Ammunition and explosives – Cartridges
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2002-03-12
Tudor, Harold J. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Cartridges
C102S464000, C102S469000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354221
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a high-powered firearm cartridge of unique profile which makes it especially adaptable for use in a short-action firearm having a mating chamber and bolt assembly.
More particularly, the cartridge has unique length and diametric relationships which enable propellants to be burned more quickly and completely, thereby producing more energy and muzzle velocity for any given powder capacity than is possible with most previous cartridges having the same powder capacity.
The present invention also provides a unique cartridge configuration which enables the use of a short, fat cartridge in a short-action firearm while assuring smooth and reliable feeding and chambering of the cartridges from a magazine.
In an article which I published in the January 1996 issue of Shooting Times magazine, I discussed the advantages of certain cartridges previously developed by Ackley, Mashburn, Palmisano and Pindell for improved velocity and accuracy. I also mentioned in the article that I had developed a high-power cartridge by modifying a 1908 Westley-Richards cartridge so as to have a unique, short, fat profile which could, for the first time, compatibly combine high velocity, accuracy and power with the compact, well-balanced and lightweight characteristics of a short-action firearm.
However, I had not at that time recognized the problem of permanent lengthwise cartridge case deformation caused by the severely-rebated, small-diameter rim and resultant large unsupported area of the rear wall of the much larger-diameter Westley-Richards cartridge case. Such cartridge case, when modified as described above to produce the propellant-burning characteristics and internal gas pressure curve profile discussed hereafter, proved incapable of withstanding internal gas pressures of at least about 50,000 psi without permanent rearward deformation of the unsupported area of the rear wall of the case, causing the bolt to bind within the extractor groove.
Also, at that time I had not recognized the importance of at specific maximum limit on the length-to-diameter ratio of a cartridge case necessary to produce the desired propellant-burning characteristics and internal gas pressure curve profile discussed hereafter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A firearm cartridge is provided having a projectile and an elongate tubular case capable of withstanding internal gas pressures of at least about 50,000 psi. The case has a first end defining a substantially circular base with an annular rim and a second end defining a mouth for insertably receiving the projectile. The case is also characterized by a first portion of substantially cylindrical shape adjacent to the first end and a second portion of a narrower substantially cylindrical shape adjacent to the second end with a frusto-conical shoulder portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The overall length has a ratio to the outer case diameter at a location 1.25 inches from the first end of no more than about 4.2. The rim has an outer diameter substantially no less than the outer case diameter at this same location. Such a wide rim at the base of the cartridge prevents the permanent lengthwise deformation of the cartridge case experienced with the rebated rim structure of the Westley-Richards cartridge, while also assuring smooth and reliable feeding of the cartridge despite its unusual profile.
To produce the desired propellant-burning characteristics and internal gas pressure curve profile discussed hereafter, the outer case diameter at the foregoing location is preferably at least about 0.53 inch, and the length of the wider portion of the case has a ratio to such outer case diameter of no more than about 3.33.
REFERENCES:
patent: 831132 (1906-09-01), Young et al.
patent: 2286775 (1942-06-01), Weldin
patent: 2402068 (1946-06-01), Meador
patent: 2455080 (1948-11-01), Miller et al.
patent: 2464323 (1949-03-01), Lee
patent: 2685754 (1954-08-01), Crittendon et al.
patent: 3209691 (1965-10-01), Herter
patent: 3498221 (1970-03-01), Hilton et al.
patent: 3745924 (1973-07-01), Scanlon
patent: 3765297 (1973-10-01), Skochko et al.
patent: 3797396 (1974-03-01), Reed
patent: 3830157 (1974-08-01), Donnard et al.
patent: 3846928 (1974-11-01), Ruger et al.
patent: 3893321 (1975-07-01), Braunwieser
patent: 4359810 (1982-11-01), Osborne et al.
patent: 4651455 (1987-03-01), Geiser, Jr.
patent: 5033386 (1991-07-01), Vatsvog
patent: 5463959 (1995-11-01), Kramer
patent: 5826361 (1998-10-01), Jamision
patent: 5970879 (1999-10-01), Jamison
patent: 11356 (1956-08-01), None
patent: 4108550 (1992-09-01), None
.40-90 Bullard,Cartrides of the World, 1965, pp. 98 and 124.*
.50-95 Winchester,Cartridges of the World, 1965 pp. 116 and 124.*
.450-348 Ackley, Cartridges of the World, 1965, pp. 140 and 143.*
“Principles and Practice of Loading Ammunition” by Earl Naramore, 1954, pp. 498 and 499.*
“22PPC Cartridge,” developed in 1974, described inRifle Reloading Data, p. 203, date unknown.
Jamison, “Precision Reloading,”Shooting Times, Jan., 1996.
Barnes, “.300 Savage,”Cartridges of the World, Chicago, 1965, p. 35.
“.30/.378 Arch,”Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, 1986, p. 442.
Jamision, “Precision Reloading,”Shooting Times, Jun., 1997, pp. 42-49, 74.
Jamison, “Precision Reloading,”Shooting Times, Oct., 1996, p. 34.
Jamison, “Precision Reloading,”Shooting Times, Jun., 1996, p. 28-33.
Howe, James Virgil, “The Modern Gunsmith,” vol. II, New York, 1937, pp. 119-120, 123-125, 128-129, 172.
Jamison, “Precision Reloading,”Shooting Times, Sep., 1997, p. 48-50, 52-54.
Barnes, “.378 Weatherby Magnum,”Cartridges of the World, Chicago, 1965, p. 58.
Howell, K.E.,Designing and Forming Custom Cartridges for Rifles and Handguns, Feb. 9, 1995, pp. 405, 483 and 484.
Baines 425 Westley Richards Magnum, Cartridges of the World, pp. 225, 235.
Baines “284 Winchester”,Cartridges of the Worldp. 29.
Chernoff Vilhauer & McClung & Stenzel
Tudor Harold J.
LandOfFree
High-power firearm cartridge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High-power firearm cartridge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-power firearm cartridge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2867558