U.S. patent number RE47,932 [Application Number 15/656,512] was granted by the patent office on 2020-04-07 for sound suppressor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Smith & Wesson Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is SMITH & WESSON CORP.. Invention is credited to Philip H Dater, N Blake Young.
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United States Patent |
RE47,932 |
Young , et al. |
April 7, 2020 |
Sound suppressor
Abstract
A monocore for a sound suppressor that significantly enhances
the trapping and delay of the gases exiting from the sound
suppressor due to the design, location, and configuration of
slanted baffles and angled half-baffles, and a plurality of rods.
The slanted baffles help define the blast chamber, expansion
chambers, and exit chamber of the monocore. The plurality of rods
may be positioned in the blast chamber or the expansions chambers.
The plurality of rods may vary in length. The plurality of rods may
also replace the angled half-baffles.
Inventors: |
Young; N Blake (Boise, ID),
Dater; Philip H (Boise, ID) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SMITH & WESSON CORP. |
Springfield |
MA |
US |
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Assignee: |
Smith & Wesson Inc.
(Springfield, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
52109981 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/656,512 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61838382 |
Jun 24, 2013 |
|
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Reissue of: |
14311526 |
Jun 23, 2014 |
9086248 |
Jul 21, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
21/30 (20130101); F41A 21/30 (20130101); F01N
1/083 (20130101); F01N 1/083 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
21/30 (20060101); F01N 1/08 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Office action dated Feb. 25, 2015 in related U.S. Appl. No.
14/311,526, 7 pages. cited by applicant .
Liberty Essence Core, 2012 Hill Country Class 3,
http://www.silencershop.com/wp-content/uploads/images/products/liberty_es-
sence_5.jpg, accessed May 6, 2014, publication date unknown. cited
by applicant .
Liberty_kodiak TL Core, 2012 Hill Country Class 3,
http://www.silencershop.com/wp-content/uploads/images/products/liberty_ko-
diak_tl_4.jpg, accessed May 6, 2014, publication date unknown.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: English; Peter C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stinson LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 61/838,382, filed on Jun. 24, 2013, which is incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A .[.monocore for a.]. firearm sound suppressor, comprising: a
first side configured for engagement with the firearm; a second
side spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side .[.and
having an exit chamber.].; a first portion that extends
longitudinally between the first side and the second side; a second
portion that is spaced a width direction from the first portion and
extends longitudinally between the first side and the second side;
a projectile passageway that extends longitudinally from the first
side to the second side for a projectile from the firearm to travel
through; and at least one expansion chamber formed by two
oppositely opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either the
first portion or the second portion, wherein an angled .[.half.].
.Iadd.partial .Iaddend.baffle is positioned within the at least one
expansion chamber and extends from the at least one of either the
first portion or the second portion toward the projectile
passageway.
2. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 1, wherein
the at least one angled .[.half-baffle.]. .Iadd.partial baffle
.Iaddend.is parallel to one of the oppositely opposed slanted
baffles.
3. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 1, further
comprising: an exit chamber, the exit chamber formed between the at
least one expansion chamber and the second side.
4. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 3, wherein
the exit chamber has an angled .[.half-baffle.]. .Iadd.partial
baffle .Iaddend.extending away from the second side toward the at
least one expansion chamber.
5. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 1, further
comprising: a plurality of rods, the plurality of rods axially
oriented and positioned around the projectile passageway.
6. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 5,
.Iadd.wherein the suppressor comprises a monocore including the
first portion, the second portion, the two oppositely opposed
slanted baffles, and the angled partial baffle, and
.Iaddend.wherein the plurality of rods are integrally formed with
the monocore.
7. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 5, further
comprising: a blast chamber formed between the first side and the
at least one expansion chamber, wherein the plurality of rods are
formed within the blast chamber.
8. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 5, wherein
each rod from the plurality of rods has a different length than the
other rods from the plurality of rods.
9. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 5, wherein
the plurality of rods are formed on at least one of the oppositely
opposed slanted baffles.
10. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 5,
wherein the plurality of rods are formed on the first side of the
.[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor.Iaddend..
11. A .[.monocore for a.]. firearm sound suppressor, comprising: a
first side configured for engagement with the firearm and having a
blast chamber; a second side spaced a longitudinal distance from
the first side and having an exit chamber; a first portion that
extends longitudinally between the first side and the second side;
a second portion that is spaced a width direction from the first
portion and extends longitudinally between the first side and the
second side; a projectile passageway extending from the first side
to the second side for a projectile from the firearm to travel
through; at least one expansion chamber formed by two oppositely
opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either the first
portion or the second portion, wherein an angled .[.half.].
.Iadd.partial .Iaddend.baffle is positioned within the at least one
expansion chamber and extends from the at least one of either the
first portion or the second portion toward the projectile
passageway; and a plurality of rods axially oriented and positioned
around the projectile passageway.
12. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 11,
.Iadd.wherein the suppressor comprises a monocore including the
first portion, the second portion, the two oppositely opposed
slanted baffles, and the angled partial baffle, and
.Iaddend.wherein the plurality of rods are integrally formed with
the monocore.
13. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 11,
wherein each rod from the plurality of rods has a different length
than the other rods from the plurality of rods.
14. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 11,
wherein the plurality of rods are formed within the blast
chamber.
15. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 11,
wherein the plurality of rods are formed on at least one of
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.oppositely opposed slanted baffles.
16. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 11,
wherein the plurality of rods are formed on the first side of the
.[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor.Iaddend..
17. A .[.monocore for a.]. firearm sound suppressor, comprising: a
first side configured for engagement with the firearm; a second
side spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side and having
an exit chamber; a first portion that extends longitudinally
between the first side and the second side; a second portion that
is spaced a width direction from the first portion and extends
longitudinally between the first side and the second side; a
projectile passageway that extends longitudinally from the first
side to the second side for a projectile from the firearm to travel
through; and at least one expansion chamber defined by two
oppositely opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either the
first portion or the second portion, wherein a plurality of rods
are positioned within the at least one expansion chamber between
the oppositely opposed slanted baffles and each extend transverse
to the projectile passageway from a fixed end that is connected to
at least .[.of.]. one of the first portion or the second portion
toward the projectile passageway to a free end.
18. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 17,
.Iadd.wherein the suppressor comprises a monocore including the
first portion, the second portion, and the two oppositely opposed
slanted baffles, and .Iaddend.wherein the plurality of rods are
integrally formed with the monocore.
19. The .[.monocore.]. .Iadd.suppressor .Iaddend.of claim 17,
further comprising: a blast chamber formed between the first side
and the at least one expansion chamber.
20. A .[.monocore for a.]. firearm sound suppressor, comprising: a
first side configured for engagement with the firearm; a second
side spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side and having
an exit chamber; a first portion that extends longitudinally
between the first side and the second side; a second portion that
is spaced a width direction from the first portion and extends
longitudinally between the first side and the second side; a
projectile passageway that extends longitudinally from the first
side to the second side for a projectile from the firearm to travel
through; at least one expansion chamber defined by two oppositely
opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either the first
portion or the second portion, wherein a plurality of rods are
positioned between the oppositely opposed slanted baffles and
extend from at least .[.of.]. one of the first portion or the
second portion toward the projectile passageway; and an angled half
baffle that extends from the second side toward the projectile
passageway.
.Iadd.21. The suppressor of claim 1, wherein the expansion chamber
includes a recess between the angled partial baffle and said at
least one of the first portion or the second portion, the angled
partial baffle having a free end spaced from said at least one of
the first portion or the second portion across the recess in a
direction perpendicular to the projectile passageway..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The suppressor of claim 21, wherein the angled partial
baffle extends generally toward the first side such that the free
end of the angled partial baffle points directly at a first slanted
baffle of the two oppositely opposed slanted baffles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The suppressor of claim 22, wherein said first slanted
baffle includes an opening defining part of the projectile
passageway, the angled partial baffle extending generally toward
the first side such that the free end points directly at the
opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The suppressor of claim 23, wherein the first slanted
baffle is located toward the first side from the angled partial
baffle, the first slanted baffle slanting away from the first
portion and toward the second side, the angled partial baffle
extending from the first portion toward the first
side..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The suppressor of claim 24, wherein a second slanted
baffle of said two oppositely opposed slanted baffles is located
toward the second side from the angled partial baffle, the second
slanted baffle slanting away from the first portion and toward the
first side..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The suppressor of claim 25, wherein the expansion chamber
is a first expansion chamber and the angled partial baffle is a
first angled partial baffle, the suppressor further comprising a
third slanted baffle located toward the second side from the second
slanted baffle, the third slanted baffle slanting away from the
first portion and toward the second side, the second and third
slanted baffles bounding a second expansion chamber, the suppressor
further comprising a second angled partial baffle positioned in the
second expansion chamber, the second angled partial baffle being
connected to the second portion and extending from the second
portion toward the first side..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. A firearm sound suppressor for use with a firearm, the
suppressor comprising: a structure having a rear end, a forward
end, and a length extending therebetween; a projectile passage
extending between the rear and forward ends of the structure
through which a projectile can pass along a projectile axis from
the rear end to the forward end when the structure is supported by
the firearm and the projectile is fired from the firearm; an
expansion chamber bounded by a first slanted baffle at a rear end
of the expansion chamber and bounded by a second slanted baffle at
a forward end of the expansion chamber, the expansion chamber being
further formed by a longitudinal portion of the structure extending
between the first and second slanted baffles; and a partial baffle
in the expansion chamber, the partial baffle extending inboard from
the longitudinal portion of the structure and slanting
rearwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The suppressor of claim 27, wherein the structure is
formed as a single piece of material..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The suppressor of claim 27, further comprising a housing
in which the structure is receivable, the housing bounding the
expansion chamber when the structure is received in the
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The suppressor of claim 27, wherein the expansion chamber
includes a recess between the partial baffle and said longitudinal
portion, the partial baffle having a free end spaced from said
longitudinal portion across the recess in a direction perpendicular
to the projectile passage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The suppressor of claim 30, wherein the partial baffle
slants rearwardly such that the free end of the partial baffle
points directly at the first slanted baffle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The suppressor of claim 31, wherein the first slanted
baffle includes an opening defining part of the projectile passage,
the partial baffle slanting rearwardly such that the free end of
the partial baffle points directly at the opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The suppressor of claim 30, wherein the first slanted
baffle slants away from the longitudinal portion and toward the
forward end..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The suppressor of claim 33, wherein the second slanted
baffle slants away from the longitudinal portion and toward the
rear end..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The suppressor of claim 34, wherein the longitudinal
portion is a first longitudinal portion and the structure further
comprises a second longitudinal portion across the projectile
passage from the first longitudinal portion, wherein the expansion
chamber is a first expansion chamber and the partial baffle is a
first partial baffle, the suppressor further comprising a third
slanted baffle located forward from the second slanted baffle and
bounding a second expansion chamber, the third slanted baffle
slanting away from the first longitudinal portion and toward the
forward end, the suppressor further comprising a second partial
baffle in the second expansion chamber, the second partial baffle
extending inboard from the second longitudinal portion and slanting
rearwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The suppressor of claim 35, wherein the second slanted
baffle bounds the second expansion chamber..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The suppressor of claim 36, wherein the first slanted
baffle extends from the first longitudinal portion to the second
longitudinal portion, the second slanted baffle extends from the
first longitudinal portion to the second longitudinal portion, and
the third slanted baffle extends from the first longitudinal
portion to the second longitudinal portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The suppressor of claim 35, further comprising a fourth
slanted baffle located forward from the third slanted baffle and
bounding a third expansion chamber, the fourth slanted baffle
slanting away from the first longitudinal portion and toward the
rear end, the suppressor further comprising a third partial baffle
in the third expansion chamber, the third partial baffle extending
inboard from the first longitudinal portion and slanting
rearwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The suppressor of claim 38, wherein the second slanted
baffle bounds the second expansion chamber, and the third slanted
baffle bounds the third expansion chamber..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The suppressor of claim 27, wherein the longitudinal
portion is a first longitudinal portion and the structure further
comprises a second longitudinal portion across the projectile
passage from the first longitudinal portion, wherein the expansion
chamber is a first expansion chamber and the partial baffle is a
first partial baffle, the suppressor further comprising a third
slanted baffle located forward from the second slanted baffle and
bounding a second expansion chamber, the suppressor further
comprising a second partial baffle in the second expansion chamber,
the second partial baffle extending toward the projectile
passage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The suppressor of claim 40, further comprising a fourth
slanted baffle located forward from the third slanted baffle and
bounding a third expansion chamber, the suppressor further
comprising a third partial baffle in the third expansion chamber,
the third partial baffle extending toward the projectile
passage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The suppressor of claim 41, wherein the second slanted
baffle bounds the second expansion chamber, and the third slanted
baffle bounds the third expansion chamber..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The suppressor of claim 41, wherein the first slanted
baffle extends from the first longitudinal portion to the second
longitudinal portion, the second slanted baffle extends from the
first longitudinal portion to the second longitudinal portion, and
the third slanted baffle extends from the first longitudinal
portion to the second longitudinal portion, and wherein the second
and third partial baffles slant rearwardly..Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to sound suppressors. More
particularly, it relates to sound suppressors for firearms
featuring a monocore construction.
BACKGROUND
The field of firearm sound suppressors has seen many improvements
resulting in higher sound reduction levels and a reduction in size.
Firearm sound suppressors work by trapping and delaying the exit of
the high pressure muzzle gases from a firearm when the firearm is
discharged. Creation of turbulence is one technique used to enhance
the trapping of the gases with a subsequent delay in the exit of
the gases from a sound suppressor. If a sound suppressor is very
effective at trapping and delaying the exit of the gases, this
results in a lower sound level coming from the firearm.
When firearm sound suppressors are used, a phenomenon known as
"First Round Pop" occurs when a shot is fired through the sound
suppressor for the first time. The first shot is louder than second
or subsequent shots due to the presence of oxygen in the sound
suppressor. Once the oxygen is burnt up, the subsequent shots are
quieter. What is needed is a sound suppressor that minimizes the
sound of the first shot that is fired through the sound
suppressor.
Firearm sound suppressors usually feature either use of discrete or
individual components or a monolithic construction where the main
structure is of one piece. The latter method of construction has
become more popular over the last decade due to the use of Computer
Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinery to produce a one-piece core,
referred to herein as a "monocore," that has the baffle structure
machined from one piece of metal. Until recently, the discrete
technology suppressor has produced better sound reduction than the
monocores. Current monocores are close to the discrete technology
suppressor in efficiency and sound reduction levels but do not meet
or exceed the efficiency levels of the discrete technology
suppressor.
SUMMARY
A monocore for a firearm sound suppressor has a first side, a
second side, a first portion, a second portion, a projectile
passageway, an exit chamber, and at least one expansion chamber.
The first side is configured for engagement with the firearm. The
second side is spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side.
The exit chamber is positioned near the second side. The first
portion extends longitudinally between the first side and the
second side. The second portion is spaced a width direction from
the first portion and extends longitudinally between the first side
and the second side. The projectile passageway extends
longitudinally from the first side to the second side for a
projectile from the firearm to travel through. The at least one
expansion chamber is formed by two oppositely opposed slanted
baffles and at least one of either the first portion or the second
portion. An angled half baffle is positioned within the at least
one expansion chamber. The angled half baffle extends from the at
least one of either the first portion or the second portion toward
the projectile passageway.
In an alternative embodiment, a monocore for a firearm sound
suppressor has a first side, a second side, a first portion, a
second portion, a projectile passageway, an exit chamber, a blast
chamber, at least one expansion chamber, and a plurality of rods.
The first side is configured for engagement with the firearm. The
second side is spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side.
The exit chamber is positioned near the second side. The blast
chamber is positioned near the first side. The first portion
extends longitudinally between the first side and the second side.
The second portion is spaced a width direction from the first
portion and extends longitudinally between the first side and the
second side. The projectile passageway extends longitudinally from
the first side to the second side for a projectile from the firearm
to travel through. The at least one expansion chamber is formed by
two oppositely opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either
the first portion or the second portion. An angled half baffle is
positioned within the at least one expansion chamber. The angled
half baffle extends from the at least one of either the first
portion or the second portion toward the projectile passageway. The
plurality of rods are axially oriented and positioned around the
projectile passageway.
In another alternative embodiment, a monocore for a firearm sound
suppressor has a first side, a second side, a first portion, a
second portion, a projectile passageway, an exit chamber, at least
one expansion chamber, and a plurality of rods. The first side is
configured for engagement with the firearm. The second side is
spaced a longitudinal distance from the first side. The exit
chamber is positioned near the second side. The first portion
extends longitudinally between the first side and the second side.
The second portion is spaced a width direction from the first
portion and extends longitudinally between the first side and the
second side. The projectile passageway extends longitudinally from
the first side to the second side for a projectile from the firearm
to travel through. The at least one expansion chamber is formed by
two oppositely opposed slanted baffles and at least one of either
the first portion or the second portion. The plurality of rods are
positioned between the oppositely opposed slanted baffles and
extend from at least of either the first portion or the second
portion toward the projectile passageway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sound suppressor for a
firearm;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a monocore;
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the monocore of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the monocore in a second embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the monocore in a third embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the monocore in a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the monocore in a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the monocore in a sixth embodiment;
and
FIG. 9 is a side view of the monocore in a seventh embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The disclosure herein relates to sound suppressors for firearms.
The sound suppressors discussed herein have monocores with unique
features that significantly enhance the trapping and delay of the
gases exiting from the sound suppressor when a bullet is fired from
the firearm to which the sound suppressor is attached.
FIG. 1 shows a sound suppressor 10 that includes a monocore 20 and
a housing 90. The housing 90 is a hollow, tubular structure that
extends longitudinally from a first end 91 to a second end 92. The
housing 90 is made of a suitable material, such as metal or metal
alloy. The first end 91 and the second end 92 are open, forming an
inner surface 93 and an outer surface 94 that extend from the first
end 91 to the second end 92. Near the first end 91, the inner
surface 93 may be configured for attachment to the monocore 20. An
example of such a configuration is threading. The housing 90 must
be slightly larger than the monocore 20, such that when the
monocore 20 is inserted into the housing 90, the inner surface 93
of the housing 90 is in continuous contact with the monocore
20.
The monocore 20 is a one-piece tubular structure made of a suitable
material, such as metal or metal alloy, having a first side 21
.Iadd.(rear end).Iaddend., a second side 22 .Iadd.(forward
end).Iaddend., a first portion 23, a second portion 24, an outer
surface 25, and an inner surface 26. .Iadd.A projectile passageway
P extending between the first side 21 (rear end) and the second
side 22 (forward end) permits a projectile to pass through the
monocore 20 along a projectile axis (indicated by an arrow having a
head near the second side 22). .Iaddend.The first side 21 is a
spaced a longitudinal distance from the second side 22. The first
portion 23 is spaced a width direction from the second portion 24.
The outer surface 25 is spaced a width direction from the inner
surface 26. The first portion 23 and the second portion 24 extend
longitudinally between the first side 21 and the second side 22.
The first portion 23 and the second portion 24 are formed by the
outer surface 25, the inner surface 26, a blast chamber 30, at
least one expansion chamber 40, and an exit chamber 50. Near the
first side 21, the outer surface 25 may be configured for
engagement with the inner surface 93 of the housing 90. This is
shown as threading 27.
As shown, the first side 21 is an end cap, and the second side 22
is an integrally formed disc-like structure. It is anticipated that
the first side 21 could be an integrally formed disc-like structure
and that the second side 22 could be an end cap. The first side 21
and the second side 22 are closed except for an aperture 28. The
size of the aperture 28 will depend on the caliber of the firearm.
The larger the caliber is, the larger the aperture 28 will need to
be so that a bullet (not shown) may travel through it.
Shown in FIGS. 2-3, a bore that extends longitudinally through the
center of the monocore 20 from the first side 21 to the second side
22 defines a projectile passageway P. The projectile passageway P
may be circular and allows for the bullet to travel through the
monocore 20 from the first side 21 to the second side 22 of the
monocore 20. The size of the projectile passageway P must be large
enough and free of obstructions, so that the bullet may travel
without impediment through the monocore 20. The size of the
projectile passageway P will vary depending on the caliber of the
firearm the sound suppressor 10 is attached to. The larger the
caliber of the firearm is, the larger the projectile passageway P
will need to be.
Each expansion chamber 40 is a generally triangular void formed in
the monocore 20. Each expansion chamber 40 is defined by a first
slanted baffle 41, a second slanted baffle 42, and a base 43. The
first slanted baffle 41 and the second slanted baffle 42 are solid
partitions with a circular aperture 49 that, while angled, create a
barrier with the inner surface 93 of the housing 90 when the
monocore 20 is inserted into the housing 90 so that fluid or air
can only flow through the circular aperture 49 to move through the
monocore 20. The first slanted baffle 41 and the second slanted
baffle 42 are oppositely opposed and extend from the first portion
23 to the second portion 24 of the monocore 20. The first slanted
baffle 41 is closer to the first side 21 of the monocore 20 than
the second slanted baffle 42, and the second slanted baffle 42 is
closer to the second side 22 of the monocore 20 than the first
slanted baffle 41. The first slanted baffle 41 and the second
slanted baffle 42 are furthest away from one another near the base
43 and closest to one another near a tip 44. The base 43 of the
expansion chamber 40 is adjacent to either the first portion 23 or
the second portion 24 of the monocore 20. When more than one
expansion chamber 40 is present, each adjacent expansion chamber 40
is rotated 180 degrees so that the base 43 of each expansion
chamber 40 alternates from being adjacent to the first portion 23
of the monocore 20 to being adjacent to the second portion 24 of
the monocore 20.
The first slanted baffle 41 has a first surface 45 that faces the
first side 21 of the monocore and a second surface 46 that faces
the second side 22 of the monocore 20. The second slanted baffle 42
has a first surface 47 that faces the first side 21 of the monocore
20 and a second surface 48 that faces the second side 22 of the
monocore 20.
In each expansion chamber 40, an angled half baffle 39
.Iadd.(broadly, "partial baffle") .Iaddend.may be positioned
between the first slanted baffle 41 and the second slanted baffle
42. The angled half baffle 39 is a solid, slanted partition that
extends from the inner surface 26 of the monocore 20 toward the
projectile passageway. The angled half baffle 39 may be integrally
formed with the monocore 20. The angled half baffle 39 may be
located adjacent to either the first portion 23 or the second
portion 24 of the monocore 20. The angled half baffle 39 creates a
barrier with the inner surface 93 of the housing 90 when the
monocore 20 is inserted into the housing 90 such that fluid cannot
pass through it, because the area between the projectile passageway
P and the respective one of the first portion 23 or the second
portion 24 from which the angled half baffle 39 extends is blocked
by the angled half baffle 39. Instead, fluid traveling through the
expansion chamber 40 is forced to travel adjacent to one of the
first portion 23 or the second portion 24 that is located opposite
the angled half baffle 39. .Iadd.In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the angled half baffle 39 in expansion chamber 40b
extends parallel to the baffle 42, and the angled half baffle 39
slants rearwardly. The expansion chamber 40b includes a recess
between the angled half baffle 39 and the second portion 24. The
free end 38 of the angled half baffle 39 is spaced from the second
portion 24 across the recess in a direction perpendicular to the
projectile passageway P. The angled partial baffle extends
generally toward the first side 21 (rear end) such that the free
end 38 points directly at the slanted baffle 41 and directly at the
aperture 49 in the slanted baffle 41. The angled half baffles in
the expansion chambers 40a and 40c have configurations similar to
the angled half baffle 39 in the expansion chamber 40b but extend
from the portion 23 rather than from the portion 24. With respect
to the expansion chamber 40b, the slanted baffle 41 is located
toward the first side 21 from the angled partial baffle 39 in the
expansion chamber 40b, the slanted baffle 41 slants away from the
portion 24 and toward the second side 22, and the angled partial
baffle 39 extends from the portion 24 toward the first side 21.
Furthermore, the slanted baffle 42 is located toward the second
side 22 from the angled partial baffle 39, and the slanted baffle
42 slants away from the portion 24 and toward the first side 21.
With respect to the expansion chamber 40c, the slanted baffle
toward the second end 22 partially defining the expansion chamber
40c is connected to the portion 23 and extends from the portion 23
toward the first side 21. .Iaddend.
A free end 38 of the angled half baffle 39 is positioned near the
projectile passageway P. No portion of the angled half baffle 39
may extend into the projectile passageway P. If any portion of the
angled half baffle 39 extends into the projectile passageway P, an
aperture must be formed near the free end 38 so that the bullet may
pass through the projectile passageway P without being impeded. The
length that the angled half baffle 39 extends away from the inner
surface 26 of the monocore 20 will vary depending on the caliber of
the firearm, because the size of the projectile passageway P is
dependent on the caliber of the firearm. The larger the projectile
passageway P must be, the less distance that the angled half baffle
39 can extend away from the inner surface 26 of the monocore 20
toward the projectile passageway P.
Although any number of expansion chambers 40 may be used, three
expansion chambers 40a, 40b, 40c are shown. The first expansion
chamber 40a is positioned closest to the first side 21 .Iadd.(rear
end) .Iaddend.of the monocore 20, and the third expansion chamber
40c is positioned closest to the second side 22 .Iadd.(forward end)
.Iaddend.of the monocore 20. The second expansion chamber 40b is
positioned between the first expansion chamber 40a and the third
expansion chamber 40c. Because multiple expansion chambers 40a,
40b, 40c are present, the second expansion chamber 40b is rotated
180 degrees from the first expansion chamber 40a and the third
expansion chamber 40c. This results in second slanted baffle 42 of
the .[.first.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.expansion chamber .[.40a.].
.Iadd.40b .Iaddend.being .[.located adjacent to.]. the first
slanted baffle .[.41.]. of the .[.second.]. .Iadd.third
.Iaddend.expansion chamber .[.40b.]. .Iadd.40c.Iaddend., and the
.[.second.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.slanted baffle .[.42.]. .Iadd.41
.Iaddend.of the second expansion chamber 40b being .[.located
adjacent to.]. the .[.first.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.slanted baffle
.[.41.]. of the .[.third.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.expansion chamber
.[.40c.]. .Iadd.40a.Iaddend..
A blast plate 31 is a circular disc formed near the first side 21
of the monocore 20. The blast plate 31 may be integrally formed
with the monocore 20. Because the projectile passageway P also
extends through the blast plate 31, the blast plate 31 has a
circular aperture .[.32.]. that is large enough for the bullet to
pass through. A hollow space 33 is formed between the first side 21
and the blast plate 31. The blast chamber 30 is a generally
triangular void formed by the blast plate 31 and the first slanted
baffle .[.41.]. of the expansion chamber 40 that is closest to the
first side 21. .Iadd.The blast chamber 30 is formed between the
first side 21 and the first expansion chamber 40a..Iaddend.
The exit chamber 50 is a generally triangular void formed by the
second side 22 and the second slanted baffle .[.42.]. of the
expansion chamber 40 that is closest to the second side 22. An
angled half baffle 51 .Iadd.(broadly, "partial baffle")
.Iaddend.may be integrally formed in the exit chamber 50 and extend
toward the projectile passageway P. The angled half baffle 51 is a
solid, slanted partition that extends from the inner surface 26 of
the monocore 20 toward the projectile passageway. The angled half
baffle .[.39.]. .Iadd.51 .Iaddend.may be integrally formed with the
monocore 20. The angled half baffle 51 may be located adjacent to
either the first portion 23 or the second portion 24 of the
monocore 20. The angled half baffle 51 may slant toward the first
side 21 or the second side 22 of the monocore. As shown, the angled
half baffle 51 slants toward the first side 21. .Iadd.The angled
half baffle 51 extends away from the second side 22 toward the
projectile passageway P and toward the expansion chambers 40a, 40b,
40c. .Iaddend.The angled half baffle .[.39.]. .Iadd.51
.Iaddend.creates a barrier with the inner surface 93 of the housing
90 when the monocore 20 is inserted into the housing 90 such that
fluid or air cannot pass through it. If any portion of the angled
half baffle 51 extends into the projectile passageway P, an
aperture must be formed in the angled half baffle 51 so that the
bullet may pass through without being impeded.
The blast plate 31 may be provided with a plurality of rods 70 that
are axially oriented and positioned around the projectile
passageway P. Each rod of the plurality of rods 70 may vary in
length to minimize harmonic resistance. The plurality of rods 70
may be integrally formed with the monocore 20. As shown, the
cross-sectional shape of the rods 70 is rectangular, and the rods
70 extend toward the second side 22 of the monocore 20. It is
anticipated that the rods could have another shape, such as
circular. While the plurality of rods 70 are shown as being
positioned symmetrically around the projectile passageway P on the
blast plate 31, the positioning may be asymmetrical.
The arrangement and positioning of the plurality of rods 70 is
caliber dependent and may vary from caliber to caliber. Because the
pressure of muzzle gases varies from caliber to caliber and barrel
length, the length and positioning of the rods 70 is dependent upon
the pressure of the muzzle gases and upon the position of any
slanted baffles 41, 42 in the monocore 20.
The plurality of rods 70 have been found to increase turbulence in
the blast chamber 30, the expansion chambers 40, and the exit
chamber 50. The plurality of rods 70 have also been found to assist
in the maximum delaying of the gases from the sound suppressor 10.
The increased surface area of the plurality of rods 70 helps
provide initial gas cooling, which results in an unexpected benefit
to the overall performance of the sound suppressor 10. The
plurality of rods 70 in the blast chamber 30 helps reduce the
"First Round Pop" effect.
In alternative embodiments, the plurality of rods 70 may be
provided elsewhere in the monocore 20. In FIG. 4, a plurality of
rods 71 are provided in the first side 21 of a monocore 121. The
slanted baffles 41, 42 may also be provided with the plurality of
rods 70, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Generally, the plurality of rods 70
on the slanted baffles 41, 42 are positioned so that only one
surface 45-48 within each expansion chamber 40 is provided with
rods. In FIG. 5, a plurality of rods 72 are shown on the surfaces
45-48 that face toward the second side 22 of a monocore 122. In
FIG. 6, a plurality of rods 73 are shown on the surfaces 45-48 that
face toward the first side 21 of a monocore 123. In FIGS. 7-8, a
plurality of rods .[.74, 75 alternate surfaces 45-48 between each
adjoining expansion chamber 40.]. .Iadd.are provided on different
baffles .Iaddend.in monocores 124, 125. For example, in FIG. 7,
.[.the.]. rods 74 are positioned on .[.the first surfaces 47 of the
second slanted baffles 42 in.]. .Iadd.a slanted baffle separating
.Iaddend.the first expansion chamber 40a .Iadd.and the second
expansion chamber 40b, .Iaddend.and .Iadd.rods are provided on a
baffle bounding .Iaddend.the third expansion chamber 40c.[., and
the rods 74 are positioned on the second surface 46 of the first
slanted baffle 41 in the second expansion chamber 40b.].. In FIG.
8, .[.the.]. rods .[.75.]. are positioned on .[.the second surfaces
46 of the first.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.slanted .[.baffles 41 in.].
.Iadd.baffle bounding .Iaddend.the first expansion chamber 40a, and
.[.the.]. rods .[.75.]. are positioned on .[.the first surface 46
of the second.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.slanted baffle .[.42 in.].
.Iadd.separating .Iaddend.the second expansion chamber 40b
.Iadd.and the third expansion chamber 40c.Iaddend..
In another, alternative embodiment, a plurality of rods 76 may
replace the angled half baffles 39 in the expansion chamber 40, as
shown in FIG. 9. The plurality of rods 76 may be integrally formed
with a monocore 126. The plurality of rods 76 are located between
the first slanted baffles 41 and the second slanted baffles 42. The
plurality of rods 76 extend away from the inner surface 26 of the
monocore 126 toward the projectile passageway P. The length of the
plurality of rods 76 can vary; however, no rod 76 can be longer
than the distance between the inner surface 26 of the monocore 126
and the projectile passageway P. Otherwise, the rods 76 would
interfere with the bullet's ability to traverse the projectile
passageway P. The plurality of rods 76 may be located adjacent to
either the first portion 23 or the second portion 24 of the
monocore 126. .Iadd.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the
rods 76 extend transverse to the projectile passageway. Some of the
rods 76 extend from respective ends fixed to an upper longitudinal
portion (first portion 23) of the monocore 126, and other rods 76
extend from respective ends fixed to a lower longitudinal portion
(second portion 24) of the monocore..Iaddend.
To assemble the sound suppressor 10, the monocore 20 is inserted
into the housing 90 and secured. The monocore 20 could be secured
by twisting the threading 27 on the outer surface 25 of the
monocore 20 into the threading on the inner surface 93 of the
housing 90 near the first end 91. Alternatively, the monocore 20
could be secured to the housing 90 through the use of an end cap.
Once the monocore 20 is securely held inside the housing 90, the
sound suppressor 10 may be attached to a firearm. This could be
accomplished through the use of a quick connect coupling, such as a
bayonet Other assembly arrangements are possible and would be
obvious to those skilled in the art.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to
a certain specific preferred embodiment, modification may now
suggest itself to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and
various changes in form and detail may be made herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly,
it is understood that the invention will be limited only by the
appended claims.
* * * * *
References