APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR A HANDGUARD FOR DIRECT GAS OPERATED FIREARMS

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a handguard for optimizing the ergonomics and operation of a direct gas operated firearm. The handguard comprises an elongated cylinder having an opening to allow a barrel of the firearm to extend through the handguard. A lock assembly attaches the handguard to a barrel nut area of the firearm. The lock assembly includes locks threaded onto opposite ends of a drive screw such that tightening the drive screw engages the locks with the barrel nut area of the firearm. Each lock has an adjustable contact surface and a taper surface that mate with corresponding surfaces on the barrel nut area of the firearm. The locks improve the strength of the upper receiver, reduce bending forces on the upper receiver, and reduce the amount of torque required to mount the handguard onto the firearm.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application, entitled “Reinforced Cartridge Extractor for Reciprocating Firearm,” filed on Jan. 22, 2025, and having application Ser. No. 63/748,349, the entirety of said application being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to firearms. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for a handguard for optimizing the ergonomics and operation of a direct gas operated firearm.

BACKGROUND

The AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms and their derivatives, including all direct gas operated versions, have been in use by the military and civilian population for many years. An essential component of direct gas operated firearms is the bolt carrier group. Typically, the bolt carrier group includes a bolt mounted in a bolt carrier that is configured for axial sliding movement and rotation within a firearm. A firing pin slidably mounted within the bolt and bolt carrier restricts reciprocating axial movement of the bolt carrier group. The bolt carrier group further includes a cam-pin that limits rotation between the bolt and the bolt carrier.

The bolt carrier group generally is configured for stripping or picking up ammunition cartridges from a magazine and moving the cartridges into a battery position within a breech of the firearm. After firing each round, the bolt carrier group extracts and ejects the ammunition cartridge through an ejection port on the side of the firearm. The energy to perform these functions is provided by way of hot, expanding gases from the fired cartridge that are directed through a port at the end of the barrel and channeled back to the bolt carrier group. The expanding gases strike, or impinge, the bolt carrier moving it rearward toward the buttstock and into a retracted position. The exhaust gases are then discharged through the ejection port on the side of the firearm. After discharge, a spring acting on the bolt carrier group moves the bolt carrier back to an engaged position while at the same time stripping another cartridge from the magazine and moving that cartridge into the battery position.

Given the popularity of the AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms and their derivatives, there is a continuing desire to improve and simplify the operation of such direct gas operated firearms. Embodiments presented herein provide a handguard for optimizing the ergonomics and operation of a direct gas operated firearm.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a handguard for optimizing the ergonomics and operation of a direct gas operated firearm. The handguard comprises an elongated cylinder having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening extends through the handguard to allow a barrel of the firearm to extend through the handguard. A lock assembly near the proximal end attaches the handguard to a barrel nut area of the firearm. The lock assembly includes locks that are threadably engaged with opposite ends of a drive screw such that tightening the drive screw engages the locks with the barrel nut area. Each lock has an adjustable contact surface and a taper surface that mate with corresponding surfaces on a barrel nut area of the firearm. The locks improve the strength of the upper receiver, reduce bending forces on the upper receiver, and reduce the amount of torque required to mount the handguard onto the firearm.

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for a handguard for a firearm comprises: an elongated cylinder having a distal end and a proximal end; an opening extending through the handguard; and a lock assembly for attaching the handguard to a barrel nut area of the firearm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the opening is configured to allow a barrel of the firearm to extend through the handguard. In another exemplary embodiment, the opening includes a long recess disposed along an upper side of the handguard. In another exemplary embodiment, the recess is configured to provide clearance for a front sight comprising the firearm.

In another exemplary embodiment, an upper accessory rail is disposed along a top of the handguard while a lower accessory portion and a series of M-Lok slots are disposed along a bottom of the handguard. In another exemplary embodiment, the upper accessory rail comprises a Picatinny rail while the lower accessory portion comprises an ARCA rail. In another exemplary embodiment, a multiplicity of M-Lok slots are arranged along the sides of the handguard to facilitate mounting accessories in locations of the handguard other than on the upper accessory rail and the lower accessory portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, a pair of slots is disposed near the proximal end of the handguard. In another exemplary embodiment, the slots are perpendicular to the opening and configured to support a pair of locks comprising the lock assembly. In another exemplary embodiment, the locks are configured to fixate an inner contact surface of the handguard with the barrel nut area of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, a drive screw is threadably engaged with the locks so as to facilitate moving the locks inward and outward simultaneously.

In another exemplary embodiment, the locks are configured to clamp onto the barrel nut area such that the handguard is pushed rearward toward a front surface of an upper receiver of the firearm, thereby aligning the handguard with the upper receiver. In another exemplary embodiment, the locks are configured to clamp onto the barrel nut area such that any loads on the handguard are transferred into the upper receiver directly instead of onto a barrel tenon portion of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, the locks are configured to improve the strength of the upper receiver, reduce bending forces on the upper receiver, and reduce the amount of torque required to mount the handguard.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lock assembly includes locks that are threadably engaged with opposite ends of a drive screw. In another exemplary embodiment, the drive screw includes a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion that share an intervening smooth center portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion are threaded symmetrically with left-hand and right-hand threads such that rotating the drive screw moves the locks inward and outward simultaneously.

In another exemplary embodiment, each lock comprises an adjustable contact surface and a taper surface. In another exemplary embodiment, the adjustable contact surface and the taper surface have diameters configured to mate with corresponding surfaces on a barrel nut area of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, the adjustable contact surface and the taper surface are configured such that tightening the locks pushes the handguard rearward toward the front surface of the upper receiver.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein may be better understood with reference to the drawings, description, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a right-side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a firearm that utilizes direct gas impingement to operate a bolt carrier group comprising the firearm, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rearward isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a handguard that may be incorporated into the firearm of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a forward isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a handguard that may be incorporated into the firearm of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a proximal end of an exemplary embodiment of a handguard, taken along a midline of the handguard, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handguard of FIG. 4, taken along a line 5-5 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a lock assembly that may be used to attach to the handguard of FIG. 2 to the rifle of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of FIG. 6, taken along a midline of the lock assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a drive screw that may be implemented in the lock assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the handguard and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first screw,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first screw” is different than a “second screw.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

The AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms and their derivatives, including all direct gas operated versions, have been in use by the military and civilian population for many years. Given the popularity of the AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms and their derivatives, there is a continuing desire to improve and simplify the operation of such firearms. Embodiments presented herein provide a handguard for optimizing the ergonomics and operation of a direct gas operated firearm.

FIG. 1 illustrates a right-side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a firearm 100 that utilizes direct gas impingement to cycle the action of a bolt carrier group comprising the firearm, as described herein. In general, the firearm 100 comprises a member of the AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms, and thus the firearm 100 includes an upper receiver 104 that houses the bolt carrier group (not shown) and a lower receiver 108 that receives a magazine 112 containing a multiplicity of ammunition cartridges. The lower receiver 108 positions the ammunition cartridges within the upper receiver 104 such that the bolt carrier group may strip cartridges into a battery position within a breech of a barrel 116. An ejection port 120 on a side of the upper receiver 104 enables the bolt carrier group to eject spent ammunition cartridges after each round is fired. A buffer tube 124 coupled with a rear of the upper receiver 104 provides a housing for longitudinal movement of the bolt carrier group during stripping and ejecting ammunition cartridges. A buttstock 128, a handguard 132, and a grip 136 facilitate a practitioner holding and supporting the firearm 100 during operating the firearm 100 by way of a trigger 140. Further, a suppressor (not shown) may be coupled with a muzzle end of the barrel 116 to reduce noise and muzzle flash during operating the firearm 100.

As described herein, the bolt carrier group moves longitudinally within the upper receiver 104 during stripping ammunition cartridges from the magazine 112, chambering the cartridges in the breech, and ejecting spent cartridges. The energy to perform these functions is provided by way of hot, expanding gases from each fired cartridge that cause the bolt carrier to move rearward within the buffer tube 124 toward the buttstock 128. The expanding gases are directed to the bolt carrier group from a port at an end of the barrel 116 by way of a front sight base 148 and a gas tube (not shown) disposed within the handguard 132. The expanding gases cause the bolt carrier group to move rearward within the buffer tube 124 and then are discharged through the ejection port 120. After discharge, a spring acting on the bolt carrier group moves the bolt carrier forward to an engaged position while at the same time stripping another ammunition cartridge from the magazine 112 and moving that cartridge into the battery position.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a handguard 132 that may be incorporated into the firearm 100 of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure. The handguard 132 is a generally elongated, hollow cylinder having a distal end 152 and a proximal end 156. An opening 160 extending through the handguard 132 is configured to allow the barrel 116 of the firearm 100 to extend through the handguard 132, as shown in FIG. 1. As best shown in FIG. 3, the opening 160 includes a long recess 164 disposed along an upper side of the handguard 132. The recess 164 is configured to provide clearance for a front sight (not shown) comprising the firearm 100 to be passed through the opening 160 during installing the handguard 132 onto the firearm 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the handguard 132 has a generally octagonal cross-sectional shape. An upper accessory rail 168 is disposed along a top of the handguard 132 while a lower accessory portion 172 and a series of M-Lok slots 176 are disposed along a bottom of the handguard 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper accessory rail 168 comprises a Picatinny rail while the lower accessory portion 172 comprises an ARCA rail. The Picatinny rail may be used to mount any of various lighting and/or sighting accessories to the firearm 100. As will be appreciated, the ARCA rail may be configured to support a camera. Further, in some embodiments, the ARCA rail may be used to support the firearm 100 by way of a tripod stand. As such, the ARCA rail includes a longitudinal slot 180 and a transverse slot 184 that are configured to facilitate fastening a camera, a tripod stand, or other desired accessories to the firearm 100. Further, a multiplicity of M-Lok slots 176 may be arranged along the sides of the handguard 132 to facilitate mounting accessories in locations of the handguard 132 other than on the upper accessory rail 168 and the lower accessory portion 172.

As best shown in FIGS. 4-5, a pair of slots 188 is disposed near the proximal end 156 of the handguard 132. The slots 188 are perpendicular to the opening 160 and configured to support a pair of locks 192, as shown in FIG. 5. The locks 192 are configured to fixate an inner contact surface 196 of the handguard 132 with a barrel nut area (not shown) of the barrel 116 such that the handguard 132 may be mounted onto the firearm 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

As best shown in FIG. 4, a drive screw 198 may be threadably engaged with the locks 192 so as to facilitate moving the locks 192 inward and outward simultaneously. As such, tightening the drive screw 198 moves the locks 192 inward and thus pushes the handguard 132 rearward toward a front surface of the upper receiver 104. Thus, the locks 192 give direct alignment of the handguard 132 with the upper receiver 104. Further, clamping the locks 192 onto the barrel nut area transfers any loads on the handguard 132 into the upper receiver 104 directly instead of onto a barrel tenon portion of the firearm 100. As such, the locks 192 improve the strength of the upper receiver 104, reduce bending forces on the upper receiver 104, and reduce the amount of torque required to mount the handguard 132. Further, it is contemplated that the locks 192 may potentially enable suppressor mounting onto the handguard 132.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a lock assembly 200 that may be used to attach to the handguard 132 of FIGS. 2-3 to the firearm 100 of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure. The lock assembly 200 includes a pair of locks 192 that are threadably engaged with opposite ends of a drive screw 198. The drive screw 198 is threaded symmetrically with left-hand and right-hand threads so that rotating the drive screw 198 moves both locks 192 inward and outward simultaneously, as discussed hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 4-5. As shown in FIG. 6, each lock 192 comprises an adjustable contact surface 204 and a taper surface 208. The adjustable contact surface 204 and the taper surface 208 have diameters configured such that the surfaces 204, 208 mate with corresponding surfaces on the barrel nut area of the firearm 100. Further, the surfaces 204, 208 are configured such that tightening the locks 192 pushes the handguard 132 rearward toward the front surface of the upper receiver 104, as described above.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a drive screw 198 that may be implemented in the lock assembly 200 of FIGS. 6-7, in accordance with the present disclosure. The drive screw 198 shown in FIG. 8 includes a first threaded portion 212 and a second threaded portion 216 disposed on opposite ends of the drive screw 198. The first threaded portion 212 and the second threaded portion 216 share an intervening smooth center portion 220. The first and second threaded portions 212, 216 are configured to engage with threaded holes 228 as shown in FIG. 7. The first and second threaded portions 212, 216 are threaded symmetrically with left-hand and right-hand threads so that rotating the drive screw 198 moves the locks 192 inward and outward simultaneously, as discussed hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 4-5. The smooth center portion 220 allows the drive screw 198 to rotate with respect to the handguard 132. A shaped opening 224 disposed in each of the ends of the drive screw 198 is configured to enable rotation of the drive screw 198 with respect to the locks 192 by way of a suitable tool.

While the handguard and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the handguard is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the handguard. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process, when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the handguard, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the handguard found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a handguard for a firearm, the handguard comprising:

an elongated cylinder having a distal end and a proximal end;

an opening extending through the handguard; and

a lock assembly for attaching the handguard to a barrel nut area of the firearm.

2. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to allow a barrel of the firearm to extend through the handguard.

3. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the opening includes a long recess disposed along an upper side of the handguard.

4. The handguard of claim 3, wherein the recess is configured to provide clearance for a front sight comprising the firearm.

5. The handguard of claim 1, wherein an upper accessory rail is disposed along a top of the handguard while a lower accessory portion and a series of M-Lok slots are disposed along a bottom of the handguard.

6. The handguard of claim 5, wherein the upper accessory rail comprises a Picatinny rail while the lower accessory portion comprises an ARCA rail.

7. The handguard of claim 5, wherein a multiplicity of M-Lok slots are arranged along the sides of the handguard to facilitate mounting accessories in locations of the handguard other than on the upper accessory rail and the lower accessory portion.

8. The handguard of claim 1, wherein a pair of slots is disposed near the proximal end of the handguard.

9. The handguard of claim 8, wherein the slots are perpendicular to the opening and configured to support a pair of locks comprising the lock assembly.

10. The handguard of claim 9, wherein the locks are configured to fixate an inner contact surface of the handguard with the barrel nut area of the firearm.

11. The handguard of claim 10, wherein a drive screw is threadably engaged with the locks so as to facilitate moving the locks inward and outward simultaneously.

12. The handguard of claim 11, wherein the locks are configured to clamp onto the barrel nut area such that the handguard is pushed rearward toward a front surface of an upper receiver of the firearm, thereby aligning the handguard with the upper receiver.

13. The handguard of claim 11, wherein the locks are configured to clamp onto the barrel nut area such that any loads on the handguard are transferred into the upper receiver directly instead of onto a barrel tenon portion of the firearm.

14. The handguard of claim 13, wherein the locks are configured to improve the strength of the upper receiver, reduce bending forces on the upper receiver, and reduce the amount of torque required to mount the handguard.

15. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the lock assembly includes locks that are threadably engaged with opposite ends of a drive screw.

16. The handguard of claim 15, wherein the drive screw includes a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion that share an intervening smooth center portion.

17. The handguard of claim 16, wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion are threaded symmetrically with left-hand and right-hand threads such that rotating the drive screw moves the locks inward and outward simultaneously.

18. The handguard of claim 15, wherein each lock comprises an adjustable contact surface and a taper surface.

19. The handguard of claim 18, wherein the adjustable contact surface and the taper surface have diameters configured to mate with corresponding surfaces on a barrel nut area of the firearm.

20. The handguard of claim 19, wherein the adjustable contact surface and the taper surface are configured such that tightening the locks pushes the handguard rearward toward the front surface of the upper receiver.