Muzzle Break

Abstract

A muzzle break which directs propelling gases rearward and upward to reduce both recoil and muzzle jump. The gases are redirected by curved vanes which extend from a tapered central bore whose diameter decreases in the shooting direction.

Description

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 60/777,125, filed Feb. 28, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a muzzle break.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the reduction of recoil of a firearm.

Another object is to reduce muzzle jump where a firearm is discharged.

These and other objects are attained by a muzzle break as described below

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from the rear, the right side and above, of a muzzle break embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, partially broken away to show internal details;

FIG. 3 is another similar view, with the top half broken away;

FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the muzzle break shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A muzzle break embodying the invention is shown attached to the front end of the barrel “B” of a rifle (not shown). The muzzle break shown has a body 10 with a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14 and a right side surface 16 shown. The device is symmetrical, so the left side is a mirror image of the right side.

Eight discharge passages 18 are formed on either side of the body; they intersect the left and right sides at openings or ports 20.

As one can see in FIG. 2, the discharge passages are separated by vanes 22 which are curved so as to redirect high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a forward direction “F” so that they leave the muzzle break in a direction “R” having a substantial rearward components. As it partially reverses the forward momentum of the gases, the muzzle break is propelled forward with substantial force at the moment the gun is fired. For this reason, the muzzle break must be very securely attached to the barrel. I prefer to provide the barrel with screw threads “T”, and the rear of the muzzle break with matching internal threads 24, so that the muzzle break is not forced off the end of the barrel. The muzzle break shown has a split collar 26 whose halves are drawn together by set screws 28, once the muzzle break has been threaded onto the barrel, to prevent the muzzle break from turning on the barrel.

As one can see from FIGS. 5 and 6, the muzzle break is not symmetrical about a horizontal plane containing the barrel axis. A greater portion of the device lies above that plane, so that, when the rifle is fired, the gases exiting the ports have not only a substantial rearward component, but also a slight upward component. This pushes the end of the barrel down to compensate for the tendency of the barrel to rise or jump. The exact degree of jump suppression can be altered by appropriate changes in design geometry.

The effectiveness of the muzzle break is improved, with respect to prior muzzle breaks, by providing the device with a central passage 30 whose diameter decreases from the end of the barrel to the forward end of the muzzle break. This improvement distributes the gas flow more evenly between the ports, inasmuch as the gas pressure is less at the entry to each passage as the bullet passes them. The hole 32 at the front end of the muzzle break is just large enough to allow the bullet to pass, without interference or deflection. The muzzle break therefor must be sized according to the caliber of the gun.

The vane angles, particularly the discharge angles, should be selected to optimize effect without discomfort to the shooter. Directing the gases straight rearward might provide the most recoil reduction, but it would be dangerous or at least uncomfortable to the shooter. An angle must be selected which directs the gases well away from the shooter, yet provides acceptable recoil reduction.

Since the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it is intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as only illustrative of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A muzzle break comprising a body having a central bore lying on an axis defining a shooting direction and a plurality of passages leading away from the bore on opposite sides of the central bore to ports at the surface of the body, the passages being defined by a plurality of curved vanes so that at least some of the passages are shaped to direct propelling gas in a direction having a rearward component, with respect to the shooting direction, and means for connecting the muzzle break to a barrel of a gun.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least some of the passages are inclined upward with respect to a horizontal plane containing the shooting direction, so that there is a net downward force on the barrel of the gun when it is discharged to counter barrel jump.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the central bore is tapered, having a diameter which decreases in the shooting direction.