High volume multiple component projectile assembly

• US 9,470,494 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2014
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• 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): Bergin, James S
• Application Number:
  US14/483,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20140373746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 102/501, 102/506, 102/514, 102/517, 102/518, 102/519, 102/520, 102/524, 102/526
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 a cup-shaped interface defining a cavity that receives the tail, then the head and -interconnects the head and tail in an assembled configuration;

the head having a leading tip, midsection and trailing end;

the interface having an exterior and interior, the interface having an open leading end securing the head and a closed trailing end securing the tail whereby the interface and tail are dimensioned so that the tail may be dropped into the interface cavity and fall to its assembled configuration by gravity at the closed trailing end of the interface;

the diameter of the trailing end of the head being greater than at least one portion of the midsection of the head whereby a first interstitial space is formed between the interior of the interface and the at least one portion of the midsection of the head upon assembly;

the tail having a leading end abutting the trailing end of the head and a trailing end of the tail abutting the closed trailing end of the interface;

the diameter of the leading end of the tail having a diameter less than the interior diameter of the interface whereby a second interstitial space is formed between the interior of the interface and the leading end of the tail upon assembly;

whereby, upon firing of the projectile, the interface

is deformed a preselected amount by being compressed radially inwardly whereby the volume of the first and second interstitial spaces are reduced.

2. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

the longitudinal extent of the interstitial spaces being defined by annular ridges formed in the head, the tail, or both the head and tail.

3. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

said interface including an annular obturation region.

4. The projectile of claim 3, further comprising:

said interface having a beveled open leading end to facilitate insertion of the head and tail into the interface.

5. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising:

said interstitial spaces being formed between the interface and the head and tail during manufacturing of the projectile.

6. A projectile, comprising:

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

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

the 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 the interior surface of the interface, the diameter-increasing annular step increasing the diameter of the cavity;

the diameter-increasing annular step creating a first annular space between a predetermined extent of the tail and the interface extending from the diameter-increasing annular step formed in the interior surface of the interface and the leading end of the tail that abuts the head;

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

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

a leading end of the interface abutting the diameter-reducing annular step when the projectile is assembled, the leading end of the interface having a thickness equal to the predetermined depth of the diameter-reducing annular step so that an exterior surface of the head and an exterior surface of the interface are flush with one another when the projectile is in its assembled configuration;

an annular ridge of predetermined height and extent formed in a trailing end of the head, the annular ridge being a drive chamfer; and

an annular recess of predetermined depth and extent formed in the head in leading relation to the drive chamfer forming a second annular space between the drive chamfer of the head and the diameter-reducing annular step in the head;

the interface being compressed radially inwardly at the first annular space and second annular space by the rifling of a barrel upon firing of the projectile; and

whereby a plurality the projectiles follow a substantially common path of travel when fired sequentially because each projectile of the plurality of projectiles has an interface having a common quantity, location, annular extent, longitudinal extent and depth of compressed areas.