Frangible Projectile, And Weapon Cartridge Containing Same

Abstract

A frangible projectile, and weapon cartridge containing same, is provided, in which the frangible projectile is comprised of a hollow outer body composed of, for example, a plastic or polymeric material, configured to provide a payload material. Preferably, the hollow outer body has an interior surface having a divider formed or disposed therein, for controlling the movement of the payload material after firing. The hollow outer body of the frangible projectile, upon impact, rapidly fragments upon impact into relatively harmless pieces, and releases / mixes the payload material. However, the payload material may be chosen to provide sufficient mass, and accordingly sufficient kinetic energy, to provide desired target effects, such as powder metals. Alternatively, payload materials, such as reactive chemical components, marking agents, chemiluminescent compositions, incapacitants, multi component reactive compositions, etc., preferably contained within one or more payload containers, are provided.

Description

REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority of and is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 880,327, filed Jul. 20, 2007, now abandoned, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]A frangible projectile containing a payload is provided which, when fired, controls the movement of the payload so as to maintain proper trajectory, and upon impacting a target, fragments and quickly dissipates the kinetic energy, thereby preventing ricochets, as well as delivering a desired payload. In particular, a frangible projectile comprised of an outer hollow plastic body internally containing one or more payloads is provided which, upon impact, ruptures and disperses the payload(s). The payload may be an inert mass, such as a metal powder, a chemical agent such as a marking agent, or a multi component reactive composition which mixes and reacts upon impact. Further, a weap...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]wherein the divider controls movement of and / or maintains separation of dissimilar contents of the payload within the interior portion of the hollow outer body after firing of the projectile, thereby maintaining or increasing accuracy of the projectile after firing, and wherein the hollow outer body fragments upon impact.

[0021]In an alternative preferred embodiment, the payload is one or more liquid components contained in one or more frangible containers, such as glass or plastic vials. Further, in a more preferred embodiment, the liquids are comprised of one or more of a visible paint, a chemiluminescent agent, and a marking agent visible in the IR spectrum. In another more preferred embodiment, the liquids are comprised of a plurality of reactants which, upon impact, are caused to mix and react, thereby providing a desired effect.

[0034]wherein the divider controls movement of the payload within the payload container, thereby maintaining or increasing accuracy of the projectile after firing of the projectile, and wherein the hollow outer body fragments upon impact.

Problems solved by technology

However, when firing at targets from close range, the danger of the shooter being wounded by a ricochet increases dramatically.

Unfortunately, there are various situations in which targets must be engaged at relatively close range, and which complete freedom of choice for angles of fire is not available.

Sometimes, the position of the TED does not allow much choice for the angle of shot.

Thus, occasionally, there is a high danger to the shooter from ricochets.

Naturally, in such situations, there is a high danger to the shooter of ricochets.

Further, deflected shots may hit civilians, friendly forces, etc. downrange due to low angle of shot.

However, these devices are cumbersome and therefore frequently not carried by soldiers in the field.

However, generally, such rounds generally require larger caliber weapons for delivery, which are difficult to carry in the field.

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