FIREARM BARREL PRE-LOADING DEVICES, CONNECTION ASSEMBLIES, AND FIREARMS
A firearm barrel preloading device can preload threaded connections. The preloading device can include an outwardly facing barrel-contact surface, an outwardly facing receiver-contact surface, non-planar surfaces between the barrel-contact surface and the receiver-contact surface. The non-planar surfaces can include mated pairs of axisymmetric surfaces that cooperate to spread apart the barrel-contact surface and the receiver-contact surface when the preloading device is moved toward an expanded configuration.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/134,908, filed Sep. 18, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/560,103, filed Sep. 18, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/564,968, filed Sep. 28, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/729,924, filed Sep. 11, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to firearms and components for firearms. More specifically, the invention relates to firearms, barrel preloaders, connection assemblies, and related technologies.
BACKGROUNDConventional firearms often have interchangeable barrels for using different caliber ammunition. To install a barrel, a threaded end of a barrel can be threadably connected to a receiver. Significant forces need to be applied to the barrel to prevent motion between the barrel and the receiver that could adversely affect accuracy. For example, threaded receiver-barrel connections can often require preloading of approximately 100 pound-feet of torque. Barrel nuts can also be used to preload receiver-barrel connections. Unfortunately, specialized tools (e.g., barrel nut wrenches, clamps, etc.) are needed to remove barrels and then securely install another barrel in the receiver without damaging either the barrel or receiver. Additionally, some conventional barrel installations require drilling holes into the face of a receiver.
The present technology is generally directed to firearms, preloaders, connection assemblies, and methods of using the same. Specific details and embodiments of the technology are described below with reference to
In some example embodiments, a barrel thread locking device can include a tensioner and a barrel nut. The tensioner can include one or more split collars or nuts. The barrel nut can have a sloped surface for contacting a surface of the tensioner. The tensioner can be operated to adjust the force applied to the barrel nut. For example, the tensioner can push the barrel nut away from the receiver, thereby tensioning the end portion of the barrel. The locking device can include a recoil lug for bearing against the receiver, stock, or another feature of the firearm. In some embodiments, the tensioner is a split collar or nut with at least one recoil lug. Other features can be used to manage forces. For example, plates, spacers, or other features can help manage forces applied to connections. The barrel thread locking device can be a preloading device capable of controllable expansion for preloading threaded connections, thereby producing forces sufficient to prevent motion between the barrel and the receiver to avoid adversely affecting accuracy. Non-specialized tools can be used to controllably adjust the preloading without damaging either the barrel or receiver.
In further embodiments, a preloading device includes a spat collar and washers. The split collar can have a main body that wedges apart the washers when the spat collar is contracted or collapsed. The split collar can be dosed to wedge apart the washers, which in turn press against the receiver and barrel. For example, partially conical or frusta-conical surfaces of the washers can contact toroidal wedge-shaped portions of the main body.
In yet further embodiments, a barrel tensioning assembly includes a split collar and a barrel nut. The split collar and barrel nut are configured to operate to tension the barrel or other components. The barrel tensioning assembly can be a preloading device.
In yet other embodiments, a preloading device has non-planar surfaces for contacting or otherwise engaging one another to generate forces. The preloading device can include a spot collar having non-planar surfaces for engaging non-planar surfaces of washers. The spat collar can maintain contact with corresponding non-planar washer surfaces regardless of alignment of the barrel with respect to the receiver when the barrel is installed and at a ready to fire position. This can ensure that the barrel properly bears against the preloading device even when the barrel is misaligned with respect to the preloading device. In some embodiments, one non-planar surface of the split collar is coincident with a first single imaginary non-planer axisymmetric washer, and another non-planar surface of the split collar is coincident with a second single imaginary non-planar axisymmetric surface of the other washer. The first and second single imaginary non-planer axisymmetric surfaces can be, for example, partially spherical shaped, conical shaped, parabolic, and/or toroidal shaped. In other embodiments, the split collar can contact non-planar surfaces of recoil lugs, nuts (e.g., barrel nuts), or the like.
In some embodiments, a preloading device includes a countersunk split ring. One or both sides of the spot ring can be countersunk to receive an adjacent component, such as a washer or a barrel nut. In certain embodiments, the spat ring can be countersunk to slidably contact a non-planar surface, such as a partially toroidal surface, a partially conical surface, or the like, of the washer or barrel nut. In some embodiments, opposing sides of the split ring can be countersunk for receiving and slidably contacting components positioned on opposite sides of the spat ring.
In yet further embodiments, a preloaded device includes a linearly expandable drive assembly. The drive assembly can include one or more spreaders that wedge apart washers or other elements, such as barrel nuts, lugs etc. One or more screws can be used to expand and collapse the drive assembly. The spreaders can have tapered edges or ends that slidably engaged sloped surfaces of the washers. The spreaders can translate in directions that are substantially perpendicular a midsagittal plane of the firearm and/or barrel. For example, the spreaders can translate linearly toward a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the barrel in order to push the washers in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The movement of the spreaders can be selected based on the desired rate and amount of expansion.
In yet further embodiments, a firearm includes a receiver, a barrel, and a locking or preloading device. The locking or preloading device can include one or more connection assemblies. The tensioning assemblies can include one or more locking devices, preloaders, tensioners, fasteners, alignment features (e.g., pins), force distributors (e.g., recoil lugs), or the like.
In some embodiments, a firearm barrel preloading device includes an outwardly facing barrel-contact surface, an outwardly facing receiver-contact surface, and axisymmetric surfaces, The axisymmetric surfaces are located between the barrel-contact surface and the receiver-contact surface. The axisymmetric surfaces can cooperate to spread apart the barrel-contact surface and the receiver-contact surface when the firearm barrel preloading device is moved toward an expanded configuration.
A method for tensioning at least a portion of a barrel can include threadably coupling a barrel nut to a barrel. The barrel is threadably connected to a firearm receiver. The configuration of a tension control element is adjusted to adjust tensioning of a portion of the barrel between the barrel nut and the receiver, preloading of threaded connections, or combinations thereof.
Firearm Barrel Preloaders and Connection AssembliesThe split collar 140 can include a main body 160 and the fastener 164 (illustrated as a screw). Encircling the bore (hole) of the split collar 140 is a shallow curved (e.g., conical) seat 186 against which a conical, spherical, toroidal, or otherwise axisymmetrical feature (e.g., non-planar surface) of the nut 150 will come to bear. The split collar 140 can have a one-piece or multi-piece body 160 and can include alignment features (e.g., protrusions, pins, etc.), force distributors, holes for receiving fasteners, or the like.
A fastener 164 can impart an axial force along a line of action 167 that is generally perpendicular to a sagittal plane 169 (
To install the barrel 120, the nut 150 is moved onto the barrel threads of a threaded portion 184 of the barrel 120 as far as possible ensuring that the conical (or more generally, axisymmetrical) seat of the nut is facing the receiver 110. The nut 150 can include a threaded section 180 configured to threadably engage the threaded portion 184 of the barrel 120. The split collar 140 is moved over the barrel threads so that the cone (countersink) is facing the nut 150. The barrel 120 is screwed into the receiver 110 until it comes to stop against a gage while the split collar 140 lays flat against an end 170 of the receiver 110. Ensuring the fastener 164 is loose, the nut is turned back toward the receiver so as to firmly sandwich the split collar 140 between the receiver 110 and the nut 150. This may cause the split collar 140 to open by a small amount. The screw 164 can be tightened to controllably preload the barrel-receiver joint a desired amount, thus completing the assembly process.
One advantage of at least some embodiments over conventional connections is that they do not require drilling holes into the face of a receiver (e.g., preloading devices can apply preloads without being mechanically connected to the receiver). The split collar 140 and nut 150 can slidably contact one another to inhibit or prevent appreciable forces, moments, or pressures that could cause deformation of the receiver 110 and/or barrel 110 and/or to maintain face-to-face contact with the receiver. The collapsing action of the split collar forces the barrel 120 and the receiver 110 in opposing directions with significant mechanical advantage for significant preloading, tensioning, etc. Threads can be preloaded for multiple reasons, including the preservation of the positional relationship between the barrel 120 and receiver/scope. The fastener 164 can be used to open the split ring 140 to replace the barrel 120 with another barrel.
The split collar 140 can be opened to allow disassembly without damaging or altering the receiver 110. In some embodiments, the connection assembly 130 is an aftermarket product that can be used to install different types of barrels. The interface between the split collar and the barrel nut can be selected based on the desired forces to be applied. For example, the slope of the face of the barrel nut can be selected to achieve the desired tensioning upon operation of the split collar.
The split collar 300 can include an integrated protrusion or lug 310 (“lug 310”) that can bear against the stock of the firearm in order to react the forces associated with, for example, recoil. The size, configuration, and position of the lug can be selected based on the expected recoil forces, characteristics (e.g., size, mechanical properties, etc.) of the stock, or the like. Referring to
The split collar 300 can be configured for use with different barrel nuts, barrels, and other components disclosed herein. Moreover, the split collar 300 can include features of the split rings discussed in connection with
The preloading device 430 can be used to remove and install barrels using common tools, such as a hex key, a gage (e.g., a head space gage), etc. Once installed, the preloading device 430 can preload the receiver-barrel threaded connection and/or tension the barrel 420, thereby promoting long term receiver-barrel joint stability. For example, a pre-set torque applied to the clamping screw 432 can result in barrel thread-preloading requiring a significant amount of torque to loosen. The torque applied to the clamping screw 432 can be equal to or less than about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, or about 30% of the torque need to loosen the barrel (e.g., torque needed to loosen the receiver-barrel threaded connection). In some embodiments, the torque applied to the clamping screw 432 can be about 90 lbf-in (10 Nm) to achieve barrel thread preloading that requires about 100 lbf-ft (136 Nm) of torque to loosen the receiver-barrel connection.
The threaded coupler 432 can be used to alter (e.g., dose or contract) the split collar 460 such that the split collar 460 drives the thrust washers 462 away from one another. For example, the split collar 460 can push the thrust washers 462a, 462b against the recoil lug 470, barrel shoulder 452, respectively, thereby tensioning a section 490 of the barrel 452. A threaded connection 491 is also preloaded. The threaded coupler 432 can be used to open or expand the split collar 460 to allow the thrust washers 462 to move toward one another, thus reducing or eliminating the preloading and/or barrel tensioning, This allows removal of the barrel 420 without requiring significant forces (e.g., torques).
One or both split collar surfaces 510, 512 can be non-planar surfaces, such as a curved surface (e.g., concave or convex), a partially spherical surface (e.g., a surface with a substantially spherical shape), a partially toroidal surface (e.g., a surface with a substantially toroidal surface), or the like. Each split collar surface 510, 512 can maintain contact with the respective washer 462 when the washer 462 is moved away from an aligned position. In one embodiment, the split collar surfaces 510, 512 are partially toroidal or conical surfaces and the washer surfaces 520, 522 are partially toroidal or conical surfaces. The slopes of the mated surfaces can generally match to provide for consistent contact when the split collar 460 is contracted or expanded. In some embodiments, the split collar surfaces 510, 512 can be substantially axisymmetric surfaces relative to axis 531. Suitable examples of axisymmetric surfaces include, but are not limited to, partially conical, toroidal, and spherical surfaces. The washer surfaces 520, 522 can also be substantially axisymmetric surfaces. In some embodiments, the thrust washer 462a can include substantially conical or toroidal surface 520, and the thrust washer 462a can include substantially conical or toroidal surface 522. The configurations of the non-planar surfaces 520, 522 can be selected based on the configuration of the corresponding non-planar surfaces 510, 512. The axisymmetric surfaces can be axisymmetric relative to the axis 531 defined by the firearm barrel preloading device 430 or another axis, such as a longitudinal axis of the barrel when in use.
The fasteners 918 can be positioned between, as viewed from above, central regions of the elements 912, 914, as well as at other suitable locations. The illustrated embodiment of the preloaded device 900 includes two fasteners 918. There can be additional fasteners located at various locations to provide the desired movement and/or locking forces.
To install a barrel, a threaded end of the barrel can be inserted into the bore 940. The receiver-contact element 914 can be positioned against a front face of a receiver. After the barrel is hand tightened, the fasteners 918 can be simultaneously or sequentially rotated to draw the spreaders 920, 922 towards one another. As the spreaders 920, 922 to move inwardly toward one another, the tapered ends 992, 994 (
The embodiments, features, connectors, tensioners, connection assemblies, methods and techniques described herein may, in some embodiments, be similar to and/or include any one or more of the embodiments, features, firing components, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,743,543; 8,572,885; application Ser. No. 13/771,021, application Ser. No. 15/193,483, application Ser. No. 16/134,908; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/771,021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition, the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described herein may, in certain embodiments, be applied to or used in connection with any one or more of the embodiments, firearms, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,743,543; 8,572,885; application Ser. No. 13/771,021, application Ser. No. 15/193,483; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/771,021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520. All of the patents and applications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The connection assemblies and other features disclosed herein can be incorporated into a wide range of different firearms (e.g., rifles, pistols, or other firearms) and actions.
The description of one connection or preloading device can apply to other embodiments. For example, the description of the preloading device 430 applies equally to, for example, the devices 130, 200, 600, 700, 800, 900, unless indicated otherwise. The mated surfaces disclosed herein can be substantially conical, substantially parabolic, substantially elliptical, or other curved shape suitable for contacting one another. For example, washer or nut surfaces can be partially spherical surfaces, partially elliptical surfaces, or partially parabolic surfaces, In such embodiments, the split collar surfaces can be partially spherical, partially toroidal, etc. In some embodiments, forward and/or rearward washer surfaces of the split collar can be partially spherical and can engage parabolic or elliptical spat collar surfaces. The configurations of the bearing surfaces can be selected to maintain contact irrespective of the angular position of the washers. The dimensions, configuration, and curvature of surfaces can be selected based on the desire interaction between components. The embodiments can have different types of collapsible components (e.g., split nuts, split collars, etc.) for forcing apart components. The configuration of collapsible components can be selected based on the configuration and functionality of other components, The collapsible components can also have integrated features, such as fasteners, lugs, or the like. It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A firearm barrel preloading device, comprising:
- a barrel interface element; and
- a collar movable from an open configuration toward a dosed configuration while an end portion of a barrel extends through the collar, wherein the collar slidably contacts the barrel interface element such that the barrel interface element gradually applies increasing pressure to the barrel when the collar is moved toward the dosed configuration, thereby preloading a threaded connection between the barrel and a receiver.
2. The firearm barrel preloading device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver interface, wherein the collar wedges apart the receiver interface and the barrel interface element when the collar is moved toward the dosed configuration.
3. The firearm barrel preloading device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces that slidably contact one another such that the barrel interface element moves away from the receiver as the collar moves toward the dosed configuration.
4. The firearm barrel preloading device of claim 1, wherein the collar has a partially conical or toroidal portion that slidably contacts the barrel interface element,
5. A connection assembly installable on a firearm and movable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to tension at least a portion of the barrel while a barrel is threadably coupled to a receiver, the connection assembly comprising:
- a receiver engaging element configured to contact the receiver;
- a barrel engaging element configured to contact the barrel; and
- a split collar with a first sloped surface and a second sloped surface, the first sloped surface slidably contacts a first axisymmetric surface of the receiver engaging element, and the second sloped surface slidably contacts a second axisymmetric surface of the barrel engaging element.
6. The connection assembly of claim 5, wherein the split collar collapses to push apart the receiver engaging element and the barrel engaging element without causing corresponding collapse of at least one of the receiver engaging element and the barrel engaging element.
7. A firearm comprising:
- a receiver;
- a barrel; and
- a connection assembly movable from an unexpanded configuration for threadably coupling the barrel to the receiver to an expanded configuration to tension at least a portion of the barrel while the barrel is threadably coupled to the receiver.
8. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the connection assembly includes a split collar with a first sloped surface and a second sloped surface;
- a receiver engaging element configured to contact the receiver, the receiver engaging element includes a first axisymmetric surface that slidably contacts the first sloped surface; and
- a barrel engaging element configured to contact the barrel, the barrel engaging element includes a second axisymmetric surface that slidably contacts the second sloped surface.
9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the split collar includes a threaded member that is rotatable to move the first and second slope surfaces inwardly to drive apart the first and second axisymmetric surfaces, thereby preloading a threaded connection between the barrel and the receiver.
10. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the split collar includes a threaded member operable to drive the first and second slope surfaces radially inwardly
11. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the receiver engaging element is a recoil lug or a thrust washer.
12. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the barrel engaging element is a barrel nut or a thrust washer.
13. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the connection assembly includes a first interface element;
- a second interface element; and
- a split collar with a wedged-shaped annular body positionable between the first and second interface elements, and wedge-shaped annular body spreads apart the first and second interface elements when the split collar is collapsed.
14. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the connection assembly includes a split collar with a sloped surface configured to bear against a sloped surface of the barrel.
15. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the connection assembly includes a split collar with a lug positioned to bear against a stock of the firearm.
16. A method for installing a barrel of a firearm, comprising:
- threadably coupling a barrel to a receiver; and
- moving a barrel preloading device from an installation configuration toward a preloading configuration to gradually apply pressure to a portion of the barrel to preload a threaded connection between the barrel and the receiver.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising rotating a threaded fastener to collapse a split ring that causes preloading of the threaded connection.
18. A method for tensioning at least a portion of barrel, comprising:
- threadably coupling a barrel nut to a barrel;
- threadably coupling the barrel to a firearm receiver; and
- adjusting the configuration of a tension control element to alter engagement between the tension control element and the barrel nut to adjust tensioning of a portion of the barrel between the barrel nut and the receiver.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the tension control element includes a split collar.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the tension control element includes a force distributor positioned to bear against a receiver of the firearm and/or a stock of the firearm.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the force distributor is a recoil lug that is part of a body of the tension control element.
22. A method for tensioning at least a portion of barrel, the method comprising:
- threadably coupling a barrel to a firearm receiver; and
- adjusting the configuration of a tension control element to alter engagement between the tension control element and the barrel to adjust tensioning of a portion of the barrel.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2021
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2021
Inventor: Theodore Karagias (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 17/211,727