FIREARM FLASH HIDER

Abstract

A firearm flash hider can include a base module having an attachment surface, an exit surface opposite the attachment surface, and a projectile aperture oriented through the base module to allow a projectile to pass therethrough. The flash hider can include a plurality of contoured deflection walls extending longitudinally from the exit surface and further extending radially from a longitudinal boreline axis extending from the attachment surface to the exit surface along the projectile aperture. The contoured deflection walls can block a line of sight to the boreline.

Description

BACKGROUND

Discharging a firearm causes gases to be produced through rapid, confined burning of a propellant that accelerates a projectile. Firearm discharge typically generates a high intensity and volume acoustic event, a muzzle flash of light, and often visible gas discharge. Often, it is desirable to reduce the amount of noise and light produced by discharging a firearm. For example, military snipers or special operations forces personnel may require stealth to successfully complete missions. Suppressors are often connected to a muzzle end of a firearm to reduce acoustic signature. Some suppressor designs divert a portion of the discharge gas via baffles into various off-boreline chambers. Diversion of such gases can result in energy absorption to reduce acoustic signature of the discharge. Flash hiders are frequently used to obscure secondary ignition at the muzzle and can affect recoil and balance of the firearm.

The presence of a suppressor and/or flash hider, however, may also increase the back pressure of the gas in the barrel of the firearm. Increased back pressure in the barrel can influence the firearm's operation. For example, some firearms are gas-operated and use discharge gas pressure in the barrel to reload the firearm. Thus, increasing gas back pressure in the barrel can increase forces acting on the reloading components and affect their operation. Higher forces can also reduce the service life of the reloading components. For at least these reasons, accurately and predictably controlling the pressure attributes of firearm suppressors and flash hiders remains an active field of endeavor.

SUMMARY

Afirearmflashhidercanincludea base module having an attachment surface, an exit surface opposite the attachment surface, and a projectile aperture oriented through the base module to allow a projectile to pass therethrough. A longitudinal boreline axis can extend from the attachment surface to the exit surface along the projectile aperture. Further, the projectile aperture can be fluidly coupleable to a muzzle end of a firearm. A plurality of contoured deflection walls can also extend longitudinally from the exit surface and extend radially from the boreline axis. The plurality of contoured deflection walls can be oriented to block a line of sight to the boreline along a plane perpendicular to the boreline and intersecting the boreline along the plurality of deflection walls.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a firearm flash hider in accordance with an example described in the current disclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts a front plan view of the example firearm flash hider of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C depicts a profile view of the example firearm flash hider of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D depicts a cross-sectional profile view of the example firearm flash hider of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict perspective views of a flash hider coupled to a sound suppressor in accordance with various embodiments described in the current disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a flash hider having three contoured deflection walls in accordance with various embodiments described in the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of flash hider having five contoured deflection walls in accordance with various embodiments described in the current disclosure.

These drawings are provided to illustrate various aspects of the invention and are not intended to be limiting of the scope in terms of dimensions, materials, configurations, arrangements or proportions unless otherwise limited by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe the features and characteristics of the present invention, to set forth the best mode of operation of the invention, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

Definitions

In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an exhaust port” includes reference to one or more of such features and reference to “subjecting” refers to one or more such steps.

As used herein with respect to an identified property or circumstance, “substantially” refers to a degree of deviation that is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the identified property or circumstance. The exact degree of deviation allowable may in some cases depend on the specific context.

As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

As used herein, the term “at least one of” is intended to be synonymous with “one or more of” For example, “at least one of A, B and C” explicitly includes only A, only B, only C, and combinations of each (e.g. A+B, B+C, A+C, and A+B+C).

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a numerical range of about 1 to about 4.5 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of 1 to about 4.5, but also to include individual numerals such as 2, 3, 4, and sub-ranges such as 1 to 3, 2 to 4, etc. The same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value, such as “less than about 4.5,” which should be interpreted to include all of the above-recited values and ranges. Further, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristic being described.

Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given herein.

Firearm Flash Hider

Firearm flash hiders are devices that can be attached to a muzzle end of a firearm to reduce the visible signature or hide the muzzle flash produced during the discharge of a firearm. A muzzle flash (i.e. secondary ignition) can be caused by propellant gases exiting the firearm behind the discharged projectile which ignite upon mixture with oxygen-rich air surrounding the muzzle.

Thus, a flash hider can provide a number of benefits to a firearm operator. For example, in low-light settings, a flash hider can reduce the likelihood that the operator will experience temporary flash blindness. While flash blindness can last for a very short amount of time, any amount of time can be significant to an operator, especially during a tactical military operation or police enforcement. Further, the flash hider can increase stealth of an operator by reducing the visibility of the operator to third parties during the discharge of a firearm.

Accordingly, a firearm flash hider is disclosed herein that can provide a number of advantages. A non-limiting example of a flash hider 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D to aid in the description of some of the various aspects thereof. The firearm flash hider 100 can include a base module 102 having an attachment surface 104 and an exit surface 106 (FIG. 1C) opposite the attachment surface 104. The base module 102 can also have a projectile aperture 108 oriented through the base module 102 to allow a projectile to pass therethrough. A longitudinal boreline axis 122 can extend along the intended trajectory of a projectile discharged from a firearm (i.e. along the boreline) and, thus, can extend through the attachment surface 104 to the exit surface 106 along the projectile aperture 108.

The flash hider 100 can also include a plurality of contoured deflection walls 110, such as deflection walls 110a,b,c,d. The deflection walls 110 are oriented to block a line of sight, such as line of sight 120, to the boreline along a plane 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal boreline axis 122. The plane can intersect the longitudinal boreline axis at any point along a height 114 of the plurality of deflection walls 110. Thus, open gaps between adjacent deflection walls 110 do not allow a direct line of sight 120 to the boreline extending from the projectile aperture 108 from a location exterior to the flash hider 100.

The projectile aperture 108 can be sized to have a diameter sufficient to accommodate any suitable caliber projectile. Non-limiting examples of such projectiles can include 0.22 LR, 5.56 mm (0.223), 7.62 mm, 9 mm, 13 mm, 7.8 mm (0.308), 10.6 mm (0.416), and 12.7 mm (0.50), although projectiles from 4 mm through 40 mm outside diameter can be readily used.

The flash hider and associated projectile aperture can be coupled directly to a muzzle end of a firearm using a variety of coupling features. One type of coupling feature that can be used is a bayonet-style connector. A bayonet-style connector can include a bayonet socket with two internal recesses and two diametrically opposed cutouts. The mating bayonet coupling feature can include two bayonet lugs corresponding to the cutouts. The bayonet-style connector is coupled by inserting the bayonet lugs into the cutouts in the socket and rotating the lugs until they are aligned with the internal recesses. Another type of coupling feature that can be used is a lateral sliding connector. This type of connector can include a linear internal recess that is accessible from at least one end. The mating coupling feature can include a linear protrusion having a lug that corresponds to the internal recess. The sliding connector is coupled by sliding the linear lug into the linear recess. Thus, the inlet and outlet coupling features can include bayonet-style connectors, lateral sliding connectors, or any other suitable connector, or combination of connectors. Non-limiting examples of other suitable engagement mechanisms can include threaded engagement, recessed locking, interference fit, detent locking, and the like.

Further, the flash hider can be coupled to the muzzle end of a firearm via an intermediate accessory. One non-limiting example of an intermediate accessory is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B. FIG. 2A depicts a flash hider 200 coupled to an intermediate accessory 230. In this particular example, the intermediate accessory 230 is depicted as a sound suppressor, but a variety of suitable intermediate accessories can be used such as, but not limited to, sound suppressors, recoil compensators, the like, and combinations thereof.

Further illustrated in FIG. 2A is an outer chamber exhaust manifold 240 that is fluidly coupled to the sound suppressor 230. The outer chamber exhaust manifold 240 can include a circumferential set of channels 242 extending from peripheral gas outlets oriented within the manifold 240. These channels 242 can act as outlets for gases trapped within the suppressor 230. In some examples, the outer chamber exhaust manifold 240 can be included with the flash hider 200 or made contiguous with the flash hider 200 for modular attachment to an intermediate accessory. Thus, in some examples, the flash hider can also include a circumferential set of channels extending from peripheral gas outlets oriented within the base module. The set of channels can be oriented radially outward of the plurality of contoured deflection walls. Additional description of sound suppressor 230 and corresponding outer chamber exhaust manifold 240 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,973, filed on Feb. 11, 2011, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,989, filed on Feb. 11, 2011, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/308,235, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 2B depicts a view of the flash hider 200 coupled to the sound suppressor 230 having the outer chamber exhaust manifold 240 removed. Thus, the sound suppressor 230 can be coupled directly to a muzzle end of a firearm and the flash hider 200 can be coupled to a muzzle end of a firearm by virtue of being coupled directly to the sound suppressor 230.

The flash hider described herein includes a plurality of contoured deflection walls. These contoured deflection walls can provide a number of benefits. Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1D, one benefit of the deflection walls 110 is that they can be oriented to block a line of sight, such as line of sight 120, to the boreline to reduce the visual signature or detectable muzzle flash associated with the discharge of a firearm. More specifically, a line of sight 120 to the boreline will be blocked at any point along a plane 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal boreline axis 122. Further, this plane 124 can be transposed anywhere along the longitudinal boreline axis 122 from the full height 114 of the plurality of deflection walls 110 to the exit surface 106. Generally, the height 114 of each of the contoured deflection walls will be equivalent across each of the deflection walls. However, wall height can be varied to have some deflection walls longer or shorter than others. Where there is a disparity between the heights 114 of the respective contoured deflection walls, the line of sight plane 124 can be transposed along the longitudinal axis 122 from the height 114 of the shortest contoured deflection wall 110 back towards the exit surface 106.

The plurality of contoured deflection walls can also have thickness 116. In some examples, the contoured deflection walls can have a substantially uniform thickness 116. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the deflection walls can have a progressive increase in thickness with radial distance from the boreline. Such increase in thickness can increase mechanical strength of the deflection walls, as well as reduce the progressive increase in volume of a gap between adjacent deflection walls. During use, as gases leave the projectile aperture 108, the gases expand into gaps between adjacent deflection walls. The cross sectional area within this gap increases with radial distance from the boreline. Thus, the thickness of deflection walls 110 can be used to control the amount and rate of gas expansion during escape of gases from the flash hider 100. In some examples, the plurality of contoured deflection walls 110 are substantially identical in shape. In some examples, the plurality of contoured deflection walls 110 can also have a distal end surface 111 that has an inclined taper toward outer edges of the distal surface.

Additionally, the plurality of contoured deflection walls 110 can each be contoured in a common deflection direction. This can facilitate energy transfer from the expanding gases exiting the firearm to the flash hider. More specifically, as the expanding gases engage the contoured deflection walls, some of the energy associated with the expanding gases can be expended in applying torque to the flash hider. Therefore, the energy expended in applying physical torque to the flash hider will be unavailable to generate either visual or audible signatures.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, in some examples, the contoured deflection walls can be curved. As previously discussed, the deflection walls 310 can be oriented such that a line of sight 320 (perpendicular to the bore axis) does not reach the boreline 308. In some cases, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of bends 414a,b can be interspersed along a length of each of the contoured deflection walls 410a,b,c,d,e. As with other variations, the deflection walls can be oriented as to not provide a direct line of sight 420 to the boreline 408 from a location exterior to the flash hider 400. Generally, such deflection walls can also each include a plurality of substantially planar wall segments which are connected and angled at the plurality of bends. The plurality of bends along each of the contoured deflection walls can also be angled in a common deflection direction. In some cases, the inclusion of a plurality of bends along the contoured deflection walls can increase the friction or heighten the engagement of the expanding gases against the plurality of contoured deflection walls and increase the energy transferred from the expanding gases to the flash hider in the form of torque. This can more fully reduce the visual and/or audible signatures associated with discharging a firearm. Thus, each of the plurality of bends can be angled to absorb energy transferred from firearm discharge gases. Further, in some examples, at least three flat/planar segments can be interspersed between the bends and connected to each other at the respective bends.

