U.S. patent application number 16/252704 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-23 for suppressor with coaxial expansion chambers and tapered seals.
The applicant listed for this patent is CGS Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Joshua J. Parker.
Application Number | 20200025494 16/252704 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69161016 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200025494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parker; Joshua J. |
January 23, 2020 |
Suppressor with Coaxial Expansion Chambers and Tapered Seals
Abstract
A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge
gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm has at least a first
baffle and a second baffle, each baffle having a circumferential
outer wall for enclosing an expansion chamber. The outer wall has a
circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential
rearward tapered surface, a taper angle of the forward tapered
surface being equal to a taper angle of the rearward tapered
surface. The baffles are assembled together in a coaxial baffle
stack with the first baffle forward of the second baffle, the
forward tapered surface of the second baffle engaging the rearward
tapered surface of the first baffle for forming a tapered seal
between the outer walls of the baffles, thereby limiting flow of
firearm discharge gases from within the baffle stack through the
tapered seal.
Inventors: |
Parker; Joshua J.; (Artesia,
NM) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CGS Group, LLC |
Artesia |
NM |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69161016 |
Appl. No.: |
16/252704 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15368374 |
Dec 2, 2016 |
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16252704 |
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62261929 |
Dec 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30 |
Claims
1. A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge
gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm, the suppressor
comprising: at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each
baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an
expansion chamber, the outer wall having a circumferential forward
tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a
taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper
angle of the rearward tapered surface; wherein the baffles are
assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle
forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the
second baffle mating with the rearward tapered surface of the first
baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the
baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from
within the baffle stack through the tapered seal; wherein the outer
wall of each baffle comprises internal threads and external
threads, the internal threads of one of the baffles engaging the
external threads of the other of the baffles, forming a threaded
engagement for retaining the baffles together in the stack.
2. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein the tapered seal is
located between the expansion chambers and the threaded
engagement.
3. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein the threaded
engagement is located between the expansion chambers and the
tapered seal.
4. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the
external threads are located on a forward portion and the internal
threads are located on a rearward portion.
5. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the
internal threads are located on a forward portion and the external
threads are located on a rearward portion.
6. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, further comprising: a tube
configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm,
the baffles being located within the tube.
7. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the
rearward tapered surface forms a rearward end of the outer
wall.
8. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the
forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer
wall.
9. A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge
gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm, the suppressor
comprising: at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each
baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an
expansion chamber, the outer wall having a circumferential forward
tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a
taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper
angle of the rearward tapered surface; wherein the baffles are
assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle
forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the
second baffle mating with the rearward tapered surface of the first
baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the
baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from
within the baffle stack through the tapered seal; wherein the outer
wall of each baffle comprises internal threads and external
threads, the internal threads of one of the baffles engaging the
external threads of the other of the baffles, forming a threaded
engagement for retaining the baffles together in the stack; and
wherein the tapered seal is located between the expansion chambers
and the threaded engagement.
10. The firearm suppressor of claim 9, wherein for each baffle the
external threads are located on a forward portion and the internal
threads are located on a rearward portion.
11. The firearm suppressor of claim 9, wherein for each baffle the
internal threads are located on a forward portion and the external
threads are located on a rearward portion.
12. The firearm suppressor of claim 9, further comprising: a tube
configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm,
the baffles being located within the tube.
13. The firearm suppressor of claim 9, wherein for each baffle the
rearward tapered surface forms a rearward end of the outer
wall.
14. The firearm suppressor of claim 9, wherein for each baffle the
forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer
wall.
15. A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge
gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm, the suppressor
comprising: at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each
baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an
expansion chamber, the outer wall having a circumferential forward
tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a
taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper
angle of the rearward tapered surface; wherein the baffles are
assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle
forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the
second baffle mating with the rearward tapered surface of the first
baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the
baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from
within the baffle stack through the tapered seal; wherein the outer
wall of each baffle comprises internal threads and external
threads, the internal threads of one of the baffles engaging the
external threads of the other of the baffles, forming a threaded
engagement for retaining the baffles together in the stack; and
wherein threaded engagement is located between the expansion
chambers and the tapered seal.
16. The firearm suppressor of claim 15, wherein for each baffle the
external threads are located on a forward portion and the internal
threads are located on a rearward portion.
17. The firearm suppressor of claim 15, wherein for each baffle the
internal threads are located on a forward portion and the external
threads are located on a rearward portion.
18. The firearm suppressor of claim 15, further comprising: a tube
configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm,
the baffles being located within the tube.
19. The firearm suppressor of claim 15, wherein for each baffle the
rearward tapered surface forms a rearward end of the outer
wall.
20. The firearm suppressor of claim 15, wherein for each baffle the
forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer
wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/368,374, filed on Dec. 2, 2016, and titled
SUPPRESSOR WITH COAXIAL EXPANSION CHAMBERS AND TAPERED SEALS, the
content of which is incorporated by reference. This application
claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/261,929, filed on Dec. 2, 2015, and titled
SUPPRESSOR WITH COAXIAL EXPANSION CHAMBERS AND TAPERED SEALS, the
content of which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Firearm suppressors are used to reduce, or muffle, the
external sound signature by dissipating the energy of the gases
produced in a firearm discharge. A typical suppressor has multiple
internal baffles for directing high-velocity gases into expansion
chambers of the suppressor and/or retaining the gases within the
chambers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a firearm suppressor according
to this disclosure.
[0004] FIG. 2 is an oblique exploded view of the suppressor of FIG.
1.
[0005] FIGS. 3 and 4 are oblique views of a baffle of the
suppressor of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the baffle of FIG. 3.
[0007] FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view of the suppressor of
FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a rear
portion of the suppressor of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a front
portion of the suppressor of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 10 is a cross-section side view of an alternative
embodiment of a suppressor according to this disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 10.
[0013] FIG. 12 is a cross-section side view of another alternative
embodiment of a suppressor according to this disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 12.
[0015] FIG. 14 is a cross-section side view of another alternative
embodiment of a suppressor according to this disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 14.
[0017] FIG. 16 is a cross-section side view of another alternative
embodiment of a suppressor according to this disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 16.
[0019] FIG. 18 is a cross-section side view of another alternative
embodiment of a suppressor according to this disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion
of the suppressor of FIG. 18.
[0021] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-section side view of another
alternative embodiment of a portion of a suppressor according to
this disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 21 is a cross-section side view of an assembly of two
suppressor baffles according to this disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 22 is a cross-section side view of an alternative
embodiment of an assembly of two suppressor baffles according to
this disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 23 is a cross-section side view of another alternative
embodiment of an assembly of two suppressor baffles according to
this disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 24 is a is a cross-section side view of another
alternative embodiment of an assembly of suppressor baffles
according to this disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 25 is a partial cross-section side view of an assembly
of suppressor baffles as shown in FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial
relationships between various components and to the spatial
orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are
depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized
by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of this
disclosure, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described
herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use
of terms such as "above," "below," "upper," "lower," "forward,"
"rearward," or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship
between various components or to describe the spatial orientation
of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a
relative relationship between the components or a spatial
orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the
device described herein may be oriented in any desired
direction.
[0028] This disclosure describes an improved firearm suppressor
having coaxial expansion chambers and tapered seals between
adjacent baffles. Baffles within a suppressor tube are assembled
into a coaxial "stack" and have a shape for cooperating to form
central expansion chambers and coaxial expansion chambers. Also, a
circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential
rearward tapered surface are each formed on an outer wall of each
baffle, the tapered surfaces of adjacent baffles engaging to form a
tapered seal for preventing or limiting the flow of firearm
discharge gases, and entrained particulates, from within the baffle
stack through the tapered seal. In addition, the tapered seal
provides for increasing sealing force as adjacent baffles are
compressed together within the stack. Circumferential tapered
surfaces are also preferably formed on each end cap of the
suppressor for engaging the corresponding tapered surfaces of
baffles adjacent the caps, thereby forming a tapered seal.
[0029] FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a
firearm suppressor 11 according to this disclosure, suppressor 11
having central expansion chambers, coaxial expansion chambers, and
tapered seals between adjacent baffles.
[0030] Suppressor 11 is shown assembled In FIG. 1 and in an
exploded view in FIG. 2. Suppressor 11 comprises a tube 13, front
end cap 15, rear end cap 17, and multiple baffles 19 assembled
together to form a coaxial baffle stack 21. Tube 13 is shown as
having a generally cylindrical, hollow, tubular form, though tube
13 may have another configuration in alternative embodiments. Tube
13 has an inner surface 23 and cylindrical ends 25, 27, each end
25, 27 having internal threads 29. Cylindrical end caps 15, 17 have
corresponding external threads 31, allowing for end caps 15, 17 to
be assembled with tube 13. For a tube 13 having a shape other than
cylindrical, alternative methods for retaining end caps 25, 27 will
be used. Front end cap 15 has a bore 33 and read end cap 17 has a
bore 35, bores 33, 35 being aligned with the muzzle of a firearm
when suppressor 11 is installed thereon, allowing for a projectile
fired from the firearm to pass through bore 35, baffle stack 21,
and bore 33. Rear end cap 17 is preferably configured to engage the
barrel of a firearm or a mounting device attached to the firearm,
thereby coupling suppressor 11 to the firearm.
[0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged oblique views of a baffle 19, and
FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of baffle 19 taken along plane 5-5 of
FIG. 4. Baffle 19 is preferably formed from metal and preferably as
a unitary structure. As visible in FIG. 5, baffle 19 is a modified
M-style baffle and comprises an outer wall 37, a central cone 39,
and a chamber wall 41. In the embodiment shown, baffle 19 is
cylindrical, though baffle 19 (or particular features thereof) may
be formed to have another shape in alternative embodiments, such as
those in which tube 13 has a non-cylindrical shape. Features will
be described as circumferential for a cylindrical embodiment,
though similar features for non-cylindrical embodiments should be
understood to be on or near the periphery.
[0032] Outer wall 37 is a thin circumferential wall that extends
rearward from chamber wall 41 and terminates in a tapered surface
43 at the rearward end of wall 37. In the preferred embodiment, the
angle of tapered surface 43 is 30 degrees and is measured from
outer surface 45 of wall 37. Inner surface 47 of wall 37 is spaced
from cone 39 for forming an expansion chamber, discussed below,
between inner surface 47 and cone 39. In this and other
embodiments, particular values for angles of features may be shown
or described, though it should be noted that other values of angles
may be used. For example, tapered surface 43 is shown and described
as having a 30-degree taper angle, though other values in the range
of 0<.theta.<90 may be used.
[0033] Cone 39 extends rearward generally from a forward end of
outer wall 37 and is formed to have a shape approximating a
thin-wall frustum. A bore 49 is located at a rearward portion of
cone 39 and is sized to allow a projectile to pass through bore 49
when fired from an attached firearm. Bore 49 is preferably sized to
provide the minimum required clearance for allowing a projectile of
selected maximum size to pass through, while preventing contact of
the projectile with bore 39. An inner surface 51 extends from bore
49 to chamber wall 41, whereas an outer surface of cone 39 is
divided into rearward outer surface 53 and forward outer surface
55. In the preferred embodiment, a 90-degree circumferential
shoulder 57 is formed between surfaces 53 and 55 on the outside of
cone 39, shoulder 57 having an outward-facing surface 59 and a
rearward-facing surface 61. A gas port 63 is formed in a forward
portion of cone 39, the port extending through cone 39 between
forward outer surface 55 and inner surface 51. As shown, an
optional gas passage 65 in the rear portion of cone 39 intersects
bore 49.
[0034] In this embodiment, chamber wall 41 extends forward and
inward at a 45-degree angle generally from the intersection of
outer wall 37 and cone 39. Wall 41 is formed as a thin-wall frustum
and terminates with a 90-degree shoulder 67 formed by
forward-facing surface 69 and inward-facing surface 71. A gas port
73 extends through wall 41 between an inner surface 75 and an outer
surface 77, and port 73 is preferably located on the opposite side
of bore 49 to port 63 of cone 39. In an alternative embodiment, gas
port 73 intersects and interrupts shoulder 67, allowing for a
protrusion, flat, or other feature on an adjacent baffle 19 to
engage a portion of port 73 for rotational alignment of baffles 19
in baffle stack 21. A circumferential tapered shoulder 79 is formed
generally at the intersection of outer wall 37 and chamber wall 41.
Shoulder 79 has an outward-facing surface 81 and a 30-degree
tapered surface 83 (150 degrees from surface 81), such that tapered
surface 83 is recessed rearward from outer surface 77 of chamber
wall 41 at the forward end of outer wall 37.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view of assembled suppressor
11, with baffles 19 arranged in baffle stack 21 within tube 13.
Front end cap 15 is installed in forward end 25 of tube 13, and
rear end cap 17 is installed in rear end of tube 13. Caps 15, 17
move toward each other as they are threaded into tube 13, and this
causes caps 15, 17 to compress baffles 19 together in stack 21.
Adjacent baffles 19 are in contact with each other at selected
mating surfaces to form baffle seals, the seals defining chambers
within suppressor 11.
[0036] Referring also to FIGS. 6 through 9, outer baffle seal 85 is
a circumferential, tapered seal formed from the mating of tapered
surface 43 of a first baffle 19 to tapered shoulder 79 of an
adjacent second baffle 19 to the rear of first baffle 19. Tapered
surface 43 of first baffle 19 mates with tapered surface 83 of
second baffle 19, and inner surface 47 of first baffle is located
near outward-facing surface 81 of second baffle 19. Outer baffle
seal 85 provides a positive sealing arrangement for preventing or
limiting gases and particulates within baffle stack 21 from
escaping through outer baffle seal 85. Outer baffle seal 85 also
has the advantage of providing for increasing sealing force as
baffle stack is compressed by end caps 15, 17, in which tapered
surface 43 and tapered surface 83 engage with greater force as caps
15, 17 are moved toward each other.
[0037] Eliminating or minimizing passage of discharge gases and
entrained particulates through outer baffle seal 85 prevents
fouling and carbon buildup on outer surface 45 of baffle 19 and on
inner surface 23 of tube 13. In previous suppressor designs,
fouling and carbon buildup can prevent easy removal of the baffle
stack from within the suppressor tube and may require tools, such
as a hammer, and application of significant force to dislodge and
remove the baffles. In suppressor 11, the enhanced tapered seal of
outer baffle seal 85 prevents fouling and carbon buildup, allowing
for easy removal of baffles 19 from within tube 13.
[0038] In the preferred embodiment, inner baffle interface 87 is a
circumferential, non-tapered arrangement formed from the
positioning of shoulder 57 of the first baffle 19 close to shoulder
67 of the adjacent second baffle 19 to the rear of first baffle 19.
Rearward-facing surface 61 of first baffle 19 lies near
forward-facing surface 69 of second baffle 19, and outward-facing
surface 59 of first baffle 19 lies near inward-facing surface 71 of
second baffle. Inner baffle interface 87 provides two narrow
annular spaces for limiting gases and particulates from moving
through inner baffle interface 87.
[0039] Referring specifically to FIG. 8, the rear portion of
suppressor 11 is shown in side cross-section with rear end cap 17
installed in end 27. Threads 31 of cap 17 engage threads 29 of tube
13 for retaining cap 17 in tube 13. Threads 31 are formed on a
cylindrical wall 89, which extends forward from adapter section 91.
To seal cap 17 to rearmost baffle 19, a 30-degree tapered surface
93 is formed on the forward end of wall 89, and the taper angle is
measured from inner surface 95 of wall 89. This orientation allows
tapered surface 93 of cap 17 to mate against tapered surface 43 of
rearmost baffle 19, creating a tapered seal 97. Seal 97 prevents
gases and particulates from escaping through seal 97 and causing
fouling and carbon buildup in threads 29, 31.
[0040] Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the front portion of
suppressor 11 is shown in side cross-section with front end cap 15
installed in end 25. Threads 31 of cap 15 engage threads 29 of tube
13 for retaining cap 15 in tube 13. Threads 31 are formed on a
cylindrical wall 99, which extends rearward from end section 101.
In addition, a diverter cone 103 extends rearward from end section
101, bore 33 extending through diverter 103. To seal cap 15 to
front baffle 19, a 45-degree tapered surface 105 is formed on the
rearward end of wall 99, and the tapered angle is measured from the
outer surface of wall 99. This orientation allows tapered surface
105 of cap 15 to mate against outer surface 77 of chamber wall 41
of front baffle 19, creating a tapered seal 107. Seal 107 prevents
or limits gases and particulates from escaping through seal 107 and
causing fouling and carbon buildup in threads 29, 31.
[0041] Referring again to FIGS. 5 through 9, caps 15, 17 and
baffles 19 cooperate to form expansion chambers within suppressor
11, the chambers redirecting, slowing, and/or trapping gases and
particulates that enter suppressor through bore 35 of rear cap 17.
A first chamber 109 is defined by outer wall 89 of cap 17 and outer
surfaces 53, 55 of cone 39 of rearmost baffle 19. Gases 111,
indicated by arrows, enter chamber 109, and a portion of gases 111
is diverted around cone 39 and slowed, but the diverted gases can
then exit chamber 109 through port 63 and pass into the adjacent
central chamber 113.
[0042] Between each pair of baffles 19, a central chamber 113 is
defined by inner surface 51 of cone 39 of the rearward baffle 19,
inner surface 75 of chamber wall 41 of the rearward baffle 19, and
outer surface 53 of cone 39 of the forward baffle 19. A portion of
gases 111 entering each chamber 113 is diverted around cone 39 and
enters a coaxial chamber 115 through port 73. Each coaxial chamber
115 is defined by outer surface 77 of chamber wall 41 of the
rearward baffle 19, inner surface 41 of outer wall 37 of forward
baffle 19, and outer surface 55 of cone 39 of forward baffle 19.
The portion of gases 111 diverted into each coaxial chamber 115
flows around chamber 115 to port 63 and exits into the next central
chamber 113.
[0043] Gases that continue to the forward portion of suppressor 11
enter central chamber 113 between front baffle 19 and front end cap
15. However, unlike interface 87 between adjacent baffles 19,
diverter cone 103 has a smaller diameter than that of inward-facing
surface 71 of chamber wall 41, and this allows a portion of gases
to flow into a forward chamber 117, the gases flowing between
chamber wall 41 and cone 103 and through port 73.
[0044] With the number of chambers 113, 115, 117 along the length
of suppressor 11, and with turbulence induced from the flow of
gases through ports 63, 73 and around chambers 115, a significant
portion of gases 111 are trapped and slowed, dissipating momentum
and thermal energy within suppressor 11 before the gases exit bore
33 of front end cap 17. The performance of suppressor 11 can be
modified by changing the numbers of baffles 19, the sizes and
number of ports 63, 73, and the sizes of chambers 113, 115,
117.
[0045] FIGS. 10 through 20 illustrate alternative embodiments of
baffles forming tapered seals in a suppressor and according to this
disclosure. The suppressors in these embodiments have a
configuration similar to that of suppressor 11 and operate in the
same manner. The only changes of note are the tapered seal
configurations between adjacent baffles and between baffles and end
caps, and the discussion will be limited to these alternatives
while incorporating the above discussion for suppressor 11.
[0046] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a suppressor 119 having baffles
121 that form a non-recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 122 when
assembled together. A similar seal 123 is formed between rear
baffle 121 and the rear end cap, and a tapered seal 124 is formed
with front baffle 121 and the front end cap. Rather than a recessed
tapered seal, as with seal 85 of suppressor 11, seal 122 is formed
by a tapered surface 125 mating with outer surface 127 of the
chamber wall of baffle 121. Seal 122 provides for only one mating
interface.
[0047] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a suppressor 129 having baffles
131 that form a recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 132 when
assembled together. A similar seal 133 is formed between rear
baffle 131 and the rear end cap, and a tapered seal 134 is formed
with front baffle 131 and the front end cap. Seal 132 is an
inverted version of seal 85 of suppressor 11, in that an outer wall
135 extends forward from chamber wall 137 of each baffle and
terminates in a tapered surface 139. A recessed shoulder 141 is
formed by outward-facing surface 143 and a tapered surface 145.
Seal 132 is formed by tapered surface 139 mating with tapered
surface 145, with outward-facing surface 143 being near inner
surface 146 of outer wall 135. In this configuration, adjacent
baffles 131 form coaxial chambers 147 between forward-extending
outer wall 135 of rearward baffle 131, cone section 148 of forward
baffle 131, and chamber wall 137 of rearward baffle 131.
[0048] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a suppressor 149 having baffles
151 that form a recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 152 when
assembled together. A similar seal 153 is formed between rear
baffle 151 and the rear end cap, and a tapered seal 154 is formed
with front baffle 151 and the front end cap. Seal 152 is a recessed
tapered seal much like seal 85 of suppressor 11, but seal 152 has a
reversed taper angle. Outer wall 155 has a tapered surface 157 on
its rearward end, the taper angle being measured from inner surface
159. A recessed shoulder 161 is formed by outward-facing surface
163 and a tapered surface 165. Seal 152 has is formed by tapered
surface 157 mating with tapered surface 165, outward-facing surface
163 being near inner surface 159 of outer wall 155.
[0049] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a suppressor 167 having baffles
169 that form a non-recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 170 when
assembled together. A similar seal 171 is formed between rear
baffle 169 and the rear end cap, and a tapered seal 172 is formed
with front baffle 169 and the front end cap. Unlike seal 152 of
suppressor 149, seals 170, 171 are not recessed. A tapered surface
173 extends forward of chamber wall 175 of baffle 169, and a
tapered surface 177 on the rearward end of outer wall 179 mates
with tapered surface 173, forming seal 170. Seal 170 provides for
only one mating interface.
[0050] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a suppressor 181 having baffles
183 that form a non-recessed, double-tapered outer baffle seal 184
when assembled together. A similar seal 185 is formed between rear
baffle 183 and the rear end cap, and a tapered seal 186 is formed
with front baffle 183 and the front end cap. Rather than a single
pair of tapered surfaces mating, outer wall 187 extends rearward
and terminates with an inner tapered surface 189 and an outer
tapered surface 191. A corresponding pair of tapered surfaces are
formed on chamber wall 193, with an inner tapered surface 195 and
an outer tapered surface 197. The configuration of seal 184
provides for two mating interfaces between inner surfaces 189 and
195 and between outer surfaces 191 and 197.
[0051] FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative version of an inner
baffle interface. Interface 199 is a tapered inner baffle
interface, unlike the square-shoulder configuration of interface 87
of suppressor 11. Baffles 201 have a chamber wall 203 that
terminates in a tapered surface 205, and a tapered surface 207 is
located on cone section 209. Tapered surfaces 205, 207 are to
position them as close to each other as possible and not prevent
the outer walls from forming an outer baffle seal.
[0052] FIGS. 21 through 23 illustrate alternative embodiments of
baffles having various modifications from baffles described above.
The baffles of these embodiments are configured similarly to
baffles described above, and the baffles are configured for use in
a suppressor similar to suppressor 11 and to operate in the same
manner. The discussion will be limited to these modifications while
incorporating the above description.
[0053] FIG. 21 illustrates two baffles 211 assembled into a stack.
Like baffles described above, each baffle 211 has an outer wall
213, a central cone 215, and a chamber wall 217. Chamber wall 217
extends forward and inward from the forward end of outer wall 213
to form a frustum. However, chamber wall 217 differs from those
described above by the addition of extension wall 219, which is an
annular ring extending forward from the inner portion of chamber
wall 217. Instead of the inner portion of chamber wall 217 mating
with cone 215 of the forward adjacent baffle 211, the forward end
of extension wall 219 mates with cone 215 in the same manner as
described above for baffle 19. The addition of extension wall 219
increases the distance between cone 215 of forward baffle 211 and
chamber wall 217 of rearward baffle 211, thereby increasing the
volume of coaxial expansion chamber 221.
[0054] FIG. 22 illustrates two baffles 223 assembled into a stack.
Like baffles described above, each baffle 223 has an outer wall
225, a central cone 227, and a chamber wall 229. Outer wall 225 of
each baffle 223 has a forward tapered surface 231 and a rearward
tapered surface 233, the taper angles of surfaces 231, 233 being
equal to allow for surfaces 231, 233 to mate when baffles 223 are
assembled, thereby forming a tapered seal 235 between outer walls
225 of adjacent baffles 223. To retain baffles 223 together in a
stack, outer wall 225 of each baffle 223 has internal threads 237
formed on a rearward portion of outer wall 225 and external threads
239 formed on a forward portion of outer wall 225. When baffles 223
are assembled together, baffles 223 are rotated relative to each
other engage threads 237, 239 for retaining baffles 223 together.
Baffles 223 are rotated relative to each other to move baffles 223
toward each other, and this causes tapered surfaces 231, 233 to
move toward each other until they mate, forming tapered seal 235.
By threadingly retaining baffles 223 to each other and providing a
tapered seal 235 between outer walls 225, this configuration
eliminates the need for a tube to house baffles 223, though a tube
can optionally be used. An advantage to a tubeless design is that
the user can operate a firearm with more or fewer baffles based on
the application and desired effect. Though not shown, it should be
understood that threaded end caps will be installed to terminate
the baffle stack, providing for enclosed front expansion chambers
and for a feature to couple baffles 223 to a firearm. Also, in
another embodiment the location of threads 237, 239 on baffle 223
can be reversed, so that external threads are formed at a rearward
portion of baffle 223 and internal threads are formed at a forward
portion of baffle 223.
[0055] FIG. 23 illustrates two baffles 241 assembled into a stack.
Like baffles described above, each baffle 241 has an outer wall
243, a central cone 245, and a chamber wall 247. Outer wall 225 of
each baffle 223 has a forward tapered surface 249 and a rearward
tapered surface 251, the taper angles of surfaces 249, 251 being
equal to allow for surfaces 249, 251 to mate when baffles 241 are
assembled, thereby forming a tapered seal 253 between outer walls
243 of adjacent baffles 241. In this embodiment, cone 245 extends
rearward from a rear portion of outer wall 243, and chamber wall
247 extends rearward from a central portion of cone 245. The outer
end of chamber wall 247 has features like those described above for
mating with features on inner surface 255 of outer wall 243 and
forming a seal 257, thereby forming coaxial expansion chamber
259.
[0056] FIG. 24 illustrates baffle 261, which is another embodiment
according to this disclosure, and FIG. 25 illustrates baffles 261
assembled into a stack. Each baffle 261 has an outer wall 263 and a
central cone 265. Outer wall 263 of each baffle 261 has a forward
tapered surface 267 and a rearward tapered surface 269, the taper
angles of surfaces 267, 269 being equal to allow for surfaces 267,
269 to mate when baffles 261 are assembled, thereby forming a
tapered seal 271 between outer walls 263 of adjacent baffles 261.
To retain baffles 261 together in a stack, outer wall 263 of each
baffle 261 has internal threads 273 formed on a forward portion of
outer wall 263 and external threads 275 formed on a rearward
portion of outer wall 263. When baffles 261 are assembled together,
baffles 261 are rotated relative to each other to engage threads
273, 275 for retaining baffles 261 together. Baffles 261 are
rotated relative to each other to move baffles 261 toward each
other, and this causes tapered surfaces 267, 269 to move toward
each other until they mate, forming tapered seal 271. By
threadingly retaining baffles 261 to each other and providing a
tapered seal 271 between outer walls 263, this configuration
eliminates the need for a tube to house baffles 261, though a tube
can optionally be used. Also, by having tapered seal 271 formed
inside of threads 273, 275, seal 271 limits or eliminates the
amount of gases and particulates that reach and collect within the
interface of threads 273, 275.
[0057] Though not shown, it should be understood that threaded end
caps will be installed to terminate the baffle stack, providing for
enclosed front expansion chambers and for a feature to couple
baffles 261 to a firearm. Also, in another embodiment the location
of threads 273, 275 on baffle 261 can be reversed, so that external
threads are formed at a forward portion of baffle 261 and internal
threads are formed at a rearward portion of baffle 261. Likewise,
the location and/or taper direction of tapered surfaces 267, 269
can be reversed. Though not shown with a chamber wall for creating
a coaxial chamber, it should be understood that all appropriate
features of the baffles described above may be incorporated into
baffle 261.
[0058] The firearm suppressor of this disclosure provides several
significant advantages, including: (1) providing central and
coaxial expansion chambers; and (2) providing baffles and caps with
tapered seals that prevent or minimize the amount of gas escaping
between baffles and eliminate the need for cap O-rings.
[0059] At least one embodiment is disclosed, and variations,
combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or
features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary
skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure.
Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating,
and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the
scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are
expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be
understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like
magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations
(e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater
than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a
numerical range with a lower limit, R.sub.l, and an upper limit,
R.sub.u, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is
specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within
the range are specifically disclosed:
R=R.sub.l+k*(R.sub.u-R.sub.l), wherein k is a variable ranging from
1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1
percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50
percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 95
percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any
numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is
also specifically disclosed. Use of the term "optionally" with
respect to any element of a claim means that the element is
required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both
alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader
terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood
to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of,
consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of.
Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the
description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow,
that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the
claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure
into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the
present invention. Also, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C"
and "A and/or B and/or C" should each be interpreted to include
only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C.
* * * * *