FIREARM SILENCER AND MUZZLE ACCESSORY COUPLING DEVICE, USER COMPATIBILITY IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

A firearm muzzle accessory coupling device improvement system and method. The coupling device provides a front alignment taper of 17-25 degrees included angle, and an intermediate outer diameter providing a thread of 14 to 18 threads per inch. The muzzle accessory provides a mounting interface socket having an operatively associated thread on the inner circumference of a through bore. The threads of the coupling device and muzzle accessory effectuate mating between the coupling device and the firearm muzzle accessory in a single axial orientation.

Claims

1. A muzzle accessory coupling system, the system comprising: a coupling interface comprising: a body terminating at a body taper, wherein the body taper is approximately 17 to 25 degrees included angle; and an outer diameter of the body having an external thread; and a socket comprising: the socket extending from a rear end to a forward end; an internal thread dimensioned to operatively associate with the external thread of the body, wherein the internal thread is inward of the rear end enabling bayonet insertion prior to a first mechanical communication between said threads; a socket taper at the forward end, wherein the socket taper is dimensions to snugly receive the body taper, and wherein the internal thread is spaced apart from the forward end and the forward end so that the first mechanical communication is required prior to a second mechanical communication between said tapers, whereby a rigid alignment of bores of the coupling interface and the socket is obtained.

2. The muzzle accessory coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bore of the body is threaded for attachment to a threaded firearm barrel.

3. The firearm coupling device of claim 1, wherein the coupling interface is natively manufactured into a barrel of a firearm.

4. The firearm coupling device of claim 1, wherein the coupling interface has a rear portion comprising a tool receiving feature.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the socket is associated with a piston interfacing with a muzzle accessory.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the external thread comprises 14 to 18 thread per inch.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical communication comprising rotation driven by approximately 17-inch-pounds of torque.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical communication is prevented by a third revolution about said threads, enabling a limited point of contact.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the external thread comprises approximately 2-3 total threads.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the external threads comprise a 16TPI thread profile.

11. A muzzle accessory coupling system, the system comprising: a coupling interface comprising: a body terminating at a body taper, wherein the body taper is approximately 17 to 25 degrees included angle; and an outer diameter of the body having an external thread; and a socket comprising: the socket extending from a rear end to a forward end; an internal thread dimensioned to operatively associate with the external thread of the body, wherein the internal thread is inward of the rear end enabling bayonet insertion prior to a first mechanical communication between said threads; a socket taper at the forward end, wherein the socket taper is dimensions to snugly receive the body taper, and wherein the internal thread is spaced apart from the forward end and the forward end so that the first mechanical communication is required prior to a second mechanical communication between said tapers, wherein the bore of the body is threaded for attachment to a threaded firearm barrel, wherein the coupling interface is natively manufactured into a barrel of a firearm, wherein the coupling interface has a rear portion comprising a tool receiving feature, wherein the socket is associated with a piston interfacing with a muzzle accessory, wherein the external thread comprises 14 to 18 thread per inch, wherein the first mechanical communication comprising rotation driven by approximately 17-inch-pounds of torque, wherein the first mechanical communication is prevented by a third revolution about said threads, enabling a limited point of contact, wherein the external thread comprises approximately 2-3 total threads, and wherein the external threads comprise a 16TPI thread profile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention embodied in a Nielsen device piston (NDP) or booster piston insert (BPI) and a barrel end coupler (BEC);

[0028] FIG. 2 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the NDP or BPI of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the NDP or BPI of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the NDP or BPI of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a muzzle brake (muzzle accessory) compatible with the barrel end coupler of FIG. 6;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the BEC of FIG. 1; and

[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a Glock 17 with the thread attached BEC of FIG. 6 permitting mounting of a silencer 4 in cutaway view that was adapted to be mounted by retrofitting it with the NDP or BPI of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include firearm muzzle accessory coupling device, system, and method.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 7 for definitional establishment, as used herein, the word “forward” or “front” corresponds with the firing direction of the firearm—i.e., the cartridge (in the breech or “rear” end of the barrel 17) fires with projectile exiting the “forward” or “front” side of each of the parts in assembly.

[0037] The outside diameter is defined as outer circumference of parts coaxially surrounding the inside diameter defined by the bore 18 permitting the passage of the projectile fired from the barrel 17 of the firearm 5 when the parts representing an embodiment of the invention are in assembly, such as seen in FIG. 7.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1,6 and 7, the present invention pertains to a novel firearm mounting coupler 1 capable of mating with a socket geometry comprising a novel mating interface 2. In one embodiment the mating interface 2 may be natively manufactured into a muzzle accessory such as muzzle brake 19, or into a Nielsen device or recoil booster piston 3 hereinafter referred to as the piston 3. The coupler 1, interfacing piston 3, and sound suppressor 4 each have through bores 18 which when assembled are generally coaxial with the barrel 17 of a firearm 5, permitting the passage of a projectile fired from the mated barrel 17 of the firearm 5.

[0039] The coupler 1 features an internal thread 6 allowing it to be mounted to the threaded end of a barrel 17 of a firearm 5, and an external thread 11, allowing it to be operatively associated to internal thread 14 of the piston 3 or muzzle accessory 19.

[0040] The thread 11 may be several different industry patterns such as but not limited to UNF, UNEF, or STUB ACME, and may have a helix of .071″−.055″ per rotation, or 14-18TPI. Altering the helix angle slightly within the range of 14-18TPI may be desirable to adjust the mounting and prevailing torque of the system.

[0041] The coupler 1 may include a tool receiving feature or plurality of tool-receiving features such as the wrench flats 7 allowing the coupler 1 to be securely installed to the firearm 5. A portion of the diameter of the coupler 1 forward of the threads defines an alignment taper 10 of an included angle between 17 and 25 degrees. The adjustment of the taper angle of taper 10 provides a secondary means of adjusting mounting and prevailing torque requirements for the system. The alignment taper 10 is also capable of providing a gas seal in assembly to protect the threads from combustion debris and to promote proper function of the attached sound suppressor or muzzle device. The coupler 1 may also serve a secondary purpose as a muzzle device such as a flash suppressor, muzzle brake, or compensator. The coupler 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows a miniature cone type flash suppressor 12. The coupler 1 may also receive a mating interface accessory that itself provides a function traditionally associated with a muzzle device, such as a muzzle brake 19.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, for the sake of this description, the firearm 5 in FIG. 7 has been configured with installation of the coupler 1 to the threaded barrel 17 of the firearm 5 and suppressor 4 has been configured for novel function by replacement of the prior art piston with a piston 3 wherein the interface bore 2 of the invention is integrated into the piston 3. The novel interface bore 2 of piston 3 features thread 14 which allows of coupler 1 to bayonet into the bore 2 of piston 3, until the threads 14 and 11 contact. Once threads 14 and 11 contact, axial rotation of the piston 3 relative to the coupler 1 (e.g., rotation of the piston 3 or barrel bore axis rotation of piston 3 or firearm 5 and coupler 1) causes threads 14 and 11 to engage. This rotational tightening of the barrel 17 attached coupler 1 relative to the piston 3 brings alignment taper 10 of the barrel coupler 1 into contact with taper 16 of piston 3.

[0043] The contact between sealing alignment tapers 10 and 16 removes tolerance and applies a friction/compression fit permitting no vibration to occur. At this point the piston 3 (of the muzzle accessory, e.g., a sound suppressor 4) is securely attached to the coupler 1 and thus the barrel 17 of the firearm 5. The firearm 5 is now in a firing configuration for use with the suppressor 4, and the respective bores 18 of the barrel 17, coupler 1, piston 3, and suppressor 4 are in alignment, permitting the passage of the bullet fired from the firearm 5.

[0044] It should be noted that the silencer using the piston 3 and coupler 1 shown can be securely attached in only one orientation afforded by the device as shown in the drawings. This single orientation mounting method of the preferred embodiment requires a maximum of three revolutions to mount the silencer. The addition of more thread would afford greater strength, and the deletion of thread engagement would afford greater rapidity of attachment. The preferred embodiment is an ideal balance of strength and speed for the intended primary application of a pistol silencer booster piston. It should be understood that the coupler 1 could be natively manufactured into the pistol barrel 17 of pistols with barrels greater than .671″ outside diameter. A pistol barrel 17 with coupler 1 natively machined into the barrel would also be possible to operatively associate with the interface bore 2 of the piston 3. The combination of a barrel 17 with coupler 1 natively machined into the barrel 17, and a piston 3 with compatible interface bore 2 of the type described above would not depart from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

[0045] As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0046] For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

[0047] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0048] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0049] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.