U.S. patent application number 10/755257 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for muzzle loading firearm, gun barrel design, projectile system and method of using thereof.
Invention is credited to McGivern, Kenneth J..
Application Number | 20050183318 10/755257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34860717 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050183318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGivern, Kenneth J. |
August 25, 2005 |
Muzzle loading firearm, gun barrel design, projectile system and
method of using thereof
Abstract
The invention relates to a gun barrel in muzzle loading firearm
with a breech portion that receives a cartridge case and a muzzle
that receives a projectile and an opening that connects both. Also
a gun barrel with an opening, or passage bore, that is smaller than
the bore of the muzzle end of the firearm is disclosed. A firearm
and method of using a firearm with this type of gun barrel is
disclosed, as is a projectile system that entails a cartridge with
a charge that loads from a breech end and a projectile that loads
from the muzzle end of the firearm.
Inventors: |
McGivern, Kenneth J.;
(Cohoes, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARLEN L. OLSEN
SCHMEISER, OLSEN & WATTS
3 LEAR JET LANE
SUITE 201
LATHAM
NY
12110
US
|
Family ID: |
34860717 |
Appl. No.: |
10/755257 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/76.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/076.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gun barrel for use in a muzzle loading firearm, said gun
barrel comprising: a muzzle portion, characterized by a first
caliber, said muzzle portion being configured to operationally
receive a projectile; a breech portion, characterized by a second
caliber, said breech portion being configured to operationally
receive a cartridge case; and a connecting bore extending from said
breech portion to said muzzle portion.
2. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said first caliber is greater
than said second caliber.
3. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said second caliber is
greater than or equal to said first caliber.
4. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said
connecting bore is smaller than said second caliber.
5. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said breech portion includes
a frusto-conical section.
6. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said breech portion has a
uniform diameter.
7. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said breech portion is
configured to operationally receive a cartridge case in a standard
caliber.
8. The gun barrel of claim 1, further comprising a firearm
operationally attached to said gun barrel.
9. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said connecting bore has a
uniform diameter.
10. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said breech portion is
configured to operationally received a cartridge case in a custom
caliber.
11. The gun barrel of claim 1, wherein said breech portion is
configured to be adjacent to said cartridge case.
12. A firearm comprising: a muzzle portion, characterized by a
first caliber, said muzzle portion being configured to
operationally receive a projectile; a breech portion, characterized
by a second caliber, said breech portion being configured to
operationally receive a cartridge case; and a connecting bore
extending from said breech portion to said muzzle portion.
13. A muzzle-end loading firearm comprising: a breech end
configured so that a charge is loaded from said breech end; and a
muzzle end configured so that a projectile is loaded from said
muzzle end.
14. The muzzle-end loading firearm of claim 13, wherein said breech
end is adapted to not require a breech plug.
15. A substantially cylindrical gun barrel for use in a muzzle
loading firearm, said gun barrel comprising: a muzzle end, and a
breech end; a central bore extending from said muzzle end towards
said breech end, said central bore characterized by a first
caliber; a mounting portion adjacent said breech end, said mounting
portion configured for mounting said gun barrel to a firearm
receiver; a chamber adjacent said breech end, said chamber coaxial
with said central bore, said chamber configured to operationally
receive a cartridge case; and a passage bore adjacent and between
each of said central bore and said chamber, said passage bore
communicating between said central bore and said chamber, said
passage bore having a smaller diameter than said central bore.
16. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said central bore extends
from said muzzle end to said muzzle end of said passage.
17. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said mounting portion
comprises screw threads, said screw threads located on an outer
surface of said gun barrel.
18. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said mounting portion
comprises screw threads, said screw threads located on an inner
surface of said gun barrel.
19. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said chamber is configured
to operationally receive a cartridge case.
20. The gun barrel of claim 19, wherein said cartridge case is in a
standard caliber.
21. The gun barrel of claim 19, wherein said cartridge case is in a
custom caliber.
22. The gun barrel of claim 19, wherein said cartridge case is
constructed of one of a metal, a plastic, and combinations
thereof.
23. The gun barrel of claim 20, wherein said cartridge case is in a
standard centerfire caliber.
24. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said central bore includes
rifling upon a portion of an inner surface thereof.
25. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said muzzle end includes a
muzzle brake therein.
26. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said muzzle brake is
removably attached to said gun barrel.
27. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said cartridge case
contains a powder selected from the group consisting of a smokeless
powder, a black powder, a Pyrodex powder, and combinations
thereof.
28. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said cartridge case is
characterized by a shotgun caliber.
29. The gun barrel of claim 15, wherein said cartridge case
contains a primer.
30. A method of increasing the reliability of a muzzle loading
firearm, the method comprising: providing a gun barrel with a
muzzle end and a breech end, said muzzle end having a central bore
characterized by a first caliber, said central bore extending from
said muzzle end towards said breech end; providing a mounting
portion of said gun barrel adjacent said breech end, said mounting
portion configured for mounting said gun barrel to a firearm
receiver; providing a breech end chamber of said gun barrel
adjacent said breech end, said breech end chamber coaxial with said
central bore, said breech end chamber configured to operationally
receive a cartridge case; and providing a passage bore of said gun
barrel adjacent and between each of said central bore and said
breech end chamber, said passage bore communicating between said
central bore and said breech end chamber, said passage bore having
a smaller diameter than said central bore; providing a stock
operatively coupled to said gun barrel and said firearm receiver,
said stock including a trigger assembly operatively coupled to said
firearm receiver and to a firing pin assembly; and configuring said
firing pin assembly to operatively interact with said cartridge
case, when appropriate, to cause discharge of said muzzle loading
firearm.
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said mounting bore
includes a threaded portion.
32. A projectile system, adapted for use with a muzzle loading
firearm, comprising: a cartridge of a first caliber containing a
charge, adapted for loading in a breech end of said firearm; and a
projectile of a second caliber, adapted for inserting in a muzzle
end of a gun barrel of said firearm.
33. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein said cartridge
comprises a standard caliber cartridge case.
34. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein said projectile
includes a sabot.
35. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein a first portion of
said cartridge adjoins a second portion of said projectile.
36. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein said first caliber
is smaller than said second caliber.
37. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein said first caliber
is equal to said second caliber.
38. The projectile system of claim 32, wherein an exterior surface
of said cartridge is adapted to be adjacent to a portion of said
breech end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates generally to muzzle loading firearms
wherein the breech end of the barrel is shaped to accept a blank
cartridge case of the same or a different caliber than the bore of
the muzzle. A gun barrel, projectile system, and method of using
the same is also part of the invention.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] A long standing problem in the design of muzzle loading or
black powder firearms is that the powder is exposed to the
elements. This exposure results in degraded performance of the
firearm due to powder which has been dampened or otherwise effected
by the elements. Exposure to the elements is particularly a problem
for hunters who are afield during inclement weather and must load
their weapon during periods of rain or snow, all the while
attempting to protect the powder and firing mechanisms. A related
problem is that the powder charge receptacle is exposed and thus
may be susceptible to inadvertent loss of part or all of the
powder. To alleviate these problems, one must carry, in addition to
the firearm, a complement of tools and accessories suited to keep
the firearm in operable condition. These tools and accessories
include loose powder in a container such as a powder horn or powder
flask, loose primers, a nipple wrench, nipple picks, and breech
plug tools.
[0005] Thus, a need exists for a simple and reliable improvement to
muzzle loading firearms, their barrel design, and projectile
systems (i.e., charge and projectile) which overcome the
aforementioned, and other, deficiencies associated with the related
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To overcome the above deficiencies, the present invention
provides a muzzle loading firearm which fires a projectile having a
first caliber, and which has a barrel bore shaped to accommodate
the first caliber. The breech end of the firearm has a chamber
which is shaped to accept a standard blank metallic cartridge case
of the same or a different caliber of the projectile. The blank
cartridge contains a primer and powder, but lacks a projectile. The
cartridge chamber and the muzzle bore are connected by a suitably
shaped opening. Upon discharge of the firearm, the powder charge
from the cartridge case causes the projectile to be expelled from
the muzzle.
[0007] In a first general aspect, the present invention provides a
gun barrel for use in a muzzle loading firearm, said gun barrel
comprising:
[0008] a muzzle portion, characterized by a first caliber, said
muzzle portion being configured to operationally receive a
projectile;
[0009] a breech portion, characterized by a second caliber, said
breech portion being configured to operationally receive a
cartridge case; and
[0010] a connecting bore extending from said breech portion to said
muzzle portion.
[0011] In a second general aspect, the present invention provides a
firearm comprising:
[0012] a muzzle portion, characterized by a first caliber, said
muzzle portion being configured to operationally receive a
projectile;
[0013] a breech portion, characterized by a second caliber, said
breech portion being configured to operationally receive a
cartridge case; and
[0014] a connecting bore extending from said breech portion to said
muzzle portion.
[0015] In a third general aspect, the present invention provides a
muzzle-end loading firearm comprising:
[0016] a breech end configured so that a charge is loaded from said
breech end; and
[0017] a muzzle end configured so that a projectile is loaded from
said muzzle end.
[0018] In a fourth general aspect, the present invention provides a
substantially cylindrical gun barrel for use in a muzzle loading
firearm, said gun barrel comprising:
[0019] a muzzle end, and a breech end;
[0020] a central bore extending from said muzzle end towards said
breech end, said central bore characterized by a first caliber;
[0021] a mounting portion adjacent said breech end, said mounting
portion configured for mounting said gun barrel to a firearm
receiver;
[0022] a chamber adjacent said breech end, said chamber coaxial
with said central bore, said chamber configured to operationally
receive a cartridge case; and
[0023] a passage bore adjacent and between each of said central
bore and said chamber, said passage bore communicating between said
central bore and said chamber, said passage bore having a smaller
diameter than said central bore.
[0024] In a fifth general aspect, the present invention provides a
method of increasing the reliability of a muzzle loading firearm,
the method comprising:
[0025] providing a gun barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end,
said muzzle end having a central bore characterized by a first
caliber, said central bore extending from said muzzle end towards
said breech end;
[0026] providing a mounting portion of said gun barrel adjacent
said breech end, said mounting portion configured for mounting said
gun barrel to a firearm receiver;
[0027] providing a breech end chamber of said gun barrel adjacent
said breech end, said breech end chamber coaxial with said central
bore, said breech end chamber configured to operationally receive a
cartridge case; and
[0028] providing a passage bore of said gun barrel adjacent and
between each of said central bore and said breech end chamber, said
passage bore communicating between said central bore and said
breech end chamber, said passage bore having a smaller diameter
than said central bore;
[0029] providing a stock operatively coupled to said gun barrel and
said firearm receiver, said stock including a trigger assembly
operatively coupled to said firearm receiver and to a firing pin
assembly; and
[0030] configuring said firing pin assembly to operatively interact
with said cartridge case, when appropriate, to cause discharge of
said muzzle loading firearm.
[0031] The sixth general aspect, the present invention provides a
projectile system, adapted for use with a muzzle loading firearm,
comprising:
[0032] a cartridge of a first caliber containing a charge, adapted
for loading in a breech end of said firearm; and
[0033] a projectile of a second caliber, adapted for inserting in a
muzzle end of a gun barrel of said firearm.
[0034] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood
that both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The features of the present invention will best be
understood from a detailed description of the invention and an
embodiment thereof selected for the purposes of illustration and
shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0036] FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of a first type of gun
barrel of the related art;
[0037] FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of a second type gun barrel
of the related art;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of cartridge case of
the related art;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a
gun barrel, in accordance with the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a
gun barrel, in accordance with the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 3C is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of a
gun barrel, in accordance with the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 4A is a close-up side sectional view of a breech
portion of the gun barrel shown in FIG. 3A, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 4B is a close-up side sectional view of a breech
portion of the gun barrel shown in FIG. 3B, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 5A is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a
projectile system, in accordance with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 5B is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a
projectile system, in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 5C is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of a
projectile system, in accordance with the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6A is a side section view of a first embodiment of a
gun barrel and projectile system, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 6B is a side section view of a second embodiment of a
gun barrel and projectile system, in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a firearm with a gun barrel,
in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] Although certain embodiments of the present invention will
be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that
various changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present
invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting
components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative
arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example
of an embodiment. The features and advantages of the present
invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout
the drawings.
