U.S. patent application number 16/255173 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-17 for firearm supressor system and associated quick release mount and lock.
The applicant listed for this patent is American Defense Manufacturing, LLC. Invention is credited to John Gross, William Orne.
Application Number | 20190316862 16/255173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67299869 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190316862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orne; William ; et
al. |
October 17, 2019 |
FIREARM SUPRESSOR SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED QUICK RELEASE MOUNT AND
LOCK
Abstract
A firearm suppressor assembly that includes a quick connect
mounting methodology that allows the suppressor to be quickly and
repeatably associated with the muzzle end of a firearm. In a
preferred embodiment, the mounting methodology includes a plurality
of lobes that facilitate less than 90 degree rotation between the
muzzle of the firearm and the suppressor and provide a tactile
indication of a secured engagement therebetween.
Inventors: |
Orne; William; (New Berlin,
WI) ; Gross; John; (Mukwonago, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Defense Manufacturing, LLC |
New Berlin |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67299869 |
Appl. No.: |
16/255173 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62620853 |
Jan 23, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20130101;
F41A 21/325 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30 |
Claims
1. A firearm suppressor system comprising: an outer housing that
radially encloses plurality of baffles and which includes a passage
defined therethrough; a distal end cap associated with the outer
housing and associated with the discharge end of a projectile
passing through the outer housing; and a mount collar associated
with an end of the outer housing generally opposite the distal end
cap, the mount collar defining a mounting and locking arrangement
associated with securing the suppressor system relative to a
firearm and wherein the mounting and locking arrangement includes a
plurality of lobes that cooperate with corresponding cavities
defined by the mount collar wherein the discrete lobes are less
than 90 radial degrees from another lobe.
2. The firearm suppressor system of claim 1 wherein the outer
housing is of uniform diameter and is sized to accommodate the
plurality of baffles and such that more than one of the plurality
of baffles has a cone shape.
3. The firearm suppressor system of claim 1 wherein the distal end
cap comprises a cap housing, a circular face plate with a
cylindrically shaped bore aperture that is centered on a central
axis of the distal end cap and that is sized to permit the passage
of a projectile therethrough.
4. The firearm suppressor system of claim 1 wherein the rear
aperture of the proximal end cap outer housing is centered on a
longitudinal axis of the outer housing and is sized to cooperate
with a muzzle secured to a firearm.
5. The firearm suppressor system of claim 1 wherein the mounting
and locking arrangement is further at least one of moveable
relative to the outer housing, includes a captive pin operator, and
is oriented to be ambidextrously operable when the suppressor
system is secured to a firearm.
6. The firearm suppressor system of claim 5 wherein, when the
mounting and locking arrangement includes a captive pin operator,
the captive pin operator is spring tensioned and biased toward a
locked position relative to the mount collar.
7. The firearm suppressor system of claim 1 wherein the mounting
and locking arrangement is supported by the mount collar and
includes as least one operator that extends from a bottom portion
of the mount collar.
8. A firearm silencer assembly comprising: an outer housing; a
plurality of baffles arranged within the outer housing which define
a projectile passage that is sized to accommodate the passage of a
firearm projectile extending through the baffles toward a discharge
end of the outer housing; and a mount body secured to one end of
the outer housing that defines a tri-lobed mount interface cavity
that is configured to receive a muzzle and a radial channel
disposed behind the tri-lobed mount interface such that a lobed
muzzle engaged with the mount body is rotatable less than 90 radial
degrees between a removed and an engaged orientation of the mount
body relative to the muzzle.
9. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 8 wherein each of the
plurality of baffles is further defined by a flange lip and an
aperture geometry that is different than an aperture geometry of
each of the other plurality of baffles.
10. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 8 wherein each of the
plurality of baffles has a conically tapering aperture of varying
geometry with approach angles between 90 degrees and 7 degrees
relative to a projectile discharge axis.
11. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 10 wherein the conically
tapering aperture of at least one of the plurality of baffles
overlaps the aperture of the adjacent baffle in a longitudinal and
radial direction.
12. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 8 wherein a mouth of
each of the apertures of the plurality of baffles are sized to
accommodate passage of various projectile diameters
therethrough.
13. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 8 wherein the baffles
are separated from the mounting and locking element by a fixed
flange having a central aperture that is sized to encompass the
forward end of the firearm muzzle device.
14. The firearm silencer assembly of claim 13 wherein the fixed
flange has a plurality of small apertures encompassing the central
muzzle aperture that communicate between the volume of the main
housing forward of the flange and an axial chamber between the
fixed flange and the proximal end cap of the suppressor system
housing.
15. A method of forming a firearm suppressor, the method
comprising: providing a housing having a first end that is
selectively securable to a muzzle end of a firearm; forming a
cavity in the first end of the housing that is shaped to receive
the muzzle end of a firearm during axial translation of the housing
relative to the muzzle end of the firearm and such that the housing
has more than two rotational orientations relative to the muzzle
end of the firearm capable of allowing the axial translation and
such that, when oriented in a longitudinally overlapping
orientation relative to the muzzle of the firearm, rotation of the
housing less than 90 radial degrees relative to the muzzle of the
firearm, effectuates secure engagement between the housing and the
muzzle end of the firearm.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a lock
arrangement that is supported by the housing and biased into
engagement with a muzzle end of an underlying firearm to prevent
rotation of the housing relative thereto when the lock arrangement
is engaged.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing at least
one cone shaped baffle disposed in the housing and exposed to an
axial passage defined by the housing.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing an operator
associated with the lock assembly that is supported by the housing
and that is operable from each of a right hand side and a left hand
side of the housing.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising orienting the lock
assembly relative to the housing such that the lock assembly is
oriented in a downward facing direction during use of a firearm
when the suppressor is secured thereto.
20. The method of claim 15 further comprising forming more than two
lobes between the housing and the muzzle end of the firearm which
cooperate to define limited axial and rotational translation
between the muzzle end of the firearm and the housing when the
silencer assembly is engaged or disengaged therefrom.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/620,853 filed on Jan. 23, 2018 titled
"Firearm Suppressor System and Associated Quick Release Mount and
Lock" the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to firearms, and
more specifically, relates to a firearm sound suppressor assembly
configured to muffle the acoustic effect associated with the
discharge of the firearm when the suppressor is associated
therewith.
[0003] The suppressor assembly preferably includes a quick release
mount arrangement for attaching the suppressor or silencer to the
muzzle of an underlying firearm. The suppressor preferably includes
a manually operable lock assembly that mitigates inadvertent
separation of the suppressor system from the firearm. In
particular, the present invention relates to a suppressor system
that incorporates an outer tube housing that contains a series of
sound suppressing cone shaped baffles of varying heights with
mounting provisions that permit the suppressor system to be mounted
directly to a firearm with a muzzle device by inserting the muzzle
device of the firearm into the rear of the suppressor system,
rotationally engaging lobes on the muzzle device into a cavities in
the outer tube housing and activating a locking assembly that is
supported by a surface of the outer housing.
[0004] Other assemblies, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,150, disclose
firearm sound suppressor systems which are constructed to be
secured to an underlying firearm via a muzzle mount arrangement
that includes provisions consisting of a gate that engages with the
rearmost surface of a muzzle device to the hold the suppressor
system to the muzzle. Still others, such as U.S. Pat. No.
7,789,009, disclose a mounting arrangement consisting of cavities
and locking surfaces that engage wrench flats common to many muzzle
devices. A disadvantage of these arrangements can be seen in the
fact that the gates and lobe attachments lack a locking assembly
and, over a period of operation of the firearm, tend to disengage
from the muzzle device through either movement of the gate or
rotation of the suppressor about the longitudinal axis of the
barrel thereby radially displacing the lobe attachments from the
cavities of the suppressor housing. Such disengagement results in
an unintentional and potentially hazardous separation of the
suppressor system from an underlying firearm.
[0005] In particular, in the field of firearm sound suppressor
systems, it is of significant advantage to quickly, easily and
without the need for tools, install the suppressor system on the
firearm to enable employment of the firearm with sound suppression
or remove a sound suppressor system from a firearm to facilitate
transportation of the firearm or to comply with laws or regulations
that do not permit use or possession of a firearm with a sound
suppressor system installed.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to
improving the user interaction with the suppressor assembly. In the
field of firearm sound suppressor systems, the suppressor system
housing can quickly heat with use of the firearm. Commonly, the
suppressor heats to temperatures that could burn the user or
surrounding materials that may come into contact with the
suppressor shortly after use of the firearm for more than only a
minimal number of rounds. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to
enable operation of the suppressor system mounting and locking
features with a gloved hand.
[0007] In particular, in the field of firearm sound suppressor
systems mounts, fouling generated by shooting the firearm and
intrusion of external debris frequently interfere with proper
functioning of known firearm sound suppressor system mounts and
locks making it highly advantageous to protect the mount and
locking component from intrusion by foreign objects through
complete containment within the outer tube housing element of the
suppressor system.
[0008] In particular, in the field of firearm sound suppressor
systems, operation of the firearm with the sound suppressor system
installed tends to generate forces that cause radial rotation of
the suppressor leading to disengagement of the suppressor system
mount from the muzzle device of the firearm resulting in a
potentially hazardous separation of the suppressor system from the
firearm.
[0009] One aspect underlying the present invention is therefore to
provide a longitudinally translatable and rotational engagement and
disengagement mounting arrangement to facilitate expedient
association and dissociation of the suppressor assembly relative to
the underlying firearm. In a preferred embodiment, the suppressor
assembly includes a supported locking assembly that preferably
self-engages when the suppressor assembly is secured to the firearm
and which is conveniently ambidextrously operable to facilitate
removal of the suppressor therefrom.
[0010] The present invention provides a firearm sound suppressor
system with a novel rotationally operated muzzle device mounting
system incorporating a radially operable rotation prevention lock
that resolves one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a firearm suppressor system housing comprising a tubular
outer housing containing a firearm silence assembly and to which
are attach a distal end cap and a proximal end cap.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a firearm silencer assembly comprising a plurality of
removable, cylindrical baffles with cone shaped apertures.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a removable distal endcap comprising a housing with an
axial bore sized to accommodate a firearm projectile.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a removable proximal endcap housing a firearm muzzle
device mount and locking assembly and defining an aperture and
central cavity sized to accommodate a firearm muzzle device with
the cavity being circumscribed by a plurality of secondary lobe
cavities projecting axially from the central cavity and sized to
accommodate lugs projecting axially from the outer surface of the
muzzle device.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a firearm muzzle device mount element that is selectively
securable to a firearm muzzle device by insertion of the firearm
muzzle device into the aperture of the proximal end cap of the
suppressor system and rotation of the suppressor system to engage
the lobe cavities with the muzzle device lugs.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a locking element comprising a locking device supported by
the outer housing of the proximal end cap which is selectively
moveable and which enables extension and retraction of a spring
tensioned locking pin which engages with a channel in one of the
muzzle device lugs to prevent axial rotation of the suppressor
system and subsequent unintended separation of the suppressor
system from the firearm.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a manual operator (actuation bar) that is attached to the
spring tensioned locking device and which may be used to displace
the locking device from the locked position toward which it is
biased by the spring to the unlocked position to permit rotation of
the suppressor assembly to disengage the muzzle device lugs from
the mounting assembly lobe cavities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a
part of the specification and illustrate several aspects of the
present invention. These drawings together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are
merely for the purpose of illustrating the preferred and
alternative examples of how the invention can be made and used, and
are not to be construed as limiting the invention to only the
illustrated and described embodiments. Furthermore, several aspects
of the embodiments may form--individually or in different
combinations--solutions according to the present invention. Further
features and advantages will become apparent from the following
more particular description of the various embodiments of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
like reference numbers refer to like elements, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm sound suppressor
system according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal perspective cross section view of
the firearm sound suppressor system taken along line 2-2 shown in
FIG. 1; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a mount end elevational cross section detail view
of the mating and locking element of the suppressor system taken
along line 3-3--shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a sound suppressor, silencer, or simply
suppressor 20 according to the present invention having a muzzle
adapter, muzzle break, or simply a muzzle 22 associated with an
underlying firearm (not shown) engaged therewith. Suppressor 20
includes a generally elongate body or housing 24 that extends
between a first end 26 and a second end 28. First end 26 of housing
24 is constructed to removably cooperate with muzzle 22 secured to
an underlying firearm. Second end 28 includes an end cap 30 and
defines the discharge end associated with use of an underlying
firearm. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 24 includes a first
portion or mount body 32, a second portion 34, and a third portion
36 generally defined by end cap 30. Although discussed as
respective "portions" it is further appreciated that suppressor 20
be provided as a generally unitary body construction.
[0023] First portion 32, second portion 34, and third portion 36 of
suppressor 20 generally define a chamber 40 that extends in the
longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 42, defined by body 24.
One or more baffles 44, 46, 48, 50 are oriented along the
longitudinal axis 42 of suppressor 20 and generally spaced from one
another so as to define a plurality of respective chambers 52, 54,
56, 58, 60 between respective discrete baffles 44, 46, 48, 50,
and/or between muzzle facing baffle 40 and first portion 32 of
housing 40, and/or the discharge end facing baffle 50 and end cap
36. Chambers 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 contribute the acoustic muffling of
the discharge of a projectile from a firearm associated with
suppressor 20.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, muzzle 22 is constructed to removably
cooperate with an interior facing surface 64 of first portion 32 or
mount body of suppressor assembly 20. Optionally, muzzle 22 can be
constructed to extend to or into and an interior facing surface 66
defined by baffle 44. Muzzle 22 includes a threaded cavity 70
constructed to rotationally cooperate with an underlying firearm.
Understandably, other connection methodologies are envisioned for
securing muzzle 22 relative to an underlying firearm. Regardless of
the firearm connecting methodology employed, as described further
below, it is appreciated that muzzle 22 remains secured to an
underlying firearm when suppressor assembly 20 is engaged or
disengaged therefrom and a radially exterior facing surface of
muzzle 22 is constructed to selectively axially and rotationally
cooperate with suppressor 20 as described further below.
[0025] Muzzle 22 includes a projectile discharge opening 72
associated with an end thereof that is opposite an end of muzzle 22
that cooperates with an underlying firearm. Muzzle 22 can also
include one or more optional vents 74 that are fluidly associated
with chamber 52. First baffle 44 has a generally planar
cross-sectional shape and includes one or more passages 76 that
fluidly connect chamber 54 and chamber 52 associated with
suppressor assembly 20. Baffle 46 has a somewhat frusto-conical
shape and extends between a projectile opening 78 and a radial edge
44 associated therewith and secured to an interior wall 82 second
portion 34 of suppressor housing 24.
[0026] Baffle 48 is longitudinally spaced relative to baffle 46 and
includes a projectile opening 84 and a radial edge 86 that is
secured to interior wall 82 of housing 24. Baffle 48 has a more
pronounced frusto-conical shape as compared to baffle 46 and baffle
44. Further downstream of baffle 48, relative to the direction of
travel associated with a respective projectile, baffle 50 includes
a projectile opening 90 and a radial edge 92 that is secured to
interior surface 82 of second portion 34 of housing 24. End 36 of
suppressor 20 is displaced further downstream relative to muzzle 22
and baffle 58 and includes a projectile opening 100 and a radial or
perimeter edge 102 that is secured to second portion 34 of housing
24.
[0027] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that projectiles
associated with discharge of the firearm associated with muzzle 22
progress sequentially through muzzle 22, through baffle 44, through
baffle 46, through baffle 48, through baffle 50, and through end
plate 36 relative to a direction of projectile travel. The discrete
chambers 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 associated with the offset distances
between baffles 44, 46, 48, 50, and end 36 provides suppression of
the acoustic signal associated with the discharge of the underlying
fire. It is appreciated that respective baffles 44, 46, 48, 50, and
end 36 and mount body 32 can be either of permanently affixed to
one another or separable and/or replaceable so as to facilitate
servicing of suppressor 20 should the need arise. It is further
appreciated that one or more of the discrete baffles can be
replaced with baffles having other shapes than those shown so as to
manipulate the acoustic performance associated with use of
suppressor 20. Mount body 32 of suppressor assembly 20 includes a
projection portion 110 that supports a securing or locking
arrangement 112 associated with selectively securing suppressor
assembly 20 relative to a respective underlying firearm in the
manner disclosed further below.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, mount body 32 includes a number
of cutouts 120, 122, 124 that are oriented radially in an end face
128 of mount body 32. Preferably, cutouts 120, 122, 124 are spaced
approximately 120 radial degrees relative to one another and with
respect to a circumference associated with muzzle 22. Muzzle 22
includes respective lobes 128, 130, 132 that are shaped to
slideably cooperate with respective cutouts 120, 122, 124 so as to
facilitate longitudinal translation of suppressor 20 relative to
muzzle 22. Once axially slideably associated with one another,
rotation of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22 associated with an
underlying firearm, is facilitated by a radial groove 140 formed in
mount body 32 and nearer discharge end of suppressor 20 relative to
end face 120 of mount body 32. Groove 140 facilitates rotational
translation of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22 the facilitate
alignment of the discrete lobes 128, 130, 132 of muzzle 22 relative
to a lock 144 associated with lock assembly 112. Lock 144 includes
a projection 146 that is constructed to removeably cooperate with a
cavity 148 associated with one or more of respective lobes 128,
130, 132 defined by muzzle 22.
[0029] Lock 144 is translatable in a radial direction, indicated by
arrow 150, relative to mount body 32 so as to effectuate selective
engagement of projection 146 with cavity 148 associated with a
respective lobe 130. Downward lateral translation of a respective
operator 152, 154 associated with lock assembly 112 facilitates
disengagement of projection 146 from cavity 148 thereby allowing
rotation of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22. When projection
146 is associated or engaged with cavity 148, lock assembly 112
prevents rotation of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22 and
thereby prevents dissociation between the suppressor 20 and an
underlying firearm until such is desired.
[0030] A biasing device 156, such as a spring or the like, biases
projection 146 into slidable engagement with an exterior surface
158 of muzzle 22 during rotation of suppressor 20 relative to
muzzle 22. Projection of respective operators 152, 154 in the
respective outward lateral directions, indicated by arrows 160,
162, facilitates ambidextrous operation associated with the
cooperation of suppressor assembly 20 relative to muzzle 22.
Further the positive interlocking cooperation between projection
146 and cavity 148 ensures a secure rotationally fixed and
longitudinally fixed association between muzzle 22 and suppressor
20 when suppressor 20 is engaged therewith.
[0031] To effectuate removal of suppressor 20 from an underlying
firearm, user translation of one or both of discrete operators 152,
154 in a downward lateral direction, indicated by arrow 166, or
outward radial direction relative to longitudinal axis 42,
disengages projection 146 from cavity 148 thereby allowing rotation
of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22. Upon rotation of the
suppressor 22 relative to the muzzle, when a relative rotational
orientation is achieved wherein discrete lobes 128, 130, 132
associated with muzzle 22 are aligned with discrete cutouts 120,
122, 124 defined by mount body 32 associated with suppressor 20,
axial translation of suppressor 20 relative to muzzle 22 can be
initiated which thereby allows the removal of suppressor 20 from
the underlying firearm. The limited translation and the robust
physical interaction and self-engaging operation of the lock
assembly allows suppressor 20 to be repeatedly associated and
dissociated from an underlying firearm in a tool less manner and a
manner that provides multiple tactile or audible confirmations as
to the secure engagement between suppressor 20 and the underlying
firearm.
[0032] Therefore, one embodiment of the present application
includes a firearm suppressor system that includes an outer housing
which generally encloses a plurality of baffles and which includes
a passage defined therethrough. A distal end cap is associated with
the outer housing and associated with the discharge end of a
projectile passing through the outer housing. A mount collar is
associated with an end of the outer housing generally opposite the
distal end cap. The mount collar defines a mounting and locking
arrangement associated with securing the suppressor system relative
to a firearm. The mounting and locking arrangement includes a
plurality of lobes that cooperate with corresponding cavities
defined by the mount collar wherein the discrete lobes are less
than 90 radial degrees from another lobe.
[0033] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a
firearm silencer assembly having an outer housing and a plurality
of baffles arranged within the outer housing and which define a
projectile passage that is sized to accommodate the passage of a
firearm projectile extending through the baffles toward a discharge
end of the outer housing. A mount body is secured to one end of the
outer housing and defines a tri-lobed mount interface cavity that
is configured to receive a muzzle and a radial channel disposed
behind the tri-lobed mount interface such that a lobed muzzle
engaged with the mount body is rotatable less than 90 radial
degrees between a removed and an engaged orientation of the mount
body relative to the muzzle.
[0034] A further embodiment of the present application discloses a
method of forming a firearm suppressor that includes providing a
housing having a first end that is selectively securable to a
muzzle end of a firearm. A cavity is formed in the first end of the
housing and is shaped to receive the muzzle end of a firearm during
axial translation of the housing relative to the muzzle end of the
firearm and such that the housing has more than two rotational
orientations relative to the muzzle end of the firearm capable of
allowing the axial translation and such that, when oriented in a
longitudinally overlapping orientation relative to the muzzle of
the firearm, rotation of the housing less than 90 radial degrees
relative to the muzzle of the firearm, effectuates secure
engagement between the housing and the muzzle end of the
firearm.
[0035] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present invention may be implemented in a variety of
configurations, using certain features or aspects of the
embodiments described herein and others known in the art. Thus,
although the invention has been herein shown and described in what
is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it
is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be
limited to the specific features and embodiments set forth above.
Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of
skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit
or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be
taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter
of the claims.
* * * * *