Patent Application
20250237457
The present invention relates to a system and method for changing handguards and barrels on a firearm.
There are multiple barrel sizes for firearms. Different barrels serve different purposes. Consequently, there is a need to be able to quickly and easily change barrels on a firearm.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
As shown is a barrel 12. The barrel 12 can comprise various lengths, calibers, etc. The barrel can comprise various calibers including 223 or 556. The barrel 12 can also have various lengths. In one embodiment the user wants to change the type of barrel 12 associated with a specific firearm. The user can want to change the length of the barrel 12, the caliber, etc. In one embodiment the system and method discussed herein allows the swapping or replacing of a barrel without any additional tools or permanent alterations to the firearm. In one embodiment, the system requires minimal tools to install. However, once installed, no tools are required to switch barrels. As an example, various tools may be needed to install the system onto the firearm. However, once installed, the user can switch from a 300 Blackout to a 556 barrel without requiring any tools.
As depicted is the upper receiver 7 of a firearm with an AR-15 platform. While an AR-15 platform is discussed, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. Virtually any firearm platform which has a removable barrel can utilize the system discussed herein.
The system, as shown, includes a handguard 1. The handguard 1 covers the barrel 12. The handguard 1, can have various accessories such as a rail as depicted. The handguard 1 couples to the receiver with a housing 2, which will be discussed in more detail below herein.
Coupled to the barrel 12 is the barrel adapter 13, which will be discussed in more detail in
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In one embodiment the handguard adapter receiver 5 has ears 20 on the upstream end which prevent the adapter receiver 5 from rotating. The ears are best shown in
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The receiver adapter 5, as noted, has a tapered inner wall. The adapter nut 6 has a tapered outer wall. Thus, when the adapter nut 6 is tightened along the threads 8 of the receiver 7, the tapers of the receiver adapter 5 and the adapter nut 6 meet and align. This ensures proper centering of the receiver adapter 5 relative to the receiver 7 and reduces play between the components. This results in a structurally complete and sound assembled product.
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The assembly, as shown in one embodiment, comprises a depth ring 14, a lock ring 15, and barrel adapter 13. As shown, and in one embodiment, the depth ring 14 and the lock ring 15 both thread onto the barrel adapter 13. When installed together, the depth ring 14, lock ring 15, and the barrel adapter 13 are referred to collectively as the barrel adapter assembly. The barrel adapter 13 also has outer threads on the upstream post of the barrel adapter 13. The depth ring 14 and the lock ring 15, in one embodiment, comprise internal threads which engage and couple with the external threads on the barrel adapter 13. The internal edge of the depth ring 14 makes contact with the barrel extension 21. The width of the barrel adapter assembly can be adjusted by manipulating the depth ring 14 and the lock ring 15 relative to the barrel adapter 13. When tightened as tight as possible, the width of the barrel adapter assembly is tight and compact. As used in this example, width is measured as the upstream and downstream axis. The width can be increased by loosening the depth ring 14 and or the lock ring 15 relative to the barrel adapter 13. A more compact barrel adapter assembly occupies less space within the housing 2. If the resulting coupling has too much play or slack, the barrel adapter assembly can be manipulated to increase the width. Increasing the width of the barrel adapter assembly results in more space being occupied within the housing 2. This results in less play and less slack. Thus, the ability to increase the size of the barrel adapter assembly, and thus the amount of space it occupies within the handguard, allows for controlling the slack and play within the handguard.
To install, the barrel adapter assembly is placed the furthest upstream possible on the barrel 12. In one embodiment, the barrel adapter assembly is placed adjacent the barrel adapter 21.
Once a desirable position of the rings has been set it is slid onto the barrel as far upstream as possible, the adapter can be set in the location. Initially the rings 14, 15 are loose in relation to the post on the barrel adapter assembly 13. They can be tightened, in one embodiment, via wrenches. As noted, the adapter assembly 13 is placed as far upstream as possible on the barrel 12 or barrel extension 21. In one embodiment, and as depicted, the barrel adapter 13 has screw ports 11 located within the barrel adapter 13. In one embodiment the screw ports 11 are equally spaced along the barrel adapter 13. As shown, they are approximately 120 degrees separated along the barrel adapter 13. Screws, or the like, can be inserted via the screw ports 11, and tightened to fix the adapter 13 to the barrel 12 in the desired location. Once this occurs, compression is set. No further tools are necessary for the installation at this point.
In one embodiment, the downstream face of the barrel adapter 13 is tapered. This creates a neutral position for the handguard to match up to, which once under compression, removes any error from tolerances of the two mating parts. Additionally, this likely positions the barrel where it was previously. Further, it allows for a natural self-centering concept.
In one embodiment the downstream face 10 is tapered along the entire periphery of the barrel adapter's outer wall. As shown, the taper begins inwardly at a larger diameter and expands to a reduced diameter at the end of the taper. As noted, the taper allows the barrel adapter 13, and thus the barrel adapter assembly, to find a centered and neutral position within the handguard.
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It should be noted that while one embodiment has been shown for a variable-width barrel adapter assembly, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. In other embodiments, the system utilizes a fixed width barrel adapter assembly. In one such embodiment, rather comprising adjustable pieces which can expand or shorten the width, the barrel adapter assembly comprises a single piece which is not adjustable. In some embodiments, and some handguards, a specific width will suffice. Thus, in such embodiments the fixed barrel adapter assembly need not be adjustable. In some embodiments, however, the downstream end still has a tapered shape to allow it to be received within the housing 2.
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As shown, the housing 2 has three over center compression toggle latches 4. While three is shown, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. The three are spread equally along the outer periphery of the housing 2. This allows the latches 4 to be equally spaced at about 120 degrees from one another. This orientation, in some embodiments, provides for an even spread of compression. Many AR-15 barrels are hand slide-in fit and have a lot of undesirable vertical play. Two latches, for example, without more and oriented on the side of the embodiment, do not decrease the vertical play problem. However, by having three latches 4 spread evenly, there is compression in the vertical dimension as well, and the play in the vertical dimension is reduced. In one embodiment, the latches 4 move up and down on the pin as it rotates, this makes the latches 4 want to move to the same location every time. Additionally, because the surfaces are tapered, the internal tapering of the housing 2 matches with the tapering of barrel adapter 13. If the internal surface of the housing 2 were not tapered, regardless of the amount of compression, the position might be microns off compared to the location of the previous removal. The interior tapering of the housing 2 reduces this problem since it matches with the barrel adapter 13.
In one embodiment, the latches 4 mate with the adapter hook 18 on the handguard receiver adapter 5. In one embodiment, and as shown, the latches 4 pivot. If an inward force is applied on a downstream end of the latches 4, the upstream end of the latches 4 pivot outwardly, disengaging from the adapter hook. In one embodiment the latches 4 comprises a biasing mechanism such as a spring. The latches can also pivot outwardly if they were not hooked into the receiver adapter.
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Now that a system has been described, a method of installing an adaptable handguard will be discussed. The method involves removing the existing barrel. This may involve the use of tools. Next, the receiver adapter 5 is coupled to a receiver such as via the adapter nut as described. The receiver adapter can have a tapered inner wall which mates with a tapered outer wall o the adapter nut. If necessary, a wrench or other device can be used to secure the adapter nut 6 to the receiver. In one embodiment, as noted, the receiver adapter 5 has ears 20 which keep the receiver adapter 5 in the desired location while the adapter nut 6 is tightened.
Next, the barrel adapter assembly is coupled to a new barrel, as previously described. It should be noted that any such barrel does not have a gas block on it yet. Any applicable AR15 gas block for the barrel in use will need to be installed after the barrel adapter 13, for example. In one embodiment the barrel adapter assembly is pushed as far upstream as possible. The width of the barrel adapter assembly, if adjustable, can be adjusted to determine a first width. Once set, set screws within the barrel adapter assembly can secure the barrel adapter assembly relative to the barrel.
Thereafter, the housing is secured over the barrel adapter assembly and coupled to the receiver adapter. The housing, in some embodiments, is already coupled to the handguard. In other embodiments, the handguard is coupled to the housing 2 subsequently. In some embodiments screws are used to couple the housing 2 to the handguard 1. When the housing was already secured to the handguard, there are no further steps which require a tool. The user can simply decouple the barrel adapter assembly from the receiver adapter and install a different barrel.
Once secured, the user can determine if the barrel 12 is properly and securely held within the handguard. If there is too much slack and play, or too much movement of the barrel 12 within the handguard, the user can decouple the housing 2. The user would then adjust the width of the barrel adapter assembly. If there was too much movement of the barrel, the width of the barrel adapter assembly can be increased. This results in more contact and more compression of the barrel adapter assembly within the housing 2. This results in less play. This process can be repeated until the barrel 12 is properly held and secured within the handguard 1.
In some embodiments due to the trial-and-error nature of adjusting the barrel adapter assembly, the housing 2 is repeatedly coupled and de-coupled. In doing so, the user must move the latches 4 out of the way to couple the housing 2. As such, in one embodiment the latches 4 comprise a spring or other biasing mechanism which moves the latches 4 out of the way when not engaged. When the latches 4 are out of the way, the user can move easily couple and position the housing 2 as necessary. Otherwise, the latches 4, which can be in the way must be manually moved and positioned so the housing 2 can be coupled.
The system and method discussed herein provides for the ability to swap barrels 12 without any permanent modifications to the firearms. The tools necessary are minimal-namely screw drivers for screws, and perhaps a wrench for the adapter nut 6. Furthermore, due to the tapering, the various components allow for precise placement and coupling. As noted, once the system is installed, no tools are necessary for removing the barrel. Instead, the housing 2 is removed, without the use of tools, and the barrel 12 can be removed.
The user can go from a full length rifle to a short closer quarter rifle. The user can also switch handguards to one with a larger inner diameter that can fit a suppressor underneath it, for example.
It should be noted that the housing 2 has been depicted as a separate component from the handguard 1. This is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. In one embodiment the handguard 1 and the housing 2 comprise a single component. In some embodiments the handguard and housing 2 are integrally made.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
