Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory thread on a rifle barrel, which allows for existing terminal muzzle devices (such as but not limited to muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like) to remain on the barrel and not be removed when accessory devices, such as but not limited to silencers, percussion shrouds, golf ball launchers, tennis ball launchers, cartridge oil filters, and the like, are used with threaded gun barrels.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to firearms, and in particular to devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory thread on a rifle barrel, which allows for existing terminal muzzle devices (such as muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like) to remain on the barrel and not be removed when accessory devices, such as but not limited to silencers, percussion shrouds, Golf Ball Launchers, tennis ball launchers, cartridge oil, fuel or hydraulic filters and the like (hereby called “accessory devices”), are used with threaded gun barrels. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Firearm rifles, such as but not limited to an AK-47, AR-15, M-16, 300 Blackout, and other threaded barrel rifles or pistols, will often have terminal muzzle devices such as but not limited to muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like, to be attached to the threaded end of the rifle barrel. When the user wishes to use accessory devices, such as a silencer, it is generally necessary that each terminal device must be removed from the barrel in order to allow for the accessory devices such as silencers, shrouds or launchers to be used. 
     Having to remove the terminal devices in order to add an accessory device results in an unnecessary inconvenience creating interference and delays to the normal operations of the weapon. Additionally, requiring tooling for the removal and re-assembly of the terminal devices plus the replacement of consumables (aka Crush Washers) caused by the removal and reassembly of the terminal devices. While this problem is undesirable for civilians, the undesirable problem of having to remove terminal devices especially increases for law enforcement, and military personnel. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory threads on a rifle barrel, which allows for existing terminal muzzle devices (such as muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like) to remain on the barrel and not be removed when accessory devices, such as but not limited to silencers, percussion shrouds, golf ball and tennis ball launchers, cartridge oil filter and the like, are used with the gun barrel. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory threads on a rifle barrel, which causes no interference with the normal operations of the weapon that have existing terminal devices installed on the weapons. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory threads on a rifle barrel, to use with barrel accessories which do not interfere with passage of the projectile of the weapon whatsoever. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems, and methods for adding a coupling system onto the existing accessory threads on a rifle barrel, by presenting a new male threaded area increasing the options and designs for additional novel accessories not currently made including ease of use for those accessories without the need to remove or re-install existing terminal muzzle devices. 
     An embodiment of the adapter system for allowing accessory devices to be attached to rifle barrels, while leaving terminal devices on the rifle barrel, can include a hollow adapter having a socket end with internal threads and an exterior grip portion about an exterior perimeter, the adapter having a first exterior threaded shaft having a first exterior diameter and a second exterior threaded shaft extending from the first exterior threaded shaft, the second exterior threaded shaft having an exterior diameter less than the first exterior diameter of the first exterior threaded shaft, wherein the socket end threadably attaches about accessory threads on a rifle barrel. The embodiment can be used with a terminal device attached to the second exterior threaded shaft, the terminal device selected from at least one of a muzzle brake, a flash hider and a muzzle suppressor, and an accessory device attached to the first exterior threaded shaft on the adapter. 
     The accessory device can include an interior threaded protective sleeve for covering the first exterior threaded shaft. 
     The accessory device can include a silencer adapter having a threaded socket end for rotating about and covering the first exterior threaded shaft of the adapter, and a protruding outer end having threaded surface for fitting within a threaded socket end of a silencer. 
     The accessory device can include a percussion shroud having a threaded socket end for rotating about and covering the first exterior threaded shaft of the adapter. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the adapter system with adapter and thread protector mounted to the firearm barrel. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the adapter system of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter system mounted to the firearm of  FIG. 1  along arrows  3 X. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front side view of the adapter component used with the adapter system and firearm barrel of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter component of  FIG. 4  along arrows  5 X. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the adapter component of  FIG. 4  along arrow  6 X. 
         FIG. 7  is a left side view of the adapter component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the adapter component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top perspective view of the adapter component of  FIGS. 4-8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the adapter component of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged side view of the thread protector used with the adapter system of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the thread protector of  FIG. 11  along arrow  12 X. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the thread protector of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the thread protector of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective assembled view of the universal integrated muzzle adapter mounted to the firearm barrel of  FIGS. 1-2  with accessory silencer adapter paired with a prior art silencer. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of adapter system adapter component, rifle barrel, accessory silencer adapter and prior art silencer of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter system adapter component mounted to the firearm barrel with accessory silencer adapter and prior art silencer of  FIG. 15  along arrows  17 X. 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged front view of the silencer adapter of  FIGS. 16-17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the silencer adapter of  FIG. 18  along arrows  19 X. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the silencer adapter of  FIG. 18  along arrow  20 X. 
         FIG. 21  is a left side view of the silencer adapter of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 22  is a right side view of the silencer adapter of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 23  is a top perspective view of the silencer adapter of  FIGS. 18-22 . 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the silencer adapter of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a top perspective assembled view of the muzzle adapter coupling system mounted to the firearm barrel of  FIGS. 1-2  with accessory percussion shroud mounted. 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded view of the adapter component, firearm barrel and accessory percussion shroud of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter component mounted to the firearm barrel with accessory percussion shroud mounted of  FIG. 25  along arrows  27 X. 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective assembled view of the muzzle adapter coupling system mounted to the firearm barrel of  FIGS. 1-2  with accessory oil filter mounted for cleaning. 
         FIG. 29  is an exploded view of the assembled adapter component mounted to firearm with accessory oil filter of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter component mounted to firearm with accessory oil filter of  FIG. 28  along arrows  30 X. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     A list of components will now be described.
       1  Adapter system     10  Universal IMACS (integrated muzzle adapter coupling system) adapter (adapter component).     20  Standard outside accessory thread on IMACS adapter (this threading is subject to change to generally match the barrel threading)     25  IMACS accessory thread protector.     30  Crush washer(s).     35  IMACS inside accessory thread on thread protector.     40  Rifle barrel (Prior Art).     50  Standard outside accessory thread on rifle barrel.     60  Muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like (Prior Art).     70  IMACS outside accessory thread on IMACS adapter.     80  Standard inside accessory thread on IMACS adapter (Prior Art).     90  IMACS silencer adapter.     100  Standard inside accessory thread on muzzle brake (Prior Art).     110  Flats on IMACS adapter for tightening.     120  Silencer (Prior Art).     130  IMACS inside accessory thread on silencer adapter.     140  Flats on silencer adapter for tightening (the current design is a hex but the purpose is for tightening).     150  Standard inside accessory thread on silencer (Prior Art).     160  IMACS percussion shroud.     170  IMACS inside accessory thread on percussion shroud.     180  Standard cartridge oil filter.     190  Standard inside thread in oil filter.   

       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the adapter system  1  with adapter  10  and thread protector  25  mounted to the firearm barrel  40 .  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the adapter system  1  components of  FIG. 1   FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter system  1  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  and accessory thread  50  of  FIG. 1  along arrows  3 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the adapter system  1  can include a universal IMACS (integrated muzzle adapter coupling system) adapter  10 , with crush washer(s)  30 , IMACS accessory thread protector  25 , that attach on one end to the standard outside accessory thread  50  on a rifle barrel  40 , and on the other end allow for a muzzle brake  60  to be attached. 
     Initially a first crush washer  30  can be slipped over the standard outside accessory threads  50  on an existing rifle barrel  40 . The threaded socket end ( 80 ) of the adapter  10  can then be tightened over the accessory threads  50 , by the flats  110  on the adapter  10  by using tools, such as a wrench, and the like. An accessory thread protector  25  having internal threads  35  can be rotated over the outside accessory thread  70  on the adapter  10 . 
     Next, another crush washer  30  can be slipped over the outward protruding shaft threads  20  on the adapter  10 . Finally, the root socket end with internal threads  100  of the muzzle brake  60  can be rotated over the threaded shaft  20  of the adapter, and tightened in place. 
     Adapter  10   
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of the adapter component  10  used with the adapter system  1  and firearm barrel  40  of  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter component  10  of  FIG. 4  along arrows  5 X.  FIG. 6  is a top view of the adapter component  10  of  FIG. 4  along arrow  6 X.  FIG. 7  is a left side view of the adapter component  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8  is a right side view of the adapter component  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 9  is an enlarged top perspective view of the adapter component  10  of  FIGS. 4-8 .  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the adapter component  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , the adapter  10  can be completely hollow with a core size that is greater than the hollowed core size of the barrel  40  it is attached to. This allows the weapon&#39;s projectile free passage without touching or interfering whatsoever. The female threading  80  in the hollow cored section of the adapter  10  can be threaded to exactly match the barrel&#39;s male threaded stud  50  ( FIG. 2 ) so it may be secured to the barrel utilizing an industry standard crush washer  30 . The center body and opposite end  20  of the adapter can include 2 male threaded sections  70 ,  20  not of the same diameter as each other. The smaller and outermost male threaded section  20  can be an exact duplicate of the barrel&#39;s threaded stud  50  permitting for the original muzzle device  60  to be re-attached (via an industry standard crush washer or as the user desires). 
     Original terminal muzzle devices  60  are more commonly known by various names such as a muzzle brake, flash hider, muzzle suppressor, and the like. 
     The second and larger male threaded section  70  can be located in the center or body of the adapter  10 . Its&#39; diameter is deliberately greater than the muzzle brake  60  per a weapons caliber or gauge and what permits a host of various accessory muzzle devices to be attached and used without requiring the removal of the muzzle brake. This threaded section  70  is terminated by a larger flat section  110  or backstop acting as a natural nut or stop for anything threading onto the invention adapter  10 . The Back stop can have a female indexing notch at the bottom 6 O&#39;clock so accessory devices can provide a reciprocating male indexing tab allowing for accessory devices to be positioned, secured and locked to a desirable angle or clock setting on the weapon. 
     The novel adapter  10  can be available in 3 Barrel sized ½-28, ⅝-24 and 14m-1-LK(AK47). These are currently available in these 3 most popular sizes but more sizes are possible and have been requested). The novel adapter can work with any 1″-14 SAE or ¾″ NPT threaded accessory device. If a 1″ Nut fits over the muzzle brake, the adapter  10  will work for your setup (93″ clearance) (the large accessory thread is just one size but other sizes can be made available to work with larger muzzle devices creating another variation of the same adapter). 
     Accessory Thread Protector  25   
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged side view of the thread protector  25  used with the adapter system  1  of  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 12  is a front view of the thread protector  25  of  FIG. 11  along arrow  12 X.  FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the thread protector  25  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the thread protector  25  of  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-14 , the threaded protector  25  can be a hollow fully female threaded sleeve (from end to end) that fits the larger male threaded area  70  of the adapter  10  and is primarily intended to protect the large diameter threads  70  found on the center body of the adapter  10  when it is not in use. The threaded protector  25  advances to the back stop or nut  110  of the adapter  10  where it is held in place by tightening against that stop or nut.  110  Its&#39; length can be exactly the length of the large male threads  70  of the adapter  10 . The outside of the threaded protector (sleeve)  25  can have “flats”, be smooth, and/or be knurled to provide a gripping surface for loosening or tightening. The threaded protector (sleeve) can be of a diameter large enough to slide over the muzzle brake  60 . 
     Silencer Adapter  90   
       FIG. 15  is a top perspective assembled view of the muzzle adapter coupling system  10  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  of  FIGS. 1-2  mounted to an accessory silencer adapter  90  and a prior art silencer  120 .  FIG. 16  is an exploded view of adapter system adapter component  10 , rifle barrel  40 , accessory silencer adapter  90  and prior art silencer  120  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter system adapter component  10  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  with accessory silencer adapter  90  and prior art silencer  120  of  FIG. 15  along arrows  17 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , the crush washer(s)  30 , adapter component  10  and muzzle brake  60  remain mounted to the accessory thread  50  on the rifle barrel  40  similar to that described in the previous figures. The thread protector (sleeve)  25  is not used here. First, the silencer adapter  90  can be attached or paired to the prior art silencer  120  and tightened via the novel silencer adapter flats or hex  140  creating a single paired device. This paired device is employed by attaching to the adapter  10  via the threaded socket end  130  on the novel silencer adapter  90  and rotated over the outside accessory threads  70  on the adapter  10  which may be tightened thereon by hand or via the flats  140  on the novel silencer adapter. 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged front view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIGS. 16-17 .  FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIG. 18  along arrows  19 X.  FIG. 20  is a top view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIG. 18  along arrow  20 X.  FIG. 21  is a left side view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 22  is a right side view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 23  is a top perspective view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIGS. 18-22 .  FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the silencer adapter  90  of  FIG. 23 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-24 , the silence adapter is a barrel extension for allowing a silencer  120  to be attached thereon while a muzzle brake  60 , flash hiders, muzzle suppressors is left on the rifle. This part of the invention can be a hollow cored tube having an end that interfaces or secures to the adapter  10 . This end can have a female thread  130  that matches the adapter&#39;s large male thread  70  (located on the center body) so the part can be threadably advanced to secure it to the adapter and tightening against the back stops  110  of that threading (previously described). The outside surface can have flats  140  (such as notches), hex, be smooth, or be knurled to provide a gripping surface for loosening or tightening. The length of this part is intentionally longer than the muzzle brake so as to extend the barrel without interference from the muzzle brake. The outboard end of this part can be flat and closed except for the hollow cored male threaded stud  100  exactly matching the male threaded stud  50  on the rifle barrel  40  The silencer adapter  90  can have a larger diameter than the muzzle brake  60  allowing it to slide over the muzzle brake  60  and secure to the adapter&#39;s large threads  70  thereby extending the barrel  40 . The silencer adapter  90  also does not interfere with passage of the projectile of the weapon whatsoever. 
     The adapter  10 , accessory protector (sleeve)  25  and silencer adapter  90  can each be made of Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel (i.e. 12L14 steel as an example), or Aluminum. The parts can be run on a CNC machine to accommodate the specifications for the purpose of fitting to the barrel they are to be attached, to fit each other, to allow fitting of a host of accessory devices as purposed for or by the user, to allow the free passage of the weapons projectile without touching or interference whatsoever, to provide surfaces as necessary for the secure fastening of the invention and its parts as well as to the invention and its parts, and to accomplish aesthetic desirability via various finished treatments (i.e. Black Oxide, MagPhosphate, Black Nitride) and other ornamental variances/designs. 
     Percussion Shroud  160   
       FIG. 25  is a top perspective assembled view of the adapter component  10  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  of  FIGS. 1-2  with accessory percussion shroud  160  mounted.  FIG. 26  is an exploded view of the adapter component  10 , firearm barrel  40  and accessory percussion shroud  160  of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter component  10  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  with accessory percussion shroud  160  mounted of  FIG. 25  along arrows  27 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25-27 , the adapter  10 , crusher washer(s)  30  and muzzle brake  60  can be mounted to the threaded stud portion of the rifle barrel  40  similar to those components mounted in the previous embodiments. Here, the threaded interior socket end  170  of the percussion shroud  160  is rotated over the outside accessory threads  70  on the adapter and tightened in place. 
     Cartridge Oil Filter  180   
     The novel adapter  10  can allow for solvent catching devices to be directly attached to the adapter&#39;s large threads  70  and be used clean your weapons mess free. These catch devices can slip over the terminal devices, such as the muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like, and attach directly to all universal integrated muzzle adapter component  10  provisioned weapons. Available solvent catch devices such as oil filters, fuel filters and other such catch devices are easily attached to the large threaded exterior  70  of the adapter  10 , and be used while camping, in the field, before leaving the gun range, or simply a mess free clean up while at home. 
       FIG. 28  is a top perspective assembled view of the adapter component  10  mounted to the firearm barrel  40  of  FIGS. 1-2  with accessory oil filter  180  mounted for cleaning.  FIG. 29  is an exploded view of the assembled adapter component  10  mounted to firearm barrel  40  with accessory oil filter  180  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adapter component  10  mounted to firearm barrel  40  with accessory oil filter  180  of  FIG. 28  along arrows  30 X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-30 , the adapter  10 , crusher washer(s)  30  and muzzle brake  60  can be mounted to the threaded stud portion of the rifle barrel  40  similar to those components mounted in the previous embodiments. Here, the threaded interior socket end  190  of the oil filter  180  is rotated over the outside accessory threads  70  on the adapter and tightened in place. 
     The large threaded section of the adapter  10  allows for the attachment of other accessory devices such as bipods, flashlights, laser sights, and the like, freeing up valuable quad rail space or providing for redundancy. Some accessory devices can slip over the muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like, and threadably advance till secured by tightening against the back stop. 
     Other ancillary accessory devices can be secured by their provided bracket which slips over the muzzle brakes, flash hiders, muzzle suppressors, and the like, and secures to the back stop by use of the accessory thread protector (sleeve)  25  or a provided nut. Accessory devices can provide a male indexing tab to reciprocally fit the female indexing notch provided at the 6 O&#39;clock area of the back stop on the adapter  10  providing a positive locking alignment and angle as desired by the user. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.