Frangible Projectile and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

A projectile, such as a low ricochet, non-toxic, air gun BB, pellet or slingshot projectile, that breaks apart into small pieces or fragments when striking a hard surface, and that is lead free. A method of manufacturing the projectile of the present invention is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A projectile that is capable of being attracted and retained by a magnet and that is comprised of a plurality of particles that are attracted by said magnet. 
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are mixed with a plurality of metal particles that are not attracted by a magnet. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are mixed with an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are mixed with a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are mixed with an organic material. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are mixed with an inorganic material. 
     
     
         7 . A low ricochet, non-toxic projectile that is capable of being attracted and retained by a magnet and that is comprised of a plurality of particles that are attracted by said magnet and one or more of the following:
 a plurality of metal particles that are not attracted by a magnet;   ail elastomer;   an elastomer adhesive;   a polymer;   an organic material; and   an inorganic material.   
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein said elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein said polymer is latex. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 7  further comprising a belly band. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 7  further comprising at least one fracture in an outer surface of said projectile. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a projectile comprising the steps of:
 blending a plurality of metal particles with a flow agent to form a homogenous mixture;   placing said homogenous mixture in a die; and   operating said die to form said projectile.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising at least one of the following steps:
 swaging the homogenous mixture in said die with a punch to form said projectile; 
 sintering the projectile; and 
 tumbling the projectile after it has been removed from said die. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of metal particles are comprised of one or more of the following metals: copper, bronze, brass, tin, zinc, steel, tungsten, tungsten carbide, ferrotungsten, aluminum and bismuth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of metal particles are in the form of a powder, granule, flake, chip or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said air gun projectile breaks apart when it strikes a hard surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said homogenous mixture further comprises an elastomer or an elastomer adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said homogenous mixture further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said homogenous mixture further comprises an organic material or an inorganic material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said flow agent is N, N′ Ethylene Bisstearamide.