Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3~
The present inven-tion pertains to black powder
rifles, and provides a sabo-t for such rifles. Specifically,
it relates to a sabot which improves the velocity and
accuracy of ball projec-tiles fired from muzzle loading
rifles. It also provides a means for adapting a ball
to an oversized bore.
~ U.S. Patent 3,1~4,092, discloses and claims an
ammunition sabot which adapts a slug of somewhat smaller
dimension than the calibre of a rifle to a conventional
cartrid~e casing for that rifle. The sabot functions
to effect a gas seal with the interior surface of the
barrel bore and to release the projectile ~slug) at
a much higher velocity than would be possible without
the use of the sabot. The sabot further permits tlle
firing of a projectile from an oversized bore, thereby
transferring a given amount of explosive energy to a
projectile of smaller than usual mass. Sabots of the
type disclosed by this patent in ef~ect substitu-te
for a portion of the usual projectile a plastic collar
which interfaces in
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normal fasllioll Wit]l a conventioilal casinlg. Ihey are th-ls not
directly adap-t.ll)le to mu~zle loading firearms.
~ 'lastic sllotgull wacls are commonly uscd in modern
shotgun ammunition. Recently, an analogous structure3 sometimes
callecl a "poly-patc]l" has beell suggested for use in muzzle
loading rifles. These devices are structured as plastic cylin~
ders with cups at each end. A ball is inserted into the patc}l,
sprue up, and tho resulting assembly is inserted into the mu7zle
o the barrel, pa~cll down, and "rammed home" on top of t]le
black powcler charge in the usual fashion practiced Wit}l con-
ventional black powder muzzle loaclillg wads. The ball is held
in the patch because the cups on tlle patch are sli~htly deel)er
than the radius o the ball and slightly smaller in diclmeteI
than the diameter of tlle ball. Poly-patches are desig3led to
work Wit]l balls only slightly (e g,, 002 to 0~ inches) smaller
in diameter than the calibre size of the barrel. For example,
a ball between about .490 to about .49~ inches in diameter
would be loaded into a 50 calibre bore. The purpose of the
poly-patch is to facilitate reloading. The suppliers of these
de~ices maintain that they provide usually as good accuracy
as conventional clot}l ~atches. They are not intended to increase
velocity or accuracy of the projectile or to adapt a smaller
mass ball to an oversize bore.
Summary of the Inventioll
The present invention provides a sabot specifically
adal~ted for use in muzzle loadin~ black powder rifles. The
sabot of this invention performs the functions of a traditional
patch in that it may be ra]nmed atop a powder charge in the
same fashion as a patch Compared to the patch, however, the
sabot of this invention provides fol easier loading and elimi
nates the need for messy lubrications while providing a better
gas seal thall can be effected Wit]l a patch In addition, the
sabot provides means for clasping a ball wi-thin the bore
and~retaining it in its appropriate position immediately
adjacent the powder charge until firin~.
The sabot of this invention will ordinarily be
of unitary construction and m~ be fabricated from any of
the materials disclosed by the aforementioned U.S.
Patent 3,164,092 as suitable for use as an ammunition sabot.
Ideally, it is fashioned, for example, injection molded,
from a resilient polymeric material.
The sabot has a base with a circular cross-
sectional diameter corresponding to the calibre of the bore
of the rifle and having a muzzle side and a breech side.
Resilient obturation means extends from the breech side
of the base and a plurality of spreading appendages upstand
from the muzzle side of the base adapted to clasp a ball
of a calibre smaller than the calibre of the bore when
the appendages are placed in contact withthe interior
surface of the bore.
I'he surface of the base intended to enter
the bore,that is, the surface which is rammed against
a powdex charge, is referred to herein as the breech
side while the opposite side may be referred to as the muzzle
side. The resilient obturation element extending from the
breech side of the base downward, i.e., towards the powder
charge in one form of the invention may be a short cylindrical
ring which is distorted under the influence oE explosive
pressure outward to contact the interior surface of the bore,
thereby effecting a sliding gas seal. This ring may be
recessed slightly from the perimeter of the base to facilitate
entry into the muzzle end of the bore. The plurality of
appendages (wall segments) extend from the muzzle side of
3 the base. These appendages may, but need not necessarily,
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effect a continuous wall. Tha-t is, individual segments
may be spaced with respect -to adjacent segments. In any
event, they are adapted to clasp a ball of a calibre
smaller than the calibre of the bore when they are placed
in contact with the interior surface of the bore. Ideally,
the segments are molded or otherwise biased into a somewhat
open position (outward, away from each other) so that a
ball may be more readily inserted between them,
and also, to assist in releasing the ball when the ball and
sabot exit the muzzle after firing. In one embodiment of the invention,
the ~uzzle side of the base may include a hollow de,~ression located
to receive a ball and the individual appendages ma~ include
indentations located to interEace with the surface of the
ball. Generally, it is most convenient for the depress:ion
and the surface configurations to be cooperatively adapt~d
to clasp a ball. This adaptation may be effected by providing
both the depression and the indentations with approximately
spherical surface configurations corresponding to the
spherical surface of the ball.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate what is presently
regarded as the best mode for carrying out the invention:
FIG. 1 is a view in elevation showing a ball within
a sabot of this invention as configurated when inserted
within the bore of a rifle.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sabot/ball assembly
structure illustrated by FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the
section line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direc-tion of the arrows;
FIG. d is a view simllar to FIG. 1 prior to insertion
of the sabot/ball assembly into a muzzle;
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the sabot of this
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invention in expanded condit.ion after firincJ; and
~ FIG. 6 is a partial view in section taken aloncJ
the section line 6-6 of FIG. 5 viewed in the direction
of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE IL USTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referrinc3 to the drawings~ a ball 10 is inser-ted
~t
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Wit}l the Spln~e 11 Up in a recess 12 ~l~lG. 3~ o r a sabot 13
o this invcntion. The recess 12 is con:fio~lratcd to clasp
the ball 10 as sho~n, beiilg dcfinc(l hy an appro.xi]llately splleli-
cal del)ression 15 in the basc 16 of the sabot and a~proximately
spherically shaped indellted ~or-tions 18 of the several aI~)en(l~
ages 1~ extend;.llg up~rard from t~le base 16. FI~. 4 SllO~S tlle
appendages 1~ in thcir initial condition, biased slightly out
from each other. When the sabot is inserted into the muzzle
end of the bore of a ri:Ele, the appendages 19 are compressed
towards the ball 10, as best seen .Erom FIGS. l, 2 and 3.
An obturator ring 22 is shown sli.ghtly recessed from
the perimeter 23 of the base l~. This rlng 22 defllles a cavity
2~ The foree o:E ex~losive pressure upon d;.schargc clls-torts
tlle obturator 22, as best shown by FIG. 6 into contaet W:it.}
tlle internal surface of the bore, thereby ef:Eecting a goocl
gas seal~
After discharge of the firearm, the sabot 13 is pushed
through the bore~ and upon exlt the appenclages l9 spread,
thereby increasing the resistance of the sabot 13 to travel
while releasing tlle ball 10. As a consequence, loading and
firin~ is accomI~lisIled more rapidly with a reduced need or
cleaning and oili.ng, as compared to conventional patch rammillg.
In addition, the ball 10 is projected at ]ligller velocity and
with greater accuracy tllan is typi.cal for blac~ powder rifles.
Moreover, by selccting sabots of appropriate size, balls of
varying diameters may be fired from a given oversize rifle
bore. Typically, a .45 calibre ball may bc discharged from
a .50 calibre black po~der rifle, for example. .Of course,
even smaller projectiles may be adapted for discharge from
a .50 calibre bore by proper selection of a sabot constructcd
in accordanc:e ~ith this invelltion
Reference in this disclosure to details of the
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il:lustrated ~ bodilllell-t i.s not intcndcd to restrict the sco~c
of the appende~ clai~s, Wlli.C]l -thcmselvcx rcc:ite tllo~se fcatures
regardcd as essential to the inVe31tiO]I.
