GB2032070A

GB2032070A - Cartridges

Info

Publication number: GB2032070A
Application number: GB7933224A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-09-29
Filing date: 1979-09-25
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: BE879017A; CA1145201A; FR2437604A3; GB2032070B; DE7926519U1; FR2437604B3

Abstract

A wadding for use in preparing single bullet cartridges comprising a substantially cylindrical plastics material body portion (1), so dimensioned as to just fit into a suitable cartridge casing (2), the body portion having an axial cavity (3) formed therein which is closed at one end (4) and which received a bullet and a base portion (9) having a continuous, substantially cylindrical external surface, a plurality of fins (10) defining grooves (11) therebetween extending between the base portion (9) and the body portion (1), the fins (10) and grooves (11) extending helicoidally or at an angle relative to the generatrices of the external surface of the body portion (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wadding suitable for use in the preparation of single bullet cartridges The present invention relates to a wadding for the preparation of single bullet cartridges for shotguns. More particularly the present invention relates to a wadding pressed out of plastic material which has the shape of a container so as to form a casing to hold the bullet.

In smooth-barrelled guns intended for certain types of hunting, single bullets or spherical shot are used. The cartridges therefor have to be prepared in conformity with the barrel of the gun.

Hitherto, conventional bullets consisting of a single lead body with or without one or more tail unit waddings fixed to the base of the body have been used as single bullets. Invariably, however, bullets of this known type have been prepared having a diameter corresponding to the bore of the barrel of the gun. Consequently, each particular size of bullet could only be used in guns which have appropriate bore. Until now, it has been impossible to use single bullets having diameters less than the bore of the barrel of the gun.

The present invention seeks to provide a wadding for the preparation of single bullet cartridges which permits a gun to fire bullets having a diameter less than the bore of the gun.

The invention further seeks to provide a wadding in the shape of a container which receives the single bullet and which acts as a gauge reducer or adaptor so as to adapt the effective diameter of the bullet to the bore of the barrel of the gun whilst stili permitting the bullet to be propelled without touching the barrel.

Still further, the present invention seeks to provide a wadding pressed from piastic material which has external directional fins and internal rifling so as to permit proper firing of the bullet and release of the bullet from the wadding once it has emerged from the barrel of the gun.

According to the present invention, there is provided a wadding for use in the preparation of single bullet cartridges, the wadding comprising a body portion formed of plastics material, the body portion being substantially cylindrical and having a maximum external diameter corresponding substantially to the internal diameter of the cartridge case into which it is to be inserted, the body having an axially extending cavity formed therein, the cavity being closed at one of its ends, said cavity being capable or receiving and retaining a single bullet and a base portion having a continuous substantially cylindrical external surface a plurality of externally directed fins defining grooves therebetween extending from said base portion to said body portion the fins and grooves extending helicoidally or at an angle relative to the generatrices of the external surface of the body portion.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view, partially in section, of a wadding in accordance with the present invention, corresponding to a section taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 2; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through the wadding shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a single bullet cartridge incorporating a wadding in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawing, there is shown a wadding in accordance with the present invention which is pressed from plastics material. The wadding comprises a body portion 1 having a maximum external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the cartridge casing 2 being produced, as can best be seen in Fig. 3.

The body portion 1 has a generally cylindrical shape and defines an axially extending cavity 3 closed at its lower end 4. In the centre of the closed end 4 a raised projection 5 extending into the cavity 3 is formed which acts as a support for a bullet 6. On the internal surface of the cavity 3 longitudinal fins 7 are formed, between which grooves 8 are defined, which grooves form a passage for air directed towards the base of the bullet resting on the projection 5. The fins 7 have crests 7' which effectively reduce the internal diameter of the cavity 3 to a size which is substantially equal to, or slightly smaller than, that of the bullet 6 so that the bullet may be inserted into the cavity and be frictionally retained therein (see Fig. 3).

The body portion 1 comprises a base portion 9 having a continuous external surface which is intended to be firmly adhered to the internal surface of the cartridge casing 2. Between the base portion and the upper portion of the body, a plurality of externally directed fins 10 are provided, which fins define corresponding grooves 11 therebetween. These grooves may be helicoidal or may extend at an angle relative to the generatrices of the external surface of the body portion.

When the bullet 6 is inserted into the cavity 3 of the wadding, the bullet and the wadding effectively form a single integer which, as such, is used to form a cartridge for shot guns of the smooth barrelled type.

It will therefore be seen that the wadding acts as a container for receiving the bullet 6 and, simultaneously, acts as a reducer or an adapter to adapt the size of the bullet to the cartridge casing 2 being employed. Moreover, the wadding described hereinbefore ensures correct guidance of the bullet along the barrel. The provision of external fins 10 on the wadding also makes it possible to apply desired rotation to the bullet to stabilise its direction of propulsion. Once it has emerged from the barrel of the gun, the bullet separates from the wadding to continue along its trajectory. This is due to the air passing along the grooves 8 defined by the internal fins 7 which air acts from behind the bullet so as to tend to axially eject the bullet from the wadding.

Finally, it will be observed that the cavity of the wadding may be suitably adapted and shaped to receive a spherical shot as well as a bullet, without affecting the characteristics of the wadding and its function of acting as a reducer or adapter.

Claims

1. A wadding for use in the preparation of single bullet cartridges, the wadding comprising a body portion formed of plastics material, the body portion being substantially cylindrical and having a maximum external diameter corresponding substantially to the internal diameter of the cartridge case into which it is to be inserted, the body having an axially extending cavity formed therein, the cavity being closed at one of its ends, said cavity being capable of receiving and retaining a single bullet and a base portion having a continuous substantially cylindrical external surface, a plurality of externally directed fins defining grooves therebetween extending from said base portion to said body portion, the fins and grooves extending helicoidally or at an angle relative to the generatrices of the external surface of the body portion.

2. A wadding as claimed in claim 1, in which the closed end of the axial cavity has a centraliy disposed projection formed thereon extending into the cavity so as to be capable of supporting the base of the bullet located therein, the internal surface of said cavity having a plurality of longitudinally extending fins formed thereon defining grooves which, in use, form air passages for directing air towards the base of the bullet.

3. A wadding as claimed in claim 2, in which the internal fins have crests, said crests defining a housing having a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than that of a bullet to be received therein.

4. A wadding constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

5. A cartridge casing incorporating a wadding as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.