Patent Application
20130263490
The present invention relates generally to firearm mountable devices. Accordingly, the invention involves the field of mechanical engineering and firearms.
In certain tactical situations, a firearm user can benefit from a specific set of firearm attributes that can be achieved through the use of a muzzle mounted device. For example, one tactical situation may require maximum sound suppression while optical heat distortion from a hot sound suppressor may not be a concern. Another tactical situation may require sound suppression and minimal optical heat distortion in addition to minimizing debris that results from discharging the firearm. Additionally, a tactical situation can change such that firearm attributes that were important at an earlier time are of much less importance at a later time. Traditionally, a firearm user had few options for altering the attributes of the firearm using different muzzle mounted devices and very little flexibility, especially in the field. It is desirable, therefore, to create a suitable muzzle mountable device for any given tactical situation.
An interchangeable, modular firearm muzzle mountable device is disclosed, which can be used to create a customized muzzle mountable system. In anti-terrorism operations, a variety of scenarios are encountered during individual operations. Often such operations can involve dynamic variables which demand different tactical solutions to address specific developments. For example, concealment of the location of firearm operators is critical to hostage rescue, terrorist apprehension, operations protection, dignitary and witness protection, and intelligence gathering operations. These missions are critical to the successful defense of nations from terrorism. However, achieving such concealment while preserving necessary performance of a firearm for a particular scenario can be challenging. Modular and customizable systems for firearms can allow operators to adjust a number of variables in order to more carefully tailor the firearm performance to a specific dynamic operation. Such tailorability can dramatically increase effectiveness and survivability of counter terrorism special forces during such operations. Increased survivability in such scenarios can improve operator performance and decrease collateral costs associated with injuries to highly trained operators.
An interchangeable, modular firearm muzzle mountable system is disclosed that can include a first firearm muzzle mountable device and a second firearm muzzle mountable device. Each device can have an inlet end coupling feature proximate to an inlet end of a central chamber, and an outlet end coupling feature proximate to an outlet of the central chamber. The central chamber can be oriented along a central axis within an outer shell. The inlet and the outlet can be configured to allow a projectile from a firearm to pass along the central axis. The inlet end coupling feature of the first device can be removably coupleable with a muzzle end of a firearm. The inlet end coupling feature of the second device can be removably coupleable with the outlet end coupling feature of the first device beyond the muzzle end of the firearm.
The devices and systems disclosed herein fills a current and immediate capability gap experienced by active anti-terrorist special operation units in the field. The below stated capabilities offer life saving benefits to ground personnel involved in day to day operation including hostage rescue, terrorist apprehension and dignitary protection.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.
These figures are provided merely for convenience in describing specific embodiments of the invention. Alteration in dimension, materials, and the like, including substitution, elimination, or addition of components can also be made consistent with the following description and associated claims. Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an off axis chamber” includes one or more of such off axis chambers and reference to “a modular device” includes reference to one or more of such modular devices.
In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims unless otherwise stated. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given herein.
With reference to
The modular device can include a central chamber 110 oriented along a central axis 102 within an outer shell 112. The outer shell can be generally tubular and have any suitable cross-section shape. In one aspect, the outer shell has an octagonal cross-section as shown in
The central chamber 110 can have an inlet 114 at an inlet end 104 and an outlet 116 at an outlet end 106 to allow a projectile from a firearm, such as a bullet, to pass along the central axis 102. Thus, for example, the inlet and the outlet have diameters that are at least large enough to allow a bullet to pass through. This does not mean, however, that the central chamber is necessarily unobstructed. For example, a relatively soft material that is penetrable by the bullet may be located in the ballistic path of the bullet. Such a material and configuration may capture debris passing through the modular device.
The modular device 100 can include an inlet end coupling feature 120 proximate to the inlet end 104. The inlet end coupling feature can be configured to removably couple the modular device with a muzzle end of a firearm. In one aspect, the modular device can couple directly to the firearm. In another aspect, the modular device can couple to an adapter for coupling the modular device to the firearm. In yet another aspect, the modular device can couple to another firearm muzzle mountable device, such as another modular device.
The modular device 100 can also include an outlet end coupling feature 122 proximate to the outlet end 106. The outlet end coupling feature can be configured to removably couple the modular device with another, or a secondary, firearm muzzle mountable device. The secondary device can be configured with a mating coupling feature on its inlet end. Thus, the inlet and outlet coupling features are configured to connect multiple interchangeable, modular firearm muzzle mountable devices in series, where each successive coupling is beyond the muzzle end of the firearm when mounted to the firearm.
Inlet coupling feature 120 and outlet coupling feature 122 can comprise any suitable device or mechanism for coupling two firearm components, such as coupling two modular devices or a modular device and a firearm barrel. For example, the present disclosure contemplates using coupling features such as those disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/418,311, filed Nov. 30, 2010, and entitled “Coupling Device, System, and Methods to Maintain Relative Position Between Two Components”, which is incorporated by reference herein.
One type of coupling feature that may be used is a bayonet-style connector. A bayonet-style connector can include a bayonet socket with two internal recesses and two diametrically opposed cutouts. The mating bayonet coupling feature can include two bayonet lugs corresponding to the cutouts. The bayonet-style connector is coupled by inserting the bayonet lugs into the cutouts in the socket and rotating the lugs until they are aligned with the internal recesses. Another type of coupling feature that can be used is a lateral sliding connector. This type of connector can include a linear internal recess that is accessible from at least one end. The mating coupling feature can include a linear protrusion having a lug that corresponds to the internal recess. The sliding connector is coupled by sliding the linear lug into the linear recess. Thus, the inlet and outlet coupling features can include bayonet-style connectors, lateral sliding connectors, or any other suitable connector, or combination of connectors. Non-limiting examples of other suitable engagement mechanisms can include threaded engagement, recessed locking, interference fit, detent locking, and the like.
In one aspect, as illustrated in
The threaded outlet coupling feature 322 is shown being coupled to a thread coupling feature 342 of another firearm muzzle mountable device 340 (i.e. a flash hider or flash suppressor). In this case, the flash hider device 340 is configured to couple only at its inlet end. In other words, no other coupling features are included on the device 340 and, thus, the device is intended to be the last device in a series of devices. In this case, the device 340 is a flash suppressor unit, although the device could have any function.
With reference to
With reference to
In one aspect, illustrated in
In another aspect, illustrated in
In certain aspects, an off axis chamber can include a set of baffles or flow directors. For example, the inner chamber 627 can have a baffle 629 that directs gas flow through the opening 628 and into the outer chamber 624. Although a single baffle is illustrated for clarity, most configurations will include several sets of baffles (i.e. three to eight or more depending on the length). The outer chamber can include baffles 621, 623 to direct gas flow in the outer chamber. Any number of baffles in any configuration can be utilized. For example, baffles can comprise multiple internal walls configured to produce an axially serpentine fluid pathway that dissipates energy transferred from discharge gases. Alternatively, or in addition, baffles can be baffles oriented in series along the central axis.
The outer chamber outlet 626 can provide an escape for gases from the outer chamber, which can reduce the amount of gas that will escape the outer chamber via the opening 628 to the central chamber 610. The outer chamber outlet can be in fluid communication with another firearm muzzle mounted device, such as a modular pressure regulator or modular flash suppressor. In this case, discharge gases can pass from the modular device 600, via the central chamber and the outer chamber, to another firearm mountable device.
The outer chamber 624 can include an inlet 625 that can receive gases from another device or source. For example, a first modular device, such as a modular pressure regulator or modular particulate capturing device, can be coupled between a second modular device, such as the modular device 600, and a firearm. In this case, discharge gases can pass from the first modular device to the second modular device, and into the central chamber 610 and the outer chamber 624.
Although the various components of the device can be formed of any suitable material, major structural components such as the outer shell and coupling features can be formed substantially of titanium or other suitably strong, lightweight material. Using a lightweight material where possible can be beneficial in a firearm application to minimize the mass at or beyond the muzzle of the firearm. Excessive mass at or beyond the muzzle can compromise the firearm's balance and, thus, can have a negative impact on shooting performance. In general, weight added to the muzzle end of a firearm should not exceed about 1.5-2 pounds. Non-limiting examples of other suitable materials can include high impact polymers, stainless steels, aluminum, molybdenum, refractory metals, super alloys, aircraft alloys, carbon steels, composites thereof, and the like. One or more of the individual components can further include optional coatings such as, but not limited to, diamond coatings, diamond-like carbon coatings, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, carbides thereof, and the like can also be used. These components can be molded, cast, machined, deposited or formed in any suitable manner. Currently, machining can be particularly desirable but is not required.
In accordance with the present disclosure, an interchangeable, modular firearm muzzle mountable system can comprise a plurality of interchangeable, modular firearm muzzle mountable devices, as in any of the examples discussed above.
For example, as illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
In another example, as illustrated in
In a further illustration of the modular system of the present disclosure, shown in
As shown and described above, modular devices having coupling features at both the inlet and outlet ends can be utilized in any order in the system. However, as illustrated in
It is to be understood that the above-referenced embodiments are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,954, filed Feb. 11, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/303,553, filed Feb. 11, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/418,311, filed Nov. 30, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61303553 | Feb 2010 | US | |
| 61418311 | Nov 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13025954 | Feb 2011 | US |
| Child | 13910960 | US |
