High strength polymer-based cartridge casing for blank and subsonic ammunition

Abstract

A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes an upper component of polymer having a first end with a mouth, at least a wall between the first end and a second end of the upper component opposite the first end, a sleeve extending longitudinally and radially about the wall, and at least one of an overlap portion and an underskirt portion extending from the wall near the second end. The lower component is molded from a polymer and includes at least one of a tapered portion and an outer tapered portion that engages at least one of the overlap portion and the underskirt portions, respectively, to join the upper and the lower components. Further, the sleeve reduces a volume of a propellant chamber formed by the wall. The reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds.

1 . A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing for at least one of blank or subsonic ammunition comprising:
 an upper component, molded from a polymer, comprising:
 a first end having a mouth; 
 at least a wall between the first end and a second end of the upper component opposite the first end; 
 a sleeve extending longitudinally and radially about the wall; and 
 at least one of an overlap portion and a underskirt portion extending from the wall near the second end; 
   a lower component, molded from a polymer, comprising:
 at least one of a tapered portion and an outer tapered portion that engages at least one of the overlap portion and the underskirt portions, respectively, to join the upper and the lower components; 
   wherein the sleeve reduces a volume of a propellant chamber formed by the wall.   
     
     
         2 . The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds. 
     
     
         3 . The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of  claim 1 , wherein the upper component further comprises:
 an extension engaged at the mouth; and   a cap engaged to an end of the extension opposite the mouth;   wherein the cap elastically deforms when the cartridge is fired.   
     
     
         4 . The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the upper component is greater than a length of the lower component. 
     
     
         5 . The high strength polymer-based cartridge casing of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the lower component is greater than a length of the upper component.