Firearm with forward gas vent passage

Abstract

A firearm with forward gas vent passage has a frame, an elongated barrel connected to the frame, the elongated barrel defining a bore and having an exterior, the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior, a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel, the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface, the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port, a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block, and the gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location. The gas vent passage may extend in a forward direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63 / 747,081 filed on Jan. 19, 2025, entitled “BARREL FORWARD VENT,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a firearm with forward gas vent passage that vents excess gas forward away from the shooter and is economical to manufacture.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Prior art firearm gas piston systems are sufficiently reliable and useful, but they are not economical to manufacture and maintain. An economical firearm gas piston system would have fewer pieces to manufacture and commensurately fewer parts to break. However, foregoing gas rings or other mechanisms that help contain the gas in a firearm gas piston system means that more gas escapes out of the piston and cylinder clearance. This means more gas must be used to ensure proper operation of the firearm. To utilize the maximum amount of gas at the appropriate time in the bullet's path inside the bore of the barrel, though, excess gas will need to bleed off through a passage besides the piston clearance and besides the bore. Allowing the gas to vent forward, away from the shooter, is a natural conclusion, and other existing firearm gas piston systems do this very thing. These existing gas piston systems have disadvantages. They often require valves or passages that are costly to cut or come at the expense of reduced usable cross-sectional area of the piston. Managing the problem of evacuating excess gas becomes especially crucial when dealing with suppressed firearms, where internal gas pressure is exacerbated by back pressure from the suppressor.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm with forward gas vent passage that vents excess gas forward away from the shooter and is economical to manufacture. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm with forward gas vent passage according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of venting excess gas forward away from the shooter and being economical to manufacture.

[0005] The present invention provides an improved firearm with forward gas vent passage, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm with forward gas vent passage that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

[0006] To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a frame, an elongated barrel connected to the frame, the elongated barrel defining a bore and having an exterior, the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior, a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel, the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface, the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port, a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block, and the gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location. The gas vent passage may extend in a forward direction. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a firearm with forward gas vent passage constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elongated barrel, gas block, and piston of the firearm with forward gas vent passage FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the elongated barrel of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side sectional partial view of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

[0013] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0014] An embodiment of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0015] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved firearm with forward gas vent passage 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm with forward gas vent passage includes a frame 12. An elongated barrel 14 is connected to the frame. The elongated barrel defines a bore 16 and has an exterior 18. The elongated barrel also defines a barrel port 20 at an intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior. A gas block 24 defines a barrel passage 26 configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel. The gas block also defines a block port 28 registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface 30. The gas block includes an action facility 32 communicating with the block port. A gas vent passage 34 is defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block. The gas vent passage communicates from the port interface to an exterior location 36.

[0016] In the current embodiment, the gas vent passage 34 extends in a forward direction. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile of a segment of a circle. The gas vent passage communicates to an exterior location 36 at a forward surface 38 of the gas block 24. The gas vent passage is parallel to the elongated barrel bore 16. The gas block barrel passage 26 and the elongated barrel exterior 18 are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other to provide a gas seal over the majority of their interface. To the rear of the barrel port 20, the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other about the entirely of the elongated barrel 14 to provide a gas seal rearward of the barrel port.

[0017] In the current embodiment, the elongated barrel 14 has a flat external surface 40 at the barrel port 20. The elongated barrel has a cylindrical form at the intermediate portion 22, and has a deviant surface 42 deviating from the cylindrical form at the barrel port. The deviant surface in part defines the gas vent passage 34. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having an aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having a largest dimension at a midline 44 and tapering laterally. The action facility 32 is a cylinder 46 receiving a piston 48.

[0018] By allowing the gas to vent forward out of the gas block 24 via the gas vent passage 34 formed by the inside diameter of the barrel passage 26 of the gas block and the deviant surface 42 in the form of a shelf cut into the elongated barrel 14 itself to provide uninhibited evacuation of the expanded gas, the problem of economical manufacturability and functionality is solved. The depth of the gas vent passage and length of deviant surface are critical for proper operation of the firearm 10 and depend on the length of the elongated barrel, the barrel port 20 diameter, location of the barrel port, and the caliber of the elongated barrel bore 16. In the current embodiment, the deviant surface consists of a shelf cut into the gas block mounting journal 50 on the elongated barrel. The cut is preferably .005″ to .020″ deep, and the distance between the forwardmost edge of the barrel port and the forward end 52 of the deviant surface can vary dependent on barrel length and caliber. Preferably, the distance between the forwardmost edge of the barrel port and the forward end of the deviant surface is at a minimum of .005″ longer than the depth of the deviant surface. The center of the barrel port is preferably 1.535″ from the rear 54 of the gas block mounting journal. The deviant surface is preferably 0.22″ wide. The intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel has a radius of 0.6245. However, it should be appreciated that precise dimensions must be tailored to the pressures of the specific cartridge for the firearm to properly function suppressed or non-suppressed, with the bullet traveling supersonically or subsonically. Proper function of the firearm is achieved by regulated gas flow accomplished by a deviant surface having specific characteristics.

[0019] In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm. In the context of the specification, the term “segment” has the following definition: “segment” means the geometric definition defined between an arc and a chord. Informally, crescent shaped, but correctly a segment.

[0020] While a current embodiment of a firearm with forward gas vent passage has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the flat external surface forming a deviant surface to create a portion of the gas vent passage could instead be a curved surface with a different curvature from the remainder of the barrel exterior. The gas vent passage could also be formed by a groove in the barrel exterior at the intermediate portion or a groove in the barrel passage of the gas block. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0021] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]An embodiment of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0015]FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved firearm with forward gas vent passage 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm with forward gas vent passage includes a frame 12. An elongated barrel 14 is connected to the frame. The elongated barrel defines a bore 16 and has an exterior 18. The elongated barrel also defines a barrel port 20 at an intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior. A gas block 24 defines a barrel passage 26 configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel. The gas block also defines a block port 28 registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface 30. The gas block includes an action facility 32 communicating with the block port. A gas vent passage 34 is defined between the elongat...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63 / 747,081 filed on Jan. 19, 2025, entitled “BARREL FORWARD VENT,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a firearm with forward gas vent passage that vents excess gas forward away from the shooter and is economical to manufacture.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Prior art firearm gas piston systems are sufficiently reliable and useful, but they are not economical to manufacture and maintain. An economical firearm gas piston system would have fewer pieces to manufacture and commensurately fewer parts to break. However, foregoing gas rings or other mechanisms that help contain the gas in a firearm gas piston system means that more gas escapes out of the piston and cylinder clearance. This means more gas must be used to ensure proper operation of the firearm. To utilize the maximum amount of gas at the appropriate time in the bullet's path inside the bore of the barrel, though, excess gas will need to bleed off through a passage besides the piston clearance and besides the bore. Allowing the gas to vent forward, away from the shooter, is a natural conclusion, and other existing firearm gas piston systems do this very thing. These existing gas piston systems have disadvantages. They often require valves or passages that are costly to cut or come at the expense of reduced usable cross-sectional area of the piston. Managing the problem of evacuating excess gas becomes especially crucial when dealing with suppressed firearms, where internal gas pressure is exacerbated by back pressure from the suppressor.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm with forward gas vent passage that vents excess gas forward away from the shooter and is economical to manufacture. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm with forward gas vent passage according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of venting excess gas forward away from the shooter and being economical to manufacture.

[0005] The present invention provides an improved firearm with forward gas vent passage, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm with forward gas vent passage that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

[0006] To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a frame, an elongated barrel connected to the frame, the elongated barrel defining a bore and having an exterior, the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior, a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel, the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface, the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port, a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block, and the gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location. The gas vent passage may extend in a forward direction. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a firearm with forward gas vent passage constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elongated barrel, gas block, and piston of the firearm with forward gas vent passage FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the elongated barrel of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side sectional partial view of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

[0013] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0014] An embodiment of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0015] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved firearm with forward gas vent passage 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm with forward gas vent passage includes a frame 12. An elongated barrel 14 is connected to the frame. The elongated barrel defines a bore 16 and has an exterior 18. The elongated barrel also defines a barrel port 20 at an intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior. A gas block 24 defines a barrel passage 26 configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel. The gas block also defines a block port 28 registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface 30. The gas block includes an action facility 32 communicating with the block port. A gas vent passage 34 is defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block. The gas vent passage communicates from the port interface to an exterior location 36.

[0016] In the current embodiment, the gas vent passage 34 extends in a forward direction. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile of a segment of a circle. The gas vent passage communicates to an exterior location 36 at a forward surface 38 of the gas block 24. The gas vent passage is parallel to the elongated barrel bore 16. The gas block barrel passage 26 and the elongated barrel exterior 18 are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other to provide a gas seal over the majority of their interface. To the rear of the barrel port 20, the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other about the entirely of the elongated barrel 14 to provide a gas seal rearward of the barrel port.

[0017] In the current embodiment, the elongated barrel 14 has a flat external surface 40 at the barrel port 20. The elongated barrel has a cylindrical form at the intermediate portion 22, and has a deviant surface 42 deviating from the cylindrical form at the barrel port. The deviant surface in part defines the gas vent passage 34. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having an aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having a largest dimension at a midline 44 and tapering laterally. The action facility 32 is a cylinder 46 receiving a piston 48.

[0018] By allowing the gas to vent forward out of the gas block 24 via the gas vent passage 34 formed by the inside diameter of the barrel passage 26 of the gas block and the deviant surface 42 in the form of a shelf cut into the elongated barrel 14 itself to provide uninhibited evacuation of the expanded gas, the problem of economical manufacturability and functionality is solved. The depth of the gas vent passage and length of deviant surface are critical for proper operation of the firearm 10 and depend on the length of the elongated barrel, the barrel port 20 diameter, location of the barrel port, and the caliber of the elongated barrel bore 16. In the current embodiment, the deviant surface consists of a shelf cut into the gas block mounting journal 50 on the elongated barrel. The cut is preferably .005″ to .020″ deep, and the distance between the forwardmost edge of the barrel port and the forward end 52 of the deviant surface can vary dependent on barrel length and caliber. Preferably, the distance between the forwardmost edge of the barrel port and the forward end of the deviant surface is at a minimum of .005″ longer than the depth of the deviant surface. The center of the barrel port is preferably 1.535″ from the rear 54 of the gas block mounting journal. The deviant surface is preferably 0.22″ wide. The intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel has a radius of 0.6245. However, it should be appreciated that precise dimensions must be tailored to the pressures of the specific cartridge for the firearm to properly function suppressed or non-suppressed, with the bullet traveling supersonically or subsonically. Proper function of the firearm is achieved by regulated gas flow accomplished by a deviant surface having specific characteristics.

[0019] In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm. In the context of the specification, the term “segment” has the following definition: “segment” means the geometric definition defined between an arc and a chord. Informally, crescent shaped, but correctly a segment.

[0020] While a current embodiment of a firearm with forward gas vent passage has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the flat external surface forming a deviant surface to create a portion of the gas vent passage could instead be a curved surface with a different curvature from the remainder of the barrel exterior. The gas vent passage could also be formed by a groove in the barrel exterior at the intermediate portion or a groove in the barrel passage of the gas block. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0021] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]An embodiment of the firearm with forward gas vent passage of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0015]FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved firearm with forward gas vent passage 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm with forward gas vent passage includes a frame 12. An elongated barrel 14 is connected to the frame. The elongated barrel defines a bore 16 and has an exterior 18. The elongated barrel also defines a barrel port 20 at an intermediate portion 22 of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior. A gas block 24 defines a barrel passage 26 configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel. The gas block also defines a block port 28 registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface 30. The gas block includes an action facility 32 communicating with the block port. A gas vent passage 34 is defined between the elongat...

Claims

1. A firearm comprising:a frame;an elongated barrel connected to the frame;the elongated barrel defining a bore and having an exterior;the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior;a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel;the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface;the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port;a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block; andthe gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location.

2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage extends in a forward direction.

3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile of a segment of a circle.

4. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage communicates to an exterior location at a forward surface of the gas block.

5. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage is parallel to the elongated barrel bore.

6. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other to provide a gas seal over the majority of their interface.

7. The firearm of claim 1 wherein to the rear of the barrel port, the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other about the entirely of the elongated barrel to provide a gas seal rearward of the barrel port.

8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the elongated barrel has a flat external surface at the barrel port.

9. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the elongated barrel has a cylindrical form at the intermediate portion, and has a deviant surface deviating from the cylindrical form at the barrel port.

10. The firearm of claim 9 wherein the deviant surface in part defines the gas vent passage.

11. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having an aspect ratio of at least 2:1.

12. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile having a largest dimension at a midline and tapering laterally.

13. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the action facility is a cylinder receiving a piston.

14. A barrel assembly for a firearm comprising:an elongated barrel body defining a bore and having an exterior;the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior;a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel;the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface;the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port;a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block; andthe gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location.

15. The barrel assembly of claim 14 wherein the gas vent passage has a cross-sectional profile of a segment of a circle.

16. The barrel assembly of claim 14 wherein the gas vent passage communicates to an exterior location at a forward surface of the gas block.

17. The barrel assembly of claim 14 wherein the gas vent passage is parallel to the elongated barrel bore.

18. The barrel assembly of claim 14 wherein the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other to provide a gas seal over the majority of their interface.

19. The firearm of claim 14 wherein to the rear of the barrel port, the gas block barrel passage and the elongated barrel exterior are straight cylindrical forms abutting each other about the entirely of the elongated barrel to provide a gas seal rearward of the barrel port.

20. A firearm upper receiver comprising:an upper receiver frame;an elongated barrel connected to the frame;the elongated barrel defining a bore and having an exterior;the elongated barrel defining a barrel port at an intermediate portion of the elongated barrel and communicating between the bore and the exterior;a gas block defining a barrel passage configured to closely receive the intermediate portion of the elongated barrel;the gas block defining a block port registered with the barrel port and interfacing the block port at a port interface;the gas block including an action facility communicating with the block port;a gas vent passage defined between the elongated barrel and the gas block; andthe gas vent passage communicating from the port interface to an exterior location.

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