U.S. patent application number 11/651274 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for muzzle attachment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yankee Hill Machine Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to James J. Graham.
Application Number | 20100229712 11/651274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42729617 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100229712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graham; James J. |
September 16, 2010 |
Muzzle attachment system
Abstract
A muzzle attachment system for a firearm includes a muzzle
attachment having a first engagement means, and a muzzle distal
portion including a second engagement means, the second engagement
means being complementary with the first engagement means. The
first and second engagement means cooperate to releasably secure
the muzzle attachment to the muzzle distal portion. The first and
second engagement means preferably include complementary coarse
threaded engagement portions, an annular grooved surface having a
plurality of grooves, a grooved surface engagement mechanism, and
first and second position stops that abut to form a gas seal. The
muzzle distal portion is preferably a flash suppressor, including
at least two elongated ports substantially equally skewed from
normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, and substantially
evenly distributed around the circumference of the flash
suppressor.
Inventors: |
Graham; James J.;
(Westhampton, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER LLP
CITY PLACE II, 185 ASYLUM STREET
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
Yankee Hill Machine Co.,
Inc.
Florence
MA
|
Family ID: |
42729617 |
Appl. No.: |
11/651274 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60764166 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/14.2 ;
42/76.01; 42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/325 20130101;
F41A 21/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/14.2 ; 42/90;
42/76.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/34 20060101
F41A021/34; F41A 21/32 20060101 F41A021/32 |
Claims
1. A muzzle attachment system for a firearm, the attachment system
comprising: a tool-less muzzle attachment having a female coarse
threaded engagement means, and one of an annular grooved surface
and a grooved surface engagement mechanism formed on an end of the
muzzle attachment; and a muzzle distal portion having a male coarse
threaded engagement means complementary with the female coarse
threaded engagement means, and the other of the annular grooved
surface and the grooved surface engagement mechanism; wherein the
male and female coarse threaded engagement means include a single
set of complementary gas sealing surfaces, said complementary gas
sealing surfaces being tapered and positioned on respective distal
ends of the male and female coarse threaded engagements means;
wherein the male and female coarse threaded engagements means
cooperate to releasably secure the muzzle attachment to the muzzle
distal portion; wherein said male and female coarse threaded
engagement means have approximately four or less threads such that
approximately four or fewer rotations of said muzzle attachment are
required to secure said muzzle attachment to said muzzle distal
portion and to establish a single gas seal; and wherein the annular
grooved surface has a plurality of grooves extending radially
outward relative to a firing axis of the firearm.
2. (canceled)
3. The muzzle attachment system of claim 1, wherein the male and
female coarse threaded engagement means include, respectively, a
first and a second position stop, the first and second position
stops engaging prior to over-tightening of the female and male
coarse threaded portions, thereby preventing over-tightening.
4. The muzzle attachment system of claim 3, wherein said first and
second position stops are the gas sealing surfaces that abut to
form a gas seal, the gas seal substantially preventing gases
exiting the muzzle distal portion from reaching the female and male
coarse threaded portions.
5. The muzzle attachment system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle
distal portion is a flash suppressor, the flash suppressor
including at least two elongated ports substantially equally skewed
from normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, the at least
two elongated ports being substantially evenly distributed around
the circumference of the flash suppressor.
6. The muzzle attachment system of claim 5, wherein the flash
suppressor includes four elongated ports substantially equally
skewed from normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, the
four ports being substantially evenly distributed around the
circumference of the flash suppressor.
7. (canceled)
8. The muzzle attachment system of claim 1, wherein the annular
grooved surface is formed on an end of the muzzle attachment
substantially perpendicular to a firing axis of the firearm and the
muzzle distal portion carries the grooved surface engagement
mechanism.
9. The muzzle attachment system of claim 8, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism includes a toothed-washer having at
least one tooth, the at least one tooth being complementary with
any of the plurality of grooves.
10. The muzzle attachment system of claim 9, wherein the
toothed-washer includes at least two teeth substantially evenly
distributed on the toothed-washer.
11. The muzzle attachment system of claim 10, wherein the
toothed-washer includes four teeth substantially evenly distributed
on the toothed-washer.
12. The muzzle attachment system of claim 9, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism further includes a biasing means for
biasing the toothed-washer toward the annular grooved surface.
13. The muzzle attachment system of claim 12, wherein the biasing
means includes a wave spring.
14. The muzzle attachment system of claim 12, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism further includes a retaining ring for
retaining the biasing means and the toothed-washer in position
around the muzzle distal portion.
15. The muzzle attachment system of claim 14, wherein an annular
groove is formed around the circumference of the muzzle distal
portion, and the retaining ring snap-fits into the annular
groove.
16. A muzzle distal portion for use in a muzzle attachment system,
the muzzle distal portion comprising: a male coarse threaded
engagement means for engagement with a tool-less muzzle attachment;
one of an annular grooved surface having a plurality of radially
extending grooves and a grooved surface engagement mechanism for
engaging a complimentary other of the annular grooved surface and
the grooved surface engagement mechanism on the muzzle attachment;
and a single gas sealing surface configured to sealingly contact
the muzzle attachment; wherein said gas sealing surface is tapered
and positioned on a distal side of the male coarse threaded
engagement means; and wherein said male coarse threaded engagement
means includes approximately four or less threads such that
approximately four or fewer rotations of said muzzle attachment are
required to secure said muzzle attachment to said muzzle distal
portion to establish a single gas seal.
17. (canceled)
18. The muzzle distal portion of claim 16, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism includes a toothed-washer having at
least one tooth, the at least one tooth being complementary with
any of a plurality of grooves in the complementary annular grooved
surface.
19. The muzzle distal portion of claim 18, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism further includes a biasing means for
biasing the toothed-washer toward the annular grooved surface.
20. The muzzle distal portion of claim 19, wherein the grooved
surface engagement mechanism further includes a retaining ring for
retaining the biasing means and the toothed-washer in position
around the muzzle distal portion.
21. (canceled)
22. The muzzle distal portion of claim 16, wherein the muzzle
distal portion has an accommodating portion, the toothed-washer and
the biasing means being arranged around the accommodating portion,
and the male coarse threaded portion has a diameter larger than a
diameter of the accommodating portion, such that the toothed-washer
and the biasing means are retained between the retaining ring and
the male coarse threaded portion.
23. The muzzle distal portion of claim 16, wherein the engagement
means includes a position stop for engaging a complementary
position stop on the muzzle attachment, the position stop on the
muzzle distal portion adapted to form a gas seal when abutting the
complementary position stop on the muzzle attachment.
24. The muzzle distal portion of claim 16, wherein the muzzle
distal portion is a flash suppressor, the flash suppressor
including at least two elongated ports substantially equally skewed
from normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, the at least
two elongated ports being substantially evenly distributed around
the circumference of the flash suppressor.
25. The muzzle distal portion of claim 24, wherein the flash
suppressor includes four elongated ports substantially equally
skewed from normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, the
four ports being substantially evenly distributed around the
circumference of the flash suppressor.
26. A tool-less muzzle attachment for use in a muzzle attachment
system, the muzzle attachment comprising: a female coarse threaded
engagement means for engagement with a muzzle distal portion; one
of an annular grooved surface having a plurality of radially
extending grooves and a grooved surface engagement mechanism for
engaging a complimentary other of the annular grooved surface and
the grooved surface engagement mechanism on the muzzle distal
portion; and a single gas sealing surface configured to sealingly
contact the muzzle distal portion; wherein said gas sealing surface
is tapered and is positioned on a distal side of the female coarse
threaded engagement means; and wherein said female coarse threaded
engagement includes approximately four or less threads such that
approximately four or fewer rotations of said muzzle attachment are
required to secure said muzzle attachment to said muzzle distal
portion to establish a gas seal.
27. The muzzle attachment of claim 26, wherein the engagement means
includes an annular grooved surface on the muzzle attachment for
engaging a complementary grooved surface engagement mechanism on
the muzzle distal portion.
28. The muzzle attachment of claim 27, wherein the annular grooved
surface is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to a firing
axis of a firearm when attached to the muzzle distal portion.
29. The muzzle attachment of claim 26, wherein the engagement means
includes a position stop for engaging a complementary position stop
on the muzzle attachment, and wherein the position stop on the
muzzle attachment is the gas sealing surface adapted to form a gas
seal when abutting the complementary position stop on the muzzle
distal portion.
30. The muzzle attachment of claim 29, wherein the muzzle
attachment at least partially defines an interior volume and the
position stop is arranged between the interior volume and the
female coarse threaded engagement means.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 60/764,166, filed Jan. 31, 2006, the contents of
which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of devices have been developed for use in
connection with the muzzle of a firearm. These devices, or muzzle
attachments, include silencers, rocket and/or grenade launchers,
line launchers, and the like. Because the circumstances under which
a firearm is being used are liable to change quickly, it is
desirable that the muzzle attachments and/or the corresponding
firearm be adapted to allow rapid and reliable securing and removal
of the muzzle attachments.
[0003] The reliability of the connection of the muzzle attachment
and muzzle, and the ease or quickness with which the muzzle
attachment is secured and removed, tend to provide competing
objectives in the design of a muzzle attachment system. For
example, large numbers of fine threads and locking pins typically
provide a very reliable connection but require a relatively long
amount of time to secure or remove. The use of one or more tools
may also be required.
[0004] In addition to providing a sufficiently secure, yet readily
releasable connection, for many types of muzzle attachments it is
also important that a muzzle attachment system ensure proper
alignment of the muzzle attachment relative to the barrel and
firing axis of the firearm. For instance, some muzzle attachments,
such as silencers, substantially encircle the firing axis, and the
projectile, once exiting the muzzle, must also pass through the
muzzle attachment.
[0005] Many existing firearms are manufactured with a muzzle that
includes a distal portion having a flash suppressor and/or
compensator. Flash suppressors are designed to reduce the visible
flash produced by hot gases exiting the muzzle, thereby reducing
the deleterious effect such a flash would otherwise have on the
night vision of the user, when the firearm is used in darkness. The
muzzle flash is produced by the rapid ignition of un-burnt
gunpowder leaving the muzzle after the projectile, together with
the high velocity and temperature gases.
[0006] Flash suppression effects are typically achieved by both
gradually increasing the diameter of an inner surface the distal
portion, which inner surface is concentric with the firing axis,
and providing one or more ports, elongated in the direction of the
firing axis, around the circumference of the distal portion, which
ports extend between an outer surface, also concentric with the
firing axis, and the inner surface in a generally radial direction.
As the projectile exits the muzzle through the inner surface of the
distal portion, the hot gases trailing the projectile expand
radially outward through the ports. The resultant lower temperature
and velocity of the gases result in a less violent combustion of
the remaining gunpowder, and a correspondingly less intense flash.
While many flash suppressor designs feature ports that extend
outward normal to the firing axis, more effective flash suppression
is generally achieved by having one or more ports that extend
outward less than normal, in a skewed geometry.
[0007] Compensators, generally, compensate for, or mitigate one or
more undesirable motions of the firearm that occur as a result of
firing. Such undesirable motions include recoil and muzzle lift. A
flash suppressor arrangement is typically designed to also
compensate for one or both of these undesirable motions. For
instance, vectoring the high velocity gases radially away from the
firing axis for flash suppression purposes also tends to mitigate
the recoil that would be caused by such gases exiting the muzzle
along the firing axis. By eliminating ports from a bottom side of
the circumference of the distal portion, the force exerted by the
radially dissipated gases exiting the ports arranged on an upper
side of the circumference of the distal portion tends to counteract
muzzle lift.
[0008] Because the distal portion, typically a flash suppressor, is
usually designed and manufactured to be removable, many muzzle
attachment system designs involve replacing the stock distal
portion with a modified distal portion. The modified distal portion
is adapted for releasable connection with a complementarily adapted
muzzle attachment. Typically, the modified distal portion is
intended to remain in place on the firearm, even when no muzzle
attachment is connected. Accordingly, the modified distal portion
is frequently also designed to serve as flash suppressor and
compensator.
[0009] Some types of muzzle attachments, such as silencers and
other can- or canister-type attachments, must substantially enclose
the modified distal portion. Any adverse effect this enclosure
would have on the flash suppression or compensation effects of the
modified distal portion is typically mitigated, as the muzzle
attachment itself may provide substantial flash suppression and/or
compensation, ancillary to the muzzle attachment's primary purpose.
For instance, silencers tend to effectively suppress muzzle flash
and provide some compensation, ancillary to their primary purposes
of muffling the audible report of the firearm.
[0010] However, the fact of this enclosure by certain muzzle
attachments has tended to influence the design of the modified
distal portion. Particularly, until the present invention, modified
distal portions including ports skewed from normal, relative to the
firing axis, have not been employed, as the inclusion of such ports
in conventional configurations tends to impart undesirable
torsional forces to the muzzle attachment, when connected.
Accordingly, firearms employing prior art muzzle attachment systems
with modified distal portions exhibit inferior flash suppression
capabilities when no muzzle attachment is connected.
[0011] Some of the unburnt powder, as well as other particulate
matter entrained in the expanding hot gases behind the bullet or
projectile, tends to deposit both along the barrel of the rifle and
within the distal portion and the muzzle attachment. As a result,
periodic cleaning of the firearm, including the distal portion and
muzzle attachment, is required to remove these deposits. If the
interface between the corresponding engagement surfaces on the
muzzle attachment and the modified distal portion is not
sufficiently isolated from the expanding gases to prevent
deposition of particulate matter on the engagement portions,
deposits on the engagement surfaces can result in binding of the
muzzle attachment to the distal portion, as well as damage to the
engagement portions. Damage to the engagement portions can result
in an undesirable discharge of gases between the muzzle attachment
and the modified distal portion, leading to decreased efficacy of
the muzzle attachment and impaired accuracy.
[0012] From the foregoing, it can be seen that there is a need for
a muzzle attachment system that provides for both a connection
between the firearm and the muzzle attachment that is reliable and
secure, but which also allows for the muzzle attachment to be
easily and quickly connected and disconnected. There is also a need
for a muzzle attachment system having a modified distal portion
incorporating skewed ports for enhanced flash suppression when no
muzzle attachment is in place while avoiding undesirable torsional
forces when a muzzle attachment surrounding the skewed ports is
connected. Additionally, there is a need for a muzzle attachment
system in which the engagement portions are not exposed to
particulate deposition from the expanding gases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
muzzle attachment system for a firearm includes a muzzle attachment
having a first engagement means, and a muzzle distal portion
including a second engagement means, the second engagement means
being complementary with the first engagement means. The first and
second engagement means cooperate to releasably secure the muzzle
attachment to the muzzle distal portion.
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention the first
and second engagement means include complementary coarse threaded
engagement portions. The coarse threaded engagement portions allow
for quick and easy attachment and detachment. The first engagement
means and second engagement means also include an annular grooved
surface having a plurality of grooves, and a grooved surface
engagement mechanism.
[0015] The annular grooved surface and the grooved surface
engagement mechanism engage one another with sufficient force to
overcome torsional forces acting on the muzzle attachment during
use, even when the muzzle attachment is not completely screwed on
to the muzzle distal portion. However, the force exerted between
the annular grooved surface and the grooved surface engagement
mechanism still permits easy manual removal of the muzzle
attachment.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention the
first and second engagement portions include first and second
position stops that prevent overtightening of the coarse threaded
portions and abut to form a gas seal, the gas seal substantially
preventing gases exiting the muzzle distal portion from reaching
the coarse threaded portions, thereby preventing fouling.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the
muzzle distal portion is a flash suppressor, the flash suppressor
including at least two elongated ports substantially equally skewed
from normal relative to a firing axis of the firearm, the at least
two elongated ports being substantially evenly distributed around
the circumference of the flash suppressor. Thus, the flash
suppression of the distal portion is enhanced when no muzzle
attachment is in place.
[0018] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and the
detailed description, below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a silencer and a flash suppressor employing a
muzzle attachment system, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the flash suppressor of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the silencer of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an end view of the silencer of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the flash suppressor of
FIG. 2, with another notch embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the flash suppressor of FIG. 2,
with the notch embodiment of FIG. 5, and with the grooved surface
engagement mechanism removed;
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the flash suppressor of
FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7;
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the flash suppressor of
FIG. 6, taken along line 8-8; and
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the flash suppressor of FIG. 2,
with an exploded view of the grooved surface engagement
mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a muzzle attachment system 10 according
to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a silencer 12,
also known as a sound suppressor, and a flash suppressor 14.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the silencer 12 has a cylindrical body
20, partially defining an interior volume 22, which interior volume
22 concentrically surrounds a firing axis 24 of a firearm (not
shown). The cylindrical body 20 extends between a first end 26 and
a second end 28, the first and second ends 26, 28 each disposed
substantially perpendicularly to the firing axis 24.
[0029] In the vicinity of the first end 26, proximate to a muzzle
(not shown) of the firearm when the silencer 12 is connected to the
firearm, an internal passage 30 is defined within the cylindrical
body 20. The internal passage 30 extends between a first passage
opening 32 in the first end 26 and a second passage opening 34, the
second passage opening 34 communicating with the internal volume
22. The internal passage 30, first passage opening 32 and second
passage opening 34 are each substantially concentric to the firing
axis 24.
[0030] The silencer 12 is further formed with first engagement
means 38, including a female coarse-threaded portion 40 and a first
position stop 42, in the internal passage 30, and an annular
grooved surface 44 (best seen in FIG. 4), including a plurality of
grooves 46, extending radially outward relative to the firing axis
24. The annular grooved surface 44 is formed on the first end 26,
surrounding the first passage opening 32. A projectile discharge
opening is disposed in the second end 28 and also arranged
substantially concentrically with the firing axis 24.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the flash suppressor 14 is
formed as a generally cylindrical body 50 concentric to the firing
axis 24, and having a first end 52 and a second end 54, the first
and second ends 52, 54 disposed substantially perpendicular to the
firing axis 24. A muzzle engagement portion 56 extends into the
cylindrical body 50 from the first end 52 and is designed to engage
the muzzle end of the firearm barrel (not shown) when a stock
distal portion (not shown) is removed.
[0032] A frustoconical cavity 58, concentric to the firing axis 24,
extends into the cylindrical body 50 from the second end 54.
Communication between the firearm barrel, when engaged in the
muzzle engagement portion and the frustoconical cavity 58 is
through a small bore 60 and a large bore 62, both bores 60, 62
concentric to the firing axis 24. The frustoconical cavity 58,
together with the large bore 62, partially define a gas expansion
volume 64.
[0033] Each of a plurality of elongated ports 70 extend through the
cylindrical body 50 to the gas expansion volume 64. The elongated
ports 70 are evenly spaced around the cylindrical body 50, and as
can best be seen in FIG. 7, each of the elongated ports 70 is
equally skewed from normal 72 relative to the firing axis 24.
[0034] One or more notches 74 are formed in the cylindrical body 50
proximate to the second end 54. Notches 74a, 74b show different
notch embodiments, notches 74a (FIGS. 2 and 9) having a triangular
profile and notches 74b (FIGS. 5 and 6) an overlapping
semi-circular profile. Typically, the flash suppressor 14 is
provided with two notches 74, having the same profile, on opposing
sides of the cylindrical body 50. When the muzzle attachment, such
as silencer 12 is not in place, notches 74 facilitate proper
alignment of the firearm when shooting through the shank of a
padlock, a wire, or the like, and result in a more aggressive
appearance of the firearm. Alternately, notches 74 can be
omitted.
[0035] Opposing flat surfaces 76, best seen in FIG. 8, are formed
in the cylindrical body 50 proximate to the first end 52 to allow a
wrench, or the like, to be used for tightening the flash suppressor
14 onto the firearm muzzle when replacing the stock distal portion
(not shown) with the flash suppressor 14. Adjacent to the flat
surfaces 76 an annular groove 78 is formed in the cylindrical body
50.
[0036] The flash suppressor 14 is further formed with second
engagement means 80, complementary to the first engagement means
38. The second engagement means 80 include a second position stop
82, a male coarse-threaded portion 84, and a grooved surface
engagement mechanism 86. The grooved surface engagement mechanism
86 (best seen in FIG. 9) includes a retaining ring 88, dimensioned
to snap-fit into the annular groove 78, a biasing means 90, such as
a wave spring, and a toothed-washer 92. The toothed-washer 92 is
formed with a plurality of teeth 94. Each tooth 94 is dimensioned
to complementarily engage a corresponding one of the plurality of
grooves 46.
[0037] An accommodating portion 96 of the cylindrical body 50
accommodates the wave spring 90 and the toothed-washer 92 between
the retaining ring 88, in the annular groove 78, and the male
coarse-threaded portion 84. Preferably, the diameter of at least a
portion of the cylindrical body 50 in the area of the male
coarse-threaded portion 84 slightly exceeds the diameter of the
accommodating portion 96, so as to limit the motion of the
toothed-washer 92 along the cylindrical body 50 in the direction of
the male coarse-threaded portion 84.
[0038] Referring again to FIG. 1, when the muzzle attachment system
10 is fully connected, the first position stop 42 (FIG. 3) and the
second position stop 82 (FIG. 5) abut, thereby cooperating to form
a gas seal 100. Hot gases expanding in the internal volume 22
toward the second passage opening 34 are, thus, impeded from
reaching the female and male coarse threaded portions 40, 84 and
potentially harmful deposits thereon are substantially
prevented.
[0039] In operation, the stock distal portion (not shown) is
removed from the firearm muzzle (not shown). The grooved surface
engagement mechanism 86 is positioned around the cylindrical body
50 of the flash suppressor 14, such that the retaining ring 88 is
snap-fit into the annular groove 78 to retain the wave spring 90
and the toothed-washer 92 around the accommodating portion 96. With
the grooved surface engagement mechanism 86 in place, the muzzle
engagement portion 56 of the flash suppressor 14 is secured to the
firearm muzzle and tightened using a wrench (not shown), or the
like on the flat surfaces 76. The firearm is then operable for
normal use without any muzzle attachment.
[0040] To attach the silencer 12 to the flash suppressor 14, the
second end 54 of the flash suppressor 14 cylindrical body 50 is
partially inserted through the internal passage 30 of the silencer
12, until the male coarse-threaded portion 84 abuts the female
coarse-threaded portion 40. The silencer 12 is then rotated about
the firing axis 24 to inter-engage the male and female
coarse-threaded portions 84, 40.
[0041] Rotating the silencer 12 brings the annular grooved surface
44 into engagement with the toothed-washer 92 of the grooved
surface engagement mechanism 86, and compresses the wave spring 90
between the retaining ring 88 and the toothed-washer 92. Wave
spring 90 biases the toothed-washer 92 against the annular grooved
surface 44, with each tooth 94 being held in engagement with a
corresponding groove 46.
[0042] The rotation of silencer 12 continues until the first
position stop 42 abuts the second position stop 82. The abutment of
the first and second position stops 42, 82 provides a user with a
clear indication that the silencer 12 attachment is complete and
prevents over-tightening of the silencer 12, thus avoiding possible
damaging of the coarse-threaded portions 84, 40 and/or complicating
subsequent removal of the silencer 12.
[0043] It will be appreciated from the above-description that the
use of coarse-threaded portions 84, 40 allows for quick and easy
removal and attachment of the silencer 12, or other muzzle
attachment. The grooved surface engagement mechanism 86 produces
sufficient force to overcome any torsional forces acting on the
silencer 12 during operation the firearm with the silencer 12 in
place, while requiring minimal force to manually overcome the
engagement and remove the silencer 12.
[0044] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but
that numerous variations and modifications are possible within the
scope of the present invention.
[0045] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the silencer 12, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the muzzle attachment system of the present
invention is equally adaptable to any of a variety of other common
muzzle attachments, such as those listed above, without departing
from the scope of the invention. Additionally, although the present
invention references a combination of a distal portion and a muzzle
attachment, both muzzle distal portions and muzzle attachments
separately fall within the scope of the present invention, if the
muzzle distal portions and/or the muzzle attachment are adapted for
use with the muzzle attachment system of the present invention.
[0046] The modified distal portion used in the muzzle attachment
system of the present invention is shown as the flash suppressor
14. It will be appreciated that, within the scope of the present
invention, modified distal portions with other features and
capabilities are advantageously employable, and that the distal
portion need not include a flash suppressor. Additionally, though
the present invention is described in connection with a modified
distal portion that replaces a stock distal portion, stock distal
portions can also be advantageously modified according to the
muzzle attachment system of the present invention, whether or not
such stock distal portions are replaceable. Where a replacement
modified distal portion is used, the present invention is not
limited to any particular means for attaching the modified distal
portion to the distal end of the firearm barrel. One advantageous
means includes fine threads on the distal end of the firearm barrel
and in the muzzle engagement portion 56.
[0047] Although the flash suppressor 14 preferably includes skewed
elongated ports 70, and flash suppressor that includes elongated
ports that extend through the cylindrical body 50 in a direction
normal 72 from the firing axis, is also within the scope of the
present invention. However, the inventors of the present invention
have found that the flash suppressor 14 with skewed elongated ports
70 is advantageously employable with the muzzle attachment system
10, while avoiding the undesirable torsional forces discussed
above, if the elongated ports 70 are evenly distributed around the
circumference of cylindrical body 50 and if each port is skewed to
the same degree. Thus, the flash suppressor 14 enables enhanced
flash suppression, relative to non-skewed ports extending normal to
the firing axis, when no muzzle attachment, such as silencer 12, is
in place. The present inventors have further found that a flash
suppressor 14 with four elongated ports results in extremely
satisfactory performance.
[0048] Although the wave spring 90 is shown as the biasing means
90, it will also be appreciated that other biasing means 90 can be
used in addition to, or in place of the wave spring 90. Although
the retaining ring 88 is shown as snap-fitted into the annular
groove 78, other placement means for ensuring the positioning the
biasing means and the toothed-washer are possible within the scope
of the present invention.
[0049] While the use of four evenly distributed teeth 94 on the
toothed-washer 92 has been found optimal for evenly distributing
the contact of the toothed-washer 92 with the annular grooved
surface 44 and ensuring proper alignment of the silencer 12
relative to the firing axis 24, more or less teeth 94 can be used,
although at least two teeth 94 are preferred, and it is further
preferred that the teeth 94 be evenly distributed on the
toothed-washer 92. The teeth 94 can also be placed on the silencer
12 and the annular grooved surface 44 on the washer 92.
Additionally, other complementary shapes for teeth 94 and grooves
46 fall within the scope of the present invention. For instance,
knurling or complementary hemispherical cavities and protrusions
may also be employed.
[0050] These and other modifications, variations, and adaptations
for particular circumstances are all possible within the scope of
the present invention.
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