Reducing the Size of a Gas Port of a Gas Operated Firearm

Abstract

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is otherwise serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/050,785, filed Jul. 11, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm when the gas port is oversized or eroded, or the firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 10,101,104; in a gas operated firearm there is usually a small gas port, or small hole, in the barrel that vents gas with every shot.

SUMMARY

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is otherwise serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a prior art rifle barrel.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a gas operated firearm.

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of a gas block.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an apparatus 140a according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260a according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140a according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420a according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420a according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of an apparatus 140b according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260b according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140b according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420b according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420b according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a top view of an apparatus 140t according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260t according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140t according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420t according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420t according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of an apparatus 140y according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260y according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140y according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420y according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420y according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows a prior art table.

FIG. 34 shows a table of parts “a”.

FIG. 35 shows a table of parts “b”.

FIG. 36 shows a table of parts “t”.

FIG. 37 shows a table of parts “y”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

It should be understood the term “fluid” is defined as hot gases directed from a central bore via to an outer surface of a barrel wall and thence under normal operating conditions of a gas operated firearm the hot gases are directed to a gas block.

It should be understood that the term “worn” is defined as an oversized prior art gas port 130a as a result of damage caused by hot gases from a prior art central bore 136 passing through the original gas port (i.e., prior art gas port 130a) thereby eroding the original gas port.

Tables A, B, T, and Y (i.e., shown in FIGS. 34 through 37, respectively) are intended to aid understanding of the present invention.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200a with outer 220a and inner 240a surfaces. A modified gas port 260a is located between the outer 220a and inner 240a surfaces, the modified gas port 260a comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280a and a worn first bore 360a, the inverted female top hat configuration 280a comprises a third bore 500a and a fourth bore 520a.

Still referring to the first embodiment, a male gas port insert 420a is located in the inverted female top hat configuration 280a such that the male gas port insert 420a occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500a and at least a portion of the fourth bore 520a, the male gas port insert 420a having a second bore 440a therethrough.

Still referring to the first embodiment, a flared portion 460a is located at a first opposite end 445a of the second bore 440a, the flared portion 460a is in fluid communication with the second bore 440a and the worn first bore 360a,

Still referring to the first embodiment, the worn first bore 360a defines a first diameter 400a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360a, the second bore 440a defines a second diameter 455a of at least a portion of the second bore 440a, and the second diameter 455a is less than the first diameter 400a.

In one aspect of the present invention, which is dependent on the first embodiment, the flared portion 460a defines a maximum diameter 465a, and the maximum diameter 465a is equal to the first diameter 400a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420a defines a stem 595a, the stem 595a having a diameter 597a of at least a portion of the stem 595a. The flared portion 460a defines a maximum diameter 465a. The maximum diameter 465a is greater than the first diameter 400a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360a, and the maximum diameter 465a is less than the diameter 597a of the stem 595a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420a is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration 280a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420a has a T-shaped cross section 480a to complement the shape of the inverted female top hat configuration 280a.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200b with outer 220b and inner 240b surfaces. A modified gas port 260b is located between the outer 220b and inner 240b surfaces. The modified gas port 260b comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280b and a worn first bore 360b. The inverted female top hat configuration 280b comprises a third bore 500b and a fourth bore 520b.

Still referring to the second embodiment, a male gas port insert 420b is located in the inverted female top hat configuration 280b such that the male gas port insert 420b occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500b and at least a portion of the fourth bore 520b. The male gas port insert 420b having a second bore 440b therethrough such that the second 440b and first 360b bores extend between the outer 220b and inner 240b surfaces.

Still referring to the second embodiment, the worn first bore 360b defines a first diameter 400b of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360b, the second bore 440b defines a second diameter 455b of at least a portion of the second bore 440b, and the second diameter 455b is less than the first diameter 400b. In this embodiment, a flared portion is not located at a first opposite end 445b of the second bore 440b.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the second embodiment, the male gas port insert 420b is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration 280b.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the second embodiment, the male gas port insert 420b has a T-shaped cross section 480b to complement the shape of the female top hat configuration 280b.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200t with outer 220t and inner 240t surfaces. A modified gas port 260 is located between the outer 220t and inner 240t surfaces, the modified gas port 260t comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280t and a worn first bore 360t, the inverted female top hat configuration 280t comprises a third bore 500t and a fourth bore 520t.

Still referring to the third embodiment, a male gas port insert 420t screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration 280t such that the male gas port insert 420t occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500t and at least a portion of the fourth 520t bore, the male gas port insert 420t having a second bore 440t therethrough. A flared portion 460t is located at a first opposite end 445t of the second bore 440t; the flared portion 460t is in fluid communication with the second bore 440t and the worn first bore 360t.

Still referring to the third embodiment, the worn first bore 360t defines a first diameter 400t of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360t, the second bore 440t defines a second diameter 455t of at least a portion of the second bore 440t, and the second diameter 455t is less than the first diameter 400t.

In one aspect of the present invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420t defines a stem 595t. An external thread 600t extends at least partway around stem 595t, and a complementary internal thread 620t extends at least partway around the fourth bore 520t of the inverted female top hat configuration 280t.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420t defines a stem 595t, the stem 595t having a diameter 597t of at least a portion of the stem 595t. The flared portion 460t defines a maximum diameter 465t, and the maximum diameter 465t is equal to the first diameter 400t.

In a further aspect of the invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420t defines a stem 595t, the stem 595t having a diameter 597t of at least a portion of the stem 595t. The flared portion 460t defines a maximum diameter 465t such that the maximum diameter 465t is greater than the first diameter 400t of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360t, and the maximum diameter 465t is less than the diameter 597t of the stem 595t.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200y with outer 220y and inner 240y surfaces. A modified gas port 260y is located between the outer 220y and inner 240y surfaces, the modified gas port 260y comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280y and a worn first bore 360y, the inverted female top hat configuration 280y comprises a third bore 500y and a fourth bore 520y.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, a male gas port insert 420y screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration 280y such that the male gas port insert 420y occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500y and at least a portion of the fourth 520y bore, the male gas port insert 420y having a second bore 440y therethrough.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, the worn first bore 360y defines a first diameter 400y of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360y. The second bore 440y defines a second diameter 455y of at least a portion of the second bore 440y. The second diameter 455y is less than the first diameter 400y.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, a flared portion is not located at a first opposite end 445y of the second bore 440y.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the fourth embodiment, the male gas port insert 420y defines a stem 595y. An external thread 600y extends at least partway around stem 595y, and a complementary internal thread 620y extends at least partway around the fourth bore 520y of the inverted female top hat configuration 280y.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising:

a barrel wall (200a) with outer (220a) and inner (240a) surfaces,

a modified gas port (260a) is located between the outer (220a) and inner (240a) surfaces, the modified gas port (260a) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280a) and a worn first bore (360a), the inverted female top hat configuration (280a) comprises a third bore (500a) and a fourth bore (520a),

a male gas port insert (420a) is located in the inverted female top hat configuration (280a) such that the male gas port insert (420a) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500a) and at least a portion of the fourth bore (520a), the male gas port insert (420a) having a second bore (440a) therethrough,

a flared portion (460a) located at a first opposite end (445a) of the second bore (440a), the flared portion (460a) is in fluid communication with the second bore (440a) and the worn first bore (360a),

wherein the worn first bore (360a) defines a first diameter (400a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360a),

wherein the second bore (440a) defines a second diameter (455a) of at least a portion of the second bore (440a), and

wherein the second diameter (455a) is less than the first diameter (400a).

2. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the flared portion (460a) defines a maximum diameter (465a), and

wherein the maximum diameter (465a) is equal to the first diameter (400a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360a).

3. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the male gas port insert (420a) defines a stem (595a), the stem (595a) having a diameter (597a) of at least a portion of the stem (595a),

wherein the flared portion (460a) defines a maximum diameter (465a),

wherein the maximum diameter (465a) is greater than the first diameter (400a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360a), and

wherein the maximum diameter (465a) is less than the diameter (597a) of the stem (595a).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male gas port insert (420a) is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration (280a).

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male gas port insert (420a) has a T-shaped cross section (480a) to complement the shape of the inverted female top hat configuration (280a).

6. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising:

a barrel wall (200b) with outer (220b) and inner (240b) surfaces,

a modified gas port (260b) is located between the outer (220b) and inner (240b) surfaces, the modified gas port (260b) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280b) and a worn first bore (360b), the inverted female top hat configuration (280b) comprises a third bore (500b) and a fourth bore (520b),

a male gas port insert (420b) is located in the inverted female top hat configuration (280b) such that the male gas port insert (420b) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500b) and at least a portion of the fourth bore (520b), the male gas port insert (420b) having a second bore (440b) therethrough such that the second (440b) and first (360b) bores extend between the outer (220b) and inner (240b) surfaces,

wherein the worn first bore (360b) defines a first diameter (400b) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360b),

wherein the second bore (440b) defines a second diameter (455b) of at least a portion of the second bore (440b),

wherein the second diameter (455b) is less than the first diameter (400b), and

wherein a flared portion (460a) is not located at a first opposite end (445b) of the second bore (440b).

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the male gas port insert (420b) is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration (280b).

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the male gas port insert (420b) has a T-shaped cross section (480b) to complement the shape of the female top hat configuration (280b).

9. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising:

a barrel wall (200t) with outer (220t) and inner (240t) surfaces,

a modified gas port (260t) is located between the outer (220t) and inner (240t) surfaces, the modified gas port (260t) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280t) and a worn first bore (360t), the inverted female top hat configuration (280t) comprises a third bore (500t) and a fourth bore (520t),

a male gas port insert (420t) screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration (280t) such that the male gas port insert (420t) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500t) and at least a portion of the fourth (520t) bore, the male gas port insert (420t) having a second bore (440t) therethrough,

a flared portion (460t) located at a first opposite end (445t) of the second bore (440t), the flared portion (460t) is in fluid communication with the second bore 440t and the worn first bore 360t,

wherein the worn first bore (360t) defines a first diameter (400t) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360t),

wherein the second bore (440t) defines a second diameter (455t) of at least a portion of the second bore (440t),

wherein the second diameter (455t) is less than the first diameter (400t).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the male gas port insert (420t) defines a stem (595t), wherein an external thread (600t) extends at least partway around stem (595t), and wherein a complementary internal thread (620t) extends at least partway around the fourth bore (520t) of the inverted female top hat configuration (280t).

11. The apparatus of claim 9,

wherein the male gas port insert (420t) defines a stem (595t), the stem (595t) having a diameter (597t) of at least a portion of the stem (595t),

wherein the flared portion (460t) defines a maximum diameter (465t), and

wherein the maximum diameter (465t) is equal to the first diameter (400t).

12. The apparatus of claim 9,

wherein the male gas port insert (420t) defines a stem (595t), the stem (595t) having a diameter (597t) of at least a portion of the stem (595t),

wherein the flared portion (460t) defines a maximum diameter (465t),

wherein the maximum diameter (465t) is greater than the first diameter (400t) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360t), and

wherein the maximum diameter (465t) is less than the diameter (597t) of the stem (595t).