Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Handguard Assembly, Systems for Handguard Sleeve Attachments, and Related
Firearms and
Methods
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Handguards, sometime called "forends" or "forearms" are devices
to cover a
forearm's barrel. As a primary matter the handguard serves a safety purpose,
enabling the user
to grip the front area of the gun during use without danger of burning his/her
hand as the barrel
heats up. In addition, the handguard may be used as a carrier for various
other firearm
accessories or secondary weapons which can be attached to the handguard, for
example, bipods,
tactical lights, laser sights, night-vision devices, foregrips/handstops,
slings and the like.
[0002] In general, handguards are manufactured and sold to firearms
users as accessories.
As an accessory or "extra" it is desirable that the handguard does not add too
much additional
weight to the overall weight of the firearm. Therefore, lighter-weight
handguards are preferred.
Moreover, as an accessory, an individual user can periodically switch out
his/her current
handguard for a different type or model when and as he wishes. Thus, the ease
with which a
given handguard can be installed is also a significant selling point to the
user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention as described herein includes a handguard assembly
for attachment to
an upper receiver of a firearm. Included in the invention is a barrel nut. The
barrel nut extends
from a first end to second end and has a convexly curving outer surface that
defines an annular
groove extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the barrel
nut. The
handguard sleeve has a first end and a second end.
[0004] The adapter is structured to be capable of mechanical attachment
to the handguard
sleeve at the handguard sleeve's first end and had a first end that has an
internal diameter that is
dimensioned so that the second end of the barrel nut is insertable into the
first end of the
adapter. The adapter further includes an adapter body comprising a wall having
an outer
surface and at least one wedge pocket is disposed on the outer surface of the
adapter body wall,
the wedge pocket comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the
lower portion
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comprises a slot in the outer surface of the wall having a bottom in the
adapter body, and the
upper portion comprises an aperture defined by the adapter body wall.
[0005] Included also is at least one locking wedge having an upper
section and a lower
section, wherein the upper section is dimensioned to be insertable into and
through the aperture
of the upper portion of the wedge pocket and the lower section is dimensioned
to be biased into
the slot of the lower portion of the wedge pocket, and wherein the upper
section bears an upper
surface that includes a concavely curving surface and a center-placed tab
extending from the
upper surface, the tab being dimensioned to be insertable into the annular
groove of the barrel
nut and the concavely curving surface having a slope substantially the same as
the slope of the
convexly curving outer surface of the barrel nut so that when the tab is
inserted into the annular
groove of the barrel nut the concavely curving surface is positioned
concentrically adjacent to
the convexly curving outer surface of the barrel nut.
[0006] Also within the scope of the invention are related systems and
methods of
mounting the systems and/or the assemblies of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred
embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in
conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the
drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,
however, that
the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown. In the
drawings:
[0008] Fig. 1 is perspective view of the handguard assembly of an
embodiment of the
invention;
[0009] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the assembly of the
invention
including a barrel nut, two locking wedges, an adapter, a handguard sleeve
body, rail and
associated screws, and end cap;
[0010] Fig. 3 shows an exploded, top view of an embodiment of the
invention assembled on
a firearm;
[0011] Fig. 4 shows an exploded, side view of an embodiment of the
invention assembled
on a firearm;
[0012] Fig. 5 shows several views of a barrel nut of the invention in an
embodiment;
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[0013] Fig. 6 (two sheets) shows several views of an adapter of the
invention in an
embodiment;
[0014] Fig. 7 shows several view of the locking wedge of the invention
in an embodiment;
[0015] Fig. 8 shows several view of an embodiment of the handguard
sleeve (sleeve body
and rail);
[0016] Fig. 9 shows a step by step process for mounting the an
embodiment of the assembly
of the invention to a firearm; and
[0017] Fig. 10 shows a portion of the adapter bearing a wedge pocket in
an embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The invention described herein includes a handguard assembly for
use on a firearm,
particularly an AK 15 platform sporting rifle, as wells as related methods,
such as methods of
installing the assembly and the like. The assembly includes a barrel nut, a
handguard sleeve, an
adapter having at least one wedge pocket, and at least one corresponding
locking wedge. Also
included is a system for mounting a handguard sleeve to a firearm that
includes a barrel nut, an
adapter having at least one wedge pocket, and at least one corresponding
locking wedge.
Firearms mounted with such assemblies or systems are contemplated as within
the invention's
scope, as are methods of attaching and/or mounting the assemblies or systems.
[0019] The assemblies of the invention are advantageous at least because
they are
lightweight, yet ridged and durable, and can be installed quickly and easily
to the firearm by an
average firearms user. The assemblies of the invention employ an attachment
mechanism that
is located within the handguard sleeve, not cluttering up the external surface
of the sleeve.
Moreover, unlike prior art assemblies, the attachment mechanism of the
assemblies of the
invention utilizes locking wedges (described herein, infra) that are designed
to form an
enduring lock so compression force alone is not relied upon for pullout
strength and a single
screw is used, thereby substantially eliminating the possibility of
installation bias.
[0020] For convenience, the assemblies are described herein in the
contest of a standard AK
15 platform firearm. However, they could also be employed with minimal and
routine
modifications on numerous other types of firearms, e.g., without limitation,
firearms of the M-
16 style, the AR-10 style, the M-4 style, various other hunting and sporting
rifles, and sniper-
type rifles.
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[0021] Use of the reference to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some
embodiments,"
or similar as used herein in intended to mean that a particular described
feature, structure, or
characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances
of the phrases
"in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in some embodiments" in various
places
throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same
embodiment. Furthermore,
any of the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined
or omitted in any
suitable manner in one or more embodiments "mix and match" style.
[0022] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 (a perspective view and an
exploded view,
respectively, of the handguard assembly of an embodiment of the invention),
the invention
includes a handguard assembly that can be used to attach a handguard to an
upper receiver of a
firearm. The handguard assembly 90 includes an attachment system 100 that is a
subset of the
assembly, as described further below.
[0023] The handguard assembly includes a barrel nut 106, an adapter 124,
and a handguard
sleeve 118, that itself may include a handguard body 168, rail 166, and end
cap 160.
[0024] Looking to Figure 3 and 4, an embodiment of the assembly of the
invention is
shown assembled on a firearm 102. In the exploded view of Figure 3, one can
see the barrel nut
106 that has been threaded along the length of the firearm barrel 176, flowed
by the adapter 124
and the handguard sleeve 118 (which, in this view having been pre-attached).
Flanking the
assembly in the exploded view of Figure 3 are a first locking wedge 136a and a
second locking
wedge 136b and corresponding mechanical fasteners 162a and 162b, which is this
embodiment
are screws, that are inserted in corresponding hole (not shown in Figures 3
and 4; see Figure 7)
in the lower sections 140 of the locking wedges 136.
[0025] Referencing Figures 1 to 4, in an embodiment, the barrel nut 106
includes a
substantially cylindrical interior channel 184 and having a length dimension
114 that extends
from a first end 108 to a second end 110. An outer surface 112 has a convex
curve owing to the
cylindrical structure of the barrel nut with a curve slope 178. The outer
surface 112 of the
barrel nut 106 defines annular groove 180 that is positioned substantially
midway between the
first end 108 and the second end 110 of the barrel nut 106. In various
embodiments, the
position of the annular groove may be varied to be closer or farther from the
first end as
desired.
[0026] The annular groove may have dimensions adapted to pair with the
dimensions of the
particular adapter and/or locking wedges to which it is paired. As an
illustration, in an
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-01
embodiment of the invention the annular groove 180 extends partially through
the body wall
182 of the barrel nut 106; in some embodiments it may extend all the way
through. In an
embodiment the depth dimension of the annular groove (as measured from the
outer surface
112 to the bottom of the groove) is about 20% to about 80% of the depth
dimension of the body
wall 182, that is, for example without limitation, if the body wall 182 is 1
centimeter thick, than
the depth of the groove may be about 2mm to about 8mm.
[0027] In practice of the assembly of the invention, the barrel nut is
attached to the upper
receiver of a forearm as discussed above. Such attachment may include
mechanical or
chemical fastenings. In an embodiment, it may be preferred that the first end
108 of the barrel
nut 106 includes a female threaded surface 116 that corresponds to a male
threaded surface (not
shown) present on the end of the upper receiver. The barrel nut can then be
attached by
engaging the two threaded surfaces. Other details of the barrel nut in a
specific embodiment are
shown in Figure 6.
[0028] The assembly further includes a handguard sleeve 118, with
reference to Figures 1-4
.. and 8, which in an embodiment may include a sleeve body 168, a rail 166 and
an endcap 160.
The handguard sleeve 118 extends from a first end 120 to a second end 122 and
contains a
channel 186 of a sufficient dimension to permit passage of the firearm's
barrel and/or muzzle
through the channel.
[0029] In the embodiment shown herein, the channel 183 is defined by the
eight sidewalls
188a-f of the sleeve body 168 thereby providing a channel that is hexagonal-
shaped when
viewed in cross section. In other embodiments, the channel may have a cross
section of any
shape; however, it may be preferred that the cross section is a shape that
permits the handguard
sleeve to present external flat outer sidewall surfaces (e.g., septagonal,
square, triangular, etc.).
This facilitates attachment to the sleeve of various firearm accessories or
secondary weapons
can be attached to the handguard, for example, bipods, tactical lights, laser
sights, night-vision
devices, foregrips/handstops, slings and the like. In addition, in an
embodiment, the sidewall(s)
188 of sleeve body 168 may include various cutouts 172 that may act as vents
to permit
ventilation, decorative elements, and/or to provide attachment points.
[0030] In an embodiment, the upper most sidewall 118a of the sleeve body
168 is attached
.. to a rail 166 which extends along a length of the sleeve body 168. The rail
may be attached to
the sleeve body via, for example, a series of screws 170, as is shown herein.
Also, to the sleeve
body 168, at its second end 122 may be attached an endcap 160.
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[0031] The assembly further includes an adapter 124, with reference to
Figures 1-4, 6 and
10. The adapter 124 is structured to be mechanically attached to the handguard
sleeve 118 at,
preferably, at or near the first end of the sleeve 118. The adapter 124 is
substantially cylindrical
and includes a channel 190 extending from a first end 126 to a second end 128
and defined by
an adapter body 132. At the first end 136 the channel has an interior diameter
dimension 130
that is sized so that the second end of the of the barrel nut is at least
partially insertable into the
second end of the adapter. Thus, when assembled, the end of the adapter is
slid overtop of the
barrel nut so that the upper portion 144 of the wedge pocket 142 (described
below) of the
adapter directly overlays the annular channel of barrel nut.
[0032] In an embodiment, the adapter further includes an adapter body has a
wall 192 with
an outer surface 134. At least one wedge pocket 142 is disposed on the outer
surface 134 of the
adapter body 132.
[0033] The wedge pocket 142 includes an upper portion 144 and a lower
portion 146. The
upper portion 144 includes an aperture 150 that is defined by the adapter body
wall 192 and
shaped to receive an upper section 138 of a locking wedge 136, described
below.
[0034] The lower portion 146 of the wedge pocket includes a slot 148 in
the outer surface
of the adapter body wall 192. The slot 148 is shaped to receive the lower
section 140 of the
locking wedge 136 as described below.
[0035] In an embodiment, the adapter includes at least two wedge
pockets. Preferably,
each wedge pocket is spaced apart a distance from the other. In an embodiment,
the adapter
includes two wedge pockets disposed on opposite sides of the adapter. In the
embodiment, it
may be preferred that each of the wedge pockets is positioned on the adapter
to be disposed
center of bore when assembled on the firearm.
[0036] With reference to Figure 7, the assembly further includes one or
more locking
wedge(s) that correspond to the wedge pocket(s). The locking wedge 136
includes an upper
section 138 and a lower section 140. The upper section 138 is dimensioned to
be insertable into
and through the aperture 150 of the upper portion 144 of the corresponding
wedge pocket 142.
The upper portion 144 of the locking wedge 136 has a concavely curving upper
surface 152.
The concave curve of the upper surface 152 has a curve slope that corresponds
to the curve
slope of the convex curve of the outer surface of the barrel nut. Thus, in
practice when the
locking wedge 136 is inserted in the wedge pocket 142, the locking wedge upper
surface 152 is
nested concentrically against the outer surface 112 of the barrel nut 106.
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[0037] In the embodiment of the invention shown herein, the upper
surface 152 of the upper
section 138 of the locking wedge 136 further includes a tab 154 that extends
from the upper
surface. In an embodiment it may be preferred that the tab is center-placed,
i.e., that it is
disposed approximately equidistantly between the lateral edges 194a, 194b of
the locking
wedge 136. When this embodiment is assembled the locking wedge is fitted into
the wedge
pocket so that the tab is engaged within the annular channel of the barrel nut
and, as above, the
locking wedge upper surface 152 is nested concentrically against the outer
surface 112 of the
barrel nut 106.
[0038] The invention further includes a system for mounting a handguard
sleeve to a
firearm that includes at minimum, a barrel nut and an adapter, each as
described herein.
[0039] Firearms bearing either the system or the assembly of the
invention, each as
described herein are further contemplated within the scope of the invention.
[0040] Also included are methods of mounting or assembling the system or
assembly onto
a firearm. With reference to Figure 9, the method in an embodiment includes
obtaining a
firearm, such as for example without limitation, forearms of an AK 15 style,
an M-16 style, an
AR-10 style, an M-4 style, a hunting rifle, a sporting rifles, and a sniper-
type rifle.
[0041] The firearm is disassembled to expose the male threaded portion
of the upper
receiver. The bore is then passed through the interior channel of the barrel
nut and the female
threaded surface of the barrel nut is engaged with the male threaded surface
of the upper
.. receiver. The disassembled portions of the firearm are reattached (e.g.,
gas block, muzzle
device).
[0042] Separately, the adapter at its second end is fitted to the first
end of the handguard
sleeve. Such fitting may occur by use of fasteners (e.g., screws),
corresponding threaded
surfaces or otherwise mechanically engaging surfaces, or chemical adherents
(e.g., epoxy).
[0043] The adapter-sleeve part is then slid over the barrel of the firearm
adapter end first.
The first end of the adapter slides overtop the outer surface of the barrel
nut with the anti
rotation tabs on either side of the upper receiver. The locking wedges are
then inserted into the
wedge pockets of the adapter, with the tabs of the locking wedges facing
inward and upwards
towards the barrel. The upper section of the locking wedge is inserted in the
wedge pocket so
that the at least a portion of it is passed through the aperture of the
adapter pocket and it tabs
engage with the annular channel of the barrel nut and its at least a portion
of its concave
surfaces are substantially in contact with at least a portion of the
corresponding outer, convexly
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curving surface of the bane! nut. If desired, the countersunk locking wedges
can be secured by
passing a screw through the first locking wedge and into the second locking
wedge.
[0044] In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the
various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific
details or with other
methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known
structures,
materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid
obscuring aspects of
the embodiments.
[0045] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes
could be made to the
embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed,
but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the
present invention as
defined by the appended claims.
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