Firearm suppressor

Abstract

The suppressor uses an elastic outer housing or sleeve that temporarily expands and contracts under the pressure impulse of the propellant gases to help reduce the sound signature of the report. During discharge, the elastic housing or sleeve expands beyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts and returns to its original shape and dimension. The expansion of the elastic housings and sleeves temporarily increases the internal volume of the suppressor providing a mechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/548,956 filed Aug. 22, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention relates to firearm suppressors, and in particular, a suppressor having an expanding suppressor housing.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The discharge of a firearm creates extremely high noise levels. The report of a firearm can cause serious hearing damage to the user and surrounding persons. The sound created by the discharge of a firearm is the result in part of the escaping propellent gases. The “report” of the firearm is a result of the heated high-velocity gases impacting the outside atmosphere. In effect, resulting in a loud impact sound as the different pressures and temperatures of the gases work to equalize.

Sound suppressors, often inaccurately referred to as “silencers” generally dampen and mask the sounds of the escaping propellent gases. Suppressors work to equalize or diminish to a suitable degree the internal pressure of the propellant gases to the outside atmosphere before it is vented, thereby reducing the pressure impulse and report of the discharge. Conventional suppressors utilize a series of baffles of varying designs enclosed within a rigid metal housing affixed to the barrel of a firearm to diminish the report of a round (projectile) being discharged. As the round passes through the baffles, the propellant gases escaping the barrel of the firearm pass through the baffles and are trapped within by the suppressor housing. Passing through the baffles causes the propellant gases to be redirected, disrupted and slowed. The internal volume of the suppressor housing provides an enclosed space for controlling the expansion of the propellant gases prior to them venting out of the suppressor into the outside atmosphere. It is commonly understood in suppressor designs that increasing the internal volume of a suppressor provides additional space within which the propellant gases can expand and depressurize. Nevertheless, as a practical matter, suppressors cannot be excessively large, as they would be impractical in most applications.

The suppressor of this invention uses an expanding elastic outer housing or sleeve that temporarily expands and contracts under the pressure impulse of the propellant gases to help reduce the sound signature of the report. During discharge, the elastic housing or sleeve expands beyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts and returns to its original shape and dimension. The expansion of the elastic housing or sleeve temporarily increases the internal volume of the suppressor, providing a mechanically controlled internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions. The temporary increase in the internal volume of the suppressor helps dissipate thermal and kinetic energy carried by the propellant gases.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take form in various system and method components and arrangement of system and method components. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The drawings illustrate the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the suppressor of this invention mounted to the barrel of a firearm;

FIG. 2 is a simplified sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 1 shown when the firearm is discharged;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the suppressor of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the suppressor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side section view of the suppressor of FIG. 3 showing the suppressor sleeve expanded during discharge;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the suppressor of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the suppressor of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a side section view of the suppressor of FIG. 7 showing the suppressor sleeve expanded during discharge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary, but simplified embodiment of the suppressor of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 100. As shown, suppressor 100 is designed to mount to the muzzle end of a firearm barrel 10. Suppressor 100 includes an elastic external housing 110 that encloses an internal baffle assembly 120. Suppressor 100 is configured to provide a suppressor interior 111 that receives the exhausted propellent gases from the discharged round. During discharge, the elastic housing 110 expands beyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts and returns to its original shape and dimension. The expansion of elastic housing 110 temporarily increases the internal volume 111 providing a mechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

Elastic housing 110 is a tubular sleeve constructed from an elastic composite material. The elastic composition of housing 110 allows it to expand radially under the pressure impulse of the exhaust gases as the round is propelled through the suppressor 100. The construction and composition of the housing material are selected for giving housing 110 the resilience and elasticity for rapid and sustained expansion and contraction without structural compromise under various ammunition pressures. In addition, the construction and composition of the housing materials are selected to resist heat and corrosion.

Baffle assembly 120 functions like similar baffle structures in conventional suppressor designs separating and redirecting the exhaust gases as those gases propel the discharged round through suppressor 100. Baffle assembly 120 is machined, formed or cast from suitable materials, such as metals or polymers, which are light weight, and heat and corrosion resistant. Baffle assembly 120 has an axial bore that aligns concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the barrel bore. Baffle assembly 120 may take the form of a single monolithic piece or a plurality of aligned or interconnected baffle components as shown.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrated a second exemplary embodiment of the suppressor of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 200. Suppressor 200 includes a rigid suppressor housing 210, a pair of end caps 220, a plurality of internal baffles 230, an elastic suppressor sleeve 240 and a pair of sleeve clamps 250.

Except for suppress sleeve 240, the components and parts of suppressor are typically constructed from a suitable metal, such as steel, titanium or aluminum alloy. These components and parts are typically, machined, but may be cast or forges in certain embodiments. Suppressor housing 210 is an extruded or machined metal tube, which defines a suppressor interior 211 that received end caps 220 and enclosed baffles 230. Suppressor housing 210 has a plurality of radial vent openings 213 formed therein for allowing exhaust gases to vent from the interior. Suppressor housing has internally threaded ends for receiving end caps 220. Similarly, end caps 230 are machined to have external threads, which turn into the threaded ends of suppressor housing 210. Each end cap has a center opening aligned with the bore axis of suppress 200. In addition, one end cap 230 is machined and configured, via internal threads around the center opening to attached to the barrel of a firearm (not shown).

Baffles 230 are of conventional design and generally machined from a suitable metal, such as steel, titanium or aluminum alloy, but may be cast or forged in certain embodiments. Each baffle 230 includes a center opening 231 aligned with the bore axis of suppressor 200. Baffles 230 are seated within suppressor interior 211 and secured by end caps 230. Annular shims 232 are used to selectively space and position baffles 200 within housing interior 221 between end caps 220. Each baffle 220 also has a one or more radial vent openings 233, which align with opening 213 in suppressor housing 210.

Suppressor sleeve 240 is fitted over suppressor housing 210 and substantially covers its length. Suppressor sleeve 240 is constructed from an elastic composite material. The elastic composition of suppressor sleeve 240 allows it to expand radially under the pressure impulse of the exhaust gases as the round is propelled through suppressor 200. The construction and composition of the sleeve material are selected for giving suppressor sleeve 240 the resilience and elasticity for rapid and sustained expansion and contraction without structural compromise under various ammunition pressures. In addition, the construction and composition of the sleeve materials are selected to resist heat and corrosion. Clamps 250 secure suppressor sleeve 240 is secured over suppressor housing 210. Clamps 250 secure suppressor sleeve at opposite ends of suppressor 200. Clamps 250 seat over two annular support shims 252 inserted between suppressor housing 210 and suppressor sleeve 240, which helps prevent shear damage to sleeve 240 during expansion.

FIG. 6 illustrates how suppressor sleeve 240 expands outward when the firearm is discharged. During discharge, the exhausting propellent gas pass through suppressor interior 211 and vent radially through holes 233 and 213 in baffles 230 and suppressor housing 210, which expands suppressor sleeve 240. Suppressor sleeve 240 expands beyond its relaxed normal shape between clamps 250, but quickly contracts and returns to its original shape and dimension as the exhaust gases exit through the muzzle end of suppressor 200. The expansion of suppressor sleeve 240 temporarily increases the internal volume 211 providing a mechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of the suppressor of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 300. As shown, suppressor 300 is similar is design and construction as suppressor 200. Suppressor 300 includes a rigid suppressor housing 310, a pair of end caps 320, a plurality of internal baffles 330, an elastic suppressor sleeve 340 and a pair of sleeve clamps 350. Suppressor 300 differs from suppressor 200 above, in that suppressor sleeve 340 only covers part of suppressor housing 310 and suppressor housing 310 only has four vent opening 313 located at one end of suppressor 300. Vent openings 313 align with corresponding vent openings 333 formed in one shims 332. As shown in FIG. 10, the exhausting propellent gas pass through suppressor interior 211 and vent radially through holes 333 and 313 in baffles 330 and suppressor housing 310, which expands suppressor sleeve 340 during discharge. Again, the expansion of suppressor sleeve 340 temporarily increases the internal volume 311 providing a mechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A suppressor for a firearm having a barrel, the suppressor comprising:

a suppressor body mountable to the firearm barrel for receiving a discharged round therethrough, the suppressor body having a suppressor interior thereof, the suppressor body having a first suppressor end mountable to the firearm barrel and a second suppressor end opposite the first suppressor end through which the round and discharge gases exit the suppressor,

the suppressor body constructed in part of an elastic material that allows the suppressor housing to temporarily expand and contract during the discharge of the firearm such that the volume of the housing interior increases and decrease under the influence of pressure within the housing interior.

2. The suppressor of claim 1 wherein the suppressor body includes an elongated rigid tubular housing having at least one vent opening therein between the first suppressor end and the second suppressor end, and a elastic sleeve mounted over the housing between the first suppressor end and the second suppressor end.

3. The suppressor of claim 2 wherein the sleeve expands outward from the housing during the discharge of the firearm.

4. The suppressor of claim 2 wherein the suppressor body includes a pair of clamps holding the sleeve to the housing.