U.S. patent application number 13/347670 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-12 for method of suppressing blast conduit leakage.
Invention is credited to Nathan Lee Waugh.
Application Number | 20120174450 13/347670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46454096 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120174450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waugh; Nathan Lee |
July 12, 2012 |
METHOD OF SUPPRESSING BLAST CONDUIT LEAKAGE
Abstract
A blast suppressor for safely diverting and suppressing the
escape of pressurized gasses from a non-muzzle opening in a blast
conduit, such as found at the juncture between a revolver's barrel
and cylinder, or a recoil-reducing ported barrel. The blast
suppressor being designed substantially within the existing
framework of the firearm to maintain its unique physical
appearance, as well as fit with current holsters, optics, and
accessories.
Inventors: |
Waugh; Nathan Lee; (Piney
Flats, TN) |
Family ID: |
46454096 |
Appl. No.: |
13/347670 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61431831 |
Jan 11, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/76 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/1.06 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/76 20060101
F41A003/76 |
Claims
1. A blast conduit leakage suppressor comprising: a. a tubular
blast conduit; and b. a blast suppression means substantially
positioned to intercept escaping blast from a non-muzzle opening in
said blast conduit.
2. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 1 wherein said
non-muzzle opening is substantially incorporated within a firearm
barrel.
3. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 1 wherein said
non-muzzle opening is a recoil reduction port.
4. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 1 wherein said
non-muzzle opening is the juncture of a firearm barrel and
cartridge chamber.
5. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 1 wherein said
blast suppression means is selected from the group consisting of
chambers, channels, baffles, grooves, ridges, shields, seals,
vanes, ports, notches, precision fitting, and any combinations
thereof.
6. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 1 wherein said
blast suppression means includes a substantially enclosed chamber
positioned to intercept escaping gases from said non-muzzle
opening.
7. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 6 wherein said
substantially enclosed chamber is externally bordered by a sealing
means.
8. A blast conduit leakage suppressor comprising: a. a firearm
barrel; b. a cartridge chamber; and c. a blast suppression means
substantially positioned to intercept escaping blast from the
juncture of said firearm barrel and said cartridge chamber.
9. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is selected from the group consisting of
chambers, channels, baffles, grooves, ridges, shields, seals,
vanes, ports, notches, precision fitting, and combinations
thereof.
10. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is fabricated from a substantially
resilient material suitable to withstand the blast emitted from
said juncture.
11. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is permanently affixed at said
juncture.
12. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is removable from said juncture.
13. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is substantially contained within said
juncture.
14. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is a precision fitted barrel to chamber
juncture.
15. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
blast suppression means is substantially external to said
juncture.
16. The blast conduit leakage suppressor of claim 8 wherein said
juncture is found between the barrel and cylinder of a revolver
type firearm.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Benefit is claimed to the earlier filed application having
U.S. Ser. No. 61/431,831 filed Jan. 11, 2011 the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a device or
modification designed to divert, diffuse, and suppress a blast
created by an explosion, detonation, or deflagration, emitted from
a firearm opening other than the required opening facilitating
discharge of the projectile, hereafter referred to as a non-muzzle
opening. Often, it is not possible to completely seal openings,
such as recoil reduction ports or the juncture of a firearm's
barrel and chamber and also retain its full functionality;
therefore, this invention seeks to reduce the risk to equipment,
materials, or personnel, when discharging such firearms.
[0003] An example of blast conduit leakage is found in a ported
firearm barrel wherein the blast is directed outside of the firearm
to reduce recoil. While the recoil is alleviated to considerable
degree, an improper hold on the firearm could result in serious
burns from the escaping blast.
[0004] Another example of blast conduit leakage is found at the
open juncture of a tubular barrel and cartridge chamber in a
revolver type firearm. A revolver is typically a hand held firearm
with a plurality of cartridge chambers that rotate to align each
chamber with the firearm's barrel prior to discharging a
projectile. The plurality of chambers is often referred to as a
cylinder due to its substantially cylindrical shape, with cartridge
chambers positioned about a central axis to facilitate rotation and
barrel alignment. The projectile, or bullet, is moved from the
cylinder to the barrel by the rapid combustion of propellant in the
cartridge and/or cylinder, hereafter referred to as blast. As the
projectile moves through the abutting tubular vessels, a portion of
the blast escapes in a substantially perpendicular manner to the
direction of the projectile through the open juncture. Since this
juncture is in close proximity to the operator of the device, it
has the obvious potential for serious injury.
[0005] This danger has been apparent to those operating such
firearms for over a century, the proof of which is clearly detailed
in U.S. Pat No. 34,226, wherein Alsop describes a cam, which is
engaged by the hammer to force the cylinder tight to the barrel
prior to discharge. By pressing the two surfaces tightly together,
the quantity and force of escaping blast would be minimized and the
operator protected.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 182,646 describes a sealing mechanism, which
is energized by the detonation of the cartridge. As the revolver is
discharged, the cartridge case elongates slightly, first pressing
rearward until reaching the firearm frame, and then pressing
forward subsequently sliding the cylinder tightly against the
barrel. After the projectile passes into the barrel, a portion of
the blast is then guided along pathways to disengage the cylinder
from the barrel to return the firearm to its previous state,
facilitating alignment of subsequent chambers for discharge. A
major disadvantage of this design is the reliance on gas pressure
to engage the cylinder prior to subsequent discharges. If the gas
pathways become blocked, or the cylinder does not release freely
from the firing position, the firearm will be rendered useless
until manually engaged or disassembled for thorough cleaning. This
is not an acceptable for a device used primarily for personal
defense.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 222,167 describes a sealing means, which is
obtained from pressing the cartridge forward into the barrel prior
to discharge. The cartridge case effectively seals the open
juncture between the cylinder and barrel, preventing pressurized
gasses from escaping. A fundamental problem with this device is
understood with the knowledge that a firearm cartridge expands
slightly to the cylinder wall after discharge and therefore
requires an extractor to remove the spent cartridge case. This
resistance will be compounded due to the cartridge extending
through the unsupported juncture, which would allow the thin metal
cartridge casing to expand more freely, creating an expanded ring
and locking the casing in the firearm and rendering it useless for
self-defense.
[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 245,792; 338,760; 473,903; 4,694,602; and
5,020,258 describe a sliding cylinder actuated by a pressure block,
wedge, cam, or other apparatus at the rear of the cylinder, which
is energized by the user through normal actions of the hammer or
trigger to forcibly move the cylinder forward against the barrel to
seal the open juncture.
[0009] U.S. Pat. Nos. 325,878; 1,965,637; 2,866,386; and 3,159,938
describe the use of sleeves or gas-checks forcibly moved forward
from the chamber to seal the space between the cylinder and barrel.
U.S. Pat. No. 325,878 describes a sealing means obtained from the
use of a gas-check, which is forced forward during discharge by the
projectile and/or escaping gasses, to seal the juncture of the
cylinder and barrel. U.S. Pat. No. 1,965,637 forces sleeves into
the juncture by means of a pushrod connected at one end to the
aforementioned sleeve, the other end being impacted by the hammer
at the time of discharge. U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,386 directs a portion
of the escaping gas to pressurize the area behind the sleeve and
force it into position.
[0010] These patents, like those detailed previously, require the
movement of the cylinder, barrel, cartridge, or other sealing
means, to bridge or force closed the open juncture between the
cylinder and barrel at the time of discharge. The energy required
to facilitate the sealing process is obtained from redirecting a
portion of escaping gases, from the cartridge, or the operator
directly. While many of the referenced patents contain fundamental
flaws, which have been detailed previously, the primary flaw in
each of these designs is the requirement for additional moving
components. Several rudimentary mechanical arrangements have been
patented since the introduction of the revolver, but unfortunately
each has failed to be successfully incorporated into current design
due to their complexity, expense, and/or lack of proper
functionality. Revolvers are preferred firearms for their rugged
reliability so any additional components that introduce further
complexity and likelihood of malfunction are not acceptable.
Therefore, it is desirable to incorporate a device, or modify
current firearm design, to reduce the potential for injury from the
escaping blast without the need for additional moving components or
deterring substantially from current popular revolver designs.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
firearm modification capable of suppressing escaping gases from a
non-muzzle blast conduit opening without the need for additional
moving components, which can increase both manufacturing costs and
the likelihood of malfunction.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
firearm modification capable of suppressing escaping gases from a
non-muzzle blast conduit opening by the addition of a blast
suppression design or apparatus affixed to intercept the blast.
[0013] The suppression apparatus can be temporarily or permanently
affixed and will reduce the possibility of injury or damage from
the escaping blast by initially diverting and diffusing the blast,
and then further, by temporarily increasing pressure and turbulence
around the blast conduit opening to further suppress the escape of
the blast.
[0014] While this invention is a novel improvement to current
revolver design, a person skilled and knowledgeable in the art will
understand that the inventive spirit is not to be limited to the
specific descriptions and illustrations disclosed herein, but
instead to the full broad scope of the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention described herein comprises a safety device or
method of manufacture incorporated into an ordnance device that
reduces the risk of injury resulting from the escape of hot,
pressurized gasses from an opening in an ordnance containment
vessel. The blast reduction apparatus is mounted or otherwise
affixed near the opening in such a manner as to intercept and
suppress escaping gasses by diversion, diffusion, and maintaining a
temporary pressure around the opening to reduce overall blast
emissions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of an unmodified revolver handgun
clearly showing the standard open junction between the cylinder and
barrel.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of a modified revolver handgun clearly
showing the enlarged frame and widened swing arm mechanism
enshrouding the open juncture between the cylinder and barrel to
suppress the escaping blast.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the blast suppression means of the
present invention is generally represented by reference numeral 7.
The cylinder 20 and barrel 15 represent a blast conduit, through
which pressurized gases force a projectile across the open juncture
10 between them. The blast suppression means 7 in this example
includes an enlarged frame nearest the barrel connection, and
widened swing arm assembly, to close the gap between the cylinder
and frame to enshroud and suppress the blast from the open juncture
10 of the handgun. The extended frame and swing-arm are closely
aligned with the cylinder, leaving a chamber between the frame
components and the juncture.
[0019] As the escaping blast escapes the open juncture, its
momentum is abruptly reduced after reaching the outer shroud. The
gases then collect and pressurize the chamber between the juncture
and shroud, thus reducing the further escape of gases and diverting
a portion away from the user to prevent injury. This sealed chamber
design could easily be accompanied or substituted with a series of
baffles, notches, channels, ridges, and ports affixed to the
firearm to supply a method of suppression and diversion of the
escaping blast. None of these adaptations require additional moving
components to execute their function while also allowing the
firearm to be operated in a standard manner with fitted accessories
such as holsters, grips, sights, safety locks, and cases for
transport.
[0020] The blast suppression means 7 is typically made of a rigid
or semi-rigid resilient material such as metal, ceramic, or
polymer, which can withstand the repeated impact of the escaping
blast. Although the blast suppression means 7 is illustrated having
a shape consistent with the standard form of the revolver, it may
be of any size, shape, or configuration, which lends itself to
adequately suppress the escaping blast from a non-muzzle blast
conduit opening.
[0021] A blast suppression test of the illustrated design concept
was performed using a 357 Magnum Rossi revolver Model M711. A short
length of 1/2 inch 90-degree angle iron was modified to generally
match the curvature of the frame just forward of the cylinder. The
angle iron tightly abutted the cylinder and was then rigidly
attached with epoxy and a clamp to the frame, leaving a small gap
to allow the cylinder to freely rotate without contacting the
affixed angle iron. The clamp was used for this test in addition to
epoxy because it was found that epoxy alone was not strong enough
to withstand the blast. A supporting fixture was made from wood to
rigidly hold the revolver solidly in place during firing to get
clear photos for judging the outcome of the modifications. The
tests were documented and clearly showed a blast reduction greater
than 50%.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the blast suppression means is
adapted to be attached to a previously unmodified firearm as a
safety feature. This adaptation's design and attachment mechanism
will vary considerably between models and manufacturers, however,
it will not divert substantially from the basic principles and
features discussed herein.
[0023] One skilled in the art would further understand that the
blast suppression means 7 could also be a precision machined
tolerance sufficient to adequately seal the cylinder to the barrel
without the need for additional chambers, channels, baffles,
grooves, ridges, shields, seals, vanes, ports, or notches attached
thereto. While this adaptation is feasible, it would require a high
degree of precision not typically found in such handguns.
[0024] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in
the art will understand that modifications may be made to the
various aspects of this invention without substantially departing
from it's scope and spirit. Therefore, the descriptions herein
should be considered only as illustrative embodiments, and not as
potential limitations.
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