U.S. patent application number 12/985819 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for shotshell with combination load for personal defense.
Invention is credited to Angela C. Berring, Morris C. Buenemann, JR., Matthew D. Richardson.
Application Number | 20110185936 12/985819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44306181 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110185936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richardson; Matthew D. ; et
al. |
August 4, 2011 |
SHOTSHELL WITH COMBINATION LOAD FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE
Abstract
A shotshell comprising an elongate casing defining an internal
chamber, a propellant located within said casing, and a shot load
within the casing, the shot load comprising a plurality of
disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane
of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of
generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the
generally disc-shaped projectiles.
Inventors: |
Richardson; Matthew D.;
(Florissant, MO) ; Buenemann, JR.; Morris C.;
(Florissant, MO) ; Berring; Angela C.; (St.
Charles, MO) |
Family ID: |
44306181 |
Appl. No.: |
12/985819 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61293422 |
Jan 8, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 7/046 20130101;
F42B 12/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/438 |
International
Class: |
F42B 7/04 20060101
F42B007/04; F42B 7/02 20060101 F42B007/02 |
Claims
1. A shotshell comprising: an elongate casing having a longitudinal
axis, and a head; a propellant located within said casing; and a
shot load within the internal chamber, the shot load comprising a
plurality of generally disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the
casing so that the plane of each of the generally disc-shaped
projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles
disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped
projectiles.
2. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein there are at least
three generally disc-shaped projectiles.
3. The shotshell according to claim 2 wherein there are four
generally disc-shaped projectiles.
4. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of each
of the disc-shaped projectiles is at least about 75% of the
internal diameter of the casing.
5. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the weight of each of
the generally disc-shaped projectiles is at least 50 grains.
6. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of each
of the generally spherical projectiles is between about 0.08 and
about 0.2 inches.
7. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the total mass of the
generally disc-shaped projectiles is between about 50% and 220% of
the total mass of the generally spherical projectiles.
8. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the total mass of the
generally disc-shaped projectiles is between about 33% and about
70% of the total mass of the load.
9. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally
disc-shaped projectiles weigh at least as much as 00 buckshot.
10. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally
disc-shaped projectiles weigh at least as much as 000 buckshot.
11. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the shotshell is
sized to fit .410 bore, and wherein the shell contains three
generally disc-shaped projectiles.
12. The shotshell according to claim 11 wherein the generally
disc-shaped projectile has a generally central cylindrical section
within a diameter, with first and second sides, and a generally
frustoconical projection on each of the first and second sides.
13. The shotshell according to claim 11 wherein each of the
generally disc-shaped projectiles has a diameter of about 0.4
inches and a height of about 0.25 inches.
14. The shotshell according to claim 13 wherein the generally
disc-shaped projectiles are made substantially of lead, and have a
weight equal to 000 shot.
15. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein each of the
generally disc-shaped projectiles is copper plated.
16. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein there are twelve
generally spherical projectiles, each the size of a standard BB
shot.
17. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally
disc-shaped projectiles comprise more than 60% of the weight of the
load.
18. A .410 bore shotshell comprising: an elongate casing with a
front end and a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending
therebetween, a head at the back end of the casing; a propellant
located within said casing; and a shot load within the internal
chamber, the shot load comprising of at least three generally
disc-shaped projectiles, each of the generally disc-shaped
projectiles weighing at least as much as a 00 buckshot, and being
arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the generally
disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally
spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally
disc-shaped projectiles.
19. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 18 wherein each of
the generally disc-shaped projectiles weights at least as much as a
000 buckshot.
20. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 19 wherein each of
the generally disc-shaped projectiles has a diameter of about 0.4
inches and a height of about 0.25 inches.
21. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 18 wherein there are
twelve generally spherical projectiles, each the size of a standard
BB shot.
22. A generally disc-shaped projectile for shotshell, the generally
disc-shaped projectile having a generally central cylindrical
section, with first and second sides, and a generally frustoconical
projection on each of the first and second sides.
