Quick-release barrel firearm

Abstract

Firearms with improved systems and methods of attaching the barrels that can provide for quicker and easier replacement of the barrel. In particular embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a door that opens to release the barrel from the receiver. In certain embodiments, the door is located on the firearm below the barrel, a latch releasably holds the door closed, the door is pivotably attached to the receiver at a first end of the door, the latch is at a second end of the door, the door includes a barrel clamp that contacts a flange at a rearward end of the barrel to secure the barrel to the receiver, a rotating cam in the door secures the barrel to the receiver, the barrel attaches to the receiver without screwing the barrel into the receiver and without screwing an attachment component onto threads on the receiver, or a combination thereof.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 920,008, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled QUICK-RELEASE BARREL FIREARM, which has at least one inventor in common with the current patent application and the same assignee. The contents of this priority provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms having removable barrels and methods of attaching barrels to firearms.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Firearms have been used for several centuries for various purposes including as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self defense, hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons and weapon systems have been developed, firearms are still widely used and soldiers are trained in firearm use and carry firearms in essentially all armies throughout the world. Over time, firearms have been improved in many ways, but oppo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]This invention provides, among other things, firearms with improved systems and methods of attaching the barrel that provide for quicker and easier replacement of the barrel. Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more of the needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples. A number of embodiments provide firearms that have removable or interchangeable barrels that provide the ability to change a barrel quickly. For example, a soldier may change an overheated barrel in a protracted firefight or may change to a longer barrel to shoot at a target that is far away. In various embodiments, prior mechanisms are eliminated wherein barrels have screwed onto the receiver or have been held in place with a threaded locking ring that went around the barrel, which made removal and replacement of the barrel somewhat time consuming, particularly in a battlefield situation. Various embodiments provide firearms in which the barrel can be changed more easily, more quickly, or both.

Problems solved by technology

Although these attachment mechanisms held the barrels adequately, they made removal and replacement of the barrel somewhat time consuming, particularly in a battlefield situation.

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