U.S. patent application number 12/220253 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-17 for booster for handgun silencers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advanced Armament Corp.. Invention is credited to James Earl DeGroat.
Application Number | 20110036233 12/220253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43587804 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110036233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeGroat; James Earl |
February 17, 2011 |
BOOSTER FOR HANDGUN SILENCERS
Abstract
A booster apparatus that is to be used with an autoloading
handgun is provided. The proposed novel device utilizes a piston
with five spokes which are secured against rotational movement by
interfacing with five of ten indexing notches that are machined on
the stopping flange of the booster housing. There are ten indexing
notches provided which allows for ten positions of orientation for
the silencer in relation to the bore of the host firearm.
Unnecessary rotational movement is prevented by the indexing
notches which are robust and secure the piston in place. This
device when utilized with a handgun silencer will facilitate the
proper semi automatic function of the host firearm.
Inventors: |
DeGroat; James Earl; (Milan,
NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER, 441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
Advanced Armament Corp.
|
Family ID: |
43587804 |
Appl. No.: |
12/220253 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/14.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/325
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/14.4 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30; F41A 21/26 20060101 F41A021/26 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A booster for a silencer, comprising: a piston with a proximal
end and a distal end, the proximal end of the piston configured to
couple to a firearm such that a projectile can pass through the
piston from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end of
the piston including an outer periphery and a forward protrusion
inwardly spaced from the outer periphery having a geometric shape
with at least three sides; and a housing configured to couple to a
silencer, the housing comprising an internal shoulder with a
plurality of notches to receive the geometric shape on the distal
end of the piston; wherein the piston is translatable relative to
the housing in at least one of the proximal and distal directions
during discharge of a firearm coupled to the piston.
9. The booster of claim 8, the booster further comprising a spring
coupled to the housing and to the piston to allow translation of
the piston relative to the housing.
10. The booster of claim 8, wherein the geometric shape at the
distal end of the piston protrusion is a pentagon of five
substantially equilateral sides and five substantially
evenly-spaced corners, and wherein the internal shoulder of the
housing has ten notches substantially evenly-spaced therein to
receive the substantially evenly-spaced corners of the pentagon on
the distal end protrusion of the piston.
11. The booster of claim 8, the booster further comprising a rear
cap configured to couple to the housing, the rear cap comprising a
plurality of exterior serrated cuts to form a gripping surface.
12. The booster of claim 11, the booster further comprising an
o-ring located interior to the rear cap, the o-ring positioned to
contact the piston.
13. The booster of claim 8, the piston further comprising a
plurality of spokes defining at least in part the outer periphery
and bearing against an internal wall of the housing during
translation of the piston relative to the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to silencers and in
particular to devices and methods for indexing the silencer's
orientation as it relates to the muzzle of the host firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-PRIOR ART
[0002] Firearms silencers are well known in the prior art. The
advantages of reducing the muzzle blast, noise and flash signature
of a discharging firearm are well known. The apparatus and method
herein described pertains to a booster mechanism which facilitates
the autoloading function of the host firearm when the, silencer is
in place.
[0003] Autoloading handguns generally function by utilizing the
energy generated by a discharged round of ammunition to extract,
eject and load another round of ammunition. During the extraction
and ejecting phase of operation, on "Browning" inspired designs,
well known in the prior art, the barrel chamber drops below the
level of the handgun's slide and the front of the barrel tilts up,
above the axis of the slide. The addition of four or more ounces to
the front of the barrel will typically prevent the proper operation
of the handgun.
[0004] In general, effective silencer designs weigh more than four
ounces. Due to weight considerations, a means to allow the host
firearm to cycle was necessary. Boosters, as they are commonly
referred to, are incorporated into the rear of a silencer to assist
in the cycling of the host handgun. Some boosters work by
increasing the pressure forced back into the handgun's operating
system and others work by isolating the mass of the attached
silencer through various means. Examples of these designs are found
in the Advanced Armament Corp. ASAP system, Gemtech Tundra or the
SWR Trident-9. In general the designs may work so as to allow the
proper operating of the handgun, but fail to provide an effective,
robust means by which to orient and adjust the orientation of the
attached silencer.
[0005] Designs such as the Gemtech Tundra utilize a set screw which
protrudes into the booster housing as a means to prevent the piston
from freely rotating. Unfortunately these set screws can become
threadedly unsecured inside of the housing allowing the silencer to
rotate freely which will negatively affect the ability of the
handgun to deliver accurate fire. Further, the set screw can break
off inside of the housing with the same effect. The herein
disclosed invention overcomes these weaknesses by providing a
robust design which provides five solid indexing notches that
positively engage the booster housing and prevents any unintended
rotation of the associated silencer.
