Low Energy Training Cartridge

Abstract

A low energy cartridge comprising: an outer casing 4; a rear telecospically slidable portion 1 disposed, in use, to be telescopically extendable with respect to the outer casing 4 in a direction towards the breech-block of a firearm; a front telescopically slidable portion 6 disposed, in use, to be telescopically extendable with respect to the outer casing 4 in a direction towards the barrel X of a firearm; means 2, 3 for causing each telescopically slidable portion 1, 6 to telescopically extend in reaction to firing of a firearm containing the cartridge; an open end 13 of the front portion 6 configured to receive a projectile 7 and means for propelling a projectile 7 from the open end 13.

1 . A low energy cartridges comprising: 
 an outer casing;    a rear telescopically slidable portion disposed, in use, to be telescopically extendable with respect to the outer casing in a direction towards a breech-block of a firearm;    a front telescopically slidable portion disposed, in use, to be telescopically extendable with respect to the outer casing in a direction towards a barrel of the firearm;    means for causing each telescopically slidable portion, in use, to telescopically extend in reaction to firing of the firearm containing the cartridge;    an open end of the front telescopically slidable portion configured to receive a projectile; and    means for propelling the projectile from the open end.    
   
   
       2 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the front telescopically extendable portion is made from a plastic, other pliable material or of a composite construction so as to seal the front portion into the outer casing and a chamber of the firearm.  
   
   
       3 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a projectile received in the front telescopically slidable portion, the projectile comprising a bullet configured such that the bullet remains sealed in the front portion until a portion of the bullet has entered a rifled part of the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       4 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for causing the telescopically slidable portions to telescopically extend comprises a gas releasing device positioned at a rear of the rear telescopically slidable portion, an open ended gas passage extending through the rear portion and forwardly of the gas releasing devices and a closure member sealingly slidably located in the gas passage.  
   
   
       5 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for causing the telescopically slidable portions to telescopically extend comprises a primer positioned at a rear of the rear portion, and an open ended gas passage extending through the rear portion and forwardly of the primer.  
   
   
       6 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising a propellant charge ignited by the primer and positioned between the front and rear telescopically slidable portions.  
   
   
       7 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising a primer positioned at a rear of the front portion and an open ended gas passage extending through the front portion and forwardly of the primer, the open ended gas passage being closable by a projectile.  
   
   
       8 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the primer of the front portion is initiated on impact of the closure member with the primer.  
   
   
       9 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer casing is shaped so as to include at or near each end an inwardly jutting surface which serves to stop the telescopically slidable portions separating from the outer casing when the portions extend.  
   
   
       10 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the inwardly jutting surface comprises an annular flange having an inner radius which is slightly smaller than a largest radius of the corresponding telescopically slidable portion.  
   
   
       11 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the closure member comprises a plug which has a cross section in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the telescopically slidable portions, of similar shape and size to that of the gas passage of the first telescopically slidable portion.  
   
   
       12 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the closure member is substantially spherical.  
   
   
       13 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the closure member is a ball.  
   
   
       14 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball is made from steel.  
   
   
       15 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball is made from a plastic material.  
   
   
       16 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the closure member has an outer surface which is selected to be of a low friction material so as to allow the member to easily slide along the gas passage.  
   
   
       17 . A low energy cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at least one gas tight seal between a telescopically slidable portion and the outer casing.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)