U.S. patent application number 13/780389 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for firearm with barrel fixed by at least one screw.
This patent application is currently assigned to DIKAR S. COOP. LTDA. The applicant listed for this patent is Dikar S. Coop. LTDA. Invention is credited to Inigo Lizarralde IBARGUREN.
Application Number | 20130219765 13/780389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49001288 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130219765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IBARGUREN; Inigo
Lizarralde |
August 29, 2013 |
FIREARM WITH BARREL FIXED BY AT LEAST ONE SCREW
Abstract
A firearm with a barrel fixed to a firearm body by at least one
screw, wherein the firearm body includes a housing to receive the
barrel and wherein the screw is fixed to the firearm body so that
the firearm body tightens against or grips the outer surface of the
barrel. In order to strengthen the connection between the barrel
and the firearm body and fully ensure that the former does not move
in either a longitudinal or rotary direction in relation to the
latter, the barrel includes at least one surface hollow on its
outer surface, and part of the screws already fixed to the firearm
body are arranged inside a surface hollow, so that the screws
inserted partly into the surface hollow provide longitudinal and
rotary locking of the barrel against the firearm body.
Inventors: |
IBARGUREN; Inigo Lizarralde;
(Bergara (Gipuzkoa), ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dikar S. Coop. LTDA; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DIKAR S. COOP. LTDA
Bergara (Gipuzkoa)
ES
|
Family ID: |
49001288 |
Appl. No.: |
13/780389 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/485
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/75.02 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/48 20060101
F41A021/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2012 |
EP |
1238009.6 |
Claims
1. A firearm comprising: a barrel fixed to a firearm body by means
of at least one screw, wherein the firearm body comprises a housing
to receive the barrel and wherein the screw is fixed to the firearm
body so that the firearm body tightens against or grips an outer
surface of the barrel; and wherein the barrel comprises at least
one surface hollow on its outer surface, and a part of the screw
already fixed to the firearm body is arranged inside the surface
hollow, so that the screw inserted partly into the surface hollow
prevents potential longitudinal movement of the barrel in relation
to the firearm body.
2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein a screw-head part of the screw
is partially lodged inside the surface hollow.
3. The firearm of claim 2, wherein only the screw-head portion of
the screw is partially lodged inside the surface hollow.
4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the at least one screw and the
respective surface hollow are located at a bottom of the
barrel.
5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein each screw corresponds to a
different surface hollow.
6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the at least one screw is
concealed by a handguard of the rifle body and wherein said
handguard comprises at least one internal element preventing
assembly of the handguard onto the rest of the rifle body, by
contact with the screw if the screw is not fully screwed in.
7. The firearm of claim 1, comprising a rifle.
8. A firearm comprising: a frame defining a housing; a barrel
comprising an end adapted to be received and engaged within the
housing of the frame, the barrel further comprising a recess; and a
screw for engagement within a bore through the frame, wherein a
portion of the screw extends into the recess of the barrel when the
end of the barrel is received in the housing of the frame and the
screw is installed into the bore, thereby resisting movement of the
barrel relative to the frame.
9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the frame comprises a proximal
side and a distal side with a gap therebetween, and wherein a shaft
portion of the screw passes through a portion of the bore through
the proximal side and a threaded portion of the screw engages
threads in a portion of the bore through the distal side, to
tighten the gap by tightening the screw and thereby engaging the
barrel within the housing.
10. The firearm of claim 9, wherein a head portion of the screw
abuts a contact shoulder adjacent the portion of the bore through
the proximal side of the frame, and extends into the recess of the
barrel.
11. The firearm of claim 8, comprising a pair of screws for
engagement through respective bores in the frame, and wherein the
barrel comprises a pair of recesses, each recess receiving a
portion of a respective one of the pair of screws.
12. The firearm of claim 8, further comprising a handguard for
attachment adjacent the housing, wherein the handguard comprises an
internal element for contacting a portion of the screw if the screw
is not fully seated in the bore, and thereby preventing attachment
of the handguard.
13. The firearm of claim 8, comprising a rifle.
14. A firearm comprising: a barrel having a surface hollow formed
in an external surface thereof; and a firearm body defining a
housing for receiving an end of the barrel, the housing having a
proximal side and a distal side with a gap between the proximal and
distal sides, the firearm body defining a bore for receiving a
screw, whereby engagement of the screw within the bore draws the
distal side of the housing toward the proximal side to tighten the
gap and engage the end of the barrel within the housing, and
positions a portion of the screw within the surface hollow of the
barrel.
15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein the barrel has a pair of
surface hollows, and the firearm body defines a pair of bores for
receiving a pair of screws, and wherein a portion of each screw is
positioned within a respective surface hollow of the barrel when
the screws are engaged in their respective bores.
16. The firearm of claim 15, further comprising a handguard for
attachment adjacent the housing, wherein the handguard comprises an
internal element for contacting a portion of the screw if the screw
is not fully seated in the bore, and thereby preventing attachment
of the handguard.
17. The firearm of claim 14, comprising a rifle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Patent
Application No. EP 1238009.6 filed Feb. 28, 2012, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to firearms, and more
particularly to a firearm provided with a barrel fixed to the
firearm body by at least one screw, so as to prevent or reduce any
unwanted movement of the barrel when the firearm is being used.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general terms, two fundamental parts of a firearm are the
firearm body and the barrel. The firearm body includes items such
as the trigger, the housing for the bullet(s), the firing
mechanisms, the stock, etc. The barrel is an elongated hollow
element that projects forward in relation to the firearm body and
inside which the bullet is guided and accelerated when the firearm
is fired.
[0004] The connection between the barrel and the firearm body
should be sturdy and robust to ensure that the barrel does not move
in any way, or at least to minimize such movement, when the firearm
is fired. A connection which is not robust would nearly always lead
to problems of accuracy when shooting. Moreover, a more or less
serious accident, depending on the firearm calibre, could occur if
the barrel comes loose from the firearm body or the firearm breaks
during firing.
[0005] Several methods of fixing the barrel to the firearm body are
known in the state of the art, very often based on the use of
screws in order to ensure fixing. In these screw-based fixing
methods, the barrel is usually inserted into the firearm body in a
male-female connection and then screws are inserted that tighten
the firearm body against the barrel. The screws are either directly
connected to the firearm body or connected to a part or set of
parts by way of a flange surrounding the firearm body in the barrel
connection area. Examples of this type of connection can be seen in
patents U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,418 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,053, which
show two transverse screws pass through the firearm body and
tighten it against the end of the barrel, in this case without the
use of auxiliary flanges.
[0006] The connection by means of transverse tightening screws is a
simple and quite effective solution. In the first place, it largely
prevents the barrel from turning or moving. Additionally, it is
also easy to disconnect when the firearm is to be cleaned. In spite
of this, it has been found in practice that, especially as regards
preventing possible longitudinal movement of the barrel in relation
to the firearm body, the connection by means of tightening screws
does not fully guarantee that there is no such longitudinal
movement and can therefore be improved. Such is the case that, on
occasions, firearms have to be provided with extra items, in
addition to the screws, to lock the barrel against the firearm body
and completely prevent longitudinal movement.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a screw-based
connection between the barrel and the firearm body, which is simple
and which eliminates or minimizes movement of the barrel
longitudinally or in any other direction in relation to the firearm
body when the firearm is fired. It is to the provision of a firearm
meeting these and other needs that the invention is primarily
directed.
SUMMARY
[0008] In example forms, the present invention relates to a firearm
with a barrel fixed to the firearm body by at least one screw,
where the firearm body includes a housing to receive the barrel and
where the screw is fixed to the firearm body so that the firearm
body presses against the outer surface of the barrel. Tightening
the screw or screws enables the barrel to be secured inside the
housing of the firearm body. Additionally, the firearm according to
the invention has the particularity that the barrel includes at
least one surface hollow on its outer surface, intended to house
part of a respective screw and cause additional locking of the
barrel. More specifically, part of a screw already fixed to the
firearm body is arranged inside a surface hollow, so that the screw
inserted partly into the surface hollow prevents or greatly limits
potential longitudinal movement of the barrel in relation to the
firearm body.
[0009] In this way, the screw or screws in the firearm according to
the invention perform a double function. Firstly, they tighten the
firearm body against the part of the barrel housed inside the
firearm body, preventing the barrel from moving due to friction, or
greatly minimizing such motion. Secondly, they come into contact
with the barrel itself, being partially housed inside the surface
hollows on the barrel, acting like mechanical bolts or stops that
completely prevent or drastically reduce, due to a collision
effect, any longitudinal or rotary movement of the barrel in
relation to the firearm body. Thus, if tightening of the screws
fails or they become slightly loose, the bolt or stop effect
secondly provided by the screws would continue to ensure that the
barrel does not move longitudinally.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a firearm
comprising a frame defining a housing, and a barrel comprising an
end adapted to be received and engaged within the housing of the
frame. The barrel preferably further includes a recess. A screw is
preferably engaged within a bore through the frame, wherein a
portion of the screw extends into the recess of the barrel when the
end of the barrel is received in the housing of the frame and the
screw is installed into the bore, thereby resisting movement of the
barrel relative to the frame.
[0011] In still another aspect, the invention relates to a firearm
including a barrel having a surface hollow formed in an external
surface thereof, and a firearm body defining a housing for
receiving an end of the barrel. The housing preferably includes a
proximal side and a distal side with a gap between the proximal and
distal sides. The firearm body preferably defines a bore for
receiving a screw, whereby engagement of the screw within the bore
draws the distal side of the housing toward the proximal side to
tighten the gap and engage the end of the barrel within the
housing, and also positions a portion of the screw within the
surface hollow of the barrel.
[0012] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are
exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the
invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Details of the invention can be seen in the accompanying
drawings, which do not seek to restrict the scope of the
invention:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example embodiment of a rifle
according to the invention, once the handguard is assembled.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the rifle of the previous figure, but without
the handguard.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the previous figures, in an
exploded view.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view, according to the section
plane A-A in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the screws on the
handguard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which
form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this
invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,
conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that
the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended
to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and
other publications identified in this specification are
incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
[0020] Also, as used in the specification including the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural,
and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least
that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or
"approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or
"approximately" another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values
are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about,"
it will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment.
[0021] The figures that accompany this description show an example
embodiment of the invention, in different assembly situations,
starting with a side view which shows a rifle already assembled
with all of its components. It will be understood that while
described and shown with respect to a rifle embodiment, the
invention comprehends rifles, shotguns, pistols and other forms of
firearms. FIG. 1 shows a rifle comprising a barrel (1) fixed to a
firearm body (2). The body (2) includes a handguard (2a) which, in
this figure, is already assembled, thereby concealing a series of
interior components that are relevant to the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the rifle of the previous figure, but without
the handguard (2a). As shown in this second figure, the rifle
comprises two screws (3) to secure the connection between the rifle
body (2) and the barrel (1).
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the components of the previous figure in
exploded form. As can be seen, the rifle body (2) includes a
housing (4) to receive the barrel (1), in this case to specifically
receive one end of the said barrel (1). The housing (4) comprises a
generally cylindrical sleeve or chamber for receiving a
correspondingly shaped engagement portion of the barrel, but in
alternate embodiments the corresponding portions of the barrel and
the receiver of the housing may be otherwise shaped and configured.
The figure makes it possible to understand that the screws (3) are
fixed to the rifle body (2) so that the rifle body (2) tightens
against the outer surface (5) of the barrel (1). In this
embodiment, tightening is achieved due to the fact that the rifle
body (2) has a longitudinal gap (6) that provides the rifle body
(2) with a certain elasticity, so that when the screws (3) are
tightened, the body slightly deforms and, in turn, the inner walls
of the housing (4) are tightened against the barrel (1).
[0024] The rifle according to the invention also has the
particularity that the barrel (1) includes at least one recess,
depression or surface hollow (7) on its outer surface (5). Each
surface hollow (7) is intended to receive part of a respective
screw (3) so that a mechanical stop effect takes place. As shown in
FIG. 4, part of a screw (3) already fixed to the rifle body (2) is
arranged inside a respective surface hollow (7), so that the screw
(3), partly inserted into the surface hollow (7), prevents
potential longitudinal or rotary movement of the barrel (1) in
relation to the rifle body (2), due to a collision or stop effect
resulting from abutment or contact between surfaces of the crew and
the barrel. The threaded end of the screw (3) matingly engages
within a female threaded bore in the distal side of the housing (4)
of the firearm's frame (2), whereas the screw shaft passes freely
through a bore in the proximal side of the housing, with the
screw-head (3a) abutting against a contact face or shoulder of the
proximal side of the housing, whereby tightening the screw draws
the distal side of the housing toward the proximal side to tighten
the gap (6) and thereby tighten the engagement of the housing
against the barrel.
[0025] In the embodiment shown, the screw-head (3a) of the screw
(3) is partially lodged inside the surface hollow (7). This enables
full advantage to be taken of the screw (3), as its threaded part
is used to screw and tighten the screw (3) to the rifle body (2),
contracting the gap (6) to engage and tighten the interior of
housing (4) against the outer surface (5) of the barrel (1); while
the screwhead (3a) performs the function of locking itself into the
surface hollow (7) in abutment with the barrel (1). In the
embodiment shown, only the screwhead (3a) of the screw (3) is
partially lodged inside the surface hollow (7), i.e. no other part
of the screw (3) is lodged inside the surface hollow (7). In
alternate embodiments, different portions of the screw (3) are in
contact with the surface hollow (7) or other portions of the barrel
(1). As seen best with reference to FIG. 3, the body (2) thus
comprises a sleeve or chamber of the housing (4) for receiving the
end of the barrel (1), defining a longitudinal axis extending
lengthwise through the center of the housing and the barrel; and
further comprises at least one bore through which the screw(s) (3)
are installed. The bores through which the screw(s) (3) are
installed extend generally transversely to and offset from the
longitudinal axis of the housing (4) and barrel (1), and the bores
through which the screw(s) (3) are installed partially intersect(s)
the open sleeve or chamber of the housing (4), along the lower
internal surface of the sleeve or chamber of the housing (4). In
this manner, an opening or passage is formed at each point of
intersection or overlapping of the bore(s) through which the
screw(s) (3) are installed and the sleeve or chamber of the housing
(4), through which opening(s) or passage(s) the portion of the
screw(s) (3) which lodge inside the surface hollow(s) (7) of the
barrel (1) will extend when assembled. Thus, the screw(s) (3) can
function both to tighten the housing against the barrel, and to
interengage within the surface hollow(s) (7), and thereby prevent
axial and/or rotational movement of the barrel relative to the
housing.
[0026] In the embodiment shown, the rifle includes two screws (3)
and the barrel includes two respective surface hollows (7).
Alternate embodiments of the invention may include one, three, or
any other number of screws (3) and surface hollows (7) of the
barrel (1). The invention also contemplates that the number of
surface hollows (7) may be different from the number of screws (3),
so several screws (3) share a single surface hollow (7)--even if
the option of a surface hollow (7) for each screw (3) is the most
robust.
[0027] Additionally, the screws (3) and the respective surface
hollows (7), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, are preferably located at
the bottom of the barrel (1). This embodiment has the advantage
that the screws (3) and, in general, the entire lower area, can be
hidden by the handguard (2a) when the rifle is fully assembled.
FIG. 1 shows how the screws (3) are concealed by the handguard (2a)
of the rifle body (2). In alternate embodiments of the invention,
different locations of the screws (3) and the respective surface
hollows (7) may be utilized.
[0028] According to the invention, the handguard (2a) is preferably
configured such that it cannot be assembled correctly onto the rest
of the rifle body (2) if the screws (3) have not previously been
fully screwed in. This provides increased safety for the user, who,
on perceiving that it is not possible to assemble the handguard
(2a) will realise that the screws (3) are not properly screwed in
and will tighten them fully, making the barrel (1) perfectly
secured and locked to the firearm frame or body (2). For this
reason, the handguard (2a) includes at least one internal element
(8) intended to prevent assembly of the handguard (2a) onto the
rest of the rifle body (2), by colliding with the screw (3) in the
event that the screw (3) is not fully screwed in. One example of an
internal element (8), in the form of an internal wall or rib, can
be seen in FIG. 5. In this figure the screws (3) are drawn inside
the handguard (2a), schematically showing the screws (3) in their
correct position, in which they clear the internal elements (8),
i.e. they do not collide with said internal elements (8). In
alternate embodiment of the invention, the internal elements (8)
may take the form of an internal wall, internal ribs, or any other
applicable protuberance that interferes with the screws (3) if they
are not correctly positioned (properly screwed in).
[0029] All patents and publications referred to herein are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Also, while
described herein with respect to example embodiments relating to
rifles, it will be understood that the present invention may be
adapted to use in connection with rifles, shotguns, pistols or
other types of firearms, and embodiments of such are within the
scope of the invention unless specifically excluded in the
following claims. While the invention has been described with
reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of
modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the
invention, as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *