Thermal barrier for firearms and firearm provided with such a thermal barrier

• US 8,615,916 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• 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: Righi, Eugenio, Bassoli, Marco, Ansaldi, Ugo
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US13/334,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20130055616A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 42/96, 42/750.2, 42/760.2, 89/141, 89/16
• 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 for firearms, comprising:

at least one body made of a ceramic material, said body being positionable between a respective barrel of a firearm and at least one structure of said firearm, said body of said thermal barrier having a first portion suitable for remaining facing the barrel of said firearm, and a second portion facing the side opposite with respect to said first portion and suitable for bearing upon at least one portion of the structure of said firearm;

a first element made of a metal material, said first element having an internal substantially cylindrical surface which can be engaged at least partially on said barrel of said firearm and at least one outer surface facing the side opposite to said internal surface of said body, said outer surface being engaged to said body of said thermal barrier; and

a second element made of a polymeric material, said second element having an internal portion facing, at least in part, said second portion of said body of said thermal barrier, and an external portion facing the side opposite to said internal portion, said external portion being engageable to a portion of said at least one structure of the respective firearm, said body of said thermal barrier being placed between said first and second elements.

2. The thermal barrier according to claim 1, wherein said second portion of said body of said thermal barrier has at least one surface relief, for engagement of said second element to said body.

3. The thermal barrier according to claim 2, wherein said body and second element are joined to form a single piece by said second element being overmoulded on said body.

4. The thermal barrier according to claim 3, wherein said body and said first element are joined to form a single piece.

5. The thermal barrier according to claim 3, wherein said polymeric material of said second element has at least one of a glass-fiber and carbon-fiber filler.

6. The thermal barrier according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric material of said second element is a material with high thermal and structural resistance.

7. The thermal barrier according to claim 3, wherein at least one part of the polymeric material of said second element has undergone a process of crosslinking.

8. The thermal barrier according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic material of said body of said thermal barrier comprises at least one ceramic film or layer, which can be set between a respective barrel and said at least one structure of said firearm, wherein said ceramic film or layer is provided within said structure of a respective firearm to remain between the latter and the respective barrel.

9. A firearm comprising:

at least one barrel made of a metal material; and

at least one structure made of polymeric material;

further comprising at least one thermal barrier according to claim 1, said thermal barrier being placed between at least one part of said barrel and at least one part of said structure of said firearm.