-effective mass of cartridged ammunition is increased while maintaining a predetermined cartridge length.A projectile body has a projectile tail portion extending rearwardly on which a fin or wing-stabilization arrangement is mounted. This tail portion extends rearwardly towards the immediate vicinity of the propellant charge casing bottom. A projection extends rearwardly past the wing or fin-stabilization guide arrangement. This projection includes a massive portion which separates at firing from the propellant charge casing bottom. The rear portion of the projectile body is surrounded by a sheathing of combustible material forming the ignition element which sheathing extends from the cartridge case bottom up to at least the middle of the propellant charge casing and has a longitudinal extent l.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Synofzik, Michael Schwenzer, Peter Wallow
  • Patent number: 4664034
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in firearms contains fettered shot therein. The fettered shot enables eight or more pellets to be discharged in a tight group and in a manner which increases the effective range of the firearms. The fettered shot of the present invention is especially useful against helicopters and airborn troop assaults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Inventor: Dale W. Christian
  • Patent number: 4644866
    Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the refling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Branscomb Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4587905
    Abstract: An assembly of a wad and a slug for a shotgun cartridge, the wad and the slug being coaxially connected to each other by means of male and female connectors provided on the wad and the slug without play between the connectors, the assembly comprising peripheral projections spaced from one another in the axial direction of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Nagatoshi Maki
  • Patent number: 4574702
    Abstract: On impact the primer (37) is struck by the point (33) and transmits the ignition to an explosive column (14) located in the hollow nose (4). The splinters from a metal closing piece (17) are then thrown violently into an empty duct (19) located along the center line of the high-explosive filling (23, 24) made of stabilized secondary explosive material. When the projectile has been fired it is driven in rotation in order to stabilize it and the bolt (27) subjected to centrifugal force frees the way along the duct (19). The splinters from piece (17) can therefore travel through the duct (19) and strike the ignition booster (22) which is also made of stabilized secondary explosive material. The hollow charge is formed by the conical piece (11).A highly effective projectile is produced having great operational safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Francois Brandt
  • Patent number: 4572077
    Abstract: A projectile for hand and shoulder weapons has a cylindrical body and a nose, the longitudinal cross-section of the nose being defined by two concave lines which are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the projectile. An internal cavity formed within the projectile body and open at the end remote from the nose is at least partly filled with charge power which has been introduced into the cartridge case. The initial velocity thus imparted to the projectile is higher than that of a projectile of the conventional type and of the same caliber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Societe Francaise de Munitions
    Inventors: Robert Antoine, Jacques Laurin
  • Patent number: 4561357
    Abstract: A projectile trajectory correction system, the projectile itself including a unique steering arrangement. The projectile, initially part of a shell cartridge, is fired, and its position is automatically sensed. A corrected trajectory necessary to hit a target is calculated and data commands are transmitted to the projectile. The data command signals are sensed by an antenna on the projectile. The antenna in turn generates a signal which is fed to the projectile steering mechanism which is deflected in response thereto to steer the projectile onto the correct trajectory. The steering mechanism includes an elongated rod extending from the rear of the projectile into the surrounding air stream. Deflection of the rod provides the actual steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: General Dynamics Pomona Division
    Inventors: Inge Maudal, Byron M. Niemeier, Larry D. Wedertz
  • Patent number: 4538520
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a gun barrel bullet made up of a metal head and an elastically deformable plug made up of two parts. The first plug part is connected to the head and defines an open ended chamber which is closed off by the second plug part. The first part includes a tapering pin which projects downwardly through the chamber and engages in an opening in the second part so that on firing the bullet remains an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Wilhelm Brenneke KG
    Inventor: Alfons Schmitz
  • Patent number: 4522126
    Abstract: A device comprising an infrared signature cloaking round forming part of the ammunition load of a cannon-armed vehicle provides an immediate response to a hostile threat from IR tracked or IR guided weapons by forming, when fired from the cannon, a mist that absorbs, scatters, reflects, refracts, or diffracts the infrared signature of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Morton Thiokol Inc.
