U.S. patent application number 11/512480 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for projectiles with light transmissive tips.
Invention is credited to Robert J. Gardner, Michael Eugene JR. Stock.
Application Number | 20070131130 11/512480 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39816817 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stock; Michael Eugene JR. ;
et al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Projectiles with light transmissive tips
Abstract
A projectile according exemplary embodiments generally includes
a body. The body has a generally cylindrical proximal portion and
an ogival distal portion terminating at a distal rim. The ogival
distal portion includes a distal-facing aperture extending inwardly
from the distal rim into the body. The projectile also includes a
nose element. The nose element has a proximal section extending at
least partially into the distal-facing aperture, and an ogival
distal section external to the distal-facing aperture. At least a
portion of the nose element is at least partially light
transmissive through which at least some ambient light is
transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
Inventors: |
Stock; Michael Eugene JR.;
(Maryville, IL) ; Gardner; Robert J.; (Bethalto,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony G. Fussner
Suite 400
7700 Bonhomme
St. Louis
MO
63105
US
|
Family ID: |
39816817 |
Appl. No.: |
11/512480 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11011318 |
Dec 13, 2004 |
|
|
|
11512480 |
Aug 30, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/473 ;
102/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/34 20130101;
F42B 12/36 20130101; F42B 12/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/473 ;
102/501 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/00 20060101
F42B012/00 |
Claims
1. A projectile comprising a body having a generally cylindrical
proximal portion and an ogival distal portion terminating at a
distal rim, the ogival distal portion including a distal-facing
aperture extending inwardly from the distal rim into the body, and
a nose element having a proximal section extending at least
partially into the distal-facing aperture, and an ogival distal
section external to the distal-facing aperture, at least a portion
of the nose element being at least partially light transmissive
through which at least some ambient light is transmissible and
visually perceptible to an observer.
2. The projectile of claim 1 wherein substantially the entire
ogival distal section of the nose element is light
transmissive.
3. The projectile of claim 2 wherein substantially the entire nose
element is light transmissive.
4. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the nose element includes a
proximal-facing shoulder intermediate the proximal and distal ends
of the nose element, the proximal-facing shoulder substantially
abutting against the distal rim of the body, thereby forming a
relatively smooth transition from the nose element to the body.
5. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the ogival distal section of
the nose element terminates in a point at the distal end
thereof.
6. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the proximal section of the
nose element comprises a generally cylindrical shaft, and wherein
the distal-facing aperture of the body comprises a generally
cylindrical passage configured to engagingly receive the generally
cylindrical shaft.
7. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the nose element is made from
at least one of a translucent material and a transparent
material.
8. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the nose element is made from
a red translucent polycarbonate.
9. The projectile of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the nose
element is colored and visually perceptible to an observer.
10. The projectile of claim 9 wherein the colored portion is at
least partially light transmissive.
11. The projectile of claim 1 wherein substantially the entire
ogival distal section of the nose element is light transmissive and
colored in the visible spectrum.
12. The projectile of claim 1 wherein substantially the entire nose
element is light transmissive and colored in the visible
spectrum.
13. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the nose element comprises at
least one or more of a red portion, an orange portion, a yellow
portion, a green portion, a cyan portion, a blue portion, an indigo
portion, a violet portion, a portion having a non-metallic color,
one or more special effect pigments, and glitter.
14. A projectile comprising a light transmissive tip at a distal
end portion of the projectile through which at least some ambient
light is transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
15. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the light transmissive tip
is made from at least one of a translucent material and a
transparent material.
16. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the light transmissive tip
is made from a red translucent polycarbonate.
17. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the light transmissive tip
includes an ogival portion terminating in a point at the distal end
thereof.
18. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the light transmissive tip
is colored in the visible spectrum.
19. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the light transmissive tip
comprises at least one or more of a red portion, an orange portion,
a yellow portion, a green portion, a cyan portion, a blue portion,
an indigo portion, a violet portion, a portion having a
non-metallic color, one or more special effect pigments, and
glitter.
20. A nose element for a projectile the nose element comprising at
least a portion that is at least partially light transmissive
through which at least some ambient light is transmissible and
visually perceptible to an observer.
21. The nose element of claim 20 wherein the nose element is made
from at least one of a translucent material and a transparent
material.
22. The nose element of claim 20 wherein the nose element is made
from a red translucent polycarbonate.
23. The nose element of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of the
nose element is colored.
24. The nose element of claim 23, wherein the light transmissive
portion comprises the colored portion.
25. The nose element of claim 20 wherein the light transmissive
portion comprises at least one or more of a red portion, an orange
portion, a yellow portion, a green portion, a cyan portion, a blue
portion, an indigo portion, a violet portion, a portion having a
non-metallic color, one or more special effect pigments, and
glitter.
26. An ammunition round comprising the nose element of claim 20
27. A method of enhancing the cosmetic appearance of a projectile
having a body, the method comprising coupling to the body a tip
having at least a portion that is at least partially light
transmissive through which at least some ambient light is
transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein substantially the entire tip is
light transmissive.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the tip is colored in the
visible spectrum.
30. The method of claim 27 further comprising providing a first
type of projectile with a first tip configuration, and providing a
second type of projectile with a second tip configuration, the
first and second tip configurations including at least one of a
different color and a different light transmissibility to thereby
differentiate between the first and second types of projectiles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/011,318 filed Dec. 13, 2004, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to projectiles having light
transmissive tips.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Bullets are commonly provided with plastic tips as a means
for improving ballistic coefficient. By way of example, bullets
having plastic tips can be found in rifle, handgun, and shotgun
ammunition. Bullets having plastic tips can also be found in
centerfire, rimfire, and muzzleloader ammunition.
SUMMARY
[0005] In various exemplary embodiments, a projectile generally
includes a body. The body has a generally cylindrical proximal
portion and an ogival distal portion terminating at a distal rim.
The ogival distal portion includes a distal-facing aperture
extending inwardly from the distal rim into the body. The
projectile also includes a nose element. The nose element has a
proximal section extending at least partially into the
distal-facing aperture, and an ogival distal section external to
the distal-facing aperture. At least a portion of the nose element
is at least partially light transmissive through which at least
some ambient light is transmissible and visually perceptible to an
observer.
[0006] In other exemplary embodiments, a projectile generally
includes a light transmissive tip at a distal end portion of the
projectile through which at least some ambient light is
transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
[0007] Additional exemplary embodiments include a nose element for
a projectile. In such embodiments, the nose element includes at
least a portion that is at least partially light transmissive
through which at least some ambient light is transmissible and
visually perceptible to an observer.
[0008] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of
enhancing the cosmetic appearance of projectiles. In various
exemplary embodiments, the method generally includes coupling to a
projectile's body a tip having at least a portion that is at least
partially light transmissive through which at least some ambient
light is transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
[0009] Further aspects and features of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
In addition, any one or more aspects of the present disclosure may
be implemented individually or in any combination with any one or
more of the other aspects of the present disclosure. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples,
while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,
are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a projectile having a light
transmissive nose element according to exemplary embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded frontal perspective of the projectile
shown in FIG. 1 with the light transmissive nose element shown
exploded away from the body of the projectile;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded rearward perspective view of the
projectile shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the projectile shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the projectile shown in
FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front end elevation view of the projectile shown
in FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a back end elevation view of the projectile shown
in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, application,
or uses.
[0019] Bullets are commonly provided with plastic opaque tips for
improving ballistic coefficient. In addition to improving ballistic
coefficient, the inventors hereof have recognized that a bullet tip
can be selectively configured to provide a cosmetic or aesthetic
enhancement to a bullet. In this regard, the inventors have also
recognized that even though some existing bullet tips are available
in different colors, these existing bullet tips are opaque. The
inventors has further recognized that a bullet's cosmetic or
aesthetic appearance (and possibly commercial appeal) can be
enhanced by providing the bullet with a tip or nose element having
at least a portion that is at least partially light transmissive.
Accordingly, the inventors hereof have developed various tips and
nose elements with at least a portion that is at least partially
light transmissive. When such a tip or nose element is provided to
a bullet, at least some ambient light can pass through the light
transmissive portion of the tip or nose element and be visually
perceptible to an observer (e.g., user, customer, purchase, etc.).
In turn, this light transmissibility can provide a cosmetic or
aesthetical enhancement to the bullet (or other projectile).
[0020] In various embodiments, the tip or nose element can also be
configured for improving performance of a projectile, such as
ballistic coefficient, improved damage resistance during loading
and unloading, and/or consistent expansion of a hollow point design
at a wide range of velocities. In such cases, the tip or nose
element can enhance both the cosmetic appearance and performance of
the projectile.
[0021] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the nose
element or tip can be aesthetically colored. In some embodiments,
the entire nose element or tip is both aesthetically colored and
light transmissive. By way of example only, one such embodiment
includes a nose element or tip made entirely from red translucent
polycarbonate.
[0022] Alternative embodiments include a nose element or tip having
only a portion that is aesthetically colored. In such embodiments,
the aesthetically colored portion may also be light transmissive,
or it may be opaque. For example, one exemplary embodiment includes
aesthetic coloring of only the portion of the nose element or tip
(e.g., an ogival distal portion, etc.) of the nose element or tip
that is external to the projectile and thus visible to an
observer.
[0023] In further embodiments, the entire nose element or tip is
aesthetically colored, but only a portion of the nose element or
tip is light transmissive. By way of example, one such embodiment
includes a nose element or tip having a first red opaque portion
and a second red translucent portion.
[0024] In still other embodiments, the entire nose element or tip
is light transmissive, but only a portion of the nose element or
tip is aesthetically colored. By way of example only, one such
embodiment includes a nose element or tip includes a first portion
made of a red translucent material, and a second portion made of a
colorless transparent or clear material.
[0025] The aesthetic coloring can depend, for example, on user
preferences. A nose element or tip (or portion thereof) can be
aesthetically colored in any of a wide range of colors (e.g., red,
blue, red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, indigo, violet, a
non-metallic color that is not a natural color or luster of a
metal, combinations thereof, etc.). In some embodiments, a nose
element or tip (or portion thereof) can also include one or more
special effect pigments or characteristics, including luminescence,
photochromic pigments, thermochromic pigments, phosphorescent
pigments, glitter (e.g., metal flakes, etc.), among other possible
light-producing means, light-altering means, special effect
pigments or characteristics. In some embodiments, the nose element
or tip may include two or more aesthetically colored portions in
different colors and/or in different color patterns, such as
stripes, swirls, over-and-under colored layers, combinations
thereof, etc.
[0026] In combination with the light transmissiblity, the aesthetic
coloring can further enhance the cosmetic appearance of the nose
element or tip (and the projectile provided therewith). For
example, one exemplary embodiment includes a nose element or tip
formed entirely from red translucent polycarbonate that is provided
to a projectile having a body with a black exterior surface. In
this particular embodiment, ambient light passing through the red
translucent polycarbonate nose element or tip can provide a
colorful glow or enhancement. That colorful glow can make the
polycarbonate tip more readily discernible from the projectile
body, thereby also possibly enhancing the commercial appeal for
such a projectile.
[0027] The light transmissibility and/or aesthetic coloring can
also provide other benefits. For example, the light
transmissibility and/or aesthetic coloring can allow a user to
personalize or customize his ammunition by selecting ammunition
having nose elements or tips with a particular light
transmissibility (e.g., transparent, translucent, combinations
thereof, etc.), color, and/or with particular portions being light
transmissive and/or aesthetically colored. As another example, a
first type of ammunition can be provided with red translucent tips
such that it is more readily distinguishable from a second type of
ammunition having blue translucent or opaque tips, from a third
type of ammunition without any plastic tips, etc.
[0028] In some embodiments, a nose element or tip can also be
provided with indicia positioned to receive and be highlighted
(e.g., back lit, etc.) by light passing through the light
transmissive portion of the nose element or tip. The indicia may be
at least partially opaque, translucent, transparent, or a
combination thereof. The indicia may include any of a wide range of
symbols, characters, shapes, words, logos, combinations thereof,
etc. By way of example, the indicia may include the name of the
manufacturer and/or the type of ammunition. The indicia may be
provided using various means, including transfer decals, painting,
etching, etc.
[0029] In some embodiments, the external surface of a nose element
or tip can frosted, for example, to diffuse or soften the light
passing through the light transmissive portion the nose element or
tip. Additionally, or alternatively, some embodiments can also
include a nose element or tip with at least one faceted surface,
such as a faceted internal surface which will not otherwise affect
the ballistics of the projectile. Additionally, or alternatively,
other embodiments of the nose element or tip include other surface
treatment and/or depth treatment for altering the light (e.g.,
refracting, reflecting, diffracting, dispersing, diffusing,
combinations thereof, etc.), for example, to further improve the
cosmetic enhancement provided by way of the light transmissibility
of the tip or nose element (or portion thereof.
[0030] A wide range of materials and manufacturing processes can be
used for making the various nose elements and tips disclosed
herein. Various exemplary embodiments include nose elements and
tips made of red translucent polycarbonate and formed via a
suitable molding process (e.g., injection molding, etc.) or other
process. Alternatively, other embodiments include nose elements and
tips formed from other materials and in other colors, including
clear materials, transparent materials, translucent materials,
among other suitable materials that allow at least portion of
ambient light to transmit therethrough.
[0031] In addition, the materials forming the nose elements and
tips can also be relatively soft such that the projectile with the
nose element attached thereto has the requisite softness to
facilitate expansion of a hollow point projectile at relatively low
velocities (e.g., 2800 feet per second, etc.). Additionally, or
alternatively, the materials forming the nose elements and tips can
also be relatively tough or damage resistant, such that they help
resist damage to the projectile when loading to and unloading from
a rifle or other gun.
[0032] In addition, some embodiments include nose element and tips
formed from two or more materials. By way of example, one such
embodiment includes a nose element or tip having a proximal section
made of an opaque material, and a distal ogival section made of an
aesthetically colored translucent material. Continuing with this
example, the nose element or tip may be formed via molding two
different materials, and then adhesively bonding (or otherwise
attaching) the proximal section to the ogival distal section.
[0033] Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure relate to
nose elements and tips having at least a portion that is at least
partially light transmissive through which at least some ambient
light is transmissible and visually perceptible to an observer.
This light transmissibility can provide a cosmetic enhancement to
the nose elements and tips, and the projectiles provided therewith.
Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to projectiles
(e.g., bullets, shells, explosive-filled projectiles, shots,
non-explosive projectiles, etc.) and ammunition (e.g., rifle,
handgun, shotgun, centerfire, rimfire, and/or muzzleloader
ammunition) provided with nose elements and tips having at least a
portion that is at least partially light transmissive. Further
aspects relate to methods for enhancing the cosmetic appearance of
projectiles.
[0034] As used herein, the term "projectile" generally refers to
and includes any of a wide range of projectiles for use with any
type of gun (e.g., rifles, handgun, shotguns, artillery, industrial
ballistic tools, etc.) and various ammunition types (e.g.,
centerfire, rimfire, muzzleloader ammunition, etc.). By way of
example only, the term "projectile" includes bullets, shells,
explosive-filled projectiles, shots, non-explosive projectiles,
hollow point bullets, etc.
[0035] In addition, the various tips or nose elements disclosed
herein can be used with different caliber projectiles having a
variety of grain weights. By way of example only, the table below
lists examples of popular game calibers in a variety of grain
weights for bullets that can be provided with a tip or nose element
having at least a portion that is at least partially light
transmissive. TABLE-US-00001 CALIBERS GRAIN WEIGHTS 30-06 150 grain
and 180 grain 300 Winchester Short Magnum 150 grain and 180 grain
300 Winchester Magnum 150 grain and 180 grain 308 Winchester 150
grain 7 millimeter Remington Magnum 160 grain 7 millimeter
Winchester Short Magnum 160 grain 270 Winchester 150 grain 270
Winchester Short Magnum 150 grain
[0036] By way of further example, the various nose elements and
tips disclosed herein can be used with a projectile described in
pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/011,318 titled
"Projectile with Bonded Rear Core". Alternatively, any one or more
of the nose elements and tips described herein can be used with a
wide range of other projectiles.
[0037] FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate an exemplary projectile 100
having a nose element or tip 104 embodying one or more aspects of
the present disclosure. As shown, the nose element 104 can be
provided or disposed at a distal end portion of a body 108 of the
projectile 100.
[0038] In this particular embodiment, the nose element or tip 104
is made from red translucent polycarbonate. Alternative
embodiments, however, can include nose elements and tips formed
from other materials having different light transmissibility and/or
colors.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion of the incident light
waves, referenced at 112, impinging upon the exterior surface 116
of the nose element 104 is transmitted therethrough. Depending upon
the particular configuration of the nose element 104 (e.g., light
transmissibility, aesthetic coloring, surface and/or depth
treatment, indicia, etc.), ambient light having a certain frequency
(or within a frequency range) can be reflected back or be absorbed
by the nose element 108. The remaining light can travel through the
nose element 104 and be visually perceptible to an observer's eye
120. This, in turn, can provide an aesthetic or cosmetic
enhancement for the projectile 100.
[0040] In addition to the cosmetic and aesthetic enhancements, the
nose element 104 may also be configured to provide one or more
performance improvements, For example, in this illustrated
embodiment, the nose element 104 includes an ogival distal section
124 terminating in a point 128 at the distal end thereof. This
ogival-shaped section 124 can increase the ballistic coefficient of
the projectile 100 and improve down range performance. Inclusion of
the nose element 104 decreases the meplat size of the projectile
100 and helps lower the overall form factor (i) of the projectile
100, thereby increasing the ballistic coefficient (C)
(C=w/id.sup.2, where d is the diameter of the projectile, and w is
the weight of the projectile). An increase in the ballistic
coefficient increases downrange velocity, which in turn decreases
the size of the velocity window for which the projectile must
upset. This can be beneficial by increasing the overall performance
of the projectile over a larger range of distances from the barrel
muzzle since the projectile is more aerodynamic and loses speed at
a slower rate.
[0041] The sharpness and/or type of ogival shape defined by the
nose element 104 can vary depending, for example, on the particular
type of ammunition. By way of example only, the nose element 104
may include an ogival distal section 124 having a sharpness value
ranging from about four to about ten, such as when the nose element
104 is configured for use with rifle ammunition. As other examples,
the nose element 104 may include an elliptical or secant ogival
distal section 124, such as when the nose element 104 is configured
for use with pistol ammunition. Alternatively, the nose element 104
may be configured such that it defines an ogival distal section
having a different sharpness value (e.g., less than four, greater
than ten, etc.) and/or having a different type of ogive (e.g.,
spitzer, etc.). By way of further example, some embodiments include
nose elements and tips having a relatively flat forward portion
(e.g., wadcutters, semi-wadcutters, etc.) and/or a rounded nose
configuration.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated projectile body
108 includes a generally cylindrical proximal portion 144 and an
ogival distal portion 148 terminating at a distal rim 152. The
distal-facing aperture 136 extends inwardly from the distal rim 152
into the body 108. In this particular embodiment, the distal-facing
aperture 136 comprises a longitudinally extending cylindrical
passage having a uniform circular cross-section. Alternatively,
other types of apertures and/or passages having different
cross-sectional shapes can be used in other embodiments.
[0043] The proximal section 132 of the nose element 104 comprises a
generally cylindrical shaft or shank 156 having a uniform circular
cross-section. Alternatively, other cross-sectional shapes can also
be used for the shaft 156.
[0044] The shaft 156 is configured to engagingly interfit within
the passage 136 into the projectile body 108. In various
embodiments, the shaft 156 is dimensionally sized slightly larger
than the cavity 136 extending into the projectile body 108. In such
embodiments, the shaft 156 can then be press fit into the cavity
136 to thereby attach the nose element 104 to the projectile body
108. By way of example only, the shaft 156 may have an outer
diameter that is about five-thousandths of an inch larger than the
diameter of the cavity 136. Alternatively, other means for
attaching the nose element 104 to the projectile body 108 can be
employed, such as mechanical crimping, adhesive bonding, chemical
bonding, threading, resilient ribs, combinations thereof, etc. In
addition, other embodiments can include a nose element or tip
without any shaft or shank configured to engagingly interfit within
an aperture or cavity of the projectile body. In such alternative
embodiments, the nose element or tip can be bonded (e.g.,
adhesively bonded, etc.) to a forward portion of the projectile
body without inserting any portion of the nose element or tip into
the projectile body.
[0045] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the nose element 104
includes a proximal-facing shoulder 160 intermediate the proximal
and distal ends of the nose element 104. When the shaft 156 is
fully engaged or inserted into the passage 136, the shoulder 160
substantially abuts against the distal rim 152 of the projectile
body 108. This abutting contact can help create a relatively smooth
transition from the nose element 104 to the projectile body 108,
which, in turn, can enhance the ballistic coefficient of the
projectile 100.
[0046] In this particular embodiment, the entire nose element 104
is integrally or monolithically formed (e.g., via molding, etc.)
from red translucent polycarbonate. Accordingly, the entire nose
element 104 is light transmissive. In alternative embodiments, the
proximal section 132 and ogival distal section 124 of the nose
element 104 may be formed from different materials. By way of
example, one such embodiment includes the proximal section 132
being made of an opaque material, and the distal ogival section 124
being made of an aesthetically colored translucent material.
Continuing with this example, the proximal section 132 and ogival
distal section 124 may be separately formed via molding, and then
attached to one another, such as by adhesive bonding, welding
(e.g., solvent welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, radio
frequency welding, thermal welding, etc.), combinations thereof,
etc. As other examples, various embodiments include one-piece tips
or nose elements formed via two shot molding or coinjection
molding, where the resulting one-piece tips can include various
combinations of opaque, translucent, and/or transparent portions.
Alternatively, other suitable materials and manufacturing processes
can be used for making any one or more of the various disclosed
nose elements and tips (or portions thereof).
[0047] Furthermore, the projectile body can also be provided or
coated with an oxide lubricant, for example, to help reduce barrel
fouling, pressure, and friction between projectile body and bore of
gun barrel, improving accuracy over long shooting sessions,
providing longer barrel life, and/or easier barrel cleaning. In one
exemplary embodiment, the projectile body 108 is provided or coated
with Lubalox.RTM. oxide lubricant, which, in turn, also renders the
exterior surface of the projectile body 108 black.
[0048] Other embodiments include projectiles having one or more
other light transmissive portions (e.g., body, sabot, etc.) in
addition to having nose elements or tips, which include at least a
portion that is at least partially light transmissive. Further
embodiments include projectiles having one or more light
transmissive portions (e.g., body, sabot, etc.), but which do not
include any nose element or tip with at least a portion that is at
least partially light transmissive.
[0049] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference
only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms
such as "upper", "lower", "above", and "below" refer to directions
in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as "front",
"back", "rear", "bottom" and "side", describe the orientation of
portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame
of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the
associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such
terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above,
derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the
terms "first", "second" and other such numerical terms referring to
structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly
indicated by the context.
[0050] When introducing elements or features of the present
disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles "a", "an",
"the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of
such elements or features. The terms "comprising", "including" and
"having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be
additional elements or features other than those specifically
noted. It is further to be understood that the methods and the
steps, processes, and operations thereof described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order or performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0051] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *