Two Piece Interlocking Gas Block

Abstract

An improved design of a two-piece gas block for a semi-automatic rifle barrel. The improvement consisting of integrated attachment features that allow for a smaller overall size and a more reliable fit around a rifle barrel. The integrated attachment features contain minimal hardware for assembly; therefore, easier to assemble and disassemble. These attachment features consist of built-in interlocking protrusions and recesses in each half of the two-piece gas block. When assembled, the interlocking protrusions and recesses radially secure both halves together around a rifle barrel. Once both halves are assembled, fitted pins are then inserted through the interlocking protrusions and recesses to secure both halves axially to each other.

Claims

1. An improved separable gas redirecting device for a firearm comprising: an upper half and a lower half; a primary bore shared by said upper half and said lower half, wherein said primary bore is properly sized for a firearm's barrel; a secondary bore in said upper half located above said primary bore, wherein said secondary bore is properly sized for a gas tube; an upwardly extending bore in said upper half connecting said primary bore to said secondary bore; a plurality of interlocking protrusions and recesses longitudinally disposed at the radial ends of said upper half and said lower half, wherein said interlocking protrusions and recesses radially secure said upper half to said lower half when assembled; a plurality of fitted pins extruding perpendicularly through said interlocking protrusions and recesses of the assembly of the said upper half and said lower half, wherein said fitted pins axially secure said upper half to said lower half when assembled.

Description

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIEWS

Drawings—Figures

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled interlocking gas block.

[0020] FIG. 2A is a top-left perspective view of the interlocking gas block's upper half.

[0021] FIG. 2B is a bottom-right perspective view of the interlocking gas block's upper half.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a top-left perspective view of the interlocking gas block's lower half.

[0023] FIG. 3B is a bottom-right perspective view of the interlocking gas block's lower half.

[0024] FIG. 4A to 4C are perspective views of the assembly steps necessary to install the interlocking gas block onto the firearm's barrel.

[0025] FIG. 5A is a representation of a prior art clamp-on gas block.

[0026] FIG. 5B is a representation of a prior art clamp-on gas block with sectioned view illustrating the bolts or screws.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a section view of the gas block, barrel, and gas tube. It is a representation of the moments immediately following firing of the projectile.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modern auto-loading rifle. This particular rifle is a representation of the AR-15.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] 1—Barrel [0030] 2—Muzzle Device [0031] 3—Receiver [0032] 4—Barrel Nut [0033] 5—Gas Block [0034] 6—Gas Tube [0035] 7—Handguard [0036] 8—Grip [0037] 9—Trigger [0038] 10—Stock [0039] 11—Magazine [0040] 12—Charging Handle [0041] 13—Accessory Slot [0042] 14—Upper Half [0043] 15—Radii [0044] 16—Top Cylindrical Section [0045] 17—Lower Cylindrical Section [0046] 18—Primary Bore [0047] 19—Secondary Bore [0048] 20—Gas Tube Pin Hole [0049] 21—Gas Tube Pin [0050] 22—Vertical Hole [0051] 23—Gas Port [0052] 24—Projectile [0053] 25—Barrel's Bore [0054] 26—Gases [0055] 27—Protrusion (Upper Half) [0056] 28—Recess (Upper Half) [0057] 29—Axial Locating Pin Hole (Upper Half) [0058] 30—Axial Locating Pin [0059] 31—Lower Half [0060] 32—Half Cylindrical Section [0061] 33—Axial Locating Pin Hole (Lower Half) [0062] 34—Protrusion (Lower Half) [0063] 35—Recess (Lower Half) [0064] 36—Threaded Hole [0065] 37—Set Screw

DESCRIPTION

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a front/left perspective view, with partial sectioned handguard (7), of the AR-15 style sporting rifle with updated components typically found in the market. Starting with the barrel (1); a muzzle device (2) is attached at the end. The barrel (1) is attached to the receiver (3) by a barrel nut (4). A gas block (5) is secured to the barrel (1). Extending from the gas block (5) and into the receiver (3) is the gas tube (6).

[0067] The handguard (7) then surrounds the gas block (5) and the gas tube (6) protecting the shooter's hand from heat generated by the expelled rounds. The handguard (7) shown is a representation of the modern style handguards that utilize multiple accessory slots (3). This style of handguard is a very popular configuration found in the market. These accessory slots allow the user to attach various accessories, such as lights and lasers, to the firearm.

[0068] Continuing is the grip (8) from which the user's hand will grip in order to control the firearm. The trigger (9) extends downward from the receiver (3) resting in a comfortable area for the user's finger to press. The stock (10) connects to the receiver (3) and is placed in the user's shoulder pocket when firing. A magazine (11) which contains multiple rounds is shown inserted into the lower section of the receiver (3). The firearm can be loaded or “charged” when the user pulls and releases the charging handle (12). This is a general configuration of the AR-15 sporting rifle that is very popular among shooting enthusiasts.

[0069] Shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interlocking gas block in its assembled form without installation on a firearm. It is generally machined or cast out of a metallic material. The preferred material would be a strong carbon steel, an alloy steel, or a stainless steel. Other materials could consist of aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, or any other material suitable for containing high pressures such as those found in the firearm's barrel (1). The finished piece may then be coated or painted to prevent damage or corrosion.

[0070] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are perspective views of the interlocking gas block. In its most complete version, the interlocking gas block is made up of the following components listed below.

[0071] An upper half (14) of the interlocking gas block containing two cylindrical sections running parallel and stacked vertically on top of each other, blended together by smooth radii (15). The upper cylindrical section (16) being smaller than the lower cylindrical section (17). With the lower cylindrical section (17) forming a semi-cylindrical shape. The lower cylindrical section (17) contains a primary bore (18), semi-circular in shape, running axially and centered in the lower cylindrical section (17). This primary bore (18) will be properly sized for the firearm's barrel (1).

[0072] The upper cylindrical section (16) of the upper half (14) contains the secondary bore (19). It is a blind hole that runs axially and centered in the upper cylindrical section (16). This secondary bore (19) is smaller than the primary bore (18) and is properly sized for the firearm's gas tube (6). Additionally, a fitted pin hole (20) will be produced through the upper cylindrical section (16), perpendicular and centered to the secondary bore (19). This hole will be sized for a fitted pin (21) and will be used to secure the gas tube (6) inside the secondary bore (19). Connecting the primary bore (18) to the secondary bore (19) is a vertical hole (22) that allow gases to flow from the barrel's gas port (23) into the gas tube (6), which then travels into the receiver (3).

[0073] The upper half (14) of the interlocking gas block will have multiple protrusions (27) and a recesses (28) located at the outer edges of the lower cylindrical section (17). The protrusions (27) and recesses (28) run parallel to the axis of the primary bore (18). The protrusions (27) will be rectangular projections traveling the length of the part and will sit below the recesses (28). The recesses (28) are rectangular voids that will run the length of the part and will sit above the protrusions (27) of the upper half (14).

[0074] Multiple axial locating pin holes (29) will be produced in the upper half (14) at the outer edges of the lower cylindrical section (17). These holes (29) will be opposite of each other and located mid length of the upper half (14). The holes (29) will extrude perpendicularly through the protrusions (27) and recesses (28). These holes (29) will be properly sized for axial locating pins (30). The pins (30) will be installed during the assembly of the interlocking gas block. Each of the axial locating pin holes (29) will have a flat section inset into the round lower cylindrical section (17) of the upper half (14). This flat inset is to the ease axial locating pin (30) installation.

[0075] The upper (16) and lower (17) cylindrical sections of the upper half (14) are sized slightly larger than their corresponding bores (18 & 19) in the part. This is done to achieve maximum clearance inside a very narrow handguard (7).

[0076] The lower half (31) of the interlocking gas block is a half cylindrical section (32). This section contains the same sized primary bore (18) which is shared by the upper half (14). This primary bore is properly sized to the firearm's barrel (1).

[0077] At the outer edges of the lower half's (31) cylindrical section (32) are the protrusions (34) and recesses (35). These protrusions and recesses are produced inversed of the upper half's (14) protrusions (27) and recesses (28). The lower half's (31) protrusions (34) and recesses (35) are located opposite of each other and properly sized to mate with the upper half's (14) protrusions (27) and recesses (28). The lower half's (31) protrusions (34) and recesses (35) also run parallel to the axis of the primary bore (18).

