FIREARM SOUND SUPPRESSOR

Abstract

A sound suppressor for a firearm includes a housing and an endcap. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first central passage extending between the proximal end toward the distal end. The endcap is coupled to the housing. The endcap includes a parabolic-shaped inner surface defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a sound suppressor for a firearm, and more particularly to a sound suppressor having one or more parabolic baffles.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Sound is generated by numerous sources when a firearm is discharged or otherwise fired. For example, high-temperature and high-pressure propellant gases escaping and expanding from the muzzle of the firearm can generate a shockwave that produces a loud muzzle blast. Sound suppressors are often used with firearms to slow or cool down the escaping propellant gas, thereby reducing the amount of noise (e.g., sound intensity or volume) generated when the firearm is discharged. Such suppressors often employ baffles, spacers, or packing material to affect the slowing or cooling down of the escaping propellant gas.

While known firearm sound suppressors have proven acceptable for their intended purposes, a continuous need for improvement in the relevant art remains.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a sound suppressor for a firearm. The sound suppressor includes a housing and an endcap. The housing includes a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first central passage extending between the proximal end toward and the distal end. The endcap is coupled to the housing and includes an inner surface defining a parabolic shape and a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The inner surface may be concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The endcap may include a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening. The inner surface may be concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis. Proximate the distal end of the endcap, the inner surface may be planar in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface may be concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface may define a paraboloid. Proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface may define a cylinder.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a sound suppressor for a firearm. The sound suppressor may include a housing and an endcap. The housing includes a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first central passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The endcap is coupled to the housing and includes an inner surface disposed about a longitudinal axis. The inner surface defines a concave shape in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The inner surface further defines a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the inner surface is concentrically disposed about the longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The inner surface may be concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The endcap may include a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening. The inner surface may be concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis. Proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface may be planar in the plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface may be concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface may define a paraboloid. Proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface may define a cylinder.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a sound suppressor for a firearm. The sound suppressor may include a housing and an end cap. The housing may define a first central chamber. The endcap may be coupled to the housing and include a proximal end and a distal end. The endcap may further includes an inner surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end and defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central chamber. The inner surface defines (i) a paraboloid proximate the proximal end of the endcap and (i) a cylinder proximate the distal end of the endcap.

Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one of more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the proximal end of the endcap defines a first opening and the distal end of the endcap defines a second opening.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a sound suppressor for a firearm. The sound suppressor may include a housing and a first sleeve. The first sleeve is disposed within the housing and includes at least one axial wire and at least one circumferential wire woven with the at least one axial wire. The at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire form a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures through the first sleeve.

Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one of more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the housing is disposed about a central axis. The at least one axial wire may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and the at least one circumferential wire may surround the central axis. The at least one circumferential wire may define a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve. Each aperture may define a substantially rectangular shape disposed between the at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire.

A further aspect of the disclosure provides a sound suppressor for a firearm. The sound suppressor may include a housing and a first sleeve. The housing surrounds a first central chamber. The first sleeve is disposed within the first central chamber and surrounds a second central chamber. The first sleeve includes a plurality of wires forming a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the first central chamber and the second central chamber.

Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one of more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the housing is disposed about a central axis. The plurality of wires may include at least one axial wire extending in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and at least one circumferential wire surrounding the central axis. The at least one circumferential wire may define a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve. Each aperture may define a substantially rectangular shape surrounded by at least one of the plurality of wires.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm including a sound suppressor in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sound suppressor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sound suppressor of FIG. 1 taken through the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of inner sleeves of the sound suppressor of FIG. 1 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the sound suppressor of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

With reference to FIGS. 1, a sound suppressor 10 is shown. As will be explained in more detail below, the sound suppressor 10 may be coupled to a firearm 12 to reduce the volume of the sound produced by the firearm during use thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sound suppressor 10 may include a housing 14, a proximal endcap 15, one or more inner sleeves 16, one or more baffles 18, and a distal endcap 24. The housing 14 may extend along a longitudinal axis A1 and include a proximal end 26, a distal end 28, an inner surface 30, and an outer surface 32. The distal end 28 may be opposite the proximal end 26. The housing 14 may be formed from one or more of a variety of materials, including, for example, aluminum, steel, or another suitable metal material.

