Barrel nut assembly and method to attach a barrel to a firearm using such assembly

Abstract

A fixture for use with AR15/M16 type firearms is provided herein. The fixture is made up of several parts that when used in conjunction with one another mitigate the transfer of torque from the barrel nut to the firearms receiver during barrel installation. The fixture affords the user a method and apparatus that holds the barrel in alignment with the firearm receiver and secures the barrel against rotational movement during installation of a barrel nut or similar device. The fixture may be configured to work with the legacy AR15/M16 type barrel nut, as well as other designs as disclosed herein.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A barrel nut assembly apparatus comprising:
 a barrel nut assembly for connecting a firearm barrel to the receiver of a firearm, said barrel nut assembly including:   a barrel nut which is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a generally longitudinally extending bore extending between a back end of said barrel nut to a front end of said barrel nut, said bore having internal threads to be secured at the rear end to an externally threaded front end of the receiver, the front end of said bore being configured to receive a rear end portion of a firearm barrel therein; and   a locknut having external threads that engage with the internal threads on the barrel nut bore, enabling the locknut to be received within and connected to the barrel nut, said locknut being configured to compressively engage and secure said firearm barrel in position against said receiver as said locknut is screwed into the barrel nut and secured with a preset torque value, a rotational orientation of said barrel nut about the barrel being independent of torque applied to said locknut; and   a wrench with a cylindrical body having an opening at one end with a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom configured to engage with grooves formed on the forward face of said locknut, the wrench being used to rotate and secure said locknut against the annular flange of the firearm barrel; and   a fixture configured to receive a receiver of the firearm and the barrel nut and restrain both from rotational movement while said locknut is being torqued, said fixture providing a means for preventing the rotation of the firearm barrel during the rotation of said locknut.   
     
     
         4 . The barrel nut assembly apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the means for preventing the firearm barrel's rotation is provided in the form of a mandrel that is secured to said fixture, said mandrel has a portion at one end configured to engage with, and be received by, an extension portion of said firearm barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The barrel nut assembly apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said cylindrical body of said wrench defines a longitudinally extending opening therein configured to receive at least a portion of said barrel during installation of said locknut. 
     
     
         6 . A fixture assembly for securing a barrel to a firearm, comprising:
 a fixture assembly for securing a firearm barrel to a firearm receiver using a barrel nut, said fixture assembly including:   a barrel nut which is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a generally longitudinally extending bore extending from a back end of said nut along a longitudinal axis to a front end of the nut, said bore having internal threads to be secured at the rear end to an externally threaded front end of the receiver, the front end of said bore being configured to bear against an annular flange portion of the firearm barrel and thereby secure the firearm barrel to the receiver; and   a firearm barrel having an annular flange; and   a wrench, the wrench being used to rotate and secure the locknut against the annular flange of the firearm barrel; and   a fixture comprised of at least a mandrel, and a support base, said mandrel is configured to be received within an interior portion of the firearm receiver and engage with an extension member of the firearm barrel, said support base is configured to receive a portion of said firearm receiver and assist in rotationally restraining it during installation of the barrel nut.   
     
     
         7 . The fixture assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a clamp, said clamp being used to further secure the firearm receiver to said support base. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A barrel nut assembly apparatus comprising:
 A barrel nut assembly for connecting said barrel to said upper receiver, said barrel nut assembly including:   a barrel nut which is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a generally longitudinally extending bore extending from a back end of said nut along a longitudinal axis to a front end of the nut, said bore having internal threads to be secured at the rear end to an externally threaded front end of the receiver, the front end of said bore being configured to receive a rear end portion of the firearm barrel therein; and   a locknut having external threads that engage with the internal threads on the barrel nut bore, enabling the locknut to be received within and connected to the barrel nut, said locknut being configured to compressively engage and secure said firearm barrel in position against said receiver as the locknut is screwed into the barrel nut and secured to a preset torque value, a rotational orientation of said barrel nut about the barrel being independent of torque applied to the locknut; and   a wrench with a crescent shaped head having a plurality of teeth projecting from an inner periphery configured to engage with grooves formed on the forward face of the locknut, the wrench being used to rotate and secure the locknut against the annular flange of the barrel; and   a fixture configured to receive a receiver of the firearm and the barrel nut and restrain both from rotational movement while said locknut is being torqued.