Firearm Suppressor Mounting Device

Abstract

A firearm suppressor mounting device has a device body, a clamping element connected to the device body, a muzzle element adapted for connection to the muzzle, the muzzle element defining a first threaded portion, and the device body having a second threaded portion matable with the first threaded portion, such that the device body may be rotated and moved from an attached position and a detached position, the muzzle element having an engagement surface, the clamping element including at least a movable engagement element registered with the engagement surface when the device is in the attached position, and the clamping element being operably engaged to the engagement element to move it between a locked position in which the engagement element is biased against the engagement surface to prevent movement of the device to the attached position, and an unlocked position, in which detachment of the device is enabled.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/604,136 filed Feb. 28, 2012, and entitled, “RAPID ATTACH DEVICE FOR SECURING A SOUND SUPPRESSOR TO A WEAPON.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to facilities for mounting a device on the muzzle, such as a sound suppressor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to mount removable devices at the muzzle of a firearm, such as a suppressor. A suppressor is a device attached to the barrel of a firearm that reduces the amount of noise and also usually the amount of muzzle flash generated by firing the weapon. A suppressor is usually a metal cylinder with internal mechanisms such as baffles to reduce the sound of firing by slowing the escaping propellant gas and sometimes by reducing the velocity of the bullet. The suppressor is typically a hollow cylindrical piece of machined metal (steel, aluminum, or titanium) containing expansion chambers that attaches to the muzzle of a pistol, submachine gun or rifle. These “can”-type suppressors may be attached to and detached from various firearms.

A conventional muzzle mounted accessory, such as a suppressor, may be internally threaded to engage a threaded end of a firearm barrel. This has the disadvantage of being slow to mount and dismount, which is a serious concern in military and law enforcement contexts. Friction-type attachments that rely solely on threads also can loosen because there is no mechanical lock; only friction prevents the attachment from unscrewing from the firearm. A loose suppressor can result in bullet strikes on the baffles because the baffles are not axially registered with the bore of the barrel. Barrel strikes cause inaccuracy, present safety problems, and decrease equipment durability.

The use of coarser threads can improve the mounting and dismounting speed, but coarser threads are even more prone to loosening caused by the mechanical impulse of firing, as well as thermal stresses and changes during use.

Other prior art suppressor mounts provide quicker disconnection, but suffer other disadvantages such as inadequate repeatable precision of alignment (which generates shooting inaccuracy), complexity and cost of manufacture, and durability. For example, fine tooth ratchet systems tend to wear out rapidly and can loosen during use. The small locking teeth can fill with debris or become worn to the point they no longer work. Also, the ratchet teeth cannot always perfectly align and must be backed off to enable locking, which makes the attachment loose on the firearm. Fine tooth ratchet systems also require two-handed operation for removal.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm suppressor mounting device that can be operated with one hand and will not loosen during normal operation of the firearm. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm suppressor mounting device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of securing a sound suppressor to a firearm regardless of vibrations from firing of the firearm, and allows for the quick and easy removal of the sound suppressor from the firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved firearm suppressor mounting device, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm suppressor mounting device that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a device body, a clamping element connected to the device body, a muzzle element adapted for connection to the muzzle, the muzzle element defining a first threaded portion, and the device body having a second threaded portion matable with the first threaded portion, such that the device body may be rotated and moved from an attached position and a detached position, the muzzle element having an engagement surface, the clamping element including at least a movable engagement element registered with the engagement surface when the device is in the attached position, and the clamping element being operably engaged to the engagement element to move it between a locked position in which the engagement element is biased against the engagement surface to prevent movement of the device to the attached position, and an unlocked position, in which detachment of the device is enabled. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a firearm suppressor mounting device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the firearm suppressor mounting device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top isometric exploded view of the firearm suppressor mounting device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional partial view of the firearm suppressor mounting device taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a rear sectional view of the firearm suppressor mounting device taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with the locking ring in the unlocked position.

FIG. 5B is a rear sectional view of the firearm suppressor mounting device taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with the locking ring in the locked position.

FIG. 6 is a rear sectional view of the firearm suppressor mounting device taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of the locking ring of the present invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the firearm suppressor mounting device of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the improved firearm suppressor mounting device 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the mounting device includes a suppressor body 12, locking ring 32, and muzzle adapter 50. The body is an elongated cylindrical tube with a front 14, a rear 16, and a central bore 18. The rear of the body has a series of annular features 78, 80 having progressively smaller exterior diameters that are separated by shoulders 22, 24. The annular feature 78 includes a plurality of detents 28 on its exterior, with the remaining portion of the exterior being smooth. The annular feature 80 defines a pin slot 26 and a plurality of apertures 20 that communicate with the central bore 18. In the current embodiment, the pin slot has a length that is approximately ⅙ of the circumference of the annular feature 80, and preferably slightly greater to provide for the rounded ends of the slots. Each of the apertures receives a spherical ball bearing 30. In the current embodiment, there are three apertures spaced equidistantly around the circumference of the annular feature 80, and the apertures are tapered such that they have a diameter that is larger than their associated ball bearing where they open to the exterior of annular feature 80 and have a diameter that is smaller than the ball bearing where they open into the central bore 18 of the body.

The locking ring 32 has a front 40, rear 42, and a central bore 34. The exterior of the locking ring includes a plurality of notches 46 that provide grip points to facilitate rotation of the locking ring about the barrel axis 104. The front of the exterior of the locking ring has an L-shaped slot 72 (when viewed from the interior) that results in a cantilevered spring arm 44 formed integrally with the ring. The slot 72 enables the free end of the spring arm to flex inwards and outwards relative to the barrel axis. The interior of the locking ring includes three release recesses 82 and associated cam surfaces 84. The cam surfaces are contoured such that the effective diameter of the central bore 34 decreases as the ramp is traversed in a clockwise direction. Because the ring is formed of steel, the arm is a stiff spring that that does not flex by significant amounts more than needed to perform the functions described herein, under the forces associated with operation by hand.

The bore 34 enables the locking ring 32 to rotatably mount onto the rear 16 of the body 12 over the annular features 78, 80. The front of the ring is positioned adjacent to the shoulder 22. A pin hole 36 in the locking ring communicates with the pin slot 26 in the annular feature 80. One end of a roll pin 38 is securely received within the pin hole 36, and the opposing end of the roll pin is received within the pin slot. The engagement of the roll pin with the pin slot prevents parallel movement of the locking ring with respect to the barrel axis 104, and permits the locking ring to rotate only about ⅙ of a turn about the barrel axis. Indicia 76 positioned on the exterior of the body 12 immediately in front of the front 40 of the locking ring indicate the direction the locking ring is turned to lock the muzzle adapter 50 within the locking ring and body. In the current embodiment, the locking direction is counterclockwise as viewed from the operator's perspective.

The muzzle adapter 50 has a front 52, a rear 54, and a central bore 56. The front portion of the muzzle adapter includes various apertures 68 and bores 70 to enable the muzzle adapter to function as a recoil reducer when the suppressor body 12 and locking ring 32 are disconnected from the muzzle adapter. The rearmost portion of the exterior of the muzzle adapter forms a flat-sided lug nut 74. The lug nut facilitates the connection of the threaded portion of the muzzle 102 of a barrel 100 to the interior thread 64 within the bore 56 as shown in FIG. 1, and enables the use of a wrench for applying adequate torque to attach and detach the adapter. The exterior portion of the muzzle adapter immediately in front of the lug nut forms a radial groove 58. The exterior portion of the muzzle adapter between the radial groove and the apertures 68 forms a triple lead thread 60. A triple lead thread means the thread has three start and stop points all evenly distributed at 120° apart about the central axis. The three leads provide the axial stability of having three even points of contact.

FIG. 4-6 illustrate a rear portion of the improved firearm suppressor mounting device 10 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 illustrates the release recesses 82 and cam surfaces 84 of the locking ring 32. More particularly, as depicted in FIG. 4, the front 52 of the muzzle adapter 50 is inserted through the central bore 34 of the locking ring 32 from the rear 42 and into the central bore 18 of the body 12 from the rear 16. The central bores 56 of the muzzle adapter, 34 of the locking ring, and 18 of the body are all axially registered with the barrel axis 104. The muzzle adapter is initially secured to the body by engagement of the triple lead thread 60 on the exterior of the muzzle adapter with a coarse internal triple lead thread 86 within the central bore 18 of the body. During this activity, the locking ring 32 is in the unlocked position depicted in FIG. 5A. In this position, the release recesses 82 are axially registered with the apertures 20. This alignment permits the ramp portion 88 of the exterior of the muzzle adapter to push the ball bearings 30 outwards into the release recesses to permit complete insertion of the muzzle adapter. In the current embodiment, the triple lead threads 60, 86 become snug with approximately a three quarter turn of the body about the barrel axis 104. In the tightened position, the radial groove 58 on the exterior of the muzzle adapter is registered with the apertures 20 containing the ball bearings 30. In the current embodiment, the triple lead threads 60 and 86 have three individual threads, each having a thread pitch of four threads per inch, which results in an effective thread pitch of 12 threads per inch and a quick thread lead of only four threads per inch. In contrast, the interior thread 64 of the muzzle adapter are much finer, typically having a thread specification of ½″-28, or 28 threads per inch on a ½″ nominal diameter. A pitch of 24 is common in larger calibers for larger diameters of ¾″ or ⅝″. The interior threads 64 also conform to the metric standards of M18×1 (approximately 26 threads per inch) and M18×1.5 (approximately 17 threads per inch). The ratio of effective thread pitch between the finer interior threads and the coarser exterior threads is about 2:1, with this ratio being as much as 2⅓:1 and as little as 1.417:1 in alternative embodiments. And considering the thread lead pitch (dividing the pitch by the number of leads to provide an indication of how much the device advances in one rotation), the ratios are three times that in the illustrated embodiment, and may be 2 times or any integral multiple such as 4, 5, or higher that above ratios.

After the triple lead thread 60, 86 are tightened, the locking ring 32 is moved to the locked position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B to prevent the engagement between the triple lead threads 60, 86 from unintentionally loosening. This is accomplished by rotating the locking ring counterclockwise relative to the barrel axis 104 about ⅙ of a turn until the pin 38 reaches the end of the pin slot 26 in the annular feature 80 of the body 12. As the locking ring rotates, a pawl 48 formed by the free end of the spring arm rides over the detents 28. Simultaneously, the ball bearings 30 are forced inward out of their release recesses 82 deeper into their apertures 20 and onto the cam surfaces 84. Specifically, the release recess is 0.05 inches deep. When the locking ring is rotated counterclockwise to position the pawl in the second detent from the right (when viewed from the operator's perspective), the ball bearing advances inwardly by 0.05 inches.

As the locking ring continues to rotate and positions the pawl in the subsequent detents, the rising slope of the cam surfaces forces the ball bearings 30 even deeper into their apertures 20. Specifically, the ball advances inwardly by 0.0015 inches for each detent, as each detent after the second detent from the right is reached. Once the pin 38 reaches the end of the pin slot 26, the ball bearings have been forced inward sufficiently that they protrude inwardly from their apertures 20 and exert pressure on the exterior of the muzzle adapter. The protruding portion of the ball bearings is closely received by the radial groove 58 on the exterior of the muzzle adapter. In the current embodiment, the radial groove is a circumferential channel having an arcuate profile with a diameter of 0.0625 inches, which is substantially identical to the diameter of the ball bearings. As a result, the ball bearings make a substantial line of contact when forced into the channel. Once the ball bearings are closely received by the radial groove, parallel movement of the muzzle adapter relative to the barrel axis 104 is prevented. As a result, the engagement between the triple lead thread 60, 86 cannot loosen. The locking ring is releasably secured in the locked position by the engagement of the pawl with the last detent on the left when viewed from the rear. Shooting forces are insufficient to cause the pawl to shift to the next detent; only deliberate torque applied to the locking ring is sufficient to cause the pawl to ride over the detents and enable rotation of the locking ring about the barrel axis.

To remove the muzzle adapter 50 from the body 12, the locking ring 32 is first rotated clockwise relative to the barrel axis 104 about ⅙ of a turn until the pin 38 reaches the end of the pin slot 26 in the annular feature 80 of the body. As the locking ring rotates, the pawl 48 rides over the detents 28. Once the locking ring is returned to the unlocked position depicted in FIG. 5A, the release recesses 82 are again axially registered with the apertures 20. In this position, the balls are free to move radially outward as the forward lip of the channel passes by them. The body can be unscrewed from the muzzle adapter 50, and the muzzle adapter can be withdrawn from the body and locking ring. This is possible because the ball bearings 30 can be pushed outward into the release recesses by the exterior of the muzzle adapter so the ball bearings no longer protrude inwardly from their apertures and prevent movement of the muzzle adapter parallel to the barrel axis. However, the ball bearings are constrained to only move perpendicularly with respect to the barrel axis, regardless of the position of the locking ring.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward” and “front” and “forward” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm, while “front” or “forward” means in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm. The term “thread pitch” as applied to the multi-lead threads of the current invention is defined to be the distance between adjacent threads, even if the adjacent threads are on different leads. Furthermore, the term “effective pitch” is defined to be the amount the device advances in one rotation, i.e. the number of leads times the pitch.

While a current embodiment of a firearm suppressor mounting device has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although a sound suppressor has been described, the firearm mounting device can also be used with other muzzle-mounted devices, such as muzzle brakes, recoil compensators, and blank firing adapters. Furthermore, although the suppressor body has been shown and described as a unitary element, the rear annular features of the suppressor body can be one or more separate parts. The exterior wall of the “can” portion of the suppressor could be separately machined and threaded onto a base. In addition, although attaching a suppressor to a firearm's muzzle has been described, the mounting device can also be used in any application where there is a need to releasably couple two components together, such as an air line to a compressor or a muffler to an exhaust pipe.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A facility for attaching a device to the muzzle of a firearm barrel comprising:

a device body;

a clamping element connected to the device body;

a muzzle element adapted for connection to the muzzle;

the muzzle element defining a first threaded portion, and the device body having a second threaded portion matable with the first threaded portion, such that the device body may be rotated and moved from an attached position and a detached position;

the muzzle element having an engagement surface;

the clamping element including at least a movable engagement element registered with the engagement surface when the device is in the attached position; and

the clamping element being operably engaged to the engagement element to move it between a locked position in which the engagement element is biased against the engagement surface to prevent movement of the device to the detached position, and an unlocked position, in which detachment of the device is enabled.

2. The facility of claim 1 wherein the clamping element is a ring rotatably attached to the device body.

3. The facility of claim 1 wherein the clamping element is a ring threadably attached to the device body.

4. The facility of claim 1 wherein the clamping element is a ring defining an interior cam surface operably engaged to the engagement element.

5. The facility of claim 1 including a plurality of engagement elements.

6. The facility of claim 1 wherein the engagement element is spherical.

7. The facility of claim 5 wherein the clamping element operates to bias the engagement element radially inward.

8. The facility of claim 5 including an odd number of engagement elements.

9. The facility of claim 1 wherein the clamping element and device body are engaged by way of a detent mechanism to resist movement, except in response to deliberate force.

10. The facility of claim 9 wherein the detent mechanism comprises a cantilevered spring arm.

11. The facility of claim 1 wherein the device body defines a bore substantially receiving the muzzle element when in the attached position.

12. The facility of claim 1 wherein the clamping element substantially encompasses the muzzle element when in the attached position.

13. The facility of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface is a circumferential surface facing radially outward.

14. The facility of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface is a circumferential channel.

15. The facility of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface is a surface of revolution about a major axis defined by the device, and having a toroidal profile.

16. The facility of claim 15 wherein the engagement element is a sphere having a first radius, and the toroidal profile has a minor radius at least equal to the first radius.

17. The facility of claim 1 wherein the muzzle element is selected from a group comprising muzzle brakes and flash hiders.

18. The facility of claim 1 wherein the muzzle element defines a third threaded portion to threadably connect the muzzle element to the muzzle.

19. The facility of claim 1 wherein the device is a sound suppressor.

20. The facility of claim 1 wherein the first threaded portion and second threaded portion have multi-lead threads.

21. The facility of claim 18 wherein the third threaded portion has a thread pitch of at least 17 threads per inch.

22. The facility of claim 21 wherein the first threaded portion and second threaded portion have a thread pitch of at most 12 threads per inch.

23. The facility of claim 22 wherein the ratio of the thread pitch of the third threaded portion to the thread pitch of the first threaded portion and second threaded portion is at least 1.417:1.

24. The facility of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface is a circumferential channel having an arcuate profile, such that a spherical ball forced into the channel makes a substantial line of contact with the channel.

25. The facility of claim 21 wherein the thread pitch of the first threaded portion and second threaded portion provides detachment within a limited rotation amount with a thread lead pitch of at most 4 threads per inch.

26. A muzzle device for attachment to a threaded muzzle of a firearm barrel, the device comprising:

a threaded bore adapted for mating with the threaded muzzle, the threaded bore having a first thread pitch;

an exterior threaded portion having a second thread pitch greater than the first thread pitch, such that a second device with corresponding threads is mountable; and

an engagement surface adapted for gripping contact, such that the second device may be secured against removal.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the exterior threaded portion has multi-lead threads.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein the first thread pitch is at least 17 threads per inch.

29. The device of claim 26 wherein the second thread pitch is at most 12 threads per inch.

30. The device of claim 26 wherein the ratio of the first thread pitch to second thread pitch is at least 1.417 threads per inch.

31. The device of claim 26 wherein the engagement surface is a circumferential channel having an arcuate profile, such that a spherical ball forced into the channel makes a substantial line of contact with the channel.

32. The device of claim 26 wherein the second thread pitch provides detachment within a limited rotation amount with a thread lead pitch of at most 4 threads per inch.