U.S. patent application number 15/268476 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for handgun slide to frame adapter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Adams Arms, LLC. Invention is credited to James Granger, T.K. Martindill.
Application Number | 20170191769 15/268476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59226734 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170191769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martindill; T.K. ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
HANDGUN SLIDE TO FRAME ADAPTER
Abstract
An adapter for utilizing a handgun slide manufactured for use on
a common generation and version of handgun frame to make its use
capable on a newer generation or versions frame having different
dimensional features. The adapter makes allows use of a slide
assembly comprising of a slide, barrel, recoil spring and guide
from previous generations on more recent generations of the same
handgun. The adapter is mounted on the previous versions dust cover
creating a new geometry to allow for proper function inside the
newer generation's frame. The adapter includes a bushing. The
earlier generation's slides have an outer surface shape smaller
than the newer generation slide with the adapter creating the
geometry necessary for compatibility.
Inventors: |
Martindill; T.K.; (Ravenna,
TX) ; Granger; James; (Crystal Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Adams Arms, LLC |
Odessa |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59226734 |
Appl. No.: |
15/268476 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62219559 |
Sep 16, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/86 20130101; F41C
3/00 20130101; F41A 11/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20060101
F41A003/66; F41A 3/86 20060101 F41A003/86; F41C 3/00 20060101
F41C003/00 |
Claims
1. An adapter for use with a handgun, comprising: a. a slide having
guide rod cover; b. a barrel; c. a bushing; and d. a guide rod
around which a spring is configured.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of U.S.
Provisional Application 62/219,559, filed Sep. 16, 2015, which
application is incorporated herein by reference as though fully
contained herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to firearms, and more
particularly to an auto loading handgun, more particularly
semi-automatic handguns. More particularly this invention
specifically pertains to a device in the form of an adapter having
a bushing that allows for the use of the slide of a first handgun,
having a spring guide rod assembly, with the frame or body of a
second handgun.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Automatic/semiautomatic pistol carries a slide/barrel
assembly that slides longitudinally along a frame. A spring braced
between the slide and frame holds the slide/barrel assembly in a
forward and closed position. A cartridge chamber exists within this
slide/barrel assembly. In the forward position, the rear end of the
barrel is covered by the breech face upon the slide. A hole in the
breech face provides access to the cartridge chamber for a firing
element to pierce the primer of the pistol cartridge, thereby
discharging the cartridge and expelling the bullet. The firing
element can be driven forward by a hammer striking it, or it can be
moved backward under spring pressure and released to drive the
firing element forward through the breech face to the primer. In
either instance the hammer or the firing element itself is
connected through mechanical means to a trigger operated by the
user.
[0004] Upon discharge of a pistol cartridge, a bullet travels
forward out through the barrel, the slide/barrel assembly moves
rearward for a specific distance where the barrel moves slightly
downward and stops, the slide continues to move rearward opening
the cartridge chamber. The extractor (through spring pressure)
holds the spent cartridge casing to the breech face, removing it
from the barrel. As the slide continues rearward, the ejector
(mounted in the frame) contacts the spent cartridge casing, pushing
it away from the breech face, causing the extractor spring pressure
to be overcome to expel the empty cartridge from the pistol.
Therein the recoil spring's tension aside from assisting (or not,
if the spring is to heavy for the cartridge being used) in the
removal of the spent casing effects the recoil/barrel jump and thus
accuracy as well as the speed by which the next cartridge may be
cycled for firing in the case of competitive target and/or military
shooting.
[0005] Now at maximum rearward travel, the slide has cleared the
magazine assembly, allowing the next cartridge in the magazine to
move up (magazine cartridges are loaded under spring pressure).
Spring(s) pressure pushes the slide forward contacting the next
cartridge from the magazine and delivering it to the cartridge
chamber which closes as the slide moves forward. Slide fully
forward, the pistol is loaded ready to fire again.
[0006] This generally describes the operation of an automatic
pistol with a locked breech mechanism, fired either by striker or
hammer operation. A straight blowback mechanism operates similarly.
However, the barrel is not part of a slide/barrel assembly. The
slide containing the breech face is held forward closing the
cartridge chamber only by spring force and with no particular
mechanical interlock.
[0007] Moreover, because of inherent size limitations, small-sized
handguns currently available have very limited fire power and very
poor accuracy and tend to be relatively heavy and difficult to
hold. Such handguns are typically 0.22, 0.25 or 0.32 caliber and
have barrels which are no more than about two inches long. Accuracy
is limited not only by the shortness of the barrel, but also by a
tendency of the muzzle to rise (recoil) when the gun is fired.
[0008] Two important characteristics of semiautomatic handguns are
minimum recoil and minimum cycle-time (i.e. the time between
successive firings of the handgun). Other important factors are the
gun weight and fire power. When a gun is fired the explosion of the
gunpowder in the ammunition casing or shell creates a forward force
on the bullet that propels the bullet out of the gun barrel. Basic
physics requires that an equal and opposite force be exerted
rearward by the bullet on the gun. This force is referred to as
recoil. The portion of the recoil sensed by the gun user is "felt"
recoil. The felt recoil is less than the total recoil because
semiautomatics contain a spring, or springs, which absorb some of
the energy released when fired.
[0009] Furthermore, as is well known, recoil of any handgun
increases as the handgun, or that part of it which recoils, is
decreased in weight or the power of the ammunition that is fired is
increased. The physical reason is that a given cartridge will
develop a characteristic amount of recoil momentum, for a
particular length of barrel, regardless of the type of the handgun
in which it is fired. This recoil momentum results in an increase
in the energy of recoil which is proportional to the square of the
recoil momentum and varies inversely with the mass of the recoiling
part. In other words, doubling the recoil momentum by increasing
the power of the cartridge will quadruple the recoil energy of the
handgun. Reducing the recoiling mass, on the other hand, by fifty
percent will double the recoil energy. Therefore, since reducing
the weight of a handgun and increasing the power of the ammunition
substantially increases the handgun's recoil, recoil is a critical
problem in stability of light-weight handguns when firing powerful
ammunition. Conversely decreasing the load of the ammunition with
the OME spring jeopardizes the ability of the handgun to cycle the
next round.
[0010] Moreover, because the gun barrel wherein the recoil force is
applied is usually slightly above the wrist of the user, a moment
is created about the wrist that tends to rotate the gun barrel
upward after firing. In a semiautomatic handgun the result is that
the handgun must be re-aimed before it can be fired again. It can
be appreciated, therefore, that minimal felt recoil is a desirable
attribute for handguns since it will reduce the time required to
re-aim the handgun.
[0011] Similarly, the dual spring systems generally utilize a guide
rod of greater diameter making interchanging with single spring rod
assemblies impossible, as the same is also a fixed element of the
manufacturer. Thus the present invention overcomes many of the
disadvantages inherent in the manufacture, assembly/disassembly,
use and maintenance of conventional handguns.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is directed to the field of firearms
and more particularly the guide rod assembly of a semi-automatic
handgun. Guide rods in hand guns effectively serve the purpose of
controlling the barrel jump by controlling the recoil spring as the
slide reciprocates when the cartridge in the gun is discharged
allowing for the shooter to better control the handgun's movement
at time of discharge and thus the hand gun's accuracy.
[0013] Accordingly, the present invention is directed, but not
limited to, the long-felt need of handgun owners who are
dissatisfaction with the original manufacture's equipment ("OME")
guide rods--notably those with two (2) springs (e.g., the
Generation 4 Glock handguns). Glock handguns have been the standard
issue weapons of the U.S. military and police departments for
decades. The previous 3 generations of Glock pistols utilized a
guide rod composed of a single rod of plastic, with a single recoil
spring of a spring-resistance weight of 17 pounds affixed to the
rod. The "Generation 4" Glock handguns, instead, use a dual spring
unit. However, the present design in the Glock Generation 4 is
flawed and problematic in its application to custom or low power
cartridges in that its guide rod assembly includes a rod with two
(2) springs, the arrangement of which precludes: 1) use of past
Generation 3 single guide rod assemblies, and 2) modification of
the OME springs according to the users desired customization, be it
for recoil control or the custom load in the cartridge. Thus, the
dual spring system is problematic in it does not allow for the
ejection of lower power or custom loaded cartridges as well as an
inability to customize (e.g. alter the springs' tensions) recoil
from the handgun when fired.
[0014] Thus, what is disclosed herein overcomes a safety and
functionality needs resulting in dramatic improvement to
semi-automatic handguns, their functionality, control and accuracy
with dual spring recoil guide rods.
[0015] An object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages
of the above-described firearms by providing a modified recoil
guide rod assembly and the components, some of which can be used
independently, to improve the performance of Glock and like
semi-automatic pistols with dual spring guide rod assemblies.
[0016] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide enhanced handgun customization.
[0017] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
[0018] Accordingly, the present invention does indeed accomplish
the aforementioned objects. Obviously many modifications and
variations of the present invention are possible in the light of
the teachings herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
should be made to the following detailed description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIGS. 1A through 1C are exploded views of a handgun and the
inventive slide to frame adapter;
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a bushing for use
with the inventive slide to frame adapter that covers, blocks or
otherwise occludes the gap between the handgun frame and the
slide;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handgun assembly without
the bushing of FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a handgun assembly
without the bushing of FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the inventive slide
to frame adapter;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front end perspective view of a handgun with the
inventive slide to frame adapter; and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view along line E of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the invention
[0028] FIGS. 1A-1B show a first embodiment of the invention. The
invention 10 of this embodiment includes slide 20 having guide rod
cover 22, barrel 25, bushing 30, guide rod 40 around which spring
50 is configured and frame 60. Slide 20 (including guide rod cover
22), barrel 25, guide rod 40 and spring 50 are collectively
referenced as slide assembly 100.
[0029] In one illustrative embodiment, slide assembly 100 (again
including slide 20, barrel 25, guide rod 40 and spring 50) includes
components designed for a Glock Generation 3 or earlier generation
(hereinafter G3). In this illustrative embodiment frame 60 is a
component of a Glock Generation 4 (hereinafter G4). FIGS. 2A and 2B
show the opposing sides of bushing 30.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a G3 slide assembly 100 on G4
frame 60. This modification, without the use of busing 30, results
in gap A between slide 20 (including guide rod cover 22) and frame
60. This gap provides numerous disadvantages, including, inter
alia, allowing debris to enter the handgun.
[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B show G3 slide assembly 100 in combination
with bushing 30 on G4 frame 60. As it can be seen, bushing 30
occludes gap A thereby providing a seal from debris. In this
embodiment, an opening on the face of bushing 30 receives guide rod
cover 22.
[0032] FIG. 1C along with 5A and 5B is are illustrations of slide
20 having guide rod cover 22, barrel 25, bushing 30, guide rod 40
around which spring 50 is configured--commonly referenced as
adapter assembly 200. In this embodiment, bushing 30 is integrally
formed with slide 20. Alternatively, bushing 30 can be attached to,
or integrally formed with, guide rod 40.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a front end perspective view of a handgun with the
inventive slide to frame adapter. Referring to FIG. 7, wherein the
invention includes a bushing that allows the use of a guide rod
having a shaft diameter that differs from the slide guide rod hole
diameter. Hole, or depression, 70 has a shape larger than the shaft
of the guide rod. This allows a guide rod to fit within the
bushing.
[0034] Outer surface 72 has a shape and size smaller than the
diameter of the slide spring seat. This allows the bushing to fit
with the slide spring seat. Surface 74 allows contact between the
bushing and the recoil spring.
[0035] It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and
those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently
attained and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0036] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
there between.
* * * * *