Abstract:
A muzzle break which directs propelling gases rearward and upward to reduce both recoil and muzzle jump. The gases are redirected by curved vanes which extend from a tapered central bore whose diameter decreases in the shooting direction.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 60/777,125, filed Feb. 28, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a muzzle break. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An object of the invention is to improve the reduction of recoil of a firearm. 
         [0004]    Another object is to reduce muzzle jump where a firearm is discharged. 
         [0005]    These and other objects are attained by a muzzle break as described below 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the accompanying drawings, 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, from the rear, the right side and above, of a muzzle break embodying the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a similar view, partially broken away to show internal details; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is another similar view, with the top half broken away; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevation of the muzzle break shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation thereof. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    A muzzle break embodying the invention is shown attached to the front end of the barrel “B” of a rifle (not shown). The muzzle break shown has a body  10  with a top surface  12 , a bottom surface  14  and a right side surface  16  shown. The device is symmetrical, so the left side is a mirror image of the right side. 
         [0014]    Eight discharge passages  18  are formed on either side of the body; they intersect the left and right sides at openings or ports  20 . 
         [0015]    As one can see in  FIG. 2 , the discharge passages are separated by vanes  22  which are curved so as to redirect high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a forward direction “F” so that they leave the muzzle break in a direction “R” having a substantial rearward components. As it partially reverses the forward momentum of the gases, the muzzle break is propelled forward with substantial force at the moment the gun is fired. For this reason, the muzzle break must be very securely attached to the barrel. I prefer to provide the barrel with screw threads “T”, and the rear of the muzzle break with matching internal threads  24 , so that the muzzle break is not forced off the end of the barrel. The muzzle break shown has a split collar  26  whose halves are drawn together by set screws  28 , once the muzzle break has been threaded onto the barrel, to prevent the muzzle break from turning on the barrel. 
         [0016]    As one can see from  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the muzzle break is not symmetrical about a horizontal plane containing the barrel axis. A greater portion of the device lies above that plane, so that, when the rifle is fired, the gases exiting the ports have not only a substantial rearward component, but also a slight upward component. This pushes the end of the barrel down to compensate for the tendency of the barrel to rise or jump. The exact degree of jump suppression can be altered by appropriate changes in design geometry. 
         [0017]    The effectiveness of the muzzle break is improved, with respect to prior muzzle breaks, by providing the device with a central passage  30  whose diameter decreases from the end of the barrel to the forward end of the muzzle break. This improvement distributes the gas flow more evenly between the ports, inasmuch as the gas pressure is less at the entry to each passage as the bullet passes them. The hole  32  at the front end of the muzzle break is just large enough to allow the bullet to pass, without interference or deflection. The muzzle break therefor must be sized according to the caliber of the gun. 
         [0018]    The vane angles, particularly the discharge angles, should be selected to optimize effect without discomfort to the shooter. Directing the gases straight rearward might provide the most recoil reduction, but it would be dangerous or at least uncomfortable to the shooter. An angle must be selected which directs the gases well away from the shooter, yet provides acceptable recoil reduction. 
         [0019]    Since the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it is intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as only illustrative of the invention defined by the following claims.