Modification of a projectile for stacking in a barrel
AssigneeMetal Storm Limited
InventorsJames Michael O'Dwyer, Sean Patrick O'Dwyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An existing projectile (21) is modified by adding a tail piece (22) to enable axial stacking of multiple projectiles (20) in a common barrel. Propellant for each modified projectile (20) is contained in respective chambers located external to the barrel and connected to the bore of the barrel through associated ports. Tail piece (22) aligns with a respective port and provides a space between consecutive projectiles (20) into which the propellant gas expands after ignition. Separate claims are directed to tail assembly (22), modified projectile (20), the barrel assembly having a plurality of projectiles (20) stacked in end-to-end relation, and to an external initiation system for the barrel assembly (see FIGS. 4, 7).
Claims11
A stackable projectile for a barrel of a stacked projectile weapon, the stackable projectile comprising:
- a projectile body portion having a rear portion, the rear portion of the projectile body portion including a screw thread;
- a tail assembly including (i) a forward portion, the forward portion including a mating screw thread for engaging the screw thread of the rear portion of the projectile body, and (ii) a surface for abutment by a nose portion of an adjacent trailing projectile when stacked in a barrel of a stackable projectile weapon;
- and
- a ring for engaging against the barrel of the stackable projectile weapon when loaded therein, said ring including an inner surface for engaging a tapered outer surface of the projectile for expanding the ring radially outward in response to screwing of the mating screw thread and the screw thread of the rear portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.