Firearms – Flare type gun
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-10-02
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Flare type gun
C042S077000, C042S075020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295751
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to flare guns, and more particularly to an improved flare attachment designed to be used with a firearm with a removable barrel.
Flare guns are known to be used exclusively for signaling purposes by firing a cartridge similar to a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge to obtain a light signal or illumination for military or emergency purposes. Since the mechanism for firing a projectile and the mechanism for firing a flare cartridge is similar, firearms have been proposed which are adaptable to serve a dual purpose, so as to be used either as an offensive weapon or as a signaling device.
A firearm is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,192—Harness, in which a short barrel capable of firing flares is exchanged for another barrel capable of firing projectiles. Another proposal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,620—Nelson, in which a shotgun shell adapter fits into the breech of a shotgun, enabling the gun to accept various sizes of cartridges. A particular difficulty results from providing a gun, which is capable of firing both center fire and rim fire cartridges. U.S. Pat. Nos 4,644,930—Mainhardt, discloses a gun capable of firing a variety of projectiles, both center fire and rim fire by employing various inserts.
All of the foregoing constructions employ complex mechanisms. It would be desirable to provide a simple and lightweight flare attachment designed to fit a firearm with a removable barrel, to be used in place of the projectile barrel for firing conventional signal flares. It would also be desirable to provide a flare attachment for a firearm with removable barrel, which can be attached in lieu of the barrel and provide further for rapid removal of spent flare cartridges and insertion of new flare cartridges.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved flare attachment for a firearm with removable barrel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive flare attachment, which can be made primarily of plastic construction.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simple flare attachment with means to rapidly load and reload conventional flare cartridges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention comprises of a flare attachment for a firearm with a removable barrel, said firearm being of the type having a receiver with a bolt, cocking lever and recoil springs for actuating the firing pin, the receiver having an attachment end for receiving said removable barrel. The flare attachment comprises a firing pin housing having a central bore and including first attachment means arranged to attach the firing pin housing to the attachment end of said receiver, a flare cartridge barrel having a flare chamber shaped to receive a flare cartridge therein, and including second attachment means arranged for temporarily attaching the flare cartridge barrel to the firing pin housing so that the central bore is coaxial with the flare chamber. A firing pin extension as slidably disposed in the central bore having a first end for receiving impact from said bolt when the firing pin extension is in a first position and a second end for impacting a flare cartridge in said flare chamber when the firing pin extension slides to a second position. A retainer restricts the axial movement of the firing pin extension in the central bore, and a spring biases the firing pin extension away from the flare cartridge barrel to said first position, whereby the first end may receive an impact from said bolt.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flare cartridge barrel and firing pin housing are manufactured of plastic and threaded together, having a lanyard connecting the two elements.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4266357 (1981-05-01), Greenleaf
patent: 4418488 (1983-12-01), Hughes
patent: 4506604 (1985-03-01), Hughes
patent: 4644930 (1987-02-01), Mainhardt
patent: 4648192 (1987-03-01), Harness
patent: 4711047 (1987-12-01), Meller
patent: 5020260 (1991-06-01), Houghton
patent: 5148620 (1992-09-01), Nelson
patent: 5410834 (1995-05-01), Benton et al.
patent: 6209250 (2001-04-01), Mills
AR-7 Industries, LLC The One. The Only. The Original. product description from Internet web site: http://www.ar-7.com/rifles/riles/html dated Aug. 31, 2000, 2 pages.
Carone Michael J.
Chambers Troy
Crutcher William C.
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