Gas tube supports for post barrel plenum operated gas cycling system for automatic firearms

Abstract

A gas tube support system for a gas-actuated firearm contains an annular or bored housing for receipt of a gas tube therein, thereby securing the gas tube during operation of the firearm. At least one or more bores are drilled or formed within the annular or bored housing to provide an impingement of the gas tube as it extends through the annular or bored housing. One or more fasteners are threadedly or otherwise received within a corresponding one of one or more respective bores, thereby securing the gas tube within the annular or bored housing. A gas-actuated firearm containing the gas tube support system is also provided.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A support system of a gas tube for a gas-actuated firearm, said system comprising:
 a bored housing configured for attachment to said firearm, said bored housing containing a first bore defining at least one inner wall configured to contain a medial portion of a gas tube extending through said first bore and housing, and, configured to support and fix a medial portion of said tube therein.   
     
     
         11 . The support system of claim  9  wherein said bored housing includes a thermal break structure of a firearm receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The support system of claim  9  wherein said bored housing comprises said first bore adapted to route a gas tube therethrough, a second bore, and a fastener advanced into said second bore for fixing the position of said gas tube. 
     
     
         13 . The support system of  claim 11  wherein said second bore is substantially orthogonal to an axis of said first bore. 
     
     
         14 . A gas-actuated firearm comprising:
 a barrel having a barrel bore, a chamber end and a muzzle end;   a multi-chambered plenum;   a gas tube in fluid communication with said plenum, said gas tube having a forward end, a medial portion, and a rearward end; and   a bored housing fixed to said firearm,   wherein said gas tube extends through and is fixed within said bored housing thereby containing and supporting said medial portion of said gas tube.   
     
     
         15 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a plenum-mounting device at the muzzle end of said barrel; and a passage contained within said plenum-mounting device in fluid communication with said gas tube. 
 
     
     
         16 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising a fluted muzzle end of said barrel, wherein said fluted muzzle end is constrained within said muzzle. 
     
     
         17 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising a muzzle device fixed to said muzzle end of said barrel. 
     
     
         18 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 16  wherein said muzzle device and said bored housing are monolithically formed. 
     
     
         19 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a muzzle device fixed to the target end of said barrel, said bored housing fixed to said muzzle device, 
 wherein said gas tube extends from within said muzzle device and through said bored housing. 
 
     
     
         20 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising:
 said bored housing including a first annular wall receiving said gas tube and 
 a second annular wall at least partially surrounding said barrel proximate to said chamber end of said barrel. 
 
     
     
         21 . The gas-actuated firearm of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a first annular wall contained within said bored housing and surrounding said gas tube; and 
 a second annular wall contained within said bored housing and surrounding a medial portion of said barrel.