Patent Application
20160298944
The present subject matter relates to techniques and equipment to make ammunition articles and, more particularly, to ammunition articles with plastic components such as cartridge casing bodies and bases for at least blank and subsonic ammunition.
It is well known in the industry to manufacture bullets and corresponding cartridge cases from either brass or steel. Typically, industry design calls for materials that are strong enough to withstand extreme operating pressures and which can be formed into a cartridge case to hold the bullet, while simultaneously resist rupturing during the firing process.
Conventional ammunition typically includes four basic components, that is, the bullet, the cartridge case holding the bullet therein, a propellant used to push the bullet down the barrel at predetermined velocities, and a primer, which provides the spark needed to ignite the powder which sets the bullet in motion down the barrel.
The cartridge case is typically formed from brass and is configured to hold the bullet therein to create a predetermined resistance, which is known in the industry as bullet pull. The cartridge case is also designed to contain the propellant media as well as the primer.
However, brass is heavy, expensive, and potentially hazardous. For example, the weight of .50 caliber ammunition is about 60 pounds per box (200 cartridges plus links).
The bullet is configured to fit within an open end or mouth of the cartridge case and conventionally includes a groove (hereinafter referred to as a cannelure) formed in the mid section of the bullet to accept a crimping action imparted to the metallic cartridge case therein. When the crimped portion of the cartridge case holds the bullet by locking into the cannelure, a bullet pull value is provided representing a predetermined tension at which the cartridge case holds the bullet. The bullet pull value, in effect, assists imparting a regulated pressure and velocity to the bullet when the bullet leaves the cartridge case and travels down the barrel of a gun.
Furthermore, the bullet is typically manufactured from a soft material, such as, for example only, lead, wherein the bullet accepts the mouth of the cartridge being crimped to any portion of the bullet to hold the bullet in place in the cartridge case, even though the cartridge case is crimped to the cannelure of the bullet.
However, one drawback of this design is that the crimped neck does not release from around the bullet evenly when fired. This leads to uncertain performance from round to round. Pressures can build up unevenly and alter the accuracy of the bullet.
The propellant is typically a solid chemical compound in powder form commonly referred to as smokeless powder. Propellants are selected such that when confined within the cartridge case, the propellant burns at a known and predictably rapid rate to produce the desired expanding gases. As discussed above, the expanding gases of the propellant provide the energy force that launches the bullet from the grasp of the cartridge case and propels the bullet down the barrel of the gun at a known and relatively high velocity.
The primer is the smallest of the four basic components used to form conventional ammunition. As discussed above, primers provide the spark needed to ignite the powder that sets the bullet in motion down the barrel. The primer includes a relatively small metal cup containing a priming mixture, foil paper, and relatively small metal post, commonly referred to as an anvil.
When a firing pin of a gun or firearm strikes a casing of the primer, the anvil is crushed to ignite the priming mixture contained in the metal cup of the primer. Typically, the primer mixture is an explosive lead styphnate blended with non-corrosive fuels and oxidizers which burns through a flash hole formed in the rear area of the cartridge case and ignites the propellant stored in the cartridge case. In addition to igniting the propellant, the primer produces an initial pressure to support the burning propellant and seals the rear of the cartridge case to prevent high-pressure gases from escaping rearward. It should be noted that it is well known in the industry to manufacture primers in several different sizes and from different mixtures, each of which affects ignition differently.
The cartridge case, which is typically metallic, acts as a payload delivery vessel and can have several body shapes and head configurations, depending on the caliber of the ammunition. Despite the different body shapes and head configurations, all cartridge cases have a feature used to guide the cartridge case, with a bullet held therein, into the chamber of the gun or firearm.
The primary objective of the cartridge case is to hold the bullet, primer, and propellant therein until the gun is fired. Upon firing of the gun, the cartridge case seals the chamber to prevent the hot gases from escaping the chamber in a rearward direction and harming the shooter. The empty cartridge case is extracted manually or with the assistance of gas or recoil from the chamber once the gun is fired.
As shown in
Prior art patents in this area include U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,107 to Ringdal, U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,716 to Husseini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,519 to Wiley et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,858 to Chung. The four patents are directed to an ammunition cartridge suitable for rifles or guns and including a cartridge case made of at least a plastics material. However, each have their own drawbacks.
Further, the use of brass cartridges for blank or subsonic ammunition can be problematic. To reduce the velocity of the bullet exiting the cartridge, typically less propellant is used is comparison to when the bullet is traveling at its top velocity. However, the same size cartridge needs to be used so the bullet can be fired from a standard firearm. An empty space is left inside a blank or subsonic cartridge where the propellant would normally reside. To compensate, wadding (typically cotton) can be packed into the space normally filled by the propellant. This wadding can cause problems with the use of the round, including jamming the firearm and fouling silencers and/or suppressors attached to the firearm.
Other inventions attempting to address this issue include U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,035 to Olsen, which places an expanding insert into a brass cartridge, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0019385 to LeaSure which uses a heavier than standard bullet with a reduced capacity cartridge.
Hence, a need exists for a polymer casing that can perform as well as or better than the brass alternative. A further improvement is polymer casings that are capable of production in a more conventional and cost effective manner, i.e. by using standard loading presses. Additionally, the cartridge can provide increased performance for blank and subsonic rounds by reducing the capacity of the cartridge, but still use standard weight bullets.
The teachings herein alleviate one or more of the above noted problems with the strength and formation of polymer based cartridges.
A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes an upper component of polymer, a bullet of a standard weight, a lower component of polymer, and an insert. The upper component has a shoulder portion and an upper component inner wall has a first slope extending from the shoulder. The lower component has a lower component inner wall having a second slope. The upper and lower component inner walls form a propellant chamber; and the first and second slopes reduce a volume of the propellant chamber. The reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds. For the high strength polymer-based cartridge casing, the standard weight of the bullet is less than one of 125%, 120%, 115%, 110%, and 105% of a maximum weight of the bullet at a particular caliber.
In an example, the first slope equals the second slope. In another example, the first slope does not equal the second slope. Further, the first slope and the second slope can narrow the propellant chamber as the first and second slopes progress toward the insert. Alternately, the first slope and the second slope narrow the propellant chamber as the first and second slopes progress toward the shoulder.
The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing can also have a first diameter of the upper component inner wall, and a second diameter of the lower component inner wall. In an example, the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. For another example, the first diameter is less than the second diameter.
As a result, a light weight, high strength cartridge case can be formed using standard brass cartridge loading equipment. As noted below, the present invention can be adapted to any type of cartridge, caliber, powder load, or primer. Calibers can range at least between 0.22 and 30 mm and accept any type of bullet that can be loaded in a typical brass cartridge.
Further advantages can be gained in both blank and subsonic ammunition due to the removal of wadding and the shrinking of the volume of powder based on a reduced volume in the cartridge.
The polymer used can be of any known polymer and additives, but the present invention uses a nylon polymer with glass fibers. Further, the portion of the cartridge that engages the extractor of the firearm can be made from heat strengthened steel for normal loads and can be a continuous molded polymer piece of the lower component for either subsonic or blank ammunition.
Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.
The present invention provides a cartridge case body strong enough to withstand gas pressures that equal or surpass the strength of brass cartridge cases under certain conditions, e.g. for both storage and handling.
Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below.
The polymer used is lighter than brass. A glass-filled high impact polymer can be used where the glass content is between 0%-50%, preferably between 5% and 50%. In another example the glass content can be 10%. An example of a high impact polymer without the glass content is BASF's Capron® BU50I. The insert 400 can be made of steel, and, in an example, heat treated carbon steel, 4140. The 4140 steel is further heat treated to a Rockwell “C” scale (“RC”) hardness of about 20 to about 50. However, any carbon steel with similar properties, other metals, metal alloys or metal/non-metal alloys can be used to form the insert. Heat treating a lower cost steel alloy to improve its strength is a point of distinction from the prior art, which have typically opted for more expensive alloys to deal with the strength and ductility needed for a cartridge casing application.
In an example, the combination of the upper component 200 and the lower component 300 are made of 10% glass-filled high impact polymer combined with the insert 400 made of heat treated 4140 steel results in a cartridge that is approximately 50% lighter than a brass formed counterpart. This weight savings in the unloaded cartridge produces a loaded cartridge of between 25%-30% lighter than the loaded brass cartridge depending on the load used, i.e. which bullet, how much powder, and type of powder used.
The upper component 200 includes a body 202 which transitions into a shoulder 204 that tapers into a neck 206 having a mouth 208 at a first end 210. The upper component 200 joins the lower component 300 at an opposite, second end 212. The lower component 300 joins the upper component 200 at a lower component first end 302 (see
At a second end 304 of the lower component 300, the lower component is joined to the insert 400. In one example, the upper component 200 and the lower component 300 are molded in separate molds. When the lower component 300 is molded, it is molded over the insert 400. This is a partial molding over, since the lower component 300 does not completely cover the insert 400.
A back end 402 of the insert 400 is also the rear end of the casing 100. The insert 400 is formed with an extraction groove 404 and a rim 406. The groove 404 and rim 406 are dimensioned to the specific size as dictated by the caliber of the ammunition. The insert 400 can be formed by turning down bar stock to the specific dimensions or can be cold formed.
Turning now to
Moving toward the second end 212 of the upper component 200, as the neck 206 transitions into the shoulder 204, a sleeve 230 begins. The sleeve 230, in this example, extends approximately to the second end 212. The sleeve 230 can be an additional thickness to a wall 218 as is normally required for a standard cartridge, or a separately manufactured and adhered to the wall 218. The sleeve 230 provides additional strength relative to the wall 218 of the body 202 alone. This strengthening, which is in the lateral direction, reduces bending of the upper component 200 of the cartridge case 100. The sleeve 230 helps to keep the cartridge 100 as concentric as possible, and as noted above, concentricity is a key to accuracy.
The case wall 218 can have a thickness T, and the sleeve 230 can have a thickness T+, as illustrated in
The upper portion 220 of the sleeve 230 can begin in or near the neck 206 and extend over the shoulder 204. In one example, the upper portion 220 of the sleeve 230 ends against a bullet 50 (see
The sleeve 230, in the illustrated example of
A width of the collar 308 matches the second thickness t, so that the outer diameter of the cartridge 100 remains constant past the transition point between the upper 200 and lower 300 components. Further, a thickness of the tapered portion 306 is such that at any point the sum of it with the thickness of the overlap portion 222 is approximately equal to the thickness T of the wall 218 or the thicknesses of the wall 218 and sleeve 230 (T and T+). As noted above, the tapered portion 306 and the overlap portion 222 are bonded together to join the upper 200 and lower 300 components.
An inner wall 310 of the lower component 300 can be formed straight. In the illustrated example in
Turning now to an example of the insert 400, as illustrated in
The overmolded area 408 also includes one or more keys 412. The keys 412 are flat surfaces on the ridges 410. These keys 412 prevent the insert 400 and the lower portion 300 from rotating in relation to one another, i.e. the insert 400 twisting around in the lower portion 300.
Below the overmolded area 408, toward the back end 402, is a self reinforced area 414. This portion extends to the back end 402 of the insert 400 and includes the extraction groove 404 and rim 406. The self reinforced area 414 must, solely by the strength of its materials, withstand the forces exerted by the pressures generated by the gasses when firing the bullet and the forces generated by the extractor. In the present example, the self reinforced area 414 withstands these forces because it is made of a heat treated metal or a metal/non-metal alloy.
Forward of the primer pocket 416 is a flash hole 418. Again, the flash hole 418 is dimensioned according to the standards for the caliber of the cartridge case and intended use. The flash hole 418 allows the explosive force of the primer, seated in the primer pocket 416, to communicate with the upper 200 and lower 300 components.
Forward of the primer pocket 416 and inside the overmolded area 408 is basin 420. The basin 420 is adjacent to and outside of the inner bowl 314 of the lower component 300. The basin 420 is bowl shaped, wherein the walls curve inwards toward the bottom. The bottom of the basin 420 is interrupted by a ring 422. The ring 422 surrounds the flash hole 418 and extends into the basin 420. It is the presence of the ring 422 that forms the hole 312 in the inner bowl 314 of the lower component 300.
In another example of a cartridge case 120, the sizes of the upper 200 and lower 300 components can be altered.
The lower component 300 in this further example, is now much longer and comprises most of the propellant chamber 340. The tapered portion is now replaced with an outer tapered portion 342. The outer tapered portion 342 slides over the underskirt portion 240 so the two can be joined together as noted above. The thickness of the underskirt portion 240 and the outer tapered portion 342 is approximate to the wall thickness or wall thickness and sleeve thickness.
The inner wall 310 is now substantially longer, can include a sleeve, but still ends in the inner bowl 314. The engagement between the second end 304 of the lower component 300 and the insert 400 remains the same. Note that either the “small upper” or “long upper” can be used to form blank or subsonic ammunition. The walls are made thicker with the sleeve, shrinking the size of the propellant chamber 340. Less powder can be used, but the powder is packed similarly as tight as it is for a live round because of the smaller chamber 340. This can prevent the Secondary Explosive Effect (SEE) (below). A thick wall design for a subsonic cartridge 140 is illustrated in
Illustrated is a large upper component 200 having a thicker overlap 222 portion, with a thickness t+ and an integral thickening of the wall, and/or a sleeve 230 with a thickness T+, as disclosed above. The total thickness of the wall 218 can be the sum of T+ and t+. The sleeve 230 can run the length of the upper component 200 from the mouth 208 to the start of the overlap portion 222. The lower component 300 of a subsonic cartridge 140 can be thickened as well. The subsonic cartridge 140 can be made with the insert 400, or the lower component 300 can be molded in one piece from polymer with the features of the insert 400. For example, the flash hole 418, primer pocket 416, groove 404 and rim 406. Alternately, the insert can also be high-strength polymer instead of the metal alloys discussed above. In this example, the lower component and the insert can be formed as one piece, and the upper component 200 can be placed on top.
As illustrated in
When the blank cartridge 150 is formed with the “small upper” component 200 with the cap 244. The lower component 300 can be filled with the powder and the small upper component can act as a cap to the cartridge, sealing in the powder.
Note that the above examples illustrate a bottleneck cartridge. Many of the features above can be used with any cartridge style, including straight wall cartridges used in pistols.
The sleeve 230, 530 is dimensioned and shaped pursuant to the requirements of each cartridge based on blank or subsonic and the particular caliber. To that end, the sleeve 530 begins set back from the first end 510 based on the depth the rear of the bullet sits in the cartridge. Further, in this example, as the walls transition into a lower bowl 514, the sleeve 530 may extend into the bowl. This aids in the strength of a back end 512 of the cartridge 500, since this example lacks a hardened metal insert.
The lower bowl 514 curves downward toward a flash hole 517 which then opens to a primer pocket 519. Both are similar to the features described above. Further, the back end is molded to form a rim 506.
Turning now to an example of a fully formed cartridge case 100,
An exemplary construction of the upper component 200 also aids in withstanding the pressures generated. As noted above, the sleeve 230 increases the strength of the wall 218 of the upper component 200. In the present example, the upper component 200 accounts for anywhere from 70% to 90% of the length of the cartridge casing 100.
Additional examples of reduced capacity cartridge cases are illustrated in
Further, at least one the lip 1214 and the cannelure 1055 can be replaced with an adhesive (not illustrated). The adhesive can seal the bullet 1050 in the neck 1206 and provide a waterproofing feature, to prevent moisture from entering between the bullet 1050 and the neck 1206. The adhesive also provides for a control for the amount of force required to project the bullet 1050 out of the cartridge 1000. Controlling this exit force, in certain examples, can be important, since the bullet for sub-sonic ammunition is already “under powered” in relation to a standard round.
The bullet 1050 is a standard weight bullet for its particular caliber. The “standard weight” or common weight for a projectile varies slightly. Some examples of standard weights can include at 0.223 (5.56) caliber weights between 52 and 90 grains; at 0.308 and .300 Winchester Magnum calibers weights between 125 and 250 grains; and for .338 Lapua® Magnum caliber weights between 215 and 300 grains. This can also include standards weights for .50 caliber between 606 and 822 grains. The bullet 1050 can be less than 125% of maximum standard weight for a particular caliber. Further, the bullet can be less than 120%, 115%, 110% and 105% of the caliber's maximum standard weight.
The upper component 1200 can also include a shoulder 1204. The shoulder 1204 slopes outward from the neck 1206 and then straightens out to form the upper component outer wall 1217. The upper component 2100 can join the lower component 1300 as described above, and the lower component 1300 also can have a lower component outer wall 1317. The upper and lower component outer walls 1217, 1317 can form the outer shape of the cartridge and are shaped as such to fit a standard chamber for the particular caliber.
Both the upper and lower components 1200, 1300 can have inner walls 1219, 1319, respectively. The inner walls 1219, 1319 can form the propellant chamber 1340, which contains the powder or other propellant to discharge the bullet 1050 from the weapon (not illustrated). The inner walls 1219, 1319, in this example, can be angled to form a constant slope toward the insert 1400. This narrows, or tapers, the propellant chamber 1340 so the diameter D1 in the upper component 1200 is greater than the diameter D2 closer to the insert 1400. It can be further said that, in an example, a diameter D1 approximate the shoulder 1204 can be greater than the diameter D2 (in the lower component 1300) approximate a flash hole 1418 of the insert 1400. In another example, diameter D2 can equal a diameter D3 of the flash hole 1418.
In the above examples, the cartridge 1000 is described in a three-piece design (upper 1200, lower 1300, and insert 1400). Note that the cartridge 1000 can be fabricated in one-piece, all of polymer as described above, or two pieces, a polymer section and the overmolded insert 1400. Additionally, the flash hole 1418 can also be sloped to match the slope of the inner walls 1217, 1317. Further, while the above examples are described with a constant slope from the upper component 1200 to the lower component 1300, other examples can have differing slopes between the two components 1200, 1300 such that one slope is steeper than the other slope. Further,
Further, the slope of the upper component inner wall 1219 can differ from the upper component outer wall 1217. The same can be true for the lower component inner wall 1319 differing in slope from the lower component outer wall 1317.
The polymer construction of the cartridge case also provides a feature of reduced friction between the cartridge and chamber of the firearm. Reduced friction leads to reduced wear on the chamber, further extending its service life.
Subsonic ammunition can be manufactured using the above illustrated examples. Subsonic ammunition is designed to keep the bullet from breaking the speed of sound (approximately 340 m/s at sea level or less than 1,100 fps). Breaking the speed of sound results in the loud “crack” of a sonic boom, thus subsonic ammunition is much quieter than is standard counterpart. Typical subsonic ammunition uses less powder, to produce less energy, in the same cartridge case as standard ammunition. The remaining space is packed with wadding/filler to keep the powder near the flash hole so it can be ignited by the primer. As noted above, increasing the wall thickness eliminates the need for wadding. In one example, while a brass cartridge wall can be 0.0389″ thick, the polymer wall and sleeve can have a total thickness of 0.0879″ for the identical caliber.
The reduced capacity allows for a more efficient ignition of the powder and a higher load density with less powder. Low load density (roughly below 30-40%) is one of the main contributors to the Secondary Explosive Effect (SEE). SEE can destroy the strongest rifle action and it can happen on the first shot or the tenth. SEE is the result of slow or incomplete ignition of small amounts of smokeless powder. The powder smolders and releases explosive gases which, when finally ignited, detonate in a high order explosion. The better sealing effect is also important here because standard brass does not seal the chamber well at the lower pressures created during subsonic shooting.
While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/642,922, filed Mar. 10, 2015, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/315,564 filed Jun. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,003,973, which is Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/549,351 filed Jul. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,535, which is Continuation-In-Part of abandoned U.S. application Ser. No. 13/350,585, filed Jan. 13, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/433,170 filed Jan. 14, 2011. All applications are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61433170 | Jan 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13549351 | Jul 2012 | US |
| Child | 14315564 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14642922 | Mar 2015 | US |
| Child | 15187421 | US | |
| Parent | 14315564 | Jun 2014 | US |
| Child | 14642922 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13350585 | Jan 2012 | US |
| Child | 13549351 | US |
