U.S. patent application number 09/220907 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for projectiles.
Invention is credited to SAXBY, MICHAEL ERNEST.
Application Number | 20010025584 09/220907 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10841312 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAXBY, MICHAEL ERNEST |
October 4, 2001 |
PROJECTILES
Abstract
The invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel
and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel;
and a non-lethal projectile; characterized in that the non-lethal
projectile comprises a hollow outer casing formed from a
resiliently deformable material, and a plurality of balls within
the casing, the outer casing being deformed as it travels along the
gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being
sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed
state upon leaving the gun barrel. The invention also provides a
projectile per se of the aforementioned type.
Inventors: |
SAXBY, MICHAEL ERNEST; (EAST
SUSSEX, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAHIVE & COCKFIELD
28 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Family ID: |
10841312 |
Appl. No.: |
09/220907 |
Filed: |
December 24, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/441 |
International
Class: |
F42B 005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 26, 1998 |
GB |
9823417.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for
launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal
projectile; characterised in that the non-lethal projectile
comprises a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently
deformable material, and a plurality of balls within the casing,
the outer casing being deformed as it travels along the gun barrel
under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently
resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon
leaving the gun barrel.
2. A projectile for use in a gun, the gun having a barrel and
propellant means for launching the projectile from the barrel; the
projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a
resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a
plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable as it travels
along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but
being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially
undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel.
3. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the outer casing is
spherical.
4. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the balls are
substantially spherical.
5. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the balls have a
maximum dimension (e.g. diameter) in the range from 2 mm to 10
mm.
6. A projectile according to claim 5 wherein the maximum dimension
(e.g. diameter) of the balls is in the range from 2.5 mm to 6
mm.
7. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the outer casing
contains from 150 to 250 balls.
8. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the balls are formed
from a material having a density greater than the resiliently
deformable material from which the outer casing is formed.
9. A projectile according to claim 8 wherein the balls are formed
from a metal.
10. A projectile according to claim 9 wherein the metal is
steel.
11. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the outer casing is
formed from an elastomeric material.
12. A projectile according to claim 11 wherein the elastomeric
material is a natural or synthetic rubber.
13. A projectile according to claim 11 wherein the elastomeric
material has a Shore hardness in the range from 40 to 80.
14. A projectile according to claim 13 wherein the Shore hardness
of the elastomeric material is in the range from 45 to 55.
15. A projectile according to claim 2 wherein the projectile has a
weight in the range from 60 to 150 grammes.
16. A projectile according to claim 15 wherein the projectile has a
weight in the range from 75 to 125 grammes.
17. A projectile according to claim 2 where the outer casing has a
thickness in the range from 2 mm to 8 mm, e.g. 3 mm to 5 mm.
18. A projectile as defined in claim 2 which is provided with
lubricant means for reducing friction between the outer casing and
a barrel as the projectile travels along the barrel.
19. A projectile according to claim 18 wherein the lubrication
means takes the form of a low friction coating or outer surface of
the outer casing.
20. A projectile according to claim 18 wherein the lubrication
means takes the form of a sleeve of a low friction material
surrounding the projectile, the sleeve being separable from the
projectile after emergence from the gun barrel after firing.
21. A cartridge comprising a cartridge casing, a propellant, a
projectile and optionally lubrication means; the projectile
comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently
deformable material, the outer casing containing a plurality of
balls, the outer casing being deformable as it travels along the
gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being
sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed
state upon leaving the gun barrel.
22. A cartridge according to claim 21 having a piston being
slidably disposed in the cartridge casing behind the projectile so
as to eject the projectile therefrom when the gun is fired.
23. A cartridge according to claim 22 wherein the projectile is
disposed within a cylindrical sleeve forwardly of the piston, the
cylindrical sleeve being formed from a low friction material and
being arranged to be ejected from the gun barrel with the piston
and projectile when the gun is fired, the projectile becoming
separated from the sleeve before or after emergence from the gun
barrel.
24. A cartridge according to claim 23 wherein the sleeve is formed
from a paper or PTFE.
25. A cartridge according to claim 22 wherein the piston is formed
from a plastics material.
26. A cartridge according to claim 22 which is closed at its
forward end by a plug.
27. A projectile according to claim 26 wherein the plug is a wad of
fibrous material.
28. A projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a
resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a
plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable when
contacted by propulsion means but being sufficiently resilient to
resile to a substantially undeformed state in flight.
29. A combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for
launching a projectile from the barrel; and a cartridge comprising
a cartridge casing, a propellant, a projectile and optionally
lubrication means; the projectile comprising a hollow outer casing
formed from a resiliently deformable material, the outer casing
containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable
as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the
propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a
substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a gun assembly and to projectiles
of a nonlethal type, for example for use in riot control
situations.
[0002] The need for projectiles that can be fired from guns with a
reduced risk of lethal impact upon a human frame is well
documented. Thus, baton rounds, or plastic bullets as they are
commonly known, have long been used in civil disorder situations
such as riots. The intention behind such baton rounds is to inflict
pain and discomfort on rioters, thereby halting and/or deterring
further rioting, but without causing serious injury to any person
struck by the baton round.
[0003] However, the projectiles that have been developed and are
currently used by police and military forces have been found to
suffer from a number of significant problems. In particular, it has
been found that current projectiles:
[0004] (a) cause serious injury when used incorrectly;
[0005] (b) are inaccurate;
[0006] (c) are expensive for training; and
[0007] (d) cause secondary injuries from sharp edges and
ricochets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
aforementioned problems.
[0009] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a
combination of a gun having a barrel; propellant means for
launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal
projectile;
[0010] characterised in that the non-lethal projectile comprises a
hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material,
and a plurality of balls within the casing, the outer casing being
deformed as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the
propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a
substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel.
[0011] In a further aspect, the invention provides a projectile for
use in a gun as hereinbefore defined, the projectile comprising a
hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material,
the outer casing containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing
being deformable as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure
from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to
resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun
barrel.
[0012] In a still further aspect, the invention provides a
projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a
resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a
plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable when
contacted by propulsion means but being sufficiently resilient to
resile to a substantially undeformed state in flight.
[0013] Preferably, lubrication means are provided for reducing
friction between the outer casing and the barrel as the projectile
travels along the barrel.
[0014] It is important that the projectile is shaped so as to be
free of any sharp edges and protrusions that might cause injury and
hence preferably the outer casing of the projectile is spherical.
As an alternative, for example with smaller projectiles, it could
have a teardrop shape. The spherical shape of the outer casing also
has good ballistic characteristics allowing good accuracy to be
achieved.
[0015] Similarly, the balls within the casing are free from sharp
edges and most preferably are of substantially spherical form. The
surfaces of the balls are smooth so as to allow one ball to slide
readily over the surface of another. This is important because the
ability of the balls to be redistributed in the outer casing
rapidly upon impact with a target will determine the extent to
which the energy of impact of the bullet is absorbed by the
projectile rather than the target.
[0016] The outer casing is resiliently deformable and, when the gun
is fired, the outer casing deforms under the pressure of the
propellant means, but the shape of the projectile ensures that the
center of mass of the deformed projectile remains centered on the
axis of the gun barrel. The projectile is sufficiently resilient to
enable it to regain a substantially spherical shape upon exit from
the gun barrel thereby ensuring greater accuracy.
[0017] The outer casing is preferably formed from an elastomeric
material, for example a natural or synthetic rubber. The
elastomeric material typically has a Shore hardness in the range
from 40 to 80, more typically in the range from 45 to 55.
[0018] The balls within the outer casing typically have a maximum
dimension (e.g. diameter) in the range from 2 mm to 10 mm,
preferably from 2.5 mm to 6 mm. The number of balls within the
outer casing will vary according to the size of the balls and the
overall size and weight of the projectile but, for example, the
casing can contain from 150 to 250 balls.
[0019] The balls are usually formed from a material having a
density greater than the resiliently deformable material from which
the outer casing is formed. In general, the minimum density of the
balls is equivalent to a specific gravity of 7.0. For example, the
balls can be formed from a metal such as steel. In one embodiment,
the balls can take the form of steel ball bearings, although it is
not necessary for the balls to have same polished surface finish as
ball bearings.
[0020] The balls are relatively hard compared to the outer casing
and typically the minimum hardness of the balls is 106 Brunel Units
which corresponds to a Rockwell hardness of 90.5. Thus, the balls
should preferably have a hardness at least as great as mild steel.
It has been found that when the balls are made of a softer metal
such as lead or brass, the balls have a tendency to fuse together
upon impact, which could have potentially lethal results.
[0021] The overall weight of the projectile, including the casing
and the balls, is usually in the range from 60 to 150 grammes, for
example from 75 to 125 grammes.
[0022] The casing is made from a material which is sufficiently
tough and thick to ensure that it does not rupture during firing or
during normal impact on a target. Thus, for example, the outer
casing typically has a thickness in the range from 2 mm to 8 mm,
more usually 3 mm to 5 mm.
[0023] In another aspect, the invention provides a cartridge
comprising a cartridge casing, a propellant and a projectile as
hereinbefore defined.
[0024] In a particular embodiment, the cartridge casing can contain
a piston which is slidably disposed in the cartridge casing behind
the projectile so as to eject the projectile therefrom when the gun
is fired.
