Reduced energy training cartridge for self-loading firearms

• US 7,621,208 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Dynamics OTS Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company (Vista Outdoor Inc.)
• Inventors: Huffman, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): CLEMENT, MICHELLE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US11/616,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20070199470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 89/11.3, 102/434, 102/433, 102/444, 102/446, 102/447, 102/464, 102/469
• US Class Current: 89/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/02 Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/045 of telescopic type F42B5/184 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/285 formed by assembling several elements
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/38 Separately-loaded propellant charges, e.g. cartridge bags F42B5/16, F42B5/192 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/02 Cartridges F41A33/02, F42B7/12 take precedence

Abstract

A two piece, two-stage, rechargeable, reusable, reduced-energy mechanically operating cartridge is provided for launching a bullet of various compositions from a dedicated or modified firearm. The cartridge unit is comprised of a primary case, a piston sleeve, a propellant unit, and a bullet choice of a solid light weight material for inanimate-target applications or a “marking” version for non-lethal live-target training applications. Cartridge includes a piston sleeve and a primary case coupled together via a channel and cog locking/traveling/unlocking system. The primary case includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive a propellant unit or propellant connection and provides the channels to receive piston sleeves cogs for a locking/traveling/unlocking feature. The piston sleeve includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive configured bullet. The primary case also includes a substantially non-deformable jacket for being axially coupled with the piston sleeve, and for coupling with a propellant mechanism. Upon activation of the mechanically operating cartridge within the chamber of the firearm during stage 2, the piston sleeve and primary case telescope apart from a compressed, static, stage 1 position forcing the firearm'"'"'s slide or bolt to the rear, a mechanical operation opposed to a conventional cartridge with gas blow back operations. Spent cartridge is reused by manually separating piston sleeve from primary case as to remove spent propellant unit with removal tool, recharged with new propellant unit reloaded with choice of bullet composition and placed into magazine or similar for firearm loading.

Claims

1. A two-piece, two-stage, reduced energy mechanically-operating cartridge for launching a projectile from a dedicated or modified firearm, comprising:

(a) a piston sleeve comprising a piston sleeve jacket defining a projectile cavity at a first longitudinal end for coupling the projectile therein, and a second end for coupling with a primary case, and the piston sleeve including one or more partially annular protrusion portions (hereinafter “

cogs”

) or channels or both; and

(b) the primary case comprising a primary case jacket for being axially coupled with the second end of the piston sleeve, and including one or more complementary partially annular cogs or channels, or both, to those of the piston sleeve, and defining a primary case cavity for coupling with a propellant mechanism,

(c) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are configured such that an axial coupling of the primary case with the second end of the piston sleeve involves mating of the complementary cogs and channels of the primary case and piston sleeve, and

(d) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are further configured such that upon the axial coupling of the piston sleeve and primary case and at least partial compression together, the primary case and the piston sleeve become relatively rotationally movable with regard to the cogs traveling within the channels, followed by relative axial movement to a fully compressed configuration, such that upon activation, when the piston sleeve and primary case telescope from the static position, the cogs move in the opposite axial direction within the channels.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the piston sleeve comprises two or more spaced apart cogs.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the primary case comprises two or more channels for mating with the complementary cogs of the piston sleeve.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the cogs of the piston sleeve comprise three or more spaced-apart cogs.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the piston sleeve comprises a shoulder, such that upon activation when the piston sleeve and primary case are telescoping from the static position, said shoulder contacts an step between a chamber and a barrel of a firearm preventing the sleeve from advancing down the barrel, and instead the primary case thrusts rearward away from the barrel.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the piston sleeve and the primary case include an annular protrusion, in addition to said cogs, for axially stabilizing the coupling of the piston sleeve and the primary case in the static position.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the jacket of the piston sleeve comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the piston sleeve jacket is reusable.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the jacket of the primary case also comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the primary case jacket is reusable.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the propellant mechanism comprises a detonating primer.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, a regulator hole being further defined between the primary case and bullet cavities for regulating a velocity of the projectile upon firing.

11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the axial coupling involves the second end of the piston sleeve overlapping the primary case.

12. A two-piece, two-stage, reduced energy mechanically-operating cartridge for launching a projectile from a dedicated or modified firearm, comprising:

(a) a piston sleeve comprising a piston sleeve jacket defining a projectile cavity at a first longitudinal end for coupling the projectile therein, and a second end for coupling with a primary case, and the piston sleeve including one or more at least partially annular protrusion portions (hereinafter “

cogs”

) or channels or both; and

(b) the primary case comprising a primary case jacket for being axially coupled with the second end of the piston sleeve, and including one or more complementary cogs or channels, or both, to the one or more of the piston sleeve, and defining a primary case cavity for coupling with a propellant mechanism, and

(c) a vent defined between the case and sleeve which opens to communicate with ambient air at a stage during dynamic action to relieve pressure within the primary case cavity an appropriate amount to achieve a sufficient balance;

(d) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are configured such that an axial coupling of the primary case with the second end of the piston sleeve involves mating of the complementary cogs and channels of the primary case and piston sleeve, and

(e) wherein at least one of the piston sleeve and the primary case includes an annular protrusion for stabilizing the coupling of the piston sleeve and the primary case, wherein upon activation, the piston sleeve and primary case telescope apart from the static position.

13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the jacket of the piston sleeve comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the piston sleeve jacket is reusable.

14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the jacket of the primary case also comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the primary case jacket is reusable.

15. The cartridge of claim 12, a regulator hole being further defined between the primary case and projectile cavities of selected size for regulating a velocity of the projectile upon activation.

16. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the axial coupling involves the primary case overlapping the second end of the piston sleeve.

17. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the annular protrusion comprises an O-ring.

18. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein the O-ring is disposed within an annular groove defined in the primary case.

19. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein said annular protrusion provides said axial stabilization of the coupling of the piston sleeve and primary case when said sleeve and case are coupled together in a static position.

20. A two-piece, two-stage, reduced energy mechanically-operating cartridge for launching a projectile from a dedicated or modified firearm, comprising:

(a) a piston sleeve comprising a piston sleeve jacket defining a projectile cavity at a first longitudinal end for coupling the projectile therein, and a primary case cavity defined at for coupling with a primary case;

(b) the primary case for being axially coupled with the second end of the piston sleeve, and defining a primary case cavity for coupling with a propellant mechanism;

(c) a regulator hole defined between the primary case and projectile cavities of the piston sleeve for regulating a velocity of the projectile upon firing;

(d) an annular protrusion for stabilizing the coupling of the piston sleeve and the primary case, wherein upon activation, the piston sleeve and primary case telescope apart from the static position, and

(e) a vent defined between the case and sleeve which opens to communicate with ambient air at a stage during dynamic action to relieve pressure within the primary case cavity an appropriate amount to achieve a sufficient balance;

(f) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are configured for axial coupling of the primary case with the second end of the piston sleeve, and

(g) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are further configured such that upon axial coupling, the piston sleeve and primary case become relatively axially movable to a fully compressed configuration, such that upon activation, the piston sleeve and primary case telescope from the static position in the opposite axial direction.

21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the annular protrusion comprises an O-ring.

22. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein the O-ring is disposed within an annular groove defined in the primary case.

23. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the axial coupling involves the second end of the piston sleeve overlapping the primary case.

24. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the jacket of the piston sleeve comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the piston sleeve jacket is reusable.

25. The cartridge of claim 24, wherein the jacket of the primary case also comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the primary case jacket is reusable.

26. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein said annular protrusion provides said axial stabilization of the coupling of the piston sleeve and primary case when said sleeve and case are coupled together in a static position.

27. A two-piece, two-stage, reduced energy mechanically-operating cartridge for launching a projectile from a dedicated or modified firearm, comprising:

(a) a piston sleeve comprising a piston sleeve jacket defining a projectile cavity at a first longitudinal end for coupling the projectile therein, and a second end for coupling with a primary case, and the piston sleeve; and

(b) the primary case comprising a primary case jacket for being axially coupled with the second end of the piston sleeve, and defining a primary case cavity for coupling with a propellant mechanism,

(c) wherein at least one of the piston sleeve and the primary case includes one or more partially annular protrusion portions (hereinafter “

cogs”

) or channels or both, wherein the piston sleeve comprises two or more spaced apart cogs; and

(d) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are configured for axial coupling and compression together of the primary case with the second end of the piston sleeve; and

(e) wherein said primary case and piston sleeve are further configured such that upon the axial coupling of the piston sleeve and primary case and at least partial compression together, the primary case and the piston sleeve become relatively rotationally movable, followed by relative axial movement to a fully compressed configuration, such that upon activation, when the piston sleeve and primary case telescope from the static position, the cogs or channels or both serve to prevent separation of the piston sleeve and primary case.

28. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the primary case comprises complement portions for mating with the cogs of the piston sleeve and preventing said separation.

29. The cartridge of claim 28, wherein the cogs of the piston sleeve comprise three or more spaced-apart cogs.

30. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the piston sleeve comprises a shoulder, such that upon activation when the piston sleeve and primary case are telescoping from the static position, said shoulder contacts a step between a chamber and a barrel of a firearm preventing the sleeve from advancing down the barrel, and instead the primary case thrusts rearward away from the barrel.

31. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the jacket of the piston sleeve comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the piston sleeve jacket is reusable.

32. The cartridge of claim 31, wherein the jacket of the primary case also comprises a substantially non-deformable material, such that the primary case jacket is reusable.