23. The generally disc-shaped projectile according to claim 22,
wherein the generally central cylindrical section has a diameter of
about 0.4 inches, wherein the generally disc-shaped projectile has
a thickness of about 0.25 inches.
24. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 22 wherein the
projectile weighs at least as much as a 00 buckshot.
25. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 24 wherein the
projectile weighs the same as a 000 buckshot.
26. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 22 wherein the
projectile is made of lead or a lead alloy and copper plated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/293,422, filed on Jan. 8, 2010. The entire
disclosure(s) of (each of) the above application(s) is (are)
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to shotshells, and in
particular, to shotshells having a load comprising a combination of
projectiles adapted for personal defense.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] While the shot used in shotshells is conventionally
spherical, a wide variety of shapes have been used (U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,877,381 and 4,913,054), including for example discs (U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,648,637 and 6,161,482), cubes (U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,666),
needles (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,996,923 and 5,325,786), pyramids (U.S.
Pat. No. 4,686,904), cylinders (U.S. Pat. No. 2,343,818), flattened
spheres (U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,659), belted spheres (U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,020,438 and 5,527,376), dimpled spheres (U.S. Pat. No.
4,173,930), tear drops (U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,348), and flechettes
(U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,195,107, 3,444,813, and 3,599,568), and even
mixtures of sizes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 41,590, 1,277,810, 1,575,716,
1,883,575, 3,074,344, 3,131,634, 3,598,057, 3,796,157, 4,760,793,
and 6,202,561) or shapes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,583,559, 3,996,865,
4,823,702, 4,982,666, and 7,607,393, and U.S. Application
20090114113).
[0005] However, these prior shells do not provide the type of
projectiles and projectile pattern advantageously provided by
embodiments of this invention.
SUMMARY
[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0007] The present invention relates to shotshells that provide a
combination of projectiles, particularly adapted for personal
defense. Generally, the shotshell of the present invention
comprises an elongate casing, with a front and a back, and a
longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A propellant is disposed
within the casing. A shot load is also disposed in the casing in
front of the propellant. The shot load comprises a plurality of
generally disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that
the plane of each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and
a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed behind the
disc-shaped projectiles in the casing.
[0008] The shell preferably contains between two and four generally
disc-shaped projectiles and in the most preferred embodiments three
disc-shaped projectiles each having a diameter of at least 75% of
the internal diameter of the casing, and more preferably 90% or
more of the internal diameter of the casing. The generally
disc-shaped projectiles preferably comprise between 50% and 220% of
the weight of the spherical projectiles, and thus, comprise between
about 33% and about 70% of the total load. The number of generally
spherical projectiles depends upon their size and the available
space in the shell. In the preferred embodiment the generally
spherical projectiles are the size of U.S. standard BB shot.
[0009] In one preferred embodiment the shotshell is a .410 bore
sized shell. This shell can of course be fired form a .410 bore
shot gun, but it can also be fired from hand guns, including hand
guns specially designed for this purpose, and standard hand guns of
appropriate size, such as some .45 caliber hand guns. In this
preferred embodiment, there are preferably three generally
disc-shaped projectiles, each having a diameter of about 0.4
inches, a height of about 0.25 inches, and a weight equivalent to a
U.S. standard 000 buckshot.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention comprises a generally
disc-shaped projectile. In a preferred embodiment, this projectile
comprises a generally cylindrical middle section with first and
second faces, and a generally frustoconical projection on each of
the first and second faces.
[0011] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a preferred
embodiment of a shotshell (the load is not shown in cross section),
in accordance with the principles of this invention;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
generally disc-shaped projectile, in accordance with the principles
of this invention;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of the generally
disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2A, the projectile being
rotationally symmetric about a vertical axis;
[0016] FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the generally disc-shaped
projectile in FIG. 2A, the bottom plan view being a mirror image
thereof;
[0017] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of an alternative preferred
embodiment of a generally disc-shaped projectile, in accordance
with the principles of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 2E is a side elevation view of the generally
disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2D, the projectile being
rotationally symmetric about a vertical axis;
[0019] FIG. 2F is a top plan view of the generally disc-shaped
projectile in FIG. 2C, the bottom plan view being a mirror image
thereof;
[0020] FIGS. 3A-3D are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 Super X
2.5 inch shotshell with 000 buckshot fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM.
model 4510TKR-3SS;
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4B are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 AA 2.5
inch shotshell with #9 shot fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM. model
4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 20 inch circle;
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5B are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410
Winchester 2.5 inch shotshell with #4 shot, fired from a Taurus
Judge.RTM. model 4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 20 inch circle;
[0023] FIGS. 5C-5D are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410
Winchester 2.5 inch shotshell with #4 shot, fired from a Taurus
Judge.RTM. model 4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 10 inch and a 20 inch
circle;
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a
.410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this
invention, fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM. model 4510TKR-3SS;
[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a
.410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this
invention, fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM. model 4510TKR-3SS;
and
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B are photographs showing the pattern of
projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a
.410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this
invention, fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM. model 4510TKR-3SS.
[0027] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] A preferred embodiment of a shotshell constructed according
to the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in
FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 in the preferred embodiment, the
shotshell is a .410 bore sized shell. The shell can be fired from a
.410 bore shotgun, and also from .45 caliber hand guns either
specially designed for that purpose or standard hand guns that can
accommodate a .410 bore shell. Of course this invention is not so
restricted and the shotshell could be made of any size, including,
but not limited, to 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge shells. The
invention is particularly advantageous in smaller sized shells when
the total load volume and total load weight are limited.
[0030] Generally, the shotshell 20 of the preferred embodiment
comprises an elongate casing 22, having a front end, a back end,
and having a longitudinal axis indicated generally as A in FIG. 1
extending therebetween. The casing 22 comprises a hull 24, which is
preferably made of plastic or paper, but could be made of any
suitable material, and a head 26, typically made of brass.
[0031] A propellant charge 30, such as gun powder, is disposed in
the casing 22. A primer 32 is set in the head 26, for igniting the
propellant charge 30 when the shotshell 20 is fired. A wad 34 is
disposed in the casing 22, above the propellant charge 30. Wads
often have, and in this preferred embodiment, wad 34 does have, a
cup-shaped receptacle for a load 36.
[0032] in this preferred embodiment, the shot load 36 comprises a
plurality of generally disc-shaped projectiles 38, arranged in the
casing 22 so that the plane of each of the disc-shaped projectiles
is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the
casing. There are preferably three disc-shaped projectiles 38 in
the casing 22, although there could be fewer or more.
[0033] The shot load 36 further comprises a plurality of generally
spherical projectiles 40. The generally spherical projectiles 40
are preferably disposed behind to the generally disc-shaped
projectiles 38 in the casing 22, but in some embodiments could be
disposed above the generally disc-shaped projectiles, or both in
front of or behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment where the shotshell 20 is a .410
bore sized shell, there are between two and four, and more
preferably three generally disc-shaped projectiles 38, each having
a diameter of about 0.4 inches, which corresponds to the internal
diameter of the casing, and a thickness of about 0.25 inches. A
particularly desirable embodiment is a 2.5 inch .410 bore sized
shell, with between two and five disc-shaped projectiles. The
generally disc-shaped projectiles 38 can be made of lead or a lead
alloy (but could be made of lead-free alternatives, such as alloys
or composites containing iron, copper, tungsten, and/or tin), and
can be plated, for example, with copper or other suitable material.
Copper plating, depending upon its thickness, can enhance the
structural integrity of the projectile, improve the appearance of
the projectiles, and possibly help reduce fouling of the barrel of
the gun from which the shells 20 are fired. The projectiles 38
preferably weigh at least as much as 00 buckshot (about 53 grains),
and more preferably at least as much as 000 buckshot (about 70
grains).
[0035] While the generally disc-shaped projectile 38 can be a disc
with a cylindrical sidewall, and flat top and bottom surfaces, as
shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, in the preferred embodiment, the generally
disc-shaped projectile 38 has a cylindrical central portion 50,
with first and second ends 52 and 54, each with a frustoconical
projection 56 and 58. The fustoconical portions 56 and 58
preferably have a base angle of 45.degree. or less, and terminate
in a flat, generally circular end. The frustoconical projections 56
and 58 help improve the flight characteristics of the projectiles
38, as well as penetration into the target.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2D-2E in an alternate preferred
embodiment, the generally disc-shaped projectile 38' has a
cylindrical central portion 50', with flattened dome-shaped
protections 56' and 58' on either side of the central section, the
flattened dome shaped sections and terminating in flat, generally
circular ends. The projections 56' and 58' help improve the flight
characteristics of the projectiles 38', as well as penetration into
the target.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment where the shotshell 20 is a .410
bore sized shell, the shell 20 preferably also contains between
about ten and about 30 generally spherical projectiles 40. These
generally spherical projectiles 40 can be any size, and the size
determines the number of shot that can fit in the casing. However,
the shot are preferably between at least size 4 shot and size T
shot, and are most preferably size BB shot. The generally spherical
projectiles 40 do not all have to be the same size or shape.
[0038] In general, it is desirable that the generally disc-shaped
projectiles 38 are between 50% and 220% of the weight of the
generally spherical projectiles 40, or in other words, the
disc-shaped projectiles preferably comprise between about 33% and
about 70% of the total load. In other embodiments, it is desirable
that the disc-shaped projectiles comprise at least 60% of the total
load.
[0039] In the most preferred embodiment, there are about twelve
generally spherical projectiles 40, of the size of BB shot. These
projectiles are preferably made of lead or lead alloy (but could be
made of lead-free alternatives such as alloys or composites
containing iron, copper, tungsten, and/or tin), and can optionally
be plated with copper or other suitable material. Copper plating,
depending upon its thickness, can enhance the structural integrity
of the projectile, improve the appearance of the projectiles, and
possibly help reduce fouling of the barrel of the gun from which
the shells 20 are fired.
[0040] The load for a given shell depends upon its size and
intended use. For a 2.5 inch shell, between two and four
disc-shaped projectiles 38 can be loaded, with three being the
preferred number. For a 3 inch shell, between two and five
disc-shaped projectiles can be loaded, with four being the
preferred number. These disc projectiles are preferably between
about 0.360 and about 0.405 inches in diameter, and more preferably
are about 0.400 inches. These disc projectiles preferably have a
thickness of between about 0.200 and about 0.350 inches, and more
preferably are about 0.250 inches. The mass of each disc projectile
is preferably between 50 and 100 grains, and more preferably is
about 70 grains.
[0041] The flattened disc projectiles increase the packing density
for increased payload, and provide a greater rate of energy
transfer on target (compared to spherical projectiles).
[0042] The spherical projectiles 40 are preferably a conventional
shot. For a 2.5 inch shell, there are preferably between about 10
and about 30 spherical projectiles, and more preferably about 12
spherical projectiles. For a 3 inch shell, there are preferably
between about 12 and about 40 spherical projectiles, and more
preferably about 16 projectiles. The shot preferably ranges in size
from Size 4 shot, with a diameter of 0.125 inches, and a mass of 3
grains to size T shot, with a diameter of 0.200 inches and a mass
of 12 grains. There is a trade-off between the number of spherical
projectiles and their size. The preferred size is a BB size shot
with a diameter of 0.180 inches and a mass of 8.5 grains. In a 2.5
inch shell, thirty size 4 shot can be accommodated, or as many as
twelve BB size shot, while preferably there are about 12 BB size
shot in the preferred embodiment.
[0043] The use of spherical projectiles behind the disc projectiles
reduces peak pressure caused by heavy payload. The inventors also
believe that smashing the spherical projectiles beneath the
disc-shaped projectiles improves (tightens) patterns when fired
from a rifled barrel. The setback forces also deform the round
pellets, creating a more aggressive profile for improved wounding
characteristics.
[0044] Table 1 illustrates the preferred range and most preferred
values for the number and size of each type of projectile for 2.5
inch and 3 inch shells.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 21/2'' Loading Current 3'' Loading Min Max
Preferred Min Max Preferred Disc Number (pcs) 2 4 3 2 5 4 Diameter
(inches) 0.360 0.405 0.400 0.360 0.405 0.400 Thickness (inches)
0.200 0.350 0.250 0.200 0.350 0.250 Mass (grains) 50 100 70 50 100
70 Pellets Number (pcs) 10 30+ 12 12 40+ 16 Diameter (inches) 0.125
0.200 0.180 0.125 0.200 0.180 Mass (grains) 3 12 8.5 3.2 12 8.5
Size (Amer. 4 T BB 4 T BB Std.)
[0045] Table 2A illustrates the relationship between size and
weight of U.S. standard sizes of shot, and Table 2B illustrates the
relationship between size and weight of U.S. standard buckshot:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2A Standard U.S. Shot Sizes Pellets per oz (28
g) Size Nominal diameter Lead Quantity per lb. FF .23'' (5.84 mm) F
.22'' (5.59 mm) TT .21'' (5.33 mm) T .20'' (5.08 mm) BBB .190''
(4.83 mm) 44 550 BB .180'' (4.57 mm) 50 650 B .170'' (4.32 mm) 1
.160'' (4.06 mm) 72 925 2 .150'' (3.81 mm) 87 1120 3 .140'' (3.56
mm) 108 1370 4 .130'' (3.30 mm) 135 1720 5 .120'' (3.05 mm) 170
2180 6 .110'' (2.79 mm) 225 2850 71/2 .095'' (2.41 mm) 350 3775 8
.090'' (2.29 mm) 410 5150 81/2 .085'' (2.15 mm) 497 9 .080'' (2.03
mm) 585 7400
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2B Standard U.S. Buckshot Sizes Size Nominal
diameter Pellets/oz TriBall (12 Ga.) <5> .60'' (15.24 mm) 3/4
ounce per pellet 0000 ("quadruple-ought") .38'' (9.7 mm) 5 000
("triple-ought") .36'' (9.1 mm) 6 00 ("double-ought") .33'' (8.4
mm) 8 0 ("ought") .32'' (8.1 mm) 9 1 .30'' (7.6 mm) 10 2 .27'' (6.9
min) 15 3 .25'' (6.4 mm) 18 4 .24'' (6 mm) 27
[0046] FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A illustrates the pattern of the
projectiles at 7.5 feet and fired from a Taurus Judge.RTM. model
4510TKR-3SS .45 caliber hand gun. FIGS. 6B, 7B, and 8B shows the
corresponding patterns at 15 feet. As shown in the figures, the
three disc-shaped projectiles 38 form a tight pattern of three hits
60 within a circle 62 of about 2 inches in diameter, and more
preferably about 1.5 inches in diameter. In the preferred
embodiment of a 2.5 inch .410 bore load containing 12 BB sized
shot. The twelve generally spherical projectiles 40 form a tight
pattern of twelve hits 64 within a circle 66 of about 20 inches in
diameter, preferably with at least 75% of the pellets within a
circle of 15 inches. This embodiment is highly desirable for
personal use because it puts a substantial amount of the load on
the intended target, yet provides projectiles of a tight pattern
around the target, so that even if the shot is not properly aligned
with the intended target, some portion of the projectiles hit the
intended target. The spread of the shot varies based upon shot
size, with smaller sizes generally patterning wider than
larger.
[0047] The patterns shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 with both
disc-shaped and spherical projectiles, provides an advantageous
pattern relative to prior .410 bore shotshells with just 000
buckshot (FIG. 3), relative to .410 bore shotshells with just #9
shot (FIG. 4), and relative to .410 bore shotshells with just #4
shot (FIG. 5).
[0048] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *