BACKGROUND
The prior art is replete with devices and accessories for modifying and improving firearm casings for cartridges. One such example of the prior art is casing 320 shown in FIG. 1 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,948,272 (the '272 patent), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. One problem with such an embodiment is disclosed in the '272 patent wherein failure at edge 140 can occur due to one-time or repetitive pressures. One possible reason for this problem could be the excessive forming of nipple 128 and form lip 134 of sleeve 122 around base 45. Despite the possible solutions disclosed in the '272 patent, these problems still exist, especially with higher pressure rounds.
What is needed is an improved firearm casing that eliminates the problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY
In one general aspect, an ammunition casing assembly may include a base configured as a generally hollow cylindrical structure including a flange extending radially outwardly, an ejector groove circumferentially positioned adjacent to the flange, an outer barrel extending between the flange and a mounting face, a primer pocket positioned at a distal end, a flash hole extending from the primer pocket to a proximate end and a coupling groove circumferentially positioned between the mounting face and the flash hole. The ammunition casing assembly may also include a sleeve having a necked-down portion at a proximal end, a bulkhead positioned at a distal end, a mounting nipple extending from the bulkhead and configured to engage with the coupling groove of the base and a passageway extending through the sleeve. Assembly may furthermore include where the mounting nipple is configured to mate with the coupling groove.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The ammunition casing assembly may include a rivet lip positioned on the base proximate the coupling groove. The ammunition casing assembly where the ammunition casing assembly is assembled by fixedly coupling the base and the sleeve by a rivet lip formed at the proximate end of the base and crimped against the mounting nipple of the sleeve. The ammunition casing assembly where the rivet lip forms a gas-tight seal between the base and the sleeve. The ammunition casing assembly where the mounting nipple on the sleeve includes a plurality of lobes configured to prevent rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the base. The ammunition casing assembly where the sleeve may include a material selected from the group having of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, brass, carbon steel, polymers, and composite materials. The ammunition casing assembly where the primer pocket is configured to receive a primer. The ammunition casing assembly where the sleeve is configured to receive a gunpowder charge and the passageway is configured to direct a charge from the primer into the gunpowder charge. The ammunition casing assembly where the necked-down portion forms a mouth configured to receive a bullet.
In one general aspect, a cartridge may include an ammunition casing having: a base configured as a generally hollow cylindrical structure including a flange extending radially outwardly, an ejector groove circumferentially positioned adjacent to the flange, an outer barrel extending between the flange and a mounting face, a primer pocket positioned at a distal end, a flash hole extending from the primer pocket to a proximate end and a coupling groove circumferentially positioned between the mounting face and the flash hole; a sleeve having a mouth at a proximal end, a bulkhead positioned at a distal end, a mounting nipple extending from the bulkhead and configured to engage with the coupling groove of the base and a passageway extending through the sleeve; and where the base and the sleeve are fixedly coupled by a rivet lip formed at the proximate end of the base and crimped against the mounting nipple of the sleeve to form a gas-tight seal. The cartridge may also include a primer press-fit into the primer pocket of the base. The cartridge may furthermore include a bullet positioned within the mouth of the sleeve. The cartridge may in addition include a gunpowder charge disposed within the sleeve, where the primer is configured to produce a primer charge that passes through the flash hole of the base and into the passageway of the sleeve to ignite the gunpowder charge.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The cartridge where the sleeve includes a necked-down portion at the mouth configured to secure the bullet. The cartridge where the sleeve includes at least one lobe on the mounting nipple configured to interlock with the rivet lip of the base to prevent relative rotational movement between the base and the sleeve. The cartridge where the bulkhead of the sleeve is configured to align axially with the mounting face of the base. The cartridge where the mounting nipple of the sleeve includes a hexagonal cross-sectional profile configured to interlock with the rivet lip.
