The present invention relates to plugs to secure and protect a barrel of an airsoft rifle or an airgun.
Airsoft rifles and airguns discharge projectiles through their barrels. The end of a barrel can also serve as an entry point for dirt and thereby interfere with the safe and reliable operation of an airsoft rifle and an airgun. A secure and reliable means to prevent entry of dirt into the barrel would be highly useful. Such an effective means to protect a barrel against dirt from entering could also provide an effective means of rendering an airsoft rifle and an airgun safe against any accidental discharge.
The present invention describes barrel plugs that provide easy and effective means for securing an airsoft rifle and an airgun by closing its barrel while not in use.
The present invention relates to barrel plugs for an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the present invention comprises a closer. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the present invention comprises an adapter.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, thereby closing the end of the barrel substantially or entirely. In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to an adapter of the current invention, preferably an adapter that can be attached to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, thereby closing the end of the barrel substantially or entirely. In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a separate component, for example, a flash hider, a muzzle device, or another component, wherein the separate component can be attached to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, thereby closing the end of the barrel substantially or entirely.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention comprises an attachment feature designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a barrel, an adapter, and/or a separate component. An attachment feature of a closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises a threaded section, a pin, a lock, a snap, or some other type of attachment feature.
In certain embodiments, an adapter of a barrel plug of the present invention comprises an attachment feature designed to facilitate attachment of the adapter to a barrel, a closer and/or a separate component. An attachment feature of an adapter of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises a threaded section, a pin, a lock, a snap, or some other type of attachment feature.
In certain embodiments, the invention includes methods for protecting a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun by attaching a barrel plug of the current invention.
The present invention is better understood with reference to the accompanying figures. The appended figures are included solely for purposes of illustrating a few of the many embodiments of the current invention. It is understood that multiple embodiments of the current invention are not shown in the appended figures but are within the scope of the current invention.
The present invention relates to barrel plugs for at least one or more of an airsoft rifle and an airgun. A barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, improves protection and safety of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the current invention comprises a closer and/or an adapter.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, thereby closing the end of the barrel substantially or entirely. A closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, can be attached to a barrel to impede or substantially impede entry and exit of objects to and from the barrel, for example, the entry of dirt and/or the exit of a projectile. In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate direct or indirect attachment of the closer to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, for example, direct attachment with the closer contacting the barrel or indirect attachment with another component between the closer and the barrel, said another component being, for example at least one of an adapter or a separate component. As used herein, the term “firearm” shall mean one or more of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to an adapter of the current invention, preferably an adapter that can be attached to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun. A closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, can be attached to an adapter of the current invention, and said adapter can be attached to a barrel, thereby impeding or substantially impeding entry and exit of objects to and from the barrel, for example, the entry of dirt and/or the exit of a projectile. In certain embodiments, an adapter of the current invention cannot impede or substantially impede entry and exit of objects to and from the barrel, for example, the entry of dirt and/or the exit of a projectile, when the adapter is attached to a barrel.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention is designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a separate component, for example, a flash hider, a muzzle device, or another component, wherein the separate component can be attached to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, thereby closing the end of the barrel substantially or entirely.
In certain embodiments, a closer of a barrel plug of the present invention comprises an attachment feature designed to facilitate attachment of the closer to a barrel, an adapter, and/or a separate component. An attachment feature of a closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises at least one of a threaded section, a pin, a lock, a snap, and/or some other type of attachment feature. An attachment feature of a closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, facilitates attachment in a reversible manner and with sufficient strength to substantially enhance safety and/or protection of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun.
An attachment feature of a closer of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises a positive thread, a negative thread, a thread of any dimension, for example, a dimension of 8 millimeter (mm), or 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 mm, or any other dimension in diameter.
In certain embodiments, an adapter of a barrel plug of the present invention comprises an attachment feature designed to facilitate attachment of the adapter to a barrel, a closer and/or a separate component. In certain embodiments, an adapter of a barrel plug of the present invention comprises more than one attachment features, for example two attachment features, to facilitate attachment of the adapter to a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun and to a closer of the current invention. In certain preferred embodiments, a barrel can be attached to one end of an adapter of the invention, and a closer can be attached to another end of the adapter. An attachment feature of an adapter of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises at least one of a threaded section, a pin, a lock, a snap, and/or some other type of attachment feature.
An attachment feature of an adapter of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises a positive thread, a negative thread, a thread of any dimension, for example, a dimension of 8 millimeter (mm), or 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 mm, or any other dimension in diameter.
The appended figures show non-exhaustive and non-limiting examples of barrel plugs according to certain embodiments of the current invention.
In certain embodiments, a closer of the current invention can be made of any material of sufficient strength and durability, or of a combination of materials, for example, two, three, four, five, or more materials. Non-exhaustive examples of materials for making a closer of the current invention are a metal, a light metal, a steel, iron, aluminum, an amalgam, a plastic, a hard plastic, or any other known material used in the field of firearms and/or accessories for firearms.
In certain embodiments, an adapter of the current invention can be made of any material of sufficient strength and durability, or of a combination of materials, for example, two, three, four, five, or more materials. Non-exhaustive examples of materials for making an adapter of the current invention are a metal, a light metal, a steel, iron, aluminum, an amalgam, a plastic, a hard plastic, or any other known material used in the field of firearms and/or accessories for firearms.
A barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, can be used to secure and/or protect an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun, preferably a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun. A method for using a barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises fitting a barrel plug of the current invention for use on an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun of interest. A method for using a barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises securing a barrel plug of the current invention onto a barrel of an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun of interest. A method for using a barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises protecting an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun by securing a barrel plug of the current invention onto a barrel of said airsoft rifle and/or said airgun.
A method for protecting an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises attaching a barrel plug of the current invention onto a barrel of said airsoft rifle and/or said airgun. A method for securing an airsoft rifle and/or an airgun of the current invention, in certain embodiments, comprises attaching a barrel plug of the current invention onto a barrel of said airsoft rifle and/or said airgun.
A barrel plug of the current invention, in certain embodiments, can be made by 3d printing, injection molding, machining, die-cutting, and/or stamping, or any other method known in the art. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the current invention is made by plastic injection molding, for example, directly from a sample drawing. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the invention is made by CNC machining from billet steel or aluminum. In certain embodiments, a barrel plug of the invention is made by die-cutting from sheet steel, preferably followed by stamping into a final form.
The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. All publications, including patent documents and scientific articles, referred to in this application and the bibliography and attachments are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication were individually incorporated by reference. The article “a” as used herein means one or more unless indicated otherwise. All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified.