Abstract:
A simulated ammunition device which includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis and a blind bore provided therein at a location co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the first portion; a second portion having a longitudinal axis, a head which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a circumferential rim, and a stud which extends co-axial to the longitudinal axis of the second portion, the stud being received by the blind bore of the first portion; and structure for maintaining the stud within the blind bore.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to simulated ammunition devices. More particularly, this invention relates to simulated shotgun shells and simulated centerfire rounds having a realistic appearance, feel and weight. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Law enforcement agencies, hunter safety organizations and others often provide firearm safety training in an effort to reduce the incidence of firearm related accidents. Safe use of shotguns, rifles and pistols is often demonstrated in such training, with such training including instruction in loading ammunition into the firearm and unloading unfired ammunition from firearm. It is undesirable to use actual live shotgun shells and rifle and pistol rounds for training in view of the inherent safety risks. In an attempt to simulate a shotgun shell, it is common for instructors to use previously fired and now empty shotgun shells, the casings of which have been re-crimped. However, empty shells do not adequately simulate a live round. Likewise, the use of empty centerfire pistol and rifle rounds is not adequate. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide simulants having an appearance, feel and weight which provide realistic simulation of ammunition. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide simulants of the character described which avoid separation of the components thereof during use of the simulants for training purposes. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide simulants of the character described which simulate shotgun shells. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide simulants of the character described which simulate centerfire ammunition. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide simulants of the character described which are uncomplicated in configuration. 
     With regard to the foregoing, the present invention is directed to a firearm ammunition simulant. 
     In a preferred embodiment, simulated ammunition in accordance with the invention includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis and a bore provided therein at a location co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the first portion; a second portion having a longitudinal axis and including a head which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a circumferential rim, and a stud which extends from the head opposite from the rim and co-axial to the longitudinal axis of the second portion, the stud being received by the bore of the first portion; and structure for maintaining the stud within the bore. 
     In one embodiment, the stud and the bore threadably engage to provide a connection between the first portion and the second portion that avoids accidental separation of the first and second portions. 
     In another embodiment, the stud includes projections or barbs or the like which engage sidewalls of the bore such that the first portion and the second portion may be joined as by press-fitting to provide a connection between the first portion and the second portion that avoids accidental separation of the first and second portions. 
     The first portion is preferably made of a polymeric material, such as nylon, and the second portion is preferably made of a metallic material, such as brass. 
     Simulated ammunition in accordance with the invention may be made to simulate shotgun shells, centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition and other ammunition. 
     To simulate a shotgun shell, the first portion is configured to resemble the case or hull of a shotgun shell and the second portion is configured to resemble the brass or base portion of a shotgun shell. 
     To simulate centerfire ammunition, the first portion is configured to resemble the casing/bullet portion of centerfire ammunition and the second portion configured to resemble the base portion of centerfire ammunition where the primer is located. 
     The invention advantageously provides simulated ammunition which closely resembles the ammunition it simulates in appearance, feel and weight so as to give a realistic simulation experience. In addition, simulants in accordance with the invention avoid are configured such that separation of the components are avoided. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become further known from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a shotgun shell simulant in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the shotgun shell simulant of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hull portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG.  4 . is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of a shotgun shell simulant in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the shotgun shell simulant of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a hull portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is an elevational side view of a centerfire ammunition simulant in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of the simulant of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a casing/bullet portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of the shell simulant of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded side view of another embodiment of a centerfire ammunition simulant. 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the shell of FIG. 5 which enables a primer to be used in combination with the simulant. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a shotgun shell simulant  10  having a case or hull portion  12  and a base portion  14 . The simulant  10  has an appearance, feel and weight which provides realistic simulation of a live or loaded shotgun shell. Advantageously, the hull portion  12  is fixedly secured to the base portion  14  in a manner that avoids accidental separation of the hull portion  12  from the base portion  14 . 
     Avoidance of accidental separation is desirable to render the shell simulant  10  suitable for training purposes with a variety of shotguns including those having a pump action wherein shells are cycled from a magazine of a shotgun to a firing chamber and then ejected by operation of the pump action by a user. It would be undesirable for separation of the components to occur, i.e., separation of the hull and base portions, since one or both of the components could remain in the shotgun and render it unusable or unsafe for subsequent use with live ammunition. 
     Turning to FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , the hull portion  12  is preferably of solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a plastic or polymeric material, most preferably nylon, using known molding techniques. The hull portion  12  is substantially cylindrical in shape to correspond in size and shape to the hull portion  12  of a shotgun shell. The hull portion  12  includes a threaded, preferably blind bore  16  co-axial to the center line of the hull portion and open at one end of the hull portion  12  for receiving a corresponding portion of the base  14 . The bore  16  may be provided, as by drilling and threading. 
     The base portion  14  is preferably of solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a metallic material, most preferably brass, using known milling or turning techniques. The base portion  14  includes a head  18  which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a circumferential rim  20  to simulate the appearance and external structure of the base portion of a shotgun shell. The base portion  14  includes a stud  22  extending co-axial to the center line of the base portion and threaded so as to be threadably receivable within the blind bore  16  of the hull portion  12 . 
     A bore  24  is also preferably centrally provided on the head  18  opposite the stud  22  as clearance for a firing pin of a shotgun so that the shotgun may be dry fired when the simulated shell  10  is positioned within a firing chamber of the shotgun. Additionally, a resilient energy absorbing material, such as foam or a spring, may be placed within the bore  24  for dry firing purposes for avoiding damage to the firing pin of the shotgun. 
     For the purpose of an example, the hull  12  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 1 below to simulate the hull of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. It will be appreciated that the hull  12  may be provided in various dimensions to enable its use with various other gauges such as 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge and 410 bore shotguns. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 A 
                 1.0 length, 0.3125 inch diameter and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 threaded (⅜-16 thread) 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 0.78 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 1.95 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Likewise, the base  14  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 2 below to simulate the base or brass portion of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 D 
                 0.975 
               
               
                   
                 E 
                 0.375 
               
               
                   
                 F 
                 0.650 (⅜-16 thread) 
               
               
                   
                 α 
                 95° 
               
               
                   
                 G 
                 0.050 
               
               
                   
                 H 
                 0.325 
               
               
                   
                 I 
                 0.800 
               
               
                   
                 J 
                 0.881 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The hull portion  12  as configured above preferably has a weight of from about 13 grams to about 19 grams and the base portion  14  as configured above preferably has a weight of from about 32 grams to about 36 grams, such that the overall weight of the simulated shell is from about 47 grams to about 53 grams. It has been observed that this range substantially approximates the typical weight range of shotgun shells, whose weight generally varies from about 41 grams to about 67 grams, depending on the powder and shot charge and other characteristics of the shotgun shell. 
     With reference now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of a shotgun shell simulant  50  having a hull portion  52  and a base portion  54 . The simulant  50  also has an appearance, feel and weight which provides realistic simulation of a live shotgun shell. Advantageously, the hull portion  52  is fixedly secured to the base portion  54  in a manner that avoids accidental separation of the hull portion  52  from the base portion  54 . 
     Turning to FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 , the hull portion  52  is preferably of solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a plastic or polymeric material, most preferably nylon, using known molding techniques. The hull portion  52  is substantially cylindrical in shape to correspond in size and shape to the hull portion of a shotgun shell. The hull portion  52  includes a blind bore  56  co-axial to the center line of the hull portion and open at one end of the hull portion  52  for receiving a corresponding portion of the base  54 . The bore  56  may be provided, as by drilling, and is preferably of smooth bore. 
     The base portion  54  is preferably of solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a metallic material, most preferably brass, using known turning or milling techniques. The base portion  54  includes a head  58  which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a circumferential rim  60  to simulate the appearance of the base portion of a shotgun shell. The base portion  54  includes a stud  62  extending co-axial to the center line of the base portion and configured so as to be receivable within the blind bore  56  of the hull portion  52 . In this regard, the stud  62  preferably includes a plurality of projections or protrusions such as annular rings, serrations or angled barbs  63  for frictionally and mechanically engaging the sidewalls of the bore  56  of the hull portion  52  to retain the stud  62  within the bore  56 . The shell simulant  50  may be readily assembled by press-fitting the stud  62  into the bore  56 , the barbs  63  being of sufficient dimension to provide a fit sufficient to maintain the assembly of the shell  50  during use of the shell as a training device with shotguns. 
     A blind bore  64  is also preferably centrally provided on the head  58  opposite the stud  62  as clearance for a firing pin of a shotgun so that the shotgun may be dry fired when the simulated shell  50  is positioned within the firing chamber of the shotgun. 
     The bore  64  (and blind  24 ) is preferably blind. However, it will be understood that the bore  64  may be made contiguous through the stud  62  and communicate with the bore  56 , which may be extended to communicate with the other end of the hull portion. This would provide a continuous open bore  55  such that a live primer could be seated in the bore  64  (or bore  24 ) and fired to simulate firing of the shotgun. See, FIG.  14 . 
     For the purpose of an example, the hull  52  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 3 below to simulate the hull of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. It will be appreciated that the hull  52  may be provided in various dimensions to enable its use with various other gauges such as 16 gauge, 20 gauge and 410 bore shotguns. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 K 
                 1.0 length, 0.3125 inch diameter 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 0.78 
               
               
                   
                 M 
                 1.95 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Likewise, the base  54  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 4 below to simulate the base or brass portion of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 N 
                 0.975 
               
               
                   
                 O 
                 0.375 
               
               
                   
                 P 
                 0.650 
               
               
                   
                 β 
                 95° 
               
               
                   
                 Q 
                 0.050 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 0.325 
               
               
                   
                 S 
                 0.800 
               
               
                   
                 T 
                 0.881 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The shell  50  (and the components thereof) has a weight which substantially corresponds to that of the shell  10  (and components thereof) as previously described. 
     With reference now to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternate embodiment of an ammunition simulant  80  having a casing/bullet portion  82  and a base portion  84 . The simulant  80  also has an appearance, feel and weight which provides realistic simulation of live centerfire ammunition. Advantageously, the casing/bullet portion  82  is fixedly secured to the base portion  84  in a manner that avoids accidental separation of the casing/bullet portion  82  from the base portion  84 . 
     Turning to FIGS. 10,  11  and  12 , the casing(bullet portion  82  is preferably of solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a plastic or polymeric material, most preferably nylon, using known molding techniques. The casing/bullet portion  82  has a substantially cylindrical casing portion  82   a,  the exterior of which corresponds in size and shape to the exterior of the casing portion of a conventional centerfire ammunition round and a bullet portion  82   b  which corresponds in size and shape to the exposed portion of a bullet as seated in a conventional centerfire round. The casing/bullet portion  82  includes a preferably blind bore  86  co-axial to the center line of the casing/bullet portion and open at one end of the casing/bullet portion  82  for receiving a corresponding portion of the base  84 . The bore  86  may be provided, as by drilling, and is preferably of smooth bore. 
     The base portion  84  is preferably solid, one-piece construction, preferably made of a metallic material, most preferably brass, using known milling techniques. The base portion  84  includes a head  88  having a circumferential groove/rim  90  to simulate the appearance of the base portion of centerfire ammunition. The base portion  84  includes a stud  92  extending co-axial to the center line of the base portion and configured so as to be receivable within the bore  86  of the casing/bullet portion  82 . In this regard, the stud  92  preferably includes a plurality of protrusions such as annular rings or angled barbs  93  for frictionally and mechanically engaging the sidewalls of the bore  86  of the casing/bullet portion  82  to retain the stud  92  within the bore  86 . The shell simulant  80  may be readily assembled by press-fitting the stud  92  within the bore  86  to provide a fit sufficient to maintain the assembly of the shell  80  during use of the shell as a training device with centerfire firearms. 
     Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the simulant  80  may include a stud  92 ′ which is threaded and a bore  86 ′ having receiving threads in the manner previously described in connection with the simulant  10 . 
     A blind bore  94  is also preferably centrally provided on the head  88  opposite the stud  92  as clearance for a firing pin of a centerfire pistol or rifle so that the pistol or rifle may be dry fired when the simulated shell  80  is positioned within the firing chamber of the firearm. The bore  94  may also be made contiguous with the bore  86  to provide a continuous bore for enabling use of a primer. 
     For the purpose of an example, the casing/bullet  82  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 5 below to simulate the casing/bullet of a 9 mm Luger centerfire pistol round. It will be appreciated that the casing/bullet  82  may be provided in various dimensions to enable its use with various other centerfire pistol and rifle calibers, e.g., 45 cal.,  30-06  Springfield and the like. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 U 
                 0.5 - depth, .221 - diameter 
               
               
                   
                 V 
                 0.387 
               
               
                   
                 W 
                 0.545 
               
               
                   
                 X 
                 0.800 
               
               
                   
                 Y 
                 0.335 
               
               
                   
                 Z 
                 0.325 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Likewise, the base  84  is preferably dimensioned as set forth in Table 6 below to simulate the base of a 9 mm centerfire pistol round. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 AA 
                 0.370 
               
               
                   
                 BB 
                 0.160 
               
               
                   
                 CC 
                 0.387 
               
               
                   
                 DD 
                 0.530 
               
               
                   
                 EE 
                 0.224 
               
               
                   
                 FF 
                 0.187 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The casing/bullet portion  82  as configured above preferably has a weight of from about 0.03 oz. to about 0.07 oz. and the base portion  84  as configured above preferably has a weight of from about 0.015 oz. to about 0.025 oz., such that the overall weight of the simulated shell is from about 0.02 oz. to about 0.03 oz. It has been observed that this range substantially approximates the typical weight of 9 mm centerfire pistol rounds, which generally weigh from about 0.03 oz. to about 0.04 oz., depending on the bullet weight. 
     Ammunition simulants in accordance with the invention are suitable for use in conventional firearms for training purposes and are compatible with the mechanisms thereof. That is, the simulants are configured so that they mechanically cooperate with magazine, feed and ejection mechanisms of conventional firearms in the same manner as ammunition does. This enables the actions of the firearms, such as the pump or lever action of a firearm, to be operated to cycle the simulants through the firearm in the same manner as live ammunition for the purpose of training. 
     The foregoing description of certain embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications or alterations may be made in and to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.