In one general aspect, a method may include forming a base including a flange, an ejector groove, an outer barrel, a primer pocket, a flash hole, a coupling groove, a mounting face, and a rivet lip. The method may also include forming a sleeve including a necked-down mouth, a bulkhead, and a mounting nipple extending from the bulkhead. The method may furthermore include aligning the sleeve concentrically with the base such that the mounting nipple is positioned within the coupling groove and the bulkhead is axially abutting the mounting face. The method may in addition include inserting a riveting tool through the necked-down mouth of the sleeve and applying an axial force to crimp the rivet lip outwardly against the mounting nipple. The method may moreover include forming a gas-tight seal between the base and the sleeve.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method where forming the sleeve further may include forming a plurality of lobes on the mounting nipple and providing axial and rotational fixation with the base. The method may include using a rolling process to form the flange, ejector groove, and outer barrel on the base. The method where the rolling process may include: providing a base substrate; mounting the base substrate onto a rotational spindle with a mounting shaft configured to align with a primer pocket or pilot hole in the base substrate; rotating the base substrate at a predetermined rotational speed using a motor coupled to the rotational spindle; urging a profile wheel against an outer surface of the rotating base substrate, where the profile wheel includes features configured to form a flange, an ejector groove, and an outer barrel; and applying a predetermined force by the profile wheel until the flange, ejector groove, and outer barrel are formed on the base substrate. The method where the profile wheel is composed of a carbide material. The method where the mounting shaft is configured to releasably secure the base substrate to prevent movement relative to the rotational spindle during profiling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to implementations, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical implementations of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective implementations.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in cross section of a casing of the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a left side view of a casing assembly of the current disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a left side view of a base of a casing of the current disclosure;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a base of a casing of the current disclosure;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a base of a casing of the current disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a left side view of a sleeve of a casing of the current disclosure;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a sleeve of a casing of the current disclosure;
FIG. 8 is an end view of a casing assembly of the current disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a left side cross sectional view of a casing assembly taken along cut lines 9-9 of FIG. 8 of the current disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a detailed sectional view of inset 10 of FIG. 9 of the current disclosure;
FIG. 11 is an end view of a casing assembly of the current disclosure;
FIG. 12 is a left side cross sectional view of a casing assembly taken along cut lines 12-12 of FIG. 11 of the current disclosure;
FIG. 13 is a detailed sectional view of inset 13 of FIG. 12 of the current disclosure;
FIG. 14 is a partial isometric view of a sleeve of a casing assembly of the current disclosure;
FIG. 15 is a partial isometric view of a sleeve of a casing assembly of the current disclosure; and
FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing of a roller process in accordance with the current disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific implementations by which the examples described herein may be practiced. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a top view of ammunition casing assembly 20 and includes a base 21 and a sleeve 22. Base 21 and sleeve 22 are generally hollow cylindrical structures and are centered lengthwise on axis “C”. Sleeve 22 has a proximal end comprising a cylindrical hollow opening which defines the mouth 23 of the ammunition casing assembly 20. In some embodiments, mouth 23 comprises a necked-down mouth that is shaped for receiving and securing a bullet (not shown). Base 21 is positioned on a distal end of sleeve 22 in a manner which will be disclosed in more detail hereinafter.
Now referring to FIGS. 3-5, there is shown base 21 which is comprised of a generally hollow cylinder comprising various features on an outer surface including flange 31, ejector groove 32 adjacent to the flange, outer barrel 33 and further includes mounting face 34. Base 21 further includes primer pocket 35 positioned in a distal end and a flash hole and rivet lip 36 positioned in a proximate end. It should be noted that rivet lip 36 is shown in the open position in FIG. 5. Primer pocket 35 is configured to receive a primer of a size suitable for the caliber of the cartridge contemplated in a press-fit fashion suitable for loading and reloading of ammunition casing assembly 20. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that flange 31, ejector groove 32 and outer barrel 33 are configured to cooperate with the gripping and ejecting parts of the breech block of a gun (not shown) of a suitable caliber to allow the chambering and ejecting of a round comprised of the current embodiment of ammunition casing assembly 20 without any deviation from the established standards. It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that the term cartridge refers to an entire ammunition round, including a bullet positioned within necked-down portion 61, powder disposed within casing assembly 20, a primer positioned within primer pocket 35 of base 21, and sleeve 22. Base 21 further includes coupling groove 37 positioned in the proximate end between rivet lip 36 and mounting face 34 for assembly to sleeve 22 as will be disclosed in more detail hereinafter. Base 21 can be comprised of any suitable material such as 260 cartridge brass or other suitable types of brass. Alternative materials for the base substrate may include other aluminum alloys, 300 or 400 or other series stainless steels, copper alloys, and zinc base die-casting alloy. The base material may be formed into base 21 including the features shown by any suitable method such as stamping, cold heading, machining, pressing, casting, including rolling which will be disclosed in more detail herein after.
Referring next to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown an embodiment of sleeve 22 of the current disclosure wherein the sleeve comprises a necked down portion 61 positioned at the proximate end including mouth 23 and a casing outer diameter 62 extending from the necked down portion to the distal end of the sleeve which includes bulkhead 63. Although shown with a necked-down portion, it is contemplated by the current disclosure that sleeve 22 can comprise a generally uniform cylindrical shape. The embodiments of the current disclosure include casings for ammunition for use in rifles, pistols, shotguns, artillery and the like. Sleeve 22 further includes mounting nipple 64 concentrically positioned between passageway 65 and bulkhead 63. As disclosed herein before, sleeve 22 is a generally hollow cylinder and is configured to contain a gunpowder charge of sufficient quantity suitable for the caliber of round being considered. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that passageway 65 is configured to permit the charge from a primer positioned in primer pocket 35 (FIG. 4) to pass through the flash hole to ignite the gunpowder charge when the primer is activated. As will be disclosed in more detail herein after, bulkhead 63 aligns and mates with mounting face 34 and mounting nipple 64 cooperates with coupling groove 37 in the assembly of sleeve 22 to base 21 and can be comprised of an aluminum alloy. In other embodiments sleeve 22 can comprise an austenitic stainless steel, more particularly AISI 304 wrought stainless steel which is made magnetic by cold working. A suitable steel for sleeve 21 can have a substantially higher property set than characterizes cartridge brass and the like, thus enabling thinner cylindrical casing wall 90 than are achievable with brass in prior art cartridges. Alternative sleeve materials may include certain other 300 series stainless steels, a 400 series stainless steel, or a plated carbon steel or high strength low alloy steel. In addition to metallic materials, alternative materials can include plastics, polymers, and composite materials.
FIG. 8 shows a rear view of casing assembly 20 of FIG. 2 showing flange 31 and primer pocket of base 21. Now referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a right side cross section of casing assembly 20 taken along cut line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing base 21 coupled to sleeve 22 in a preassembly position (with rivet lip 36 in the open uncrimped position) and further shows cylindrical wall portion 90 and bulkhead 63 which cooperate, along with a bullet, to close off a portion of sleeve 22 and contain the gunpowder charge of a loaded cartridge. Next, with reference to FIG. 10 there is shown the detail of inset 10 of FIG. 9 generally including a portion of sleeve 22 and base 21. As can be seen in the detail, base 21 and sleeve 22 are concentrically aligned and positioned about center axis C with mounting nipple 64 engaged and positioned within coupling groove 37 and bulkhead 63 positioned axially abutting against mounting face 34. The view shown in FIG. 10 is a preassembly position of casing assembly 20 in that sleeve 22 can be removed from base 21 because rivet lip 36 is in the open uncrimped position. Although bulkhead 63 and mounting face 34 are shown having an angular position relative to axis C, any suitable angle is contemplated by the current disclosure including a 90 degree angle relative to axis C.
FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 8 and shows a rear view of casing assembly 20 of FIG. 2 showing flange 31 and primer pocket of base 21. Now referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a right side cross section of casing assembly 20 taken along cut line 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing base 21 coupled to sleeve 22 in an assembled position with rivet lip 36 in the closed crimped position. Next, with reference to FIG. 13 there is shown the detail of inset 13 of FIG. 12 generally including a portion of sleeve 22 and base 21. As can be seen in the detail, base 21 and sleeve 22 are concentrically positioned about center axis C with mounting nipple 64 positioned within coupling groove 37 and bulkhead 63 positioned axially against mounting face 34. The view shown in FIG. 10 is an assembled position of casing assembly 20 in that sleeve 22 is fixedly attached to base 21 with rivet lip 36 in the closed crimped position trapping mounting nipple 64 between the rivet lip and an inner portion of base 21.
With reference to FIGS. 2-13, in operation, casing assembly 20 is assembled from base 21 and sleeve 22. Base 21 is formed using suitable techniques and materials including those disclosed herein above. Sleeve 21 is formed using suitable techniques and materials including those disclosed herein above. In one embodiment, base 21 is positioned within a jig and sleeve 22 is positioned axially concentrically with the base along axis C with mounting nipple 64 disposed within coupling groove 37 and bulkhead 63 positioned axially against mounting face 34. A riveting tool or swage (not shown) configured to mate with rivet lip 36 is then inserted through mouth 23 until it contacts the rivet lip. Sufficient axial force is applied to the riveting tool to bias rivet lip 36 outwardly from axis C and to urge the rivet lip against mounting nipple 64. This swaging action forces mounting nipple 64 against an inner portion of base 21 and in so doing forces bulkhead 63 positioned against mounting face 34 and fixedly positioning sleeve 22 to base 21 to form a gas-tight seal. The gas tight condition of the gas-tight seal directs the primer charge through the flash hole of hollow cylindrical portion of base 21 and into passageway 65 to ignite the gunpowder disposed therein. The gas-tight seal further prevents gases from the ignited gunpowder from escaping from casing assembly 20 to maximize the force from the gases to expel a bullet from mouth 23 of the casing and out the barrel of a gun.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the current disclosure reduce the stresses on sleeve 22 in that the amount of cold working in the assembly phase of the sleeve to the base is greatly reduced of that of the prior art. The post forming assembly processes are predominantly comprised of deforming rivet lip 36 during the aforementioned riveting operation to bias the rivet lip against mounting nipple 64 to fix sleeve 22 to base 21. The reduction in cold forming of the distal end of sleeve 22 results in lowering the stress at outer edge 130 (FIG. 13) and the likelihood of the failures seen in the prior art.
