Modular sleeve

Abstract

A Swan universal receiver sleeve attached to the top of a firearm upper receiver and extended forward above the firearm barrel to a position just short of the firearm front sight. The underside of the rear portion of the sleeve is fixedly attached to the receiver top. The underside of the forward portion of the sleeve has an upper handguard piece attached thereto. A bottom handguard piece is fitted about the bottom of the gun barrel and is attached to the upper handguard piece. The handguard pieces are not physically connected in any way to the gun barrel. The sleeve is self supported by the connection of the rear portion underside to the receiver top.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60 / 274,147, filed Mar. 9, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to integration means, and more particularly to a device added to a firearm for incorporating ancillary equipment.[0003]As the field of combat and commercial weaponry expands, numerous add-on enhancements have become available for attachment to standard firearms thereby significantly upgrading the capability of the firearm. Various methods and means have been developed for interfacing the various add-on enhancements to firearms. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,871, discloses a quickly detachable interface means for modular enhancements. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,806 discloses a universal receiver sleeve having an upper interface portion with standard, universal dimensions regardless of the firearm and having a lower interface portion specific to a particular firearm. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,650 discloses an exten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a modular receiver sleeving system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved interface means for firearms which will isolate the gun barrel while providing various capabilities for mounting and integrating optics, lasers and sensors. Included in the invention capabilities are integral fastening fixtures and special contouring to facilitate internal fastening of laser housings adapted to plug into electrical sockets contained in the invention. This reduces size and eliminates exposed cables.

[0008]To attain this, the present invention extends the Swan universal receiver sleeve forward above the firearm barrel to a position just short of the firearm front sight. A weaver type interface return portion may be provided on the underside of the sleeve, or left solid over the barrel in front of the receiver to accommodate solid handguards or modular, dovetailed handguards. The underside of the rear portion of the sleeve is fixedly attached to the receiver top. The underside of the forward portion of the sleeve has an upper handguard piece attached thereto. A bottom handguard piece is fitted about the bottom of the gun barrel and is attached to the upper handguard piece via a unique channel and track system. The handguard pieces are not physically connected in any way to the gun barrel. The sleeve is self supported by the connection of the rear portion underside to the receiver top. Laser, electronics and optics modules may optionally be attached to the sleeve top side or to the upper handguard piece via special male and female dovetail track devices. The barrel of the rifle is essentially free floating. This permits greater shooting accuracy and protects sensitive electrical components integrated into and onto the firearm via the invention. Lighter weight barrels can be utilized as they are no longer deflected by outside pressure and direct transfer of heat to the hand is also eliminated.

[0011]The extra heavy barrels required on conventional rifles and carbines are no longer required with the present invention. A standard heavy or light weight barrel can be utilized because the present invention isolates and prevents hand, sling, and bipod pressure from deflecting the barrel. With the present invention, barrel handguards are not attached to the hot barrels, and provide a much cooler grip for the shooter. Weight reductions of at least one-half pound can be accomplished by use of a light weight barrel and the elimination of conventional solid aluminum and / or plastic handguards and their barrel hardware.

Problems solved by technology

The problem with integrating laser technology to firearms is the inherent conflict between a gun barrel's physical functioning and the rigid environment required for laser operations.

The temperature of a gun barrel in use can rise to 900° F. This type of heat, as well as the physical shock on the gun barrel from firing, will quickly destroy lasers and ancillary optics and electronics.

Further compounding this problem is the requirement that gun barrels be extra heavy to support the added weight attached by means of the collars.

The combination of heat and barrel weight tend to pull the barrel chamber out of alignment with the bolt lead, thereby causing bolt lug and extractor failure.

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