Abstract
A barrel nut assembly with an improved attachment paradigm may feature a collet body circumscribed by a tightening band and release lever such that actuation of the release lever will selectively loosen or tighten the band and collet such that the barrel nut assembly may be positioned over or off a joint between a barrel and receiver in a firearm.
Claims
1. A barrel nut comprising: a. a collet body; b. a circumferential tightening band positioned about the collet body; c. a nut and bolt completing the circumferential tightening band; d. a tightening lever positioned proximate a head of the bolt; and e. a distribution ring.
2. The barrel nut of claim 1, the collet body further comprising internal ribs and a plurality of fingers forming one end of the collet, abutting the ring.
3. The barrel nut of claim 2, the tightening lever having a bulbous end abutting the bolt, said end having a varying radii of thickness from a bore provided as a pivot point of the lever.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a barrel installed on a representative receiver.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the barrel and receiver of FIG. 1, taken along line II-II.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the barrel and receiver assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a barrel nut assembly, used in FIGS. 1-3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 5, taken along line VI-VI.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 5, taken along line VII-VII.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a left elevation of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a right elevation of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
[0022] FIGS. 12-15 are alternate rear perspective views of the barrel nut assembly of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the barrel nut assembly is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, a barrel 10 is secured to a receiver 20. The illustrated barrel 10 and receiver 20 are used generically to illustrate the environment in which the barrel nut assembly 30 is utilized. The illustrated barrel 10 and receiver 20 utilize an externally threaded barrel interfacing in the throat of the receiver 20. It is to be readily understood that any other interface which would allow the use of a barrel nut or similar structure may utilize the present invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the threaded barrel end 12 fits in the throat 22 of the receiver 20 and the barrel nut assembly 30 fits over the joint. The barrel nut assembly 30 may be manufactured to receive any external geometry of the joint, including a flange.
[0025] In FIGS. 4-7, the basic parts of the barrel nut assembly are shown in greater detail. A collet body 34 supports a plurality of fingers 33 with ribbed internal surfaces 35. These ribbed fingers 33 abut a ring 32 which helps distribute pressure evenly about the receiver's throat opening 22. About the collet body 32 is a circumferential tightening band 36 which is completed by bolt 37 and nut 35. Release lever 38 is pivotably mounted 39 on the head of bolt 37 at a bulbous end. The circumference of the bulbous end has a varying radius (R1 to R2) as measured from the center of pivot pin 39 so that as the release lever is actuated to tighten the circumferential tightening band 36, the radius increases and the bulbous end of the release lever 38 pulls the bolt 37 and associated nut 35 against the circumferential tightening band 36 to reduce the band's overall inner circumference. The process is reversed to loosen the circumferential tightening band 36. The band 36 is positioned about at least a portion of the fingers 33 to secure the barrel nut assembly 30 over the joint. The ribs 31 on the fingers 33 may be provided to interface with any external threading on the barrel 10 or receiver throat 22 and does provide additional friction should such threading be absent.
[0026] The materials from which the barrel nut assembly may be made include metals, polymers, and composite materials, with any type of material being possible for use in any individual component. The inner surface of the collet body 34 may accommodate any shape of barrel/receiver interface in order to fit a given firearm platform. When assembled, as shown in FIGS. 8-15, the barrel nut 30 provides a tight, unobtrusive, connector to secure the barrel to the receiver of a firearm.
[0027] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
