U.S. patent application number 11/879943 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for safety cap for small arms cartridge.
Invention is credited to Michael L. Flynn.
Application Number | 20090229484 11/879943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41061565 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090229484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flynn; Michael L. |
September 17, 2009 |
Safety cap for small arms cartridge
Abstract
A safety cap for a small arms cartridge fits over the primer end
of the cartridge casing and includes a cushioning material and a
rigid material. The cap holds the two materials over the primer and
prevents a firing pin from igniting the primer; thereby, rendering
the cartridge safe. Furthermore, the added circumference around the
end of the cartridge will, in most cases, prevent the cartridge
from fitting in a magazine or being chambered in the weapon for
which it is sized.
Inventors: |
Flynn; Michael L.;
(Somerset, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STOCKWELL & SMEDLEY, PSC
861 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 200
LEXINGTON
KY
40503
US
|
Family ID: |
41061565 |
Appl. No.: |
11/879943 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/430 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 39/00 20130101;
F41A 17/00 20130101; F42B 39/14 20130101; F41A 17/44 20130101; F42B
39/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/430 |
International
Class: |
F42B 5/00 20060101
F42B005/00 |
Claims
1. A safety cartridge comprising: a small arms cartridge having a
primer located at a primer end of a casing; a rigid portion located
adjacent the primer end; and a safety cap encapsulating the rigid
portion and a portion of the primer end of the casing, wherein the
rigid portion prevents a firing pin from striking the primer.
2. The safety cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a cushion
located between the rigid portion and the primer end of the
casing.
3. The safety cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cushion is circular
and substantially equal in diameter as that of the primer end.
4. The safety cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cushion absorbs
moisture.
5. The safety cartridge of claim 4, wherein the cushion is a
sponge.
6. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the safety cap includes
a pull tab a perforations that assist in tearing the safety cap for
its removal.
7. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the safety cap extends
up a length of the casing about one-third that length.
8. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the safety cap has a
color approximately the same as the casing.
9. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the safety cap has a
color different than the casing.
10. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the rigid portion is
circular and has a diameter approximately the same as the primer
end.
11. The safety cartridge of claim 1, wherein the rigid portion is
constructed from one of steel and aluminum.
12. A safety cap for a small arms cartridge comprising: a housing
having an opening located opposite a bottom end, the opening
configured to fit over a primer end of a small arms cartridge; a
rigid portion located inside the housing and adjacent to the bottom
end; and a cushion located inside the housing and adjacent the
rigid portion.
13. The safety cap of claim 12, wherein the housing is constructed
of a deformable plastic configured to hold the cushion against the
primer end of the cartridge when such a cartridge is inserted into
the housing.
14. The safety cap of claim 12, wherein the cushion is a
sponge.
15. The safety cap of claim 12, wherein the rigid portion is
constructed from one of steel and aluminum.
16. The safety cap of claim 12, wherein the cushion and the rigid
portion are both circular in shape and have a diameter
approximately the same as the primer end.
17. The safety cap of claim 12 further comprising: a pull tab and
perforations configured to assist in tearing the safety cap.
18. A method for making a small arms cartridge safer comprising the
steps of: providing a cushion adjacent a primer end of the small
arms cartridge; providing a rigid portion adjacent the cushion,
whereby the rigid portion prevents any impact from a firing pin
from reaching a primer located at the primer end; and securely
holding the cushion and rigid portion against the primer end.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the two providing steps and the
holding step are performed as part of the manufacture of the small
arms cartridge.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the two providing steps and the
holding step are performed as a retrofit to a separately
manufactured cartridge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to small arms
cartridges, and more particularly to a safety device for a small
arms cartridge.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Even though there has been efforts to educate gun owners
regarding the safety issues that arise when a gun may
unintentionally be handled by a child, there are occasional
accidents that continue to occur. Because even one tragic
accidental death or injury is one accident too many there is a need
for additional safety devices for small caliber weapons such as
shotguns, sporting rifles, handguns and the like.
[0005] Some approaches to this safety issue have been developed but
involve rendering a firearm almost so inoperative that it may be
unavailable for self-defense or protection when needed. Additional
safety techniques that have been proposed may be effective but can
damage firearm in which they are used. Thus, there remains the need
for a system that can prevent unwanted firing of ammunition in a
weapon but performs in such a way that does not damage the weapon
nor make it awkward or impossible to use when needed.
[0006] In large caliber explosive shells such as those used by the
military, it is recognized that the firing cap, or primer, can be a
source of unwanted explosion. Thus, there are special boxes and
shipping containers that have been developed which allow storing
and transporting of these explosive shells in a way that prevents
unwanted ignition of the primer. Furthermore, in some instances,
the primers are stored separately from the shells in which they
will eventually be installed. In this way, the primers can be
packed separately and will not cause an unwanted explosion of a
shell. However, neither separating the primer from the cartridge
nor providing a separate safety container for each round is an
economical or viable solution for small arms cartridges such as
those used by sport shooters and hunters. Thus there remains the
need for an effective, safe, convenient, and economical method to
prevent unwanted firing of small caliber cartridges from
firearms.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a safety cap
for a small arms cartridge that fits over the primer end of the
cartridge casing and includes a cushioning material and a rigid
material. The cap holds the two materials over the primer and
prevents a firing pin from igniting the primer; thereby, rendering
the cartridge safe. Furthermore, the added circumference around the
end of the cartridge will, in most cases, prevent the cartridge
from fitting in a magazine or being chambered in the weapon for
which it is sized.
[0008] It is understood that other embodiments of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and
described only various embodiments of the invention by way of
illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments and its several details are capable
of modification in various other respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a safety cap designed
according to the principles of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a view of a small caliber cartridge assembled
with a safety cap in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0011] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the
only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The
detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of
providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may
be practiced without these specific details. In some instances,
well known structures and components are shown in block diagram
form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a small arms or small
caliber cartridge having a safety cap designed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. The terms "small arms" or
"small caliber" as used herein are intended to pertain to those
cartridges that are legally available to sport shooters, home
defenders and hunters. They can include, for example, rim-fire
cartridges such as .22LR, shotgun shells in a range of gauges,
handgun rounds for both semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, and
also center-fire rifle cartridges in a range of calibers (e.g.,
.223 to .50 cal). Unlike high caliber shells like the military
uses, these small arms cartridges are manufactured in very high
volumes and any safety device must not add significantly to the
cost of a single cartridge or it will be difficult to sell. One
difference in some of the different cartridges identified above is
that the casing in many rifle cartridges taper from the primer end
towards the bullet end while, in contrast, the casing of shot
shells and many handgun cartridges have relative straight sides
along its entire length. The safety cap described herein in
accordance with the principles of the present invention is designed
to work effectively with either type cartridge.
[0013] In FIG. 1, there is a rifle cartridge 100 that includes a
casing 102 and a bullet 104. The shape of the casing 102 and its
material is unimportant to the practice of the present invention.
Similarly, the shape and material of the bullet 104 is unimportant
to the practice of the present invention. At the bottom, or primer
end 106, there is a center-fire primer 108. As mentioned
previously, the safety cap described herein will also operate with
a rim-fire cartridge as well. In such an instance, the primer 108
is around the outside circumference of the primer end 106.
[0014] In operation, a firing pin strikes the primer 108 causing it
to ignite which operates to ignite the powder (not shown) within
the casing 102. This second explosion is what provides the motive
force which propels the bullet 104 out of the muzzle of a
weapon.
[0015] If the primer 108 can be protected from a firing pin, then
the cartridge 100 can be prevented from being fired. Thus, the
safety cap 110 is provided to serve this purpose. The cap 110
slides onto the primer end 106 of the cartridge 102 holding a
cushion 114 and a rigid portion 116 against the end 106 of the
cartridge 100. The cushion 114 and the rigid portion 116 are
preferably circular, or disc-like, in construction and are sized to
match the diameter of the primer end 106 of the cartridge 100.
[0016] The cushion material 114 may, for example, be similar to a
sponge or other water-liking material. It serves a dual purpose,
first it provides a cushioning effect if a firing pin were to hit
the cap 110. Thus, it provides an added layer that prevents the
primer from being struck and it softens the impact on the firing
pin itself which helps protect the weapon as well. Furthermore, a
sponge-like material will retain moisture and be in contact with
the primer end 106 of the casing 102. Thus, when the cap 110 and
the sponge 114 are removed from the cartridge 100, rust will likely
be present if any moisture entered the cap 110 sometime in the
past. Knowing that a cartridge has been exposed to moisture is
important so that the cartridge 100 can be discarded thereby
preventing a misfire or dry fire in a critical situation. As for
thickness, the sponge 114 may be around 1/8.sup.th inch thick.
Depending on the resiliency of the material and how much shock
absorption it provides, different thickness may be utilized as
well.
[0017] The rigid portion 116 is preferably a metal such as aluminum
or steel. This material provides the main protection against the
firing pin striking the primer 108. Other metals and even composite
materials may be used but the cost and strength must be balanced so
that the safety cap can be provided in an effective yet
economically viable manner. As for thickness, 1/16.sup.th inch
thick steel would be effective and inexpensive. One of ordinary
skill, however, will readily recognize that different materials and
different thicknesses may be used without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0018] Holding the cushion 114 and the rigid portion 116 against
the cartridge 100 is the safety cap 110. This material is
preferably a plastic that has some resiliency such that it is
deformable to fit over the cartridge and yet fit snuggly as well.
This will allow the safety cap 110 not only to hold the components
which prevent unintentional firing of the cartridge 100 but will
also provide a barrier against moisture reaching the primer 108.
Because cartridges 100 may be stored for a long time in
environmental conditions that can sometimes be harsh, the material
of the cap 110 must be such as not to easily degrade. Many
plastics, vinyls, synthetic rubbers are available for this purpose,
and can be selected from, in order to construct the cap 110. The
color of the cap 110 may vary as well. If it is colored to closely
match the color of the casing 102, then a child may not even be
aware that the safety cap 110 is present (and, therefore, will not
think of it as something to remove). Alternatively, the safety cap
110 may be brightly colored or distinguishably colored so that a
user will quickly recognize that the cartridge will not fire
without the safety cap 110 being removed.
[0019] As for the length of the cap 110, it preferably fits about a
third of the way up the cartridge casing 102. This amount of length
provides a firm grip on the cartridge casing 102 thereby preventing
the cap 110 from accidentally slipping off while utilizing material
economically so as not to make the cap 110 overly long with no
additional benefit.
[0020] The cartridge 100 is manufactured in a conventional manner;
thus, the safety cap 110 does not interfere or change the normal
manufacturing process of the cartridge maker. The cap 110 and the
other portions 114, 116 may be manufactured separately and then the
two combined in a later manufacturing step. For example, a
completed cartridge may be forced into the cap 110 in an assembly
line fashion as the last step in manufacturing. To aid such
insertion, the cap 110 may be warmed so that it is more pliable and
will shrink to a tight fit when it cools. Also, the cap 110 may be
lightly lubricated on the inside to aid in insertion of the
cartridge 102 (the cartridge may be lubricated as well for this
purpose.) Although it is possible to heat the plastic cap 110 to
help it shrink fit to the casing 102, this should be done with
caution so as not to inadvertently ignite the primer 108.
[0021] Alternatively, the sponge 114 and rigid portion 116 may be
lightly tacked in place on the end of the cartridge 100 which is
then dipped into a liquid plastic. When the coated cartridge is
then removed, the liquid plastic will form a hardened shell that
serves as the cap 110.
[0022] The safety cap 110 (along with the cushion 114 and rigid
portion 116) may also be sold separately to users who can then
retrofit conventional cartridges that they purchase separately. The
user would simply force the cartridge into the safety cap 110 to
take advantage of its benefits.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a completely assembled cartridge 200
having an installed safety cap 110. This cartridge 200 will have a
length and circumference at the primer end that is slightly larger
than that of the conventional cartridge 100. Thus, it will be
nearly impossible for the cartridge 200 to be chambered in a weapon
it is sized for or even fit within a magazine sized for its
caliber. While it is possible for a small round (e.g., .22LR) that
has the safety cap 110 installed to be chambered in a bigger
caliber weapon (e.g., .38 Special), the rigid portion and sponge
will still continue to prevent the firing pin from striking the
primer of the cartridge.
[0024] In order to successfully fire a protected cartridge 200, the
safety cap 110 must be removed. While it is possible to use a
plastic that will easily tear without assistance, a pull tab 112
along with perforations is preferably manufactured into the safety
cap 110. The user, then, would simply pull on the tab 112 which
would rip along the perforations to allow the cap 110 to be removed
along with the cushion 114 and rigid portion 116. Once these are
removed, the cartridge will function as intended. The perforation
can extend the entire length of the cap 110 or just a significant
portion of its length so as to allow the cap 110 to be easily
removed.
[0025] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described
herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the
claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown
herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each
claim's language, wherein reference to an element in the singular
is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so
stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional
equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known
to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated
herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth
paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase
"means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is
recited using the phrase "step for."
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