BAYONET LUG EXTENSION FOR AN AR-15 CARBINE LENGTH RIFLE

Abstract

A bayonet lug extension for AR-15 design carbine length rifles. The bayonet lug extension positions a bayonet relative to the barrel end to have the proper amount of blade available for use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bayonet lugs for firearms and, more particularly, to a bayonet lug extension for an AR-15 carbine length rifle.

Standard military issue bayonets designed to fit M-16 rifles will not install correctly on an AR-15 rifles that are provisioned with a carbine length barrel. Currently all AR-15 rifles with carbine length barrels have the bayonet lug located too far away from the flash suppressor resulting in the bayonet support ring resting loosely on the barrel, thereby causing undesirable radial movement.

This placement also shortens the blade length protruding past the end of barrel. This results in a condition where a significant portion of the bayonet blade does not extend beyond the end of the rifle barrel, thereby limiting its effectiveness. While, other devices replace the flash suppressor with a modified flash suppressor that provides radial support for the bayonet support ring, but the substitution of flash suppressors does not correct the issue of the shortened blade length protruding past end of barrel, reducing the bayonet's functionality and effectiveness.

In short, other systems fail to re-position the bayonet forward to the milspec location specified on full barrel length AR-15/M-16 rifles. Since they do not re-position the bayonet forward to the mil spec position on the rifle, the overall length of functional bayonet blade length is reduced by up to 40%.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved bayonet mounting lug, so that bayonet will have the proper amount of blade available for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bayonet lug extension, comprises

a bayonet lug adapter, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug on a rifle; and a bayonet receiver lug, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug groove defined in an end of a bayonet handle; wherein said bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug are spaced apart on said bayonet lug extension such that a support ring on said bayonet handle may be received in a flash suppressor of said rifle.

In another aspect of the invention, the bayonet lug adapter further comprises a latch plate pivotally attached to the bayonet lug adapter, and the latch plate is releaseably engageable with a bayonet lug slot on said bayonet lug.

The latch plate may further comprise a protrusion releaseably engageable with the bayonet lug slot. In certain embodiments, a spring biases the latch plate protrusion for engagement in the bayonet lug slot.

In other aspects of the invention, the bayonet lug adapter further comprises a substantially T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot is adapted to receive said bayonet lug of the rife.

In another aspect, the bayonet lug extension further comprising a spacer interposed between said bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug. In some embodiments, the bayonet lug adapter, bayonet receiver lug and the extension spacer comprise a unitary body.

According to another aspect of the invention a bayonet lug extension comprises: a bayonet lug adapter, having a T-shaped slot defined in a top surface of the bayonet lug adapter, a slot defined in an outer lateral surface of the bayonet lug adapter, and a latch plate pivotally received in the slot. An extension spacer operatively connects the bayonet lug adapter with a bayonet receiver bracket. The bayonet receiver bracket comprises a bayonet receiver lug adapted to receive attachment of an end of a bayonet handle.

In other embodiments, the latch plate further comprises a protrusion at a top end of the latch plate, wherein the protrusion is selectively positioned between a latched state and a released state. In the latched state the protrusion extends into the T-shaped slot. In the released state the protrusion is withdrawn from the T-shaped slot. A spring may biases the protrusion in the latched state.

In other preferred embodiments, the latch plate further comprises a latch plate finger grip at a bottom end of the plate, wherein pinching the finger grip positions the protrusion in the released state.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an AR-15 with an embodiment of a lug extension, with bayonet affixed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bayonet lug extension.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bayonet lug reversed 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bayonet lug extension.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bayonet lug extension in an unlatched state.

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of the bayonet lug extension aligned for attachment to a rifle.

FIG. 7 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a lug adaptor for the bayonet lug extension.

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of the bayonet lug extension installed on a rifle.

FIG. 10 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bayonet lug extension 10 for a rifle 50, such as the AR-15/M-16, provisioned with a carbine length barrel. The bayonet lug extension 10 of the present invention provides quick, tool free installation and removal of the bayonet lug extension 10 to the rifle 50, while providing a solid mount for the M-16 bayonet 54.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 1, the bayonet lug extension 10 permits the attachment of a bayonet 54 to the rifle 50. The bayonet lug extension 10 of the present invention properly locates a bayonet support ring 62 of the a standard M-16 bayonet 54 in proper alignment with an annular channel 64 defined at an aft end of a flash suppressor 66 attached to the end of a rifle barrel 68. The bayonet 54 is attached to the bayonet lug extension 10.

In reference to FIG. 2, the bayonet lug extension 10 comprises a lug adaptor 12, an extension spacer 38, and a bayonet receiver bracket 40. The lug adaptor 12 is configured to releaseably attach the bayonet lug extension 10 to the existing bayonet lug 52 of the rifle 50. The extension spacer 38 provides spacing between the lug adaptor 12 and the bayonet receiver bracket 40, so that a bayonet receiver bracket lug 46 is positioned, relative the barrel 68, in order to position the bayonet support ring 62 is in proper alignment with the annular channel 64 of the flash suppressor 66.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the extension spacer 38 is a cylindrical rod, however any shape for the spacer is suitable so that the bayonet receiver bracket 40 and bayonet receiver bracket lug 46 are positioned at the specified position on the rifle barrel 68. In the preferred embodiment, the lug adaptor 12 comprises a bore defined through an aft face to receive the adaptor rod 38

In further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lug adaptor comprises a lug adaptor T-slot 14, defined through an aft face of the lug adaptor 12. The T-slot 14 is adapted to receive the existing bayonet lug 52 of the rifle 50. The lug adaptor 12 also has a slot 20 defined along at least one side face of the lug adaptor, to pivotally receive a latch plate 26 therein. With additional reference to FIG. 4, latch plate 26 has a protrusion 28 that extends inwardly at a top end of the latch plate 26 and extends into the T-slot when in a latched state. A finger grip 32 is provided at a second end of the latch plate 26 and extends downwardly from slot 20 and below a lower end of the lug adaptor 12. The finger grip 32 allows a user to position the protrusion 28 between the latched state and a released state for installation and removal of the lug extension 10 from the rifle 50. The latch plate 26 pivots about a pin 36, extending through a latch plate pivot hole 30. As seen in reference to FIG. 4, a bore 18 may extend between a front face and the back face of the lug adaptor 12.

Further in reference to FIG. 7, a spring 34 is disposed in a spring shaft 24 defined transversely in the lug adaptor 12, proximal to the slot 20. Spring 34 urges the lower end of the latch plate 26 outwardly such that the protrusion 28 is releaseably received within the T-slot 14 via a T-slot inner cutout 22. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lug adaptor is provided with a second latch plate 26 on a second side of the lug adaptor 12, wherein the configuration of the elements are in opposed relation to the first latch plate 26. In this manner, the latch plate protrusions 28 are in opposed relation within T-slot 14 to engage within an existing bayonet lug slot 58 on the rifle's bayonet lug 52. With particular reference to FIG. 5, the user may squeeze the latch plate finger grips 32 together so as to overcome the spring 34 bias against the finger plate 26 to selectively position the finger plates between a latched state and a released state.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lug adaptor 12 includes a lug adaptor 16 hole to receive a first end of the extension spacer 38 in a tight press fitting engagement to securely attach the spacer 38 to the lug adaptor 12. Alternatively, spacer 38 may be integrally formed with lug adaptor 12.

Returning now to the bayonet lug receiver bracket 40, the receiver bracket 40 comprises a receiver bracket lug 46 that is shaped according to the existing bayonet lug 52. The receiver bracket lug 46 includes a pair of receiver bracket latch teeth 42 extending outwardly from the lateral sides of the lug 46. A bayonet receiver bracket latch slot 44 is defined between an inner face of the receiver bracket latch teeth 42 and an opposing surface of the bayonet receiver bracket 40. The bayonet receiver bracket 40 may further comprise an aperture 48 to receive the extension spacer 38 in a tight press fitting engagement securely attach the receiver bracket 40 with the extension spacer 38. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the extension spacer 38 may be integrally formed with 43 receiver bracket 40. As will be appreciated, in certain embodiments, the bayonet lug adapter 12, extension spacer 38, and the bayonet receiver bracket 40 may be formed as a unitary body.

As seen in reference to FIG. 9, the bayonet lug extension 10 is shown attached to the existing bayonet lug 52 of the rifle 50. With particular reference to FIG. 10, the existing rifle bayonet lug 52 is received within lug adaptor T-slot 14.

Protrusions 28 at the top end of the latch plates 26 extend through T-slot inner cutout 22 and into T-slot 14. In reference to FIG. 11, the protrusions 28 extend into the bayonet lug slot 58 of the existing rifle bayonet lug 52 to secure the bayonet lug extension 10 to the rifle 50. Returning to FIG. 1, the bayonet receiver bracket lug 46 is received within a bayonet lug groove 56 defined in an aft end of a handle of the bayonet 54.

To utilize the bayonet lug extension 10 of the present invention, a user would grasp the device 10 in one hand, and an AR-15 with a carbine length barrel in the other. Next they would slide the lug adaptor 12 over the rifle's bayonet lug 52 until the lug adaptor 12 locks into position with the engagement of protrusions 28 in the bayonet lug 52 bayonet lug slot 58. While the forward edge face of a bayonet lug tooth 59 is angled so as to automatically separate the latch plate protrusions 28, the user may need to pinch the latch plate finger grips 32 to fully seat the bayonet lug extension 10 on the existing bayonet lug 52.

To attach a bayonet 54 to the bayonet lug extension 18, the user would slide the bayonet support ring 62 of an M-16 bayonet 54 over the flash suppressor 66, while aligning the bayonet's lug groove 56 with the receiver bracket lug 46 until the handle of the bayonet 54 slides over the device's receiver bracket lug 46 and the bayonet locks into position at the specified position with the bayonet support ring 62 received with the annular channel 64 at the aft end of the flash suppressor 66.

To remove the bayonet lug adapter 10, the user would squeeze the latch plate finger grips 32 until the protruding tips 28 of the latch plate release from the receiver bracket latch slots 44.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A bayonet lug extension, comprising:

a bayonet lug adapter, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug on a rifle; and

a bayonet receiver lug, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug groove defined in an end of a bayonet handle; wherein said bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug are spaced apart on said bayonet lug extension such that a support ring on said bayonet handle may be received in a flash suppressor of said rifle.

2. The bayonet lug extension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lug adapter further comprises a latch plate pivotally attached to said bayonet lug adapter, wherein said latch plate is releaseably engageable with a bayonet lug slot on said bayonet lug.

3. The bayonet lug extension of claim 2, wherein said latch plate further comprises a protrusion releaseably engageable with said bayonet lug slot.

4. The bayonet lug extension of claim 3, wherein said bayonet lug adapter further comprises a spring, wherein said spring biases said latch plate protrusion for engagement in said bayonet lug slot.

5. The bayonet lug extension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lug adapter further comprises a substantially T-shaped slot, wherein said T-shaped slot is adapted to receive said bayonet lug.

6. The bayonet lug extension of claim 1, further comprising a spacer interposed between said bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug.

7. The bayonet lug extension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lug adapter, said bayonet receiver lug and said extension spacer comprise a unitary body.

8. A bayonet lug extension comprising:

a bayonet lug adapter, comprising a T-shaped slot defined in a top surface of said bayonet lug adapter, a slot defined in an outer lateral surface of said bayonet lug adapter, and a latch plate pivotally received in said slot;

an extension spacer, operatively connecting said bayonet lug adapter with a bayonet receiver bracket, wherein said bayonet receiver bracket comprises a bayonet receiver lug adapted to receive attachment of an end of a bayonet handle.

9. The bayonet lug extension of claim 8, wherein said latch plate further comprises a protrusion at a top end of said latch plate, wherein said protrusion is selectively positioned between a latched state and a released state, wherein in said latched state said protrusions extend into said T-shaped slot, and wherein in said released state said protrusions are withdrawn from said T-shaped slot.

10. The bayonet lug extension of claim 8, wherein said bayonet lug adapter further comprises a spring, wherein said spring biases said protrusions in said latched state.

11. The bayonet lug extension of claim 10, wherein said latch plate further comprises a latch plate finger grip at a bottom end of said plate, wherein pinching said finger grip positions said protrusions in said released state.