Ordnance – Barrels – Composite
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-26
2001-02-20
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Barrels
Composite
C089S015000, C042S076020, C029S002100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189431
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to firearms. More particularly, this invention relates to small caliber firearms having reduced weight and increased portability.
In the manufacture of firearms, effort has long been directed to the production of lightweight products. This need has been partially met by previous firearms having a lighter barrel, a lighter stock, or other components. However, there remains a particular need for a firearm having a barrel of reduced weight, in which the reduction of barrel weight does not negatively affect the rigidity of the barrel or the accuracy of the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a lightweight barrel for a small caliber firearm that resists torsion and retains the excellent performance characteristics of prior barrels. By small caliber is meant those arms of 50 caliber or less. The invention further provides a method for the manufacture of such barrels.
Specifically, the present invention provides a gun barrel comprising:
(a) a thermally expandable tubular liner having an outer surface, a breech end and a muzzle end defining a longitudinal axis, and an external retaining flange at each end of the liner, each flange extending from the outer surface of the liner at least about 15% of the wall thickness of the liner; and
(b) at least one layer on the outer surface of the liner, each layer comprising cured resin and reinforcing fiber, wherein the fiber in the at least one layer is disposed in a substantially uniform angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the liner and the at least one layer is longitudinally compressed at a pressure of at least about 5 ksi.
The present invention further provides a process for the production of gun barrels comprising:
(a) forming a thermally expandable tubular liner having an outer surface, a breech end and a muzzle end defining a longitudinal axis, and an external retaining flange at each end of the liner, each flange extending from the outer surface of the liner at least about 15% of the wall thickness of the liner;
(b) forming at least one layer on the outer surface of the liner, each layer comprising curable resin and reinforcing fiber, wherein the fiber in the at least one layer is disposed in a substantially uniform angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the liner;
(c) heating the fiber and resin wrapped liner to expand the liner;
(d) consolidating the fiber and resin about the liner to conform the fiber and resin to the liner;
(e) curing the resin; and
(f) cooling the wrapped liner to contract the liner and place the cured fiber and resin in longitudinal compression of at least about 5 ksi between the breech and muzzle ends of the liner.
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patent: 5692334 (1997-12-01), Christensen
patent: 5804756 (1998-09-01), Christensen
patent: 1167676 (1984-05-01), None
Danner Dale R.
Jiranek, II Marlin R.
Huntley & Associates
Johnson Stephen M.
Remington Arms Company, Inc.
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