Patent Publication Number: US-10309744-B2

Title: Gun standoff device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/074,303, filed Mar. 18, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,589, filed Jun. 30, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,291,418, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/120,424, filed Sep. 10, 2013, and entitled “GUN STANDOFF DEVICE”, and application Ser. No. 14/319,589, is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/120,417, filed Jun. 28, 2013, entitled “STANDOFF DEVICE FOR A GUN”, the disclosures of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Standoff devices have been developed as attachments to guns to aid in personal and home protection as non-lethal deterrents, or for tactical use by police or military personnel. Standoff devices are capable of providing close-quarters defensive protection when used as a non-firing close-quarters weapon. Additionally, such devices are used to aid in breaching, when a gun is used to gain entry past doors, gates, or other barriers. In this mode of use, a standoff device provides distance from the end of the gun muzzle to the target barrier, in order to keep a user from firing with the muzzle too close to the target and causing damage to the gun barrel and/or injury to the user. 
     Current standoff devices, however, suffer from several shortcomings. Gun components often vary in construction (i.e. thread pitch, etc.) from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model, and a different standoff device is typically required for attachment to any gun made by a different manufacture or even for different series or models of guns made by the same manufacturer. Thus, a specific, custom-tailored standoff device is likely required for any given model and manufacture of gun, requiring a gun owner with several guns to purchase several separate standoff devices matched specifically to each gun. 
     Additionally, a standoff device (e.g. one that is not designed as part of the barrel) must be long enough to extend beyond the gun barrel to be functional for either close-quarters self-defense or breaching purposes. A typical standoff device is designed to attach to the distal end of a shotgun&#39;s stock magazine tube or to the barrel by permanent attachment during manufacturing, by welding, or by varying threaded components. Such a standoff device may not be able to function as a magazine tube extension with all gun models, and a user of such a standoff device may not be unable to obtain the additional ammunition capacity desired. Alternatively, such a standoff device may not allow for the magazine tube extension to operate without the standoff device attached. Thus, for uses where the standoff may not be desired, a user would have to use the magazine tube extension with the standoff device. Furthermore, simply adding a magazine tube extension and connecting the standoff device to the magazine tube extension defeats the purpose of providing close-quarters self-defense because the long length of the standoff device renders the gun unwieldy for any close-quarters self-defense or breaching maneuvers when a magazine tube extension is also used. Thus, a user may often be forced to choose between a manageable length at which the standoff device extends from the gun and extra ammunition capacity. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, a standoff device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. The standoff device includes a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated body is circumferentially crenelated at the distal end to form a plurality of tooth members and a plurality of notches spaced between the tooth members. The tooth members are located radially around the distal end of the elongated body. At least one of the tooth members has a side adjacent one of the notches, and at least a portion of the side has no curvature in the longitudinal direction. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment, a standoff device for a gun includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. The standoff device includes a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated body is circumferentially crenelated at the distal end to form a plurality of tooth members and a plurality of notches spaced between the tooth members. The tooth members are located radially around the distal end of the elongated body. At least one of the plurality of notches defines a pair of sides of tooth members. At least part of the first side of the pair of sides is parallel to part of the second side of the pair of sides in the longitudinal direction. 
     In yet another non-limiting embodiment, a standoff device for a gun includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. The standoff device includes a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated body is circumferentially crenelated at the distal end to form a plurality of tooth members and a plurality of notches spaced between the tooth members. At least one of the plurality of tooth members has a first side with a curved proximal portion and a straight distal portion. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings are schematic representations, at least some of the figures may be drawn to scale. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a standoff device having attachment holes according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of a standoff device having attachment holes according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of a standoff device having attachment holes according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 1D  is a top view of a standoff device having attachment holes according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 1E  is a cross-sectional side view of a standoff device having attachment holes according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2D  is a top view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2E  is a cross-sectional side view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of a standoff device having a longer elongated body according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3B  is a rear perspective view of a standoff device having a longer elongated body according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of a standoff device having a longer elongated body according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3D  is a top view of a standoff device having a longer elongated body according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3E  is a cross-sectional side view of a standoff device having a longer elongated body according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a standoff device having attachment holes attached to a magazine extension tube of a gun; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a standoff device having a threaded interior surface attached to a threaded magazine extension tube of a gun; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a rear perspective view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 6C  is a bottom view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 6D  is a top view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 6E  is a cross-sectional side view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt attached to a barrel of a gun; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a standoff device having an attachment skirt attached to a magazine tube of a gun; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of a standoff device having an externally threaded extension according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is a rear perspective view of a standoff device having an externally threaded extension according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 9C  is a bottom view of a standoff device having an externally threaded extension according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 9D  is a top view of a standoff device having an externally threaded extension according to the present embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9E  is a cross-sectional side view of a standoff device having an externally threaded extension according to the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-E , a standoff device  102  may include a proximal end  104  and a distal end  106 . The standoff device  102  may include a cylindrical bore  108  extending through the standoff device  102  from the proximal end  104  to the distal end  106 , the cylindrical bore  108  may be bounded by an inner circumferential surface  110 . In other embodiments, the standoff device  102  may not include a cylindrical bore. In further embodiments, the cylindrical bore  108  may extend only partially through the standoff device  102 . For example, the cylindrical bore  108  may extend from the proximal end  104  toward the distal end  106  or may extend from the distal end  106  toward the proximal end  104 . The device further includes an elongated body  112  disposed between the proximal end  104  and the distal end  106 . A collar  114  may also be disposed at the proximal end  104  and extending a distance in the distal direction. The collar  114 , in embodiments that exhibit a collar, may be integrally formed with and connected to the elongated body  112  or connected as a separate component. 
     In some embodiments, the outer circumference of the collar  114  may include a plurality of recesses  116  radially spaced along the circumference so as to form an alternating configuration of recesses  116  and raised perimeter surfaces  118 . The recesses  116 , in embodiments that exhibit them, may run longitudinally from the collar  114  to the elongated body  112 , such that the elongated body  112  also includes the plurality of recesses  116 . Alternatively, in embodiments that do not exhibit a collar, the elongated body  112  may include a plurality of recesses  116 . The recesses  116  may include a curved surface extending along the length of the recess  116 . In other embodiments, the recesses  116  may be flat, stepped, concave, convex, may vary in shape and/or curvature along the length, or may be otherwise shaped. In any of the various embodiments, the elongated body  112  may also include a plurality of primary surfaces  120  radially spaced along the outer circumferential perimeter of the elongated body  112  so as to form an alternating configuration of recesses  116  and primary surfaces  120  along the outer perimeter of the elongated body  112 . The primary surfaces  120  may be generally flat. In other embodiments, the primary surfaces  120  may be curved, stepped, concave, convex, may vary in shape and/or curvature along the length, or may be otherwise shaped. 
     In embodiments where the recesses  116  run longitudinally across a collar  114  and the elongated body  112 , the primary surfaces  120  of the elongated body  112  may be concentrically aligned with the raised perimeter surfaces  118  of the collar  114 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, the portion of the recesses  116  in the collar  114  and the portion of the recesses  116  in the elongated body  112  have the same general curvature. Because the raised perimeter surfaces  118  are raised higher relative to the primary surfaces  120  (i.e. they extend farther radially), the curvature of the portion of the recesses  116  adjacent to the raised perimeter surfaces  118  extends farther than the curvature of the portion of the recesses  116  adjacent to the primary surfaces  120 , thereby providing portion of the recesses  116  in the collar  114  with greater lateral width than the portion of the recesses  116  in the elongated body  112 . Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the lateral width of the primary surfaces  120  may be greater than the lateral width of the raised perimeter surfaces  118 . It should be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may exhibit different and/or varying recess curvatures, if a recess or recesses are used in such a particular embodiment. 
     The distal end  106  of the standoff device  102  may be crenelated to provide a plurality of tooth members  122  and a plurality of notches  124 . The tooth members  122  and notches  124  may be configured in an alternating fashion around the outer circumference of the distal end  106  of the standoff device  102 . Each notch  124  may include a valley  126 , the valley  126  being the region of the notch  124  at the greatest proximal extension of the notch  124 . In the embodiment shown, as an optional example, the notches  124  may be formed with curved contours. The curved contours may generally widen laterally in the distal direction moving outward from the valleys  126 . The notches  124  may be centered on the recesses  116 , if recesses are exhibited in such an embodiment, such that the greatest distal extension of the recesses  116  ends at the notches  124 , the valleys  126  of the notches  124  also optionally being aligned with the longitudinal centerlines of the recesses  116 . 
     In one embodiment, the primary surfaces  120  may extend distally farther than the recesses to form the tooth members  122 . Concomitant with the general lateral widening of the notches  124  in the distal direction, if an embodiment exhibits such widening, the tooth members  122  may generally taper laterally in the distal direction to form tooth end points  128 . The tooth end points  128  may be used to penetrate a surface to be breached (e.g., a door) and/or may be used to penetrate as a bayonet. The curvature of the contour of a notch  124  may be substantially the same along the entirety of the notch  124 , or it may vary, such that there are multiple curvature values at various portions of the contour of the notch  124 , including portions that have no curvature. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the curvature of a distal portion of a notch  124  (e.g. a portion bordering a recess) may be relatively greater than the curvature of the more proximal portions of a notch  124  (e.g. the portions bordering a tooth member), such that there is greater curvature at the valley  126  of the notch relative to other portions of the notch. 
     The tooth members  122  may also include angled outer tooth surfaces  130 . An angled outer tooth surface  130  may be disposed starting at a lateral line  132  on a tooth member a distance in the proximal direction from the tooth end point  128  and extending distally from the lateral line  132  to the tooth end point  128 . The angled outer tooth surface  130  may also be configured so as to have a radial extension at the lateral line equal to the radial extension of the surface just proximal the tooth member  122 , and a radial extension at the tooth end point  128  less than the radial extension of the surface just proximal the tooth member  122  such that the angled outer tooth surface  130  slopes radially inward along the distal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1E , the standoff device  102  may optionally include one or more ports  129  radially disposed about a circumference of the elongated body  112 . The ports  129  may extend laterally through the elongated body  112  and provide fluid communication therethrough. Fluid communication may allow expanding gases to vent laterally and away from the gun barrel and user when the standoff device  102  is fixed to a gun barrel and the standoff device is adjacent another object. For example, during breaching of a door, the standoff device  102  may be placed adjacent a door when the gun is fired. The expanding gases from the round of the gun may be allowed to escape through the one or more ports  129  without placing additional stress on the gun barrel or other components, which may be dangerous for the gun or user. In an embodiment, the one or more ports  129  may be aligned with one or more recesses  116 . In another embodiment, the one or more ports  129  may be aligned with one or more primary surfaces  120 . 
     It should be appreciated that the exact configuration of these elements can be modified without departing from the purpose and spirit of the invention. For example, the recesses  116 , if exhibited in a particular embodiment, may be shaped so as to be substantially semicircular and concave in shape, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , or may be shaped with a substantially flat or convex bottom surface. The recesses may also extend from the extreme proximal end  104  of the device to the notches  124  at the distal end, as shown in  FIG. 1B , or may begin and/or terminate at a different location or locations along the length of the standoff device  102 . For example, the recesses  116  may be disposed starting at an area away from the collar  114  in the distal direction and running longitudinally therefrom to the notches  124  at the distal end  106  of the device, thereby prevailing entirely on the elongated body  112  of the device and not encroaching on the collar  114 . Additionally, the primary surfaces  120  of the elongated body  112  may be substantially flat, as shown in  FIG. 1A , or may have a curved surface contour, such as a surface contour that matches the overall circumferential contour of the elongated body  112 , or may have other surface curvature or shapes. In other embodiments, the collar may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1C-E , the elongated body  112  may include an inner shoulder  111 . The inner shoulder  111  may extend radially inward into the cylindrical bore  108 . The inner shoulder  111  may be integrally formed with the elongated body  112 . The inner shoulder  111  may be sized such that a gun component, such as a gun barrel, a magazine tube, or a magazine tube extension, may insert into the cylindrical bore  108  but may not advance beyond the inner shoulder  111 . The inner shoulder  111  may be located a distance from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In an embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 1.25 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In another embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 1.0 inch from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In yet another embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 0.75 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In a further embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 0.50 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1C-E , the elongated body may include a secondary shoulder  113 . The secondary shoulder  113  may be sized such that a gun component, such as a gun barrel, a magazine tube, or a magazine tube extension, may insert into the cylindrical bore  108  and advance beyond the inner shoulder  111  but may not advance beyond the inner shoulder  111 . The inner shoulder  111  may be located a distance from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In an embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 1.25 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In another embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 1.0 inch from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In yet another embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 0.75 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . In a further embodiment, the inner shoulder  111  may be located less than about 0.50 inches from the proximal end  104  of the standoff device  102 . 
     It should also be appreciated that the device may be attached to a gun component such as a barrel or magazine tube extension through a variety of means. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-E , for example, the collar  114  of the standoff device  102  includes a plurality of attachment holes  134  radially placed along the circumferential perimeter of the collar  114 . In the particular embodiment shown, the attachment holes  134  are bored or bored and tapped holes for accepting and engaging with set screws. The attachment holes  134  may be disposed through the raised perimeter surfaces  118  of the collar  114  or at other locations or in other radial and/or longitudinal patterns along the standoff device  102 . 
     In another embodiment of a standoff device  202 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-E , at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical bore  208  may be a threaded circumferential surface  210  with internal threads such that the internal threads may engage with external threads such as those of a barrel or magazine tube extension. The standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E  is similar to the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E . Thus the description of the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E  is incorporated herein by reference. Elements of the embodiment of the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E  may be generally used with elements of the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E . For example, the various patterns and surfaces described in the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E  may also be used in the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E . Thus, any permutation of the elements of the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E  may be used in conjunction with the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E  except where such a combination would not be possible. Thus, although the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E  describes a threaded attachment, the set screw attachments of the standoff device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-E  may be used in conjunction with the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-E , the standoff device  302  includes an elongated body  312  having a length sufficient to extend beyond a barrel of a gun when the standoff device  302  is attached to a magazine tube or magazine tube extension of a gun. The standoff device  302  may optionally include a plurality of ports  329  that extend through the elongated body  312 . The standoff device  302  may be attached to a barrel of a gun. In such a configuration, the  329  ports may provide venting for expanding gases. 
     The standoff device  302  may also be attached to a magazine tube, a magazine cap, a magazine extension, or other component of the gun. In a configuration with the standoff device  302  attached to a component of the gun other than the barrel, the ports  329  may reduce the weight of the standoff device  302 . Weight reduction of the standoff device  302  may allow for easier handling of the gun during operation in confined spaces. Weight reduction of the standoff device  302  may also reduce the weight of the gun that an operator may need to support and steady, thereby reducing fatigue during operation. As with the standoff device  202  of  FIGS. 2A-E , the standoff device  302  of  FIGS. 3A-E  may include components similar to components described in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 2E . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 2E  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 4  is a representation of an embodiment of the standoff device  402  attached to the magazine tube extension  440  of a gun  442 . In one embodiment, the standoff device  402  has a length that enables it to extend distally beyond the muzzle of the gun barrel  444  when it is attached, as shown. The standoff device  402  may include components similar to those of standoff device  102  described in  FIGS. 1A-E . The particular embodiment shown in the figure is a standoff device  402  with a plurality of attachment holes  434  capable of engaging with set screws, the set screws thereby holding the standoff device  402  in position on the magazine tube extension  440 . 
     In some embodiments, the standoff device  402  is disposed such that at least approximately ¼ of the length of the standoff device  402  extends beyond the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . More preferably, at least approximately ⅓ of the length of the standoff device  402  extends beyond the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . Even more preferably, at least approximately ½ of the length of the standoff device  402  extends beyond the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . In other embodiments, substantially all of the length of the standoff device extends beyond the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . In some embodiments, the standoff device  402  is adjacent to less than approximately ⅛ of the length of the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . Preferably, the standoff device  402  is adjacent to less than approximately 1/12 of the length of the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . More preferably, the standoff device  402  is adjacent to less than approximately 1/16 of the length of the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . Even more preferably, the standoff device  402  is adjacent to less than approximately 1/20 of the length of the barrel  444  of the gun  442 . In other embodiments, the standoff device  402  is not adjacent to any substantial length of the barrel  444  of the gun  42 . 
     In some embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the standoff device is configured to extend beyond the barrel  444  of the gun  442  in order to provide a standoff distance that will keep the barrel a proper distance from a surface to be breached, such that combustion gasses can escape without causing damage to the gun or injury to the user. A proper distance may include, for example, a range of about 0.5 to 5 inches. More preferably, the distance may include a range of about 1 to 4 inches. More preferably, the distance may include a range of about 1 to 3 inches or about 1 to 2 inches. Even more preferably, the distance may include a range of approximately one inch. The use of the terms “about” and “approximately” in these ranges refers to a matter of precision of one significant digit. For example, a ratio of about one to three means between 0.5 and 1.5 and between 2.5 and 3.5. Otherwise, the terms “about” and “approximately” have their conventional meaning as understood by one of skilled in the art of standoff and breaching devices. As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A through 3E , the embodiment of  FIG. 4  is also similar to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 3E . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 3E  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 5  is another representation of an embodiment of the standoff device  502  attached to a magazine tube extension  540 . The standoff device  502  may include components similar to those of standoff device  202  described in  FIGS. 2A-E .  FIG. 5  depicts a system wherein the standoff device  502  is attached to a gun  542  via engaging an internally threaded portion of the standoff device  502  with an externally threaded portion of the magazine tube extension  540 . The standoff device  502  may also be attached by engaging an externally threaded extension (shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the standoff device  502  with an internally threaded portion of the magazine tube extension  540 . As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A through 4 , the embodiment of  FIG. 5  is also similar to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 4 . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 4  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIGS. 6A-E  depict an embodiment of the standoff device  602  adapted for attachment to the barrel of a gun. In the embodiment shown, the device includes an elongated body  612  without a collar, though a collar may optionally be provided in other embodiments. An attachment skirt  646  may be integrally formed or separately and concentrically connected to the device at the elongate body proximal end  650  (or collar proximal end in a collar exhibiting embodiment) and extending farther in the proximal direction. 
     The attachment skirt  646  may include a slot  648 , enabling the standoff device  602  to be attached to the barrel of a gun without interference between the attachment skirt  646  and other components of the gun such as the magazine cap/screw, magazine tube, or magazine tube extension. The slot  648  may be disposed beginning at an area away from the elongated body  612  in the proximal direction and running longitudinally therefrom through the attachment skirt proximal end  652 , thereby leaving the slot  648  open and unbounded at the attachment skirt proximal end  652 . The width of the slot  648  (i.e. the amount of circumferential perimeter of the attachment skirt it prevails through) is chosen so as to allow sufficient clearance for any potentially interfering gun components (e.g. a magazine screw/cap, magazine tube extension, magazine tube extension barrel mount) while providing sufficient area of the attachment skirt  646  for attachment of the standoff device  602  to a gun. In some embodiments, the width of the slot may be smaller than the hemispherical circumference of the attachment skirt  646 , such that, for example, only a small portion of the attachment skirt  646  extends beyond the halfway circumference of the barrel. In other words, more than half of the outer circumference of the barrel may be surrounded by an attached attachment skirt  646  such that the standoff device  602  is retained axially about the barrel. 
     The attachment skirt  646  may also include a plurality of attachment holes  654 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-E , the attachment holes  654  are bored holes that may, for example, be tapped to create threads for accepting and engaging with set screws. The attachment holes  654  are placed throughout the attachment skirt  646  so as to provide sufficient attachment to the barrel and to avoid unwanted loosening of the standoff device  602  once attached. The attachment holes  654  may be placed in a variety of locations on the attachment skirt  646  or other portions of the standoff device  602  and may be placed in any pattern or number of patterns in order to achieve sufficient attachment. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-E , a first plurality of radial attachment holes is disposed along the circumference of the distal portion of the attachment skirt  646 . Because the greatest distal extension of the slot  648  is short of the elongated body  612  in this particular embodiment, attachment holes  654  are available along the full circumference of the distal portion of the attachment skirt  646 , including the area distally adjacent to the slot  648 . 
     A second plurality of radial attachment holes is disposed along the circumference of the proximal portion of the attachment skirt, excepting any portion of the circumference of the proximal portion of the attachment skirt made discontinuous by the slot  648 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-E , a first plurality of longitudinal attachment holes is disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal contour of the slot  648 , and a second plurality of longitudinal attachment holes is disposed adjacent to a second longitudinal contour of the slot  648 . The longitudinal and radial paths exhibited by the pluralities of attachment holes intersect, and depending on the chosen number and spacing of attachment holes  654 , an attachment hole  654  may be disposed at such an intersection point and may be a part of more than one of the pluralities of attachment holes. As with the standoff devices described in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 5 , the standoff device  602  of  FIGS. 6A-E  may include similar components to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 5 . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 5  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 7  is a representation of an embodiment of a standoff device  702  attached to the barrel  744  of a gun  742 . The standoff device  702  may include an attachment skirt  746  similar to that described in relation to  FIGS. 6A-E . In the embodiment shown, the slot  748  of the attachment skirt  746  enables the standoff device  702  to be placed or slid onto the barrel  744  such that the slot  748  keeps the remaining portions of the attachment skirt  746  from interfering with other components of the gun such as a magazine tube extension or the magazine screw/cap. As with the standoff devices described in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 6 , the standoff device  702  of  FIG. 7  may include similar components to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 6 . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 6  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a standoff device  802  attached to a magazine extension tube  840  of a gun  842 . The standoff device  802  may include an attachment skirt  846  similar to that described in relation to  FIGS. 6A-E . The attachment skirt  846  may include a slot  848  (not visible) that allows the standoff device  802  to be placed or slid onto the magazine extension tube  840  such that the slot  848  keeps the remaining portions of the attachment skirt  846  from interfering with other components of the gun such as the gun barrel  844 . As with the standoff devices described in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 7 , the standoff device  802  of  FIG. 8  may include similar components to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 7 . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 7  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the standoff device  302  includes an externally threaded extension  936 . In the particular embodiment shown, the cylindrical bore  910  does not extend entirely through the standoff device  902  but stops short of the proximal end  904  such that the proximal end  904  includes a closed surface  938  parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. The externally threaded extension  936  may be integrally formed with and connected to the closed surface  938 , and may extend a distance from the closed surface  938  in the proximal direction. In other embodiments, the externally threaded extension  936  may be attached to the closed surface  938 . The externally threaded extension  936  is preferably concentrically aligned with the standoff device  902  such that the longitudinal axis passing through the center of the standoff device  902  also passes through the center of the externally threaded extension  936 . However, an off-center alignment between the standoff device  902  and the externally threaded extension  936  may be used. The external threads of the externally threaded extension  936  may engage with internal threads of a gun component such as those of a barrel or magazine tube extension as a means of attaching the standoff device  902  to a gun. As with the previous embodiments of standoff devices described in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 8 , the standoff device  902  of  FIGS. 9A-E  may include similar components to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 8 . Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A through 8  are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     In the description herein, various relational terms are provided to facilitate an understanding of various aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure. Relational terms such as “bottom,” “below,” “top,” “above,” “back,” “front,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “forward,” “up,” “down,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “upper,” “lower,” and the like, may be used to describe various components, including their operation and/or illustrated position relative to one or more other components. Relational terms do not indicate a particular orientation for each embodiment within the scope of the description or claims. Accordingly, relational descriptions are intended solely for convenience in facilitating reference to various components, but such relational aspects may be reversed, flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Certain descriptions or designations of components as “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like may also be used to differentiate between identical components or between components which are similar in use, structure, or operation. Such language is not intended to limit a component to a singular designation. As such, a component referenced in the specification as the “first” component may be the same or different than a component that is referenced in the claims as a “first” component. 
     Furthermore, while the description or claims may refer to “an additional” or “other” element, feature, aspect, component, or the like, it does not preclude there being a single element, or more than one, of the additional element. Where the claims or description refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is just one of that element, but is instead to be inclusive of other components and understood as “at least one” of the element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, function, or characteristic “may,” “might,” “can,” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is provided in some embodiments, but is optional for other embodiments of the present disclosure. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” and “connecting” refer to “in direct connection with,” or “in connection with via one or more intermediate elements or members.” Components that are “integral” or “integrally” formed include components made from the same piece of material, or sets of materials, such as by being commonly molded or cast from the same material, or commonly machined from the same piece of material stock. Components that are “integral” should also be understood to be “coupled” together. 
     Although various example embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate in view of the present disclosure that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, any such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, while the disclosure herein contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to one or more specific embodiments that may fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Any described features or elements from the various embodiments disclosed may be employed in combination with any other features or elements disclosed herein. 
     A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.