Adjustable Gas Block

This Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/380,835 filed on Oct. 17, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/109,806 filed on Feb. 14, 2023, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 11,788,808, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/506,651 filed on Oct. 20, 2021, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 11,578,936, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/430,413 filed on Jun. 3, 2019, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 11,175,105, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/890,002, filed on Feb. 6, 2018, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,309,737, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/000,587, filed on Jan. 19, 2016, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,995,546, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/105,001, filed on Jan. 19, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for self-loading firearms, and more specifically, to systems and methods for gas blocks for self-loading firearms to facilitate user adjustment of gas flow from a barrel into an operating system.

The need to regulate the gas flow between the barrel and operating system of a firearm has been a concern since the introduction of auto-loading firearms. Gas is generated during the combustion of gun powder present in the cartridges used in modern firearms. This gas expands violently to push the bullet out of the firearm's barrel. These expanding gases are utilized as a means to operate the action of the host firearm. In modern firearms the preferred method of facilitating the function of an auto-loading weapon is as follows. A hole is placed through the barrel, generally on the top. Location of this hole or gas port varies between operating systems. Generally a gas port size is chosen to allow a broad range of ammunition to be utilized while guaranteeing the reliable function of the host firearm. Unfortunately due to varying lengths of barrels, ammunition variance, and other factors it is very difficult to choose a gas port size which universally works under all conditions. A popular way of dealing with these problems is to incorporate an adjustable gas block into the operating system.

An adjustable gas block allows for the flow of gas between the gas port in the barrel and the operating system of the firearm to be increased or decreased based on mitigating factors present at the time of use. These systems typically work by utilizing an oversized gas port with means to adjust the flow of gas into the operating system and by venting the unneeded gases from the barrel into the atmosphere thus generating flash and sound. Further, adjustment of the gas system typically requires a special tool and offers no way for the user to index the system and make adjustments due to mitigating circumstances quickly. Designs such as these are well known in the prior art and can be found on the Belgium FAL, Soviet SVD and the Yugoslavian M76 rifle.

Recent firearm designs such as the FN SCAR rifles have incorporated adjustable gas blocks to be used in conjunction with noise suppressors. Noise suppressors provide a means to redirect, cool and slow the expanding gases generated from the discharge of a firearm so that the resulting flash and sound generated by the firearm is minimized or eliminated. As a result, back pressure is generated forcing more gas into the firearm's operating system. This extra gas, or back pressure increases the firing rate of a weapon during its full auto function, fouls the weapon leading to premature malfunction and to a variety of feeding and extraction problems.

Problems with existing systems may occur due to variations in cartridge, such as different weights, different powder charges, different bullet jackets, etc., friction in the operating system that may change during the life of the rifle, buffer sprint set changes, and suppressors of different back-pressures. Existing systems may not allow for the rifle operator to compensate for these potential problems.

Needs exist for improved systems and methods for gas blocks for self-loading firearms to facilitate user adjustment of gas flow from a barrel into an operating system.

Systems and methods are described for gas blocks for self-loading firearms to facilitate user adjustment of gas flow from a barrel into an operating system. In particular, the systems and methods may be used for any purpose where adjustable gas blocks may be needed.

The systems and methods described herein may describe an adjustable gas block for gas piston operated rifles, both semi-automatic and automatic, with or without suppressors. A shooter may be able to adjust for varying ammunition parameters, suppressors of differing back pressures, changes in rifle conditions, such as an increase or decrease of bolt carrier/buffer system frictions, buffer spring set, and spent cartridge ejection angle.

In certain embodiments, the rifle operator may adjust the gas block via a multi-stepped opening or closing of a valve built into the gas block via an actuator. The number of steps per revolution of the actuator may vary from two or more steps to a continuous adjustment without discrete steps. In certain embodiments, there may be approximately 4 steps or more, approximately 5 steps or more, approximately 10 steps or more, approximately 15 steps or more, approximately 20 steps or more, approximately 30 steps or more, etc. Embodiments may allow for adjustment of the gas block after the rifle has been manufactured.

shows an adjustable gas block assemblyaccording to one embodiment. An adjustment subassemblymay include various components. For reference in, the words “front”, “forward”, “frontward”, etc. reference positions on the barrel end of a rifle, and may be considered to refer to the right side of the figure. The words “rear”, “back”, “rearward”, etc. reference positions on the stock end of a rifle, and may be considered to refer to the left side of the figure.

A valve stem endmay have various configurations and dimensions depending on a particular use. The valve stem endmay be a generally round shape with a central axis. As shown in, the valve stem endmay have a rear-most portionto regulate volume of high pressure gas that actuates the rifle's operating system. A middle portionmay be of a lesser diameter than the rear-most portion. In certain embodiments, the front-most portionmay be of a larger diameter than the rear-most portionand may be used as a retaining flange. A generally cylindrical bossmay have a lesser diameter than the front-most portion. The bossmay extend frontward from the front-most position. The bossmay be concentric to the axis of the valve stem end. The bossmay have a through holeto facilitate assembly. In certain embodiments, the through holemay be perpendicular to and intersecting to the axis of the valve stem end.

A valve ringmay be a generally round component. In certain embodiments, the valve ringmay be cylindrical with an axial through hole. The diameter of the axial through holemay be a close fit with the boss. The valve ringmay also have a flangeof increased diameter. The flangemay have at least one front shoulderand at least one rear shoulder. The flangeand shoulders,may be a close fit with inside diameters of one or more gas rings. In certain embodiments, there may be two gas ringsforward and two gas ringsrearward of the valve ring.

A valve threaded portionmay be a generally round part and may be generally cylindrical. The valve threaded portionmay include a concentrically threaded portionlocated centrally with a rearward reduced diameter shoulder. An axial through holemay pass through the valve threaded portion. The axial through holemay be a close fit with bossand bossof a valve rotator. Forward unthreaded sectionsof the valve threaded portionmay have a through hole. In certain embodiments, the through holemay be perpendicular and intersecting to the axis of the valve threaded portion. Rearward unthreaded sections, such as the shoulder, of the valve threaded portionmay have a through hole. In certain embodiments, the through holemay be perpendicular and intersecting to the axis of the valve threaded portion.

The valve rotatormay be a generally round part and may be generally cylindrical. The concentric bossmay be at a rear portion of the valve rotator. The concentric bossmay be of a lesser diameter than a forward sectionof the valve rotator. In certain embodiments, a ringof evenly spaced groovesmay be disposed around the circumference of a rear portion of the forward section. Other locations for the ringmay be provided. The number and placement of groovesmay vary. The grooves may facilitate control of an adjustment position by spring detent. The forward sectionmay contain one or more flat areas. The one or more flat areasmay be generally parallel to the axis of the valve rotator. In the embodiment shown in, the valve rotatorhas two flat areas on opposite sides of the valve rotator. A through holemay pass through the valve rotator between the flat areas. The through holemay be perpendicular to the flat areasand may intersect the axis of the valve rotator. The flat surfacesand the through holemay facilitate adjustment. Further adjustment facilitators may include knurls applied to an outer surface of the valve rotator, such as the frontward section, features on a front faceof the valve rotatorfor coin or screw driver actuation, etc.

The adjustment subassemblymay be assembled as shown inby inserting a first sub-assembly pinthrough through holeand through hole. Then transfer drill through through holeafter ascertaining a radial position of valve rotatorwhen the adjustment subassemblyis threaded completely into gas block assembly. A second sub-assembly pinmay be inserted into place in through hole.

The gas block assemblymay be a standard gas block used on a gas operated rifle, direct impingement operated or gas piston operated, semi-automatic or full-automatic. The gas block assemblymay have a through hole. The through holemay be used to secure the gas block onto a gas block journal on the rifle's barrel. A first ductmay direct pressurized gas from the barrel's bore into a plenum-like space, also referred to herein as a plenum. A second ductmay be generally parallel to the axis of the through holemay channel the regulated volume of gas to the rifle's gas operating system. A rearmost portion of the plenum-like space or plenummay be a seat valve. The seat valvemay be used by the adjustment subassemblyto regulate the volume of gas channeled to the rifle's gas operating system by adjusting the gap between the seat valveand the rear-most portionof the adjustment subassembly. The cylindrical potion of the plenum-like spacemay be of a diameter that makes intimate contact with an outside diameter of the gas ringson the adjustment subassembly. The gas ringsmay prevent gas from going forward through and fouling the matched-thread threaded portionand a gas block threaded portion. To further prevent fouling of threaded portionand gas block threaded portion, gas that escapes past the gas ringsmay be channeled away through one or more ducts.

illustrates an assembled view of the adjustable gas block. As shown, the components are fit together. From the rear to the front, the components are shown as the valve stem end, gas rings, valve ring, gas rings, valve threaded portion, and valve rotator. The components interact with and couple to the gas block assemblyas described herein. An exterior mounted torsion springfor a detentmay be provided.

Certain embodiments may utilize different configurations and sizes of various components. Each element and variation thereof described herein may be used interchangeably, if desired.

shows a detailed view of the valve stem end.

shows an alternative adjustable gas block. The function and operation of components may be similar to the embodiment shown in. In this embodiment, the valve rotator and valve threaded portion may be combined into a valve adjustment portion. At least a portion of the valve adjustment portionmay include grooves. A through holemay allow passage of a pinto secure the valve stem endto the valve adjustment portion. A rotation doublermay be located between the valve stem endand the gas block assembly. A valve seatmay be located between the rotation doublerand the gas block assembly. A rotation limit pinwith an associated springmay be provided as well to limit rotation. A ballmay be associated with a springand a hole.

The rotation limit pin may be modified depending on desired uses and operation.illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the rotation limit pin.

shows a detail of a rotation limit pin. The rotation limit pinmay have a generally cylindrical portion. A block portionmay extend from one end, such as the forward end, of the cylindrical portion.

shows a detail of an alternative rotation limit pin. The rotation limit pinmay have a generally cylindrical portion. A block portionmay extend from one end, such as the forward end, of the cylindrical portion. One endof the rotation limit pin, such as the forward end may be rounded off. In certain embodiments, both the block portionand the cylindrical portionmay be rounded off and may have complementary shapes.

The valve stem may be modified depending on desired uses and operation. For example, the detents/grooves may be varied in location, number, size, etc. to create a desired operation. More detents/grooves may provide finer adjustment resolution. A locknut-like element may provide for continuously variable adjustment. In certain embodiments, a wider area on the adjustment knob may be provided. Numbers on the adjustment knob may provide numbers or characters to facilitate user adjustment to a set position. A finer thread pitch may increase resolution. Slots in the end face may accept screw driver blades or coins to facilitate adjustment. A replacement seat may be incorporated, if desired.illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the valve stem.

shows a detailed view of a combined valve rotator and valve threaded portion creating a valve adjustment portion. At least a portion of the valve adjustment portionmay include grooves. A through holemay allow passage of a pin (not shown) to secure the valve stem endto the valve adjustment portion.

shows a detailed view of a combined valve rotator and valve threaded portion creating a valve adjustment portion. At least a portion of the valve adjustment portionmay include grooves. A through holemay allow passage of a pin (not shown) to secure the valve stem endto the valve adjustment portion. A circumferential groovemay surround a portion of the valve adjustment portion, such as a forward end.

The circumferential groovemay have one or more stop positionslocated around the circumference of the valve adjustment portion.

Certain embodiments may include a firearm utilizing an adjustable gas block. The firearm may include a receiver, a barrel connected to the receiver, wherein the barrel has a gas port, and a gas operating system.

Certain embodiments may allow a user to adjust spent cartridge ejection angles.

Certain embodiments may provide for various positions of adjustment, each of which affects the flow of gas from the barrel gas port into the operating system of the host firearm. The herein disclosed device may be used with an indirect gas operating system, but it should be noted that this device is not limited to such operating systems and in fact could be utilized with a gas impingement operating system such as is found on the M16 family of firearms.

Various components of the adjustable gas block may be made from various materials and include various coatings/finishes. In certain embodiments, the finish may be NICORR (available from LWRC International). This may be a black, durable finish that takes its final appearance from the surfaces of the substrate to which it is applied.

Although the foregoing descriptions are directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.