Ammunition with Energy Absorbing Features

Abstract

A multi-piece ammunition article that has a base portion configured to support the majority of the stress load during firing and a caselet portion that is configured to support the firing loads. Furthermore, the caselet portion has a weakened surface with increased compliance which aids in the storage and firing of the ammunition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-piece ammunition article comprising:
 A base having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is configured to receive a primer and wherein the second end is open and is configured to cooperatively engage with a caselet;   the caselet portion further comprises an elongated body with an outer surface and defining an inner cavity wherein the caselet further comprises a base end and a projectile end,
 wherein the base end is oppositely configured to cooperatively engage with the open end of the base portion such that an overlap region is formed thereby forming a smooth transition between the base portion and the caselet portion, and 
 wherein the outer surface of the caselet portion is configured with a contoured surface such that the outer surface is configured to be uneven. 
   
     
     
         2 . The ammunition article of  claim 1  wherein the contoured outer surface is defined by a pattern selected from a group consisting of radial grooves, vertical grooves, diagonal grooves axial rows and intermittent depressions. 
     
     
         3 . The ammunition article of  claim 1  wherein the contoured outer surface comprises a plurality of independent structures thereby modifying the outer surface to reduce the strength thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The ammunition article of  claim 1  wherein the caselet portion is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The ammunition article of  claim 4  wherein the caselet portion comprises a first polymeric region and a second polymeric region, and wherein the first polymeric region is configured to cooperatively engage with the base portion and the second polymeric region is configured to cover at least a portion of the first polymeric region. 
     
     
         6 . The ammunition article of  claim 1  further comprising an over mold disposed such that it covers at least a portion of the caselet. 
     
     
         7 . The ammunition article of  claim 1  the article is configured to accommodate a caliber projectile selected from the group consisting of .22, .22-250, .221, .223, .243, .25-06, .264 USA, .277 USA, .270, .300, .30-30, .30-40, 30.06, .303, .308, .357, .38, .40, .44, .45, .45-70, .50 BMG, 500 Nitro, 5.45 mm, 5.56 mm, 6.5 mm, 6.8 mm, 7 mm, 7.62 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm and wildcat. 
     
     
         8 . The ammunition article of  claim 3  wherein the independent structures are selected from a group consisting of amorphous shapes and geometric shapes. 
     
     
         9 . The ammunition article of  claim 6  wherein the over mold further comprises a corresponding contoured surface to that of the outer surface of the caselet. 
     
     
         10 . The ammunition article of  claim 2  wherein the caselet has an overall contact surface area in contact with a chamber of a weapon and such contact surface area is reduced by 10%. 
     
     
         11 . The ammunition article of  claim 2  wherein the axial rows have a semicircular cross section. 
     
     
         12 . The ammunition article of  claim 2  wherein the intermittent depressions have a semicircular cross section. 
     
     
         13 . The ammunition article of  claim 6  wherein the overmold comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a multi-piece ammunition article comprising:
 Having a base portion having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is configured to receive a primer and wherein the second end is open and is configured to cooperatively engage with a caselet   Having a caselet portion further comprising an elongated body with an outer surface and defining an inner cavity wherein the caselet portion further comprises a base end and a projectile end,
 wherein the base end is oppositely configured to cooperatively engage with the open end of the base portion such that an overlap region is formed thereby forming a smooth transition between the base portion and the caselet portion; 
   Joining the base portion and the caselet portion; and   Filling the article with a propellant.   
     
     
         15 . The method for producing a multi-piece ammunition article of  claim 14  wherein the base portion and the caselet portion are joined from a process selected from a group consisting of molding, mechanical interference, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, and heat crimping. 
     
     
         16 . The method for producing a multi-piece ammunition article of  claim 14  further comprising:
 Obtaining a projectile; and 
 Securing the projectile in the projectile end of the caselet portion. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method for producing a multi-piece ammunition article of  claim 16  wherein the projectile is secured from a process selected from a group consisting of molding, mechanical interference, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, and heat crimping.