Now referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the proximate end of sleeve 22 including outer edge 130, mounting face 34 and passageway 65. Mounting nipple 141 is similar to mounting nipple 64 disclosed herein above and includes six lobes 140a-140f positioned around an inner periphery such that passageway 65 resembles a hexagonal cross-sectional profile shape. An embodiment of casing assembly 20 incorporating sleeve 22 having mounting nipple 141 could be manufactured and formed in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein above. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that during the joining process of sleeve 22 to base 21 the axial force applied to the riveting tool to bias rivet lip 36 outwardly from axis C and urge the lip against mounting nipple 141 would cause at least a portion of the rivet lip to be disposed with lobes 140a-140f. The advantage of such an embodiment is that in urging rivet lip 36 against mounting nipple 141 and into lobes 140a-140f and in turn against an inner portion of base 21, sleeve 22 to is fixedly positioned both axially and rotationally to base 21 to prevent relative rotational movement and to form a gas-tight seal. In other words, lobes 140a-140f of mounting nipple 141 prevents the rotation of sleeve 22 relative to base 21 after assembly. Other configurations of a mounting nipple are considered within the scope of the present disclose wherein one is disclosed with reference to FIG. 15. There is shown an alternative embodiment of the proximate end of sleeve 22 including outer edge 130, mounting face 34 and passageway 65. Mounting nipple 151 is similar to mounting nipple 141 disclosed herein above and includes four lobes 150a-150d positioned around an inner periphery such that passageway 65 resembles a square shape. An embodiment of casing assembly 20 incorporating sleeve 22 having mounting nipple 151 could be manufactured and formed in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein above. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that during the joining process of sleeve 22 to base 21 the axial force applied to the riveting tool to bias rivet lip 36 outwardly from axis C and urge the lip against mounting nipple 151 would cause at least a portion of the rivet lip to be disposed with a plurality of lobes 150a-150d. The advantage of such an embodiment is that in urging rivet lip 36 against mounting nipple 151 and into lobes 150a-150d and in turn against an inner portion of base 21, sleeve 22 to configured to interlock and is fixedly positioned both axially and rotationally to base 21 to form a gas-tight seal. In other words, lobes 150a-150d of mounting nipple 151 prevents the rotation of sleeve 22 relative to base 21 after assembly. It is further contemplated by the current disclosure that any number of mounting lobes or similar features can be incorporated into other embodiments without departing from the scope of the current disclosure. Alternative features positioned on the mounting nipple 64, rivet lip 36 and coupling groove 37 include at least one notch, groove, spike or other such feature or features to prevent relative rotation between sleeve 22 and base 21.
Now with reference to FIG. 16, there is shown an embodiment of a roller process to provide the profile of base 21. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that base 21 is shown in a completed condition in the figure for the sake of brevity and simplicity. Rotational spindle 161 includes mounting shaft 162 having a profile configured to accommodate primer pocket 35 (or pilot hole therefor) and releasably fix base 21 to the mounting shaft. Rotational spindle 161 is coupled to a motor to controllably rotate base 21 on mounting shaft 162. Also shown is profiler 165 which includes rotational shaft 166 having profile wheel 167 rotatably mounted thereon. With reference back to FIGS. 3-5, profile wheel 167 may be comprised of a carbide material and includes features configured to produce at least flange 31, ejector groove 32 circumferentially positioned adjacent to the flange and outer barrel 33. In operation, a base substrate is releasably mounted to mounting shaft 162. The base substrate is ostensibly a piece of suitable stock metal (or polymer or composite) having a mounting hole and may include other features such as the mounting face 34, primer pocket 35, rivet lip 36 and coupling groove 37. Alternatively, these features can be added concurrently with the rolling process or in a separate rolling or stamping process. As part of the rolling process of the current disclosure, rotational shaft 166 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed and the base substrate is rotated thereby. The profiler 165 positions profile wheel 167 against the base substrate and the profile wheel is urged against the base substrate with a predetermined force. The process of urging profile wheel 167 against the base substrate is continued until flange 31, ejector groove 32 and outer barrel 33 are formed on outer diameter of the base substrate.
The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, and/or the like, depending on the context. Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.
Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”).
Patent Application
20250224216
