Patent Application
20190346223
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(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to gas-powered rifles and, more particularly, to a universal apparatus and method for axially and longitudinally aligning a gas block with the gas port of a gas-powered rifle. When a gas-powered rifle is fired, gas travels behind the bullet as the bullet travels down the barrel. A gas-powered rifle's barrel has a gas port that allows the hot gas traveling behind the bullet to pass out of the barrel and into a gas block, which directs the gas into the bolt carrier, causing it to cycle. The gas block has a hole or mating port that aligns with the rifle's gas port to allow the passage of the gas into the gas block and to the bolt carrier. A problem with the operation of the rifle can arise when the mating port of the gas block is not optimally aligned, axially and longitudinally, with the gas port. It is very difficult to axially and longitudinally align the mating port of a gas block with a rifle's gas port, especially considering that civilian/commercial rifles are not standardized, and firearm manufacturers design several variants of gas-powered rifles and gas blocks. Generally, the alignment is achieved via a lengthy and frustrating process of trial and error, or by methods limited to use with a particular rifle or gas block.
(2) Background of Invention
There are a few methods and devices for aligning the gas port of a barrel with the mating port of a gas block during installation. An example of such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,760, which discloses an installation device that utilizes a drill bit and undisclosed drilling machine to create a conical cavity in the barrel opposite the gas port. However, this device is limited to aligning the disclosed adjustable gas block by inserting a screw in the disclosed gas block into the cavity created by the drill bit. While this installation device fulfills its particular purpose, its application is very limited given the wide array of commercial gas blocks and gas-powered rifles that are manufactured. The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,185 is similarly restricted to a particular purpose. The method of aligning a gas block disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,185 is limited to those instances where the mating port extends through the gas block, allowing the insertion of a pin through the gas block and into the gas port for alignment. The hole is then closed off by the use of a détente pin already installed on the gas block itself.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/009,344 discloses four methods of aligning a gas block mating port and gas port, all of which rely on inserting objects into a hole or recess in the rifle barrel. Specifically, the application of the invention disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/009,344 relies on either an alignment hole or key slot opposite the gas port, or aligned recesses on the side of the barrel. Such applications are similarly limited given the requirement that a barrel possess one of these components.
Accordingly, it remained for the present inventors to provide a universal method and tool for promptly and optimally aligning the gas port of a rifle barrel with the mating port of a gas block that would work with a wide variety of gas-powered rifle barrels and gas blocks. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes an alignment tool having an alignment port for longitudinally aligning the mating port and gas port, and an alignment slot for axially aligning the mating port and gas port. The alignment port is used to mark the distance from the mating port to the forward end of gas block and transfer that marking to the barrel to ensure that the forward end of the gas block is inserted over the barrel such that the distance from the forward end of the gas block to the gas port is the equivalent to the distance from the forward end of the gas block to the mating port. The alignment slot is used to mark the forward end of the gas block while the alignment port is centered over the mating port, and align that mark with the mark made on the barrel to ensure the axial alignment of the mating port and gas port.
In accordance with the present invention,
The alignment tool 30 is then removed from the gas block 20 and affixed over the barrel 10 such that the alignment port 35 is centered over the gas port 11. The surface of the barrel 10 is marked 50 through the alignment slot 34 in line with the circumferential marking 40 on the alignment tool 30 using a marking device such as a pen or marker. The alignment tool 30 is then removed from the barrel 10. The barrel 10 is then inserted through the bore 22 of the gas block 20 until the mark on the barrel 10 is aligned with the mark on the forward end of the gas block 24, thus aligning the gas port 11 with the mating port 21.
The foregoing merely describes the present invention in an illustrative manner. The terminology employed is intended to be merely words of description, and not of limitation. It will thus be appreciated that that those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous modification and variations of the present invention in light of the above teachings. Such modifications and variations, while not illustrated or described herein, embody the principles of the present invention, and are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
