US3815502A - Lethal expandible projectile - Google Patents
Lethal expandible projectile Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3815502A US3815502A US00351525A US35152573A US3815502A US 3815502 A US3815502 A US 3815502A US 00351525 A US00351525 A US 00351525A US 35152573 A US35152573 A US 35152573A US 3815502 A US3815502 A US 3815502A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- projectile
- disc shaped
- folding
- recited
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B10/00—Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
- F42B10/32—Range-reducing or range-increasing arrangements; Fall-retarding means
- F42B10/48—Range-reducing, destabilising or braking arrangements, e.g. impact-braking arrangements; Fall-retarding means, e.g. balloons, rockets for braking or fall-retarding
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/34—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B5/00—Cartridge ammunition, e.g. separately-loaded propellant charges
- F42B5/02—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
Definitions
- ABSTRACT l [62] Division ofSer. No. 173,079, Aug. 19. 1971, Pat. No. A Penetratlon, Short range proleclle compnsed 3,762,329 of a shot filled, deformable, flexible bag which is initially folded or rolled for insertion in a conventional 52 us. 01. 102/42 c, 102/41, 102/927 ,eartridge ease of a Small firearm er the like, and 51 Int. Cl.
- F42b 7/02, F42b 13/16 adapted to be lauhehed therefremp exit from the [58] Field of Search 102/42 0, 38, 91, 93, 1, muzzle 9f the Small arm, thebag radially expands 102 1 925; 29 122 under the influence of centrifugal force provided by 2 the rifling grooves within the barrel to provide a spin 5 R f r Cited stabilized trajectory characterized by a substantial en- UNITED STATES PATENTS ergy decay in a relatively short, preselected down range distance.
- This invention relates generally to the munitions art, and more particularly to a high penetration, short range projectile adapted to be f red by a small arm, such as a 0.38 caliber hand gun or the like.
- the beneficial effect of the use of firearms in a military engagement is substantially greater than a domestic law enforcement encounter, due to the difference in environment wherein the weapons are used.
- a member of the armed forces directs a shot at a target, i.e., an enemy soldier
- the primary target may be in close proximity to a number of secondary targets,such as additional enemy soldiers.
- secondary targets such as additional enemy soldiers.
- the fired projectile miss theprimary target the possibility exists that a secondary target may be hit.
- Even in the event of a complete miss a certain degree of suppression to the enemy forces is attained, and generally speaking, except for the wasteful expenditures of ammunition, everyround directed against the enemy provides the firer with some beneficial effect. 4
- optimum law enforcement ammunition should deliver a bullet which would magically stop immediately after it passes by, or through, the target, i.e., a bullet on a string. While this solution is not completely feasible in practice, it can be approached.
- V velocity at some range x V initial velocity x distance from muzzle A slowing down length 2w/pAC w projectile weight p air density A projectile presented area C drag coefficient
- the muzzle velocity (V is assumed to be constant.
- the only parameter which effects the down range velocity (V,) is a slowing down length (A). It will be seen that if the slowing down length is large, its velocity decay is very gradual. Conversely, if the slowing down length (A) is small, then the velocity degrades veryrapidly. Examination of the factors which determine the slowing down length (X) provides the conclusion that only projectile weight (w), projectile presented area (A), and drag coefficient (C can be manipulated to vary the slowing down length (A).
- the projectile presented area (A) is fixed and is nearly equal to the cross-sectional area of the bore of the launcher, leaving only the projectile weight (w) and drag coefficient (C of the projectile to be varied.
- the subject-projectile allows the projectile area (A) to increase after exit from the bore of the launcher whichallows flexibility in all three parameters.
- the above described technique is utilized to drastically alter the ballistic properties'of the subject projectile in such a manner that the projectile may be made relatively safe for any selected range.
- the ammunition is adaptable to have conventional high lethality, and effectiveness, at the muzzle and throughout the typical encounter range, and rapidly become non-hazardous thereafter.
- the inventive concept involves the use of a deformable projectile in the form of a .shot filled bag which, when folded and packaged in a conventional cartridge case, requires no more volume than a standard round. However, upon launch, as the projectile is forced down the barrel, it engages the rifling grooves thereby acquiring the spin rate necessary for acquiring stability.
- the projectile Upon exit from the muzzle, the projectile is adapted to expand and assume a disc-like shape due to the reactional centrifugal force upon the shot particles within'the bag.
- the enlarged disc-shape provides an inv creased drag coefficient (C and an increased presented area (A) which afford substantial resistance to the aerodynamic forces and predictable energy decay.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary high penetration, short range projectile of the subject matter, having an interior portion broken away to disclose the interior content;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled cartridge, with a partial quarter section broken away, to disclose the interior content thereof, including the projectile illustrated in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is apartial elevation of a small arm, with one half of the barrel portion broken away, to illustrate the orientation of the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is the same partial elevation as in FIG. 3, illustrating the separation of the projectile from the cartridge case immediately after firing;
- FIG. 5 is another partial elevation illustrating the relative positions of the various components after exit from the barrel of the exemplary smallarm
- FIG. 6 is another partial elevation illustrating the fully expanded projectile in trajectory towards its target.
- FIG. 7 is an end view of the projectile illustrated in plan in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the projectile illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrating the location of the shot prior to the folding step;
- FIG. 9 is an end elevation of the projectile illustrated in FIG. 8, taken in the direction of the numeral 9, showing a first edge folded over the portion containing the shot;
- FIG. 10 is the same end elevation as illustrated in FIG. 9 showing a second .edge folded over the first edge;
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevation of the small arm and cartridge illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along the line lll1 thereof.
- a high penetration, short range projectile is indicated generally at.l0.
- the projectile 10 is comprised of a two-sided, relatively thin, disc-shaped bag 12 having a preselected number of grains of suitably sized shot particles 14 disposed therein.
- One side of the bag 12 is fabricated from a fabric, such as can'- vas, while the second side preferably includes a heat sealable fabric which provides an annular bond.
- the bag 12 measures approximately one inch in diameter, but it will be appreciated that the diameter could be altered to accommodate other sized cartridge cases and also to affect the ballistic properties thereof.
- the size and weight of the shot particles 14 may also be varied, but again by way of example, No. 12 bird shot has been found to afford good results with a 0.38 caliber weapon.
- the number of grains of shot 14 disposed within the bag 12 will depend to some extent on the desired ballistics of the projectile 10 and the design rangeability thereof in accordance with the slowing down length (A).
- the flat configuration of the discshaped bag 12 must be initially altered.
- the shot particles 14 are initially displaced from random locations thereon and urged toward the center of the bag 12 by any-suitable means such as by squeezing the outer annular surfaces of the bag 12.
- the center positioning of the shot particles 14 form a generally cylindrically shaped diametrically extending, axially enlarged center portion indicated generally at 11, which is generally oval shaped in cross section as best observed in FIGS. 9 and 10.
- the initial folding step is illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein a first outer edge relative to the center portion 11 is folded thereover.
- the final step is illustrated in FIG.
- the bag 12 is of suitable cross section to be inserted in the open end of a cartridge case.
- a cylindrically shaped cartridge case is indicated generally at 16, and may be any conventional cartridge case adaptable for use with any type of small arm as for example a .38 caliber hand gun or the like.
- One end of the case 16 is open, as indicated at 18, with the opposite end being closed by an annularly shaped, radially extending end wall portion 20 which projects slightly outwardly from the cartridge case 16 for purposes of being received in and seated in the receiver portion of a small arm or the like as shall hereinafter be described.
- the end wall 20 further includes a primer portion 22 adapted to be struck by the firing pin of a small arm as is conventional in the art.
