Shotgun Tracer

Abstract

A shotgun shell tracer which includes a base wall, an obturator extending from the base wall, an edge wall extending from the base wall opposite to the obturator, where the edge wall defines an internal space, and where a ballast chamber support is engaged to the base wall extending from the base wall within the internal space. The tracer also includes a tracer insert encircling a least a portion of the ballast chamber support within said internal space to form a plurality of sections. The edge wall may include one or more slits to form petals to improve the flight accuracy for the tracer following discharge from a shotgun shell.

1 . A shotgun shell tracer comprising:
 a. at least one base wall, at least one obturator extending from said base wall, at least one edge wall extending from said at least one base wall opposite to said obturator, said at least one edge wall defining an internal space; and   b. at least one ballast chamber support engaged to said at least one base wall wherein said at least one ballast chamber support extends from said at least one base wall within said internal space.   
     
     
         2 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one tracer insert constructed and arranged to encircle a least a portion of said at least one ballast chamber support within said internal space. 
     
     
         3 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 2 , said at least one ballast chamber support comprising at least two divider sections. 
     
     
         4 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 3 , said at least one edge wall comprising at least one slit. 
     
     
         5 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 4 , said at least one slit being constructed and arranged to form at least one petal. 
     
     
         6 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one tracer insert is engaged to a least a portion of said at least one ballast chamber support within said internal space. 
     
     
         7 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one base wall, said at least one obturator and said at least one edge wall are integral to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 7  wherein said at least one ballast chamber support is integral to said at least one base wall, said at least one obturator, and said at least one edge wall. 
     
     
         9 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one tracer insert is spatially separated from said at least one ballast chamber support. 
     
     
         10 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 5  wherein said at least two divider sections are constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of projectiles. 
     
     
         11 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of slits. 
     
     
         12 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of petals. 
     
     
         13 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one base wall, said at least one obturator and said at least one edge wall define a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 13  wherein said plurality of slits are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The shotgun shell tracer according to  claim 13  wherein said plurality of slits are arcuate relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a shotgun shell tracer comprising:
 a. molding at least one base wall, at least one obturator, at least one edge wall, and at least one ballast chamber support, said at least one edge wall defining an internal space, said at least one ballast chamber support being positioned within said internal space;   b. slitting said at least one edge wall to form a plurality of petals;   c. extruding an elongate tubular member;   d. cutting said elongate tubular member to form a tracer insert; and   e. placing said tracer insert around said at least one ballast chamber support within said internal space to form a plurality of sections.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  further comprising inserting said tracer into an interior of a shotgun shell casing. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising placing a plurality of projectiles within said plurality of sections. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising enclosing said tracer within said shotgun shell casing.