Abstract:
A sabot with exactly two complimentary halves, wherein each half portion comprises teeth configured to interlock with teeth of the other half portion. The sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion. Also, each half portion may comprise at least one indented conical end. Preferably, on each half portion, the teeth are spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end. Moreover, each half portion may comprise translucent polycarbonate material. Furthermore, each half portion may be adapted to flush mount together to form a substantially cylindrical configuration when the teeth are interlocked. Additionally, the sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion, wherein the semi-circular groove extends to the at least one indented conical end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/857,494 filed on Nov. 8, 2006, the complete disclosure of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The embodiments described herein may be manufactured, used, and/or licensed by or for the United States Government without the payment of royalties thereon. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The embodiments herein generally relate to ammunition and explosives, and, more particularly, to sabots used when firing ammunition and explosives. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In military ordnance arts, carriers for projectiles, known as sabots, have been used to facilitate the firing of a variety of ammunitions. Generally, a sabot is a carrier for a projectile that permits the firing of a variety of projectiles of a smaller caliber within a larger caliber weapon. Moreover, a sabot is used to provide structured support to a projectile within a gun tube under extremely high loads. Accordingly, without adequate support from a sabot, a projectile may break up into many pieces when fired. 
     Typically, a sabot fills the bore of the gun tube while encasing the projectile to permit uniform and smooth firing of the weapon. Preferably, the projectile is centrally located within the sabot that is generally radially symmetrical. After firing, the sabot and projectile clear the bore of the gun tube and the sabot is normally discarded some distance from the gun tube while the projectile continues toward the target. Typically, when the sabot reaches the end of the gun barrel, the force of hitting the air pulls the sabot away from the projectile, thereby allowing the projectile to continue in flight. While several types of sabot designs are available, these designs may be overly cumbersome and may have high manufacturing costs associated with them. Moreover, typical sabots comprise three-piece configurations having smooth uniform surfaces. 
     Furthermore, when conventional smooth sabots (i.e., sabots with smooth surfaces and without means for holding the sabot pieces together) are used, they tend to slide back and forth in the gun barrel, which makes it difficult to line up the projectile and can create significant and unwanted pitch and yaw of the projectile. To ameliorate this situation, one could use a pusher behind the sabot. Typically, the pusher is constructed of steel and also impacts the target, which in target practice is undesirable. Furthermore, the pusher may interfere with the preferred trajectory of the projectile. Therefore, there remains a need for an improved sabot offering a low cost solution, which can be easily utilized in practice. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, an embodiment provides a two-piece sabot comprising a first piece comprising a first set of raised teeth configured on a first side of the first piece; and a second piece comprising a second set of raised teeth configured on a first side of the second piece, wherein the first set of raised teeth is dimensioned and configured to interlock with the second set of raised teeth. The sabot may further comprise a groove configured in the first and second set of raised teeth. Preferably, each of the first and second pieces comprise at least one indented conical end. Also, the first set of raised teeth is preferably spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end, and the second set of raised teeth is preferably spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end. Moreover, each of the first and second pieces may comprise translucent polycarbonate material. Furthermore, the first and second pieces are preferably adapted to flush mount together to form a substantially cylindrical configuration when the first set of raised teeth is interlocked with the second set of raised teeth. Additionally, the sabot may further comprise a groove configured in the first and second set of raised teeth, wherein the groove extends to the at least one indented conical end. 
     Another embodiment provides a sabot comprising a first half portion comprising a first set of raised teeth configured on a first side of the first half portion, and a substantially curved surface configured on a second side of the first half portion; a second half portion comprising a first set of raised teeth configured on a first side of the second half portion, and a substantially curved surface configured on a second side of the second half portion; a semi-circular groove configured through each of the first side of the first half portion and the first side of the second half portion, wherein the first set of raised teeth is dimensioned and configured to interlock with the second set of raised teeth upon mating of the first side of the first half portion with the first side of the second half portion. 
     Preferably, each of the first and second half portions comprise at least one indented conical end. Moreover, the first set of raised teeth is preferably spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end, and the second set of raised teeth is preferably spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end. Furthermore, each of the first and second half portions may comprise translucent polycarbonate material. Also, the first and second half portions are preferably adapted to flush mount together to form a substantially cylindrical configuration when the first set of raised teeth is interlocked with the second set of raised teeth. Additionally, the semi-circular groove may be configured in each of the first and second set of raised teeth, wherein the semi-circular groove preferably extends to the at least one indented conical end. 
     Another embodiment provides a sabot comprising exactly two complimentary halves, wherein each half portion comprises teeth configured to interlock with teeth of the other half portion. The sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion. Also, each half portion may comprise at least one indented conical end. Preferably, on each half portion, the teeth are spaced apart from the at least one indented conical end. Moreover, each half portion may comprise translucent polycarbonate material. Furthermore, each half portion may be adapted to flush mount together to form a substantially cylindrical configuration when the teeth are interlocked. Additionally, the sabot may further comprise a semi-circular groove configured in the teeth of each half portion, wherein the semi-circular groove extends to the at least one indented conical end. 
     These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which 
         FIG. 1(A)  illustrates a schematic diagram of an interlocking sabot according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C)  illustrate schematic diagrams of each interlocking sabot half, respectively, of  FIG. 1(A)  according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIGS. 1(D) and 1(E)  illustrate schematic diagrams of the interlocking sabot halves of  FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C) , respectively, with a groove configured therein according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1(F)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 1(B)  according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1(G)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 1(D)  according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1(H)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 1(C)  according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1(I)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 1(E)  according to a first embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 2(A)  illustrates a schematic diagram of an interlocking sabot according to a second embodiment herein; 
         FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C)  illustrate schematic diagrams of each interlocking sabot half, respectively, of  FIG. 2(A)  according to a second embodiment herein; 
         FIGS. 2(D) and 2(E)  illustrate schematic diagrams of the interlocking sabot halves of  FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) , respectively, with a groove configured therein according to a second embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 2(F)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 2(B)  according to a second embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 2(G)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 2(D)  according to a second embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 2(H)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 2(C)  according to a second embodiment herein; and 
         FIG. 2(I)  illustrates a top view of the sabot half of  FIG. 2(E)  according to a second embodiment herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
     As mentioned, there remains a need for an improved sabot offering a low cost solution, which can be easily utilized in practice. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a two-piece sabot which can be configured in a large quantity mass production easily and at a low cost. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1(A) through 2(I) , where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1(A) through 1(I)  illustrate a first embodiment herein and  FIGS. 2(A) through 2(I)  illustrate a second embodiment herein. The sabot  10  (of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1(A) ) and the sabot  20  (of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2(A) ) each consists of exactly two complimentary pieces rather than three or more pieces as with some conventional sabots. Each sabot  10 ,  20  comprises interlocking sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  and  20   a ,  20   b , respectively, so that no pusher is required to hold the sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  and  20   a ,  20   b  together. This configuration prevents damage to the target (not shown) from pusher impact. Moreover, each sabot  10 ,  20  may be used for practice rounds in 30 mm, 20 mm,  50  caliber, and .458 caliber guns (not shown), for example. During use, the sabot  10 ,  20  falls away from the projectile (i.e., bullet) (not shown) before hitting the target. As a result, the target is not damaged by sabot collisions. 
       FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C)  each illustrate complimentary halves of the sabot  10  (of  FIG. 1(A) ) according to a first embodiment herein.  FIGS. 1(F) and 1(H)  illustrate the top views of  FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C) , respectively. Each complementary sabot half  10   a ,  10   b  is generally configured as an elongated half-cylindrical structure comprising a first end  13   a ,  13   b  opposite a second end  16   a ,  16   b  and having a substantially curved surface  19   a ,  19   b . Oppositely positioned from the curved surface  19   a ,  19   b  is a series of teeth  11   a ,  11   b  extending outwardly from the open-faced sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  such that the teeth  11   a  of sabot half  10   a  mate with the teeth  11   b  of sabot half  10   b . This mating of the teeth  11   a ,  11   b  is best illustrated in  FIG. 1(A) . 
     Additionally, each sabot half  10   a ,  10   b  has a conical indentation  15   a ,  15   b  at a first end  13   a ,  13   b  and has a flat surface  18   a ,  18   b  on the second end  16   a ,  16   b . Because the sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  are semi-cylindrically configured, the flat surface  18   a ,  18   b  assumes a semi-circular shape. The conical indentation  15   a  is separated from the teeth  11  a by a top portion  14   a  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  14   b  of sabot half  10   b . Similarly, the conical indentation  15   b  is separated from the teeth  11   b  by a top portion  14   b  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  14   a  of sabot half  10   a . Likewise, the flat surface  18   a  is separated from the teeth  11   a  by a top portion  17   a  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  17   b  of sabot half  10   b , and the flat surface  18   b  is separated from the teeth  11   b  by a top portion  17   b  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  17   a  of sabot half  10   a . A groove  12   a ,  12   b  may be configured from the conical end  15   a ,  15   b  and extending through the teeth  11   a ,  11   b  of the sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  as shown in  FIGS. 1(D) ,  1 (E),  1 (G), and  1 (I) such that the groove  12   a ,  12   b  creates a bifurcated top portion  14   a ,  14   b . This groove  12   a ,  12   b  may be formed by drilling and is configured to accommodate a bullet (not shown). 
       FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C)  each illustrate complimentary halves of the sabot  20  (of  FIG. 2(A) ) according to a second embodiment herein.  FIGS. 2(F) and 2(H)  illustrate the top views of  FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) , respectively. Each complementary sabot half  20   a ,  20   b  is generally configured as an elongated half-cylindrical structure comprising a first end  23   a ,  23   b  opposite a second end  26   a ,  26   b  and having a substantially curved surface  29   a ,  29   b . Oppositely positioned from the curved surface  29   a ,  29   b  is a series of teeth  21   a ,  21   b  extending outwardly from the open-faced sabot halves  20   a ,  20   b  such that the teeth  21   a  of sabot half  20   a  mate with the teeth  21   b  of sabot half  20   b . This mating of the teeth  21   a ,  21   b  is best illustrated in  FIG. 2(A) . 
     Furthermore, each sabot half  20   a ,  20   b  provides a conical indentation  25   a ,  25   b ,  28   a ,  28   b  at both the first ends  23   a ,  23   b  and second ends  26   a ,  26   b , respectively. The conical indentation  25   a  is separated from the teeth  21   a  by a top portion  24   a  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  24   b  of sabot half  20   b . Similarly, the conical indentation  25   b  is separated from the teeth  21   b  by a top portion  24   b  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  24   a  of sabot half  20   a . Likewise, the conical indentation  28   a  is separated from the teeth  21   a  by a top portion  27   a  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  27   b  of sabot half  20   b , and the conical indentation  28   b  is separated from the teeth  21   b  by a top portion  27   b  that is substantially flat to flush mate with the corresponding top portion  27   a  of sabot half  20   a . A groove  22   a ,  22   b  may be configured from the conical end  25   a ,  25   b  and extending through the teeth  21   a ,  21   b  of the sabot halves  20   a ,  20   b  as shown in  FIGS. 2(D) ,  2 (E),  2 (G), and  2 (I) such that the groove  22   a ,  22   b  creates a bifurcated top portion  24   a ,  24   b . This groove  22   a ,  22   b  may be formed by drilling and is configured to accommodate a bullet (not shown). 
     The sabot  10 ,  20  may comprise rigid polycarbonate material, and preferably, the polycarbonate is translucent, so that longitudinal drilling of the groove  12   a ,  12   b ,  22   a ,  22   b  can be observed through the assembled sabot  10 ,  20  (as best shown by the dashed lines in  FIGS. 1(A) and 2(A) , respectively). Polycarbonate material is preferred because it is softer than barrel metal so that it does not cause barrel wear. However, other materials may be used for the sabot  10 ,  20  that have substantially equivalent material properties. Furthermore, the sabot  10 ,  20  may have a length between 20-30 mm. 
     Preferably, the diameter of the projectile (i.e., bullet) is less than the diameter of the sabot  10 ,  20 . In flight, according to the first embodiment, the conical indentation  15   a ,  15   b  leads and the flat surface  18   a ,  18   b  follows. Moreover, in flight, according to the second embodiment, the conical indentation  25   a ,  25   b  leads and the conical indentation  28   a ,  28   b  follows. After leaving the barrel (not shown), the conical indentation  15   a ,  15   b ,  25   a ,  25   b  catches the air and the sabot  10 ,  20  splits into the two component pieces (sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  in the first embodiment and sabot halves  20   a ,  20   b  in the second embodiment) that fall away from the projectile (not shown). Preferably, the conical indentations  15   a ,  15   b ,  25   a ,  25   b ,  28   a ,  28   b  are inwardly configured into the sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b ,  20   a ,  20   b , respectively, such that the maximum diameter of an assembled sabot  10 ,  20  is defined by the curved surfaces  19   a ,  19   b ,  29   a ,  29   b  to create a substantially cylindrical body when the sabot  10 ,  20  is assembled. The two component pieces (sabot halves  10   a ,  10   b  in the first embodiment and sabot halves  20   a ,  20   b  in the second embodiment) of the sabot  10 ,  20  do not continue on the trajectory with the projectile and do not impact the target. As a result, the sabot  10 ,  20  does not strike the target, or otherwise interfere with the trajectory or impact of the projectile. 
     The embodiments herein provide a novel sabot  10 ,  20  compared with conventional sabots. The interlocking teeth  11   a ,  11   b ,  21   a ,  21   b  hold the two-part sabot  10 ,  20  together locking the sabot  10 ,  20  inside a gun barrel (not shown). Comparatively, when conventional smooth sabots (i.e., sabots with smooth surfaces and without means for holding the sabot pieces together (such as interlocking teeth)) are used, they tend to slide back and forth in the gun barrel, which makes it difficult to line up the projectile and create significant and unwanted pitch and yaw of the projectile. Accordingly, the sabot  10 ,  20  provided by the embodiments herein eliminates this problem. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.