초록 ▼

In one embodiment, a handguard system with clamp device for use on a firearm. The firearm has a barrel, an operating member and a receiver. The barrel and operating member are joined to the receiver. The handguard system includes a barrel nut, a tubular handguard, a clamp device, and a low profile r

In one embodiment, a handguard system with clamp device for use on a firearm. The firearm has a barrel, an operating member and a receiver. The barrel and operating member are joined to the receiver. The handguard system includes a barrel nut, a tubular handguard, a clamp device, and a low profile rail gas block. The barrel nut secures the barrel to the receiver and has an outer surface which lies inward of the operating member and engages the inner surface of the handguard. The handguard inner surface includes a groove for providing clearance to the operating member and gas block. The clamp device attaches to the handguard and includes an actuating screw and a spring loaded clamp pad which engages the barrel nut outer surface. The low profile rail gas block permits both interfacing accessories and rapid installation and removal of the handguard.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A handguard system for use on a firearm having a receiver, a barrel, and an operating member, the barrel and operating member joined to the receiver, the operating member offset from the barrel, the handguard system comprising: a barrel nut being a unitary member, having an inner surfac

I claim: 1. A handguard system for use on a firearm having a receiver, a barrel, and an operating member, the barrel and operating member joined to the receiver, the operating member offset from the barrel, the handguard system comprising: a barrel nut being a unitary member, having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface, said outer surface disposed to pass between the firearm barrel and said operating member; and a unitary tubular handguard having a rear end, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the tubular handguard surrounding the barrel, operating member and barrel nut, engaging the outer surface of said barrel nut, the handguard inner surface further including a longitudinal groove for providing clearance to said firearm operating member; and a clamp device comprising an actuating screw, a plate for mounting said clamp device to said handguard, and a clamp pad; and the actuating screw includes a head and an opposing screw end, the head having wrenching means, the screw having an external screw thread; and the plate including a plate screw thread and means for attaching said plate to said handguard; and the handguard outside surface further including a clamp bore for receiving the clamp device, the bore generally opposite said longitudinal groove and near the handguard end, the handguard further having means for securing said plate to said handguard; and said plate screw thread aligned coaxially with said clamp bore; and said clamp pad having a top surface with a curvature matching the curvature of the barrel nut mating outer surface, the pad having an opposing flat bottom surface, said bottom surface facing the plate and abutting said screw end; and said pad further having a cross-sectional shape, relative to axis of said bore, adapted to both orient said pad top surface to said barrel nut outer surface, and permit said pad to travel within said bore; whereby, said clamp pad, forced by said actuating screw, engaging and applying clamping force to said barrel nut outer surface when said actuating screw is advanced and tightened; and the barrel nut outer surface is gripped between said clamp pad and the opposing handguard inner surface, thus securing said handguard to said firearm. 2. A handguard system as recited in claim 1 wherein; the firearm operating member is a gas tube. 3. A handguard system as recited in claim 2 further comprising: in the clamp device, a spring, said spring interposed between said actuating screw end and said clamp pad bottom surface. 4. A handguard system as recited in claim 3 further including; the clamp pad of the clamp device having a post, said post extending from the bottom surface of said clamp pad and having a hollow end; and said actuating screw further having a through-hole, the through-hole coaxial with said screw threads and adapted to receive said post, said post extending through said screw, beyond the length of the screw through-hole; and said post hollow end re-shaped and enlarged to retain said actuating screw to said post, while permitting rotation of said screw about said post; whereby, said clamp pad and said actuating screw are retained to each other. 5. A handguard system as recited in claim 4 wherein: the barrel nut outer surface has an annular groove, the groove both aligned with, and adapted to receive the clamp pad; and the annular groove having a groove diameter, said groove diameter creating forward and rear groove shoulders; and the clamp pad includes a top surface with a groove diameter mating curvature; and said pad, when urged by said spring, the spring when forced by tightening of said actuating screw, said clamp pad engaging and applying clamping force to the barrel nut groove surface; whereby, the barrel nut is gripped between said clamp pad, engaging said groove diameter, and the opposing handguard inner surface engaging the barrel nut outer surface; and said clamp pad and said handguard longitudinal movement is further limited by said barrel nut forward and rear groove shoulders engaging said clamp pad. 6. A handguard system as recited in claim 3 further comprising: said clamp device actuating screw includes a screw head having an adjustment screw, the axis of said adjustment screw parallel to the axis of said actuating screw; and said adjustment screw being disposed to adjustably protrude from said actuating screw head toward said clamp device plate, for stopping advance of said actuating screw when contacting said plate; and said adjustment screw secured at desired protrusion from said screw head by means such as a locking helicoil insert; whereby, advance of said actuating screw is adjustable, thus deflection of said spring is adjustable, thus applied force to said clamp pad is adjustable. 7. A handguard system as recited in claim 3 further comprising: said firearm receiver further including a forward face, and a receiver rail, the rail having left and right rail walls; and a rib formed on said hanguard outer surface, the rib aligned with said clearance groove, said rib extending forward from said handguard rear end and formed into a dovetail rail, the rib further extending slightly rearward from said handguard rear end and formed into a pair of left and right projections; and the projections each having a shorter pad portion, said pads abutting said receiver forward face, for longitudinally locating said handguard on said barrel nut, said projections each having an inward facing flat surface, said flat surfaces abutting said receiver rail walls for preventing rotation of said handguard relative to said receiver; and said screw head of said clamp device actuating screw including a lever portion. 8. A handguard system as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a gas block, the gas block being a unitary part having a rear face, the rear face having a first longitudinal bore extending forward through the block for receiving the firearm barrel and a second longitudinal bore, offset above the first and extending forward for receiving the firearm gas tube, the block further including a vertical bore connecting the two longitudinal bores, the vertical bore adapted to receive gas from a barrel gas port and convey said gas to said second longitudinal bore, the block having a bottom portion including means for securing said block to said firearm barrel, and a top portion, said top portion including the second bore and a dovetail rail, the rail located forward of the second bore and including an outward face, the forward location permitting the rail to locate adjacent the first bore, close to the barrel; and said handguard clearance groove is adapted to provide clearance to both said gas tube and said gas block; whereby, accessories can be removably rail-mounted close to the barrel, improving firearm handling; and a firearm handguard, including its complement of accessories, can be removed quickly, passing over the gas block, without the need to remove the gas block from the firearm barrel. 9. A handguard system as recited in claim 8 further comprising: at least one sighting device mounted to said handguard rail; and a rail mountable laser sighting device, said laser sighting device mounted to said gas block integral rail; whereby, the laser beam of the gas block mounted laser sighting device may be used as a barrel-referenced bullet path indication for verifying alignment of the handguard-mounted sighting device without firing the firearm; and with the rail mounted laser sighting device removed from the gas block, the handguard with attached sighting device can quickly be removed from the firearm by unclamping the clamp device and sliding the handguard forward, passing over the gas block; and the same handguard or a similar handguard may be quickly installed, engaging said barrel nut and securing said handguard with said clamp device; and with the laser sighting device re-installed to said gas block, the sight alignment verification process may be repeated. 10. A handguard system as recited claim 3 further comprising: a thrust washer, said thrust washer interposed between said actuating screw end and said spring; whereby force is transmitted from the actuating screw to said spring. 11. A handguard system as recited in claim 3 wherein: the pad of said clamp device includes a projection, the projection extending radially outward from said pad; and the handguard including a slot, the slot located adjacent to said clamp bore and running from the handguard outer surface parallel to said clamp bore and stopping short of the handguard inner surface, the slot adapted to receive the pad projection; and the slot and pad projection cooperating and adapted to both orient the pad top surface within the clamp bore, relative to the barrel nut outer surface, and limit the upward travel of the pad; whereby, the pad top surface is oriented to mate with said barrel nut outer surface; and said slot, cooperating with said pad projection, retains said pad within said clamp bore when said handguard is removed from said barrel nut. 12. A handguard system as recited in claim 11 further including: the clamp device includes a post, the post extending from the bottom surface of said clamp pad and having a hollow end; and said actuating screw further having a through-hole, the hole coaxial with said screw threads and adapted to receive said post at said screw, said post extending through said screw, beyond the length of the screw through-hole; and said post hollow end re-shaped and enlarged to retain said actuating screw to said post, while permitting rotation of said screw about said post; whereby, said clamp pad and said actuating screw are linked to each other. 13. A handguard system as recited in claim 2 wherein: the firearm operating member is a pushrod. 14. A handguard system as recited in claim 13 further comprising: in the clamp device, a spring, said spring interposed between said actuating screw end and said clamp pad bottom surface. 15. A handguard system as recited in claim 14 wherein: the pad of said clamp device includes a projection, the projection extending radially outward from said pad; and the handguard including a slot, the slot adapted to receive said pad projection, the slot located adjacent to said clamp bore and running from the handguard outer surface, parallel to said clamp bore and stopping short of the handguard inner surface, the slot adapted to receive the pad projection; and the slot and pad projection cooperating and adapted to both orient the pad top surface within the clamp bore, relative to the barrel nut outer surface, and limit the upward travel of the pad; whereby, the pad top surface is oriented to mate with said barrel nut outer surface; and said slot, cooperating with said pad projection, retains said pad within said clamp bore when said handguard is removed from said barrel nut. 16. A handguard system as recited in claim 15 further including: the clamp device includes a post, the post extending from the bottom surface of said clamp pad; and the clamp device includes a post, the post extending from the bottom surface of said clamp pad and having a hollow end; and said actuating screw further having a through-hole, the through-hole coaxial with said screw threads and adapted to receive said post at said screw, said post extending through said screw, beyond the length of the screw through-hole; and said post hollow end re-shaped and enlarged to retain said actuating screw to said post, while permitting rotation of said screw about said post; whereby, said clamp pad and said actuating screw are linked to each other. 17. A handguard system as recited in claim 14 further including; the clamp pad of the clamp device having a post, said post extending from the bottom surface of said clamp pad and having a hollow end; and said actuating screw further having a through-hole, the through-hole coaxial with said screw threads and adapted to receive said post, said post extending through said screw, beyond the length of the screw through-hole; and said post hollow end re-shaped and enlarged to retain said actuating screw to said post, while permitting rotation of said screw about said post; whereby, said clamp pad and said actuating screw are retained to each other. 18. A handguard system as recited in claim 17 wherein: the barrel nut outer surface has an annular groove, the groove both aligned with, and adapted to receive the clamp pad; and the annular groove having a groove diameter, said groove diameter creating forward and rear groove shoulders; and the clamp pad includes a top surface with a groove diameter mating curvature; and said pad, when urged by said spring, the spring when forced by tightening of said actuating screw, said clamp pad engaging and applying clamping force to the barrel nut groove surface; whereby, the barrel nut is gripped between said clamp pad, engaging said groove diameter, and the opposing handguard inner surface engaging the barrel nut outer surface; and said clamp pad and said handguard longitudinal movement is further limited by said barrel nut forward and rear groove shoulders engaging said clamp pad. 19. A handguard system as recited in claim 14 further comprising: said clamp device actuating screw including a screw head having an adjustment screw, the axis of said adjustment screw parallel to the axis of said actuating screw; and said adjustment screw being disposed to adjustably protrude from said actuating screw head toward said clamp device plate, for adjustably stopping advance of said actuating screw by contacting said plate; and said adjustment screw being secured at desired protrusion from said screw head by means such as a locking helicoil insert; whereby, advance of said actuating screw is adjustable, thus deflection of said spring is adjustable, thus applied force to said clamp pad is adjustable. 20. A handguard system as recited in claim 14 further including: said firearm receiver further including a forward face, and a receiver rail, the rail having left and right rail walls; and a rib formed on said hanguard outer surface, the rib aligned with said clearance groove, said rib extending forward from said handguard rear end and formed into a dovetail rail, the rib further extending slightly rearward from said handguard rear end and formed into a pair of left and right projections; and the projections each having a shorter pad portion, said pads abutting said receiver forward face, for longitudinally locating said handguard on said barrel nut, said projections each having an inward facing flat surface, said flat surfaces abutting said receiver rail walls for preventing rotation of said handguard relative to said receiver; and said screw head of said clamp device actuating screw including a lever portion. 