Bullets for use in hitting targets at short range

• US 6,240,850 B1
• Filed: 06/14/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher A. Holler
• Original Assignee: Christopher A. Holler
• Inventors: Holler, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US09/332,610
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 29/13, 29/13.1, 102/430, 102/439, 102/464-469, 102/507-510, 102/514-519, 102/501
• US Class Current: 102/439
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/34 expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/025 characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile

Abstract

An improved bullet featuring a large, heavy non-aerodynamically shaped projectile that is to be used in short range life or death situations. This projectile and cartridge would be used in large game applications where the intent is not to fire unless in imminent danger. The projectile and cartridge combination of this invention would cause immediate destruction and transfer energy rapidly. The projectile is shaped to increase aerodynamic resistance by redirecting the displaced air into its preferred path. The large cross section and short body height further limit aerodynamic ability. The casing is machined from solid stock to provide a stronger more stable enclosure. This large diameter personal defense bullet uses a soft projectile body of high mass and improved shape, in conjunction with a high capacity casing of one piece precision machined construction to deliver maximum stopping power. A plurality of projectile bodies are presented herein which provide the stopping power required to drop a charging animal.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising:

a) a projectile body having upper and lower portions,

wherein the upper portion has a torus-shaped surface facing the path of the projectile body upon firing, the torus-shaped surface having associated outer and inner diameters, and a centrally positioned hemispherical indentation attached to said inner diameter of the torus-shaped surface; and

wherein the lower portion has a cylindrical shape with a flat base, the cylindrical shape having a uniform circular projectile cross-section throughout its length, with a length to diameter ratio of the projectile body being between 1 to 1 and 1.25 to 1; and

b) a strengthened casing fabricated from a cylindrical block having first and second ends by the steps of;

forming a chamber having a first uniform circular cross-section, by incrementally removing material from the first end of the cylindrical block such that a cylindrical cavity is formed therein with a base thickness of greater than 0.050 inches;

forming an exterior casing wall having a second uniform circular second cross-section with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first cross-section, by removing an exterior thickness of material from an outside portion of the cylindrical block such that a rim is left at the second end; and

forming a hole in the second end of the cylindrical block for insertion of a primer therein;

the casing and chamber thereby formed by the casing wall and the second end with the hole therethrough, wherein the thickness of the casing wall exceeds 0.050 inches, the casing length to diameter ratio between 4.5 to 1 and 5.5 to 1;

the cartridge formed by the installation of a propellant in the chamber, the diameter of the lower portion of the projectile body corresponding to the diameter of the chamber, such that when at least the lower portion of the projectile body is located in the chamber, the chamber is closed.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the projectile body comprises:

a transitional area from a side wall of the lower portion vertically tangent to an exterior portion of the torus shaped surface of the upper portion.

3. The cartridge of claim 2 wherein the diameter of the projectile body is in a range of 0.8 to 1.25 inch.

4. The cartridge of claim 2 wherein lower portion of the projectile body has a diameter less than the diameter of the chamber, with the lower portion beginning below the upper portion and ending at the base of the projectile body.

5. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the hemispherical indentation forms a radius dimpled shape of the upper portion.

6. The cartridge of claim 1 comprising a propellant charge disposed substantially within the chamber, and

an inner wall of the casing formed to contact an outer wall of the projectile body at a distance substantially halfway up the cylindrical lower portion of the projectile body, with the base of the projectile body substantially in contact with the propellant charge, upon ignition of the cartridge, the torus-shaped surface of the upper portion facing the path of the projectile body creating a focused high compression area in front of the projectile body and the flat base of the lower portion creating a significant drag area behind the projectile body such that the high compression area and drag area affect the projectile body to rapidly reduce the velocity of the projectile body, thereby causing the range of the projectile body to be reduced, such that upon impact with a tissue of a target, the high compression area initially deforms and then tears the tissue as the inertia of the projectile body transfers associated kinetic energy to the area of the target surrounding the tissue as the projectile body plastically deforms and weight transfers from a rear section of the lower portion of the projectile body.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the casing has a tubular cross section having a base with a rim, the rim having a diameter larger than the casing.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the casing is made of brass.

9. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the casing has a powder capacity between 2.5 and 3.5 cubic inches.