Patent Publication Number: US-9417022-B2

Title: Combination flash hider and muzzle brake

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. 61/901,164 filed Nov. 7, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for a combination flash hider and muzzle brake. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Flash hiders and muzzle brakes are used in the art to give the user a tactical advantage. A flash hider reduces the flash after firing whereas a muzzle brake reduces recoil. However, there is not a device known in the prior art which satisfactorily combines a muzzle brake with a flash hider. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a combination muzzle brake and flash hider. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exploded device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side profile view of an exploded device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of the device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a side profile view of the device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 c    is a side cross-sectional view of the device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 d    is rear cross-sectional view of the device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates various slot geometries in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a device with a slot comprising serrated edges in one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Several embodiments of Applicant&#39;s invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
     In one embodiment, the device is used to address both reduction in recoil and flash. The prior art fails to perform in a way that addresses flash suppression first, and then recoil reduction. The addition of the recoil reducing ports on the front of the flash hider also eliminates open prong flash hider snagging, ringing, and breakage of individual prongs. This device results in an enhancement to current capability in durability, stealth, and weapons control. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exploded device in one embodiment. The top part of  FIG. 1  shows the exploded view, and the bottom part of  FIG. 1  shows the device assembled.  FIG. 2  is a side profile view of an exploded device in one embodiment. The top part of  FIG. 2  shows the exploded view, and the bottom part of  FIG. 2  shows the device assembled. In one embodiment, the device comprises a single, integrally made device. Thus, in one embodiment a single device comprises a muzzle brake and a flash hider, as will be discussed below. 
     The length and width of the device  100  can vary based on the desired use, including bullet caliber. In one embodiment the length ranges from about 1.75 inches to about 6 inches. In one embodiment the width ranges from about ¾ of an inch to about 2 inches. One skilled in the art would understand that these dimensions are for illustrative purposes and should not be deemed limiting. Larger or smaller calibers can require larger or smaller dimensions. As can be seen, in one embodiment, the flash hider  101  is upstream from a downstream muzzle brake  102 . As used herein, upstream refers to a location closer to the barrel of the gun whereas downstream refers to a location further from the barrel. 
     In one embodiment, the flash hider  101  comprises any slotted flash reducing device. In one embodiment the flash hider  101  comprises a bird cage flash hider which has one or more slots. In other embodiments the flash hider  101  comprises an open prong flash hider which has one or more prongs separated by at least one slot. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the flash hider  101  comprises an open prong flash hider comprising four elongated slots  103 . Slots  103  refer to an opening in the flash hider  101  which extends to external surface of the flash hider. The slots  103  provide an opening through which gasses can escape the flash hider  101 . The slots can comprise virtually any shape. As depicted the slots are elongated linear slots which extend along the length of the flash hider  101 . A linear slot is a slot with an approximately linear shape. While one embodiment utilizing four slots  103  has been depicted, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. In some embodiments only one slot  103  is utilized whereas in other embodiments more than one slot is used. 
     The size of the slots  103  can depend on the application. In one embodiment the slots  103  have a thickness as measured on the surface of the flash hider  101  and oriented approximately perpendicular to the length of the flash hider  101  of between about 0.100 inches to about 1 inch, depending upon the caliber size. The slots  103  can have any length, but in one embodiment have a length of between about ¾ inch to about 6 inches. In one embodiment the slot has a length of greater than 60% of the device. 
     As noted, the flash hider  101  is located upstream from a muzzle brake  102 . The muzzle brake  102  can comprise any muzzle brake  102  known in the art. In one embodiment, the muzzle brake  102  comprises an open baffle brake. In one embodiment the muzzle brake  102  comprises ports  112  arranged radially, horizontally, vertically, or linearly with the ports being of virtually any shape including square, oblong, round, square with corner radius, with a vectoring angle of anywhere between 45 degrees in the downstream direction to perpendicular to the muzzle centerline to 45 degrees in the upstream direction. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the muzzle brake  102  comprises two ports  112 , with each port separated by a longitudinal body  104 . The ports  112  are openings or voids through which gas can exit the muzzle brake  102 . The ports  112 , as depicted, are offset by 180°, though this should not be deemed limiting. 
     As depicted, the muzzle brake  102  comprises a longitudinal body  104  which couples to the flash hider  101  and to the muzzle face  106 . In one embodiment the longitudinal body  104  comprises a length of between about 0.125 inches and about 1 and ¼ of an inch. 
     Coupled to the longitudinal body  104  is the muzzle face  106 . The muzzle face  106  is oriented approximately perpendicular to the length of the barrel. In one embodiment the muzzle face  106  is approximately planar. The muzzle face  106  further comprises a projectile exit  105  through which the bullet exits the muzzle brake  102 . The size of the projectile exit  105  will depend upon the caliber of the bullet. 
     As can be seen in the figures, in one embodiment the muzzle brake  102  comprises an open sided plate connected to the end of a flash hider  101 . In short, the flash hider  101  component comes before the muzzle brake  102  component. In one embodiment, such an arrangement sacrifices brake efficiency, but gives flash suppression priority. In one embodiment, flash suppression takes priority as it is often more important for tactical operators to have detection mitigation through flash reduction or elimination compared to brake efficiency. In one embodiment, the flash hider  101  treats the flash problem first and the muzzle brake  102  reduces recoil thereafter. Thus, the gases are treated to reduce flash before being used to reduce recoil. The brake efficiency, in one embodiment, is reduced because the gases hitting the muzzle face  106  lose velocity compared to if the flash hider  101  was not present. 
     A muzzle device  100  which employs a specific combination of a flash hider  101  and muzzle brake  102  may or may not include features to accommodate, for example, mounting a silencer, use as grenade launcher, a bayonet mount, and a castellated glass breaking feature on the downstream end of the device. The features can be attached to the muzzle device  100  via any method or device known in the art. As an example, for a barrel launched rifle grenade, the device  100  can be of such a diameter and length as to accommodate the grenade. In one embodiment comprising a bayonet, the bayonet comprises a loop on the bayonet guard which mounts over the device  100  diameter. In one embodiment comprising silencers, the silencer utilizes grooves, threads, interrupted threads, lugs, timing slots, ratcheting gear/notches, and/or a conical feature for sealing, location and retention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 a -3 d   .  FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of the device in one embodiment.  FIG. 3 b    is a side profile view of the device in one embodiment.  FIG. 3 c    is a side cross-sectional view of the device in one embodiment.  FIG. 3 d    is rear cross-sectional view of the device in one embodiment. As depicted, the combination flash hider and brake device  100  is comprised of a cylindrical tube with accommodations for attaching to a barrel at the upstream end, and an opening at the downstream end for passing of a projectile. As noted, this device comprises the flash hider portion of the device be at the upstream end and the muzzle brake portion be at the downstream end. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3A , the flash hider  101  comprises four slots  103 . The slots  103  do not have a straight shape; instead, they comprise a non-linear shape. A non-linear shape is any shape which is not straight. As depicted, the slots comprise a non-linear shape which is wavy or sinusoidal shape. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a hider coupler  107 . The hider coupler  107  is a device which couples the flash hider device  100  to a weapon. As discussed, the device can be coupled with any method or device known in the art including screwing the flash hider device  100 , using bolts, a threaded barrel muzzle, a pinch bolt clamp, screws, etc. 
     As depicted, adjacent to the hide coupler  107  is a structural element  109 . The structural element  109 , is any element, such as a rib, beam, or recess, which increases the structural strength of the flash hider device  100 . The structural elements  109  allow for cohesion of the muzzle brake  102  to the flash hider  101 , and are generally considered, in one embodiment, part of the muzzle brake ports  112 . These structural elements  109  give the necessary strength and rigidity to the device to be safe and durable. In one embodiment, they also assist in reducing the harmonic ringing. 
     As depicted, the flash hider  101  portion of the device  100  is comprised of any number N of slots  103  of any geometry type and opened or ringed attached used to diffuse and/or mix the muzzle exhaust in a way that reduces the flash at the muzzle that would occur if no such device were present. 
     The muzzle brake  102  portion of the device, as depicted, is comprised as a ported section  112  at the end of the device which reacts and redirects exhaust gasses and reduces recoil impulse. In one embodiment, the muzzle brake  102  is attached to the flash suppressor prongs or ring or combination thereof, and reduces harmonic excitation of the open prong flash hider  101 . In one embodiment, open prong flash suppressors with one or more prongs vibrate when excited by muzzle blast or struck by or against an object and may give off an audible harmonic ring. Because of the combination of the flash hider and muzzle brake devices  100 , the audible harmonic ringing is reduced to an acceptable or imperceptible level. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the device in one embodiment. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , like in  FIG. 3 , the device comprises a non-linear slot  103 . This is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. Other slot geometry can be utilized, including, but not limited to, wave pattern slots, zigzag slots, S-slots, Sinusoidal slots, or slots with serrated edges.  FIG. 5  illustrates various slot geometries in one embodiment. Slots  103  can be arranged radial from the central axis of the device, or offset, with convergent, linear, or divergent exiting pathways. Slots may be manufactured by milling, cutting, broaching etc. These geometric features induce turbulence into the passing muzzle exhaust that cools the muzzle exhaust and results in a reduction of the muzzle exhaust rate of expansion, pressure, and temperature, to a point below the ignition point of un-burnt flammables exiting the barrel. Thus, in one embodiment, the temperature and pressure are reduced and the flash is reduced or eliminated. 
     The device disclosed herein can be made from a variety of materials, including any ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, carbon based material, ceramic material, or composite material. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the device can be treated with any surface treatment that may enhance its strength, corrosion resistance, enhance its wear resistance, erosion resistance, fatigue strength, reduce thermal signature, or any treatment used for coloring. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a device comprising a slot with serrated edges in one embodiment. The serrated edges  110  further induce turbulence which further decreases temperature and pressure, and which further reduces or eliminates flash. In one embodiment, and as depicted, the serrated edges  110  extend for the entire length of the slot  103 . While one embodiment using serrated edges  110  has been described, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. Virtually any turbulence inducing item, such as a protrusion of various shapes and sizes can be utilized. 
     As can be seen, when the gases travel along the slot  103 , some of the gases exit along the walls of the slots  103 . When exiting along the turbulence inducer, such as the serrated edges  110 , small eddies form in the gases. The turbulence inducer breaks the exiting gas into smaller turbulent eddies. Because smaller eddies have greater surface area compared to a single ball of exiting gas, the smaller eddies allows the gases to cool at a much greater rate, reducing or eliminating flash. 
     As depicted, the slots  103  have a top slot edge  103   a  and a bottom slot edge  103   b . The ports  112  also have a top port edge  112   a  and a bottom port edge  112   b . As depicted, upper slot  103  has a top slot edge  103   a  which approximately aligns with the top port edge  112   a . Because, as depicted, the port  112  is wider than the slot  103 , the bottom port edge  112   b  is not aligned with the bottom slot edge  103   b . Instead, the bottom port edge  112   b  is offset from the bottom slot edge  103   b.    
     As depicted, and in one embodiment, the lower slot  103  is a mirror image of the upper slot  103 . As seen, the top slot edge  103   a  of the lower slot is not aligned with the top port edge  112   a . Rather, the bottom slot edge  103   b  is approximately aligned with the bottom port edge  112   b . Such an arrangement provides a larger concentrated area for the port  112 . In other embodiments, rather than being a mirror image, as depicted, the upper and lower slots are identical. 
       FIG. 6  also depicts a recess  113 . A recess  113  is a void or absence of material. The recess  113  is used to reduce the weight of the device. 
       FIG. 6  also depicts protrusions  111 . Protrusions  111  are any element which extend beyond the planar face of the muzzle face  106 . There can be multiple protrusions  111  as depicted, or there can be a single protrusion  111 . The protrusion  111  can be used for a variety of purposes including, breaking glass, etc. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION 
     The following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention. 
     
         
         Clause 1. A device comprising:
       a flash hider;   a muzzle brake;   wherein said flash hider is upstream from said muzzle brake.   
     
         Clause 2. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said flash hider comprises at least one slot. 
         Clause 3. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said muzzle brake comprises at least one port. 
         Clause 4. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said muzzle brake further comprises a longitudinal body adjacent to said at least one port. 
         Clause 5. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said muzzle brake comprises a muzzle face and a projectile exit. 
         Clause 6. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said muzzle face is approximately planar. 
         Clause 7. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said flash hide comprises an open prong flash hider. 
         Clause 8. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said at least one slot comprises a linear shape. 
         Clause 9. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said at least one slot comprises a non-linear shape. 
         Clause 10. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said at least one slot comprises serrated edges. 
         Clause 11. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said flash hider comprises at least two slots, and wherein said muzzle brake comprises at least two ports. 
         Clause 12. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising a hider coupler located upstream of said flash hider, wherein said hider coupler couples to a weapon. 
         Clause 13. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim comprising a single integrally made piece. 
         Clause 14. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said device does not comprise moving parts. 
         Clause 15. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising at least one protrusion located on a muzzle face located on the muzzle brake. 
         Clause 16. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim comprising a first slot with a top slot edge and a bottom slot edge, and a first port with a top port edge and a bottom port edge. 
         Clause 17. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said top slot edge is approximately aligned with said top port edge. 
         Clause 18. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising a second slot with a top slot edge and a bottom slot edge, and a second port with a top port edge and a bottom port edge. 
         Clause 19. The device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said top slot edge of said second slot is not aligned with the top port edge of the second port.