Abstract:
A cartridge with a steel component bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the cartridge comprises a steel component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The lead jacket having a leading edge portion that extends to the cylindrical mid portion. The steel component bullet may have a forward pointed ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion, and a tapered rearward portion. The rearwardly facing surface may be concave. The leading edge portion may have a taper oriented in a direction opposite the taper of the ogive portion of the steel component. Structure to inhibit spin is positioned on a rearward face of the steel component. The bullet having a concave rear face.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 62/196,217 filed on Jul. 23, 2015; U.S. Provisional application 62/217,533 filed on Sep. 11,2015; and U.S. Provisional application 62/250,786 filed on Nov. 4, 2015; all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally relates to cartridges for use with handguns. More particularly, to a cartridge comprising a case with a jacketed bullet and a hardened forward steel component and a core component. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A cartridge with a improved bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component formed of steel, a lead core behind it, and a copper jacket. The forward steel component having a nose portion, a cylindrical mid portion, a rearward body portion that tapers forwardly. The copper jacket encompasses the lead core and extends forward to the cylindrical mid portion of the steel component and terminates at a leading edge portion. The leading edge portion may have a taper oriented in a direction opposite the taper of the ogive portion of the steel component whereby a forward facing annular recess is provided. The rearwardly facing surface of the bullet may be concave. 
         [0004]    In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component formed of steel, and a copper core integral or unitary with a copper jacket. 
         [0005]    A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward steel component may be formed with a spin inhibiting feature in the rearwardly facing end surface of the steel forward component. The feature may be protruding or recessed structure that conforms the lead or copper core during assembly to an inverse of such shape providing a locking feature between the core and the steel forward component. The feature on the rearward end may be a projection or an indentation, a plurality of such, or both, on the rearward facing surface of the steel component. 
         [0006]    A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that a concavity in the end of the jacket provides enhanced and more stable obturation of the projectile with the barrel resulting in increased accuracy. The concavity allows the propellant expansion to impart a radial force component acting on the rearward end of the projectile to deform the rearward end of the projectile outwardly providing more consistent engagement of the jacket with the barrel along the length of the projectile. Moreover, the rearwardly facing end of the jacket with the concavity provides an increased radial deformation capability compared to a flat end facilitating the radial expansion of the casing facilitating the sealing with the gun barrel. 
         [0007]    The concavity allows the projectile to be slightly longer with the same weight, and providing the same propellant load. This is believed to improve accuracy as longer bullets are understood to generally enhance accuracy. 
         [0008]    A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the steel component has a forward ogive portion, a unitary cylindrical mid portion, and a unitary rearward portion that increases in diameter rearwardly from the cylindrical mid portion. In embodiments, the rearward portion tapers forwardly and has an abbreviated rearward cylindrical end portion and a rounded end corner. Adjacent the rear end corner is the maximum diameter portion of the steel component; the maximum diameter dimension extends for a minimal axial distance, in embodiments less than 20% of the axial length of the forward component. In embodiments, the maximum diameter portion extends less than 15% of the length of the bullet. In embodiments, the maximum diameter portion extends less than 10% of the length of the bullet. The relative short full diameter portion is believed to keep barrel forces low, such as bullet to barrel friction, potentially reducing barrel wear. 
         [0009]    A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the jacket forward edge or lip engages the cylindrical mid portion, allowing an axial extending range on the cylindrical mid portion where the jacket edge may engage providing flexibility and an increased tolerance during manufacturing for the positioning of the forward edge of the jacket. 
         [0010]    A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward edge of the jacket has a reverse taper, opposite to that of the overall taper of the projectile. This reverse taper positioned at a cylindrical mid portion of forward component, presents a forward facing circumferential scoop which has minimal or no effect on flight characteristics but facilitates the initiation of the outward expansion of the jacket on impact with a fluidic target. This further facilitates the stripping-off of the jacket from the steel component providing advantageous terminal effects such as fragmentation of the projectile and faster yawing. Both are associated with increased stopping power. A further feature and advantage of embodiments is that a forward tapered portion of the jacket may have axially extending skives that may facilitate opening of the jacket upon impact. 
         [0011]    A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward component is retained in the jacket forward of the lead core, the forward component having a forward ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion adjoined to and unitary with the forward ogive portion, and a rearward portion adjoined to and unitary with the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the rearward portion diametrically larger than the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the cylindrical mid portion diametrically larger than the forward ogive portion, 
         [0012]    A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the forward ogived portion and mid portion of the steel component may have forward and outwardly facing cut-outs or divots that provide for a greater forward facing scooping area further enhancing the initiation of the opening of the jacket, the opening of the jacket, and the stripping off of the jacket from the steel component. The circumferentially arranged divots provide increased terminal performance while maintaining reliability of weapon system because the external profile of projectile is left unchanged, for example, the feed ramp for the cartridges is not impacted by the circumferential divots. 
         [0013]    A feature and advantage of embodiments is that a forward steel portion may be used essentially as a punch to conform a ball shaped lead portion to conform to the jacket and the rearward facing surface of the forward component. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a front elevational view of a cartridge according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of a cartridge according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1C  is a front elevational view of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cartridge of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of components of a bullet prior to assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of components of a bullet prior to assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a front elevational view of a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the bullet of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the bullet of  FIG. 7B . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6C  is a cross-section view of a bullet having a recess in the rearward facing end surface of the forward component. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6D  is a cross-section view of a bullet having a plurality of recesses in the rearward facing end surface of the forward component. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6E  is a cross-section view of a bullet having a plurality of projections in the rearward facing end surface of the forward component. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a forward component with a non-spin feature on the rearward facing end. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a forward component with separate ribs as the non-spin feature on the rearward facing end. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a forward component with a non-spin feature on the rearward facing end. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of a forward component with a non-spin feature on the rearward facing end and a pad for accommodating a tip of an adjacent bullet during manufacturing processes. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of a forward component with a plurality of divots providing the non-spin feature on the rearward facing end of a forward component. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7F  is a cross-sectional view of a forward component with a plurality of divots providing the non-spin feature on the rearward facing end of a forward component. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7G  is a cross-sectional view of a forward component with a plurality of divots providing the non-spin feature on the rearward facing end of a forward component. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7H  is a cross-sectional view of a forward component with a plurality of forward flutes and a plurality of divots providing the non-spin feature on the rearward facing end of a forward component. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7I  is a side elevational view of a forward component with suitable dimensions. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is cross-sectional detail view of the jacket front edge engaging the cylindrical end portion of the forward component according to embodiments. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9A  is an illustration of a step in the process of manufacturing a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9B  is an illustration of another step in the process of manufacturing a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9C  is an illustration of another step in the process of manufacturing a bullet according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9D  is an illustration of a bullet, according to embodiments of the invention, traveling down a barrel. 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a bullet according to embodiments of the invention traveling down a rifled barrel of a handgun. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2 , a handgun cartridge  20 , for example a 9 mm cartridge, has a bullet  22 , a casing  24 , propellant  30 , and a primer assembly  34 . The casing  24  has a rim  35  with a diameter  35 . 2  and a wall portion  36  having a diameter  36 . 2 . In embodiments, the rim diameter is the same as the wall portion diameter. The bullet is comprised of a forward component  40 , a core component  42 , and a jacket  44 . The forward component may be formed of steel but other materials are also suitable in particular embodiments. The jacket may comprise copper and the core may comprise lead. In embodiments the core can also be copper and may be unitary with the jacket. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the bullet is illustrated with a concavity  48  in the rearward facing end  50  of the bullet and in jacket. In other embodiments, the rearward facing end of the bullet may be flat or have other shapes. 
         [0045]    Referring to  2 ,  5 A- 6 E, and  8 , the jacket has a leading edge portion  51 , a leading edge  52 , and a reverse tapered surface  52 . 2  that may be a frustoconical concave surface. In embodiments, the leading edge is separated from the steel component such that a recess  53 , in embodiments a V-shaped recess, in cross-section, faces forward defining a circumferential scoop. One leg of the V is directly in line with the axis  53 . 3  of the bullet as well as the trajectory path. The V-shaped recess promotes opening of the jacket when the bullet impacts fluidic material which then urges the jacket to open, essentially by hydraulic force. The opened jacket can release the steel component and also the lead core increasing the damage imparted to the target. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-8 , in embodiments, the forward component  40  has a forward ogive portion  54 , a cylindrical mid portion  56  adjoining and unitary with the forward ogive portion, a rearward facing end surface  57 , and a rearward portion  58  adjoining and unitary with the cylindrical mid portion  56 . In embodiments, the rearward portion  58  of the forward component has a maximum diameter portion  59  rearwardly positioned on the rearward portion, the rearward portion then tapers forwardly to adjoin the cylindrical mid portion with a curved taper. In embodiments, the forward ogive portion of the forward component being contiguous, without any intermediate structure, with the mid portion, the mid portion being contiguous, without any intermediate structure, with the rearward portion. The maximum diameter portion may extend axially defining a maximum diameter cylindrical end portion  59 . 2 . The forward component has an axial length l, and the forward ogive portion extends an axial distance of l 1 , the cylindrical mid portion an axial distance of l 2 , and the rearward portion extends an axial distance of l 3 . In embodiments, l 1  is 30 to 50% of l. In embodiments, l 2  is 5 to 20% of l. In embodiments, l 3  is 35 to 55% of l. In embodiments, l 1  is 35 to 45% of l. In embodiments, l 2  is 10 to 15% of l. In embodiments, l 3  is 40 to 50% of l. The cylindrical end portion, in embodiments, extends axially a distance l 4  of less than 10% of the axial length l of the steel component. In embodiments, the maximum diameter cylindrical end portion of the forward component extends axially less than 20% of the axial length l of the steel component. In embodiments, the axial length l 4  of maximum diameter cylindrical end portion of the forward component extends axially less than 30% of the axial length l of the steel component. In embodiments, the maximum diameter cylindrical end portion  59 . 2  of the steel component extends axially a distance l 4  less than 5% of the axial length l of the steel component. Forward of the maximum diameter portion is a tapering portion  60  that leads to the cylindrical mid portion  56 . In embodiments, the tapering portion  60  is a curved taper with a compound radius. As best illustrated in  FIG. 7I , the tapering portion may have a first radius of curvature  60 . 2  with a greater radius positioned rearwardly of a second radius of curvature  60 . 3  having a second radius, less than the first radius, defining a curve with an increasing taper. The tapering portion  60  of the rearward portion and the cylindrical mid portion defining a radially outwardly facing recess  61 . 
         [0047]    In embodiments, the forward component is retained in the jacket forward of the lead core, the forward component having a forward ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion adjoined to the forward ogive portion, and a rearward portion adjoined to the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the rearward portion diametrically larger than the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the cylindrical mid portion diametrically larger than the forward ogive portion, 
         [0048]    In embodiments, the diameter of the cylindrical mid portion is 80 percent or greater of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion of the forward component. In embodiments, the diameter of the cylindrical mid portion is 85 percent or greater of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion. In embodiments, the diameter d 1  of the cylindrical mid portion is 70 percent or greater of the diameter d of the maximum diameter portion. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 1.65 to 1.05. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 1.50 to 1.20. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 1.32 to 1.40. 
