U.S. patent application number 13/826087 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for suppressor sleeves and heat resistant weapon accessories.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frederick J. DIAMOND, Frank J. MICHAL, Michael E. STEIN.
Application Number | 20140059913 13/826087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50185442 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140059913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DIAMOND; Frederick J. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
SUPPRESSOR SLEEVES AND HEAT RESISTANT WEAPON ACCESSORIES
Abstract
Suppressor sleeves have longitudinal interior splines and
venting valleys and exterior ribs arranged at angles relative to
the interior splines. One or more sleeves and caps are combined to
provide suppressor sleeve assemblies.
Inventors: |
DIAMOND; Frederick J.;
(Warren, OH) ; STEIN; Michael E.; (New
Philadelphia, OH) ; MICHAL; Frank J.; (Medina,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing, Inc.; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Advanced Innovation and
Manufacturing, Inc.
North Royalton
OH
|
Family ID: |
50185442 |
Appl. No.: |
13/826087 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61610731 |
Mar 14, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20130101;
F41A 21/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A suppressor sleeve comprising: a generally cylindrical body
having an internal bore configured to receive and fit about an
exterior of a suppressor; a plurality of splines located on an
interior of the internal bore and arranged parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body; a plurality of
ribs located on an exterior of the generally cylindrical body, the
ribs arranged at an angle relative to the splines.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/610,731, filed Mar. 14, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure and related inventions are in the
general field of firearms and firearm accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Firearm suppressors or "silencers" are attachments for gun
muzzles designed to capture and divert the gases and air displaced
from the muzzle of a barrel created by the explosive force of
ammunition firing, and to suppress the sound of the firing and
reduce muzzle flash. The term "silencer" is defined by ATF as, "any
device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a
portable firearm." Gun barrel and muzzle temperatures can reach
1500 degrees F. or greater under continuous firing or repetitious
semi or fully automatic firing. Suppressors, which can be made of a
variety of materials including weapons grade steel and alloys, are
attached directly to the muzzle and may become heated to the same
extent as the barrel and may retain additional heat energy in the
baffle structures during repetitious rates of fire. In addition to
being dangerous to touch when heated, suppressors are fully exposed
to impact damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The suppressor sleeves and heat resistant weapon accessories
of the present disclosure are for use with firearm suppressors and
gun barrels and barrel muzzles. As a representative embodiment, the
suppressor sleeves and suppressor sleeve assemblies (also referred
to herein individually and collectively as "SSA" or simply
"suppressor sleeve" or "sleeve") of the present disclosure are used
in conjunction with any weapon system's suppressor, silencer or
"can" that is commonly attached to rifles, pistols, or other weapon
platforms that utilize similar sound reducing devices. The
suppressor sleeves and suppressor sleeve assemblies are used to
insulate heat, reduce IR signature, and to minimize the mirage
effect that the suppressor generates and emits during normal use.
Since the suppressor sleeves are readily able to mitigate heat
transfer to its external surface, they prevent operators from being
burned during, or after, use of the weapon while the suppressor is
still hot and the operator may be handling or coming in contact
with the suppressor. The suppressor sleeves will also serve to
protect the suppressor and other items that the suppressor may come
in contact with, such as bags, gear or carrying cases, while the
suppressor is still hot. The sleeves also help to further reduce
noise and vibration of the weapon system during use. The sleeves
will protect the suppressor itself from chemicals, abrasion and
damage that can be caused by external hazards and will help to
quiet the weapon during transport or when it inadvertently comes in
contact with other objects.
[0005] The sleeves and sleeve assemblies are designed to be used
both individually, and as a segmented series of sleeves that, when
combined with other adjacent segments, can be "fit to length" to
cover any partial length, or the entire length, of a gun barrel,
barrel muzzle or suppressor , as desired. When the sleeve assembly
components are stacked together, they can either fit end to end or
utilize an interlocking joint which seals off any escaping air or
gasses that are generated by the suppressor. The sleeves are
installed by sliding it onto and over the outside body diameter of
the suppressor. The sleeves can be produced in any length or
diameter necessary to fit any manufacturer's suppressor that it may
interface with. The sleeves can stretch in any direction and will
contour to the underlying surface in order to provide a secure fit.
The insulating rings and gaps of the sleeve structure allow hot air
to be cooled and diffused during use and can be present on the
inside, outside or both inside and outside of the sleeve. The
sleeve insulating ring fins, which may or may not appear on the
external surfaces of the sleeve, will also aid to provide a firm
and tactile grip that will reduce or eliminate any creep or
movement of the sleeve once it is installed.
[0006] Any sleeve segment can be further cut to length to provide a
precise fit and can also be used with optional end caps that
utilize the same features and materials that the sleeve is made of.
The sleeve can be made out of but is not limited to, tactile heat
resistant materials such as Neoprene, Silicon, Flouro Silicon or
Nano Material. These materials also include the ability to use or
incorporate varying colors and or camouflage patterns and
components.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] In the drawing Figures which constitute a part of this
specification:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm equipped with a
suppressor and a suppressor sleeve assembly of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment
of a suppressor sleeve assembly of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
suppressor sleeve of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
suppressor sleeve of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a profile view of a suppressor sleeve of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of the suppressor sleeve of FIG. 5
illustrated from the direction of the arrows 6-6 in FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the suppressor sleeve of
FIG. 5 illustrated at the plane indicated at 7-7 in FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the suppressor sleeve of
FIG. 5 illustrated at the plane indicated at 8-8 in FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the suppressor sleeve of
FIG. 5 illustrated at the plane indicated at 9-9 in FIG. 6, and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the suppressor sleeve
of FIG. 5 illustrated at the plane indicated 10-10 in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, a representative weapon W has a
barrel B equipped with a suppressor which is substantially covered
by a suppressor sleeve assembly, indicated generally at 10. As
illustrated in isolation in FIG. 2, a particular embodiment of the
suppressor sleeve assembly 10 may include one or more sleeves 20,
and one or more caps 30. The sleeves 20 can be manufactured in any
nominal dimensions of outer diameter, inner diameter, wall
thickness, length. Although the illustrated embodiment has a
generally cylindrical configuration, other configurations are
within the scope of the disclosure, such as for example a
non-cylindrical exterior or interior surface with one or more
planar surfaces. The sleeves 20 can be of any length manufacturable
with a bore for receiving a barrel muzzle.
[0019] As further illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, preferred embodiments
of the sleeves 20 have one or more ribs or rings 22 on an exterior
surface, oriented generally radially and perpendicular with respect
to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The ribs 22 may be of any
thickness and located at any spacing and extend from the sleeve
wall 24 any suitable extent. Preferably the ribs 22 extend from
sleeve wall 24 a sufficient distance to expose surface area of each
rib for cooling and insulation efficiency. A representative
thickness dimension of each rib 22 is 0.200 inches. A
representative spacing between the ribs 22 is 0.250 inches. A
representative thickness of the sleeve wall is 0.200 inches. Any of
these and other representative dimensions may be increased or
decreased for particular weapons, sleeve assemblies or
applications. Also, although the ribs 22 are depicted at ninety
degree radials, i.e. orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the
sleeve 20, the ribs 22 may be arranged at any angle or angles
relative to the longitudinal axis of the coil. The exterior profile
of each rib may be generally rounded as illustrated, or of any
other profile. Each individual rib 22 need not extend about the
entire circumference of the exterior of wall 24 of the sleeve 20.
And the number and spacing of ribs 22 on any sleeve 20 may be
vary.
[0020] As further illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, the interior of the
sleeves 20 is configured with a plurality of radially arrayed
longitudinal splines, indicated generally at 25. The longitudinal
splines 25 (also referred to simply as "splines" and alternatively
as "flutes") extend from the interior of sleeve wall 24 into the
bore of the sleeve 20. An apex 26 of each spline is configured for
contact with the outermost wall of a suppressor. The splines 25 are
preferably equally radially arrayed as illustrated with venting
valleys 27 between each spline. The splines may project from the
sleeve wall 24 any suitable distance, and preferably a distance
sufficient to create an air passageway between each apex 26. The
venting valleys 27 extend the entire length of the sleeve 20. The
splines 25 may be but do not have to be in a continuous radial
array about the entire internal circumference of the interior of
sleeve wall 24. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, the
internal configuration of the sleeve 20 may include a solid
non-splined area 28, for example in the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock
positions, wherein the sleeve wall 24 fits substantially against
the exterior of a suppressor which is attached to the muzzle end of
a gun barrel. This configuration increases the grip of the sleeve
20 upon the suppressor and reduces firing mirage or sight
obscuration from firing gases and flash that may occur in that
radial area during single round, or repetitive firing of a weapon,
such as the sighting area down the top of the barrel.
[0021] As noted, the sleeves 20 can be manufactured in any length,
can be cut to any length after molding, and can be installed in
combination with other sleeves 20 of any length. When multiple
sleeves 20 are used in series as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is
preferable, although not required, that the venting valleys 27 of
the adjacent sleeves 20 are aligned. The sleeves 20 and sleeve
assemblies substantially cover the exterior of a suppressor,
including venting holes in the outermost wall of a suppressor, to
thereby capture and re-direct firing gas and heat, and redirect and
further muffle sound waves.
[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the caps 30 can be
selectively installed at either end of any arrangement of sleeves
20. Preferably, the cap 30 located at the muzzle end (proximate to
the bullet exit point) does not occlude the venting passages formed
by the venting valleys 27.
[0023] The sleeves and suppressor sleeve assemblies of the
disclosure are particularly effective at managing and re-directing
the heat generated at a suppressor in order to maintain the
exterior of the sleeve or sleeve assembly at non-dangerous or less
dangerous temperatures to human touch or to inadvertent contact
with other items or gear. The sleeves and sleeve assemblies
accomplish this thermal management by the configuration of the
venting valleys 27 which direct firing gases to the firing end of
the suppressor, thereby reducing the amount of heat to radiate to
the exterior of the suppressor. Heat which does radiate through the
suppressor to and through the sleeve wall 24 is dissipated through
and from the ribs 22. Temperatures are thereby lowest at the distal
ends of the ribs 22. Further, the preferred materials from which
the sleeves and sleeve assemblies are manufactured can be
engineered to have excellent or superior heat resistant properties,
such as for example compositions of silicone elastomers. To this
end, the mass of the sleeves and sleeve assemblies directly
contributes to the superior thermal management, and can be
optimized by the various design parameters of sleeve wall 24
thickness, rib 22 thickness, width, height, number and placement;
spline 25 number, size and configuration and cap 30 size.
[0024] The sleeves and sleeve assemblies can be molded from any
suitable material. For example and without limitation, a material
or blends of materials from which the sleeves and sleeve assemblies
can be molded is preferably a high temperature reversion resistant
silicone elastomer that has specific low thermal conductivity, e.g.
max. of 00.29 W/m K, and without durometer degradation. A preferred
material is high temperature reversion resistant silicone elastomer
with no more than =/-20 point durometer change after heat aging for
6 hours at 316 C in a hot air circulating oven and a thermal
conductivity maximum of 00.29W*m/K. Such material in combination
with the various embodiments of the sleeves and sleeve assemblies
has been found to have excellent and superior mitigation of heat
transfer to the exterior surfaces of the sleeves and sleeve
assemblies, thereby allowing handling of the sleeve, sleeve
assembly and suppressor much sooner after firing than without. The
significant reduction in high-heat exposure allows a user to
transition away from the use of the weapon, or to stow the
weapon/suppressor away much sooner, without concern of burning
their person or gear. Without the sleeves and sleeve assemblies of
the disclosure, a long cooling period would typically be required
for the suppressor before a user could safely or comfortably handle
it. Furthermore, the sleeve and sleeve assemblies can be
manufactured in different colors and exterior profile
configurations which in addition to thermal, sound and light
(firing flash) management completely conceal the suppressor. The
same or similar configurations of the described sleeves can be
installed on any portion of segment of a gun barrel or muzzle to
achieve the described heat resistance and thermal management
advantages.
* * * * *