Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A live ammunition cartridge comprising, in combination: a cylindrical powder charge body having a constant diameter, a primer disposed in one end of said powder charge body, an elongated cylindrical and continuous sheath of plastic material having an axial bore of said constant diameter; a first portion of said elongated plastic sheath bore closely receiving said powder charge body with said primer being juxtaposed with one end of said elongated plastic sheath; a second portion of said sheath having an elongated projectile-shaped section which is closed at its end and which extends axially away from said powder charge body; a projectile mass disposed within and completely filling said constant diameter bore in said projectile-shaped sheath section; said first plastic sheath portion having a wall thickness sufficiently strong to withstand the forces due to expanding gas created when said powder charge is ignited by said primer; said second plastic sheath portion having a substantially constant wall thickness, said second portion wall thickness being less than said first portion wall thickness; said first plastic sheath portion being ejected with said projectile mass when said powder charge body is ignited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A live ammunition cartridge comprising, in combination: a cylindrical powder charge body having a constant diameter, a primer disposed in one end of said powder charge body, an elongated cylindrical and continuous sheath of plastic material having an axial bore of said constant diameter; a first portion of said elongated plastic sheath bore closely receiving said powder charge body with said primer being juxtaposed with one end of said elongated plastic sheath; a second portion of said sheath having an elongated projectile-shaped section which is closed at its end and which extends axially away from said powder charge body; a projectile mass disposed within and completely filling said constant diameter bore in said projectile-shaped sheath section; said first plastic sheath portion having a wall thickness sufficiently strong to withstand the forces due to expanding gas created when said powder charge is ignited by said primer; said second plastic sheath portion having a substantially constant wall thickness, said second portion wall thickness being less than said first portion wall thickness; said first plastic sheath portion being ejected with said projectile mass when said powder charge body is ignited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The cartridge of claim 1 which further includes a thin planar plastic layer of constant thickness extending across said one end of said plastic sheath and covering said primer, whereby the entire cartridge outer surface is plastic and is impervious to moisture and contamination; said thin layer being sufficiently thin to transmit the force of a firing pin to said primer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said projectile mass abuts another end of said powder charge body, and further including a circumferential tear line around said sheath at the junction outwardly formed about said another end of said powder charge body by the differing wall thicknesses of said first and second sheath portions to define a tear line at which said projectile shaped section of said sheath will separate from the remainder of said sheath when said powder charge body is ignited.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cartridge of claim 3 wherein said circumferential tear line is defined by a line of spaced depressions in said plastic sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said primer and said charge body are components of a brass case blank of smaller caliber than the caliber of said cartridge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said projectile mass is of light-weight material.