A variety of suitable angles, such as angles 418a,b, can be used for the plurality of bends. Generally, the greater the angle, the greater the transfer of energy of the expanding gases will have against the contoured deflection walls. In some aspects, the plurality of bends can have an angle between 5° and 40°. For example, where the contoured deflection wall has two bends, a first bend can have a first bend angle from 5° to 40°, and a second bend can have a second bend angle from 5° to 40°. In some aspects, each of the plurality of bends along a given contoured deflection wall can have the same angle. In some aspects, each of the plurality of bends along a given contoured deflection wall can have different angles. In some aspects, at least one of the bends along a given contoured deflection wall can have the same angle as another bend along the same contoured deflection wall. Generally, each of the various contoured deflection walls can have equivalent bend angles and patterns, but in some cases it can be desirable to have contoured deflection walls with non-equivalent bend angles and/or patterns.

The number of bends interspersed along each of the contoured deflection walls can also vary. However, the greater the number of bends interspersed along a given contoured deflection wall, the more curve-like the contoured deflection wall will become and the advantages of incorporating distinct bends into the contoured deflection walls can be lost or minimized. Therefore, in some examples the number of bends interspersed along a single contoured deflection wall can range from 2 bends to 4 bends. In some other examples, the number of bends interspersed along a single contoured deflection wall can range from 2 bends to 3 bends. Generally, each of the various contoured deflection walls can have the same number of bends, but in some cases it can be desirable to have contoured deflection walls with different numbers of bends.

The number of contoured deflection walls can also vary. In one aspect, the number of deflection walls can vary based on the caliber of the firearm. For a lower caliber firearm, generally fewer deflection walls are needed to absorb or dissipate the relatively low energy of the expanding gases expelled from the firearm as compared to a higher caliber firearm. Conversely, for a higher caliber firearm, a greater number of deflection walls can be used to absorb the greater amount of energy associated with the expelled gases. In some aspects, the number of deflection walls can range from 3 to 5 deflection walls. An example of a flash hider 300 having three contoured deflection walls 310a,b,c is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this particular example, the contoured deflection walls 310 a,b,c are curved rather than bent. While curved deflection walls can absorb less energy than bent deflection walls, in some cases it can be desirable to have curved deflection walls. In contrast to the flash hider illustrated in FIG. 3, the flash hider 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 has five contoured deflection walls 410a,b,c,d,e and each respective contoured deflection walls has a plurality of bends 416a,b of differing angles 418a,b. Referring back to FIG. 1A-1D the flash hider 100 has four deflection walls 110a,b,c,d.

Another advantage that can be provided by the plurality of contoured deflection walls is muzzle standoff. In some cases, it can be desirable to use the muzzle end of a firearm as a battering implement. However, where the muzzle of the firearm and/or the projectile aperture of the flash hider are compromised, it can affect the pitch and yaw of a discharged projectile and negatively impact the accuracy of the firearm. Therefore, it can be advantageous to have muzzle standoff to protect the integrity of the muzzle of the firearm and/or projectile aperture of the flash hider.

Accordingly, the plurality of contoured deflection walls can be made to have a sufficient height and thickness to provide adequate standoff to allow the flash hider to be used as a battering implement. In some cases, the thickness of the plurality of contoured deflection walls can range from 1 mm to 15 mm, often from 2 mm to 8 mm. In some cases, the height of the plurality of contoured deflection walls can range from 1 cm to 10 cm, and often from 2 cm to 6 cm.

The flash hider can also be made of a resilient material. A number of materials can be used to manufacture the flash hider. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials can include titanium, high impact polymers, stainless steels, aluminum, molybdenum, refractory metals, super alloys, aircraft alloys, carbon steels, composites thereof, and the like. Additionally, the flash hider can be machined out of a single piece of material to increase the structural integrity of the flash hider. Alternatively, the deflection walls can be formed and secured to the base using any suitable approach (e.g. welding, bolts, etc). Further, the flash hider, or any of its individual features or parts, can include optional coatings such as, but not limited to, diamond coatings, diamond-like carbon coatings, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, the like, and combinations thereof.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1D, in some examples, the flash hider can optionally include a plurality of recesses 112 formed in the exit surface 106 of the base module 102. These recesses 112 can be interspersed between the plurality of contoured deflection walls 110a,b,c,d. Further, the recesses 112 can be oriented adjacent to and about the projectile aperture 108. Such recesses can provide a number of advantages, such as decreased weight of the flash hider, increased expansion volume immediately proximate the projectile aperture, and the like.

The foregoing detailed description describes the invention with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as described and set forth herein.

Claims

1. A firearm flash hider comprising:

a base module having an attachment surface, an exit surface opposite the attachment surface, a projectile aperture oriented through the base module to allow a projectile to pass therethrough, and a longitudinal boreline axis extending from the attachment surface to the exit surface along the projectile aperture, the projectile aperture being fluidly coupleable to a muzzle end of a firearm; and

a plurality of contoured deflection walls extending longitudinally from the exit surface and extending radially from the projectile aperture, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls are oriented to block a line of sight to the boreline at all points along a plane perpendicular to the boreline and intersecting the boreline along the plurality of deflection walls.

2. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the projectile aperture has a diameter to allow a projectile having an outside diameter of from 4 mm to 40 mm to pass therethrough.

3. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the projectile aperture is fluidly coupleable to a muzzle end of a firearm via an intermediate accessory.

4. The flash hider of claim 3, wherein the intermediate accessory is a sound suppressor.

5. The flash hider of claim 3, wherein the intermediate accessory is a recoil compensator.

6. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the projectile aperture is fluidly coupleable to a muzzle end of a firearm via at least one of bayonet-style connectors, lateral-sliding connectors, threaded engagement, recessed locking, interference fit, and detent locking.

7. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls includes from 3 to 5 deflection walls.

8. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls extends longitudinally from the exit surface to a height of from 2 cm to 10 cm.

9. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contoured deflection walls has a plurality of bends interspersed along a length thereof, wherein the plurality of bends are angled in a common deflection direction.

10. The flash hider of claim 9, wherein the plurality of bends includes from 2 to 4 bends.

11. The flash hider of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of bends is angled to absorb energy transferred from firearm discharge gasses.

12. The flash hider of claim 9, wherein the plurality of bends include a first bend having a first bend angle from 5° to 40°, and a second bend having a second bend angle from 5° to 40°.

13. The flash hider of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of recesses formed in the exit surface of the base module and interspersed between the plurality of contoured deflection walls.

14. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the flash hider is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, high impact polymers, stainless steels, aluminum, molybdenum, refractory metals, super alloys, aircraft alloys, carbon steels, and composites thereof.

15. The flash hider of claim 1, further comprising a coating selected from the group consisting of diamond coatings, diamond-like-carbon coatings, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, or a combination thereof.

16. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls have a distal end surface that has an inclined taper toward radial outer edges of the distal end surface.

17. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls are substantially identical in shape.

18. The flash hider of claim 1, further comprising a circumferential set of channels extending from peripheral gas outlets oriented within the base module, the set of channels also oriented radially outward of the plurality of contoured deflection walls.

19. The flash hider of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contoured deflection walls have substantially uniform thickness.