Patent Application
20240003656
The disclosure generally relates to firearm accessories and more particularly relates to systems and methods for an adjustable weight assembly for a firearm.
A properly balanced firearm may increase the comfort and accuracy of the user. Firearms may include a number of accessories attached thereto. The addition of various accessories, however, may change the weight, center of gravity, and/or balance point of the firearm, which may be undesirable. Thus, a system that provides for adjustability and versatility of the weight, center of gravity, and/or balance point of the firearm may be useful.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
Described below are embodiments of an adjustable weight assembly for a handguard of a firearm. Methods of manufacturing and using the adjustable weight assembly are also disclosed.
In certain embodiments, the adjustable weight assembly may include a handguard, a weight configured to be attached to the handguard, and a firearm accessory configured to be adjustably secured about the weight. In some instances, the weight includes a slot, and the adjustable weight assembly may further include a tab configured to be adjustably secured about the slot. For example, the slot may include a lip forming a channel. The tab may be configured to be (i) movably disposed within the channel between the lip and the handguard in a first configuration and (ii) securely sandwiched within the channel between the lip and the handguard in a second configuration. In some instances, a width of the tab may be larger than a width of the channel. In this manner, a weight distribution of the firearm may be adjusted by attaching the weight to the handguard and/or adjusting a position of the firearm accessory about the weight.
Turning now to the drawings,
The adjustable weight assembly 100 may include weights 104 comprising a first weight 104a and a second weight 104b. Any number of weights 104 may be used herein. The weights 104 may be removably coupled to the handguard 102. In some instances, the weights 104 may be substantially the same length as the handguard 102. The weights 104 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.
In certain embodiments, the first weight 104a may be disposed on a first side of the handguard 102, and the second weight 104b may be disposed on a second side of the handguard 102. The weights 104 may be disposed at any suitable location on the handguard 102. In some instances, the first weight 104a and the second weight 104b may be substantially identical. In other instances, the first weight 104a and the second weight 104b may be different sizes, different weights, and/or different configurations. In certain embodiments, the first weight 104a and the second weight 104b may each have a front side, a rear side, and a slot. For example, the first weight 104a may include a slot 108, and the second weight 104b may include a slot 108. The slots 108 may be configured to house an accessory that is configured to be adjustably secured within the slots 108.
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In some embodiments, the first weight 104a may have at least one hole 114 for securing the weight 104a to the handguard 102. Any number of holes 114 may be used herein. The size and shape of the holes 114 may correspond to the handguard 102 interface. In some instances, the hole 114 may have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard 102 to secure the weight 104a onto the handguard 102. In some embodiments, the first weight 104a may have a plurality of holes 114 for securing the first weight 104a to the handguard 102. A first hole 114 may be positioned at the front of the handguard 102, and a second hole 114 may be positioned at the rear of the handguard 102.
The first weight 104a may also have at least one quick detach mount 112. In some embodiments, the first weight 104a has a first quick detach mount 112 and a second quick detach 112 mount on either side of the slot 108. The first weight 104a may also include an accessory 110 disposed within the slot 108 that includes a quick detach mount 206. The accessory 110 is configured to be adjustably secured within the slot 108. The quick detach mounts 112, 206 may be counter bored for easy connected and detachment of accessories. In some embodiments, the quick detach mounts 112 may also have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard 102 to secure the first weight 104a onto the handguard 102.
In some embodiments, the first weight 104a may comprise any number of holes 114 and/or quick detach mounts 112 in the side of the weight. The first weight 104a may use either the holes 114, the quick detach mounts 112, or both to secure the first weight 104a to the handguard 102 by insertion of a screw or fastener therethrough. In some embodiments, there are an equal number of holes 114 and quick detach mounts 112 on either side of the slot 108.
In some embodiments, the second weight 104b may have at least one hole 114 for securing the second weight 104b to the handguard 102. Any number of holes 114 may be used herein. The size and shape of the holes 114 may correspond to the handguard 102 interface. In some instances, the holes 114 may have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard 102 to secure the second weight 104b onto the handguard 102. In some embodiments, the second weight 104b may have a plurality of holes 114 for securing the second weight 104b to the handguard 102. A first hole 114 may be positioned at the front of the handguard 102, and a second hole 114 may be positioned at the rear of the handguard 102.
The second weight 104b may also have at least one quick detach mount 112. In some embodiments, the second weight 104b may include a first quick detach mount 112 and a second quick detach 112 mount on either side of the slot 108. The second weight 104b may also include an accessory 110 disposed within the slot 108 that includes a quick detach mount 206. The accessory 110 is configured to be adjustably secured within the slot 108. The quick detach mounts 112, 206 may be counter bored for easy connected and detachment of accessories. In some embodiments, the quick detach mounts 112 may also have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard 102 to secure the second weights 104b onto the handguard 102.
In some embodiments, as shown in
The accessory 106, as shown by
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The accessories 106, 110 can be substituted for various other accessories or mounts including, but not limited to, side mounted sights, lasers, guides, lights, or other firearm accessories. The addition of the weights 104 and the adjustability of the accessories 106, 110 enables a user to adjust a weight, center of gravity, and balance point of a firearm by adding the weights 104 and adjusting the accessory 106, 110 along the slot 108.
Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
