Abstract:
A barrel latch safety for a grenade launcher having a barrel slidable upon a receiver via actuation of a barrel latch is provided. The barrel latch safety includes a locking plate and an elongate member extending from a portion thereof so as to define a crotch between the elongate member and a side edge of said locking plate. The subject safety is adapted to be positioned on the receiver such that a surface adjacent the side edge of the locking plate prohibits barrel latch actuation upon translation of the safety relative to the receiver.

Description:
[0001]    This is a regular application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a) claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) (1), of provisional application Ser. No. 60/417,491, having a filing date of Oct. 10, 2002. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to safety devices for firearms, more particularly, to a barrel latch locking mechanism for a grenade launcher barrel latch. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Modular weapon systems are well know, perhaps best exemplified by the tactile or assault weapon wherein a host weapon, most commonly a rifle, is readily modified to receive, among other things, a supplemental device, for instance, a grenade launcher. In the context of multi-functional modular weapon systems incorporating grenade launchers, and typified by a variety of assemblies and subassemblies, safe, reliable weapon operation is especially paramount. 
         [0004]    An exemplary launcher for discussion is the Colt® M203 grenade launcher, a lightweight, single-shot, breech-loaded 40 mm weapon designed especially for attachment to the M4 carbine and the M16A2/A4 rifle. It creates a versatile combination weapon system capable of single round firing both 5.56 mm rifle ammunition as well as the complete range of 40 mm high explosive and special purpose ammunition. This launcher, as well as other commercially available launchers, is readily adapted, for instance via use of a variety of known rail attachment systems and the like, for receipt by various host weapons, e.g., submachine gun, shotgun or folding-stock pistol frame as a mounting platform, in addition to the M4 and M16A2/A4. 
         [0005]    Launchers generally include a barrel, a receiver, a modified hand guard, a site (e.g., a leaf or quadrant site), and a rail, interbar or pistol frame. A complete self-cocking firing mechanism, including a barrel latch, a trigger and positive safety lever, is integral to the receiver, allowing the launcher to be operated, not only as a supplemental device, but as a completely independent weapon. 
         [0006]    As may be readily appreciated, the barrel latch of the launcher is optimally positioned upon the receiver so as to be within ready reach when gripping the launcher barrel about the handguard (i.e., while supporting the launcher, or entire weapon system as the case may be, as by cradling same with the familiar palm-up hand cupping posture). Upon actuation of the barrel latch, the barrel is free to slide forward upon the receiver so as to accept a round of ammunition, or discharge a casing, and thereafter return to a closed, auto-locking position, ready to fire. 
         [0007]    Heretofore, common inadvertent (i.e., unintended) manipulation of the barrel latch of the barrel latch mechanism would disengage the barrel from the remaining portion of the subassembly. Launchers have been known to be retrofitted with a barrel latch guard, more particularly, a shield type obstructing structure which minimizes the potential of barrel disengagement via inadvertent hand placement on, about, or across said barrel latch. Although arguably an improvement, the reliability of such shield has proved less than desirable, being, among other things, cumbersome to manipulate in furtherance of loading a round, and/or ejecting a casing. Thus, there remains a need for a barrel latch safety which is of subtle, reliable design, and is advantageously capable of being easily retrofitted to existing grenade launchers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A barrel latch locking device for a grenade launcher barrel latch is provided. The locking device includes a body having opposing end portions, a first opposing end portion of the body including a locking plate. The locking device is adapted to be secured to a grenade launcher receiver proximal to the grenade launcher barrel latch for translation with respect thereto. The arrangement is such that a portion of the locking plate intercepts a travel path for the grenade launcher barrel latch, thereby preventing disengagement of a grenade launcher barrel from the grenade launcher receiver via unintentional actuation of the grenade launcher barrel latch. 
         [0009]    More specific features and advantages obtained in view of those features will become apparent with reference to the drawing figures and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  generally illustrates a weapon system, namely an M16 rifle equipped with a grenade launcher, the barrel latch locking device of the subject invention affixed to a receiver of the launcher and in operative engagement with the barrel latch thereof (i.e., “lock-on”); 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the interrelationships between components of the subject barrel latch locking device and the barrel latch; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the circumscribed area of  FIG. 1  illustrating a portion of the barrel latch received upon a latch receiving surface of the subject device; and, 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2 , the subject barrel latch locking device disengaged from the barrel latch (i.e., “lock-off”). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    With general reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a Colt®M203 grenade launcher  10 , operatively integrated with an M16 rifle  12 , equipped with the barrel latch locking device  14  of the subject invention. The barrel latch locking device  14  is shown affixed to a receiver  16  of the launcher  10 , and in operative engagement with a barrel latch  18  thereof (i.e., a “lock-on” condition). It is to be understood that the barrel latch locking device of the subject invention is not limited to operative engagement with the launcher of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0015]    As shown, the grenade launcher  10  generally includes a barrel  20  supported, suspended, or otherwise engaged with the receiver  16  thereof. A handguard  22  substantially extends about a portion of the exterior surface  24  of the barrel  20 . The launcher  10 , more particularly the receiver  16 , further includes, a firing mechanism  26  comprising the barrel latch  18 , trigger  28 , and trigger safety  30 . As is well known, the barrel  20  of the launcher  10  is disengagable from the receiver  16 , more particularly a breech end  32  thereof, for translation with respect thereto, in furtherance of loading a munition, and/or discharging a casing of a munition. 
         [0016]    The subject barrel latch locking device  14  is adapted to be secured to the launcher receiver  16  proximal to the launcher barrel latch  18 , for translation with respect thereto, such that a latch receiving surface  34  thereof selectively intercepts a travel path for the launcher barrel latch  18 , thereby preventing disengagement of the launcher barrel  20  from the launcher receiver  16  via unintended actuation of the launcher barrel latch  18 . Prior to a detailed discussion of the structure, features and functionality of the subject barrel latch locking device, a discussion of the barrel latch structure and functionality is warranted. 
         [0017]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the barrel latch  18  of the grenade launcher  10  generally comprises an elongate member (e.g., a bar)  40  having a latch or latching surface  42  opposite a free end  44  thereof, the latch surface  42  intended to selectively engage a portion (e.g., a stop)  46  of the launcher barrel  20 , as shown. The barrel latch  18  is pivotably secured by a shaft or pin  48 , between its ends, to the launcher receiver  16  such that a portion of the free end  44  (i.e., an actuation surface  50 ) outwardly projects from a lateral surface (e.g., a sidewall)  52  of the receiver  16  (i.e., the actuation surface  50  is accessible for manipulation of the latch  18 ). Pivoting of the barrel latch  18  about a pivot axis of the shaft  48 , as by “pushing” the actuation surface  50  of the free end  44  into closer proximity to the sidewall  52  of the launcher receiver  16 , frees the latch surface  42  from engagement with the stop  46  of the launcher barrel  20  (note ghost lines indicating a disengaged condition for the barrel latch  18 ), thereby permitting translation of the barrel  20  relative to the receiver  16 . 
         [0018]    With general reference now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the barrel latch locking device generally comprises a body  60  having opposing end portions, more particularly, first  62  and second  64  opposing end portions, for the sake of convention, muzzle and breech end portions respectively, the first opposing end portion  62  of the body  60  being “forward” of the second opposing end portion  64 . The device body  60  further, and generally, includes opposing surfaces, namely, first  66  (i.e., visible) and second  68  (i.e., non-visible) surfaces, see e.g.,  FIG. 2 . 
         [0019]    Each opposing end portion  62 ,  64  of the device body  60  preferably includes an aperture or slot  70  to facilitate affixation and retention of the device  14  to the launcher receiver  16 , using, as shown, shouldered fasteners  72 , or the like. With such arrangement, and based upon the convention adopted herein, the second surface  68  of the device body  60  will be, or is, adjacent the sidewall  52  of the receiver  16 , more particularly, an exterior surface of same, see e.g.,  FIG. 2 . The apertures  70  are advantageously configured to permit translation of the locking device  14  upon the fasteners  72 , and thereby the receiver  16 , namely, between the lock-on (FIG. and lock-off configurations of  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4  respectively. One such non-limiting aperture configuration, namely an oval, is shown in  FIG. 3 , a maximum dimension thereof extending between the opposing end portions  62 , 64  of the device body  60 . 
         [0020]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , especially  FIG. 3 , the first opposing end portion  62  of the device body  60  generally includes a locking plate or blade  74  having a first surface, more particularly, a visible latch receiving surface  76  adapted to operatively engage the free end  44  of the barrel latch  18 . A second, non-visible surface  78  of the locking plate  74  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 ), opposite the first surface  76 , is adapted to seat a detent  80  (e.g., a pin or ball) carried by the sidewall  52  of the receiver  16 . More particularly, the non-visible surface  78  of the locking plate  74  includes a pair of spaced apart dimples  82  for receipt and seating of the detent  80  at either a first  84  ( FIG. 2 ) or second  86  ( FIG. 4 ) position of the second surface  78  of the locking plate  74 , that is to say, the lock-on and lock-off positions respectively. 
         [0021]    The latch receiving surface  76 , preferably, but not necessarily, includes a ramped (e.g., beveled) portion so as to provide a sure interference fit for the locking device  14  relative to the barrel latch  18 . As will later be detailed, the ramped portion of the latch receiving surface  76  may be effectively wedged between the free end  44  of the barrel latch and the sidewall  52  of the receiver  16  to prohibit actuation of the barrel latch  18 . 
         [0022]    With reference now especially to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60  preferably, as shown, has a segment configured so as to define a finger rest or grip  88 . More generally, the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60  is to include a structure to facilitate translation (i.e., actuation) of the device  14  between the lock-on/lock-off conditions of  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4  respectively. The subject disclosure is in no way intended to be limiting of the means available to perform the recited function. For instance, the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60  may include a protuberance or the like, integral therewith (e.g., a ridge), or attachable thereto (e.g., a knob). Preferably, and advantageously, a terminal end  90  of the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60  is configured to include a curve, bend, fold, crease, etc. (i.e., the terminal end  90  is not planar, or alternately stated, a substantial portion of the non-visible surface of the terminal end  90  of the second opposing end portion  64  does not contact the receiver sidewall  52 ). A not insubstantial amount of force must be imparted to the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60  so as to overcome the detent positioning of the device  14  relative to the receiver  16 , whether in the lock-on or lock-off position/condition. Thus, a finger rest or hold  88  of large surface area is advantageous, and therefore desirable. 
         [0023]    Operation of the subject device is best appreciated by comparison of  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 . In the lock-on position of  FIG. 2 , the latch receiving surface  76  of the locking plate  74  is interposed between a portion of the free end  44  of the elongate member  40  of the barrel latch  18 , and the sidewall  52  of the launcher receiver  16 , and operatively retained in such condition due to receipt of the receiver detent  80  in the forward most dimple  82  of the non-visible surface  78  of the locking plate  74 . Pivot motion of the barrel latch  18 , and disengagement of the barrel  20  relative to the receiver  16  thereby, is prohibited. 
         [0024]    To attain the lock-off position of  FIG. 4  from the lock-on position of  FIG. 2 , an operator need only apply forward pressure to the finger hold or rest  88  of the second opposing end portion  64  of the device body  60 , so as to overcome the bias force of the detent  80  within the forward most dimple  82  of the non-visible surface  78  of the locking plate  74 . Upon such manipulation, the subject locking device  14  forwardly slides such that the latch receiving surface  76  of the locking plate  74  is “clear” of the travel path of the free end  44  of the barrel latch  18 , the detent  80 , seated in the rearward dimple  82 , retaining the device body  60  in the lock-off position. By the aforementioned structures, their interrelationship, and their relationship(s) with the launcher components, unintended, inadvertent actuation of the grenade launcher barrel latch is achieved in an efficient, reliable manner. 
         [0025]    This invention disclosure provides preferred locking device configurations, and defines preferred relationships and interrelationships between structures of the configuration, in addition to relationships and interrelationships between the subject device and the grenade launcher. There are other variations of this invention which will become obvious to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that this disclosure, in many respects, is only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is as defined in the language of the appended claim.