Patent Abstract:
A firearm noise suppressor having an internal base frame member with a plurality of inserts mounted thereto. In one form the suppressor is provided with a slip chamber allowing gas to be forwarded to a longitudinally forward chamber for pre-compression of gas therein.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/025,450, filed Feb. 1, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Suppressors have been utilized with firearms to reduce the noise from the expanding gases expelled from the muzzle region of a barrel. In general, the operational element of a suppressor is to absorb/properly direct the kinetic energy of the expanding gases. Many prior art types of suppressors utilized a plurality of passageways such as a steel wool like arrangement. Such embodiments are not only difficult to clean and maintain but further provide a great deal of surface area which may have difficulty withstanding the highly eroding nature of the high pressure and very hot gases. 
     Other prior art references utilize a unitary type structure of a single piece of metal to form chambers. However, the prior art systems lack a robust embodiment of having a frame member with inserts configured to fit therein that are designed to properly direct and absorb the kinetic energy of the expanding gases and have a lifespan of a sufficient number of rounds passing therethrough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Disclosed herein is a firearms noise suppressor having a base frame with a longitudinally forward region and a longitudinally rearward region. The base frame further has a central longitudinal axis, the base frame providing a plurality of insert mount locations spaced longitudinally along the base frame. 
     A plurality of inserts are attached to the base frame at the insert mount locations. The plurality of inserts having a projectile entrance portion and a projectile exit portion. A shroud positioned around the base frame and defining in part a primary chamber having sub-chambers between the insert mount locations of the base frame. A containment cap can position the shroud around the base frame. The inserts comprise an annular central mount and the area from the annular central mount to the projectile entrance portion the plurality of inserts have an annular concave surface therearound. Further between the annular central mount and the projectile entrance portion of the inserts there is a surface defining a relief passage. In this form the surface defining the relief passage of the inserts provides a passageway to a surface defining a secondary chamber. The secondary chamber can be comprised of discrete subchambers separated by a baffle wall. In one form the baffle wall has a sinusoidal-type shape substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. 
     In other forms the base frame comprises surfaces defining a primary chamber where sub-chambers are defined between the insert mount locations of the base frame. The sub-chambers can be defined by a first oblique surface which provides a slant away from the central longitudinal axis from a longitudinal rearward portion of the sub-chamber to a longitudinal forward portion of the sub chamber. In another form a third chamber region is defined having a plurality of sub-chambers that are opposing the first oblique surface positioned radially outward of the first oblique surface. A surface defining an access vent provides communication in the primary chamber to this third chamber region. 
     In one plurality of inserts are removable from the base frame and can be replaced in another form the inserts are welded therein. Further, the plurality of inserts can be comprised of a harder metal than that of the base frame. 
     Further disclosed herein is a suppressor device operatively configured to be attached to a firearm configured for shooting a projectile. The suppressor device has a suppressor body defining a first primary expansion chamber and a second primary expansion chamber where the second primary expansion chamber is positioned longitudinally forward of the first primary expansion chamber. The first and second primary expansion chambers having a projectile passage positioned therebetween to provide communication between the chambers. 
     There is a surface defining a passageway from the first primary expansion chamber to a slip chamber where the slip chamber provides communication to the longitudinally forwardly positioned second primary expansion chamber for expelling gas therein. The slip chamber is in communication with an advance port in communication with the second primary expansion chamber. The slip chamber provides for communication between the first and second primary expansion chambers to allow compressed gas to flow from the first expansion chamber to the second expansion chamber to preload the second expansion chamber with compressed gas prior to the entry of the projectile therein. 
     In one form the suppressor body comprises a base body and a plurality of inserts. The insert positioned in the second expansion chamber can have a preload port which is in substantial alignment with the advance port of the slip chamber. The second primary expansion chamber can have a port providing communication to a capacitance chamber. The capacitance chamber can be positioned at a substantially radially opposite location to the slip chamber. Further, the capacitance chamber provides a surface defining a bleed-in vortex port which is positioned at an offset location with respect to an insert positioned in the second primary expansion chamber. Other elements of the disclosed designs are shown in detail herein and further claimed broadly in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a noise suppressor device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of a noise suppressor device; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of one form of a noise suppressor device; 
         FIG. 4  shows an isometric view of one form of an insert; 
         FIG. 5  shows a rearward view of an insert which would be positioned in the longitudinally forward portion of the suppressor device; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sound suppressor insert; 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows an isometric view of the base body of the second embodiment showing in detail the various baffle-like members which in part form slip chambers; 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the base body illustrating the gas flow through a slip chamber allowing an advanced amount of gas to flow to a longitudinally forward primary expansion chamber; 
         FIG. 10  shows a top view of the base body where the port  80  is provided to allow communication to a secondary chamber, otherwise referred to as a capacitance chamber, where it can be seen that a bleed-in vortex port is provided that is offset from the inserts placed therebelow; 
         FIG. 11  shows an end view of the base body; 
         FIG. 12  shows an opposing end view of the base body; 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of the base body generally illustrating the concept of the gaseous flow there through; 
         FIG. 14  shows an opposing side view of the base body where it should be noted that six orthogonal views are shown for purposes of properly illustrating ornamental design features of the base body; 
         FIG. 15  shows another orthogonal view of the base body showing the various ports contained therein; 
         FIG. 16  shows a second cross-sectional view of the suppressor  20 ′ showing various access ports in cross-sectional view and generally illustrating the concept of allowing the slip chamber to provide communication to a forward primary expansion chamber. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With the foregoing general description in place, there will now be a more detailed discussion of the various embodiments showing the sound suppressor device concept. 
       FIG. 1  shows a sound suppressor device  20  generally having a forward region  21  and a longitudinal rearward region  23 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , an axes system  10  is defined where the axis  12  indicates a longitudinal axis and the axes  14  and  16  respectively define a vertical and lateral axis, wherein each of these directions point radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis  12 ′ as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  there is a cross-sectional isometric view of a sound suppressor device  20 . In general, the suppressor device  20  comprises a base frame  22  and a plurality of inserts  24 . 
     The base frame  22  itself generally comprises a longitudinally forward region  26  and a longitudinally rearward region  28  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The frame  22  has a plurality of cross bar regions  37  which are operatively configured to house the inserts  24  and operate as insert mount locations.  FIG. 3  further shows surfaces  30  defining cross-sectional openings  32  providing for positioning the respective inserts  24  therein. In one form, the frame  22  is provided with openings on the lateral side, for example, positioned at the approximate location at  29  which are provided with set screws to hold the inserts. In the longitudinally forward region  26  in one form a threaded end cap  36  can be provided. In one form of utilizing the suppressor device  20 , the device  20  is fitted within a shroud  25  having a tubular inner surface where the suppressor is fitted in close engagement therewith and the longitudinally rearward region  28  is abutted towards a muzzle portion of a barrel. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , it can be appreciated that in one form the base frame  22  can be made by excavating out material to form the primary chamber to fit the plurality of inserts  24  therein. Further, one form of manufacture can include simply drilling out or otherwise removing material to form the insert mount locations. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , there is shown two types of suppressor units indicated at  20  and  20 ′. The suppressor  20  is shown where the end cap  36  is provided with the threaded region  38  in one form. It can be further seen in the right hand portion of  FIG. 3  that each of the insert members  24  (or at least one of them in one form) in this opening defined by a surface indicated at  40  is provided to provide a turbulent-like effect as the bullet projectile passes through the inner chamber region  46  (see  FIG. 5 ) as described further herein. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an isometric view of an insert  24 . In general, the insert  24  has a longitudinally rearward portion  42  and a longitudinally forward portion  44 . As shown in  FIG. 5  there is a view from a longitudinally forward portion showing the chamber region  46 . 
     Referring back now to  FIG. 4 , it can be appreciated that the longitudinally rearward region  42  as shown in, for example,  FIG. 2  is adapted to have a projectile enter through the rearward conical base  48 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bullet leaving the end portion of the barrel first enters the insert or otherwise the longitudinally rearward portion of the suppressor device  20  indicated that 24′. The rear conical base  48  is shown wherein the bullet passes through the chamber region which in one form as shown in  FIG. 5  expands radially outwardly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , present analysis indicates that expanding gas extending through the surface to find the opening  40  may create an internal turbulent like affect within the internal chamber region indicated a  33  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In one form as shown in  FIG. 3 , three internal chambers can be utilized, but of course a variety of number chambers can be incorporated (e.g. 2-10) and in some forms a single chamber could be utilized. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the suppressor  20  is shown which in one form is designed for a 0.223 rifle round (5.56 NATO) whereas the suppressor  20 , for example, is shown in dimension for a rim fire 0.22 long rifle. 
     The suppressor device  20 ′ is further shown with a cap region indicated at  36 ′ which can be an integral part of the body  22 ′ or a separate piece. In one form, the walls indicated at  50  can be angled so as to provide for a more desirable dissipation of energy of the expanding gases to each of the chambers  33 ′ defined in part by the shroud  25 ′ and the main body  24 ′ 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in general the inserts  24  in one form are provided with an annular flange portion  52  which are configured to be fit within the extending crossbar regions  27  of the frame  22 . The transverse flange portion  54  is configured to rest upon the longitudinally forward portion of the crossbar regions  27 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 . As described above, the flange portion is configured to have, for example, a set screw be positioned thereagainst for fixedly positioning the inserts to the frame  22 . The plurality of inserts can be comprised of a harder metal than that of the material of the base frame. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the inserts  24  further generally comprise an annular central mount  60  which is positioned longitudinally between a projectile entrance portion  62  and a projectile exit portion  64 . In general, the region between the projectile entrance portion  62  and the insert mount location  60  is a concave-type surface, as for example shown in  FIG. 4  at the side profile  43 . Now referring ahead to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a partially exploded view of the second embodiment of the sound suppressor device  20 ′. In general, the plurality of insert mount locations  66 ′ are provided with various attachment mechanisms for having the inserts fitted therein. In one form, the surface substantially orthogonal to the central axis indicated at  68  ( 27 ′ in  FIG. 14 ) provides such a mount region. The area interposed between two adjacent inserts defines, in part, a primary chamber and more particularly a sub-chamber of the overall central primary chamber. Further, the baffle wall  68  is provided having a sinusoidal-type curvature in a direction substantially orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis and offset therefrom. The baffle wall  68  is positioned adjacent to a surface defining an access port to a secondary chamber, and more particularly sub-chambers positioned between adjacent baffle walls. The inserts  24 ′ are provided with the opening  40  which defines a relief passage for communicating with the sub-chambers within the secondary chamber. 
     It should be further noted in  FIG. 7  that the first oblique surface  74  is provided having surfaces defining ports  80  and  78  described herein. At interposed outward regions of the first oblique surface  74  is a third chamber region having various sub-chambers defined between the insert mount locations. In one form, additional surfaces defining access vents  80  can be formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , there is a primary port  80  allowing a gas to enter therein, and a vortexing port  82  provided for possible swirling gas in the larger longitudinal forward portion  84  of the primary subchamber  86 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , there are high-pressure ports  90  and  92  near surface  94  which are in communication with the first subchamber  93 . In general, these high-pressure ports allow gas to flow as indicated by vectors  95  to pass through the low-pressure ports  96  (and  106  in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 16 ) for allowing a certain amount of the expanding gas to pass therethrough to the second sub-chamber or chamber  97 . 
     This gas entering  96  will throw forward into the other portion of the forward chamber  97 . The objective is to use the angled side of the reservoir to receive gas therein. The side that has the flat portion allows gas to take a circuitous path forward through the suppressor  20 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 16 , there is shown a sectional view of the firearm sound suppressor  20 ′ where terminology will be added to describe certain general attributes of this design which generally illustrates the concept of allowing gas to advance into forward primary chambers. As shown in  FIG. 16 , in general it should be noted that a projectile will enter the suppressor  20 ′ at the region indicated by the vector  90 . Of course, there is a certain amount of pre-compressed gas in front of the projectile and also a certain amount of combusting trailing gas thereafter. As the compressed gas enters the first primary expansion chamber indicated at  100  (also referred to as a capacitance chamber), a certain amount of the gas will pass through the high-pressure ports  90  and  92  (see  FIG. 9 ) where only the port  90  is shown in  FIG. 16 . The gas entering therethrough will pass into the slip chamber  104  as indicated by the vector  95 . As noted in  FIG. 9 , the vectors  95  illustrate the flowing of gas through the slip chamber. Thereafter, the gas will travel through the advance port  96 , otherwise referred to as the low-pressure port above, wherein the gas will enter the second primary expansion chamber  110 , otherwise referred to as a longitudinal forward primary expansion chamber with respect to the first primary expansion chamber  100 . The gas indicated by vector  112  will in general be directed to the central portion of the chamber  110 , and further a portion of this gas is directed through the pre-load port  116  which is a portion of the insert  24 ′. The vector  114  illustrates the gas traveling through the pre-load port  116 , and experimentation has found that this advance compressed gas provides utility in increasing the sound suppression. Present analysis indicates that this precompressed gas provides a certain amount of high-pressure gas that “races” the bullet through the slip chamber  104  so the pressure differential between the gas near the bullet and this advanced gas is less, thereby causing a lower pressure differential and hence lower expansive flows of compressed gas. 
     The high-pressure gas continues as indicated by vectors  118  and  123  therein within what is defined as the capacitance chamber  120 . The capacitance chamber further is configured with a bleed-in vortex port  122  which feeds back into the primary chamber  110 . In one form the port  122  is positioned laterally to the side (at least laterally with respect to the port  80 ), thereby creating what is believed to be an internal vortexing-like action within the primary chambers  110  (and  100  as well as the other chambers). 
     While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5