THERMAL BARRIER FOR FIREARMS AND FIREARM PROVIDED WITH SUCH A THERMAL BARRIER

• US 20130055616A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta SPA (Upifra SA)
• Original Assignee: Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta SPA (Upifra SA)
• Inventors: BASSOLI, Marco, Righi, Eugenio, Ansaldi, Ugo
• Granted Patent: US 8,615,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/96
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/48 Barrel mounting means, e.g. releasable mountings for replaceable barrels

Abstract

A thermal barrier (1) for firearms (A) comprising a body (2), optionally substantially cylindrical, made of a ceramic material. The body (2) is shaped and configured for being placed between a respective barrel (C) of a firearm (A) and at least one structure (S) of the firearm (A). The body (2) of the thermal barrier (1) has a first portion (3) suitable for remaining facing the barrel (C) of the respective firearm (A), and a second portion (4) facing the side opposite with respect to the first portion (3), optionally suitable for bearing upon at least one portion of the structure (S) of the firearm (A).

Claims

1. A thermal barrier (1) for firearms (A), characterized in that it comprises at least one body (2), optionally substantially cylindrical, made of a ceramic material, said body (2) being shaped and configured for being placed between a respective barrel (C) of a firearm (A) and at least one structure (S) of said firearm (A), said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1) having a first portion (3) suitable for remaining facing the barrel (C) of said firearm (A), and a second portion (4) facing the side opposite with respect to said first portion (3), optionally suitable for bearing upon at least one portion of the structure (S) of said firearm (A).

2. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first element (5), optionally substantially cylindrical, made of a metal material, optionally steel, said first element (5) having an internal substantially cylindrical surface (6), which can be engaged at least partially on said barrel (C) of said firearm (A) and at least one outer surface (7) facing the side opposite to said internal surface (3) of said body (2), said outer surface (7) being engaged to said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1).

3. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 2, comprising a second element (8) made of a polymeric material, optionally crosslinked, said second element (8) having an internal portion (9) facing, at least in part, said second portion (4) of said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1), and an external portion (10) facing the side opposite to said internal portion (9), said external portion (10) being engageable to a portion of a structure (S) of the respective firearm (A), said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1) being placed between said first and second elements (5, 8).

4. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein said second portion (4) of said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1) has at least one surface relief (4a), preferably a plurality of reliefs, for engagement of said second element (8) to said body (2).

5. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 4, wherein said body (2) and second element (8) are joined to form a single piece, in particular said second element (8) is overmoulded on said body (2).

6. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 5, wherein said body (2) and said first element (5) are joined to form a single piece.

7. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric material of said second element (8) has a glass-fibre and/or carbon-fibre filler.

8. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 7, wherein said polymeric material of said second element (8) is a material with high thermal and structural resistance.

9. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least one part of the polymeric material of said second element (8) has undergone a process of crosslinking.

10. Thermal barrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein said ceramic material of said body (2) of said thermal barrier (1) comprises at least one ceramic film or layer, which can be set between a respective barrel (C) and at least one structure (S) of a firearm (A), in particular said ceramic film or layer being sprayable within said structure (S) of a respective firearm (A) to remain between the latter and the respective barrel (C).

11. A firearm (A) comprising:

at least one barrel (C), in particular made of a metal material; and

at least one structure (S), in particular made of polymeric material, optionally crosslinked;

characterized in that it comprises at least one thermal barrier (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, said thermal barrier (1) being placed between at least one part of said barrel (C) and at least one part of said structure (S) of said firearm (A).