DEVICE TO ATTACH A SOUND SUPPRESSOR TO A FIREARM

Abstract

A device to attach a sound suppressor to a firearm includes a muzzle brake that attaches to a muzzle of the firearm; a suppressor attachment that attaches to an interior surface of a suppressor tube of the sound suppressor; a suppressor lock that comprises: an extending part on an end of the muzzle brake, having a first attachment point near the muzzle for both sealing and locking, and a second, distal attachment point for locking; a corresponding ending part on the suppressor attachment, having a third attachment point for both sealing and locking, and a fourth attachment point for locking; and a threaded, rotating ring within the suppressor attachment. The suppressor tube is driven toward the firearm, and the attachment points wedges and lock together, thereby providing both a gas seal and a two locks.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,339, filed Feb. 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to firearms and more specifically to a device to attach a sound suppressor to a firearm.

A sound suppressor or “silencer” is a device attached to the barrel of a firearm to reduce the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon. Currently available sound suppressors utilize screw threads or spring means to attach to the firearm. If current sound suppressors are not attached correctly, harm may occur, especially when the weapon is fired.

It would be desirable to have a sound suppressor that helps avoid harm due to incorrect attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device to attach a sound suppressor to a firearm includes a muzzle brake that attaches to a muzzle of the firearm; a suppressor attachment that attaches to an interior surface of a suppressor tube of the sound suppressor; a suppressor lock that comprises: an extending part on an end of the muzzle brake, having a first attachment point near the muzzle for both sealing and locking, and a second, distal attachment point for locking; a corresponding ending part on the suppressor attachment, having a third attachment point for both sealing and locking, and a fourth attachment point for locking; and a threaded, rotating ring within the suppressor attachment; wherein, when the suppressor tube is rotated relative to the muzzle, the suppressor tube is driven utilizing the rotating ring toward the firearm, the first attachment point wedges to and locks with the third attachment point, thereby providing both a gas seal and a first lock, and the second attachment point is in contact with the fourth attachment point, thereby providing a second lock.

In another aspect of the present invention, a device to attach a suppressor to the muzzle of a firearm includes a muzzle brake that attaches to the muzzle of the firearm and comprises a extending part of a suppressor lock and a gas flow-directing opening; an internal alignment guide that attaches to the muzzle brake and guides the insertion of the suppressor to the muzzle brake; an internal locking device that attaches to the muzzle brake and comprises a feextending part of the suppressor lock; a tensioning ring that attaches to the internal locking device and is fastened to the suppressor; and a rear cap that attaches to the rearmost part of the suppressor body and cooperates with the gas flow-directing opening of the muzzle brake to seal in gases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an attachment device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a mount muzzle brake of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the mount muzzle brake of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 shows an internal alignment guide the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of an internal locking device of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B shows an end view of the internal locking device of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A shows a cutaway view of a tensioning ring of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B shows an end view of the tensioning ring of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a rear cap of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B shows an end view of the rear cap of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a suppressor tube and a firearm barrel; and

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a suppressor tube and a firearm barrel in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a device that can attach a sound suppressor to the muzzle end of a firearm without employing conventional screw threads or spring means.

As depicted in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an attachment device 100, also called a suppressor mount, may include a muzzle brake 10 or flash hider that may attach to the barrel of a firearm, and a suppressor attachment 64 that attaches to a suppressor tube. Suppressor attachment 64 may include an internal alignment guide 20 that facilitates the insertion of the suppressor to the firearm utilizing the muzzle brake 10, an internal locking device 30 that holds a part of a locking mechanism, a tensioning ring 40 that may be mated to the internal locking device 30 and may also be fastened to the suppressor, and a rear cap 50 that may seat against the muzzle brake. A part might be “internal” to the sound suppressor in that it is part of the suppressor attachment 64 and therefore inside the sound suppressor. Other parts might be “external” in that it is part of the muzzle brake 10, which is attached to the firearm. A direction might also be “:rear” or “rearward”, which is against the direction that the firearm will shoot, which is proximate and toward the user, or at an otherwise distal, remote position, which is in the same direction the firearm will shoot.

As depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an embodiment of a muzzle brake 10 may provide a mount for the suppressor that is either removably or permanently attached to a firearm barrel. The muzzle brake 10 may have a rear external gas check 12 or gasket that may provide gas-flow sealing means when mated up to an internal gas check 34 or seal (on the rear cap 50 depicted in FIG. 6A). The muzzle brake may comprise gas ports 14 that can be slots or any shape opening designed to reduce flash. There can be an external alignment key 16 comprising a contour of flats and shapes that provide alignment as well as the male part or an otherwise extending part of a suppressor lock to lock the suppressor in place when the muzzle brake is mated to the internal locking device (30). These flats and shapes can be machined into the front of the device in the case that muzzle brake 10 is a muzzle brake, or on the back of the device in the case the muzzle brake 10 is a flash hider. The shape can be made to allow the suppressor to be mounted one way only or two ways 180 degrees apart. The muzzle brake can also have a locking slot 18 that can mate to a matching shape in the internal locking device 30. When the internal locking device 30 rotates, this locking slot 18 can stop the rotation, allowing the suppressor to tighten up on the mount.

When completed, the suppressor may be in contact with the muzzle brake 10 in two locations, rear external gas check 12 and external alignment key 16. Having two points of contact counteracts leverage and keeps the suppressor aligned, to avoid improper mounting. When a user rotates the muzzle brake 10 inside the suppressor, the suppressor moves rearward until external gas check 12 and an internal gas check (on the rear cap 50 of the suppressor attachment 64) make contact, and external alignment key 16 and an internal locking surface 26 (on the locking receiver 30 of the suppressor attachment 64) make contact. Further rotation may cause tension between the two points of contact, so that the muzzle brake 10 (which attaches to the firearm) and the suppressor attachment 64 (for the suppressor tube) wedge and lock together.

As depicted in FIG. 3, an embodiment of an internal alignment guide 20 may ease the insertion of the suppressor muzzle brake onto the firearm. Alignment guide 20 may include an end part 23 tapering inward and forward with an angle of from about 30 to 60 degrees, for example 45 degrees from the exterior to the interior that can act as a guide for the external alignment key 16 of the muzzle brake 10 (shown in FIG. 2A). The diameter of a smooth outside surface 22 may match with an inside diameter of the suppressor tube.

As depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment of an internal locking device 30 may have an internal diameter 24 that can receive and hold the female part of the locking point 16 of the muzzle brake 10 (shown in FIG. 2A). Internal diameter 24 may allow the external alignment key 16 to pass through and can have a shaped internal locking surface 26 that can mate to a locking slot 18 of muzzle brake 10 (FIG. 2A), which is a cut out shape stop.

The cutouts on internal locking surface 26 may match the shape of the external alignment key 16 on the muzzle brake 10, which may be a triangle or have a slight angle. The female part (internal locking device 30 of FIG. 4A) may go over the front male part of the muzzle brake 10 until it contacts the back of locking slot 18. As the suppressor is rotated, the internal locking device 30 rotates counterclockwise into locking slot 18. As the suppressor continues to rotate, since internal locking device 30 and tensioning ring 40 are mated by threads, the suppressor moves rearward until the female rear external gas check 12 or internal gas check 34 contacts the male gas check or seal that is part of the brake or is machined as part of the barrel.

As depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an embodiment of a tensioning ring 40 may mate up with an internal locking device 30 (shown in FIG. 4A) by means of internal screws threads 32 that match with the external screw-threaded surface 28 of the internal locking device 30. The tensioning ring 40 can be fastened at its extreme end to the inner or outer shell of the suppressor body at a smooth outer surface 33, for example, by welding or any other acceptable method. The outside diameter of tensioning ring 40 may be from about 1 to 6 inches and can be threaded with appropriate sized screw threads 28 to mate up with an internal threaded surface of tensioning ring 40.

As depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an embodiment of a rear cap 50 may seat against the muzzle brake 10. Embodiments of a rear cap 50 may comprise an internal gas check 34 that has an angle matching the external gas check 12 of the muzzle brake 10 (shown in FIG. 2A), and together gas check 34 and gas check 12 may seal the gases. Embodiments may also comprise an internal step 36 that matches the internal diameter of the suppressor tube into which rear cap 50 can be inserted or attached. Rear cap 50 has an outer diameter 38 that may match the outer diameter of the suppressor tube, to provide a matching surface to weld and which may improve appearance. The rear cap 50 may be fastened to the body of the suppressor by methods including welding or screw threads.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 7, an embodiment of an attachment device 100 may include a muzzle brake 10, which screws onto or otherwise attaches to a firearm 62, and a suppressor attachment 64, which attaches to a suppressor tube 60 with an internal locking device 30 and a tensioning ring 40.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 8, an embodiment of an attachment device 100 may allow a suppressor tube 60 with a suppressor attachment 64 to removably attach to a firearm 62 with a muzzle brake 10.

Embodiments of a muzzle brake may be made of steel, for example type 4150, but may be made of any metal. Embodiments may range in diameter from about 0.625 to over 3 inches. The length may be from about 1.5 to over 20 inches. The mount may be part of the muzzle device or may be machined directly into a rifle barrel. The internal alignment guide, internal locking device, tensioning ring, and rear cap may be made of a material that matches the suppressor body. Elements of the device may be manufactured on a lathe with sections to be machined being processed with a milling machine.

Embodiments of the invention may be used by first mounting the muzzle brake to the host weapon. The suppressor may then be mounted by placing the suppressor over the muzzle brake and rotating it until it stops. To remove the device, the suppressor may be rotated in the opposite direction. The muzzle brake may remain on the weapon, while other parts may be inside and/or part of the suppressor, and may be removed with the suppressor. The internal structure may be designed so that if an operator does not properly attach the device, no harm results. When the device is on the weapon, it may be in alignment whether it has been tightened or not.

Embodiments of a device to attach a suppressor to the muzzle of a firearm may include: a muzzle brake that attaches to the muzzle of a firearm and comprises a male part of a suppressor lock and a gas flow-directing opening; an internal alignment guide that attaches to the muzzle brake and guides the insertion of the suppressor into the muzzle brake; an internal locking device that attaches to the muzzle brake and comprises a female part of the suppressor lock; a tensioning ring that attaches to the internal locking device and is fastened to the shell of a suppressor body; and a rear cap that attaches to the rearmost part of the suppressor body and cooperates with the gas flow-directing opening of the muzzle brake to seal in gases.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device to attach a sound suppressor to a firearm, comprising:

a muzzle brake that attaches to a muzzle of the firearm;

a suppressor attachment that attaches to an interior surface of a suppressor tube of the sound suppressor;

a suppressor lock that comprises:

an extending part on an end of the muzzle brake, having a first attachment point near the muzzle for both sealing and locking, and a second, distal attachment point for locking;

a corresponding ending part on the suppressor attachment, having a third attachment point for both sealing and locking, and a fourth attachment point for locking; and

a threaded, rotating ring within the suppressor attachment;

wherein, when the suppressor tube is rotated relative to the muzzle, the suppressor tube is driven utilizing the rotating ring toward the firearm, the first attachment point wedges to and locks with the third attachment point, thereby providing both a gas seal and a first lock, and the second attachment point is in contact with the fourth attachment point, thereby providing a second lock.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor attachment further comprises:

an alignment guide that cooperates with the muzzle break, to guide the insertion of the sound suppressor onto the firearm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the third attachment point is on a cap at an end of the suppressor attachment, and has a tensioning ring that attaches to the suppressor lock.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a tensioning ring that attaches to the locking device and is fastened to the suppressor; and

a rear cap that attaches to the rearmost part of the suppressor body and cooperates with the gas flow-directing opening of the muzzle brake to seal in gases.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake has a gas flow-directing opening.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake is a flash hider.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake is releasably attached to the muzzle of the firearm.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake is 0.625 inches to 3 inches in diameter, length is from about 1.5 inches to 20 inches.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake includes a locking slot having a shape that matches with a shape of an internal locking device of the suppressor attachment.

10. A device to attach a suppressor to the muzzle of a firearm, comprising:

a muzzle brake that attaches to the muzzle of the firearm and comprises a extending part of a suppressor lock and a gas flow-directing opening;

an internal alignment guide that attaches to the muzzle brake and guides the insertion of the suppressor to the muzzle brake;

an internal locking device that attaches to the muzzle brake and comprises a feextending part of the suppressor lock;

a tensioning ring that attaches to the internal locking device and is fastened to the suppressor; and

a rear cap that attaches to the rearmost part of the suppressor body and cooperates with the gas flow-directing opening of the muzzle brake to seal in gases.