Silencer for firearm

{
  "publication_number": "US9857137B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Silencer for firearm",
  "abstract": "A silencer for a firearm in one embodiment includes an outer tube defining a proximal end configured for mounting on a firearm barrel, a distal end, and an internal passageway extending between the ends. A plurality of first baffles is disposed in horizontally stacked relation in the internal passageway between the proximal and distal ends of the tube. The first baffles each comprises an annular mounting sleeve and a cone projecting axially rearward from the sleeve towards the proximal end of the tube. The cone defines an oblong obliquely angled central opening concentrically aligned the bore of a firearm barrel for receiving a projectile therethrough. Gas expansion chambers are formed between the first baffles. The cone may have an asymmetrically skewed shape for cross-jetting. An anti-rotation feature is provided which prevents the silencer assembly from loosening when the silencer is coupled to the firearm barrel.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A firearm silencer comprising: a longitudinal axis; an outer tube defining a proximal end configured for mounting on a firearm barrel, a distal end, and an internal passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends; a plurality of first baffles longitudinally stacked in the internal passageway between the proximal and distal ends of the outer tube; each of the first baffles comprising an annular mounting sleeve disposed adjacent the outer tube and a cone projecting axially rearward from the mounting sleeve towards the proximal end of the outer tube, the cone defining an oblong central opening concentrically aligned with the longitudinal axis for receiving a projectile therethrough, the oblong central opening being obliquely angled to the longitudinal axis of the silencer; and a plurality of gas expansion chambers formed between the first baffles.",
    "2. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the cones of the first baffles have a leading edge that is axially spaced farther apart from the mounting sleeve than a trailing edge defining a bottom of the oblong opening.",
    "3. The silencer according to claim 2, further comprising a lower minor portion of the central aperture having a lateral width which is less than an upper major portion of the central aperture.",
    "4. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the cones of the first baffles each have an asymmetrical transverse cross section about the longitudinal axis.",
    "5. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the cones of the first baffles each have a concave upper half section and a concave lower half section, the upper half section having a different side profile than the lower half section.",
    "6. The silencer according to claim 1, further comprising a second baffle inside the outer tube between the proximal end and the primary baffles, the second baffle having a different configuration than the first baffle.",
    "7. The silencer according to claim 4, wherein the second baffle includes an annular mounting sleeve and a symmetrically shaped cone protruding rearward from the mounting sleeve, the cone defining a central aperture concentrically aligned with the longitudinal axis for receiving a projectile therethrough and one or more through holes.",
    "8. The silencer according to claim 1, further comprising a muzzle mount disposed in the proximal end of the outer sleeve, the muzzle mount including an annular mounting sleeve and rearwardly open threaded nozzle which is configured to engage a threaded muzzle end of the firearm barrel for affixing the silencer thereto.",
    "9. The silencer according to claim 8, wherein a rearwardly open annular space is formed in the proximal end of the outer sleeve between the outer sleeve and the nozzle which receives a threaded mounting portion of a proximal end cap that engages mating threads formed in the internal passageway of the outer sleeve to couple the proximal end cap to the outer sleeve.",
    "10. The silencer according to claim 9, wherein the proximal end cap traps the annular mounting sleeve of the muzzle mount in the outer sleeve when the proximal end cap is mounted to the outer sleeve.",
    "11. The silencer according to claim 9, wherein the nozzle extends through an aperture in the proximal end cap to threadably engage the threaded end muzzle end of the firearm barrel.",
    "12. The silencer according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart axial grooves formed in the proximal end of the outer sleeve, each of the axial grooves configured and arranged to receive a mating radially protruding anti-rotation spline formed on a muzzle mount disposed in proximal end of the outer tube, the muzzle mount threaded for attachment to a threaded muzzle end of the firearm barrel.",
    "13. The silencer according to claim 1, further comprising a distal end cap threadably attached to the distal end of the outer sleeve, the distal end cap including a center exit aperture defined by a tubular extension which extends rearward from an end wall of the distal end cap.",
    "14. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the cone includes a partial cylindrical wall segment disposed proximate to the outer sleeve and an adjoining concave wall segment which defines the central aperture.",
    "15. A firearm with silencer comprising: a barrel having a barrel bore for receiving a projectile and a threaded muzzle end; a longitudinal axis coaxial with the barrel bore; a silencer comprising: an outer tube defining an internal passageway extending between proximal and distal ends of the outer tube; a distal end cap attached to the distal end of the outer tube and defining an exit aperture coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis; a proximal end cap attached to the proximal end of the outer tube and defining an entrance aperture coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis; a muzzle mount disposed in the proximal end of the outer tube, the muzzle mount threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end of the barrel coupling the silencer thereto; a plurality of primary baffles longitudinally stacked inside the outer tube between the proximal and distal end caps; a blast baffle disposed between the primary baffles and proximal end cap; and an anti-rotation feature comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radial splines formed on one of the muzzle mount or outer tube, each radial spline engaging a mating axial groove formed in the other one of the muzzle mount or outer tube without the splines, the anti-rotation feature preventing relative rotation between the muzzle mount and outer tube when the silencer is threaded onto the barrel.",
    "16. The firearm according to claim 15, wherein the muzzle mount includes a threaded nozzle which threadably engages the threaded muzzle end of the barrel.",
    "17. The firearm according to claim 15, wherein the muzzle mount, primary baffles, and blast baffle each include an annular mounting sleeve, the mounting sleeves being interlocked to form a self-supporting gas-tight primary pressure retention barrier independently of a secondary pressure retention barrier formed by the outer sleeve.",
    "18. The firearm according to claim 17, wherein: the mounting sleeves of the primary baffles each include a shoulder which engages a front end of adjacent primary baffles and the blast baffle, and the mounting sleeve of the blast baffle includes a shoulder which engages a front end of the muzzle mount.",
    "19. The firearm according to claim 15, wherein the proximal and distal end caps are threadably attached to the outer sleeve, the axial grooves interrupting threads on the proximal end of the outer sleeve.",
    "20. The firearm according to claim 15, wherein each of the first baffles comprises an annular mounting sleeve disposed adjacent the outer tube and a cone projecting axially rearward from the mounting sleeve towards the proximal end of the outer tube, the cone defining an oblong central opening obliquely angled to the longitudinal axis for receiving a projectile therethrough.",
    "21. A method for assembling a silencer for a firearm, the method comprising: providing an outer tube, a rear end cap, a front end cap, and a muzzle mount, the outer tube defining a rear end for threadable mounting on a firearm barrel, a front end, and an internal passageway extending between the front and rear ends; slideably inserting a plurality of baffles into the internal passageway through the rear or front end of the outer tube; axially aligning a plurality of radial splines on the muzzle mount or the outer tube with a mating plurality of axial grooves on the other of the muzzle mount or the outer tube without the radial splines; slideably inserting the muzzle mount through the rear end of the outer tube towards the front end by slideably engaging the splines in the grooves; and threadably coupling the rear end cap onto the rear end of the outer tube, the muzzle mount being locked into the outer tube by the rear end cap; wherein relative rotation between the muzzle mount and outer tube is prevented by engagement between the radial splines and the axial grooves.",
    "22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the muzzle mount and rear end cap are attached first to the outer tube and the plurality of baffles are then inserted through the front end of the outer tube.",
    "23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the baffles each include an annular mounting sleeve engaging the outer tube and an asymmetrical skewed cone extending rearwards from the mounting sleeve towards the rear end of the outer tube, the cone defining an oblong central aperture having a greater major axis than minor axis.",
    "24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the muzzle mount includes an annular mounting sleeve positioned adjacent the outer tube and a reduced diameter threaded nozzle extending rearward from the mounting sleeve which is received through a rear aperture in the rear end cap for attaching a firearm barrel."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/096,977 filed Dec. 26, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\n\nThe present disclosure generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to silencers or suppressors which reduce the muzzle noise produced by discharging the firearm.\n\nSilencers or suppressors generally comprise multiple combustion gas expansion chambers in which the high pressure gas is allowed to partially expand prior to leaving the firearm. The projectile such as a bullet is propelled through the barrel of the firearm and silencer by the combustion gas. In an unsuppressed discharge firearm, the rapid expansion and depressurization of the high pressure gas at the muzzle end of the barrel produces a loud sound referred to as muzzle blast or noise. The partial pre-expansion of gas inside the silencer acts to reduce muzzle noise which is desirable in some circumstances. Silencers are typically configured for threadable and removable mounting on the muzzle end of the firearm barrel.\n\nImprovements in silencer designs is desired\n\nThe present invention provides a silencer including an outer housing or tube and a plurality of interconnected internal baffle segments which are joined together in stacked relationship to create a substantially gas-tight internal volume. The baffles have cone sections which are longitudinally spaced apart and create a plurality of gas expansion chambers therebetween which allow for partial expansion of the high pressure combustion gases prior to exiting the silencer, thereby reducing the muzzle blast or noise.",
  "cpc": [
    "F41A 21/30",
    "F41A 21/28"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F41A 21/28",
    "F41A 21/30"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sturm Ruger and Co Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jonathan Barrett"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-11-24",
  "publication_date": "2018-01-02",
  "grant_date": "2018-01-02",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-26",
  "application_number": "US-201514950132-A",
  "family_id": "56151340",
  "cited_by_count": 12,
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