Firearm Impingement Block Having Spring Valve Gas Relief

Abstract

A firearm impingement apparatus that is operable to divert gas flowing into the gas block of the impingement apparatus in a first direction and a second direction so as to reduce the temperature and contamination thereof. The gas block includes a gas block port line that is in axial alignment with a gas vent tube located on a barrel of a firearm. The gas block further includes a spring valve assembly. The spring valve assembly includes a cylindrical body having a hollow passage with opening on each end. A spring is captively secured within the hollow passage and further biases a ball bearing disposed within the hollow passage against an opening. The ball bearing is movable intermediate a first position and a second position wherein in the second position the ball bearing permits the second direction of gas flow to exit the gas block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm impingement apparatus comprising:
 a gas block,   a barrel-mating sleeve, said barrel mating sleeve being integrally formed with said gas block;   a gas block port line, said gas block port line having a hollow passage, said gas block port line extending through said gas block, said gas block port line being in axial alignment with a vent line of a barrel of a firearm;   a spring valve assembly, said spring valve assembly being releasably secured to said gas block, said spring valve assembly operable to direct a gas flow exiting from a vent line of a barrel of a firearm in a first direction and a second direction, said spring valve assembly further including a body, said body having a hollow passage, said body having a spring disposed within said hollow passage, said spring valve further including a plug, said plug being movable within said hollow passage; and   wherein the spring valve assembly is operable to divert the gas flow entering the gas block in a first direction and a second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , and further including threads, said threads being circumferentially formed on said body, said threads operable to releasably secure said spring valve assembly to said gas block. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said spring is operable to bias said plug in a first position. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said plug is moved from said first position to a second position subsequent gas entering said gas block. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the second direction of gas flow passes through the hollow passage of the spring valve assembly subsequent the plug being moved to said second position. 
     
     
         6 . A firearm impingement apparatus operable to divert gas flowing thereinto in a first direction and a second direction comprising:
 a gas block,   a barrel-mating sleeve, said barrel mating sleeve being integrally formed with said gas block;   a gas block port line, said gas block port line having a hollow passage, said gas block port line extending through said gas block, said gas block port line being in axial alignment with a vent line of a barrel of a firearm;   a spring valve assembly, said spring valve assembly being releasably secured to said gas block, said spring valve assembly having a body, said body being cylindrical in shape, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having a first opening proximate said first end and a second opening proximate said second end, said body having a hollow passage therethrough wherein said hollow passage is in fluid communication with said first opening and said second opening, said spring valve assembly further including a spring, said spring being captively secured within said hollow passage of said body, said spring having a first end and a second end, said spring valve assembly further including a ball bearing, said ball bearing being mounted within said hollow passage adjacent to said first end of said spring, said spring being operable to bias said ball bearing in its first position; and   wherein the spring valve assembly is operable to divert the gas flow entering the gas block in a first direction and a second direction.   
     
     
         7 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first direction of gas flow is directed so as to facilitate the cycling of a carrier of a firearm in a firing chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the second direction of gas flow is operable to transition said ball bearing from its first position to a second position, wherein in said second position said ball bearing has traversed along said hollow passage away from said first opening so as permit the second direction of gas flow to enter the hollow passage of said body of the spring valve assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the second direction of gas flow propagates the second opening of said body of the spring valve assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm impingement apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , and further including threads, said threads being circumferentially formed on said body, said threads operable to releasably secure said spring valve assembly to said gas block.