Improvements in Cartridges.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cartridges.
I, EDUARD RUBIN, of Thun, Switzerland, Colonel, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to ball cartridges having an expansion chamber. According
thereto the forward part of the case, or a piston or plunger connected therewith,
does not move forward as in previous constructions, but the projectile which
extends into the interior of the case, that is to say, into the expansion chamber,
alone executes the expansion movement.
This arrangement has for object to increase the size of the expansion chamber and
consequently to diminish the initial pressure, because the space formerly occupied
by the piston-like or plunger-like shoulder is thus available, so that it can serve as an
expansion chamber or to increase the original expansion chamber. By this means, the
principle of construction upon which this kind of cartridges is based, viz. to impart
to the projectile the highest possible initial velocity with the lowest possible gas
pressure, is fulfilled in a more perfect manner than heretofore, whilst there is the further
advantage of the greater simplicity of this improved construction. Experiments have
shown that the portion of the case, or the plunger connected thereto, receives a start
or lead relatively to the projectile, first because it is lighter than the projectile, and
secondly because it presents a greater surface of resistance to the gases than does the
projectile. It is only when the plunger has completed its movement (at which
moment the projectile still projects into the case as in the present construction), that
the projectile commences to move. The projectile detaches itself from the plunger
and passes through the neck of the case into the barrel. Further, it has been found
that even the slight resistance of the plunger has acted to considerably increase the
gas pressure, without this undesirable increase in pressure being attended by an
appreciable increase of the initial velocity.
Now in the construction according to the present invention no such increase of
pressure takes place because the gases have not to overcome the resistance of a
plunger, and the hollow space is greater in consequence of the absence of the
plunger. The expansion of the gases is therefore more complete, and the cartridge
is shorter, as the projectile projects into the case. It need scarcely be stated that
in consequence of the fact that that portion of the projectile which projects into the
case in both constructions has a smaller cross sectional area (whereby the space
available for expansion is rendered relatively larger), there is produced with the
same or equal pressure a greater total pressure over the said cross sectional area,
and consequently a higher initial velocity. The accompanying drawings show four
longitudinal sections of constructions of cartridges according to my invention.
In Fig. 1, the projectile a is inserted in the case in such a manner that its upper
portion a bears upon or is supported by the edge of the neck of the case, and
lies flush therewith, the portion a³ that projects into the hollow space 6º being
of smaller diameter.
In Fig. 2, the projectile is formed between its upper portion a¹ and the lower
portion as with an intermediate conical portion a' by means of which the projectile is
set or fitted into the correspondingly shaped neck of the case.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate by way of example cartridges in which the special mode of

page_text: connecting the projectile and the case together, acts to completely prevent the
former not only from falling into the case i.e. into the powder chamber, but also from
falling out of the case, without the freedom of movement of the projectile when
the cartridge is fired, being interfered with. For this purpose the projectile has
its greatest diameter immediately at the base of its pointed part a.. From this
place a the projectile tapers or contracts inward. Such contraction a² may take
place gradually so as to constitute a continuous cone extending from the part of
greatest diameter to the end of the projectile, as shown in Fig. 6, or at the end of
the projectile, there may be formed a shoulder a* which is partly of reversed conical
shape and partly cylindrical as shown in Fig. 7.
Or the conical part a² is made short, and has connected to it a longer cylindrical
portion a³, as shown in Fig 5.
The case. b, similarly to ordinary cases, is provided with a very short neck. 61
which may either be vertical or upright as usual (Fig. 3), or may be set back
into the interior of the case as shown in Fig. 4. The case 6 has an opening in its
neck portion of 'exactly the same conicity or taper as the projectile immediately
behind the point aº of its largest diameter. The neck 6' of the case surrounds the
said part of the projectile in such a manner that the upper edge of the neck
extends just beyond the point aº of the largest diameter of the projectile, so that
this part is situated a little below the mouth of the neck. This projecting portion of
the neck is pressed against the projectile, which extends outwardly into a point, and
in such wise forms both above and below an abutment for the projectile, the two
abutments together, determining the firm seating of the same. This simplé
connection, which presents no appreciable resistance to the liberation of the projectile
on firing, secures the same however completely against falling into the powder-chamber
of the case and at the same time against falling out of the same, which very frequently
happens with ordinary cartridges, especially during the transport of the same in the
field and in the cartridge boxes or pouches of the shooters, where they are subjected,
in consequence of the movements of the individual, to continual shocks and shakings,
and which therefore constitutes an appreciable drawback to existing ammunition:
Dated this 29th day of May 1896.
F. WISE HOWORTH;
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
I, EDUARD RUBIN, of Thun, Switzerland, Colonel, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following stateinent :-
This invention relates to ball cartridges having an expansion space.
. In contradistinction to such cartridges as heretofore constructed, in which the
forward part of the case, or a piston or plunger connected therewith, is moved
forward, in a cartridge according to this invention the projectile, which extends
into the interior of the case that is to say, into the expansion space-is alone moved
by the expansion of the gas.
This arrangement has for object to increase the size of the expansion space and
consequently to diminish the initial pressure, because the space formerly. occupied
by the piston-like or plunger-like shoulder is thus available, so that it can serve as
an expansion space or as an enlargement of the original expansion space. By this
means, the principle of construction upon which this kind of cartridge is based-
viz., to impart to the projectile the highest possible initial velocity with the lowest

page_text: possible gas pressure is complied with in a more perfect manner than heretofore,
whilst there is the further advantage of the greater simplicity of this improved
construction.
Experiments have shown that a movable forward portion of the case, or the
plunger connected thereto, receives a start or lead relatively to the projectile, first
because it is lighter than the projectile, and secondly because it presents a greater
surface to the action of the gases than does the projectile; and it is only when
the plunger has completed its movement (at which moment the projectile projects
into the case as it does before firing in the case of the present construction) that
the projectile commences to move, detaching itself from the plunger and passing
through the neck of the case into the barrel. Further, it has been found that even
the slight resistance of the plunger has acted to considerably increase the gas pressure,
without any consequent appreciable increase of the initial velocity.
Now in the construction according to the present invention no such increase
of pressure takes place, because the gases have not to overcome the resistance of a
plunger, and the vacant space is greater in consequence of the absence of the
plunger.
The expansion of the gases is therefore more complete, and the cartridge is shorter
to the extent to which the projectile projects into the case. The portion of the
projectile that projects into the case is made with a. smaller cross sectional area
(whereby the space available for expansion is rendered relatively larger), so that, as
will be quite obvious, there will be produced with a given total pressure a greater
pressure per unit of cross-sectional area, and consequently a higher initial velocity.
The drawings filed with my Provisional Specification show four longitudinal
sections of constructions of cartridges according to my invention.
In the cartridge shown in Fig. I, the projectile a is inserted in the case b in such
a manner that its upper portion a bears upon or is supported by the edge of the
neck b¹ of the case, and lies flush therewith, and the portion as that projects into the
hollow space is inade of smaller diameter.
In Fig. 2, the projectile is shown formed between its upper portion at and
the lower portion as with an intermediate conical portion a² by means of which
the projectile is set or fitted into the correspondingly shaped neck of the case.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate, by way of example, cartridges in which the special mode
of connecting the projectile and the case together, acts to completely prevent the
former not only from falling into the case-i.e., into the powder chamber-but also
from falling out of the case, without appreciably interfering with the freedom of
movement of the projectile when the cartridge is fired. For this purpose the
projectile has its greatest diameter immediately at the base a" of its ogive point a¹.
From this place a the projectile tapers or contracts inward. Such contraction a²
may take place gradually so as to constitute a continuous conical surface extending
from the part of greatest diameter to the inner end of the projectile, as shown in
Fig. 6, or at the end of the projectile, there may be formed a projection a* which is
partly of reversed conical shape and partly cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 7.
The conical part a² may however, be made short, and have connected to it a longer
cylindrical portion a³, as shown in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 5.
The case bis, in a manner similar to that of ordinary cases, but is provided with a
very short neck 6', which may either extend outwardly as usual (Fig. 3), or be set
back into the interior of the case as shown in Fig. 4.
The case 6 has an opening in its neck portion, of exactly the same conicity or
taper as the projectile immediately behind the place a of its largest diameter. The
neck of the case surrounds the said part of the projectile in such a manner that
the upper edge of the neck extends just beyond the place aº of the largest diameter of
the projectile, so that this place is situated a little below or within the mouth of the
neck. This projecting portion of the neck is pressed against the projectile, which
extends outwardly, to a point, and in such wise forms both above and below an
abutment for the projectile, the two abutments 2 and 63 together determining the firm
seating of the same.

page_text: This simple connection, which presents no appreciable resistance to the separation of
the projectile on firing, completely secures the projectile, however, against falling into
the powder chamber of the case and at the same time against falling out of the case,
which very frequently happens with ordinary cartridges, especially during their
transport in the field and in the cartridge boxes' or pouches of the shooters, where
they are continually subject, in consequence of the movements of the persons carrying
them, to shocks and shakings, and which therefore constitutes an appreciable
-drawback to existing ammunition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A ball cartridge in which, for the purpose of reducing the initial pressure, there
is provided in front part of the case, an expansion-space 6 into which the projectile
extends.
2. A cartridge of the kind referred to in Claim 1, in which the projectile is conically
tapered inwards from the place a where the point of the projectile attains the
greatest diameter of the projectile, the opening of the neck-portion of the case
having the same conicity and the mouth of the neck partly enclosing the upper
portion a' of the projectile beyond the place aº of largest diameter the arrangement
being such that the projectile is secured in the case both against falling into the
powder chamber and also from falling out of the case, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3. In a cartridge of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a projectile which has its
greatest diameter immediately at the root of its ogive point, and which tapers
inwardly from the place a° of greatest diameter this tapering a extending uniformly
to the end of the projectile as shown in Fig 6, or being cut short and ending in a
-cylindrical portion a³ as shown in Fig. 5, or ending in a short collar-like projection a*
as shown in Fig. 7, of the drawings.
4. In a cartridge of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a case having an opening in its
neck-portion of exactly the same conicity as the projectile a, according to Claim 3,
behind the place a° of its largest diameter, the opening of the neck being contracted
near its upper edge to correspond with the conicity of the point of the projectile
above the place aº, so as to form abutments 3 adapted respectively to prevent the
projectile from falling out of the case and from falling into the powder-space.
5. My improved cartridge constructed and arranged as herein before described with
-reference to and shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
Dated this 1st day of March 1907
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.