초록 ▼

Shot shell payloads that include a plurality of large projectiles and shot shells including the same are disclosed herein. The shot shell payloads include a plurality of large projectiles and at least one spacer that is formed from a different material than the large projectiles. A spacer is located

Shot shell payloads that include a plurality of large projectiles and shot shells including the same are disclosed herein. The shot shell payloads include a plurality of large projectiles and at least one spacer that is formed from a different material than the large projectiles. A spacer is located between adjacent large projectiles and/or separates adjacent large projectiles. Disclosed shot shell payloads also may include one or more end spacers that are positioned to contact just one large projectile or the plurality of large projectiles in the payload.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A shot shell, comprising: a casing defining an internal chamber having a longitudinal axis, wherein the casing comprises a mouth portion and a head portion, the mouth portion and the head portion being positioned on opposing ends of the casing;a primer and a propellant within the casing; anda wad

1. A shot shell, comprising: a casing defining an internal chamber having a longitudinal axis, wherein the casing comprises a mouth portion and a head portion, the mouth portion and the head portion being positioned on opposing ends of the casing;a primer and a propellant within the casing; anda wad positioned within the internal chamber of the casing;a payload positioned within the internal chamber of the casing, wherein the wad separates the payload from the primer and the propellant, and further wherein the payload comprises: a plurality of projectiles, the plurality of projectiles comprising at least a first projectile and a second projectile aligned with the first projectile along the longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of projectiles are formed from a projectile material; wherein each of the plurality of projectiles is a solid, non-frangible projectile that is at least substantially formed of metal and has a cross-sectional area measured transverse to the longitudinal axis that is at least 70% of the cross-sectional area of the casing measured transverse to the longitudinal axis; anda first spacer aligned with the first projectile and the second projectile along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first spacer is positioned between the first projectile and the second projectile and configured to separate the first projectile from the second projectile by a first threshold separation distance; wherein the first spacer is formed from a non-metallic spacer material wherein the first spacer comprises a first concave surface configured to receive at least a portion of the first projectile; and further wherein the first spacer comprises a second concave surface configured to receive at least a portion of the second projectile;wherein the wad further comprises sidewalls that extend generally away from the head portion and propellant and define a payload region into which the plurality of projectiles and the first spacer are housed within the internal chamber, and further wherein the first spacer engages the sidewalls of the wad, and further wherein the first spacer does not engage the casing. 2. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the threshold separation distance is at least 0.5 mm and less than 2.5 mm. 3. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the spacer material is at least one of a resilient material, an elastomeric material, and/a compliant material. 4. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the spacer material includes at least one of a polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, a high density polyethylene, a polystyrene, a polypropylene, a silicone, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a cork, a polytetrafluoroethlene, a polyester, an organic polymer, and an inorganic polymer. 5. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the spacer material consists essentially of at least one of a polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, a high density polyethylene, a polystyrene, a polypropylene, a silicone, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a cork, a polytetrafluoroethlene, a polyester, an organic polymer, and an inorganic polymer. 6. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the first spacer comprises a hollow structure defining one or more internal volumes. 7. The shot shell of claim 6, wherein the one or more internal volumes comprise at least one of a fluid, a gas, a particulate material, a polymeric material, and a resilient material. 8. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of projectiles is a spherical, hemispherical, conical, pointed, blunt, ogived, mushroom-shaped, or symmetrical projectile. 9. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projectiles is spherical. 10. The shot shell of claim 9, wherein the first concave surface and the second concave surface of the first spacer respectively each receive at least 30% of the surface area of corresponding first and second projectiles. 11. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the first spacer is adhered to at least one of the plurality of projectiles. 12. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the shot shell further comprises a third projectile aligned along the longitudinal axis of the shot shell payload and a second spacer aligned along the longitudinal axis, wherein the second spacer is positioned between the second projectile and the third projectile and configured to separate the second projectile from the third projectile by a second threshold separation distance. 13. The shot shell of claim 12, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer have the same shape. 14. The shot shell of claim 12, wherein the first projectile, the second projectile, and the third projectile have the same size, shape, and density. 15. The shot shell of claim 12, wherein the first projectile, the second projectile, and the third projectile are spherical. 16. The shot shell of claim 12, wherein the first spacer is adhered to at least one of the first projectile and the second projectile, and further wherein the second spacer is adhered to at least one of the second projectile and the third projectile. 17. The shot shell of claim 12, wherein the threshold separation distance between the first projectile and the second projectile is at least 0.5 mm, and further wherein the second threshold separation distance between the second projectile and the third projectile is at least 0.5 mm. 18. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the wad further comprises a gas seal region configured to restrict passage of gasses between the wad and the casing when the shot shell is fired, and wherein the wad further comprises a deformable region configured to deform when the shot shell is fired. 19. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projectiles comprises at least 95 wt % steel. 20. The shot shell of claim 19, wherein the first spacer is formed from polyethylene. 21. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the first spacer is formed from polyethylene. 22. The shot shell of claim 1, wherein the first projectile and the second projectile have the same size, shape, and density.