US4597810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracer unit for ammunition
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-06-20
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2005-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The tracer unit, which is particularly adaptable for ammunition used in hand guns and submachine guns, consists of a base charge including about 70 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 weight % magnesium and an igniter charge covering the base charge and including about 40 to about 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % strontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium. A small cavity in the rear end of a projectile is partially filled with the base charge which is tamped into the cavity by the application of a low pressure, such as by hand tamping with a metal plunger or the like. The igniter charge is added to the projectile cavity on top of the base charge and, after drying, the exposed surface of the igniter charge is covered with a compatible moisture proofing material, such as shellac.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal E. Trickel
- 👤 Sherwood V. Strommen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:23
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B33/00; C06C; C06C15/00; F; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A tracer unit for ammunition comprising (a) a base charge including about 75 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 weight % magnesium; and (b) an igniter charge covering said base charge and including about 40 to about 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % stontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tracer unit for ammunition comprising (a) a base charge including about 75 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 weight % magnesium; and (b) an igniter charge covering said base charge and including about 40 to about 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % stontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tracer composition according to claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said igniter charge to said base charge is about 1:4 to about 1:20.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tracer unit according to claim 1 wherein said base charge includes about 85 weight % strontium peroxide, about 9 weight % calcium resinate and about 6 weight % magnesium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tracer unit according to claim 1 wherein said igniter charge includes about 50 weight % calcium resinate, about 25 weight % strontium nitrate, and about 25 weight % magnesium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tracer unit according to claim 2 wherein the weight ratio of said igniter charge to said base charge is about 1:9.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for producing ammunition having a tracer unit including a base charge and an igniter charge for igniting the base charge when the weapon is fired, said method including the steps of: (a) admixing a base charge including about 75 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 % magnesium with an anhydrous solvent to form a damp substantially homogenous mixture thereof: (b) admixing an igniter charge including about 40 to 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % strontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium with an anhydrous solvent to form a substantially homogenous mixture thereof; (c) partially filling a small cavity in the rear end of the ammunition projectile with a sufficient amount of the damp base charge mixture to illuminate the trajectory of the projectile for a desired distance when the weapon is fired; (d) tamping the damp base charge mixture into the projectile cavity by the application of a low pressure; and (e) adding to the projectile cavity a sufficient amount of the igniter charge mixture to cover the base charge and to ignite the base charge when the weapon is fired.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for producing ammunition having a tracer unit including a base charge and an igniter charge for igniting the base charge when the weapon is fired, said method including the steps of: (a) admixing a base charge including about 75 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 % magnesium with an anhydrous solvent to form a damp substantially homogenous mixture thereof: (b) admixing an igniter charge including about 40 to 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % strontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium with an anhydrous solvent to form a substantially homogenous mixture thereof; (c) partially filling a small cavity in the rear end of the ammunition projectile with a sufficient amount of the damp base charge mixture to illuminate the trajectory of the projectile for a desired distance when the weapon is fired; (d) tamping the damp base charge mixture into the projectile cavity by the application of a low pressure; and (e) adding to the projectile cavity a sufficient amount of the igniter charge mixture to cover the base charge and to ignite the base charge when the weapon is fired.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 6 including the further steps of: (f) drying the base and igniter charges; and (g) covering the exposed surfaces of the igniter charge with a compatible moisture proofing material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the base charge includes about 85 weight % strontium peroxide, about 90 % calcium resinate and about 6 weight % magnesium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the igniter charge includes about 50 weight % calcium resinate, about 25% strontium nitrate and about 25 weight % magnesium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of the igniter charge to the base charge is about 1:4 to about 1:20.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein a sufficient amount of the solvent is added to and mixed with the igniter charge to form the resulting mixture into a creamy-like consistency; and step (e) includes filling the unfilled portion of the projectile cavity with the creamy-like igniter charge mixture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |