U.S. patent application number 13/098196 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-08 for two piece upper receiver for firearms.
Invention is credited to Frank Desomma.
Application Number | 20110214327 13/098196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43411854 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110214327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Desomma; Frank |
September 8, 2011 |
TWO PIECE UPPER RECEIVER FOR FIREARMS
Abstract
A two piece upper receiver for a firearm including a first piece
having a front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom, the first
piece constructed to operatively carry a bolt carrier and bolt, and
to have a barrel coupled to the front end. The bottom is
constructed to have a lower receiver coupled thereto. The first
piece includes a backbone extending along the top between the front
end and the rear end, the back bone having upwardly directed
indexing surfaces. A second piece overlies the backbone and
includes mating surfaces engaging the indexing surfaces, aligning
the second piece with the first piece. A receiving structure is
opposite the mating surfaces for receiving accessory devices
mounted thereon. Fasteners fixedly attach the second piece to the
first piece to form a complete upper receiver.
Inventors: |
Desomma; Frank; (Glendale,
AZ) |
Family ID: |
43411854 |
Appl. No.: |
13/098196 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12497048 |
Jul 2, 2009 |
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13098196 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41C 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/75.02 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20060101
F41A003/66; F41A 21/00 20060101 F41A021/00; F41A 21/48 20060101
F41A021/48 |
Claims
1. A two piece upper receiver for a firearm including a barrel, the
two piece upper receiver comprising: a first piece having a front
end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom, the first piece constructed
to operatively carry a bolt carrier and bolt, and to have the
barrel coupled to the front end, the bottom constructed to have a
lower receiver coupled thereto, the first piece including a
backbone extending along the top between the front end and the rear
end, the back bone having upwardly directed indexing surfaces; a
second piece overlying the backbone of the first piece and
including mating surfaces engaging the indexing surfaces aligning
the second piece with the first piece, and a receiving structure
opposite the mating surfaces for receiving accessory devices
mounted thereon; and fasteners fixedly attaching the second piece
to the first piece to form a complete upper receiver.
2. The two piece upper receiver of claim 1 wherein the front end,
the rear end, the top, the bottom and the backbone all form a
single, continuous, one-piece, first piece.
3. The two piece upper receiver of claim 1 wherein the backbone has
a length extending substantially from the front end to the rear
end, and having a continuous thickness along the length thereof
providing rigidity and strength to the first piece.
4. The two piece upper receiver of claim 3 wherein the continuous
thickness of the backbone is uncompromised by transversely thinning
discontinuities.
5. The two piece upper receiver of claim 1 wherein the backbone
defines the indexing surfaces which are upwardly directed and
angularly opposed.
6. The two piece upper receiver of claim 5 wherein each of the
angularly opposed indexing surfaces lies on a separate plane, which
planes intersect at a ninety degree angle.
7. The two piece upper receiver of claim 1 wherein only the mating
surfaces of the second piece engage the backbone of the first
piece.
8. The two piece upper receiver of claim 1 wherein the second piece
has an inner surface and an outer surface, the second piece
overlying and partially enclosing the backbone of the first
piece.
9. The two piece upper receiver of claim 8 wherein the inner
surface defines the mating surfaces, the mating surfaces are
downwardly directed and angularly opposed and the outer surface
includes the receiving structure for receiving accessory devices
mounted thereon, only the mating surfaces engaging the backbone at
the indexing surfaces, with gaps defined between remaining portions
of the inner surface and the backbone.
10. A two piece upper receiver for a firearm including a barrel,
the two piece upper receiver comprising: a first piece having a
front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom, the first piece
constructed to operatively carry a bolt carrier and bolt, and to
have the barrel coupled to the front end, the bottom constructed to
have a lower receiver coupled thereto, the first piece including an
integrally formed backbone extending along the top between the
front end and the rear end, the back bone defining upwardly
directed, angularly opposed indexing surfaces; a second piece
having an inner surface and an outer surface, the second piece
overlying and partially enclosing the backbone of the first piece,
the inner surface including downwardly directed, angularly opposed
mating surfaces engaging the indexing surfaces to align the second
piece with the first piece, and the outer surface including a
receiving structure for receiving accessory devices mounted
thereon; and fasteners fixedly attaching the second piece to the
first piece to form a complete upper receiver.
11. The two piece upper receiver of claim 10 wherein the backbone
has a length extending substantially from the front end to the rear
end, and having a continuous thickness along the length thereof
providing rigidity and strength to the first piece.
12. The two piece upper receiver of claim 10 wherein each of the
angularly opposed indexing surfaces lies on a separate plane, which
planes intersect at a ninety degree angle.
13. The two piece upper receiver of claim 10 wherein only the
mating surfaces of the second piece engage the backbone of the
first piece.
14. The two piece upper receiver of claim 10 wherein only the
mating surfaces engage the backbone at the indexing surfaces, with
gaps defined between remaining portions of the inner surface and
the backbone.
15. A firearm comprising: a barrel; a lower receiver; and a two
piece upper receiver including a first piece having a front end, a
rear end, a top, and a bottom, the first piece carrying a bolt
carrier and bolt and the barrel coupled to the front end, the lower
receiver coupled to the bottom of the first piece of the two piece
upper receiver, the first piece including, as an integral part, a
backbone extending along the top between the front end and the rear
end, the back bone having upwardly directed indexing surfaces, a
second piece overlying the backbone of the first piece and
including downwardly directed mating surfaces engaging the indexing
surfaces, the engaged mating surfaces and indexing surfaces
aligning the second piece with the first piece, and a receiving
structure opposite the mating surfaces for receiving accessory
devices mounted thereon, and fasteners fixedly attaching the second
piece to the first piece to form a complete upper receiver.
16. The firearm of claim 15 wherein the backbone has a length
extending substantially from the front end to the rear end, and
having a continuous thickness along the length thereof providing
rigidity and strength to the first piece.
17. The firearm of claim 15 wherein the backbone defines indexing
surfaces which are upwardly directed and angularly opposed.
18. The firearm the claim 17 wherein each of the angularly opposed
indexing surfaces lies on a separate plane, which planes intersect
at a ninety degree angle.
19. The firearm of claim 15 wherein only the mating surfaces of the
second piece engage the backbone of the first piece.
20. The firearm of claim 15 wherein the second piece has an inner
surface and an outer surface, the second piece overlying and
partially enclosing the backbone of the first piece, only the
mating surfaces engage the backbone at the indexing surfaces, with
gaps defined between remaining portions of the inner surface and
the backbone.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
12/497,048, entitled "TWO PIECE UPPER RECEIVER FOR FIREARMS," filed
on Jul. 2, 2009. The entire disclosures of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to firearms.
[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to firearms
having an upper receiver coupled to a lower receiver.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the field of firearms, and specifically AR10, AR15 or M16
type firearms, various accessories for sighting to improve putting
bullet on target, are employed. These sighting devices must be
securely, rigidly and accurately attached to a firearm. To this
end, firearms include an upper receiver formed of a single piece
and having an upper surface designed to receive various sighting
devices. The upper surface is formed as a rail for receiving and
registering sighting devices. While effective, the typical rail is
a Picatinny rail type that includes cross channels used for
receiving and registering the sighting devices attached thereto.
The formation of cross channels in the upper surface of the upper
receiver thins the material of the upper receiver and can adversely
affect rigidity. The slight flexibility in the upper receiver will
adversely impact accuracy.
[0005] It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of
the instant invention provided is a two piece upper receiver for a
firearm including a barrel. The two piece upper receiver includes a
first piece having a front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom.
The first piece is constructed to operatively carry a bolt carrier
and bolt, and to have the barrel coupled to the front end. The
bottom is constructed to have a lower receiver coupled thereto. The
first piece includes a backbone extending along the top between the
front end and the rear end and having upwardly directed indexing
surfaces. A second piece overlies the backbone of the first piece
and includes mating surfaces engaging the indexing surfaces
aligning the second piece with the first piece. A receiving
structure is opposite the mating surfaces for receiving accessory
devices mounted thereon. Fasteners fixedly attach the second piece
to the first piece to form a complete upper receiver.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the backbone defines the indexing
surfaces which are upwardly directed and angularly opposed. Each of
the angularly opposed indexing surfaces lies on a separate plane,
which planes intersect at a ninety degree angle. Only the mating
surfaces of the second piece engage the backbone of the first
piece.
[0008] In a further aspect, the second piece has an inner surface
and an outer surface. The second piece overlies and partially
encloses the backbone of the first piece. The inner surface defines
the mating surfaces. The mating surfaces are downwardly directed
and angularly opposed and the outer surface includes the receiving
structure for receiving accessory devices mounted thereon. Only the
mating surfaces engage the backbone at the indexing surfaces. Gaps
are defined between remaining portions of the inner surface and the
backbone.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a firearm is
provided. The firearm includes a barrel, a lower receiver, and a
two piece upper receiver. The two piece upper receiver includes a
first piece having a front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom.
The first piece carries a bolt carrier and bolt and the barrel is
coupled to the front end. The lower receiver is coupled to the
bottom of the first piece of the two piece upper receiver. The
first piece includes, as an integral part, a backbone extending
along the top between the front end and the rear end, the back bone
having upwardly directed indexing surfaces, a second piece
overlying the backbone of the first piece and including downwardly
directed mating surfaces engaging the indexing surfaces. The
engaged mating surfaces and indexing surfaces align the second
piece with the first piece. A receiving structure is opposite the
mating surfaces for receiving accessory devices mounted thereon.
Fasteners fixedly attach the second piece to the first piece to
form a complete upper receiver.
[0010] Also provided is a firearm including a barrel nut having an
outer surface. The barrel nut couples the barrel to the front end
of the first piece. The second piece extends beyond the front end
of the first piece, and a wedge block is provided having a lower
surface overlying the barrel nut in an abutting relationship, and
an upper surface received adjacent the inner surface of the second
piece. A tensioning system is formed between the wedge block and
the second piece. The tensioning system forces the wedge block
against the barrel nut. In a specific aspect, the tensioning system
includes at least one threaded insert received within an aperture
extending through the second piece from the outer surface to inner
surface, and at least one screw threaded through the threaded
insert and engaging the upper surface of the wedge block, forcing
the wedge block against the barrel nut.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof
taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm with a two piece upper
receiver according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two piece upper receiver
according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the two piece
upper receiver of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the two piece upper receiver of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the two piece upper
receiver taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG: 6 is a sectional end view of the two piece upper
receiver taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 6 illustrating the
indexing of the two piece upper receiver pieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrate a
firearm generally designated 10. Firearm 10 includes a lower
receiver 12, a two piece upper receiver 14 carried by lower
receiver 12, and a barrel 16 coupled to two piece upper receiver
14. In the preferred embodiment, firearm 10 is an auto-loading
rifle of the AR10, AR15 or M16 type.
[0020] Turning now to FIGS. 2-5, two piece upper receiver 14 for
firearm 10 is illustrated. Two piece upper receiver 14 includes a
first piece 20 having a front end 22, a rear end 23, a top 25, and
a bottom 28. First piece 20 is constructed to operatively carry a
bolt carrier and bolt. These elements are not described in detail
as they are conventionally known and used in this application. The
novelty lies in the unique two piece construction of two piece
upper receiver 14. Barrel 16 is coupled to front end 22 with a
barrel nut 30. Lower receiver 12 (as can be seen in FIG. 1) is
coupled to bottom 28 of first piece 20 of two piece upper receiver
14. First piece 20 includes a backbone 32 extending along top 25
between front end 22 and rear end 23. In this embodiment, backbone
32 is an integral part of first piece 20. The term "integral" as
employed herein, refers to a one-piece, common component including
the various elements described. For example, first piece 20 can be
machined or cast from a single piece of material. Backbone 32 has a
length extending substantially from front end 22 to rear end 23,
and has a continuous thickness along the length thereof providing
rigidity and strength to first piece 20. The continuous thickness
of backbone 32 is uncompromised by transversely thinning
discontinuities, such as the transverse channels used in
conventional rail systems. With the thickness undiminished along
the entire length, rigidity is maintained along the entire length,
greatly improving both the strength and accuracy of the
firearm.
[0021] Two piece upper receiver 14 further includes a second piece
40. Second piece 40 includes an inner surface 42 and an outer
surface 43, and overlies and partially encloses backbone 32 of
first piece 20. In this embodiment, a handguard 45 has been
fabricated as an integral part of second piece 40. In this
instance, second piece 40 extends forwardly past forward end 22 of
first piece 20. It will be understood that handguard 45 can be
omitted or other handguard systems can be used with two piece upper
receiver 14 of the present invention. When handguard 45 is present
as a portion of second piece 40 of upper receiver 14, the entire
receiver 14 can be further stabilized with respect to barrel 16
with the use of a wedge block 33. Wedge block 33 includes a lower
surface 34 configured to overlie barrel nut 30 in an abutting
relationship, and an upper surface 35 configured to be received
against inner surface 42 of second piece 40 extending beyond end 33
of first piece 20. A tensioning system is provided for forcing the
wedge block against the barrel nut. The tensioning system, in this
embodiment, includes threaded inserts 36 and screws 37. Inserts 36
are received within apertures extending entirely through second
piece 40, from outer surface 43 to inner surface 42. Screws 37 are
threaded through each threaded insert 36, and engage upper surface
35 of wedge block 33. In the preferred embodiment, screws 37 extend
into blind apertures 38 formed in upper surface 35 of wedge block
33. As screws 37 are threaded through inserts 36, they force wedge
block 33 against barrel nut 30. The tension system formed between
barrel nut 30, wedge block 33 and second portion 40 greatly
increases the rigidity and thereby increasing accuracy of the
firearm. The bottom of apertures 38 can be lined or otherwise
protected with a hardened material to prevent damage to the wedge
block from screws 37. In the preferred embodiment, wedge block 33
is fabricated from aluminum which is relatively soft and may be
damaged by screws 37. Damage to wedge block 33 is prevented by
placing small steel balls 39 (FIG. 5) in the bottom of apertures
38. The rounded surface of steel balls 39 prevent damage to wedge
block 33, and are in turn, not damaged by screws 37 because of the
hardness of the material used. Additionally, screws 37 can include
cup points which rest over balls 39, distributing the pressure
evenly. While steel is used in this preferred embodiment, it will
be understood that other materials can be used. While a single
screw 37 can be employed for each threaded insert 36, additional
locking screws 41 can be employed. A locking screw 41 is threaded
into threaded insert 36 on top of screw 37, locking it in position
and preventing it from backing out and releasing the tension on
wedge block 33.
[0022] With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen
that backbone 32 has upwardly directed indexing surfaces 48 and 49
extending along opposing sides thereof. Second piece 40 overlies
and partially encloses backbone 32 of first piece 20 and includes
downwardly directed mating surfaces 52 and 53 engaging (abutting)
indexing surfaces 48 and 49, respectively. Engaged mating surfaces
52 and 53 and indexing surfaces 48 and 49 align second piece 40
with first piece 20. In this embodiment, indexing surfaces 48 and
49 are upwardly directed and angularly opposed and mating surfaces
52 and 53 are downwardly directed and angularly opposed. Each of
angularly opposed indexing surfaces 48 and 49 lies in a separate
plane, which planes preferably intersect at a ninety degree angle.
Thus, in this embodiment, two indexing surfaces 48 and 49 are
provided which surfaces are angled at a preferred 45 degree angle
with reference to a horizontal or vertical axis A. For purposes of
this description, it will be understood that the term "angularly
opposed" defines indexing surfaces that have intersecting planes,
and that those intersecting planes of the indexing surfaces
intersect at an angle greater than 0.degree. and less than
180.degree., and preferably between 45.degree. and 135.degree..
This also applies to the mating surfaces which engage the indexing
surfaces. While in this embodiment indexing surfaces 48 and 49 are
two continuous surfaces extending from proximate front end 22 to
proximate rear end 23, additional surfaces could be used, and they
could be discontinuous (e.g. the continuous surfaces broken into a
plurality of separate surfaces).
[0023] A receiving structure 55 is provided opposite mating
surfaces 52 and 53 (on the outer surface) for receiving accessory
devices such as sighting devices, and the like, mounted thereon. In
this embodiment, receiving structure 55 is in the form of a
Picatinny rail (MIL-1913) type system although other systems can be
used. Also, as illustrated, receiving structure 55 extends the
length of second piece 40 and handguard 45 which can be provided as
a part of and extend from the end of second piece 40.
[0024] In order to provide the extreme accuracy of two piece upper
receiver 14 of the present invention, indexing surfaces 48 and 49
and mating surfaces 52 and 53 are employed. To insure proper
engagement (abutting relationship) between these surfaces, and
thereby insure accurate and highly repeatable alignment, only
mating surfaces 52 and 53 engage backbone 32 at indexing surfaces
48 and 49. Gaps 50 are defined between remaining portions of inner
surface 42 and backbone 32 to insure this engagement with no
distortions or interferences. Gaps 50 can be large or small and
have substantially any shape, as long as only mating surfaces 52
and 53, and indexing surfaces 48 and 49 contact one another. Thus
it will be understood that top 25 of first piece 20 and inner
surface 42 of second piece 40 can have a variety of shapes and
configurations. By accurately and repeatably aligning first piece
20 and second piece 40 of two piece upper receiver 14, any
accessory devices (e.g. optical sights, projection devices, etc.)
carried by receiving structure 55 remain as originally aligned even
after disassembly and reassembly.
[0025] Fasteners are employed to fixedly attach second piece 40 to
first piece 20 to form complete upper receiver 14. Fasteners in
this embodiment include screws 60 which pass through second piece
40 and threadably engage first piece 20. In this embodiment,
apertures are formed in the top surface of backbone 32 and threaded
inserts 62 are fit therein to provide tighter tolerances. Screws 60
are counter sunk in receiving structure 55 to prevent interference
with accessory devices attached thereto, and threadably engage
threaded inserts 62. Screws 60 are positioned down through the top
of second piece 40 and first piece 20 to pull second piece 40
downwardly onto first piece 20, aligning in a repeatable manner
first piece 20 with second piece 40 by the engagement between
mating surfaces 52 and 53, and indexing surfaces 48 and 49.
[0026] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
* * * * *