[0006] In the past, other booster designs have relied on
specialized tools for the disassembly of the booster housing
assembly for maintenance. Further, there was no other tool which
could be substituted in emergency conditions for the proper
maintenance of the booster housing. My design has no need of
specialized tools because the retention cap incorporates surface
structures which facilitate the disassembly of the booster
assembly.
[0007] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows,
and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION-OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0008] Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present
invention are [0009] 1. To provide a means of affecting a
silencer's orientation in relation to the muzzle of the host
firearm. [0010] 2. To provide a means to utilize the silencer to
adjust the point of impact of the host firearm. [0011] 3. To
provide a device that allows the host firearm to properly cycle
with a silencer in place. [0012] 4. To provide a device that has
interchangeable threaded inserts so that one silencer may be used
on a variety of firearms. [0013] 5. To provide a device that does
not require tools for disassembly.
[0014] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY
[0015] One embodiment of the proposed novel invention provides for
a housing, piston, spring and retaining cap which are incorporated
into an existing silencer and utilized on a handgun. The piston is
machined so that it may be threadedly secured to the barrel of a
firearm. The housing is designed to contain the piston and is
threadedly secured to the silencer body. A centrally located
aperture is provided at the distal end of the housing to allow a
discharged projectile from a firearm to exit. The piston has an
opening through its body, which aligns with the aperture of the
housing which facilitates the passing through of a discharged
projectile. A series of indexing notches are provided at the bottom
of the housing where the piston is nested. The piston utilizes five
spokes which interface with five, of ten, notches in the housing in
any given orientation. This allows the piston to be oriented in ten
different positions. A spring is placed in the housing after the
piston is in place and retained by a retaining cap. The retaining
cap is designed so that no tool is necessary to threadedly retain
it in the housing. The spring provides force to prevent the piston
from backing out of the housing except during the discharge of the
handgun or the orientation of the piston within the silencer.
DRAWINGS
[0016] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the
invention, together with further advantages thereof, will be better
understood from the following description considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of my improved booster for a handgun
silencer;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view from the proximal end
thereof:
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded side view from the distal end
thereof;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an end view from the distal end thereof:
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the booster assembly;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cutaway end view of the distal end of the
improved booster for a handgun silencer and piston from the
proximal direction;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a handgun and silencer
utilizing the improved booster for a handgun silencer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates an
embodiment of the herein proposed invention: an improved silencer
booster 10 is shown fully assembled. The primary components of this
device are the booster housing 20, the piston 30; the coil spring
40 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3 & 5), and the retention cap 50.
[0025] FIGS. 2 & 3 show exploded horizontal side views of the
improved silencer booster 10. Housing 20 has external threads 21
located about its periphery near the proximal end of the housing
20. Internal threads 22 are provided near the proximal end of the
housing 20. Housing 20 is machined from steel. Piston 30 is
machined from steel. A series of stopping spokes 31 are located
about the periphery of the piston 30 near the distal end. Stopping
spokes 31 are machined so that the piston 30 will fit within the
housing 20. Inside of the booster housing 20 approximate the distal
end is located, shown in FIG. 6, a stopping shoulder 24 where ten
evenly spaced indexing notches 23 are located about its external
area. Near the proximal end of the piston 30 there is located an
internal thread 33 which is utilized to removably secure the piston
to a firearm barrel 61. At the extreme distal end of the piston 30
are the indexing spokes 34. Indexing spokes 34 are pentagonal in
shape. A coil spring 40 is utilized within the housing 20. Coil
spring 40 has a void large enough to accommodate the piston shaft
32. The retention cap 50 has an external thread 52 that threadedly
secures to the internal thread 22 of the housing 20. Also present
is an opening 54 which is large enough for the piston shaft 32 to
pass through. This allows the piston 30 to be translatable in one
of a forward direction and a rearward direction. The internal walls
53 of retention cap 50 support the piston 30. An internal cut 55
inside of the opening 54 on retention cap 50 houses an o-ring 56.
Located about the retention cap 50 are a series of gripping
surfaces 51 which are semi-circular in shape.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the distal end of the booster
housing 20. FIG. 6 illustrates the same features in a cutaway view
taken from the proximal direction. Ten indexing notches 23 located
about the interior of the stopping shoulder 24 are shown
interfacing with five indexing spokes 34 located on the front of
the piston 30. Ten indexing notches 23 are present about the
interior of the stopping shoulder 24. Indexing spokes 34 located
about the distal end of the piston 30 are prevented from rotational
movement once the piston 30 is fully seated within the housing 20
and the indexing spokes 34 are seated within the indexing notches
23. Indexing notches 23 are spaced about the stopping shoulder 24
so that the indexing spokes 34 are afforded ten positions of
orientation.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway view of the booster housing 20
when fully assembled. Piston 30 has a proximal end and a distal
end. The proximal end has a thread 33 which is utilized to
threadedly secure the piston 30 to a firearm barrel 61. The
internal area of the piston 30 is hollow so that a bullet might
pass through unhindered. The distal end of the piston 30 has five
indexing spokes 34 (illustrated in FIGS. 2 & 3) and five
stopping spokes 31. Annular stopping shoulder 24 located near the
distal end of the boost housing 20 protrudes from the booster
housing wall 25 sufficiently to prevent the five stopping spokes 31
of piston 30 from traveling past. Coil spring 40 is placed about
the piston 30 and contained within the booster housing 20 by
retention cap 50. Retention cap 50 has an external thread 52 which
interacts with the internal threads 22 of the booster housing 20.
Further, retention cap 50 has gripping surfaces 51 which provides
the means by which the user secures the retention cap 50 to the
booster housing 20 thereby containing the piston 30 and coil spring
40 within the housing 20. Also shown is retention cap 50 with
internal cut 55 with o-ring 56 in place.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a firearm 62,
firearm barrel 61, with a silencer 60, utilizing the improved
booster for handgun silencers 10, threadedly secured about the
firearm barrel 61.
[0029] Improved booster for handgun silencers 10 is secured to a
silencer 60 body by external mounting threads 21 located near the
proximal end of the booster housing 20. Retention cap 50 secures
piston 30 and coil spring 40 within booster housing 20. Silencer 60
utilizing the improved booster for handgun silencers 10 is
threadedly secured about a firearm barrel 61 by piston retention
threads 33. The user may adjust the orientation of silencer 60 as
it relates to firearm barrel 61 by grasping silencer 60 and pulling
it forward of the firearm. This motion compresses coil spring 40
and allows piston 30 to rotate freely. Once silencer 60 and booster
housing 20 are rotated to the desired position, the user releases
silencer 60 so that indexing spokes 34 and indexing notches 23 are
allowed to once again interface and prevent rotational movement of
the silencer 60 and piston 30 within the booster housing 20. The
pentagonal shape of the indexing spokes 34 and the decagonal shape
of booster housing 20 indexing notches 23 are machined so that the
piston 30 may be oriented in one of ten positions at any given
time.
[0030] Gripping surfaces 51 located about retention cap 50 allow
the user to threadedly restrain retention cap 50 to booster housing
20 without the need for specialized tools. The o-ring 56 provided
with retention cap 50 minimizes debris from escaping the booster
housing 20 during normal use.
[0031] The improved booster 10 is designed to be incorporated into
the proximal end of the silencer 60. Piston 30 utilizes threads 33
as a means to removably secure the improved booster 10, and thereby
the silencer 60, to a firearm barrel 61. When expanding gases exit
the firearm barrel 61, entering both the booster housing 20 and the
silencer 60, the gases push the silencer away from the firearm
thereby relieving the firearm barrel 61 of the silencer's weight
during cycling. Coil spring 40 resists the movement of the silencer
60 and is thereby compressed. Piston stopping spokes 31 keep the
firearm barrel's exit aperture 62 aligned with the centrally
located void 26 (shown in FIG. 4) within the booster housing 20. As
expanding gases exit the distal end of the silencer 60 and pressure
is reduced, the coil spring 40, located about piston 30 contained
by the retention cap 50, expands back to its non compressed state.
When the coil spring 40 has returned to its non compressed state,
indexing spokes 34 reengage the indexing notches 23 located inside
of booster housing 20.
[0032] As used herein, the word "front" or "forward" or "distal"
corresponds to the direction which a discharged projectile would
pass through the improved booster housing 20 (i.e., to the left as
shown in FIGS. 1-2, & 5); "rear" or "rearward or "back" or
"proximal" corresponds to the direction opposite the direction of a
discharged projectile passing through the improved booster housing
20 (i.e., to the right as shown in FIGS. 1-2, & 5);
"longitudinal" means the direction along or parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the improved booster housing 20; and
"transverse" means a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction.
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0033] Accordingly the reader will see that, according to the
invention, I have provided a method for adjusting the orientation
of a silencer while mounted on the barrel of a firearm. The
orientation method requires no special tools and ten positions of
adjustment are provided for. Further, the herein described
invention requires no special tools for the disassembly of the
booster housing during maintenance of the internal components. The
improved booster for handgun silencers may be incorporated into any
handgun silencer with very little modification to the original
design and ensures the reliable auto loading function of the host
firearm.
[0034] While my above drawings and description contain many
specificities, these should not be constructed as limitations on
the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one
embodiment thereof.
[0035] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
* * * * *