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US3720171A - Plastic shot shell wad - Google Patents

Plastic shot shell wad Download PDF

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Publication number
US3720171A
US3720171A US00123536A US3720171DA US3720171A US 3720171 A US3720171 A US 3720171A US 00123536 A US00123536 A US 00123536A US 3720171D A US3720171D A US 3720171DA US 3720171 A US3720171 A US 3720171A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
wall
legs
walls
unitary
wad
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00123536A
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English (en)
Inventor
C Hubbard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Olin Corp
Original Assignee
Olin Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Olin Corp filed Critical Olin Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3720171A publication Critical patent/US3720171A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B7/00—Shotgun ammunition
    • F42B7/02—Cartridges, i.e. cases with propellant charge and missile
    • F42B7/08—Wads, i.e. projectile or shot carrying devices, therefor

Definitions

  • a unitary plastic wad structure for use with a shotshell including a shot cup portion and an obturating cup portion both of cylindrical configuration, and a plurality of plastic strips interconnect opposite circumferential portions of the shot and obturating cups to cushion a shot charge positioned in the shot cup when the wad is fired from a gun.
  • the cushioning strips when subjected to compressive forces generated by firing the shotshell, flex outwardly and against the shell tube wall and subsequently, the barrel bore wall to providecontrolled cushioning of the shot charge.
  • This invention concerns a unitary plastic wad structure for use with a cartridge, such as a shotshell, which wad structure includes a projectile cup portion, an obturating cup portion, and a cushioning portion interposed between and interconnecting the two cup portions.
  • the cushioning portion is designed to provide controlled collapse and cushioning when the wad is fired from a gun so as to improve both internal and external ballistics of a charge of projectiles positioned in the projectile cup portion thereby providing improved patterns for the projectiles.
  • plastic wad structures has proven useful in improving internal and external ballistics of a charge of shot pellets disposed in the shot pocket or cup. This ballistics improvement has resulted in improved shot patterns.
  • Unitary wad structures are preferred over composite wad structures because of increased loading capabilities, ease of adapting such wads to automatic loading procedures, and reusability of fired wads.
  • the prior art composite wad structures have exhibited superior pattern performance when compared to the unitary wads, such superior patterns being on the order of about percent more pellets being within a proscribed circle at a given range.
  • the unitary wad structure of this invention is designed to improve internal and external shot ballistic sufficiently to produce shot patterns which equal or exceed the shot patterns produced by the prior art composite wad structures.
  • the wad structure of this invention provides greater cushioning of the shot charge when the wad is fired from a shot shell, and as the shot charge travels down the gun barrel.
  • the wad structure is provided with a cushioning and filler wad portion having a plurality of legs providing circumferential support for the shot pocket and shot charge disposed therein. The legs are radially reinforced by the shell tube when the wad is in the shotshell, and by the gun barrel bore wall when the wad is traveling through the gun barrel.
  • the circumferential support tends to maintain the shot column in a cylindrical form rather than tending to push through as is characteristic of the flexing center support type wads of the prior art.
  • the bearing area providing radial reinforcement of the cushioning wad legs increases as the legs flex outwardly to provide increased rigidity as the pressure rises and acceleration increases. This radial reinforcement prevents complete collapse of the legs and provides a shock absorbing action to the shot from the pressure of the powder gases throughout the firing cycle.
  • shock absorbing action provides for uniformity of ignition, reduced shot deformation, and rigid nesting of pellets thus improving pattern performance.
  • an object of this invention to provide a unitary plastic wad structure for use in shotshells and the like which produces improvement in internal and external ballistics of a fired shot column to improve shot patterns.
  • FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the unitary wad structure of this invention having a cushioning or filler section with three legs supporting symmetrically spaced circumferential portions of the shot cup;
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the wad structure of FIG. 1'
  • FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the wad structure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a shotshell showing how the wad structure of FIG. 1 is loaded therein;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the shotshell of FIG. 4 shown loaded into'a firearm and as it appears shortly after being fired;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the wad structure showing the action of the cushioning portion as the wad passes through the barrel bore of the firearm.
  • the wad structure 2 includes a projectile pocket portion 4, a filler or cushioning portion 6, and an obturating portion 8.
  • the projectile pocket 4 is shaped like a cup and includes a cylindrical plastic side wall 10, a transverse bottom wall 12 closing off the bottom of the side wall 10, and an open mouth end 14.
  • the side wall 10 may be slitted to form petals if desired in accordance with con ventional practice.
  • the cushioning portion 6 includes three plastic legs 16 of similar configuration.
  • the legs 16 are symmetrically and equally angularly spaced about the circumference of the projectile cup 4 to provide equally distributed support for the circumferential periphery of the projectile cup 4. It is noted that the central portion of the projectile cup 4 is free of support in the cushioning area 6.
  • the interior wall of each of the legs 16 is dished out, as at 18 so as to weaken the legs 16 and thus form a hinge on each of the legs 16.
  • the hinges on the legs 16 are formed so that when the wad 2 is axially compressed, the legs 16 will flex outwardly in the direction of thearrows 20, each leg 16 flexing in an equal amount for a given compressive force. It is further noted that FlGS.
  • the obturating portion 8 of the wad includes a transverse wall 22 of circular configuration which is formed integrally with the legs 16, and which is also integral with a cylindrical plastic skirt 24 extending longitudinally from the circumferential periphery of the wall 22.
  • the skirt 24 and wall 22 obturate combustion gases in a manner which will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the legs 16 serve to firmly interconnect opposite peripheral parts of the transverse walls 12 and 22 and maintain the walls 12 and 22 in coaxial relationship with one another, thus tilting of the projectile cup 4 with respect to the obturator 8 is prevented by the legs 16. Furthermore, the coaxial relationship is maintained during axial compression of the legs 16 because the legs 16 connect opposite peripheral portions of the projectile cup 4 and obturator 8 rather than opposite internal portions thereof.
  • the shotshell includes a tubular side wall 26 of paper, plastic, or the like on which is mounted a metallic head element 28.
  • a base wad 30 of paper, plastic, or the like is positioned in the shell tube 26, the wad 30 being operative to secure a primer member 32 in place.
  • a propellant charge 34 is positioned above the primer member 32, and the obturating portion 8 of the wad 2 overlies the propellant charge 34.
  • a column of shot pellets 36 is positioned in the projectile pocket 4 and a deflectable card wad 38 overlies the shot column 36 and closes off the top of the shotshell.
  • the shotshell may have its top part closed off in any conventional manner so, for example, by inwardly folding the top part of the shell tube 26.
  • the firearm includes a barrel member 40 (shown fragmentarily) having a bore 42 which opens into a firing chamber 44 at the rear of the barrel 40. It is noted that the outside surface of the shell tube 26 is fully supported by the wall of the barrel bore 42 and firing chamber 44, and thus reinforced thereby.
  • the bolt assembly of the gun is indicated schematically by the numeral 46.
  • the pressurized gas and shot column 36 combine to compress the cushioning portion 6 of the wad structure.
  • the legs 16 are axially compressed and their hinges 18 cause the compressed legs 16 to flex outwardly, or in other words, cause the cushioning portion 6 to enlarge radially.
  • the shell tube 26 and gun chamber 44 resist the outward flexure of each of the legs l6 equally, thus preventing complete collapse of the cushioning portion 6 and controlling the degree of collapse which does occur.
  • the outward flexure of the legs 16 tends to transmit the compressive forces derived from the expanding combustion gases outwardly against the shell tube 26 and chamber wall 44 instead of transmitting the forces entirely against the shot column 36 as do rigid cushioning portions.
  • the shot column 36 tends to retain it cylindrical configuration rather than becoming disrupted by the forces generated by the expanding combustion gases. Retention of the cylindrical configuration of the shot column improves shot patterns by keeping the shot pellets as closely grouped together as possible while they are in the shot pocket. It is further noted that as the compressive forces generated by the combustion gases increase, the bearing surface on the shell tube 26 and barrel bore 42 will increase in area as a greater portion of each leg 16 is forced outwardly thereagainst, thus absorbing more of the compressive force and increasing resistance to collapse of the cushioning portion 6 of the wad structure 2.
  • the wad structure 2 is shown after it has moved free of the shell tube and as it continues through the barrel bore 42.
  • the flexible skirt 24 flares outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the barrel bore 42 and compression of the cushioning or filler portion 6 of the wad causes the legs 16 to expand or flex outwardly against the wall of the barrel bore 42.
  • the circumferential peripheral support of the projectile cup 4 afforded by the legs 16 keeps the projectile cup 4 and shot column 36 coaxial with the barrel bore 42 and resists tilting of the shot column 36 with respect to the barrel bore axis.
  • the wall of the barrel bore 42 continues to absorb a large amount of the force compressing the cushioning portion 6 of the wad, and continues to resist complete collapse of the cushioning portion 6, thus providing controlled cushioning of the shot column 36 from the time the shell is fired until the wad exits from the gun muzzle.
  • Tests of the wad structure of this invention have established shot patterns of 83.5 percent of the shot charge in a thirty inch circle at forty yards, as compared to 80.7 percent patterns with a prior art unitary wad structure of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,285,174 referred to above, and 80.9 percent patterns with a prior art composite wad structure of the same general type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,270,669 referred to above.
  • This improvement in patterns is of particular advantage in competitive shooting, such as long yardage handicap trap shooting.
  • a unitary structure for use as a cushioning wad component of a cartridge comprising:
  • a second transverse wall having a generally cylindrical side surface, said second wall being substantially parallel to said first wall and substantially coaxial therewith;
  • each of said legs having a radially outer side surface which is substantially coextensive with said cylindrical side surfaces of said walls, and each of said legs being provided with means for imparting radially outward flexure to said legs to provide controlled axial collapse of said structure when the latter is housed in a tubular casing and subjected to opposed axial compressive forces.
  • each of said legs includes a hinge to promote said radially outward flexure of said legs.
  • a unitary structure for use as a cushioning wad component of a cartridge comprising:
  • first and second transverse walls substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along a common axis, each of said walls having a generally cylindrical side surface;
  • each of said legs including means for causing radially outward flexure of said legs to occur when said structure is subjected to opposed axial compressive forces, and each of said legs having an outer side surface which is substantially coextensive with said cylindrical side surfaces of said first and second walls.
  • each of said legs includes a hinge to cause said radially outward'flexure.
  • a cartridge having a tubular side wall member with a basal end which is closed and which includes a primer member, a charge of propellant material in said tubular member adjacent said primer member, a filler and cushioning wad member comprising:
  • a plurality of separate and distinct legs unitary with said first and second walls, said legs being operative to interconnect opposed peripheral portions of said first and second walls, with non-peripheral portions of said first and second walls being unconnected, each of said legs including means to permit radially outward flexure of said legs to occur when said structure is subjected to opposite axial compressive forces, and each of said legs having an outer wall portion which is closely confined by said cartridge tubular side wall, with said tubular side wall being operative to increasingly resist outward flexure of said legs to progressively control the degree of movement of said first wall toward said second wall.
  • a unitary structure for use as a cushioning wad component of a cartridge comprising:
  • each of said support mem bers having an outer wall, the entire extent of which is substantially coextensive with said cylindrical side surfaces of said transverse walls, and each of said support members having an inner wall portion including hinge means to cause each of said support members to flex radially outwardly when opposite axially directed forces are applied to said wall members.
  • a unitary structure for use as a cushioning wad component of a cartridge comprising:
  • first and second walls spaced apart and extending transversely of said structure, said walls being parallel to each other and of circular configuration so as to each include a cylindrical side surface;
  • each of said legs having an arcuate outer surface which throughout its entire length is substantially coextensive with said cylindrical side surfaces of said first andsecond walls, and each of said legs having an inner surface which is dished out to weaken each leg and cause the latter to bend outwardly when opposite compressive forces are applied to said first and second walls.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
US00123536A 1971-03-12 1971-03-12 Plastic shot shell wad Expired - Lifetime US3720171A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12353671A 1971-03-12 1971-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3720171A true US3720171A (en) 1973-03-13

Family

ID=22409260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00123536A Expired - Lifetime US3720171A (en) 1971-03-12 1971-03-12 Plastic shot shell wad

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3720171A (sv)
JP (1) JPS5433079B1 (sv)
BR (1) BR7108668D0 (sv)
CA (1) CA941234A (sv)
DE (1) DE2164825C3 (sv)
ES (1) ES207131Y (sv)
FR (1) FR2129605A5 (sv)
GB (1) GB1320457A (sv)
SE (2) SE389393B (sv)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4864934A (en) * 1988-12-12 1989-09-12 Olin Corporation Industrial shotshell having a load-stabilizing assembly
US5299502A (en) * 1989-11-29 1994-04-05 Nagatoshi Maki Container for shot of shotshell
US20100101444A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2010-04-29 Schluckebier David K Wad with ignition chamber
US20100192794A1 (en) * 2009-02-02 2010-08-05 R.A. Brands, L.L.C. Shotshell wad with shot confinement feature
US8800449B2 (en) 2008-10-27 2014-08-12 Ra Brands, L.L.C. Wad with ignition chamber

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2172968A (en) * 1985-03-27 1986-10-01 Scient Cartridge Developments Shotgun cartridges
GB2172967A (en) * 1985-03-27 1986-10-01 Scient Cartridge Developments Shotgun cartridge

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3262392A (en) * 1964-04-06 1966-07-26 Clarence J Becker Shot shell wad
US3469527A (en) * 1968-03-07 1969-09-30 Leland A Pace Shotgun wad

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3262392A (en) * 1964-04-06 1966-07-26 Clarence J Becker Shot shell wad
US3469527A (en) * 1968-03-07 1969-09-30 Leland A Pace Shotgun wad

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4864934A (en) * 1988-12-12 1989-09-12 Olin Corporation Industrial shotshell having a load-stabilizing assembly
US5299502A (en) * 1989-11-29 1994-04-05 Nagatoshi Maki Container for shot of shotshell
US20100101444A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2010-04-29 Schluckebier David K Wad with ignition chamber
US8220393B2 (en) 2008-10-27 2012-07-17 Ra Brands, L.L.C. Wad with ignition chamber
US8800449B2 (en) 2008-10-27 2014-08-12 Ra Brands, L.L.C. Wad with ignition chamber
US9500453B2 (en) 2008-10-27 2016-11-22 Ra Brands, L.L.C. Wad with ignition chamber
US20100192794A1 (en) * 2009-02-02 2010-08-05 R.A. Brands, L.L.C. Shotshell wad with shot confinement feature
US8555785B2 (en) 2009-02-02 2013-10-15 Ra Brands, L.L.C. Shotshell wad with shot confinement feature

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3472371A (en) 1973-05-03
DE2164825C3 (de) 1975-08-14
ES207131Y (es) 1976-07-01
CA941234A (en) 1974-02-05
JPS5433079B1 (sv) 1979-10-18
GB1320457A (en) 1973-06-13
SE389394B (sv) 1976-11-01
BR7108668D0 (pt) 1973-10-25
DE2164825A1 (de) 1972-09-21
DE2164825B2 (de) 1975-01-16
FR2129605A5 (sv) 1972-10-27
ES207131U (es) 1976-03-01
SE389393B (sv) 1976-11-01

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