US20110016762A1 - Rifle handguard system with integrated barrel nut - Google Patents

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• 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
• This invention relates to rifle accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to handguards for rifles.
BACKGROUND
• 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.
• 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.
• It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
• Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved handguard system with attachment at only one end.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a handguard system which can be employed on existing rifles.
• And another object of the invention is to provide a handguard system that is easily installed and aligned.
• And yet another object of the invention is to provide a handguard system which will improve accuracy.
SUMMARY
• 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.
• 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
• 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:
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an upper receiver and barrel assembly of an M16A2 rifle;
• FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the rifle ofFIG. 1 with portions of the barrel and upper receiver illustrated, showing the conventional handguard replaced by a handguard system according to the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the handguard system and the integrated barrel nut according to the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is an end view of the integrated barrel nut of the handguard system ofFIGS. 2 and 3;
• FIG. 5 is a side view of the integrated barrel nut ofFIG. 4, with a portion5-5 cut away;
• FIG. 6 is a partially exploded side view illustrating a portion of a rifle with the handguard system according to the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is an exploded side plan view of the handguard and extension rail of the present invention;
• FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the handguard of the present invention; and
• FIG. 9 is an end view of the handguard and extension rail of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed toFIG. 1 which is a partial exploded view of arifle10 of the type referred to as an M16A2, illustrating anupper receiver11, abarrel12 and a handguard system14.Barrel12 has abase end18 and amuzzle end19. Handguard system14 is used to coverbarrel12intermediate base end18 andmuzzle end19 to provide a comfortable grip and to provide protection for a shooter's hand from the heat ofbarrel12 during firing.Base end18 ofbarrel12 is attached toupper receiver11 by abarrel nut20.
• A spring loaded delta ring22 fits overbarrel nut20 and is part of handguard system14 for retaining anupper handguard23 and alower hand guard24. Delta ring22 is biased forwardly, towardmuzzle end19 ofbarrel12 by a spring26 and retainingring27. Afront sight assembly28 is fixed tobarrel12proximate muzzle end19 and includes a tube cap30. The grip halves are fitted between delta ring22 and tube cap30. Insertion and removal is accomplished by forcing delta ring22 rearwardly, against the bias, increasing the separation between delta ring22 and tube cap30. Ends ofupper handguard23 andlower hand guard24 are inserted into delta ring22, and the opposing ends are received by tube cap30. Delta ring22 is then permitted to return to the normal forward position, securingupper handguard23 andlower hand guard24. Agas tube32 extends alongbarrel12 between an operating mechanism carried byupper receiver11 and tube cap30.Gas tube32 extracts gas frombarrel12 during firing and redirects it back to the operating mechanism.
• 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.
• Turning now toFIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of arifle40 is illustrated.Rifle40 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 designated50. A portion of anupper receiver42 is illustrated with abarrel43 having abase end44 received by abarrel receiving receptacle45 ofupper receiver42. Aflange47 extends around the outer circumference ofbarrel43proximate base end44 ofbarrel43 and abutsbarrel receiving receptacle45 whenbase end44 is inserted intoupper receiver42. Analignment pin48 extends frombarrel43proximate flange47 to facilitate proper alignment ofbarrel43 whenbase end44 is inserted intoupper receiver42. Whenbarrel43 is properly inserted and aligned, anintegrated barrel nut52 is threaded ontobarrel receiving receptacle45 ofupper receiver42 and engagesflange47, securely holdingbarrel43 in position.
• With additional reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, integratedbarrel nut52 includes an inner surface having a threaded portion53 and a reducedportion54 separated by ashoulder55. Reducedportion54 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of threaded portion53 andflange47, but sufficient to allow passage ofbarrel43 therethrough. Threaded portion53 is adapted to threadably engagebarrel receiving receptacle45, withshoulder55 engagingflange47. When threaded securely, integratedbarrel nut52 fastensbarrel43 toupper receiver42 withshoulder55 holdingflange47 againstbarrel receiving receptacle45.
• Still referring toFIGS. 2-5, integratedbarrel nut52 further includes an outer surface57 having an outer diameter.Parallel passages58 extend longitudinally through integratedbarrel nut52 intermediate the inner surface and outer surface57, and are formed entirely about the circumference thereof.Passages58 provide space through which an operating or push rod59 passes. Sinceintegrated barrel nut52 must be threaded ontoupper receiver42, the plurality ofpassages58 insures one will align properly.
• Referring specifically toFIGS. 2,3 and6, once integratedbarrel nut52 is secured in position, atubular handguard60 is received aboutbarrel43.Handguard60 has anend65 defining an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter ofintegrated barrel nut52.End65 is received about outer surface57 ofintegrated barrel nut52 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 inhandguard60, or both.Handguard60 is attached such that it is spaced frombarrel43 and attached only atintegrated barrel nut52. In this manner, a handguard is provided which is attached only atend65 and thus will not deflect or put pressure on the barrel.
• Turning now toFIGS. 2 and 6,handguard system50 preferably includes a rail extension generally designated70.Upper receiver42 includes arail portion71 on an upper surface.Rail portion71 is employed for the attachment of various accessories such as sights, scopes, etc. Often, however, the existing rail onupper receiver42 is too short for many purposes. Thus,extension rail70 can be employed to extend the rail downbarrel43 alonghandguard60.
• Extension rail70 is fastened to the top ofcylindrical handguard60 with a receiver portion72 extending outwardlypast end65.Extension rail70 can be fastened tohandguard60 in many diverse ways, but a preferred method will be described presently. Ashandguard60 is received overbarrel43, receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 is fitted overrail71. Receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 is formed with an underside defining adovetail slot80.Slot80 is shaped to receiverail71 therein. Receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 is preferably of a length substantially identical to or shorter than the length ofrail71. In this manner, when handguard60 is correctly positioned, receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 substantially coversrail71. If receiver portion72 is shorter thanrail71, a portion ofrail71 is exposed for attachment of accessory devices. Receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 is fastened to rail71 withset screws82 extending throughapertures83 and engaging the top ofrail71. Receiver portion72 ofextension rail70 aligns withrail71 such thatapertures83 overlie grooves or notches formed inrail71. Set screws82 extend throughapertures83 and into the notches ofrail71 preventing longitudinal movement thereof. While extending the rail,extension rail70 additionally acts to reinforce and help stabilizehandguard60. Set screws82 extend through the top ofextension rail70 and engage the top ofrail71. Thus, when tightened, setscrews82force rail70 fromrail71 securely engaging the dovetail equally on both sides.
• Turning now toFIG. 7, a method of attachingextension rail70 to handguard60 is illustrated. With momentary reference toFIG. 8,handguard60 includes space90 extending longitudinally along an upper surface thereof. Opposing sides of Space90 are intermittently connected bybridges92, each having anaperture93.Extension rail70 is coupled tohandguard60 with screws94 extending concurrently through apertures95 formed therein andapertures93. Once securely positioned,rail70 is welded tohandguard60. Screws94 are removed and bridges92 are cut from the edges of space90 and also removed. Referring now toFIG. 9, by removingbridges92, a channel98 is formed alonghandguard60 andextension rail70 which provides the space necessary for the operation of the push rod system.
• 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.
• 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.

Claims (9)

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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 7, where the plurality of openings are periodic along a direction parallel to the long axis.

9. The handguard according toclaim 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.

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