[0025] The cartridge casing preferably contains means (e.g.
lubrication means) for reducing friction between the outer casing
of the projectile and the barrel as the projectile travels along
the barrel.
[0026] The projectile is preferably disposed within a cylindrical
sleeve forwardly of the piston, the cylindrical sleeve being formed
from a low friction material and being arranged to be ejected from
the gun barrel with the piston and projectile when the gun is
fired, the projectile becoming separated from the sleeve after
emergence from the gun barrel.
[0027] The sleeve can be formed from, for example, a paper or a low
friction material such as PTFE.
[0028] The sleeve serves to prevent the projectile from coming into
contact with the cartridge case or the barrel, at least for a
substantial proportion of the distance of travel of the projectile
down the gun barrel. The sleeve provides a low and relatively
constant friction level between the projectile and the gun barrel
and prevents any drag that might otherwise arise from a relatively
high friction material such as a rubber. Alternatively, however,
the outer casing of the projectile can be formed from a relatively
low friction material (e.g. PTFE), or can be treated with a
friction reducing substance such as PTFE.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by
reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a side sectional elevation of a cartridge
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1
positioned within a gun barrel, the cartridge having just been
detonated; and
[0032] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the projectile
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] Referring now to the drawings, a cartridge according to the
invention comprises a cartridge case 2 of hollow generally
cylindrical form for engaging in the breach of a gun. In this
embodiment, the case 2 is shown as having a peripheral flange 4 at
its rear end, but it need not be flange-ended and could be of any
shape suitable for engaging in the breach of the gun. Slidably
disposed within the case 2 is a piston or "sabot" 6 which is formed
of a suitable plastics material such as low density polyethylene
and has a forward disc portion 8 and a trailing skirt 10 which
tapers in a rearwards direction.
[0034] Located behind the sabot 6 is either a compressed gas charge
or a primer and propellant 12 which may be of conventional
type.
[0035] Located in front of the sabot 6 is a projectile 14 which is
wrapped in a cylindrical sleeve 16 formed from a low friction
material which can be, for example, paper or PTFE. The front end of
the cartridge is plugged by a wad of fibrous material which serves
to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the cartridge
during storage.
[0036] The projectile, which is shown in enlarged form in FIG. 3,
comprises a hollow outer casing 20 formed from a natural or
synthetic rubber material, the casing containing a plurality of
spherical balls 22 which in this embodiment are formed from steel,
although other relatively hard materials could be used instead. The
synthetic rubber material in this embodiment has a Shore hardness
of from 45 to 55 and the wall of the outer casing has a thickness
of about 3 mm to 5 mm. The diameter of the outer casing can vary
according to the calibre of the round, but can be for example of 40
mm in diameter. The steel balls, of which there are typically of
the order of about 200, are of 2.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter,
preferably of uniform size, and the overall weight of the
projectile is about 75 to 125 grammes.
[0037] When the gun is fired, the expanding propellant gases drive
the sabot 6 along the cartridge case and the barrel, the sabot in
turn expelling the sleeve 16, projectile 14 and wad 18 from the
cartridge case and driving them along the barrel. As the projectile
is impacted by the sabot and is driven along the barrel, it is
deformed such that it becomes flatter in an axial direction, the
radial periphery of the outer casing being urged outwardly against
the sleeve 16 thereby preventing the expanding propellant gases
from escaping around the sides of the projectile. The sleeve serves
to reduce friction between the projectile and the cartridge case or
the barrel. Once the sleeve, projectile, wad and sabot emerge from
the gun barrel, the relatively low momentum of the wad, sleeve and
sabot mean that they rapidly fall away whilst the projectile
continues towards the target.
[0038] When the projectile impacts against the target, the
resilient rubber outer casing is flattened against the target by
the hard balls within the casing which serve to spread the impact
area. At relatively close range, the projectile has high velocity
and therefore more kinetic energy and, as a result, flattens more
on impact thereby preventing penetration of the target and
consequent injury. At longer range, where the projectile has less
kinetic energy upon impact with the target, the outer casing does
not flatten as much. The result of the form of construction of the
projectile is that the risk of injury at close range is greatly
reduced but the projectile is nevertheless accurate and effective
over longer ranges. In particular, the risk of fatal injury is
greatly reduced at distances of over about 2 meters (6 feet) by
means of the projectiles of the invention.
[0039] By using different sabots and differently sized wads, a
single size of projectile can be used for both 37 mm, 1.5 inch and
40 mm guns, thereby enabling a standard baton round to be used by
police and military forces for a wide variety of different
guns.
[0040] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and
alterations could be made to the specific embodiments shown in the
drawings without departing from the principles underlying the
invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended
to be embraced by this application.
* * * * *