Firearm Barrel Cinching Clamp Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearms with changeable barrels require specialized tools for barrel replacement, leading to risks of under or over torqueing and potential misalignment of attached scopes during field use.
Innovation Solution
A firearm with a barrel cinching clamp system that uses an adjustable hex bolt to secure and release the barrel, allowing for easy replacement without specialized tools, ensuring proper torque and maintaining scope alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized tools (vise block, barrel nut wrench, torque wrench) are used to change barrels, then the barrel can be securely tightened, but the complexity of the operation increases and the risk of under/over torqueing remains
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the barrel nut from the traditional threaded bore design and replaces it with a cam-actuated clamp mechanism. The cam clamp system eliminates the need for specialized barrel nut wrenches and torque wrenches by using a cam lever that mechanically secures the barrel in place through cam action, thereby reducing tool complexity while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The cam clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the barrel and receiver. Instead of directly threading the barrel into a bore and using a torque wrench, the cam clamp serves as a mediating component that applies controlled clamping force through cam action, ensuring proper securing without requiring complex tooling or precise torque measurement
2Reliability
If specialized tools (vise block, barrel nut wrench, torque wrench) are used to change barrels, then the barrel can be securely tightened, but the time required for barrel replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam clamp mechanism is pre-positioned and ready for operation. The cam lever is designed to be manually actuated without requiring complex tool assembly or setup. By having the clamping mechanism pre-configured and accessible, the user can rapidly secure or release the barrel through simple cam lever manipulation, significantly reducing the time required compared to multi-tool barrel nut operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cam clamp system is designed to be self-actuating through manual cam lever operation. The cam mechanism inherently provides the clamping and releasing actions without requiring external torque wrenches or specialized bar tools. This self-service capability allows the user to independently and quickly secure or release the barrel through straightforward manual manipulation of the cam lever
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional barrel change methods are used, then the barrel can be replaced, but the risk of scope misalignment increases due to receiver movement or instability
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is segmented into a stationary body portion and a movable clamp portion. The cam clamp mechanism is integrated into the receiver structure, allowing the clamp to move independently while the receiver body remains stable. This segmentation isolates the barrel change operation to a controlled local area, preventing movement or vibration that could dislodge scope attachments from the stable receiver body
Data Source
AI summary
Firearms with barrel cinching clamps have a receiver having a forward portion defining an internally threaded bore, a barrel having a threaded end removably received in the bore, at least a selected portion of the forward portion being split by a gap, the selected portion having connection elements on opposite sides of the gap, and an adjustable element connected to the connection elements and operable to narrow the gap to secure the barrel in the bore and to widen the gap to permit the barrel to be readily unscrewed from the bore. The bore may define a bore axis, and the gap may be parallel to the bore axis. A circumferentially complete portion of the threaded bore including a plurality of threads adjacent to the gap may be unbroken by a gap. The circumferentially complete portion of the threaded bore may be forward and/or rearward of the selected portion.