Exchangeable barrel modules for firearms

• US 7,661,348 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Original Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Inventors: Murello, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber; Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US11/925,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20080216378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 89/65, 42/750.2
• US Class Current: 89/6.5
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 11/02 Modular concepts, e.g. weapon-family concepts
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/10 Insert barrels, i.e. barrels for firing reduced calibre ammunition and being mounted within the normal barrels
• 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 method and apparatus are described for an exchangeable barrel module for a firearm equipped with the same. An example firearm includes an exchangeable barrel module, which includes a barrel and a barrel jacket. The barrel module also includes a range finder, control electronics, a transmitter to transfer the result of the control electronics to a projectile, an operating element, and a power supply. Further, the barrel jacket holds the barrel and at least a portion of the range finder, the control electronics, the transmitter, the operating elements, or the power supply.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising:

an exchangeable barrel module for the firing of intelligent ammunition comprising;

a barrel extending through a barrel jacket;

the barrel jacket hingably coupled to a housing of the firearm and movable between a loading position and a firing position; and

control elements including, a range finder, control electronics, a transmitter to transfer the result of the control electronics to a projectile, an operating element, and a power supply,

wherein the barrel jacket holds the barrel, the range finder, the control electronics, the transmitter, the operating elements, and the power supply.

2. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrel module further includes a display element.

3. The firearm as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one recess in a housing adjacent to the barrel jacket that can be penetrated by the barrel jacket.

4. The firearm as defined in claim 3, wherein the barrel and the barrel jacket can be swung out laterally relative to the firearm, wherein the recess is positioned on the side opposite the swinging out of the barrel, and wherein the barrel jacket further includes a protuberance engaging into the recess when the barrel module is in a closed position.

5. The firearm as defined in claim 4, wherein the protuberance holds the power supply.

6. The firearm as defined in claim 5, wherein an the exchanged barrel is of equal or greater caliber than the barrel.

7. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the firearm includes a rifle grenade device.

8. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the firearm is a drop barrel weapon.

9. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrel and the barrel jacket can be swung out laterally relative to the firearm, wherein the barrel jacket includes an outward swinging side, and wherein the operating element is coupled to the outward swinging side of the barrel jacket.

10. The firearm as defined in claim 1, further comprising a shoulder support.

11. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrel module may be exchanged for an exchanged barrel that does not have at least one of the range finder, the control electronics, the transmitter, the operating elements or the power supply.

12. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrel is made of a material that will not impair the transferring of magnetic impulses.

13. The firearm as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrel is made of a titanium-based material.

14. A barrel module for use with a firearm for the firing of intelligent ammunition comprising:

a barrel extending through a barrel jacket;

the barrel jacket hingably coupled to a housing of the firearm and movable between a loading position and a firing position; and

control elements, including a range finder, control electronics, a transmitter to transfer the result of the control electronics to a projectile, an operating element, and a power supply,

wherein the barrel jacket holds the barrel, the range finder, the control electronics, the transmitter, the operating elements, and the power supply.

15. The barrel module as defined in claim 14, wherein the barrel module is exchangeable.

16. The barrel module as defined in claim 14, wherein the barrel module further includes a display element.

17. The barrel module as defined in claim 14, wherein the barrel jacket further includes a protuberance engaging into a recess on the firearm when the barrel module is in a closed position.

18. The barrel module is defined in claim 17, wherein the protuberance holds the power supply.

19. The barrel module as defined in claim 14, wherein the barrel is made of a titanium-based material.

20. The barrel module as defined in claim 14, wherein the barrel is made of a material that will not impair the transferring of magnetic impulses.