The present invention relates to a sound and muzzle flash suppressor device. In particular, some embodiments of the invention provide one or more improvements or combinations thereof such as, for example, an adjustable and retractable means for suppressing sound and/or muzzle flash from projectile firing apparatuses in a manner that is compatible with accessory equipment mounting structures such as MIL-STD-1913 rail systems, reduces weight from suppressor/mounting systems, reduces difficulty in rapidly manipulating/deactivating the suppressor due to heat, enabling alternate mounting options to the projectile firing apparatus, reducing baffle strikes, provides an improved center of mass for an operator, improves an ability to use the projectile firing device to be maneuvered or used in restricted space environments such as a vehicle or urban environments such as an interior passageway of a structure.
One advantage of an embodiment of a retractable suppressor is an ability to conveniently stow the suppressor. In close quarters, such as a vehicle or ship, the suppressor could easily be retracted to conserve space. Such a feature also aids in concealment for concealed or stealthy or operations executed to avoid detection. Another advantage of an embodiment of an exemplary suppressor is that it has no dependence on the muzzle brake/flash hider. Many of the sound suppressors currently on the market use the muzzle brake/flash hider as a mounting surface. As a result, a specific muzzle brake/flash hider must be used with a specific suppressor. An exemplary suppressor allows a use of any desired muzzle brake/flash hider. Also, embodiments of the invention permit variable muzzle lengths. Length affects center of mass of a weapon mounting a suppressor. Depending on accessories used, a shooter may desire to shift that center of mass toward or away them. Unlike other sound suppressors, embodiments of the invention could be used on different caliber weapons, provided, in some cases, a bore restrictor is changed. Unlike many suppressors, which are typically fully-welded units, an exemplary suppressor can easily be disassembled, cleaned, and repaired. Embodiments of the invention enable easy replacement of suppressor chamber springs and/or floating baffles which provide a shooter with design and sustainment alternatives. Depending on weapon system and ammunition type, different chamber springs and floating baffles can be substituted. Due to the space required to accommodate the baffles while the invention is in the retracted position, when extended, that space becomes more volume in which the combustion gases can expand.
A variety of apparatuses and associated methods are provided for providing a retractable suppressor system for gas generator systems such as a firearm. One embodiment includes a suppressor system that includes a retractable structure and housing, a fixed baffle, floating baffles, and springs to displace the floating baffles within the suppressor as the suppressor is extended from the housing along a gas generator system, e.g. a barrel of a firearm and thereby enclose the barrel within the suppressor. Embodiments of the invention permit full retraction, partial retraction/extension, or full extension of an exemplary suppressor with respect to an emission section of the gas generator e.g., firearm muzzle. Embodiments of the invention include an external latch, which enables an operator to latch or unlatch the suppressor as it moves from one position to another and prevents accidental activation. Embodiments of the invention are configured to operate with accessory mounting systems.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.
Referring initially to
The suppressor 21 is formed with its suppressor body 27 having an outer shape having a first suppressor body end 50 formed with a second aperture 51 formed to permit said barrel 23 to move into and out of said second aperture, that fits within the hollow body of said accessory rail structure 25, a guide 29 formed as a protrusion from the suppressor body 27 configured to slideably engage within the guide movement channel/track 31 between the forward stop 24 the rear stop 25 which arrest movement of the guide 29 in an extended and the retracted position, a plurality of the positioning slots formed into the side of the suppressor body 27, a fixed barrel baffle 32 that has a center aperture that the barrel 23 passes into, the fixed barrel baffle 32 (Fifth Section) is fixed to and extends away from a section of the outer wall of the barrel 23 and is dimensioned to move with a clearance between an outer end of the fixed barrel baffle 32 and an inner wall of the suppressor 21 body 27, the suppressor 21 further includes a plurality of floating baffles 28, 28′ (Third Section) configured with a floating baffle center aperture which slides over the outer wall of the barrel 23, the suppressor 21 further includes a first, second, and third plurality of chamber springs 30, 30′, 30″ (Fourth Section) each respectively disposed between the floating baffles 28, 28′, the first, second and third plurality of chamber springs 30, 30′, 30″ are formed and slideably disposed surrounding a section of the outer wall of the barrel 23, wherein the chamber springs 30, 30′, 30″ are configured to apply pressure against lateral sides of the floating baffles 28, 28′ so that when the spring loaded catch 33 is moved and disengages with one of said plurality of positioning slot 35, the chamber springs 30, 30′, 30″ move and extend the floating baffles 28, 28′ within suppressor along said barrel 23 and so are configured to route propellant gasses generated from firing a projectile propellant within the firearm from a muzzle section of said barrel 23 through the floating baffles 28, 28′ and thereby to selectively produce a suppressive effect of said propellant gasses, wherein said spring loaded catch 33 is configured to releasably engage with any one of said plurality of positioning slots 35 so as to configure said suppressor to be fixed in a plurality of intermediate positions within said extended and said retracted positions, the suppressor further including a bore restrictor 41 moveably configured to slide over the second aperture 51 when said barrel 23 moves into said suppressor 21 as it extends from said accessory rail structure 20 through said first aperture 17, wherein the bore restrictor 41 is fixed to the first suppressor body end 50 in proximity to the second aperture 51 by a pivot pin 49 so that the bore restrictor 41 slides away from the second aperture 51 to permit the barrel 23 to move into and out of the second aperture 51, said bore restrictor 41 further includes a locking screw or structure 45 which is configured to releasably couple said bore restrictor in a first and second position, wherein said first position configures said bore restrictor 41 does not cover said second aperture 51 and said second position covers said second aperture 51, wherein said bore restrictor 41 further is formed with a third aperture 55 which is formed with a shape that permits a projectile fired out of said firearm to pass from said barrel 23 through said bore restrictor 41 when said bore restrictor 41 is in the second position, the first suppressor body end 50 is further formed with a receiving structure to receive said locking screw or structure 45 when said bore restrictor 41 is in the second position and thereby fix said bore restrictor 41 in said second position.
An exemplary fixed barrel baffle 32 can be configured to attach to a forward location on the barrel 23 of the firearm via a two part clamping mechanism, set screw, pin, or other attachment means commonly used for barrel-mounted accessories, such as used for attaching gas blocks. An exemplary fixed barrel baffle 32 can be attached to the barrel 23 prior to attachment of a muzzle brake/flash hider 26. An actual position of am an exemplary fixed barrel baffle 32 can be determined by selection of a desired location of a muzzle end of the suppressor 21 while in an exemplary retracted position. An exemplary accessory rail system 20 attached to a firearm or a weapon (not shown in
At a minimum, an embodiment can have two positioning slots 35, one to lock an exemplary suppressor 21 in a fully retracted position (such as shown in
An exemplary bore restrictor (e.g., 41) can provide a smaller diameter hole (e.g. 55) for a projectile or bullet to pass through and thus increase suppressive effect and reduce opportunity for foreign objects to enter the suppressor 21. An exemplary bore restrictor 41 can be pinned to a muzzle end of an exemplary suppressor 21, e.g., the first suppressor body end 50 and be secured away from an aperture (e.g. 51) in the suppressor 21 the barrel 23 passes through when an exemplary suppressor 21 is not in an extended position. An exemplary embodiment can include a locking screw (e.g., 45) for use to secure the bore restrictor 41 away from second aperture (e.g., 51) in the first suppressor body end 50.
Referring to
Referring to
A method of manufacture for an embodiment of the invention can include providing an embodiment of a firearm (e.g.,
A method of operation can include providing an embodiment of the invention such as, e.g., described with respect to one or more of
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
The present application is a continuation in part to and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/943,334, filed Nov. 17, 2015, entitled “RETRACTABLE SUPPRESSOR”; and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/141,977, filed Apr. 2, 2015, entitled “RETRACTABLE SUPPRESSOR,” the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the United States Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon. This invention (Navy Case 200,417) is assigned to the United States Government and is available for licensing for commercial purposes. Licensing and technical inquiries may be directed to the Technology Transfer Office, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, email: Cran_CTO@navy.mil.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170307322 A1 | Oct 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62141977 | Apr 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14943334 | Nov 2015 | US |
Child | 15633899 | US |