Lock/rotation mounted suppressor

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an adaptor for a suppressor comprising a gate for locking the suppressor on the muzzle and a threaded receiver for securing the suppressor to the firearm such that excessive play of the suppressor is removed. It is further directed to a method of securing a suppressor on a firearm by engaging a gate on an adaptor in a groove on a barrel of the firearm to lock on the adaptor, and any attached suppressor, and then tightening the suppressor and the adaptor on the barrel by threading the suppressor into the adaptor until excessive play is removed.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/695,399 filed Jun. 30, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adaptor for mounting a suppressor on a firearm, a method for mounting a suppressor on a firearm and a suppressor having the adaptor.

Firearm noise and/or recoil suppressors are well-known. Some suppressors and devices to mount suppressors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,679, U.S. 5,679,916, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,009 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,389 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,820 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,214 B2. However, many technical difficulties still exist with the attachment of the suppressors to the firearm. One problem relates to the excessive play in attaching the suppressor. While it is understood that the bore of the suppressor has to be accurately aligned with the bore of the barrel, excessive play often adversely affects the accuracy of the firearm. Another problem is attachment of the suppressor without properly securing the suppressor on the firearm. Suppressors that are not properly secured have a disturbing tendency to occasionally blow off of the firearm when the firearm fired. Even suppressors that appear to be tightly secured may loosen during firing, causing too much play, and possibly causing the suppressor to be blown off. Additional problems include taking too long to mount the suppressor on or remove the suppressor from the barrel. For example, suppressors that are threaded directly on the barrel often require an inconveniently long time to screw the suppressor securely to the barrel or to unscrew the suppressor from the barrel. Other methods and devices used to mount the suppressor are often too complicated or require the use of tools. The present invention addresses such problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adaptor for a suppressor comprising a gate for locking the suppressor on the muzzle and a threaded receiver for securing the suppressor to the firearm such that excessive play of the suppressor is removed. It is further directed to a method of securing a suppressor on a firearm by engaging a gate on an adaptor in a groove on a barrel of the firearm to lock on the adaptor, and any attached suppressor, and then tightening the suppressor and the adaptor on the barrel by threading the suppressor into the adaptor until excessive play is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two firearms mounted with suppressors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the suppressor and the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-E illustrate how a firearm barrel is disengaged from the suppressor and the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a suppressor/adaptor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a suppressor/adaptor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of a suppressor/adaptor/barrel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective cut-out view of a suppressor/adaptor engaged with a barrel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described below in considerable detail for particular embodiments for illustrative purposes only. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that alterations may be made in the device itself or in the procedure for using the device without departing from the concept, scope and spirit of the present invention as described in the claims below. Finally, all references, including any priority documents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term forward, fore and other similar terms will reference the direction from which a fired projectile will exit. The term rearward, rear and other similar terms will reference the direction from which a fired projectile will originate. The term permanently affixed or derivatives thereof refer to affixing a part in a manner that is difficult to reverse without damaging the part or the thing the part is affixed to. The phrase “excessive play is removed,” and other similar phrases refer to the fact that after the suppressor is attached, the movement between the suppressor and the firearm is ameliorated to the extent that the accuracy of the firearm is substantially unaffected or can be reproducibly corrected.

In FIG. 1, two firearms 10a and 10b are shown with suppressors 12 mounted by adapters 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although shown for rifles, the present invention can be used for a variety of firearms, including pistols.

In FIG. 2, an exploded view of the suppressor and the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Suppressor 12 comprises, from the rear forward, a neck 16 adjacent a stop shoulder 18. The rear of neck 16 has a circumferentially threaded neck section 20. Further forward, either integral with stop shoulder 18 or permanently affixed to either or both neck 16 or stop shoulder 18, a teethed ring 24 is attached flush against stop shoulder 18 with the teeth 26 facing rearward.

Adapter 14 comprises a housing 28 having a front end 30 and a back end 32. At back end 32, a gate groove 34 contains a gate 36. Adjacent the gate groove 34 is a lock groove 38 containing a gate lock 40. Gate lock 40 slides into lock groove 38 with a lock spring 42 between the front of lock groove 38 and the front of gate lock 40. Lock spring 42 biases gate lock 40 rearward.

In the embodiment shown, lock groove 38 also has a retaining groove 44. A threaded bore 46 passes through gate lock 40 and is capable of receiving a retaining screw 48. The retaining screw 48 is threaded through threaded bore 46 so that its tip engages retaining groove 44 to retain gate lock 40 within lock groove 38. A gate pin 50 protrudes from the back of gate lock 40 to engage a retaining groove 52 on the front surface (not visible) of gate 36.

At the front end 30 of the adapter, a rotation lock groove 54 contains a rotation lock 56 which compresses a lock spring 58 which resides between the rear of rotation lock 56 and the back of rotation lock groove 54. The lock spring 58 biases the rotation lock 56 forward. Rotation flange 60 (visible in FIG. 5) at the front of rotation lock 56 is capable of engaging teeth 26 to prevent the suppressor from further rotating, possibly in a loosening direction or in both a loosening and a tightening direction. An optional pin 64 can be used to retain rotation lock 56 in the rotation lock groove 54 via an optional rotation lock retention groove 66 (not shown).

A channel 22 (see FIG. 6) passes through the adaptor 14 having a threaded receiver section 23. The neck of the suppressor engages the front of channel 22 such that threaded neck section 20 is threaded with threaded receiver section 23. The suppressor does not need to be fully disengaged from the adapter for most common uses.

In an embodiment, to mount the suppressor/adaptor assembly onto the barrel, push the rotation lock 56 rearward to disengage the rotation flange 60 from teeth 26. The suppressor is loosened from the adaptor, for example by about three turns. Gate lock 40 is pushed forward to disengage the gate pin 50 from the gate 36. The gate 36 is moved upward from the adaptor, thereby expanding the entry way for channel 22. The barrel having an appropriate retaining collar 62 (FIG. 3D) or a gate retaining groove 63 (FIG. 7) is slid into the channel from the rear of the adaptor until gate 36 is in position to be engaged with the gate retaining groove 63. In the present embodiment, the retaining groove 63 is found on the retaining collar 62. In an embodiment, side arms of the locking gate are in parallel position to the wrench nut on the flash hider (which acts as the retaining collar). The gate is pushed down to fully engage the barrel and the retaining collar or retaining groove to lock the adaptor on the barrel. Gate pin 50 on gate lock 40 engages gate 36 to lock the gate in the locking position. When the suppressor is tightened onto the adaptor, the entire suppressor/adaptor/barrel assembly is tighteningly secured.

FIGS. 3A-E illustrate the manner in which a firearm is disengaged from the suppressor and the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a barrel 68 fully engaged with the suppressor 12 by means of an adaptor 14. Force (shown as thick arrows) is applied to rotation lock 56 to disengage from the teeth of the teeth ring to allow rotational force to be applied to the suppressor to partially unthread the suppressor from the adaptor. FIG. 3B shows rotation lock 56 pushed back to disengage rotation flange 60 from teeth 26, and the suppressor 12 partially unthreaded from the adaptor 14 (for example by about three rotations). FIG. 3C shows gate lock 40 pushed forward to disengage gate pin 50 from the gate retaining groove 52. FIG. 3D shows gate 36 pulled upwards to disengage from a retaining collar 62 on the barrel having a retaining groove 63 wherein gate 36 is seated on barrel 68. FIG. 3E shows the barrel 68 disengaged from the adapter 14.

The present invention works in conjunction with a retaining collar shown as 62 in FIGS. 3A-E. Such retaining collars can be found as part of flash hiders or other attachment that commonly have flats and grooves for attachments and are routinely found at the tip of a barrel. If such attachments are not found, a separate retaining collar may be permanently affixed to the tip of the barrel. Alternatively, a retaining groove may be machined in the barrel, into which the gate may be directly seated.

The combination of the gate/lock which secures the adapter to the barrel, and the threaded engagement of the suppressor to the adapter create both a secure attachment and removes excess play. In an embodiment, a push-pull force is used in which the tightening of the suppressor onto an adaptor forces the suppressor against the barrel, while at the same time pulls the adaptor gate against the retaining collar. The opposing push-pull force seats the suppressor securely onto the barrel. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the rotation lock engages the teeth to prevent the suppressor from loosening.

FIG. 4 shows side view of a suppressor/adaptor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the adaptor has an opposing teethed ring. FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a suppressor/adaptor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rotation flange 60 on the rotation lock 56 is shown to be engaged with teeth 26 of teeth ring 24. FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Gate 36 is shown as lowered in the locking position, decreasing the entry way of channel 22.

FIG. 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of a suppressor/adaptor/barrel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The push-pull mechanism is shown as dark arrow forces at the interface of the tip of the barrel 70 and an inner stop shoulder 72 within the suppressor, and at the interface between gate 36 and the retaining groove 63. Threaded receiver 23 is shown to be engaged to threaded neck section 20. FIG. 8 shows a perspective cut-out view of a suppressor/adaptor engaged with a barrel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Once again, the push-pull mechanism is shown at the interface of the tip of the barrel 70 and an inner shoulder 72 within the suppressor, and at the interface between gate 36 and the retaining groove 63. The threaded portions of both the adaptor and the suppressor are also shown.

It is possible to have the threaded portions reversed such that the suppressor has a channel having a threaded receiver, while the adaptor has a threaded neck. In this case, the threaded ring and the rotation lock may also be reversed such that the teethed ring is on the adaptor, while the rotation lock is on the suppressor. To create the push-pull effect, a stopper is inserted into the channel of the adaptor to engage tip 70 of the barrel. As the suppressor is tightened onto the adaptor, the push-pull force is found at the interface of the stopper and the tip of the barrel. The previously discussed corresponding force is duplicated at the gate and the retaining groove.

Maintenance of firearms and firearm suppressors is well-known. The present invention can be maintained without disassembly. Simply soak the suppressor in a suitable solvent overnight or as long as possible, optionally in an ultrasonic cleaner. Remove from the solvent, drain excess solvent and stand upright with the rear on a flat surface. Optionally, blow-dry the unit by blowing air through the suppressor. On can also dry at warm temperature in an oven. Alternatively, the adapter and suppressor can be disassembled, and the various components of the adapter can be separated and cleaned. For the suppressor, a scraper or a brush may be used to scrape off fouling excess.

If the suppressor has been exposed to water (salt or fresh), immediately clean with the following procedure. Do not use the suppressor before cleaning unless absolutely necessary. Soak and flush out suppressor with very hot water and detergent. Drain and repeat at least three to four times. Soak and flush out suppressor with boiling pure water. Dry in oven set to warm. After thorough drying, lubricate the adapter and the threads.

All embodiments of the suppressor mount are preferably made of stainless steel. However, other suitable materials, such as high performance polymers, ceramics, or other metals may be used. The materials used need not be the same throughout the device. However, the invention is not limited by the materials disclosed. Any material useful for making the invention or components thereof is within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A suppressor/adaptor assembly comprising:

a. an adaptor comprising a adaptor threaded portion; and

b. a suppressor comprising a suppressor threaded portion,

wherein the suppressor is engaged with the adaptor when the two threaded portions are threadingly engaged such that when the assembly is tightened, a rotation lock engages a teethed ring to prevent the assembly from loosening.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor further comprises a gate and a gate lock on a barrel engaging end of the adaptor.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor threaded portion is a threaded receiver in a channel of the adaptor, and the suppressor threaded portion is a threaded neck portion.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the suppressor threaded portion is a threaded receiver in a channel of the suppressor, and the adaptor threaded portion is a threaded neck portion, the suppressor further comprising a stopper capable of engaging the tip of a firearm barrel when the barrel is inserted into the channel of the adaptor.

5. A suppressor adaptor comprising:

a. a gate;

c. a channel; and

d. a threaded portion,

wherein the threaded portion of the adaptor is capable of threadingly engaging a threaded portion of a suppressor and the gate is capable of engaging a retaining groove on a barrel that has been inserted into the channel to lock the adaptor onto the barrel.

6. The adaptor according to claim 5, wherein the retaining groove is on a retaining collar.

7. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the retaining collar is a part of a flash suppressor.

8. The adaptor according to claim 5, wherein the retaining groove is directly on a barrel.

9. The adaptor according to claim 5, further comprising a rotation lock capable of engaging a corresponding teethed ring on the suppressor to prevent loosening of the suppressor from the adaptor, once the suppressor is tighteningly threaded -into the adaptor.

10. The adaptor according to claim 5, further comprising a rotation lock capable of engaging a corresponding teethed ring on the suppressor to prevent loosening of the suppressor from the adaptor, once the suppressor is tighteningly threaded into the adaptor.

11. The adaptor according to claim 5, further comprising a gate lock capable of engaging a groove in the gate to prevent the gate from separating from the adaptor.

12. A method of attaching a suppressor on a barrel comprising:

a. partially threading a suppressor to an adaptor having a gate on a barrel engaging end;

b. inserting a barrel having a gate retaining groove into the barrel engaging end of the adaptor;

c. engaging the gate with the gate retaining groove to lock the barrel within the adaptor;

d. tightening the suppressor to the adaptor,

wherein when the suppressor is tightened to the adaptor, a first push-pull force is created at an interface of a tip of the barrel and a part of the suppressor, and second push-pull force is created at an interface of the gate and the gate retaining groove.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the suppressor has a threaded neck that is threadingly engaged with a threaded receiver of the adaptor to thread the suppressor on the adaptor.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the suppressor part that engages the tip of the barrel is a inner stop shoulder.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the suppressor has a threaded receiver that is threadingly engaged with a threaded neck of the adaptor to thread the suppressor on the adaptor.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the suppressor part that engages the tip of the barrel is a stopper.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the suppressor has a teethed ring, and the adaptor has a rotation lock, wherein the rotation lock is capable of engaging the teethed ring to prevent the threaded suppressor from loosening from the adaptor.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rotation lock is also capable of engaging the teethed ring to prevent the threaded suppressor from further tightening to the adaptor.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the adaptor further comprises a gate lock capable of engaging a lock groove on a surface of the gate to prevent the gate from moving.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the gate retaining groove on the barrel is on a retaining collar of a flash suppressor.