Frangible portion for a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing and manufacturing method

• US 9,261,335 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2014
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pcp Tactical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pcp Tactical, LLC
• Inventors: Padgett, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORGAN, DERRICK R
• Application Number:
  US14/531,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20150047527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 102/431, 102/432, 102/466
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/72 by combined operations or combined techniques, e.g. welding and stitching
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 69/001 a shaping technique combined with cutting, e.g. in parts or slices combined with rearranging and joining the cut parts for reinforced material B29C70/545; B29C49/4278, B29C51/268 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2096/00 Use of specified macromolecular materials not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2001/00 - B29K2095/00, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7772 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/24 Cartridge closures or seals top closures for shotgun ammunition cartridges F42B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/00 Manufacture of ammunition; Dismantling of ammunition; Apparatus therefor F42B5/188 takes precedence; manufacturing processes for hollow charges F42B1/036; manufacture of blasting cartridge initiators F42B3/195
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/30 of plastics , i.e. the cartridge-case tube is of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/307 formed by assembling several elements
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/313 all elements made of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/083 characterised by the shape and configuration of the base element embedded in the cartridge bottom, e.g. the housing for the squib or percussion cap
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/10 Percussion caps

Abstract

A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing can include a first end having a mouth and a neck extending away from the mouth. Next, a shoulder extends below the neck and away from the first end. The cartridge can have a frangible portion capable of being split upon discharge of a projectile. A projectile can be disposed in the mouth.

Claims

1. A high strength polymer-based cartridge, comprising:

a casing formed from at least one polymer, inclosing a volume, and contacting a chamber of a weapon chambered for that cartridge, comprising;

a first end having a mouth;

a neck extending away from the mouth;

a shoulder extending below the neck and away from the first end;

a projectile, separate from the cartridge, configured to impact a target and disposed in the mouth; and

a frangible portion, disposed only along the neck, capable of being split upon discharge of the projectile;

wherein the split of the frangible portion prevents the cartridge casing from seating a second projectile for a weapon chambered for that cartridge being disposed in the mouth,

wherein at least the mouth, the neck, the shoulder and the frangible portion are formed of at least one polymer, and

wherein the neck permits a base of the projectile to extend past at least a portion of the shoulder and into a propellant chamber of the cartridge.

2. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion comprises at least one of, cut-outs, a reduced material wall thickness of the neck, scallops, and perforated seams.

5. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion is disposed proximate the top of the neck.

7. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion is disposed proximate the mouth.

9. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion remains attached to the neck after discharge of the bullet.

11. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion expands after the discharge and prevents a reloaded cartridge from entering a chamber of the weapon.

13. The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion shears from the neck, preventing the second projectile from being loaded into the mouth of the cartridge.

3. A method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing comprising the steps of:

molding a component using a polymer, comprising;

a first end having a mouth; and

a second end opposite the first end;

molding a neck extending away from the mouth;

molding a shoulder extending below the neck and away from the first end; and

forming a frangible portion disposed only on the neck, comprising a weakened portion the neck capable of being split upon discharge of a projectile and the projectile disposed in the mouth; and

preventing, based on the split, the cartridge casing from seating a second projectile for a weapon chambered for that cartridge,

wherein molding the neck includes the step of forming the neck to allow a projectile to extend into the propellant chamber past a portion of the inside shoulder.

4. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion, further comprises forming at least one of, cut-outs, a reduced material wall thickness of the neck, scallops, and perforated seams.

6. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion, further comprises disposing the frangible portion proximate to the top of the neck.

8. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion, further comprises disposing the frangible portion proximate to the mouth.

10. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion, further comprises molding the frangible portion to remains attached to the neck after discharge of the bullet.

12. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion further comprises molding the frangible portion to expand after the discharge and prevent a reloaded cartridge from entering a chamber of the weapon.

14. The method of making a high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of claim 3, wherein the step of forming the frangible portion further comprises molding the frangible portion to shear from the neck, and

preventing the second projectile from being loaded into the mouth of the cartridge.