Abstract:
A muzzle device for use on a firearm to reduce noise signature and muzzle flash includes a cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing defines a first chamber and a second chamber with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The first chamber has at least one port that extends outward therefrom. The second chamber has at least one slot that extends outward therefrom. The at least one port forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis that extends forward toward the slot. The angle formed by the at least one port and the longitudinal axis being about 50 degrees. The cylindrical housing defines an outer annular groove being in communication with the at least one port. The at least one port is in communication with an aft surface of the annular groove.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/410,043, filed Nov. 4, 2010, entitled “MUZZLE BRAKE”, the aforementioned application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to firearms and, more particularly, to a flash hider muzzle device or muzzle brake for firearms that reduces the noise signature of the firearm, concussion, perceived recoil of the firearm, dust signature of the firearm, and muzzle flash. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    When a firearm is discharged, the propellant gases that eject the projectile out of the muzzle of the firearm accumulate behind the projectile and, upon exiting the firearm, create a recoil force back towards the shooter. In higher-powered rifles this recoil force may cause discomfort and fatigue to the shooter. In certain cases, this perceived recoil force is sharp and heavy enough to affect the shooter&#39;s accuracy. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a firearm having the capability of reducing the recoil force perceived by the shooter. 
         [0004]    This discharge of propellant gases may also cause the muzzle end of the barrel to undesirably rise up subsequent to firing. This rising up or climbing effect of the muzzle end of the barrel is commonly known as “muzzle rise” or “muzzle climb.” The primary reason for muzzle climb is the inherent configuration of most firearms. In the majority of firearms, the firing axis of the barrel is above the center of contact between the shooter and the firearm&#39;s grip and stock. The forces generated from the projectile being fired, and the propellant gases exiting the muzzle, act directly down the barrel/firing axis of the firearm, back toward the shooter. If this force is above the center of the shooter&#39;s contact point on the firearm, this creates a torque, which causes the firearm to rotate about the point of contact and the muzzle end of the barrel to rise upwards. 
         [0005]    Muzzle climb is especially undesirable in instances where multiple rounds of ammunition are fired in quick succession, due to the tendency of the firearm to be completely misaligned with respect to the target. As a result of muzzle climb in such instances, the firearm must be re-aimed at the target after each shot as quickly as possible to ensure accuracy. As will be readily appreciated, such re-aiming can cost the shooter precious time. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a firearm where muzzle climb is substantially eliminated or directionally controlled so as to aid, rather than hamper, efficient and accurate rapid firing. 
         [0006]    In addition to the above, other undesirable discharge effects are noise and muzzle flash. As a firearm is discharged and a projectile exits the muzzle end of the barrel, hot, high pressure gases are also released from the muzzle behind the projectile. This release of gases is known as muzzle blast. Muzzle flash is the term used to describe the light emitted during the muzzle blast, which can be both visible and infrared. The blast and flash are caused by the combustion products of the gunpowder, and any remaining unburned powder, mixing with ambient air. The size and shape of the muzzle flash is dependent on the type of ammunition being used and the individual characteristics of the firearm. 
         [0007]    This discharge of combustion gases also results in a loud noise or concussion propagating in all directions. This noise may be injurious to the shooter and may also be heard by persons or listening devices around the shooter, thereby potentially giving away a shooter&#39;s position. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a firearm whose noise signature, concussion, and flash signature is substantially reduced. 
         [0008]    To reduce the aforementioned undesirable effects of discharge, “muzzle devices” such as a muzzle brake, may be employed in combination with a firearm. Most known muzzle devices comprise an attachment secured to the muzzle end of a firearm to reduce recoil by redirecting and dissipating propellant gases radially away from the direction of the barrel of the firearm through a series of openings within the attachment. In redirecting the propellant gases to the side and upward from the barrel, some of the gases are directed to the side and rearward towards the shooter. Thus, firearms equipped with conventional muzzle devices can sound much louder to the shooter than the same firearm with no muzzle device. Hence, one must choose a either a firearm with substantial recoil force or firearm with a muzzle device that exhibits increased noise. What is needed, therefore, is a muzzle device that functions to reduce the recoil force felt by the shooter without a substantial increase in noise perceived by the shooter or concussion to those near the shooter. 
         [0009]    In addition, while there are known muzzle devices that optimize flash suppression, such muzzle devices are not good for optimizing noise suppression or concussion. Likewise, while there are known muzzle devices that optimize noise suppression, such muzzle devices are not sufficient to optimize flash suppression. As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, and as evidenced by existing muzzle devices, it is difficult to optimize both flash suppression, concussion, and noise suppression simultaneously. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved muzzle device that can accomplish these sometimes competing objectives simultaneously. 
         [0010]    Finally, known firearms, and even firearms with muzzle devices, also tend to create a dust signature when fired, especially when fired in the prone position. As the pressure wave ahead of the projectile propagates in all directions, and as propellant gases behind the projectile exit the muzzle end of the barrel behind the bullet and combust, they impact the ground and kick up dust, dirt and other particulate matter, thereby potentially revealing and compromising the shooter&#39;s position. This is especially undesirable in military operations or other instances in which the shooter must remain concealed from the target or others around him. 
         [0011]    In view of the problems associated with known firearms and known muzzle devices, there is a need for an improved muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces the recoil, muzzle flash, noise signature, concussion, and dust signature of the firearm with which it is used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces the noise signature of the firearm. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces the perceived recoil of the firearm. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces muzzle climb. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces muzzle flash. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that optimizes muzzle flash suppression, concussion, and noise suppression simultaneously. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that reduces the dust signature of the firearm, especially when the firearm is fired from the prone position. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzle device for use with a firearm that aids in protecting the operator when firing the firearm into glass or other material at close range. 
         [0019]    According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a muzzle device having a generally cylindrical housing adapted for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm. Alternatively, the muzzle device may be integrally formed with the barrel of the firearm. The housing generally defines at least one, but preferably two, internal chambers for permitting passage and exit of a projectile. The housing is further formed to define a plurality of vent ports which collectively define a desired chamber bleed off area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art muzzle device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the prior art muzzle device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the prior art muzzle device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the prior art muzzle device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the prior art muzzle device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the prior art muzzle device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a muzzle device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7  showing a top and right side thereof. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7  showing a bottom and left side thereof. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a right side view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a front plane view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a rear plane view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the muzzle device taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a front plane view of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the muzzle device taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the muzzle device taken along line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is an upper plane view of the muzzle device taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a side plan view of the muzzle device taken along line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a high-speed movie picture showing the flash signature of the muzzle device of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
       [0042]    Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principals of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    As used herein, the directional terms “front,” “forward,” “rear,” “rearward,” “upward,” “downward,” “right,” “left,” “top” and “bottom” refer to the firearm when held in the normal firing position, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0044]    A prior art muzzle device  100  for a M4/M16 line of rifles is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown therein, the muzzle device  100  projects powder gases to the top and directly to the sides to reduce recoil and muzzle rise through the use of slots. In doing so, however, other personnel to the side of the rifle experience substantial noise and concussion as the rifle is being fired from the escaping powder gases. While muzzle device  100  does reduce flash as compared to a bare muzzle with no flash suppressor, there is a need to have the flash reduced even more to conceal the shooter from enemy personnel when firing at night. As will be readily appreciated, improved flash suppression aids night vision equipment operation. The prior art muzzle device  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , also experiences a second flash or “bloom”  102 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 , several inches in front of the muzzle. As will be readily appreciated, the bloom is very undesirable, as it can reveal a shooter&#39;s position. The bloom is caused by the burning of the high pressure combustion gases that trail the projectile and expand outwards from the muzzle of the firearm. The burning of these combustion gases in front of the muzzle also creates a loud noise, which is also undesirable, as discussed above. The flash signature of the prior art muzzle device is shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
         [0045]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 7-19 , a muzzle device  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown therein, the muzzle device  10  comprises a generally cylindrical housing  12  having a first (or rearward) end, which is adapted to be threaded or otherwise attached to the muzzle portion of a barrel of a firearm, and a second (or forward) end. Preferably, the first end of the muzzle device  10  is provided with a female threaded engagement means  14 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , for engaging a complimentary male threaded engagement means (not shown) on the muzzle end of a barrel of a firearm (not shown). As will be readily appreciated, the male and female threaded engagement means may be male and female threaded portions, respectively, although other joining or attachment means known in the art may be used. Alternatively, however, the muzzle device  10  may be integrally formed with the barrel of the firearm. Moreover, while the muzzle device  10  of the present invention is preferably cylindrical in shape, although any shape that accomplishes the intended purpose may be used. As best shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the first end of the muzzle device  10  is provided with flats  11 , that provide a surface which a wrench or the like can engage to secure the muzzle device  10  to the muzzle of a firearm. 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , the generally cylindrical housing  12  defines two internal chambers, a first chamber  16  located nearest to the threaded engagement means  14 , and a second chamber  18  located adjacent the distal end of the muzzle device  10  and opposite the threaded engagement means  14 . As shown therein, the first chamber  16  is generally cylindrical in shape and is sized so as to permit passage of a projectile there through. In the preferred embodiment, for use with the M4 family of firearms in which the ammunition used is 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition (or 0.223 Remington ammunition) the diameter of the first chamber  16  is approximately 0.25 inches. It will be readily appreciated, however, that this dimension may be varied depending on the particular firearm with which the muzzle device  10  is intended to be used and the caliber of ammunition to be fired therefrom. In any case, it is preferred that the diameter of the first chamber  16  closely match the caliber of the ammunition used. 
         [0047]    As further shown in  FIGS. 7-9  and  14  a plurality of ports  20  extend from the first chamber  16  to ambient air at an approximate forward angle of 50 degrees. The ports are preferably cylindrical in shape, have a diameter of approximately 0.094 inches and are reduced in length. As shown therein, there are preferably 5 ports arranged radially along the periphery of the housing  12  of the muzzle device. A first port  20  is positioned at an uppermost portion of the muzzle device, to direct combustion gases substantially upwards and forwards. A pair of ports  20  are positioned to either side of this first port  20  such that each of the ports  20  are spaced approximately 30 degrees apart from one another, as shown in  FIG. 12 . As best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the exit opening of the ports  20  are positioned within an annular groove  22  provided in the housing  12 . As will be readily appreciated, the presence of this annular groove  22  has the effect of shortening the length of the ports  20  to a length that is shorter than would otherwise be the case without the groove  22 . It has been found that the shortened length of the ports  22  optimizes both flash suppression and noise suppression simultaneously, by dispersing and breaking up the combustion gas/fuel mixture to substantially prevent detonation and production of a secondary flash or substantial noise, as discussed in detail below. That is, the reduced length and orientation of the ports  22  has been found to be optimal to disrupt the combustion gas mixture to substantially prevent detonation and, therefore, flash and noise. 
         [0048]    Importantly, as discussed in detail below, and as best shown in  FIG. 9 , there are no ports  20  oriented along a bottom portion of the muzzle device  12 . It will be readily appreciated that while five ports  20  are used in the preferred embodiment, more or less than five ports may also be used. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the second chamber  18  has a first section  26  of generally cylindrical shape and a second section  28  of a generally tapered cone shape. The first section  26  is located adjacent the first chamber  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the first section  26  is approximately 0.520 inches in diameter and is approximately 0.50 inches in length. The second section  28  is located adjacent the first section  26  and extends from the first section  26  to the distal end of the muzzle device  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the second section  28  is approximately 1.250 inches in length. As best shown in  FIG. 14 , the walls of the second section  28  extend at an angle of approximately 6 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis  24  of the muzzle device  10 . At its narrowest point, adjacent the first section  26 , the second section  28  of the second chamber  18  is approximately 0.520 inches in diameter. At its widest point, adjacent the distal end of the muzzle device  10 , the second section  28  is approximately 0.864 inches in diameter. 
         [0050]    As best shown in  FIGS. 7-11  and  14 - 19 , the second chamber  18  has a plurality of slot openings  30  that extend through the cylindrical body  12  from the second chamber  18  to ambient air. Preferably, the plurality of slot openings  30  of the second chamber  18  are in longitudinal alignment with the ports  20  of the first chamber  16 . That is, in the preferred embodiment, a first slot opening  30  is aligned longitudinally on the extreme top of the muzzle device  10  with the first port  20  and the first, while a pair of slot openings  30  are disposed to either side of the first slot opening  30  and spaced apart equidistant at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. As with the ports  20 , there are preferably 5 slot openings  30 . Preferably, the slot openings  30  are ovular in shape, having a longitudinal aspect and a lateral aspect, with the longitudinal aspect being greater than the lateral aspect, although other shapes such as square, circular and the like are possible. In the preferred embodiment, the lateral aspect of the slot openings  30  ranges from approximately 0.188 inches to 0.250 inches. The forward most portion of the slot openings  30  terminates approximately 0.17 inches from the distal end of the muzzle device. It will be readily appreciated that while five slot openings  30  are contemplated by the present invention, more or less than five slot openings  30  may also be used. 
         [0051]    Each chamber  16 , 18  has filleted edges  32  where the interior walls of the housing  12  meet the ends of each chamber  16 , 18 . These filleted edges provide for increased strength of the muzzle device  10  as a whole and minimize areas of potential weakness. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the forward end of the muzzle device  10  opposite the threaded engagement means  14  features a chamfered edge  34  that opens to allow for the exit of a projectile (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the chamfered edge  34  forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the longitudinal axis  24 , although other chamfer configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0053]    In operation, when the firearm is fired, the projectile passes through the thread relief  15  and the first chamber  16 . The propellant gases behind and pushing the projectile enter the thread relief zone  15  and are disrupted to retard gas movement. The propellant gases then enter the first chamber  16  partially exit through the five ports  20  before the majority of gas enters the large tapered cone of the second chamber  18  where the five slot openings  30  disperse the majority of the remaining propellant gases upwards and to the sides of the muzzle device  10 . In particular, the five ports  20  direct high pressure gas over the corresponding five slot openings  30  of the larger tapered cone of the second chamber  18 , such that as the accumulation of hot gases and sound energy following the projectile enter the second chamber  18 , such gases are further dispersed radially away from the firing axis  24  through slot openings  30 . As will be readily appreciated, the slot openings  30  allow passage of powder gases such that they exit from the second chamber  18  upward and to the sides, but not at the bottom of the muzzle device. 
         [0054]    Importantly, the ports  20  and slot openings  30  are configured and positioned substantially along the top half of the muzzle device  10  such that the gases are substantially prevented from exiting the muzzle device  10  in a downwards direction. Such a port configuration prevents a dust signature from being created by shooting the firearm close to the ground. In addition, venting the powder gases in a generally upward, vertical direction reduces the recoil of the firearm, as well as aids in reducing muzzle climb. 
         [0055]    As noted above, the five oblique ports  20  in the first chamber  16  direct the initial high-pressure gases forward and over the top of the larger elongated slot openings  30  of the second chamber  18 . This is done to bias the powder gases from the second chamber forward and upward, away from the shooter and away from anyone to the sides of the shooter, which reduces the noise signature for the shooter and concussion and noise for those to the side of the firearm. These five oblique ports  20  also disrupt the gases from the slot openings  30  and disperse them quicker than existing designs, thereby reducing the flash signature of the firearm and help prevent secondary flash or “blooming.” 
         [0056]    Turning now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the flash signature of an M4 firearm employing the muzzle device  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment is shown. As shown therein, the flash signature of an M4 firearm employing the muzzle device  10  is greatly reduced as compared to the flash signature shown in  FIGS. 3-6  of the prior art muzzle device  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In particular, as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , there is substantially no secondary flash (in contrast to the secondary flash of the prior art muzzle device shown in  FIG. 5 ) and the time duration of the flash event is substantially cut in half. As will be readily appreciated, these features provide an advantage to the operator and to those in the vicinity of the firing of the firearm. 
         [0057]    Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.