U.S. patent application number 12/361683 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for muzzle loading rifle with centerfire cartridge ignition.
Invention is credited to John L. Overstreet.
Application Number | 20110296729 12/361683 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45063313 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110296729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Overstreet; John L. |
December 8, 2011 |
MUZZLE LOADING RIFLE WITH CENTERFIRE CARTRIDGE IGNITION
Abstract
A muzzleloading rifle includes an action and a barrel assembly
attached to a forward end of the action. The barrel assembly
includes a barrel, a barrel extension and an intervening wall. The
barrel has a breach end, a muzzle end and a primary chamber at the
breach end for receiving a primary charge loaded through the muzzle
end. The barrel extension is attached to the breach end of the
barrel and includes a casing chamber positioned rearwardly from the
primary chamber. The casing chamber is configured to receive a
standard ammunition casing with an integral primer therein. The
intervening wall separates the primary chamber from the casing
chamber. The intervening wall includes a flash hole communicating
between the casing chamber and the primary chamber.
Inventors: |
Overstreet; John L.;
(Fayette, MO) |
Family ID: |
45063313 |
Appl. No.: |
12/361683 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61024268 |
Jan 29, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 9/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/51 |
International
Class: |
F41C 9/08 20060101
F41C009/08 |
Claims
1. A muzzleloading rifle, comprising: an action; a barrel assembly
attached to a forward end of said action, said barrel assembly
including a primary chamber for receiving a primary charge, a
casing chamber positioned rearwardly from said primary chamber and
including a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of
said casing chamber configured to receive a standard ammunition
casing with an integral primer therein, and an intervening wall
separating said primary chamber from said casing chamber, said
intervening wall including a flash hole communicating between said
casing chamber and said primary chamber, said intervening wall
including a nipple which projects into said casing chamber and
which has a tip which is positioned proximate said distal end of
said casing chamber and thereby opposite said proximal end of said
casing chamber, said casing chamber being elongate.
2. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 1, wherein said barrel assembly
includes a barrel and a barrel extension, said barrel including
said primary chamber and said barrel extension including said
casing chamber.
3. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 2, wherein said intervening
wall is one of: a disk interposed between said barrel extension and
said barrel; integral with said barrel extension; and integral with
said barrel.
4. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 3, wherein said intervening
wall is a disk which is seated within a pocket formed in said
barrel, said disk being seated entirely within said barrel, said
barrel including a transverse wall, at least a part of said disk
being positioned between, and thereby being captured between, said
barrel extension and said transverse wall.
5. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 4, wherein said barrel includes
an internally threaded opening with a shoulder defining a seat for
said disk, and said barrel extension includes an externally
threaded projection which is threaded into said internally threaded
opening in said barrel.
6. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 4, wherein said intervening
wall includes said nipple which projects into said casing chamber
to prevent said action from operating when a live round including a
projectile is loaded into said primary chamber.
7. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 1, wherein said casing chamber
is configured to receive one of a 0.223 inch, 0.243 inch, 0.270
inch, 0.308 inch (NATO or US), and 30-06 caliber casing.
8. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 1, wherein said casing chamber
is configured to receive a casing with a centerfire primer for one
of a shotgun, small rifle, large rifle, small pistol, large pistol,
magnum small pistol, and magnum large pistol.
9. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 1, wherein said casing chamber
is configured to receive a casing with a 209 shotgun primer.
10. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 1, wherein said action is one
of a semiautomatic action, bolt action, pump action, lever action,
and single shot action.
11. A muzzleloading rifle, comprising: an action; a barrel assembly
attached to a forward end of said action, said barrel assembly
including: a barrel having a breach end and a muzzle end, said
barrel including a primary chamber at said breach end for receiving
a primary charge loaded through said muzzle end; a barrel extension
attached to said breach end of said barrel and including a casing
chamber positioned rearwardly from said primary chamber, said
casing chamber including a proximal end and a distal end, said
proximal end of said casing chamber configured to receive a
standard ammunition casing with an integral primer therein; and an
intervening wall separating said primary chamber from said casing
chamber, said intervening wall including a flash hole communicating
between said casing chamber and said primary chamber, said
intervening wall including a nipple which projects into said casing
chamber and which has a tip which is positioned proximate said
distal end of said casing chamber and thereby opposite said
proximal end of said casing chamber, said casing chamber being
elongate.
12. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 11, wherein said intervening
wall is one of: a disk interposed between said barrel extension and
said barrel; integral with said barrel extension; and integral with
said barrel.
13. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 12, wherein said intervening
wall is a disk which is seated within a pocket formed in said
barrel, said disk being seated entirely within said barrel, said
barrel including a transverse wall, at least a part of said disk
being positioned between, and thereby being captured between, said
barrel extension and said transverse wall.
14. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 13, wherein said barrel
includes an internally threaded opening with a shoulder defining a
seat for said disk, and said barrel extension includes an
externally threaded projection which is threaded into said
internally threaded opening in said barrel.
15. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 13, wherein said intervening
wall includes said nipple which projects into said casing chamber
to prevent said action from operating when a live round including a
projectile is loaded into said primary chamber.
16. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 11, wherein said casing
chamber is configured to receive one of a 0.223 inch, 0.243 inch,
0.270 inch, 0.308 inch (NATO or US), and 30-06 caliber casing.
17. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 11, wherein said casing
chamber is configured to receive a casing with a centerfire primer
for one of a shotgun, small rifle, large rifle, small pistol, large
pistol, magnum small pistol, and magnum large pistol.
18. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 11, wherein said casing
chamber is configured to receive a casing with a 209 shotgun
primer.
19. The muzzleloading rifle of claim 11, wherein said action is one
of a semi-automatic action, bolt action, pump action, lever action,
and single shot action.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/024,268, entitled
"MUZZLE LOADING RIFLE WITH CENTERFIRE CARTRIDGE IGNITION", filed
Jan. 29, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to muzzle loading rifles, and,
more particularly, to ignition systems for muzzleloading
rifles.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Muzzle loading rifles were the first type of firearms used
by humans. Historically, such rifles can be categorized by the
particular type of ignition system used to ignite the black powder
propellant. First were wheel lock rifles, followed by flintlock
rifles, then percussion rifles, and more recently, inline
rifles.
[0006] Wheel lock rifles were first used in China and have a
rotating lock carrying a fuse which passes through a hole in the
barrel and ignites the black powder. Flintlock rifles use a piece
of flint stone carried at the end of a rotating hammer to ignite a
powder charge in a striker pan, which in turn sends a flame through
a flash hole to the primary black powder charge in the barrel.
Percussion rifles are similar in design, except that the hammer
ignites a percussion cap placed on a nipple. The percussion cap has
an incendiary compound which produces a flame, which passes through
a flash hole to the primary powder charge in the barrel. Modern
inline muzzleloaders typically have a removable breach plug at the
rear of the barrel. The breach plug is machined to receive a
standard 209 primer and has a flash hole extending to the primary
powder charge in the barrel. The 209 primer is a standard primer
used in most centerfire shotgun ammunition, and produces a hotter
flame than a percussion cap. Thus, the chances of a misfire or
hangfire using an inline muzzleloader are less than with the other
type of muzzle loading ignition systems described above.
[0007] The most commonly used ignition systems today for muzzle
loaders are the percussion and inline ignition systems. Both types
of ignition systems require that a user handle small
parts--percussion caps in the case of percussion rifles and 209
primers in the case of inline rifles. Some users may find this task
difficult to carry out.
[0008] Further, regardless of the type of muzzle loader used, all
muzzle loaders to date have the disadvantage of not being able to
be used in what is normally thought of as a centerfire rifle. At
least one manufacturer of rifles has a modular system allowing a
user to mix and match barrels, calibers, stock types, etc, but the
selected rifle is still just a common muzzle loader with a
conventional ignition system.
[0009] What is needed in the art is a muzzle loader with an
ignition system which is easier to use and adaptable to
conventional center fire rifle frames.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a muzzleloading rifle with a
conventionally muzzle loaded primary charge within the barrel, and
a separate centerfire cartridge with an integral typical or
atypical primer for igniting the charge within the primary chamber
in the barrel.
[0011] The invention in one form is directed to a muzzleloading
rifle, including an action and a barrel assembly attached to a
forward end of the action. The barrel assembly includes a primary
chamber for receiving a primary charge, and a casing chamber
positioned rearwardly from the primary chamber. The casing chamber
is configured to receive a standard ammunition casing with an
integral primer therein. An intervening wall separates the primary
chamber from the casing chamber. The intervening wall includes a
flash hole communicating between the casing chamber and the primary
chamber.
[0012] The invention in another form is directed to a muzzleloading
rifle, including an action and a barrel assembly attached to a
forward end of the action. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a
barrel extension and an intervening wall. The barrel has a breach
end, a muzzle end and a primary chamber at the breach end for
receiving a primary charge loaded through the muzzle end. The
barrel extension is attached to the breach end of the barrel and
includes a casing chamber positioned rearwardly from the primary
chamber. The casing chamber is configured to receive a standard
ammunition casing with an integral primer therein. The intervening
wall separates the primary chamber from the casing chamber. The
intervening wall includes a flash hole communicating between the
casing chamber and the primary chamber.
[0013] An advantage of the present invention is that an action of a
centerfire rifle may be operated in a typical fashion to ignite the
black powder charge within the primary chamber in the barrel.
[0014] Another advantage is that the centerfire casing can be
configured to accept a typical primer for such a casing, or a
different (e.g., hotter) primer for such casing.
[0015] Yet another advantage is that the centerfire casing is
easier for an operator to handle and load than a typcial percussion
cap or 209 shotgun primer by itself.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a
muzzle loading rifle of the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 2-3 are sectional, side views through the barrel and
barrel extension of the muzzle loading rifle shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view through the disk shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out
herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention, in one form,
and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown an embodiment of a muzzle loading rifle 10 of the
present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, muzzle loading
rifle 10 is configured as an AR15 style rifle. The M16/AR15 rifles
are used worldwide by military and law enforcement organizations
and civilian sport enthusiasts. M16 and AR-15 rifles are
substantially the same, except that the M16 is switchable between
automatic and semi-automatic operation, and the AR15 operates only
in the semi-automatic mode. As a result, most of the components of
M16 and AR15 rifles are substantially the same and are referred to
as M16/AR15 components.
[0022] An AR15 is generally constructed in modular "groups"
allowing easy takedown and cleaning in the field. The upper
receiver group generally includes the upper portion of the
receiver, barrel, top rail and forestock. The lower receiver group
includes the trigger assembly and pistol grip. The buttstock
extends rearwardly from the lower receiver group and allows the
rifle to be shouldered by a user.
[0023] Rifle 10 is similar to other AR15 style rifles, with the
primary difference being in the barrel which is attached to the
upper receiver. The barrel is different in two respects: First, the
barrel is machined to accommodate a typical muzzle loader charge
which is loaded from the distal end of the barrel. Second, the
barrel is machined with a chamber for receiving a standard
ammunition cartridge at the proximal end of the barrel.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a barrel assembly 12 generally
includes a barrel 14, barrel extension 16, and disk 18. Barrel 14
includes an internally threaded recess 20 at the proximal end with
a stepped shoulder 22 having a slightly smaller inside diameter.
Stepped shoulder 22 is sized to receive disk 18 therein. Barrel 14
also has a bore 24 for passage of a projectile, which is configured
as a rifled 0.50 caliber bore in the illustrated embodiment. Bore
24 defines a primary chamber 24A at the breach end of barrel 14
with the same diameter as the remainder of bore 24. A gun powder
charge and projectile are introduced through the muzzle end of
barrel 14 to be seated within primary chamber 24A at the breach end
of barrel 14. The gun powder charge is typically black powder or
pyrodex, although some muzzleloaders are also configured to fire
smokeless powder. The projectile can be any suitable configuration,
such as a round ball, maxi ball, saboted projectile, etc.
[0025] Barrel extension 16 has an exteriorly threaded shoulder 26
which is sized to thread into threaded recess 20 of barrel 14.
Barrel extension 16 also has a casing chamber 28 which is sized and
shaped to receive a standard cartridge casing, such as a 0.223
inch, 0.243 inch, 0.270 inch, 0.308 inch, 30-06, etc. In the
embodiment shown, casing chamber 28 is sized and shaped to receive
a standard 0.223 cartridge casing. The casing does not include
propellant or a projectile, and the standard centerfire rifle
primer is replaced with a standard 209 shotgun primer. The 209
shotgun primer is generally preferred over a centerfire rifle
primer for muzzleloader applications. It is possible, however, that
other types of primers can be used, such as a centerfire primer for
a standard 0.223 cartridge, or other type of primer for a small
rifle, large rifle, small pistol, large pistol, and magnum small
and large pistol. The 209 primer is larger in diameter than a
centerfire rifle primer, and therefore the primer pocket on the
0.223 casing is enlarged to accommodate the 209 primer. The 0.223
ammo may be loaded in a conventional magazine, and the action may
be operated (charged) in a normal manner to place the cartridge
casing in casing chamber 28.
[0026] The disk 18 between the 0.223 casing and the primary charge
at the breach end of barrel 14 is sized to fit within stepped
shoulder 22 in barrel 14, and has a thickness corresponding to the
thickness of stepped shoulder 22. Disk 18 is clamped between barrel
extension 16 and the seat adjacent stepped shoulder 22 upon
tightening the threads between threaded recess 20 and threaded
shoulder 26. Disk 18 also includes a flash hole 30 and a nipple 32.
Flash hole 30 may be of conventional design. Nipple 32 extends into
the distal end of casing chamber 28 (see FIG. 2) and prevents a
live cartridge casing (including a projectile) from being
accidentally loaded into casing chamber 28.
[0027] In the embodiment shown and described above, an intervening
wall between primary chamber 24A and casing chamber 28 is in the
form of a separate disk 18 which is interposed between primary
chamber 24A and casing chamber 28. However, it is to be understood
that the intervening wall with flash hole 30, and optionally nipple
32, can be integrally formed with barrel 14 or barrel extension 16.
That is, barrel extension 16 can include a distal end which
integrally includes a disk or wall with flash hole and optional
nipple. Alternatively, barrel 14 can include a proximal or breach
end which integrally includes a disk or wall with flash hole and
optional nipple.
[0028] During use, the barrel is loaded as a muzzle loader in
typical fashion. To that end, a selected powder charge such as
pyrodex pellets 34 (FIG. 1), pyrodex powder or black powder is
placed in the distal end of the barrel. Next, a projectile such as
a saboted projectile 36, patched ball, mini ball, etc. is placed in
the barrel and seated over the powder charge using a ramrod 38. One
or more 0.223 casings 40 containing only a 209 primer are placed
into the magazine, and the magazine is placed into the bottom of
the lower receiver. The rifle is charged by drawing back the charge
handle and pressing a release on the offside of the receiver. The
safety is moved to the fire position and the weapon is ready to
fire.
[0029] Although the present invention is shown and described above
for use with a centerfire rifle in the form of a semi-automatic
rifle, in particular an AR15, it should be understood that the
present invention may be easily adapted to centerfire rifles with
different types of actions, such as bolt action, pump action, lever
action rifles or single shot rifles.
[0030] While this invention has been described with respect to at
least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claim
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