Abstract:
This invention relates to a gas block for high rate of fire tactical rifles and carbines such as the M16/AR15 family of firearms. More particularly, an adjustable gas block is disclosed that enables the user to dynamically adjust exhaust gas discharges by manipulating a gas block regulator.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the general field of a gas block. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    Since the introduction of auto-loading firearms (ex: M4, AR-15, AR-10, etc.), the need to regulate the flow of gas from the barrel to the operating system of the firearm has existed. Gas is generated during the combustion of gun powder when a firearm is fired by a user. As the gas expands and travels down the barrel of the firearm with the projectile, a portion of the gas, often referred to as “discharge gas” or “exhaust gas”, is captured and recycled to drive a reloading mechanism, often referred to as the “bolt carrier group”, within the firearm. This is accomplished by a hole or gas port placed through the barrel where a portion of the exhaust gas travels through this hole and is directed back to the upper receiver of the firearm to drive the auto-loading mechanism. The amount of gas needed by the auto-loading mechanism often varies according to a number of factors. 
         [0003]    Most auto-loading systems now incorporate a gas block to regulate the amount of exhaust gas captured and returned to the carrier group of the firearm. However, adjustment of the current gas systems requires a special tool and offers no way for the user to modify the system quickly and/or select predetermined gas flow settings. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a need exists for a gas block that can be adjusted by a user quickly and without the use of a special tool. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An adjustable gas block for a firearm is designed to accommodate a variety of firearm barrels. A firearm barrel configured to accept a gas block can have a gas bore disposed through the barrel to allow exhaust gases (produced during firing) to be transferred from the firearm barrel to the gas block. The gas block can be designed to tighten onto the barrel of the firearm and to be positioned such that a gas channel of the gas block aligns with the gas bore of the barrel. The gas block can then be tightened onto the barrel to hold the gas block into position. 
         [0006]    During operation, exhaust gases are transferred from the barrel of the firearm into the gas block through the gas hole, then through the gas channel which is regulated by a regulator, then to the gas tube, and then to the carrier group of the firearm. The amount of exhaust gas allowed to pass through the gas block can directly affect the cycling settings of the firearm. For example, if no gas or an insufficient amount of gas is passed through the gas block, the carrier group will not cycle and a second round will not be loaded into the firing chamber. But in circumstances where sufficient gas is passed through the gas block to cycle the carrier group, the amount of exhaust gas can be regulated to affect a variety of cycling or operating settings, including the direction in which the spent casing is ejected from the firearm. 
         [0007]    The amount of gas allowed to pass through the gas block can be pre-determined by the regulator. A user can set the regulator to the desired select position so that the desired amount of gas is allowed through the gas block. Notably, the user may push the regulator into the desired position with his/her finger. By pushing the regulator into a desired position, the user can quickly adjust the amount of exhaust gas passed through the gas block, and effectively adjust the cycling settings of the firearm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a right side view of the gas block, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a rear side view of the gas block, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional side view of the gas block, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a right side view of the gas block and removed regulator, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5 a    depicts a top side view of the regulator, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5 b    depicts a bottom side view of the regulator, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5 c    depicts a side view of the regulator, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6 a    depicts a cross-sectional view of the gas block with the regulator in a first select position, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6 b    depicts a cross-sectional view of the gas block with the regulator in a second select position, according to one or more embodiments described. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 c    depicts a cross-sectional view of the gas block with the regulator in a third select position, according to one or more embodiments described. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    A design and method for using a gas block is provided. The gas block can include a regulator disposed through a regulator slot. The gas block can also include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can include a pin and a spring, and the pin can be configured to lock the regulator into a select position. 
         [0019]    When an operator fires a firearm, a controlled explosion occurs and a projectile from a bullet is directed out of the firing chamber and down the barrel of the firearm. Exhaust gas also travels down the barrel, and a portion of that exhaust gas is transferred into a gas bore disposed in the barrel. The exhaust gas can then be directed into the gas block  100 . More particularly, a gas hole  113  can be disposed through an inner wall of the gas block  100  and configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust gas travelling through the barrel of the firearm. The gas block  100  can include one or more regulators  111 , one or more pin locking mechanism chamber  137 , one or more blowout holes  155 , one or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , one or more gas holes  113 , one or more gas tube portals  115 , one or more vents  109 , or any combination thereof. 
         [0020]    The gas block  100  can be designed to be conformed and/or tightened onto the barrel of the firearm and be positioned such that the gas hole  113  of the gas block  100  aligns with the gas port of the barrel. More particularly, the gas hole  113  can be aligned with the gas port of the barrel and at least a portion of the exhaust gas can travel into the gas block  100  through the gas hole  113 . 
         [0021]    The gas block  100  can include a gas channel, void, or tunnel configured to have a fluid (e.g., exhaust gas, etc.) pass therethrough. In one or more embodiments, the gas channel can include the gas hole  113 , one or more regulator slots  123 , one or more gas directing chambers  117 , one or more gas tube ports  115 , the one or more blowout holes  155 , or any combination thereof. The gas channel can be configured so that exhaust gas entering the gas block  100  through the gas hole  113  can pass through the regulator  111  and/or regulator slot  123  and into the gas directing chamber  117 . Once in the gas directing chamber  117 , gas can be directed through the gas tube port  115  and into a gas tube (not shown). The gas tube can direct the gas to the carrier group and, if a sufficient amount of gas is provided, the carrier group will cycle. As the carrier group cycles, the spent casing is ejected from the firearm through an ejection port and a second bullet is loaded into the firing chamber and is ready for another firing. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a pin locking mechanism  131  can be disposed in the gas block  100 . In one or more embodiments, the pin locking mechanism  131  can be disposed in a pin locking mechanism chamber  137 . The pin locking mechanism chamber  137  can extend from the front end of the gas block  100  to the regulator slot  123 . The pin locking mechanism  131  can include one or more pins  133 , one or more springs  135 , one or more stops  139 , or any combination thereof. The stop  139  can include any device of any shape or size that is configured to secure the spring  135  and pin  133  within the pin locking mechanism chamber  137 . 
         [0023]    The gas block  100  can be configured to accommodate one or more regulators  111 . As a regulator  111  can be designed to a user&#39;s desired specifications, the regulator slot  123  can be configured to accommodate numerous regulators and/or the regulators can be interchangeable. Additionally, each regulator can include one or more select positions, each select position can vary in character from another select position on the same regulator  111 . For example, a first regulator can be inserted into the gas block  100  for the user to select from a first select position and a second select position, the first regulator can be removed and a second regulator can be inserted into the gas block  100  for the user to select from a third select position and a fourth select position, etc. 
         [0024]    In one or more embodiments, a regulator  111  can include one or more select positions, two or more select positions, three or more select positions, four or more select positions, five or more select positions, six or more select positions, seven or more select positions, eight or more select positions, nine or more select positions, or ten or more select positions. Each select position can allow a predetermined amount of exhaust gas to pass through the regulator  111  and, in turn, through the gas tube to the carrier group of the firearm. The exhaust gas can pass through the regulator  111  by way of a hole disposed through the regulator  111 , and the amount of exhaust gas allowed to pass through that hole can depend on the diameter or size of the hole. Moreover, the hole at a first select position can be larger or smaller than the hole at a second select position, thereby varying the amount of gas allowed through the regulator  111  depending on which select position is selected by the user. 
         [0025]    The regulator  111  can also include one or more push surfaces  141 . A first push surface  141   a  can be disposed at a first end of the regulator  111  and a second push surface  141   b  can be located at a second end of the regulator  111 . The push surfaces  141  can be configured to allow the user to push the regulator  111  into the desired select position by pushing either push surface  141   a - 141   b  with his/her finger or other tool appropriate for pushing or pulling. The regulator  111  can be clicked, snapped or otherwise engaged into a desired select position by moving the regulator  111  along the regulator&#39;s T-axis (see  FIG. 4 ) and through the space provided in the regulator slot  123 . 
         [0026]    The pin  133  can extend or protrude from the pin locking mechanism chamber  137  into the regulator slot  123 . The spring  135  and pin  133  can be configured so that the spring  135  pushes the pin  133  into the regulator slot  123  and toward the regulator  111 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the regulator  111  can have one or more dents (three are shown;  125   a ,  125   b ,  125   c ), each corresponding to a select position of the regulator  111 . As a dent  125  in the regulator  111  becomes aligned with the pin  133 , the pin  133  can engage the dent  125 , locking the regulator  111  into place. In other words, the spring loaded pin  133  can be configured to engage the regulator  111 , thereby locking the regulator  111  into a select position. The select positions can be determined by the pin  133  engaging one or more dents  125   a ,  125   b ,  125   c  disposed on the regulator  111 . As shown in the Figures, the dents  125   a ,  125   b ,  125   c  can be disposed on a first side of the regulator  111 . In one or more alternative embodiments, any one or more of the dents  125  can be disposed on a second side of the regulator  111 , on a third side of the regulator  111 , on a fourth side of the regulator  111 , on a fifth side of the regulator  111 , and/or on a sixth side of the regulator  111 . 
         [0027]    As the pin  133  engages the first dent  125   a , the regulator  111  is locked in a first select position. The first select position can correspond to a complete blocking of exhaust gas, so that no gas passes from the gas block  100  to the gas directing chamber  117 . As the pin  113  engages the second dent  125   b , the regulator  111  is locked into a second select position. The second select position can correspond to allowing a smaller, first amount of gas through the regulator  111  and into the gas directing chamber  117 . As the pin engages the third dent  125   c , the regulator  111  is locked into a third select position. The third select position can correspond to allowing a larger, second amount of gas through the regulator  111  and into the gas directing chamber  117 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the regulator  111  can include a regulator hole  127  disposed therethrough. Specifically, the regulator hole  127  can be disposed vertically through the regulator  111  to allow gas to flow from the gas hole  113 , through the regulator hole  127  in the regulator  111 , to the gas directing chamber  117 . Once in the gas directing chamber  117 , the gas can flow out of the gas block  100  through the gas tube port  115  and/or the blowout holes  155 . The gas tube port  115  can be configured to attached and/or receive a gas tube. The size of the regulator hole  127  can directly affect the amount of gas allowed to travel back to the carrier group through the gas tube. As such, a regulator  111  having multiple sized regulator holes  127  is advantageous to a firearm user who wishes to quickly adjust to an exact, predetermined amount of gas to flow through to the carrier group. 
         [0029]    Each select position can be defined by a hole, or the absence of a hole, disposed through the regulator  111 . The first dent  125   a  can correspond with a solid surface (lack of a hole)  127   a  on the regulator  111  to prevent any gas from passing through the regulator  111 , as shown in  FIG. 6 a   . The second dent  125   b  can correspond to a second position, or regulator hole  127   b , on the regulator  111  to allow a first predetermined amount of gas to pass through the regulator  111 , as shown in  FIG. 6 b   . The third dent  125   c  can correspond to a third position, or regulator hole  127   c , on the regulator  111  to allow a second predetermined amount of gas to pass through the regulator  111 , as shown in  FIG. 6   c.    
         [0030]    The gas block  100  can include an upper portion  101  and a lower portion  103 . The upper portion  101  can be attached to or otherwise connected to the lower portion  103 . The upper portion  101  can generally include, alone or any combination of: the pin locking mechanism chamber  137 , the pin locking mechanism  131  (which can include the spring  125 , the stop  139 , and/or the pin  133 ), the regulator slot  123  and the regulator  111  when the regulator  111  is disposed therein, the gas directing chamber  117 , the blowout hole(s)  155 , and the gas tube port  115 . Generally speaking, the upper portion  101  is configured to receive exhaust gas as it enters the gas block  100  through the gas hole  113 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gas hole  113  can be disposed through an interior surface of the gas block  100 , and can be configured to receive exhaust gas and direct the exhaust gas toward the upper portion  101  of the gas block  100 . The gas hole  113  can be in fluid communication with the regulator slot  123 . A user may insert the regulator  111  into the regulator slot  123 . If the regulator  111  is disposed in the regulator slot  123 , the gas hole  113  can also be in fluid communication with the regulator  111 . The regulator slot  123  and/or the regulator  111  can be in fluid communication with the gas directing chamber  117 . In one or more embodiments, a connecting chamber or portal may be present to direct the exhaust gas from the regulator slot  123  and/or regulator  111  to the gas directing chamber  117 . The gas directing chamber  117  can be in fluid communication with the blowout holes  155  (if present) and the gas tube port  115 . 
         [0031]    In one or more embodiments, the lower portion  103  can be configured to fit around one or more barrels of a firearm (not shown). Accordingly, the lower portion  103  can have an inner surface and an outer surface. At least a portion of the inner surface can be configured to fit around the outer surface of a barrel of a firearm. The lower portion  103  of the gas block  100  can have a variety of shapes, though a suitable shape for the inner surface is round and having a diameter similar to the diameter of the barrel. However, due to the barrel securing mechanism  105 , the inner diameter does not have to exactly match the diameter of the barrel, so long as the securing mechanism  105  can be tightened such that the gas block  100  is secured to the barrel. As referred to herein, the upper portion  101  of the gas block  100  can be attached to a top side of the lower portion  103  such that the upper portion  101  is aligned with the hole disposed through the barrel (not shown). In any one or more alterative embodiments, the upper portion  101  of the gas block  100  can be disposed or otherwise connected to any side, including an underside, of the lower portion  103  of the gas block  100  (not shown). 
         [0032]    In one or more embodiments, the lower portion  103  of the gas block  100  can have one or more vents  109  disposed therethrough. The vents  109  can provide an advantage to the gas block  100  by providing faster cooling to the gas block  100  and barrel of the firearm. The vents  109  can be configured into a variety of shapes, including a forward slanted square and/or rectangle, as shown. In other embodiments, the vents  109  can be generally round in shape, generally triangular in shape, or generally polygonal in shape. The vents  109  can be disposed entirely through the wall of the gas block  100  to provide visual and physical access to the barrel when the barrel is disposed therein. 
         [0033]    The gas block  100  can have one or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 . The barrel securing mechanism  105  can be configured to tighten the gas block  100  to the barrel of a firearm. As shown, the gas block  100  can include three barrel securing mechanisms  105 . In other embodiments, two or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , three or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , four or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , five or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , six or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , seven or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 , or eight or more barrel securing mechanisms  105 . The barrel securing mechanism  105  can include one or more fasteners. For example, the barrel securing mechanism  105  can include one or more, either alone or in combination, of the following fasteners: screw, pin, latch, bolt, lock, clip, clamp, and/or any suitable device capable of tightening the gas block  100  to a barrel of a firearm. 
         [0034]    In one or more embodiments, the barrel securing mechanism  105  can include a threaded hole disposed through the gas block  100  and configured such that a screw could be disposed in the threaded hole and thereby tighten the gas block  100  onto a barrel of a firearm. As shown, the barrel securing mechanism  105  can include a hole disposed through a lower portion of the gas block  100 , extending from a first side of the gas block  100  to a second side of the gas block  100 , such that a screw disposed therein and tightened would draw the first side of the gas block  100  closer to the second side of the gas block  100 . Due to the tightening ability of the gas block  100 , a divide or strip of the gas block  100  may be absent so that tightening the barrel securing mechanism  105  results in drawing the appropriate portions of the gas block  100  together. 
         [0035]    Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0036]    Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, all patents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this application are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted. 
         [0037]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.