    Inventor: Frank H. Bell
  • Patent number: 4517897
    Abstract: A piece of small arms ammunition includes a jacket bullet of an aerodynamically optimized configuration having a profile, with the exception of its ends and of an attachment section, which is drag optimized in accordance with a relation derived from the known Haack equation. The range probable error of the ammunition is further additionally and advantageously affected by the design of the head and tail end of the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Vertreten Durch Die Eidg. Munitionsfabrik Thun Der Gruppe Fur Rustungsdienste
    Inventor: Beat Kneubuhl
  • Patent number: 4505202
    Abstract: A projectile for dispersing a riot control agent material into the atmosphere at a target. The projectile is designed to open in flight and scatter a number of independent dispersal charges over a limited target area, and comprises a sabot in the form of a number of segments which are locked together prior to launching, which contains the dispersal charges and a delayed opening means which initiates opening in flight, thereby releasing the charges along approximately the same trajectory as the former projectile. In a preferred embodiment the sabot is cylindrical, in two segments hinged together at their rear end, locked together by either a collar or a pin and socket arrangement, and containing a number of cylindrical charges in line, with an axial channel. The projectile is fired from a gun, and firing initiates a pyrotechnic delay which activates an explosive or pyrotechnic charge in the channel and between the charges to open the sabot and activate and disperse the charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: John Fidler, John M. Green
  • Patent number: 4458597
    Abstract: A cartridge with firing actuation of the payload comprises a case solid with a case bottom which houses a threaded member constituting an ejection nozzle, and in front of the latter a missile provided with a delay ignition chain interrupted at the level of a transversally movable slide which comes into fire transmission position only after a predetermined delay. The cartridge has in addition a striker device actuated on impact so as to ignite the delay firing chain on impact, and a stabilizer device ensuring an axial deceleration permitting the satisfactory operation of the striker on impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices SA
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Reynes
  • Patent number: 4434718
    Abstract: A discarding sabot projectile for shotgun of unique construction whereby the separation of the projectile and sabot is enhanced by opposing air pressure and the unique construction of the sabot. The sabot as utilized herein comprises a plastic body firmly encompassing, but not completely encapsulating a subcaliber projectile. The plastic body includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots forming symmetrical segments and further, segment having longitudinally extending grooves for reducing friction between the barrel bore and the sabot. The segments are further defined at the other end thereof by longitudinal tapered edges. The sabot, upon exiting the launching device begins to separate from the enclosed projectile beginning at the uppermost front end of the sabot as a result of air pressure flowing in the opposite direction of the sabot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Inventors: Paul J. Kopsch, Donald F. Ward, Jay Graber, Omer Nichols
  • Patent number: 4428294
    Abstract: A finless non-spinning round is able to maintain range accuracy and reduced un tube wear by the use of a single base cool burning propellant, an improved shape wear liner, and a warhead projectile configured to position the center of gravity of the warhead so that it is equal to or greater than 0.5 calibers forward of the warhead's aerodynamic center of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Edmund W. Falkowski, Michael J. Kolasa
  • Patent number: 4413564
    Abstract: A shotgun slug having a frusto-conical body that increases a diameter from front to rear and which further includes a plurality of vanes projecting radially from the body which extend obliquely along the length thereof. The top lands of the vanes describe a truncated cone that is axially aligned with the body and which provide an interference fit with the bore of the gun barrel. The pitch of the cone described by the vanes is steeper than that of the supporting body so that the height of the vanes decrease from front to rear. Sufficient radial depth is given to the vanes so that the vanes retain their shape after the slug has been swagged in the barrel during firing. Accordingly, a stabilizing spin is imparted to the slug as it moves through the air towards the target. The slug is further provided with a nose heavy geometry which further enhances its flight characteristics thereby improving both range and accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Inventor: Worthy H. Brown
  • Patent number: 4365559
    Abstract: A munition or round for a firearm comprises a shell casing of synthetic resin material formed internally with a plurality of axially spaced annular ribs which snap into corresponding grooves in the shank of the bullet. The bullet shank is also formed with axially extending grooves to vent the space between the base of the bullet and the bottom of the casing, this space receiving a moist firing charge whose solvent vaporizes through the gaps formed by the axially extending groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: Eric Gruaz