Firearms projectile having jacket runner

• US 20060027128A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hober Holding Company
• Original Assignee: Hober Holding Company
• Inventors: Hober, William D.
• Application Number:
  US11/055,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20060027128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/514
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/02 Driving bands; Rotating bands F42B14/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/06 Sub-calibre projectiles having sabots; Sabots therefor

Abstract

A projectile for small munitions is provided having a bullet with an integral jacket runner formed from a resilient, shape-retaining material. The projectile comprises a bullet having a tapered front section, a cylindrical middle section and a tapered end section. The middle section includes a recessed retaining portion over which the resilient jacket runner is securely positioned or formed. The maximum diameter of the bullet is less than the primary bore diameter of the firearm barrel, and the outer diameter of the jacket runner when positioned around the bullet, is slightly greater than the primary bore diameter, whereby rifling in the barrel scores the jacket runner and not the bullet, and imparts spin to the jacket runner during firing and hence to the bullet which is integral therewith, achieving enhanced gas checking efficiency, accuracy and velocity. The integral jacket runner remains on the bullet after firing and downrange to its ultimate destination. High speed production of this projectile can be achieved due to the resiliency or elastic memory of the jacket runner.

Claims

1. A small munitions projectile for a firearm having a barrel with a primary bore of a certain diameter, the projectile comprising:

a bullet having a longitudinal axis and a maximum diameter, the bullet comprising a tapered front section, a cylindrical middle section having a certain diameter and an axial length, and an end section, the middle section having opposed top and bottom portions and a cylindrical recessed receiving portion intermediate the top and bottom portions, the recessed receiving portion having a diameter less than the middle section diameter, and

an elongated ring-shaped jacket runner formed from a resilient, shape-retaining material, the jacket runner securely positioned co-axially around the bullet adjacent the recessed receiving portion, the jacket runner having an inner diameter slightly less than or equal to the recessed receiving portion diameter, and an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the middle section, and

wherein the maximum diameter of the bullet is less than the primary bore diameter of the firearm, and the outer diameter of the jacket runner is greater than the primary bore diameter of the firearm.

2. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the recessed receiving portion has a leading edge and a trailing edge, further comprising a first shoulder connecting the leading edge to the top portion of the middle section, and a second shoulder connecting the trailing edge to the bottom portion of the middle section.

3. The projectile as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and second shoulders extend at an angle of from about 80°

to about 100°

with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bullet.

4. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the recessed receiving portion extends along approximately 50-95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.

5. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jacket runner extends along approximately 50-95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.

6. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jacket runner comprises a single piece.

7. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jacket runner material has an elastic memory.

8. The projectile as set forth in claim 7, wherein the jacket runner material is a synthetic material.

9. The projectile as set forth in claim 8, wherein the material comprises polyethylene.

10. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the end section is tapered.

11. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the end section includes a rear surface.

12. The projectile as set forth in claim 11, wherein the rear surface is essentially flat.

13. The projectile as set forth in claim 11, wherein the rear surface is essentially conical in cross-section.

14. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tapered front section further includes a tip secured thereon.

15. The projectile as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jacket runner is adapted to remain on the bullet subsequent to firing of the firearm and on downrange to its final destination.

16. A process for making a small munitions projectile including a bullet having a longitudinal axis, a front section, a middle section having an axial length and including a top portion and a bottom portion, and an end section, the bullet including a maximum diameter, and a jacket runner positioned therearound intermediate the top portion and the bottom portion, said process comprising:

forming a bullet having a cylindrical recessed receiving portion intermediate the top portion and bottom portion of the middle section, the recessed receiving portion having a diameter less than the maximum diameter of the bullet;

forming an elongated ring-shaped jacket runner from a resilient, shape-retaining material, the jacket having an outer diameter, and an inner diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the recessed receiving portion;

stretching the jacket runner for passing over the maximum diameter of the bullet;

positioning the jacket runner over the recessed receiving portion;

allowing the jacket runner to return essentially to its original size and shape, wherein the outer diameter of the jacket runner is greater than the maximum diameter of the bullet; and

securing the jacket runner onto the recessed receiving portion, wherein the jacket runner is adapted to remain integral with the bullet even subsequent to firing it from a firearm.

17. The process as set forth in claim 16, wherein forming the bullet includes forming the recessed receiving portion with a leading edge and a trailing edge, said bullet forming step further comprising forming a first shoulder connecting the leading edge to the top portion of the middle section, and forming a second shoulder connecting the trailing edge to the bottom portion of the middle section.

18. The process as set forth in claim 17, further comprising forming the first and second shoulders each at an angle of from about 80°

to about 100°

with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bullet.

19. The process as set forth in claim 16, wherein the recessed receiving portion is formed to extend along approximately 50 to about 95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.

20. The process as set forth in claim 16, wherein the jacket runner is formed to extend along approximately 50 to about 95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.

21. A process for making a small munitions projectile including a bullet having a longitudinal axis, a front section, a middle section including a top portion and a bottom portion, and an end section, the bullet including a maximum diameter, and a jacket runner positioned therearound, said process comprising:

forming a bullet having a cylindrical recessed receiving portion intermediate the top portion and bottom portion of the middle section, the recessed receiving portion having a diameter less than the maximum diameter of the bullet;

forming an elongated ring-shaped jacket runner around the recessed receiving portion, the jacket runner formed from a resilient, shape-retaining synthetic material, and having an outer diameter, and an inner diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the recessed receiving portion; and

securing the jacket runner onto the recessed receiving portion, wherein the jacket runner is adapted to remain integral with the bullet even subsequent to firing it from a firearm.

22. The process as set forth in claim 21, wherein the recessed receiving portion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, said bullet forming step further comprising forming a first shoulder connecting the leading edge to the top portion of the middle section, and forming a second shoulder connecting the trailing edge to the bottom portion of the middle section.

23. The process as set forth in claim 22, further comprising forming the first and second shoulders each at an angle of from about 80°

to about 100°

with respect to the longitudinal axis of the projectile.

24. The process as set forth in claim 21, wherein the recessed receiving portion is formed to extend along approximately 50 to about 95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.

25. The process as set forth in claim 21, wherein the jacket runner is formed to extend along approximately 50 to about 95% of the axial length of the middle section of the bullet.