This invention relates to firearms.
More particularly, the present invention relates to handguards for use on firearms.
In the field of firearms, handguards are ubiquitous and ever changing. Originally, handguards were used to provide something to grasp while firing the weapon. The handguard provided a comfortable grip and protected the user's hands from the heat of the barrel. Over the years, methods of attachment of handguards and additions to the handguard have been developed. However, many firearms are limited to the original handguard provided with the firearm. Often, these handguards are less than adequate or simply do not satisfy the firearm operator. These handguards can be difficult to remove and replace.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handguard for a firearm.
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is a handguard system for use on a firearm having a receiver with a socket defined by a forwardly extending circumferential rim, a barrel received within the socket of the receiver, and a cocking lever housing carried above the barrel. The handguard system includes a partial tubular body having a rearward end, a forward end, an inner surface, and an open slot formed along a top thereof to accommodate the cocking lever housing. The partial tubular body is receivable over the barrel of a firearm with the rearward end abutting the receiver at the forwardly extending circumferential rim. A circumferentially extending groove is formed in the inner surface of and forward from the rearward end of the partial tubular body. A clamp element, having a body with a clamp end and a heel extending substantially perpendicularly from an opposing end of the body, is adjustably positioned within the partial tubular body with the heel extending radially outwardly and received in the circumferential groove. The clamp element is movable between an engaged position and a release position.
In another aspect of the invention, the clamp element includes a threaded aperture formed through the body and a fastener inserted through the partial tubular body and received in the threaded aperture.
When the handguard system is mounted on the firearm, the clamp element is movable between a release position and an engaged position in which the clamp end of the clamp element frictionally engages the inner surface of the circumferential rim.
In yet another aspect wherein the firearm includes a holding clip with apertures extending from the cocking lever tube, an additional securing feature is a bracket having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of the inner surface of the partial tubular body. The bracket terminates at spaced apart first and second ends having apertures formed therethrough. Fastening members are receivable concurrently through apertures formed in the partial tubular body, the apertures formed through the first end and the second end of the bracket and the aperture formed through the holding clip.
Specific objects and advantages of the 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:
Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is directed to
It will be understood that while the present invention is used in conjunction with a firearm of the type referred to as an MP5, the invention can be used with other MP5 type firearms such as G3 and G33.
Referring now to
With additional reference to
Referring back to
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/469,444 filed 30 Mar. 2011.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120246989 A1 | Oct 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61469444 | Mar 2011 | US |