Spinning Projectile

Abstract

A projectile fired from a weapon which has a bore with inner rifling, having a point and a base which are disposed within a sleeve such that the point and base of the projectile rotate independently of the sleeve when fired from a gun or similar weapon designed to discharge projectiles or similar material.

Claims

1. A projectile, comprising: a head; a sleeve; a base; said sleeve at least partially containing said head, and said base extending from an opposite end of said sleeve; a stem extending between said head and said base within said sleeve, said stem extending coaxially with sleeve; wherein the head and the base are rotatably dependent upon each other and are rotationally independent of said sleeve; said base and said head having a smaller outer diameter than said sleeve, such that said sleeve is configured to engage rifling of a weapon upon discharge of said weapon; further wherein said sleeve rotates independently of said head and said base, and said sleeve is configured to rotate subject to spinning imparted by said rifling.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said head and said stem are joined together during manufacture.

3. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said base and said stem are threadably connected.

4. A projectile, comprising: a head, a sleeve, a base, said head disposed at one axial end of said sleeve, and said base disposed at an opposite axial end of said sleeve; a stem extending through said sleeve and extending between said base and said head; said stem joined to said head and threadably connected to said base; said sleeve having a larger diameter than said head and said base such that said sleeve is configured to engage rifling of a weapon upon discharge of said weapon; wherein the sleeve rotates independently of said head and said base, and said sleeve is configured to rotate subject to spinning imparted by said rifling; said head and said base are rotatably dependent upon each other and are independent of rotation of said sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of a spinning projectile will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of a spinning projectile will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the present embodiments are shown in figures wherein:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the head component of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a drawing of the sleeve component of the present invention;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the base component of the present invention; and,

[0059] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the assembled projectile of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Various embodiments of the invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. Indeed, the disclosed invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples, and so that this disclosure will satisfy legal requirements.

[0061] FIGS. 1-3 show the parts and assembly for an example of a 9 mm projectile. It is understood that the same principles can be applied to substantially any size projectile fired by a gun or similar device.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows the head 1 of the spinning projectile of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows the sleeve component 2 of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows the base component 3 of the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a drawing of the prototype spin projectile design. The diameter of the Head 1 and the Base 3 are slightly smaller than the Sleeve 2 diameter such that the bore rifling is only in contact with the Sleeve diameter.

[0066] With the present innovative improvement, the spinning projectile should provide the following benefits as compared to a solid projectile in which the entire projectile is subject to spinning: [0067] (1) Flatter trajectory, increased accuracy; [0068] (2) Reduced bore friction; [0069] (3) Higher sustained rate of fire; [0070] (4) Reduced powder charge; [0071] (5) Quieter firing for silencers; [0072] (6) Extended range of projectile; [0073] (7) Increased standoff distance; [0074] (8) Scalable design.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectile head 1 and the base 3 are machined to a slightly smaller diameter than the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is the only portion of the projectile that engages the bore's inner rifling. The projectile head 1 and base 3 do not engage the rifling and therefore do not spin with the sleeve. As a nonlimiting example, powdered graphite or other lubricants may assist with reducing friction within the assembly. The disclosed spin relationship may increase velocity, reduce internal bore friction, or may flatten the projectile ballistic curve.

[0076] In a further preferred embodiment, the head 1 of the spinning projectile of the present invention is manufactured with a substantially pointed portion 6 and a stem 7. In a further preferred embodiment, the stem can comprise external threads 4. The sleeve component 2 is sized to have a diameter slightly larger than the head 1, and the sleeve is placed over the stem of the head 1 to form the projectile of the present invention. The base component 3 comprises internal threads 5 which engage the external threads of the stem of the head portion of the present invention to form the projectile of the present invention. The Head 1 and the Base 3 are slightly smaller than the Sleeve 2 diameter such that the bore rifling is only in contact with the Sleeve diameter.

[0077] The projectile design is scalable from a 5.56 caliber, 9 mm bullet, to multi-centimeter diameter projectiles that are bore delivered, such as naval guns, tank rounds, and artillery.

[0078] As noted above, the present innovation is believed to have the advantage of reducing the mass of the projectile that must spin. This is believed to reduce any disturbances in ballistics caused by wobbling due to inconsistencies within the projectile itself. Further, by reducing the surface area that contacts the inner bore surface, it is believed that there will be a reduction of projectile friction, and thus a reduction of heat generation that will lead to an increase in the sustained firing rate. The reduction of the friction between the projectile and the bore will also likely result in a reduction in the powder charge needed to fire the projectile. Reducing the powder charge may enhance the ability to provide for better silencing of subsonic rounds for pistols and rifles, putting more rounds on target. Reduced powder charges should also allow for more ammunition to be carried by the battlefield warrior.

[0079] In addition to the above benefits, for large-bore diameter projectiles, a spinning projectile design is believed to allow for an extended range for the projectile trajectory, with a concomitant increased range for standoff distance. These benefits should increase safety of the warrior in battlefield conditions.

[0080] An embodiment of the present invention is a projectile for discharging from a weapon with a bore having inner rifling. The projectile has a head, a base, and a sleeve. The head and base are disposed within the sleeve, and the sleeve has a diameter larger than the diameter of the head and base. The sleeve can rotate independent of the head and base and is the only portion of the projectile that engages with the inner rifling and is thus the only portion of the projectile that is subject to spinning imparted by the rifling.

[0081] Another embodiment is a method of firing a weapon. The method comprises aiming a weapon comprising a bore having inner rifling toward a target, and discharging a projectile, comprising a generally cylindrical body, a generally pointed head attached to an end of said body, and a cylindrical sleeve having a diameter larger than said body and head wherein said body and head are disposed within said sleeve.

[0082] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all features of the invention.

[0083] A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein, and it should be understood that numerous modifications, alterations, and variations are possible and practicable by those skilled in the art while still coming within the spirit of the invention and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. While the foregoing written description and drawings of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. Moreover, the terms “consisting”, “comprising” and other derivatives from the term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. Moreover, Applicants have endeavored in the present specification and drawings to draw attention to certain features of the invention, it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect to any patentable feature or combination of features referred to in the specification or drawings. The drawings are provided to illustrate features of the invention, but the claimed invention is expressly not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0084] The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.