         [0049]    In embodiments, the mid portion rather than being cylindrical, may have a slight taper forwardly of, for example, 2 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. In such embodiments, the mid portion is conical. In embodiments the mid portion may be conical with a taper of 5 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. Such conical mid portions may be substituted for all embodiments described or claimed herein. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1B, 1C, 5B, and 5C , the jacket may have scores or skives  62  extending axially on the forward portion  63  of the jacket. In embodiments, the skives will terminate at a point before where the bullet will engage barrel rifling, before the cylindrical end portion of the bullet. The skives may be cuts extending partially or completely through the jacket, folds in the jacket, indentations in the jacket, or other weakening of the jacket axially to facilitate tearing and opening of the jacket. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,805,057 and 6,305,292 illustrate such skives and these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 4B, 5A, 5C, 6A, and 6B , an embodiment of the invention is illustrated.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the use of a lead ball  66  to provide the lead core and a jacket cup preform  68 . The lead ball and jacket are deformed during manufacturing as discussed below. The forward component, which may be steel, has recesses or divots  70  in the cylindrical mid portion  56  and into the ogive portion  54 . The recesses or divots increase the forward facing area intermediate the outer surface  74  of the jacket and the forward component thereby increasing the hydraulic force for opening the jacket.  FIG. 6  illustrate the V-shaped recess and the enhanced “scoop” areas  77  provided by the divots and the resulting significant increase in hydraulic forces to open the jacket. Thus, embodiments of the invention include circumferentially distributed fluid scoop areas that facilitate jacket pedaling. The fluid scoop area  77  may be defined by the gap or open region between the steel component and the leading edge of the jacket. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 6B-7H , the forward component  40 . 1 ,  40 . 2 ,  40 . 3 ,  40 . 4 ,  40 . 5 ,  40 . 6 , and  40 . 7  may have rotation inhibiting features  82 ,  83 ,  84  on the rearward facing end surface  57 . The rotation inhibiting features may be configured as ribs  86  and project outwardly as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Alternately, the feature may be a recess  87  in the surface as illustrated by  FIGS. 7C, 77E, 7F, and 7H . Projections  87 . 5 , such as nubs, partial spheres, or other surface structure may also be utilized to lock the forward steel component, or other material component, to the core. The bullets may be axially stacked during manufacturing processes, and the central pad  88  of  FIG. 7D  can facilitate such stacking such that the bullets do not misalign.  FIG. 6B  corresponds to the ribs of  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 6C  corresponds to segmented recess, not shown in perspective. These interface feature will inhibit or prevent the steel component  40  from rotating with respect to the core  42 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B, 9A-9D , steps suitable for manufacturing the bullets described herein are illustrated. A jacket preform  68  is inserted into a die  90 . A lead ball  66  is inserted into the jacket. A steel forward component  40  is held by a suitable tool  92  to punch down onto the ball in the jacket deforming the ball and deforming the rearward face of the jacket. The combined steel component, lead core, and jacket  94  are then removed and inserted steel component end first into a skiving die, and then a finishing die  96  to obtain the final bullet shape. Other and additional steps may, of course, be utilized. During this process, the features on the rearward facing end surface of the steel component, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C , will be readily imparted in the forward facing surface  99  of the lead core which was the lead ball before deformation. In another embodiment of the invention, this would also occur in a bullet configuration with a jacket and a copper core in the jacket rather than the lead core. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a bullet according to embodiments of the invention traveling down a barrel  100  is illustrated. The concavity  48  allows the forces from the ignition of the propellant to present a radial component  106  at the rear end of the bullet that pushes against the barrel providing a radial expansion of the rear end  107  of the bullet resulting in a gas seal. Also, the maximum diameter cylindrical end portion  59 . 2  of the steel component  40  is minimally deformable and provides a “hard” ring of contact  110  with the barrel. The radial expansion at the rear end provides another ring of contact  112  is believed to minimize yaw as the bullet travels down the barrel. When viewed in cross-section, this provides four principle regions of engagement  114  of the bullet with the rifled barrel, resulting in very stable bullet trajectory traveling down the barrel and toward the target. It has been observed that performance of steel component bullets with the concavity compared to steel component bullets with a flat rearward surface provides a significant increase in bullet accuracy. 
         [0055]    In embodiments of the invention, the lead core can weigh about 1.4 to 2.2 times the weight of the jacket. The steel component can weigh 1.3 to 2.4 times the weight of the lead core. Weight may be approximately (within 20%) of the following for a 9 mm bullet:
   Jacket=19.3 grains   Lead Core=36.2 grains   Steel Component=47.5   
 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 7I , suitable dimensions for the forward component are provided. In embodiments, the dimensions may vary within 10% of the given dimensions. For different sized bullets and cartridges, the dimensions will vary proportionally. The bullets herein may also be formed of other materials other than those specifically. 
         [0060]    All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
         [0061]    Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0062]    The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. 
         [0063]    Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.