Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-05-14)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS:

What is claimed is:

1\. A system for a firearm, said system comprising:a receiver adapter configured to couple with a firearm via an adapter nut, wherein said receiver adapter comprises a tapered inner wall;
a barrel adapter assembly which couples to a lock ring and a depth ring, wherein said barrel assembly comprises a tapered downstream outer wall;
a housing comprising at least one latch to engage with said receiver adapter.

2\. The system of claim 1 further comprising a barrel and an upper receiver, wherein said barrel engages with said barrel adapter assembly.

3\. The system of claim 2 wherein said adapter assembly comprises screw ports whereby screws can contact said barrel and secure the adapter assembly in place along the barrel.

4\. The system of claim 1 wherein said adapter nut comprises threads which couple to an upper receiver, and wherein said adapter nut comprises at least one wrench coupling.

5\. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver adapter comprises an exhaust hole through which a gas tube can be inserted.

6\. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver adapter comprises at least one adapter hook,and wherein said at least one latch of said housing engages and locks with said at least one adapter hook.

7\. The system of claim 5 wherein said receiver adapter comprises three adapter hooks along its periphery, and wherein said housing comprises three latches to engage with said adapter hooks to couple said barrel adapter with said housing.

8\. The system of claim 1 wherein said adapter receiver has ears on an upstream end.

9\. The system of claim 1 wherein said barrel adapter assembly comprises a post with external threads, wherein said depth ring and said lock reach comprise internal threads with couple with said external threads on the post.

10\. The system of claim 1 wherein said adapter nut has a tapered outer wall.

11\. A method of installing a barrel on a firearm, said method comprising the steps of:a. removing the existing barrel;
b. coupling a receiver adapter to a receiver via an adapter nut, wherein the receiver adapter has a tapered inner wall;
c. coupling a barrel adapter assembly to a new barrel, wherein the barrel adapter has a tapered downstream outer wall;
d. coupling a housing over said barrel adapter assembly to said receiver adapter.

12\. The method of claim 11 wherein said receiver adapter comprises a plurality of hooks, andwherein said housing comprises a plurality of latches, and wherein said coupling of step d) comprises mating said latches with said hooks.

13\. The method of claim 11further comprising placing a handguard around said barrel, andcoupling said handguard with said housing.

14\. The method of claim 11 wherein said adapter nut comprises threading which mates with threading on a receiver.

15\. The method of claim 11 wherein said coupling of step c) comprises inserting a gas tube through an exhaust hole located on the receiver adapter.

16\. The method of claim 11 wherein said barrel adapter comprises a post with external threading, and wherein said depth ring and said lock reach comprise internal threads with

couple with said external threads on the post, and wherein said coupling of step c) comprises pushing the barrel adapter as far as upstream on the barrel as possible.

17\. The method of claim 11 comprising adjusting said depth ring and said lock ring to adjust compression on said barrel.

