US2820412A

US2820412A - Projectile for firearms

Info

Publication number: US2820412A
Application number: US55524A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Reinier Beeuwkes; John P Mcdonough; Edward N Hegge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-10-20
Filing date: 1948-10-20
Publication date: 1958-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1958 R. BEEUWKES, JR, ETAL 2,820,412

PROJECTILE FOR FIREARMS Filed Oct. 20, 1948 Fig. EL

' I Firj' c1; fi -4 Rainier EEEuwKasJJ I. dph'n P. MED Erna-ugh Edwurcl N- Heqqe United States Patent'fi PROJECTILE FOR Reinier Beeuwkes, Jr., Newton, John P. McDonough, Boston, and Edward N. Hegge, Westwood, Mass.

Application October 20, 1948, Serial No. 55,524

4 Claims. (Cl. 102-93) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by and for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an improved projectile for firearms and particularly to an improved gas seal and carrier for projectiles.

It is well known in the gun art that a projectile passiug through the bore of a firearm generates considerable heat due to the friction between the jacket or rotating band of the projectile and the barrel surface. In addition, certain types of bullets, particularly boat tail bullets or spherical projectiles do not efiectively seal the bore as the projectile passes therethrough, hence there is undue escapage of gas by the bullet. Not only does this cause erratic flight of the projectile but there is also considerable loss of velocity of the projectile due to loss of power resulting in inaccuracy and rapid erosion of the bore. Still another drawback with prior art projectiles fired without a positive gas seal is the fact that the speed of the bullet can not be materially increased without damage to the firearm itself because of the limits to which the chamber pressure can be increased.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a carrier for a projectile which effectively seals the bore of a firearm.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrier for a projectile which not only elfectively seals the bore of the firearm but permits any form of projectile or plurality of projectiles to be fired from the firearm with greatly improved accuracy.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a carrier for a projectile which is self-lubricating thereby substantially eliminating the friction between the projectile and the bore of the firearm.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved carrier means for projectiles whereby the fouling in the bore of a firearm barrel is substantially eliminated.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ogival projectile substantially enclosed in the plastic carrier.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the plastic carrier only partially surrounding the projectile.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a plastic carrier completely surrounding the projectile.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a plurality of projectiles enclosed by the plastic carrier.

This invention essentially consists of enclosing or substantially enclosing a firearm projectile in a plastic jacket, or cylinder. The cylinder is molded to a diameter substantially equal to that of the bore of the firearm barrel. More than one type of plastic material is adaptable for use in such carriers but the preferred type of plastic falls within the class known as methal methacrylate.

2,820,412 Patented Jan. 21, less "ice In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a molded plastic carrier enclosed by the carrier as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In

Fig. 3 a spherical projectile 12 is fully enclosed by carrier 10 while in Fig. 4 a plurality of such projectiles are fully enclosed by the carrier. With the projectile so enclosed in the carrier, such assembly is then loaded in. a firearm cartridge in the usual way.

The carrier 10 may be so constructed that such carrierwill disintegrate upon emergence of the projectile from: the bore of the barrel or such projectile may be of a, non-disintegrating type so that such carrier will stay with. the projectile until such projectile strikes the target. A projectile so encased by carrier 10 can be fired from either a rifled or a smooth bore barrel with great accuracy provided of course the carrier is of a size to properly fit the bore. The plastic material of the carrier is readily deformed and completely seals the bore of the barrel. Thus the full force of the propulsion gases act on the base of the carrier to attain the maximum velocity with a given powder charge of the projectile.

The plastic material utilized for the carrier provides an extremely low coefficient of friction between the carrier and the barrel so that there is little or no wear of the barrel. A further advantage of such material resides in the fact that in view of the low coefficient of friction, greatly increased velocity of the projectile is thus easily obtained. It should be added that projectiles of any size or shape that can be molded within a carrier of a given size can be easily and accurately fired by the use of such carrier. Further, a plurality of projectiles may be readily enclosed in any one carrier, the limitation being of course the size of such projectiles.

In the preferred application of this invention the carrier disintegrates or decomposes in a manner similar to gun powder in the extreme heat of the blast as the projectile leaves the muzzle of the barrel. Thus the projectile is launched in free flight through the air without restraint of rotating bands or riding grooves which greatly facilitates the study of projectiles in flight.

It is also possible with a carrier of this type to fabricate or mold such carrier to fit the bore of a large caliber firearm while utilizing a projectile of a much smaller caliber in the carrier. Thus a larger caliber firearm can be readily adapted for use with a small caliber projectile so that very high velocities may be achieved. With this method small bore shooting can be enjoyed in relatively thickly settled communities if desired.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there is here provided a carrier for projectiles which not only positively seals the gas in the bore of the barrel but substantially reduces undue wear of the bore surface and minimizes the fouling deposits on the bore surface. Velocities in excess of 5,000 feet per second are easily obtainable when using the carrier of this invention and further such carrier is readily and cheaply molded or fabricated and from material that is available in good supply.

We claim:

1. In a projectile for firing from a rifled barrel, a metallic bullet having a maximum transverse dimension less than the bore of the barrel, and a generally cylindrical carrier of homogeneous acrylic resin of the type that is hard and tough at normal atmospheric temperatures and having a diameter equal to the bore of the barrel, said bullet embedded in said carrier, there being a clearance in all directions radially of said carrier between 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the 5 said metallic bullet is completely inclosed Within the said acrylic resin.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the said metallic bullet is embedded at the rear end thereof in the said acrylic resin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Helm Dec. 19, 1871 Dougan June 1, 1920 Brandt Sept. 11, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 23, 1912 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1924' Germany Nov. 29. 1941