Patent Publication Number: US-2022214129-A1

Title: Muzzle device for a firearm

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and hereby incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,693 entitled “MUZZLE DEVICE FOR A FIREARM” filed on Jan. 4, 2020. 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to firearms. More specifically, the present invention relates to muzzle devices for firearms. 
     A muzzle device is a device that is typically fixed to the muzzle of the barrel of a firearm in order to modify the functionality and/or operational capabilities of the firearm. Muzzle devices have been designed to reduce recoil, hide flash, adjust choke, act as an offensive weapon, and/or breach doors. Muzzle devices for breaching doors (also known as “breachers,” “breacher tips,” and “door breachers”) are commonly fixed (i.e., welded, soldered, or threaded) to the muzzle of shotgun barrels. They typically include aggressive teeth at the forward end designed to bite into the door and hold the muzzle in position over the door hinges while the shooter presses the muzzle device teeth against the door and pulls the trigger. 
     However, currently available muzzle devices are designed for use only on firearms with static (i.e., non-reciprocating) barrels. These muzzle devices are not safe to use on firearms with handguards and reciprocating barrels, such as AR-platform firearms with recoil-based operating systems, because the muzzle device can contact the handguard surrounding the barrel when the barrel reciprocates rearward inside the handguard during operation and cycling of the firearm. This can prevent the firearm from cycling, damaging the barrel, handguard, and muzzle device, and it may also injure the shooter or others. 
     One type of firearm operating system that makes use of a reciprocating barrel is a short recoil operating mechanism. Numerous embodiments of short recoil operating mechanisms are known. In general, upon firing, the barrel and bolt of a short recoil operating mechanism recoil together a short distance before the bolt unlocks from the barrel and they separate. The barrel stops relatively quickly while the bolt continues rearward, extracting a casing from the chamber and compressing the recoil spring. The bolt then moves forward again and feeds a new cartridge (i.e., shell) into the chamber. During the last portion of its forward travel, the bolt locks back into the barrel and pushes the barrel forward back into battery. This type of short recoil operating mechanism is exemplified by the “GEN-12” AR-platform 12-gauge shotgun firearm manufactured by Genesis Arms, LLC and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,605,553. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention provide a muzzle device for firearms with short recoil operating mechanisms and handguards (e.g., AR-platform firearms). The muzzle device does not contact the handguard during cycling of the firearm and does not require the reciprocating barrel to carry the weight of the muzzle device during cycling of the firearm. 
     In one aspect, a muzzle adapter for a firearm includes a base portion, and an extension portion. The base portion is configured to attach to a handguard of the firearm and extend radially inward toward a longitudinal axis and a barrel of the firearm. The base portion is configured to receive the barrel of the firearm therein. The extension portion is attached to the base portion and supported by the base portion. The extension portion is configured to receive the muzzle attachment in the base portion is closer to about stock of the farm than the extension portion when the muzzle adapters properly attached to the handguard firearm such that the extension portion extends forward from the base portion and the base portion is rearward of the extension portion. The butt stock defines the rear end of the firearm. 
     In another aspect, a firearm includes a barrel, handguard, and a muzzle adapter. The barrel extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a bore therein. The handguard generally surrounds the barrel along a portion of the barrel. The muzzle adapter includes a base portion and an extension portion. The base portion is configured to attach to the handguard and extend radially inward toward the longitudinal axis and barrel of the firearm from the handguard. The base portion is configured to receive the barrel of the firearm therein. The extension portion is attached to the base portion and supported by the base portion. The extension portion is configured to receive a muzzle attachment and the base portion is closer to about stock of the firearm than the extension portion when the muzzle adapter is properly attached the handguard of the firearm such that the extension portion extends forward from the base portion and the base portion is rearward of the extension portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art AR-platform shotgun firearm with a short recoil operating mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  is a front isometric view of an upper receiver assembly of an AR-platform shotgun firearm with a short recoil operating mechanism showing one embodiment of a muzzle device of the present invention detachably secured inside the forward end of the handguard. Among other components and accessories, a lower receiver, bolt, and buttstock of the firearm are omitted for clarity. 
         FIG. 3  a cutaway view of the partial firearm of  FIG. 2  taken generally vertically along a longitudinal axis of the barrel. 
         FIG. 4  is right side perspective cutaway view of the firearm of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded isometric view of the firearm of  FIG. 2  at location A. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the firearm of  FIG. 2  taken along line  6 - 6  (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at an attachment point of the muzzle adapter to the handguard). 
         FIG. 7  is a side cut away view of the firearm of  FIG. 2  at location B showing the barrel in a forward position before the firearm is fired. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cut away view of the firearm of  FIG. 2  at location B showing the barrel in a rearward position as the firearm is cycled upon discharge. 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a muzzle adapter according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side cut away view of the muzzle adapter of  FIG. 9  properly installed in a handguard. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
     To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims. 
     As described herein, an upright position is considered to be the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or in a natural resting position as described herein. The upright position of a firearm is in a level firing position as shown in  FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 . A muzzle adapter is properly installed in a handguard when secured into the handguard such that its bore aligns with a longitudinal axis of the bore of the barrel of the firearm including the handguard. Vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom and other orientation terms are described with respect to this upright position during operation unless otherwise specified. The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions of components, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms “above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation or vertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly over or under another object or component. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without operator input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , in one embodiment, a firearm  10  includes a buttstock  13 , a receiver, a bolt  14 , a handguard  17 , and a barrel  18 . The receiver of the firearm  10  may include an upper receiver  16  and a lower receiver  12 . The firearm  10  may also include a magazine  15  and optics or sights, as well as other accessories. The barrel  18  extends along a longitudinal axis  34 . The handguard  17  generally surrounds (e.g., except for cutouts, access holes, vents, etc.) the barrel  18  along a portion of the barrel  18 . The handguard  17  shown herein is a skeletonized handguard with a Picatinny or Weaver rail system, but it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure and claims that the handguard  17  includes other types of handguards  17  such as generally continuous cylindrical barrel shrouds and handguards including multiple or no rail systems and/or keymod holes. The firearm  10  of  FIG. 1  is a prior art AR-platform shotgun incorporating a short recoil operating mechanism. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-10 , the firearm  10  is modified with a muzzle device  20  according to one embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, the muzzle device  20  includes a muzzle adapter  22  and a muzzle attachment  24 . In one embodiment, the muzzle attachment  24  is integral with the muzzle adapter  22  (the muzzle attachment  24  is integrally formed with, welded to, or soldered to the muzzle adapter  22  such that the muzzle attachment is generally considered permanently attached to the muzzle adapter  22 ). 
     In one embodiment, the muzzle adapter  22  includes a base portion  26  and an extension portion  28 . In one embodiment, the base portion  26  is annular or disk shaped and the extension portion  28  is tubular or conical. The base portion  26  is configured to attach to the handguard  17  and extend radially inward from the handguard  17  toward the longitudinal axis  34  and the barrel  18  of the firearm  10 . The base portion  26  is configured to receive the barrel  18  of the firearm  10  therein. The base portion  26  is not attached to the barrel  18 . 
     The extension portion  28  is attached to the base portion  26  and is supported by the base portion  26 . The extension portion  28  is configured to receive and support the muzzle attachment  24 . The extension portion  28  extends forward (i.e., longitudinally away from the buttstock  13 ) from a forward surface  30  of the base portion  26 . The base portion  26  is closer to the butt stock  13  of the firearm  10  than the extension portion  28  when the muzzle adapter  22  is properly attached to the handguard  17  of the firearm  10  such that the extension portion  28  extends forward from the base portion  26  and the base portion  26  is rearward of the extension portion  28 . In one embodiment, the extension portion  28  is integral with the base portion  26 , and in another embodiment, the extension portion  28  threading engages the base portion  26 . 
     The base portion  26  has a bore  32  extending therethrough that is centered about the longitudinal axis  34 . The extension portion  28  also has a bore  32  extending therethrough. The bore  32  of the base portion  26  and the bore  32  of the extension portion  28  are in fluid communication with one another. The bore  32  through the extension portion  28  has a diameter at least as large as a diameter of the bore  32  through the base portion  26 . In one embodiment, the board  32  through the extension portion  28  has a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore  32  at the base portion  26  such that the bore  32  through the muzzle adapter  22  flares outward toward a forward most surface  50  of the extension portion  28 . The bore  32  is sized and shaped to receive the barrel  18  and allow the barrel to reciprocate therein during cycling of the firearm  10 . The bore  32  of the muzzle adapter  22  is coaxial with the longitudinal axis  34  of the barrel  18  when the muzzle adapter  22  is secured (i.e., attached) within the handguard  17 . 
     In one embodiment, the base portion  26  of the muzzle adapter  22  is sized so that an exterior circumferential surface  38  of the base portion  26  can be received inside a forward end of the handguard  17 . The exterior surface  38  of the base portion  26  may be generally annular or disc shaped, but the exterior surface may also contain significant voids about the exterior to reduce weight or for the purposes. For example, base portion  26  may have a rear plan view relative to the longitudinal axis  34  that resembles a plus sign with a hole in the middle (i.e., the bore  32 ), a Mercedes Benz® logo with a hole in the middle (i.e., the bore  32 ), or a Maltese cross with a hole in the middle (i.e., the bore  32 ). In one embodiment, the exterior surface  38  is threaded and an inside surface of the handguard  17  has corresponding threads such that the base portion  26  can attach to the handguard  17  via screwing into the handguard  17 . In other embodiments, the exterior surface  38  of the base portion  26  is not generally circular or arcuate, but is instead a plurality of flat surfaces (e.g. a plus sign with a bore  32  therethrough) configured to engage corresponding flat surfaces of the inside of the handguard  17 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more threaded apertures  40  are defined in the exterior circumferential surface  38  of the base portion  26 . The apertures  40  extend radially outward from a center of the base portion  26  (e.g., from the longitudinal axis  34  when installed in the handguard  17 ). The apertures  40  are positioned around the exterior circumferential surface  38  so as to align with corresponding counterbored (i.e., chamfered or beveled) access holes  42  through the handguard  17  when the muzzle adapter  22  is installed in or attached to the handguard  17 . Threaded fasteners  44  are threaded into the apertures  40  of the base portion  26  through the access holes  42  in the handguard  17  when the muzzle adapter  26  is installed in the forward end of handguard  17  to releasably secure or attach the muzzle adapter  22  within the handguard  17 . Although the muzzle device  20  is depicted in  FIGS. 2-8  as being secured within the handguard  17  via one visible threaded fastener  44 , it is to be understood that a plurality of threaded fasteners  44  are receivable in each of a plurality of threaded apertures  40  through each of a plurality of access holes  42  (which are not visible in any single view of the muzzle device  20 ). Heads of the fasteners  44  are received into the chamfer or bevel in the access holes  42  such that the fasteners  44  are countersunk into the access holes  42 . 
     In one embodiment, the extension portion  28  of the muzzle adapter  22  is tapered from a point forward of the forward surface  30  of the base portion  2  to the forward surface  50  of the extension portion  28 . More particularly, at least a portion of the extension portion is tapered forward of the forward surface  30  of the base portion  26  to facilitate engagement with the muzzle attachment  24  (i.e., insertion into the muzzle attachment  24 ). In one embodiment, an exterior circumferential surface  36  of the extension portion  28  is threaded. In one embodiment, the threaded portion of the exterior circumferential surface  26  of the extension portion  28  has a larger diameter than at the forwardmost surface  50  of the extension portion  28  such that the extension portion has a smaller cross sectional diameter relative to the longitudinal axis  34  at the forward surface  50  of the extension portion than at the threaded portion of the external circumferential surface  36  and/or at the forward surface  30  of the base portion  26 . The extension portion  28  has an exterior diameter less than that of the base portion  26  such that a forward surface  30  of the base portion  26  extends radially outward from a rear end of the extension portion  28  like a flange, as best shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the muzzle attachment  24  is a generally tubular member having a bore  46  extending longitudinally therethrough. A rear portion of the interior circumferential surface  48  of the muzzle attachment bore  46  is threaded complimentary to the threads on the exterior circumferential surface  36  of the extension portion  28  such that the muzzle attachment  24  can be releasably secured to the muzzle adapter  22 . The bore  46  of the muzzle attachment  24  is coaxial with the axis  34  of the barrel  18  when the muzzle attachment  24  is secured to the muzzle adapter  22  and the muzzle adapter  22  is secured within the handguard  17 . In one embodiment, a plurality of ports  47  are defined through the sides of the muzzle attachment  24 . In one embodiment, a front end of the muzzle attachment defines a plurality of teeth  49  for maintaining the firearm  10  in a predetermined position against an object such as a door during use. In another embodiment, the muzzle attachment  24  is generally cylindrical with a plurality of baffles and/or internal chambers inside the cylinder adjacent the bore  46  such that the muzzle attachment  24  provides a noise suppresser function. Regardless of the configuration of the muzzle attachment  24  (e.g., a suppresser and/or a breacher tip with teeth  49 ) pressing the muzzle attachment  24  into an object (e.g., a door, hinge, or enemy) will not cause rearward longitudinal movement of the barrel  18  which would cause the firearm  10  to be in an out of battery (i.e., non-dischargeable) condition because the muzzle attachment  24 , muzzle adapter  22 , handguard  17 , receiver  12 ,  16 , and buttstock  13  are all fixed longitudinally with respect to one another when the firearm  10  is assembled. Thus, a recoil operated firearm  10  can be discharged (and fully cycled) with the muzzle attachment  24  pressed into an object. 
     The extension portion  28  of the muzzle adapter  22  has a length and a forwardmost surface  50  defining a plane  52  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  34 . Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8 , in some embodiments, the length of the extension portion  28  is such that the tip of the barrel  18  does not extend longitudinally beyond the forwardmost surface  50  when the barrel  18  is in the forward, in-battery position prior to firing. This prevents the barrel  18  from contacting the muzzle attachment  24  or occluding ports  47  defined in the muzzle attachment  24  during use. As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the tip of the barrel  18  can be slightly set back or recessed a first distance from the forwardmost surface  50  of the muzzle adapter  22  when the barrel  18  is in the forward in-battery position (e.g., ready to discharge). In one embodiment, the first distance (i.e., the distance the muzzle of the barrel  18  is longitudinally rearward of the forwardmost surface  50  of the muzzle adapter  22 ) is approximately 0.001 inches. As best shown in  FIG. 8 , after firing, the tip (i.e., muzzle) of the barrel  18  can move longitudinally rearward upon discharge (i.e., during cycling) to a rear position a second distance from the plane  52 . In one embodiment, the second distance is approximately 0.199 inches. In other embodiments, the tip of the barrel  18  can extend beyond plane  52 . Because the muzzle adapter  22  is positioned and secured within the handguard  17  around the barrel  18 , and the muzzle attachment  24  is threaded onto the extension portion  28  of the adapter  22  as shown and described, the barrel  18  never contacts the muzzle adapter  22  or the muzzle attachment  24  during use and cycling of the firearm  10 , even when the barrel is fully forward in the in-battery position. Consequently, the barrel  18  can safely reciprocate without interference and without having to move the weight of the muzzle attachment  24 , which can slow or prevent cycling. In one embodiment, the end of the barrel  18  (i.e., muzzle) remains longitudinally between the forward surface  50  (i.e., forwardmost surface  50 ) of the extension portion  28  and a rear surface  300  of the base portion  26  as the barrel  18  reciprocates during discharge and cycling of the firearm  10  (i.e., at all times while the muzzle adapter  22  is installed on the firearm  10 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-10 , in one embodiment, the muzzle attachment  24  is integral with the extension portion  28  of the muzzle adapter  22 . In one embodiment, the muzzle adapter  22  includes an annular channel  54  or groove  54  defined in the exterior surface  38  of the base portion  26 . The handguard  17  has a through hole  56  or pair of corresponding holes. A pin  58  is receivable in the through hole  56  when muzzle adapter  22  is received in the handguard  17  and the channel  54  is longitudinally aligned with the through hole  56  to lock the muzzle adapter  22  in the handguard  17 . The pin  58  may be held in place by friction fit, threads, detent, adhesives, or any other method known in the art. The pin  58  concurrently contacts the groove  54  and handguard  17  hole  56  to eliminate longitudinal movement of the muzzle adapter  22  relative to the handguard  17  and attach or secure the muzzle adapter  22  to the handguard  17 . Although one pin  58  and hole  56  are shown, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that multiple pins may be preferred (e.g., one at the top and one at the bottom) to secure the muzzle adapter  22  to the handguard  17 . Additionally, attachment mechanisms discloses herein (e.g., pin  58  and groove  54 , holes  40 ,  42  with fasteners  44 , and a threaded exterior circumferential surface  38  in combination with internal threading in the handguard  17 ) may be used in combination to secure the muzzle adapter  22  to the handguard  17 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims 
     It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful MUZZLE DEVICE FOR A FIREARM it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims