Firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve

Abstract

A firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve preferably includes an elongated tube, a first non-metal tube, a second non-metal tube, a sleeve nut and a coupler bushing. A first raised sleeve support section and a raised coupler section are formed on the elongated sleeve. The raised coupler section is formed in substantially a middle of the elongated tube. The bushing inner diameter is sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the raised coupler section. The first and second non-metal tubes include a tube inner diameter and a plurality of openings formed through a wall thereof. The tube inner diameters are sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the first raised sleeve support section and each end of the coupler bushing. The sleeve nut retains the first and second non-metal tubes and the coupler bushing on the elongated tube. A second embodiment includes a single non-metal tube.

Claims

1. A firearm barrel with a non-metal tube comprising: a barrel tube including an outer barrel surface, an inner barrel surface, an entrance end and an exit end, a sleeve thread formed on said exit end, and a raised sleeve support formed on an end opposite said exit end; said non-metal tube including an inner surface, said inner surface having an inner perimeter which is greater than an outer perimeter of said raised sleeve support; a bonding substance applied to at least one of said raised sleeve support and said inner surface to fill a gap between said raised sleeve support and said inner surface; and a sleeve nut including a tube end, a sleeve inner thread formed through said sleeve nut, said tube end in contact with said inner surface of said non-metal tube, wherein said barrel tube is inserted through said non-metal tube, wherein said sleeve nut is threaded on to said sleeve thread to retain said non-metal tube, wherein tightening said sleeve nut increases tension on a length of said barrel tube, and wherein concentricity of said non-metal tube is set relative to said barrel tube with said sleeve nut, before said bonding substance cures, said bonding substance locating said raised sleeve support with respect to said inner surface of said non-metal tube to lock spacing between said barrel tube and said non-metal tube.

2. The firearm barrel with said non-metal tube of claim 1 wherein: an air gap is created between said inner surface of said non-metal tube and said outer barrel surface of said barrel tube.

3. The firearm barrel with said non-metal tube of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve nut includes a rotation flange, said tube end extends from said rotation flange, and said tube end is sized to receive said inner surface of said non-metal tube.

4. The firearm barrel with said non-metal tube of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve inner thread is concentric with said tube end.

5. A firearm barrel assembly comprising: a non-metal tube having an inner surface; a barrel tube having an outer barrel surface, an inner barrel surface, an entrance end and an exit end, a sleeve thread formed on said exit end, and a raised sleeve support on an end opposite said exit end; a bonding substance applied to at least one of said raised sleeve support and said inner surface to fill a gap between said raised sleeve support and said inner surface, wherein said raised sleeve support is received within said non-metal tube; and a sleeve nut including a tube end and a sleeve inner thread formed through said sleeve nut, said sleeve nut threaded on to said sleeve thread and retaining said non-metal tube on said barrel tube, wherein said tube end is concentric with said barrel tube; wherein tightening of said sleeve nut on said sleeve thread compresses said non-metal tube and increases tension on a length of said barrel tube, and wherein concentricity between said non-metal tube and said barrel tube is set with said sleeve nut before said bonding substance cures, said bonding substance locating said raised sleeve support with respect to said inner surface of said non-metal tube to lock spacing between said barrel tube and said non-metal tube.

6. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 5 wherein: an air gap is defined between said inner surface of said non-metal tube and said outer surface of said barrel tube.

7. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 5 wherein: said non-metal tube is fabricated from carbon fiber.

8. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 5 wherein: said sleeve nut includes said tube end and a rotation flange, wherein said tube end extends from said rotation flange and receives said inner surface of said non-metal tube.

9. A firearm barrel assembly comprising: a barrel tube having an outer barrel surface, an inner barrel surface, an entrance end and an exit end, a sleeve thread formed on said exit end, and a raised sleeve support on an end opposite said exit end; a non-metal tube having an inner surface, said inner surface has an inner perimeter which is greater than an outer perimeter of said raised sleeve support; a bonding substance applied to at least one of said raised sleeve support and said inner surface to fill a gap between said raised sleeve support and said inner surface; and a sleeve nut including a tube end and a sleeve inner thread formed through said sleeve nut, said sleeve nut threaded on to said sleeve thread and retaining said non-metal tube on said barrel tube; wherein concentricity of said non-metal tube is set relative to said barrel tube by tightening said sleeve nut before said bonding substance cures, said bonding substance locating said raised sleeve support with respect to said inner surface of said non-metal tube to lock spacing between said barrel tube and said non-metal tube.

10. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 9 wherein: said outer surface of said barrel tube has a diameter which is less than a diameter of said raised sleeve support.

11. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 9 wherein: an air gap is defined between said inner surface of said non-metal tube and said outer surface of said barrel tube.

12. The firearm barrel assembly of claim wherein: said non-metal tube is fabricated from carbon fiber.

13. The firearm barrel assembly of claim 9 wherein: said sleeve nut includes said tube end and a rotation flange, wherein said tube end extends from said rotation flange and receives said inner surface of said non-metal tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve with cut-away sections of a gas block, coupler bushing and sleeve nut in accordance with the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged cut-away view of a gas block and coupler bushing of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a gas block and coupler bushing of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve cut through FIG. 3 in accordance with the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged cut-away view of a sleeve nut of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view of an elongated tube of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is an end view of a first or second non-metal tube of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first or second non-metal tube of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve cut through FIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a side view of a second elongated tube of a second embodiment of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

(12) FIG. 11a is a side view of a second elongated tube without a straight knurled portion of a second embodiment of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1. With reference to FIGS. 2-7, the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1 preferably includes a firearm barrel 10, a first non-metal tube 12, a second non-metal tube 14, a sleeve nut 16 and a coupler bushing 18. The firearm barrel 10 includes an elongated tube 20. A barrel inner diameter 22 is formed through a length of the elongated tube 20. A lead-in bore 24 is formed concentric with the barrel inner diameter 22 at an entrance end of the elongated tube 20. A threaded tap 26 is preferably formed in the entrance end of the elongated tube 20 to receive an extension barrel 100. Extension barrels are well known in the art and do not need to explained in detail. Suitable twist rifling is then applied to the barrel inner diameter 22. Material is preferably removed from the elongated tube 20 to form an end flange 28, a first raised sleeve support section 30, a raised coupler section 32 and a reduced outer diameter 33. The reduced diameter 33 has a diameter measurement, which is less than a diameter measurement of the first raised sleeve support section 30 and the raised coupler section 32. The end flange 28 is formed on the entrance end of the elongated tube 20. The first sleeve support 32 is formed near the end flange 28. The raised coupler section 32 is formed in substantially a middle of the elongated tube 20. A gas escape hole 34 is formed through the raised coupler section 32 to the barrel inner diameter 22. A barrel clearance hole 36 is formed in the raised coupler section 32, but not through to the barrel inner diameter 22. A sleeve thread 38 is formed on an exit end of the elongated tube 20. The firearm barrel 10 is preferably fabricated from any suitable steel, but other materials may also be used.

(14) The coupler bushing 18 includes a bushing inner diameter 40, a first reduced diameter 42 and a second reduced diameter 44. The first reduced diameter 42 is formed on a first end of the coupler bushing 18 and the second reduced diameter end 44 formed on a second end thereof. A combination gas escape and fastener hole 46 is formed through coupler bushing 18. A threaded tap 48 is formed in one end of the combination gas escape and fastener hole 46. The bushing inner diameter 40 is sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the raised coupler section 32. The coupler bushing 18 is preferably fabricated from any suitable metal, such as steel. With reference to FIGS. 8-9, the first non-metal tube 12 includes a first tube inner diameter 50 and a plurality of first openings 52 are formed through a wall of the first non-metal tube 12. The plurality of first openings 52 may have any suitable spacing, size and shape. The first tube inner diameter 50 is sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the first raised sleeve support section 30 and the first reduced diameter 42. However, the first reduced diameter 42 may be threadably engaged with the inner diameter 50 of the first non-metal tube 12. The first non-metal tube 12 is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber, but other non-metal materials could also be used.

(15) The sleeve nut 16 preferably includes a tube end 54 and a rotation flange 56. The rotation flange 56 is formed on an end of the tube end 54. A threaded bore 58 is formed through a length of the sleeve nut to threadably receive the sleeve thread 38 of the elongated tube 20. A plurality of pin holes 60 are formed in the rotation flange 56 to receive pins of a spanner wrench. The second non-metal tube 14 includes a second tube inner diameter 62 and a plurality of second openings 64 are formed through a wall of the second non-metal tube 14. The plurality of second openings 64 may have any suitable spacing, size and shape. The second tube inner diameter 62 is sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the second reduced diameter 44 and the tube end 54 of the sleeve nut 16. However, the second reduced diameter 44 may be threadably engaged with the inner diameter 62 of the second non-metal tube 14. The second non-metal tube 14 is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber, but other non-metal materials could also be used.

(16) The firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1 is preferably assembled in the following manner. The first non-metal tube 12 is slid over the exit end of the elongated tube 20 on to the first raised sleeve support section 30. The coupler bushing 18 is slid over the exit end of the elongated tube 20 and on to the raised coupler section 32. The first reduced diameter 42 of the coupler bushing 18 is slid into a first tube inner diameter 50 of the first non-metal tube 12. The reduced diameter 33 has a diameter measurement, which is less than a diameter measurement of the first reduced diameter 42, the second reduced diameter 44 and the tube end 54 to create an air gap between the reduced diameter 33 and the first and second tube inner diameters 50, 64. The combination gas escape and fastener hole 46 of the bushing sleeve 18 is aligned with the gas escape hole 34 of the elongated barrel 20. A gas block 102 is slid over the bushing sleeve 18. A threaded fastener 66 is inserted through a hole 104 in the gas block 102 and threaded into the threaded tap 48 in the coupler bushing 18. The second non-metal tube 14 is slid over the exit end of the elongated tube 20 and on to the second reduced diameter 44 of the coupler bushing 18. The sleeve nut 16 is threaded onto the sleeve thread 38 to retain the first and second non-metal tubes 12, 14 on the elongated tube 20. Heat from the elongated barrel 20 escapes through the plurality of first and second openings 52, 64. Tightening the sleeve nut 16 has the unexpected result of tensioning the rifling in the inner diameter of the elongated tube and improving shooting accuracy of the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1. Tightening the sleeve nut 16 also stretches the elongated tube 20. The first non-metal tube 12 and the second non-metal tube 14 allow the weight of the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1 to be reduced while improving shooting accuracy.

(17) With reference to FIGS. 10-11, a second embodiment of a firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 2 preferably includes a second firearm barrel 68, a non-metal tube 70 and the sleeve nut 16. The second firearm barrel 68 includes a second elongated tube 72. A second barrel inner diameter 74 is formed through a length of the second elongated tube 72. Suitable twist rifling is applied to the second barrel inner diameter 74. Material is preferably removed from the second elongated tube 72 to form an end taper 76, a reduced outer diameter 78 and a raised sleeve support section 80. The end taper 76 is formed near an entrance end of the second elongated tube 72. The raised sleeve support section 80 is formed adjacent the end taper 76. The raised sleeve support section 80 preferably includes a straight knurled portion 82 disposed in front of the raised sleeve support section 80. The straight knurled portion 82 will prevent rotation of the non-metal tube 70 relative to the second elongated tube 72 in rare circumstances. A sleeve thread 84 is formed on an exit end of the second elongated tube 72. The firearm barrel is preferably fabricated from any suitable steel, but other materials may also be used. The sleeve nut 16 includes the threaded bore 58, which is sized to threadably receive the sleeve thread 84.

(18) The non-metal tube 70 includes a tube inner diameter and a plurality of openings 88 formed through a wall of the non-metal tube 70. The plurality of openings may 88 have any suitable spacing, size and shape. The tube inner diameter is sized to slidably receive an outer diameter of the raised sleeve support section 80, the straight knurled portion 82 and the tube end 54 of the sleeve nut 16. The non-metal tube 70 is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber, but other non-metal materials could also be used.

(19) The firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 2 is preferably assembled in the following manner. The non-metal tube 70 is slid over the exit end of the second elongated tube 72 on to the raised sleeve support section 80. The sleeve nut 16 is threaded onto the sleeve thread 84 to retain the non-metal tube 70 on the second elongated tube 72. The outer diameter of the tube end 54 is not threadably engaged with the inner diameter of the non-metal tube 70 as shown in FIG. 5. Tightening the sleeve nut 16 has the unexpected result of tensioning the rifling in the inner diameter of the elongated tube 72 and improving shooting accuracy of the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 2. The non-metal tube 70 allows the weight of the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 2 to be reduced while improving shooting accuracy. The sleeve nut 16 is threaded on to the sleeve thread 38, tightening of the sleeve nut 16 is not limited by a discontinuation of the sleeve thread 38 on the elongated tube 20 when the rotation flange 56 is in contact with the non-metal tube 70. Additionally, an outer diameter of the tube end 54 is in contact with the inner barrel diameter of the non-metal tube 70, the outer diameter of the tube end 54 is not threadably engaged with the inner diameter of the non-metal tube 70. Shooting accuracy is also improved by having the tube end 54 of the sleeve nut 16 concentric with the threaded bore 58 by no greater than .001 inches and the second barrel inner diameter 74 concentric with the second elongated tube 72 by no greater than .001 inches. The above concentricity also applies to the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1.

(20) With reference to FIG. 11a, an alternative design of the raised sleeve support section 80 includes a diameter, which is about .004 inches less than an inner diameter of the non-metal tube 70. The lesser diameter of the raised sleeve support section 80 can vary from between .002-.006 inches, but other dimension could also be used instead of about .004 inches. A bonding substance is applied to the raised sleeve support section 80. The raised sleeve support section 80 is inserted into non-metal tube 70 and rotated to ensure that any suitable bonding substance is evenly distributed around a gap between the inner diameter of the non-metal tube 70 and the raised sleeve support section 80. Concentricity between the non-metal tube 70 and the barrel tube 72 is set, before the bonding substance cures. The following product is given by way of example and not way of limitation. An example of a suitable bonding substance is J-B Weld®. The above bonding also applies to the firearm barrel with non-metal outer sleeve 1.

(21) While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.