Granted Patent B2

US 7,971,518 · App. 12/644,436 · Granted Jul 5, 2011

Assignee: Adams Arms, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (106)

1. A system for use with a rifle, said system comprising:

a gas block, said gas block having a barrel bore and a gas plug bore, both extending completely through said gas block, said barrel bore and said gas plug bore being substantially parallel one to the other, said barrel bore being configured to receive a barrel securely inserted therein, said barrel bore having an aperture being configured to receive a discharge gas from a gas port formed through said barrel proximate to a muzzle of said rifle, said aperture extending from said barrel bore to said gas plug bore, said aperture directing said discharge gas towards said gas plug bore, said gas block being secured to said barrel substantially preventing movement of said gas block relative to said barrel and being configured to transport said discharge gas from said barrel to said gas plug bore, said gas plug bore having a muzzle end opening towards said muzzle and a breech end opening towards a breech of said rifle;

a gas plug, said gas plug being secured within said gas plug bore by a securing means, an exhaust portion of the gas plug having a breechward orientation; said gas plug having a passage being formed internally, said discharge gas passing from said aperture to said passage and towards said exhaust portion;

a bolt carrier key, said bolt carrier key being configured to move synchronously with a bolt carrier;

a rod, said rod being configured as a single part or a securely connected assembly, a first end of said rod being coupled to said gas plug, a second end being coupled to said bolt carrier key;

an actuating means, said actuating means forming an actuation coupling between said gas plug and said rod, said actuating means imparting a kinetic energy of the high pressure said discharge gas on said rod, said actuating means permitting said rod to be actuated linearly in a breechward direction; said actuating means comprising:

a hollow rod, said hollow rod being formed by said exhaust portion of said gas plug;

an exhaust outlet, said exhaust outlet being formed at a terminus of said exhaust portion, said exhaust outlet permitting the expelling of said discharge gas;

a sleeve, said sleeve being formed by said first end of said rod, said first end being generally hollow forming said sleeve, said hollow rod being configured to nest within the hollow portion of said sleeve, a gap being formed therebetween;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is expelled from said exhaust outlet, said discharge gas imparting said force into said sleeve by impingement of said gas on said sleeve, said sleeve resultantly translating breechward thus causing a breechward motion of said rod;

and wherein said discharge gas is released to the atmosphere through an exhaust port via said gap;

a biasing means, said biasing means urging said rod towards said gas plug with an urging force, said biasing means permitting translational movement of said rod when said urging force is exceeded by said actuating means;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is diverted into said gas port of said barrel, said discharge gas then being transported to said aperture, said discharge gas thereafter being delivered into said passage of said gas plug;

and wherein, said discharge gas provides a force to the actuating means, said actuating means causing said breechward motion of said rod translationally;

and wherein, said rod thereafter actuates said bolt carrier key causing a breechward translation of said bolt carrier, said breechward translation activating said bolt carrier and an extractor; and

wherein said rod can be uninstalled without removal of a hand guard or said gas block by extracting said gas plug from said gas plug bore from said muzzle end, said rod being extractable through said gas plug bore thereafter by a user in a single piece upon extraction of said gas plug.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gas block and gas plug capable of variable gas settings.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the gas plug can be rotated to a continuous range of settings.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the gas plug can be rotated to discrete settings within in the gas block.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the discrete settings are secured by a detente pin.

6. A system for use with a rifle, said system comprising:

a gas block, said gas block having a barrel bore and a gas plug bore, both extending completely through said gas block, said barrel bore and said gas plug bore being substantially parallel one to the other, said barrel bore being configured to receive a barrel securely inserted therein, said barrel bore having an aperture being configured to receive a discharge gas from a gas port formed through said barrel proximate to a muzzle of said rifle, said aperture extending from said barrel bore to said gas plug bore, said aperture directing said discharge gas towards said gas plug bore, said gas block being secured to said barrel substantially preventing movement of said gas block relative to said barrel and being configured to transport said discharge gas from said barrel to said gas plug bore, said gas plug bore having a muzzle end opening towards said muzzle and a breech end opening towards a breech of said rifle;

a gas plug, said gas plug being secured within said gas plug bore by a securing means, an exhaust portion of the gas plug having a breechward orientation, said gas plug having a passage being formed internally, said discharge gas passing from said aperture to said passage and towards said exhaust portion;

a bolt carrier key, said bolt carrier key being integral with a bolt carrier;

a rod, said rod being configured as a single part or a securely connected assembly, a first end of said rod being coupled to said gas plug, a second end being coupled to said bolt carrier key;

an actuating means, said actuating means forming an actuation coupling between said gas plug and said rod, said actuating means imparting a kinetic energy of the high pressure said discharge gas on said rod, said actuating means permitting said rod to be actuated linearly in a breechward direction;

said actuating means comprising:

a hollow rod, said hollow rod being formed by said exhaust portion of said gas plug;

an exhaust outlet, said exhaust outlet being formed at a terminus of said exhaust portion, said exhaust outlet permitting the expelling of said discharge gas;

a sleeve, said sleeve being formed by said first end of said rod, said first end being generally hollow forming said sleeve, said hollow rod being configured to nest within the hollow portion of said sleeve, a gap being formed therebetween;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is expelled from said exhaust outlet, said discharge gas imparting said force into said sleeve by impingement of said gas on said sleeve, said sleeve resultantly translating breechward thus causing a breechward motion of said rod;

and wherein said discharge gas is released to the atmosphere through an exhaust port via said gap;

a biasing means, said biasing means urging said rod towards said gas plug with an urging force, said biasing means permitting translational movement of said rod when said urging force is exceeded by said actuating means;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is diverted into said gas port of said barrel, said discharge gas then being transported to said aperture, said discharge gas thereafter being delivered into said passage of said gas plug;

and wherein, said discharge gas provides a force to the actuating means, said actuating means causing said breechward motion of said rod translationally;

and wherein, said rod thereafter actuates said bolt carrier key causing a breechward translation of said bolt carrier, said breechward translation activating said bolt carrier and an extractor; and

wherein, said rod can be uninstalled without removal of a hand guard or said gas block by extracting said gas plug from the gas plug bore from said muzzle end, said rod being extractable through said gas plug bore thereafter by a user in a single piece upon extraction of said gas plug.

7. A system for use with a rifle, said system comprising:

a gas block, said gas block having a barrel bore and a gas plug bore, both extending completely through said gas block, said barrel bore and said gas plug bore being substantially parallel one to the other, said barrel bore being configured to receive a barrel securely inserted therein, said barrel bore having an aperture being configured to receive a discharge gas from a gas port formed through said barrel proximate to a muzzle of said rifle, said aperture extending from said barrel bore to said gas plug bore, said aperture directing said discharge gas towards said gas plug bore, said gas block being secured to said barrel substantially preventing movement of said gas block relative to said barrel and being configured to transport said discharge gas from said barrel to said gas plug bore, said gas plug bore having a muzzle end opening towards said muzzle and a breech end opening towards a breech of said rifle;

a gas plug, said gas plug being secured within said gas plug bore by a securing means, an exhaust portion of the gas plug having a breechward orientation, said gas plug having a passage being formed internally, said discharge gas passing from said aperture to said passage and towards said exhaust portion;

a rod, said rod being configured as a single part or a securely connected assembly, a first end of said rod being coupled to said gas plug, a second end capable of being coupled to said bolt carrier key;

an actuating means, said actuating means forming an actuation coupling between said gas plug and said rod, said actuating means imparting a kinetic energy of the high pressure said discharge gas on said rod, said actuating means permitting said rod to be actuated linearly in a breechward direction, said actuating means comprising:

a hollow rod, said hollow rod being formed by said exhaust portion of said gas plug;

an exhaust outlet, said exhaust outlet being formed at a terminus of said exhaust portion, said exhaust outlet permitting the expelling of said discharge gas;

a sleeve, said sleeve being formed by said first end of said rod, said first end being generally hollow forming said sleeve, said hollow rod being configured to nest within the hollow portion of said sleeve, a gap being formed therebetween;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is expelled from said exhaust outlet, said discharge gas imparting said force into said sleeve by impingement of said gas on said sleeve, said sleeve resultantly translating breechward thus causing a breechward motion of said rod;

and wherein said discharge gas is released to atmosphere through and exhaust port via said gap;

a biasing means, said biasing means urging said rod towards said gas plug with an urging force, said biasing means permitting translational movement of said rod when said urging force is exceeded by said actuating means;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is diverted into said gas port of said barrel, said discharge gas then being transported to said aperture, said discharge gas thereafter being delivered into said passage of said gas plug;

and wherein, said discharge gas provides a force to the actuating means, said actuating means causing said breechward motion of said rod translationally;

and wherein, said rod thereafter actuates said bolt carrier key causing a breechward translation of said bolt carrier, said breechward translation activating said bolt carrier and an extractor;

and wherein, said rod can be uninstalled without removal of a hand guard or said gas block by extracting said gas plug from said gas plug bore from said muzzle end, said rod being extractable through said gas plug bore thereafter by a user in a single piece upon extraction of said gas plug.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the gas plug comprises an end screw by which the volume of the gas plug can be changed.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said bolt carrier key has a dowel press fitted thereto, said dowel being configured to seat within an existing hole on said bolt carrier.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said sleeve is machined or formed directly in said rod.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said biasing means is a compression coil spring, said rod being inserted into said compression coil spring, said coil spring being compressed between a delta ring and an annular shelf formed on an outer circumference of said rod.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein said direct drive retrofit system can be installed on said rifle without modification of said barrel and said bolt carrier.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein said gas block has a Picatinny rail formed thereon.

14. The system of claim 7 wherein said bolt carrier key has a dowel protrusion machined thereon, said dowel protrusion being configured to seat within an existing hole formed on said bolt carrier.

15. The system of claim 7 further comprising a compression-spring-loaded bolt which does not bear gas rings.

16. The system of claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises:

at least one key, said key being formed on an outer surface of said gas plug;

a keyway, said keyway being formed within said gas plug bore, said keyway being configured to receive said key;

a detent, said detent being spring loaded, said detent being located on said gas plug, a detent notch being located in a corresponding position within said gas plug bore;

wherein said key is aligned with said keyway, said gas plug is inserted into said gas plug bore, said spring loaded ball nesting at least partially within said detent notch.

17. A firearm comprising:

a gas block, said gas block having a barrel bore and a gas plug bore, both extending completely through said gas block, said barrel bore and said gas plug bore being substantially parallel one to the other, said barrel bore in receipt of a barrel securely therein, said barrel bore having an aperture configured to receive a discharge gas from a gas port formed through said barrel proximate to the muzzle of said rifle, said aperture extending from said barrel bore to said gas plug bore, said aperture directing said discharge gas towards said gas plug bore, said gas block being secured to said barrel substantially preventing movement of said gas block relative to said barrel and being configured to transport said discharge gas from said barrel to said gas plug bore, said gas plug bore having a muzzle end opening towards said muzzle and a breech end opening towards a breech of said rifle;

a gas plug, said gas plug being secured within said gas plug bore by a securing means, an exhaust portion of the gas plug having a breechward orientation, said gas plug having a passage being formed internally, said discharge gas passing from said aperture to said passage and towards said exhaust portion;

a bolt carrier key, said bolt carrier key being integral with said bolt carrier, and moving synchronously with said bolt carrier;

a rod, said rod being configured as a single part or a securely connected assembly, said rod extending from said gas plug to said bolt carrier key a first end of said rod being coupled to said gas plug, a second end being coupled to said bolt carrier key;

an actuating means, said actuating means forming an actuation coupling between said gas plug and said rod, said actuating means imparting a kinetic energy of the high pressure said discharge gas on said rod, said actuating means permitting said rod to be actuated linearly in a breechward direction; said actuating means comprising:

a hollow rod, said hollow rod being formed by said exhaust portion of said gas plug, an exhaust outlet, said exhaust outlet being formed at a terminus of said exhaust portion, said exhaust outlet permitting the expelling of said discharge gas;

a sleeve, said sleeve being formed by said first end of said rod, said first end being generally hollow forming said sleeve, said hollow rod being configured to nest within a hollow portion of said sleeve, a gap being formed therebetween;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is expelled from said exhaust outlet, said discharge gas imparting said force into said sleeve by impingement of said gas on said sleeve, said sleeve resultantly translating breechward thus causing a breechward motion of said rod;

and wherein said discharge gas is released to the atmosphere through an exhaust port via said gap;

a biasing means, said biasing means urging said rod towards said gas plug with an urging force, said biasing means permitting translational movement of said rod when said urging force is exceeded by said actuating means;

wherein, upon the firing of a round, said discharge gas under pressure is diverted into said gas port of said barrel, said discharge gas then being transported to said aperture, said discharge gas thereafter being delivered into said passage of said gas plug;

and wherein, said discharge gas provides a force to the actuating means, said actuating means causing said breechward motion of said rod translationally;

and wherein, said rod thereafter actuates said bolt carrier key causing a breechward translation of said bolt carrier, said breechward translation activating said bolt carrier and an extractor;

and wherein, said rod can be uninstalled without removal of a hand guard or said gas block by extracting said gas plug from the gas plug bore from said muzzle end said rod being extractable through said gas plug bore thereafter by a user in a single piece upon extraction of said gas plug.

18. The firearm of claim 17 wherein the gas plug comprises an end screw by which the volume of the gas plug can be changed.

19. The firearm of claim 17 said bolt carrier key has a dowel press fitted thereto, said dowel being configured to seat within an existing hole on said bolt carrier.

20. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said sleeve is machined or formed directly in said rod.

21. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said carrier key does not comprise a sleeve or depression to accept rod contact.

22. The firearm of claim 17 wherein the rod contacts the carrier at a flat surface.

23. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said biasing means is a compression coil spring, said rod being inserted into said compression coil spring, said coil spring being compressed between a delta ring and an annular shelf formed on an outer circumference of said rod.

24. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said first end of said rod is inserted into a cavity formed in said bolt carrier key.

25. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said direct drive retrofit system can be installed on said rifle without modification of said barrel and said bolt carrier.

26. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said gas block has a Picatinny rail formed thereon.

27. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said bolt carrier key has a dowel protrusion machined thereon, said dowel protrusion being configured to seat within an existing hole formed on said bolt carrier.

28. The firearm of claim 17 further comprising a compression-spring-loaded bolt which does not bear gas rings.

29. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said securing means comprises:

at least one key, said key being formed on an outer surface of said gas plug;

a keyway, said keyway being formed within said gas plug bore, said keyway being configured to receive said key;

a detent, said detent being spring loaded, said detent being located on said gas plug, a detent notch being located in a corresponding position within said gas plug bore;

wherein said key is aligned with said keyway, said gas plug is inserted into said gas plug bore, said spring loaded ball nesting at least partially within said detent notch.

30. A method for removing a system comprising the steps:

a) providing the system of claim 6 ;

b) extracting said gas plug from said gas block in a muzzleward direction;

c) decoupling said piston-cylinder coupling formed between said gas plug and said rod, a piston formed on said gas plug being slid out of a cylinder being formed on said rod upon extraction; and,

d) removing said rod in a singular piece, said rod being free to be lifted away from said gas block, said rod being decoupled from said bolt carrier key without requiring access to said bolt carrier key.

31. A method for removing a system comprising the steps:

a) providing the system of claim 7 ;

b) extracting said gas plug from said gas block in a muzzleward direction;

c) decoupling said piston-cylinder coupling formed between said gas plug and said rod, a piston formed on said gas plug being slid out of a cylinder being formed on said rod upon extraction; and,

d) removing said rod in a singular piece, said rod being free to be lifted away from said gas block, said rod being decoupled from said bolt carrier key without requiring access to said bolt carrier key.

Assignments (10)

Continuity (3)