IP Verse

Firearm Suppression System

Patent No. US12018906 (titled "Firearm Suppression System") was filed by Jarvis Arms Llc on Oct 23, 2023.

What is this patent about?

’906 is related to the field of firearm suppressors, also known as silencers. These devices are designed to reduce the sound, recoil, and muzzle flash produced when a firearm is discharged. Traditional suppressors often use a series of baffles or a monocore design to trap and slow down expanding gases, but they can struggle to balance sound reduction with other factors like back pressure and recoil.

The underlying idea behind ’906 is to create a firearm suppressor that effectively manages gas flow to minimize sound, recoil, and back pressure simultaneously. This is achieved by using a removable core with a specific aperture and baffle design within a housing. A key element is a pressure-equalizing channel between the core and the housing, which allows gas to rapidly fill the entire volume of the suppressor, reducing pressure spikes.

The claims of ’906 focus on a firearm suppression system comprising a housing with a first and second aperture, an end cap with a projectile aperture, and a removable core positioned within the housing. The core features a plurality of apertures on its outer surface, allowing gas to pass into a channel between the core and the housing. This channel circumscribes the core and equalizes pressure from the first end to the second end of the housing. Some claims also cover an end cap actuated by pressure, and a disc interposed between the end cap and the core.

In practice, when a firearm is discharged, high-pressure gases enter the suppressor and flow through the apertures in the core. These gases then enter the channel between the core and the housing, rapidly filling the entire volume and equalizing the pressure. The baffles within the core further disrupt and cool the gases, reducing their velocity and sound. The pressure-actuated end cap, in some embodiments, further controls the release of gases, minimizing noise and recoil.

This design differs from traditional suppressors by actively managing gas flow and pressure distribution. The pressure-equalizing channel is a key differentiator, as it prevents pressure from building up in specific areas, which can lead to increased recoil and back pressure. By statistically balancing sound, recoil, and back gassing, the invention aims to provide a more comfortable and effective shooting experience, particularly for gas-operated firearms where back pressure can be a significant issue.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2020s when ’906 was filed, firearm suppressors typically relied on established designs such as baffle stacks or monocore constructions. At a time when suppressors were commonly manufactured from metal alloys, such as aluminum and stainless steel, the reduction of muzzle flash, noise, and back gassing were primary design considerations. When optimizing the balance between sound reduction, recoil mitigation, and back pressure was non-trivial.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art does not disclose or fairly suggest the claimed invention. The examiner was persuaded by the applicant's remarks filed with the amendment.

Claims

This patent includes 17 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 13, and 17. The independent claims generally focus on firearm suppression systems comprising a housing, end cap, and a core with apertures. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features and configurations of the elements described in the independent claims, such as the core's material, the end cap's structure, and the inclusion of additional components like a muzzle adapter or key.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Closure channel
(Claim 13)		“The end cap may comprise a projectile aperture, where the projectile may exit the suppression system. The end cap may comprise a pressure channel that receives pressure from the exiting projectile. The pressure channel, running parallel to the projectile aperture, may lead to an end cap closure channel, being perpendicular thereto. The end cap closure channel may lead to the projectile aperture and narrow proximate the projectile aperture, thereby creating a projectile ledge.”A channel in the end cap that is perpendicular to the pressure channel and passes from the outer surface of the end cap to the projectile aperture.
Core apertures
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 17)		“The core may comprise a plurality of core apertures that allow gas passing from the projectile and operating system to pass to the channels. The core may include an inner surface that comprises baffles that function in tandem with the plurality of core apertures.”Openings on the outer surface of the core that allow gas to pass from the projectile and cartridge to a channel between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the core.
Inner compartment
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 17)		“The housing 102 includes a first aperture 118 at the first end 104 and a second aperture 120 at the second end 106. An inner compartment 122 may be interposed between the first aperture 118 and the second aperture 120. The inner compartment 122 may be substantially the same circumference from the first end 104 to the second end 106. As shown, the inner compartment 122 may be configured to receive the core 112.”A space within the housing of the firearm suppression system, located between the first and second apertures, and having a consistent circumference from the first end to the second end of the housing.
Pressure channel
(Claim 13)		“The end cap may comprise a projectile aperture, where the projectile may exit the suppression system. The end cap may comprise a pressure channel that receives pressure from the exiting projectile. The pressure channel, running parallel to the projectile aperture, may lead to an end cap closure channel, being perpendicular thereto.”A channel within the end cap that runs parallel to the projectile aperture.
Pressure reduction tubes
(Claim 17)		“Passing through one or more of the baffles may be one or more tubes. The one or more tubes may take pressure from the fired projectile from the high-pressure regions of the suppression system and direct that pressure to a low-pressure region in the opposite direction. This interruption slows the gases from exiting the firearm suppression system resulting in reduced sound.”Tubes that pass through a predetermined number of baffles and have an angled end portion that angles toward the first end of the housing.

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US12018906

JARVIS ARMS LLC
Application Number
US18382845
Filing Date
Oct 23, 2023
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Oct 23, 2043
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents