Projectiles for shotgun shells and the like, and methods of manufacturing the same

• US 8,122,832 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spherical Precision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spherical Precision, Inc.
• Inventors: Wei, Tim T.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERGIN, JAMES S
• Application Number:
  US11/747,828
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 102/438, 102/439, 102/448, 102/449, 102/454, 102/460, 102/501, 86/57
• US Class Current: 102/501
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/00 Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding F42B6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 7/08 Wads, i.e. projectile or shot carrying devices, therefor

Abstract

Shot projectiles are disclosed that are not completely spherical. The shot may have a protruding ring, an elongated configuration, flat or concave surfaces, or other configurations that may affect the spreading distribution of the shot when fired or the ability to cause damage to a target.

Claims

1. An ammunition projectile, comprising:

a generally spherical shot having an equator and two poles;

wherein the shot has a single externally protruding ring about the equator of the shot, the ring having a thickness defined as a distance between an intersection of an upper wall of the ring with a surface of the shot and an intersection of a lower wall of the ring with the surface of the shot;

wherein the ring has a thickness of about 20% of the diameter of the shot or less;

wherein the shot has an uninterrupted surface extending from the ring to both poles.

2. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot has a density of about 9.0 to 18.8 g/cm³.

3. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot is made of steel.

4. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot comprises a tungsten alloy.

5. The ammunition projectile of claim 4, wherein the shot comprises iron.

6. The ammunition projectile of claim 5, wherein the shot comprises nickel and copper.

7. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot has a diameter of about 0.05″

to about 0.36″

.

8. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the ring is cylindrical in shape.

9. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the ring has upper and lower tapering walls.

10. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the ring projects from a surface of the sphere by a distance of about 5% or more of the diameter of the shot.

11. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot has an acorn-like configuration.

12. The ammunition projectile of claim 1,

wherein the distance between the two poles is greater than a diameter of the shot at the equator such that the shot has an elongated or oblong shape.

13. The ammunition projectile of claim 12, wherein the shot becomes less convex adjacent the poles.

14. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

a head portion and a bottom portion and the equator between the head portion and bottom portion, the head portion having a greater mass or volume than the bottom portion, and wherein at least the head portion of the shot is spherical.

15. The ammunition projectile of claim 14, wherein the externally protruding ring comprises a helmet portion that is provided over the bottom portion of the shot.

16. The ammunition projectile of claim 14, wherein the bottom portion is tapered.

17. The ammunition projectile of claim 14, wherein the shot has an acorn-shape.

18. The ammunition projectile of claim 1, wherein the shot is made of lead.