WEAPON HANDGUARD

Abstract

A quick-turn fastener for use with a weapon handguard is provided. The quick-turn fastener includes a body member comprising a first wing member and a second wing member and a protrusion extending from the body member with the first wing member and the second wing member are located on opposing sides of the protrusion and an aperture extending through the protrusion and the body member. The protrusion includes flat surfaces and curved surface to control rotation of the quick-turn fastener. A bolt may be threadingly coupled to the aperture of the body member, wherein the protrusion restricts rotation of the quick-turn fastener to 90 degrees in each direction of rotation when the quick-turn fastener is coupled to a slot of the weapon handguard.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application is a continuation of the earlier U.S. Utility patent application entitled “WEAPON HANDGUARD,” Ser. No. 29/444/153, filed Jan. 26, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a weapon handguard and more particularly to a weapon handguard and quick-turn fastener for attaching an accessory rail to the weapon handguard.

2. State of the Art

A handguard is located on a weapon such as a firearm. The handguard is generally attached to the front of a weapon to allow a shooter to grip the weapon from the front. It allows the shooter protection from the barrel, which may become very hot because of firing the weapon. The handguard is often used as a means for more attaching accessories to the weapon. Conventional weapon handguards are limited in their ability to easily install rails or other accessories to the handguard without either removing the handguard from the weapon or using other tools to hold a bolt on inner side of the handguard.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved handguard and components for adding an accessory rail to the handguard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a weapon handguard and an accessory rail and quick-turn fastener for coupling the accessory rail to the handguard.

An embodiment includes a quick-turn fastener comprising a body member; a protrusion extending from the body member; and an aperture extending through the protrusion and the body member, wherein the aperture is threadingly coupled to a bolt, and wherein the protrusion restricts rotation of the quick-turn fastener to 90 degrees in each direction of rotation when the quick-turn fastener is coupled to a slot.

Another embodiment includes a quick-turn fastener for use with a weapon handguard, the quick-turn fastener comprising: a body member comprising a first wing member and a second wing member; a protrusion extending from the body member with the first wing member and the second wing member are located on opposing sides of the protrusion and an aperture extending through the protrusion and the body member, wherein the protrusion comprises: a first curved surface and a second curved surface located on opposing sides of the aperture; and a first flat surface, a second flat surface, a third flat surface and a fourth flat surface, wherein the first flat surface is parallel to the third flat surface and the second flat surface is parallel to the fourth flat surface, wherein: the first curved surface extends between the first flat surface and the second flat surface; the second curved surface extends between the third flat surface and the fourth flat surface; the first flat surface is perpendicular to the fourth flat surface; and the second flat surface is perpendicular to the third flat surface; a bolt threadingly coupled to the aperture of the body member, wherein the protrusion restricts rotation of the quick-turn fastener to 90 degrees in each direction of rotation when the quick-turn fastener is coupled to a slot of the weapon handguard.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the weapon handguard showing the hand guard body, mounting adapter and barrel nut of the weapon hand guard;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the weapon handguard showing an accessory rail mounted to the hand guard body of the weapon hand guard;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the weapon handguard showing an accessory rail and quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the accessory rail and quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the accessory rail and quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a handguard body of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 8 is a first perspective view of a handguard body of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 9 is a second perspective view of a handguard body of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a handguard body of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 11 is a section view of a handguard body of the weapon handguard taken along line I-I;

FIG. 12 is top view of a mounting adapter of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 13 is a first perspective view of a mounting adapter of the weapon hand guard;

FIG. 14 is a second perspective view of a mounting adapter of the weapon hand guard;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a mounting adapter of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 16 is an end view of a mounting adapter of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 17 is a section view of a mounting adapter of the weapon handguard taken along line II-II;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a barrel nut of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 19 is a first perspective view of a barrel nut of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of a barrel nut of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 21 is an end view of a barrel nut of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an accessory rail of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 23 is a top view of an accessory rail of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of an accessory rail of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 25 is an end view of an accessory rail of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 26 is a section view of an accessory rail of the weapon handguard taken along line III-III;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 28 is a top view of a quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard;

FIG. 29 is an end view of a quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard; and

FIG. 30 is a section view of a quick-turn fastener of the weapon handguard taken along line IV-IV.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a weapon handguard and an accessory rail and quick-turn fastener for coupling the accessory rail to the handguard.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-2 and 7-20 depict an embodiment of a weapon handguard 10 coupled to an upper receiver 16 of a weapon and a barrel 18 of the weapon extending through the weapon handguard 10. The weapon handguard may include a rail 14, such as a picatinny rail, on a top side of the weapon handguard 10 and slots 12 extending through sides of the weapon handguard 10.

The weapon handguard 10 may be mounted to the upper receiver 16 by use of a barrel nut 24 and a mounting adapter 20. The barrel nut 24 includes external threads 26 and extension 28. The barrel nut 24 is coupled directly to the upper receiver, as shown in FIG. 2. The mounting adapter 20 includes interior threads 22, wherein the mounting adapter 20 is coupled directly to the barrel nut 24 by the engagement of the interior threads 22 of the mounting adapter 20 with exterior threads of the barrel nut 24. The weapon handguard 10 is coupled directly to the mounting adapter 20, wherein the barrel 18 is extending through the weapon handguard 10.

Referring further to FIGS. 3-6 and 23-30, the embodiments may include a quick-turn fastener 50 and an accessory rail 30. The accessory rail 30 may include an aperture 32, rail section 34 and rail protrusions 36. The accessory rail 30 may be coupled to the quick-turn fastener 50 by use of a bolt 40 that extends through the aperture 32 of the accessory rail 30 to engage the quick-turn fastener 50.

The quick-turn fastener 50 may include a body member 51, a protrusion 56 extending from the body member 51, and an aperture 58 extending through the protrusion 60 and the body member 51. The aperture 58 may include threads 59. In embodiments, the aperture 58 may be threadingly coupled to the bolt 40.

The quick-turn fastener 50 may further include a first wing member 52 and a second wing member 54 on the body member 51. The first wing member 52 and the second wing member 54 are located on opposing sides of the protrusion 56.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 27-30, the protrusion 56 may comprise a first curved surface 60 and a second curved surface 61 located on opposing sides of the aperture 58. The protrusion 56 further comprises a first flat surface 62, a second flat surface 63, a third flat surface 64 and a fourth flat surface 65. The first flat surface 62 is parallel to the third flat surface 64 and the second flat surface 63 is parallel to the fourth flat surface 65. In embodiments, the first curved surface 60 extends between the first flat surface 62 and the second flat surface 63. Further, the second curved surface 61 extends between the third flat surface 64 and the fourth flat surface 65. The first flat surface 62 and the fourth flat surface 65 form a corner, wherein the first flat surface 62 is perpendicular to the fourth flat surface 65. The second flat surface 63 and the third flat surface 64 form a corner, wherein the second flat surface 63 is perpendicular to the third flat surface 64. Additionally, first and second curved flat surfaces 60 and 61, and first flat surface 62, second flat surface 63, third flat surface 64 ad fourth flat surface 65 all extend from the body member 51 transverse to the first wing member 52 and the second wing member 54.

The quick-turn fastener 50 may be rotated in a first direction, wherein the body member 51 is rotated in a first direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces 60, 61 providing clearance for the protrusion 56 to rotate within the slot 12. The body member 51 is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the first direction in response to the first and third flat surfaces 62, 64 engaging inner surfaces of the slot 12 and the first and second wing members 52, 54 engaging opposing sides of the slot 12 in a first orientation. The first and third flat surfaces 62, 64 maintain the body member 51 in the first orientation during continual rotation of the bolt 40 in the first direction, wherein the bolt 40 moves axially in a first direction within the aperture 58 of the body member 51.

The quick-turn fastener 50 may be rotated in a second direction, wherein the body member 51 is rotated in a second direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces 60, 61 providing clearance for the protrusion 56 to rotate within the slot 12. The body member 51 is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the second direction in response to the second and fourth flat surfaces 63, 65 engaging inner surfaces of the slot 12 and the first and second wing members 52, 54 disengaging opposing sides of the slot 12 in a second orientation. The second and fourth flat surfaces 63, 65 maintain the body member 51 in the second orientation during continual rotation of the bolt 40 in the second direction, wherein the bolt 40 moves axially in a second direction within the aperture 58 of the body member 51.

In embodiments, the first wing member 52 may include extensions 53 and the second wing member 54 may include extensions 55, wherein the extensions 53 and 54 may engage the inner surface of the handguard 10 on opposing sides of the slot 12.

The bolt 40 may extend through the aperture 32 of the accessory rail 30 before threadingly engaging the aperture 58 of the quick-turn fastener 50. Rotation of the bolt 40 in a first direction tightens the accessory rail 30 to the weapon handguard 10 to secure the accessory rail 30 to the handguard 10 as shown in FIGS. 3-6. Rotation of the bolt 40 in a second direction loosens the accessory rail 30 from the weapon handguard 10 as shown in FIGS. 3-6. When the accessory rail 30 is secured to the weapon handguard 10, protrusions 36 of the accessory rail 30 extend into the slot 12 of the weapon handguard 10 to further secure the accessory rail 30 to the handguard 10.

The quick-turn fastener of claim 15, further comprising a weapon, wherein the weapon handguard is coupled to the weapon and the quick-turn fastener is coupled to the weapon handguard.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.

Claims

1. A quick-turn fastener comprising:

a body member;

a protrusion extending from the body member; and

an aperture extending through the protrusion and the body member, wherein the aperture is threadingly coupled to a bolt, and wherein the protrusion restricts rotation of the quick-turn fastener to 90 degrees in each direction of rotation when the quick-turn fastener is coupled to a slot.

2. The quick-turn fastener of claim 1, further comprising a first wing member and a second wing member on the body member, wherein the first wing member and the second wing member are located on opposing sides of the protrusion.

3. The quick-turn fastener of claim 2, wherein the protrusion comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface located on opposing sides of the aperture.

4. The quick-turn fastener of claim 3, wherein the protrusion comprises a first flat surface, a second flat surface, a third flat surface and a fourth flat surface, wherein the first flat surface is parallel to the third flat surface and the second flat surface is parallel to the fourth flat surface.

5. The quick-turn fastener of claim 4, wherein the first curved surface extends between the first flat surface and the second flat surface.

6. The quick-turn fastener of claim 5, wherein the second curved surface extends between the third flat surface and the fourth flat surface.

7. The quick-turn fastener of claim 6, wherein the first flat surface is perpendicular to the fourth flat surface.

8. The quick-turn fastener of claim 7, wherein the second flat surface is perpendicular to the third flat surface.

9. The quick-turn fastener of claim 8, wherein the body member is rotated in a first direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces providing clearance for the protrusion to rotate within the slot.

10. The quick-turn fastener of claim 9, wherein the body member is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the first direction in response to the first and third flat surfaces engaging inner surfaces of the slot and the first and second wing members engaging opposing sides of the slot in a first orientation.

11. The quick-turn fastener of claim 10, wherein the first and third flat surfaces maintain the body member in the first orientation during continual rotation of the bolt in the first direction, wherein the bolt moves axially in a first direction within the aperture of the body member.

12. The quick-turn fastener of claim 8, wherein the body member is rotated in a second direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces providing clearance for the protrusion to rotate within the slot.

13. The quick-turn fastener of claim 12, wherein the body member is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the second direction in response to the second and fourth flat surfaces engaging inner surfaces of the slot and the first and second wing members disengaging opposing sides of the slot in a second orientation.

14. The quick-turn fastener of claim 13, wherein the second and fourth flat surfaces maintain the body member in the second orientation during continual rotation of the bolt in the second direction, wherein the bolt moves axially in a second direction within the aperture of the body member.

15. A quick-turn fastener for use with a weapon handguard, the quick-turn fastener comprising:

a body member comprising a first wing member and a second wing member;

a protrusion extending from the body member wherein the first wing member and the second wing member are located on opposing sides of the protrusion and an aperture extending through the protrusion and the body member, wherein the protrusion comprises: a first curved surface and a second curved surface located on opposing sides of the aperture; and a first flat surface, a second flat surface, a third flat surface and a fourth flat surface, wherein the first flat surface is parallel to the third flat surface and the second flat surface is parallel to the fourth flat surface, wherein: the first curved surface extends between the first flat surface and the second flat surface; the second curved surface extends between the third flat surface and the fourth flat surface; the first flat surface is perpendicular to the fourth flat surface; and the second flat surface is perpendicular to the third flat surface;

a bolt threadingly coupled to the aperture of the body member, wherein the protrusion restricts rotation of the quick-turn fastener to 90 degrees in each direction of rotation when the quick-turn fastener is coupled to a slot of the weapon handguard.

16. The quick-turn fastener of claim 15, wherein the body member is rotated in a first direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces providing clearance for the protrusion to rotate within the slot.

17. The quick-turn fastener of claim 16, wherein the body member is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the first direction in response to the first and third flat surfaces engaging inner surfaces of the slot and the first and second wing members engaging opposing sides of the slot in a first orientation.

18. The quick-turn fastener of claim 17, wherein the first and third flat surfaces maintain the body member in the first orientation during continual rotation of the bolt in the first direction, wherein the bolt moves axially in a first direction within the aperture of the body member.

19. The quick-turn fastener of claim 16, wherein the body member is rotated in a second direction in response to the first and second curved surfaces providing clearance for the protrusion to rotate within the slot.

20. The quick-turn fastener of claim 19, wherein the body member is restricted to 90 degrees of rotation in the second direction in response to the second and fourth flat surfaces engaging inner surfaces of the slot and the first and second wing members disengaging opposing sides of the slot in a second orientation.

21. The quick-turn fastener of claim 20, wherein the second and fourth flat surfaces maintain the body member in the second orientation during continual rotation of the bolt in the second direction, wherein the bolt moves axially in a second direction within the aperture of the body member.

22. The quick-turn fastener of claim 15, further comprising an accessory rail having an aperture extend through the accessory rail, wherein the bolt of the quick-turn fastener extends through the aperture of the accessory rail before threadingly engaging the aperture of the quick-turn fastener.

23. The quick-turn fastener of claim 22, wherein rotation of the bolt in a first direction tightens the accessory rail to the weapon handguard and rotation of the bolt in a second direction loosens the accessory rail from the weapon handguard.

24. The quick-turn fastener of claim 15, further comprising a weapon, wherein the weapon handguard is coupled to the weapon and the quick-turn fastener is coupled to the weapon handguard.