POLYMER/COMPOSITE FIREARMS AND A PROCESS FOR STRENGTHENING POLYMER/COMPOSITE FIREARMS

• US 20150052794A1
• Filed: 08/20/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MEAN LLC
• Original Assignee: MEAN LLC
• Inventors: Underwood, James Matthew, Underwood, Larry Cullen
• Granted Patent: US 9,297,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/16
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2079/085 Thermoplastic polyimides, e.g. polyesterimides, PEI, i.e. polyetherimides, or polyamideimides; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/06 containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2705/00 Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/777 Weapons
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 3/66 Breech housings or frames; Receivers

Abstract

A strengthened firearm includes at least one metal/composite material formed into at least one firearm component, and a polymer/composite material combined with the at least one firearm component. The metal/composite material replaces the polymer/composite material in a specific area or component of the firearm that may be weak or tend to fail earlier than other areas or components of a polymer/composite firearm. The method of combining the multiple materials allows for additional strength in the firearm.

Claims

1. A strengthened firearm comprising:

at least one metal/composite material formed into at least one firearm component; and

a polymer/composite material combined with the at least one firearm component.

2. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the at least one firearm component is a stock/buffer tube mount.

3. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the at least one firearm component is a barrel receiver.

4. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the polymer/composite material is combined with the at least one firearm component by over molding.

5. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the polymer/composite material is combined with the at least one firearm component by insert molding.

6. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the polymer/composite material is combined with the at least one firearm component by fastening the at least one firearm component to the polymer/composite material.

7. The strengthened firearm of claim 1, wherein the polymer/composite material is combined with the at least one firearm component by gluing the polymer/composite material to the at least one metal/composite component.

8. A method for creating a strengthened polymer/composite firearm comprising:

forming at least one metal/composite material to a desired shape of at least one firearm component;

inserting the at least one metal/composite component in a polymer/composite firearm mold;

adding a polymer/composite material into the polymer/composite firearm mold; and

combining the at least one metal/composite component and the polymer/composite material into a strengthened firearm.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein combining the at least one metal/composite material to a polymer/composite material comprises over molding the polymer/composite material over the metal/composite part.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein combining the at least one metal/composite material to a polymer/composite material comprises insert molding the polymer/composite material over the at least one metal/composite part.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein combining the at least one metal/composite material to a polymer/composite material comprises fastening the polymer/composite material to the at least one metal/composite part.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein combining the at least one metal/composite material to a polymer/composite material comprises gluing the polymer/composite material to the at least one metal/composite part.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one metal/composite material is formed in the shape of a stock/buffer tube mount.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one metal/composite material is formed in the shape of a barrel receiver.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one metal/composite part comprises three metal/composite parts.