Rifle barrel vibration dampener and method of use

Abstract

The disclosure of the present invention relates to a rifle barrel vibration dampener or to a vibration dampener sleeve configured to be fit over a portion of a rifle barrel in order to control the harmonic frequency vibration amplitude within the barrel, improving shot group accuracy; while additionally, improving the appearance of the rifle and protecting the outside surface of the rifle barrel.

Claims

1. A method of installing a vibration dampener sleeve comprising, providing an elastomeric dampener sleeve, the sleeve comprising at least one of, neoprene, silicone and rubber, and having, an inside diameter, a length, providing a rifle barrel, the rifle barrel having, an outside diameter, a length, installing the sleeve onto the rifle barrel, and, the sleeve configured to provide a compression fit over the outside diameter of the rifle barrel, wherein the inside diameter of the sleeve is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the rifle barrel and the sleeve is installed by; heating the sleeve, placing the sleeve on the rifle barrel, and, heating the sleeve to shrink around the outside surface of the rifle barrel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inside diameter of the sleeve is smaller than the outside diameter if the rifle barrel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprising one of polypropylene and polyethylene.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein heating the sleeve to shrink around the potion of the outside surface of the rifle barrel comprises causing the sleeve to evenly and securely compress around an entire surface of a portion of the rifle barrel covered by the sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1 a side view of a rifle including the vibration dampener of the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2 an assembly view of a vibration dampener,

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B detail view of a vibration dampener,

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B perspective views of embodiments of a vibration dampener,

(6) FIG. 5A an end view of a vibration having an interior insulating film,

(7) FIG. 5B an end view of a vibration dampener including interior insulating ribs, and,

(8) FIGS. 6A and 6B are example targets showing the benefit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals or word descriptions in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

(10) A first embodiment of the present invention or rifle barrel vibration dampener 100 is shown installed on a rifle 500 having a barrel portion 510 and stock 520.

(11) Illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a vibration dampener 100 configured to extend the full length of the rifle barrel 510, extending from the muzzle 511 to the end of the chamber 512. This configuration provides harmonic frequency dampening control over the entire length of the barrel 510, however, it is recognized that installation of the full length dampener 100 requires disassembly of the rifle 500 separating the barrel 510 from the stock 520. The stock 520 includes a forestock 521 and buttstock 522. The barrel 510 is attached the action 513. The action 513, may be a bolt action as shown, lever action, pump action, break action, rolling block, semi-automatic or automatic.

(12) FIGS. 3A and 3B are one embodiment of the present invention or rifle barrel vibration damper, or vibration dampening sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 including an outside diameter 110, inside diameter 120, inside opening or void 130, end portion 140 and side portion 150. The inside diameter 110 is configured to securely fit over the outside diameter of a rifle barrel 510 and the length of the side portion 150 will reflect the desired amount of the barrel 510 which is covered by the sleeve 100. It is contemplated that sleeve 100 will cover at least ¼ of the rifle barrel 510 and up to the full length of the rifle barrel 510. Sleeve wall thickness 111 is less than 1/10 of the outside diameter 120.

(13) FIG. 4A is first embodiment of the present invention or rifle barrel vibration dampener sleeve 100 composed of a thermoplastic material such as, but not limited to, polyethylene or polypropylene.

(14) The vibration dampener sleeve 100 shown in FIG. 4B is composed of an elastomeric material such as neoprene, silicone or rubber and is configured to be stretched over the rifle barrel 510.

(15) Each of the FIGS. 5A and 5B show a vibration dampener sleeve 100 including an outside diameter 110, inside diameter 120, wall thickness 111, interior void 130 and including an insulating material 121 configured to further reduce the harmonic frequency amplitude of the rifle barrel 510.

(16) FIG. 5A includes insulating material 121 or a substantially uniform elastomeric film configured to uniformly cover the rifle barrel 510 which is under the vibration dampener sleeve 100. The insulating material 121 shown in FIG. 5B is installed on the inside diameter 121 of sleeve 100 in radially uniform ribs or ribbons providing uniform coverage once a thermoplastic sleeve 100 is shrunk to size around a rifle barrel 510.

(17) FIGS. 6A and 6B are by way of example and show rifle targets 600 including a shot group 601. Shot 602 shown in FIG. 6B indicates a potential anomalous shot from an inconsistent round fired through a non-harmonically vibration dampened barrel 510.

(18) It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.