[0078] The lower half's (31) protrusions (34) are rectangular projections that sit above the recesses (35). The recesses (35) are rectangular voids that sit below the protrusions (34). The protrusions (34) and recesses (35) of the lower half (31) are properly sized to mate with the upper half's (14) protrusions (27) and recesses (28). The proper size will produce a sliding fit between the upper half (14) and lower half (31) protrusions (27 & 34) and recesses (28 & 35). The sliding fit requires a tight clearance, with minimal play, between both halves when assembling. This fit allows the primary bore (18), which is shared between the upper half (14) and lower half (31), to maintain the correct size when assembling around the firearm's barrel (1).

[0079] The lower half (31) contains multiple axial locating pin holes (33) located at the outer edges of the half cylindrical section (32). The holes (33) extrude perpendicularly through the protrusions (34) and recesses (35) of the lower half (31). These axial locating pin holes (33) perfectly align to the upper half's (14) axial locating pin holes (29) and are sized for the axial locating pin (30).

[0080] The lower half (31) contains multiple threaded holes (36) extruding through the center of the cylindrical section (32) and are aligned with each other. These threaded holes are sized for set screws (37) and are used to secure the interlocking gas block to the firearm's barrel (1).

[0081] Refer to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C for the assembly of the interlocking gas block. These figures represent the forward section of the firearm containing only the necessary components needed for installation. These figures include the barrel (1) with gas port (23), and muzzle device (2) installed, the upper half (14) and lower half (31) of the interlocking gas block, the gas tube (6), the modern style handguard (7), the gas tube pin (21), axial locating pins (30), and set screws (37).

[0082] The first step when installing the interlocking gas block can be seen in FIG. 4A. The upper half (14) and lower half (31) are placed around the firearm's barrel (1) near the gas port hole (23). Each half must be located opposite of each other, around the firearm's barrel, and offset from one another. The protrusions (27) and recesses (28) of the upper half (14) will then be aligned to the lower half's (31) protrusions (34) and recesses (35).

[0083] Refer to FIG. 4B for the second step. In the second step, the upper half (14) and lower half (31) will then be slid towards each other along the barrel (1). Ensure proper mating of the protrusions (27 & 34) and recesses (28 & 35) along the axis of the upper half's (14) and lower half's (31) primary bore (18). Once each half (14 & 31) has been assembled together, the gas tube (6) may then be aligned to the gas tube hole (19) of the upper half (14) and then inserted. The gas tube (6) may then be secured by installing the gas tube pin (21) through the gas tube pin hole (20).

[0084] See FIG. 4C for the third step. Once both halves (14 & 31) have been assembled around the barrel, as seen in FIG. 4C, the upper half (14) and lower half (31) axial locating holes (29 & 33) may then be aligned. Once the axial locating holes (29 & 33) have been aligned, properly sized axial locating pins (30) will then be installed to create a solid connection between the upper half (14) and lower half (31). This will secure the upper half (14) and lower half (31) together; keeping them from separating axially along the axis of the primary bore (18). At this point both primary bores (18) will form one complete bore around the rifle's barrel (1).

[0085] The final step is to align the rifle barrel's (1) gas port hole (23) to the vertical hole (22) found in the upper half (14). Once aligned properly, the set screws (37) will then be tightened and torqued appropriately to the firearm's barrel (1), securing the interlocking gas block in place on the barrel (1).

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a representation of the fired projectile (25) inside the barrel bore (25). The fired cartridge will eject the projectile (24) from its case and will send the projectile (24) traveling through the barrel's bore (25) toward the muzzle end of the firearm at a very high velocity. The gasses (26) from the fired cartridge is what propels the projectile (24). Once the projectile (24) has passed the barrel port (23), the gasses will then travel through the barrel port (23), into the upwardly extending bore (22) and into the gas tube (6). Once inside the gas tube (6), the gasses (26) will then travel into the receiver (3) of the rifle; performing the auto-loading action.

[0087] While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.