BARREL AND EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR A HANDGUN, METHOD FOR OPERATING A HANDGUN, AND CARRIER SLEEVE FOR A BARREL AND/OR EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR A HANDGUN

Abstract

A barrel for a handgun includes an imaginary barrel bore axis along which it extends in the x-direction, around which barrel axis the following are formed in the interior of the barrel, in succession from a rear end to a front end: a cartridge chamber, which has a first diameter; a cartridge chamber opening, which has a second diameter; a conical transition, which transitions from the second diameter to a third diameter, which is associated with the guide region; and a barrel opening, an end face being formed around the cartridge chamber opening, and the barrel being suitable for a bullet driven by hot gases to accelerate therethrough. The end face is at least 1.5 times larger than the cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter.

Claims

1. A barrel for a handgun, the barrel defining and extending along a barrel bore axis extending in an x-direction, the barrel comprising: a rear end; a front end; an interior; a cartridge chamber, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and has a first diameter; a cartridge chamber opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior, succeeds the cartridge chamber in a direction from the rear end to the front end, and has a second diameter; a conical transition region, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the cartridge chamber opening in the direction; a guide region, which has associated therewith a third diameter, the conical transition region transitioning from the second diameter to the third diameter which is associated with the guide region; a barrel opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the conical transition region in the direction; and an end face formed around the cartridge chamber opening, the barrel being configured for a bullet driven by hot gases to accelerate therethrough, the end face being at least 1.5 times larger than a cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter.

2. The barrel according to claim 1, wherein the end face is one of at least 2.00 times, at least 2.15 times, and at least 2.35 times larger than the cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter.

3. The barrel according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge chamber opening is designed in a plane which is substantially normal to the barrel bore axis, the end face extending at least in part in the plane.

4. The barrel according to claim 3, wherein the end face runs in a funnel shape towards the cartridge chamber opening.

5. The barrel according to claim 4, further including a surrounding region, wherein the end face is formed at least in part beyond the plane into the surrounding region, concentrically arranged around the conical transition region.

6. The barrel according to claim 5, wherein the end face one of has a channel-shaped recess and a channel-shaped recess running in a ring-shaped arrangement around the cartridge chamber opening.

7. The barrel according to claim 6, wherein the barrel has an outside contour with a barrel top side and a barrel bottom side, the barrel bore axis being eccentrically placed relative toward the barrel bottom side of the barrel.

8. The barrel according to claim 7, further including a barrel ramp with a guide surface for at least one of a bullet and a shell of a cartridge which is arranged on the barrel bottom side of the barrel.

9. The barrel according to claim 8, wherein the guide surface of the barrel ramp includes a first part and a second part, the second part being one of arranged on the barrel and firmly connected with the barrel, the barrel further including a ramp block which is one of detachable from the barrel and detachable from the barrel without tools, the first part being arranged on the ramp block.

10. The barrel according to claim 9, wherein the ramp block is configured for one of a detachable securement in the handgun and a tool-free detachable securement in the handgun.

11. The barrel according to claim 10, wherein the barrel bottom side includes a first gliding surface thereon and the ramp block includes a top side including a second gliding surface thereon, so that on contact between the first gliding surface and the second gliding surface the outside contour of the barrel is configured for being movable along the first gliding surface and the second gliding surface, parallel to the barrel bore axis.

12. An exchange system for a handgun, comprising: a barrel for the handgun, the barrel defining and extending along a barrel bore axis extending in an x-direction, the barrel including: a rear end; a front end; an interior; a cartridge chamber, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and has a first diameter; a cartridge chamber opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior, succeeds the cartridge chamber in a direction from the rear end to the front end, and has a second diameter; a conical transition region, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the cartridge chamber opening in the direction; a guide region, which has associated therewith a third diameter, the conical transition region transitioning from the second diameter to the third diameter which is associated with the guide region; a barrel opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the conical transition region in the direction; and an end face formed around the cartridge chamber opening, the barrel being configured for a bullet driven by hot gases to accelerate therethrough; and a carrier sleeve configured to accommodate a cartridge, the carrier sleeve including a sleeve opening end face, the end face and the sleeve opening end face each being at least 1.5 times larger than a cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter.

13. The exchange system according to claim 12, wherein the end face is one of at least 2.00 times, at least 2.15 times, and at least 2.35 times larger than the cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter.

14. A method for operating a handgun, the method comprising the steps of: providing the handgun includes a barrel, the barrel defining and extending along a barrel bore axis extending in an x-direction, the barrel including: a rear end; a front end; an interior; a cartridge chamber, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and has a first diameter; a cartridge chamber opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior, succeeds the cartridge chamber in a direction from the rear end to the front end, and has a second diameter; a conical transition region, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the cartridge chamber opening in the direction; a guide region, which has associated therewith a third diameter, the conical transition region transitioning from the second diameter to the third diameter which is associated with the guide region; a barrel opening, which is formed around the barrel bore axis in the interior and succeeds the conical transition region in the direction; and an end face formed around the cartridge chamber opening, the barrel being configured for a bullet driven by hot gases to accelerate therethrough, the end face being at least 1.5 times larger than a cross-sectional surface formed by the third diameter; and operating the handgun.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the providing step further includes that the handgun includes: a grip; a breech arranged movably on the grip; a locking spring; a locking unit; an original barrel with a second cartridge chamber to accommodate a large caliber standard cartridge, wherein the barrel and the locking spring, depending on a position of the locking unit, can be detached from the grip and fastened to the grip, together as an assembly group; the method further comprising the steps of: detaching the assembly group including the breech, the locking spring, and the original barrel from the grip; exchanging the original barrel with the barrel; reinserting the locking spring; inserting a ramp block into the grip of the handgun; fastening the assembly group including the breech, the locking spring, and the barrel onto the grip of the handgun; and inserting a magazine containing a plurality of carrier sleeves with a plurality of cartridges therein into the handgun.

16. A carrier sleeve for a barrel for a handgun, comprising: an external geometry that is adapted to a cartridge chamber of the barrel in such a way that the carrier sleeve is configured for being repeatedly inserted from a rear end of the barrel into the cartridge chamber of the barrel and for being removed again in an opposite direction and thus forms at least a first diameter; an interior including at least one inner region forming a second diameter, the carrier sleeve being suitable to receive a cartridge and thus has in the interior the at least one inner region forming the second diameter configured for being that through which a bullet of the cartridge is guided; a sleeve opening end face which is at least 1.5 times larger than a cross-sectional surface that is formed by the second diameter.

17. The carrier sleeve according to claim 16, wherein the carrier sleeve includes a zinc alloy which has a zinc component of one of at least 55%, at least 70%, and at least 80%.

18. The carrier sleeve according to claim 16, wherein the carrier sleeve consists at least partially of one of (a) a plastic material, and (b) one of a reinforced plastic and an unreinforced plastic from the group of one of polyamides, polyoxymethylene, and one of polyaryletherketone and polyetheretherkatone.

19. The carrier sleeve according to claim 16, wherein the carrier sleeve has a first average surface roughness depth in at least one section of a surface area of the carrier sleeve characterized by the first diameter and a second average surface roughness depth in at least one section of an interior surface area of the carrier sleeve characterized by the second diameter, the first average surface roughness depth being smaller than the second average surface roughness depth.

20. The carrier sleeve according to claim 16, wherein the carrier sleeve in the interior has an expansion area featuring a third diameter in which a shell of the cartridge during a shot can expand at least in a partial section in a way that the shell is plastically deformed after the shot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0090] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a barrel for a handgun;

[0091] FIG. 2a is a detailed view of an alternative arrangement in the end face design;

[0092] FIG. 2b is a detailed view of an alternative arrangement in the end face design;

[0093] FIG. 3 is a ramp block associated with and separable from the barrel, shown in a spatial representation;

[0094] FIG. 4 is an assembly group including original breech, original barrel, and original locking spring of a handgun with a large caliber cartridge in the cartridge chamber;

[0095] FIG. 5 is an assembly group including original breech, barrel and original locking spring of a handgun with a carrier sleeve in the cartridge chamber and a small caliber cartridge stored therein;

[0096] FIG. 6a is a side view of carrier sleeve of the exchange system;

[0097] FIG. 6b is a side view of carrier sleeve of the exchange system; and

[0098] FIG. 6c is a side view of carrier sleeve of the exchange system.

[0099] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a barrel 1 for a handgun 2 which extends along an imaginary barrel bore axis 3, extending in the x-direction, around which the following are formed in interior 4 of barrel 1, in succession from a rear end 5 to a front end 6: a cartridge chamber 8, which has a first diameter 7; a cartridge chamber opening 10, which has a second diameter 9; a conical transition region 13, which transitions from second diameter 2 to a third diameter 12, which is associated with guide region 11; and a barrel opening 14, an end face 15 being formed around cartridge chamber opening 10, and wherein barrel 1 is suitable for a bullet 16 driven by hot gases to accelerate therethrough, wherein end face 15 is at least 1.5 times larger than the cross-sectional surface formed by third diameter 12. In the illustrated example, the end face is intended to be approximately 2.42 times larger than the cross sectional surface formed by third diameter 12. In the illustrated example, third diameter 12 of guide region 11 is adapted to the diameter of the bullet of a so-called small caliber cartridge, more precisely the standard cartridge caliber 0.22 long rifle.

[0101] Cartridge chamber opening 10 is arranged in a plane E which is substantially normal to barrel bore axis 3 and end face 15 extends at least in part in plane E. In some regions, end face 15 runs in a funnel shape towards cartridge chamber opening 10.

[0102] FIG. 2a shows an alternative arrangement of the design of end face 15. In this version, end face 15 extends at least in part beyond plane E into surrounding region 17, concentrically arranged around transition region 13.

[0103] FIG. 2b illustrates an additional alternative arrangement of the design of end face 15. In this arrangement, end face 15 has a channel-shaped recess 18, which can run in a ring shaped manner around cartridge chamber opening 10. This design characteristic can be combined with the two alternatives described previously.

[0104] In FIGS. 2a and 2b, distance A of end face 15 to rear end 5 of the barrel is also recognizable. Consistent in all subsequent drawings, the reference identifications used in previously discussed drawings are used accordingly for same components.

[0105] FIG. 1 also shows that barrel 1 has an outside contour with a barrel top side 19 and a barrel bottom side 20 and that the axis of barrel bore 3 is eccentrically placed relative toward bottom side 20 of the barrel. In addition a barrel ramp 21 with a guide surface 22 for a bullet and/or a shell 23 of a cartridge 24 is arranged on bottom side 20 of the barrel. Bullet 16 and/or shell 23 of a cartridge 24, or in particular a carrier sleeve 29, is supported and guided on the guide surface when it is inserted, for example in the self-loading process, by breech 32 or a component associated with same, for example a breechblock head, from the magazine of a handgun 2 which is not shown here but merely indicated in FIG. 5, into cartridge chamber 8 of barrel 1 from its rear end 5.

[0106] It is herein recognizable, that guide surface 22 of barrel ramp 21 includes a first part 22-1 and a second part 22-2 and that second part 22-2 is arranged on barrel 1 or is firmly connected with barrel 1, and that first part 22-1 is arranged on a ramp block 25 which is detachable from the barrel, which can be without tools. First part 22-1 represents more than 50%, even more than 75% of the guide surface.

[0107] A first gliding surface 26 is provided on bottom side 20 of the barrel and a second gliding surface 28 is provided on top side 27 of ramp block 25, so that on contact between first gliding surface 26 and second gliding surface 28, barrel 1 is movable along the two gliding surfaces 26, 28, parallel to the axis of barrel bore 3.

[0108] FIG. 3 shows the ramp block in a perspective view. Ramp block 25 is designed for tool-free detachable securement in handgun 2 which is merely indicated in FIG. 5 and has a first functional surface 37 and a second functional surface 38.

[0109] FIG. 4 shows an assembly group of a grip component 31 indicated in FIG. 5, consisting of a breech 32, an original barrel 35 and a locking spring 33, which can be released and fixed on grip component 31 in a repeatable manner, depending on the position of locking unit 34. A large caliber cartridge 24-1 is illustrated in the assembly group, for purpose of clarification. FIG. 4 thus shows the condition of a handgun 2—also merely indicated in FIG. 5—before exchange of original barrel 35 and barrel 1, whereas FIG. 5 shows the condition after the exchange of original barrel 35 and barrel 1.

[0110] For the sake of clarity, a carrier sleeve 29 is illustrated in cartridge chamber 8 of barrel in FIG. 5 which is loaded in its interior with a KK cartridge. All other components of handgun 2, in particular also breech 32 and locking spring 33 are identical to the components shown in FIG. 4.

[0111] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a carrier sleeve which is shown in a side view in FIG. 6a and in a sectional side view in FIG. 6b. In the sectional side view, sleeve opening end face 30 is clearly recognizable, extending from opening 39 of carrier sleeve 29 to cylindrical part 40 of its surface area 41. The end face is convex in the illustrated example.

[0112] FIG. 6c shows an arrangement of a carrier sleeve 29 which, in at least one section of a surface area of carrier sleeve 29, characterized by first diameter 7′, has a first average surface roughness depth Rz1, and a second average surface roughness depth Rz2 in at least one section of an interior surface area of carrier sleeve 29, characterized by third diameter 12′, and wherein first average surface roughness depth Rz1 is smaller than second average roughness depth Rz2. In this case, the entire surface area of carrier sleeve 29 which is characterized by first diameter 7′ is identified by a first average roughness depth Rz1, whereas the entire interior surface area of the carrier sleeve which is characterized by third diameter 12′ has a second average roughness depth Rz2. First average roughness depth Rz1 is hereby in a range of between 0.04 μm and 8.0 μm, and second average roughness depth Rz2 compared to the first average roughness depth Rz1 can be increased by at least 10%, or by at least 25%, or by at least 35%, and by a maximum of 250%, or by a maximum of 200%. In addition, this arrangement of carrier sleeve 29 has in its interior a fourth diameter 43 which belongs to an expansion region 44 in which the shell of cartridge 24-2 during the shot can expand at least in a partial section in a way, that it is plastically deformed after the shot.

[0113] The carrier sleeve can form an area at its front region, which can be qualitatively adapted to the shape of a bullet of a large-caliber cartridge and can form a second diameter 42 there. Front face 30 (which can be referred to as an end face) can then be divided into a first front face 30′ and a second front face 30″.

[0114] Component Identification List [0115] 1 barrel [0116] 2 handgun [0117] 3 barrel bore axis [0118] 4 interior of barrel [0119] 5 rear end [0120] 6 front end [0121] 7 First diameter [0122] 7′ first diameter of carrier sleeve [0123] 8 cartridge chamber [0124] 9 second diameter [0125] 10 cartridge chamber opening [0126] 11 guide region [0127] 12 third diameter [0128] 12′ third diameter of the carrier sleeve [0129] 13 transition region [0130] 14 barrel opening [0131] 15 end face [0132] 16 bullet [0133] 17 surrounding region [0134] 18 channel-like recess [0135] 19 top side of barrel [0136] 20 bottom side of barrel [0137] 21 barrel ramp [0138] 22 guide surface [0139] 22-1 first part of guide surface [0140] 22-2 second part of guide surface [0141] 23 shell [0142] 24 cartridge [0143] 24-1 large caliber cartridge [0144] 24-2 small caliber cartridge (KK cartridge) [0145] 25 ramp block [0146] 26 first gliding surface [0147] 27 top side of ramp block [0148] 28 second gliding surface [0149] 29 carrier sleeve [0150] 30 sleeve opening end face [0151] 30′ first end face [0152] 30″ second end face [0153] 31 Grip [0154] 32 Breech [0155] 33 locking spring [0156] 34 locking unit [0157] 35 original barrel [0158] 36 cartridge chamber of original barrel [0159] 37 first functional surface [0160] 38 second functional surface [0161] 39 opening of carrier sleeve [0162] 40 cylindrical part of surface area [0163] 41 surface area of carrier sleeve [0164] 42 second diameter of the carrier sleeve [0165] 43 fourth diameter of the carrier sleeve [0166] 44 expansion region [0167] E plane [0168] X x-direction [0169] Y y-direction [0170] Z z-direction

[0171] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.