Patent ID: 6260484
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
A shotshell wad including a generally cylindrical, plastic body having a first, forwardly directed shot receiving portion having an outer wall and a forward end, an intermediate interior partition, and a second, rearwardly directed charge receiving portion having an outer wall and a rearmost end, said outer wall of said first shot receiving portion being provided with a plurality of wall weakening segments having rearward extremities extending from proximate said intermediate partition toward said forward end, said outer wall of said first shot receiving portion being imperforate from said plurality of wall weakening segments to said forward end, said wall weakening segments being formed so as to open to relieve pressure in an area proximate said intermediate partition within said first shot receiving portion under firing compression condition and upon forward projection of the shotshell wad out of a muzzle of a firearm barrel so as to relieve compaction of shot disposed within said first shot receiving portion and thereby permit said shot to project forwardly, in a controlled pattern, from said first shot receiving portion upon the shotshell wad exiting the muzzle of the firearm barrel, and said outer wall of said second charge receiving portion including a plurality of spaced elongated lines of weakening which extend from said rearmost end toward said intermediate partition, said elongated lines of weakening dividing said outer wall of said second charge receiving portion into a plurality of segments, said elongated lines of weakening being formed such that said segments of said outer wall of said second charge receiving portion separate under firing compression condition and upon forward projection of the shotshell wad from the muzzle of the firearm barrel so that said plurality of segments flare radially outwardly relative to one another to thereby function as fins for stabilizing the shotshell wad to prevent tumbling of the shotshell wad after exiting the muzzle of the firearm barrel.