U.S. patent application number 14/800818 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for rifle handguard with grip.
This patent application is currently assigned to F-1 RESERACH, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is F-1 RESEARCH, LLC. Invention is credited to CRAIG LARUE WILLITS.
Application Number | 20170016695 14/800818 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57774875 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170016695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILLITS; CRAIG LARUE |
January 19, 2017 |
RIFLE HANDGUARD WITH GRIP
Abstract
This invention relates to a forearm "free floating" handguard
for high rate of fire semiautomatic rifles and carbines such as the
M16 family. More particularly, a handguard is disclosed that
includes an integral gripping section and ventilation cut-outs,
providing optimal grip strength, improved convective barrel
cooling, while minimizing weight of the firearm.
Inventors: |
WILLITS; CRAIG LARUE;
(SPRING, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
F-1 RESEARCH, LLC |
SPRING |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
F-1 RESERACH, LLC
SPRING
TX
|
Family ID: |
57774875 |
Appl. No.: |
14/800818 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41C 23/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20060101
F41C023/16 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A handguard, comprising: a cylindrical member including an inner
surface, an outer surface, a forward end portion, and a rear end
portion, wherein the rear end portion includes screw holes
configured to attach the cylindrical member to a firearm such that
the inner surface of the cylindrical member maintains radial space
from the outer surface of the firearm's barrel; one or more bracket
slots disposed on the cylindrical member, wherein the bracket slots
are oval in shape with a first side of a slot larger than a second
side of the slot and wherein the bracket slots are configured to
support a removable accessory.
9. The handguard of claim 8, further comprising a gripping section
disposed on the cylindrical member at a position between the
forward end portion and the rear end portion of the cylindrical
member and radially surrounding the cylindrical member.
10. The handguard of claim 9, wherein the gripping section is
surrounded by a plurality of triangular ridges.
11. The handguard of claim 8, further comprising one or more
forward ventilation cut-outs disposed about the forward end portion
of the cylindrical member.
12. The handguard of claim 11, wherein the forward ventilation
cut-outs are generally rectangular in shape.
13. The handguard of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of
rear ventilation cut-outs located in the rear end portion of the
cylindrical member.
14. The handguard of claim 8, wherein the cylindrical member
further comprises a top portion, wherein an integral top mounting
rail is located along the top portion of the cylindrical member and
extends longitudinally along its length.
15. The handguard of claim 8, wherein the one or more bracket slots
comprises: one or more bracket slots disposed about a bottom side
of the front end portion of the cylindrical member; one or more
bracket slots disposed about a left side of the forward end portion
of the cylindrical member; one or more bracket slots disposed about
a right side of the forward end portion of the cylindrical member;
one or more bracket slots disposed about a bottom side of a back
end portion of the cylindrical member; one or more bracket slots
disposed about a left side of the back end portion of the
cylindrical member; and one or more bracket slots disposed about a
right side of the back end portion of the cylindrical member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the general field of forearm
handguard assemblies for a rifles, and to the particular field of
forearm handguards for high rate of fire semiautomatic rifles and
carbines such as the M16 family of firearms.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Modern semiautomatic rifles enable rapid, high volume firing
which can heat the barrel to very high temperatures. To protect the
shooter from burns from the hot barrel, the barrel is usually
surrounded by a handguard located directly in front of the
receiver. In many cases, the handguard is vented to provide
convective cooling and dissipate heat from barrel. An example of an
early handguard can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,994, "Gun
forearm".
[0005] In addition to their heat protection function, handguards
are commonly designed to attach weapon accessories such as optics,
laser, night vision, foregrips, bipods, and tactical lights to the
firearm. A current example of a handguard designed as such can be
seen in U.S. Pat. No. 8,819,980, "Modular Rifle Handguard."
[0006] Although many rifle handguards are large in diameter and
tubular in design, handguards can also have a triangular or
pear-like shape wherein the base is wider and more flat than the
top. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246, "Forward Handguard
Assembly for Rifle"), the traditional tubular design can result in
poor grip and muscle fatigue. U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246 further notes
that unlike hunting or other military rifles which use a full
stock, many semiautomatic rifles rely on the use of the forward
handguard for stability, control, and aiming of the weapon. U.S.
Pat. No. 8,528,246 attempts to address the issue of grip and muscle
fatigue through an ergonomically designed handguard wherein the
handguard is oblique in shape with a flat lower surface and edges
for gripping. However, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,982, there
are advantages to a generally cylindrical handguard.
[0007] Other attempts to improve grip and reduce muscle fatigue
have included gripping systems mounted directly to the handguard.
For example, Pat. Application No. 2009/0178325, "Hand Grip System
with Integrated Sign For Mounting to Firearm", illustrates one
example of such a design. In designs such as this, the handgrip is
attached to the bottom of the handguard.
[0008] While previous attempts to modify the shape of the
handguard, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246, and attempts to add
an attachable handgrip such as in Pat. Application No.
2009/0178325, address the problems of grip strength and muscle
fatigue, they introduce other problems such as increased weight and
inefficient cooling of the rifle barrel. There is a need for a
semiautomatic rifle handguard that will provide the benefits of
improved convective cooling of the firearm barrel, improved grip
strength and reduced muscle fatigue of the shooter, and minimized
overall weight of the firearm.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the invention, an ergonomic gripping
section is longitudinally incorporated into the free-floating
cylindrical member. This design improves grip, reduces muscle
fatigue and provides improved convective cooling of the firearm
while reducing the overall weight of the firearm.
[0010] The gripping section may be integrated directly into the
cylindrical member or alternatively, it may be a separate member
attached to the cylindrical member. Notwithstanding the prior
sentence, the incorporation of the gripping section directly into
the cylindrical member such that they form a single integral member
provides the greatest combination of benefits to the shooter. The
gripping section may be made of the same material as the
cylindrical member, but may also be constructed of different
materials than the cylindrical member.
[0011] If desired, particular embodiments of the invention can be
made of different sizes, materials, or colors, have numbers or
letters on the handguard, or can contain other uniquely
identifiable characters. Furthermore, the gripping section may
incorporate various textures to improve friction and grip. Although
any light weight, high strength, corrosion resistant, heat
resistant material may be used, manufacturing the invention using a
single integral section of high strength aluminum provides an
optimum combination of strength, heat resistance, and low
weight.
[0012] The handguard and gripping section may also incorporate
cooling vents, ventilation cut-outs, ribbing, heat shields, or
double heat shields and liners to provide cooling air circulation
around the barrel of the firearm. Cooling vents and ventilation
cut-outs also reduce the weight of the handguard and provide an
aesthetically pleasing "skeletal" look. One or more removable and
moveable mounting rails may be provided with the handguard.
Finally, the handguard may include mounting structures to enabling
weapon accessory attachments as needed.
[0013] The invention may be used to particular advantage as a
handguard for semiautomatic rifles, but it may also be used in
other firearms where handguards are utilized.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus
and method of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary
implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated
implementations are proffered for purpose of example, not for
purpose of limitation.
[0016] Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once
designated, an element will be identified by the identical number
throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying drawings is at least
one of the best mode embodiments of the present disclosure. In such
drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric front view showing the left side of
an embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plain front-end view of the apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plain back-end view of the apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plain top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plain bottom view of the apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plain side view showing the right side of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
wherein such cross section is located in the handguard grip section
as shown in FIG. 4; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a plain left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
mounted to a semiautomatic rifle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like components. FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 illustrate
the gripping section and handguard of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention includes
cylindrical member (7), gripping section (1), top mounting rail
(2), forward ventilation cut-outs (8), rear ventilation cut-outs
(3), screw holes (4), forward side bracket slots (5), rear side
bracket slots (9), forward bottom bracket slots (6), and rear
bottom bracket slots (10).
[0027] Cylindrical member (7) is a "free floating" handguard
designed for a semiautomatic rifle. The "free floating" design is
formed where the inner surface of cylindrical member (7) maintains
radial spacing from the outer surface of the firearm barrel. As
shown in FIG. 1, cylindrical member (7) has a cylindrical, tubular
shape. However, other shapes for the cylindrical member (7) may be
possible, such as triangular, pear shaped, and rectangular.
Cylindrical member (7) should be made of strong, lightweight,
corrosion resistant, heat resistant material. Optimally, the
cylindrical member (7) should be constructed using a metal such as
high strength aluminum. Finally, the cylindrical member (7) of the
present invention is preferably constructed from a single piece of
material. However, alternative designs where the cylindrical member
(7) is composed of two or more elements are possible.
[0028] Cylindrical member (7) is attached to the rifle receiver
using screw holes (4) on the rear of the cylindrical member (7).
Attaching the cylindrical member (7) only at the rear gives it a
"free floating" design such that no portion of the cylindrical
member contacts the barrel of the rifle.
[0029] Gripping section (1) may be integrated directly into
cylindrical member (7) or, alternatively, it may be a separate
member attached to cylindrical member (7). Preferably, gripping
section (1) is incorporated directly into cylindrical member (7)
such that they form a single integral member. Gripping section (1)
may be made of the same material as cylindrical member (7), but may
also be constructed of different materials than cylindrical member
(7). In either configuration, gripping section (1) should be
constructed of a lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant, and heat
resistant material such as high-strength aluminum. Further,
gripping section (1) may have various textures. Preferably, the
surface of gripping section (1) is composed of a series of
triangular shapes providing for optimal grip friction and giving it
a ridged appearance, as shown in FIG. 7. However, other textures
are possible for gripping section (1) such as bumpy, knobby,
contoured, gritty, or grainy depending on the grip friction or
aesthetics desired.
[0030] Cylindrical member (7) has a top mounting rail (2)
longitudinally extending along the top portion of its entire
length, as shown in FIG. 1. Such accessory mounting rails are
widely known as Picatinny Rails. Front end and back end views of
the cylindrical member (7) in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and cross-sectional
view FIG. 7 show the partially octagonal shape and placement of the
top mounting rail (2).
[0031] Forward ventilation cut-outs (8) and rear ventilation
cut-outs (3) help reduce weight, improve ventilation, and provide
an aesthetically pleasing "skeletal look" to cylindrical member
(7). As shown in FIG. 1, forward ventilation cut-outs (8) partially
wrap around the front portion of cylindrical member (7). Similarly,
rear ventilation cut-outs (3) partially wrap around the rear
portion of cylindrical member (7). Although rectangular shaped
cut-outs are preferred, other shapes are possible. Additionally,
for aesthetic reasons the forward ventilation cut-outs (8) and rear
ventilation cut-outs (3) are set on a diagonal, reminiscent of a
shark's gills. Other embodiments of the invention could include
vertical or horizontal forward and rear ventilation cut-outs, (8)
and (3) respectively. FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 illustrate an embodiment of
the forward ventilation cut-outs (8) and rear ventilation cut-outs
(3) on the right side and the left side of the cylindrical member
(7).
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, rifle accessories such as
flashlights, scopes, and laser sights can be mounted to the
cylindrical member (7) through use of forward side bracket slots
(5), rear side bracket slots (9), forward bottom bracket slots (6),
and rear bottom bracket slots (10). As shown in FIG. 1, forward
bottom bracket slots (6) are located on the bottom front end
portion of cylindrical member (7). Similarly, rear bottom bracket
slots (10) are located on the bottom rear end portion of
cylindrical member (7). In the current embodiment of the invention,
the bracket slots (5), (9), (6), and (10) are oval in shape with
one side of the slots larger than the other side. Other embodiments
may include more or less bracket slots and slots of different
shapes. FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 illustrate an embodiment of the forward
side bracket slots (5), rear side bracket slots (9), forward bottom
bracket slots (6), and rear bottom bracket slots (10). on the right
side and the left side of the cylindrical member (7).
[0033] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details
be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to
the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims. It
will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able
to devise numerous alternative arrangements that, while not shown
or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and
thus are within its spirit and scope.
* * * * *