Frangible article

• US 4,921,250 A
• Filed: 10/17/1988
• Issued: 05/01/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John A. Ayres
• Original Assignee: John A. Ayres
• Inventors: Ayres, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/258,373
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 R, 273/362, 273/363, 273/364, 273/378, 273/380, 273/406, 273/407, 273/404, 273/58 J, 273/317
• US Class Current: 273/380
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/00 Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/00 Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor extrusion blow-moulding B29C49/04
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/12 Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/00 Shaping by thermoforming , i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor blow moulding of tubular preforms B29C49/00, deforming of tubular or hollow preforms B29C67/0014
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/002 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/24 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2003/00 Use of starch or derivatives as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2503/04 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0059 Degradable
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/01 Target discs characterised by their material, structure or surface, e.g. clay pigeon targets characterised by their materialF41J5/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body

Abstract

A frangible article for use as a target or a projectile is disclosed which is formed of a mixture of sand and decomposable binder shaped and cured to create a rigid, durable article which will fracture upon impact. Several preferred binder compositions and the method of forming a frangible target are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A frangible target comprising:

a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder which is formed and cured to a desired target shape, said binder comprising by weight;

20-60% grain flour;

5-30% salt;

1/2-5% petroleum lubricant; and

water.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said sand grain size falls substantially within the range of 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the binder further comprises a fungicide.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the binder further comprises a drying agent for improving the workability of the mixture.

5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a sealant for coating the target to prevent moisture absorption.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said sealant comprises wax.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said frangible article is formed in the shape of a planar silhouette.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the planar surface of the target is scored to control the break pattern.

9. The invention of claim 7 further comprising support means for vertically supporting the frangible target.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said support means further comprises a thin sheet bonded to and substantially co-planar with the target.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said thin sheet comprises a plurality of thin fold sheets each having at least one target affixed thereto, said sheets having perforated marginal edges for automatically positioning the targets.

12. The invention of claim 9 wherein said support means further comprises a base having a groove formed therein to receive the lower marginal edge of the target therein.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein the lubricant comprises a light oil.

14. A frangible target, comprising:

a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder which is formed and cured to a desired target shape, said binder comprising by weight;

25-60% starch;

5-30% grain flour;

1/2-5% petroleum lubricant; and

water.

15. The invention of claim 14 further comprising a sealant coating the target to prevent moisture absorption.

16. The invention of claim 14 wherein said frangible article is formed in the shape of a planar silhouette.

17. A frangible target comprising:

a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder formed in a shape of a planar silhouette and cured to create a rigid, durable target which will fracture upon impact by a projectile;

a sealant for coating the target to prevent moisture absorption; and

a transparent plastic film for supporting the silhouette in a vertical position and having the outline of the silhouette imprinted thereon.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein the planar silhouette target is scored to control the break pattern.

19. A frangible projectile comprising a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder which is formed into a projectile shape and cured to create a rigid, durable projectile which will fracture into a plurality of dull pieces upon impact, said decomposable binder comprising:

20-60% grain flour;

5-30% salt;

1/2-5% lubricant; and

water.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said sand grain size falls substantially within the range of 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters.

21. The invention of claim 19 wherein said shape is substantially spherical with a diameter in the 6 to 20 millimeter range.

22. The invention of claim 19 further comprising a sealant for coating the projectile to prevent moisture absorption.

23. The invention of claim 22 wherein said sealant further comprises a coloring agent to enhance projectile visibility in flight.

24. A frangible target comprising:

a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder formed in a shape of a planar silhouette and cured to create a rigid, durable target which will fracture upon impact by a projectile;

a sealant for coating the target to prevent moisture absorption; and

a plurality of thin folded sheets each having at least one silhouette bonded thereto;

said sheets having perforated marginal edges for automatically positioning the silhouettes in the vertical position.

25. The invention of claim 24 wherein the planar silhouette target is scored to control the break pattern.

26. A frangible projectile comprising a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder which is formed into a projectile shape and cured to create a rigid, durable projectile which will fracture into a plurality of dull pieces upon impact, said decomposable binder comprising:

25-60% starch;

5-30% grain flour;

1/2-5% lubricant; and

water.

27. The invention of claim 26 wherein said sand grain size falls substantially within the range of 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters.

28. The invention of claim 26 wherein said projectile shape is substantially spherical with a diameter in the 6 to 20 millimeter range.

29. The invention of claim 26 further comprising a sealant for coating the projectile to prevent moisture absorption.

30. The invention of claim 29 wherein said sealant further comprises a coloring agent to enhance projectile visibility in flight.