[0051] Referring to the drawings, and Figures IA and 1 B, in
particular, which depict side sectional views of typical gun barrel
with loading chambers known in the art. Both FIGS. 1A and 1B depict
a gun barrel 100 with a muzzle end 104 and at the distal end, a
breech end 103. Both gun barrels 100 have a bore 101.
[0052] FIG. 1A shows the gun barrel 100 that might be used in a
typical "modern" breech-end loading gun barrel design, such as for
a 0.308 rifle. That is a projectile "system" (not shown), which
includes a cartridge case having a powder charge and a projectile,
is totally loaded from the breech end 103 of the gun barrel 100
into a chamber 102 that is configured to match the shape and size
of the projectile system inserted therein. Upon the firing of a
weapon (not shown) with the gun barrel 100 shown, the projectile
(not shown) is ejected towards the target from the muzzle end 104.
In the "traditional" embodiment, the caliber of the bore 101 is
smaller than that of the chamber 102. That is the cartridge case,
containing a charge therein, is of larger diameter than the
diameter of the projectile. The caliber of the projectile typically
matches that of the bore 101, while the caliber of the actual
cartridge case matches that of the chamber 102.
[0053] FIG. 1B, contrastingly, shows a gun barrel 100 that is used
in a typical "modem" in-line muzzle-loading firearm, such as a
black powder rifle. The gun barrel 100 has a bore 101 that has at
one end a muzzle end 104 at which both the powder and projectile is
loaded. At the distal end of the barrel 100 is a breech end 103
which includes a series of threads 106 which allows for the
threaded insertion in the breech end 103 of a breech plug 105. The
breech plug 105 includes a primer 107 opening from which the powder
is activated. Upon the activation of the powder, the projectile is
ejected towards the intended target.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 2, a brief description of a cartridge
case of the related art is presented. A typical cartridge case 200
may include the following elements: mouth 210, neck 220, shoulder
230, first element 240, flash hole 250, web 260, extractor groove
270, primer pocket 280, second element 290, and powder charge 295.
A bullet, or projectile, (not shown) may be seated in mouth 210. In
operation, a primer (not shown) is seated in the primer pocket 280.
When the primer is forcefully struck by a firing pin of a firearm,
the primer ignites and in turn causes the powder charge 295 to
controllably explode, thus forcing a bullet (not shown) from the
muzzle of the firearm. Cartridge cases such as cartridge case 200
may be found in a variety of configurations, including
straight-walled versions which lack the shoulder area. Cartridge
cases may also be had in a variety of sizes depending on the size
or designated caliber of their corresponding bullet.
[0055] The present invention improves upon the related art and
offers distinct, and numerous, advantages beyond it. The present
invention may be employed with virtually any firearm, such as
rifle, smoothbore musket, pistol, revolver, shotgun, grenade
launcher, or the like.
[0056] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, contrastingly, depict side sectional
views of three different embodiments of a gun barrel of the present
invention. While all the embodiments, when integrated with a
firearm, may be termed the "McGivern Muzzle-Loading Firearm", the
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3C may be further termed a
modern breech design, while the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B may
be further termed a straight wall design. Regardless of
nomenclature, the gun barrels, depicted by a 10, have common
elements and common purpose, yet variations in meeting that
purpose.
[0057] The gun barrels 10 all have a muzzle end 15 at which the
projectile (See e.g. FIGS. 5A-5C) is both loaded into and from
which the projectile ejects from upon the firing of a firearm that
the gun barrel 10 is part thereof. The gun barrel 10 include a bore
16 of a first diameter 30, or caliber. This bore 16 can be of any
standard size caliber freely manufactured in the industry. For
example, the bore 16 may be a 0.50 caliber, 0.45 caliber, 0.308
caliber, etc. Conversely, the bore 16 certainly can be of any
customized, unique diameter. At the distal end of the gun barrel 10
is a breech end 11 having a breech chamber 12 of particular design
and configuration. The breech chamber 12 has a second diameter 31,
or caliber. The breech chamber 12 also has breech walls 13 which
are adjacent to the cartridge upon its insertion into breech
chamber 12. The breech chamber 12, similarly, can be configured to
match and receive the shape and diameter, of standard size caliber
cartridge blanks currently manufactured in the industry. Also, as
with the bore 16, the breech chamber 12 can instead be of a unique,
customized shape, configuration and caliber so as to match a custom
charge that is placed therein. In either embodiment there is no
requirement for an adaptor (not shown) or other additional elements
to be located between the outside surface of a cartridge and the
breech walls 13.
[0058] As stated above, the present invention allows for the muzzle
end 15 loading of the projectile, while having the charge (e.g.,
powder within a cartridge casing) be loaded from a breech end 11 of
the gun barrel 10. One way the invention achieves this capability
is by configuring the breech end 11 of the gun barrel 10 so that a
standard caliber cartridge casing (not shown) with powder, yet no
projectile (i.e., "blank" cartridge), may fit therein. In order to
prevent the gun user from improperly inserting an entire
"traditional" projectile system (i.e., projectile and charge
together) in the breech end 11, the present invention may configure
the gun barrel 10 so that the first diameter 30 of the bore 16 is
larger in diameter than the second diameter 31 of the breech
chamber 12. In this manner, if the gun user were to inadvertently,
for example, to insert the traditional projectile system (i.e.,
projectile and charge together) into the breech end 11 and into the
breech chamber 12 and then fire the firearm, the firearm would
harmlessly discharge. This is because the burning powder gases
would pass around the ejecting projectile in the gun barrel 10 due
to the larger diameter of the bore 16 than the projectile.
[0059] If for example the gun user inserts a traditional 0.308
projectile (i.e., bullet and charge) into the breech end 11 of a
gun barrel 10 of the present invention in which the breech chamber
12 is configured to hold a 0.308 charge. That is the diameter of
the projectile is approximately a 0.308 caliber diameter. If the
user then were to fire the firearm, because the first diameter 30
is larger than the second diameter 31, although the charge would be
activated, the projectile would leave the muzzle end 15 of the gun
barrel 10 with little, or no, force and energy. This is because the
burning powder gases initially behind and driving the projectile
down the bore 16 would quickly pass around the projectile, because
the first diameter 30 of the bore 16 is larger than the diameter of
the projectile, rendering the projectile with no kinetic energy.
This aspect of the invention, therefore, prevents the user from
inadvertently attempting to use a traditional projectile system in
the gun barrel 10 of the present invention. Thus, the firearm using
an embodiment of the gun barrel 10 of the invention, has the added
safety benefit of only having successful operation of the firearm
by loading a blank charge in the breech chamber 12, while in
consort loading a projectile from the muzzle end 15.
[0060] The embodiment in FIG. 3A includes a connector opening 22
located at the forward end of the breech chamber 12, before the
bore 16. In this embodiment, the breech chamber 12 has multiple
diameters. The connector opening 22 has a third diameter 32. In
this embodiment, the connector opening 22 is a necked down portion
of the gun barrel 10 wherein the third diameter 32 is smaller than
second diameter 31. The connector opening 22 portion includes a
cant 20 against which the shoulder portion of the cartridge rests
against. The cant 20 forms a frusto-conical shaped portion of the
breech chamber 12. This embodiment, for example, could be used with
a blank cartridge of standard, shoulder design cartridge. Facing
towards the muzzle end 15, adjacent the connector opening 22 is a
stop 19. The stop 19 provides a surface against which the
projectile rests upon the projectile's insertion into the bore 16.
The stop 19, thus, allows the projectile to have some purchase
against the gun barrel 10.
[0061] Similarly, the straight wall design depicted in FIG. 3B,
includes a stop 19 against which the projectile rests upon the
projectile's insertion into the bore 16. The gun barrel 10 in FIG.
3B includes a connector opening 22 between the breech chamber 12
and bore 16 or at the forward end of the breech chamber 12. The
connector opening 22 has a third diameter 32. In this embodiment,
the third diameter 32 has a diameter equal to the second diameter
31. That is, the breech chamber 12 in this embodiment is of uniform
diameter.
[0062] FIG. 3C depicts a third embodiment of a gun barrel 10. While
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, this embodiment further
includes threads 14 on the exterior surface of the breech chamber
12 at the breech end 11 of the gun barrel 10. The threads 14
provide one type of an attachment means for the gun barrel 10 to
the rest of the firearm. Alternatively, the attachment threads 14
may be located on an interior surface of the breech chamber 12.
Note further, the second diameter 31 of the breech chamber 12 in
this embodiment is larger in caliber than the first diameter 30 of
the bore 16.
[0063] It should be apparent to one of skill in the art, that other
configurations of bore 16, breech chamber 12, and connector opening
22 are available. For example, a variation of the embodiment in
FIG. 3A may alternatively have a first diameter 30 that is equal
to, or even greater than, the second diameter 31. Also, the
connector opening 22 could be configured so that the third diameter
32 is the same caliber as the second diameter 31. Similarly,
variations of the embodiment of FIG. 3B could include a gun barrel
10 in which the third diameter 22 is smaller than the second
diameter 31. Further, although not explicitly shown, any of the gun
barrels 10 of the invention may further employ rifling on the
interior surface of the gun barrel 10.
[0064] FIGS. 4A and 4B show close-up sectional views of the breech
end 11 and breech chamber 12 portion of the gun barrel 10
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively. Both
embodiments includes a threaded portion 14 at the breech end 11 of
the barrel 10. A chamber insert 17 has matching threads 14 thereby
allowing the threading attachment of the chamber insert 17 with the
gun barrel 10. The interior of the chamber insert 17 forms a breech
chamber 12 with breech walls 13. The inclusion of threads 14 on
both the exterior surface of the chamber insert 17 and the interior
surface of the gun barrel 10 allows for the facile replacement of
the chamber insert 17. Thus, a gun user can readily change chamber
inserts 17 for maintenance reasons and/or to change breech chamber
12 configurations (e.g., shapes, diameter(s) 31, 32, connector
openings 22, etc.).
[0065] Turning to a projectile system 40 that is part of the
present invention, FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict side sectional views
of various embodiments. The various projectile systems 40 includes
a charge 45 and a projectile 50. As discussed supra the projectile
50 is loaded into the gun barrel 10 via the muzzle end 15, while
the charge 45 is loaded into the breech chamber 12 at the breech
end 11 of the gun barrel 10.
[0066] The charge 45 includes a cartridge case 41 in which is
explosive powder 42 of suitable composition. Powder 42 that may be
employed include smokeless powder, black powder, Pyrodex.RTM.
powder, pellets, black powder substitutes, or the like, or
combinations thereof. The powder 42, upon its ignition by suitable
means ultimately provides the explosive gases which project the
projectile 50 out of the gun barrel 10.
[0067] For purposes of this invention, the term projectile 50
includes a bullet 53 (or de facto projectile) and all appurtenances
attached thereto when the bullet 53 are loaded into the muzzle-end
15 of the gun barrel 10. Attached to the bullet 53 is a sabot 51.
The sabot 51 protects the bullet 52 while it exits the gun barrel
10 and typically falls away harmlessly once the bullet 52 does
exit. The sabot 51, typically made of a suitable, self-lubricating
material, such as plastic, helps to make the loading of the bullet
53 into the gun barrel 10 easier. The configuration of the sabot 51
is such that it mates snugly with the bullet 52 and mates suitably
with both a sabot mate 43 that is part of the charge 45 and adjoins
the stop 19 that is between the breech chamber 12 and bore 16 (See
e.g., FIGS. 3A and 3B). The sabot 51, thus, may have a stop mate
surface 52 which is configured to allow the sabot 51 to fit tightly
against the stop 19 upon the loading of the projectile 50 into the
gun barrel 10. As depicted in FIGS. 5A-5C, there are numerous
configurations for the projectile system 40, including the bullet
53, sabot 51, and sabot mate 43.
[0068] For example, FIG. 5A shows a sabot mate 43 that is convex in
curvature, while the matching sabot 51 is concave in shape. The
motion arrow, depicted by a "T", shows the movement and mating
positioning of both the charge 45 and projectile 50 upon the
loading of both into the gun barrel 10 from either end. Similarly,
FIG. 5B shows a different configuration of sabot mate 43 and sabot
51. This embodiment the sabot 51 includes a male extension, while
the sabot mate 42 has a matching female receiving opening. The
sabot mate 42 could be a receiving wad. The embodiment shown in
FIG. 5B could be used with a shot shell or straight-walled
cartridge case. Likewise, FIG. 5C has a cartridge case 41 with a
leading extension that includes a receiving wad 44 that fits
within, and matches, the female opening on the sabot 51.
[0069] It should be further apparent to one skilled in the art,
that various calibers of breech chamber 12 and bore 16 may be
employed. Matching this, various caliber of cartridge case 41 and
projectile 50 can likewise be used. For example, standard diameters
30, 31 may be employed for the caliber of breech chamber 12 and
bore 16, respectively. For example, the second diameter 31 may be a
0.45 caliber, while the bore 16 has a 0.50 caliber first diameter
30. In this manner, standard caliber charges 45 may be used with
the present invention, as can standard caliber bullets 53. The term
"standard" means, calibers of charge 45 and bullet 53 that are
typically available to the gun using public. Conversely, the
present invention may utilize customize caliber and configuration,
as well.
[0070] FIG. 6A depicts a side sectional view of one embodiment of
both a gun barrel 10 and the projectile system 40 in use within the
gun barrel 10. In the embodiment shown, the charge 45 may be, for
example, in a 0.45 caliber blank cartridge case 41. The bore 16 in
FIG. 6 is a 0.50 caliber bore. The bullet 53 has been loaded from
the muzzle end 15 of the barrel 10 to where the bullet 53 rests
against the stop 19 of the chamber insert 17. The chamber insert 17
is configured to receive the cartridge case 41 which includes the
powder 42 and an element 44. The element 44 may be a powder and
compression plug 44 or a powder container plug 44. In the
embodiment shown, the caliber of the chamber 12 is smaller than the
caliber of the bore 16. Note also, that in the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 6 no sabot is used. Additionally, the exterior surface of
the cartridge case 41 rests against, or is adjacent to, the chamber
insert 17. Thus, the cartridge case 41 is adjacent to the
chamber.
[0071] FIG. 6B depicts a side sectional view of a second embodiment
of both a gun barrel 10 and the projectile system 40 in use within
the gun barrel 10. In the embodiment shown, the gun barrel 10 has
no stops 19 on which the bullet 53 partially rests. The bullet 53,
in this embodiment, with s sabot 51, has been loaded from the
muzzle end 15 of the barrel 10 to where the bullet 53 and sabot 51
rest against, and mates with, an element 44 of a cartridge case 41.
The cartridge case 41 which includes the powder 42 and an element
44. The element 44 may be a powder and compression plug 44 or a
powder container plug 44. In the embodiment shown, the caliber of
the chamber 12 is equal to the caliber of the bore 16.
Additionally, the exterior surface of the cartridge case 41 rests
on, or adjacent to, the chamber 12. Thus, the cartridge case 41 is
adjacent to the chamber 12.
[0072] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of an
entire firearm 1 employing the gun barrel 10 of the present
invention. Several pieces of the firearm 1 are standard to the art
including a stock 6, trigger assembly 2, sights 5, hammer 3, and
the like. The gun barrel 10 is attached to the rest of the firearm
1, in this embodiment at a hinge 7, thereby allowing the user to
open, via the hinge 7, and access the breech end 11 for loading of
the charge 45 (see e.g., FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C) into the breech
chamber 12. Upon closing of the gun barrel 10, denoted by motion
arrow "M", the user then may load a projectile 50 in the muzzle end
15 of the gun barrel 10. Upon the adequate mating of the projectile
50 against the charge 45 (see e.g., FIG. 6), and proper aiming,
safety checks, etc., the user can then activate the firearm 1 via
pulling the trigger assembly 2.
[0073] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed or to the materials in which the form may be
embodied, and many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that
may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be
included within the scope of this invention as defined by the
accompanying claims.
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