Removable Barrel Coupler for Modular Rifle Gas Tube Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular rifles require specialized tools and significant time to remove and replace barrels, making it difficult to change barrel lengths or calibers in the field without extensive familiarity with intricate mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A novel combination of an upper receiver coupler and barrel coupler system that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the barrel without specialized tools, using a gas tube extension to maintain functionality and enable quick conversion between different barrel lengths and calibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the barrel is affixed to the upper receiver using a barrel nut with specialized tools and fixtures, then the barrel is securely attached, but the removal and replacement process becomes time-consuming and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the barrel assembly into separable components: the barrel can be detached from the upper receiver as a distinct unit. This segmentation allows the barrel to be securely attached when needed while enabling quick removal without requiring complex tooling or procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a static, permanent-looking barrel nut connection to a dynamic, quickly reversible connection. The new mechanism allows the barrel to be firmly secured during operation but can be rapidly detached when needed, providing adaptability between secure attachment and quick replacement states.
2Strength
If the barrel is affixed using a barrel nut requiring specialized tools, then the attachment is secure, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to perform in the field
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the barrel assembly into a separable unit that can be detached without specialized tools, the invention maintains secure attachment strength while dramatically improving ease of operation. The simplified connection mechanism can be manipulated with basic hand operations, making field replacement practical and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The new attachment system is designed to be self-servicing, allowing users to attach and detach the barrel without requiring specialized tools or extensive training. The mechanism incorporates features that enable straightforward manipulation by the end user, eliminating the need for external tooling and complex procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the barrel is permanently affixed to the upper receiver, then the rifle structure is stable, but the adaptability to change barrel lengths or calibers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the rifle into modular components, specifically allowing the barrel to be separated from the upper receiver. This modular approach maintains structural stability during operation while enabling easy interchangeability of barrels with different lengths or calibers, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system provides dynamic characteristics by allowing the rifle to transition between a stable, assembled state during operation and a disassembled state for barrel replacement. This dynamic capability enables the rifle to maintain structural integrity when needed while providing adaptability for configuration changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for use with a modular weapon having a barrel and having an upper receiver defining a gas port and a barrel opening. The kit comprises an upper receiver plate for attaching to the upper receiver, and a barrel plate. The weapon barrel passes though concentric openings in the upper receiver plate and the barrel plate and is secured in the opening within the barrel plate. Another opening in the barrel plate receives a primary gas tube such that a rearward segment of the primary gas tube extends rearwardly from that opening and a forward segment of the primary gas tube extends forwardly from that opening. A forward end of a gas tube extension couples to a rearward end of the primary gas tube and a rearward end of the gas tube extension is received within the gas port when the kit is in use with the modular rifle. An assembly removably attaches the upper receiver plate and the barrel plate thereby creating a gas flow path beginning at the gas port and comprising the gas tube extension, the rearward segment of the primary gas tube, and the forward segment of the primary gas tube.