U.S. patent application number 09/841401 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for self-destructing bullet.
Invention is credited to Cox, Todd Alan.
Application Number | 20020152914 09/841401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25284784 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox, Todd Alan |
October 24, 2002 |
Self-destructing bullet
Abstract
A self-destructing bullet for use with a firearm is disclosed.
The self-destructing bullet comprises a body portion having a
leading end, a spaced base portion, and a hollow chamber defined
within the body intermediate the leading end and base portions
thereof. The body of the bullet is formed of a low temperature
melting point metallic material. A catalyst, comprised of a high
temperature combustible material, is positioned within the hollow
chamber of the bullet. A combustible fuse extends from the base
portion of the bullet into engagement with the catalyst. In usage,
when fired the gun powder charge of the firearm will ignite the
fuse of the self-destructing bullet. After the bullet has traveled
for predetermined period of time the fuse ignites the catalyst, and
once ignited, the catalyst in turn combusts and melts or consumes
the metallic material which comprises the body of the bullet to
accomplish the self-destruction of the bullet.
Inventors: |
Cox, Todd Alan; (Alpharetta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEEDLE & ROSENBERG P C
127 PEACHTREE STREET N E
ATLANTA
GA
30303-1811
US
|
Family ID: |
25284784 |
Appl. No.: |
09/841401 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 30/02 20130101;
F42B 12/36 20130101; F42B 12/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/501 |
International
Class: |
F42B 005/24; F42B
008/00; F42B 010/00; F42B 012/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A self-destructing projectile for being discharged from a
firearm, said projectile comprising: A body portion, said body
portion having a leading end, an opposed base portion, and a hollow
chamber defined within said body intermediate the leading end and
the base portion thereof, said body being comprised of a metallic
material; a catalyst positioned within said chamber, said catalyst
being comprised of a combustible material; and a fuse extending
from the base portion of the body and into engagement with said
catalyst.
2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said base portion is formed
to be at least partially open, and wherein said fuse is positioned
within said base portion.
3. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said fuse is constructed and
arranged to be ignited upon the discharge of the projectile from
the firearm.
4. The projectile of claim 3, wherein said fuse is constructed and
arranged to burn for a predetermined period of time.
5. The projectile of claim 3, wherein said fuse is constructed and
arranged to ignite the catalyst.
6. The projectile of claim 5, wherein said catalyst is constructed
and arranged to melt the projectile body upon the ignition thereof
by said fuse.
7. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst is constructed
and arranged to melt the projectile body once the catalyst is
ignited.
8. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said fuse is comprised of a
second combustible material.
9. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said body portion is
comprised of a low temperature melting point metallic material.
10. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst is comprised
of a high temperature combustible material.
11. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises a
solid material.
12. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises a
powdered material.
13. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises a
gel.
14. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises a
liquid.
15. A method of self-destructing a projectile discharged from a
firearm, said method comprising the steps of: discharging a
projectile body from the firearm; igniting a fuse provided as a
part of the projectile body in response to the discharge of the
projectile; the fuse igniting a catalyst carried within the
projectile body; and the ignited catalyst melting the projectile
body.
16. The method of claim 15, the fuse burning for a predetermined
period of time after being ignited.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of the
projectile traveling for a predetermined distance prior to the
ignition of the catalyst by the fuse.
18. A self-destructing projectile for being discharged from a
firearm, comprising: A body having a leading end, an opposed base
portion, and a hollow chamber defined within said body intermediate
the leading end and base portion thereof, said body being comprised
of a low temperature melting point metallic material; a catalyst
positioned within said chamber, said catalyst being comprised of a
high temperature combustible material; said base portion being
received within a projectile casing; said casing having a primer
and a charge held therein; and a combustible fuse extending from
the base portion of the body and into engagement with the catalyst,
said fuse also being exposed to the charge held within said
casing.
19. The projectile of claim 18, wherein said charge is ignited by
the primer upon the actuation of the firearm.
20. The projectile of claim 19, wherein said fuse is ignited by the
charge and burns for a predetermined period of time.
21. The projectile of claim 20, wherein said fuse ignites the
catalyst, and the catalyst in turn melts the body of the
projectile.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to small arms
ammunition. More particularly, the invention relates to a
self-destructing bullet for use with a firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The manufacture and use of small arms ammunition of the type
that can be fired from any of the known types of conventional
firearms, to include side arms, for example a pistol or handgun, as
well as rifles, and in some instances, automatic weapons, is well
known. Small arms ammunition is typically comprised of a bullet
seated within a case or cartridge with a gun powder charge stored
inside the case, and a primer seated on the cartridge for being
struck by the firing pin of the firearm. Upon actuation of the
firearm, by pulling the trigger or firing mechanism thereof, the
firing pin strikes the primer which then ignites the gun powder
charge. The gun powder charge in turn combusts and propels the
bullet or projectile from the firearm.
[0003] As is known, when a bullet is fired it will either strike
its target or will continue to travel until its velocity is
diminished to the point that the earth's gravitational field pulls
the bullet downwardly, whereupon the bullet will ultimately strike
the earth or the surrounding environment. Accordingly, bullets are
capable of traveling rather long distances, at relatively high
velocities, and without any control once fired and having left the
barrel of the firearm. A problem that results from the known types
of small arms ammunition, therefore, arises when public safety or
law enforcement officials, for example, are forced to draw their
firearms and enter into an exchange of gun fire while trying to
suppress criminal activities. In so doing, the possibility exists,
and it oftentimes occurs, that the rounds may miss their intended
target and continue traveling onward until the bullet strikes an
unintended target, for example the pavement, a building, or an
automobile, whereupon the bullet may shatter and then ricochet with
the possibility of injuring innocent bystanders.
[0004] A more dangerous situation exists, naturally, where a public
safety official fires a weapon and the round misses the target
entirely, and instead strikes an innocent bystander. What has been
needed, therefore, but which has not been made available in the
art, is a bullet which can be more safely used by public safety or
law enforcement officials, and which will greatly minimize the
prospects of injuring innocent bystanders, or property during an
exchange of gun fire. What is also needed is a suitable, high
velocity round of small arms ammunition, i.e., a bullet, for use by
public safety or law enforcement officials and which will possess
lethal force through a prescribed range, and will then
self-destruct after traveling for a predetermined time period or
distance to minimize the likelihood of injuring the person or
property of innocent bystanders.
[0005] The manufacture and use of a "short range" projectile for
use as practice ammunition is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,060
to Gawlick et al., who teach a bullet for use as practice
ammunition. The bullet is provided with an axial air inlet duct
formed at the leading end thereof and extending into communication
with an outer duct. After being fired, a blocking member, a piston,
positioned within a fluid passageway defined by the duct within the
bullet is displaced in response to the air pressure from the flight
of the bullet passing therethrough. Once the blocking member is
displaced, the bullet is in effect braked and will thereafter fall
to the ground. The short range projectile of Gawlick et al.,
however, is not intended for use by public safety or law
enforcement officials while on duty or patrol, and does not
self-destruct after firing such that the possibility exists that if
this round was used by public safety or law enforcement officials
in an exchange of gun fire, the round would continue traveling
onward for some distance if it missed its intended target.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,667 to Look, discloses a controlled
range bullet which is constructed to deploy a speed brake after a
prescribed period of time for slowing the bullet such that it will
have a limited range of travel. The bullet is provided with a lead
body having a rotary aerodynamic brake. When fired from a firearm
the bullet will travel for a prescribed distance whereupon the
rotary brake extends from the jacket of the bullet for the purpose
of slowing its travel. Although the controlled range bullet of Look
is intended for use as other than a practice round, the problem
still exists in that the round remains integral, and once fired the
round will continue in one piece until it strikes an object, or the
rotary aerodynamic brake otherwise stops the round. In any
instance, however, the bullet may travel a greater distance than
that desired, and may thus strike an unintended target.
[0007] Brede et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,200, teach a short
trajectory round having an aerodynamic resistance which increases
at a predetermined time after discharge of the round from the
barrel of a weapon, such that the round thereafter disintegrates.
Again, however, the short trajectory round of Brede et al.
continues to travel while disintegrating, and portions of the round
will continue traveling until they strike the earth, the ground, or
perhaps an unintended target. Moreover, those portions of the round
which are disintegrating may ricochet when striking a hard paved
surface, and may unintentionally strike the person or property or
innocent bystanders.
[0008] Crilly et al. disclose a dual-purpose bullet in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,880,398, consisting of a thermoplastic body with a base cap,
and a pressed powder core received therein. The bullet can either
penetrate and destroy human tissue with lethal effect, or it can be
used so that it does not penetrate human tissue, but instead
delivers a strong shock force and creates a thermal nuisance. This
is accomplished by configuring the bullet to be used in either a
lethal or non-lethal mode. If the bullet of Crilly et al is used in
the non-lethal mode, a low velocity launch of the bullet occurs and
the pressed powder core of the bullet is ignited, which thereafter
softens, but does not melt or otherwise destroy the plastic
projectile body. Regardless, in either the lethal or non-lethal
modes, the bullet remains integral and travels until it either
strikes the intended target, an unintended target, or the earth.
Moreover, the dual purpose bullet of Crilly et al must be
configured for use as either a lethal or a non-lethal round, and
thus does not provide a ready solution to the problems of law
enforcement officials who require a high velocity and potentially
lethal round, but yet which will minimize the likelihood of
injuring innocent bystanders, or damaging the property of
others.
[0009] What remains needed, therefore, but otherwise unavailable in
the art, is a self-destructing projectile possessed of potentially
lethal force and which can be used as small arms ammunition. The
self-destructing bullet should be configured so that it will
deliver a lethal force when, and as desired, but should the bullet
travel for more than a predetermined period of time, or distance,
the bullet will quickly self-destruct.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an improved self-destructing
bullet or projectile that overcomes some of the design deficiencies
of the art. The self-destructing bullet of this invention is
intended for use with a firearm, and to be discharged
therefrom.
[0011] The self-destructing bullet comprises a body having a
leading end, an opposed base portion, and a hollow chamber defined
within the body and extending intermediate the leading and end base
portions thereof. The body of the bullet is preferably comprised of
a low temperature melting point metallic material. A catalyst
comprised of a high temperature combustible material is positioned
within the chamber defined within the body portion of the bullet. A
fuse extends from the base portion of the body and into engagement
with the catalyst.
[0012] In usage, when the projectile is discharged from a firearm,
the fuse is ignited and thereafter burns for a predetermined period
of time. The fuse then ignites the catalyst carried within the
projectile body. Once the catalyst is ignited it burns and in turn
melts the body of the bullet such that the bullet is destroyed in
flight to minimize the likelihood that the bullet will not
otherwise strike an unintended target or strike the ground and
ricochet.
[0013] The fuse provided as a part of the self-destructing bullet
is itself comprised of a combustible material, which may be the
same material of which the catalyst is comprised. The body portion
of the bullet may be comprised of one of the materials selected
from the group of materials consisting of lead, copper, silver, and
alloys thereof. The catalyst may be comprised of a solid material,
a powdered material, a gel, or a liquid held within the hollow
chamber defined within the body portion of the bullet. For example,
the catalyst may be comprised of a mixture of aluminum, cuprous
oxide, cupric oxide and iron oxide.
[0014] It is to these objects, as well as the other objects,
features, and advantages of the present invention, which will
become apparent upon reading the specification, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, to which the invention
is directed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of
the self-destructing bullet of this invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of
the self-destructing bullet of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like
reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several
views, a first embodiment of a self-destructing bullet 5 for use
with a firearm (not illustrated) is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
bullet of FIG. 1 is comprised of an elongate body 7 having a
leading end 8, and an opposed base portion 9. The body is formed in
the shape of a conventional projectile, or bullet, or as otherwise
desired. The body is preferably formed of a relatively soft
metallic material having a low temperature melting point, which
material may include lead, copper, silver, and alloys in various
combination thereof, as desired. Moreover, although not illustrated
in either one of FIGS. 1 or 2, the body portion of the bullet can
be configured as a soft point or a hollow point bullet, and may
also be jacketed, as desired.
[0018] Still referring to FIG. 1, a hollow chamber 11 is defined
within the body 7, intermediate the leading end and base portions
thereof. An opening 12 is defined within at least a portion of the
base portion 9, the opening being in communication with a
passageway or channel 13 defined within the base portion of the
bullet and extending therefrom and into the hollow chamber within
the body of the bullet.
