FIREARM SUPPRESSOR WITH SECONDARY RETENTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A firearm suppressor is provided, including a tubular core, a baffle carried within the core, and a tubular mount. The core may be integral with the mount, attached end-to-end to the mount, or connected to the mount such that the mount is rotationally locked relative to the core but movable axially. The firearm suppressor further includes an inner attachment threading and/or an outer attachment threading at its upstream end for connecting the firearm suppressor to threads of a firearm barrel muzzle or indirect attachment device. The firearm suppressor includes at least one recessed groove annular to a perimeter of either the inner surface of the tubular mount between the upstream and downstream ends of the inner attachment threading or the outer surface of the tubular mount between upstream and downstream ends of the outer attachment threading, and at least one compressible annulus residing within the at least one recessed groove.

Claims

1. A firearm suppressor, comprising: a body having an upstream end and a downstream end; threading residing proximate to the upstream end, the threading defining a length; a groove, the groove being annular and residing intermediate along the length; a compressible annulus residing in the groove.

2. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which an equal number of the threads of the threading reside upstream of the groove as reside downstream of the groove.

3. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which two threads of the threading reside upstream of the groove and two threads of the threading reside downstream of the groove.

4. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which three threads of the threading reside upstream of the groove and three threads of the threading reside downstream of the groove.

5. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the threading is inner threading.

6. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the threading is outer threading.

7. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus is annular.

8. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus occupies only an arcuate portion of the circumference of the groove.

9. The firearm suppressor of claim 5, in which the suppressor defines a bore axis and at least a portion of the compressible annulus resides closer to the bore axis than does any of the threading.

10. The firearm suppressor of claim 6, in which the suppressor defines a bore axis and at least a portion of the compressible annulus resides further from the bore axis than does any of the threading.

11. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus defines a minimum axial width and the minimum axial width exceeds the pitch of the threading.

12. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus defines a maximum axial width and the maximum axial width is less than the pitch of the threading.

13. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus defines a minimum axial width and the minimum axial width exceeds twice the pitch of the threading.

14. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus is fabricated from one of a fluorocarbon polymer, a silicone, and a polyethylene.

15. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, in which the compressible annulus is removable from the suppressor.

16. A firearm, comprising: threads upon the barrel of the firearm and proximate to its muzzle, the threads being outer threads and defining a length; and a suppressor connected to the firearm at the muzzle of the firearm; a compressible annulus resides between the firearm muzzle and the suppressor intermediate along the length.

17. The firearm of claim 16, in which the suppressor includes a groove and the compressible annulus resides in the groove.

18. The firearm of claim 16, in which an equal number of the threads reside upstream of the compressible annulus as reside downstream of the compressible annulus.

19. The firearm of claim 16, in which the suppressor includes a groove, the compressible annulus resides in the groove, and the compressible annulus is an O-ring.

20. A firearm suppressor, comprising: a body having an upstream end and a downstream end and defining a bore axis; inner threading residing proximate to the upstream end, the inner threading defining a length; a groove, the groove being annular and residing intermediate along the length; and an O-ring residing in the groove, the O-ring being annular, at least a portion of the O-ring residing closer to the bore axis than does any of the inner threading, and the O-ring being removable from the suppressor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The details of the present invention, as to both its structure and its operation, can be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of a combination of a firearm and a suppressor;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis, of a suppressor according to the relevant art;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a suppressor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a suppressor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a suppressor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a suppressor engaged with a firearm barrel muzzle according to the relevant art;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a firearm barrel muzzle engaged with a suppressor according to the relevant art;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a firearm barrel muzzle engaged with a suppressor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a firearm barrel muzzle engaged with a suppressor according to the relevant art;

[0052] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along the bore axis at A:A in FIG. 1, of a firearm barrel muzzle engaged with a suppressor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] It should be noted that the drawings discussed above and below are not to scale in all instances, but may have exaggerated dimensions in some respects to illustrate the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with a second embodiment to yield a third embodiment. It is intended that the present application include such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

[0055] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of formatives of the words “include,” “comprise,” and “have” is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “connected” and “carried by” are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, or couplings. Further, such phraseology is not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0056] As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative location of components in a fluid pathway. Thus, in the context of a firearm suppressor, “upstream” is relatively closer to the muzzle of the firearm, and “downstream” is relatively further from the muzzle of the firearm.

[0057] As used herein, the term “radial direction” and variants thereof (e.g., “radially inward,” “radially outward,” “in a radial direction”) are directional references made relative to the central line running along the firearm bore and suppressor bore. A radius is a line that runs orthogonal to and intersecting with the central line. A first location is radially outward from a second location if the first location lies further along a radius relative to the central line than is the second location. A first location is radially inward from a second location if it lies closer to the central line along a radius from the central line than is the second location.

[0058] As used herein, the term “axial” and variants thereof are directional references, meaning parallel to the bore of the firearm and suppressor.

[0059] A firearm suppressor is attached to the muzzle of a firearm. Such a suppressor is generally tubular shaped, with the axis of the tube aligned with the bore of the firearm. An exemplary relevant art suppressor S is illustrated in FIG. 1, attached to an exemplary firearm F, in this example a handgun.

[0060] A conventional, relevant art suppressor S is illustrated in FIG. 2 for comparison purposes. The subject invention of suppressor 10 of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 has some features analogous to those of conventional suppressor S illustrated in FIG. 2. Conventional suppressor S and inventive suppressor 10 may include a mount 40, a core 20, a cap 50. One or more baffles 30, for example, baffles 30a, 30b, may be carried within core 20. Mount 40 may be generally a hollow, tube-shaped body and/or a hollow cylinder. Mount 40 may include inner attachment threading 12, having a length L1, and/or outer attachment threading 14, having a length L2, residing proximate to upstream end 42, for attaching mount 40 directly or indirectly to the muzzle of a firearm. For example, inner attachment threading 12 and/or outer attachment threading 14 may be used to attach mount 40 to a firearm attachment locking system such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,921,021, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Mount 40 may include additional features, such as one or more flanges (not shown) that allow further means for the attachment of mount 40 to the muzzle of a firearm.

[0061] In certain inventive embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, inventive suppressor 10 may include a recessed groove 60 annular about a perimeter of, and radially outward from, the internal surface of mount 40 between an upstream end of inner attachment threading 12 and a downstream end of inner attachment threading 12, intermediate along length L1 of such threading 12. A compressible annulus 70 may be disposed at least partially in the recessed groove, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the recessed groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are sized and configured such that, when suppressor 10 is attached to a barrel muzzle (not pictured in FIG. 5) of a firearm by threaded connection, compressible annulus 70 compresses against and between both the suppressor 10 and the barrel muzzle (not pictured in FIG. 5) and locks and binds the threaded connection for firearm cycling. Thus, the present invention acts as a secondary retention system over conventional threaded connection retention systems that include neither groove 60 nor compressible annulus 70.

[0062] Compressible annulus 70 may be of several configurations, depending on application constraints and/or user preference. For example, compressible annulus 70 may be fully annular, and thus occupying the entirety of the circumference of groove 60. Alternatively, compressible annulus 70 may be only partially annular, and thus occupying only an arcuate portion of the circumference of groove 60. Still further alternatively, compressible annulus 70 may occupy two or more separate arcuate portions of the circumference of groove 60. Compressible annulus 70 may be fabricated of any of several materials; compressible annulus 70 may be fabricated of a single material that is compressible; compressible annulus 70 may be fabricated of more than one material, only one of which is compressible; or compressible annulus 70 may be fabricated of more than one material, fewer than all of which are compressible. And compressible annulus 70 may have any of many cross-sectional shapes; the circular cross-section shape of compressible annulus 70 in FIG. 4, for example, is for illustration purposes only, as other cross-sectional shapes may be employed by practice of the subject invention, depending on application constraints and/or user preference.

[0063] Placement of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 between the upstream end of inner attachment threading 12 and the downstream end of inner attachment threading 12, intermediate along length L1 of such threading 12, instead at the upstream or downstream end of length L1, has been discovered to provide a more robust engagement between the firearm and attached suppressor. Threading at the ends of length L1 of inner attachment threading 12 has been discovered to be more important to providing a stable connection with firearm barrel muzzle threading 104 than the intermediate portions of threading 12 residing between the upstream and downstream ends of threading 12 along length L1. Thus, some threading between the upstream and downstream ends of inner attachment threading 12 along length L1 may be eliminated in favor of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 without impacting the integrity of the firearm-suppressor engagement with the firearm, which integrity would be risked by locating a groove and compressible annulus proximate to or beyond either the upstream end or the downstream end of inner attachment threading 12 along length L1. Further, the inventive arrangement ensures that inner attachment thread length L1 from end to end in the inventive suppressors stays the same as conventional end-to-end inner attachment thread length. Maintaining suppressor end-to-end attachment thread length and a robust engagement between firearm and suppressor thus likewise maintains colinear bore alignment between the firearm bore and the suppressor bore. The end-to-end thread length of attachment threads located on a barrel muzzle are standard and fixed by firearms manufacturers for different firearms, so reducing the end-to-end length L1 (and L2, as described below) of suppressor attachment threads by placement of a compressible annulus at either end of or beyond the suppressor inner attachment threading 12 would diminish the engagement between the suppressor and firearm threading and thus, for example, risk colinear bore misalignment. The present invention avoids any such reduction.

[0064] In certain embodiments, recessed groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are placed about the perimeter of an external surface of mount 40 between an upstream end of outer attachment threading 14 and a downstream end of outer attachment threading 14, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In such embodiments, groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are configured to engage with an indirect attachment apparatus, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,921,021, to allow compression of the compressible annulus against and between suppressor 10 and the indirect attachment apparatus for locking and maintenance of colinear bore alignment of the firearm barrel and suppressor bore analogously to that provided in other embodiments in which the groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are placed following an internal surface of mount 40. Placement of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 between the upstream end of outer attachment threading 14 and the downstream end of outer attachment threading 14, intermediate along length L2 (see FIG. 2) of such threading 14, instead at the upstream or downstream end of length L2, has been discovered to provide a more robust engagement between the firearm and attached suppressor. Threading at the ends of length L2 of outer attachment threading 14 has been discovered to be more important to providing a stable connection with firearm barrel muzzle threading 104 than the intermediate portions of threading 14 residing between the upstream and downstream ends of threading 14 along length L2. Thus, some threading between the upstream and downstream ends of outer attachment threading 14 along length L2 may be eliminated in favor of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 without impacting the integrity of the firearm-suppressor engagement with the firearm, which integrity would be risked by locating a groove and compressible annulus proximate to or beyond either the upstream end or the downstream end of outer attachment threading 14 along length L2. Further, the inventive arrangement ensures that outer attachment thread length L2 from end to end in the inventive suppressors stays the same as conventional end-to-end outer attachment thread length. Maintaining suppressor end-to-end attachment thread length and a robust engagement between firearm and suppressor thus likewise maintains colinear bore alignment between the firearm bore and the suppressor bore. The end-to-end thread length of attachment threads located on a barrel muzzle are standard and fixed by firearms manufacturers for different firearms, so reducing the end-to-end length L2 of suppressor attachment threads by placement of a compressible annulus at either end of or beyond the suppressor outer attachment threading 14 would diminish the engagement between the suppressor and firearm threading and thus, for example, risk colinear bore misalignment. The present invention avoids any such reduction.

[0065] Various configurations of suppressors are compatible with the inventive secondary retention system of the present disclosure provided such suppressors use a threaded attachment for engaging to a firearm. For example, the suppressor 10 described in FIG. 5 might be configured so that mount 40 is attached to core 20 by several mechanical alternatives, such as by coupling lugs and grooves that mate and core 20 could connect to cap 50 by a similar set of means. Alternatively, mount 40 and core 20 could be integrally formed, core 20 and cap 50 could be integrally formed, or all of mount 40, core 20, and cap 50 could be integrally formed with one another. Further components or structures could also be added or incorporated into suppressors compatible with the secondary retention system of the present disclosure.

[0066] In some embodiments, inner attachment threading 12 or outer attachment threading 14 may be either right or left-handed or be of different lengths, sizes, or pitch so as to correspond with the appropriate threading of the fire arm to which suppressor 10 is to be attached. Similarly suppressor 10 may have only inner attachment threading 12 or only outer attachment threading 14 or both.

[0067] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 show sectional views, taken along the bore axis, of a firearm barrel muzzle 102 engaged with suppressors having a different general configuration than the suppressors shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 show only a partial view of the subject suppressors, with the view not showing the downstream end 54 of the suppressors or any cap 50, though such elements may be present. Further, mount 40 is rotationally locked with respect to core 20 (bearing baffle 30a) and other suppressor components, but mount 40 in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 can move in an axial direction relative to the core 20 and other suppressor components, allowing mount 40 to follow the motion of barrel muzzle 102 during firearm cycling while other suppressor components move separately. Mount 40 may alternatively be referred to as a “piston” in this configuration. Mount 40 of suppressors shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 directly connects to barrel muzzle 102 by a threaded connection between inner attachment threading 12 and barrel muzzle threading 104.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a firearm barrel muzzle 102a engaged by a threaded connection with mount 40 of conventional suppressor S1. Suppressor S1 is a relevant art configuration of suppressor used for some firearms and having an M13.5×1 LH thread configuration (threads that are 13.5 millimeters in diameter and 1 mm apart with left-hand threading), including those manufactured by Heckler & Koch GmbH and Glock GmbH. Such firearms often include an unthreaded portion 106 proximal to the downstream end of barrel muzzle 102a. Some manufacturers provide suppressors such as suppressor 51 having a groove 64 about a perimeter of the internal surface of mount 40 downstream of the downstream end of inner attachment threading 12. Suppressor S1 includes O-ring 74 placed within groove 64. Placement of unthreaded portion 106 and groove 64 and compressible annulus 74 results in a reduction in the overall length of thread engagement between inner attachment threading 12 and barrel muzzle threading 104, and thus a weaker connection, as compared to the inventive embodiments disclosed here.

[0069] Some firearms made by other manufacturers, however, use different barrel muzzle configurations. Such configuration barrel muzzles may include barrel muzzle threading 104 that extends to the downstream end of the barrel muzzle 102b, with no unthreaded portion 106. FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 show sectional views of such configuration barrel muzzles 102b with suppressors attached.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a firearm barrel muzzle 102b engaged by a threaded connection with mount 40 of conventional suppressor S2. Suppressor S2 is a relevant art configuration of suppressor used for firearms having a ½×28 thread configuration (threads are ½ inch in diameter with 28 threads per inch with righthand threading). Such firearms include barrel muzzle threading 104 to the distal, downstream end of barrel muzzle 102b. Conventional suppressor S2 is typically tightened onto barrel muzzle 102b until barrel muzzle shoulder 108 meets suppressor upstream end 42, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a firearm barrel muzzle 102b engaged by a threaded connection with mount 40 of inventive suppressor 10. Suppressor 10 has been hand-tightened onto firearm barrel muzzle 102b. Suppressor 10 includes a recessed groove 60 about a perimeter of the internal surface of mount 40 between an upstream end of inner attachment threading 12 and a downstream end of inner attachment threading 12. Compressible annulus 70 resides in the recessed groove 60. The recessed groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are configured and located such that, when suppressor 10 is attached to the barrel muzzle 102b of a firearm by threaded connection, compressible annulus 70 compresses between and against both the suppressor 10 and the barrel muzzle 102b and locks the threaded connection for firearm cycling. Thus, the present invention acts as a secondary retention system over conventional threaded connection retention systems that include neither groove 60 nor compressible annulus 70.

[0072] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a firearm barrel muzzle 102c engaged by a threaded connection with mount 40 of conventional suppressor S3. Suppressor S3 is a relevant art configuration of suppressor used for certain firearms having a 0.578×28 thread configuration (threads are 0.578 inches in diameter with 28 threads per inch of righthand threading), including for example many configurations and/or brands of 45 ACP caliber firearms. Such firearms may include barrel muzzle threads 104 up to the downstream end of barrel muzzle 102c. Conventional suppressor S3 is typically hand tightened onto barrel muzzle 102c until barrel muzzle end 109 meets suppressor internal shoulder 44 of mount 40, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a firearm barrel muzzle 102c engaged by a threaded connection with mount 40 of inventive suppressor 10. Suppressor 10 has been hand-tightened onto firearm barrel muzzle 102c. Suppressor 10 includes a recessed groove 60 annular about a perimeter of the internal surface of mount 40 between an upstream end of inner attachment threading 12 and a downstream end of inner attachment threading 12. Compressible annulus 70 may reside in the recessed groove 60. The recessed groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are configured and located such that, when suppressor 10 is attached to the barrel muzzle 102c, of a firearm by threaded connection, compressible annulus 70 compresses between and against both the suppressor 10 and the barrel muzzle 102c and locks the hand-tightened threaded connection for firearm cycling. Thus, the present invention acts as a “secondary retention system” over conventional threaded connection retention systems that include neither groove 60 nor compressible annulus 70.

[0074] The inventive suppressors and suppressor mounts of the present disclosure provide a secure, threaded connection between suppressor and firearm, capable of being achieved via hand-tightening. The inventive suppressor further requires little maintenance compared to conventional solutions, with compressible annulus 70 requiring infrequent replacement (only after many firearm discharges) and being easily replaceable using only simple, commonly-available tools. The medial location of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 provides for robust engagement between firearm and suppressor as well as retained colinear bore alignment as compared to conventional suppressors not having medially-located groove 60 and compressible annulus 70, and provide for improved colinear bore alignment as compared to suppressors providing groove 64 and compressible annulus 74 at the distal, downstream end of inner attachment threads 12.

[0075] In each of the inventive embodiments disclosed herein, placement and sizing of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 may significantly affect the functioning of the disclosed invention. As disclosed above, recessed groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 are configured and located such that, when suppressor 10 is attached to a barrel muzzle 102 of a firearm by hand-tightened threaded connection, compressible annulus 70 compresses between and against both the suppressor 10 and the barrel muzzle 102 and locks or binds the hand-tightened threaded connection for firearm use. The disclosed inventive firearm suppressors and suppressor mounts function optimally when compressible annulus 70 resides within groove 60 such that a radially innermost surface of compressible annulus 70 is radially outward from or equal to the relevant inner attachment threading 12 major diameter and radially inward from or equal to the pitch of inner attachment threading 12. In embodiments providing a groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 along the perimeter of an outer surface of mount 40, optimal function is observed when compressible annulus 70 resides within groove 60 such that a radially outermost surface of compressible annulus 70 is radially inward from or equal to the relevant outer attachment threading 14 major diameter and radially outward from or equal to the pitch of outer attachment threading 14. Tolerances for variation in location of compressible annulus 70 surface, by placement of groove 60 and selection of compressible annulus 70, may need to be kept within two one-thousandths of an inch in the radial direction to achieve optimal functionality of compressible annulus 70. Suboptimal radial placement of groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 may result in premature damage to compressible annulus 70 by damage from barrel muzzle threading 104, improper colinear bore alignment between the firearm bore and suppressor bore, or reduced effectiveness in providing a secure attachment between suppressor and firearm.

[0076] Configuring groove 60 and compressible annulus 70 as disclosed herein conforms compressible annulus 70 to the attachment threading profile, providing desirable, more secure engagement with barrel muzzle threading as compared to standard firearm O-ring, which may not be sized adequately. Additionally, some conventional firearm suppressors, for example, those common for use with firearms having a M13.5×1 LH thread configuration, illustrated in relevant art FIG. 6 and providing O-ring 74, do not provide for sufficient and satisfactory barrel muzzle thread engagement.

[0077] In some embodiments, compressible annulus 70 may be an O-ring made of VITON® material (a fluorocarbon polymer), which has desirable heat, chemical, and mechanical durability. Other materials, such as those including varieties of silicones and polyethylenes, may also suffice.

[0078] It should be appreciated that, in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Moreover, any components, features, or steps illustrated and/or described in a particular embodiment herein, can be applied to or used with any other embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that may issue from the benefit of the within disclosure.