Adjustable tuning device

Abstract

An adjustable tuning device has a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base, the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder of a barrel, the cup being externally threaded, and a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup. The cup may have a skirt extending rearwardly of the base. The weight may taper to a reduced diameter at a rear end. The cup may have an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and the weight may have a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An adjustable tuning device for a firearm having a barrel with an muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the forward-facing shoulder and having an exterior profile, the device comprising:
 a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base;   the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder;   the cup being externally threaded; and   a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup has a skirt extending rearwardly of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the weight tapers to a reduced diameter at a rear end. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup has an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and wherein the weight has a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the muzzle portion of the barrel is threaded, and the cup aperture is threaded to mate with the muzzle portion. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 5  wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than half a length of the threaded muzzle portion such that a major portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  including a separate muzzle device configured for attachment to the forward portion of the muzzle portion while the cup is attached. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 7  wherein the base of the cup is compressively captured between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than a length of the muzzle portion such that a portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup base has a forward-facing surface configured to be abutted by a muzzle device connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than ¼ inch. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable tuning device for a firearm of  claim 1  wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture. 
     
     
         13 . An adjustable tuning device for a firearm having a barrel with a threaded muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the forward-facing shoulder and having an exterior profile, the device comprising:
 a cup having a base defining a threaded central aperture configured to mate with the threaded muzzle portion;   the base having a rear surface configured to abut the forward-facing shoulder of the barrel;   a skirt extending rearwardly from the base and defining an internal space with a diameter greater than the exterior profile of the barrel;   the skirt being externally threaded;   a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup;   the weight having an open front end configured to enable attachment of a muzzle device forward of the cup base to the threaded muzzle portion of the barrel; and   the cup base having a limited thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture.   
     
     
         14 . A firearm comprising:
 a barrel with a threaded muzzle portion, a forward-facing shoulder rearward of the muzzle portion, and a forward barrel portion rearward of the shoulder and having an exterior profile;   a cup having a base defining an aperture configured to closely receive a limited rear portion of the muzzle portion such that a forward portion of the muzzle portion extends forward of the base;   the cup having a rear surface configured to abut the shoulder;   the cup being externally threaded;   a weight having internal threads configured to mate with the externally threaded cup and operable to move in a range of axial positions with respect to the cup; and   a muzzle device threadedly connected to the forward portion of the muzzle portion with the base of the cup captured compressively between the muzzle device and the forward-facing shoulder.   
     
     
         15 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the cup has a skirt extending rearwardly of the base. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the weight tapers to a reduced diameter at a rear end. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the cup has an external diameter at an externally threaded portion, and where the weight has a rear portion having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the cup. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the cup base has a limited thickness less than half a length of the threaded muzzle portion such that a major portion of the muzzle portion is exposed to receive and connect to a selected muzzle device. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than ¼ inch. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm of  claim 14  wherein the cup base has a thickness of less than the diameter of the aperture.