U.S. patent application number 16/951292 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-19 for gun muzzle sound suppressor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronald E. Miller, Shawna A. Miller. Invention is credited to Ronald E. Miller, Shawna A. Miller.
Application Number | 20210254920 16/951292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005593390 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210254920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Ronald E. ; et
al. |
August 19, 2021 |
Gun Muzzle Sound Suppressor
Abstract
A gun muzzle sound suppressor incorporating a plurality of
bells, the plurality of bells including a breachward-most bell and
at least a second bell, wherein each bell among the plurality of
bells has a breachward throat and a muzzleward mouth, wherein the
breachward throat of the at least second bell extends into the
muzzleward mouth of the breachward-most bell, wherein each bell
among the plurality of bells has a circumferentially extending
wall, wherein the radially outer surface of the circumferentially
extending wall of the breachward-most bell is radially inwardly and
muzzlewardly bowed, and wherein the radially outer surface of the
circumferentially extending wall of the at least second bell is
substantially conic; and incorporating a cylindrical housing,
wherein the plurality of bells are arranged in a linear series
within the cylindrical housing.
Inventors: |
Miller; Ronald E.; (Wichita,
KS) ; Miller; Shawna A.; (Wichita, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Miller; Ronald E.
Miller; Shawna A. |
Wichita
Wichita |
KS
KS |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005593390 |
Appl. No.: |
16/951292 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30 |
Claims
1. A gun muzzle sound suppressor comprising: (a) a plurality of
bells arranged in a series along a longitudinal axis, the plurality
of bells comprising a breachward-most bell and at least a second
bell, wherein each bell among the plurality of bells has a
breachward throat and a muzzleward mouth, wherein the breachward
throat of the at least second bell extends into the breachward-most
bell's muzzleward mouth, wherein each bell among the plurality of
bells has a circumferentially extending wall forming a geometric
shape selected from the group consisting of obverted ellipsoid
surfaces, obverted paraboloid surfaces, and hyperboloid surfaces,
and wherein the circumferentially extending wall of the at least
second bell is substantially conic; and (b) a first cylindrical
housing, the plurality of bells being mounted within the first
cylindrical housing.
2. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 1 wherein the plurality
of bells further comprise a plurality of third bells, each bell
among the plurality of third bells being positioned muzzlewardly
from the at least second bell, wherein said each bell is configured
substantially identically with the at least second bell.
3. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 2 wherein the first
cylindrical housing is segmented, and wherein each bell among the
plurality of bells is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with one
of the first cylindrical housing's segments.
4. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 3 comprising a second
cylindrical housing positioned radially outwardly from the first
cylindrical housing, and further comprising a gas flow annulus
between the first and second cylindrical housings.
5. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 4 further comprising a
multiplicity of baffles within the gas flow annulus.
6. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 5 wherein each baffle
among the multiplicity of baffles extends helically about the
longitudinal axis.
7. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 6 wherein each baffle
among the multiplicity of baffles is formed wholly with one of the
first cylindrical housing's segments.
8. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 7 wherein the second
cylindrical housing has a helically threaded breachward end, and
further comprising a helically threaded gun muzzle adapter received
within said end.
9. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 8 wherein the second
cylindrical housing has a helically threaded muzzleward end, and
further comprising a helically threaded blast choking ring received
within said end.
10. A gun muzzle sound suppressor comprising: (a) a plurality of
bells arranged in a series along a longitudinal axis, the plurality
of bells comprising a breachward-most bell and at least a second
bell, wherein each bell among the plurality of bells has a
breachward throat and a muzzleward mouth, wherein the breachward
throat of the at least second bell extends into the breachward-most
bell's muzzleward mouth, wherein each bell among the plurality of
bells has a circumferentially extending wall, wherein the
circumferentially extending wall of the breachward-most bell is
radially inwardly and muzzlewardly bowed, and wherein the
circumferentially extending wall of the at least second bell is
substantially conic; and (b) a first cylindrical housing, the
plurality of bells being mounted within the first cylindrical
housing.
11. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 10 wherein the
circumferentially extending wall of the breachward-most bell has a
length extending radially outwardly and muzzlewardly from said
bell's throat, wherein said wall's radially inward and muzzleward
bow has a depth, and wherein said length is between six and twelve
times greater than said depth.
12. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 11 wherein the
plurality of bells further comprise a plurality of third bells,
each bell among the plurality of third bells being positioned
muzzlewardly from the at least second bell, wherein each bell is
configured substantially identically with the at least second
bell.
13. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 12 wherein the first
cylindrical housing is segmented, and wherein each bell among the
plurality of bells is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with one
of the first cylindrical housing's segments.
14. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 13 comprising a second
cylindrical housing positioned radially outwardly from the first
cylindrical housing, and further comprising gas flow annulus
between the first and second cylindrical housings.
15. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 14 further comprising
and multiplicity of baffles within the gas flow annulus.
16. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 15 wherein each baffle
among the multiplicity of baffles extends helically about the
longitudinal axis.
17. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 16 wherein each baffle
among the multiplicity of baffles is formed wholly with one of the
first cylindrical housing's segments.
18. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 17 wherein the second
cylindrical housing has a helically threaded breachward end, and
further comprising a helically threaded gun muzzle adapter received
within said end.
19. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 18 wherein the second
cylindrical housing has a helically threaded muzzleward end, and
further comprising a helically threaded blast choking ring received
within said end.
20. The gun muzzle sound suppressor of claim 10 further comprising
a multiplicity of circumferentially extending knurls, each such
knurl extending radially outwardly and breachwardly from one of the
bells.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to gun and rifle sound suppressors or
silencers. More particularly, this invention relates to such sound
suppressors or silencers which incorporate special configurations
of and arrangements of interior blast reflecting and channeling
baffles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Variously configured gas reflecting and channeling baffles
and partitions are known to be mounted within the typically
cylindrical hollow interior of a gun muzzle sound suppressor. Many
known configurations of such baffles provide a marginal or
deficient level of sound suppression. The instant inventive gun
muzzle sound suppressor achieves enhanced and superior levels of
sound suppression by providing specially configured bell shaped
baffles and by uniquely arranging such baffles in a linear series
within the suppressor's hollow interior.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The instant inventive sound suppressor device or implement
is intended to serve as or function as an attachable and detachable
auxiliary component of a pistol, a revolver, or a rifle. In a
preferred embodiment, the instant inventive sound suppressor
provides female helical threads at its breachward end for easy
attachments to and detachments from a firearm's externally
helically threaded muzzle.
[0004] A major structural component of the instant inventive gun
muzzle sound suppressor comprises a plurality or series of bell
configured baffles which are referred to generally herein as bells.
In a preferred embodiment, such plurality of bells comprises a
breachward-most bell and at least a second bell which is held at a
longitudinally adjacent position with respect to the
breachward-most bell. The breachward-most bell in combination with
the at least second bell forms a linear bell series which extends
muzzlewardly along the suppressor's central longitudinal axis.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, each of the bell components of
the inventive suppressor includes a relatively narrow throat at its
breachward end and includes a relatively wide mouth at its
muzzleward end. The throat of the at least second bell preferably
extends breachwardly into the mouth of the breachward-most bell,
and each bell necessarily has an annular wall which extends
circumferentially about the suppressor's central longitudinal axis.
Bullets fired through the suppressor pass successively through the
bells' throats and mouths to emit at a muzzle opening.
[0006] The radially outer surface of the circumferentially
extending wall of the breachward-most bell is necessarily bowed
radially inwardly and muzzlewardly so that such surface
approximates a geometric shape selected from the group consisting
of obverted ellipsoid surfaces, obverted paraboloid surfaces, and
hyperboloid surfaces.
[0007] In contrast with the radially inwardly and muzzlewardly
bowed radially outer surface of the breachward-most bell, the
radially outer surface of the at least second bell is substantially
conic, such surface being configured as a portion of the surface of
a geometric cone. In the preferred embodiment, the suppressor
further comprises a plurality of third bells which extends in a
linear series muzzlewardly from the at least second bell. Each
third bell is preferably configured substantially identically with
the at least second bell.
[0008] A further structural component of the instant inventive gun
muzzle sound suppressor comprises at least a first cylindrical
housing, the plurality of bells being securely and fixedly mounted
within a hollow interior space defined by such housing. In a
preferred embodiment, each bell is formed wholly with the at least
first cylindrical housing, the bells' mounting connections residing
at the peripheral edges or lips of the bells' mouths. The at least
first cylindrical housing is preferably longitudinally segmented,
and each bell's wholly formed connection with such housing
preferably resides at one of such segments. Where the at least
first housing is segmented, a second outer housing is preferably
provided to receive and support the inner housing's segments in a
linear series.
[0009] In operation of the instant inventive gun muzzle sound
suppressor, a bullet may be fired from an attached weapon, such
bullet passing longitudinally and muzzlewardly through the bells'
throat and mouth openings. A portion of the expanding volume of gas
following the bullet's passage initially impinges against the bowed
radially outer surface of the breachward-most bell, remaining
portions of such gas pass muzzlewardly through the throat of the
breachward-most bell. Such remaining portions of the gas
successively impinge against the substantially conic radially outer
surfaces of the suppressor's muzzleward series of bells.
[0010] A reconfiguration of the instant invention's bells to
alternatively breachwardly position one of the conic bells has been
observed to produce a suppressor which performs markedly less
effectively in terms of sound suppression. The instant invention
produces enhanced gun muzzle sound suppression by radially inwardly
and muzzlewardly bowing the radially outer surface of the
circumferentially extending wall of the breachward-most bell, and
by conically configuring the radially outer surfaces of the
muzzlewardly successive bells within the suppressor.
[0011] Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the
provision of a gun muzzle sound suppressor which incorporates
structures as described above, and which arranges those structures
in manners described above for the achievement of beneficial
functions described above.
[0012] Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the
instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art
upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon
review of the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the instant inventive gun muzzle sound suppressor.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the structure
of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a exploded view of interior components of the
FIGS. 1-3 structure.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial magnified view of a portion of the
structure of FIG. 3, as indicated in FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 6 presents an alternative configuration of the FIG. 3
structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing
FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive gun muzzle
sound suppressor is referred to generally by Reference Arrow 1.
Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 2-5, further structural
components of the instant inventive gun muzzle sound suppressor
comprise a plurality of bells or bell configured baffles, such
plurality comprising at a minimum a breachward-most bell which is
referred to generally by Reference Arrow 2 and a second bell which
is referred to generally by Reference Arrow 4. Such bell components
have relatively narrow and breachward throat openings 6 and 10, and
have muzzleward mouth openings 8 and 12 which are relatively wide.
As is particularly shown in FIG. 3, the throat opening 10 of the at
least second bell 4 extends or nests breachwardly into the mouth 8
of the breachward-most bell 2.
[0020] The breachward-most bell 2 has an annular wall 14 which
extends circumferentially about axis 5. In the preferred
embodiment, such circumferentially extending wall 14 is bowed
radially inwardly and muzzlewardly so that its radially outer
surface 18 forms a geometric shape which approximates an obverted
ellipsoid surface, an obverted paraboloid surface, or a hyperboloid
surface.
[0021] Referring in particular to FIG. 5, the radially outer
surface 18 of the circumferentially extending wall 14 of the
breachward-most bell 2 has a length dimension along line 58, such
dimension extending radially outwardly from and muzzlewardly from
the periphery of throat 6. Such surface 18 necessarily bows
radially inwardly and muzzlewardly from such line 58 to a bow depth
60. In the preferred embodiment, the breachward-most bell's bow
depth 60 is adjusted or tailored to be between 1/12 and 1/6 of
length 58. In contrast with the concavely bowed outer surface 18 of
the breachward-most bell 2, the suppressor's at least second bell 4
has a radially outer surface 17 which is substantially conic or
configured as a portion of the surface of a geometric cone.
[0022] A further structural component of the instant inventive gun
muzzle sound suppressor comprises at least a first cylindrical
housing which is designated by Reference Numerals 22 and 22s. In
the preferred embodiment, the base end or muzzleward end of each
bell configured baffle is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with
such housing.
[0023] A plurality of third bell configured baffles 24 are
preferably provided, such third bells being arranged in a
muzzleward linear series extending from the at least second bell 4.
In the preferred embodiment, each bell 24 among the plurality of
third bells is configured substantially identically with the at
least second bell 2. Further segments 22s of the at least first
cylindrical housing provide individual or one to one mounting
support to such third bells 24.
[0024] Where the at least first cylindrical housing 22,22s includes
a linear series of segments, a second or radially outer housing 26
is preferably provided. Such outer housing 26 advantageously
nestingly receives and supports the segments of the at least first
cylindrical housing 22,22s. In the preferred embodiment, the inside
diameter of the second cylindrical housing 26 is slightly greater
than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical housing 22,22s,
such differential in diameters advantageously creating a gas
passage annulus 28 between such two housings.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of gas channeling
vanes or baffles 30 is disposed within the gas passage annulus 28,
such baffles preferably extending helically about the longitudinal
axis 5. In such embodiment, radially inner bases of the helical
baffles 30 are formed wholly with or constitute continuations of
the first cylindrical housing's segments 22,22s.
[0026] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to
facilitate assembly of the instant inventive sound suppressor,
internal helical threads 44 are provided at the muzzleward end of
the second or radially outer cylindrical housing 26. A blast
choking ring 46 having mating external helical threads 43 and
having a central muzzle aperture 48 may be initially screwed in
place within the outer housing 26 as indicated in FIG. 3. Wrench
jaw engaging sockets 49 may be utilized to assist in screw
installation of the ring 46. Such ring 46 preferably includes and
presents a breachwardly extending shoulder 47, the extreme
breachward end of which includes a multiplicity of gas passage
slots 50.
[0027] Following the threaded installation of the blast choking
ring 46, as indicated in FIG. 3, the plurality of third bells 24,
the at least second bell 4, and the breachward-most bell 2 may be
slidably inserted into the breachward end of the outer housing 26,
such bells sliding therein muzzlewardly to assume the longitudinal
series configuration depicted in FIG. 3.
[0028] Thereafter, a provided gun muzzle adapter 34 may be
initially slidably inserted muzzlewardly into the breachward
opening of housing 26. To facilitate further mounting of the gun
muzzle adapter 34, the breachward end of the housing 26 presents
helical threads 32 which are gauged to mate with external helical
threads 31 formed about the gun muzzle adapter 34. A muzzleward
extension sleeve component 40 of the gun muzzle adapter 34 includes
a multiplicity of gas passage slots 41 which function similarly
with slots 50. Upon screw tightening of the gun muzzle adapter 34
by engagement of a wrench (not depicted within views) with wrench
jaw sockets 36, the extreme muzzleward end of the gun muzzle
adapter 34 advantageously presses the series of bells 2, 4, and 24
muzzlewardly against the shoulder 47 of the blast choking ring 46.
As a final assembly step, the suppressor 1 may be screwed onto a
muzzle of a firearm (not depicted within views) through use of
muzzle mounting screw threads 38. Helical threads 38 are commonly
right handed in order to match common right handed threads which
are applied to silencer adapted gun muzzles. Where threads 38 are
right handed, threads 31, 32, 43, and 44 are preferably left handed
so that threaded detachment of the suppressor 1 from such gun
muzzle will not unscrew the threaded mounts of the adapter 34 and
the ring 46.
[0029] In operation of the instant inventive sound suppressor,
referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-5, a fired bullet may initially
traverse the hollow interior space defined by the extension sleeve
component 40 of the muzzle adapter 34. Thereafter, such bullet
successively passes through throat openings 6 and 10, then passing
through the throat opening of each of the third cones 24. Such
bullet finally traverses a conical space 52 within the suppressor's
muzzleward-most bell, and exits through muzzle opening 48.
[0030] Immediately following the muzzleward passage of such bullet,
a substantial portion of blast gases may impinge against the
radially inwardly and muzzlewardly bowed outer surface 18 of the
breachward-most bell 2. A portion of such impinging gases reflects
breachwardly while another portion of such gases continues
muzzlewardly, passing through slots 41. Blast gases which are
shunted through slots 41 travel circumferentially and muzzlewardly
along the annulus 28, the movement of such gas being damaged or
buffered by the helically extending baffles 30. At the extreme
muzzleward end of the annulus 28, such shunted portion of the
expanding gas passes radially inwardly through slots 50 to emerge
into the suppressor's muzzleward space 52. Such gases may then emit
through muzzle opening 48. Accordingly, the annulus 28 and helical
baffles 30 function as a gas pressure relief shunt or bypass which
advantageously reduces breachward reflections of gases at bell
surface 18. Such reduction of breachward reflection of gas
beneficially minimizes the tendency of such reflected gases to
interfere with a mechanically automated cartridge chambering
function which may commonly be performed by the weapon's breach
mechanism.
[0031] A separate portion of the expanding gas which explosively
follows the above described fired bullet may initially pass through
the suppressor's breachward-most throat opening 6, such gas
thereafter impinging against the conical surface 17 of the at least
second bell 4. Successively diminishing portions of such expanding
gases pass through the throats of the third bells 24 to impinge
against next successive conical radially outer surfaces.
[0032] The pressure and velocity of the bullet trailing gas which
finally enters space 52 via combined passages through annulus 28
and through the throats of the bells is low and is markedly
reduced. Accordingly, the instant inventive suppressor effectively
reduces blast sounds emitting from muzzle opening 48 while
minimizing breachward reflections of gas along the bore of the
weapon's barrel.
[0033] Referring to the alternative configuration of Drawing FIG.
6, all structures identified by a reference numeral having the
suffix "A" are configured substantially identically with similarly
numbered structures appearing in Drawing FIGS. 1-5. In the FIG. 6
structural alternative, a plurality of circumferentially extending
knurls or ridges 62 is presented at the radially outer surface of
the breachward-most bell 60. Similar circumferentially extending
knurls 66 are presented at the conic radially outer surface of the
at least second bell 64. Such knurls 62 and 66 operate to reduce
breachward reflection of muzzle blast gases. Where such pluralities
or multiplicities of knurls are provided, the radially outwardly
and breachwardly extended apexes of such knurls are recognized as
constituting the invention's bowed or conic surfaces.
[0034] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may
make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions and
components of the invention without departing from those
principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting
sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with
the appended claims.
* * * * *