WO1996023189A1

WO1996023189A1 - Muzzle cover

Info

Publication number: WO1996023189A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Willstrand; Rolf Schnyder; Kent SANDSTRÖM
Original assignee: Lars Willstrand; Rolf Schnyder; Sandstroem Kent
Priority date: 1995-01-23
Filing date: 1996-01-12
Publication date: 1996-08-01
Also published as: AU4592296A; SE9500233D0; SE503103C2; SE9500233L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a muzzle cover (1) for firearms. The muzzle cover (1) is of one piece manufacture from an elastic material and displays a cavity (7). The barrel or barrels of the weapon are accommodated in the cavity (7). Weakened portions (4) are provided in the bottom (3) of the muzzle cover (1) which, when the muzzle cover is applied in place, are in register with the mouths of the barrel (or barrels). If a shot is discharged when the muzzle cover (1) is mounted in place, the weakened portions rupture before dangerous pressure has had time to be built up in the barrel or barrels. On the inside of the wall (2), the muzzle cover (1) is provided with a number of rigidifying lands (5). The lands (5) run at a right angle from the bottom (3) and parallel with the barrel or barrels. The lands (5) are bevelled (8) so as to facilitate application of the muzzle cover on the weapon. The muzzle cover (1) may be manufactured for both single-barrelled and double-barrelled weapons with and without front sights.

Description

MUZZLE COVER

The present invention relates to a muzzle cover in accordance with the preamble to appended claim 1.

Every year, a number of accidents happen involving firearms because the barrel of the weapon is not entirely clean when a shot is discharged. The material which fouls the barrel is often foreign matter, snow etc. which has entered into the barrel as a result of careless handling in, for example, the transport of the weapon. When a shot is discharged, the blockage in the barrel results in a pressure increase which, at worst, may result in a burst barrel and/or that the marksman carrying the weapon is hit in the face by a blast of flame and smoke.

In order to prevent foreign matter from entering the barrel from out¬ side, so-called muzzle covers are employed. The muzzle covers which are available on the market today suffer from the drawback that, if a shot is discharged when the muzzle cover is mounted in place on the barrel, a pressure increase results, with a risk of those consequences indi¬ cated above.

One requirement placed on a muzzle cover is, therefore, that it must be possible to shoot through it. This implies that, if a shot is dis- charged without the muzzle cover having been removed, the muzzle cover breaks apart or is blown clear before a dangerous pressure increase occurs as described above.

One muzzle cover which satisfies this latter requirement is disclosed in US-A-4817322. The material in this cover is not sufficiently elastic to provide secure abutment for the muzzle cover, even if a gap has been provided to increase this flexibility. A problem inherent in the muzzle cover according to the US patent specification is, thus, that it does not provide a good fit between the muzzle cover and the barrel unless there is exact agreement between the shape and dimensions of the muzzle cover and the barrel. As a result, each individual muzzle cover type is limited to a few weapon models. In addition, a poor fit between the muzzle cover and the barrel increases the risk that the muzzle cover unintentionally comes loose.

One object of the present invention is therefore to realize a shoot- through muzzle cover which displays close abutment to the barrel of the weapon and which is sufficiently flexible to fit barrels of different dimensions. A further object of the present invention is to produce such muzzle covers using as little material as possible.

The above and other objects will be attained by means of a device dis¬ playing the characterizing features as set forth in appended claim 1.

The appended subclaims disclose expedient embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail herein- below, with the aid of a number of embodiments which are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view from beneath of a muzzle cover according to the pre¬ sent invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the muzzle cover according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative muzzle cover;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of yet a further alternative muzzle cover;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a further alternative muzzle cover;

Fig. 7 is a magnified detailed view of a part of the muzzle cover according to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a magnified cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII- VIII in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in Fig. 9.

The muzzle cover 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3 is of one piece manufacture and consists of an elastic material and comprises a body with a cavity 7 consisting of two partial cavities 7a,7b. The dimensions of the partial cavities 7a,7b are adapted to the outer dimensions of the barrels of a firearm (not shown). The muzzle cover has a wall 2 and a bottom 3 where the wall is passed in over the barrels of the gun when the muzzle cover is placed on the weapon. A circular portion or membrane 4 is disposed centrally in the bottom 3 in each partial cavity 7a,7b. The membrane 4 is of lesser material thick¬ ness than the rest of the bottom 3. When the muzzle cover 1 is mounted on the weapon, each membrane 4 is located in front of the muzzle open- ing of one barrel of the gun. The thickness of the membrane 4 has been selected such that the membrane ruptures if a shot is discharged with¬ out the muzzle cover 1 having been removed from the weapon.

In certain embodiments, the membrane 4 is provided with fracture or rupture indications 10 in the form of grooves. In, for example, the em¬ bodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the membrane 4 has a circular groove 10 facing towards that portion of the bottom 3 which is of larg¬ est thickness. In other embodiments, the membrane is of a thickness which decreases towards its centre.

In one embodiment (not shown), the bottom 3 is of uniform thickness, i.e. there is no membrane but, on the other hand, fracture or rupture indications are provided in the form of a number of grooves. These grooves may be provided in a multiplicity of different shapes, such as circular or helical. The grooves may also be straight grooves disposed in a stellar form towards the centre of the membrane, where the number of grooves may vary from two and up to approx. twelve. Weakened portions may also be provided by selection of material or treatment of the material, i.e. that brittle material is provided in the bottom in register with the muzzle opening of the barrels.

Lands 5 are provided on the inside of the wall 2, i.e. facing towards the barrels of the weapon. In the illustrated embodiments, the lands 5 run at right angles from the bottom 3 and terminate with a bevelled portion 8 a short distance before the upper edge 9 of the wall 2. The major extent of the lands 5 is parallel with the main axis of the bar¬ rels. In other embodiments (not shown) the lands 5 are of different ex¬ tent. They may, for example, be tranversally directed, helical or of zig-zag configuration. The bevelled portions 8 facilitate the applica¬ tion of the muzzle cover on to the weapon. In the illustrated embodi- ment, the lands 5 are of uniform thickness seen in side elevation ac¬ cording to Fig. 8 right up to the bevelled portions 8. In other embodi¬ ments, the lands are conical with the thickest portion either most proximal the upper edge 9 of the wall 2 or most proximal the bottom 3. In yet other embodiments, the lands are but partially conical. In still further embodiments, the lands are semicircular or display other suit¬ able cross-section or configuration. In yet further embodiments (not shown), the lands may be toothed, rifled or be of other non-uniform cross-section.

The lands 5 assist in realizing an improved fit on to the weapons of different makes. The outer dimensions of barrels of the same calibre may vary from one gun make to another. The dimension of the lands has been selected such that an imaginary circle which runs along the inside of the lands is smaller than the outer diameter of the barrel. As a re- suit, the muzzle cover rests safely and reliably on the weapon.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the muzzle cover 31 displays two diametrically opposing grips 14 disposed on the outer side of the wall 2. The grips 14 may be of any optional suitable shape, and this shape is not restricted to the illustrated grooved configuration. Exam¬ ples of other shapes are angled grooves, studded etc. Grooves 15 are provided on the inside of the wall 2 in register with the grips 14. The grips 14 and the grooves 15 are extended substantially at right angles from the upper edge 9 of the muzzle cover 31 and terminate a distance above the bottom 3. In other embodiments, the grips make a different angle with the upper edge 9. No lands 5 are provided in the area of the grooves 15.

The purpose of the grips 14 and grooves 15 is to facil tate application and removal of the muzzle cover 31. When the grips 14 are depressed in¬ wards, the muzzle cover will assume a slightly oval appearance thanks to the grooves 15 and because the muzzle cover 31 is manufactured from an elastic material. In the view according to Fig. 9, the upper and lower portions will thus be slid from the barrel. The lands 5 naturally accompany this movement whereby the friction between the muzzle cover 31 and the barrel is reduced. This in turn facilitates application and removal of the muzzle cover 31.

The lands 5 are rigidifying, which implies that, between the lands, the material may be made more elastic than would have been possible if such rigidifications had not been provided. This contributes to the good fit on barrels of different outer diameters and on barrels which do not have entirely uniform outer cross-sections. The number of lands varies between different embodiments but is preferably at least four per bar¬ rel. The lands 5 also provide a certain aeration of the muzzle mouths of the barrels.

The material in the muzzle cover is selected so as to be of relatively high friction vis-a-vis the barrel and, as a result, not loosen too easily. Suitable materials are different rubber and plastic materials. One example of a suitable material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) .

The muzzle cover 11 in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 corresponds to that according to Fig. 3 apart from that an additional partial cav¬ ity or recess 6 is provided which is intended to protect the sights of the weapon.

The muzzle cover 21 shown in Fig. 5 is intended for single-barrelled weapons. In the same way as that described above, the lands 5 are also provided in this embodiment. It is also possible, in muzzle covers for single-barrelled weapons, to provide fracture or rupture indications, and the different forms of the lands which were described in foregoing in connection with the muzzle covers for double-barrelled weapons.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 the membrane 4 and remainder of the bottom 3 are recessed a distance from the lower edge 12 of the wall 2. As a result of this version, the membrane will be better protected and the risk with that it is unintentionally broken from the outside is reduced. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the wall 2 has moreover been provided with a circumferential seal in the form of a lip seal 13 which is directed in towards the cavity 7 of the muzzle cover. When the muzzle cover has been mounted on the weapon, the lip seal 13 prevents water from running along the barrel and into the space between the bar- rel and the muzzle cover. The cross-sectional configuration of the seal varies in different embodiments from the illustrated lip seal to round, rectangular, oval, triangular, hexagonal, etc.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, the muzzle cover 31 is pro- vided with a lug 16. This may be utilized for ensuring, with the aid of a lanyard, a strap etc. secured to the barrel, that the muzzle cover 31 is kept in place around the barrel and is readily accessable when the muzzle cover has been removed from the mouth of the barrel.

While a number of parts have only been shown in individual embodiments of those which were described above, it will be understood that these parts may be combined in different ways. For example, the lip seal is not linked to the recessing of the bottom, but may be provided in any of the remaining embodiments whatever.

The muzzle cover may be generally employed for all types of firearms, such as shotguns, rifles, automatic weapons, pistols, revolvers, etc. The muzzle cover may be provided for different calibres, in which event the dimensions are, of course, adapted to suit the calibres in ques- tion. In other embodiments, the partial cavities are not, as shown, circular but may be polygonal, oval, etc.

When expressions such as upper, lower, etc. are employed in the fore- going description, these generally relate only to those directions in the Drawing figures to which they refer.

The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, but a person skilled in the art will readily perceive that the present invention encompasses a large number of embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A muzzle cover (1,11,21,31) of an elastic material which comprises a wall (2) and which is applied on the muzzle of the barrel or bar rels of a firearm, and a bottom (3) fixedly connected to the wall (2) and covering the muzzle mouths of the barrel or barrels of the weapon when the muzzle cover (1,11,21) is applied in place, in which weakened portions (4,10) are disposed in the bottom (3) cen¬ trally in register with the mouth of the barrel or barrels of the weapon, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the wall (2) on that side which faces towards the barrel when the muzzle cover (1,11,21 is mounted in place is provided with lands (5).

2. The muzzle cover as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the number of lands (5) per barrel is at least four; that the lands (5) have bevelled portions (8) at that side which faces towards the upper edge (9) of the wall (2); and/or that the lands (5) are of an extent which runs at right angles from the bottom (3 in a direction which is parallel with the barrel or barrels of the weapon.

3. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lands (5) are of conical configuration in side-elevation.

4. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is manufactured from a mate¬ rial which displays great friction against metal, and that it is o one piece manufacture and of a uniform material.

5. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the weakened portions consist o a membrane (4) of less thickness than the rest of the bottom (3) and/or rupture or fracture indication grooves (10).

6. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of Claims 1-4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the weakened portions consist of the mate- rial in the region in register with the mouth of the barrel/barrels having been rendered brittle by treatment.

7. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the bottom (3) is recessed in from the lower edge (12) of the wall (2); and/or that the muzzle cover is provided with a recess (6) for protecting the sights of the weapon.

8. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is of a configuration which is adapted to single-barrelled (21) or double-barrelled (1,11) firearms.

9. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a seal is disposed at the upper edge (9) of the wall (2) and facing in towards the barrel of the weapon when the muzzle cover (1,11,21) is mounted in place on a weapon.

10. The muzzle cover as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that two grips (14) are provided dia¬ metrically opposed to one another on the outer side of the wall (2); that grooves (15) are disposed on the inner side of the wall (2) in register with each grip (14); and that the grips (14) and the grooves (15) are extended substantially at right angles from the upper edge (9) of the muzzle cover to a distance from the bot¬ tom (3) .