U.S. patent application number 11/328753 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for super long range crash-bang round.
Invention is credited to Michael Brunn.
Application Number | 20060169165 11/328753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32511421 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060169165 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brunn; Michael |
August 3, 2006 |
Super long range crash-bang round
Abstract
A "crash-bang" shotgun cartridge assembly has a projectile
consisting of a weighty and frangible ballast on its leading edge,
a flash-bang charge, and, in the rear, a delay fuse which is lit by
the detonation of the propellant charge in the cartridge. The
weight of the ballast insures greater stability in flight, and
accuracy in targeting, thus extending the range of the crash-bang
cartridge. In addition, the weighty and frangible ballast
disintegrates into low mass, low energy (and therefore less-lethal)
fragments when the flash charge detonates.
Inventors: |
Brunn; Michael; (Sea Cliff,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COHEN, PONTANI, LIEBERMAN & PAVANE
551 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 1210
NEW YORK
NY
10176
US
|
Family ID: |
32511421 |
Appl. No.: |
11/328753 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10691404 |
Oct 21, 2003 |
7025001 |
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11328753 |
Jan 10, 2006 |
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60419891 |
Oct 21, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0087 20130101;
F42B 8/14 20130101; F42B 10/40 20130101; F42B 7/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/502 |
International
Class: |
F42B 14/06 20060101
F42B014/06 |
Claims
1. A crash-bang cartridge assembly, comprising a tubular cartridge;
and a projectile within said tubular cartridge, said projectile
comprising: a tubular projectile casing; a delay block located at
one end of the tubular projectile casing; a delay fuse column
within said delay block, said delay fuse column being at least
partially filled with a delay fuse composition; a flash charge
within said projectile casing, said flash charge being ignited by
said delay fuse composition; and a weighty and frangible ballast
located on a leading edge of said projectile, at an end of the
tubular projectile casing opposite from the end having the delay
block, wherein a weight of said ballast is sufficient to provide
stability and accuracy in flight, and wherein an at least one
material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast is
sufficiently frangible that, after detonation of said flash charge,
the at least one material comprises low mass, low energy
components.
2. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the low
mass, low energy components comprising the weighty and frangible
ballast after detonation are less likely to cause injury to any
creature in a vicinity of said detonation.
3. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
comprises at least one of a solid and a liquid.
4. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the delay
fuse composition is consolidated.
5. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast is
consolidated.
6. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
remains substantially within the end of the tubular projectile
casing by means of said consolidation.
7. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
comprises metallic particles.
8. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the
metallic particles form a metallic powder.
9. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the
tubular projectile casing forms a cup and the end of the tubular
projectile casing where the weighty and frangible ballast is
located forms a solid end of the cup, and wherein the metallic
particles comprising the weighty and frangible ballast is
consolidated at said solid end of the cup by pressing a ram over
the metallic particles.
10. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the
weighty and frangible ballast is secured at the end of the tubular
projectile casing by a wad.
11. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the
tubular projectile casing comprises a cardboard tube, and wherein
the end of the tubular projectile casing where the weighty and
frangible ballast is located is sealed by an upper closure wad and
the weighty and frangible ballast is sealed in by a lower closure
wad in an inside portion of the tubular projectile casing.
12. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
comprises at least one of zinc particles, lead particles, graphite
particles, and tungsten particles.
13. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
comprises a mixture of zinc powder and graphite powder.
14. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein the
graphite powder in the mixture of zinc and graphite powder coats
the zinc particles comprising the zinc powder in said mixture and
prevents said zinc particles from bonding too closely together.
15. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein the
ratio of zinc powder to graphite powder controls a degree of
frangibility of the weighty and frangible ballast.
16. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at
least one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast
comprises a liquid.
17. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 16, wherein the
liquid comprising the at least one material comprises methylene
chloride.
18. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the
projectile further comprises: a container for the at least one
material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast.
19. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein the
container is comprised of nylon.
20. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the
tubular projectile casing comprises at least one of aluminum,
plastic, rubber, and cardboard.
21. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the
projectile further comprises: an obturator formed on an outer
circumference of the tubular projectile casing.
22. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the
projectile further comprises: an igniter located at an end of the
delay fuse composition and in proximity to the flash charge, said
igniter is comprised of igniter composition, wherein said igniter
is ignited by the delay fuse composition, and, in turn, ignites the
flash charge.
23. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 1, further
comprising: a primer at one end of said tubular cartridge;
propellant in said tubular cartridge for launching the projectile
from said tubular cartridge, said propellant being ignited by said
primer; and a pressure wad between said propellant and said
projectile.
24. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 22, wherein an end
of the tubular cartridge opposite from said end of the tubular
cartridge having the primer is crimped inward to seal the
projectile within the tubular cartridge.
25. The crash-bang cartridge assembly of claim 23, further
comprising: a closure wad sealing the projectile within the tubular
cartridge, wherein said crimping at least assists in keeping said
closure wad in place.
26. A crash-bang projectile, said crash-bang projectile fitting
within a crash-bang cartridge in order to form a crash-bang
cartridge assembly, comprising a tubular projectile casing; a flash
charge within said tubular projectile casing; and a weighty and
frangible ballast located on a leading edge of said crash-bang
projectile, wherein a weight of said ballast is sufficient to
provide stability and accuracy in flight, and wherein an at least
one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast is
sufficiently frangible that, after detonation of said flash charge,
the at least one material comprises low mass, low energy
components.
27. A method of manufacturing a crash-bang cartridge assembly, said
crash-bang cartridge assembly comprising a tubular cartridge and a
projectile within said tubular cartridge, said method comprising
the steps of: forming a tubular projectile casing; placing a delay
block at one end of the tubular projectile casing, wherein a delay
fuse column is within said delay block, and said delay fuse column
is at least partially filled with a delay fuse composition; placing
a flash charge within said projectile casing; and placing a weighty
and frangible ballast on a leading edge of said projectile, at an
end of the tubular projectile casing opposite from the end having
the delay block, wherein a weight of said ballast is sufficient to
provide stability and accuracy in flight, and wherein an at least
one material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast is
sufficiently frangible that, after detonation of said flash charge,
the at least one material comprises low mass, low energy
components.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:
consolidating the delay fuse composition within the delay
block.
29. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:
consolidating the at least one material comprising the weighty and
frangible ballast inside the tubular projectile casing.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one material
comprising the weighty and frangible ballast remains substantially
in place in the end of the tubular projectile casing by means of
said consolidation.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the tubular projectile casing
forms a cup and the end of the tubular projectile casing where the
weighty and frangible ballast is located forms a solid end of the
cup, and wherein said step of consolidating the at least one
material comprising the weighty and frangible ballast comprises the
step of: consolidating the at least one material comprising the
weighty and frangible ballast at said solid end of the cup by
pressing a ram over the at least one material.
32. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:
securing the weighty and frangible ballast at the end of the
tubular projectile casing with a wad.
33. The method of claim 27, wherein the tubular projectile casing
comprises a cardboard tube, the method further comprising the steps
of: sealing the end of the tubular projectile casing where the
weighty and frangible ballast is located with an upper closure wad;
and sealing the weighty and frangible ballast in with a lower
closure wad in an inside portion of the tubular projectile
casing.
34. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:
controlling a degree of frangibility of the weighty and frangible
ballast by adjusting components comprising the weighty and
frangible ballast.
35. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of: at
least one of forming and placing an obturator on an outer
circumference of the tubular projectile casing.
36. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:
placing a primer at one end of said tubular cartridge; placing
propellant in said tubular cartridge; and placing a pressure wad
between said propellant and the projectile.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
crimping an end of the tubular cartridge opposite from said end of
the tubular cartridge having the primer inward to seal the
projectile within the tubular cartridge.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of: placing
a closure wad at the end of the tubular cartridge opposite from the
primer in order to seal the projectile within the tubular
cartridge, wherein said step of crimping at least assists in
keeping said closure wad in place.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/691,404, filed Oct.
21, 2003, which, in turn, claimed priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/419,891 which was filed on Oct. 21,
2002. Both applications are hereby incorporated in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to shotgun
ammunition, and particularly to a shotgun cartridge capable of
exploding with a loud noise and producing low mass, low energy
fragments which do not pose a serious risk of injury to persons
close to the explosion.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, United States armed forces and law
enforcement agencies have put a greater emphasis on creating
"less-lethal" weaponry. The purpose of such weapons is not to kill,
but to incapacitate, or, in some cases, to deter the subject from
further approach. As an example, the U.S. Marine Corps. has
required a shotgun round capable of delivering a "flash-bang" air
burst at ranges of 400 feet, 600 feet, and 800 feet. This
less-lethal "flash-bang" cartridge was intended for crowd control
and to determine intent at extended stand-off ranges.
[0006] "Flash-bang" shotgun cartridges, used mostly for frightening
animals (particularly birds) away from a specific location, are
well-known in the prior art. Flash-bang cartridges are fired like
any other shotgun rounds (See, FIG. 1, taken from FIG. 1 of U.S.
Pat. No. 3,323,456). However, these prior art flash-bang cartridges
have several shortcomings which make them less than ideal as a
less-lethal weapon or deterrent force.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,456 to Rothman (the '456 patent)
discloses a flash-bang shotgun cartridge comprised of a propellant
charge and a projectile. Referring to FIG. 2 (FIG. 3 of the '456
patent), the projectile assembly 27 contains flash-bang charge 43
sealed between seal 39 in the front of the assembly and ballistic
weight 35 in the rear of the assembly (see, col. 4, line 65 to col.
5, line 30, '456 patent). Ballistic weight 35 "impart[s] a higher
flight coefficient and thus [extends] the range of the projectile"
(see, col. 5, lines 29-30, '456 patent), is comprised of powdered
lead and zinc (see, col. 5, lines 2-6, '456 patent), and its center
33 holds a fuse cord 37, which is lit by the propellant charge 25
(see, col. 5, lines 64-65, '456 patent).
[0008] The '456 patent has a ballistic weight which extends the
range of the projectile (to distances as great as 900 feet; see,
col. 4, lines 6-12 and col. 6, lines 1-3); however, the '456
patent's weighty mass is located in the rear of the projectile,
which causes tumbling in flight and, thus, inaccurate
targeting.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,144 to Hori et al. (the '144 patent)
discloses a flash-bang shotgun cartridge that has delay fuse powder
in a hollow center cylinder in the back of the projectile. As shown
in FIG. 3 (FIG. 4 of the '144 patent), the fuse powder charge 35 is
enclosed within cylindrical casing 34, where the cylindrical casing
34 extends outwardly (from the projectile) to the propellant charge
25 and inwardly to the flash-bang charge 42 (see, col. 2, lines
42-49, '144 patent).
[0010] However, the '144 patent does not disclose a weighty mass
positioned in the projectile for greater distance, accuracy, and
stability. The front of the projectile according to the '144 patent
has a chamber 48 which can hold powdered material 42 (see, FIG. 3).
The only payload material suggested by the '144 patent for the
forward chamber is an additional powder charge (see, col. 2, lines
61-65, '144 patent). Because of the lack of ballistic weight, the
projectile described by the '144 patent can not achieve long or
accurate trajectories, but will instead tumble in flight and fall
quickly to the ground.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a flash-bang shotgun
cartridge which has greater stability in flight, as well as greater
accuracy in targeting. Furthermore, there is a need for a
flash-bang cartridge which will have a minor concussive effect upon
a target, without causing serious harm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One object of the present invention is to provide a shotgun
cartridge which has greater stability in flight, as well as greater
accuracy in targeting, than prior art flash-bang cartridges.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
shotgun cartridge which will have a minor concussive effect upon a
target, without causing serious harm.
[0014] These and other objects are accomplished by the present
invention which provides a shotgun cartridge with a frangible, but
weighty, ballast that disintegrates into small, low mass, low
energy (and therefore less-lethal) fragments which are useful as a
deterrent at extended ranges (i.e., 900 feet). The cartridge is
essentially comprised of an outer tube, a propellant charge, and a
projectile. The projectile is comprised of the weighty ballast in
the front, the flash-bang charge in the middle, and then, in the
rear, a delay fuse, which is lit by the detonation of the
propellant charge.
[0015] The ballast provides stability in flight, more accurate
targeting, and greater distances traversed by the shotgun
projectile. The ballast can be any weighty, yet frangible, material
which can provide stability and inertia during flight and still
disintegrate into low mass low energy fragments which are less
capable of injuring impacted flesh. The ballast is preferably
comprised of a combination of zinc and graphite powder, although it
can be comprised of lead or tungsten particles, and is contained
between two closures, preferably either two cardboard wads glued in
place or created by the application of epoxy resin to both sides of
the ballast. The delay fuse is comprised of a central column filled
with standard fuse powder or the like, and can produce a "base
burner" effect whereby drag is reduced around the rear of the
projectile by the gasses generated from the burning of the delay
fuse. The range of the projectile is determined by changing the
amount of delay fuse powder and/or the amount of propellant charge.
In one embodiment, a range of 900 feet is possible with a delay of
5 seconds.
[0016] Because of the differences between the present invention and
prior art flash-bang cartridges, the term "crash-bang" has been
chosen as a name for the inventive shotgun cartridge. This name
highlights the fact that the present shotgun cartridge is intended
for "crash"-ing into potentially hostile forces with less-lethal
force, rather than "flash"-ing and "bang"-ing in the vicinity of
wildlife with the purpose of scaring away said wildlife.
[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; whereas the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part
of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its
operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use,
reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in
which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of
the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings
are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a
definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference
should be made to the appended claims. It should be further
understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and
that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to
conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 show an exemplary use of a flash-bang shotgun
cartridge in the prior art;
[0020] FIG. 2 show a prior art flash-bang shotgun cartridge;
[0021] FIG. 3 show another prior art flash-bang shotgun
cartridge;
[0022] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a crash-bang cartridge projectile and
assembly, respectively, according to a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a crash-bang cartridge projectile and
assembly, respectively, where the projectile has an obturator
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a crash-bang cartridge projectile and
assembly, respectively, where the projectile is comprised of a
cardboard tube according to a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a crash-bang cartridge projectile and
assembly, respectively, where the ballast is comprised of a liquid
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention
were originally developed in response to a U.S. Marine Corps
request for shotgun rounds capable of delivering a
"flash-bang"-type air burst at ranges of 400 feet, 600 feet and 800
feet. The rounds were intended for less-lethal use both as a
deterrent and as a means for determining the intent of potentially
hostile groups at extended stand off ranges. The following design
requirements were set forth in the U.S. Marine Corps request:
[0027] 1. Standard shotgun shell cartridges were to be used; [0028]
2. Standard propelling methods were to be used, i.e., igniting
nitrocellulose based smokeless propellants in the shot shell (no
miniature rocket motors); and [0029] 3. Projectile must
disintegrate into low energy fragments upon detonation.
[0030] There is a key problem when attempting to meet this
combination of requirements. The desire for a projectile that can
travel up to 800 feet requires a fairly heavy weight as ballast,
because a low weight projectile loses velocity rapidly and then
falls to the ground. The desire for a less-lethal projectile
requires that, when the projectile detonates, only low mass
fragments are expelled. Thus, the added mass for stability and
distance must not become dangerous high mass projectiles upon
detonation.
[0031] In order to fulfill these objectives, several preferred
embodiments of the present invention were conceived and/or
manufactured by the inventor. In these preferred embodiments, a
frangible, but weighty, ballast is situated at the leading edge of
the projectile, thus providing the extra weight and inertia
required for achieving the extended range, while lessening the risk
of lethal injury of people in the vicinity of the detonation
because of the frangibility of the ballast. In the preferred
embodiments of the crash-bang projectile, the frangible mass
comprising the ballast disintegrates into small, low mass, and
therefore low energy, fragments when exposed to the stress and
shock of the detonation of the flash charge. The low mass and
therefore low energy fragments resulting from projectile detonation
is a critical characteristic of this less-lethal round. If there
were high mass fragments, they could be propelled to high
velocities by the force of the detonation, thereby the posing risk
of serious injury to persons in close proximity to the
detonation.
[0032] The frangible ballast according to the preferred embodiments
of the present invention provides the necessary weight and inertia
to achieve the extended ranges possible with the preferred
embodiments of the present invention. In addition, because the
frangible ballast is positioned at the leading edge of the
crash-bang projectile, the center of gravity of the crash-bang
projectile is moved forward, thereby greatly improving the
in-flight stability of the crash-bang projectile. Trajectory and
accuracy are also improved. Prior art flash-bang cartridges which
have a weighty ballast, such as the projectile described in the
'456 patent, locate the ballast in the rear of the projectile,
which causes tumbling in flight and, thus, inaccurate targeting as
well as reduced trajectory because of the added drag. In addition,
the additional mass of the frangible ballast in the crash-bang
projectile provides sufficient containment for the efficient burn
of nitrocellulose based smokeless powders.
[0033] Although the impetus for creating the preferred embodiments
were the requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps listed above, it
should be understood that the present invention is not limited by
those requirements, and that certain embodiments of the present
invention, while still falling within the scope of invention
claimed in the claims appended herein, may not meet all or any of
those requirements. However, the presently preferred embodiments do
indeed meet those requirements.
[0034] As stated in the summary section above, the term
"crash-bang" has been chosen as a name for the inventive cartridge
and projectile to highlight the fact that the present shotgun
cartridge is intended for "crash"-ing into potentially hostile
forces with less-lethal force, rather than "flash"-ing and
"bang"-ing in the vicinity of wildlife with the purpose of scaring
away said wildlife. The preferred embodiments of the present
invention were made with the intention of balancing the interest of
not causing harm to any crowd of potential antagonists, while still
providing a deterrent effect in order to protect those launching
the less-lethal projectiles according to the preferred embodiments.
It is the detonation of the flash charge in the crash-bang
projectile which is intended to cause the concussive effect among
the potentially hostile crowd, not the frangible ballast.
[0035] The presently preferred embodiments are intended to assist
personnel in determining the intent of a group, or even possibly an
individual, who appear to be approaching the position of the
personnel. In addition to alerting the approaching potentially
hostile group as to the personnel's presence, the preferred
embodiments are intended to "warn off" the approaching individuals
from continuing their approach. The low-mass, low-energy fragments
produced by the detonation of the frangible ballast of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention greatly diminish the
risk of injury. By comparison, high mass, high energy fragments
would be expected from detonating another high-mass, i.e., heavy or
weighty, object acting as a ballast, rather than the inventive
frangible ballast of the present invention. Although the preferred
embodiments are not intended to harm, and are designed to avoid
lethal injury, there is still the possibility of lethal injury when
using any explosive ballistic projectile, including embodiments of
the present invention, and therefore the term "less-lethal" is used
in regards to the present invention, and not "non-lethal".
[0036] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
(comprised of the crash-bang projectile within the crash-bang
cartridge) according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. In the first
preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the walls
of the projectile are formed of aluminum (or plastic), and the
frangible ballast is held in place in front of the crash-bang
projectile primarily by previous consolidation, but also by a wad
securing the consolidated mass.
[0037] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. In the second preferred
embodiment, the walls of the projectile are made from aluminum, and
an obturator is added at the end of the crash-bang projectile.
Furthermore, the ballast is consolidated at the front of the
aluminum projectile, but not secured by a wad.
[0038] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively. In the third preferred
embodiment, the crash-bang projectile is contained in a cardboard
tube, and the consolidated ballast is held in place between two
closure wads at the leading edge of the cardboard tube.
[0039] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively. In the fourth preferred
embodiment, the crash-bang projectile is contained in an aluminum
(or plastic) case, and the frangible ballast is comprised of a
container of liquid (methylene chloride) secured at the leading
edge of the crash-bang projectile with a wad.
[0040] Although the body of the crash-bang projectile is made of
either aluminum or cardboard in the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, it should be noted that any material with the
appropriate characteristics may be used in accordance with the
present invention. For example, the body could be made from plastic
or rubber, provided that the body adequately disintegrated upon
detonation of the flash charge. Aluminum was found preferable
because cardboard, as used in the third preferred embodiment, would
sometimes collapse upon itself due to the forces of acceleration
generated when launched. However, impregnating the cardboard with
resin would likely alleviate this problem. Aluminum is also
preferred because it participates in the chemical reaction in the
detonation of the flash charge in the crash-bang projectile. The
detonation of the flash powder in the preferred embodiments
comprises a chemical reaction of aluminum powder with an oxidizer.
In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, at least some of the
aluminum of the crash-bang projectile case is consumed in the flash
charge detonation along with the aluminum powder.
[0041] FIG. 4A is a cross-section of the projectile portion of the
crash-bang cartridge according to the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The projectile shown is approximately one
and 3/4 inch tall and roughly 7/10 of an inch in diameter. The
other embodiments described here are substantially in the same
dimensional range, although much larger and much smaller sizes (for
different caliber weapons) are possible in accordance with the
present invention. The frangible ballast can be seen at the forward
edge of the aluminum case, or cup, of the crash-bang projectile,
being secured by a wad between it and the flash charge in the
center of the crash-bang projectile.
[0042] In the presently preferred embodiments, the ballast is
comprised of a mixture of zinc powder and a small amount of
graphite powder consolidated in the leading edge of the projectile.
In order to set the ballast in the projectile case, or cup, the
ballast materials are first poured into the projectile cup, and
then a ram is used to press the loose ballast material into a
consolidated mass. The graphite powder acts as a lubricant, coating
the zinc particles and preventing them from bonding to each other
too strongly during consolidation, thus creating a frangible solid
mass. In the presently preferred embodiments, the degree of
frangibility of the ballast mass is controlled by the ratio of zinc
to graphite and the level of consolidation pressure. It is
important to note that consolidation of the ballast material is not
absolutely necessary for the present invention.
[0043] The frangible ballast in the presently preferred embodiments
comprises zinc particles in order to increase density and provide
more volume for the explosive charge. However, any frangible yet
adequately dense material both capable of providing adequate
ballast for stability and distance and capable of disintegrating
into low mass, low energy fragments upon detonation may be used in
accordance with the present invention. For example, heavier
materials, such as unconsolidated lead particles (not favorable
because of environmental problems), unconsolidated tungsten
particles (not favorable because it is expensive), or other such
materials that yield similar results, or combination of materials
that yields similar results, may be used in accordance with the
present invention. Liquids may be used, as shown in the fourth
preferred embodiment, described more fully below. In short, any
single solid, fluid, or gaseous material, or any combination of
solids, fluids, and/or gasses, could comprise the ballast as long
as the features of weight and frangibility as described herein are
maintained.
[0044] The flash charge in the presently preferred embodiments is
comprised of about 2.5 to about 4.5 gram mixture of aluminum
powder, magnesium powder, and potassium perchlorate. Variations of
the formulation of the flash charge, as well as the quantity, are
possible in accordance with the present invention, including, for
instance, the use of black powder, as would be known to one skilled
in the art. The igniter composition, which is used to ignite the
flash charge, in the presently preferred embodiments is comprised
of about 35 to about 65 mg mixture of zirconium powder, red iron
oxide, titanium powder, and nitrocellulose binder, but, once again,
any appropriate igniter mixture, in any appropriate quantity, may
be used, as would be known to one skilled in the art. It is
possible not to have any igniter composition in embodiments of the
present invention, thereby allowing the flash charge to be ignited
directly from the end of the delay column.
[0045] The igniter mixture is itself ignited by the delay column
contained within the plastic delay block. The delay column is lit
when the crash-bang projectile is propelled out of the crash-bang
cartridge (and the shotgun barrel) by the ignition of the
propellant charge in the crash-bang cartridge (shown in FIG. 4B).
The delay composition in the presently preferred embodiment is
comprised of a roughly 10 grain mixture of black powder and a
zirconium-nickel delay composition, but any appropriate delay
mixture, in any appropriate weight, can be used, as would be known
to one skilled in the art. For example, it is contemplated that
granules of magnesium may be added to the delay composition in
order to create a "tracer" effect as the projectile is in
flight.
[0046] A relatively long delay must be provided in order to achieve
detonation at the contemplated extended ranges. A delay of 5
seconds will detonate the projectile at a range of approximately
900 feet from the point of fire. Lesser ranges can be achieved by
shortening the delay and/or decreasing the propellant charge (in
the crash-bang cartridge, FIG. 4B).
[0047] Consolidated delay columns provide for accurate and
repeatable delay times. Furthermore, it is believed there is the
added benefit of a "Base Burner" effect when using this kind of
delay composition. Typically, turbulence often occurs behind the
trailing edge of a projectile, which dramatically increases drag.
However, if a base burner fuse is used at the rear of the
projectile, the expanded gasses reduce the drag on the rear of the
projectile. As stated above, the delay composition preferably
comprises a consolidated column of zirconium nickel powder or
standard fuse powder (fine gun powder) or a combination of both.
However, any mixture of elements adequate for providing a delay
fuse, as would be known to one skilled in the art, would be in
accordance with the present invention
[0048] Prior art cartridges do not, and can not, take advantage of
the base burner effect. For example, the fuse in the '456 patent is
a cord fuse in the center of the weighty mass, rather than a powder
delay fuse formed in a cylinder in the back of the projectile.
Thus, the burning gasses generated by this embedded fuse will not
have the benefits of the "base burner" effect. Furthermore,
although it appears the location of the fuse in the projectile
according to the '144 patent would cause the base burner effect, it
is extremely unlikely that it would have that effect in real life,
because the '144 projectile has no ballast to cause the stability
necessary for the rear portion to remain in that orientation during
flight. In other words, the '144 projectile would be tumbling out
of control for lack of ballast, and, in such a situation, any
gasses from the burning fuse would not reduce drag.
[0049] FIG. 4B is a cross-section of the complete crash-bang
cartridge assembly, comprised of the crash-bang projectile
contained within the crash-bang cartridge, according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] The crash-bang projectile of FIG. 4A can be seen inside the
crash-bang cartridge of FIG. 4B, supported in the front by a
closure wad, and in the rear by a pressure wad. The crash-bang
cartridge according to the preferred embodiments is the shape of a
standard shotgun shell and is capable of being loaded and fired
from a standard shotgun. The front end of the cartridge is crimped
inwards in order to seal in the contents of the crash-bang
cartridge with the closure wad. An adhesive may be used to seal the
closure wad in place. Although not strictly necessary, the use of
the closure wad in addition to the crimping of the end of the
cartridge creates a waterproof barrier between the outside elements
and the contents inside the cartridge. Besides the roll-crimping
shown in FIG. 4B, any type of crimping or effective sealing in
accordance with the present invention, including, for example,
star-crimping, can be used.
[0051] The pressure wad is located between the crash-bang
projectile and the propellant and primer at the rear of the
crash-bang cartridge. The pressure wad protects the rear of the
crash-bang projectile, and, in particular, the delay column in the
crash-bang projectile, from the exploding pressure of the
propellant. An offset vent hole in the pressure wad vents some of
the heat and pressure from the ignition of the propellant charge
and thereby lights the delay column of the crash-bang projectile
before it takes flight. The offset location of the vent hole
insures that the delay column will not be damaged by the release of
hot gasses through the vent hole. In some presently preferred
embodiments, there is a primer in the delay block which is ignited
by the hot gasses, and which, in turn, ignites the delay fuse
composition. In other presently preferred embodiments, the escaping
hot gasses light the delay fuse composition directly.
[0052] The primer is located in the standard position for a shotgun
cartridge in the presently preferred embodiments. The propellant
charge in the crash-bang cartridge of the presently preferred
embodiments is comprised of about 10 grains of Red Dot smokeless
powder, although any appropriate propellant charge mixture could be
used in accordance with the present invention, and in any
appropriate quantity. As discussed above, it may be desirable to
vary the quantity of propellant charge in order to change the
intended range of the crash-bang projectile. The range may also be
changed by varying the delay composition in the crash-bang
projectile. Furthermore, although the U.S. Marine Corps.
requirements mention that standard propelling methods are to be
used (i.e., nitrocellulose based smokeless propellants) for the
projectile, a crash-bang cartridge according to the present
invention may use any propelling method (including using miniature
rocket motors) adequate for the task, as would be known to one
skilled in the art.
[0053] The additional mass of the frangible ballast in the
crash-bang projectile provides sufficient containment for the
efficient burn of nitrocellulose based smokeless powders when they
are used as the propellant charge. One problem with smokeless
powders is that they need a certain amount of external pressure
during ignition in order to ignite property. Without adequate
pressure, the powder may not burn property, resulting in powder
from the propellant charge being dispelled unignited with the
projectile. This unignited powder can blow back in the face of the
one who fired the cartridge. In the presently preferred
embodiments, the mass of the frangible ballast assures that there
is sufficient resistance to, and therefore sufficient pressure on,
the propellant charge during ignition so that there is an efficient
burn.
[0054] Table 1 below summarizes some of the differences between the
prior art flash-bang shotgun cartridges and the first preferred
embodiment of the inventive crash-bang shotgun projectile and
cartridge: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 First Preferred Embodiment of the
Flash-Bang Super Long Range Characteristic Cartridge Crash-Bang
Cartridge Projectile Weight 7.1 grams 21.5 grams Explosive Charge
1.6 grams 4.0 grams Maximum Range 210 feet .about.900 feet
Fragmentation Low energy, low mass Low energy, low mass cardboard
and resin cardboard, zinc, and particles plastic particles
Propellant Nitrocellulose based Nitrocellulose based Smokeless
powder Smokeless powder Efficiency of Low, due to light High: full
burn with propellant burn projectile mass and no appreciable
residue lack of pressure in barrel buildup; leaves unburned
propellant residue in barrel Ballistic Accuracy Mediocre: not Good:
center of gravity aerodynamically is forward; stable flight shaped
or balanced Delay Consistency Low: fuse cord is Good: consolidated
delay inaccurate in short column provides consistent lengths
delays
[0055] The first preferred embodiment is presently the most
preferred of the four embodiments.
[0056] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. In the second preferred
embodiment, an obturator comprised of a protuberance extending out
from the circumference on outside of the front portion of the cup
of the crash-bang projectile.
[0057] The obturator is used to increase the diameter of the
projectile in order to create a tighter fit with the inner surface
of the barrel of the shotgun (or, in other embodiments, whatever
weapon is launching the crash-bang cartridge). The tighter fit
between the projectile and the shotgun barrel further stabilizes
the projectile when being launched. In addition, in barrels having
rifling, or in a shotgun barrel having a rifled choke attached at
the end, the obturator serves to engage the rifling on the inside
of the barrel. If the walls of the projectile cup are fairly thin,
the obturator also serves to protect the thin-walled projectile
from the rifling, which normally cuts a groove in the outer surface
of the projectile being launched. When the crash-bang projectile
has thin walls, this may result in the projectile cup being pierced
and the flash charge igniting prematurely, either in the barrel or
on the way to the target.
[0058] In the first preferred embodiment, the diameter of the
projectile is slightly larger, and the walls of the projectile cup
are slightly thicker, thereby substantially eliminating the
problems that the obturator solved in the second preferred
embodiment. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 5B and FIG. 4B, the
crash-bang projectile according to the first preferred embodiment
has a greater diameter, thereby giving the entire projectile a much
tighter fit within the shotgun barrel, as well as having slightly
thicker walls, thereby providing a sufficiently thick skin so that
it will not be pierced by rifling.
[0059] Another difference between the first preferred embodiment
and the second preferred embodiment is the lacking of a closure or
containment wad between the frangible ballast and the flash charge
in the front of the projectile cup according to the second
embodiment, as can be seen in either of FIGS. 5A or 5B. The
consolidation of the frangible ballast in the front of the aluminum
projectile cup provides adequate cohesion to keep the ballast in
place, without being secured by a wad. This wad-less construction
is possible in the other embodiments, but it is preferable to have
a closure wad securing the consolidated frangible mass.
[0060] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively. In the third preferred
embodiment, the aluminum cup of the first two embodiments is
replaced with a cardboard tube, which, as can be seen in FIG. 6B,
fits snugly within the crash-bang cartridge. An upper closure wad
seals in the frangible ballast at the front end of the place of the
crash-bang projectile, while a lower closure wad seals in the
frangible ballast from the flash charge on the inside of the
crash-bang cartridge. Consolidation is achieved by pressing a ram
over the loose material poured into the cardboard tube. The
frangible ballast is contained between the two closures to ensure
that the material will remain in place even if it cracks or
crumbles due to rough handling or due to the shock of being fired.
Two methods have been successfully used for sealing in the
frangible mass: cardboard wads (discs) glued in place (as shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B) and the application of epoxy resin layers to both
sides of the ballast. Other methods are possible, as would be known
to one skilled in the art.
[0061] As mentioned before, one disadvantage of the cardboard tube
is its inability to hold up to the accelerative force that is
applied during the firing of the propellant charge. The cardboard
walls would sometimes collapse under the strain. However, as also
was pointed out above, the use of resin or a similar substance to
impregnate the walls of the cardboard tube could adequately
buttress the cardboard tube against the effects of acceleration.
The use of an impregnating substance may have other disadvantages,
such as flammability.
[0062] A crash-bang projectile and crash-bang cartridge assembly
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively. In the fourth preferred
embodiment, a nylon container holds a liquid ballistic mass at the
front end of the crash-bang projectile. In this embodiment, the
liquid ballast is comprised of methylene chloride, which becomes an
aerosol and then evaporates when the flash charge detonates. The
methylene chloride is held in a nylon container (see inset of FIG.
7B), which also disintegrates when the flash charge is detonated.
Other suitable liquid ballasts, and liquid ballast containers, may
be used in accordance with the present invention, as long as the
liquid can be appropriately less-lethally dispersed, and the
container may be appropriately less-lethally destroyed, as would be
known or surmised to one skilled in the art. Methylene chloride is
presently used as a carrier for irritants in other less-lethal
munitions. It is possible that, in other embodiments of the present
invention, the methylene chloride could act as a carrier for an
irritant for delivery at the detonation point of the crash-bang
projectile.
[0063] It is to be noted that the terms "frangible" and
"frangibility" when used in reference to the present invention in
the instant application is meant to indicate the characteristic of
turning into low energy, low mass components when a charge is
detonated within a certain proximity, such that the low energy, low
mass components are unlikely to cause a lethal injury to people (or
animals) near the point of detonation. Thus, the terms "frangible"
and "frangibility" are not intended to limit the material of the
ballast according to the present invention to solid or semi-solid
objects.
[0064] In closing, the several preferred embodiments of the present
invention provide a crash-bang projectile and cartridge, in which a
frangible, but weighty, ballast is situated at the leading edge of
the crash-bang projectile; thereby providing the extra weight and
inertia required for achieving longer distances, while still
lessening the risk of lethal injury of people in the target area.
In the preferred embodiments, the frangible ballast disintegrates
into small, low mass, and therefore low energy, fragments when the
flash charge detonates. In addition, the ballast provides greater
stability in flight, as well as greater accuracy when aiming at a
target. Furthermore, the construction of the crash-bang projectile
allows for a "base burner" effect when in flight.
[0065] While there have shown and described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to presently
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various
omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of
the substances, constructions, and orientations illustrated and
described, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those
elements which perform substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within
the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that
structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection
with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be
incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form
or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the
intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope
of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *