US3118243A

US3118243A - Rifled barrel for firearms

Info

Publication number: US3118243A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1964 J. c. MANSHEL RIFLED BARREL FOR FIREARMS Filed May 17, 1961 IIIIIIIIIIDI III INVENTOR. JAc/r C/74/V5HEL United States Patent 3,118,243 RIFLED BARREL FOR FIREARMS Jack C. Manshel, R0. Box 186, Palmdale, Calif. Filed May 17, 1961, Ser. No. 110,688 1 Claim. (Cl. 4276) This invention relates to rifled barrel for firearms, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms and method of manufacture wherein a relatively thin wall, seamless tubing formed of titanium is rotary forged about a hardened mandrel to form a core which is then fitted within a preformed aluminum jacket which in turn is encased within a sheath of resin-bonded fiber glass, thereby providing a firearm barrel which is capable of rapid and extensive use without damage to the rifled core and with a minimum of heat transfer through the fiber glass sheath so that the barrel may be hand-held even after prolonged use.

Second, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms and method of manufacture, which incorporates flow passages between the aluminum jacket and fiber glass sheath which are ported near the ends of the barrel, and through which air circulates to aid in cooling the jacket and barrel core.

Third, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms which by the use of two particularly inert materials for the interior and exterior walls, the corrosive effect of powder residue, water, or other matter, which may be formed or enter the barrel core, is minimized, and damage to the exterior of the barrel due to climatic conditions is also minimized.

Fourth, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms which may be reduced to one-third the weight of a conventional barrel while materially increasing its resistance to wear and greatly increasing its useful life.

Fifth, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms wherein the combination of a titanium core, aluminum jacket, and fiber glass sheath has a dampening effect which reduces the arc of vibration of the barrel.

Sixth, to provide a rifled barrel for firearms which by reason of the fiber glass sheath may have any external color to meet camouflage or decorative requirements.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view of the rifled barrel for firearms;

FIGURES 2, 3, and 4 are enlarged, transverse, sectional views through 2-2, 33, and 4-4, respectively, of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged, idealized view taken through 5-5 of FIGURE 4, showing the manner in which the cooling passages are formed.

The rifled barrel includes a core 1 which is formed from a relatively thin wall tube of titanium. The core 1 when formed includes a rifled section 2. and a cartridgereceiving chamber 3. The core is formed by placing a tubular blank over a mandrel having grooves corresponding to the rifling ribs and ribs corresponding to the rifling grooves, and also having at one end the dimensions of the cartridge-receiving chamber 3. The blank is then subjected to a rotary-forming operation in such a manner as to squeeze or press the blank into intimate conformity with the mandrel.

The core 1 is fitted within a jacket 4, preferably of high strength aluminum alloy. This may be accomplished by preforming and boring the aluminum jacket 4, then inserting the titanium core 1 in a chilled condition within the jacket which has been preheated. Alternatively, the jacket 4 may be rotary-forged onto the core 1. Either before or after placement on the core 1, or if the jacket 4 is rotary-forged while on the core, longitudinal grooves 5 are formed in the jacket. These grooves ter- "ice minate short of the muzzle and breach ends of the barrel.

After the grooves 5 are formed, the jacket 4 is covered by a sheath 6 formed of fiber glass strands and which may be covered by fiber glass tape. Flexible mandrels 7 are placed in each of the grooves 5. Ends 8 of the mandrels are curved outwardly in conformity with the ends of the longitudinal grooves 5. With the mandrels 7 suitably held temporarily in place, glass fiber is wrapped around the jacket 4.

In the region of the protruding ends 8 of the mandrels 7, the strands of fiber are woven back and forth between the protruding ends so that the fibers run longitudinally between these ends as represented in FIGURE 4, whereas the fibers run circumferentially about the remaining po'rlticons of the jacket 4 as represented in FIGURES 2 an A suitable resin binder is utilized with the glass fibers so that the fibers are bonded to each other and to the jacket 4. The flexible mandrels 7, however, are treated with a release agent so that they may be withdrawn after the glass fibers have been wrapped about the mandrels and the resin has been cured. On removal of the flexible mandrels 7, end ports 9 are formed at the extremities of the longitudinal grooves.

In addition to the fiber glass, the surface of the sheath 6 may be covered with one or more layers of glass fiber tape 10, as represented in the transverse sectional views, FIGURES 2, 3, and 4. Prior to application of the glass fiber tape 10, the surface formed by the wrappings of glass fiber is sanded or machined to form a smooth surface for the glass fiber tape 10.

The breach end of the jacket 4 is internally screwthreaded to receive a breach fitting 11 which covers the rearward portion of the cartridge-receiving chamber 3. The breach fitting is externally screw-threaded in the conventional manner for attachment to the action mechanism of the firearm for which the barrel is intended. The muzzle end of the jacket 4 is externally screwthreaded to receive a muzzle fitting 12. The ends of the sheath 6 preferably abut the breach and muzzle fittings 11 and 12.

By utilizing titanium a core is provided which is only slightly more than half the weight of an equivalent core formed of steel. In addition, titanium is capable of withstanding much higher operating temperatures than an equivalent core of steel. More specifically, titanium has a melting point above that of steel, and its strength falls off at a substantially lower rate than steel. Still further, titanium is much more resistant to the corrosive effect of powder residue or the eflect of moisture.

The aluminum jacket 4 and the glass fiber sheath 6 are extremely light as compared to steel so that the completed gun barrel need weigh only a third of the weight of an equivalent steel barrel. By reason of the fact that the titanium core 1 is capable of withstanding elevated temperatures and the aluminum jacket 4 forms a substantial heat sink, it is possible to retard radiation through the sheath 6. That is, the sheath 6 may function as a partial insulator thus permitting the barrel to be handled during or after extensive use. The longitudinal grooves 5 provide means for circulation of air for the removal of heat, so as to reduce the amount of heat which must be transmitted through the sheath 6 itself.

It will also be noted that by use of the sheath 6 formed of glass fibers and resin it may be given any desired color, either for the purpose of camouflage or decoration.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the construction set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claim.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Haskell May 24, 1921 Coupland Mar. 22, 1938 Hartley et al. Aug. 19, 1958 Wilson May 10, 1960 Sullivan Dec' 27, 1960 Parlanti Apr. 25, 196 1