Gas flow volume control apparatus for firearms

A gas flow volume control apparatus for firearm that includes an adjustable gas block, an adjustment member, and a securing member. The adjustable gas block efficiently redirects a flow of high-pressure gas from inside the gun barrel of the firearm into the gas tube of the firearm drive the gas-operated reloading mechanism of the firearm. The adjustable gas block that includes a gas-flow channel, a gas-tube channel, a flow-adjustment channel is adjacently connected to the securing member. The gas-flow channel collects high-pressure gas from the gun barrel and discharges into the gas-tube channel through the flow-adjustment channel as all three channels are in fluid communication with each other within the adjustable gas block. The adjustment member allows a user selectively controls the amount of high-pressure gas that is collected within the flow-adjustment channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to attachments for firearms which are meant to alter or redirect the produced gas flow when the firearm is discharged. More specifically, the present invention is a gas flow volume control apparatus for firearms that allows for variable harvesting of the excess gasses produced by a bullet discharge. Harvested gas flow from a bullet discharge is utilized to chamber a new round and rearm the firing mechanism of the firearm thus readying the firearm to discharge again.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms are commonly used tools around the world. Firearms utilize various technologies and mechanism to efficiently operate and provide a more comfortable and efficient experience to the user. One type of firearms, gas-operated firearms, utilize a portion of the high-pressure gas generated by the cartridge being fired to power a mechanism to extract the spent case and insert a new cartridge into the chamber. It is traditional for gas-operated firearms to have a port or orifice at a distance on top of the barrel of the firearm. This port allows some of the high-pressure gas generated inside the chamber to flow into a gas block. The gas block is a device attached on top of the port on the chamber to receive a portion of the high-pressure gas from inside the chamber and redirect it to a gas tube which drives the bolt carrier and cycles the action, meaning the disposal of the spent case and the loading of a new cartridge. Many of the existing gas blocks traditionally comprise two or more chambers which direct the flow of the high-pressure gas into the gas tube. Most of these gas blocks align the various chambers vertically or horizontally, which results in the high-pressure gas to forcefully flow through the gas block and into the gas tube. Some of the existing gas blocks further allow the user to adjust how much high-pressure gas is directed into the gas tube. However, many of the existing gas blocks that allow users to adjust how much gas flows through the gas block are not low profile and do not efficiently reduce or increase the flow of the high-pressure gas. This is mostly due to the number of components and their complicated configuration of the adjustable gas blocks. Thus, an effective and adjustable low-profile gas block which directs the flow of the high-pressure gas through offset chambers is beneficial and necessary.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a gas block which comprises one or more offset chambers. Offsetting one or more of the internal chambers of the gas block alleviates the force generated by the flow of the high-pressure gas through the gas block. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a gas block which is low profile and adjustable. A low-profile gas block is oftentimes desired for many operations where a normal gas block would obstruct the use of other accessories or attachments for the firearm. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a gas block which can be easily mounted on a firearm. While many gas blocks offer a method to mount the gas block to the barrel of the firearm, most of the methods or mechanisms are too complicated. Thus, a gas block which is easy to mount on the barrel of the firearm is beneficial and necessary. Furthermore, an adjustable low-profile gas block provides greater functionality a normal gas block would not be able to provide. Additional advantages of the present invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part is be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. Additional advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the present invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention are become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a gas flow volume control apparatus for firearms that provides a low-profile and adjustable gas block1. The present invention efficiently redirects the flow of high-pressure gas from inside the gun barrel of the firearm through the body of the present invention and into the gas tube of the firearm to drive the bolt carrier of the firearm and cycles the action, meaning the disposal of the spent case and the loading of a new cartridge so that the firearm is prepared to fire once again. The present invention also allows the volume for the flow of high-pressure gas to be controlled as the flow of high-pressure gas that is recycled through the gas-operated reloading mechanism of the firearm. The present invention comprises an adjustable gas block1, an adjustment member14, a securing member20as shown inFIG. 1-3. In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the adjustable gas block1that harvest and redirect the flow of high-pressure gas is adjacently connected atop the securing member20that secures the present invention to the firearm. The adjustment member14is engaged with the adjustable gas block1thus allowing the user to efficiently control the amount of the flow of high-pressure gas that is harvested through the adjustable gas block1. The present invention can be retrofitted or pre-manufactured with different firearms that utilize the gas-operated reloading mechanism.

The securing member20, that secures the adjustable gas block1onto the gun barrel, is a generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a connector base21, a first lateral wall24, and a second lateral wall25. In reference toFIG. 4-5, the connector base21is diametrically opposed of the adjustable gas block1while the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25are connected in between the connector base21and the adjustable gas block1opposite of each other. In other words, the connector base21and the adjustable gas block1are connected by the first lateral wall24from one side. Then, the connector base21and the adjustable gas block1are connected by the second lateral wall25, wherein the second lateral wall25is positioned opposite of the first lateral wall24. The connector base21secures the present invention onto the firearm while the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25function as the supporting members.

