Barrel clamp

Abstract

A barrel clamp for a Gatling-style firearm, or mini-gun, provides vanes for the direction of fresh air currents into the muzzle area of the firearm. The directed air streams contribute to cooling the barrels while in the firing cycle and also towards the disruption of fuel-rich gasses which contribute to muzzle flash.

Claims

1. A barrel clamp comprising: a. a base plate; b. a central support structure defining an axis; and c. a muzzle housing positioned on an extreme end of the support structure opposite the base plate, said muzzle housing further comprising a wall with a plurality of vanes, each with at least one associated vent, each said vent positioned to direct airflow into a central chamber of the muzzle housing when the barrel clamp is rotated about the axis, wherein the base plate and said muzzle housing each have a plurality of orifices such that there is an equal number of said orifices on the base plate and on the muzzle housing, each said orifice on the muzzle housing being paired to an opposed said orifice on the base plate so that barrels may be inserted therethrough, with each said orifice on said muzzle housing opening inside the central chamber.

2. The barrel clamp of claim 1, the plurality of said vanes equaling the plurality of said orifices in the muzzle housing.

3. The barrel clamp of claim 2, each said vane and each said vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

4. The barrel clamp of claim 1, each said vane and each said vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

5. The barrel clamp of claim 1, the support structure being a tube with an opening in the central chamber of the muzzle housing, said opening serving as a vent.

6. The barrel clamp of claim 5, the plurality of said vanes equaling the plurality of said orifices in the muzzle housing.

7. The barrel clamp of claim 6, each said vane and each said vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

8. The barrel clamp of claim 5, each said vane and each said vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

9. A barrel clamp comprising: a. a base plate; b. a central tube support structure having a length greater than its diameter, said length defining an axis; and c. a muzzle housing, said muzzle housing further comprising a plurality of vanes, each associated with one of a plurality of wall vents positioned to direct airflow into a central chamber of the muzzle housing when the barrel clamp is rotated about the axis, d. the central support tube having an opening within the central chamber of the muzzle housing serving as a central vent; wherein the base plate and said muzzle housing each have a plurality of orifices such that there is an equal number of said orifices on the base plate and on the muzzle housing, each said orifice on the muzzle housing being paired to an opposed said orifice on the base plate so barrels may be inserted therethrough, with each said orifice on said muzzle housing opening inside the central chamber.

10. The barrel clamp of claim 9, the plurality of said vanes equaling the plurality of said orifices in the muzzle housing.

11. The barrel clamp of claim 10, each said vane and each said wall vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

12. The barrel clamp of claim 9, each said vane and each said wall vent being positioned in a manner to direct airflow over one of the orifices in the muzzle housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an M-134 variant machine gun with a barrel clamp that exemplifies one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine gun of FIG. 1, in broken line, highlighting the barrel clamp.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is an alternate perspective view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2

(6) FIG. 6 is an alternate perspective view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2.

(7) FIG. 7 is an alternate perspective view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2, emphasizing the muzzle area.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the barrel clamp of FIG. 2.

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 7, taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the barrel clamp of FIG. 8, taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the barrel clamp 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.

(12) With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the barrel clamp 20 is a part of a comprehensive rotating, multi-barrel weapon system that directly supports barrels 10 at two locations along their length, near muzzles 12 and at some point further along the length of the barrel 10 as determined by the manufacturer. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the barrel clamp is a simple construction. It features a base plate 210 at one end of a support tube 220 and a muzzle housing 230 at the support tube's opposite end. The base plate 210 and muzzle housing 230 each feature paired holes 215, 235, one of each pair being located on the muzzle housing 230 and one located on the base plate 210, through which the barrels 10 extend (FIGS. 5 and 6). The barrel clamp 20 helps maintain position of the barrels 10 relative to each other and the weapon system as a whole. This is the primary function of any barrel clamp.

(13) With reference to FIGS. 5-10, the muzzle housing 230 of the barrel clamp 20 also features a wall with a plurality of vanes 240 and associated vents 245. The vanes 240 are positioned such that rotation R of the barrels 10 and the associated barrel clamp 20 will direct fresh air through the vents 245 and over the barrels 10 of the weapon (FIG. 10). The barrels 10 are therefore constantly bathed in streams of fresh air 250 while the barrels 10 are in motion. This directly aids in the cooling of those barrels 10, particularly in the vicinity of the muzzles 12. The constant air currents 250 also interrupt the accumulation of fuel-rich exhaust gasses from the constant explosions of projectiles being fired from the barrels 10. These gasses are forced to leave the higher-pressure, central chamber 233 inside the muzzle housing 230 and are thus dissipated, reducing their presence and ability to cause muzzle flash.

(14) In the best mode, the support tube 220 is hollow, providing a possible egress 225 for exhaust gasses. The use of a tube also reduces the weight of the clamp 20 and the associated system. However, it is conceivable that a solid rod may be used in place of a tube.

(15) Ideally, the air currents 250 are directed on the barrels 10 of the weapon (or towards holes 235, representing the position of barrels 10 when the barrel clamp is installed thereon) as this aids in cooling the barrels 10. The vanes 240 should direct the air currents 250 such that a maximal amount of the barrels 10 are covered by the air currents 250. Also, the number of vanes 240 should comport with the number of barrels 10 (usually 6), in either having that number or a whole number multiple thereof, such that each barrel has at least one air current 250 directed upon it. However, any number of vanes 240 will at least contribute to the dissipation of exhaust gasses and have some cooling effect on the barrels.

(16) Given the nature of the use of the barrel clamp, it is readily understood that strong, supportive materials, such as metals, are preferred. However, any material of sufficient strength, such as a composite or polymers, may also be utilized. It is also to be understood that while this barrel clamp has been described with reference to the modern M-134 and its current variants, the principals of this invention may be applied to any multi-barreled, rotary firearm in existence or later developed and is not unique to an M-134 platform.

(17) 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.