Gas Key

Abstract

A novel gas tube key reduces the time duration that a gap exists between the gas tube key and the gas tube of a rifle, thereby reducing the time duration and the amount of combustion gas that is released into the upper receiver and into the shooter's face during cycling of the rifle's action. The novel gas tube key comprises a key body and a key extension component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A novel gas tube key for a firearm, comprising:
 a base with one or more coupling locations;   a tube-shaped key body integral to or coupled to the base; and   a tube-shaped key extension coupled to the key body, an interior diameter dimension of the key extension being greater than an interior diameter dimension of the key body, the key extension having a tube port at a first end of the key extension, configured to receive a gas tube of the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key extension further includes a threaded fitting at a second end of the key extension, and wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via the threaded fitting. 
     
     
         3 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key body further includes a threaded portion at a first end of the key body, and wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via the threaded portion. 
     
     
         4 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key extension further includes a friction fitting at a second end of the key extension, and wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via the friction fitting. 
     
     
         5 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 4 , wherein the friction fitting is configured to be pressed into a first end of the key body. 
     
     
         6 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 4 , wherein the friction fitting is configured to be pressed over a first end of the key body. 
     
     
         7 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key extension further includes a bayonet-style fitting at a second end of the key extension, and wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via the bayonet-style fitting. 
     
     
         8 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key body further includes a bayonet-style receiver portion at a first end of the key body, and wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via the bayonet-style receiver portion. 
     
     
         9 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via heat, pressure, or a combination of heat and pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The novel gas tube key of  claim 1 , wherein an interior diameter dimension of the key body is less than an interior diameter dimension of an offset portion of the gas tube key that connects the key body to the base. 
     
     
         11 . A novel bolt carrier for a firearm, comprising:
 a bolt carrier body configured to receive a bolt and a firing pin;   a gas tube base coupled to the bolt carrier body, the gas tube base positioned over a gas port in the bolt carrier body;   a tube-shaped key body integral to or coupled to the gas tube base;   an offset tube integral to the key body and disposed between the key body and the gas tube base; and   a tube-shaped key extension coupled to the key body via a fitting, the key extension having a tube port at a first end of the key extension, configured to receive a gas tube of the firearm.   
     
     
         12 . The novel bolt carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises a friction fitting. 
     
     
         13 . The novel bolt carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises a threaded fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The novel bolt carrier of  claim 11 , wherein an interior diameter dimension of the key extension is greater than an interior diameter dimension of the key body. 
     
     
         15 . The novel bolt carrier of  claim 11 , wherein an interior diameter dimension of the key body is less than an interior diameter dimension of the offset tube. 
     
     
         16 . The novel bolt carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the key body includes a threaded portion on an outer surface of a mating end of the key body or on an inner surface of the mating end of the key body. 
     
     
         17 . A novel upper receiver for a firearm, comprising:
 a bolt carrier configured to receive a bolt and a firing pin;   a gas tube base coupled to the bolt carrier, the gas tube base positioned over a gas port of the bolt carrier;   a tube-shaped key body integral to or coupled to the gas tube base; and   a tube-shaped key extension coupled to or integral with the key body, the key extension having a tube port at a first end of the key extension configured to receive a gas tube of the firearm, and   wherein a length of the key extension is proportional to a predetermined time duration for a gap between the key extension and the gas tube during cycling of the action of the firearm.   
     
     
         18 . The novel upper receiver of  claim 17 , wherein the key extension is coupled to the key body via a twist-to-fit coupler. 
     
     
         19 . The novel upper receiver of  claim 17 , wherein an interior diameter dimension of the key extension is greater than an interior diameter dimension of the key body. 
     
     
         20 . The novel upper receiver of  claim 17 , wherein the key body and the key extension have mating threaded fittings.