Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MUZZLELOADER POWER CELL WITH PRIMER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/794,669,
filed January 20, 2019 and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No.
16/686,130 filed
November 16, 2019, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
Muzzleloaders are a class of firearms in which the propellant charge and
bullet are
separately loaded into the barrel immediately prior to firing. Unlike modern
breech loaded
firearms where the bullet, propellant charge and primer are loaded as
prepackaged cartridges,
muzzleloaders are loaded by feeding a propellant charge through the muzzle of
the barrel before
ramming a bullet down the barrel with a ramrod until the bullet is seated
against the propellant
charge at the breech end of the barrel. A primer is inserted at the breech to
be in communication
with the propellant. The primer is then struck by an inline firing pin or an
external hammer to
ignite the propellant charge to create propellant gases for propelling the
bullet.
A variability in muzzleloaders not present in cartridge based firearms is the
quantity and
type of the propellant charge. Unlike cartridge firearms where a cartridge is
preloaded with a bullet
and premeasured quantity of propellant is loaded into the firearm for firing,
the bullet and
propellant charge are combined within the firearm for firing. Accordingly, the
muzzleloader
operator can select the optimal bullet, propellant type and quantity
combination for each shot,
which is particularly advantageous given the long reloading time for
muzzleloaders. While the
variability of the bullet ¨ propellant charge combination allows for an
optimized shot, varying the
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bullet and in particular the propellant and quantity of propellant can
significantly change the
appropriate seating depth of the bullet. With loose or powdered propellant
such as black powder,
the amount of propellant is often varied between 80 and 120 volumetric grains.
Similarly,
propellants are often formed into cylindrical pellets that are stacked end-to-
end within the barrel
to form the propellant charges. The pellets are typically each about 1 cm in
length and loaded in 1
to 3 pellet groups causing an even greater variation in the seating depth. Of
course, variability in
the powder, bullet, and seating depth causes variability in performance,
including accuracy.
Another safety concern unique to muzzleloaders is an undersized or oversized
propellant
charge. Unlike cartridge firearms where the amount of propellant loaded for
each shot is limited
by the internal volume of the cartridge, theoretically, the amount of
propellant loaded for each shot
in muzzleloaders is only limited by the length of the barrel. While measures
are often used to
provide a constant quantity of propellant for each propellant charge, the
measures can be difficult
to use in the field or in low ambient light when hunting often occurs.
Similarly, propellant can be
formed into the pre-sized pellets that can be loaded one at a time until the
appropriate amount of
propellant is loaded. As with measuring the quantity of powder, errors can
occur in loading the
appropriate number of pellets. Embodiments of the disclosure address the above
issues.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
All conventional firearms are designed and built and chambered to fire a
single size of
ammunition. Incorrectly sized ammunition should not properly seat in the
chamber and otherwise
not allow for firing same. Breech action firearms such as single fire shotguns
and double barrel
shotguns conventionally have a planar breech block face with a central firing
pin hole with a planar
breech block face. Muzzleloading systems featuring breech loaded and sealed
propellant
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cartridges have been developed by the owner of the instant application and
have been disclosed as
having a planar breech block face. See, for example, U.S. Patent No.
10,030,956, incorporated by
reference herein except for express definitions and patent claims contained
therein. The applicant
has developed non-conventional interface systems between the breech block face
and cartridges
providing a high level of certainty that only intended propellant vessels can
be fired in the
muzzleloader.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, a muzzleloader system has a
muzzleloader rifle
having a barrel with a breech chamber that opens rearwardly, a constriction
portion forward of the
breech chamber, and a barrel bore of reduced size forward of the constriction
portion. A projectile
is muzzle loaded and a pre-packaged, hermetically sealed propellant charge
having a polymer
vessel filled with propellant is breech loaded in the breech chamber. The
polymer vessel includes
a flange at a rearward end and a primer receptacle centrally positioned at the
rearward end. In
some embodiments, cooperating features between the rear face of the polymer
vessel and the
muzzleloader rifle breech block provide means for limiting engagement of the
firing pin with only
a specifically configured polymer vessel with primer.
In some embodiments, the muzzleloader rifle has a chamber to receive the
polymer
propellant vessel and a breech block face that presents a most forward
extending structure within
the axial rearward projection of the chamber, a primer receiving surface on
the breech block face
that is positioned rearwardly of the forward most extending structure, and a
firing pin that does not
extend forward past the forward most extending structure. In some embodiments,
the forwardmost
extending structure is a projection such as one or more pins, or such as an
annular projection, that
mate with a corresponding recess on the rear face of the propellant vessel. In
some embodiments,
the forward most structure is a planar breech block face that confronts the
breech face around the
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chamber, and the primer receiving surface of the breech block face is
positioned at bottom of a
cylindrical recess surrounding a firing pin hole.
In some embodiments, a muzzleloader polymer propellant vessel has a primer
recess with
a depth that is less than an overall height of the primer so that the primer,
when inserted into the
primer receptacle, extends rearwardly beyond a rearward facing surface of the
propellant
containment vessel. The breech block face of the muzzleloader rifle may define
a recess sized to
receive the projecting primer. The firing pin of the rifle may be configured
to not extend beyond
a planar face of the breech block surface surrounding the recess. In some
embodiments, the
rearward face of the propellant vessel has an annular polymer projection
defining the primer
receptacle portion therein to receive the primer with a flange, the flange
seating on the rearward
face of the annular polymer projection. The breech block face may define a
recess configured to
receive a polymer projection and primer installed therein. In some
embodiments, the components
are configured such that the internal face of the recess of the breech block
face is compressively
engages the primer flange and polymer projection.
In some embodiments, a rimfire primer is inserted in a primer receptacle and
the firing pin
hole and firing pin actuation region is offset from the central axis of the
chamber. The rimfire
primer may extend from the rear face of the polymer vessel or may be seated in
a centrally
positioned annular projection. In some embodiments, one or more means for
limiting engagement
of the firing pin with only a specifically configured polymer vessel with
primer may be combined.
An example muzzleloader system includes a propellant containment vessel for
use with a
primer, a projectile and a muzzleloader. In some embodiments, the system
includes a propellant
containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile so that the
propellant containment
vessel is not in contact with the projectile and the primer does not contact
the propellant
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containment vessel until an assembly step has been completed. In some
embodiments, the
propellant containment vessel is sized to be received in the breech chamber
and has a head portion
with a flange and a primer receptacle. A body portion may taper toward a
forward end with the
forward end conformed to engage a constriction portion in the muzzleloader.
The propellant vessel
may include means for precluding the loading of the vessel into a firearm
other than an intended
muzzleloader rifle. The muzzleloader rifle may include means for precluding
the firing of any
ammunition except for an intended and a specifically configured propellant
vessel with a primer
inserted therein.
In some embodiments, the system is dimensioned and adapted for use with a
muzzleloader
.. having a firing pin and a pair of positioning pins. The firing pin may be
slideable between a
forward-most position and a more rearward position. In some embodiments, the
firing pin extends
forwardly beyond a forward facing surface of a breech block by a first
distance when the firing pin
is in the forward-most position. In some embodiments, each positioning pin
extends forwardly
beyond the forward facing surface of a breech block by a second distance. The
second distance
may be greater than the first distance so that the firing pin does not extend
through a plane defined
by the forward most surfaces of the positioning pins when the firing pin is in
the forward-most
position.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is a
muzzleloader power
cell capsule including a rearward portion containing a propellant charge and a
forward portion
covering a forward opening of the rearward portion. In some embodiments, the
forward portion
is expelled from the muzzle loader upon ignition of the propellant charge.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is a
muzzleloader system
including a power cell containing a propellant charge for use with a bullet
that is not attached to
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the power cell. In some embodiments, the lack of attachment between the power
cell and the bullet
may provide increased accuracy when the bullet is fired. In some embodiments,
the power cell
with propellant charge is loaded through the rearward breech end of the barrel
and the bullet is
loaded through the forward, muzzle end of the barrel.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is that the
breech loading
or unloading of the propellant charge allows for safe separation of the
propellant charge from the
bullet loaded within the barrel. When it is desired to unload the
muzzleloader, the propellant
containment vessel is removed, unfired, from the breech and the bullet then
safely pulled or pushed
down the barrel and removed from the muzzleloader without risk of inadvertent
or delayed ignition
of the propellant charge and subsequent firing of the projectile.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is a
muzzleloader system
power cell include a transparent or translucent body portion containing a
propellant charge and a
cap portion hermetically to the body portion. In some embodiments, the
transparent or translucent
body portion enables visual inspection of the charge without breaking the
hermetic seal. In some
embodiments, the cap portions are color coded in a manner representative of
types and/or
quantities of propellant. The cap can be on the forward or rearward end of the
vessel portion.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is a
muzzleloader system
including a power cell containing a propellant charge sized and adapted to
propel a bullet having
a weight greater than 200 grains so as to provide a quick and humane kill when
hunting. In some
embodiments, the muzzleloader system includes a power cell containing a
propellant charge sized
and adapted to propel a bullet having a weight greater than 250 grains. In
some embodiments, the
muzzleloader system includes a power cell containing a propellant charge sized
and adapted to
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propel a bullet having a weight greater than 300 grains. Some embodiments
herein are specifically
addressed to muzzle-loaded projectiles from 45 caliber to 50 caliber.
A feature and benefit of various embodiments of the disclosure is a
muzzleloader system
including a power cell containing a propellant charge for use with primer and
a bullet, the bullet
being sized so that the muzzleloader system is suitable for use in hunting
large game such as elk,
moose and bear.
The above summary of the various representative embodiments is not intended to
describe
each or every implementation of the claimed invention. Rather, the embodiments
are chosen and
described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the
principles and practices
.. disclosed herein. The Figures in the detailed description that follow more
particularly exemplify
these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The claimed invention can be completely understood in consideration of the
following
.. detailed description of various embodiments disclosed herein in connection
with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a breech break muzzleloader rifle according to
embodiments of the
disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the muzzleloader rifle of
FIG. 1 illustrating
the breech loading of a propellant containment vessel and installation of a
primer according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a breech block of the
muzzleloader rifle of
FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
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FIG. 4 is a dimensioned propellant containment vessel according to an
embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIG. 5A is perspective view of a propellant containment vessel with a head
that defines an
annular recess according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a propellant containment vessel of FIG.
5A according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a propellant vessel in accord with embodiments
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 6 depicting
transparency of the vessel
portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vessel with a primer receptacle for
receiving a primer
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 before insertion of a
primer
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the vessel of FIG. 9 with primer insertion according
to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a side view of a vessel according to an embodiment before primer
insertion
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the vessel of FIG. 11 with primer inserted according
to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the vessel of FIGS. 6 and 7 before primer insertion
according to
an embodiment of the disclosure.
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FIG. 14 is a side view of the vessel of FIG. 13 with primer inserted according
to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 15 is a perspective cutaway view of a muzzleloader power cell including
an over-
powder disk secured with roll crimps according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged, partial view of the forward end of the muzzleloader
power cell of
FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 17 is a partial, perspective cross-sectional view of the muzzleloader
power cell of
FIG. 15 loaded in a breech chamber of the muzzleloader rifle of FIGS. 1
through 3 according to
an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of a propellant containment vessel of
the
muzzleloader power cell of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIGS. 19A through 19C are cross-sectional elevational views of the
muzzleloader power
cell of FIG. 15 at various stages of manufacturing according to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the muzzleloader power cell of FIG. 15
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 21 is a simplified perspective view of a breech block having projecting
pins for mating
with the annular recess of the propellant vessel of FIGS. 5A and 5B according
to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
FIG. 22 is a simplified perspective view of a breech block having an annular
projection for
mating with the annular recess of the propellant vessel of FIGS. 5A and 5B
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
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FIG. 23 is a simplified perspective view of a breech block defining a recess
for receiving
the rearward projecting primer of the propellant vessel of FIGS. 12 and 14
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 24 is a simplified perspective view of a breech block having an off-
center firing pin
for rimfire primers according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the muzzleloader rifle of
FIG. 1 illustrating
the embodiments of FIGS. 13, 14, and 23 in a loaded and pre-fired
configuration according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 26 is the partial cross-sectional side view of FIG. 25 after discharge
with the projectile
having left the seated position according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 27 is the partial cross-sectional side view of FIG. 25 with an empty
breech and the
firing pin fully extended according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
While the disclosed embodiments are amenable to various modifications and
alternative
forms, specifics thereof have been depicted by way of example in the drawings
and will be
described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is
not to limit the claimed
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the
intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and
scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a muzzleloader system 20 includes a muzzleloader rifle
22, a
muzzle loaded projectile 25, a breech loaded muzzleloader power cell 32 having
a primer
receptacle 34, and a primer 38 insertable into the primer receptacle 34 of the
muzzleloader power
cell 32. The muzzleloader power cell 32 includes a propellant containment
vessel 40 that contains
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a quantity of propellant. In some embodiments, the muzzleloader power cell 32
is separate from
the primer 38 and the projectile 25 until the system is ready for firing.
In some embodiments, the muzzleloader 20 has a breech brake 42 that opens as
shown in
FIG. 2 revealing a breech face 43 of the breech end 44 of a barrel 46. A
breech block 48 has a
breech block face 50 that confronts the breech face 43. A breech chamber 60
open rearwardly, a
constriction portion 54, is positioned forward of the breech chamber 60, and a
barrel bore 31
forward of the constriction portion 54 that extends to a muzzle 56. The
muzzleloader power cell
32 is sized to be conformingly received in the breech chamber 60. The
muzzleloader rifle 22
includes a trigger mechanism 64 for actuating a firing pin 70.
Herein, "forward" and its derivatives (e.g., forwardly, forward-most) is
designated by
arrow 71 refers to a direction that is parallel to the z-axis of the r-O-z
axis of FIG. 2 and parallel to
a direction of the travel of the projectile 25 upon discharge. "Rearward" and
its derivatives (e.g.,
rearwardly, rearward-most) is a direction that is opposite the forward
direction 71, designated by
arrow 73.
Referring specifically to FIG. 3, In some embodiments, the breech block 48 has
two
pertinent surfaces that are within a rearward axial projection 72 of the
breech chamber 60, one is
a forwardly most surface 74, and the other is a primer confronting surface 76
that faces forward
and extends around the firing pin opening and the firing pin travel path. In
some embodiments, the
firing pin travel is constrained to have a forward stop position such that
forward travel is precluded
beyond a plane 77 perpendicular to the barrel axis Al positioned at the breech
block forwardly
most surface 74. In some embodiments, when the muzzleloader is loaded and
ready for firing, the
breech block forwardly most surface is forward of the rearward-most surface of
the propellant
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vessel with primer 38. The positioning as such limits the firing pin to only
strike the specially
conformingly configured propellant vessels with primers 38.
Referring to FIG. 4 example suitable dimensions for the muzzleloader power
cell 32 are
presented according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The dimensions
presented as an example
and are non-limiting. In some embodiments, the dimensions may vary to within
5% of specified
values.
Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a muzzleloader power cell 32a is depicted
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure. The muzzleloader power cell 32a includes a
propellant containment
vessel 40a. Herein, muzzleloader power cells and propellant containment
vessels are referred to
collectively and generically as "muzzleloader power cell(s) 32" and
"propellant containment
vessel(s) 40," and specifically or individually by the reference characters 32
and 40, respectively,
followed by a letter suffix (e.g., "muzzleloader power cell 32a" and
"propellant containment vessel
40a"). The propellant containment vessel 40a includes a forward body portion
82 that includes a
tubular wall portion 83, the forward body portion 82 defining a cavity 84 that
contains a quantity
or charge of propellant 85. The forward body portion 82 extends rearwardly
from a forward end
portion 106, concentric about the body axis 87 to and defines a rearward mouth
87. A rearward
cup 86 is disposed in the rearward mouth 87 that closes and seals the
propellant 85 within the
cavity 84. Certain aspects of the configuration of FIGS. 5A and 5B are further
explained in
International Patent Application Publication WO 2019/144161, owned by the
assignee of the
current application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety
except for patent claims and express definitions contained therein.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a muzzleloader power cell 32b is depicted
according to an
embodiment of the disclosure. The muzzleloader power cell 32b includes some of
the same
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components and attributes as the muzzleloader power cell 32a, which are
identified with same-
numbered reference characters. The muzzleloader power cell 32b includes a
propellant
containment vessel 40a having a rearward body portion 90 that defines the
cavity 84 and extends
forwardly to and defines a forward mouth 91. The forward mouth 91 is
configured to receive a
forward cap 92 to seal the propellant 85 therein.
Referring to FIGS. 8 through 14 and again to FIGS. 4 through 7, propellant
containment
vessels 80 include a rearward or head end portion 94 with a flange 96 that
defines a primer
receptacle 98 defining a primer recess 99, and a rearward flange face 102. A
membrane 97 isolates
the cavity 84 and the primer recess 99 so that, prior to discharge, there is
no fluid communication
between the cavity 84 and the primer recess 99. The forward end portion 106 of
the muzzleloader
power cell 32 is shaped to conform to the constriction portion 54 of the
muzzleloader rifle 22.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 and again to FIGS. 5A and 5B, muzzleloader power
cells 32a
and 32b are depicted according to embodiments of the disclosure. The
muzzleloader power cells
32a and 32b include propellant containment vessels 40a and 40b, each defining
an annular recess
120 for receiving cooperating structures 122 (FIGS. 21 and 22) on the breech
block face 50. The
cooperating structures 122 may include, for example, pins 124 (FIG. 21) or an
annular projection
126 (FIG. 22). In such arrangements, an end surface 130 of the pins 124 and a
rearward extremity
136 of the annular projection 126 constitute the forward-most surfaces 74 of
the breech block face
50 as described above. The firing pin 70 is configured so as not to extend
forward of the forward-
most surfaces 74 when actuated.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments, the recess 99 of the primer
receptacle
98 of the propellant containment vessel 40 has a depth D that is less than an
overall height H of
the primer 38 so that the primer 38, such that when inserted into the primer
receptacle 98, the
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primer 38 including a primer flange 146, extends rearwardly beyond the
rearward-facing flange
face 102 of the propellant containment vessel 32. In some embodiments, the
muzzleloader system
includes means that preclude the firing of a rifle cartridge by the
muzzleloader 20.
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the flange 96 includes the annular projection
126 with the
primer recess 99 being defined therein. The annular projection extends an
axial length Li beyond
the rearward flange face 102 of the flange 96 in the rearward direction 73.
Upon installation of the
primer 38, the annular projection 126 and the primer flange 146 of the primer
36 stack up to project
rearwardly, defining an axial length L2 relative to the rearward flange face
102 of the flange 96.
Referring to FIGS. 15 through 17, a muzzleloader power cell 32f including an
over-powder
disk secured with roll crimps is depicted according to an embodiment of the
disclosure. The
muzzleloader power cell 32f includes several of the same components and
attributes as the
muzzleloader power cell 32e, some of which are indicated with same-numbered
reference
characters. The muzzleloader power cell 32f includes a propellant containment
vessel 40f, primer
38, propellant 85, and an over-powder disk 202 coupled to the forward mouth
91. The propellant
containment vessel 40f may be of a transparent or translucent material
(depicted), as discussed
above. The over-powder disk 202 is captured at the forward end 106 of the
propellant containment
vessel 40f between a ledge portion 204 and a roll crimp 206 of the propellant
containment vessel
40f to close and seal the propellant 85 within the cavity 84.
The muzzleloader power cell 32f defines an overall axial length 208, extending
from a
rearward extremity 212 of the annular projection 146 to a forward extremity
214 of the roll crimp
206 of the propellant containment vessel 40f. The propellant containment
vessel 40f defines a
body axial length 216 that extends from a forward face 218 of the flange 96 to
the forward
extremity 214 of the roll crimp 206, and also defines a breech chamber axial
insertion length 220
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that extends from a rearward face of the flange 96 to the forward extremity
214 of the roll crimp
206. In operation, the muzzleloader power cell 32f is inserted into the breech
chamber 60 so that
the roll crimp 206 registers against the constriction portion 54 of the
muzzleloader rifle 22.
Referring to FIG. 18, the propellant containment vessel 40f is depicted prior
to assembly
of the muzzleloader power cell 32f according to an embodiment of the
disclosure. The propellant
containment vessel 40f is a unitary polymer structure 232 that includes the
flange 96, primer
receptacle 98, and membrane 97 at the rearward end portion 94. At the forward
end portion 106,
the propellant containment vessel 40f defines the ledge portion 204 that is
rearward of the forward
mouth 91, the ledge portion 204 projecting radially inward (i.e., toward the
body axis 87) from an
interior surface 236 of the tubular wall portion 83 of the propellant
containment vessel 40f The
ledge portion 204 defines a seating face 238 that faces forwardly, toward the
forward mouth 91.
In some embodiments, the ledge portion 204 is a continuous annular ledge. In
some embodiments,
the ledge portion 204 is a shoulder 242 (depicted) that transitions between a
proximal thick wall
portion 244 and a distal thin wall portion 246 of the tubular wall portion 83.
In some embodiments,
an exterior surface 248 the tubular wall portion 83 of the propellant
containment vessel 40f (as
well as for propellant containment vessels 40 generally) tapers toward the
body axis 87 in the
forward direction 71.
The unitary polymer structure 232 of the propellant containment vessel 40f (as
well as for
propellant containment vessels 40 generally) may be fabricated by techniques
known to the artisan,
such as injection molding, machining, or a combination thereof For example,
the unitary polymer
structure 232 may be initially cast by an injection molding technique that is
finished by machining
techniques to provide tighter tolerances of critical surfaces and lengths
(e.g., the seating face 238
of the ledge portion 204, the rearward flange face 102, the axial length Li to
the rearward extremity
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136 of the annular projection 126, and/or a thickness of the distal thin wall
portion 246). The over-
powder disk 202 may be manufactured, for example, from a polymer or cardboard.
Functionally, the annular projection 126 provides the same safety aspects as
with the
muzzleloader cell 32e, described above attendant to FIGS. 13 and 14. The
membrane 97 prevents
propellant 85 from leaking out of the cavity 84 into the primer receptacle 98
during shipping,
storage, and handling. The ledge portion 204 provides a reliable seating
position along the body
axis 87 for the over-powder disk 202, and cooperates with the roll crimp 206
to secure the over-
powder disk 202 and seal the cavity 84. The distal thin wall portion 246 can
enable easier and
more reliable formation of the crimp roll 206, while providing the proximal
thick wall portion 244
provides the necessary structural integrity of the propellant containment
vessel 40f to avoid rupture
of the muzzleloader power cell 32f during discharge. The taper of the exterior
surface 248 may
conform to a complementary-shaped interior wall of the breech chamber 60 for
better support of
the muzzleloader power cells 32 (and muzzleloader power cells 32 generally)
during discharge.
Referring to FIGS. 19A through 19C, a process for manufacturing the
muzzleloader power
cell 32f is depicted according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A depiction
of the fully
assembled power cell 32f is depicted at FIG. 20. The unitary polymer structure
232 of the
propellant containment vessel 40f may undergo the fabrication and finishing
processes described
above attendant to FIG. 18. The propellant 85 is disposed in the rearward body
portion 90 of the
unitary polymer structure 232 (FIG. 19A). The over-powder disk 202 is inserted
into the forward
mouth 91 so that a rearward face 252 of the over-powder disk 202 is seated on
the ledge portion
204 of the propellant containment vessel 40f (FIG. 19B). The propellant
containment vessel 40f
with propellant 85 and over-powder disk 202 inserted undergoes a roll crimping
process, for
example with a roll crimping tool 254 inserted in the forward mouth 91 (FIG.
19C). The roll
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crimping process forms the roll crimp 206, bringing the roll crimp 206 into
contact with a forward
face 256 of the over-powder disk 202, thereby tightly securing the over-powder
disk 202 within
the forward mouth 91 of the propellant containment vessel 40f
Referring to FIGS. 11 through 14 and 23, the rearward central projections are
sized to fit a
recess 150 defined in the breech block face 50 about the firing pin hole 155.
A primer
confrontation and engagement surface 157 is at the bottom of the recess and
extends about the
firing pin hole 155. In this embodiment, the breech block face 50 is the
forward most surface 74
of the breech block and the firing pin 70 does not extend past the plane
defined by this surface.
Functionally, standard cartridges with primers that are flush with a rearward
face of the cartridge
cannot be fired in this arrangement, because the firing pin 70 does not reach
the primer.
Referring to FIG. 24, a breech block firing pin arrangement may be utilized
with propellant
containment vessels embodiments by substituting a rimfire primer for the
conventional centerfire
primers. The firing pin is offset from the intersection of the central axis Al
of the barrel with the
breech block face 50 when the muzzleloader is closed. The position such that
the firing pin will
strike the rim of a centrally positioned rim fire primer.
Referring to FIGS. 25 through 27, the firing pin 70 travel is illustrated in
accord with
embodiments. FIG. 25 the muzzleloader is loaded with a bullet, a propellant
containment vessel,
and a primer. The primer flange and rear face projecting into a recess 150 in
the breech block face
50. FIG. 26 shows the firing pin impacting the primer causing ignition of the
propellant in the
propellant containment vessel and launching the bullet. FIG. 27 illustrates
the end stop 169 of
forward travel of the firing pin 70 without a propellant containment vessel in
the breech chamber
60. Said travel does not extend past the plane defined by the breech face.
Stop surfaces 171 on the
breech block engaging with surfaces 173d on the firing pin may provide such an
end stop 169.
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The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference
herein in their
entirety except for patent claims and express definitions contained therein:
U.S. Pat. Nos.
9,273,941; 9,261,335; 9,003,973; 8,875,633; 8,869,702; 8,763,535; 8,726,560;
8,590,199;
8,573,126; 8,561,543; 8,453,367; 8,443,730; 8,240,252; 8,146,505; 7,984,668;
7,621,208;
7,444,775; 7,441,504; 7,302,890; 7,278,358; 7,225,741; 7,059,234; 6,931,978;
6,845,716;
6,752,084; 6,625,916; 6,564,719; 6,439,123; 6,178,889; 5,677,505; 5,492,063;
5,359,937;
5,216,199; 4,955,157; 4,169,329; 4,098,016; 4,069,608; 4,058,922; 4,057,003;
3,776,095;
3,771,415; and 3,261,291. Components and features illustrated in the
incorporated by reference
references may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference
is discussed, for
example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).
All of the features disclosed, claimed, and incorporated by reference herein,
and all of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any
combination, except
combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually
exclusive. Each
feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative
features serving the same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless
expressly stated
otherwise, each feature disclosed is an example only of a generic series of
equivalent or similar
features. Inventive aspects of this disclosure are not restricted to the
details of the foregoing
embodiments, but rather extend to any novel embodiment, or any novel
combination of
embodiments, of the features presented in this disclosure, and to any novel
embodiment, or any
novel combination of embodiments, of the steps of any method or process so
disclosed.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will
be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement
calculated to achieve the
same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples disclosed. This
application is intended
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to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Moreover,
the embodiments herein
may have applicability to other types of firearms. Therefore, it is intended
that the invention be
defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the
illustrative aspects. The
above described embodiments are merely descriptive of its principles and are
not to be considered
limiting.
19
