US3796157A

US3796157A - Shotgun shell

Info

Publication number: US3796157A
Application number: US00231698A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-03
Filing date: 1972-03-03
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12

Abstract

An improved shotgun shell including a plastic insert constructed to provide an inner and outer tubular arrangement for retaining two different sizes of shot in one shell.

Description

J United States Patent 1 1111 3,796,157

Anderson 1 Mar. 12, 1974 [54] SHOTGUN SHELL 1,277,810 9/1918 Woodhouse 102/42 R Inventor; y on, 6655 S- N w FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Have", Tulsa Okla? 74136 1,454,931 10/1966 France 102/42 0 1 72 461,417 10/1913 France.... 102/42 [22] Wed Mar 19 473,162 9/1914 France 102/42 [21] App]. No.: 231,698

Primary ExaminerRobert F. Stahl 52 us. 0. 102/42' (2, 102/95 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank 1 Thienvont [51] Int. Cl. F42b 7/08 [58] Field of Search 102/42 R, 42 C, 95 57 S C [56] References Cited An improved shotgun shell including a plastic insert constructed to provide an inner and outer tubular ar- UNITED STATES PATENTS rangement for retaining two different sizes of shot in 875,762 l/l908 Winans et a1. 102/42 R one h u 1,352,938 9/1920 Blair 102/42 R 2,440,568 4/1948 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Arter 102/42 R SHOTGUN SHELL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in shotgun shells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of this invention is to provide a tubular insert for a shotgun shell which is adapted to contain two different sizes of shot separated from each other.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved shotgun shell utilizing an insert having inner and outer plastic tubular members associated with a base member inserted within the shell housing so as to provide a central column for one size of shot and an outer column surrounding the central column for a different size of shot.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent when considering the description below in connection with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a shotgun shell embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the shell taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plastic tubular insert incorporated in the shell of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a shotgun shell using a modified construction of a plastic tubular insert embodying the invention herein; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a separate inner tube member.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters in the several view designate similar parts, designates, in general, a conventional type shotgun shell. The shotgun shell 10 is formed with an outer shell casing 11, a head 12, a primer 13, an explosive charge 14 disposed in the base of the shell, and a tubular insert 15 disposed within the shell casing 11. Shot of different sizes are contained within the tubular insert 15.

The tubular insert 15, which preferably is made of a flexible plastic material, comprises a base 16, an outer tube member 17 integrally connected to the base 16 and an inner or central tube member 18 also integrally connected to the base 16.The base 16 is formed with transversely extending openings 20 therethrough leaving web portions 21 interconnecting upper and lower base sections 16a and 16b. The construction of base 16 with the openings 20, and web portions 21, provides a cushioning effect when the shell is fired. It will be observed that the outer tube member, together with the central tube 18, defines a shot chamber 22, and inner tube member 18, defines another shot chamber 23. A cap 24 covers the open end of both of the tube members l7 and 18. It becomes apparent that shot of one size may be disposed in the chamber 23 defined by the central tube 18 and that shot of a different size may be disposed in the chamber 22 lying between the central tube and the outer tube.

6 It is particularly advantageous in the field for a hunter to have available two different kinds of shot, one of which may be used against game which is nearby and the other which is against game at a greater distance. The improvement herein disclosed allows such a combination of shot into one shell. The central tube 18 may be loaded, for example, with a relatively heavier size shot and the chamber 22 may be loaded with shot of a relatively smaller size. This allows the hunter to be ready for both close and distant game. If a heavier shot is used in the central tube, the hunter has an opportunity to hit distant game with the shot disposed in this central tube. The shot which is relatively lighter and disposed in the chamber 22 may be used for closer game.

Each of the thin

tubular members

17 and 18 preferably are formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending slits, 25 and 26 respectively, although the tubular members may be formed without slits. Thus when the shell is fired, the plastic tubular insert 15 emerges from the end of the shotgun barrel and after moving a few feet beyond the barrel opens up and drops away from the shot which it has been e ncasing. The heavier shot, of course, will spread out into a very small pattern. The smaller shot will have a tendency to make a larger pattern but will not travel as far as the heavier shot coming from the central tube.

In FIG. 4 a modified form of tubular insert is I shown. The tubular insert of FIG. 4 has a similar construction of outer and

central tube members

117 and 118, integrally formed with a base 116, the only difference in the tubular inserts being in the structure of the bases 16 and 116. A separate plastic wad 127 usually is disposed adjacent the base 116. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 the outer and central tube members also preferably have longitudinal slits formed therein although the tube members may be formed without the slits.

FIG. 5 illustrates a separate inner tube member 218 which may be formed separately for insertion into an

outer tube member

17 or 117 instead of having the inner tube member integrally attached to the base 16 or 116. A ring-like base portion 230 attached to the tube member 218 formed to, or slightly less than, the inner diameter of the

outer tube member

17 or 117, centers the inner tube in the outer tube.

Other means might also be provided to support an inner tube member within the outer tube member such as a bore or circular groove formed in the base 16.

It will be seen that I have advantageously provided a highly improved shotgun shell which is capable of maintaining separately in two different chambers, two different sizes of shot. These different sizes of shot will accommodate a hunter who is hunting for game at both long and short distances.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that these are shown by way of example only and the invention is not to be limited thereto, as other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention is to be given its fullest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a shotgun shell cartridge formed with an outer casing and having an explosive charge disposed in the base thereof the combination comprising:

an outer casing;

a tubular insert disposed in said outer casing said tubular insert including,

a base member,

a longitudinally extending outer tube member attached to said base member,

an inner tube member disposed in and coaxially disposed with said outer tube member,

said inner and outer tube member defining a chamber therebetween for retaining shot,

said inner tube member defining another chamber for retaining shot; and

shot in each of said chambers.

2. The combination of claim ll wherein at least one of said tube members is formed with at least one longitudinal slit extending substantially the length thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer tube members are integrally formed with said base member.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tubular insert is formed of a plastic material.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises an elongated member formed with a plurality of transversely extending openings therethrough.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said inner tube member is formed separately from said tubular insert and further includes means for positioning said separate inner tube member within said outer tube member.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said inner tube member is formed separately from the remainder of said insert and includes a guide ring associated with said inner tube member for centering said inner tube member within said outer tube member.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said guide ring is formed at the base of said inner tube member.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein the shot in one chamber is of one size and the shot in the other chamber is of another size.

Claims

1. In a shotgun shell cartridge formed with an outer casing and having an explosive charge disposed in the base thereof the combination comprising: an outer casing; a tubular insert disposed in said outer casing said tubular insert including, a base member, a longitudinally extending outer tube member attached to said base member, an inner tube member disposed in and coaxially disposed with said outer tube member, said inner and outer tube member defining a chamber therebetween for retaining shot, said inner tube member defining another chamber for retaining shot; and shot in each of said chambers.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said tube members is formed with at least one longitudinal slit extending substantially the length thereof.