U.S. patent application number 10/912227 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for ammunition articles with plastic components and method of making ammunition articles with plastic components.
This patent application is currently assigned to NATEC, Inc.. Invention is credited to David E. Byron, Nabil Husseini.
Application Number | 20060011087 10/912227 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26814018 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060011087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Husseini; Nabil ; et
al. |
January 19, 2006 |
Ammunition articles with plastic components and method of making
ammunition articles with plastic components
Abstract
An ammunition article includes a molded plastic cartridge casing
body having a first end and a second end, and a projectile attached
to the first end of the cartridge casing body. The cartridge casing
body is molded around at least a portion of the projectile. A
molded plastic base for an ammunition article, a molded plastic
blank cartridge, and a molded plastic cartridge casing body having
a pronged web are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Husseini; Nabil;
(Washington, DC) ; Byron; David E.; (Longwood,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PC;(INCLUDING BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS)
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
NATEC, Inc.
Plattsburgh
NY
|
Family ID: |
26814018 |
Appl. No.: |
10/912227 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09832020 |
Apr 11, 2001 |
6845716 |
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10912227 |
Aug 6, 2004 |
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09265946 |
Mar 11, 1999 |
6752084 |
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09832020 |
Apr 11, 2001 |
|
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60116232 |
Jan 15, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/466 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 5/307 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/466 |
International
Class: |
F42B 5/30 20060101
F42B005/30 |
Claims
1. An ammunition article comprising: a molded plastic cartridge
casing body having a first end and a second end; and a projectile
attached to the first end of the cartridge casing body, wherein the
cartridge casing body is molded around at least a portion of the
projectile.
2. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
cartridge casing body includes an interior volume including a first
interior portion defined by the portion of the projectile and a
second interior portion having a smaller diameter than the first
interior portion and being separated from the first interior
portion by a shoulder, the shoulder being of sufficient size to
prevent axial movement of the projectile into the second interior
portion.
3. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
projectile is attached to the cartridge casing body by a heat bond
of sufficient strength to prevent axial movement of the projectile
relative to the cartridge casing body prior to firing.
4. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
projectile is attached to the cartridge casing body by an adhesive
bond of sufficient strength to prevent axial movement of the
projectile relative to the cartridge casing body prior to
firing.
5. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
projectile is attached to the cartridge casing body by a flange on
the cartridge casing body extending into a recess in the
projectile.
6. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a base attached to the second end of the cartridge
casing body.
7. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, further
comprising a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
8. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 7, further
comprising a primer for igniting the propellant.
9. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 7, further
comprising an electronic ignition for igniting the propellant.
10. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is reusable and the cartridge casing body is replaceable.
11. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is a molded plastic base.
12. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
13. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by screw threads.
14. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a tongue and
groove arrangement.
15. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference
fit.
16. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive.
17. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a heat bond.
18. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an ultrasonic
weld.
19. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
cartridge casing body is formed of a combustible material.
20. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 1, wherein a wall
thickness of the cartridge casing body follows cannelure contours
of the projectile.
21. An ammunition article, comprising: a cartridge casing body
having a first end and a second end; a projectile attached to the
first end of the cartridge casing body; and a single piece, molded
plastic base, the base being attached to the second end of the
cartridge casing body.
22. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
cartridge casing body is made of metal.
23. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
cartridge casing body is made of plastic.
24. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, further
comprising a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
25. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 24, further
comprising a primer for igniting the propellant.
26. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 24, further
comprising an electronic ignition for igniting the propellant.
27. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is reusable and the cartridge casing body is replaceable.
28. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
29. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by screw threads.
30. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a tongue and
groove arrangement.
31. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference
fit.
32. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive.
33. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a heat bond.
34. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an ultrasonic
weld.
35. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
cartridge casing body is formed of a composite material.
36. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
cartridge casing body is formed of a combustible molded
material.
37. An ammunition article, comprising: a molded plastic cartridge
case body having a closed front end and a second end.
38. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 37, wherein the
closed front end includes walls that reduce in thickness toward an
axial center of the closed front end.
39. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 37, wherein the
closed front end includes at least one stress concentrator for
causing preferential tearing of the closed front end at the at
least one stress concentrator.
40. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 37, further
comprising a base attached to the second end of the cartridge
casing body.
41. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, further
comprising a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
42. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 41, further
comprising a primer for igniting the propellant.
43. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 41, further
comprising an electronic ignition for igniting the propellant.
44. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is reusable and the cartridge casing body is replaceable.
45. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is a molded plastic base.
46. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
47. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 46, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by screw threads.
48. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 46, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a tongue and
groove arrangement.
49. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 46, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference
fit.
50. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive.
51. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by a heat bond.
52. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 40, wherein the
base is attached to the cartridge casing body by an ultrasonic
weld.
53. An ammunition article, comprising: a molded plastic cartridge
case body, the cartridge case body including a web dividing an
internal volume of the body to define a lower cavity for receiving
a propellant and an upper cavity for receiving a projectile, the
web including an upwardly extending prong for being received in a
corresponding recess in a base of the projectile to fasten the body
to the projectile.
54. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 53, wherein the
prong is attached in the recess by an interference fit.
55. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 53, wherein the
prong is attached in the recess by interlocking structures on the
prong and the recess.
56. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 53, wherein the
prong is attached in the recess by an adhesive.
57. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 53, wherein the
prong is attached in the recess by heat bonding.
58. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 53, wherein the
prong is attached in the recess by ultrasonic welding.
59. A method of making an ammunition article, comprising the steps
of: molding plastic around at least a portion of a projectile to
form a plastic cartridge casing body having a first end to which
the projectile is attached and a second end.
60. The method as set forth in claim 59, wherein the plastic is
molded around a core pull such that the core pull and the portion
of the projectile define an interior volume of the plastic
cartridge casing body, the method comprising the further step of
removing the core pull from the plastic cartridge casing body.
61. The method as set forth in claim 60, wherein the core pull has
a smaller diameter than the portion of the projectile such that the
interior volume of the cartridge casing body includes a first
interior portion defined by the portion of the projectile and a
second interior portion having a smaller diameter than the first
interior portion and being separated from the first interior
portion by a shoulder, the shoulder being of sufficient size to
prevent axial movement of the projectile into the second interior
portion.
62. The method as set forth in claim 59, comprising the further
step of heat bonding the projectile to the cartridge casing
body.
63. The method as set forth in claim 59, comprising the further
step of adhesive bonding the projectile to the cartridge casing
body.
64. The method as set forth in claim 59, wherein the plastic is
molded around the portion of the projectile such that the plastic
enters a recess in the portion of the projectile and forms a flange
on the cartridge casing body extending into the recess.
65. The method as set forth in claim 59, comprising the further
step of attaching a base to the second end of the cartridge casing
body.
66. The method as set forth in claim 65, comprising the further
step of providing a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
67. The method as set forth in claim 66, comprising the further
step of providing a primer for igniting the propellant.
68. The method as set forth in claim 66, comprising the further
step of providing an electronic ignition for igniting the
propellant.
69. The method as set forth in claim 65, comprising the further
step of molding the base from plastic.
70. The method as set forth in claim 69, wherein the base is molded
from plastic prior to attaching the base to the cartridge casing
body.
71. The method as set forth in claim 65, wherein the base is
mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
72. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by screwing threads on the
base together with threads on the cartridge casing body.
73. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by connecting a tongue and
groove arrangement between attachable portions of the base and the
cartridge casing body.
74. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference fit.
75. The method as set forth in claim 65, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive joining.
76. The method as set forth in claim 65, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by heat bonding.
77. The method as set forth in claim 65, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by ultrasonic welding.
78. A method of making an ammunition article, comprising the steps
of: molding plastic to form a single piece, molded plastic base;
and attaching the base to an end of a cartridge casing body.
79. The method as set forth in claim 78, comprising the further
step of molding plastic to form the cartridge casing body.
80. The method as set forth in claim 78, comprising the further
step of providing a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
81. The method as set forth in claim 80, comprising the further
step of providing a primer for igniting the propellant.
82. The method as set forth in claim 80, comprising the further
step of providing an electronic ignition for igniting the
propellant.
83. The method as set forth in claim 78, wherein the base is
mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
84. The method as set forth in claim 83, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by screwing threads on the
base together with threads on the cartridge casing body.
85. The method as set forth in claim 83, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by connecting a tongue and
groove arrangement between attachable portions of the base and the
cartridge casing body.
86. The method as set forth in claim 83, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference fit.
87. The method as set forth in claim 78, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive joining.
88. The method as set forth in claim 78, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by heat bonding.
89. The method as set forth in claim 78, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by ultrasonic welding.
90. A method of making an ammunition article, comprising the steps
of: molding plastic around a core pull to form a molded plastic
cartridge case body having a closed front end and a second end; and
removing the core pull from the cartridge casing body.
91. The method as set forth in claim 90, wherein the plastic is
molded such that closed front end includes walls that reduce in
thickness toward an axial center of the closed front end.
92. The method as set forth in claim 90, wherein the plastic is
molded such that the closed front end includes at least one stress
concentrator for causing preferential tearing of the closed front
end at the at least one stress concentrator.
93. The method as set forth in claim 90, comprising the further
step of attaching a base to the second end of the cartridge casing
body.
94. The method as set forth in claim 90, comprising the further
step of providing a propellant charge inside the cartridge casing
body.
95. The method as set forth in claim 94, comprising the further
step of providing a primer for igniting the propellant.
96. The method as set forth in claim 94, comprising the further
step of providing an electronic ignition for igniting the
propellant.
97. The method as set forth in claim 93, comprising the further
step of molding the base from plastic.
98. The method as set forth in claim 97, wherein the base is molded
from plastic prior to attaching the base to the cartridge casing
body.
99. The method as set forth in claim 93, wherein the base is
mechanically attached to the cartridge casing body.
100. The method as set forth in claim 99, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by screwing threads on the
base together with threads on the cartridge casing body.
101. The method as set forth in claim 99, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by connecting a tongue and
groove arrangement between attachable portions of the base and the
cartridge casing body.
102. The method as set forth in claim 99, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by an interference fit.
103. The method as set forth in claim 93, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by adhesive joining.
104. The method as set forth in claim 93, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by heat bonding.
105. The method as set forth in claim 93, wherein the base is
attached to the cartridge casing body by ultrasonic welding.
106. A method of making an ammunition article, comprising: molding
plastic to form a molded plastic cartridge case body, the cartridge
case body including a web dividing an internal volume of the body
to define a lower cavity for receiving a propellant and an upper
cavity for receiving a projectile, the web including an upwardly
extending prong; and causing the upwardly extending prong to be
received in a corresponding recess in a base of the projectile to
fasten the body to the projectile.
107. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the prong is
attached in the recess by an interference fit.
108. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the prong is
attached in the recess by interlocking structures on the prong and
the recess.
109. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the prong is
attached in the recess by an adhesive.
110. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the prong is
attached in the recess by heat bonding.
111. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the prong is
attached in the recess by ultrasonic welding.
112. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the plastic is
molded around a core pull to form the lower cavity.
113. The method as set forth in claim 106, wherein the plastic is
molded around at least a portion of a projectile to form the upper
cavity and the prong and to cause the prong to be received in the
corresponding recess.
114. An ammunition article comprising: a projectile having
cannelure contours; and a molded cartridge casing body molded
around at least a portion of the projectile such that a portion of
a wall of the cartridge casing body follows the cannelure contours
of the projectile.
115. The ammunition article as set forth in claim 114, wherein the
portion of the wall has a substantially constant thickness.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/116,232, filed Jan. 15, 1999.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to ammunition articles and
methods of making ammunition articles and, more particularly, to
ammunition articles with plastic components such as cartridge
casing bodies and bases, and methods of making ammunition articles
with plastic components.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0003] Plastic cartridge casings have been known for many years but
have failed to provide satisfactory ammunition that could be
produced in commercial quantities with sufficient safety,
ballistic, and handling characteristics. The problems evidenced by
all of the known methods of producing plastic or substantially
plastic ammunition include the possibility of the projectile being
pushed into the cartridge casing, the bullet pull being too light
such that the bullet can fall out, the bullet pull being
insufficient to create enough chamber pressure, the bullet pull
being too great causing excessive chamber pressure, the bullet pull
not being uniform from round to round, portions of the cartridge
casing breaking off upon firing of the projectile causing damage or
danger when subsequent rounds are fired or when the casing portions
themselves become projectiles, and expense due to manufacturing
techniques or multiple material constructions. In the manufacture
of blanks using plastic cartridge cases, similar problems to those
present with prior art cartridge cases for conventional ammunition
exist, as well as problems associated with portions of the
cartridge cases breaking off and becoming dangerous, high velocity
plastic projectiles.
[0004] Certain of the foregoing problems are addressed in European
Patent Application 0 131 863, which discloses a plastic cartridge
casing that is provided with a ring or a plurality of rings or with
a pronounced radially inward taper to engage corresponding surfaces
on the bullet so that the bullet may be snapped into the casing.
However, the technique of forming a cartridge casing and then
snapping a bullet into the casing is time consuming in that it
involves multiple steps, is manpower and equipment intensive in
that different equipment is necessary to perform various tasks in
the manufacturing process, and still risks a less than perfect fit
between bullet and casing in that the casings are not custom fit to
each bullet. It is desirable to provide ammunition articles having
plastic cartridge casing bodies, cartridge casings with plastic
cartridge casing bodies, and plastic cartridge casing bodies that
ensure a high-quality fit between the plastic cartridge casing body
and the projectile, and methods of manufacture for such articles
that are simple and require minimal manpower and equipment.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an
ammunition article is provided, the ammunition article including a
molded plastic cartridge casing body having a first end and a
second end, and a projectile attached to the first end of the
cartridge casing body. The cartridge casing body is molded around
at least a portion of the projectile.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
ammunition article is provided, the ammunition article including a
cartridge casing body having a first end and a second end, a
projectile attached to the first end of the cartridge casing body,
and a single piece, molded plastic base, the base being attached to
the second end of the cartridge casing body.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
ammunition article is provided, the ammunition article including a
molded plastic cartridge case body having a closed front end and a
second end.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
ammunition article is provided, the ammunition article including a
molded plastic cartridge case body, the cartridge case body
including a web dividing an internal volume of the body to define a
lower cavity for receiving a propellant and an upper cavity for
receiving a projectile, the web including an upwardly extending
prong for being received in a corresponding recess in a base of the
projectile to fasten the body to the projectile.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of making an ammunition article includes the steps of
molding plastic around at least a portion of a projectile to form a
plastic cartridge casing body having a first end to which the
projectile is attached and a second end.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of making an ammunition article includes the steps of
molding plastic to form a single piece, molded plastic base, and
attaching the base to an end of a cartridge casing body.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of making an ammunition article includes the steps of
molding plastic around a core pull to form a molded plastic
cartridge case body having a closed front end and a second end, and
removing the core pull from the cartridge casing body.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of making an ammunition article includes the steps of
molding plastic to form a molded plastic cartridge case body, the
cartridge case body including a web dividing an internal volume of
the body to define a lower cavity for receiving a propellant and an
upper cavity for receiving a projectile, the web including an
upwardly extending prong, and causing the upwardly extending prong
to be received in a corresponding recess in a base of the
projectile to fasten the body to the projectile.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The features and advantages of the present invention are
well understood by reading the following detailed description in
conjunction with the drawings in which like numerals indicate
similar elements and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an ammunition article
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an ammunition article
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of an ammunition article according to
the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B are side, cross-sectional views of an
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a cartridge casing body
according to the first embodiment of the present invention and
illustrated without the projectile;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
projectile for use in connection with the ammunition article
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
projectile for use in connection with the ammunition article
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIGS. 9B and 9C are partial, top views of a portion of an
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, showing possible forms of flanges;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
embodiment of the ammunition article according to the first
embodiment of the present invention shown after firing;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 13A-14B are partially cross-sectional views of molding
equipment for making an embodiment of a cartridge casing body for
an ammunition article according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly step
according to a method for making an ammunition article according to
the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of an ammunition article
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 17 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of an
ammunition article according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 18A is a front perspective view of a molded plastic
base according to an embodiment of the ammunition article according
to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 18B is a side, cross-sectional view of a molded base
according to an embodiment of the ammunition article;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of a molded plastic base
according to an embodiment of the ammunition article according to
the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a
cartridge casing body for use with an embodiment of the ammunition
article according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a partially cross-sectional view of molding
equipment for making a plastic base for an ammunition article
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a side view of an ammunition article according to
a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a partially cross-sectional view of molding
equipment for making an ammunition article according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a core pull for use
in making an ammunition article according to the third embodiment
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 25 is a front end view of a core pull for use in making
an ammunition article according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 26 is a side view of a core pull for use in making an
ammunition article according to the third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 27 is a side view of a core pull inserted in a
partially broken ammunition article according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a side, cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a side, cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 30 is a side, cross-sectional view of a portion of an
ammunition article according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] An ammunition article 21 according to an embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. As seen in cross-section
in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ammunition article 21 includes a molded
plastic cartridge casing body 23 having a first end 25 and a second
end 27. A projectile 29 is attached to the first end 25 of the
cartridge casing body 23. The cartridge casing body 23 is a molded
plastic part, and is formed by plastic being molded around at least
a portion 31 of the projectile 29. As discussed with reference to
FIG. 29, if desired or necessary, the cartridge casing body may be
formed by plastic being molded to conform only with a bottom of a
projectile, with a plastic protrusion extending into a cavity in
the bottom of the projectile. The projectile 29 is preferably any
one of the wide variety of well-known projectiles but may, if
desired or necessary, include one or more features useful in
connection with the present invention.
[0046] As seen in FIG. 5 (showing the cartridge casing body with
the projectile removed for illustration) the cartridge casing body
23 preferably includes an interior volume 33 including a first
interior portion 35 defined by the portion 31 of the projectile 29
and a second interior portion 37 having a smaller diameter than the
first interior portion and being separated from the first interior
portion by a shoulder 39. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shoulder 39
is preferably of sufficient size to prevent axial movement of the
projectile 29 into the second interior portion 37. The second
interior volume 37 is preferably formed by a core pull (FIGS.
13A-14B) used in a cartridge casing body molding operation wherein
a leading end of the core pull preferably abuts against the base 40
of the projectile 29. As seen in FIG. 7, the base 40 of the
projectile may be flat or, as seen in FIG. 8, contoured, such as by
being concave. The base 40 may be contoured to any shape desired or
necessary, such as concave, convex, a combination of concave or
convex, have straight portions, or curved portions, depending upon
factors such as the ballistic requirements of the projectile.
[0047] The projectile 29 is preferably attached to the cartridge
casing body 23 by one or more attachment arrangements 41 directed
to preventing axial movement of the projectile relative to the
cartridge casing body prior to firing, such as during storage or
shipment, and during accidents such as dropping of the ammunition
article. Depending upon the type of ammunition article being
manufactured, desirable characteristics of the attachment
arrangement 41 may include the ability to provide sufficient bullet
pull to permit creation of neither too much nor too little chamber
pressure during firing of the projectile, ensuring uniform bullet
pull from round to round, and avoiding causing portions of the
cartridge casing body to break off when the ammunition article is
fired. Suitable attachment arrangements 41 include a heat bond, an
adhesive bond, and a weld, such as an ultrasonic weld, between the
portion 31 of the projectile and the cartridge casing body 23. The
attachment arrangement may be a mechanical attachment arrangement
wherein portions of the cartridge casing body 23 and the portion 31
of the projectile 29 are caused to interconnect. The attachment
arrangement may, of course, be nothing more than a metal to plastic
bond between the portion 31 of the projectile 29 and the cartridge
casing body 23 created during the molding operation.
[0048] A form of attachment arrangement 41, seen in detail in FIG.
9A, includes a flange 41' on the cartridge casing body 23 extending
into a recess 43 in the projectile 29. Optimal dimensions for the
flange 41' will vary depending upon the specific type of ammunition
article 21 to be made. When the cartridge casing body 23 is made of
a modified ZYTEL resin, available from E.I. DuPont De Nemours Co.,
a modified 612 nylon resin, modified to increase elastic response,
and the ammunition article is so-called "38 Special" type
ammunition, a desirable dimension for an annular flange 41' is
0.009'' thick by 0.020'' wide, i.e., the recess 43 is an annular
recess in the projectile 29 that is about 0/009'' thick by 0.020''
wide. The flange 41' and the recess 43 are not limited to being
annular, and can be any of a variety of shapes and sizes, such as
pins and grooves, detents and detent receiving recesses, helixes,
such as screw threads, or any other suitable mechanically
interconnectable structure sufficient to retain the projectile 29
in position in the cartridge casing body 23. By proper selection of
materials and flange 41' and recess 43 size, it is possible to
design to a very exact degree features of the ammunition article 21
such as bullet pull. As seen in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the flange 41''
need not be continuous around the entire circumference of the
projectile, such as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, but may be
in the form of multiple, discontinuous or interrupted forms. The
shape of the flange 41' may be any suitable shape, such as a cone,
a pyramid, a half-sphere, a half circular cylinder, a cube, or
other geometrical form.
[0049] As seen in FIG. 10, the flange 41', when provided, is
preferably sized such that, and the cartridge casing body 23 is
preferably made of a plastic material suitable for its specific
intended application such that, upon firing of the projectile 29,
the flange 41' breaks off from the rest of the body 23 and is
carried off with the projectile, without also causing other
portions of the body 23 to break off. If desired or necessary,
multiple flanges 41 and recesses 43 can be arranged along a length
of the cartridge casing body 23 and the portion 31 of the
projectile 29. It will be understood that an ammunition article 21
with a flange 41' is just one embodiment of the present invention,
and that the flange may be omitted in favor of one or more
alternative attachment arrangements, such as metal-plastic bonding
from the molding operation, interference fit, heat bonding,
adhesive, or ultrasonic welding, as seen in FIG. 11.
[0050] The ammunition article 21 preferably also includes a base 45
attached to the second end 27 of the cartridge casing body 23. One
suitable material for the cartridge casing body 23 is a modified
ZYTEL resin, available from E.I. DuPont De Nemours Co., a modified
612 nylon resin, modified to increase elastic response. In
embodiments of the present invention wherein a molded cartridge
casing body may be provided, a suitable cartridge casing body may
also be made of a moldable material that forms part of the
propellant pack, i.e., a moldable propellant, or otherwise is
itself combustible or consumable by a propellant such as a powder
ignition. The base 45 may be made of any suitable conventional
material, for example, a metal material such as brass. According to
one embodiment of the present invention, the base 45 is made of a
plastic material, and is preferably molded out of a long fiber
reinforced nylon material to provide great stiffness, high
compressive strength, and minimal cold flow, although other well
known materials may be used for the base. As desired or necessary,
the base may be a metal base, such as a brass base, or a plastic
material base, a ceramic base, a composite base, a combination of
plastic, composite, or ceramic, or may incorporate the composite
reinforced ceramic technology disclosed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/590,621, which is expressly incorporated by reference.
If desired or necessary, the base 45 and the cartridge casing body
23 can be made of the same material. For at least some
applications, the cartridge casing body 23 is preferably somewhat
more flexible than the base 45 to facilitate creation of a gas seal
with the chamber, but fracture properties are preferably such as to
facilitate breaking off of a flange 41' (if provided) relatively
cleanly from the rest of the cartridge casing body without causing
other parts of the cartridge casing body to break off and follow
the projectile 29 during firing. Preferably, the base 45 is
sufficiently sturdy to be reusable, even when it may be necessary
to replace the cartridge casing body 23 after each use.
[0051] The base 45 is attached to the cartridge casing body 23 by
any suitable attachment arrangement, or combination of attachment
arrangements. As seen in FIG. 12, the base 45 may be attached to
the cartridge casing body 23 by a suitable attachment arrangement
47, such as by a mechanically interconnecting structure or
otherwise. Suitable attachment arrangements 47 may include, for
example, screw threads, a tongue and groove arrangement, flanges or
pins and grooves, detent and detent receiving recesses, an
interference fit, a heat bond, an adhesive, or an ultrasonic weld,
or a combination of these attachment arrangements.
[0052] As seen in FIG. 4B, the ammunition article 21 preferably
includes a propellant charge P inside the cartridge casing body 23.
A variety of propellant charge types are well known and, for
purposes of the present application and except where otherwise
indicated, can be considered to broadly include all suitable types
of charges, such as those that are conventionally thought of as
propellant charges and those that are conventionally considered to
be explosive charges, such as black powder charges or charges such
as PYRODEX, a smokeless black powder substitute available from
Hodgdon Powder Co., Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kans. Depending upon the
type of ammunition article 21, the ammunition article may include
some means for igniting the propellant, such as a primer 49 (FIG.
4B) for igniting the propellant, or an electronic ignition 49' for
igniting the propellant (shown schematically in FIG. 4A), or means
for igniting the propellant may be partially or completely external
to the ammunition article.
[0053] As seen in FIG. 13A, the cartridge casing body 23 is
preferably made by molding plastic around at least the portion 31
of the projectile 29 to form the plastic cartridge casing body
having the first end 25 to which the projectile is attached and a
second end 27. Numerous plastic molding techniques are well known
and are suitable for use in connection with the present
application. The plastic is preferably molded around a core pull 51
such that the core pull and the portion 31 of the projectile 29
define the interior volume 33 of the plastic cartridge casing body
23. A leading end 52 of the core pull 51 preferably abuts against
the base 40 of the projectile 29. After molding, the core pull 51
is removed from the plastic cartridge casing body 23. Preferably,
the core pull 51 has a smaller diameter than the portion 31 of the
projectile such that the interior volume 33 of the cartridge casing
body 23 includes the first interior portion 35 defined by the
portion of the projectile and a second interior portion 37 having a
smaller diameter than the first interior portion and being
separated from the first interior portion by the shoulder 39. The
shoulder 39 is preferably of sufficient size to prevent axial
movement of the projectile 29 into the second interior portion
37.
[0054] If desired or necessary, one or more attachment arrangements
above and beyond the metal-plastic bond developed upon molding the
plastic of the plastic cartridge casing body 23 around the portion
31 of the projectile 29 may be provided. The attachment arrangement
41 can be provided by, for example, heat bonding the projectile to
the cartridge casing body, by adhesive bonding of the projectile to
the cartridge casing body, or ultrasonic welding of the cartridge
casing body to the projectile. The attachment arrangement may be
provided by providing one or more recesses 43 in the portion 31 of
the projectile 29 such that, when the plastic is molded around the
portion of the projectile, the plastic enters the recesses and
forms what is referred to herein as a flange 41' on the cartridge
casing body 23, the flange 41' extending into the recess.
[0055] As seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the molding operation is
preferably performed in a mold 53 (showing a half mold and not
showing another half of the mold which is preferably symmetrical to
the illustrated half mold). The mold 53 preferably includes a
cavity 55 in which the core pull 51 is axially movable to a
position in which the leading end of the core pull preferably abuts
against the base 40 of the projectile 29. As seen in FIG. 13A, a
front end 57 of the projectile 29 is preferably positioned against
a mold element 59 corresponding in shape to the front end of the
projectile, and which ensures proper axial positioning of the
projectile relative to walls of the cavity 55. The mold element 59
may be integral with the mold 53, or may be a separate part that
may be movable, as desired or necessary. An alternative form of
mold 53'' is shown in FIG. 13C, wherein a stationary or movable
element 59'' is substituted for the mold element 59, and receives a
front end of the projectile for axial positioning of the projectile
29, and separable mold halves close around a rear portion of the
projectile to define, with the projectile and a pull 51, walls of a
cavity 55'' in which a plastic cartridge casing body is to be
formed.
[0056] Another form of mold 53' is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B and,
instead of two identical or similar mold halves, such as are used
in the embodiment of the method shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, as seen
in FIG. 14A, the mold 53' preferably includes an end 53a having a
portion 59' in which the front end 57 of the projectile 29 is
received and which positions the projectile relative to walls 55'
of another end 53b of the mold in which a core pull 51' is
provided. The core pull 51' is preferably axially movable relative
to the end 53b. If desired or necessary, the mold end 53b may
include two separable halves to facilitate removal of the cartridge
casing body 23 and the projectile 29 after forming.
[0057] Regardless of the mold type used, and as discussed with
reference to FIG. 13A, plastic is provided to the cavity 55 to fill
voids between the walls of the cavity 55 and the walls of the
portion 31 of the projectile, including any exposed portions of the
base 40 of the projectile, and the core pull 51 to form the
cartridge casing body 23. If one or more recesses 43 are provided
in the projectile 29, corresponding flanges 41' are formed when the
plastic fills the recesses. Attachment arrangements 41 such as heat
bonds, adhesive bonds, and ultrasonic welds may be provided while
the projectile 29 and the cartridge casing body 23 reside in the
cavity 55, or after removal of the cartridge casing body and the
projectile from the cavity, as desired or necessary. Techniques for
providing attachment arrangements 41 are well known and will not be
further described here. When the cartridge casing body 23 is
molded, the core pull 51 is axially drawn from the second interior
portion 37 of the cartridge casing body.
[0058] As seen in FIG. 15, the propellant charge P, such as
gunpowder or other propellant, is preferably provided inside of the
cartridge casing body 23, generally in the second interior portion
37 of the cartridge casing body, and the base 45 is preferably
attached to the second end 27 of the cartridge casing body,
preferably following removal of the cartridge casing body and the
projectile 29 from the mold 53. If provided, an ignition device
such as a primer (FIG. 4B) or an electronic ignition (FIG. 4A) is
also provided, or, depending upon the nature of the ignition
device, partially provided. If desired or necessary, it is, of
course, possible to construct a mold and core arrangement to permit
providing the charge P and attachment of the base 45 and primer
while the cartridge casing body 23 and the projectile 29 continue
to reside in the mold 53.
[0059] The base 45 may be a metal, such as brass, base, or may be
plastic, composite, ceramic, or a combination of materials. A
plastic or composite base 45 is preferably molded separately from
the molding operation in which the cartridge casing body 23 is
molded, before attachment to the cartridge casing body. The base 45
may be attached to the cartridge casing body 23 by any suitable
attachment arrangement technique, such as through a mechanical
attachment wherein interconnecting components of the base and the
cartridge casing body are fitted together, or by any other suitable
technique or combination of techniques. The base 45 may, for
example, be attached to the cartridge casing body 23 by an
attachment arrangement involving the screwing together of threads
on the base with threads on the cartridge casing body. The base 45
may be attached to the cartridge casing body 23 by an attachment
arrangement technique involving connecting a tongue and groove
arrangement between attachable portions of the base and the
cartridge casing body. The base 45 may be attached to the cartridge
casing body 23 by an attachment arrangement technique involving
forming an interference fit between the cartridge casing body and
the base. The base 45 may be attached to the cartridge casing body
23 by an attachment arrangement technique involving adhesive
joining. The base 45 may be attached to the cartridge casing body
23 by an attachment arrangement technique involving heat bonding.
The base 45 may be attached to the cartridge casing body 23 by an
attachment arrangement technique involving ultrasonic welding.
[0060] Another embodiment of an ammunition article 121 according to
the present invention is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 16 but,
when assembled, can appear substantially the same as the ammunition
article 21 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As seen in FIG. 17, the
ammunition article 121 includes a cartridge casing body 123 having
a first end 125 and a second end 127. A projectile 129 is attached
to the first end 125 of the cartridge casing body 123. A base 131,
seen in FIGS. 18A-19, is preferably formed as a single piece of
molded plastic, or from a ceramic, a composite, or a combination of
plastic, composite, or ceramic, such as, for example, by starting
with a ceramic liner 131l and molding a composite or plastic
material 131m over the ceramic liner, as seen in FIG. 18B. The base
131 may also incorporate the composite reinforced ceramic
technology disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/590,621, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. As
seen in FIG. 17, the base 131 is attached to the second end of the
cartridge casing body. In this embodiment, the cartridge casing
body 123 may be a plastic cartridge casing body, such as the
plastic cartridge casing body described in connection with FIGS.
1-15, or a metallic cartridge casing body, such as a brass body in
which a projectile is installed, as seen in FIG. 20, or which is
for a blank cartridge, or a suitable ceramic, composite, or other
desired material. The cartridge casing body 123 may also be made of
a moldable material that forms part of the propellant pack, i.e., a
moldable propellant, or otherwise is itself combustible or
consumable by a propellant such as a powder ignition.
[0061] A propellant charge is preferably provided inside the
cartridge casing body 123 and, as seen in FIG. 17, a device for
igniting the propellant, such as a primer 133 or an electronic
ignition may be provided, or partially provided, for igniting the
propellant. Although the base 131 is a plastic base, the base is
preferably made of a sufficiently sturdy material to be reusable
although the cartridge casing body 123 may be replaceable. The base
131 is attached to the cartridge casing body 123 by any suitable
attachment arrangement 135. The attachment arrangement 135 may, for
example be a mechanical attachment arrangement wherein portions of
the base 131 and the cartridge casing body 123 interconnect with
each other. Suitable attachment arrangements 135 include screw
thread arrangements wherein the base 131 is attached to the
cartridge casing body 123 by screw threads, tongue and groove
arrangements, an interference fit the cartridge casing body,
adhesive, a heat bond, and an ultrasonic weld.
[0062] The ammunition article 121 is preferably made according to a
method as seen in FIG. 21 wherein plastic is molded in a mold 137
around one or more cores 139 to form the single piece, molded
plastic base 131. The mold 137 may have two, substantially
symmetrical halves, as seen in FIG. 21, that separate in a
direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base 131, the
mold may have two parts that separate in a direction of a
longitudinal axis of the base, or the mold may have a single
component, with the core 139 closing an end of the single component
mold and one or both of the core and the single component mold
being movable to permit removal of the base. If desired or
necessary, the cartridge casing body or an ignition device or some
component of an ammunition article may form part or all of a core
around which the base 131 is molded. As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17,
preferably after molding, the base 131 is attached to the second
end 127 of the cartridge casing body 123 using a suitable
attachment arrangement 135. The cartridge casing body 123 may be a
molded plastic cartridge casing body, such as the body described
with reference to FIGS. 1-15, which is preferably formed in a
separate operation from the molding of the base 131, or a metallic
cartridge casing body, such as the body shown in FIG. 20.
Preferably, before attachment of the base 131 and the cartridge
casing body 123, a propellant is provided in the cartridge casing
body. A device for igniting the propellant may be provided or
partially provided, such as a primer 133 or an electronic ignition,
and may be attached or partially attached to the base 131 depending
upon the nature of the device.
[0063] Another embodiment of an ammunition article 221 according to
the present invention is shown in FIG. 22. The ammunition article
221 is particularly well-suited for use as a blank cartridge. The
ammunition article 221 includes a molded plastic cartridge case
body 223 having a closed front end 225 and a second end 227.
Although the ammunition article 221 is illustrated as having a
convex front end 225, it will be appreciated that the front end can
be any shape desired or necessary, such as flat, convex, or
whatever shape yields desired characteristics.
[0064] As seen in FIG. 23, the ammunition article 221 is preferably
molded in a mold 229 around a core pull 231. The core pull 231 and
the mold 229 are preferably shaped such that the closed front end
225 preferably includes walls that reduce in thickness toward an
axial center 233 of the closed front end to facilitate causing the
ammunition article to break at the tip and minimize the potential
for portions of the wall becoming projectiles. Moreover, the closed
front end 225 preferably includes at least one, preferably a
plurality of stress concentrators 235 for causing preferential
tearing of the closed front end at the stress concentrators such
that, upon firing, the front end will tend to split open at the
axial tip at the center 233 and permit expansion of a charge,
preferably a charge consisting of an explosive charge, such as
black powder or PYRODEX, a smokeless black powder substitute
available from Hodgdon Powder Co., Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kans. If
desired or necessary, another propellant charge may be used.
[0065] As seen in FIG. 24-26, the core pull 231 preferably has
raised portions 237 for forming the stress concentrators 235. The
raised portions 237 are preferably in the form of intersecting
lines that intersect at the tip 239 of the core pull 231 such that
the resulting shape of the stress concentrators 235 on the interior
wall of the front portion 225 of the cartridge casing body 223 will
be such that the cartridge casing body will split open along the
stress concentrators at the center 233 and along the length of the
stress concentrators, reducing the possibility of portions of the
cartridge casing body becoming projectiles upon expansion of a
powder charge. If desired or necessary, stress concentrators can be
provided on an exterior surface of the cartridge casing body 223 in
addition to or instead of the stress concentrators 235 on the
interior surface of the front portion 225, preferably by providing
appropriately shaped raised portions on the mold 229.
[0066] As with the cartridge casing body 23, a base 241 (shown in
phantom in FIG. 22) like the base 45 is preferably attached to the
cartridge casing body 223 by one or more of the same attachment
arrangements, and a propellant (not shown) and a powder charge
ignition device (not shown) are preferably also provided. The base
may be a reusable base, and the cartridge casing body 223 is
preferably replaceable on the base.
[0067] As seen in FIGS. 23 and 27, the cartridge casing body 223 is
preferably formed by molding plastic around the core pull 231 to
form the molded plastic cartridge case body 223 having a closed
front end 225 and a second end 227. The core pull 231 is removed
from the cartridge casing body 223 after the plastic is molded
around the core pull. The mold 229 is preferably a two-piece mold
(one piece of which is shown in FIG. 23) that separates along a
plane extending through a longitudinal axis of the cartridge casing
body, and at least one of the mold and the core pull 231 is movable
relative to the other such that the core pull can be removed along
the longitudinal axis of the cartridge casing body.
[0068] Yet another embodiment of an ammunition article 321 is shown
in an exploded view in FIG. 28. The ammunition article 321 includes
a molded plastic cartridge case body 323. The cartridge case body
323 includes a web 325 dividing an internal volume of the body to
define a lower cavity 327 for receiving a propellant and an upper
cavity 329 for receiving a projectile 331. The web 325 includes an
upwardly extending prong 333 for being received in a corresponding
recess 335 in a base 337 of the projectile 331 to fasten the
cartridge casing body 323 to the projectile. The prong 333 may be
attached in the recess 335 by any suitable attachment arrangement
and attachment technique, such as by an interference fit, by
interlocking structures on the prong and the recess, by an
adhesive, by heat bonding, and by ultrasonic welding. The cartridge
casing body 323 may, of course, be molded around the projectile 331
in a manner similar to the manner in which the cartridge casing
body 23 is molded around the projectile 29, except that a core pull
would not extend all the way to a base of the projectile. The prong
333 may be formed by causing plastic to enter the recess 333 during
the molding operation. Alternatively, the cartridge casing body 323
may be formed in a separate molding operation and thereafter
attached to the projectile 331 such that the prong 333 is caused to
enter the recess 335. A base (not shown) may be attached by a
suitable attachment arrangement in the same way that the base 45 is
attached to the cartridge casing body 23, and a propellant charge
(not shown) and a propellant ignition device (not shown) may be
provided in the same was as with the ammunition article 21. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,033,386 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,555 disclose plastic
cartridge cases having a web extending across a body of the
cartridge cases and are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
[0069] FIG. 29 discloses yet another embodiment of an ammunition
article 321' including a plastic cartridge casing body 323'. The
body 323' is molded to conform with a bottom end 325' of the
projectile in which a recess 327' is provided such that a
protrusion 329' is molded in the recess and, preferably, the walls
of the body do not extend up the sides of the projectile. This
embodiment of the ammunition article 321' facilitates use of a
combustible cartridge casing body 323', such as where the cartridge
casing body itself forms part of the propellant pack. Where the
cartridge casing body 323' is intended to be part of the propellant
pack, the base is preferably adapted to expand during firing to
form a gas seal. As desired or necessary, the base may be a metal
base, such as a brass base, or a plastic material base, a
ceramic-base, a composite base, a combination of plastic,
composite, or ceramic, or may incorporate the composite reinforced
ceramic technology disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/590,621, which is expressly incorporated by reference.
[0070] Yet another embodiment of an ammunition article 421
according to the present invention comprises a projectile 423
having cannelure contours 425 and a molded cartridge casing body
427 molded around at least a portion of the projectile such that a
portion 429 of a wall 431 of the cartridge casing body follows the
cannelure contours of the projectile. The portion 429 of the wall
431 preferably has a substantially constant thickness such that,
where the projectile is recessed, the portion of the wall is also
recessed.
[0071] The foregoing embodiments of the present invention are all
believed to be useful for use with all types of cartridges or
blanks, regardless of shape. For example, in all of the
embodiments, the cartridge casing body may be, for example,
cylindrical, bottle-shaped, or have other suitable shapes as
desired or necessary.
[0072] While this invention has been illustrated and described in
accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
variations and changes may be made therein without departing from
the invention as set forth in the claims.
* * * * *