U.S. patent application number 11/527651 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for cartridge casing catcher with reduced firearm ejection port flash and noise.
This patent application is currently assigned to The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army. Invention is credited to Thomas W. Saur.
Application Number | 20090151215 11/527651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40672248 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090151215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saur; Thomas W. |
June 18, 2009 |
CARTRIDGE CASING CATCHER WITH REDUCED FIREARM EJECTION PORT FLASH
AND NOISE
Abstract
A catcher, in combination with a firearm having an ejection
port, for receiving and retaining expended magnetically attracted
shell casings through the ejection port as the firearm is
discharged. The catcher includes a hollow housing having a
plurality of rigid walls, and retainers. One of the walls has an
opening in communication with the ejection port when the catcher is
mounted to the firearm for receiving the shell casings. A seal is
attached to the housing at the opening and surrounding the opening
and provides controlled release of pressurized ejection port gas
from inside the housing as the firearm is discharged such that
noise and flash as a result of escape of the pressurized ejection
port gas is reduced or eliminated.
Inventors: |
Saur; Thomas W.; (Dearborn,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
U.S. ARMY TACOM;ATTN: AMSTA-LP/281
6501 E. 11 MILE RD.
WARREN
MI
48397-5000
US
|
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
Represented by the Secretary of the Army
Washington
DC
|
Family ID: |
40672248 |
Appl. No.: |
11/527651 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11345683 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
7134233 |
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11527651 |
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10946248 |
Sep 21, 2004 |
7043863 |
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11345683 |
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10674599 |
Oct 1, 2003 |
6836991 |
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10946248 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/98 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/00 20060101
F41A035/00 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT INTEREST
[0002] The invention described here may be made, used and licensed
by and for the U.S. Government for governmental purposes without
paying royalty to me.
Claims
1. A catcher, in combination with a firearm having an ejection
port, for receiving and retaining expended magnetically attracted
shell casings through the ejection port as the firearm is
discharged, the catcher comprising: a hollow housing having a
plurality of rigid walls, wherein one of the walls has an opening
in communication with the ejection port when the catcher is mounted
to the firearm for receiving the shell casings, at least one of the
other walls comprises a plurality of deflectors and each of the
deflectors has a front face that is slanted away from the opening
such that the deflectors are capable of deflecting the shell
casings away from the opening and a rear face that is perpendicular
to the planar surface of the housing or slanted away from the
opening, and at least one of the deflectors, alone or in
combination with one or more other of the deflectors and a
respective wall, comprise a void and an aperture configured as an
acoustic tuner structure tuned to provide reduction of noise
emitted at the ejection port; a seal attached to the housing at the
opening and surrounding the opening, wherein the seal comprises a
resilient, compliant material in a solid, gel-sac, closed-cell
foam, or skin covered foam configuration having a surface that
interfaces to the firearm and the surface includes at least three
resilient, compliant sealing lips that provide controlled release
of pressurized ejection port gas from inside the housing as the
firearm is discharged such that noise and flash as a result of
escape of the pressurized ejection port gas is reduced or
eliminated; and retainers at the rear face of the deflectors
capable of retaining the shell casings when the catcher is in any
position, wherein the retainers comprise a permanent magnetic
material.
2. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the retainers have a maximum
magnetic energy product value that is sufficient to capture and
retain the expended shell casings.
3. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the acoustic tuner structure
comprises at least one of a quarter wave tuner, a Quincke tuner,
and a Helmholtz tuner.
4. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material comprises
magnetic strips that are affixed to the rear face of respective
deflectors.
5. The catcher of claim 1 wherein each of the deflectors has a
height that is equal to or greater than the diameter of the shell
casings that are captured by the catcher.
6. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the deflectors are adjacent or
separated by a gap.
7. The catcher of claim 6 wherein the magnetic material further
comprises magnetic strips that are affixed to the gaps when the
deflectors are separated by the gap.
8. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is embedded
into the rear face of respective deflectors.
9. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is at least
one of steel, Strontium and Barium ferrite, Samarium-Cobalt,
Neodymium-Iron-Boron, and Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt alloy.
10. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the sealing lips are formed on
the surface that interfaces to the firearm in a substantially
triangular shape having one side of the triangular shape integral
with the surface.
11. The catcher of claim 10 wherein the sealing lips are spaced
apart such that the distance between adjacent sealing lips is
greater than the height of the triangular shape.
12. The catcher of claim 10 wherein the apex of the triangular
shaped sealing lips is biased outwardly from the opening.
13. The catcher of claim 1 wherein the sealing lips are formed on
the surface that interfaces to the firearm in a substantially
half-round shape having the flat base of the half-round shape
integral with the surface.
14. The catcher of claim 13 wherein the sealing lips are spaced
apart such that the distance between adjacent sealing lips is
greater than the height of the half-round shape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/345,683, filed Jan. 30, 2006, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/946,248, filed
Sep. 21, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,863, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/674,599, filed
Oct. 1, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,991.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention generally relates to a cartridge
casing catcher with reduced firearm ejection port flash and
noise.
[0005] 2. Background Art
[0006] Cartridge casing catchers are mounted adjacent the ejection
port of a firearm to catch the spent cartridge casings as the
casings are ejected after a round is fired. The spent cartridge
casings are generally collected for reloading and to prevent
casings from being underfoot which can cause a shooter or observer
unstable shooting or movement. The spent cartridge casings may also
be collected by a cartridge casing catcher (and container) to
reduce the evidence left at the shooting site and to reduce the
noise generated during the shooting by eliminating the noise
generated when the casings impact the surface (i.e., floor, roof,
etc.) where the shooter (i.e., firearm user) is positioned. An
example of a conventional spent shell container is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,166,333 to Kratzer (Kratzer '333).
[0007] Conventional spent cartridge casing catchers such as shown
in the Kratzer '333 patent can have a deficiency in that spent
cartridges are ejected with a significant force and tend to bounce
inside the collection chamber and in some instances, the spent
cartridge can bounce back into the firearm ejection port causing
the firearm to jam. Such a jam is highly undesirable when the
firearm user is involved in a critical mission situation. In any
event, clearing jammed firearms is typically a time consuming,
annoying, and potentially hazardous task.
[0008] Conventional spent cartridge casing catchers such as shown
in the Kratzer '333 patent also have a deficiency in that such
spent cartridge casing catchers are only effective when the firearm
is operated in a normal (typical) design position (i.e., with the
weapon trigger grip in a substantially vertical position, and the
weapon ejection port in a substantially horizontal position). That
is, such conventional approaches only catch and hold spent
cartridge casings when gravitational forces cause the spent
cartridge casings to drop or move to a location in the catcher that
is generally away from the firearm ejection port. As such, when the
user operates the firearm in an orientation that is not the
orientation for which the spent cartridge casing catcher was
designed (typically a normal firearm operation position), the spent
cartridge casings are typically not properly captured and held and
can readily cause the firearm to jam in many orientations of the
firearm.
[0009] However, the firearm user can not always fire the weapon
from a position from which the conventional spent cartridge casing
catcher was designed to operate, and firearm jams can result. For
example, when the shooter desires to obtain a clear shot at a
target, to avoid detection, operate the firearm at an oblique angle
to provide clearance for a gas mask, operate the firearm "out of
position," fire the weapon "around the clock" (i.e., through a full
circle of rotation, including when the weapon is upside down, for
instance when firing during a rolling maneuver), etc.
[0010] Conventional spent cartridge casing catchers such as shown
in the Kratzer '333 patent may have additional deficiencies in that
the spent cartridges tend to rattle in the catcher collection
chamber and thus cause additional undesirable noise.
[0011] The muzzle report of blow back operated and closed breech
firearms may be reduced by the installation of a so-called
"silencer" (more properly called a suppressor, also referred to as
a muffler) on the muzzle, integral with the barrel of the firearm,
or both on the muzzle and integral with the barrel. Examples of
some conventional firearms suppressors are shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,033,356 to Richardson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,018,720 to Maxim, and U.S.
Pat. No. 1,229,675 to Thompson. However, significant noise and
flash (i.e., blast) are generated and expelled at the breech and
out of the ejection port of the firearm, especially for open-bolt
(or blowback) firearms, and from a closed breech weapon, especially
from a so-called gas impingement operating firearm such as AR15
rifles, M4 carbines, and M16 assault rifles to an extent which can
be unacceptable for clandestine operations. For example, well
suppressed weapons such as the Heckler & Koch Model HK MP5SD,
while having very low muzzle report, still produce noise and flash
from the ejection port which presents a blast that may be
significant and unacceptable in some situations (e.g., when minimal
noise is desired, when minimal visible presence such as flash is
desired, and the like). Suppressed gas impingement and gas piston
operating firearms such as suppressed M4, AR15, M16 assault rifles,
and the like still produce noise and flash from the ejection port
also. In such firearms muzzle mounted and integral suppressors
typically exacerbate or increase ejection port blast.
[0012] Open bolt weapons such as the Ingram MAC-10 and Uzi
Submachine Gun, even when equipped with a muzzle mounted or
integral noise suppressor, still can produce noise (as well as
flash) from the breech that is at a level such that the user
advisably wears ear protection to reduce the likelihood of hearing
loss. Conventional casing catchers such as shown in the Kratzer
'333 patent and especially bag type spent cartridge catchers may
provide some flash reduction but provide very little reduction of
the noise emitted at the firearm port.
[0013] Firearms such as the M16 assault rifle, the M4 carbine, the
AR15 rifle, H & K MP5, Uzi, MAC-10, and so forth (i.e.,
especially but not exclusively firearms that are gas piston, gas
impingement, and blowback and delayed blowback operated), when
equipped with a snug fitting and well encapsulating cartridge
casing catcher (e.g., an apparatus for collecting cartridge casings
as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,375 to Olson (Olson
'375), or the like), and also equipped with a muzzle mounted
suppressor may generate an excessive barrel chamber post-firing gas
back pressure when the firearm discharges such that ejection port
flash and noise may not be contained within the cartridge casing
catcher.
[0014] In particular and especially when the firearm is operated in
very rapid fire semi-automatic mode or in full-automatic mode,
ejection port gas that is fluidly transmitted into the cartridge
casing catcher may build up excessive pressure within the cartridge
casing catcher such that flash and noise may escape past the
interface of the cartridge casing catcher and the firearm receiver
(i.e., so-called blow by). The ejection port flash and noise that
escapes past the interface and into the surrounding atmosphere may
be undesirable in critical situations where absolute minimal
audible noise and visible flash are desired by the user (generally
a Soldier in a location near hostile forces).
[0015] For example, provides a container that is arranged to be
quickly attached to or removed from a closed chute that is disposed
around the ejection port of a submachine gun so that empty
cartridge casings expelled from the gun are deposited into the
container in a manner such that gases remaining in the casings
cannot escape into the surrounding atmosphere. However, when such
an apparatus is implemented in connection with suppressor equipped
firearms that are operated as indicated above, the container can
become filled with pressurized gases that may be blown by and
escape.
[0016] Further, the firearm operating mechanism (e.g., bolt and
carrier actuation), especially in the case of semi-automatic and
full-automatic firearms, generates noise that can compromise the
location of the firearm user. Such firearm mechanism generated
noise is typically not attenuated to any significant level by
conventional spent cartridge casing catchers such as shown in the
Kratzer '333 patent, Olson '375, and the like. Such firearm
operating mechanism noise is typically not reduced by conventional
muzzle mounted firearms suppressors.
[0017] Thus, there exists a need and an opportunity for a spent
cartridge casing catcher having reduced firearm ejection port flash
and noise. Such an improved cartridge casing catcher may overcome
deficiencies of conventional approaches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Accordingly, the present invention may provide a cartridge
casing catcher with reduced firearm ejection port flash and noise
that comprises an improved spent cartridge casing catcher including
acoustic tuning, and a housing-to-firearm receiver interface having
controlled release of pressure. Such an improved spent cartridge
casing catcher may provide reduced or eliminated bouncing of the
spent cartridges back into the firearm ejection port and so reduce
or eliminate jamming caused by the spent cartridge casings bouncing
back, reduced or eliminated rattle of collected spent cartridge
casings, and reduced or eliminated firearm ejection port blast
flash and noise and firearm mechanism noise when compared to
conventional approaches. Such an improved spent cartridge casing
catcher may overcome other deficiencies of conventional approaches
and provide further advantages when compared to conventional
approaches.
[0019] According to the present invention, a cartridge casing
catcher, in combination with a firearm having an ejection port, for
receiving and retaining expended magnetically attracted shell
casings through the ejection port as the firearm is discharged is
provided. The catcher comprises a hollow housing having a plurality
of rigid walls, a seal, and retainers. One of the walls has an
opening in communication with the ejection port when the catcher is
mounted to the firearm for receiving the shell casings.
[0020] At least one of the other walls comprises a plurality of
deflectors and each of the deflectors has a front face that is
slanted away from the opening such that the deflectors are capable
of deflecting the shell casings away from the opening and a rear
face that is perpendicular to the planar surface of the housing or
slanted away from the opening, and at least one of the deflectors,
alone or in combination with one or more other of the deflectors
and a respective wall, comprise a void and an aperture configured
as an acoustic tuner structure tuned to provide reduction of noise
emitted at the ejection port.
[0021] The seal may be attached to the housing at the opening and
surrounding the opening, wherein the seal comprises a resilient,
compliant material in a solid, gel-sac, closed-cell foam, or skin
covered foam configuration having a surface that interfaces to the
firearm and the surface includes at least three resilient,
compliant sealing lips that provide controlled release of
pressurized ejection port gas from inside the housing as the
firearm is discharged such that noise and flash as a result of
escape of the pressurized ejection port gas is reduced or
eliminated.
[0022] The retainers may be mounted at the rear face of the
deflectors and are generally capable of retaining the shell casings
when the catcher is in any position. The retainers comprise a
permanent magnetic material.
[0023] The retainers may have a maximum magnetic energy product
value that is sufficient to capture and retain the expended shell
casings.
[0024] The acoustic tuner structure comprises at least one of a
quarter wave tuner, a Quincke tuner, and a Helmholtz tuner.
[0025] The magnetic material comprises magnetic strips that may be
affixed to the rear face of respective deflectors.
[0026] Each of the deflectors generally has a height that is equal
to or greater than the diameter of the shell casings that are
captured by the catcher.
[0027] The deflectors may be adjacent or may be separated by a
gap.
[0028] The magnetic material may further comprise magnetic strips
that are affixed to the gaps when the deflectors are separated by
the gap.
[0029] The magnetic material may be embedded into the rear face of
respective deflectors.
[0030] The magnetic material is generally at least one of steel,
Strontium and Barium ferrite, Samarium-Cobalt,
Neodymium-Iron-Boron, and Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt alloy.
[0031] The sealing lips may be formed on the surface that
interfaces to the firearm in a substantially triangular shape
having one side of the triangular shape integral with the
surface.
[0032] The sealing lips are generally spaced apart such that the
distance between adjacent sealing lips is greater than the height
of the triangular shape.
[0033] The apex of the triangular shaped sealing lips may be biased
outwardly from the opening.
[0034] The sealing lips may be formed on the surface that
interfaces to the firearm in a substantially half-round shape
having the flat base of the half-round shape integral with the
surface.
[0035] The sealing lips are generally spaced apart such that the
distance between adjacent sealing lips is greater than the height
of the half-round shape.
[0036] The above features, and other features and advantages of the
present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
descriptions thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a perspective view a spent cartridge
casing catcher of the present invention;
[0038] FIGS. 2(A-C) are diagrams of sectional views of acoustic
tuners;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram of some alternative example hole shapes
of the present invention;
[0040] FIGS. 4(A-C) are diagrams of sectional views of some
alternative example deflectors of the present invention;
[0041] FIGS. 5(A-C) are diagrams of views of the rear face of some
alternative examples of the deflectors of FIGURES (A-C);
[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sectional view of a support
structure of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a top view of portion of deflectors
illustrating one example hole placement of the present
invention;
[0044] FIGS. 8(A-C) are diagrams of sectional top views of some
alternative acoustic tuner structures of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 9 is a right side elevation of a portion of a firearm
having the casing catcher of FIG. 1 installed thereon;
[0046] FIG. 10 is rearward facing sectional view of a portion of
the firearm and casing catcher of FIG. 9;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a leftward facing sectional view of the firearm
and cartridge casing catcher of FIG. 10; and
[0048] FIGS. 12 (A-F) are rearward facing cross-sectional views of
alternative examples of a housing to firearm seal of the casing
catcher of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0049] The present invention generally provides an improved
cartridge casing catcher. A user of a firearm (i.e., a shooter) may
desire to catch the spent cartridge casings as the casings are
ejected from the firearm after a round is fired. The spent
cartridge casings (i.e., shell casings) may be collected (e.g.,
using a cartridge casing catcher (and container)) to prevent the
casings from being underfoot which can cause the shooter or an
observer unstable shooting or movement. The spent cartridge casings
may also be collected by a cartridge casing catcher to reduce the
evidence left at the shooting site and to reduce the noise
generated during the shooting by eliminating the noise generated
when the shell casings impact the surface (i.e., floor, roof, etc.)
where the shooter is positioned.
[0050] Further, the shooter may wish to reduce or eliminate noise
generated by rattle of collected spent cartridge casings in the
cartridge casing catcher.
[0051] Yet, further, the shooter may wish to operate the firearm in
a position other than the normal operating position (i.e., other
than with the weapon trigger and grip, and sight alignment in a
substantially vertical position) such that the shooter can obtain a
clear shot at a target, can operate the firearm while wearing a gas
mask, to avoid detection, etc. by operating the firearm "out of
position." Yet further, the shooter may desire to have a cartridge
casing catcher that operates properly when the firearm is fired
"around the clock" (i.e., in a normal position and through a full
circle of rotation generally along any axis of rotation, including
when the weapon is upside down, for instance when the shooter is
firing the weapon as well as performing a rolling maneuver on a
surface, flipping or twisting in mid-air, and the like).
[0052] The user may wish that the noise and flash that are emitted
from the ejection port when the firearm is discharged are reduced
or eliminated to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of
detection.
[0053] The user may wish to reduce or eliminate the noise generated
by the firearm operating mechanism, especially in the case of
semi-automatic and full-automatic firearms. Such firearm mechanism
generated noise is typically not attenuated by conventional
firearms accessories of any kind.
[0054] While a number of cartridge casings are produced from
non-magnetically attractive materials such as brass and aluminum,
cartridge casings are also commonly made of mild steel. The
cartridge casings that are made of mild steel are generally
attracted (i.e., pulled towards and held) by a magnet. As such, a
magnetic material (e.g., a permanent magnet) with sufficient
magnetic force will generally be capable of attracting and holding
cartridge casings that are particularly made of mild steel (i.e.,
steel casings), and cartridge casings that are generally made from
any ferromagnetic (or other magnetically attracted) material. The
present invention may be advantageously implemented in connection
with cartridge casings that are generally made from such
magnetically attracted material.
[0055] With reference to the Figures, the preferred embodiments of
the present invention will now be described in detail. Generally,
the present invention provides an improved spent cartridge casing
catcher having acoustical tuning for noise reduction and reduced or
eliminated ejection port noise and flash. The spent cartridge
casing catcher implemented in connection with the present invention
is generally used in combination with a firearm. The spent
cartridge casing catcher implemented in connection with the present
invention is generally mounted (i.e., fastened, fixed, attached,
etc.) adjacent to and covering (i.e., over, in communication with,
etc.) an ejection port of a semi-automatic or full-automatic
firearm.
[0056] In one example, the cartridge casing catcher implemented in
connection with the present invention may be advantageously mounted
to the firearm via an apparatus similar to the mounting shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,333 to Kratzer (hereinafter Kratzer '333),
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, on FIG.
4 of Kratzer '333. In other examples, the spent cartridge casings
catcher of the present invention may be mounted to a firearm via
clamping apparatuses similar to the mountings shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,334,375 to Olson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,820 to Marsh, and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,651,208 to Benson, which are also incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety, on FIGS. 2 and 3 of Olson '375, FIGS.
1 and 3 of Marsh '820, and FIG. 7 of Benson '208, respectively. One
example of a mounting bracket is shown below in connection with
FIG. 9. However, the cartridge casing catcher implemented in
connection with the present invention may be mounted to the firearm
where implemented via any appropriate apparatus as is well known in
the art to meet the design criteria of a particular
application.
[0057] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/345,683, filed Jan. 30, 2006, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/946,248, filed
Sep. 21, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,863, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/674,599, filed
Oct. 1, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,991. U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,836,991 and 7,043,863 are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety. As such, an understanding of all of the teachings
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,991 (the '991 patent) and U.S. Pat. No.
7,043,863 (the '863 patent) is assumed herein.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 1 of the present invention, a diagram
illustrating a system (i.e., apparatus, assembly, catcher,
receptacle, etc.) 100 in accordance with the present invention is
shown. A cut-out sectional view at line 4 is described below in
connection with FIGS. 4(A-C). The apparatus 100 generally comprises
an acoustically tuned multi-position spent cartridge casing
catcher. In one example, the catcher 100 generally comprises a
generally hollow housing (i.e., case, box, container, etc.) 102,
and a lip area seal (e.g., gasket, and the like) 106. In one
example, the housing 102 may be implemented having walls configured
as a box-on-box structure or shape (i.e., an upper box and a lower
box) as illustrated. However the housing 102 may be implemented
having any appropriate shape to meet the design criteria of a
particular application.
[0059] The apparatus 100 is generally implemented (i.e., used) in
combination (i.e., in connection) with a firearm (e.g., firearm
300, shown and described in connection with FIGS. 9-11). The upper
box is generally attached to a firearm ( such as the fire arm 300)
via an attachment mechanism (not shown) such that an opening 130
into the housing 102 mechanically and fluidly communicates with an
ejection port of the firearm (e.g., ejection port 310, shown and
described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11) and receives spent
(or expended) cartridges (i.e., empty shells, casings, etc.) as the
shells are ejected from the firearm, and the blast (i.e., flash and
noise) that is emitted from the ejection port when the firearm is
discharged (i.e., when the firearm is fired). The lower box may
comprise fixed walls 102a, a lid 102b having a hinge 108, and an
opposing latch (not shown) that may provide for access to the
interior of the shell catcher 100, for example, for emptying spent
cartridges from the catcher 100.
[0060] The housing 102 may be implemented having a structure
similar to the spent firearm cartridge catcher taught by the '991
patent and the '863 patent. The housing 102 of the present
invention is generally implemented without the acoustic foam
disclosed in the '991 patent and the '863 patent. Further, the case
102 may be implemented having walls of any appropriate general
outside shape and configuration to meet the design criteria of a
particular application. The housing 102 is generally produced
(i.e., manufactured, built, made, implemented, etc.) using a
substantially rigid material. Example materials for implementation
of the case 102 may include steel, aluminum, rigid plastic,
fiber-reinforced plastic, loaded (e.g., filled with a dense
material such as lead, clay, or the like) plastic, and the like.
Such materials may provide a high level of acoustic transmission
loss.
[0061] Further referring in particular to the '863 patent, on FIG.
6 and in the corresponding description at col. 7, 1. 60-col. 8, 1.
5, the substantially rigid wall 102 is shown having a convoluted
shape that forms the wedges 120 that include the retainers 124
fixed thereon. In particular, a hollow in the wall 102 is shown in
connection with the deflector 120y'.
[0062] Yet further referring to the '863 patent, on FIG. 7 and at
col. 8, 11. 6-14, the wedges 120'' are shown having the retainers
124'' integrated into the respective rear surfaces 162''. The
present invention generally comprises an implementation of the wall
102 including the deflectors 120 formed in connection with
respective hollows in the wall 102, and having the retainers 124
fixed thereon or integrated into the respective rear surfaces 162.
In particular, the present invention may advantageously implement
the hollow (i.e., void, cavity, etc.) provided by the deflector 120
in the wall 102 to form at least one acoustic tuner that reduces or
eliminates noise generated by the blast from the ejection port and
mechanical noise generated by the firearm actuation during normal
firing operation.
[0063] It may be desirable to implement a firearm spent casing
catcher having walls that are made from material that is generally
not eroded by the firearm ejection port blast while maintaining
reduction of noise that is generated by the firearm ejection port
blast and the firearm mechanism actuation. The apparatus 100 of the
present invention may provide such a firearm spent casing catcher.
Further, as the present invention comprises acoustic noise
reduction via acoustic tuners, a broad range of noise frequencies
(i.e., a wider acoustic spectrum) may be attenuated and a desirable
amount of attenuation may be achieved.
[0064] The wedges (or deflectors) 120 are generally configured to
deflect ejected cartridge casings 150 away from the opening 130
(i.e., away from the ejection port of the firearm and towards the
lower box region of the housing 102 near the lid 102b) as the
firearm where the catcher 100 is implemented (or installed) is
discharged. The cartridge casings 150 are generally made from
magnetically attracted material (e.g., mild steel, a combination of
mild steel and brass (e.g., brass head and steel body, steel head
and brass body, and the like). The retainers 124 generally
magnetically attract and hold the ejected cartridge casings
150.
[0065] Referring to the FIGS. 2(A-C) of the present invention,
diagrams illustrating cross sectional views of acoustic tuners 10,
that may be implemented in connection with the present invention
are shown. The principles of acoustics in general and acoustic
tuners in particular are well known to one of ordinary skill in the
art (e.g., the acoustic and sound wave property principles as
generally taught in introductory college physics) and will only be
described briefly herein to provide a context for the description
of the acoustic tuner structures of the present invention.
[0066] FIG. 2A illustrates a quarter wave tuner 10. The tuner
structure 10 is a closed tube (shown as generally cylindrical,
however, having any appropriate shape) that has an opening 12 where
a sound wave impinges at one end, and an acoustic length, AL. When
the impinging sound wave has a wavelength that is four times the
acoustic length, AL, the sound wave will be canceled and the
respective sound pressure level of the impinging sound wave (i.e.,
the amount of noise) will be attenuated.
[0067] FIG. 2B illustrates a Herschel-Quincke (usually simply
called Quincke) or interference tuner 10'. The Quincke tuner
structure 10' includes a tube 16 and a tube 18 that are fluidly
(i.e., acoustically) coupled at ends of the tube 18. The tube 16
has an opening 12 where a sound wave impinges, an outlet 14 where
the impinging sound wave exits, and an acoustic length, SAL (e.g.,
a short acoustic length). The tube 18 has an acoustic length, LAL
(e.g., a long acoustic length), that is greater than the acoustic
length, SAL (i.e., LAL>SAL). When the impinging sound wave has a
wavelength that is twice the difference of the acoustic length,
LAL, minus the acoustic length, SAL, (i.e., LAL-SAL equals one half
the wavelength of the impinging sound wave) the impinging sound
wave will be canceled (i.e., the sound waves will interfere) and
the respective sound pressure level of the exiting sound wave
(i.e., the amount of noise from outlet 14) will be attenuated.
[0068] FIG. 2C illustrates a Helmholtz (or "jug") tuner 10''. The
tuner 10'' generally comprises a tube 20 that has an opening 12
where a sound wave impinges at one end, and that is fluidly coupled
to a closed cavity (shown as a cylinder, however, having any
appropriate shape) 22. The volume of tube 20 is typically
substantially smaller than the volume of the cavity 22. The
interior of the tube 20 is filled with a gas having an acoustic
mass, M, and the interior of the cavity 22 is filled with a gas
having an acoustic compliance, C. The Helmholtz tuner structure
10'' has a tuned frequency (i.e., a resonant frequency) that equals
2.pi. times the square root of the acoustic mass, M, divided by the
acoustic compliance, C (i.e., a "spring-mass" resonance frequency
that equals 2.pi. (M/C)). As such, a sound wave having the tuned
frequency of the Helmholtz tuner 10'' that impinges on the opening
12 is attenuated.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrating some example
alternative openings 12 is shown. While the opening 12 is shown as
a simple hole in FIGS. 2(A-C), it is well known to one of ordinary
skill in the art that more complex openings such as multiple round
holes (e.g., holes 12a), holes having any appropriate shape (e.g.,
square openings 12b and triangular openings 12c), openings covered
by a screen 12d, openings with relatively rough (i.e., not smooth,
such that turbulence is induced, not shown) edges, and the like may
be implemented in connection with the acoustic tuners 10, 10', and
10''. Such alternative opening implementations may provide tuner
openings that may be sized to prevent entry and entrapment of
objects (e.g., spent firearm cartridge casings 150) in the tuners
and may also provide acoustic resistance to the flow of the sound
wave that impinges on the tuner opening 12. Such acoustic
resistance generally provides tuning and hence noise reduction that
is over a broader range of frequencies while at a reduced level
when compared to a single, smooth hole opening.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 4(A-C), diagrams illustrating sectional
views taken at line 4 of FIG. 1 of example alternatives of the
wedges 120 (e.g., wedges 120a-120d, 120x-120z, and the like) are
shown. Each of the wedges 120 may have a face 160 that is oriented
toward the opening 130 (also referred to as a front face,
hereinafter) and a face 162 that is oriented away from the opening
130 (also referred to as a rear face, hereinafter). The front face
160 is generally slanted away from the opening 130 such that the
casings 150 are deflected away from the opening 130 and generally
toward the lid 102b.
[0071] The rear face 162 is generally perpendicular the planar
surface of the housing 102 or slanted away from the opening 130
such that the casings 150 are resisted from traveling (moving,
bouncing, flying, etc.) back toward the opening 130 even when
bouncing inside the housing 102. Each of the deflectors 120
generally has the respective front face 160 that is slanted away
from the opening 130, e.g., at an angle, FA, such that the
deflectors 120 are capable of deflecting the casings 150 away from
the opening 130 and the respective rear face 162 that is
perpendicular to the planar surface of the housing or slanted away
from the opening 130, e.g., at an angle, RA.
[0072] In one example, the deflectors 120 may be substantially
adjacent (e.g., the deflectors 120a and 120b, and the deflectors
120b and 120c). In another example, (e.g., the deflectors 120c and
120d), the deflectors 120 may be separated by a gap 210.
[0073] The retainers 124 are generally implemented using a
permanent magnet material (i.e., a material that is substantially
permanently magnetic). The retainers may comprise at least one of
steel, a Strontium and Barium ferrite, Samarium-Cobalt,
Neodymium-Iron-Boron, other permanently magnetic rare earth alloys,
and Alnico (i.e., Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt alloy). However, the
retainers 124 may be implemented using any appropriate permanently
magnet material having a magnetic field strength sufficient to hold
the expended magnetically attracted (e.g., steel) casings 150 to
meet the design criteria of a particular application.
[0074] The present invention generally implements the retainers 124
having a maximum magnetic energy product value (i.e., level,
amount, etc.) that is sufficient to capture and retain (catch and
hold), for a particular application, expended shell casings 150
that are magnetically attracted. The deflectors 120 are generally
capable of deflecting the cartridge casings 150 away from the
opening 130, and the retainers 124 at the rear face of the
deflectors 120 are generally capable of retaining the shell casings
150 when the catcher is in (i.e., oriented, held, placed, disposed,
etc. in) any position and the firearm where the. apparatus 100 is
installed is operated in any position.
[0075] The retainers 124 may be substantially rectangular shaped.
In one example, the retainers 124 may be shaped and sized such that
one or more of the retainers 124 are fixed (i.e., fastened,
adhered, affixed, mounted, etc.) to respective rear faces 162
(i.e., fixed to faces on the sides of deflectors 120 not facing the
opening 130) and substantially cover the respective surface 162
(e.g., the respective retainers 124 that are implemented in
connection with the deflectors 120a-120d). In another example, the
retainers 124 may be shaped and sized to be mounted to the gap 210
between respective wedges 120 (e.g., the retainer 124 implemented
in the space 210 between the wedge 120c and the wedge 120d). In yet
another example (see, for example, FIG. 4C), the retainers 124 may
be embedded into (or integrated within) the wall 102.
[0076] The wedge 120 may have a height, W, that is generally equal
to or greater than the diameter of the cartridge casing 150 that is
captured (or caught) by the catcher 100. However, the height W may
be implemented as any appropriate value (i.e., amount, distance,
etc.) to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
[0077] The front face 160 is generally at an angle (e.g., FA)
relative to a line or plane (e.g., P) that is perpendicular to the
surface of the housing 102. The angle FA is generally in a range of
30 degrees to 75 degrees and preferably in a range of 45 degrees to
60 degrees. The rear face 162 is generally at an angle (e.g., RA)
relative to line or plane P. The angle RA is generally in a range
of 0 degrees to 35 degrees and preferably in a range of 0 degrees
to 25 degrees. The angle RA is generally less than the angle FA.
However, the angles FA and RA may be implemented at any appropriate
angles to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
[0078] A void (i.e., cavity, chamber, etc.) 180 (e.g., voids
180a-180d) is generally formed between the respective faces 160 and
162 of the deflectors 120 and the respective wall 102. Further, at
least one opening (i.e., hole, aperture, etc.) 200 may be
implemented to provide fluid communication between the inside of
the casing catcher 100 and the void 180. The configuration of the
void 180 and the opening 200 is generally implemented as an
acoustic tuner structure 240 (e.g., tuners 240a-240d) such as a
quarter wave tuner, a Quincke tuner, and a Helmholtz resonator
similar to the acoustic tuners illustrated in FIGS. 2(A-C),
respectively. The acoustic tuner structure 240 of the present
invention is generally tuned to provide reduction of noise emitted
at the firearm ejection port and mechanical noise generated by the
operation of the firearm mechanism. Support for the lower front
edge of the wedges 120 may be provided by one or more supports 220
that are generally disposed from the lower front edge of the
respective deflector 120 and the wall 102.
[0079] The holes 200 may be implemented similar to the holes 12 of
FIGS. 2(A-C). The apertures 200 may be implemented having a size
small enough such that the cartridge casings 150 are not able to
enter the void 180 for the design criteria of a particular
application. The opening 200 may be implemented having any
appropriate shape (e.g., shapes such as round, square, triangular
or as screen as shown in FIG. 3) to meet the design criteria of a
particular application.
[0080] To provide sufficient volume for the void 180 or to provide
an acoustic path or acoustic tuning length, two or more of the
deflectors 120 may be separated from the wall 102 via a gap (e.g.,
G). The gap G generally provides fluid communication such that an
adequate acoustic length, mass, or compliance is formed for the
respective acoustic tuner structure.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 5(A-C), diagrams illustrating views of
the rear faces 162 of the wedges 120a, 120b, and 120c, respectively
are shown. The FIGS. 5(A-C) illustrate example placement of the
holes 200. The placement of the holes 200 in FIGS. 5A and 5C may be
advantageously implemented in connection with quarter wave tuner
and Helmholtz resonator acoustic tuner structures (i.e., various
implementations of the tuner 240). The placement of the holes 200a
and 200b in FIG. 5B may be advantageously implemented in connection
with a Quincke tuner acoustic tuning structure.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, a diagram illustrating a sectional view
taken at the line 6-6 of FIG. 4B is shown. The legs 220 may provide
physical support such that the housing 102 may be physically robust
for severe operating conditions as may be encountered during
military usage. The passages 200 (i.e., channels, ports, openings,
holes, apertures, etc.) resulting from the implementation of the
legs 220 may be implemented, in one example, as openings for
respective acoustic tuning structures, and, in another example, to
provide fluid communication such that sufficient acoustic volume
and length for tuning path, tuning length, or tuning compliance is
formed.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 7, a diagram illustrating a top view of
portion of FIG. 4B is shown. In particular, the openings 200
implemented in the gap 210 between the deflectors 120x and 120y are
shown.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 8A, a diagram illustrating a top sectional
view of one example of an acoustic tuner 240mn of the present
invention is shown. In one example, the acoustic tuner 240mn may be
implemented as a quarter wave tuner having an opening 200m, and an
overall acoustic quarter wave tuning length provided by the length
of the void 180m plus the length of the void 180n as acoustically
coupled via the hole 200n. While only two of the voids 180 are
illustrated as serially coupled to provide an acoustic length, as
many of the voids 180 may be fluidly coupled to provide an
appropriate acoustic length to meet the design criteria of a
particular application.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 8B, a diagram illustrating a top sectional
view of one example of an acoustic tuner 240lmn of the present
invention is shown. In one example, the acoustic tuner 240lmn may
be implemented as a Quincke tuner. The void 180l may be implemented
as having the short tuning length (e.g., the acoustic length
between the holes 200lb. The void 180m may be acoustically isolated
and, thus, may not form a part of the tuner structure 240lmn. The
acoustic length of the path between the holes 200la (including the
length of the void 180n) may be implemented as the long acoustic
tuning length of the Quincke tuner 240lmn.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 8C, a diagram illustrating a top sectional
view of another example of an acoustic tuner 240lmn of the present
invention is shown. In one example, the acoustic tuner 2401mn may
be implemented as a Helmholtz resonator tuner acoustic structure.
The acoustic path implemented via the opening 200l, the opening
200ln, and the opening 200n may be implemented as an acoustic mass.
The combination of the voids 180l, 180m, and 180n as implemented
via the openings 200lm and 200mn may be implemented as the
respective acoustic compliance of the Helmholtz tuner 240lmn of the
present invention.
[0087] Referring back generally to FIG. 1, the seal (or gasket) 106
generally comprises a resilient, compliant material (e.g., vinyl,
butyl, neoprene, etc. in a solid, gel-sac, closed-cell foam, skin
covered foam, or other appropriate configuration). The seal 106 is
generally fastened to the edge of the housing 102 and liner 104
that abut the ejection port region of the firearm. While the
housing 102 and the seal 106 are shown having a flat surface 110
that contacts the firearm where the present invention is
implemented, the housing 102 at the opening 130 and the seal 106
are generally shaped to substantially match an interfacing surface
of the firearm where the catcher 100 is implemented as shown below
in connection with FIGS. 9-12.
[0088] The seal 106 may be attached to the housing 102 at the
opening 130 and may completely surround the opening 130. The seal
106 generally comprises a resilient, compliant material in a solid,
gel-sac, closed-cell foam, or skin covered foam configuration
having the surface 110 that interfaces to the firearm. The surface
110 includes at least three resilient, compliant sealing lips
(e.g., ribs, ridges, etc.) 250 that provide controlled release of
gas pressure generated inside the housing 102 as the firearm is
discharged such that blast noise, flash, flame, report, etc. from
the escape of the pressurized ejection port gas is reduced or
eliminated (i.e., damped, diminished, etc.). The ribs 250 may be
separated by gaps (i.e., spacings, separations, distances, etc.)
260. As there are generally at least three lips 250, there are
generally at least two inter-lip gaps 260. While the lips 250 are
shown in FIG. 1 as substantially half-round shaped ribs (see also,
for example FIGS. 10 and 12A), the lips 250 may be implemented
having any appropriate shape to meet the design criteria of a
particular application.
[0089] When the catcher 100 is mounted to the firearm, the seal 106
generally provides a substantial barrier to noise and flash (e.g.,
a substantially air-tight or hermetic seal that may be
progressively flexed by escaping pressurized ejection port gas)
that is generated during the ejection of a spent cartridge. The
seal 106 may also provide mechanical damping to vibration of the
firearm where the catcher 100 is implemented such that noise
generated by the firearm action operation as well as the discharge
noise at the ejection port may be reduced or eliminated. The seal
106 may be configured to provide a substantially air-tight path
between the ejection port and the opening 130 when the gas pressure
inside the housing 102 is at substantially atmospheric
pressure.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 9, a diagram illustrating a right side
elevation of a relevant portion (e.g., receiver portion with
buttstock and forearm/barrel portions shown as truncated) of a
firearm 300 having installed thereon (e.g., mounted thereto,
fastened upon, etc.) an example of the cartridge casing apparatus
100 of the present invention is shown. While the firearm 300 is
illustrated as an M4 carbine/M16 rifle, the system 100 of the
present invention may be installed on any appropriate firearm. A
bracket (i.e., mount, clamp, clip, coupler, hanger, attachment,
etc.) 280 is generally implemented in connection with the housing
102 to fasten (i.e., affix, hook, clamp, couple, etc.) the
cartridge casing 100 to the firearm 300.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 10, a rearward facing sectional view taken
at line 10-10 of FIG. 9 is shown. Internal components of the
firearm 300, a magazine housing, ammunition, and the like are
illustrated for reference. The cartridge casing catcher 100 is
shown, in part, as attached to the firearm 300 at an ejection port
310. The opening 130 is in mechanical and fluid communication with
the ejection port 310. Gas that is generated as the firearm 300 is
discharged is generally fluidly communicated into the housing 102.
The casings 150 are generally mechanically ejected into the housing
102 via the opening 130. The bracket 280 mounts the cartridge
casing catcher 100 to the firearm 300. The seal 106 interfaces the
catcher housing 102 to contours of the firearm 300 at the ejection
port 310.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 11, a right facing sectional view taken at
line 11-11 of FIG. 10 is shown. FIG. 11 generally illustrates the
interface of the seal 106 at the ejection port 310. The seal 106
generally surrounds the ejection port 310. The sealing lips 250
(shown via hidden lines) may interface to the firearm 300.
[0093] Referring collectively to FIGS. 12 (A-F), rearward facing
sectional views of example alternative implementations of the seal
106 taken at line 12-12 of FIG. 11 are shown. The examples of the
seal 106 shown in FIGS. 12(A-F) are illustrative, and the seal 106
may be implemented having any appropriate configuration to meet the
design criteria of a particular application. The at least three
resilient, compliant sealing lips 250, in connection with the body
of the seal 106, are generally sized and shaped to provide
controlled release of ejection port gas pressure generated and
fluidly transmitted to inside the housing 102 as the firearm is
discharged.
[0094] When the catcher 100 is mounted to the firearm 300, the lips
250 may be compressed into the body of the seal 106 as well as bent
over. The pressurized gas generally displaces (e.g., flexes, bends,
moves, etc.) the sealing ridges 250. The escape of the pressurized
ejection port gas may be envisioned as generating a ripple effect
outwardly from the ejection port 310 such that at least a portion
of the seal 106 remains in contact with the firearm 300 at all
times.
[0095] The ribs 250 may have a height, H, and a width, W. In one
example (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 12(A-C) and 12F), the ribs 250 may
have substantially equal heights, H, and substantially equal
widths, W. The body of the seal 106 may have a thickness, T. In one
example, the thickness, T, of the body of the seal 106 may be
greater than the height, H, of the lips 250 (see, for example,
FIGS. 12(A-C). However, the lips 250 may be implemented having a
greater height, H, than the seal body thickness, T (see, for
example, FIG. 12D where lip 250L has a respective height, Hl, that
is greater than the thickness, T.
[0096] The at least three ribs (e.g., in FIG. 12A, ribs 250a, 250b,
and 250c) may be separated by the two respective inter-rib spacings
260 (e.g., also in FIG. 12A, a spacing 260ab between the ribs 250a
and 250b, and a spacing 260bc between the ribs 250b and 250c). In
one example, the inter-sealing lip gaps 260 may be substantially
equal. The sealing lips 250 are generally spaced apart via the gaps
260 such that the distance between adjacent sealing lips is greater
than the height, H, of the lips 250.
[0097] The energy required to displace the lips 250 generally
causes reduction of the gas pressure such that noise from the
ejection port blast is reduced or eliminated. Impingement of the
escaping firearm discharge gas through the seal 106 into the
atmosphere (i.e., past the at least three lips 250 and over the at
least two inter-lip gaps 260) generally cools and absorbs particles
in the burning gas such that flash (or flame) and the respective
noise from the ejection port blast is reduced or eliminated. While
the lips 250 are shown in FIGS. 12(A-F) as substantially half-round
shaped ribs (see, for example FIG. 12A) and substantially
triangular cross-sectional shape (see, for example, FIGS. 12(B-F)),
the lips 250 may be implemented having any appropriate shape to
meet the design criteria of a particular application.
[0098] Referring in particular to FIG. 12A, the ribs 250 (e.g.,
ribs 250a, 250b, and 250c) may be formed on the surface 110 that
interfaces to the firearm 300 in a substantially semi-round (i.e.,
half-round, hemispherical, etc.) cross-sectional shape having a
flat side of the semi-round shape integral with the surface 110. As
the cross-sectional shape of the ribs 250a, 250b, and 250c may be
substantially semi-round, the respective height, H, and the width,
W, may be substantially equal. In one example, inter-sealing lip
gaps 260ab and 260bc may be substantially equal. The sealing lips
250 are generally spaced apart via the gaps 260ab and 260bc such
that the distance between adjacent sealing lips is greater than the
height H, of the half-round shape.
[0099] Referring in particular to FIG. 12B, in another example the
sealing lips 250 (e.g., lips 250d, 250e and 250f) may be formed on
the surface 110 that interfaces to the firearm 300 in a
substantially triangular cross-sectional shape having one side of
the triangular shape integral with the surface 110. The triangular
cross-sectional shape may be substantially equilateral. The lips
250d, 250e and 250f may have substantially equal height, H, and
substantially equal width, W.
[0100] The sealing lips 250d, 250e and 250f are generally spaced
apart such that the distance 260 between adjacent sealing lips
(i.e., the respective distances 260de between the ribs 250d and
250e, and distance 260ef between the ribs 250e and 250f) is greater
than the height, H, of the triangular shape (and hence, the width,
W). The gaps between adjacent sealing lips (e.g., the gap 260de and
the gap 260ef) may be unequal. For example, the gap 260de may be
smaller than the gap 260ef.
[0101] Referring in particular to FIG. 12C, in another example the
sealing lips 250 (e.g., lips 250g, 250h, 250i, and 250j) may be
formed on the surface 110 that interfaces to the firearm 300 in a
substantially triangular cross-sectional shape having one side of
the triangular shape integral with the surface 110. The triangular
cross-sectional shape may be scalene (i.e., having three unequal
length sides).
[0102] The gaps 260 between adjacent sealing lips 250 (e.g., gap
260gh and gap 260ij) may be unequal. For example, the gap 260ij may
be smaller than the gap 260gh. The lips 250h and 250i may be
substantially adjacent such that there is no gap 260hi.
[0103] The apex of the triangular shaped sealing lips may be biased
outwardly from the opening 130 and the ejection port 310.
[0104] Referring in particular to FIG. 12D, in another example the
sealing lips 250 (e.g., lips 250k, 250l, and 250m) may be formed on
the surface 110 that interfaces to the firearm 300 in a
substantially triangular cross-sectional shape having different
respective heights, H. For example, the ribs 250k and 250m may be
implemented having a height, Hk=Hm, and the rib 250l may be
implemented having a height, Hl, that is greater than the height,
Hk. The height, Hk, may be substantially equal to or less than the
thickness, T, and the height, Hl, may be greater than the
thickness, T.
[0105] Respective inter-rib spacings 250 (e.g., spacings 250kl and
250lm) may be essentially equal. The height, Hl, may be greater
than the length of the spacings 250kl and 250lm. As such, the lip
250l may overlap the rib 250k or the rib 250m when the catcher 100
is installed on the firearm 300.
[0106] The lips 250k an 250l may have the substantially equal
respective widths. For example, the lip 250k may have a width, Wk,
the lip 250l may have a width, Wl, and the width Wk may be
essentially equal to the width Wl. However, the lip 250m may have a
width, Wm, that is substantially wider than the widths Wk and
Wl.
[0107] Referring in particular to FIG. 12E, in another example the
sealing lips 250 (e.g., lips 250n, 250p, and 250r) may be formed on
the surface 110 that interfaces to the firearm 300 in a
substantially triangular cross-sectional shape having different
respective heights, H, and widths, W. For example, the rib 250n may
be implemented having a height, Hn, and a width, Wn. The rib 250o
may be implemented having a height, Hp, and a width, Wp. The rib
250r may be implemented having a height, Hr, and a width, Wr.
[0108] The height, Hp may be greater than the height, Hn, and the
height, Hr, may be greater than the height, Hp, and substantially
equal to the thickness, T. The width, Wn, may be wider than the
width, Wp, and the width, Wp, may be wider than the width, Wr.
[0109] Referring in particular to FIG. 12F, the surface 110 may be
implemented having a curved shape that is contoured to snugly match
(i.e., mate, fit, etc.) the respective firearm 300 to which the
apparatus 100 is installed.
[0110] As is apparent then from the above detailed description, the
present invention may provide an improved multi-position cartridge
casing catcher. Such an improved cartridge casing catcher may
provide reduced or eliminated noise and flash from a firearm
ejection port and so reduce or eliminate jamming caused by the
spent cartridges bouncing back, reduced or eliminated rattle of
collected shell casings, and reduced or eliminated bouncing of the
spent cartridges back into the firearm ejection port as the firearm
is operated in any position when compared to conventional
approaches.
[0111] Various alterations and modifications will become apparent
to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of this invention and it is understood this invention is
limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *