U.S. patent application number 14/579797 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for quick-release barrel firearm.
This patent application is currently assigned to S. I. DEFENSE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is S. I. Defense, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aaron A. McGinty.
Application Number | 20150308779 14/579797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54334452 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150308779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGinty; Aaron A. |
October 29, 2015 |
QUICK-RELEASE BARREL FIREARM
Abstract
Firearms with improved systems and methods of attaching the
barrels that can provide for quicker and easier replacement of the
barrel. In particular embodiments, the attachment mechanism
includes a door that opens to release the barrel from the receiver.
In certain embodiments, the door is located on the firearm below
the barrel, a latch releasably holds the door closed, the door is
pivotably attached to the receiver at a first end of the door, the
latch is at a second end of the door, the door includes a barrel
clamp that contacts a flange at a rearward end of the barrel to
secure the barrel to the receiver, a rotating cam in the door
secures the barrel to the receiver, the barrel attaches to the
receiver without screwing the barrel into the receiver and without
screwing an attachment component onto threads on the receiver, or a
combination thereof.
Inventors: |
McGinty; Aaron A.;
(Kalispell, MT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
S. I. Defense, Inc. |
Kalispell |
MT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
S. I. DEFENSE, INC.
Kalispell
MT
|
Family ID: |
54334452 |
Appl. No.: |
14/579797 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61920008 |
Dec 23, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/484
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/48 20060101
F41A021/48 |
Claims
1. A firearm comprising a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver, wherein the
attachment mechanism comprises a door that opens to release the
barrel from the receiver.
2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the door is located on the
firearm below the barrel.
3. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising a latch that
releasably holds the door closed to secure the barrel to the
receiver.
4. The firearm of claim 3 wherein the latch that releasably holds
the door closed to secure the barrel to the receiver requires two
separate actions of an operator of the firearm to detach the barrel
to avoid inadvertent detachment of the barrel of the firearm.
5. The firearm of claim 3 wherein the latch that releasably holds
the door closed to secure the barrel to the receiver comprises a
sliding safety catch, a first spring that biases the sliding safety
catch, a pivoting latch lever that is secured by the sliding safety
catch, a sliding door-engagement feature, and a second spring that
biases the sliding door-engagement feature, wherein the pivoting
latch lever is pivotably attached to the sliding door-engagement
feature, and wherein an operator of the firearm detaches the barrel
by sliding the sliding safety catch, which releases the pivoting
latch lever, and then by sliding the sliding door-engagement
feature by applying a force to the pivoting latch lever.
6. The firearm of claim 3 wherein: the door has a first end and a
second end opposite the first end; the door is pivotably attached
to the receiver at the first end; and the latch is located at the
second end of the door.
7. The firearm of claim 6 wherein the second end of the door is
forward of the first end of the door.
8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the door comprises a barrel
release cover and a barrel clamp and wherein the barrel clamp
comprises a clamping surface that contacts a flange at a rearward
end of the barrel to secure the barrel to the receiver.
9. The firearm of claim 8 further comprising an adjustment system
that provides for adjustment of a location of the barrel clamp
relative to the barrel release cover to adjust a clamping force
between the clamping surface and the flange at the rearward end of
the barrel.
10. The firearm of claim 9 wherein: the door has a first end and a
second end opposite the first end; the door is pivotably attached
to the receiver at the first end; the door is located on the
firearm below the barrel; the firearm comprises a latch that
releasably holds the door closed to secure the barrel to the
receiver; the latch is located at the second end of the door; and
the second end of the door is forward of the first end of the
door.
11. The firearm of claim 9 wherein the adjustment system comprises
a clamp adjusting screw that extends through a hole in the barrel
release cover into a cavity in the barrel clamp.
12. The firearm of claim 11 wherein the adjustment system further
comprises an adjusting screw holder that holds the clamp adjusting
screw to prevent inadvertent rotation of the clamp adjusting
screw.
13. The firearm of claim 11 wherein the adjustment system further
comprises a clamp adjusting nut located within the cavity in the
barrel clamp, wherein the clamp adjusting screw threads into the
clamp adjusting nut, and wherein the clamp adjusting nut comprises
an inclined nut surface that engages an inclined engagement surface
within the cavity in the barrel clamp.
14. The firearm of any of claim 1 wherein the barrel attaches to
the receiver without screwing the barrel into the receiver and
without screwing a lock ring onto the receiver around the
barrel.
15. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the door comprises a rotating
cam that secures the barrel to the receiver.
16. The firearm of claim 15 further comprising a spring that biases
the cam against the barrel.
17. The firearm of claim 16 wherein the cam engages a feature on
the barrel.
18. The firearm of any of claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifle
configured to fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a
semi-automatic mode.
19. A firearm comprising a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver, wherein the
attachment mechanism comprises a rotating cam that secures the
barrel to the receiver.
20. A firearm comprising a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver, wherein the
barrel attaches to the receiver without screwing the barrel into
the receiver and without screwing an attachment component onto
threads on the receiver such that the attachment component contacts
a flange at a rearward end of the barrel to secure the barrel to
the receiver.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/920,008, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled
QUICK-RELEASE BARREL FIREARM, which has at least one inventor in
common with the current patent application and the same assignee.
The contents of this priority provisional patent application is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms
having removable barrels and methods of attaching barrels to
firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Firearms have been used for several centuries for various
purposes including as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self
defense, hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons
and weapon systems have been developed, firearms are still widely
used and soldiers are trained in firearm use and carry firearms in
essentially all armies throughout the world. Over time, firearms
have been improved in many ways, but opportunities for improvement
still exist in particular areas and for particular aspects of these
devices.
[0004] Firearms have been used that have removable or
interchangeable barrels and in certain situations, it is beneficial
to be able to change a barrel quickly. For example, a soldier in a
protracted firefight may have the barrel of his rifle overheat and
it may be beneficial to be able to change the barrel to let the hot
barrel cool down while continuing to use the firearm with an
alternate barrel. In another example, a marksman may wish to change
to a longer barrel to improve accuracy hitting a target that is far
away, but may prefer a shorter, less cumbersome barrel, for targets
that are significantly closer. In the past, barrels have screwed
onto the rifle, or have been held in place with a threaded locking
ring around the barrel. Although these attachment mechanisms held
the barrels adequately, they made removal and replacement of the
barrel somewhat time consuming, particularly in a battlefield
situation. A need or potential for benefit or improvement exists
for firearms in which the barrel can be changed more easily, more
quickly, or both. Room for improvement exists over the prior art in
these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of skill in
the art having studied this document.
SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention provides, among other things, firearms with
improved systems and methods of attaching the barrel that provide
for quicker and easier replacement of the barrel. Various
embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that
they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more of the
needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for
improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples. A
number of embodiments provide firearms that have removable or
interchangeable barrels that provide the ability to change a barrel
quickly. For example, a soldier may change an overheated barrel in
a protracted firefight or may change to a longer barrel to shoot at
a target that is far away. In various embodiments, prior mechanisms
are eliminated wherein barrels have screwed onto the receiver or
have been held in place with a threaded locking ring that went
around the barrel, which made removal and replacement of the barrel
somewhat time consuming, particularly in a battlefield situation.
Various embodiments provide firearms in which the barrel can be
changed more easily, more quickly, or both.
[0006] In a number of embodiments, improvements to firearms herein
provide for firearms that are more reliable, that last longer, that
are more adaptable, that can be used in conditions that are more
extreme, that handle abuse well, that work better, that are easier
to use, that are easier to maintain, that are less expensive to
manufacture, that have a lower lifecycle cost, or a combination
thereof. In addition, various other embodiments of the invention
are also described herein, and other benefits of certain
embodiments may be apparent to a person of skill in this area of
technology.
[0007] Specific embodiments include firearms that include a
receiver, a barrel, and an attachment mechanism that attaches the
barrel to the receiver. Further, in a number of embodiments, the
attachment mechanism includes a door that opens to release the
barrel from the receiver. Moreover, in various embodiments, the
door is located on the firearm below the barrel, the firearm
includes a latch that releasably holds the door closed to secure
the barrel to the receiver, or both. In different embodiments, the
firearm is, for example, configured to fire in a fully-automatic
mode and in a semi-automatic mode.
[0008] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the latch that releasably
holds the door closed to secure the barrel to the receiver requires
two separate actions of an operator of the firearm to detach the
barrel. In a number of embodiments, this is to avoid inadvertent
detachment of the barrel of the firearm. In particular embodiments,
for example, the latch that releasably holds the door closed to
secure the barrel to the receiver includes a sliding safety catch,
a first spring that biases the sliding safety catch, a pivoting
latch lever that is secured by the sliding safety catch, a sliding
door-engagement feature, and a second spring that biases the
sliding door-engagement feature. Further, in some embodiments, the
pivoting latch lever is pivotably attached to the sliding
door-engagement feature. In certain embodiments, for example, an
operator of the firearm detaches the barrel by sliding the sliding
safety catch, which releases the pivoting latch lever, and then by
sliding the sliding door-engagement feature by applying a force to
the pivoting latch lever.
[0009] In various embodiments, the door has a first end and a
second end opposite the first end, and in a number of embodiments,
the door is pivotably attached to the receiver at the first end,
the latch is located at the second end of the door, or both.
Further, in a number of embodiments, the second end of the door is
forward of the first end of the door. Still further, in various
embodiments, the door includes a barrel release cover and a barrel
clamp. Even further, in particular embodiments, the barrel clamp
includes a clamping surface that contacts a flange at a rearward
end of the barrel to secure the barrel to the receiver. Further
still, some embodiments include an adjustment system, for example,
that provides for adjustment of a location of the barrel clamp
relative to the barrel release cover, for instance, to adjust a
clamping force between the clamping surface and the flange at the
rearward end of the barrel. Even further still, in certain
embodiments, the adjustment system includes a clamp adjusting
screw, for example, that extends through a hole in the barrel
release cover, for instance, into a cavity in the barrel clamp.
[0010] Moreover, in some embodiments, the adjustment system further
includes an adjusting screw holder, for example, that holds the
clamp adjusting screw. In a number of embodiments, this can prevent
inadvertent rotation of the clamp adjusting screw. What's more, in
some embodiments, the adjustment system further includes a clamp
adjusting nut, for instance, located within the cavity in the
barrel clamp. In some embodiments, for example, the clamp adjusting
screw threads into the clamp adjusting nut, and in particular
embodiments, the clamp adjusting nut includes an inclined nut
surface, for instance, that engages an inclined engagement surface,
for example, within the cavity in the barrel clamp.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the door includes a rotating cam
that secures the barrel to the receiver. Further, some embodiments
include a spring that biases the cam against the barrel, and in
particular embodiments, the cam engages a feature on the barrel. In
some embodiments of firearms (e.g., that do not necessarily include
the door, but that include a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver), the attachment
mechanism includes a rotating cam that secures the barrel to the
receiver. Further still, other specific embodiments include other
firearms that include a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver. In various
embodiments, for example, the barrel attaches to the receiver
without screwing the barrel into the receiver and without screwing
an attachment component onto threads on the receiver such that the
attachment component contacts a flange at a rearward end of the
barrel to secure the barrel to the receiver. In addition, various
other embodiments of the invention are also described herein, and
other benefits of certain embodiments may be apparent to a person
of ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings illustrate, among other things, examples of
certain aspects of particular embodiments. Other embodiments may
differ. Various embodiments may include aspects shown in the
drawings, described in the specification (including the claims),
known in the art, or a combination thereof, as examples. Other
embodiments, however, may differ.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a firearm
that includes an attachment mechanism that attaches the barrel to
the receiver, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a door that
opens to release the barrel from the receiver;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 and 2, and
illustrates various components of the attachment mechanism;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional detail view of a
portion of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 3, taken along section A-A in
FIG. 2, illustrating the attachment mechanism with the door in a
closed position, the barrel secure, and the firearm ready to
fire;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 4
illustrating the attachment mechanism with the door in an open
position with the barrel ready to be removed;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 5 with
the door in the open position and the barrel ready to be
removed;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a right side cross-sectional detail view of the
portion of the firearm of FIG. 4 except illustrating the attachment
mechanism with the door in the open position with the barrel ready
to be removed;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail view of the door of the
attachment mechanism of the firearm of FIGS. 1-7 taken along
section C-C in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional right side view of another
embodiment of a firearm that includes a different attachment
mechanism that attaches the barrel to the receiver, also wherein
the attachment mechanism includes a door that opens to release the
barrel from the receiver, but this embodiment including a rotating
cam that secures the barrel to the receiver, this view taken along
a centerline of the barrel of the firearm and illustrating the
attachment mechanism with the door in a closed position, the barrel
secure, and the firearm ready to fire; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional right side view of the
embodiment of a firearm of FIG. 9, also taken along the centerline
of the barrel of the firearm, but illustrating the attachment
mechanism with the door in an open position with the barrel ready
to be removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] This patent application describes, among other things,
examples of certain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other
embodiments may differ from the particular examples described in
detail herein. Many embodiments are, or concern, firearms having
improvements over the prior art. In a number of embodiments, for
example, a firearm (e.g., 11 and 91 shown in FIGS. 1-9) includes a
receiver (e.g., 12, 92), a barrel (e.g., 13, 93), and an attachment
mechanism (e.g., 14, 94) that attaches the barrel to the receiver
(e.g., the upper receiver). In various embodiments, the barrel
(e.g., 13, 93) attaches to the receiver (e.g., 12, 92) without
screwing the barrel into the receiver, without screwing a lock ring
onto the receiver (e.g., around the barrel), or both. Further, in a
number of embodiments, the barrel attaches to the receiver without
screwing the barrel into the receiver and without screwing an
attachment component (e.g., a locking ring or one of one or more
screws, for instance, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 screws) onto threads (e.g.,
internal threads for screws or external threads for a lock ring, as
examples) on the receiver such that the attachment component
contacts the flange (e.g., 43 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) at the
rearward end (e.g., 44) of the barrel to secure the barrel to the
receiver. As used herein, a "rearward end" (e.g., 44) of a barrel
(e.g., 13) includes the rearward 25 percent of the length of the
barrel. In FIGS. 1-7, 9, and 10, "rearward" is to the left side of
the view, and "forward" is to the right side of the view.
[0024] As used herein, a "barrel" (e.g., 13, 93) is a gun barrel
and is a straight cylindrical tube through which a controlled
explosion or rapid expansion of gases takes place in order to
propel a projectile or bullet out of the forward end of the firearm
and out of the barrel at a high velocity. The barrel is capable of
withstanding the pressure produced by the controlled explosion or
rapid expansion of gases that propels the bullet. Most barrels are
made of steel. Further, as used herein, the receiver (e.g., 12, 92)
is the part of the firearm that houses the operating parts, which
may include, in various embodiments, a bolt carrier group, a
trigger, and magazine port, among other things. In some
embodiments, the receiver includes an upper receiver and a lower
receiver, which may be attached to each other when the firearm is
assembled.
[0025] In various embodiments, the attachment mechanism (e.g., 14,
94) includes a door (e.g., 15, 95) that opens to release the barrel
(e.g., 13, 93) from the receiver (e.g., 12, 92). As used herein, a
door is a cover to an opening (e.g., in the receiver) that is
hinged at one side of the opening. Further, in some embodiments,
the door (e.g., 15) includes a barrel release cover (e.g., 41 shown
in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8) and a barrel clamp (e.g., 72). Even further,
in particular embodiments, the barrel clamp (e.g., 72) includes a
clamping surface (e.g., 73), for example, that contacts a flange
(e.g., 43) at a rearward end (e.g., 44) of the barrel (e.g., 13) to
secure the barrel to the receiver (e.g., 12). In the embodiment
shown, barrel clamp 72 includes concave upper surface 74, as shown
in FIG. 8, that fits part way around barrel 13. In different
embodiments, concave upper surface 74 extends over an angle between
90 and 180 degrees, between 120 and 180 degrees, between 140 and
180 degrees, between 160 and 180 degrees, or between 170 and 180
degrees, as examples. In some embodiments, barrel clamp 72 extends
upward to the centerline of barrel 13. In different embodiments,
however, barrel clamp 72 extends upward past the centerline of
barrel 13 or does not reach the centerline of barrel 13. In some
embodiments, concave upper surface 74 contacts barrel 13 (e.g., to
the right of flange 43 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, or forward of the
flange on the firearm), but in other embodiments, clearance exists
between concave upper surface 74 and barrel 13, to the right of
flange 43 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 (forward of the flange on the
firearm), even when door 15 is closed. In various embodiments,
however, clamping surface 73 contacts flange 43 when door 15 is
closed, securing barrel 13 within receiver 12.
[0026] Further still, in some embodiments, the barrel release cover
(e.g., 41 shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8) and the barrel clamp (e.g.,
72) are different regions of the same piece. In other embodiments,
however, the barrel release cover (e.g., 41) and the barrel clamp
(e.g., 72) are separate pieces, for instance, of the door (e.g.,
15), for example, that are attached or connected to each other, for
instance, in an adjustable manner. Still further, some embodiments
include an adjustment system (e.g., 75 shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8),
for example, that provides for adjustment of the location of the
barrel clamp (e.g., 72) relative to the barrel release cover (e.g.,
41), for instance, to adjust the clamping force between the
clamping surface (e.g., 73) and the flange (e.g., 43) at the
rearward end (e.g., 44) of the barrel (e.g., 13). In various
embodiments, for example, the location of the barrel clamp is
adjusted relative to the barrel release cover in a direction (when
the door is closed) parallel to the axis of the barrel,
perpendicular to the clamping surface (e.g., 73), or both. Even
further still, in certain embodiments, the adjustment system (e.g.,
75) includes a clamp adjusting screw (e.g., 76 shown in FIGS. 1 and
3-8, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7), for example, that extends
through a hole (e.g., 77) in the barrel release cover (e.g., 41),
for instance, into a cavity (e.g., 78) in the barrel clamp (e.g.,
72).
[0027] Moreover, in some embodiments, the adjustment system (e.g.,
75) further includes an adjusting screw holder (e.g., 49 shown in
FIGS. 4 and 7), for example, that holds the clamp adjusting screw
(e.g., 76). In a number of embodiments, the adjusting screw holder
(e.g., 49) prevents inadvertent rotation or adjustment of the clamp
adjusting screw (e.g., 76). Further, in the embodiment illustrated,
adjusting screw holder 49 is a detent that includes a detent ball
and a detent spring (e.g., a helical spring loaded in compression).
In a number of embodiments, the detent spring pushes the detent
ball into an indentation or shallow hole in the underside of the
head of the clamp adjusting screw (e.g., 76) to hold and prevent
the clamp adjusting screw from inadvertently rotating. A clamp
adjusting screw (e.g., 76) may have multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 10, or 12) such indentations or shallow holes, for
example.
[0028] In various embodiments, the adjustment system (e.g., 75)
further includes a clamp adjusting nut (e.g., 79 shown in FIGS. 4
and 7), for instance, located within the cavity (e.g., 49) in the
barrel clamp (e.g., 72). In some embodiments, for example, the
clamp adjusting screw (e.g., 76) threads into the clamp adjusting
nut (e.g., 79). Further, in particular embodiments, the adjustment
system (e.g., 75) or the clamp adjusting nut (e.g., 79) includes an
inclined nut surface (e.g., 71), for instance, that engages an
inclined engagement surface (e.g., 42), for example, within the
cavity (e.g., 78) in the barrel clamp (e.g., 72). In a number of
embodiments, including the embodiment shown, the inclined
engagement surface (e.g., 42) is on the barrel clamp (e.g., 72).
Other embodiments may have the inclined engagement surface on
another component of the adjustment system. Further, as used
herein, in this context "inclined" means more than 10 degrees and
less than 80 degrees, for example, from a centerline of the
threaded portion of the clamp adjusting screw (e.g., 76) or the
threads of the clamp adjusting nut (e.g., 79). In a number of
embodiments, these inclined surfaces are, for example, more than 20
degrees and less than 70 degrees, more than 30 degrees and less
than 60 degrees, or more than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees,
as examples, from a centerline of the threaded portion of the clamp
adjusting screw (e.g., 76) or of the clamp adjusting nut (e.g.,
79). An example is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, for instance.
Further still, in a number of embodiments, a barrel clamp return
spring (e.g., 725), biases the barrel clamp (e.g., 72) or the
inclined engagement surface (e.g., 42) against the clamp adjusting
nut (e.g., 79) or the inclined nut surface (e.g., 71), or a
combination thereof, for example, relative to the barrel release
cover (e.g., 41).
[0029] In some embodiments, the adjustment system (e.g., 75) is
adjusted by loosening the clamp adjusting nut (e.g., 79) when the
door (e.g., 15) is opened, then closing the door, and then
tightening (e.g., hand tightening) the clamp adjusting nut (e.g.,
79) when the barrel (e.g., 13) is installed and the door (e.g., 15)
is closed. In certain embodiments, the clamping force between the
clamping surface (e.g., 73) and the flange (e.g., 43) is further
adjusted by opening the door and then tightening the clamp
adjusting nut (e.g., 79) a certain number of additional turns or
clicks of the adjusting screw holder (e.g., 49), for instance, of
the detent or detent ball in the indentations or shallow holes in
the underside of the head of the clamp adjusting screw (e.g., 76)
that hold and prevent the clamp adjusting screw from inadvertently
rotating. The number of additional clicks of the clamp adjusting
screw (e.g., 76) may be, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,
or 12 clicks of the detent in the indentations or shallow holes,
for example, in different embodiments. In particular embodiments,
for instance, the number of additional clicks of the clamp
adjusting screw (e.g., 76) is two 2 clicks of the adjusting screw
holder (e.g., 49).
[0030] Further still, in some embodiments, the attachment mechanism
includes a rotating cam that secures the barrel to the receiver.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of such an embodiment, firearm
91, wherein attachment mechanism 94 includes rotating cam 105 that
secures barrel 93 to receiver 92. Certain embodiments, including
firearm 91 shown, include both a rotating cam (e.g., 105) and a
door (e.g., 95) that opens to release the barrel (e.g., 93) from
the receiver (e.g., 92). Other embodiments, however, may differ.
Even further, in some embodiments (e.g., firearm 91), a rotating
cam (e.g., 105) may be used instead of a barrel clamp (e.g., 72),
and in other embodiments (e.g., firearm 11), a barrel clamp (e.g.,
72) may be used instead of a rotating cam (e.g., 105). Still other
embodiments can include a rotating cam and a barrel clamp.
[0031] In a number of embodiments (e.g., firearm 91) having a door
and a cam, the cam (e.g., 105) is pivotably mounted on the door
(e.g., 95), for example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Moreover, in
particular embodiments, including the embodiment shown, the door
(e.g., 95) includes the rotating cam (e.g., 105) that secures the
barrel (e.g., 93) to the receiver (e.g., 92). In a number of such
embodiments, when the door (e.g., 95) is opened, the cam (e.g.,
105) is pulled away from the barrel (e.g., 93), releasing the
barrel for removal. In other embodiments, however, the attachment
mechanism (e.g., 14 shown in FIGS. 1-8) includes a door (e.g., 15)
but not a cam (e.g., 105 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) that rotates with
respect to the door. Further, other embodiments include a cam but
not necessarily a door. In some embodiments, for example, a firearm
includes a receiver, a barrel, and an attachment mechanism that
attaches the barrel to the receiver, and the attachment mechanism
includes a rotating cam that secures the barrel to the receiver.
Some embodiments, for example, that include a cam but that do not
include a door, may have a cam retraction mechanism to retract the
cam in order to remove the barrel. Even further, various
embodiments include more than one cam, for example, 2, 3, or 4
cams.
[0032] In a number of embodiments that include a door, the door
(e.g., 15, 95) has a first end (e.g., 31, 101) and a second end
(e.g., 32, 102) opposite the first end. Further, in various
embodiments, the door (e.g., 15, 95) is located on the firearm
(e.g., 11, 91) below the barrel (e.g., 13, 93), for example, on the
receiver (e.g., 12, 92). This is the case in all of the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. As used herein, "below", and any other
indicators of direction herein, apply to the normal orientation of
the firearm when the barrel is horizontal and the trigger is below
the centerline through the barrel that is parallel to the direction
of travel of a bullet in the barrel when the firearm is fired. In
FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, down is toward the bottom of the view.
Further still, as used herein, a door being located below a barrel
means that at least some part of the door is any distance directly
below at least some part of the barrel.
[0033] In a number of embodiments, the firearm (e.g., 11, 91)
includes a latch (e.g., 33, 103) that releasably holds the door
(e.g., 15, 95) closed (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 9), for
example, to secure the barrel (e.g., 13, 93) to the receiver (e.g.,
12, 92). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the latch (e.g., 33)
requires two separate actions of an operator of the firearm (e.g.,
11) to detach the barrel (e.g., 13). In a number of embodiments,
this is to avoid inadvertent detachment of the barrel of the
firearm. More broadly speaking, in various embodiments having a
cam, a door, or both, two separate actions of an operator of the
firearm are required to detach the barrel. Further, as used herein,
pulling the barrel out of the receiver is not included as one of
these two separate actions. In particular embodiments, for example,
the latch includes a sliding safety catch (e.g., 45 shown in FIGS.
3, 4, and 7), a first spring or a sliding safety catch spring
(e.g., 451 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) that biases (e.g., pushes) the
sliding safety catch (e.g., 45), and a pivoting latch lever (e.g.,
46 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) that is secured by the sliding safety
catch (e.g., 45). In a number of embodiments, the first spring
(e.g., 451) biases the sliding safety catch (e.g., 45), against the
pivoting latch lever (e.g., 46) to secure the pivoting latch lever,
for example, by inserting a projection into an indentation, for
instance, perpendicular the direction of motion (i.e., downward in
the embodiment shown) of the pivoting latch lever.
[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, latch 33 further
includes sliding door-engagement feature 47 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5,
and 7), and second spring or sliding door-engagement feature spring
472 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) that biases sliding door-engagement
feature 47, in this embodiment, by pushing sliding door-engagement
feature 47 to the left (i.e., left in these views, rearward on the
firearm). In this embodiment, first spring 451 and second spring
472, as well as barrel clamp return spring 725, are helical springs
loaded in compression. Other embodiments may use different types of
springs. Further, some embodiments, including the embodiment
illustrated, include all of these components of latch 33, whereas
other embodiments include some of these components but not others.
Other embodiments may differ.
[0035] Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated, pivoting latch
lever 46 of latch 33 is pivotably attached at pivot point 465 to
sliding door-engagement feature 47, for example, with a pin or a
screw. In certain embodiments, an operator of the firearm (e.g.,
11) detaches the barrel (e.g., 13) by sliding the sliding safety
catch (e.g., 45) rearward, which releases the pivoting latch lever
(e.g., 46) to rotate downward about pivot point 465. The operator
then slides the sliding door-engagement feature (e.g., 47) by
applying a force to the pivoting latch lever (e.g., 46), which
allows the door (e.g., 15) to open. In the embodiment depicted,
pivoting latch lever 46 rotates about pivot point 465 about 90
degrees. In different embodiments, the pivoting latch lever rotates
about the pivot point between 70 and 110 degrees, between 75 and
105 degrees, between 80 and 100 degrees, or between 85 and 95
degrees, as examples. In this example, the two separate actions are
sliding the sliding safety catch (e.g., 45), and sliding the
sliding door-engagement feature (e.g., 47) by applying a forward
force to the pivoting latch lever (e.g., 46). Other embodiments may
use other actions, may have different components of the latch, or
both.
[0036] Additionally, in various embodiments, the door (e.g., 15,
95) is pivotably attached to the receiver (e.g., 12, 92), for
example, at the first end (e.g., 31, 101). In the embodiments
illustrated, for example, door 15 is pivotably attached to receiver
12 at first end 31 at pivot point 145 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-7, and
door 95 is pivotably attached to receiver 92 at first end 101 at
pivot point 945 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In different embodiments,
pivot points 145 and 945 may include a screw, a bolt, or a pin, as
examples, for instance, a roll pin.
[0037] Further, in particular embodiments, the latch (e.g., 33,
103) that releasably holds the door (e.g., 15. 95) closed is
located, for example, in the receiver (e.g., in the upper receiver,
for example, 12, 92), for instance, at the second end (e.g., 32,
102) of the door. In various embodiments, the door (e.g., 15, 95)
is pivotably attached to the receiver (e.g., 12, 92) at the first
end (e.g., 31, 101), for instance, at a pivot point (e.g., 145,
945) and the latch e.g., 33, 103) that releasably holds the door
closed (e.g., 33, 103) is located at the second end (e.g., 32, 102)
or opposite end of the door. Further still, in a number of
embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated, the second end
(e.g., 32, 102) of the door (e.g., 15. 95) is forward of the first
end (e.g., 31, 101) of the door. As used herein, forward means the
direction that the bullet travels in the barrel (e.g., 13, 93). In
various embodiments, rotation of the door (e.g., 15) about the
pivot point (e.g., 145), when the door is closed, brings the
clamping surface (e.g., 73), into contact with the flange (e.g.,
43) to secure the barrel (e.g., 13) to the receiver (e.g., 12).
[0038] Even further, in particular embodiments that include a cam
(e.g., firearm 91 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 that includes cam 105),
the (e.g., rotating) cam is located at the second end (e.g., 102)
of the door (e.g., 95), for instance, pivotably attached to the
door. In addition, a number of embodiments include a cam spring
(e.g., 106) that biases (e.g., rotates) the cam (e.g., 105) against
the barrel (e.g., 93). In the embodiment shown, for example, cam
spring 106 is a helical spring loaded in compression. Other
embodiments, however, may differ.
[0039] In various embodiments, the cam engages a feature on the
barrel. In certain embodiments, such a feature can be a change
(e.g., an increase) in outside dimension (e.g., diameter) of the
barrel, for example. In the embodiment illustrated, for example,
cam 105 engages feature 107 on barrel 93, and feature 107 is an
increase in outside diameter of barrel 93, as shown. In other
embodiments, the feature can be an indentation in the barrel, as
another example, such as a hole that does not extend through to the
interior of the barrel. Other features, such as one or more
projections, can be used in other embodiments. Still other
embodiments include a cam that engages an outside surface of the
barrel that does not include a feature where the cam engages the
barrel. Such a cam can have a curved (e.g., spiral) surface, for
example, that contacts the outside surface of the barrel.
[0040] In a number of embodiments, including the embodiments
illustrated, the firearm is a rifle. In particular embodiments, for
example, the firearm is an assault rifle, such as an AR-15 or an
M-16. In different embodiments, the firearm can be a semi-automatic
firearm or a fully automatic firearm, as examples. In certain
embodiments, for example, the firearm is a rifle configured to fire
in a fully-automatic mode, in a semi-automatic mode, or both, for
example, selectable with a switch on the firearm. Other
embodiments, however, may differ. For instance, in particular
embodiments the firearm can be a pistol. The embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-7, firearm 11, also includes hand guard 16 forward of
receiver 12. Other embodiments, however, may not include a hand
guard.
[0041] Further, certain embodiments include combinations of
features described herein and in one or more of different patent
applications that are incorporated herein by reference. All
conceivable combinations of such features are contemplated herein
including all conceivable combinations of the subject matter
described herein and described in these different patent
applications. For example, other embodiments contemplated include
each of the embodiments described herein further including one or
more of the embodiments claimed or described in each of these
different patent applications.
[0042] Examples of methods include various methods of attaching a
barrel (e.g., 13, 93) of a firearm (e.g., 11, 91) to a receiver
(e.g., 12, 92) of the firearm, for instance. In a number of
embodiments such methods can include an act of obtaining or
providing an attachment mechanism (e.g., 14, 94) that attaches the
barrel to the receiver. In particular embodiments, for example, the
attachment mechanism includes a rotating cam (e.g., 105 shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10) that secures the barrel to the receiver. Moreover,
in certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a door
(e.g., 15, 95) that opens to release the barrel from the receiver.
In various embodiments, particular methods can include acts of
obtaining or providing, as examples, other features, components, or
aspects described herein. All possible combinations are
contemplated. Further, methods described herein contain various
acts. The order in which these acts are described is an example of
the order in which these acts can be performed, but in other
embodiments, unless stated otherwise herein, the acts may be
performed in a different order. In some embodiments, acts may
overlap or be performed at the same time, as another example.
[0043] Still further, various embodiments of the subject matter
described herein include various combinations of the acts,
structure, components, and features described herein, shown in the
drawings, described in documents that are incorporated by reference
herein, or that are known in the art. Moreover, certain procedures
can include acts such as manufacturing, obtaining, or providing
components that perform functions described herein or in the
documents that are incorporated by reference. The subject matter
described herein also includes various means for accomplishing the
various functions or acts described herein, in the documents that
are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent from the
structure and acts described.
[0044] Further, as used herein, the word "or", except where
indicated otherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed
are mutually exclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed
herein, it should be understood that in some embodiments, fewer
alternatives may be available, or in particular embodiments, just
one alternative may be available, as examples.
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