Abstract:
A muzzle brake for dissipating a recoil force created by the discharge of a firearm having a muzzle, without a substantially increasing the noise heard by the shooter. The muzzle brake is a cylinder with at least one opening radially disposed from a central bore. These radial openings have a longitudinal dimension greater than a lateral dimension and help to dissipate force-causing gasses away from the muzzle end of a firearm with reduced reflection of gasses back towards the shooter. The decreased amount gas reflected back toward the shooter decreases the amount of noise the shooter hears.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a muzzle brake for firearms and more particularly to a muzzle brake for firearms that decreases the amount of noise perceived by the shooter. 
     2. Background Information 
     When a high-powered rifle is fired, the gas that ejects the projectile out of the end of the firearm accumulates behind the projectile and upon discharge from the firearm creates a recoil force back towards the shooter. This recoil force can be quite severe, especially in high-powered rifles, and results in pain, discomfort, and fatigue to the shooter. To reduce these side effects, “muzzle brakes” are used to lessen this recoil force back towards the shooter. 
     Most muzzle brakes comprise an attachment placed on the muzzle end of a firearm which reduces recoil by dissipating propellant gasses radially from the direction of the barrel of the firearm through a series of openings within the attachment. In deflecting the gas away from the end of the barrel, some of the gas impinges on the opening surfaces on the muzzle brake itself and is reflected back towards the shooter. This reflection directs more sound energy from the muzzle blast back toward the shooter. Thus, firearms equipped with conventional muzzle brakes often sound much louder to the shooter than the same firearm with no muzzle brake. Hence, one must choose either increased recoil force or increased noise in order to operate the firearm. What is needed is a muzzle brake that functions to reduce the recoil force felt by the shooter without a substantial increase in noise perceived by the shooter. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to reduce the recoil force felt upon discharge of a firearm in a manner that is significantly more quiet than existing muzzle brakes. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a muzzle brake device for reducing recoil and limiting noise upon the discharge of a firearm having a muzzle. One embodiment of the present invention is made up of a cylinder having: a first end adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm, an outer surface extending from the first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, a central bore of a desired diameter extending through the cylinder along the longitudinal axis, a plurality of radial gas holes extending from the central bore to the outer surface and generally linearly disposed along the longitudinal axis within the outer surface, at least one channel within the outer surface that connects a first gas hole to a second gas hole longitudinally proximate to the first gas hole, and the second gas hole to a third gas hole longitudinally proximate to the second gas hole. This combination creates at least one opening extending radially from the central bore to the outer surface having a longitudinal dimension greater than a lateral dimension. 
     In use, when a projectile proceeds out through the invented muzzle brake the resulting gasses are dispersed radially, away from the direction of the barrel of the firearm. The openings formed by the combination of channels and gas holes facilitates the dispersion of these gasses away from the muzzle brake in such a manner whereby the reflection of gasses off the muzzle brake and back towards the shooter is reduced. This reduction in reflected gasses correlates with a significant decrease in noise perceived by the shooter when using this muzzle brake compared to other muzzle brakes. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a typical prior art muzzle brake showing the reflection of gasses back towards the shooter 
     FIG. 9 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the present invention showing a decrease in the reflection of gasses back towards the shooter. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
     The present invention is a muzzle brake for reducing recoil and noise occasioned by the discharge of a firearm. Referring initially to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The invented muzzle brake  10  is made up of a body, preferably a cylinder although any shape may be used, having an outer surface  12  extending from a first end  14  configured for connection to the muzzle of a firearm (not shown) to a second end  16  along a longitudinal axis L. A central bore  18  of a desired diameter extends therethrough along the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder. A series of radial gas holes  20 ,  20 ′,  20 ″ extend from the first end  14  along the longitudinal axis L in a linear fashion towards the second end  16 . Each radial gas hole  20 , 20 ′,  20 ″ extends from the central bore  18  to the outer surface  12 . 
     In this embodiment, between the gas holes  20 ,  20 ′,  20 ″ closest to the first end  14  are a series of channels  22 , within the outer surface  12 . These channels  22  connect a first gas hole  20  to a second gas hole  20 ′ generally linearly longitudinally disposed from the first gas hole  20  and a second gas hole  20 ′ to a third gas hole  20 ″ generally linearly longitudinally disposed to the second gas hole  20 ′. While the gas holes  20  extend from the outer surface  12  to the central bore  18 , in this embodiment the channels  22  in the outer surface do not extend all the way to the central bore  18 . The combination of the channels  22  and the gas holes  20 ,  20 ′,  20 ″ forms an opening  30  in the outer surface of the muzzle brake  12  having a volume greater than the volume of a single gas hole  20  alone. 
     While in this embodiment the body and the holes are shown to be cylindrical in shape, it is to be distinctly understood that any shape may be used for the body, holes, channels or opening as long as the longitudinal dimension of the opening is greater than the lateral dimension of that opening. The shape of the body shown is cylindrical to allow for ease in manufacturing and to conform with the customary use of cylindrical shaped muzzle brakes in the art. However, the shape of the body is not limited to a cylinder alone. 
     In use, when the firearm is discharged, the gasses propelling the projectile exit the muzzle brake  10  though the radial gas holes  20  and are dispersed away from the longitudinal axis of the muzzle brake. The openings  30  formed by the combination of the gas holes  20  and the channels  22  have a greater longitudinal dimension and a larger area than the single gas holes  20  located near the second end  16  of the muzzle brake  10 . As a result, when the propellant gasses are dispersed, more of the gasses are dissipated through the longer opening  30  away from the direction of barrel of the firearm and less of the gasses are reflected back toward the shooter. The reduction in the reflection of gasses correlates to a reduction in noise perceived by the shooter upon discharge of the firearm. 
     FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, further showing the position of a means for attaching  24  the muzzle brake  10  to a firearm. In this embodiment the means of attachment  24  is a threaded means, however such an attachment may also be accomplished by a coupling or any other means sufficient to adequately connect the muzzle brake to the muzzle end of a firearm including those typical in the prior art. It is to be understood that the gas holes on the surface of the cylinder  20  are disposed radially around the entire outer surface of the cylinder  12 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment comprises a body  40  having an outer surface  42 , a first end  44  extending to a second end  46  along a generally longitudinal axis L, and a central bore  48  passing therethrough along the generally longitudinal axis. The first end  44  of the body  40  contains a means for attaching  54  the muzzle brake to a firearm. The second end  46  of the body  40  is adapted to discharge a projectile though the central bore  48 . The outer surface of the body  42  has a series of radial gas holes  50 ,  50 ′,  50 ″ linearly disposed along the generally longitudinal axis L. Each radial gas hole  50 , 50 ′,  50 ″ has a perimeter  56 , 56 ′,  56 ″ extending from the central bore  48  to the outer surface  42 . 
     The radial gas holes  50 ,  50 ′,  50 ″ closest to the first end  44  are interconnected by drilling the radial gas holes  50 , 50 ′,  50 ″ so that the perimeter  56  of a first radial gas hole  50  overlaps the perimeter  56 ′ of a second radial gas hole  50 ′ lying generally linearly longitudinally proximate to the first radial gas hole  50 , and that the perimeter  56 ′ of the second radial gas hole  50  overlaps with the perimeter  56 ″ of a third radial gas hole  50 ″ longitudinally linearly proximate to the second radial gas hole  50 ′. This combination of a first radial gas hole  50 , a second radial gas hole  50 ′ and a third radial gas hole  50 ″ all overlappingly interconnected at their respective perimeters creates an opening  60  having a greater longitudinal dimension and area than the opening of a single radial gas hole  50  alone. Hence, when a projectile is discharged through the central bore  48 ; the gasses accompanying the projectile are disbursed radially away from the central bore  48 . The increased size of the openings  60  nearest to the first end  44  of the firearm facilitates the radial dispersion of propellant gasses whereby less of the gasses are reflected back toward the shooter. This results in decreased noise perceived by the shooter of the firearm upon discharge. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is made up of a cylinder  70  having an outer surface  72 , a first end  74  extending to a second end  76  along a longitudinal axis, and a central bore  78  passing therethrough along a longitudinal axis. The first end  74  of the cylinder contains a means for attaching  84  the muzzle brake to a firearm. The second end  76  of the cylinder is adapted to discharge a projectile though the central bore  78 . The outer surface  72  of the cylinder has a series of linearly disposed radial gas holes  80 ,  80 ′,  80 ″ that extend from the first end  74  of the muzzle brake to the second end  76  of the muzzle brake along a longitudinal axis L. Each radial gas hole  80 , 80 ′,  80 ″ has a perimeter 86, 86′, 86″ and a passage that extends from the central bore  78  to the outer surface  72  of the cylinder. 
     In this embodiment, the radial gas holes  80 ,  80 ′,  80 ″ closest to the first end  74  of the firearm are connected to form an opening  90  by drilling at least one channel pore  82  in the outer surface  72  of the cylinder. Each channel pore  82  extends from the outer surface  72  inward toward the central bore  78  but does not connect with the central bore  78 . Additionally, each channel pore has a perimeter  88 . A first channel pore  82  is positioned so that the first channel pore perimeter  88  circumferentially overlaps both the perimeter of a first radial gas hole  86  and the perimeter  86 ′ of a second radial gas hole  80 ′ linearly disposed along the longitudinal axis from the first radial gas hole  80 . 
     Preferably, second channel pore  82 ′ is similarly formed between the second radial gas hole  80 ′ and a third radial gas hole  80 ″ by drilling a second channel pore  82 ′ so that the perimeter  88 ′ of a second channel gas hole  82 ′ overlaps the perimeter 86′ of the second radial gas hole  80 ′ and the perimeter  86 ″ of a third radial gas hole  80 ″ linearly disposed along the longitudinal axis from the second radial gas hole. This combination creates an opening  90  having a greater longitudinal dimension and area than the opening of a single radial gas hole  80  alone. Hence, when a projectile is discharged through the central bore  78  of the cylinder; the gasses accompanying the projectile are disbursed radially away from the central bore  78  outward. The increased size of the openings  90  nearest to the muzzle end of the firearm facilitate the dispersing of propellant gasses in such a manner whereby more of the gas is dissipated and less of the gas is reflected off the muzzle brake back towards the shooter. This results in decreased noise perceived by the shooter of the firearm upon discharge. 
     FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the preferred, fourth embodiment of the invention. The invented muzzle brake is made up of a cylinder  110  having a circumvolving outer surface  112  extending from a first end  114  configured for connection to the muzzle end of a firearm (not shown) to a second end  116  along a longitudinal axis L. A central bore  118  of a desired diameter extends therethrough along the longitudinal axis L. A series of radial gas holes  120 , 120 ′,  120 ″ extend from the first or muzzle end of the firearm along the longitudinal axis in a linear fashion towards the second end  116 . Each radial gas hole has a periphery  121  and extends from the central bore  118  outward to the outer surface  112 . 
     Between the radial gas holes  120  closest to the first end  114  are a series of connecting pores  122  within the outer surface  112 . Each connecting pore  122  has a periphery  123  and extends from the central bore  118  to the outer surface  112 . A first connecting pore  122  is disposed near the first end  114  of the muzzle brake. The periphery  123  of the first connecting pore  122  overlaps the periphery of a first gas hole  120 . A second connecting pore  122 ′ having a periphery  123 ′ is disposed between the first gas hole  120  and a second gas hole  120 ′. The second gas hole  120 ′ also has a periphery  121 ′ and is linearly longitudinally disposed proximate to the first gas hole  120 . Whereby, the periphery of said second connecting pore  123 ′ overlaps the periphery  121  of the first gas hole  120  and the periphery  121 ′ of the second gas hole  120 ′. A third connecting pore  122 ″ having a periphery  123 ″ is disposed between the second gas hole  120 ′ and a third gas hole  120 ″ having a periphery  121 ″ and is linearly longitudinally disposed from said second gas hole  120 ′. Whereby the periphery of the third connecting pore  123 ″ overlaps the peripheries of both the second gas hole  121 ′ and the periphery third gas hole  121 ″. The combination of the first connecting pore  122 , first gas hole  120 , second connecting pore  122 ′, second gas hole  120 ′, third connecting pore  122 ″ and third gas hole  120 ″ creates an opening  130  having a longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal dimension of a single gas hole  120  alone. 
     While in this embodiment the holes and pores are shown to be cylindrical in shape, it is to be distinctly understood that any shape may be used for the holes, channels, pores or openings as long as the longitudinal dimension of the resulting opening is greater than the lateral dimension of the same opening. Furthermore the size of the openings must be greater near the first end  114  of the muzzle brake and smaller near the second or discharge end  116 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a prior art embodiment showing the impact and reflection of gasses off of the surface of the muzzle brake device and back towards the shooter. 
     FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the preferred fourth embodiment of the present invention showing the impact and reflection of gasses off of the muzzle brake. This figure also shows a means for attachment to a firearm  124 , and a circumvolving cut groove  131  extending from the means of attachment portion  124  to the opening  130 . This cut out groove or chamber  131  aids in the dispersion of gasses and reduces the amount of noise perceived by the shooter. When the firearm is discharged the gasses propelling the projectile exit the muzzle brake  110  though the openings  130  and are dispersed radially away from the longitudinal axis of the muzzle brake of the firearm. These openings  130  near the first end  114 , have a greater longitudinal dimension than those gas holes  120  located near the second end of the muzzle brake  116 , and facilitate the passage of gasses away from the muzzle brake in such a manner whereby reflection of gasses back toward the shooter is diminished. The reduction in the reflection of gasses correlates to a reduction in noise perceived by the shooter upon discharge of the firearm. 
     The gas dispersing capability and hence the reduction in noise by this muzzle brake is further enhanced by undercutting the inner surface of the central bore  118  to create a circumvolving cut out groove or chamber  131  which facilitates the radial dispersion of gasses away from the end of the gun, as shown in FIG.  9 . The inclusion of this cut out groove results in a one-half decibel decrease in noise perceived by the shooter. 
     Comparing FIG. 8 to FIG. 9 we see that the amount of gas reflected back toward the shooter is substantially less in FIG. 9 than in FIG.  8 . This reduction in reflected gasses correlates to a reduction in noise perceived by the shooter. 
     While several embodiments have been shown it is to be distinctly understood that combinations of the various features of the several embodiments may be combined to achieve the same desired result. Furthermore, while the shape of the muzzle brake is generally cylindrical it is to be distinctly understood that any shape or configuration may be used for the muzzle brake, the openings, gas holes, or central bore. 
     While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.