Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same

• US 7,137,219 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Original Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Inventors: Wössner, Ernst, Matt, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, Troy
• Application Number:
  US11/027,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20060032103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 42/750.2
• US Class Current: 42/75.02
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/48 Barrel mounting means, e.g. releasable mountings for replaceable barrels
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/484 using interlocking means, e.g. by sliding pins
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/08 Handles for carrying smallarms

Abstract

Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising:

a housing;

a removable barrel;

a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and

a carrying handle mounted to the housing and movable between a rest position and a carry position, the carrying handle cooperating with the latch such that the latch retains the removable barrel within the housing when the carrying handle is in the carry position;

wherein moving the carrying handle from the carry position to the rest position forces the latch into the secured state;

wherein the housing defines a longitudinal borehole to receive a rear end of the barrel;

the rear end of the barrel comprises a transversally extending recess;

the latch comprises a rotatable eccentric bar to selectively engage within the recess of the barrel; and

wherein the carrying handle is operatively coupled with the eccentric bar when the eccentric bar is engaged within the recess, but the carrying handle is disconnected from the eccentric bar when the eccentric bar is not engaged within the recess.

2. A firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises a spring biased slider to releasably secure the eccentric bar within the recess;

and wherein the carrying handle blocks the slider from releasing the eccentric bar when the carrying handle is in the rest position, but releases the slider for movement when in the carry position.

3. A firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the eccentric bar or the carrying handle is associated with a locking piece, which stops at least one of the eccentric bar or the carrying handle in at least one end position.

4. A firearm as defined in claim 1, further comprising a check plate mounted on the eccentric bar to prevent the eccentric bar from moving beyond end positions.

5. A firearm as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an extension mounted on the barrel;

the extension comprising;

a gas borehole in communication with the barrel;

a gas channel in communication with the gas borehole, extending parallel to the barrel, and ending in a plug;

a gas piston to receive the plug.