The connector base21comprises at least one mounting hole22and at least one fastener screw23. The at least one mounting hole22traverses through the connector base21as shown inFIG. 6, thereby allowing the at least one fastener screw23to be engaged within the at least one mounting hole22. As a result, the present invention can be fixed at some point along the gun barrel. The at least one mounting hole22is oriented perpendicular to a central axis of the present invention so that the at least one fastener screw23is able to securely fix the adjustable gas block1with the gun barrel. Preferably, the at least one mounting hole22is a threaded opening and the at least one fastener screw23is a set screw so that the tightening of the set screw, through the threaded opening, can secures the present invention to the gun barrel. Optionally, the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25each comprises a cutout that is perimetrically located within the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25. The cutout is intended to reduce the overall weight of the present invention, thereby minimizing the amount of weight added to the firearm when the present invention is installed. In an alternative embodiment, the securing member20comprises only the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25, where the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25are secured together as a clamping mechanism. More specifically, the adjustable gas block1is securely mounted to the gun barrel through clamping pressure of the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25.

The adjustable gas block1is in fluid communication with the gun barrel so that the flow of high-pressure gas, which is created behind a propelling bullet, can be harvested and redirected for the gas-operated reloading mechanism. In reference toFIG. 3-5, the adjustable gas block1comprises a front surface2, a rear surface3, an external surface4, a barrel interface surface5, a gas-tube channel6, a gas-flow channel9, a flow-adjustment channel10, and a screw-receiving channel12. The barrel interface surface5is positioned in between the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25and extends from the front surface2to the rear surface3. In other words, the barrel interface is tangent to an inside surface of the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25thus forming a circular cross-section. The barrel interface surface5is formed to match with the shape of the gun barrel so that the adjustable gas block1can be hermetically connected with the gun barrel, optimizing the collection of the flow of high-pressure gas. Similar to the barrel interface surface5, the external surface4extends from the front surface2to the rear surface3and delineate the outer shape of the adjustable gas block1. In other words, the external surface4is tangent to an outside surface of the first lateral wall24and the second lateral wall25thus forming the profile of the adjustable gas block1.

The gas-tube channel6is designed to receive the gas tube so that the flow of high-pressure gas can be rerouted back into the firearm to assist with the gas-operated reloading mechanism. In reference toFIG. 7-10, the gas-tube channel6traverses into the adjustable gas block1from the rear surface3so that the gas tube can be directly place in between the present invention and the gas-operated reloading mechanism. More specifically, the gas-tube channel6is offset from the barrel interface surface5and oriented parallel with the barrel interface surface5so that the gas-flow channel9, the flow-adjustment channel10, and the screw-receiving channel12can be positioned in between the gas-tube channel6and the barrel interface surface5. In reference toFIG. 8, the present invention further comprises a tube-connector recess7that traverses through adjustable gas block1from the external surface4. More specifically, the tube-connector recess7is perpendicularly intersected with the gas-tube channel6as the tube-connector recess7is completely traversed through the adjustable gas block1. The tube-connector recess7functions as a securing mechanism between the gas tube and the gas-tube channel6so that the gas tube and the gas-tube channel6do not separate during operation of the firearm. Furthermore, the tube-connector recess7is positioned adjacent to the front surface2so that the gas tube can be inserted more than halfway through the adjustable gas block1thus providing a secure placement.

The gas-flow channel9that harvests the flow of high-pressure gas from the gun barrel and reroutes the flow of high-pressure gas into the gas-tube channel6through the flow-adjustment channel10. More specifically, the gas-flow channel9traverses into the adjustable gas block1from the barrel interface surface5as shown inFIG. 9-10. The gas-flow channel9is perpendicularly oriented with the gas-tube channel6in such a way that the gas-flow channel9is vertically positioned between the barrel interface surface5and the gas-tube channel6.

The flow-adjustment channel10allows the adjustment member14to control amount of the flow of high-pressure gas discharged into the gas-tube channel6. In reference toFIG. 10, the flow-adjustment channel10traverses into the adjustable gas block1from the front surface2. Since the flow-adjustment channel10traverses into the adjustable gas block1from the front surface2, a user is able to easily control the volume for the flow of high-pressure gas through the adjustment member14. Additionally, the flow-adjustment channel10is positioned in between the barrel interface surface5and the gas-tube channel6, wherein the flow-adjustment channel10is oriented parallel with the barrel interface surface5and the gas-tube channel6.

In reference toFIG. 9-10, the gas-flow channel9is in fluid communication with the gas-tube channel6through the flow-adjustment channel10. Resultantly, the flow of high-pressure gas from the gun barrel is first harvested through the gas-flow channel9. Then, the harvested flow of high-pressure gas is rerouted into the gas-tube channel6through the flow-adjustment channel10. The aforementioned indirect path for the flow of high-pressure gas impedes and slows down the flow of gas within the present invention so that the structural integrity of the adjustable gas block1can be improved. In order to attain the indirect path, the adjustable gas block1further comprises a passageway13as shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 10. More specifically, the gas-flow channel9partially traverses into an inner surface11of the flow-adjustment channel10from the barrel interface surface5thus resulting the flow of high-pressure gas to turns about the end of the gas-flow channel9and flows into the flow-adjustment channel10. The flow of high-pressure gas within the flow-adjustment channel10then flows into the gas-tube channel6as the passageway13traverses from the inner surface11of the flow-adjustment channel10to an inner surface8of the gas-tube channel6.

In reference toFIG. 3, the screw-receiving channel12traverses into the adjustable gas block1from the front surface2so that the adjustment member14can be threadedly engaged with the screw-receiving channel12. More specifically, the screw-receiving channel12is positioned in between the barrel interface surface5and the gas-tube channel6in such a way that the screw-receiving channel12is oriented parallel with the barrel interface surface5and the gas-tube channel6.

The adjustment member14, which control the volume for the flow of high-pressure gas within the flow-adjustment channel10comprises an adjustment pin15, an adjustment screw16, and a base19as shown inFIG. 11. The adjustment pin15that aligned with the flow-adjustment channel10is terminally connected to the base19. The adjustment screw16that threadedly engaged with the screw-receiving channel12is rotatably engaged through the base19. More specifically, a screw head17of the adjustment screw16is positioned opposite to the adjustment pin15, and a threaded screw body18of the adjustment screw16is positioned adjacent to the adjustment pin15and oriented parallel to the adjustment pin15. In other words, the screw head17and the threaded screw body18are positioned opposite of each other about the base19in such a way that the screw head17is concentrically positioned with the threaded screw body18. When the adjustment member14is threadedly engaged with the adjustable gas block1, the base19is adjacently positioned to the front surface2axially aligning the adjustment pin15and the adjustment screw16. In reference toFIG. 3, the adjustment pin15traverses into the flow-adjustment channel10as the threaded screw body18is threadedly engaged with the screw-receiving channel12. As a result, rotation of the screw head17allows the adjustment screw16to be manipulated by external forces while the threaded screw body18simultaneously rotate with the screw head17. Furthermore, the rotational engagement between the adjustment screw16and the base19may comprises a detent mechanism to arrest precise rotation and to internally divide a single rotation into the discrete increments or decrements. The adjustment screw16is preferably manipulated by means of a hex key, which engages with the screw head17thus allowing a user to easily turn the adjustment screw16. The hex key provides an advantage of increased reach, allowing a user to turn the adjustment screw16even if it partially obstructed or located in a confined space, wherein fingers and larger tools may be unable to operate. However, the adjustment screw16manipulation is not limited to hex key and can utilize other types of manipulation, such as a thumb screw.

The assembly and operation of the present invention requires the adjustment screw16to be engaged with the flow-adjustment channel10. The adjustment screw16is driven into and out of the flow-adjustment channel10in very small increments in order to control the flow of high-pressure gas redirected through the adjustable gas block1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment screw16is engaged within the flow-adjustment channel10. This engagement is accomplished by providing external threading on the adjustment screw16with matching internal threading on the flow-adjustment channel10. This type of engagement allows the adjustment screw16to be driven into or out of the flow-adjustment channel10so that the adjustment pin15can move in between a fully opened configuration, a partially opened configuration, and a closed configuration of the gas-flow channel9. For example, when the adjustment pin15is positioned away from the gas-flow channel9and the passageway13, the present invention is considered to be in the fully opened configuration as the passageway13is completely opened in between the gas-tube channel6and the flow-adjustment channel10. As a result, a full complement for the flow of high-pressure gas is able to discharge into the gas-tube channel6through the passageway13. When the adjustment pin15partially extends from the gas-flow channel9and the passageway13, the present invention is considered to be in the partially opened configuration as the passageway13is partially opened in between the gas-tube channel6and the flow-adjustment channel10. As a result, a limited amount of the flow of high-pressure gas is able to discharge into the gas-tube channel6through the passageway13. When the adjustment pin15fully extends into the gas-flow channel9and the passageway13, the present invention is considered to be in the closed configuration as the passageway13is completely closed in between the gas-tube channel6and the flow-adjustment channel10. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas is not able to discharge into the gas-tube channel6through the passageway13.