The inner and outer surfaces 30, 32 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A1 from the proximal end 26 to the distal end 28, such that the inner surface 30 defines a passage 34 (e.g., a chamber) extending through the housing 14 from the proximal end 26 to the distal end 28. The proximal end 26 of the housing 14 may define an entrance opening 35 (FIG. 3), while the distal end 28 of the housing 14 may define an exit opening 38. The entrance opening 35 may be in fluid communication with the exit opening 38 through the passage 34.

In some implementations, the inner and outer surfaces 30, 32 each define a cylinder or a polygonal (e.g., square or rectangular) prism extending along and about the longitudinal axis A1. It will be appreciated, however, that the inner surface 30 or outer surface 32 may define other shapes within the scope of the present disclosure.

A portion of the inner surface 30 or outer surface 32 may include a threaded portion 36 for securing the housing 14 to the endcap 15. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in some implementations, the outer surface 32 includes a male threaded portion 36 extending from the proximal end 26 along and about the longitudinal axis A1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 14 may define a plurality of perforations or apertures 40 extending through the inner and outer surfaces 30, 32. In some implementations, the apertures 40 define a circular or cylindrical shape extending through the inner and outer surfaces 30, 32. In this regard, the apertures 40 may define a diameter greater than 0.75 millimeters. In particular, the apertures 40 may define a diameter greater than 1.0 millimeter. The apertures 40 may collectively define one or more patterns extending along or about the longitudinal axis A1. For example, in some implementations, the apertures 40 may collectively define a helical pattern extending from the proximal end 26 to the distal end 28. In some implementations, a plurality of groups of the apertures 40 may each collectively define a circle extending about the longitudinal axis A1, such that the plurality of groups of the apertures 40 collectively define (i) a plurality of circular patterns extending about the longitudinal axis A1 and (ii) a plurality of linear patterns extending along (e.g., substantially parallel to, such as +/−5 degrees) the longitudinal axis A1.

With reference to FIG. 2, the endcap 15 may extend along a longitudinal axis A2 and include a proximal end 44, a distal end 46, an inner surface 48, and an outer surface 50. The distal end 46 may be opposite the proximal end 44. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner surface 48 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A2 from the proximal end 44 toward the distal end 46. Accordingly, the inner surface 48 may define a passage 52 (e.g., a chamber) extending through the endcap 15 from the proximal end 44 toward the distal end 46. The inner surface 48 may include a threaded portion 62 extending from the distal end 46 to threadingly engage the threaded portion 36 of the housing 14 in the assembled configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the one or more inner sleeves 16 may include a first inner sleeve 16a and a second inner sleeve 16b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the assembled configuration, the first inner sleeve 16a may be disposed within the housing 14, and the second inner sleeve 16b may be disposed within the first inner sleeve 16a.

The first inner sleeve 16a may define a hollow construct extending along a longitudinal axis A3 and having a proximal end 66, a distal end 68, an inner surface 70, and an outer surface 72. In some implementations, the first inner sleeve 16a may define a polygonal prism extending along the longitudinal axis A3. The distal end 68 may be opposite the proximal end 66.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A3 from the proximal end 66 to the distal end 68, such that inner surface 70 defines a passage 74 (e.g., a chamber) extending through the first inner sleeve 16a from the proximal end 66 to the distal end 68. The proximal end 66 of the first inner sleeve 16a may define an entrance opening, while the distal end 68 of the first inner sleeve 16a may define an exit opening. In this regard, the entrance opening of the inner sleeve 16a may be in fluid communication with the exit opening of the inner sleeve 16a through the passage 74.

In some implementations, the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72 each define a plurality of undulations 79 disposed about the longitudinal axis A3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the undulations 79 define V-shapes or profiles disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis A3. It will be appreciated, however, that the undulations 79 may define other shapes (e.g., U-shape, a square wave shape, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, the inner surface 70 may define a plurality of inner peaks 80 and inner troughs 82 corresponding to, or collectively defining, minimum and maximum diameters, respectively, of the inner surface 70, while the outer surface 72 may define a plurality of outer peaks 84 and outer troughs 86 corresponding to, or collectively defining, minimum and maximum diameters, respectively, of the outer surface 72. While the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72 are illustrated to define ten peaks 80, 84 and ten troughs 82, 86, it will be appreciated that the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72 may define more or less than ten peaks 80, 84 or ten troughs 82, 86 within the scope of the present disclosure.

Each inner peak 80 of the inner surface 70 may be aligned with an outer trough 86 of the outer surface 72, while each inner trough 82 of the inner surface 70 may be aligned with an outer peak 84 of the outer surface 72. In some implementations, the inner surface 70 is substantially parallel (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the outer surface 72, and each peak 80, 84 and each trough 82, 86 extends in a direction substantially parallel (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the longitudinal axis A3. It will be appreciated, however, that the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72 may define other shapes, or one or more of the peaks 80, 84 or troughs 82, 86 may extend in a direction transverse (e.g., helical) to the longitudinal axis A3, within the scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first inner sleeve 16a may be formed from one or more discrete wires 88 woven to form a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures 90 extending through the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72. For example, the first inner sleeve 16a may include one or more wires 88a extending in the direction of the axis A3, and one or more wires 88b extending about the axis A3. In this regard, the wires 88a may be disposed in a serpentine manner along the axis A3, while the wires 88b may be disposed in a helical manner about the axis A3. Accordingly, the wires 88a may be referred to herein as “axial wires 88a,” while the wires 88b may be referred to herein as “circumferential wires 88b.”

The apertures 90 may define a maximum dimension D1 (FIG. 4) extending across the apertures 90. The maximum dimension D1 may be less than 1.0 millimeter. In particular, the maximum dimension D1 may be less than 0.50 millimeter. In some implementations, the maximum dimension D1 is less than 0.20 millimeter. The thickness of the first inner sleeve 16a, extending in a direction orthogonal to the maximum dimension D1, may be between 100% and 500% of the maximum dimension D1 of the apertures 90. In some implementations, the thickness of the first inner sleeve 16a is greater than 500% of the maximum dimension D1 of the apertures 90. In some implementations, the apertures 90 define a substantially rectangular (e.g., square) shape extending through the inner surface 70 and the outer surface 72.

The wire(s) 88a, 88b may be woven such that the apertures 90 collectively define one or more patterns extending along or about the longitudinal axis A3. For example, in some implementations, a plurality of groups of the apertures 90 collectively define (i) a plurality of circular patterns extending about the longitudinal axis A3 and (ii) a plurality of linear patterns extending along (e.g., substantially parallel to, such as +/−5 degrees) the longitudinal axis A3. The distance between each aperture 90 and an adjacent aperture 90 may be defined by a cross-sectional width (e.g., diameter) of the wire(s) 88a, 88b. In this regard, in some implementations, the distance between adjacent apertures 90 is less than 10 millimeters. In some implementations, the distance between each aperture 90 and an adjacent aperture 90 is less than 5 millimeters. In some implementations, the distance between each aperture 90 and an adjacent aperture 90 may be between 100% and 5000% of the maximum dimension D1 of the apertures 90, such that a collective surface area defined by all of the apertures 90, and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the thickness of the sleeve 16a, is between thirty percent and fifty percent of the total outer surface area of the sleeve 16a. In other words, between thirty percent and fifty percent of the outer surface area of the sleeve 16a may be defined by the apertures 90, while between fifty percent and seventy percent of the outer surface area of the sleeve 16a may be defined by the wires 88.

The second inner sleeve 16b may define a hollow construct extending along a longitudinal axis A4 and having a proximal end 96, a distal end 98, an inner surface 100, and an outer surface 102. The distal end 98 may be opposite the proximal end 96. The second inner sleeve 16b may be formed from one or more of a variety of materials, including, for example, aluminum, steel, or another suitable metal material.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A4 from the proximal end 96 to the distal end 98, such that the inner surface 100 defines a passage 104 (e.g., a chamber) extending through the second inner sleeve 16b from the proximal end 96 to the distal end 98. The proximal end 96 of the second inner sleeve 16b may define an entrance opening, while the distal end 98 of the second inner sleeve 16b may define an exit opening. In this regard, the entrance opening may be in fluid communication with the exit opening through the passage 104.

In some implementations, the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102 each define a plurality of undulations 109 disposed about the longitudinal axis A4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the undulations 109 define U-shapes or profiles disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis A4. It will be appreciated, however, that the undulations 109 may define other shapes (e.g., V-shape, a square wave shape, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, the inner surface 100 may define a plurality of inner peaks 110 and inner troughs 112 corresponding to, or collectively defining, minimum and maximum diameters, respectively, of the inner surface 100, while the outer surface 102 may define a plurality of outer peaks 114 and outer troughs 116 corresponding to, or collectively defining, minimum and maximum diameters, respectively, of the outer surface 102. While the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102 are illustrated to define ten peaks 110, 114 and ten troughs 112, 116, it will be appreciated that the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102 may define more or less than ten peaks 110, 114 and ten troughs 112, 116 within the scope of the present disclosure.

Each inner peak 110 of the inner surface 100 may be aligned with an outer trough 116 of the outer surface 102, while each inner trough 112 of the inner surface 100 may be aligned with an outer peak 114 of the outer surface 102. In some implementations, the inner surface 100 is substantially parallel (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the outer surface 102, and each peak 110, 114 and each trough 112, 116 extends in a direction substantially parallel (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the longitudinal axis A4. It will be appreciated, however, that the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102 may define other shapes, or one or more of the peaks 110, 114 or troughs 112, 116 may extend in a direction transverse (e.g., helical) to the longitudinal axis A4, within the scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second inner sleeve 16b may be formed from one or more discrete wires 120 woven to form a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures 122 extending through the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102. For example, the second inner sleeve 16b may include one or more wires 88a extending in the direction of the axis A4, and one or more wires 120b extending about the axis A4. In this regard, the wires 120 may be disposed in a serpentine manner along the axis A4, while the wires 120b may be disposed in a helical manner about the axis A4.

The apertures 122 may define a maximum dimension D2 (FIG. 4) extending across the apertures 122. The maximum dimension D2 may be less than 1.0 millimeter. In particular, the maximum dimension D2 may be less than 0.50 millimeter. In some implementations, the maximum dimension D2 is less than 0.20 millimeter. The thickness of the second inner sleeve 16b, extending in a direction orthogonal to the maximum dimension D2, may be between 100% and 500% of the maximum dimension D2 of the apertures 122. In some implementations, the thickness of the second inner sleeve 16b is greater than 500% of the maximum dimension D2 of the apertures 122. In some implementations, the apertures 122 define a substantially rectangular (e.g., square) shape extending through the inner surface 100 and outer surface 102.

The wire(s) 120a, 120b may be woven such that the apertures 122 collectively define one or more patterns extending along or about the longitudinal axis A4. For example, in some implementations, a plurality of groups of the apertures 122 collectively define (i) a plurality of circular patterns extending about the longitudinal axis A3 and (ii) a plurality of linear patterns extending along (e.g., substantially parallel to, such as +/−5 degrees) the longitudinal axis A4. The distance between each aperture 122 and an adjacent aperture 122 may be defined by a cross-sectional width (e.g., diameter) of the wire(s) 120a, 120b. In this regard, in some implementations, the distance between adjacent apertures 122 is less than 10 millimeters. In some implementations, the distance between each aperture 122 and an adjacent aperture 122 is less than 5 millimeters. In some implementations, the distance between each aperture 122 and an adjacent aperture 122 may be between 100% and 5000% of the maximum dimension D2 of the apertures 122, such that a collective surface area defined by all of the apertures 122, and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the thickness of the sleeve 16b, is between thirty percent and fifty percent of the total outer surface area of the sleeve 16b. In other words, between thirty percent and fifty percent of the outer surface area of the sleeve 16b may be defined by the apertures 122, while between fifty percent and seventy percent of the outer surface area of the sleeve 16b may be defined by the wires 120.

As previously described, in the assembled configuration, the inner sleeves 16 may be disposed within the housing 14. In this regard, the maximum diameter, or other similar cross-sectional dimension, defined collectively by the outer surface 72, may be less than or equal to the diameter of the inner surface 30 of the housing 14. In some implementations, the maximum diameter defined collectively by the outer surface 72 may be equal to the diameter of the inner surface 30 of the housing 14 such that the outer surface 72 of the inner sleeve 16 engages the inner surface 30 of the housing 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, in some implementations, the suppressor 10 includes a plurality of the baffles 18 such that the suppressor 10 defines (i) a first expansion chamber (e.g., sound-suppressing region 126) between a first baffle 18a and the proximal end 26 of the housing 14, (ii) a second sound-suppressing region 128 between the first baffle 18a and a second baffle 18b, (iii) a third sound-suppressing region 130 between the second baffle 18b and a third baffle 18c, (iv) a fourth sound-suppressing region 132 between the third baffle 18c and a fourth baffle 18d, and (iv) a fifth sound-suppressing region 134 between the fourth baffle 18d and the distal end 28 of the housing 14. It will be appreciated, however, that the suppressor 10 may include more or less than four baffles 18, such that the suppressor 10 defines more or less than five sound-suppressing regions within the scope of the present disclosure.

The baffles 18 may each extend along a longitudinal axis A5 and include a proximal portion 136 and a distal portion 137. The proximal portion 136 may define a proximal end 138 of the baffle 18, and the distal portion 137 may define a distal end 140 of the baffle 18, opposite the proximal end 138.

The proximal portion 136 may include an inner surface 142 and an outer surface 144, each defining a generally circular cross-sectional shape. While the outer surface 144 is generally shown as defining a circular cross-sectional shape, the outer surface 144 may define other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., square, oval, rectangle, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure.

The inner surface 142 and the outer surface 144 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A5 from the proximal end 138 toward the distal portion 137, such that the inner surface 142 and the outer surface 144 define a thickness T1 extending therebetween. In some implementations, the thickness T1 is uniform from the proximal end 138 to the distal portion 137.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner surface 142 may define a passage 145 (e.g., a chamber) extending through the baffle 18 from the proximal end 138 to the distal portion 137. The baffle 18 may be formed from one or more of a variety of materials, including, for example, aluminum, steel, or another suitable metal material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the proximal portion 136 may include a pair of openings 146, 148. In some implementations, a first opening 146 is disposed in the proximal end 138 of the baffle 18, and a second opening 148 is disposed proximate the distal portion 137 of the baffle 18. The second opening 148 may be larger than the first opening 146. In some examples, the inner surface 142 may define a parabolic shape extending continuously and uniformly around the axis A5 from the first opening 146 toward the second opening 148. In this regard, the inner surface 142 may be concave. In particular, the inner surface 142 may define (i) a first concavity in a cross-section taken along a plane extending parallel to the axis A5 (e.g., FIG. 2), and (ii) a second concavity in a cross-section taken along a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis A5, such that the inner surface 142 defines a paraboloid. In some implementations, the paraboloid is concentrically disposed about the axis A5.

The inner surface 142 may further define an angle relative to the axis A5. In some implementations, the angle β decreases along the first concavity between the proximal end 138 and the distal portion 137. For example, the angle β may be between forty degrees and fifty degrees at the proximal end 138 and between zero degrees and ten degrees at the distal portion 137. In some implementations, the angle β is forty-five degrees at the proximal end 138 and zero degrees at the distal portion 137. Accordingly, the inner surface 142 may be substantially planar in a cross-section taken along a plane extending parallel to the axis A5 (e.g., FIG. 3) proximate the distal portion 137. In this regard, proximate the proximal end 138, a portion of the inner surface 142 may define a paraboloid, while proximate the distal portion 137, a portion of the inner surface 142 may define a circular cylinder.

The distal portion 137 may include an inner surface 150 and an outer surface 152, each defining a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In some implementations, the outer surface 152 defines a cross-sectional size that is the same as a cross-sectional size defined by the inner surface 30 of the housing 14. In this regard, while the outer surface 152 is generally shown as defining a circular cross-sectional shape, the outer surface 152 may define other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., square, oval, rectangle, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure.

The inner surface 150 and the outer surface 152 may surround and extend along the longitudinal axis A5 from the distal end 140 toward the proximal portion 136, such that the inner surface 150 and the outer surface 152 define a thickness T2 extending therebetween. In some implementations, the thickness T2 is uniform from the distal end 140 to the proximal portion 136. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner surface 150 may define a passage 154 extending through the distal portion 137 from the distal end 140 to the proximal portion 136.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal portion 137 may include a pair of openings 156, 158. In some implementations, a first opening 156 is disposed adjacent the opening 146, and a second opening 158 is disposed in the distal end 140 of the baffle 18. The passage 154 may be in fluid communication with the passage 145 through the openings 148, 156. In some examples, the inner surface 150 defines a circular cylindrical shape extending continuously and uniformly around the axis A5 from the first opening 156 to the second opening 158.

The baffle 18 may further include a shoulder 160 disposed between the proximal portion 136 and the distal portion 137. In some implementations, the shoulder 160 extends about the baffle 18. In this regard, the shoulder 160 may include a surface 162 extending from the outer surface 144 of the proximal portion 136 to the outer surface 152 of the distal portion 137 and surrounding the baffle 18. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface 162 may extending radially outward relative to the axis A5. As will be described in more detail below, in the assembled configuration, the proximal end 138 of one of the baffles 18 (e.g., baffle 18a) may engage one of the sleeves 16 (e.g., sleeve 16b), while the distal end 140 of one or more of the baffles 18 (e.g., baffle 18a) may engage the surface 162 of an adjacent baffle 18 (e.g., baffle 18b).

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the endcap 24 may extend along a longitudinal axis A6 and may include a baffle 166 and a skirt 168. In this regard, the baffle 166 may include a proximal end 170, a distal end 172, an inner surface 174, and an outer surface 176. The inner surface 174 and outer surface 176 may extend from the proximal end 170 to the distal end 172 and surround the axis A6.

The skirt 168 may include a radially-extending portion 178 and an axially-extending portion 180. The radially-extending portion 178 may extend from the baffle 166 to the axially-extending portion 180, such that the radially-extending portion 178, the baffle 166, and the axially-extending portion 180 collectively define a chamber 182 that receives the distal end 140 of the housing 14 in the assembled configuration. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the assembled configuration, a portion of the housing 14 may be disposed within the endcap 24 such that the skirt 168 surrounds a portion of the housing 14 and a portion of the housing 14 surrounds a portion of the baffle 166. In some implementations, the housing 14 is secured to the skirt 168 by welding, friction fit, or other suitable fastening technique. In other implementations, the endcap 24 may be formed integrally and/or monolithically with the housing 14, such that the endcap 24 and the housing 14 define a unitary construct.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the endcap 24 may include a pair of openings 184, 186. In some implementations, a first opening 184 is disposed in the proximal end 170 of the endcap 24, and a second opening 186 is disposed in the distal end 172 of the endcap 24. The second opening 186 may be larger than the first opening 184. In some examples, the inner surface 174 of the endcap 24 may define a parabolic shape extending continuously and uniformly around the axis A6 from the first opening 184 toward the second opening 186. In this regard, the inner surface 174 may be concave. In particular, the inner surface 174 may define (i) a first concavity C1 in a cross-section taken along a plane extending parallel to the axis A6 (e.g., FIG. 3), and (ii) a second concavity C2 in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis A6 (e.g., FIG. 5), such that the inner surface 174 defines a paraboloid. In some implementations, the paraboloid is concentrically disposed about the axis A6.

The inner surface 174 may further define an angle α relative to the axis A6. In some implementations, the angle α decreases along the first concavity C1 between the proximal end 170 and the distal end 172. For example, the angle α may be between forty degrees and fifty degrees at the proximal end 170 and between zero degrees and ten degrees at the distal end 172. In some implementations, the angle α is forty-five degrees at the proximal end 170 and zero degrees at the distal end 172. Accordingly, the inner surface 174 may be substantially planar in a cross-section taken along a plane extending parallel to the axis A5 (e.g., FIG. 3.) proximate the distal end 172. In this regard, proximate the proximal end 170, a portion of the inner surface 174 may define a paraboloid, while proximate the distal end 172, a portion of the inner surface 174 may define a circular cylinder. As will be described in more detail below, the configuration (e.g., shape) of the inner surface 174 may direct the soundwaves produced by the firearm in a direction that is parallel to the axis A6.

The skirt 168 (e.g., the radially-extending portion 178) may further define a plurality of passages 188 extending through the distal end 172. In some implementations, the passages 188 extend in a direction substantially parallel (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to the axis A6 through the distal end 172, such that the passages 188 are in fluid communication with the passage 34 of the housing 14.

In some implementations, the baffle 166 includes a plurality of passages 190. The passages 190 may extend through the inner surface 174 and outer surface 176, such that the passages 190 are in fluid communication with the passage 34 of the housing 14. In some implementations, each passage 190 is defined by a respective surface 192 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular (e.g., +/−5 degrees) to portions of the inner surface 174 and/or outer surface 176 that surround the surface 192. While the passages 190 are generally shown as defining a cylindrical shape, and forming a circular shape in the inner surface 174 and outer surface 176, it will be appreciated that the passages 190 may define, and/or otherwise form, other shapes within the scope of the present disclosure. As will be described in more detail below, the configuration (e.g., shape) of the inner surface 174 and the passages 190 may direct the soundwaves produced by the firearm in a direction that is transverse to the axis A5.

With reference to FIG. 2, in an assembled configuration, the baffles 18 may be coupled to the housing 14. For example, in some implementations, the baffles 18 are disposed within the passage 34 of the housing 14. In particular, each baffle 18 may be secured within the passage in a friction-fit arrangement or by utilizing other suitable fastening systems (e.g., adhesive, welding, mechanical fasteners, etc.). In this regard, in the assembled configuration, the outer surface 152 of the baffle 18 may engage the inner surface 30 of the housing 14.

In use, a bullet or other projectile may be discharged from the firearm 12, producing high pressure gas and generating a sound. High pressure gas may exit the barrel of the firearm and pass through the sound suppressor 10. In addition, the bullet may produce a shockwave that propagates, downstream of the bullet, in a direction transverse to the direction in which the bullet is travelling. As the high pressure gas and shockwave pass through the sound suppressor 10, the configuration and arrangement (e.g., relative size, shape, location, quantity, orientation, material, etc.), as described herein, of the housing 14, the sleeves 16, the baffles 18 and the endcap 24 can help to reduce the volume of sound generated by the firearm 12. For example, the parabolic shape of the inner surfaces 142, 174 of the baffles 18 and the endcap 24, respectively, allows the shockwave produced by the firearm to be directed out of the firearm in a forward direction parallel to the axis A6, while the mesh construct of the sleeves 16a, 16b absorbs and reduces the volume of sound produced by the shockwave. As the soundwaves exit the firearm 12 they may travel approximately 1 to 5 centimeters in the direction parallel to the axis A6, before radially expanding. By preventing the soundwaves from radially expanding immediately upon exit from the firearm or the suppressor 10, the volume of the sound produced by the firearm 12 is reduced. In addition, as the bullet discharged by the firearm 12 passes through the suppressor 10, the shockwave trailing the bullet may pass through the passages 188, 190 formed through the endcap 24, further reducing the volume of the sound produced by the firearm.

The heat energy generated by the friction of the gas flowing through the suppressor 10, is absorbed by the sleeves 16, thereby reducing the temperature and the pressure of the gas flowing through the suppressor 10. As the pressure of the gas flowing through the suppressor 10 is reduced, the volume of the sound generated by the gas flowing through the exit opening 184 of the endcap 24 is reduced. For example, the configuration of the suppressor 10 described herein may reduce the volume of the sound generated by the gas flowing through the exit opening 184 upon the firing or discharging of the firearm by more than 30 decibels. In some implementations, the configuration of the suppressor 10 described herein may reduce the volume of the sound generated by the gas flowing through the exit opening 184 upon the firing or discharging of the firearm by more than 40 decibels.

The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sound suppressor for a firearm, as described above.

Clause 1: A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first central passage extending between the proximal end toward and the distal end; and an endcap coupled to the housing and including an inner surface defining a parabolic shape and a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

Clause 2: The sound suppressor of Clause 1, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 3: The sound suppressor of Clause 2, wherein the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 4: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 1 through 3, wherein the endcap includes a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening.

Clause 5: The sound suppressor of Clause 4, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is planar in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 6: The sound suppressor of Clause 5, wherein proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 7: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 4 through 6, wherein proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a paraboloid, and proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a cylinder.

Clause 8: A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first central passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and an endcap coupled to the housing and including an inner surface disposed about a longitudinal axis, the inner surface defining a concave shape in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the inner surface further defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

Clause 9: The sound suppressor of Clause 8, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about the longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 10: The sound suppressor of Clause 9, wherein the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 11: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 8 through 10, wherein the endcap includes a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening.

Clause 12: The sound suppressor of Clause 11, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is planar in the plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 13: The sound suppressor of Clause 12, wherein proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 14: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 11 through 13, wherein proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a paraboloid, and proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a cylinder.

Clause 15: A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising: a housing defining a first central chamber; and an endcap coupled to the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end, the endcap further including an inner surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end and defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central chamber, the inner surface defining (i) a paraboloid proximate the proximal end of the endcap and (i) a cylinder proximate the distal end of the endcap.

Clause 16: The sound suppressor of Clause 15, wherein the proximal end of the endcap defines a first opening and the distal end of the endcap defines a second opening.

Clause 17: A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising: a housing; and a first sleeve disposed within the housing, the first sleeve including at least one axial wire and at least one circumferential wire woven with the at least one axial wire, the at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire forming a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures through the first sleeve.

Clause 18: The sound suppressor of Clause 17, wherein the housing is disposed about a central axis, and wherein the at least one axial wire extends in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and the at least one circumferential wire surrounds the central axis.

Clause 19: The sound suppressor of Clause 18, wherein the at least one circumferential wire defines a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve.

Clause 20: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 17 through 19, wherein each aperture defines a substantially rectangular shape disposed between the at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire.

Clause 21: A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising: a housing surrounding a first central chamber; and a first sleeve disposed within the first central chamber and surrounding a second central chamber, the first sleeve including a plurality of wires forming a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the first central chamber and the second central chamber.

Clause 22: The sound suppressor of Clause 21, wherein the housing is disposed about a central axis, and wherein the plurality of wires includes at least one axial wire extending in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and at least one circumferential wire surrounding the central axis.

Clause 23: The sound suppressor of Clause 22, wherein the at least one circumferential wire defines a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve.

Clause 24: The sound suppressor of any of Clauses 21 through 23, wherein each aperture defines a substantially rectangular shape surrounded by at least one of the plurality of wires.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising:

a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first central passage extending between the proximal end toward and the distal end; and

an endcap coupled to the housing and including an inner surface defining a parabolic shape and a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

2. The sound suppressor of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The sound suppressor of claim 2, wherein the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The sound suppressor of claim 1, wherein the endcap includes a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening.

5. The sound suppressor of claim 4, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is planar in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

6. The sound suppressor of claim 5, wherein proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

7. The sound suppressor of claim 4, wherein proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a paraboloid, and proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a cylinder.

8. A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising:

a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first central passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an endcap coupled to the housing and including an inner surface disposed about a longitudinal axis, the inner surface defining a concave shape in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the inner surface further defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central passage.

9. The sound suppressor of claim 8, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about the longitudinal axis and is concave in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The sound suppressor of claim 9, wherein the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. The sound suppressor of claim 8, wherein the endcap includes a proximal end defining a first opening and a distal end defining a second opening.

12. The sound suppressor of claim 11, wherein the inner surface is concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis and proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is planar in the plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

13. The sound suppressor of claim 12, wherein proximate the distal end of the endcap the inner surface is concave in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. The sound suppressor of claim 11, wherein proximate the proximal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a paraboloid, and proximate the distal end of the endcap a portion of the inner surface defines a cylinder.

15. A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising:

a housing defining a first central chamber; and

an endcap coupled to the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end, the endcap further including an inner surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end and defining a second central passage configured to fluidly communicate with the first central chamber, the inner surface defining (i) a paraboloid proximate the proximal end of the endcap and (i) a cylinder proximate the distal end of the endcap.

16. The sound suppressor of claim 15, wherein the proximal end of the endcap defines a first opening and the distal end of the endcap defines a second opening.

17. A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising:

a housing; and

a first sleeve disposed within the housing, the first sleeve including at least one axial wire and at least one circumferential wire woven with the at least one axial wire, the at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire forming a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures through the first sleeve.

18. The sound suppressor of claim 17, wherein the housing is disposed about a central axis, and wherein the at least one axial wire extends in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and the at least one circumferential wire surrounds the central axis.

19. The sound suppressor of claim 18, wherein the at least one circumferential wire defines a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve.

20. The sound suppressor of claim 17, wherein each aperture defines a substantially rectangular shape disposed between the at least one axial wire and the at least one circumferential wire.

21. A sound suppressor for a firearm, the sound suppressor comprising:

a housing surrounding a first central chamber; and

a first sleeve disposed within the first central chamber and surrounding a second central chamber, the first sleeve including a plurality of wires forming a mesh construct defining a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the first central chamber and the second central chamber.

22. The sound suppressor of claim 21, wherein the housing is disposed about a central axis, and wherein the plurality of wires includes at least one axial wire extending in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, and at least one circumferential wire surrounding the central axis.

23. The sound suppressor of claim 22, wherein the at least one circumferential wire defines a plurality of undulations disposed about the first sleeve.

24. The sound suppressor of claim 21, wherein each aperture defines a substantially rectangular shape surrounded by at least one of the plurality of wires.