Armorer Tool System for Assembly and Servicing AR Platform firearms

Abstract

An armorer tool system for distributing the applied torque over a very wide surface, associated with assembling and disassembling primarily the barrel and the lower receiver extension of an AR platform firearms, independently of the specifications of their barrel extension, lower receiver and upper receiver external features, and magazine well geometry; and methods of using the tools are also disclosed.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An armorer tool for the assembly primarily of the barrel (3AR-15 or 3AR-10) and the upper receiver of a AR-15 (1AR-15) or a AR-10 platform firearms (1AR-10), see FIG. 3; and secondary for the installation of the gas block, muzzle brake or flash hider (5), and handguard (6) comprising a combination of: a flat elongated member (30), see FIG. 1 with a substantially rectangular section having a constant width to match the charging handle well width (20) of the AR-15 or the AR-10 upper receivers, see FIG. 7; said member comprises a front end (31) having a smaller height to match the bolt carrier/charging handle well height of the AR-15 upper, and a rear end (32) without a height reduction to match the corresponding height of the AR-10 bolt carrier group/charging handle well, see FIG. 1; the said front end and the said rear end of the member define the front end and the rear end of the tool respectively; two sets of symmetrical smaller AR-15 bolt carrier well blocks (37 and 37A) with a substantially cylindrical radius of 25 mm to concentrically match with the AR-15 upper receiver bolt carrier well and to be installed in the front end of the elongated member, see FIG. 1; two sets of symmetrical larger AR-10 bolt carrier well blocks (38 and 38A) with a substantially cylindrical radius of 30 mm to concentrically match with the AR-10 upper receiver bolt carrier well and to be installed in the rear end of the elongated member, see FIG. 1; and a locking pin (34), see FIG. 1, located at a convenient location to secure the AR-15 or the AR-10 upper receivers to the tool through the spent brass ejection well, FIG. 6 item 16 showing the bolt carrier bolt indicates the position of this well.

14. The armorer tool according to claim 13, wherein the said bolt carrier well blocks sets are held in place using two sets of bolts and nuts (39 and 39A) or other removable mechanical means.

15. The armorer tool according to claim 14, wherein the said front end of the elongated member has 2 sets of 2 perpendicular through holes (33) with a distance of 20 mm between them to align each pair of smaller AR-15 bolt carrier well blocks (37 and 37A) such that the said blocks' cylindrical surfaces will be substantially concentric with the corresponding AR-15 bolt carrier group well (19), see FIG. 7.

16. The armorer tool according to claim 15, wherein the said rear end of the elongated member has 2 sets of 2 perpendicular through holes (34) with at a distance of 22 mm between them to align each pair larger AR-10 bolt carrier well blocks (38 and 38A) such that the blocks' cylindrical surfaces will be substantially concentric with the corresponding AR-10 bolt carrier group well (19), see FIG. 7.

17. The armorer tool according to claim 16, wherein the said bolt carrier well blocks holes distance of each type of upper receivers to be different to avoid errors during the configuration and use of the tool.

18. The armorer tool according to claim 17, wherein it interfaces with the internal features of the upper receiver to support the upper receiver assembly being constructed or maintained; the said internal features are the very strong bolt carrier group well (9) and the charging handle well (20), see FIG. 7; making it possible to build or disassemble firearms of the AR-15 or AR-10 platforms with any type of barrel extension, bullet caliber and specification, magazine specification, and fitting most AR-10 and AR-15 forged, billet and custom upper receivers; and protecting the barrel extension, the barrel extension locating pin, the barrel, the upper receiver slot, and the upper/lower receivers assembly pins the against damage caused by applied torque.

19. The armorer tool according to claim 18, wherein the elongated member material is high strength aluminum or steel; to be manufactured by a combination of sawing, machining, die cutting, drilling, tapping, forge, extrusion, or another suitable method.

20. The armorer tool according to claim 19, wherein the said bolt carrier well blocks material can be metallic, polymer, reinforced composite, or other suitable material; to be manufactured by casting, forging, extrusion, injection molding, 3D-Printing or another suitable method.

21. A method to configure the armorer tool according to claim 20 configured to be used with AR-15 upper receivers comprising the following steps: a) Attach only the AR-15 bolt carrier group well blocks (37 and 37A) to the front end of the tool (31), two on each side, the corresponding blocks (38 and 38A) for the AR-10 receiver are to be removed from the tool; b) The rear end (32) of the tool is to be securely attached to a bench vise (50).

22. A method to install the barrel to the AR-15 upper receiver using the configured armorer tool as per claim 21 comprising the following steps: a) The AR-15 upper receiver (1AR-15) is slid over the front end of the armorer tool through the bolt carrier and charging handle well (19 and 20), see FIG. 3, until the tool touches the end of the charging handle well; b) Secure the receiver to the tool attaching a locking pin (34) through the spent cartridge ejection port, see FIG. 2, of the corresponding upper receiver; c) The barrel of the firearm (3AR-15) is to be introduced into the upper receiver (1AR-15) and then the barrel nut (4AR-15) is threaded into the upper receiver corresponding thread, see FIG. 3; d) Torque the barrel nut (4AR-15), either for assembling or disassembling, the torque is distributed over a very large area along the charging handle well and the bolt carrier well blocks, the generally recommended magnitude of this torque is between 40-80 foot-pounds; e) Other parts like the Gas Block, Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider and Handguard can be subsequently installed.

23. A method to configure the armorer tool according to claim 20 configured to be used with AR-10 upper receivers comprising the following steps: a) Attach only the AR-10 bolt carrier group well blocks (38 and 38A) to the rear end of the tool (32), two on each side, the corresponding blocks (37 and 37A) for the AR-15 receiver are to be removed from the assembly; b) The rear end (32) is to be securely attached to a bench vise (50).

24. A method to install the barrel to the AR-10 upper receiver using the configured armorer tool as per claim 23 comprising the following steps: a) The AR-10 upper receiver (1AR-10) is slid over the rear end of the armorer tool through the bolt carrier and charging handle well (19 and 20), see FIG. 3, until the tool touches the end of the charging well then it is secured to the tool attaching a locking pin (34) through the spent cartridge ejection port, see FIG. 2, of the corresponding upper receiver; b) The barrel of the firearm (3AR-15) is to be introduced into the upper receiver (1AR-15) and then the barrel nut (4AR-15) is threaded into the upper receiver corresponding thread, see FIG. 3; c) Torque the barrel nut (4AR-15), either for assembling or disassembling, the torque is distributed over a very large area along the charging handle well and the bolt carrier well blocks, the generally recommended magnitude of this torque is between 40-80 foot-pounds; d) Other parts like the Gas Block, Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider and Handguard can be subsequently installed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1: Upper Receiver support tool parts

[0040] FIG. 2: Upper Receiver support tool primary function to assemble the upper receiver with barrel

[0041] FIG. 3: Upper Receiver support tool configuration with exclusive options

[0042] FIG. 4: Lower Receiver Extension support block parts

[0043] FIG. 5: Lower Receiver Extension support tool primary function and options

[0044] FIG. 6: AR-15/10 upper and lower receiver, outer portion illustration

[0045] FIG. 7: AR-15/10 upper receivers, charging handles and bolt carrier groups details

[0046] FIG. 8: AR-15/10 lower receiver, receiver extension, and buttstock details

[0047] FIG. 9: Upper receiver support tool free body diagram

[0048] FIG. 10: Armorer Tools System for Assembly and Maintenance of all AR Platform firearms

[0049] FIG. 11: Lower receiver extension support tool free body diagram

[0050] FIG. 12: Lower receiver parts to assemble with lower receiver extension or buffer tube

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

[0051] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, the upper receiver support tool, disclosed herein, is for the assembly primarily of the barrel and the upper receiver of the firearm, and secondary for the installation of the gas block, muzzle brake or flash hider and handguard, (each notable part has the same identifier number, refer to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7) comprising: [0052] A flat elongated member (30) with a substantially rectangular section comprising a front portion (31) and a rear portion (32). See FIG. 1. [0053] The elongated member narrowest side has a constant width to match the charging handle well width (20) that is the same for both the AR-15 and the AR-10 upper receivers [0054] The front portion (31) is recessed longitudinally to match the smaller height of bolt carrier/carrying handle well (19 and 20) of the AR-15 upper receiver, the elongated member widest side has four perpendicular through holes (33) configured to attach two blocks (37) on each side to match the AR-15 upper receiver bolt carrier group (BCG) well (19) and one perpendicular threaded hole (35) to attach a threaded pin to secure the upper receiver to the tool (34) [0055] The rear portion (32), without a recess, matches the height of the AR-10 bolt carrier group/carrying handle well (19 and 20), the elongated member widest side has four perpendicular through holes (34) configured to attach two bigger blocks (38) on each side to match the AR-10 upper receiver bolt carrier well (19) of the AR-10 upper receiver and one perpendicular threaded hole (36) to attach a threaded pin to secure the upper receiver to the tool (34)

[0056] The First Embodiment of the armorer tool system, disclosed herein, is meant to use the bolt carrier group and the charging handle wells (19 and 20), this is to use the internal features of the upper receiver to support the assembly. There are several tool configurations that can achieve this goal, for example, a couple of round bars with an integral or detachable key.

[0057] The selected configuration disclosed herein comprises a rectangular bar or elongated member, it has the positions of the blocks' holes on the bar configured such that the cylindrical sides of the blocks (37 and 38) when installing on the bar, are substantially concentric with the corresponding bolt carrier group well (19), see FIGS. 2, 3 and 7. The distance between holes of the bolt carrier well blocks of each type of upper receivers is different to avoid errors during the configuration and use of the tool, being 20 mm for the AR-15 (37) and 22 mm for the AR-10 (38). This distance will be used to clearly sort the bolt carrier well blocks cylindrical radius that is set to match the diameter of the corresponding bolt carriers: Approximately 25 mm of the AR-15 and the 30 mm of the AR-10. The blocks on one side (37A and 38A) are fitted with a convenient nut anti-rotation feature (39A) to eliminate the need to use a secondary wrench when installing the blocks on the elongated member.

[0058] In another aspect of the art, the First Embodiment of the armorer tool system, wherein by its nature, is independent from barrel extension making possible to be used with any type and caliber of barrel extension specification, and independent from the features and specifications of the externals of the upper receiver making possible to be used with any style, including custom upper receivers.

[0059] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, wherein the elongated member material is high strength aluminum or steel, the blocks material can be metallic, polymer or other suitable material. The manufacturing is a combination of sawing, machining, die cutting, drilling, tapping, forge, extrusion, injection molding, 3D-Printing or another suitable method.

[0060] Barrel Nut Tightening Method

[0061] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, wherein is configured to be used with AR-15 upper receivers attaching only the AR-15 bolt carrier group well blocks to the front end of the tool (37), two on each side, the corresponding blocks for the AR-10 receiver (38) are to be removed from the assembly. The rear end is to be securely attached to a bench vise (50). See FIG. 2.

[0062] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, wherein is configured to be used with AR-10 upper receivers attaching only the AR-10 bolt carrier well blocks to the rear end of the tool (38), two on each side, the corresponding blocks for the AR-15 receiver are to be removed from the assembly (37). In this case, the front end is to be securely attached to a bench vise (50). See FIG. 3.

[0063] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, wherein the upper receiver (1) is slid over the armorer tool through the bolt carrier well until the tool touches the end of the charging well and it is secured attaching a threaded pin through the spent cartridge ejection port of the corresponding upper receiver (34). See FIGS. 3 and 10.

[0064] The First Embodiment of an armorer tool system, wherein the barrel of the firearm (3) is to be introduced into the upper receiver and then the barrel nut (4) is threaded into the upper receiver corresponding thread. Then torque is applied to the barrel nut, either for assembling or disassembling. The torque is distributed over a very large area along the charging handle well and the bolt carrier well blocks. The recommended magnitude of this torque is between 40-80 foot-pounds. Other parts like the Gas Block, Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider and Handguard can be subsequently installed. See FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0065] Acting Forces and Stress

[0066] The free body diagram in FIG. 9, shows the forces acting on the tool caused by a Torque acting on the barrel nut. If the torque magnitude is 120 lb-ft (50% above the max. recommended), the force can be calculated easily: T=FD, then F=T/D, in this case 120 lbs-ft/0.75 in*12 in/ft=1,920 lbs. The top force, shown in the figure, is smoothly distributed along the length of the receiver in contact with the elongated member, the bottom force is distributed on the blocks on one side of the elongated bar, that in turn, they transfer the force over the elongated bar itself. If the Yield Stress of the block is known, the required area of the blocks can be estimated. ABS polymer has a Compression Yield Strength of 9000 PSI, then the area can be easily calculated as: F=ABS-YSBlock-Area, then Required area becomes A=F/ABS-Yield, therefore 1,920 lbs/9,000 lbs/sq-in =0.21 sq-in., equivalent of a rectangular column of 0.300.70. On each side of the elongated bar, there are two blocks each with a total of four times this area to extend the life and reliability of the tool distributing the torque along the receiver and achieving the best alignment possible.

[0067] From the receiver perspective, the required area is six times smaller since the bearing Yield Strength of aluminum is 56,000 PSI, the resulting force of 1,920 lbs. it is distributed along the length of the receiver 5.5 inches, and requiring only 0.04 sq-in. along the charging handle well (20).

Second Embodiment

[0068] The Second Embodiment of an armorer tool system, disclosed herein, is primarily for the assembly of the lower receiver extension or buffer tube to the lower receiver of both the AR-15 and the AR-10 firearms.

[0069] And, secondarily to safely hold the lower receiver to install or disassemble the magazine release, trigger system, safety and bolt release small parts comprising, see FIG. 4: [0070] An angled member (40), with unequal sides, with a centrally located threaded hole on the longer side, configured to attach a block (41) that matches the profile of the lower receiver extension or buffer tube, the other side is recessed to match the width of the receiver extension buttstock length adjustment key (23), see FIG. 8. The angle and block lengths are 40 mm. The block is attached to the angle using a bolt (42), see FIG. 4 [0071] Two blocks as configure herein, located symmetrically on each side of the buffer tube are used to support the assembly on a bench vise (50). The longer side of the angles are used to rest the tool against the bench vise jaws and the angle recessed sides rest against the receiver extension key or buttstock length adjustment key (23), as shown in FIG. 5

[0072] The Second Embodiment of an armorer tool system disclosed herein, is meant to use the lower receiver extension or buffer tube (14). Its purpose is to apply the available force in a bench vise jaw directly on the tool blocks, in turn, over the external features of the lower receiver extension to safely support the assembly; achieving a very simple, compact, light, safe, and effective support tool block set.

[0073] In another aspect of the art, the Second Embodiment of the armorer tool system, wherein by its nature, is independent from the magazine well geometry and, independent of the external specification of the lower receiver making possible to be used with lower receivers of any external features and magazine specification, size, caliber, shape, and form.

[0074] The Second embodiment of an armorer tool system wherein the lower receiver extension block is configured to match the two types of lower receiver extensions (14) the MIL-SPEC and the Commercial types. The block cylindrical radius and center position are set to match the diameter of 29.16 mm of the MIL-SPEC and the 29.68 mm of the Commercial types. FIGS. 5 and 10.

[0075] Small parts related to this assembly must be already installed according to the recommendations of their respective manufacturers: The Takedown Pin (51), Takedown Pin Detent (52), Takedown Pin Detent Spring (53), Buffer Retainer Pin (54), and Buffer Retainer Pin Spring (55). See FIG. 12. The rest of the parts of the lower receiver can be installed or removed independently, before or after this assembly.

[0076] The Second embodiment of an armorer tool system wherein the angled member material is high strength aluminum or steel and the blocks material can be metallic, polymer or other suitable material. The manufacturing is a combination of sawing, die cutting, machining, drilling, tapping, forge, extrusion, injection molding, 3D-Printing or another suitable method.

[0077] Castle Nut Tightening Method

[0078] The Second embodiment of an armorer tool system, disclosed herein, is used to tighten or release the castle nut (17) that secures the receiver extension with the lower receiver, see FIG. 5. The receiver extension or buffer tube (14) is securely held by a bench vice (50), in between of the two tool blocks. The recommended magnitude of this torque is 40 foot-pounds. To maximize the lower receiver extension stability the tool should be located at the starting of the buttstock length adjustment key (23).

[0079] For cylindrical buffer receivers without the buttstock length adjustment key (23) will be necessary to apply extra force to keep the buffer tube stationary when the torque is applied. In this case, the user is responsible to avoid applying excessive force to permanently deform the buffer tube, particularly with skeletonized versions. Using a piece of sandpaper between the blocks and the buffer tube might add extra friction.

[0080] Acting Forces and Stress

[0081] The free body diagram in FIG. 11, shows the forces acting on the tool caused by a Torque acting on the castle nut. If the torque magnitude is 60 lb-ft (50% above the max. recommended), the force can be calculated easily: T=FD, then F=T/D, in this case 60 lbs-in/0.75 in =800 lbs. The top force, shown in the figure, is smoothly distributed along the length of the receiver extension in contact with the angled member, the bottom force is distributed on the block on the other side of the receiver extension, that in turn, it transfers the force over the angle bar itself. If the Yield Stress of the block is known, the required area of the blocks can be estimated. ABS polymer has a Compression Yield Strength of 9000 PSI, then the area can be easily calculated as: F=ABS-YSBlock-Area, then Required area becomes A=F/ABS-Yield Stress, therefore 800 lbs/9,000 lbs/sq-in =0.09 sq-in., equivalent of a rectangular column of 0.130.70. On each side of the buffer tube, there are two sections on the block each with a total of five times this area to extend the life and reliability of the tool distributing the torque along the receiver and achieving the best alignment possible.

[0082] From the receiver perspective, the required area is six times smaller since the bearing Yield strength of aluminum is 56,000 PSI, the resulting force of 800 lbs. it is distributed along the length of the receiver 1.5 inches spreading the load requiring only 0.015 sq-in.