Internal flash hider

Abstract

A flash hider has a tube with an inner surface. An outer gas guide has a first longitudinal wall spaced from the inner surface of the tube and a longitudinal gap, each of a pair of first radial walls extending inward from one of the longitudinal edges of the gap and being spaced from each other. An inner gas guide has a second longitudinal wall spaced from an inner end of each first radial wall and a pair of second radial walls, each extending outward from a longitudinal edge of the second longitudinal wall, the second radial walls being spaced from the first radial walls, an outer end of each second radial wall being spaced from the first longitudinal wall. Gases flow inward from an outer chamber and between the first radial walls, then outward between a first radial wall and the adjacent second radial wall, before again flowing inward.

Description

INTERNAL FLASH HIDERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of the filing date of US63 / 613742, filed on 21 Dec2023, and titled INTERNAL FLASH HIDER, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to flash hiders for firearms.BACKGROUND

[0003] Firearms ignite a propellant to produce gases for propelling a projectile through a barrel, with the projectile and gases exiting the barrel at the muzzle of the firearm. The remaining combusting propellant, combusted particles, and gases exit the muzzle, resulting in a visible muzzle flash. Flash hiders providing vents, ports, or other means for reducing muzzle flash are typically external and mounted on the end of the muzzle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is an oblique view of an embodiment of a device according to this disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2 is a front view of the device of Figure 1 .

[0006] Figure 3 is a cross-section side view of the device of Figure 1.

[0007] Figure 4 is an oblique partial cross-section side view of the device of Figure 1.

[0008] Figure 5 is an oblique lateral cross-section view of a forward portion of the device of Figure 1.

[0009] Figure 6 is an oblique view of another embodiment of a device according to this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 7 is a cross-section side view of the device of Figure 6.

[0011] Figure 8 is an oblique font view of a forward portion of the device of Figure 6.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of this disclosure, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0013] This disclosure divulges muzzle-mounted devices having embodiments of an internal flash hider.

[0014] Figures 1 through 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a device according to this disclosure. Device 101 has body 103 and an adapter 105 located at a rear end of body 103, adapter 105 configured for coupling device 101 to a muzzle of a firearm. Body 103 comprises an outer wall 107, a front cap 109, and a rear cap 111.

[0015] Figure 3 is a cutaway view illustrating internal components of device 101. An inner wall 113 is coaxial with outer wall 107 and cooperates with a frustoconical front wall 115 and a rear wall 117 to define inner chamber 119 and coaxial outer chamber 121. Gases and particulates (“gases”) exiting a muzzle pass through adapter 105 and enter inner chamber 119. A portion of the gases flows forward through inner chamber 119 and into internal flash hider 123. Another portion of the gases flows out of ports 125 in inner wall 113, then into outer chamber 121, and then into forward chamber 127 (between front wall 115 and front cap 109) before flowing to flash hider 123.

[0016] Flash hider 123 comprises outer gas guides 129 and inner gas guides 131, guides 129, 131 cooperating to alter the flow of gases through flash hider 123. Gases exit front cap 109 through an array of ports 133 and between inner guides 131.

[0017] Outer guides 129 extend longitudinally between front wall 115 and front cap 109 and comprise a wall 135 and a radial wall 137, 139 extending radially inward from longitudinal edge of wall 135. Each radial wall 137, 139 preferably terminates in an inner edge having a sawtooth profde 141. A forward outer chamber 143 is formed between outer wall 107 and wall 135, chamber 143 being fluid communication with outer chamber 121. The embodiment shown comprises four outer guides 129, with a gap 145 between adjacent radial walls 137, 139 of adjacent guides 129. Gases that flow through chamber 121 move into chamber 143 and then flow radially inward through gaps 145. An inner surface of each outer wall 135 has serrations 146 thereon.

[0018] In the embodiment shown, the rear end of each inner guide 131 is located behind front wall 115, and the front end of each guide 131 is located forward of front cap 109. Each guide 131 is formed as generally V-shaped, with an inner wall 147 and a radial wall 149, 151 extending radially inward from each longitudinal edge of wall 147. The embodiment shown comprises four inner guides 131, with a gap 153 between adjacent radial walls 149, 151 of adjacent guides 131.Inner surfaces of walls 147, 149, 151 have serrations 155 thereon. Inner walls 147 form an interrupted bore 157 through which gases in inner chamber 119 can flow directly out of device 101 or flow radially outward through gaps 153.

[0019] Each inner guide 131 is angularly positioned so that the inner ends of a pair of adjacent radial walls 137, 139 and the associated gap 145 of adjacent outer guides 129 are located within the V formed between radial walls 149, 151. This configuration allows for inner guides 131 to redirect gases flowing radially inward through gap 145 and prevent those gases from moving directly toward the center of flash hider 123 but allowing the gases to then flow out of device 101 through ports 133. Each inner guide is coupled to cap 109 with a portion 159 that blocks forward flow through the V of each guide 131, redirecting gases to ports 133.

[0020] Referring now to Figures 6 through 8, device 201 is constructed similarly to device 101, and like components are labeled with like reference numbers. Device 201 comprises body 203 and adapter 205, and body 203 comprises outer wall 207, front cap 209, and rear cap 211.

[0021] As visible in Figure 7, device 201 has inner chamber 219, coaxial outer chamber 221, and internal flash hider 223. Differences between flash hider 123 of device 101 and flash hider 223 include that inner guides 231 do not protrude forward of cap 209 and that inner walls 247 comprise additional ports 259 formed in inner walls 247, allowing gases to move therethrough.

[0022] At least one embodiment is disclosed, and variations, combinations, and / or modifications of the embodiment(s) and / or features of the embodiment s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude fallingwithin the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, Ri, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=Ri +k * (Ru-Ri), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, ...50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, .. . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 95 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. Also, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “A and / or B and / or C” should each be interpreted to include only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A,B, and C.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A device for minimizing the visible flash exiting the barrel of a firearm, the device comprising: a tube having an inner surface and a longitudinal axis; an outer gas guide, comprising: a first longitudinal wall spaced from the inner surface of the tube and cooperating to define an outer chamber, the first longitudinal wall also having an inner surface, the inner surface of the first longitudinal wall defining an inner chamber, a longitudinal gap in the first longitudinal wall forming adjacent first longitudinal edges being spaced from each other; a pair of first radial walls, each first radial wall extending inward from one of the first longitudinal edges, the first radial walls being spaced from each other; and an inner gas guide, comprising: a second longitudinal wall spaced from an inner end of each first radial wall and having opposing second longitudinal edges; a pair of second radial walls, each second radial wall extending outward from one of the second longitudinal edges, the second radial walls being spaced from the first radial walls, an outer end of each second radial wall being spaced from the first longitudinal wall; wherein the device is adapted to allow gases to flow inward from the outer chamber between the first radial walls and toward the inner gas guide, the inner gas guide being angularly positioned about the axis so that gases flowing inward between the first radial walls are guided toward the second longitudinal wall, gases then flowing outward between a first radial wall and the adjacent second radial wall, gases then flowing inward toward the axis.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a radial chamber wall; and a front cap; wherein the chamber wall and front cap cooperate with the first longitudinal wall to define the inner chamber.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner end of each first radial wall has a sawtooth profile.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer end of each second radial wall has a sawtooth profile.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the first longitudinal wall has a ribbed profile.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the second longitudinal wall has a ribbed profile.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of each second radial wall has a ribbed profile.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the inner gas guide extends forward of the front cap.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a port formed in the second longitudinal wall.

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