U.S. patent application number 12/624123 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for muzzle brake and method.
Invention is credited to F. Richard Langner.
Application Number | 20100224054 12/624123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42677083 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100224054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Langner; F. Richard |
September 9, 2010 |
MUZZLE BRAKE AND METHOD
Abstract
A muzzle gas reduction device has upper and lower elongated,
curved sections that define a barrel shape that is open to the
sides. The upper section has a narrower width than the lower
section. A plurality of cone-shaped, open, combs are interposed
between the upper and lower elongated sections, along a length
thereof. The device is coupled to the end of a barrel of a firearm,
preferably a PAN disrupter. The configuration of the cones and the
differing widths of the upper and lower sections cause muzzle
gasses to be re-directed rearward and upward, reducing recoil.
Inventors: |
Langner; F. Richard;
(Fountain Hills, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
42677083 |
Appl. No.: |
12/624123 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61209264 |
Mar 6, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
89/14.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/36 20130101;
F41A 21/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/14.3 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/36 20060101
F41A021/36 |
Claims
1. A muzzle gas reduction device comprising, in combination: an
upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower,
elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that
of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved
sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; a plurality of
cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined
by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of
the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to
permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to
couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of
a firearm.
2. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at
least three cone-shaped combs.
3. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at
least four cone-shaped combs.
4. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1, wherein there are at
least five cone-shaped combs.
5. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 wherein the coupling
device comprises an elongated section having a diameter less than
that of the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated,
curved sections and a clamping device adapted to clamp the
elongated section of the muzzle gas reduction device to the barrel
of the firearm.
6. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 further comprising a
percussion actuated non-electric disrupter and wherein the muzzle
gas reduction device is coupled to the percussion actuated
non-electric disrupter.
7. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 1 wherein the combs are
evenly-spaced, one from the other.
8. A muzzle gas reduction device comprising, in combination: an
upper, elongated, curved section having a first width; a lower,
elongated, curved section having a second width greater than that
of the first width; wherein the upper and lower, elongated, curved
sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; at least three
cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the barrel defined
by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections; wherein each of
the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough sufficient to
permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device adapted to
couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of
a firearm; wherein the firearm is a percussion actuated
non-electric disrupter.
9. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 8 wherein the coupling
device comprises an elongated section having a diameter less than
that of the barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated,
curved sections and a clamping device adapted to clamp the
elongated section of the muzzle gas reduction device to the barrel
of the firearm.
10. The muzzle gas reduction device of claim 8 wherein the combs
are evenly-spaced, one from the other.
11. A method for reducing muzzle gas and recoil comprising, in
combination: providing a muzzle gas reduction device in accordance
with claim 1; coupling the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel
of a firearm; and discharging the firearm.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the firearm is a percussion
actuated non-electric disrupter.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority from
provisional application No. 61/209,264, filed on Mar. 6, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to muzzle brakes and
methods therefore and, more particularly, to an improved muzzle
brake and method having particular application to the disabling of
improved explosive devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Percussion actuated non-electric (PAN) disrupters or
dearmers are often used by military personnel, bomb squads, and
other emergency service personnel in the destruction and
disablement of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other bombs
and/or ordnance. A typical PAN disrupter comprises a heavy duty
12-gauge shotgun barrel which can be operated remotely through the
use of a robot, for example, in order to facilitate firing of the
device from a safe distance. The PAN disrupter is often engaged
electrically or by a shock tube. Such a PAN disrupter uses
specially designed 12-gauge shotgun ammunition in conjunction with
various sighting methods which predominantly use a laser sight.
[0004] One method for dearming an IED involves the aiming of the
PAN disrupter at the IED's power source. If the shot is successful,
the power source is destroyed and the IED is disabled. There are
several limitations with the prior art method herein described.
Upon firing of the weapon, muzzle gases are discharged from the
barrel end, in the direction of the IED. If the PAN disrupter is
too close to the IED, the muzzle gases may detonate the explosive.
If the PAN disrupter is moved farther away from the IED to reduce
the risk of detonation, accuracy is sacrificed and the power source
may not be hit by the projectile.
[0005] Because typical PAN disrupter ammunition generates a
substantial amount of muzzle gases, firing of the device also
produces significant recoil. This can be damaging to the PAN
disrupter or to a robot upon which it is transported.
[0006] The present invention is directed to an improved device and
method, having application to the disablement of IED's and the
like, for redirecting muzzle gases and reducing recoil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a muzzle gas reduction device is disclosed. The device comprises,
in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section having a first
width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a second width
greater than that of the first width; wherein the upper and lower,
elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to sides thereof; a
plurality of cone-shaped combs interposed at intervals along the
barrel defined by the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections;
wherein each of the cone-shaped combs has an opening therethrough
sufficient to permit passage of a projectile; and a coupling device
adapted to couple the barrel of the muzzle gas reduction device to
a barrel of a firearm.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a muzzle gas reduction device is disclosed. The device
comprises, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved section
having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section having a
second width greater than that of the first width; wherein the
upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel open to
sides thereof; at least three cone-shaped combs interposed at
intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower,
elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs
has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a
projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of
the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; wherein
the firearm is a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter.
[0009] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, a method for reducing muzzle gas and recoil is
disclosed. The method comprises: providing a muzzle gas reduction
device comprising, in combination: an upper, elongated, curved
section having a first width; a lower, elongated, curved section
having a second width greater than that of the first width; wherein
the upper and lower, elongated, curved sections define a barrel
open to sides thereof; a plurality of cone-shaped combs interposed
at intervals along the barrel defined by the upper and lower,
elongated, curved sections; wherein each of the cone-shaped combs
has an opening therethrough sufficient to permit passage of a
projectile; and a coupling device adapted to couple the barrel of
the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; coupling
the muzzle gas reduction device to a barrel of a firearm; and
discharging the firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a muzzle gas reduction
device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the muzzle gas reduction device
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the muzzle gas reduction device of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the muzzle gas reduction device of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of the muzzle gas reduction device of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a muzzle
gas reduction device 10 is shown. The muzzle gas reduction device
10 is adapted, as described below, to be coupled to an end of a
firearm barrel. Preferably, the firearm is a PAN disrupter, though
the muzzle gas reduction device 10 of the present invention may be
utilized with other types of firearms not associated with
disruptors, including canons. The muzzle gas reduction device 10 is
adapted to permit a projectile to be fired from the firearm, to
pass through the device 10, and to divert sideward and upward
muzzle gasses escaping from the end of the firearm barrel.
[0016] The device 10 has, as illustrated in the figures, a
substantially barrel shape. It comprises an upper, elongated,
curved section 12 and a lower, elongated, curved section 14. As
best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a width of the upper section 12 is less
than a width of the lower section 14.
[0017] Interposed between the upper section 12 and lower section 14
are a plurality of combs 16. Combs 16 have a cone shape, as best
seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. They are also open therethrough, as best
seen in FIG. 1. The size of the openings through the combs 16
should be sufficient to permit passage therethrough of a projectile
fired from the firearm (not shown).
[0018] Preferably, a plurality of combs 16 is provided. The number
may be varied as desired. For some applications, three or four
combs 16 may be sufficient. For others, five or more combs 16 may
be desired. Preferably, the combs 16 are evenly-spaced, as seen in
FIGS. 1-4.
[0019] Preferably, the upper and lower sections 12 and 14 and combs
16 are manufactured from steel.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the cone shape of the combs 16 causes a
portion of expelled muzzle gasses to be directed rearward. As shown
in FIG. 5, the provision of a lower section 14 having a greater
width than that of upper section 12 also causes a portion of
expelled muzzle gasses to be directed upward. The combined effect
of this re-direction of muzzle gasses, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5,
causes reduced recoil and even, in some instances, may cause the
firearm to pitch forward rather than fall backward.
[0021] In testing, a PAN disrupter fired without a device 10
thereon was propelled end over end in a rearward direction for
approximately 50 feet. The same device, firing the same projectile,
tips forward into the ground.
[0022] Turning now to the manner in which the device 10 may be
coupled to a barrel of a firearm (not shown), a sleeve 18 is
provided at a rear end of the device 10. The sleeve 18 is
configured to be slid over the firearm barrel. A clamp 20 is
dimensioned to be fitted over the sleeve 18, and to then be
tightened into place. The two mating halves of clamp 20 each have
openings 22 therethrough, for receiving fastening screws 24.
Preferably, the screws are socket head cap style. An anti-seize
compound is preferably applied to the threads to protect them and
to allow for their easy removal. The screws 24 are preferably
tightened using a hex driver (not shown), which limits the leverage
which can be applied to the screws 24, preventing over-torquing. A
user should check for any movement of the device 10 after each
shot, and should re-tighten if necessary.
[0023] It should be noted that the foregoing represents only one
possible method for attaching the device 10 to the barrel of a
firearm. For example, the device 10 could be threaded and screwed
onto mating threads on the firearm barrel, the device 10 could
welded to the barrel, or could be coupled in other ways.
[0024] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be
limited, except as by the appended claims.
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