Abstract: A handguard for attachment to a standard AR-pattern firearm upper receiver. A barrel nut has a substantially cylindrical outer surface with an annular groove. A handguard sleeve has an end opening configured to slide over the outer surface of the barrel nut, a channel with a bottom guide surface, and a substantially transverse cross bore positioned to at least partially intersect the end opening to align with the annular groove when the handguard sleeve is positioned on the barrel nut. A pair of wedge members are sized to be received in the channel and connected by at least one wedge fastener configured to adjustably move the wedge members together. When the barrel nut is attached to an upper receiver, the handguard sleeve is attached to the upper receiver by sliding the end opening over the barrel nut and inserting a cross bolt fastener in the cross bore and a portion of the annular groove.

Abstract: A handguard for attachment to a standard AR-pattern firearm upper receiver. A barrel nut has a substantially cylindrical outer surface with an annular groove. A handguard sleeve has an end opening configured to slide over the outer surface of the barrel nut, a channel with a bottom guide surface, and a substantially transverse cross bore positioned to at least partially intersect the end opening to align with the annular groove when the handguard sleeve is positioned on the barrel nut. A pair of wedge members are sized to be received in the channel and connected by at least one wedge fastener configured to adjustably move the wedge members together. When the barrel nut is attached to an upper receiver, the handguard sleeve is attached to the upper receiver by sliding the end opening over the barrel nut and inserting a cross bolt fastener in the cross bore and a portion of the annular groove.

Abstract: A method of locking a handguard relative to an upper receiver of a firearm. The method includes providing a wedge assembly having a top wedge member and a bottom wedge member, each having complementary inclined surfaces; a barrel nut that is configured to receive an outer portion of an upper receiver; and a handguard that is configured to receive the barrel nut and the combined wedge assembly within a lower lip of the handguard. The wedge assembly may include an optional assembly screw and a locator pin where the top wedge member and bottom wedge member are tightly joined to each other via the assembly screw and the locator pin. In use, the lock-up system is used to join the handguard and barrel nut to a corresponding upper receiver with little to no play between the handguard and the upper receiver such that the connection between the two via the wedge assembly is intended to be permanent.

Abstract: A method of locking a handguard relative to an upper receiver of a firearm. The method includes providing a wedge assembly having a top wedge member and a bottom wedge member, each having complementary inclined surfaces; a barrel nut that is configured to receive an outer portion of an upper receiver; and a handguard that is configured to receive the barrel nut and the combined wedge assembly within a lower lip of the handguard. The wedge assembly may include an optional assembly screw and a locator pin where the top wedge member and bottom wedge member are tightly joined to each other via the assembly screw and the locater pin. In use, the lock-up system is used to join the handguard and barrel nut to a corresponding upper receiver with little to no play between the handguard and the upper receiver such that the connection between the two via the wedge assembly is intended to be permanent.

Abstract: A lock-up system for a firearm comprising a wedge assembly having a top wedge member and a bottom wedge member, each having complementary inclined surfaces; a barrel nut that is configured to receive an outer portion of an upper receiver; and a handguard that is configured to receive the barrel nut and the combined wedge assembly within a lower lip of the handguard. The wedge assembly may include an optional assembly screw and a locator pin where the top wedge member and bottom wedge member are tightly joined to each other via the assembly screw and the locator pin. In use, the lock-up system is used to join the handguard and barrel nut to a corresponding upper receiver with little to no play between the handguard and the upper receiver such that the connection between the two via the wedge assembly is intended to be permanent.

Abstract: A lock-up system for a firearm comprising a wedge assembly having a top wedge member and a bottom wedge member, each having complementary inclined surfaces; a barrel nut that is configured to receive an outer portion of an upper receiver; and a handguard that is configured to receive the barrel nut and the combined wedge assembly within a lower lip of the handguard. The wedge assembly may include an optional assembly screw and a locator pin where the top wedge member and bottom wedge member are tightly joined to each other via the assembly screw and the locater pin. In use, the lock-up system is used to join the handguard and barrel nut to a corresponding upper receiver with little to no play between the handguard and the upper receiver such that the connection between the two via the wedge assembly is intended to be permanent.

Abstract: A bucket assembly is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.

Abstract: A bucket assembly is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.

Abstract: Rail fence construction utilizes slide-fit sleeves fastened to fence post to slidably accept and support fence rails. Slide-fit end caps may be joined at selected angular dispositions to each other so as to permit the fence run to follow the contours of the land and to establish a fenced enclosure of the desired. Little or no cutting of rail lengths is required and the rail fence may be readily disassembled.