U.S. patent application number 12/870838 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for rifle handguard system with integrated barrel nut.
Invention is credited to Robert Bruce Davies.
Application Number | 20110016762 12/870838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43496056 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110016762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davies; Robert Bruce |
January 27, 2011 |
RIFLE HANDGUARD SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED BARREL NUT
Abstract
A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a
receiver, the hand guard system includes a barrel nut having an
inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage
the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer
surface, and a tubular handguard having an end. The tubular
handguard is receivable about the barrel and is received about the
barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof.
Inventors: |
Davies; Robert Bruce;
(Tempe, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert Bruce Davies
433 East McKinley Street
Tempe
AZ
85281-1026
US
|
Family ID: |
43496056 |
Appl. No.: |
12/870838 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11361036 |
Feb 23, 2006 |
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12870838 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/487 20130101;
F41C 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/75.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/48 20060101
F41A021/48 |
Claims
1. A handguard comprising: a tubular portion, where the tubular
portion has a tubular surface, where the tubular surface has a
plurality of openings and where the tubular portion has a
non-circular cross-section; a first inner portion of the tubular
portion, where the first inner portion is configured to fit over a
barrel nut; an alignment section, where the alignment section is
configured to be fastened to at least one of a receiver, a barrel,
and a barrel nut; and a rail, where the alignment section, the
tubular portion, and the rail are manufactured as single unit.
2. The handguard according to claim 1, further comprising: a
channel in the tubular portion, where a portion of a gas push rod
operating system fits within the channel.
3. The handguard according to claim 1, further comprising: a second
rail, where the second rail is operatively attached to the
receiver, where the alignment section is configured so that when
the alignment section is fastened, the rail and the second rail are
aligned.
4. The handguard according to claim 3, further comprising: a third
rail, where the third rail is operatively attached to the tubular
portion, where the third rail is substantially parallel to the
second rail.
5. The handguard according to claim 1, where the alignment section
is at least one of a protrusion, a hole configured to accept an
alignment pin, and a threaded hole configured to accept an
alignment screw.
6. The handguard according to claim 1, where the inner portion s
configured to fit snuggly over the barrel nut, where when the
tubular portion is stressed the first inner portion contacts the
barrel nut.
7. The handguard according to claim 6, where the tubular portion
has a long axis running through the middle of the tubular portion,
were any cross-section of the tubular portion perpendicular to the
long axis is symmetric.
8. The handguard according to claim 7, where the plurality of
openings are periodic along a direction parallel to the long
axis.
9. The handguard according to claim 5, further comprising: a
fastener, where the fastener s at least one of a screw, pin, and
latch, where the fastener is used to secure the alignment section
to at least one of the top of the receiver, the side of the
receiver, and the bottom of the receiver.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of Co-Pending Reissue
application Ser. No. 11/361,036, filed Feb. 23, 2006 for U.S. Pat.
No. 6,694,660 issued Feb. 24, 2004 (U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/105,700 filed Mar. 25, 2002). (i.e., a Bauman type
continuation application).
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to rifle accessories. More
particularly, the present invention relates to handguards for
rifles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Long guns, and in particular rifles, have long been known.
Rifles, due to their length, are typically fired using two hands.
One hand is placed proximate the trigger assembly and the other is
typically placed down the barrel from the trigger assembly. Rifles
conventionally include a stock fabricated of wood. The stock
typically includes a fore stock which extends some distance down
the barrel. The fore stock is grasped by the shooter to provide
balance and facilitate aiming the rifle. The shooter's hand is
protected from the heat of the barrel during firing by the fore
stock. Many modern rifles often employ synthetic materials for the
stock, and still employ a fore stock. Other rifles do not include a
single stock, but have a receiver to which a butt stock and a
barrel are attached. The hand of a shooter is protected from the
barrel by a handguard attached to the barrel. The M16 with its
various permutations is an example of this type of rifle.
[0004] In an M16, a handguard consists of an upper and a lower
handguard fitted around the barrel and attached thereto at both
ends. While effective for protecting the hand of a shooter,
pressure on and from the handguard can cause minor flexing of the
barrel. Flexing or distortion of the barrel can cause sighting
problems and bullet deflections, each of which is detrimental to
accuracy. Additionally, multiple parts are required for attachment
of the handguard, increasing complexity, cost and difficulty of
attachment.
[0005] It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved handguard system with attachment at only
one end.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a handguard
system which can be employed on existing rifles.
[0008] And another object of the invention is to provide a
handguard system that is easily installed and aligned.
[0009] And yet another object of the invention is to provide a
handguard system which will improve accuracy.
SUMMARY
[0010] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant
invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof,
provided is a handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel
and a receiver. The hand guard system includes a barrel nut having
an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably
engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an
outer surface, and a tubular handguard having an end. The tubular
handguard is receivable about the barrel and is received about the
barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof.
[0011] In a more specific aspect, provided is an extension rail
coupled to the handguard. The extension rail includes a receiver
portion extending beyond the handguard, a dovetail groove formed in
an underside of the receiver portion of the extension rail having a
cross-sectional shape substantially identical to a cross-sectional
shape of the rail on the receiver, for receipt of the rail therein,
and fastening members for fastening the extension rail to the rail.
A portion of the tubular handguard underlying the extension rail is
removed to form a channel therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and
advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of
a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an upper
receiver and barrel assembly of an M16A2 rifle;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the rifle of FIG. 1
with portions of the barrel and upper receiver illustrated, showing
the conventional handguard replaced by a handguard system according
to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the handguard
system and the integrated barrel nut according to the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an end view of the integrated barrel nut of the
handguard system of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the integrated barrel nut of FIG.
4, with a portion 5-5 cut away;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded side view illustrating a
portion of a rifle with the handguard system according to the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded side plan view of the handguard and
extension rail of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the handguard of the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is an end view of the handguard and extension rail of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which is a partial
exploded view of a rifle 10 of the type referred to as an M16A2,
illustrating an upper receiver 11, a barrel 12 and a handguard
system 14. Barrel 12 has a base end 18 and a muzzle end 19.
Handguard system 14 is used to cover barrel 12 intermediate base
end 18 and muzzle end 19 to provide a comfortable grip and to
provide protection for a shooter's hand from the heat of barrel 12
during firing. Base end 18 of barrel 12 is attached to upper
receiver 11 by a barrel nut 20.
[0023] A spring loaded delta ring 22 fits over barrel nut 20 and is
part of handguard system 14 for retaining an upper handguard 23 and
a lower hand guard 24. Delta ring 22 is biased forwardly, toward
muzzle end 19 of barrel 12 by a spring 26 and retaining ring 27. A
front sight assembly 28 is fixed to barrel 12 proximate muzzle end
19 and includes a tube cap 30. The grip halves are fitted between
delta ring 22 and tube cap 30. Insertion and removal is
accomplished by forcing delta ring 22 rearwardly, against the bias,
increasing the separation between delta ring 22 and tube cap 30.
Ends of upper handguard 23 and lower hand guard 24 are inserted
into delta ring 22, and the opposing ends are received by tube cap
30. Delta ring 22 is then permitted to return to the normal forward
position, securing upper handguard 23 and lower hand guard 24. A
gas tube 32 extends along barrel 12 between an operating mechanism
carried by upper receiver 11 and tube cap 30. Gas tube 32 extracts
gas from barrel 12 during firing and redirects it back to the
operating mechanism.
[0024] While somewhat effective, attachment of both ends of the
grip to the barrel can distort the accuracy of the rifle. Pressure
or torque by the shooter on the hand guard translates directly into
pressure on the barrel. Additionally, heating of the handguard by
heat from the barrel can cause expansion of the handguard.
Distortion of the handguard can put pressure on the barrel. Any
pressure can flex the barrel, even to the slightest degree, which
will cause a sighting error and deflection of the bullet.
[0025] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of a rifle 40 is
illustrated. Rifle 40 is illustrated as an M16A3, but it will be
understood that other rifles similar to that described above can be
modified with a handguard system according to the present
invention, generally designated 50. A portion of an upper receiver
42 is illustrated with a barrel 43 having a base end 44 received by
a barrel receiving receptacle 45 of upper receiver 42. A flange 47
extends around the outer circumference of barrel 43 proximate base
end 44 of barrel 43 and abuts barrel receiving receptacle 45 when
base end 44 is inserted into upper receiver 42. An alignment pin 48
extends from barrel 43 proximate flange 47 to facilitate proper
alignment of barrel 43 when base end 44 is inserted into upper
receiver 42. When barrel 43 is properly inserted and aligned, an
integrated barrel nut 52 is threaded onto barrel receiving
receptacle 45 of upper receiver 42 and engages flange 47, securely
holding barrel 43 in position.
[0026] With additional reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, integrated
barrel nut 52 includes an inner surface having a threaded portion
53 and a reduced portion 54 separated by a shoulder 55. Reduced
portion 54 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of threaded
portion 53 and flange 47, but sufficient to allow passage of barrel
43 therethrough. Threaded portion 53 is adapted to threadably
engage barrel receiving receptacle 45, with shoulder 55 engaging
flange 47. When threaded securely, integrated barrel nut 52 fastens
barrel 43 to upper receiver 42 with shoulder 55 holding flange 47
against barrel receiving receptacle 45.
[0027] Still referring to FIGS. 2-5, integrated barrel nut 52
further includes an outer surface 57 having an outer diameter.
Parallel passages 58 extend longitudinally through integrated
barrel nut 52 intermediate the inner surface and outer surface 57,
and are formed entirely about the circumference thereof. Passages
58 provide space through which an operating or push rod 59 passes.
Since integrated barrel nut 52 must be threaded onto upper receiver
42, the plurality of passages 58 insures one will align
properly.
[0028] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, once integrated
barrel nut 52 is secured in position, a tubular handguard 60 is
received about barrel 43. Handguard 60 has an end 65 defining an
inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of
integrated barrel nut 52. End 65 is received about outer surface 57
of integrated barrel nut 52 and secured thereto by a rail extension
which will be described presently, by a plurality of fasteners such
as headed screws extending through apertures formed in handguard
60, or both. Handguard 60 is attached such that it is spaced from
barrel 43 and attached only at integrated barrel nut 52. In this
manner, a handguard is provided which is attached only at end 65
and thus will not deflect or put pressure on the barrel.
[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 6, handguard system 50 preferably
includes a rail extension generally designated 70. Upper receiver
42 includes a rail portion 71 on an upper surface. Rail portion 71
is employed for the attachment of various accessories such as
sights, scopes, etc. Often, however, the existing rail on upper
receiver 42 is too short for many purposes. Thus, extension rail 70
can be employed to extend the rail down barrel 43 along handguard
60.
[0030] Extension rail 70 is fastened to the top of cylindrical
handguard 60 with a receiver portion 72 extending outwardly past
end 65. Extension rail 70 can be fastened to handguard 60 in many
diverse ways, but a preferred method will be described presently.
As handguard 60 is received over barrel 43, receiver portion 72 of
extension rail 70 is fitted over rail 71. Receiver portion 72 of
extension rail 70 is formed with an underside defining a dovetail
slot 80. Slot 80 is shaped to receive rail 71 therein. Receiver
portion 72 of extension rail 70 is preferably of a length
substantially identical to or shorter than the length of rail 71.
In this manner, when handguard 60 is correctly positioned, receiver
portion 72 of extension rail 70 substantially covers rail 71. If
receiver portion 72 is shorter than rail 71, a portion of rail 71
is exposed for attachment of accessory devices. Receiver portion 72
of extension rail 70 is fastened to rail 71 with set screws 82
extending through apertures 83 and engaging the top of rail 71.
Receiver portion 72 of extension rail 70 aligns with rail 71 such
that apertures 83 overlie grooves or notches formed in rail 71. Set
screws 82 extend through apertures 83 and into the notches of rail
71 preventing longitudinal movement thereof. While extending the
rail, extension rail 70 additionally acts to reinforce and help
stabilize handguard 60. Set screws 82 extend through the top of
extension rail 70 and engage the top of rail 71. Thus, when
tightened, set screws 82 force rail 70 from rail 71 securely
engaging the dovetail equally on both sides.
[0031] Turning now to FIG. 7, a method of attaching extension rail
70 to handguard 60 is illustrated. With momentary reference to FIG.
8, handguard 60 includes space 90 extending longitudinally along an
upper surface thereof. Opposing sides of Space 90 are
intermittently connected by bridges 92, each having an aperture 93.
Extension rail 70 is coupled to handguard 60 with screws 94
extending concurrently through apertures 95 formed therein and
apertures 93. Once securely positioned, rail 70 is welded to
handguard 60. Screws 94 are removed and bridges 92 are cut from the
edges of space 90 and also removed. Referring now to FIG. 9, by
removing bridges 92, a channel 98 is formed along handguard 60 and
extension rail 70 which provides the space necessary for the
operation of the push rod system.
[0032] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
[0033] Having fully described the invention in such clear and
concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand
and practice the same, the invention claimed is.
* * * * *