Removable Firearm Heat Shield with Perforated Shroud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat shields for firearms are often welded to the barrel, preventing users from cleaning around the barrel and limiting the ability to operate the firearm without the heat shield. Additionally, existing heat shields require additional hardware like set-screws and spacers, which are not suitable for all firearm types, particularly those with a similar length magazine tube.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield design featuring a perforated shroud with a rear ring and a front bracket, allowing for removability and secure coupling to the barrel and magazine tube without additional hardware. This design enables easy installation and removal, facilitating cleaning and use without the heat shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat shield is welded to the barrel, then the heat shield is securely fixed and provides reliable heat protection, but the user cannot clean around the barrel and cannot remove the heat shield
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield assembly is divided into separate components: the heat shield itself and the mounting bracket. The bracket is further segmented with separate engagement features for the barrel and magazine tube. This segmentation allows the heat shield to be securely fixed when assembled while enabling easy disassembly for cleaning and removal, resolving the contradiction between fixation reliability and operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic removable connection. The bracket includes movable engagement features that can be assembled and disassembled, allowing the heat shield to be securely fixed during use but easily removed when needed for cleaning or storage, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable fixation and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If additional hardware like set-screws and spacers is used to secure the heat shield, then the heat shield can be removably mounted, but the design becomes incompatible with certain firearm types having similar length magazine tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with multi-functional engagement features that can accommodate different firearm configurations. The bracket includes a barrel engagement feature and a magazine tube engagement feature that work together to provide universal compatibility across various firearm types, including those with different magazine tube lengths, thus resolving the contradiction between removability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to nest around both the barrel and magazine tube simultaneously, with engagement features that adapt to different dimensions. This nested configuration allows the same bracket design to fit multiple firearm types without requiring additional hardware, resolving the contradiction between easy removal and broad compatibility.
3Reliability
If the bracket and set-screws are positioned behind the barrel ring, then the heat shield can be secured, but the limited space prevents use on firearms with closely positioned barrel rings and forearms
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system utilizes multiple spatial dimensions for securing the heat shield. Instead of relying solely on the space behind the barrel ring, the bracket engages both the barrel and magazine tube in different dimensional orientations. This multi-dimensional approach allows the heat shield to be securely mounted even on compact firearms where traditional behind-barrel-ring positioning is not feasible.
4Ease of operation
If the bracket and set-screws are positioned in front of the barrel ring, then the heat shield can be mounted, but there is no secondary measure to prevent the heat shield from moving
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket merges multiple engagement features into a single integrated component. The bracket simultaneously engages the barrel and magazine tube with coordinated features, providing both easy mounting and inherent position stability. This merged design eliminates the need for separate secondary retention measures while ensuring the heat shield remains securely positioned, resolving the contradiction between ease of mounting and position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat shield is for a firearm. The firearm includes a barrel, a magazine tube extending parallel to and being coupled to the barrel, and a magazine tube cap coupled to an end of the magazine tube. The barrel has a barrel ring coupled to the magazine tube. The heat shield includes a perforated shroud, a rear ring provided with the shroud, and a front bracket provided with the shroud. The rear ring and the front bracket are each configured to receive at least one of the barrel and the magazine tube therethrough in order to removably couple the heat shield to the barrel.