# US 6,293,204 B1 · Code-labeled ammunition

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 6,293,204 B1
- Document ID: US6293204B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/505,831
- Filed: 2000-02-17
- Granted: 2001-09-25
- Earliest claimed: 2000-02-17
- Inventors: David M Regen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293204B1

## CPC

- F42B 5/025: {characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile}
- F42B 5/26: Cartridge cases (F42B5/18 takes precedence {; manufacturing of cartridge cases B21K21/04})
- F42B 30/02: Bullets
- F42B 35/00: Testing or checking of ammunition {(apparatus for measuring the energy of projectiles G01L5/14)}
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)

## Abstract

The invention is ammunition and ammunition components labeled so that either a projectile or a shell casing found at a crime scene can be associated with all documented handlers from the last documented recipient back to the manufacturer. The likely labeling code is a two-dimensional binary array with at least six cells (digits) in each dimension. Several different methods of imparting the label to a projectile at or near its rear end are described, some of which can be used in combination, including: adding a labeled identification member beneath the projectile's rear surface, embossing the projectile's rear surface, injecting pins through the projectile's rear end, embossing the projectile beneath the projectile's rear surface at a transition between metal layers of different melting temperatures, printing the projectile's rear surface with detectable material, etching the projectile's rear surface. Several different methods of imparting the label to the cylindrical wall of a shell casing are described, some of which can be used in combination, including: indenting from the outside to produce a braille-like symbol, printing on the outer surface with detectable material, printing on the inner surface with detectable material, etching on the outer surface, etching on the inner surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Ammunition comprising a shell casing with a cylindrical wall and a projectile with a blunt rear end as its main formed components, the shell casing having at least one number-symbolizing code label on the inner surface of the shell casing's cylindrical wall and the projectile having at least one number-symbolizing code label essentially at the projectile's rear end.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ammunition of claim 1, wherein each said number-symbolizing code is a two-dimensional binary array.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said shell casing bears a label comprised of braille-type indentations of the shell, casing's cylindrical wall and said projectile contains a label-bearing identification member near the projectile's rear end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said label of said projectile is borne by an identification member within the projectile and near the projectile's rear end.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said label of said projectile is printed at least once on said projectile's rear end with print medium selected from the group consisting of readily visible print medium and print medium whose visualization can be greatly enhanced in a laboratory.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said label of said projectile is etched at least once on said projectile's rear end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said label of said projectile is embossed on said projectile's rear end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein elements of said label of said projectile are comprised of pins of foreign material embedded in said projectile's rear end.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The ammunition of claim 2, wherein said projectile is comprised of at least two metal layers of differing melting temperatures, at least one said label being embossed on a layer of higher melting temperature at a transition between two such metal layers.

### Claim 10

An ammunition shell casing with a cylindrical wall having at least one number-symbolizing code label on the inner surface of the shell casing's cylindrical wall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The shell casing of claim 10, wherein said number-symbolizing code is a two-dimensional binary array.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The shell casing of claim 11, wherein said shell casing bears a label comprised of braille-type indentations of the shell casing's cylindrical wall.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The shell casing of claim 11, wherein said label is printed at least once on the shell casing's outer surface with print medium selected from the group consisting of readily visible print medium and print medium whose visualization can be greatly enhanced in a laboratory.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The shell casing of claim 11, wherein said label is etched at least once on the shell casing's outer surface.