GB2209065A

GB2209065A - Cartridge shot

Info

Publication number: GB2209065A
Application number: GB8719997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Thomas Best
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-25
Filing date: 1987-08-25
Publication date: 1989-04-26
Also published as: GB8719997D0

Abstract

Shot for encapsulation in shotgun cartridges has applied to its external surface a colour which contrasts with that of the media in which it is to be used such that, in use, its visibility is enhanced sufficiently to make it more clearly visible to the human eye.

Description

Cartridge Shot This invention relates to shot for use in cartridges and to methods of manufacturing the same.

When using shotguns for sporting purposes such as clay pigeon shooting, the path taken by shot cannot readily be ascertained by the user or by an observer.

To be able to see the shot cluster as it approaches and/or makes contact with a clay pigeon would be useful to the gun user or an observer for purposes of improving performance or teaching. It would also be useful for purposes of filming or televising events to enhance the reputation and appeal of the sport.

Hitherto, cartridge shot for shotguns tends to have a grey or silver colour which makes it difficult to see against a normal sky or cloud background.

The present invention sets out to provide cartridge shot with enhanced visibility to enable its eventual path to be detected and followed in flight.

According to the present invention, there is provided in one aspect shot whose surface is at least partially coloured or provided with a reflective surface to enhance its visibility in flight.

According to the present invention in another aspect, there is provided shot for encapsulation in shotgun cartridges, the shot having applied to its external surface a colour or reflective medium which contrasts with that of the media in which it is to be used such that, in use, its visibility is enhanced sufficiently to make it more clearly visible to the human eye.

According to the present invention in a still further aspect, there is provided a shotgun cartridge which houses shot to whose surface has been applied a colour or reflective medium which enhances its visibility during flight. Some or all of the shot present within a cartridge may be so coloured.

In a still further aspect, there is provided a method of making shot which includes the step of applying to the shot surface a colour or reflective medium which enhances the shot's visibility during flight.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fluorescent paint is applied to the shot surface; the aetual colour of the paint applied is selected so that, in flight, the shot is clearly visible to the human eye.

The visibility of the shot may be enhanced by the wearing of suitable tinted or coloured glasses or the like which emphasise the contrast between the shot colouration and its background.

Colours which have been applied to the shot surface and which have been found, in practice, to have good visibility are fluorescent yellow and fluorescent orange. However, as mentioned above, any suitable colour may be employed.

Preferably, the paint employed is of a non-toxic variety.

The colouration may be applied to the shot by any known technique. Thus, the colour may be applied by a spraying technique or may be deposited onto the shot surface as the shot passes through a conventional shot cooling tower. A powder coating or electrostatic charging technique may be employed.

The size of shot or cartridge is immaterial.

As mentioned previously, the colouration applied to the shot is essentially for the purpose of observation. The invention represents a new concept for improving the performance of established shotgun users or of users under tuition. The coloured shot enables both the user and an instructor to see the path taken by the shot and to remedy any user faults by reference to such path. The invention also represents a novel method of promoting such sports as clay pigeon shooting by enabling events to be filmed or televised more readily. In addition, shot in accordance with the invention can be of use in assessing the performance of cartridges.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of specific embodiments of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Shot for encapsulation in shotgun cartridges, the shot having applied to its external surface a colour which contrasts with that of the media in which it is to be used such that, in use, its visibility is enhanced sufficiently to make it more clearly visible to the human eye.

2. Shot as claimed in Clair.. 1, wherein fluorescent paint is applied to the shot surface.

3. A shotgun cartridge which houses shot to whose external surface has been applied a colour which enhances visibility of the coloured shot during flight.

4. A method of making shot which includes the step of applying to the shot surface a colour which. enhances the shot's visibility during flit.

5. A ethod as claimed in Clain 4 wherein the colour is applied by a spraying technique.

6. A nietbcd as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the colour ic deposited onto the shot surface as the shot passes through a shot cooling tower.

7. Shot for encapsulation ifl shotgun cartridges substantially as herein described.