Synchronized spin multi-component projectile

• US 8,082,850 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Opco, LLC
• Original Assignee: Liberty Ammunition, Inc.
• Inventors: Marx, PJ
• Primary Examiner(s): Bergin, James
• Application Number:
  US12/784,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20110155016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 102/524, 102/525, 102/526, 102/527, 102/501, 102/506, 102/512, 102/513, 102/517
• US Class Current: 102/517
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/26 using spin F42B10/04, F42B10/12, F42B10/14, F42B10/24, F42B14/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/38 Range-increasing arrangements F42B10/34, F42B14/06 and F42B15/105 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/34 expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/02 Driving bands; Rotating bands F42B14/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A projectile includes a leading part formed by a tip and a tip base that form a first annular shoulder where they meet. A trailing part of the projectile is formed by a base having a frusto-conical trailing end and a cylindrical leading end of truncate extent that forms a tail drive. A second annular shoulder is formed where a cylindrical rod meets the tail drive. A flat trailing end of the tip base and a flat leading end of the cylindrical rod abut one another when the projectile is assembled. A cylindrical interface has a leading extent abutting the first annular shoulder and a trailing end abutting the second annular shoulder. The tail drive and the trailing extent of the cylindrical interface are the only parts of the projectile that engage gun barrel rifling when the projectile is positioned in a gun barrel.

Claims

1. A projectile, comprising:

a leading part formed by a tip having an ogive configuration;

a tip base formed integrally with said tip, said tip base being substantially cylindrical but having a slight diameter-reducing taper formed in its leading extent where said tip base meets a trailing end of said tip;

a first annular shoulder formed where said trailing end of said tip meets a leading end of said tip base;

a trailing part formed by a base that includes a frusto-conical trailing end and a tail drive formed by an annular cylindrical leading end of truncate extent that is formed integrally with said frusto-conical base;

a cylindrical interface connecting said leading part to said trailing part;

a cylindrical rod formed integrally with said tail drive and extending therefrom in leading relation thereto;

said cylindrical rod having a diameter less than the diameter of said tail drive; and

a second annular shoulder formed where a leading end of said tail drive meets a trailing end of said cylindrical rod.

2. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

said tip base having a flat trailing end;

said cylindrical rod having a flat leading end;

said flat trailing end of said tip base and said flat leading end of said cylindrical rod abuttingly engaging one another when said projectile is in an assembled configuration.

3. The projectile of claim 2, further comprising:

said cylindrical interface having a downwardly tapered leading extent disposed in overlying relation to said downwardly tapered tip base;

said cylindrical interface having an untapered middle extent and trailing extent;

a leading end of said cylindrical interface disposed in abutting relation to said first annular shoulder;

said leading end of said cylindrical interface being flush with said trailing end of said tip;

a trailing end of said cylindrical interface disposed in abutting relation to said second annular shoulder;

said downwardly tapered leading extent of said cylindrical interface being spaced apart from rifling when said projectile is positioned in a gun barrel;

said frusto-conical trailing end of said base being disposed in spaced apart relation to said rifling when said projectile is positioned in said gun barrel;

said tail drive being disposed in engaged relation to said rifling when said projectile is disposed in said gun barrel;

said middle and trailing extents of said cylindrical interface being disposed in engaged relation to said rifling when said projectile is disposed in said gun barrel;

whereby friction between said projectile and said rifling is reduced vis a vis a conventional projectile so that said projectile has increased kinetic energy when fired vis a vis said conventional projectile; and

whereby spin imparted by said rifling along said tail drive and along said middle and trailing extents of said cylindrical interface is not substantially degraded by the loss of contact with said rifling.