U.S. patent application number 14/657258 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-15 for projectile with maximized ballistic stopping power.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kim Patrick BUTLER, Rene NEUBACHER. Invention is credited to Kim Patrick BUTLER, Rene NEUBACHER.
Application Number | 20160265887 14/657258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56887558 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160265887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEUBACHER; Rene ; et
al. |
September 15, 2016 |
PROJECTILE WITH MAXIMIZED BALLISTIC STOPPING POWER
Abstract
A projectile designed to increase stopping power by imparting
greater energy into a target is provided. The projectile may
provide a body portion interconnecting a tail portion and a nose
portion. The nose portion may be defined as six concave lines
symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the projectile.
The six concave lines define the nose portion as it extends from a
distal penetrator portion, to a neck portion, to a shoulder
portion, and then to an ogive portion, wherein the ogive portion
transitions into the body portion. The nose portion may be
dimensioned and adapted to dispose the center of gravity of the
projective near a midpoint of the body portion. The shoulder
portion may be dimensioned and adapted so that when the penetrator
portion penetrates a medium of the target, the medium contacts the
shoulder portion at a sufficient angle of incidence to urge the
resultant force to produce rotation about the center of gravity,
facilitating rapid tumbling of the projectile.
Inventors: |
NEUBACHER; Rene;
(Tuscaloosa, AL) ; BUTLER; Kim Patrick; (McCalla,
AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NEUBACHER; Rene
BUTLER; Kim Patrick |
Tuscaloosa
McCalla |
AL
AL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56887558 |
Appl. No.: |
14/657258 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 30/02 20130101;
F42B 12/02 20130101; F42B 5/025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/02 20060101
F42B012/02 |
Claims
1. A projectile formed from a suitable material for maximizing
ballistic stopping power, comprising: a core that is symmetrical
about its longitudinal axis, said core forming a novel shape
comprising: a generally cylindrical body portion; a nose portion;
and a shoulder portion disposed along a circumference of the nose
portion, wherein the shoulder portion is dimensioned and adapted to
provide a predetermined angle of incidence.
2. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a jacket
substantially encasing said core so as to form the novel shape.
3. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a boat tail
portion interconnected to the by nose portion by the body
portion.
4. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the nose portion further
comprises: an ogive portion interconnecting the body portion and
the shoulder portion; a penetrator portion; and a neck portion
interconnecting the penetrator portion and the ogive portion.
5. The projectile of claim 4, wherein the nose portion is
dimensioned and adapted to dispose a center of gravity of the core
near the midpoint of the body portion.
6. The projectile of claim 4, wherein the nose portion is defined
by six concaved lines symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.
7. The projectile of claim 6, further comprising a jacket
substantially encasing said core so as to form the novel shape.
8. The projectile of claim 6, wherein the core comprises a solid
bullet.
9. The projectile of claim 7, wherein the core and the jacket
comprise a full metal jacket bullet.
10. A full metal jacket formed from a suitable material for
maximizing ballistic stopping power, comprising: a jacket that is
symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, said jacket forming a
novel shape comprising: a generally cylindrical body portion; a
nose portion defined by six concaved lines symmetrical about the
longitudinal axis, forming: a shoulder portion dimensioned and
adapted to provide a predetermined angle of incidence; an ogive
portion interconnecting the body portion and the shoulder portion;
a penetrator portion; a neck portion interconnecting the penetrator
portion and the ogive portion; and a boat tail portion
interconnecting the nose portion and the body portion, wherein the
nose portion and the boat tail portion are dimensioned and adapted
to dispose a center of gravity of the jacket near the midpoint of
the body portion.
11. The full metal jacket of claim 10, further comprising a core
substantially encased by the jacket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to projectiles and, more
particularly, a bullet designed to increase stopping power.
[0002] Full metal jacketed bullets have a core substantially
encased in a shell or "jacket," for advantageous purposes, such as
hard-target efficacy, higher muzzle velocity and the like. However,
there are some disadvantages to jacketing a bullet. For instance,
whereas hollow point and soft-tipped bullets are designed to expand
upon impact, metal jacketed bullets have a very limited capacity to
expand. This generally makes the bullet pierce and completely pass
through a soft target (soft tissue animals), resulting in a small
cavity, often leading to less severe wounding, and possibly failing
to disable the target.
[0003] Specifically, current designs of full metal jacketed bullet
have high energy and will often pass through the object without
imparting the full energy of the bullet upon the soft tissue, thus
limiting the stopping power necessary to incapacitate the object.
Solid projectiles have similar deficiencies.
[0004] This over-penetration of the soft target by the full metal
jacketed bullets and solid projectiles does not impart enough
energy into the soft tissue, often leaving a small cylindrical
channel upon exiting the body of soft tissue. As a result, the lack
of a large cavity and small exit wound limits the bullet's stopping
power.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for a full metal jacket or
solid projectile designed to increase stopping power by imparting
greater energy into the soft tissue than currently designed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a projectile formed
from a suitable material for maximizing ballistic stopping power
includes: a core that is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis,
said core forming a novel shape having a generally cylindrical body
portion; a nose portion; and a shoulder portion disposed along a
circumference of the nose portion, wherein the shoulder portion is
dimensioned and adapted to provide a predetermined angle of
incidence.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a full metal
jacket formed from a suitable material for maximizing ballistic
stopping power includes a jacket that is symmetrical about its
longitudinal axis, said jacket forming a novel shape having a
generally cylindrical body portion; a nose portion defined by six
concaved lines symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, forming: a
shoulder portion dimensioned and adapted to provide a predetermined
angle of incidence; an ogive portion interconnecting the body
portion and the shoulder portion; a penetrator portion; a neck
portion interconnecting the penetrator portion and the ogive
portion; and a boat tail portion interconnecting the nose portion
and the body portion, wherein the nose portion and the boat tail
portion are dimensioned and adapted to dispose a center of gravity
of the jacket near the midpoint of the body portion.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a section cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2, illustrating a
center of gravity;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary state of
flight;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary state of
impact/tumble;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary state of
yaw/tumble;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary state of
yaw/tumble;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary state of
yaw/tumble;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the prior art;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the prior art demonstrating
an exemplary angle of incidence;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, demonstrating an exemplary angle of
incidence;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, demonstrating two shock waves from impact; and
[0022] FIG. 14 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, demonstrating two shock waves from impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0024] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
projectile designed to increase stopping power by imparting greater
energy into a target. The projectile may provide a body portion
interconnecting a tail portion and a nose portion. The nose portion
may be defined as six concave lines symmetrical with respect to a
longitudinal axis of the projectile. The six concave lines define
the nose portion as it extends from a distal penetrator portion, to
a neck portion, to a shoulder portion, and then to an ogive
portion, wherein the ogive portion transitions into the body
portion. The nose portion may be dimensioned and adapted to dispose
the center of gravity of the projective near a midpoint of the body
portion. The shoulder portion may be dimensioned and adapted so
that when the penetrator portion penetrates a medium of the target,
the medium contacts the shoulder portion at a sufficient angle of
incidence to urge the resultant force to produce rotation about the
center of gravity, facilitating rapid tumbling of the
projectile.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 14, the present invention
embodies a projectile 10 designed to increase stopping power by
imparting greater energy into a medium 40, such as soft tissue,
that it penetrates. The projectile 10 may be any projectile having
a core 14. The core 14 may be made of material of suitable
strength, such as metal, metallic alloys, plasticized materials and
the like. For example, the projectile 10 can be defined as a solid
bullet, one piece of metal or metal alloy, wherein such unitary
construction facilitates an easier and more cost-effective
manufacturing process. In certain embodiments, the projectile 10
may provide a jacket 12 substantially encasing the core 14. The
jacket 12 may be formed from a solid, alloyed, and/or composite
material of sufficient strength.
[0026] The projectile 10 has a generally cylindrical body portion
18 interconnecting a boat tail portion 20 and a nose portion. The
form of the nose portion may be defined as six concave lines
symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the projectile
10. The concave lines define the nose portion as it extends from a
distal penetrator portion 22, to a neck portion 24, to a shoulder
portion 26, and then to an ogive portion 16, wherein the ogive
portion 16 transitions into the body portion 18. The forms of the
projectile, including the nose portion, may be formed into the core
14 of a unitary, "solid bullet," or may be formed into the jacket
12 of a jacketed bullet.
[0027] The present invention utilizes the form and shape of the
projectile 10 design to dispose the center of gravity 30 near the
mid-point of the body portion 18. In certain embodiments, the
proportional size and shape of the ogive portion 16, the shoulder
portion 26, and the neck portion 24 relative to the body portion 18
shifts the center of gravity 30 toward the midpoint of the body
portion 18, while not requiring multiple materials for the core
14.
[0028] The form of the shoulder portion 26 may be dimensioned and
adapted so that when the penetrator portion 22 penetrates the
medium 40, the medium 40 contacts the shoulder portion 22 at a
predetermined angle of incidence, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The
overall projectile 10 design produces a tumbling effect earlier,
produced by the resultant forces urged by the predetermined angle
of incidence, when compared to conventional bullet designs 54, when
the projectile 10 hits its target.
[0029] Conventional bullet designs 54, such as full metal-jacketed
and solid bullets for rifles are generally 3 to 5 calibers long. If
they hit a soft medium 40 while in stable flight, they cause a
wound channel that can be divided into three
clearly-distinguishable sections. The first section consists of a
straight entry channel, known as the narrow channel. At its
narrowest point, the diameter of this channel generally corresponds
to approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the caliber of the bullet. The
more blunt the bullet and the higher the energy, the wider the
narrow channel at its narrowest point. The narrow channel is
created as follows: When a bullet enters a soft target medium 40,
extremely high pressure is created at the tip, owing to the high
density of the medium 40 which, from the bullet's point of view, is
flowing towards it, see FIG. 10, "the flow 54." The viscosity and
inertia of the medium 40 cause the flow 54 to break away from the
surface of the conventional bullet at an early stage, which means
that only a small part of the conventional bullet's tip is in
contact with the medium 40 and hence exposed to this pressure, as
illustrated in FIG. 10. Moreover, because of the conventional form,
a large percentage of the conventional bullet's surface is not in
contact with the medium 40 and is hence subjected to virtually no
forces traverse to its longitudinal axis, as illustrated in FIG.
11. At this point, inertia forces predominate, and friction can be
essentially ignored.
[0030] In the present invention, as the projectile 10 enters a soft
target medium 40, penetrator portion 22 first, again extremely high
pressure is created at the tip owing to the high density of the
medium 40 which, from the point of view of the projectile 10, is
flowing towards it. And likewise the viscosity and inertia of the
medium 40 causes the flow 52 to break away from the surface until,
however, the flow 52 reaches the present invention's novel shoulder
portion 26. The form and shape of the shoulder portion 26 urges the
medium 40 and so pressure force against the shoulder portion 26, as
a novel flow 50 breaks off on an approximately 45 degree angle from
the surface of the projectile 10, as illustrated in FIG. 12. This
novel flow 50 starts a second shockwave 60 in the soft tissue, as
illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The resultant pressure force tends
to produce rotation in the form of an overturning moment.
[0031] Overturning moments cause bullets to yaw/tumble, as
illustrated in FIG. 6 through 9. The overturning moment depends
mainly on the angle of incidence at the point of impact. If the
conventional bullet 54 is in a sufficiently stable flight, the
angle of incidence is small and the overturning moment is hence
smaller than the stabilizing gyrostatic moment. A bullet, which
acts like a gyroscope, executes a precession movement under the
influence of this overturning moment. However, as the bullet's
velocity decreases, more of its surface comes in contact with the
medium 40 increases which leads to an increase in force transverse
to the longitudinal axis and hence to an increase in the
overturning moment applied. This, in turn, increases the angle of
incidence, causing the overturning moment to increase still
further. This positive feedback rapidly causes the
bullet/projectile to yaw/tumble.
[0032] Therefore, the length of the narrow channel hence depends on
the angle of incidence at the point of impact, on gyroscopic
stability and on the form of the nose portion. The shape/form of
the shoulder portion 26 may be dimensioned and adapted to provide a
sufficient angle of incidence of the projectile 10 so as to
facilitate a rapid tumbling when in contact with the medium 40 by
urging the resulting pressure force, or the product thereof, to be
applied traverse to its longitudinal axis more rapidly then a
conventional bullet 54.
[0033] Because the bullet rotates about its centre of gravity, the
base of the bullet (or the tip, if the bullet rotates in the
opposite direction) is forced into the medium 40 at a high speed.
The resultant force caused by the shoulder portion 22 is applied a
lever-arm's distance from the centre of gravity 30, producing a
torque. This torque or overturning moment is measured by the
product of the resultant force into its lever arm--the distance
from the resultant force (shoulder portion 26) and the center of
gravity 30. Since the form and shape of the nose portion disposes
the center of gravity 30 near the midpoint of the body portion
18--the lever arm is elongated--hastening an overturning moment
sufficient to facilitate rapid tumbling of the projectile.
[0034] The tumbling effect, where the projectile 10 pitches through
the soft target (medium 40), as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 9,
causes a larger wound cavity and exit wound as compared to
conventional bullets 54. The tumbling effect transfers more of the
kinetic energy of the projectile 10 to the soft target. Moreover,
the present invention's designed shape creates two additional
shockwaves in the target, creating a larger temporary cavity, as
illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The kinetic energy and penetration
of the projectile is transferred into the target, not through it.
As a result, the projectile 10 could be used in hostage situations
so that the projectile 10 does not over-penetrate the target,
continuing through a nearby wall, injuring innocent
by-standers.
[0035] A method of making the present invention may include the
following. Using a specially made bullet dies and manufacturing
process (not shown), configured to the aforementioned design shape,
the projectile 10 is pressed with sufficient force into the die.
Upon release of the force, the new projectile 10 drops out. The
projectile or projectile 10 may be used with any caliber weapon or
size of bullet.
[0036] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *