1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to firearm assemblies and more specifically to selectively mounting a pair of firearms together.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Firearms, such as rifles and shotguns, typically include a receiver that houses several working components of the firearm, including firing components, with a barrel extending from the receiver. A magazine is typically coupled to the receiver and stores ammunition therein. Some firearms include tactical attachments which are detachably mounted to the firearm. For example, tactical attachments can include a flashlight, a grenade launcher or a shotgun, such as the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) manufactured by Vertu Corporation.
In this system, a shotgun detachably mounts to a rifle such that the rifle and the shotgun can be used as a single unit when attached to each other or as stand-alone weapons when detached from each other. However, the shotgun when mounted to the rifle fails to include a hand grip. Accordingly, when firing the shotgun as the single unit, a user must grasp the magazine of the rifle. This can stress the magazine of the rifle.
The shotgun does include a buttstock which is attachable when using the shotgun as the stand-alone. The buttstock is detachable when using the rifle and the shotgun as the single unit. The buttstock includes individual small components to mount the buttstock to the receiver for using the shotgun as the stand-alone. In addition, the separate buttstock of the shotgun includes a hand grip thus causing the buttstock to be bulky when carrying the buttstock in a pack.
Therefore, there remains a need to provide a firearm assembly having a mounting system that allows a second weapon to be easily mounted to and/or detached from a first weapon while eliminating small components to assemble the second weapon as a stand-alone.
The present invention provides for a firearm assembly including a first weapon having a first receiver. The first receiver includes a front end with a barrel attached to the front end and a front sight attached to the barrel. The firearm assembly further includes a second weapon selectively mounted to the first weapon with the second weapon including a second receiver. A mounting system is coupled to the second receiver with the second weapon being movable between an engaged position attached to the first weapon and a disengaged position detached from the first weapon. The mounting system includes a first attachment segment attached to the second receiver and coupled to the front sight when the second weapon is in the engaged position. The mounting system further includes a second attachment segment coupled to the second receiver and spaced from the first attachment segment with the second attachment segment coupled to the front sight when the second weapon is in the engaged position. The mounting system also includes a third attachment segment coupled to the second receiver and spaced from the first and second attachment segments with the third attachment segment coupled to the first receiver when the second weapon is in the engaged position.
The present invention further provides for the firearm assembly including the first weapon having the first receiver. The first receiver includes the front end with the barrel attached to the front end and the front sight attached to the barrel. The firearm assembly further includes the second weapon selectively mounted to the first weapon with the second weapon including the second receiver and the mounting system coupled to the second receiver. The second weapon is movable between the engaged position attached to the first weapon and the disengaged position detached from the first weapon. The mounting system includes a first portion attached to the second receiver and coupled to the front sight to define a first attachment point when the second weapon is in the engaged position. The mounting system further includes a second portion coupled to the second receiver and spaced from the first portion with the second portion having a first end coupled to the front sight to define a second attachment point and a second end coupled to the first receiver to define a third attachment point when the second weapon is in the engaged position.
The present invention also provides for the firearm assembly including the first weapon and the second weapon selectively mounted to the first weapon. The second weapon is movable between the engaged position attached to the first weapon and the disengaged position detached from the first weapon. The second weapon includes a receiver, a buttstock and the mounting system coupled to the receiver. A portion of the mounting system is rotatable about a pivot axis when the second weapon is in the disengaged position. The portion is rotatable between a first position presenting a plurality of attachment segments to the first weapon for allowing the second weapon to be mounted to the first weapon and a second position presenting at least one of the attachment segments to the buttstock for allowing the buttstock to be mounted to the portion.
Therefore, the present invention provides for a firearm assembly having a mounting system that allows a second weapon to be easily mounted to and/or detached from a first weapon without redesigning the first weapon. Further, the mounting system eliminates the need for individual small components when assembling the second weapon as a stand-alone as discussed for the prior art design.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a firearm assembly 20 is generally shown in
The first weapon 22 can be of a certain class of weapon that utilizes a direct gas impingement system or an indirect gas impingement system to eject a spent round of ammunition after firing the first weapon 22. Preferably, the first weapon 22 is further defined as a rifle. Examples of such types of first weapons 22 include the M16, the M4®, such as the M4® carbine, and the AR-15® such as the AR-15® Platform. However, it should be appreciated that the first weapon 22 can be of any other type without departing from the nature of the present invention. The indirect gas impingement system utilizes a piston assembly (not shown) for moving a bolt carrier (not shown), as further disclosed and claimed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/496,000 which is incorporated herein by reference. The direct gas impingement system routes exhaust gases from the barrel back to the bolt carrier and out an ejection port (not numbered), as further disclosed and claimed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/496,011 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The second weapon 24 can be of a certain class of weapon that are semi-automatic, automatic, pump action, bolt action or lever action to eject a spent round of ammunition after firing the second weapon 24. Preferably, the second weapon 24 is further defined as a shotgun. Examples of such types of second weapons 24 include the M26. However, it should be appreciated that the second weapon 24 can be of any other type without departing from the nature of the present invention. The second weapon 24 described herein is designed to permit easy retro-fitting of the components to a variety of currently and/or previously manufactured first weapon 22 designs. Additional details of the first and second weapons 22, 24 are discussed below.
As best shown in
Also referring to
Referring back to
The second weapon 24 is selectively mounted to the first weapon 22 with the second weapon 24 being movable between an engaged position attached to the first weapon 22 as shown in
The second weapon 24 includes a receiver 54, which will be referred to as a second receiver 54 throughout this description. The second receiver 54 houses several of the working components of the second weapon 24, such as the firing components, i.e. the action. The second receiver 54 includes a forward end 56 and a rear end 58 spaced from each other. The second receiver 54 defines a bore 60 along a longitudinal axis L and disposed through the forward and rear ends 56, 58. The bore 60 will be referred to as a second bore 60 throughout this description.
Referring to
A locking member 64 is coupled to the second receiver 54 adjacent the second bore 60 with the locking member 64 movable between an initial position as shown in
As known in the art, the second receiver 54 is often divided into an upper receiver portion 66 and a lower receiver portion 68 attached to each other, as shown in
As best shown in
The mounting system 76 allows for easy retro-fitting of the second weapon 24 to a variety of currently and/or previously manufactured first weapon 22 designs. In other words, the first weapon 22 requires no redesign. The mounting system 76 also eliminates the need for individual small components, as discussed in the background of the invention, to assemble the second weapon 24 as the stand-alone weapon, which will be discussed in detail below.
Also referring to
As best shown in
As best shown in
Also referring to
The locking device 82 also includes a locking pin 106 disposed through the body portion 84 for attaching the locking device 82 to the rail 72. More specifically, the locking pin 106 is disposed through the body portion 84 and the channel 104 such that the locking pin 106 is disposed between a pair of lugs 74 of the rail 72 for preventing the locking device 82 from moving back and forth along the rail 72. In other words, disposing the locking pin 106 between the lugs 74 prevents the locking device 82 from moving back and forth along the rail 72 and thus attaches or secures the locking device 82 to the rail 72 in a specific location. The locking pin 106 is inserted through the body portion 84 and is exposed in the channel 104 of the body portion 84 thus allowing the locking pin 106 to engage at least one of the pair of lugs 74 for attaching the locking device 82 to the second receiver 54. Alternatively, the locking pin 106 can engage both of the pair of lugs 74 for attaching the locking device 82 to the second receiver 54. In yet another alternative, the locking pin 106 engages the body portion 84 and the rail 72 for attaching the locking device 82 to the second receiver 54. The locking pin 106 is selectively removable from the body portion 84 thus allowing easy replacement of the locking device 82.
Referring back to
The mounting system 76 includes a first portion 116 attached to the second receiver 54 and a second portion 118 coupled to the second receiver 54 and spaced from the first portion 116. The first portion 116 is coupled to the front sight 32 to define a first attachment point when the second weapon 24 is in the engaged position. The first portion 116 is defined as the first attachment segment 80 and the second portion 118 is defined as the second and third attachment segments 108, 110. More specifically, the locking device 82 defines the first portion 116 with the locking device 82 engaging the front sight 32 when the second weapon 24 is in the engaged position.
A portion 118 of the mounting system 76 is rotatable about a pivot axis P when the second weapon 24 is in the disengaged position. The portion 118 will be referred to as the second portion 118 throughout this description. The second portion 118 is rotatable between a first position presenting a plurality of attachment segments 108, 110 to the first weapon 22 for allowing the second weapon 24 to be mounted to the first weapon 22 and a second position presenting at least one of the attachment segments 108, 110 to the buttstock 78 for allowing the buttstock 78 to be mounted to the second portion 118. The first position is best shown in
Turning to
As best shown in
The mounting system 76 also includes a pin 136 disposed along the pivot axis P through the second portion 118 and the receiver for allowing rotation of the second portion 118 between the first and second positions. More specifically, the pin 136 is disposed through the second end 122 of the second portion 118. Even more specifically, the second portion 118 includes a projection 138 extending from the second end 122 with the pin 136 disposed through the projection 138 for allowing rotation of the second portion 118 between the first and second positions. Most specifically, the outer surface 126 of the second portion 118 includes the projection 138 disposed between the strips 134 and coupled to the second receiver 54 for allowing rotation of the second portion 118 between the first and second positions. In other words, the pin 136 is disposed through the projection 138 for allowing rotation about the pivot axis P. Having the second portion 118 rotatably coupled to the second receiver 54 and functioning as part of the mounting system 76 and part of the buttstock 78 eliminates the need for multiple individual attachments to convert the second weapon 24 to the stand-alone weapon.
Referring to
The second support 142 is coupled to the front end 28 of the first receiver 26 and is movable between a rest position engaging the second flange 114 as shown in
As discussed above, the first weapon 22 includes the first hand guard portion 48 coupled to the first receiver 26 and the front sight 32. More specifically, the first and second hand guard portions 48, 50 engage the first and second supports 140, 142 when the first weapon 22 is being used as the stand-alone weapon. When the second weapon 24 is mounted to the first weapon 22, i.e. in the engaged position, the first hand guard portion 48 and the second portion 118 engage each other to define the first bore 52 therebetween for receiving the barrel 30. In other words, the first bore 52 can be defined either when the first and second hand guard portions 48, 50 engage each other or when the first hand guard portion 48 and the second portion 118 engage each other.
Referring to
As mentioned above, the buttstock 78 is coupled to the second receiver 54 when the second weapon 24 is in the disengaged position. In other words, the buttstock 78 is detachable from the second weapon 24 as best shown in
The buttstock 78 is one unit which is easily mounted to the second portion 118 when using the second weapon 24 as the stand-alone weapon. When the user wants to use the second weapon 24 as the stand-alone weapon, the buttstock 78 is mounted to the second portion 118, as further described below, with the second portion 118 rotated to the second position such that the buttstock 78 and the second portion 118 engage the second bore 60 of the second receiver 54. When the user wants to mount the second weapon 24 to the first weapon 22, the buttstock 78 and second portion 118 are disengaged from the second bore 60 of the second receiver 54 with the buttstock 78 uncoupled from the second portion 118 and the second portion 118 rotated to the first position such that the second weapon 24 is ready to be mounted to the first weapon 22. No particular order of assembling or disassembling the buttstock 78 from the second weapon 24 is required.
Turning to
As mentioned above, the cap 62 is disposed over the second bore 60 when the second weapon 24 is in the engaged position for preventing debris from entering the second bore 60. The cap 62 is removed from the second bore 60 when the second weapon 24 is in the disengaged position for receiving the second and third flanges 114, 156. Even though the cap 62 and the buttstock 78 are independently used with the second weapon 24, for illustrative purposes only, the cap 62 and the buttstock 78 are both shown in
The buttstock 78 includes a cover 162 coupled to the base 158 and partially encircling the base 158 with the cover 162 having a proximal end 164 and a distal end 166 spaced from the proximal end 164. More specifically, the cover 162 includes the third support 154 extending from the proximal end 164 and encircling the base 158 for receiving the second portion 118 when the second weapon 24 is in the disengaged position. The third support 154 can be further defined as a collar or any other suitable support.
The cover 162 includes the third flange 156 extending from the distal end 166 with the second bore 60 of the second receiver 54 receiving the third flange 156 when the second portion 118 is in the second position. As discussed above, the locking member 64 is coupled to the second receiver 54 adjacent the second bore 60 and movable between the initial position and the displaced position. When the locking member 64 is in the initial position, the locking member 64 engages the third flange 156 when the second portion 118 is in the second position for preventing undesirable rotation of the second portion 118 about the pivot axis P. When the locking member 64 is in the displaced position, the locking member 64 disengages from the third flange 156 for allowing rotation of the second portion 118. The locking member 64 is continuously spring biased into the initial position, thus the locking member 64 moves to the displaced position when rotating the second portion 118 to the second position to initially engage the third flange 156 and the locking member 64 moves to the displaced position when rotating the second portion 118 to the first position. The locking member 64 can be further defined as a tab or any other suitable locking member 64 selectively aiding in maintaining the position of the cap 62 and/or the third flange 156.
As best shown in
Referring to
Also referring to
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
The subject patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/190,089, filed on Aug. 26, 2008.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1379989 | Johnson | May 1921 | A |
1402459 | Swebilius | Jan 1922 | A |
1846993 | Destree | Feb 1932 | A |
1878038 | Von Frommer | Sep 1932 | A |
2341767 | Gans | Feb 1944 | A |
2462119 | Moore | Feb 1949 | A |
2685754 | Crittendon et al. | Aug 1954 | A |
2752826 | Simpson | Jul 1956 | A |
2775166 | Janson | Dec 1956 | A |
2780145 | Saive | Feb 1957 | A |
2783685 | Green | Mar 1957 | A |
2882635 | Hill | Apr 1959 | A |
2951424 | Stoner | Sep 1960 | A |
3176424 | Hoge | Apr 1965 | A |
3198076 | Stoner | Aug 1965 | A |
3236155 | Sturtevant | Feb 1966 | A |
3255667 | Walther | Jun 1966 | A |
3300889 | Baker | Jan 1967 | A |
3368298 | Browning | Feb 1968 | A |
3397473 | Browning | Aug 1968 | A |
3405470 | Wesemann | Oct 1968 | A |
3507067 | Into | Apr 1970 | A |
3592101 | Vartanian et al. | Jul 1971 | A |
3618457 | Miller | Nov 1971 | A |
3619926 | Alday | Nov 1971 | A |
3675534 | Beretta | Jul 1972 | A |
3686998 | Seifried | Aug 1972 | A |
3742636 | Dealy et al. | Jul 1973 | A |
3771415 | Into et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
3774498 | Moller et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
3776095 | Atchisson | Dec 1973 | A |
3938271 | Hyytinen | Feb 1976 | A |
3938422 | Tellie | Feb 1976 | A |
3960053 | Conley | Jun 1976 | A |
3969980 | Brandstatter et al. | Jul 1976 | A |
3999461 | Johnson et al. | Dec 1976 | A |
4020741 | Junker | May 1977 | A |
4044487 | Hutton et al. | Aug 1977 | A |
4088057 | Nasypany | May 1978 | A |
4125054 | Jennie | Nov 1978 | A |
4244273 | Langendorfer, Jr. et al. | Jan 1981 | A |
4246830 | Krieger | Jan 1981 | A |
4358986 | Giorgio | Nov 1982 | A |
4389920 | Dufour, Sr. | Jun 1983 | A |
4398448 | LaFever | Aug 1983 | A |
4505182 | Sullivan | Mar 1985 | A |
4553469 | Atchisson | Nov 1985 | A |
4654993 | Atchisson | Apr 1987 | A |
4663875 | Tatro | May 1987 | A |
4689911 | White | Sep 1987 | A |
4693170 | Atchisson | Sep 1987 | A |
4703826 | Byron | Nov 1987 | A |
4733489 | Kurak | Mar 1988 | A |
4756228 | Roth | Jul 1988 | A |
4765224 | Morris | Aug 1988 | A |
4766800 | Miller et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4867039 | Dobbins | Sep 1989 | A |
4893547 | Atchisson | Jan 1990 | A |
4972617 | Major | Nov 1990 | A |
5198600 | E'Nama | Mar 1993 | A |
5343650 | Swan | Sep 1994 | A |
5351598 | Schuetz | Oct 1994 | A |
5540008 | Kirnstatter | Jul 1996 | A |
5628137 | Cortese | May 1997 | A |
5821445 | Guhring | Oct 1998 | A |
5824923 | Kondoh et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5827992 | Harris et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5918401 | Rowlands | Jul 1999 | A |
5930935 | Griffin | Aug 1999 | A |
5945626 | Robbins | Aug 1999 | A |
6019024 | Robinson et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6134823 | Griffin | Oct 2000 | A |
6250194 | Brandl et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6311603 | Dunlap | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6418655 | Kay | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6453594 | Griffin | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6481145 | Weichert et al. | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6499246 | Zedrosser | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6532947 | Rosa et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6564491 | Murello | May 2003 | B2 |
6594937 | Weichert et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6609321 | Faifer | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6619592 | Vignaroli et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6625916 | Dionne | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6634274 | Herring | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6722255 | Herring | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6732466 | Bentley | May 2004 | B2 |
