Modular wipe element for firearm noise suppressor

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular blast shield and/or compensator assemblies with user-selectable removable/replaceable end cap elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular firearm muzzle device, comprising:
 a tubular body having an open forward end configured to selectively receive one of a plurality of removable/interchangeable forward end walls having a projectile passageway.   
     
     
         2 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 1 , wherein sidewalls of the body are imperforate. 
     
     
         3 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 2 , wherein the forward wall is imperforate around the projectile passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 2 , wherein the forward wall include forwardly directed ports around the projectile passageway. 
     
     
         5 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of the body include radial ports. 
     
     
         6 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 5 , wherein the forward wall is imperforate around the projectile passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 5 , wherein the forward wall includes forwardly directed ports around the projectile passageway. 
     
     
         8 . The modular muzzle device of  claim 1 , wherein the forward wall comprises:
 an end cap base configured to be secured to the front end of the body, the base having an interior side and an exterior side; and   a retainer configured to be detachably secured to the exterior side of the end cap to retain a wipe element between the end cap and the retainer.   
     
     
         9 . A wipe-holding end assembly for a firearm noise suppressor having a flexible wipe, the assembly comprising:
 an end cap configured to be secured to a front end of a firearm noise suppressor, the end cap having an interior side and an exterior side; and   a retainer configured to be detachably secured to the exterior side of the end cap to retain a wipe between the end cap and the retainer.   
     
     
         10 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the end cap includes a forward-facing recess configured to receive the wipe. 
     
     
         11 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the forward-facing recess is formed by at least one sidewall that extends forward away from the recess and the retainer is configured to be detachably secured to the sidewalls of the forward-facing recess. 
     
     
         12 . The end assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer is secured within the recess. 
     
     
         13 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein there are threaded connections between the end cap and the retainer. 
     
     
         14 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein there are threaded connections between the end cap and the suppressor and between the end cap and the retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The end assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the end cap includes external threads along an outer edge which are configured to detachably secure the end cap to internal threads within a front end of a firearm noise suppressor. 
     
     
         16 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the end cap includes a plurality of external lugs for interaction with a removal tool. 
     
     
         17 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the retainer includes a plurality of external lugs for interaction with a removal tool. 
     
     
         18 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the retainer includes external threads along an outer edge which are configured to be detachably secured to internal threads on the sidewall of the forward-facing recess. 
     
     
         19 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an elastomeric wipe element. 
     
     
         20 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the wipe includes an aperture positioned to be penetrated by a projectile. 
     
     
         21 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the wipe is scored in a position to be penetrated by a projectile. 
     
     
         22 . A firearm noise suppressor, comprising
 a body having a front end;   an end cap configured to be secured to the front end of the body and having an interior side and an exterior side; and   a retainer configured to be detachably secured to the exterior side of the end cap to retain a wipe between the end cap and the retainer.   
     
     
         23 . The firearm noise suppressor of  claim 19 , wherein the end cap includes a forward-facing recess configured to receive a wipe. 
     
     
         24 . The end assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the forward-facing recess is formed by at least one sidewall that extends forward away from the recess and the retainer is configured to be detachably secured to the sidewalls of the forward-facing recess. 
     
     
         25 . The end assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the retainer is secured within the recess. 
     
     
         26 . The end assembly of  claim 22 , wherein there are threaded connections between the end cap and the front end of the body and between the end cap and the retainer. 
     
     
         27 . The end assembly of  claim 23  wherein the end cap includes external threads along an outer edge which are configured to detachably secure the end cap to internal threads within a front end of a firearm noise suppressor. 
     
     
         28 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the end cap includes a plurality of external lugs. 
     
     
         29 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer includes external threads along an outer edge which are configured to be detachably secured to internal threads on the sidewall of the forward-facing recess. 
     
     
         30 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising an elastomeric wipe element. 
     
     
         31 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the wipe includes an aperture positioned to be penetrated by a projectile. 
     
     
         32 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the wipe is scored in a position to be penetrated by a projectile. 
     
     
         33 . A method for replacing a wipe element in a firearm noise suppressor comprising the steps of:
 providing a suppressor with a forward end cap configured to be secured to a front end of the suppressor, the end cap having an interior side and an exterior side, a retainer configured to be detachably secured to the exterior side of the end cap to retain a wipe between the end cap and the retainer;   removing the retainer from the end cap;   removing the wipe element;   inserting a second wipe; and   securing the forward-facing retainer to the end cap to retain the second wipe.