AMMUNITION CARTRIDGE

Abstract

An ammunition cartridge may include a cartridge body including a substantially straight sidewall defining a cartridge cavity. The ammunition cartridge may also include a cartridge base and a primer received within the cartridge base and projecting at least partially into the cartridge cavity. The ammunition cartridge may also include a propellant received in the cartridge cavity, and a sabot at least partially received in the cartridge cavity and including a sabot body having at least one sabot sidewall portion extending from a base portion to a sabot end defining an open-ended sabot cavity. The ammunition cartridge may also include a projectile at least partially received in the sabot cavity, and the projectile may include a front end defining a tip, wherein the sabot end extends beyond the tip and is configured to contact a preceding ammunition cartridge of a magazine without contacting a primer of the preceding ammunition cartridge.

Claims

1. An ammunition cartridge comprising: a cartridge body comprising a substantially straight sidewall defining a cartridge cavity extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, the second end defining an opening; a cartridge base at the first end of the cartridge body; a primer received within the cartridge base and projecting at least partially into the cartridge cavity; a propellant received in the cartridge cavity; a sabot at least partially received in the cartridge cavity and comprising a sabot body having a first sabot end, a second sabot end opposite the first sabot end, a base portion adjacent the first sabot end, and at least one sabot sidewall portion extending longitudinally from the base portion toward the second sabot end and defining an open-ended sabot cavity; and a projectile at least partially received in the sabot cavity, the projectile comprising a projectile body with a rear end and a front end defining a tip; wherein the second sabot end extends beyond the tip of the projectile and is configured to contact a rim of a preceding ammunition cartridge of a magazine without contacting a primer of the preceding ammunition cartridge.

2. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second end of the cartridge body is configured to engage the at least one sabot sidewall portion to at least partially hold the sabot within the cartridge body.

3. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one sabot sidewall portion defines at least one of a notch or a groove, and the second end of the cartridge body comprises a portion configured to engage the at least one of the notch or the groove.

4. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least one of an interior surface of the sabot cavity or an exterior surface of the projectile body is configured to provide engagement between the sabot and the projectile.

5. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second sabot end is configured to contact the rim of the preceding ammunition cartridge at multiple points of contact spaced from the primer of the preceding ammunition cartridge.

6. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one separation feature defined in the sabot body adjacent the second sabot end and configured to promote separation of the sabot from the projectile after the sabot and the projectile exit a barrel of a firearm.

7. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sabot body further comprises a recess defined in the first sabot end and arranged facing the propellant, the recess configured to facilitate obturation between the sabot and an interior surface of a barrel of a firearm upon ignition of the propellant.

8. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sabot cavity defines an interior shape complimentary to at least a portion of an ogive of the projectile.

9. The ammunition cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second sabot end comprises a higher mass section configured to generate a centrifugal opening force to promote separation of the sabot from the projectile after the sabot and the projectile exit a barrel of a firearm.

10. An ammunition cartridge comprising: a cylindrical cartridge body comprising a substantially straight sidewall defining a cartridge cavity extending longitudinally from a first end of the cartridge body to a second end of the cartridge body, the second end defining an opening; a primer located at the first end of the cartridge body; a propellant received in the cartridge cavity; a sabot at least partially received in the cartridge cavity of the cartridge body and comprising a sabot body having a first sabot end and a second sabot end opposite the first sabot end, the sabot body comprising a base portion and a substantially cylindrical sabot sidewall portion extending forwardly from the base portion toward the second sabot end and at least partially defining a sabot cavity configured to receive a projectile therein, the projectile comprising a projectile body having a rear end and a front end, and a length approximately equal to or less than the sabot sidewall portion; wherein the projectile is received in the sabot cavity such that the second sabot end extends beyond the front end of the projectile sufficient to form a space between the tip of the projectile and a primer of a preceding ammunition cartridge.

11. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the cartridge body engages the sabot sidewall portion.

12. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the sabot sidewall portion defines at least one of a notch or a groove, and the second end of the cartridge body comprises a portion configured to engage the at least one of the notch or the groove.

13. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein at least one of an interior surface of the sabot cavity or an exterior surface of the projectile body is configured to provide engagement between the sabot and the projectile.

14. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the second sabot end is configured to contact the base of the preceding ammunition cartridge at multiple points of contact spaced from the primer of the preceding ammunition cartridge.

15. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the sabot body further comprises a series of separation areas configured to promote release of the sabot from the projectile after the sabot and the projectile exit a barrel of a firearm.

16. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the first sabot end defines a recess configured to receive expanding propellant gases upon ignition of the propellant and promote sealing between the sabot and a barrel of a firearm during firing of the projectile from the firearm.

17. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the sabot cavity defines an interior shape complimentary to at least a portion of an ogive of the projectile.

18. The ammunition cartridge of claim 10, wherein the second sabot end comprises a higher mass section configured to generate a centrifugal opening force to promote separation of the sabot from the projectile after the sabot and the projectile exit a barrel of a firearm.

19. An ammunition cartridge comprising: a cartridge body comprising a sidewall defining a cartridge cavity extending longitudinally from a first cartridge end to a second cartridge end, the second cartridge end defining an opening; a cartridge base at the first cartridge end; a primer at the cartridge base; a propellant received in the cartridge cavity; a sabot at least partially received in the cartridge cavity and comprising a sabot body having a first sabot end and a second sabot end opposite the first sabot end, the sabot body comprising a sabot base portion and a sabot sidewall portion extending longitudinally from the sabot base portion toward the second sabot end and at least partially defining a sabot cavity; and a projectile at least partially received in the sabot cavity, the projectile comprising a projectile body extending longitudinally from a rear end to a front end defining a tip, wherein the second sabot end extends beyond the tip of projectile such that the tip of the projectile is spaced from a primer of a second ammunition cartridge.

20. The ammunition cartridge of claim 19, wherein the ammunition cartridge is configured to be received within a tubular magazine in end-to-end abutment with successive cartridges and with the tip of the projectile of the ammunition cartridge recessed from engaging a primer of an adjacent cartridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a tubular magazine with a series of straight-walled, centerfire cartridges according to one aspect of the present disclosure received therein.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a tubular magazine with a series of straight-walled, centerfire cartridges according to another aspect of the present disclosure received therein.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a straight-walled, centerfire cartridge according to a further aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0019] As generally shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present disclosure is directed to a small-arms ammunition cartridge 10 including a straight-walled, centerfire cartridge 12 having a sabot 14 that supports and aligns/locates a projectile 16 within the cartridge for use in firearms with a tubular/tube fed magazine M. The sabot 14 is adapted to reduce, inhibit, or substantially prevent interaction and/or engagement of the pointed nose/tip 42 of the projectile 16 with a primer/primer cap of a preceding cartridge located within the tubular magazine M, e.g., to reduce the risk that the pointed tip/nose 42 of the projectile 16 inadvertently strikes or otherwise engages and potentially causes damage to the projectile and/or inadvertently sets off the primer of the preceding cartridge. The firearm can include a rifle, such as a lever-action rifle, a pump-action shotgun or rifle, or other suitable long gun or firearm (e.g., semi-automatic or automatic rifle or shotgun) having a tubular/tube fed magazine. It also will be understood that the ammunition system of the present disclosure is not, however, limited only to use in tubular magazines and in appropriate circumstances can be used in firearms with any suitable type magazine, such as a box magazine, rotary magazine, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while the present disclosure provides various embodiments of straight-walled, centerfire cartridges with sub-caliber projectiles, it will be understood that the sabot of the present invention can be used with a variety of types and calibers of ammunition.

[0020] FIGS. 1-3 show the cartridge 12, which includes a cartridge body 20 having a generally cylindrical shape with a substantially straight sidewall 22. The sidewall 12 of the cartridge body 20 defines a cavity/chamber 24 in which a powder or other propellant charge 26 will be received. The cartridge 12 further has a cartridge base or head 28 that is formed or located at a rear end 20A of the cartridge body 20. The cartridge base 28 can include a rim 30 and a primer or primer cap 32. The primer 32 is generally received or located within the cartridge base 28 such that the primer 32 is substantially centered in relation to the rear, circular sidewall 34 of the cartridge base 28. The primer 32 further can project forwardly through the cartridge base 28 and into the cavity 24 of the body 20 with the propellant charge 26 generally located in front of the primer 32. The primer 32 can include any suitable primer that is ignited/activated when the firing pin of the firearm strikes the primer, e.g., after a user pulls the trigger of the firearm. Ignition of the primer in turn ignites the propellant powder in the cavity/chamber 24 of the cartridge 12 to energize and propel the projectile 16 along and out from the barrel of the firearm.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cartridge body 20 (or at least portions thereof such as the cartridge base 28) will be formed from metallic materials, such as brass. However, other suitable materials, e.g., other metallic materials, composite or synthetic materials, etc., or combinations thereof, also can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] The projectile 16 can include any suitable sub-caliber projectile, bullet, etc. The projectile 16 has a body 40 that generally will have an aerodynamic configuration including a pointed nose or tip 42 at a front or terminal end 40B thereof. The body 40 also can have a generally flat end portion 44 at its rear end 40A, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. FIGS. 1 and 3 show a projectile 16 having a first configuration/shape including an under body and shorter length, including an elongated body with a smaller profile and with a pointed end/tip 42, while FIG. 2 shows a projectile having an additional, second configuration/shape with a pointed end/tip 42 that is generally more aerodynamic than the first configuration projectile shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The projectile 16 generally is formed from metallic materials, such as lead, tin, steel, tungsten, etc., though other suitable materials, such as other composite or synthetic materials, etc., also can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The projectile will be received and located along and within an opening 46 at a front end 20B of the cartridge body 20, and generally is secured therein by the sabot 14 and its engagement with the cartridge sidewall.

[0023] As additionally shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sabot 14 includes a sabot body 50 with a first, rear end 50A and a second, forward or terminal end 50B. The sabot body 50 also includes a base portion 52 and one or more sidewall portion(s) 54 extending forwardly from the base portion 52. A cavity or chamber 56 is defined within that receives the projectile 16, e.g., such that the projectile 16 is nested within the cavity/chamber 56 of the sabot 14. The cavity 56 generally is sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured such that the interior surfaces 58 of the sidewall portion 54 are complementary to the projectile body 40, and the projectile 16 can be fittedly received and secured within the cavity 56 with portions of the interior surfaces 58 of the sidewall portion 54 contacting or engaging portions of the projectile body 40. Further, in some embodiments, the rear end 44 of the projectile 16 can be in face-to-face contact with or abut a forward facing surface/wall 60 defined by the sabot base 52.

[0024] In addition, FIGS. 1-3 show the sabot 14 positioned within the cavity/chamber 24 of the cartridge body 20 such that the terminal end 50B of the sabot 14 extends out from the opening 46 and the forward end 20B of the cartridge body 20. The terminal end 50B of the sabot 14 generally extends past the forward end 20B to the cartridge body 20 to a maximum distance that complies with industry standards/regulation requirements, e.g., such as standards set forth by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAMMI), for the total length of the cartridge for a particular caliber and/or type. The sidewall 22 of the cartridge body 20 also engages the sabot 14 to secure/hold the sabot 14 within the cartridge body 20. Such engagement further can urge the sidewall portion(s) of the sabot into engaged, frictional contact with the projectile body to help hold the projectile in place.

[0025] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the forward end 20B of the cartridge body 20 can be crimped, pinched, or otherwise deformed to press or otherwise engage against the sidewall portion 54 of the sabot 14. In additional or alternative constructions, such as shown in FIG. 2, the sidewall 54 of the sabot body 50 can have notches or grooves 62 defined therein that can receive a rim or other portion 63 of the forward end 20B of the cartridge body 20 to also facilitate attachment of the sabot 14 to the cartridge body 20. Such a portion 63 of the forward end 20B of the cartridge body 20 can be bent, hooked, or otherwise shaped to engage the notch/groove 62 (FIG. 2).

[0026] The sabot body 50 further is configured such that while the overall length of the cartridge and sabot 14 complies with industry standards, the terminal end of the sabot sidewall portion(s) extends beyond/past the pointed tip 42 of the projectile 16 a distance sufficient to shield the pointed nose/tip 42 by engaging the base/head 128 of a preceding cartridge 112, at locations spaced from/about the primer 132 (FIGS. 1-2). This engagement forms a gap or space 70 between the pointed tip/nose 42 of the projectile and the primer 132 of the next or preceding cartridge 112 as shown in FIGS. 1-2, to enable tight, end-to-end stacked loading of the cartridges within the tubular magazine, without gaps therebetween, while substantially reducing, inhibiting, or preventing inadvertent engagement/contact between the pointed tip/nose 42 and the primer 132 and potential damage to the projectile 40 and/or inadvertent activation of the preceding cartridge 112, e.g., if the firearm is bumped, dropped, etc., or otherwise absorbs a shock, force, etc.

[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 further show that the sabot body 50 generally is configured such that its forward or terminal end 50B contacts or otherwise engages the base/head 128 of the preceding cartridge 112 at multiple points or areas of contact or engagement 72 that are substantially spaced apart/away from the primer 132 of the preceding cartridge 112. The terminal ends 50B of the sabot body 50 can include and/or define a rim or similar engaging portions 133 that engage the base 128 of the preceding cartridge as shown in FIGS. 1-2, though the terminal end 50B can include any suitable shapes or configuration, such as pointed portions, curved or arcuate portions, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] The sabot body 50 further can include a cavity or recess 76 defined its rear end 50A within the sabot base 52, as generally shown in FIGS. 1-3. The cavity/recess 76 is shaped or otherwise configured to receive and focus the blast/explosion from activation of the propellant powder 26. The cavity 76 further can facilitate the obturation/sealing performance of the sabot 14 upon firing. For example, the pressure from the propellant powder 26 explosion/blast can expand within the recess 76 urging the sabot body 50 against the interior surface of the barrel/barrel rifling and increasing sealing therebetween.

[0029] The sabot body 50 also can be sized/configured such that an exterior surface/portion 51 thereof engages the interior surface of the barrel and/or the rifling defined along the barrel to help improve the flight characteristics of the projectile, for enhanced accuracy, velocity, distance, etc. For example, the exterior surface 51 of the sabot 14 can engage the barrel rifling/interior surface to thereby impart a stabilizing spinning motion on the projectile 16 as it exits the barrel of the firearm.

[0030] The sidewall portion 54 of the sabot body 50 further can include a plurality of separation features 78 defined therein/therealong that facilitate separation of the sabot 14 and projectile 16 soon after they exit the barrel upon firing. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sidewall portion 54 can include a plurality of openings or grooves 80 that define a plurality of spaced-apart portions 82 that make up the sidewall portion 54. The spaced-apart portions 82 can be configured to separate and open or fan out after the sabot 14 and projectile 16 exit the barrel, to increase drag on the sabot 14, to decrease its velocity in relation to the projectile 16 and facilitate separation of the sabot 14 from projectile 16.

[0031] For example, FIGS. 1-3 show the grooves/openings 80 extended to the forward end 50B of the sabot body 50 to define the plurality of spaced-apart portions 82 that can form petals or areas of separation for the sabot to help release the sabot from the projectile. It will, however, be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration/construction and the grooves/openings 80 may not extend to the end 50B of the sabot body 50 (e.g., there may be a portion of the sidewall portion 54 between and end of the grooves/openings 80 and the end 50B of the sabot body 50). Further, the separation features can include any suitable construction/configuration, such as creases, slits, cuts, grooves, notches, etc., or other suitable weakening features that facilitate a change in shape of the sabot 14 to increase drag thereon after exiting the barrel. The sabot further can include area multipliers that help to increase the operating pressure level of the sabot while also improving spin characteristics.

[0032] Furthermore, in an additional embodiment such as illustrated in FIG. 3, the sabot body can be configured to substantially enclose or extend about the ogival tip/ogive 202 of the projectile. For example, the cavity or chamber 56 of the sabot body 50 can have a reduced size/diameter portion or area 200 substantially adjacent to or at the forward end 50B of the sabot body 50, such that the sabot body 50 encapsulates or captures the ogive 202 of the projectile body 40. The reduced area portion 200 can have a generally arcuate shape that conforms or is complementary to at least a portion of the ogive 202. This construction can provide higher mass areas/sections 204 at the forward end of the spaced apart portions 82 of the sabot 14, which higher mass areas 204 can help to generate or increase a centrifugal opening force acting on the spaced apart portions 82 of the sabot body as the sabot 14 exits the barrel upon firing. This centrifugal force can help the portions 82 to clear the flight path of the projectile quickly so that the sabot 14 is less likely to interfere with or inhibit the flight of the projectile, e.g., the centrifugal force can facilitate the spreading or opening and disengagement of the portions 82 from the projectile during flight.

[0033] The sabot body 50 further can be formed from various materials including various plastic materials or other suitable synthetics, composites, polymeric, etc. materials that, for example, provide sufficient rigidity, while still allowing for reconfiguration, opening up, etc. of the sabot to facilitate separation of the sabot and the projectile during flight, and/or provide substantial resistance to corrosive materials and/or materials of combustion, such as nitroglycerine, generated or exposed upon firing. As the sabot 14 is generally formed from a softer material than the projectile 16, the sabot 14 can help to reduce wear or other damage to the interior surface of the barrel due to repeated firing. For example, the sabot 14 can protect against/inhibit interaction between the projectile, which can include lead-based materials, the rifling of the barrel of the firearm, and/or the propellant gases, e.g., to help to reduce lead fouling.

[0034] The sabot can have any suitable construction/configuration without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the sabot can have a multi-piece configuration/construction with a plurality of interconnecting pieces or sections that can be designed and/or adapted to break apart or otherwise separate upon the projectile and the sabot exiting the barrel of the firearm. The sabot further can have a segmented construction including a plurality of segments or portions that can be connected to a ring or base portion and interlock/interconnect with each other via flanges/ribs and corresponding slots/grooves formed on opposing sides of the segments/portions, and which segments/portions are configured to separate when the projectile and sabot exit the battel of the firearm. The sabot also can include weakened portions/areas, e.g., that are weakened by spaced axial grooves or notches defined in an inner surface of the cavity/chamber receiving the projectile, which grooves or notches can be sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to reduce the tensile strength of portions of the sabot so that a centrifugal force experienced by the sabot body upon exiting the barrel will cause fracture thereof, but not reduce the strength to an extent that such fracture occurs while the projectile and sabot are in the barrel. Still further, the sabot can have a frangible construction including a portion with plurality of cylindrical sections connected together by weakened portions (e.g., including spaced axial grooves or notches that do not extend all the way through the portion of the sabot).

[0035] The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.