Customizable Projectile Designed for Separation

Abstract

A projectile for a firearm and a method of making the projectile. The projectile separates into fragments upon striking a target. The direction and paths of the fragment are determined by the dimensions and shape of the fragments.

We claim as follows: 
     
         1 . A firearm projectile that separates into fragments upon impact with a target, the projectile comprising:
 (a) a leading end portion;   (b) a middle portion extending from the leading end portion to a base portion, the middle portion being connected to the leading end portion and the base portion at opposite ends of the middle portion;   (c) one or more slits formed in the projectile and dividing the projectile into at least two, separated fragments, each fragment connected to the base portion, the separated fragments forming an opening therebetween;   whereby, when the projectile strikes a target, the fragments separate from one another at the slits.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the projectile is made of metal. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the projectile is made of copper. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the leading end forms a partial dome with a flattened top. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the slits extend from the top of the leading end portion to a top of the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the slits extend at an angle through the leading end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the slits are in the leading end portion. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein tops of the leading end portions are angled inward toward a center of the projectile. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein there are slits forming four or more fragments. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the dimensions of the leading end portion and the middle portion are varied to alter the direction, speed, and path length of the leading end portion after the projectile strikes a target. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein Delrin® is contained in the opening between the fragments. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the middle portion of the projectile is encased in a layer of Delrin®. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the paths, speed, and directions of the projectiles after striking a target are changed based on the dimensions and shapes of the fragments. 
     
     
         14 . A firearm projectile that separates into fragments upon impact with a target, the projectile comprising:
 (a) a base having a hole in an upper portion thereof;   (b) a tip having a leading end and a bottom end, the bottom end having a projection extending therefrom that is inserted in the hole in the upper portion of the base;   whereby, when the projectile strikes a target, the projection of the tip separates from the hole in the base, the tip separates from the base, and the base and the tip impact the target in separate locations.   
     
     
         15 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the base has raised ridges. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the base is made of metal. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the base is made of copper. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the tip is made of composite material. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the tip is made of Delrin. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the leading end of the tip comprises a rounded, pointed, or flat surface. 
     
     
         21 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the hole is beveled at an upper edge thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The firearm projectile of  claim 14  wherein the tip has one or more lines of weakness. 
     
     
         23 . A method of making a firearm projectile that separates into fragments upon impact with a target, the method comprising:
 (a) forming a projectile comprised of a leading end portion and a base portion, the portions connected to one another;   (b) shaping said portions so that they form an opening therebetween; and   (c) cutting one or more lines of weakness in at least one of the portions to separate the projectile into fragments upon impact with a target.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the projectile is formed out of metal. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein tops of the leading end portions of the fragments are angled inward toward a center of the projectile. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein Delrin® is placed in an opening between the fragments. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein Delrin is removably installed around the outside of one or more portions of the projectile. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the projectile is formed with a lathe. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the leading end portion of the projectile is formed as a partial dome with a flattened top.