Tapered Barrel Interface Alignment for Firearm Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms, such as the AR-15 platform rifle, experience misfires, jams, or failures due to improper engagement between the barrel assembly and the upper receiver, primarily caused by inadequate alignment and interface between the barrel extension and the receiver.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tapered interface system, where the upper receiver features a threaded outer surface and a tapered inner surface matching a tapered outer surface on the barrel extension, along with a flat surface perpendicular to the axis, and alignment hardware like a pin and slot, ensures secure engagement and alignment of the barrel assembly within the upper receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cylindrical interface is used between the barrel extension and upper receiver, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but misfires and jams occur due to improper engagement and inadequate alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a traditional cylindrical (symmetrical) interface to a tapered interface where the barrel extension has a tapered outer surface that mates with a corresponding tapered inner surface in the upper receiver. This asymmetric geometry provides inherent alignment and prevents improper engagement, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the interface by introducing a specific taper angle (typically 5 degrees) to both the barrel extension outer surface and the upper receiver inner surface. This parameter change creates a self-aligning mechanism that ensures proper engagement and eliminates misfires caused by misalignment
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment hardware such as pins and slots are added to the interface, then precise alignment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered interface geometry performs the alignment function preliminarily, before the final assembly is completed. The tapered surfaces guide the barrel extension into correct alignment with the upper receiver during the assembly process itself, eliminating the need for additional alignment hardware like pins and slots that would otherwise be required
3Reliability
If a tapered interface with flat surface and abutment features is used, then securement and alignment are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the tapered interface geometry itself. The tapered surfaces provide both alignment and securement functions, while integrated abutment features (such as the flat surface at the small end of the taper) provide both positioning and loading surfaces. This consolidation enhances reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity, as the features are created during standard machining operations
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies, methods, and/or the like are provided. In some embodiments, a barrel assembly includes a barrel defining a bore extending therethrough between a receiver end of the barrel and a muzzle end of the barrel. In some embodiments, the barrel defines a threaded outer surface at the receiver end. In some embodiments, the barrel assembly includes a barrel extension defining a tapered outer surface and a threaded inner surface. In some embodiments, the threaded inner surface of the barrel extension is configured to engage the threaded outer surface of the barrel, the tapered outer surface of the barrel extension is configured to engage a tapered inner surface of an upper receiver.