U.S. patent application number 14/790567 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for armorer tool.
The applicant listed for this patent is WHG Properties, LLC. Invention is credited to William H. Geissele.
Application Number | 20160202008 14/790567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56118194 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160202008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geissele; William H. |
July 14, 2016 |
ARMORER TOOL
Abstract
An armorer tool for distributing the torque associated with
assembling and disassembling components of a firearm.
Inventors: |
Geissele; William H.; (Lower
Gwynedd, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WHG Properties, LLC |
North Wales |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56118194 |
Appl. No.: |
14/790567 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29514275 |
Jan 9, 2015 |
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14790567 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 35/00 20130101;
F41A 21/48 20130101; F41A 11/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 11/00 20060101
F41A011/00 |
Claims
1. An armorer tool for use with a barrel and an upper receiver of a
firearm comprising: an elongate member comprising a front portion,
a rear portion, and a body portion between the front portion and
the rear portion, the front portion comprising a plurality of
splines configured to mate with the firearm barrel, the rear
portion comprising a surface configured to mate with a support
mechanism; and at least one protrusion protruding beyond a profile
of the body portion and disposed on the body portion at a location
aligned with an ejection port of the upper receiver when the
armorer tool extends through the upper receiver and is mated to the
barrel.
2. The armorer tool of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises
a well and the at least one protrusion is disposed in the well.
3. The armorer tool of claim 2, wherein the at least one protrusion
is detachably mounted in the well.
4. The armorer tool claim of 3, wherein the well is aligned with an
ejection port of the upper receiver when the armorer tool extends
through the upper receiver and is mated to the barrel.
5. The armorer tool of claim 4, comprising at least two protrusions
detachably mounted in the well.
6. The armorer tool of claim 5, comprising two protrusions, wherein
the well comprises a front portion and a rear portion offset from
the front portion, and wherein one of the two protrusions is
detachably mounted in the front portion of the well, and the other
protrusion is detachably mounted in the rear portion of the
well.
7. The armorer tool of claim 6 wherein when the two protrusions are
disposed in the well and the armorer tool extends through the upper
receiver and is mated to the barrel of the firearm, the protrusion
disposed in the rear portion of the well contacts an upper rim of
the ejection port of the upper receiver, and the protrusion
disposed in the front portion of the well contacts a lower rim of
the ejection port of the upper receiver.
8. A method for securing a firearm barrel nut to a barrel and an
upper receiver of a firearm using an armorer tool, the method
comprising: a. securing a rear portion of the armorer tool to a
support mechanism b. sliding the upper receiver over the armorer
tool until a well in the armorer tool is aligned with an ejection
port in the upper receiver; c. inserting a barrel into the upper
receiver such that a front end of the armorer tool mates with the
barrel; d. securing a protrusion to the well of the armorer tool
such that the protrusion contacts a rim surrounding the ejection
port; and e. securing the barrel nut around the upper receiver and
the barrel.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: subsequently removing
the protrusion from the well of the armorer tool.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: subsequently sliding
the barrel and the upper receiver off of the armorer tool.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the protrusion is secured to a
rear portion of the well and contacts an upper portion of the rim
surrounding the ejection port.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a second protrusion is secured
to a front portion of the well that is offset from the rear portion
of the well, such that the second protrusion contacts a lower
portion of the rim surrounding the ejection port.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: subsequently
removing both of the protrusions from the well of the armorer
tool.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising subsequently sliding
the barrel and the upper receiver off of the armorer tool.
15. A method for removing a firearm barrel nut from a barrel and an
upper receiver of a firearm using an armorer tool, the method
comprising: a. securing a rear portion of the armorer tool to a
support mechanism; b. sliding the upper receiver and the barrel
over the armorer tool until a well in the armorer tool is aligned
with an ejection port in the upper receiver; c. securing a
protrusion to the well of the armorer tool such that the protrusion
contacts a rim surrounding the ejection port; and d. removing the
barrel nut from the upper receiver and the barrel.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: subsequently
removing the protrusion from the well of the armorer tool.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: subsequently
removing the barrel from the upper receiver and sliding the upper
receiver off of the armorer tool.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the protrusion is secured to a
front portion of the well and contacts a lower portion of the rim
surrounding the ejection port.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein a second protrusion is secured
to a rear portion of the well that is offset from the front portion
of the well, such that the second protrusion contacts an upper
portion of the rim surrounding the ejection port.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: subsequently
removing both of the protrusions from the well of the armorer tool,
removing the barrel from the upper receiver, and sliding the upper
receiver off of the armorer tool.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/514,275 filed Jan. 9, 2015, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Armorers frequently remove or install various firearm parts,
such as barrels, flash suppressors, gas blocks, and handguards to
perform maintenance, adjustment, parts replacement, or initial
parts installation. Removal and installation of such parts often
requires the application of torque about the part or a related
component that secures the part in question to the firearm. An
example of such a component is a barrel nut, which secures the
firearm barrel to the firearm upper receiver. A common problem
associated with removal and mounting of such firearm parts and
related components is the tendency for the torque applied during
the removal or mounting actions to be transferred to other parts of
the firearm, which can cause unwanted damage thereto.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general terms, this disclosure is directed to an armorer
tool for distributing the torque associated with assembling and
disassembling components of a firearm, and methods therefor.
[0004] In one aspect, an armorer tool for use with a barrel and an
upper receiver of a firearm comprises an elongate member comprising
a front portion, a rear portion, and a body portion between the
front portion and the rear portion, the front portion comprising a
plurality of splines configured to mate with the firearm barrel,
the rear portion comprising a surface configured to mate with a
support mechanism; and at least one protrusion protruding beyond a
profile of the body portion and disposed on the body portion at a
location aligned with an ejection port of the upper receiver when
the armorer tool extends through the upper receiver and is mated to
the barrel.
[0005] In another aspect, a method for securing a firearm barrel
nut to a barrel and an upper receiver of a firearm using an armorer
tool comprises: securing a rear portion of the armorer tool to a
support mechanism; sliding the upper receiver over the armorer tool
until a well in the armorer tool is aligned with an ejection port
in the upper receiver; inserting a barrel into the upper receiver
such that a front end of the armorer tool mates with the barrel;
securing a protrusion to the well of the armorer tool such that the
protrusion contacts a rim surrounding the ejection port; and
securing the barrel nut around the upper receiver and the
barrel.
[0006] In yet a further aspect, a method for removing a firearm
barrel nut from a barrel and an upper receiver of a firearm using
an armorer tool comprises: securing a rear portion of the armorer
tool to a support mechanism; sliding the upper receiver and the
barrel over the armorer tool until a well in the armorer tool is
aligned with an ejection port in the upper receiver; securing a
protrusion to the well of the armorer tool such that the protrusion
contacts a rim surrounding the ejection port; and removing the
barrel nut from the upper receiver and the barrel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a rear, top, right side, perspective view of an
example firearm.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front, top, right side perspective view an
example firearm upper receiver.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear, top, right side perspective view of an
example firearm barrel.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top, front, right side perspective view of an
example armorer tool in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top, rear, left side perspective view of the
armorer tool of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the armorer tool of FIG.
4.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front view of the armorer tool of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an armorer tool in
accordance with the present disclosure, an example firearm upper
receiver, and an example firearm barrel, shown prior to using the
armorer tool during the process of mounting the barrel to the upper
receiver.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front, top, right side, exploded perspective
view of the armorer tool of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top, rear, right side perspective view showing
an example armorer tool in accordance with the present disclosure
inserted in an example firearm upper receiver.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the
armorer tool and upper receiver combination of FIG. 10.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of a
combination of an example firearm upper receiver, an example
firearm barrel, and an example armorer tool consistent with the
present disclosure, shown secured in a vise.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates an example method of using an armorer
tool consistent with the present disclosure to mount a barrel nut
to a firearm upper receiver and firearm barrel.
[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates an example method of using an armorer
tool consistent with the present disclosure to remove a barrel nut
from a firearm upper receiver and firearm barrel combination.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Various embodiments are described herein in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.
Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the
appended claims. Additionally, any examples set forth in this
specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth
some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a rear, top, right side, perspective view of an
example firearm. In this example, the firearm 100 includes an upper
receiver 102, a lower receiver 104, a barrel 106, a muzzle 108, a
barrel nut 110, a gas block 112, a gas tube 114, a buffer tube 116,
and a stock 118. The upper receiver 102 includes an ejection port
cover 120, a forward assist plunger tube 122 and a barrel receiving
end 124. The lower receiver 104 includes a trigger mechanism 126, a
hand grip 128, and a magazine well 130.
[0023] The firearm 100 can be of a variety of different types.
Examples of the firearm 100 include, but are not limited to,
handguns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, machine guns, submachine
guns, personal defense weapons, automatic rifles, and assault
rifles. In at least one embodiment, the firearm 100 is an AR-15,
M-16 or M-4 type rifle, or one of their variants.
[0024] The upper receiver 102 defines an internal
longitudinally-extending cavity configured to receive a bolt
assembly. The bolt assembly is slidably disposed in the cavity for
axially reciprocating recoil movement therein. In at least one
embodiment, the upper receiver 102 is an AR-15, M-16 or M-4 type
upper receiver, or one of their variants.
[0025] The lower receiver 104 is situated below the upper receiver
102 and is involved in triggering the firearm 100. The barrel 106
includes an internal, longitudinally extending bore that ends at
the muzzle 108 at the front of the firearm 100, where a projectile
(e.g., a bullet) exits the firearm. The barrel 106 is in open
communication with the upper receiver 102. The example barrel nut
110 secures the barrel 106 to the upper receiver 102.
[0026] The gas block 112 and the gas tube 114 operate to divert
some of the gases generated from a fired projectile back into the
upper receiver 102 to assist in cycling the firearm for repeated
firing. The buffer tube 116 is situated behind the firing chamber
and reduces the recoil of the firearm caused by the motion of the
firing bolt assembly during firing. Buffer tubes typically include
a buffer pin, a buffer spring for recoil reduction, as well as a
castle nut and an endplate. The stock 118 surrounds the buffer tube
116 and provides support to the operator holding the firearm 100 to
steady and aim the firearm 100 during firing. The stock 118 also
operates to transmit recoil generated from firing the firearm to
the body of the shooter.
[0027] The ejection port cover 120 covers the ejection port (not
shown in FIG. 1) in the upper receiver through which spent
projectile cartridges are ejected during firing of the firearm 100.
Typically, the ejection port cover 120 is flipped down when the
firearm 100 is in operation to expose the ejection port. When the
example firearm 100 is not in use, the ejection port cover 120
covers the ejection port to protect the ejection port and to
prevent unwanted dirt, dust, or other foreign material from
entering the upper receiver 102. The forward assist plunger tube
122 typically houses a forward assist plunger (not shown). Pushing
on the forward assist plunger compresses a spring inside the
forward assist plunger tube 122 and functions as a collateral,
manual means of loading a round of ammunition from the magazine
into the chamber for firing the firearm.
[0028] The barrel receiving end 124 of the upper receiver 102 is
tubular, exteriorly surrounded by screw threads, and situated at
the front end of the upper receiver 102. In this example firearm, a
barrel nut extension (not shown in FIG. 1) at the rear end of the
barrel 106 is inserted into barrel receiving end 124 in the upper
receiver 102 to mount the barrel 106 on the upper receiver 102.
Then, the barrel nut 110, havening corresponding interior screw
threads, is tightened, typically with a torque wrench, about the
barrel receiving end of the upper receiver 102 and the barrel nut
extension of the barrel 106 in order to secure the barrel 106 to
the upper receiver 102. To remove the barrel 106 from the upper
receiver 102, a torque wrench is typically used to unscrew the
barrel nut 110 from the barrel 106 and the barrel receiving end 124
of the upper receiver 102.
[0029] The trigger mechanism 126 of the lower receiver 104 operates
the trigger of the firearm 100. The hand grip 128 is typically held
by the shooter of the firearm 100 during use, and the magazine well
130 holds the firearm's magazine of ammunition.
[0030] The upper receiver 102 and the lower receiver 104 are
configured to house a firing mechanism and associated components as
found in, for example, AR-15, M-16 or M-4 type rifles and their
variants. Such a firing mechanism typically includes a
spring-biased hammer that is cocked and then released by a sear
upon actuating a triggering mechanism. The hammer strikes a firing
pin carried by a bolt, which in turn is thrust forward to contact
and discharge a cartridge loaded in a chamber. A portion of the
expanding combustion gases traveling down the barrel is discharged
off (such as by means of the gas block 112 and the gas tube 114 as
discussed above) and used to drive the bolt rearward against a
forward biasing force of a recoil spring for automatically ejecting
the spent cartridge casing and automatically loading a new
cartridge into the chamber from a magazine when the bolt returns
forward.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a front, top, right side perspective view of an
example firearm upper receiver 102. The upper receiver 102 includes
the forward the assist plunger tube 122 and the barrel receiving
end 124 as described above. In addition, in this example, the upper
receiver 102 includes an ejection port 140, a cavity 142, screw
threads 144, a recess 146, a top 148, and a bottom 150. The upper
receiver 102 differs from the upper receiver 102 in FIG. 1 in that
the ejection port cover 120 has been removed.
[0032] When the firearm (such as the firearm 100 discussed above)
is being operated, spent ammunition cartridges are ejected through
the ejection port 140 from the cavity 142. When the firearm is
assembled, the cavity 142 is in open communication with the barrel
of the firearm. Screw threads 144 on the exterior of the barrel
receiving end 124 mate with corresponding screw threads on the
interior of a barrel nut (not shown) to secure the barrel to the
upper receiver 102. The recess 146 mates with a corresponding pin
on the barrel nut extension of a barrel (see discussion below in
connection with FIG. 3), allowing the barrel and the upper receiver
102 to properly mate in just a single orientation. The placement of
the barrel nut extension pin in the recess 146 also prevents motion
of the upper receiver 102 relative to the barrel, and vice versa,
when the barrel nut is mounted or removed from the firearm
assembly. The interaction between the barrel nut extension pin,
barrel, and upper receiver is discussed below in greater
detail.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a rear, top, right side perspective view of an
example firearm barrel. Barrel 106 includes the muzzle 108 as
discussed above. In addition, in this example, the barrel 106
includes a gas block mounting ring 160, a gas vent 162, a barrel
nut extension 164 having a rear end 166, an interior bore 168, lugs
170, spaces 172, and a pin 174.
[0034] A gas block (such as the gas block 112 shown in FIG. 1) can
be mounted to the gas block mounting ring 160. Some gas generated
from firing a firearm (such as the firearm 100 in FIG. 1) is
redirected through the gas vent 162. When a gas block is mounted to
the barrel 106, such gas can then travel through the gas tube 114
as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The barrel nut
extension 164 is situated toward the rear of the barrel 106 and
extends to the rear end 166 of barrel 106. The barrel nut extension
164 is configured to mate with an upper receiver (such as upper
receiver 102 in FIG. 2), by being inserted into the barrel receiver
end (such as barrel receiving end 124 in FIG. 2) of the upper
receiver. The interior bore 168 extends the entire length of barrel
106 and is in open communication with the upper receiver of the
firearm when the barrel 106 is mated to the upper receiver 102
(FIG. 2). When firing the firearm, each projectile travels through
the interior bore 168 and exits the firearm at the muzzle 108.
[0035] In this example barrel 106, a plurality of lugs 170 surround
the interior surface of the rear end 166 of the barrel nut
extension 164 of barrel 106. Between the lugs are spaces 172
configured to mate with and house the splines of an armorer tool in
accordance with the present disclosure as described below, which
can be used to assist in the mounting/removing of a barrel nut
(such as the barrel nut 110 in FIG. 1) or other firearm components
from a firearm (such as the firearm 100 of FIG. 1).
[0036] The pin 174 is configured to mate with a recess (such as the
recess 146 in FIG. 2) in the barrel receiving end (such as the
barrel receiving end 124 in FIG. 2) of the upper receiver of a
firearm. As a result of the mating of the pin 174 with the recess
to establish a pin-recess fitting, the barrel 106 can be properly
mounted to the upper receiver in only one orientation, i.e. the
orientation in which the pin 174 mates with the recess 146. Nesting
the pin 174 in the recess 146 keeps the barrel 106 stationary
relative to upper receiver 102, and vice versa, when other firearm
components are mounted thereto or removed therefrom.
[0037] In the process of applying torque to a barrel nut (such as
barrel nut 110) or other firearm component to mount the component
to the firearm or remove the component from the firearm, the
torqueing results in a friction between the component being torqued
and other parts of the firearm, such as the barrel and the upper
receiver. The friction results in some of the torque being
transferred to these other parts of the firearm such as the barrel
and the upper receiver. For example, mounting a barrel nut 110 (see
FIG. 1) onto an upper receiver 102 (see FIG. 2) and barrel 106 (see
FIG. 3) requires applying a high magnitude of torque, typically
with a torque wrench. Through friction generated between the
various components (which are typically manufactured of a high
density metal or metal alloy resulting in high friction between
parts), some of this torque is redirected to the barrel 106 and/or
the upper receiver 102. This torque can damage the barrel 106
and/or the upper receiver 102 in a variety of ways, including but
not limited to sheering or otherwise wearing down the pin 174
and/or the recess 146 that holds the barrel 106 stationary relative
to the upper receiver 102. Torque can be especially damaging when
heavily applied to overcome, for example, a barrel nut that has
been over-torqued into position, seized, and/or adhered with an
adhesive to the upper receiver and/or the barrel of the
firearm.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a top, front, right side perspective view of an
example armorer tool 190 in accordance with the present disclosure.
The example armorer tool 190 includes an elongate member 191,
protrusions 218a and 218b, and screws 220.
[0039] The elongate member 191 forms the main body of the armorer
tool and has an elongate shape. In some embodiments, the elongate
member 191 includes a front portion 192, a front end 194, a rear
portion 196, a rear end 198, a body portion 200, a top 202, a
bottom 204, a surface 206, splines 208, grooves 210, a well 212
having a bottom surface 213, a rear portion 214, and a front
portion 216.
[0040] The front portion 192 of the example armorer tool 190 is
configured to mate with the barrel nut extension (such as the
barrel nut extension 164 in FIG. 3). To mate the barrel nut
extension with the armorer tool, the cog-shaped flat front end 194
of the armorer tool is inserted in the barrel nut extension. The
rear portion 196 is at the opposite end of the armorer tool 190
from the front portion 192. The rear end 198 is flat with two
rounded sides and two straight sides (see FIG. 5). The rear end 198
is parallel to the front end 194. The body portion 200 is
substantially cylindrical and situated between the front portion
192 and the rear portion 196.
[0041] The top 202 of the example armorer tool 190 faces the top of
the upper receiver (such as the top 148 in FIG. 2) when the armorer
tool 190 is properly mounted in an upper receiver of a firearm
(such as the upper receiver 102 in FIG. 2). The bottom 204 of the
armorer tool 190 faces the bottom of the upper receiver (such as
the bottom 150 in FIG. 2) when the armorer tool 190 is properly
mounted in an upper receiver of a firearm. The surface 206 is at
least substantially flat and situated between the top 202 and the
bottom 204 in the rear portion 196 of the example armorer tool 190.
In this example embodiment, a second surface identical to the
surface 206 is disposed on the other side of the rear portion 196
of the armorer tool 190, parallel to the surface 206. The surface
206 (and the parallel surface on the opposite side of the armorer
tool 190) are configured to be sandwiched in a vise, such as a
bench vise, for holding armorer tool 190 in place during use. The
interaction between the surface 206 (and the parallel surface on
the opposite side of armorer tool 190) and a support mechanism
(such as a vise) is discussed in greater detail below in connection
with FIG. 12.
[0042] A plurality of splines 208, with grooves 210 therebetween,
surround the front portion 192 of the example armorer tool 190. The
splines 208 are configured to mate with corresponding spaces (such
as spaces 172 in FIG. 3) of a barrel nut extension (such as barrel
nut extension 164 in FIG. 3) when the front portion 192 of the
armorer tool 190 is inserted in the barrel nut extension. Likewise,
the grooves 210 are configured to mate with corresponding lugs
(such as the lugs 170 in FIG. 3) of a barrel nut extension when the
front portion 192 of the armorer tool 190 is inserted in the barrel
nut extension.
[0043] The well 212 is a depression in the side of the body portion
202 of the example armorer tool 190, disposed toward the front end
of the body portion 202 on the right side of the armorer tool 190
between the top 202 and the bottom 204 of the armorer tool 190. In
this example, the well 212 is biased toward the top 202 of the
armorer tool 190 and away from the bottom 204 of the armorer tool
190, as described in greater detail below in connection with FIG.
6. In this example, the bottom surface 213 of the well 212 is flat.
This well 212 also includes a rear portion 214, which is offset
from front portion 216 of the well 212 in that rear portion 214 is
further biased toward the top 202 of the armorer tool 190 relative
to the front portion 216, and the front portion 216 is biased
toward the bottom 204 of the armorer tool 190 relative to the rear
portion 214. In alternative embodiments the well does not include a
rear portion that is offset relative to a front portion.
[0044] In this example a first protrusion 218a is disposed in the
rear portion 214 of the well 212, and a second protrusion 218b is
disposed in the front portion 216 of the well 212. In alternative
embodiments, the armorer tool includes a single protrusion or,
alternatively, more than two protrusions.
[0045] In the example armorer tool 190, the protrusions 218a and
218b are removably secured to the bottom surface 213 of the well
212 with the screws 220. The protrusions 218a and 218b are threaded
to receive the screws 220. In alternative embodiments, other
suitable means for securing the protrusions 218a and 218b to the
armorer tool 190 can be used.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a top, rear, left side perspective view of the
armorer tool 190 of FIG. 4. In this example, the armorer tool 190
includes the front portion 192, the rear portion 196, the rear end
198, the body portion 200, the top 202, the bottom 204, the splines
208, the grooves 210, and the protrusion 218a as discussed above.
In addition, in this example, the rear portion 196 includes a
surface 230, and screw holes 232.
[0047] The surface 230 is at least substantially flat and opposite
the surface 206 (see FIG. 3). Together, the surfaces 206 (see FIG.
3) and 230 are configured to be sandwiched in a support mechanism
(such as a vise) as discussed in greater detail below in connection
with FIG. 12. Screw holes 232 extend through the front end of the
body portion 200 from the left side (shown in FIG. 5) to the well
212 (see FIG. 9) on the right side of the armorer tool 190, and
correspond with screws 220 (see FIG. 4) which are screwed into the
screw holes 232 inside the well 212 (see FIG. 4).
[0048] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the armorer tool 190 of FIG.
4. The armorer tool 190 includes the front portion 192, the front
end 194, the rear portion 196, the rear end 198, the body portion
200, the top 202, the bottom 204, the surface 206, the well 212
having the rear portion 214 and the front portion 216, the
protrusions 218a and 218b, and the screws 220, as discussed
above.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear portion 214 of the well 212 is
offset toward the top 202 of the example armorer tool 190 relative
to the front portion 216 of the well 212. Likewise, the front
portion 216 of the well 212 is offset toward the bottom 204
relative to the rear portion 214. The rear portion 214 and the
front portion 216 of the well 212 are offset from each other by a
distance d.sub.1 measured between lines A.sub.1 and A.sub.2, which
longitudinally bisect the rear portion 214 and the front portion
216, respectively. In one example embodiment d.sub.1 is about 0.75
mm. In a further example d.sub.1=0, i.e. the rear portion 214 and
the front portion 216 of the well 212 are not offset from each
other. In further alternative examples d.sub.1 is in a range from
about 0 mm to about 3 mm. The reason for the offset between the
rear portion 214 and the front portion 216 of the well 212 is
discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIGS.
10-11.
[0050] As further shown in FIG. 6, the example armorer tool 190 has
a diameter d.sub.2 between the top 202 and the bottom 204, a
diameter d.sub.3 at the front end 194, and a length l.sub.1 between
the front end 194 and the rear end 198. The well 212 has a width
w.sub.1. The rear portion 214 of the well 212 has a height h.sub.1.
The front portion 216 of the well 212 has a height h.sub.2. In one
example, d.sub.2 is about 25 mm, d.sub.3 is about 18 mm, l.sub.1 is
about 285 mm, w.sub.1 is about 44 mm, h.sub.1 is about 13 mm, and
h.sub.2 is about 13 mm. In alternative examples, d.sub.2 is in a
range from about 15 mm to about 35 mm, d.sub.3 is in a range from
about 10 mm to about 30 mm, l.sub.1 is in a range from about 200 mm
to about 400 mm, w.sub.1 is in a range from about 25 mm to about 75
mm, h.sub.1 is in a range from about 5 mm to about 25 mm, and
h.sub.2 is in a range from about 5 mm to about 25 mm.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a front view of the armorer tool 190 of FIG. 4.
The armorer tool 190 includes the front end 194, the body portion
200, the top 202, the bottom 204, the splines 208, the grooves 210
and the protrusions 218a and 218b as discussed above.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 218a, as measured through
its midpoint, is offset from the top 202 of the example armorer
tool 190 by an angle .alpha. from the axis A.sub.3 that travels
through the top 202 and the bottom 204 of the armorer tool 190. The
protrusion 218b, as measured through its midpoint, is offset from
the top 202 of the example armorer tool 190 by an angle .beta. from
the axis A.sub.3. In one example embodiment, .alpha. is about
58.degree. and .beta. is about 79.degree.. In alternative examples,
.alpha. and .beta. can be other values in the range from 0.degree.
to 360.degree.. Appropriate values and relative values for angles
.alpha. and .beta. for coordinating use of the armorer tool with
specific firearm upper receivers is discussed in greater detail
below in connection with FIGS. 10-11.
[0053] As further shown in FIG. 7, in the example armorer tool 190
the protrusions 218a and 218b protrude beyond the profile of the
body portion 200 of the armorer tool 190, thereby enabling the
protrusions 218a and 218b to engage the rim of the ejection port of
the upper receiver of a firearm that is housing the armorer tool
190. This is discussed in greater detail below in connection with
FIGS. 10-11.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the example armorer tool 190
in accordance with the present disclosure, the example firearm
upper receiver 102, and the example firearm barrel 106, shown prior
to using the armorer tool 190 during the process of mounting the
barrel to the upper receiver with a barrel nut (such as the barrel
nut 110 in FIG. 1). The example upper receiver 102 includes the
barrel receiving end 124, the ejection port 140, the cavity 142,
the screw threads 144, the recess 146, the top 148 and the bottom
150, as discussed above. The example barrel 106 includes the barrel
nut extension 164 having the rear end 166, the interior bore 168,
the lugs 170, the spaces 172, and the pin 174 as discussed above.
The example armorer tool 190 includes the front portion 192, the
rear portion 196, the body portion 200, the surface 206, the
splines 208, the grooves 210, the well 212 having the rear portion
214 and the front portion 216, and the surface 230 as discussed
above. In this example, the armorer tool 190 differs from that
shown in FIG. 4 in that the removable protrusions 218a and 218b,
and screws 220 (see FIG. 4), have been removed. Additionally in
this example, the upper receiver 102 includes a rear end 240.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 8, to use the example armorer tool
190 as an aid to mounting the example barrel 106 onto the example
upper receiver 102, the armorer tool 190 is inserted into the
cavity 142 of the upper receiver 102. To do so, the front portion
192 of the armorer tool 190 is inserted into the cavity 142 at the
rear end 240 of the upper receiver 102. The barrel nut extension
164 of the barrel 106 is placed inside the barrel receiving end 124
of the upper receiver 102, such that the pin 174 and the recess 146
nest together, the splines 208 on the front portion 192 of the
armorer tool 190 mate with the spaces 172 in the barrel 106, and
the grooves 210 on the front portion 192 of the armorer tool 190
mate with the lugs 170 in the barrel 106. Thus, in this example,
the armorer tool 190 mates with the barrel 106 inside the barrel
receiving end 124 of the upper receiver 102.
[0056] Also in this example, when the armorer tool 190 is mated
with the barrel 106 as just described, the well 212 in the body
portion 200 of the armorer tool 190 is aligned with the ejection
port 140 of the upper receiver 102 (as illustrated in the examples
shown in FIGS. 10-12). The angles .alpha. and .beta. discussed
above in connection FIG. 7 are such that both the rear portion 214
and the front portion 216 thereof are aligned with ejection port
140 in the upper receiver 102 when the surfaces 206 and 230 are
perpendicular to the top 148 of the upper receiver 102.
[0057] Once the armorer tool 190 has been mated with the barrel 106
inside the upper receiver 102 as just described, the protrusions
218a and 218b (see FIG. 4) are then secured to the well 212 as
described below in connection with FIG. 9.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a front, top, right side, exploded perspective
view of the armorer tool 190 of FIG. 4. In this example, the
armorer tool 190 includes the front portion 192, the rear portion
196, the body portion 200, the top 202, the surface 206, the well
212 having the rear portion 214 and the front portion 216, the
protrusions 218a and 218b, the screws 220, and the screw holes 232
as discussed above. In addition, in this example, the rear portion
214 of the well 212 includes an upper wall 250, and the front
portion 216 of the well 212 includes a lower wall 252. In addition,
the protrusions 218a and 218b include, respectively, openings 254a
and 254b, sides 256a and 256b, and ridges 258a and 258b.
[0059] The upper wall 250 bounds the top of the rear portion 214 of
the well 212. The lower wall 252 bounds the bottom of the front
portion 216 of the well 212. The upper wall 250 and the lower wall
252 have a height h.sub.3, which corresponds to the depth of the
well 212. In one example embodiment h.sub.3 is about 5 mm. In
alternative embodiments h.sub.3 is in a range from about 0 mm to
about 12 mm. In further alternative embodiments, the armorer tool
does not have a well and one or more protrusions is/are secured
directly to the outside of the body portion of the armorer
tool.
[0060] The openings 254a and 254b can be, though need not be,
threaded, and receive the screws 220 to secure the protrusions 218a
and 218b to the well 212. When the protrusions 218a and 218b are
secured to the well 212, the side 256a of the protrusion 218a faces
the upper wall 250 of the rear portion 214 of the well 212, and the
side 256b of the protrusion 218b faces the lower wall 252 of the
front portion 216 of the well 212. In addition, in this example,
the ridge 258a extends above and over the top of the upper wall
250, and the ridge 258b extends above and over the top of the lower
wall 252 when the protrusions 218a and 218b are secured to the well
212. The protrusions 218a and 218b are secured to the well 212 by
screwing the screws 220 into the screw holes 232 in the well
212.
[0061] In this example armorer tool 190, when the protrusions 218a
and 218b are secured with the screws 220 to the rear portion 214
and the front portion 216, respectively, of the well 218 after the
armorer tool 190 has been inserted into an upper receiver of a
firearm (such as was described above in connection with FIG. 8),
one or both of the ridges 258a and 258b contact the ejection port
of the upper receiver without any further rotational adjustment
required. In an example alternative configuration, when the
protrusions 218a and 218b are secured with screws 220 to the rear
portion 214 and the front portion 216, respectively, of the well
218 after the armorer tool 190 has been inserted into an upper
receiver of a firearm (such as was described above in connection
with FIG. 8), the ridges 258a and 258b are disposed such that
slight rotational adjustment of the upper receiver results in
either the ridge 258a or the ridge 258b contacting the ejection
port of the upper receiver. This is described in greater detail
below in connection with FIGS. 10-11. In a further alternative
example configuration in which the ejection port of the upper
receiver is too wide relative to the size of the protrusions, one
or more shims or other appropriate space fillers, is inserted
between the one or more protrusions and the wall of the ejection
port to reduce or eliminate any gaps between the ejection port and
the protrusion(s). In one example, each space filler is a brass
shim approximately 0.5 mm in thickness.
[0062] FIG. 10 is a top, rear, right side perspective view showing
an example armorer tool 190 in accordance with the present
disclosure inserted in an example firearm upper receiver 102. FIG.
11 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the armorer tool
190 and upper receiver 102 combination of FIG. 10. As shown in
FIGS. 10-11, the example upper receiver 102 includes the barrel
receiving end 124, the ejection port 140, the recess 146, the top
148, and the bottom 150, as discussed above. The example armorer
tool 190 includes the front end 194, the rear portion 196, the rear
end 198, the body portion 200, the surface 206, the splines 208,
the grooves 210, the well 212 having the rear portion 214 and the
front portion 216, the protrusions 218a and 218b, the screws 220,
and the protrusion ridges 258a and 258b as discussed above. In
addition, in this example, the ejection port 140 of the upper
receiver 102 includes an upper rim 270 and a lower rim 272.
[0063] In this example combination of armorer tool 190 and upper
receiver 102, the armorer tool 190, without the protrusions 218a
and 218b, and without the screws 220, has been inserted into the
upper receiver 102 (as described above) such that the well 212 of
the armorer tool 190 is aligned with the ejection port 140 of the
upper receiver 201. In addition, the protrusions 218a and 218b have
been secured to the well 212 with screws 220 as discussed above in
connection with FIG. 9.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the protrusion 218a has been
secured to the well 212 such that the ridge 258a of the protrusion
218a contacts the upper rim 270 of the ejection port 140.
Similarly, the protrusion 218b has been secured to the well 212
such that the ridge 258b of the protrusion 218b contacts the lower
rim 272 of the ejection port 140. In this example armorer tool 190,
the rear portion 214 and the front portion 216 are offset from each
other (as discussed above) to aid in securing the protrusions 218a
and 218b into the well 212 when the armorer tool 190 is disposed
within a firearm upper receiver. More specifically, the offset
between the rear portion 214 and the front portion 216 provides a
gap between the protrusion 218a and the lower rim 272 of the
ejection port 140, and a gap between the protrusion 218b and the
upper rim 270 of the ejection port 140. These gaps can facilitate
installation and removal of the protrusions 218a and 218b by
providing space with which to maneuver the protrusions inside the
well 212.
[0065] When mounting a barrel nut to a barrel and upper receiver
(discussed further below in connection with FIG. 12), the ridge
258b of the protrusion 218b transfers at least a portion of the
frictional torque that would otherwise be applied to the recess 146
of the upper receiver 102 and the pin of a firearm barrel (such as
the pin 174 in FIG. 8) to the lower rim 277 of the ejection port
140. Similarly, when removing a barrel nut from a barrel and upper
receiver as discussed below in connection with FIG. 12, the ridge
258a of the protrusion 218a transfers at least a portion of the
frictional torque that would otherwise be applied to the recess 146
of the upper receiver 102 and the pin of a firearm barrel (such as
pin 174 in FIG. 8) to the upper rim 270 of the ejection port 140.
Transference of torque from the pin and the recess 146 over to the
ejection port 140 can reduce or prevent damage to the pin and
recess during the torqueing process and, in general, distributes
the frictional torque over a larger area, thereby reducing points
of undesirable stress on the upper receiver or barrel of the
firearm that could otherwise occur when mounting or removing a
barrel nut.
[0066] FIG. 12 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of a
combination of an example firearm upper receiver 102, an example
firearm barrel 106, and an example armorer tool 190 consistent with
the present disclosure, shown secured in a support mechanism 280.
As shown in FIG. 12, the example barrel 106 includes the muzzle 108
and the barrel nut extension 164 about which the barrel nut 110 has
been secured, as discussed above. The example upper receiver 102
includes the barrel receiving end 124, the ejection port 140, the
recess 146, the top 148, and the bottom 150, as discussed above.
The ejection port 140 includes the upper rim 270 and the lower rim
272, as also discussed above. The example armorer tool 190 includes
the rear portion 196, the rear end 198, the body portion 200, the
surface 206, the splines 208, the grooves 210, the well 212 having
the rear portion 214 and the front portion 216, the protrusions
218a and 218b, the screws 220, and the surface 230, as discussed
above. In addition, in this example, an example support mechanism
280 is shown. The example support mechanism 280 generally includes
a base 282, jaws 284, and a crank 286.
[0067] The base 282 of the example support mechanism 280 is
typically secured to a work surface or work bench during operation
of the support mechanism 280. In this example, the jaws 284 hold
the rear portion 196 of the armorer tool 190 by sandwiching and
squeezing the opposing surfaces 206 and 230 of the armorer tool
190. The crank 286 is used to rotate a screw that moves the jaws
284 closer together or farther apart, thereby allowing the support
mechanism 280 to alternatively secure or release the armorer tool
190. It should be noted that the armorer tool 190 can be mounted in
a variety of orientations relative to the jaws 284 of the support
mechanism 280 in addition to the orientation shown.
[0068] In this example combination of the armorer tool 190, the
upper receiver 102, and the barrel 106, the armorer tool 190,
without the protrusions 218a and 218b, and without the screws 220,
has been secured to support mechanism 280 and the upper receiver
102 has been slid over the armorer tool 190 (as described above)
such that well 212 of the armorer tool 190 is aligned with the
ejection port 140 of the upper receiver 102. In addition, in the
example combination shown, the barrel nut extension 164 of the
barrel 106 has been inserted into the barrel receiving end 124 of
the upper receiver 102 such that the splines 208 and the grooves
210 on the armorer tool 190 have mated with the corresponding
spaces and lugs, respectively (not shown), in the barrel nut
extension 164 of the barrel 106, as also discussed above. In
addition, in the example combination shown, the protrusions 218a
and 218b have been secured to the well 212 with the screws 220 as
discussed above in connection with FIG. 9. In addition, in the
example combination shown, the barrel nut 110 has been secured
around the barrel receiving end 124 and the barrel nut extension
164, resulting in the illustration in the figure.
[0069] In securing the barrel nut 110 around the barrel receiving
end 124 and the barrel nut extension 164, torque is applied to the
barrel nut 110 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis
A.sub.4 in the figure. Frictional torque between the barrel nut 110
and the barrel nut extension 164 results from this counterclockwise
torque. Because the armorer tool 190 is secured to the barrel 106,
this frictional torque is transferred to support mechanism 280
through the armorer tool 190. Additionally, when securing the
barrel nut 110 around the barrel receiving end 124 and the barrel
nut extension 164 as just described, the frictional torque also
results between the barrel nut 110 and the barrel receiving end
124, which tends to rotate the upper receiver 102 in a
counterclockwise direction about the axis A.sub.4. This frictional
torque, however, is absorbed by the protrusion 218b of armorer tool
190, which protrusion contacts the lower rim 272 of the ejection
port 140, preventing counterclockwise rotation about the axis
A.sub.4 of the upper receiver 102. In this manner, the protrusion
218b operates to relieve the stress on other parts of the barrel
and upper receiver combination, which are more easily damaged, such
as the pin 174 and the recess 146 fitting described above in
connection with FIG. 8.
[0070] In removing the barrel nut 110 from the barrel receiving end
124 and the barrel nut extension 164, torque is applied to the
barrel nut 110 in a clockwise direction about the axis A.sub.4 in
the figure. Frictional torque between the barrel nut 110 and the
barrel nut extension 164 results from this clockwise torque.
Because the armorer tool 190 is secured to the barrel 106, this
frictional torque is transferred to the vise 280 through the
armorer tool 190. Additionally, when removing the barrel nut 110
from the barrel receiving end 124 and the barrel nut extension 164
as just described, frictional torque also results between the
barrel nut 110 and the barrel receiving end 124, which tends to
rotate the upper receiver 102 in a clockwise direction about the
axis A.sub.4. This frictional torque, however, is absorbed by the
protrusion 218a of the armorer tool 190, which protrusion contacts
the upper rim 270 of the ejection port 140, preventing clockwise
rotation about the axis A.sub.4 of the upper receiver 102. In this
manner, the protrusion 218a operates to relieve the stress on other
parts of the barrel and the upper receiver combination that are
more easily damaged from stress, such as the pin 174 and the recess
146 fitting described above in connection with FIG. 8.
[0071] In some examples, the elongate member 191 (FIG. 4) of the
example armorer tool 190 is machined from a block of metal or metal
alloy, e.g. stainless steel. In one example embodiment, a 4140
steel is used. In other examples, the elongate member 191 (FIG. 4)
is cast from metal or a metal alloy. In some examples of the
armorer tool 190, all features of the elongate member 191 (FIG. 4)
of the armorer tool 190 (i.e., all features other than the
protrusions 218a and 218b and screws 220) are cast together in a
single mold or, alternatively, machined from a single block of
material. In alternative embodiments, one or more features of the
armorer tool 190 are machined following a casting process or
initial machining process, such as the well 212, the splines 208,
the grooves 210, the screw holes 232 (FIG. 5) and/or the surfaces
206 and 230. In some examples, the protrusions 218a and 218b are
machined or cast from a softer metal or metal alloy (e.g., brass)
than the firearm upper receiver(s) with which the armorer tool is
to be used, in order to avoid scratching or other unwanted damage
to the upper receiver of the firearm when the protrusions 218a and
218b come into torqued contact with the upper receiver. In
alternative examples, other suitably strong and rigid materials may
be used for the armorer tool 190 and/or the protrusions 218a and
218b and the screws 220.
[0072] It should be noted that use of an armorer tool in accordance
with the present disclosure with a support mechanism is not limited
to one involving the firearm components shown in FIG. 12. More or
fewer firearm components can be involved than those shown in the
firearm assembly of FIG. 12. By way of non-limiting example, the
upper receiver can be connected to all or part of a lower receiver
of a firearm when used with the armorer tool 190.
[0073] FIG. 13 illustrates an example method of using an armorer
tool consistent with the present disclosure to mount a barrel nut
to a firearm upper receiver and firearm barrel. The example method
300 includes operations 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, and
318.
[0074] In accordance with this example method 300, in an operation
302 the rear portion of the armorer tool (such as the rear portion
196 in FIG. 4) is secured in a vise. In one example method, this is
accomplished by sandwiching opposing flattened sides of the armorer
tool's rear portion between the jaws of a vise or other support
mechanism and tightening the vise to squeeze the armorer tool
securely. In an operation 304, the upper receiver of a firearm is
slid over the armorer tool until the ejection port of the upper
receiver and the well of the armorer tool are aligned. In one
example method, the upper receiver is slid starting with its rear
end (i.e. the end opposite the end where the barrel is mounted)
over the armorer tool, starting with its front end (i.e. the end
opposite the end secured to the vise). In an operation 306, the
barrel nut extension portion of a firearm barrel is inserted into
the upper receiver's barrel receiving end at the front of the upper
receiver, such that the splines on the front portion of the armorer
tool mate with the corresponding spaces between the lugs inside the
barrel nut extension of the barrel. In an operation 308, a barrel
nut is slid down the barrel from the muzzle end until it reaches
the screw threads on the barrel receiving end of the upper receiver
and the barrel nut is lightly screwed (e.g., with a tool or by
hand) in place. In an operation 310, a first protrusion is secured
to the rear portion of the well of the armorer tool such that the
first protrusion contacts the upper rim of the ejection port of the
upper receiver. In an alternative example method, when the first
protrusion is secured to the well, it only contacts the ejection
port upon slight rotational adjustment of the upper receiver
relative to the armorer tool. In an example embodiment, the first
protrusion is secured to the armorer tool by screwing it into the
bottom of the well of the armorer tool. In an operation 312, a
second protrusion is secured to the front portion of the well of
the armorer tool such that second protrusion contacts the lower rim
of the ejection port of the upper receiver. In an alternative
example method, when the second protrusion is secured to the well,
it only contacts the ejection port upon slight rotational
adjustment of the upper receiver relative to the armorer tool. In a
further alternative example method, the operation 312 is omitted,
and any method operations, to the extent applicable, apply to the
first protrusion only. In an example embodiment, the second
protrusion is secured to the armorer tool by screwing it into the
bottom of the well of the armorer tool. In an operation 314, the
barrel nut is further screwed onto the barrel receiving end of the
upper receiver until fully tightened. In one example embodiment of
this method, the barrel nut is secured to the upper receiver with a
barrel nut wrench. In an operation 316, the protrusions are removed
from the armorer tool. In one example embodiment of this method,
the protrusions are removed by unscrewing them from the well of the
armorer tool. In an operation 318, the combination of the barrel
and upper receiver, with the barrel now secured to the upper
receiver by means of the barrel nut, are slid off the armorer tool.
In alternative embodiments, one or both of the operations 316 and
318 are omitted or postponed and the barrel/upper receiver
combination remains on the armorer tool until further maintenance,
repair, or assembly of the firearm is completed.
[0075] FIG. 14 illustrates an example method of using an armorer
tool consistent with the present disclosure to remove a barrel nut
from a firearm upper receiver and firearm barrel combination. The
example method 330 includes operations 332, 334, 336, 338, 340,
342, 344, and 346.
[0076] In accordance with this example method 330, in an operation
332 the rear portion of the armorer tool (such as the rear portion
196 in FIG. 4) is secured in a vise. In one example method, this is
accomplished by sandwiching opposing flattened sides of the armorer
tool's rear portion between the jaws of a vise or other support
mechanism and tightening the vise to squeeze the armorer tool
securely. In an operation 334, the upper receiver/barrel
combination is slid over the armorer tool until the well in the
armorer tool and the ejection port in the upper receiver are
aligned and the splines of the armorer tool are mated with the
corresponding spaces between the lugs inside the barrel nut
extension. In one example method, the upper receiver portion of the
combination is slid starting with its rear end (i.e. the end
opposite the barrel) over the armorer tool, starting with its front
end (i.e. the end opposite the end secured to the vise). In an
operation 336, a first protrusion is secured to the front portion
of the armorer tool well such that the first protrusion contacts
the lower rim of the ejection portion. In an alternative example
method, when the first protrusion is secured to the well, it only
contacts the ejection port upon slight rotational adjustment of the
upper receiver relative to the armorer tool. In an example
embodiment, the first protrusion is secured to the armorer tool by
screwing it into the bottom of the well of the armorer tool. In an
operation 338, a second protrusion is secured to the rear portion
of the armorer tool well such that the second protrusion contacts
the upper rim of the ejection port. In an alternative example
method, when the second protrusion is secured to the well, it only
contacts the ejection port upon slight rotational adjustment of the
upper receiver relative to the armorer tool. In a further
alternative example method, the operation 338 is omitted, and any
method operations, to the extent applicable, apply to the first
protrusion only. In an example embodiment, the second protrusion is
secured to the armorer tool by screwing it into the bottom of the
well of the armorer tool. In an operation 340, the barrel nut is
unscrewed and removed from the barrel/upper receiver combination.
In one example embodiment of this method, the barrel nut is
unscrewed with a barrel nut wrench. In an operation 342, the barrel
is extracted from the upper receiver for maintenance, repair,
component installation, or the like. In an operation 344, the
protrusions are removed from the armorer tool. In one example
embodiment of this method, the protrusions are removed by
unscrewing them from the well of the armorer tool. In an operation
346, the upper receiver and the barrel (now secured to the upper
receiver by means of the barrel nut), are slid off the armorer
tool. In alternative method embodiments, operations 344 and 346
precede operations 342. In further alternative methods one or more
of operations 344, 346, and 348 are omitted or postponed and the
barrel and/or upper receiver (without a barrel nut) remains on the
armorer tool until further maintenance, repair or assembly of the
firearm is completed.
[0077] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize various modifications and changes that may be made
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *