US3680485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Salvo squeezebore projectile
Assignee: Colt Industries Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-08
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1989-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A series of substantially identical subprojectiles are secured together to form a projectile assembly with the subprojectiles in intimate engagement to substantially eliminate voids and trapped volumes between adjacent subprojectiles or between the projectile assembly and the gun barrel. The projectile assembly is secured in a cartridge case to form a cartridge for use in a squeezebore firearm barrel, wherein the projectile assembly separates to form a salvo of separated subprojectiles. Additionally, provision is made to alter the identity of the subprojectiles to permit inclusion of a tracer projectile, an armor piercing subprojectile or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin Zaid
- 👤 Martin T Soifer
- 👤 Julius Darigo
- 👤 Russell S Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:36
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B5/00; F42B5/02; F42B5/03; F42B5/035; F41; F41A; F41A21/00; F41A21/16; F42B14/00; F42B14/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A projectile assembly for use in squeezebore firearms comprising a plurality of subprojectiles arranged in coaxial relationship with the lead portion of one of said subprojectiles being received in an inwardly tapered recess formed in the preceding subprojectile of the assembly, the side wall of the recess in the preceding projectile being in intimate engagement with the outer side wall of the lead portion of said one subprojectile throughout substantially the full axial length of the recess, at least the outer radial extremity of said subprojectiles being capable of being reduced in diameter by the squeezebore of the firearm at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A projectile assembly for use in squeezebore firearms comprising a plurality of subprojectiles arranged in coaxial relationship with the lead portion of one of said subprojectiles being received in an inwardly tapered recess formed in the preceding subprojectile of the assembly, the side wall of the recess in the preceding projectile being in intimate engagement with the outer side wall of the lead portion of said one subprojectile throughout substantially the full axial length of the recess, at least the outer radial extremity of said subprojectiles being capable of being reduced in diameter by the squeezebore of the firearm at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer radial extremity of each of said subprojectiles is engageable with side walls of the bore of a gun barrel throughout substantially the full length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a lubricant is disposed between the engaging walls of adjacent subprojectiles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided in engagement with each of said subprojectiles to secure the projectile assembly together, said means being separable upon engagement of said subprojectiles with the squeezebore of the firearm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The projectile assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means is a plastic sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the final subprojectile has a main body diameter substantially equal to the final diameter resulting from the squeezebore and has sealing means secured thereto, the outer diameter of the sealing means being engageable with the side wall of the bore of the firearm barrel preceding the tapered squeezebore portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The projectile assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the trailing portion of the main body carries a pyrotechnic compound to provide visible subprojectile trace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said subprojecTiles is generally of conical shape and is provided with a conical recess for receiving the next subprojectile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A projectile assembly for use in squeezebore firearms comprising a plurality of identical subprojectiles arranged in coaxial relationship each of said subprojectiles having a recess formed in its trailing surface that is complementary in shape to its leading surface and means securing each of said subprojectiles to each adjacent subprojectile with the lead surface of each of said subprojectile in intimate engagement with the side walls of the recess of the preceding subprojectile throughout substantially the full axial length of the recess at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
A projectile assembly for use in squeezebore firearms comprising a plurality of identical subprojectiles arranged in coaxial relationship each of said subprojectiles having a recess formed in its trailing surface that is complementary in shape to its leading surface and means securing each of said subprojectiles to each adjacent subprojectile with the lead surface of each of said subprojectile in intimate engagement with the side walls of the recess of the preceding subprojectile throughout substantially the full axial length of the recess at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cartridge for firearms or the like comprising a projectile assembly including a plurality of subprojectiles secured together in nested relationship by a plastic sleeve embracing each subprojectile, a circumferential groove formed in said plastic sleeve and a cartridge case surrounding at least a portion of the projectile assembly and deformed into the groove in said sleeve to secure the projectile assembly to the case at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cartridge for firearms or the like comprising a projectile assembly including a plurality of subprojectiles secured together in nested relationship by a plastic sleeve embracing each subprojectile, a circumferential groove formed in said plastic sleeve and a cartridge case surrounding at least a portion of the projectile assembly and deformed into the groove in said sleeve to secure the projectile assembly to the case at least the rearmost subprojectile being imperforate with its outer radial extremity engageable with the side walls of the bore of the firearm barrel whereby the propulsion force is exerted on said rearmost projectile thereby to push the projectile assembly down the barrel of the firearm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cartridge as set forth in claim 10 wherein the subprojectiles are substantially identical and each is provided with axially extending grooves in locking engagement with said plastic sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projectile assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein guide means are provided on the leading subprojectile of the projectile assembly to assist in maintaining said subprojectile substantially coaxial with the axis of the firearm barrel during travel therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A projectile assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means extends forwardly of the trailing edge of the first subprojectile and engages the bore of the barrel to maintain said first subprojectile substantially coaxial with the axis of the bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cartridge of claim 10 wherein said plastic sleeve extends along the conical leading surface of the first subprojectile to form guide means to assist in maintaining said subprojectile coaxial with the barrel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |