Patent Publication Number: US-2021172694-A1

Title: Modular firearm muzzle device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent Application No. 62/943,842, filed Dec. 5, 2019, and incorporates the same herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a muzzle device for a firearm that can operate as a recoil brake/compensator and/or for redirection of the muzzle blast and sound produced by it. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various devices attach to the muzzle of a firearm barrel to enhance shooting performance. Muzzle breaks redirect a significant portion of the muzzle blast to reduce felt recoil. Other devices redirect a portion of the blast upward in order to reduce muzzle climb during repeat firing. Some linear compensators simply collimate or redirect the muzzle blasts forward. This concentrates the size of the muzzle flash in the shooter&#39;s line of sight and redirects a substantial portion of the sound forward, away from the shooter, although it does not reduce the overall sound level. Other compensators redirect a portion of the muzzle blast to reduce muzzle climb, but also include an interior surface or wall against which a significant portion of the muzzle blast impacts that may also reduce felt recoil. 
     Muzzle compensators, including linear compensators, of any particular type are often made in various sizes to accommodate different levels of muzzle blast determined by the load and/or caliber of ammunition being used. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a linear compensator in which the housing body is made of separable and reconfigurable parts, so the user can select the volume and length of the compensator to match the ammunition load and/or caliber being used. 
     The modular firearm muzzle device has a multi-piece housing assembled from a plurality of substantially tubular, axially assemblable wall members that have a first interior cross-sectional size. A mounting member is mountable to a firearm muzzle. A forward wall has a central passageway that is aligned with the firearm muzzle and has a cross-section size smaller than the first cross-sectional size. The wall members are assembled with the mounting member and forward wall to define an interior chamber through which a projectile passes from the muzzle. The device can be assembled with fewer or more wall members to adjust the length of the interior chamber. 
     Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a modular linear compensator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternate (from the rear) isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 3B  is an alternate isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded side sectional view thereof showing the base portion of a firearm barrel; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the device shown in a first alternate configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view showing a second alternate configuration thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a side sectional assembled view of the device shown in figs for; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of the configuration shown in  FIG. 6  taken substantially along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. 
     As used herein, “forward” will indicate the direction of the muzzle and the direction in which projectiles are fired, while “rearward” will indicate the opposite direction. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Although firearms may be used in any orientation, “left” and “right” will generally indicate the sides according to the user&#39;s orientation, “top” or “up” will be the upward direction when the firearm is gripped in the ordinary manner. As used herein, “firearm” includes air guns and other devices that fire a projectile through the muzzle of a barrel, even is not defined as a “firearm” under state or federal laws. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , therein is shown a modular compensator  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As also shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the compensator  10  includes an attachment unit  12  that may be threaded  14  or otherwise configured for direct or quick-attach/-detach from the muzzle of a firearm barrel (not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). At the forward end is a foreword end unit  16  that includes an axially centered opening  18  and a series of radially situated secondary openings  20 , which will be described in further detail later. Between the attachment unit  12  and forward and unit  16  are one or more separable housing units  22 . If desired, heat resistant O-rings (not shown) can be used between some or all of the connections. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , therein are seen exploded and assembled side sectional views of the compensator  10  mounted on the muzzle end of a barrel  26 . When a projectile (not shown) exits the barrel  26 , it passes through the housing units  22 ,  24   a - c , and through the axial opening  18  of the forward end unit  16 . The muzzle blast/flash, which comprises high pressure gases, follows the projectile and expands within the interior chamber defined by the housing units  22 ,  24   a - c , and then vents through the axial opening  18  and secondary openings  20  in the forward end unit  16 . These openings collimate the flow of pressurized gas and direct them forward, in the direction that the projectile flies and away from the firearm and user holding it. At least some portion of the muzzle blast impacts the rear surface  28  of the forward end unit  16  around the axial opening  18  and between the secondary openings  20 . 
     To maximize performance of the compensator  10 , the volume of the chamber formed within the housing units  22 ,  24   a - c  and the distance Dx from the muzzle  30  to the rear surface  28  of the forward end unit  16  are correspondingly selected. For certain ammunition types and calibers, a longer and larger volume compensator is desired, where other ammunition calibers and loads or types may perform at least as well or better in a shorter, smaller volume compensator. According to one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the compensator  10  may be assembled using all or only some of the extension housing units  24   a - c . For example, the compensator  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 and 7  include the coupling housing unit  22  and three extension housing units  24   a - c .  FIGS. 5, 6, and 8  illustrate other combinations using only two ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ) or one ( FIG. 6 ) extension housing unit  24   a  and/or  24   b . The compensator  10  can be assembled using only the attachment unit  12 , coupling housing unit  22  and forward end unit  16 , although this embodiment/combination is not specifically illustrated.  FIG. 7  illustrates one combination with a first volume and distance D 1 .  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate combination with a smaller volume and shorter distance D 2 . 
     The threaded engagements between the housing units  22 ,  24   a - c  allow the user to select the length and interior volume of the compensator  10 . The coupling housing unit  22  includes female threads on both axial ends so as to connect with the corresponding male threads of the attachment unit  12  and forward end unit  16 . The extension housing units  24   a - c  have male threads at one axial end and corresponding female threads at the opposite axial end. Flat surfaces on the attachment unit  12 , forward end unit  16 , and housing units  22 ,  24   a - c  allow a wrench or other tool to be used to assist in disassembly. 
     While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.