OFFICE ACTION:
EXAMINER'S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
The application has been amended as follows:
In claim 1 “wherein said barrel assembly” is amended to --wherein said barrel adapter assembly--.
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-17 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding independent claim 1, the prior art of record fails to disclose or render obvious the combination including wherein the barrel adapter assembly couples to and depth ring and said barrel assembly has a tapered downstream outer wall. Therefore, the claimed invention is new.
Regarding independent claim 11, the prior art of record fails to disclose or render obvious the combination including coupling a barrel adapter assembly to a new barrel, wherein the barrel adapter has a tapered downstream outer wall; d. coupling a housing over said barrel adapter assembly to said receiver adapter. Therefore, the claimed invention is new.
Selvetti (US 2016/0033225) in view of Hochstrate et al (US 2007/0199435) [hereinafter Hochstrate] in considered the most relevant prior art of record.   Selvetti discloses a system for a firearm, said system comprising: receiver adapter 100 configured to couple with a firearm via an adapter nut 11 (Fig. 5); a barrel adapter assembly 103 which couples to a lock ring 14a (Fig. 5); a housing (grooves in side of barrel adapter assembly) comprising at least one latch 12/13 to engage with said receiver adapter (Par. 0048; (Fig. 5).
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Selvetti fails to disclose wherein said receiver adapter comprises a tapered inner wall.
Hochstrate teaches that it is known in the art of barrel systems to provide tapered walls (Fig. 9; Par. Par. 0057: “Barrel extension 196 has taper 256 to center and lock barrel extension 196 in position and to increase the clamped surface area… As may realized, the tapered surfaces 256, 266 respectively on the barrel extension and barrel nut provide additional surface area for frictional clamping and cooperate to centralize the barrel due to the matching taper on the nut and barrel”).
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It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified Selvetti such that receiver adapter comprises a tapered inner wall, in view of Hochstrate, to obtain the desired result of providing additional surface area for frictional clamping.
Selvetti in view of Hochstrate fails to disclose to disclose or render obvious the combination including wherein the barrel adapter assembly couples to and depth ring and said barrel assembly has a tapered downstream outer wall. Furthermore, Selvetti in view of Hochstrate fails fails to disclose or render obvious the combination including coupling a barrel adapter assembly to a new barrel, wherein the barrel adapter has a tapered downstream outer wall; d. coupling a housing over said barrel adapter assembly to said receiver adapter.
Additional art representing the state of the art of firearm barrel systems considered relevant to applicant’s disclosure is cited in the attached PTO-892 form. The references alone or in combination do not anticipate or make obvious the claimed invention.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20230221092A1: Claims:
A handguard assembly for a firearm comprising: an outer member disposed forward of an upper receiver of the firearm, the outer member comprising a rear cavity and a threaded portion; a barrel nut disposed within the rear cavity; and at least one alignment member, wherein the at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and the upper receiver for alignment.
an outer member disposed forward of an upper receiver of the firearm, the outer member comprising a rear cavity and a threaded portion;
a barrel nut disposed within the rear cavity; and
at least one alignment member,
wherein the at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and the upper receiver for alignment.
The handguard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material.
The handguard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one alignment member comprises two alignment members.
The handguard assembly of claim 3 , wherein the two alignment members are connected to one another using a plurality of fasteners that pass through the outer member.
The handguard assembly of claim 3 , wherein the two alignment members are identical.
The handguard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion comprises an insert that is a separate component from the outer member.
The handguard assembly of claim 6 , wherein the insert is metallic and outer member comprises a polymer material.
The handguard assembly of claim 7 , wherein the insert is overmolded as a permanent component of the outer member.
The handguard assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the barrel nut comprises a taper such that the aft-most portion of the outer surface has a larger dimension than other portions of the outer surface.
The handguard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one alignment member is metallic and comprises a counterbored hole and a threaded hole.
A free float handguard assembly for a firearm comprising: an outer member comprising a rear cavity; a barrel nut disposed within the rear cavity; and at least one alignment member, wherein the at least one alignment member aligns the outer member relative to the firearm.
an outer member comprising a rear cavity;
wherein the at least one alignment member aligns the outer member relative to the firearm.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and an upper receiver of the firearm for alignment.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member comprises a threaded portion that is removably attached to the barrel nut.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 11 , wherein the threaded portion comprises an insert that is a separate component from the outer member.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 15 , wherein the insert is metallic and outer member comprises a polymer material.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 16 , wherein the insert is overmolded as a permanent component of the outer member.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one alignment member comprises two alignment members.
The free float handguard assembly of claim 19 , wherein the two alignment members are connected to one another using a plurality of fasteners that pass through the outer member.
Ref US20230194202A1: Claims:
A firearm assembly, comprising: a barrel; a barrel receiving unit adapted for receiving the barrel; a first barrel nut disposed over the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and a second barrel nut disposed over the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut to align the barrel with the barrel receiving unit.
a barrel receiving unit adapted for receiving the barrel;
a first barrel nut disposed over the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and
a second barrel nut disposed over the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut to align the barrel with the barrel receiving unit.
The firearm assembly of claim 1 , further including: a barrel extension, wherein a first end of the barrel is mated to the barrel extension; and the first barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder making contact with a shoulder of the barrel extension.
a barrel extension, wherein a first end of the barrel is mated to the barrel extension; and
the first barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder making contact with a shoulder of the barrel extension.
The firearm assembly of claim 2 , wherein the internal shoulder of the first barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension are beveled or tapered.
The firearm assembly of claim 2 , wherein the internal shoulder of the primary barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension is flat.
The firearm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder contacting a shoulder of the barrel.
The firearm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal shoulder of the second barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel are beveled or tapered.
A firearm assembly, comprising: a barrel; a barrel receiving unit; a primary barrel nut contacting the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and a secondary barrel nut contacting the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut.
a barrel receiving unit;
a primary barrel nut contacting the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and
a secondary barrel nut contacting the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut.
The firearm assembly of claim 7 , further including: a barrel extension, wherein a first end of the barrel is mated to the barrel extension; and the primary barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder making contact with a shoulder of the barrel extension.
the primary barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder making contact with a shoulder of the barrel extension.
The firearm assembly of claim 8 , wherein the internal shoulder of the primary barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension are beveled or tapered.
The firearm assembly of claim 8 , wherein the internal shoulder of the primary barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension is flat.
The firearm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the secondary barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder contacting a shoulder of the barrel.
The firearm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the internal shoulder of the secondary barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel are beveled or tapered.
The firearm assembly of claim 7 , wherein the primary barrel nut is threaded onto the barrel receiving unit and the secondary barrel nut is threaded onto the primary barrel nut.
A method of making a firearm assembly, comprising: providing a barrel; inserting the barrel into a barrel receiving unit; disposing a first barrel nut over the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and disposing a second barrel nut over the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut to align the barrel with the barrel receiving unit.
providing a barrel;
inserting the barrel into a barrel receiving unit;
disposing a first barrel nut over the barrel and mating with the barrel receiving unit; and
disposing a second barrel nut over the barrel and mating with the first barrel nut to align the barrel with the barrel receiving unit.
The method of claim 14 , further including: providing a barrel extension, wherein a first end of the barrel is mated to the barrel extension; and the first barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder making contact with a shoulder of the barrel extension.
providing a barrel extension, wherein a first end of the barrel is mated to the barrel extension; and
The method of claim 15 , wherein the internal shoulder of the first barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension are beveled or tapered.
The method of claim 15 , wherein the internal shoulder of the primary barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel extension is flat.
The method of claim 14 , wherein the second barrel nut comprises an internal shoulder contacting a shoulder of the barrel.
The method of claim 14 , wherein the internal shoulder of the second barrel nut and the shoulder of the barrel are beveled or tapered.
The method of claim 14 , wherein the first barrel nut is threaded onto the barrel receiving unit and the second barrel nut is threaded onto the primary barrel nut.
Ref US20230020437A1: Claims:
- 3 . (canceled)
A handguard for mounting on a barrel or a barrel nut of an existing firearm, where the barrel or barrel nut has an annular groove, the handguard comprising: a handguard housing having a housing axis, the handguard housing defining a slit running radially thereto, and further defining a through-opening running in a transverse direction, where the through-opening is a long hole having an outline comprised of two semicircles with a first axis and a second axis parallel to the first axis, with a rectangle located in-between; and a clamping device for mounting in the through-opening of the handguard housing, the clamping device having a lever that defines a lever axis and that includes: a center element having a recess in a center area of the center element, the center element extending along and surrounding the lever axis and having a threaded section at a first end portion and a lever arm at a second end portion, where a conical shaft section is provided at the second end portion that widens towards the lever arm and is configured to contact a corresponding conical clamping surface of the handguard housing; and a nut having an internal thread that matches the threaded section of the first end portion of the center element; such that when the handguard is in its assembled state, the lever is disposed in the through-opening of the handguard housing in a plane normal to the handguard axis, the nut is screwed onto the threaded section thereby narrowing the slit, and an angular position of the lever about the lever axis is such that the center element contacts the annular groove of the barrel or barrel nut.
a handguard housing having a housing axis, the handguard housing defining a slit running radially thereto, and further defining a through-opening running in a transverse direction, where the through-opening is a long hole having an outline comprised of two semicircles with a first axis and a second axis parallel to the first axis, with a rectangle located in-between; and
a clamping device for mounting in the through-opening of the handguard housing, the clamping device having a lever that defines a lever axis and that includes: a center element having a recess in a center area of the center element, the center element extending along and surrounding the lever axis and having a threaded section at a first end portion and a lever arm at a second end portion, where a conical shaft section is provided at the second end portion that widens towards the lever arm and is configured to contact a corresponding conical clamping surface of the handguard housing; and a nut having an internal thread that matches the threaded section of the first end portion of the center element;
a center element having a recess in a center area of the center element, the center element extending along and surrounding the lever axis and having a threaded section at a first end portion and a lever arm at a second end portion, where a conical shaft section is provided at the second end portion that widens towards the lever arm and is configured to contact a corresponding conical clamping surface of the handguard housing; and
a nut having an internal thread that matches the threaded section of the first end portion of the center element;
such that when the handguard is in its assembled state, the lever is disposed in the through-opening of the handguard housing in a plane normal to the handguard axis, the nut is screwed onto the threaded section thereby narrowing the slit, and an angular position of the lever about the lever axis is such that the center element contacts the annular groove of the barrel or barrel nut.
The handguard according to claim 4 , wherein: the center element is further provided with an annular groove at its first end portion; the nut includes the internal thread in a first axial section of the nut, the first axial section being provided with a conical nut section on an outer surface, and a bore with a larger diameter than the internal thread in the first axial section is formed in a second axial section, and a safety ring is inserted into the annular groove of the first end portion.
the center element is further provided with an annular groove at its first end portion;
the nut includes the internal thread in a first axial section of the nut, the first axial section being provided with a conical nut section on an outer surface, and a bore with a larger diameter than the internal thread in the first axial section is formed in a second axial section, and a safety ring is inserted into the annular groove of the first end portion.
The handguard according to claim 5 , wherein the long hole of the handguard housing includes a conical clamp taper surface at each end of the long hole, each conical clamp taper surface being centrally formed about the first axis of the through-opening outline and the conical clamp taper surfaces being configured to cooperate with the conical shaft section and the conical nut section, respectively.
Ref US20210293498A1: Claims:
An upper receiver assembly comprising: an outer member comprising an upper rail; and an inner member comprising at least one of a pivot pin lug and a takedown pin lug, wherein the inner member is disposed at least partially inside the outer member.
an outer member comprising an upper rail; and
an inner member comprising at least one of a pivot pin lug and a takedown pin lug,
wherein the inner member is disposed at least partially inside the outer member.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein: the outer member comprises an ejection port; the inner member comprises an ejection port; and the ejection port of the inner member is at least partially aligned with the ejection port of the outer member.
the outer member comprises an ejection port;
the inner member comprises an ejection port; and
the ejection port of the inner member is at least partially aligned with the ejection port of the outer member.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member comprises an opening for a charging handle.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member is an extrusion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member comprises an aft portion and a forward portion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 6 , wherein: the aft portion comprises an ejection port and an opening for a charging handle; the forward portion comprises an array of openings; and the upper rail is a single continuous member extending along both the aft portion and the forward portion.
the aft portion comprises an ejection port and an opening for a charging handle;
the forward portion comprises an array of openings; and
the upper rail is a single continuous member extending along both the aft portion and the forward portion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 6 , wherein the outer member further comprises a transition portion located between the aft portion and the forward portion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 8 , wherein the transition portion corresponds to the location of a barrel nut, which attaches a barrel to the inner member.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper rail extends as a single continuous member from an opening for a charging handle to a forward end of the a handguard portion of the outer member.
An upper receiver assembly comprising: an outer member comprising an upper rail, an aft portion, and a forward portion; an inner member comprising an ejection port; and at least one of a pivot pin lug and a takedown pin lug, wherein the inner member is disposed at least partially inside the outer member.
an outer member comprising an upper rail, an aft portion, and a forward portion;
an inner member comprising an ejection port; and
at least one of a pivot pin lug and a takedown pin lug,
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein the forward portion comprises a handguard.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein: the outer member comprises an ejection port; and the ejection port of the inner member is at least partially aligned with the ejection port of the outer member.
the outer member comprises an ejection port; and
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member comprises an opening for a charging handle.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member is an extrusion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein: the aft portion comprises an ejection port and an opening for a charging handle; the forward portion comprises an array of openings; and the upper rail is a single continuous member extending along both the aft portion and the forward portion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 11 , wherein the outer member further comprises a transition portion located between the aft portion and the forward portion.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 18 , wherein the transition portion corresponds to the location of a barrel nut, which attaches a barrel to the inner member.
The upper receiver assembly of claim 19 , further comprising fasteners that extend through the transition portion to attach the outer member to the barrel nut.
Ref US20210180904A1: Claims:
An apparatus comprising: a firearm barrel trunnion comprising: a rear portion shaped to couple to a receiver for a firearm; a front portion shaped to couple to a handguard for the firearm and to support the handguard without the handguard contacting other components of the firearm; and a bore formed within the trunnion, the bore shaped to receive a barrel for the firearm.
a firearm barrel trunnion comprising: a rear portion shaped to couple to a receiver for a firearm; a front portion shaped to couple to a handguard for the firearm and to support the handguard without the handguard contacting other components of the firearm; and a bore formed within the trunnion, the bore shaped to receive a barrel for the firearm.
a rear portion shaped to couple to a receiver for a firearm;
a front portion shaped to couple to a handguard for the firearm and to support the handguard without the handguard contacting other components of the firearm; and
a bore formed within the trunnion, the bore shaped to receive a barrel for the firearm.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front portion comprises a fluted exterior surface.
The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising the handguard, the handguard comprising an interior contact surface shaped to engage the fluted exterior surface of the front portion of the trunnion.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front portion comprises side openings for attaching the handguard via quick detach (QD) sling swivel sockets.
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising the barrel and a barrel nut for securing the barrel in the bore, wherein: the barrel comprises a tapered shoulder portion; and the barrel nut comprises a tapered internal portion to engage with the tapered shoulder portion of the barrel, to align the barrel with the bore.
the barrel comprises a tapered shoulder portion; and
the barrel nut comprises a tapered internal portion to engage with the tapered shoulder portion of the barrel, to align the barrel with the bore.
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the bore is internally threaded and the barrel nut is externally threaded to engage the bore.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the firearm barrel trunnion further comprises a top portion integral to th
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