Automation Associates, Inc.

David M Lawrence

A sabot-type cartridge has a one-piece body of thermoplastic material and a standard body configuration, such as that of a .44 Magnum, with a propellant chamber, primer, and an integral sabot of full caliber. The sabot is generally hollow, cylindrical in configuration, with radially extending ribs, separated by longitudinal grooves, the ribs supporting and centering a sub-caliber projectile, such as a .22 caliber. The annular mouth of the sabot is co-planar with the tip of the projectile to form a tapered funnel-like air inlet. A gas-actuated cutter means, in the form of a normally cupped metal member, is interposed between the projectile and the propellant chamber. There are sharp cutting edges on the multiple lobes of the member to slice the sabot free of the cartridge upon detonation of the propellant. As the sabot exits from the muzzle of the firearm, air pressure expands the sabot, in the manner of a spring collet, and releases the projectile. The invention is intended to, but not limited to, provide a family of sub-caliber cartridges, which may be loaded into, and fired from standard firearms currently manufactured by others.

One-piece cartridge and sabot with gas-actuated cutter member

A valve for dispensing fluidic substance including a valve housing (12) defining a general axial flow path through the housing, a diaphragm (22) disposed in the valve housing substantially transverse to the axial flow path and defining first and second compartments (38, 39) therein, the diaphragm having a surface facing away from the flow path which includes an annular rib (32) and further having at least one aperture (34) disposed through the diaphragm in a peripheral arrangement outside of the annular rib for allowing passage of fluidic substance from the first compartment to the second compartment, a tubular seal mounted to the valve housing and having an inner end (46) which opens to face the annular rib of the diaphragm, an outer end (50), an annular lip (60) defining the inner end of the seal, and being annularly pivotable relative to the pivoting break sealing engagement between the diaphragm and the tubular seal so that fluidic substance in the second compartment is permitted access to the bore (44) of the tube, the outer end of the tubular seal having at least one orifice (52) for dispensing fluidic substance therefrom.

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Billerica, MA, United States of America

David M Lawrence