[0019] A catalyst is positioned within the chamber 11. The catalyst
is comprised of a high temperature combustible material, and may be
formed as a solid material, a powdered material, a gel, or a
liquid, all as desired and developed in response to the needs of
the end user. The material comprising the catalyst comprises any
type of material that is adapted to burn quickly, and at a high
temperature sufficient to melt the body of the bullet with which
the catalyst is used. By way of example and not of limitation, the
material comprising the catalyst may comprise a mixture of
aluminum, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, and iron oxide, an
illustrative mixture of which includes 35 percent aluminum, 25
percent cuprous oxide, 25 percent cupric oxide, and 15 percent iron
oxide, by weight. Other materials and other mixtures thereof may be
used to form the catalyst in order to obtain the necessary and/or
desired exothermic reaction and melting of the body of the
bullet.
[0020] The fuse 16 may be comprised of the same combustible
material as the catalyst 15, or may be comprised of a separate
combustible material. The fuse is adapted to burn in a controlled
or timed manner, and will ignite the catalyst. Examples of some of
the materials which may suffice for use as the fuse of the
respective bullets 5, 25, of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise any one, or
mixture, of the materials selected from the group of materials
including P-dichlorobenzene, iron powder, magnesium, naphthalene,
phosphorus, and sulfur. Other materials and other mixtures thereof
may be used to fashion the fuse of the bullet, as desired.
[0021] The bullet 5, and in particular the body 7 thereof, in FIG.
1, is seated within a case 17 of a known construction, for example
made of brass and intended to be received within a firearm. Both of
the body 7 and the case 17 are sized and shaped for the respective
caliber firearm with which the bullet will be used, which caliber
may comprise any of the known calibers, or calibers yet to be
developed, for use in small arms. Small arms as referred to herein
include handguns, rifles, and automatic weapons, when and as
appropriate.
[0022] In known fashion the case 17 contains a gun powder charge
19, and is provided with a primer 20 of known construction. Once
the bullet 5 is received within the firing chamber (not
illustrated) of the firearm (not illustrated) with which it will be
used, and the trigger or firing mechanism of the of the firearm is
actuated, the firing pin (not illustrated) will strike the primer,
which will in turn ignite the gun powder held within the case. As
known, the gun powder explodes/burns thereby creating an explosive
pressure force which will propel the bullet from out of the barrel
of the firearm, and which in this instance will also ignite the
fuse 16 as the body 7 of the bullet exits the firearm. The fuse 16
will burn for a predetermined period of time, whereupon the fuse
will then ignite the catalyst 15 housed within the chamber 11 of
the bullet body. The catalyst will then burn in a high temperature
exothermic reaction and will quickly melt and/or consume the
metallic material comprising the body of the bullet, thereby
destroying the bullet.
[0023] The fuse 16 is sized and shaped as needed based upon the
size and weight of the body of the bullet, the gun powder charge
used, the initial velocity of the projectile as it leaves the
firearm, and the intended usage of the bullet. For example, a
bullet used with a handgun would have a relatively short fuse as it
is known to those of skill in the art that bullets fired from
handguns typically have a limited range of accuracy, and thereafter
will quickly fall off from the target. Where, however, the bullet 5
is going to be used with a rifle, where a much longer range of
travel is intended, the fuse will burn for a longer period of time
prior to igniting the catalyst housed within the body of the
bullet.
[0024] Therefore, the composition and burn rate of the fuse, as
well as the physical size and shape of the fuse, and the physical
size and shape of the passageway 13 leading into the interior
chamber of the body portion will be constructed based upon the
expected velocity of the projectile, the weight of the projectile,
and the intended usage of the projectile so that the travel time
and distance of the bullet prior to its self-destruction can be
determined using methods well known to those skilled in the art of
bullet manufacture and ballistics.
[0025] A second embodiment of the self-destructing bullet 25 of
this invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The bullet 25 is
constructed in fashion similar to the bullet 5 of FIG. 1, in that
it has an elongate body 27 having a leading end 28, and a spaced
base portion 29. A hollow chamber 31 is defined within the body
intermediate the leading end and base portions thereof. Here,
however, the opening 32 at the base portion of the bullet is much
larger than the opening 12 defined within the base portion 9 of the
bullet 5, so that the bullet, for example, may be easier to
manufacture.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 2, a catalyst 35 is positioned
within the chamber 31 of the body portion 27. The catalyst 35 is
comprised of the same material or materials as is the catalyst 15
described above. In similar fashion, the body portion 27 is formed
of the same materials as is the body portion 7 of the first
embodiment of the bullet, and the material comprising the fuse 36
of bullet 25 may be the same material used for the fuse 16 of the
bullet 5.
[0027] In the second embodiment of the bullet 25, however, the fuse
is positioned within the base portion, and is sandwiched or
encircled by at least one layer of inert material 37 extending
about the longitudinal axis A of the bullet, and along the length
of the fuse. In making the bullet 25 therefore, the body portion
may be cast with the hollow chamber 31 provided as a part thereof,
or the chamber may be machined out. Thereafter, the catalyst will
be placed within the chamber, and then the fuse and inert material
will be packed into the open base portion of the bullet. The fuse
36 will be sized and shaped as desired, and as fully described
above for the fuse 16 used with the bullet 5. The inert material
may comprise, for example, a ceramic material, as well as any other
inert material which will not burn or combust in any fashion, it
being intended that only the fuse 36 will function as a timing
device for igniting the catalyst 35 positioned within the hollow
chamber of the bullet 25.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the bullet 25 once again comprises the
body 27 seated within a cartridge or case 39 of known construction,
as described above, holding a gun powder charge 40 therein and
provided with an otherwise conventional primer 41 for being struck
by a firing pin (not illustrated) of the firearm (not illustrated)
with which the bullet 25 is used.
[0029] When using either one of the bullets 5, 25, the firing pin
will strike the primer, whereupon the primer will ignite the gun
powder charge held within the case of the bullet 5, 25,
respectively. As the gun powder ignites, burns, and/or explodes the
bullet is propelled from the barrel of the firearm, and also
ignites the respective fuse 16, 36 thereof. The fuse will burn for
a predetermined period of time, which can also be thought of as
allowing the bullet to travel for a predetermined distance, before
the catalyst is ignited. Once the catalyst is ignited, and based
upon the composition of the catalyst and the speed with which it
burns, as well as the composition, size, and shape of the metallic
body 7, 27 of the bullets 5, 25, respectively, the catalyst will
consume the body thereof after a predetermined time from the firing
of the bullet passes to self-destruct the bullet.
[0030] If so desired, the material used to construct the fuses 16,
36, respectively, could also comprise materials which function as a
tracer such that the user of the firearm is able to track the
trajectory of the rounds that have been fired during an exchange of
gun fire. All that is required is that the fuse, and in particular
the combustible material thereof, be sized and shaped, i.e., have
the proper composition and burn characteristics, and possess the
necessary diameter and length, to ignite the catalyst within the
predetermined time period, which time period will take into account
the travel distance of the bullet upon its initial velocity,
composition, and weight, as well as the burn rate of the fuse and
the catalyst, all of which can be calculated by the known methods
of firearm ballistics and bullet manufacture.
[0031] By constructing the bullet 5, 25 of this invention as
described above, a bullet with lethal force is provided, yet the
bullet will also self-destruct within a predetermined time period,
thus greatly minimizing the likelihood of injuring innocent
bystanders, or damaging the property of others not involved in the
incident leading to the exchange of gun fire. Based upon the needs
and uses of the self-destructing bullet by the law enforcement
and/or public safety officials using same, for example, whether
used in a crowded urban environment, or in a relatively open rural
environment, the timing function of the fuse can be shorted or
lengthened as desired to lead to the self destruction of the round
sooner or later, respectively, again based on the intended usage of
the bullet, and/or the amount of the catalyst placed in the bullet
can be varied, as desired and necessary to accomplish the
self-destruction of the bullet. For example, it is anticipated that
in a densely packed urban environment the fuse will be relatively
short so that the bullet will self destruct in relatively short
order in order to prevent its passage beyond its intended
target.
[0032] The body portions 7, 27, respectively of the two illustrated
embodiments of the bullet may be jacketed if so desired, and may be
formed to have a hollow point, a soft point, or even a ballistic
tip, all as desired. If the bullet is jacketed, it is anticipated
that the jacket material itself will comprise a low temperature
melting point metallic material which will be consumed with the
body portion of the bullet upon the ignition of the catalyst. The
body portions 7, 27, the catalysts 15, 35, and the fuses 16, 36,
respectively, can be comprised of any conventional materials known
to bullet manufacturers, so long as the bullet functions in the
above-described manner. Similarly, the cases 17, 39 of the two
illustrated embodiments of the bullet will be formed and fashioned
as known.
[0033] Although several embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those
skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of
the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains,
having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing
description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed
hereinabove, and that many modifications and other embodiments are
intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as
in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and
descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the
described invention, nor the claims which follow.
* * * * *