6752137 | Brunette et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6782791 | Moore | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6829858 | Gablowski | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6848351 | Davies | Feb 2005 | B1 |
7000345 | Kay | Feb 2006 | B1 |
D517637 | Murello et al. | Mar 2006 | S |
7010879 | Olson | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7131228 | Hochstrate et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
RE39465 | Swan | Jan 2007 | E |
7231861 | Gauny et al. | Jun 2007 | B1 |
7337574 | Crandall et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7418898 | Desomma | Sep 2008 | B1 |
7448307 | Dafinov | Nov 2008 | B1 |
7461581 | Leitner-Wise | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7469624 | Adams | Dec 2008 | B1 |
7478495 | Alzamora et al. | Jan 2009 | B1 |
7634959 | Frickey | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7661220 | Crandall et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
D633977 | Murello et al. | Mar 2011 | S |
20010042334 | Weichert et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20030074822 | Faifer | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20050115134 | Bond et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050115398 | Olson | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050262752 | Robinson et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060065112 | Kuczynko et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060156606 | Robinson et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060236582 | Lewis et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060254112 | Snoderly | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070033851 | Hochstrate et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070199435 | Hochstrate et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20080110074 | Bucholtz et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20090000173 | Robinson et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090007477 | Robinson et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090031605 | Robinson | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090031606 | Robinson et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090031607 | Robinson et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20110225865 | Williams | Sep 2011 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
U.S. Appl. No. 12/496,000, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Having an Indirect Gas Impingement System” (61 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/496,008, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Having a Handle Assembly for Charging and Forward Assist” (50 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/496,030, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Having a Debris Shield” (43 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/495,996, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Having an Expulsion Device” (38 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/496,003, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Including Improved Hand Guard” (48 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/496,011, filed Jul. 1, 2009, entitled “Firearm Having a Debris Shield for Use With a Direct Gas Impingement System” (25 pages). |
Article entitled “The USA's M4 Carbine Controversy” dated Feb. 2, 2009; www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-usas-m4-carbine-controversy-03289/. |
Article entitled “M4 Carbine Review” dated May 2, 2007; http://home.comcast.net/ shooter2—indy/m4.html. |
Article entitled “Critics Turn Crosshairs on Military's Main Rifle” dated Apr. 20, 2008 from the website “USA TODAY”; www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-04-20-gunwars—N.htm. |
Parts Schematic entitled “Schematic for Bushmaster M4A3 Carbine” from the website “Bushmaster” dated Jun. 2008; www.bushmaster.com/electronic-documents/operation-manual/opmanual.pdf. |
Article entitled “M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun Systems Photos and Video” from the website “The Firearm Blog” dated Nov. 2, 2007; www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2007/11/02/m26-modular-accessory-shotgun-system-photos-and-video/. |
Catalog item LMT: Standard MRP (rifle) version from the website “Lewis Machine Tool Company” dated Jun. 2008; www.lewismachine.net/product.php?p=56&cid=8&session=85945e8b595ef2d461b8980961cf870a. |
Article entitled “M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopdia dated Jun. 2008; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M26—Modular—Accessory—Shotgun—System. |
Article entitled “M16 rifle” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia dated Jun. 2008; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-16—rifle. |
Article entitled “M4 Carbine” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia dated Jun. 2008; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4—carbine. |
Animation entitled “How an AR15 Works” from the website dated Jun. 2008; www.barnesengineering.com/AR15animation/index.htm. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120151813 A1 | Jun 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61190089 | Aug 2008 | US |