Abstract:
A gun suppressor having a single or multiple vacuum chambers that create a vacuum enclosed volume for gases to expand into. Accordingly, the pressure of the gas that exits the suppressor is reduced significantly; therefore, the sound of the gun firing is more silent than conventional silencers. Prior to firing the gun, a vacuum seal is placed at the exit orifice of the suppressor and a vacuum is created inside of the suppressor with the use of a vacuum pump. The vacuum chamber reduces the pressure wave caused at the end of the firearm&#39;s barrel. When the firearm is discharged, the gases fill the vacuum chamber instead of exiting at normal atmospheric pressure level. As the bullet continues its travel through the end of the suppressor, it perforates the vacuum seal and continues its flight path.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 61/370,455 filed on Aug. 4, 2010, by the same inventor Ronnie Alexander Shand. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sound and flash suppressor for a firearm, and more particularly to reduce the noise caused by the firing of a firearm comprising a silencer muffler which attenuates explosive sounds generated by firearms and which have a straight-through passage for the projectile and silencing chambers for the explosive exhaust. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Sound suppressors for firearms are well known in the prior art, and many have been patented over a hundred years. 
     Many different techniques have been created and patented, chambers, gas passages and baffles of varying designs have been extensively used. The purpose of a sound and flash suppressor, regardless of the technique used, is to reduce the exit pressure and velocity of the propellant gases from the firearm&#39;s barrel so that the resulting sound level and flash is significantly reduced. 
     In addition, most prior art firearm suppressors do not significantly reduce muzzle flash. Also, some prior suppressor inventions require many different internal parts that are difficult to assemble and require constant replacement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,164 (Walther et al) discloses the use of conical baffles that includes a plurality of shoulders on the interior surface of a conical baffle. Also disclosed is the use of these annular shoulders on the exterior and interior surfaces of a conical baffle. However, the use of these shoulders with annular shoulders was used together with other methods and these conical baffles were located only in the area of the exit of the bullet from the suppressor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,074 (Gaddini) features several baffles that have an integral reduced diameter coaxial spacers that are vented in a specific manner, dependent upon the caliber of the firearm in use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,043 (Finn) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,535 (Leasure) are indicative of the complex baffles that use slanted sidewalls or asymmetric cuts into the bore of the baffles. 
     International Publication Number WO 99/39147 (Lapwood et al) discloses a gun silencer that compromises of a single baffle free gas expansion chamber. This single chamber is easier to maintain and to clean. 
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                 WO 99/39147 
                 August 1999 
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                 WO 00/57122 
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                 GB 2425823 A 
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     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is a firearm suppressor that uses a vacuum chamber that reduces the sound and flash levels that are typically created when a firearm is discharged. The vacuum chamber of the present invention has adds a novel feature to firearm suppressors that enables the propellant gases to fill the vacuum chamber and by this way to remain inside the suppressor for a longer period of time. The principal object of the present invention is that the vacuum chamber diminishes the volume of gases that exit the muzzle of the firearm caused by discharging the firearm. Another objective of the present invention is to reduce flash at the muzzle. Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the pressure wave caused at the end of the firearm&#39;s barrel. 
     A representative embodiment of my invention is provided for a firearm that has a barrel for guiding the bullet, ammunition, a combustion chamber, a barrel for guiding the projectile a suppressor, and a vacuum generator. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a suppressor that includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end is configured for mounting the suppressor to the firearm&#39;s barrel, the distal end is configured to receive a vacuum seal and to allow the bullet to exit the suppressor along its flight path, and the at least one vacuum chamber disposed between the proximal and distal end of the suppressor. A vacuum generator or vacuum pump connects to the suppressor in order the generate vacuum within the interior cavities of the suppressor. 
     The distal end of the suppressor has an end cap to seal the exit hole of the suppressor and allow vacuum to be formed. The ammunition when loaded into the chamber of the barrel forms a seal at this location to allow a vacuum chamber to be created inside the barrel all the way to the distal end of the suppressor. 
     When the firearm is discharged the bullet travels through the barrel followed by high pressure gases. Once the bullet reaches the interior chamber of the suppressor, the gases will start to fill the vacuum chamber instead of finding a volume of air at a normal atmospheric pressure level. As the bullet continues its travel through the distal end of the suppressor, it will perforate the vacuum seal and continue its flight path. 
     After a single shot, the vacuum seal is destroyed and a new seal must be positioned at the distal end of the suppressor. Once a new round of ammunition is loaded into the firing chamber of the firearm&#39;s barrel and a new seal is placed in the distal end of the suppressor, the vacuum generator or pump can be used to remove most of the air from inside the suppressor and barrel and prepare the firearm for the next use. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention a multiple vacuum chamber suppressor is described. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention different types of vacuum seals are described to show that the vacuum seal can have any shape as long as it provides a good vacuum seal and at the same time it can be perforated with ease by the exiting bullet. 
     Additional advantages and novel features of my invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description of the drawings as follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of my invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed descriptions, while indicating a preferred embodiments of my invention, are given to illustrate the use of vacuum in my invention. Also the drawings and descriptions of the embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative only and not as restrictive method of making my invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of a firearm that includes an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an embodiment of a firearm to show the projection arrows  3 - 3  of the cross section shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a firearm&#39;s barrel, a firearm&#39;s ammunition and the suppressor of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlargement sectional view of a the suppressor of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded cross sectional view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of a firearm to show the projection arrows  7 - 7  of the cross section shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlargement sectional view of a the suppressor of the second preferred embodiment shown on  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded cross sectional view of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment to show a second method for sealing the distal end of the suppressor vacuum chamber; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded cross sectional view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of another embodiment to show an alternate method for sealing the distal end of the suppressor vacuum chamber; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded cross sectional view of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an embodiment of a firearm to show the projection arrows  15 - 15  of the cross section shown in  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a partial side sectional view of a firearm barrel with one round of ammunition loaded in the chamber of the firearm&#39;s barrel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of firearm suppressors for reducing the muzzle blast and muzzle flash are described. While my invention is susceptible of several variations and modifications, it should be clear that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed in the drawings, but on the contrary, my invention is to cover any modifications, variations, alternative constructions, and equivalent methods of using vacuum falling within the spirit and scope of my invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a rifle is shown to which an embodiment of a suppressor  1  is attached to the barrel  2 . A portable vacuum generator  3  or vacuum pump  3  is connected to the suppressor  1  by a suction tube  4 . Although a rifle type of firearm is shown on  FIG. 1 , embodiments of my invention may be used with other types of weapons such as cannons or hand guns. Although the vacuum pump  3  is shown as a separate component from the suppressor  1 , it can also be constructed as an integral component of the suppressor  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the firearm that shows the cross sectional line  3 - 3  used in the cross section view of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . A round of ammunition  8  is shown loaded into the proximal end  5  of the barrel  2 . The ammunition  8  forms an air tight seal at the proximal end  5  of the barrel  2 . The suppressor  1  is shown attached to the distal end of the firearm barrel  2 . As shown the suppressor includes a distal end  6  including a discharging vacuum chamber  11 . The vacuum pump  3  creates a volume of space inside the chamber  11  and inside the firearm&#39;s barrel  2  chamber  7  that becomes essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than the surrounding atmospheric pressure. A fitting  10  is shown attached to the lower portion of the suppressor&#39;s chamber  11 . A vacuum suction tube  4  is connected between the fitting  10  and the vacuum pump  3 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarge view of the suppressor  1  when connected to the distal end of the firearm barrel  2 . The proximal end of the suppressor  1  has threads  14  that are used to connect to the threads  15  of the barrel  2 . An o-ring  13  is shown in an o-ring groove  19  in order to create a vacuum seal at this location. The interior cavity  7  of the gun barrel  2  is shown without the riflings for clarity in all the views. The interior cavity  7  is shown aligned with the proximal end  16  of the suppressor  1 . The vacuum seal  17  is shown installed at the distal end of the suppressor  1 . A vacuum hose fitting  10  is shown installed in the port  18  of the suppressor  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 . The distal end  20  of the barrel  2  form a seal with o-ring  13  and the o-ring groove  19 . Threads  15  of barrel  2  engage threads  14  of the proximal end of the suppressor  1 . When vacuum is generated inside the chamber  11 , the distal surface  12  of the suppressor  1  become in contact with surface  22  of the vacuum seal  17  and the two surfaces form a good vacuum seal. The bullet  9  is shown as it exits distal end  6  of the suppressor  1 . The bullet  9  travels through the interior  7  of the barrel  2 , it reaches the vacuum chamber  11  of suppressor  1 ; then the bullet  9  perforates the vacuum seal  17  at the location  23  and continues its fight path to the target. The high pressure gases that follows the bullet  9 , encounters a vacuum chamber prior to exiting the suppressor  1 . After the shot is fired the vacuum seal  17  is destroyed and a new vacuum seal  17  is required. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the firearm that shows the cross sectional line  7 - 7  used in the cross section view of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of a suppressor  25  attached to the distal end of the firearm barrel  2 .  FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . A round of ammunition  8  is shown loaded into the proximal end  5  of the barrel  2 . The ammunition  8  forms an air tight seal at the proximal end  5  of the barrel  2 . As shown, the suppressor includes a distal end  30  including three discharging vacuum chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28 . The vacuum pump  3  creates a volume of space inside the chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28  and inside the firearm&#39;s barrel&#39;s chamber  7  that becomes essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than the surrounding atmospheric pressure. A fitting  10  is shown attached to the lower proximal end of the suppressor  25 . A vacuum suction tube  4  is connected between the fitting  10  and the vacuum pump  3 . Passage  29  connects the distal end of the barrel  2  with the suppressor  25 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarge view of the suppressor  25  when connected to the distal end of the firearm barrel  2 . The proximal end  31  of the suppressor  25  connects to the distal end of the barrel  2 . An o-ring  13  is shown in an o-ring groove  32  in order to create a vacuum seal at this location. The interior cavity  7  is shown aligned with the proximal end passage  29  of the suppressor  25 . The vacuum seal  17  is shown installed at the distal end of the suppressor  25  to create a vacuum seal at this location. Two inner ribs  34  and  35  are show in between chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28 . The purpose of ribs  34  and  35  are to strengthen the outer walls of the suppressor when high vacuum is applied to the inner chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28 . Two passages  36  and  37  connect the inner chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28  of the suppressor  25 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of  FIG. 8 . The distal end  20  of the barrel  2  form a seal with o-ring  13  and the o-ring groove  32 . Threads  15  of barrel  2  engage threads  38  of the proximal end of the suppressor  25 . When vacuum is generated inside the chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28 , the distal surface  21  of the suppressor  25  become in contact with surface  22  of the vacuum seal  17  and the two surfaces form a good vacuum seal. The bullet  9  is shown as it exits distal end  30  of the suppressor  25 . The bullet  9  travels through the interior of the barrel  2 , it reaches the vacuum chambers  26 ,  27 , and  28  of the suppressor  25 ; then the bullet  9  perforates the vacuum seal  17  at the location  23  and continues its fight path to the target. After the shot is fired the vacuum seal  17  is destroyed and a new vacuum seal  17  is required. 
       FIG. 10  depicts another method of sealing the distal end  12  of the embodiment of a suppressor  1  in order to create an enclosed vacuum chamber  11  when vacuum is generated. When the vacuum pump suctions the air out the chamber  11  through port  18 , the front spherical seal  40  becomes in tight contact with the distal surface  12  of the suppressor  1 . These drawings and descriptions of the embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative only and not as restrictive method of making a vacuum seal for the distal end of my invention. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of  FIG. 10 . The spherical vacuum seal  40  is shown away from the distal mating surface  12  of the suppressor  1 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts another method of sealing the distal end  42  of another embodiment of a suppressor  41  in order to create an enclosed vacuum chamber  45  when vacuum is applied at port  44 . When the vacuum pump suctions the air out the chamber  45  through port  44 , the front seal  43  becomes in tight contact with the distal surface  42  of the suppressor  41 . These drawings and descriptions of the embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative only and not as restrictive method of making a vacuum seal for the distal end of my invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of  FIG. 12 . The vacuum seal  43  is shown away from the distal mating surface  42  of the suppressor  41 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the firearm that shows the cross sectional line  15 - 15  used in the partial cross section view of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . A round of ammunition  8  is shown loaded into the proximal end  5  of the barrel  2 . 
     The ammunition  8  forms a tight seal at the several areas of contact  46 ,  47 , and  48  of the firing chamber. As an aid, an o-ring  49  may be added over the ammunition  8  to help in creating a good vacuum seal at location  47 . When vacuum is applied through the bullet passage  7 , the small o-ring  49  is sucked toward surface  48  of the firing chamber helping to create a tight vacuum seal at this location. 
     While the above written description of my invention enables any person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to make and use the invention and set forth the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, those of regular skill will be able to understand and appreciate the existence of variations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples here shown. My invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of my invention.