Firearms, adapters for firearms and methods for using the same

• US 20060053673A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Original Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Inventors: Murello, Johannes
• Application Number:
  US11/237,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20060053673A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/71.10
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/06 Adaptations of smallarms for firing grenades, e.g. rifle grenades, or for firing riot-control ammunition; Barrel attachments therefor signal pistols F41C3/02

Abstract

A firearm and an adapter for use with a firearm is disclosed. The adapter includes a housing that surrounds at least a portion of a barrel of the firearm, wherein the housing further comprises a cylindrical exterior surface and at least one circumferential formation. The adapter also includes a receiver attached to the housing, wherein the receiver further comprises an interior surface that at least in part matches the exterior surface of the housing and at least one bore through which a coupling mechanism is inserted to couple the receiver to the at least one circumferential formation of the housing. The adapter serves to attach at least one accessory to the firearm.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising:

an adapter to attach at least one accessory, wherein the adapter comprises;

a housing that surrounds at least a portion of a barrel of the firearm, wherein the housing further comprises a cylindrical exterior surface and at least one circumferential formation; and

a receiver attached to the housing, wherein the receiver further comprises an interior surface that at least in part matches the exterior surface of the housing and at least one bore through which a coupling mechanism is inserted to couple the receiver to the at least one circumferential formation of the housing.

2. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is rotatable with respect to the housing.

3. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is axially fixed with respect to the housing.

4. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the rotational alignment of the receiver is independent of the position of the housing.

5. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the at least one accessory is at least one of a night targeting device, a lighting unit, a bi-pod support, a tri-pod support, a grenade launcher, a shotgun accessory, or a sight.

6. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the housing is mechanically linked to the barrel.

7. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the housing is axially parallel to the barrel.

8. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises an extension that engages a recess in a portion of the firearm to limit rotation of the receiver.

9. The firearm according to claim 1, further comprising a second circumferential formation.

10. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a protuberance that serves as a contact for the receiver unit.

11. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein a front shaft is designed to fit onto the housing.

12. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises at least one rail.

13. The firearm according to claim 12, wherein the at least one rail is substantially parallel to an axis of the barrel.

14. The firearm according to claim 12, wherein the accessory is attached to the at least one rail.

15. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is made of a metal, a plastic, or a metal-plastic combination.

16. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is a single piece.

17. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises more than one component.

18. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver at least partially surrounds the housing.

19. For use with a firearm, an adapter to attach at least one accessory, the adapter comprising:

a housing that surrounds at least a portion of a barrel of the firearm, wherein the housing further comprises a cylindrical exterior surface and at least one circumferential formation; and

a receiver attached to the housing, wherein the receiver further comprises an interior surface that at least in part matches the exterior surface of the housing and at least one bore through which a coupling mechanism is inserted to couple the receiver to the at least one circumferential formation of the housing.

20. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver is rotatable with respect to the housing.

21. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver is axially fixed with respect to the housing.

22. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the rotational alignment of the receiver is independent of the position of the housing.

23. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the housing is mechanically linked to the barrel.

24. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the housing is axially parallel to the barrel.

25. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver further comprises an extension that engages a recess in a portion of the firearm to limit rotation of the receiver.

26. The adapter according to claim 19, further comprising a second circumferential formation.

27. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the housing further comprises a protuberance that serves as a contact for the receiver unit.

28. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein a front shaft is designed to fit onto the housing.

29. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver further comprises at least one rail.

30. The adapter according to claim 29, wherein the accessory is attached to the at least one rail.

31. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver is made of a metal, a plastic, or a metal-plastic combination.

32. The adapter according to claim 19, wherein the receiver at least partially surrounds the housing.

33. A method of modifying a firearm that has a removable barrel, the method comprising:

removing the barrel from a lock in the firearm;

inserting a second barrel in place of the removed barrel;

threading the housing into the lock to secure the barrel;

mounting a receiver to the housing, wherein the receiver serves as an attachment for at least one accessory.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the receiver is rotatable with respect to the housing.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the receiver is axially fixed with respect to the housing.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the rotational alignment of the receiver is independent of the position of the housing.

37. The method according to claim 33, wherein the receiver further comprises an extension that engages a recess in a portion of the firearm to limit rotation of the receiver.

38. The method according to claim 33, wherein a front shaft is designed to fit onto the housing.

39. The method according to claim 33, wherein the receiver further comprises at least one rail.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the accessory is attached to the at least one rail.