Patent Publication Number: US-11029118-B1

Title: Firearm assembly having a locking block and slide

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/246,466 filed, Jan. 12, 2019, entitled, Locking Block and Slide for Forearm, in the name of Brian Williams, which is hereby incorporated for reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to firearms, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a locking block and barrel assembly that is configured to facilitate an improved ability to change a barrel on a firearm such as but not limited to a semi-automatic handgun. Furthermore, the present invention provides a slide construction operable to accommodate different caliber ammunition and facilitate engagement thereof with the extractor pin. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Semi-automatic handguns are manufactured in numerous alternate styles and calibers. As is known in the art, semi-automatic handguns include a couple of key elements that include but are not limited to a receiver, a barrel, an upper slide. During the firing process the slide traverses initially in a rearward direction immediately subsequent firing of a round of ammunition. The slide is configured with an ejection port that permits the spent casing to be ejected and upon ejection of the spent casing a new round of ammunition is pushed upward into the chamber wherein the new round is loaded into the firing position as the slide moves in a forward direction. 
     There are numerous construction techniques that connect the receiver of a semi-automatic handgun to the barrel. Pivotal connection members such as those found in the Colt model 1911 are well known in the art. One problem with connection members such as the aforementioned is the reduced structural integrity of the member. Additionally, these connection members are secured within the firearm utilizing multiple pins. The utilization of multiple pins and/or points of removal to change a barrel creates a slow and cumbersome process for a user to have the ability to replace the barrel and/or change the barrel for another caliber. Furthermore, conventional slide construction will not accommodate alternate caliber rounds and in particular if a barrel is changed to configure a firearm to fire ammunition having a different diameter, the conventional slide configuration will inhibit effective engagement of both ammunition casings by the extractor pin. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for locking block and barrel assembly that provides an improved connection between the barrel of a firearm and the receiver wherein the assembly further facilitates the rapid exchange of a barrel. Furthermore, an alternate slide construction is provided therewith so as to ensure effective engagement of the extractor pin and alternate sizes of ammunition. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a locking block and barrel assembly for a firearm wherein the locking block provides a structural and operable connection intermediate the barrel of the firearm and the receiver. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm configured to effectively discharge alternate sizes of ammunition wherein the slide of the present invention is configured to assist in the engagement of the ammunition shells of alternate sizes and the extractor pin of the firearm. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking block and barrel assembly for a firearm that is configured to facilitate rapid changing of the barrel of the firearm wherein the barrel includes a first portion and a second portion. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking block and barrel assembly for a firearm wherein the second portion of the barrel is integrally formed with the first portion and wherein the second portion is constructed to mateably coupled with the locking block. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm configured to effectively discharge alternate sizes of ammunition wherein the slide of the present invention includes a void formed adjacent the extractor assembly. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a locking block and barrel assembly for a firearm that is configured to facilitate rapid changing of the barrel of the firearm wherein the locking block includes a shoulder and notch configuration on the upper surface thereof that is mateably shaped with the second portion of the barrel of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm configured to effectively discharge alternate sizes of ammunition wherein the slide of the present invention includes a removable shim releasably secured in the void and wherein the removable shim is provided in alternate thicknesses. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a locking block and barrel assembly for a firearm that is configured to facilitate rapid changing of the barrel of the firearm wherein the locking block includes an aperture bored therethrough so as to receive a pin for securing thereof. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a portion of the receiver of the firearm; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a portion of the receiver of the firearm with the locking block disposed in the cavity thereof; and 
         FIG. 3  is disassembled side view of the firearm of the present invention showing the locking block and barrel assembly removed; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the interior of the slide of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the locking block and barrel assembly of the present invention removed from the firearm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a locking block and barrel assembly  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith the locking block and barrel assembly  100  includes barrel  10 . The barrel  10  includes a first portion  12  and a second portion  14  wherein the first portion  12  and second portion  14  are integrally formed utilizing suitable durable techniques. The first portion  12  is manufactured similarly to conventional firearm barrels wherein the first portion  12  can be cylindrical in shape and includes a rifled bore passing therethrough (not illustrated herein). The first portion  12  includes end  13  wherein end  13  is the point of discharge for a fired round of ammunition. While the first portion  12  is illustrated herein as having a particular exterior shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first portion  12  could have alternate exterior shapes and further be manufactured in various lengths and calibers. 
     The second portion  14  of the barrel  10  is formed to have a lower portion  18  that is mateably shaped to operably coupled with the locking block  30  of the present invention. The lower portion  18  includes a notch  20  bordered on opposing sides thereof by a front shoulder member  22  and rear shoulder member  24 . Notch  20  further includes indentation  21  that is shaped and configured to mateably engage protrusion  37 . The front shoulder  22  is manufactured so as to extend downward at a distance that is less than that of the downward extension of the rear shoulder member  24 . The rear shoulder member  24  includes lower rear wall  26  that is configured to impact receiver wall  52  during the firing process.  FIG. 5  illustrates the operable coupling between the second portion  14  of the barrel  10  and the locking block  30 . When completely assembled in the firearm and during a firing of a round of ammunition, the lower rear wall  26  of the second portion  14  will engage the receiver wall  52 . The locking block  30  is machined to a size such that the rear edge wall  31  thereof is axially aligned with the lower rear wall  26  at the end of the midpoint of the firing cycle wherein the slide  60  has traversed completely rearward. The design facilitates the majority of the impact force being absorbed by the lower rear wall  26  of the second portion  14  of the barrel  10  and as such reduces the force on the locking block  30 . This reduced force on the locking block  30  increases the durability of the operable connection that the locking block  30  provides intermediate the receiver  50  and the barrel  10 . 
     The locking block  30  is releasably secured within the void  51  of the receiver  50  as illustrated herein in  FIG. 2 . It should be noted that the locking block  30  is illustrated slightly forward of its secured position for illustration purposes. The locking block  30  has an upper surface  32  that defines a shape that is mateable with the lower portion  18  of the second portion  14  of the barrel  10 . The upper surface  32  includes a valley  33  opposedly bordered by a front rise member  34  and a rear rise member  36  that extend upward. The rear rise member  36  is shaped so as to mateably engage notch  20  with front rise member  34  being forward and adjacent front shoulder  22  upon completed assembly. The aforementioned structure facilitates an operable coupled between the barrel  10  and the receiver  50 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the locking block  30  and the second portion  14  of the barrel  10  could be formed in alternate shapes so as to facilitate the mateable operable coupling of the barrel  10  and the receiver  50 . 
     The locking block  30  includes aperture  38  that will align with aperture  98  so as to receive a pin therethrough in order to releasably secure the locking block  30  within the void  51  of the receiver  50 . The single aperture  38  coupled with the use of a pin (not illustrated herein) provides a rapid technique to interchange a barrel  10  with the receiver  50 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pin configured to be journaled into aperture  38  and aperture  98  be structured so as to be removable and installed without the requirement for tools. While a particular shape of locking block  30  and lower portion  18  of the second portion  14  have been illustrated herein, it is contemplated the alternate mateable shapes could be utilized and achieve the desired functionality as described herein. The locking block  30  includes bottom surface  39  that is flat in manner so as to be superposed the bottom  53  of the void  51  in receiver  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the slide  60  of the present invention is illustrated therein. Slide  60  is manufactured similar to conventional firearm slides wherein a plurality of walls  62  are integrally formed creating an interior volume  63  that is configured to accommodate a portion of the barrel  10  therein upon assembly of the firearm. An extractor housing  80  is integrally formed utilizing conventional techniques on the rear end  66  of the slide  60 . The slide  60  includes void  65  intermediate wall  63  and extractor housing  80  and is configured to have releasably secured therein shim member  70 . Conventional firearm slide construction includes a solid wall with and an integrally formed extractor housing to house portions of the extractor. As the intention of the present invention is to provide a construction that will facilitate the rapid changing of a barrel to an alternate caliber with no tooling required, the slide  60  includes void  65 . Void  65  is rectangular in shape and is formed to accommodate shim member  70 . Shim member  70  is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to metal and is secured within the void  65  utilizing pins  72 . The shim member  70  is releasably secured and is provided in alternate thicknesses so as to provide the desired functionality for alternate caliber ammunition. The end  77  of the shim member  70  extends beyond the extractor housing  80  wherein end  77  is configured to provide a bias against a ammunition shell casing so as to ensure effective engagement with the extractor pin  72 . The end  77  of the shim member  70  functions to bias against a ammunition shell present in the firing chamber so as to ensure efficient engagement with the extractor pin  78  thereby providing proper ejection of a cartridge. By way of example but not limitation, a .45 caliber shell and a .380 caliber shell have alternate diameters. Without employment of the shim member  70 , the extractor pin  78  would be unable to effectively engage the ammunition shell and provide proper ejection of both aforementioned calibers. The shim member  70  is provided in alternate thickness wherein a user can insert the shim into the void  65  and have end  77  bias against an ammunition shell adjacent thereto. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the shim member  70  could be provided in alternate thicknesses so as to provide effective operation for various caliber ammunition. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the shim member  70  could be mechanically secured utilizing alternate types of fasteners in addition to or in conjunction with the pins  72 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.