Abstract: A sabot for a shotgun shell provided with a recess in its base upon which opellant gases may act to radially expand and flatten the sabot thereby enhancing the dispersion of shot. In alternate embodiments the recess may be conoidal, parabolic, pyramidal, or an involute surface resembling a cone. The recess may also be comprised of multiple overlapping layers. Each recess provides a unique shot pattern for short-range antipersonnel engagements. In other embodiments, the foregoing recesses are provided with grooves to facilitate petalling of the recess and flattening of the sabot during and after launch. In another embodiment, the recess is filled with propellant and capped with a consumable plug to delay ignition of the propellant charge, further enhancing shot dispersion.

Abstract: A sabot for a shotgun shell provided with a recess in its base upon which opellant gases may act to radially expand and flatten the sabot thereby enhancing the dispersion of shot. In alternate embodiments the recess may be conoidal, parabolic, pyramidal, or an involute surface resembling a cone. The recess may also be comprised of multiple overlapping layers. Each recess provides a unique shot pattern for short-range antipersonnel engagements. In other embodiments, the foregoing recesses are provided with grooves to facilitate petalling of the recess and flattening of the sabot during and after launch. In another embodiment, the recess is filled with propellant and capped with a consumable plug to delay ignition of the propellant charge, further enhancing shot dispersion.

Abstract: Shortened shotshells having a reduced length that allows one or more extra rounds to be carried in the magazine of a standard shotgun, and having substantially the same ballistic properties as standard shotshells, are obtained by using a reduced length shell casing and replacing the standard wadding with a relatively long double cup-shaped wadding with a first cup that holds the powder and a second cup to at least partly hold the shot. The open end of the first cup extends close to the primer cap. By placing the powder within the wadding and having part of the wadding extend around the shot, the same powder and shot loads may be used with a longer wadding. The longer wadding avoids tilting or tumbling of the wadding and provides a continuous gas seal between the end of the shell case and the barrel entrance across the gap that exits as a result of using the shortened shell case in a gun chambered for a standard length shell.

Abstract: A projectile carrier for use for the muzzle loading firearm. The carrier is formed of two separate and identical halves which abut along a common vertical plane. The two halves of the carrier when combined form a circular bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The side wall has a top opening for receiving a projectile.

Abstract: An improved store launching device is disclosed wherein the inside of a sdard sonobuoy launch container is modified to accept, and properly dispense, only one smaller and lighter store. A positioning ring is fitted securely onto the inner walls a preselected distance from the discharge end to provide a seat for a perforated obturator. A slotted pressure relief ring, with the edge adjacent the obturator having a biased cut of a predetermined angle therein, is placed adjacent the obturator and the discharge end of the container to surround the store.

Abstract: A propelling cage discarding sabot for a spin-stabilized subcaliber projectile, including a plastic material which is shaped and which is composed of a polyamide and from about 5% to about 30% by weight of carbon fiber, the plastic material having a specific weight which does not exceed 1.11 g/cm.sup.3, a tensile strength which is greater than 120 N/mm.sup.2, and a maximum water absorption which does not exceed 0.8% so that the propelling cage discarding sabot has mechanical characteristics which are substantially constant and has substantial dimensional trueness.

Abstract: Improvements to a fiber optically guided projectile include an obturator with a groove formed in the outer wall. An obturator ring is placed in the groove. The ring is made of resilient material, has a relaxed diameter greater than the bottom of the groove and is split so that it is releasable from the groove. Additionally, the rear-most wall of the groove is tapered to aid in the release, and the section of the obturator forward of the groove has a larger diameter than the section aft of the groove. A curved groove acts to transition the fiber from a longitudinal to a substantially tangential direction. Furthermore, either a cone or sleeve extension is included to prevent the fiber from looping about the projectile. An ejectable aft closure plate is provided to seal the interior of the projectile during launch.

Abstract: A large-caliber carrier projectile for transporting a payload, with the projectile including an ejection charge and an ejector plate for ejecting the payload from the carrier projectile over a target area. To overcome the problem of the ejector plate colliding with individual bomblets of the payload, and thus causing considerable interference with proper functioning or premature detonations in the air, the ejector plate is an eccentric center of gravity. Alternatively, the ejector plate may be segmented and composed of at least two separable parts which are separated by the action of centrifugal force after ejection from the carrier projectile.

Abstract: A shotgun cartridge (1) has an armour piercing shell (11) which includes a main charge (17) arranged to be detonated or exploded by direct percussion of a primer (12). The cartridge (1) includes a bore safe cylindrical arming device (16) integrally formed with the obturator (6), which interrupts the detonation process after detonation of the primer (12). The arming device (16) is arranged to separate from the shell, to arm the shell, after firing of the shell (11) from the barrel of a gun, and the shell (11) includes an open base or rear portion to prevent shrapnel being thrown to the rear on detonation.

Abstract: A high energy rapid expansion bullet for handguns, rifles and the like with greater killing power and protection from excessive gas pressures due to overloading of powder or obstruction in the gun barrel and without over penetration which could endanger bystanders. A standard bullet (e.g., 45 caliber, 9 MM) is provided with a through bore (draft hole) from the tip to the base of the bullet. The inner end of the bore has a conical seat spaced from the central portion of a malleable disc seal surrounded by an annular seat for the rim of the disc.Gases generated by firing of the bullet deform the disc into contact with the conical seat and wedge the base of the bullet outward to seal the gases in the barrel of the gun and pull the rim of the disc inward to aid in separating the disc from the bullet as soon as the bullet leaves the barrel. Excessive gas pressure such as could come from overloading (too much powder), ruptures the disc and vents the gases to the atmosphere.

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.

Abstract: A wad for shotgun shotshell having front and rear discs having a radius substantially identical to a radius of a barrel bore of an associated shotgun, and a connector arranged between and interconnecting the front and rear discs, the connector including two identical connector elements formed by bending circular plates having a radius substantially identical to the radius of the front and rear discs. Each of the connector elements has a planar central portion, two planar outer portions on the opposite sides of the central portion, and two outwardly inclined portions between the central portion and the respective outer portions, to connect the central portion to the respective outer portions. The central portion, the inclined portions and the outer portions of each connector element have circular peripheral surfaces having a curvature radius identical to the radius of the front and rear discs.

Abstract: A shot charge and wad structure includes a thick-walled plastic shot wad cup having integrally connected base and continuous sidewall portions which together define a shot pocket with an open end for receiving and supporting a charge of shot. The structure also includes a shot pellet charge in the shot pocket composed of tungsten and having a hardness generally at least equal to that of the gun barrel in which a shotshell containing the pellets is to be fired. An insert disk is disposed in the pocket below and in supporting relation to the charge of shot pellets in the pocket. The disk is composed of a material, such as aluminum, having a hardness sufficient to prevent any of the pellets in the charge thereof from embedding therein or in the base portion. Instead, the charge cleanly separates from the pocket of the cup upon firing of a shotshell containing the charge. The shot pocket can be either generally square or circular in cross-section.

Abstract: A shot cartridge suitable for use in automatic and semi-automatic pistols, characterized by a metal case terminated in a hemispherical crimp and a wad that expands to fill the barrel diameter of a pistol.

Abstract: A dual sealed composite wad structure for use within a cartridge for a firearm. The wad structure comprises the following described integrally joined components: a shot column which has at least two separate, pliable petals; a shot column gas seal which forms the base of the shot column and fits against the interior surface of the cartridge to form a gas seal; a powder chamber gas seal; and a post section which has at least two pliable crimped post members attached between the shot column seal and the powder chamber gas seal. The powder chamber gas seal has an inverted cup-shaped lower surface providing an outer rim which fits loosely against the interior wall of the cartridge. The diameter of the powder chamber gas seal is smaller than the diameter of the shot column gas seal such that, upon ignition of the powder below the powder chamber gas seal, a limited amount of propulsive gas escapes into the post section.

Abstract: A push rod for use in launching tubular projectiles employs a pyrophoric sintered mesh cloth machined to mate with the aft end of the tubular projectile within the gun barrel. The mesh cloth is configured to be entirely consumed during the initial portion of the external ballistic cycle and to push the projectile during the internal ballistic cycle. A preselected thickness of cellulose impregnated paper sheet, adhesively bonded to the aft end of the mesh cloth, delays combustion of the push rod until after the projectile and push rod have left the gun barrel.

Abstract: An article in the form of a projectile, a shock-sensitive switch or a sabot having an active component of shape-memory alloy which exhibits the shape-memory effect to provide a mechanical movement in response to a pressure wave passing through the article is disclosed. A thermal enhancement component which rapidly generates heat to initiate the shape-memory effect is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: An improved shot wad structure has a longer outer wad cup, a shorter inner wad cup and a plastic wad insert, and is useful in a shotshell with hard shot pellets, such as steel or tungsten shot. The outer cup, formed of a soft, low tensile strength material, such as polyethylene, is capable of obturating combustion gases produced in a gun barrel when the shotshell is fired, whereas the inner cup, formed of a tough, high tensile strength material, such as nylon, is adapted to support a shot column and is capable of withstanding compressive forces generated by shot acceleration to protect the barrel from being scored by the hard shot.

Abstract: An improved patch for use with muzzle-loading guns. The patch is made from a circular swatch of fabric which has at least three identical, symmetrical indentations formed in the periphery of the patch. The indentations reduce the tendency of the patch to interfere with the ball as it is being shot from the firearm.

Abstract: A one-piece, elongate, tubular shot shell wad structure, for use with ferrous metal and other hard shot, having a shot cup and obturating cup separated by a relatively small distance and yet having a cushioning capability for limiting peak powder chamber pressure upon firing and reducing choke strain. The cushioning structure comprises a specially formed annular depression formed in the exterior surface of the wad structure located at the juncture between the shot cup and obturating cup. The depression cooperates with the tubular wall of the obturating cup in such a way as to provide not only cushioning but also improved sealing upon firing. The shot cup has a hemispherical bottom surface which, despite the presence of the cushioning depression, does not undergo any substantial deformation upon firing and is therefore effective to further reduce choke strain.

Abstract: A wad for a shotgun shotshell with a crimped case, comprising a seal member located adjacent to a propellant in the case and a rotor opposed to the seal member. The seal member and the rotor are interconnected for relative sliding and rotation and have opposed end faces. The seal member has at least one explosion gas passage hole. The rotor has, on the end face opposed to the seal member, gas jet grooves which are spaced from the axis and which extend in a predetermined direction to be connected to the outer periphery of the rotor and to the hole of the seal member. The rotor has blades or male-female connectors for transmitting the rotation of the rotor to a projectile in the case.

Abstract: A two piece booster shot shell wad is disclosed which includes a one piece wad unit and a shot cup. The shot cup is received in a cup shaped cavity in the one piece unit. The shot cup has a non-circular stud on its bottom and is received in a non-circular recess on the one piece wad. The one piece wad has a channel on its bottom to trap air and direct it against the bottom of said shot cup to expel the shot cup from the one piece wad. The over powder wad shapes the charge and extended primer flash pocket helps in ignition of the powder. The outer peripheral upper edges of the cup shaped cavity in the one piece unit is flared outwardly to build up air pressure for opening the ears of the one piece wad and the shot cup has spaced ears which flare outwardly in flight through the air.

Abstract: A subcaliber projectile having a sabot formed by a plurality of segments is provided. The joined segments forming the sabot, present a gas pressure receiving surface 52 which is covered by a sealing foil 54 formed by a foil material made out of the propellant charge material to seal the joints formed on the gas pressure receiving surface. This foil material is firmly bonded to a portion 62 of the propellant charge proper.

Abstract: A pusher-type sabot for the launching of sub-caliber ballistic projectiles hose dimensions are significantly less than the gun bore diameter from which they are launched, the pusher-type sabot having a pusher plate and bore rider, segmented such that the trajectory imparted upon the pusher plate and bore rider segment is deviant from that of the sub-caliber ballistic projectile upon leaving the gun bore.

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.

Abstract: An improved wad and shot cup structure for shotgun shells or so-called shot shell cartridges for hunting and shooting use, including a substantially cylindrical body of plastic material forming a shot cup or bowl (7) containing lead shot (11) and a powder seal cup (17) for confining the firing charge, the shot cup and powder seal cup being connected by a cushioning structure (6). The latter includes disc-shaped elements or so-called tiles (9) of diameter such that, if flattened as caused by the thrust of the firing charge, it is substantially greater than the inner diameter of the gun barrel. The tiles are connected and separated by walls (10) by which the force is ultimately transferred from the powder seal cup to the shot cup, the tiles providing sealing against leakage of explosion gases and contributing to the cushioning effect of the cushioning structure, which constitutes a wad.

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.

Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile having a front end, a tail end and a cylindrical aped mid-section of substantially uniform diameter, sabot means comprising an annular obturating disc member and an annular stabilizing member, first retaining means for releasably securing said members together, said sabot means being mounted on and displaceable along said mid-section between a first position wherein it abuts said front end and a second position adjacent said tail end, and second retaining means for retaining said stabilizing member adjacent said tail end, the arrangement being such that after firing of said projectile said sabot means is displaced from said first position to said second position with the release of said obturating disc member from said stabilizing member and with the retention of the latter on said tail end.

Abstract: A cover (1) for protecting the surface (23) of a lens (3) disposed at the rear surface (21) of a guided projectile (7) is fabricated of Teflon or other soft material. Lens (3) faces rearward to receive guidance signals used to keep projectile (7) on a chosen path. Cover (1) protects lens surface (23) from combustive gases and particulates generated during projectile (7) firing, but must be removed shortly after firing to permit lens (3) to receive its guidance signals. Cover (1) comprises at least one vacated chamber (15) for receiving, via holes (17), high pressure combustive gases during firing. Subsequent to firing, the greater pressure within chamber (15) compared with the pressure surrounding cover (1) produces a net force of removal between cover (1) and projectile (7), causing cover (1) to be removed therefrom as desired.

Abstract: A wad located in a case of a shotgun cartridge containing gunpowder, comprising a cylindrical body which comprises a plurality of explosive gas passages to rotate the wad about the axis of the cylindrical body by the explosive gas which is produced by the explosion of the gunpowder.

Abstract: A wad which is adapted to be located in a case of a shotgun cartridge containing gunpowder, comprising a cylindrical wad body having an axial center hole and axial explosive gas passages, and a disc plate which has a plunger fitted in the center hole of the wad body and which has blades connected thereto to carry a mass of pellets and to transmit a rotational motion of the wad to the pellets, said wad body and disc plate defining therebetween explosive gas passages extending in directions perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical body, so as to rotate the wad about the axis of the cylindrical body by the explosive gas, which is produced by the explosion of the gunpowder when the wad body comes into contact with the disc plate under explosive pressure.

Abstract: A cartridge case closure plug for closing a cartridge case, enhancing plug reakup in the shortest time span after ignition of the cartridge, and substantially reducing plug mass to reduce the impact loads exerted on the projectile by the plug. The plug is cylindrically shaped and constructed of a polymeric foam which may be covered with an elastomeric coating to lower the permeability of the plug. The plug is provided with a forward face, a rearward face and an outer cylindrical surface. The forward face of the plug is furnished with a centered depression which allows for center blowout and breakup of the plug upon ignition of the propellant contained in the cartridge case. The rearward face of the plug is provided with a tapered cylindrically-shaped cavity which reduces plug mass and enhances plug breakup while reducing the impact loads on the projectile.

Abstract: A plastic shot shell wad incorporating an improved cushioning mechanism. A cushioning effect is provided by connecting a wad with a shot cup by means of two levels of parallel walls separated by an intermediate planar member. A lower level of walls is connected to a wad portion and an upper level of walls is connected to the shot cup portion. As a charge in a shotgun shell is ignited, the lower walls will be forced through the intermediate member, which provides a resistance which has a cushioning effect. As the lower walls move forward, they will become interleaved with the upper walls. By properly locating the upper and lower walls, tilting of the wad with respect to the shot cup after firing can be minimized.

Abstract: A shot gun shell is disclosed which employs a wad defining a shot cup, including closure means associated with the open end of the shot cup adapted to operate upon insertion of the wad into the shot gun shell casing to restrain the shot within the cup without the aid of external means. The wad of the present invention employs a one-piece construction and may be manufactured from a plastic material. A shot shell casing is also disclosed which employs a circumferential bead located about the inside surface of the casing adjacent its open end. The bead serves to frictionally retain the wad of the present invention upon its insertion into the casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shotshell including a cartridge case having a metal sidewall defining an open end of the case. A charge is contained in the case and retained by an overshot plug which is a friction fit in the case. The sidewall has a thickness of not less than 0.5 mm and may have a formation for engaging a formation on the plug to locate the plug in position.Shotshell components can be provided as a kit which may include two identical plugs each having a closed air bleed hole which can be extended to pass through the plug. A plug with a completed hole can be used as an overpowder plug while the overshot plug can be used with the hole closed.

Abstract: A guidance and retention member, for use with a nail-like fastener of the type adapted to be driven by a powder-actuated tool, comprising an axially elongate, hollow, cylindrical body adapted for telescopic retention on the nose of the fastener and of an even number of flexible, radially extending fins, wherein alternating ones of the fins are of substantially greater radial extent than the fins adjacent thereto. The shorter fins, although nominally of the same thickness as the longer ones, are more rigid by virtue of their lower length-to-thickness ratio and act to limit pre-firing eccentricity of the fastener relative to the tool.

Abstract: In a munition comprising a cartridge case, a subcaliber penetrator, and a ltipartite sabot for enabling propulsive discharge of said penetrator from said case, the improvement which comprises a film of curable sealant deposited on said sabot and said penetrator so as to prevent passage of propulsion gases between the parts of said sabot, and between the sabot and the penetrator.