High volume multiple component projectile assembly

• US 8,857,343 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2012
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Opco, LLC
• Original Assignee: Liberty Ammunition LLC
• Inventors: Marx, P J
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Application Number:
  US13/657,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 102/517, 102/506, 102518-520, 102522-527
• US Class Current: 102/517
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/02 characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/367 Projectiles fragmenting upon impact without the use of explosives, the fragments creating a wounding or lethal effect practice or training projectiles disintegrating upon impact F42B8/14; projectiles of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction F42B12/22
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/78 of jackets for smallarm bullets ; Jacketed bullets or projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/00 Projectiles or missiles characterised by arrangements for guiding or sealing them inside barrels, or for lubricating or cleaning barrels
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/02 Driving bands; Rotating bands F42B14/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 30/02 Bullets
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/001 Devices or processes for assembling ammunition, cartridges or cartridge elements from parts

Abstract

A projectile includes a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects the head and tail. Multiple sections of the interface are deformed by being compressed radially inwardly into respective annular recesses formed between the interface and the head and tail during manufacturing or by rifling when the projectile is fired. The amount of deformation is controlled by the depth of each of the annular recesses. In all embodiments, annular ridges formed in the head, the tail, or both, define the longitudinal extent of the annular recesses. The interface includes an annular obturation region and has a beveled open leading end to facilitate insertion of the head and tail into the interface.

Claims

1. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head and said tail;

a diameter-reducing annular step of predetermined depth formed in said head;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

a diameter-increasing annular step formed in said interior surface of said interface, said diameter-increasing annular step increasing the diameter of said cavity;

said diameter-increasing annular step creating an annular space between a predetermined extent of said tail and said interface;

said exterior surface of said interface having a leading end, a trailing end, a mid-section, and a trailing section that extends from said trailing end to said mid-section and which gradually increases in diameter;

an annular obturation region formed where said trailing section and said mid-section merge with one another;

said leading end of said interface abutting said diameter-reducing annular step formed in said head, said leading end of said interface having a thickness equal to said predetermined depth of said diameter-reducing annular step, an exterior surface of said head and an exterior surface of said interface being flush with one another;

an annular ridge of predetermined height and extent formed in a trailing end of said head;

an annular recess of predetermined depth and extent formed in said head in leading relation to said annular ridge;

said annular recess having a first, truncate part having a longitudinal extent about the same extent as the longitudinal extent of said annular ridge; and

said annular recess having a second, elongate part that extends from a leading end of said first, truncate part to said diameter-reducing annular step formed in said head.

2. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

a concavity formed in a leading wall of said tail said concavity adapted to receive a protuberance formed in a trailing wall of said head.

3. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head and said tail;

said head having a leading end and a trailing end;

said head including a frusto-conical section extending from said leading end of said head to an annular point about one-third the distance from said leading end of said head to said trailing end of said head;

a diameter-reducing annular step of predetermined depth formed in said head at said annular point;

a leading end of said interface abutting said diameter-reducing annular step, said leading end of said interface having a thickness equal to said predetermined depth of said diameter-reducing annular step so that an exterior surface of said head and an exterior surface of said interface are flush with one another at said annular step;

an annular ridge of predetermined height and extent formed in a trailing end of said head;

an annular recess of predetermined depth and extent formed in said head in leading relation to said annular ridge;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

an annular diameter-increasing step formed in said interior surface of said interface about mid-length of a tail-receiving section of said interface, said annular diameter-increasing step creating an annular space between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail;

said annular recess extending from said annular diameter-increasing step to said leading end of said tail;

said head having a trailing wall disposed in abutting relation to a leading wall of said tail;

said interface having first and second annular sections that are deformable radially inwardly so that said first and second annular sections are respectively disposed in said annular recess formed in said head and in said annular space between said diameter-increasing step formed in said interior surface of said interface and said exterior surface of said tail so that each of said annular sections conform to the contour of said head and tail when said first and second annular sections are deformed radially inwardly;

the depth and extent of each deformation being controlled by said predetermined depth and extent of said annular recesses.

4. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head and said tail;

said head having a leading end and a trailing end;

said head including a frusto-conical section extending from said leading end of said head to an annular point about one-third the distance from said leading end of said head to said trailing end of said head;

a diameter-reducing annular step of predetermined depth formed in said head at said annular point;

a leading end of said interface abutting said diameter-reducing annular step, said leading end of said interface having a thickness equal to said predetermined depth of said diameter-reducing annular step so that an exterior surface of said head and an exterior surface of said interface are flush with one another at said annular step before and after said projectile is fired;

an annular ridge of predetermined height and extent formed in a trailing end of said head;

an elongate annular recess of predetermined longitudinal extent and depth formed in said head in leading relation to said annular ridge, said annular recess extending from said annular ridge to said diameter-reducing annular step and gradually reducing in depth as it approaches said diameter-reducing annular step;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

an annular diameter-increasing step formed in said interior surface of said interface about mid-length of a tail-receiving section of said interface;

said annular diameter-increasing step creating an annular space between an interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail;

said exterior surface of said interface having a leading end, a trailing end, a mid-section having a diameter greater than a diameter of said trailing end, and a trailing section that extends from said trailing end to said mid-section;

an annular obturation band of predetermined extent, said obturation band being formed where said trailing section merges with said mid-section;

said head having a trailing wall disposed in abutting relation to a leading wall of said tail.

5. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head to said tail;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

said tail fully disposed within said cavity;

said head having a trailing end disposed within said cavity in abutting relation to a leading end of said tail, and said head having a leading end that projects in a leading direction out of said cavity;

a diameter-increasing annular step formed in said interior surface of said interface about mid-length of said tail;

a first annular ridge formed in said trailing end of said head;

an annular recess formed in said head in leading relation to said first annular ridge;

said annular recess having a longitudinal extent substantially equal to a longitudinal extent of said first annular ridge;

a diameter-decreasing annular step formed in said head;

a first longitudinally-extending annular space created by said diameter-increasing annular step, said first annular space being between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail, said first annular space extending from said diameter-increasing annular step to said first annular ridge;

a second longitudinally-extending annular space extending from said annular recess to said diameter-decreasing annular step;

whereby said interface is configured to be deformed by rifling and occupies said first longitudinally-extending annular space when said projectile is fired.

6. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head to said tail;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

said tail fully disposed within said cavity;

said head having a trailing end disposed within said cavity in abutting relation to a leading end of said tail and said head having a leading end that projects in a leading direction out of said cavity;

a diameter-increasing annular step formed in said interior surface of said interface;

a first annular ridge formed in said trailing end of said head;

an annular diameter-reducing step formed in said head, said leading end of said interface abutting said annular diameter-reducing step;

a first longitudinally-extending annular space created by said diameter-increasing annular step, said first longitudinally-extending annular space being between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail and extending from said diameter-increasing annular step to said trailing end of said head;

a second longitudinally-extending annular space between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said head, said second longitudinally-extending annular space extending longitudinally from said first annular ridge to said annular diameter-reducing step;

whereby said interface is configured to be deformed by rifling and occupies said first longitudinally-extending annular space when said projectile is fired.

7. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head to said tail;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

said tail fully disposed within said cavity;

said head having a trailing end disposed within said cavity in abutting relation to a leading end of said tail, and said head having a leading end that projects in a leading direction out of said cavity;

a diameter-increasing annular step formed in said interior surface of said interface about mid-length of said tail;

a first annular ridge formed in said trailing end of said head;

an annular recess formed in said head in leading relation to said first annular ridge;

said annular recess having a longitudinal extent substantially equal to a longitudinal extent of said first annular ridge;

a diameter-decreasing annular step formed in said head;

a first longitudinally-extending annular space created by said diameter-increasing annular step, said first annular space being between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail, said first annular space extending from said diameter-increasing annular step to said first annular ridge;

a second longitudinally-extending annular space extending from said annular recess to said diameter-decreasing annular step;

whereby said interface is configured to be deformed by a die and occupies said first longitudinally-extending annular space before said projectile is fired.

8. A projectile, comprising:

a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects said head to said tail;

said interface having an open leading end, a closed trailing end, an exterior surface, and a cavity defined by an interior surface;

said tail fully disposed within said cavity;

said head having a trailing end disposed within said cavity in abutting relation to a leading end of said tail and said head having a leading end that projects in a leading direction out of said cavity;

a diameter-increasing annular step formed in said interior surface of said interface;

a first annular ridge formed in said trailing end of said head;

an annular diameter-reducing step formed in said head, said leading end of said interface abutting said annular diameter-reducing step;

a first longitudinally-extending annular space created by said diameter-increasing annular step, said first longitudinally-extending annular space being between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said tail and extending from said diameter-increasing annular step to said trailing end of said head;

a second longitudinally-extending annular space between said interior surface of said interface and an exterior surface of said head, said second longitudinally-extending annular space extending longitudinally from said first annular ridge to said annular diameter-reducing step;

whereby said interface is configured to be deformed by a die and occupies said first longitudinally-extending annular space before said projectile is fired.