- the propellant for the projectile 10 is provided by a powder charge 24 disposed within the cartridge case 16 adjacent the end wall 20, retained therein by means of a relatively thin cylindrically shaped bulkhead or gas check 26. Interposed between the gas check 26 and a relatively thin, cone shaped, end cap 28 is the suitably deformed projectile 10.
- the end cap 28 and gas check 26 are formed from a relatively light weight plastic so as to contribute negligible weight to the assembled cartridge for purposes to be subsequently explained. Additionally, it will be noted that the projectile 10 in its nested position is easily packaged in the conventional cartridge case 16, with the assembled case 16 requiring no more volume than a standard round.
- FIGS. 3 and 11 of the drawings illustrate an exemplary small arm 30 which includes a barrel portion 31 having a front iron sight at 34 and internal rifling grooves designated by 36.
- the left end of the barrel 30 is suitably counterbored as indicated at 32, to receive the radially enlarged end wall 20 of the cartridge case 16.
- the small arm 30 may be any hand. operated or shoulder supported weapon, and for purposes of illustration will be considered a 0.38 caliber hand gun having internal firing grooves 36.
- the cartridge 16 is indicated in the pre-firing position disposed in the receiver portion 32, the small arm 30 having a firing pin (not primer 22. Upon release of the firing pin by any suitable means, such as pull of a trigger, the firing pin will strike the primer 22 thereby detonating the propellant or powder charge 24.
- FIG. 4 indicates the relation of the elements immediately after detonation of the propellant charge 24, wherein the gas check 26, projectile 10, and end cap 28 are disunited from the case 16 and FIG. 5 indicates the relation of the components upon exit from the barrel 30.
- the end cap 28 and gas check 26 have appreciably less mass than the projectile l0 and therefore due to aerodynamic forces, separatefrom the trajectory line of the projectile 10. Due to rotation of the projectile 10 provided by the rifling grooves 36, the centrifugal force imposed on the shot particles 14 to radially displace from thecenter portion 11 and cause the projectile'lO to radially expand, the projectile 10 now assuming a substantially disc shape of enlarged transverse cross section and dimensionally relatively thin with respect to the axis of trajectory.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the projectile 10 in its fully radially expanded shape proceeding in its trajectory in a manner calculated to provide substantial energy decay in a relatively short preselected down range distance, and further providing substantial impact energy against a target between the muzzle of the small arm 30 and the preselected distance.
- the projectile 10 is adapted to have predictable ballistic characteristics, such characteristics being predictable by the design of the presented cross-sectional area, the basic configuration of the projectile in flight, and the number of grains of shot disposed in the bag 12 which provides the mass to the projectile.
- the ballistic characteristics of the projectile 10 are such that the impact energy may beeffectively dissipated in any desired distance.
- the subject invention provides a novel type of ammunition which can be optimized for use in the law enforcement environment.
- the projectile can have conventional high lethality and effectiveness proximate the muzzle and throughout the typical encounter range, and ultimately become rapidly nonhazardous thereafter.
- the projectile 10 will be completely spin stabilized in flight due to the reaction of the imposed centrifugal force acting upon the shot 14, the centrifugal force and spin rate being initiated bythe rifling grooves 36.
- said locating step includes urging said shot particles inwardly in said disc shaped bag proximate a common diameter thereof.
- folding the bag to a generally cylindrical shape for insertion in a cartridge case of the small arm, said folding step including folding the first edge of said bag over said common diameter, and subsequently folding a second opposite edge over said first edge.
- said 10- cating step includes urging said shot particles inwardly in said disc shaped bag proximate a common diameter thereof.
- said folding step includes folding a first edge of said bag over said common diameter, and subsequently foldinga second opposite edge over said first edge.
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US00351525A US3815502A (en) | 1971-08-19 | 1973-04-16 | Lethal expandible projectile |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17307971A | 1971-08-19 | 1971-08-19 | |
US00351525A US3815502A (en) | 1971-08-19 | 1973-04-16 | Lethal expandible projectile |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3815502A true US3815502A (en) | 1974-06-11 |
Family
ID=26868761
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US00351525A Expired - Lifetime US3815502A (en) | 1971-08-19 | 1973-04-16 | Lethal expandible projectile |
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US (1) | US3815502A (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5361524A (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1994-11-08 | Karkau Robert R | Gas powered weapon system including an improved gas seal |
WO1997005444A1 (en) * | 1995-08-02 | 1997-02-13 | LFK Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH | Bullet for use against living targets while entailing no lethal risk for them |
WO2003012364A2 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2003-02-13 | Wojciech Stecki | Cartridge with shot of the pellet sachet type |
US6820560B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2004-11-23 | Juha Romppanen | Non-killing cartridge |
US7444941B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2008-11-04 | Combined Systems, Inc. | Low lethality projectile |
US9366516B2 (en) * | 2013-07-31 | 2016-06-14 | Shawn C. Hook | Resueable polyurethane projectile |
US9719763B2 (en) | 2013-07-31 | 2017-08-01 | Shawn C. Hook | Reusable polyurethane projectile |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US75019A (en) * | 1868-03-03 | Improvement in shot-cartridges | ||
US931723A (en) * | 1909-04-05 | 1909-08-24 | Stephen Bird | Shot-case. |
US3085510A (en) * | 1960-08-11 | 1963-04-16 | John K Campbell | Pattern control for buckshot charges |
-
1973
- 1973-04-16 US US00351525A patent/US3815502A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US75019A (en) * | 1868-03-03 | Improvement in shot-cartridges | ||
US931723A (en) * | 1909-04-05 | 1909-08-24 | Stephen Bird | Shot-case. |
US3085510A (en) * | 1960-08-11 | 1963-04-16 | John K Campbell | Pattern control for buckshot charges |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
A.P.C. Ser. No. 336,019 6/43 Garkovenko * |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5361524A (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1994-11-08 | Karkau Robert R | Gas powered weapon system including an improved gas seal |
WO1997005444A1 (en) * | 1995-08-02 | 1997-02-13 | LFK Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH | Bullet for use against living targets while entailing no lethal risk for them |
US6820560B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2004-11-23 | Juha Romppanen | Non-killing cartridge |
US7444941B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2008-11-04 | Combined Systems, Inc. | Low lethality projectile |
WO2003012364A2 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2003-02-13 | Wojciech Stecki | Cartridge with shot of the pellet sachet type |
WO2003012364A3 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2003-12-24 | Wojciech Stecki | Cartridge with shot of the pellet sachet type |
US9366516B2 (en) * | 2013-07-31 | 2016-06-14 | Shawn C. Hook | Resueable polyurethane projectile |
US9719763B2 (en) | 2013-07-31 | 2017-08-01 | Shawn C. Hook | Reusable polyurethane projectile |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRACOR MBA, A CORP. OF CA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MB ASSOCIATES, A CORP. OF CA.;REEL/FRAME:005216/0350 Effective date: 19830829 Owner name: TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC., A CORP. OF TX. Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:TRACOR MBA, A CORP. OF CA. (MERGED INTO);REEL/FRAME:005216/0354 Effective date: 19861222 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TRACOR HOLDINGS, INC., TRACOR, INC., AND OTHERS INDICATED ON SCHEDULE SA;REEL/FRAME:005317/0726 Effective date: 19891030 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC. A DE CORPORATION, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:OTC TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC., A TX CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005955/0330 Effective date: 19911220 Owner name: OTC TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC. Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:005955/0250 Effective date: 19911122 Owner name: CONTINENTAL BANK N.A. Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:005955/0268 Effective date: 19911227 Owner name: TRACOR, INC. Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:005953/0942 Effective date: 19911227 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:006674/0934 Effective date: 19930825 Owner name: TRACOR AEROSPACE, INC., TEXAS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTINENTAL BANK N.A.;REEL/FRAME:006683/0028 Effective date: 19930823 |