21. A handguard system as recited in claim 20 further comprising: a gas block, the gas block being a unitary part having a rear face, the rear face having a first longitudinal bore extending forward through the block for receiving the firearm barrel and a second longitudinal bore, offset above the first and extending forward for receiving the firearm gas tube, the block further including a vertical bore connecting the two longitudinal bores, the vertical bore adapted to receive gas from a barrel gas port and convey said gas to said second longitudinal bore, the block having a bottom portion including means for securing said block to said firearm barrel, and a top portion, said top portion including the second bore and a dovetail rail, the rail located forward of the second bore and including an outward face, the forward location permitting the rail to locate adjacent the first bore, close to the barrel; and said handguard clearance groove is adapted to provide clearance to both said gas tube and said gas block; whereby, accessories can be removably rail-mounted close to the barrel, improving firearm handling; and a firearm handguard, including its complement of accessories, can be removed quickly, passing over the gas block, without the need to remove the gas block from the firearm barrel. 22. A handguard system as recited in claim 21 further comprising: at least one sighting device mounted to said handguard rail; and a rail mountable laser sighting device, said laser sighting device mounted to said gas block integral rail; whereby, the laser beam of the gas block mounted laser sighting device may be used as a barrel-referenced bullet path indication for verifying alignment of the handguard-mounted sighting device without firing the firearm; and with the rail mounted laser sighting device removed from the gas block, the handguard with attached sighting device can quickly be removed from the firearm by unclamping the clamp device and sliding the handguard forward, passing over the gas block; and the same handguard or a similar handguard may be quickly installed, engaging said barrel nut and securing said handguard with said clamp device; and with the laser sighting device re-installed to said gas block, the sight alignment verification process may be repeated. 23. A handguard system as recited claim 14 further comprising: a thrust washer, said thrust washer interposed between said actuating screw end and said spring; whereby, force is transmitted from said actuating screw to said spring. 24. A clamp device for securing a handguard to a firearm, the firearm having minimally a receiver, a barrel, a barrel nut and a tubular handguard, the barrel nut having an inner threaded surface for securing the barrel to the receiver, and an outer surface, the tubular handguard having an inner surface for engaging the barrel nut outer surface, the firearm handguard further having a clamp bore for receiving a clamp device, the clamp device comprising: an actuating screw, a plate for mounting said clamp device to said handguard, and a clamp pad, the actuating screw including an external screw thread, a head and an opposing screw end, the head having wrenching means; and the plate including a plate screw thread, the plate screw thread aligned with the clamp bore, the plate including means for attaching said plate to the firearm handguard; and said clamp pad having a top surface with a curvature matching the curvature of the barrel nut outer surface, the pad having an opposing flat bottom surface, said bottom surface facing the plate and abutting said screw end; and said pad further having a cross-sectional shape, relative to axis of said bore, adapted to both orient said pad top surface with said barrel nut outer surface, and permit said pad to slidably travel within said bore; whereby, said clamp pad, forced by said actuating screw, engaging and applying clamping force to said barrel nut outer surface when said actuating screw is advanced and tightened; and the firearm barrel nut outer surface is gripped between said clamp pad top surface and the opposing handguard inner surface, thus securing said handguard to said firearm. 25. A clamp device as recited in claim 24 the clamp device further comprising: a spring, the spring interposed between said actuating screw end and said clamp pad bottom surface. 26. A clamp device as recited in claim 24 wherein: said firearm barrel nut outer surface includes an annular groove, with a groove diameter, the groove adapted to receive said clamp pad; and the clamp pad top surface has a curvature matching the diameter of said annular groove; whereby, said clamp pad, forced by said actuating screw, engaging and applying clamping force to said barrel nut outer surface when said actuating screw is advanced and tightened; and said barrel nut is gripped between said clamp pad top surface engaging said groove diameter and the opposing handguard inner surface, thus securing said handguard to said firearm, the clamp device and the attached handguard longitudinal movement further limited by said pad engaging said groove. 27. A clamp device as recited in claim 24 wherein: said firearm barrel nut outer surface includes an annular groove; and the clamp pad top surface includes a protruding transverse rib, the rib having a curved top surface which matches the curvature of the annular groove, the rib aligned with and adapted to be received by said groove, the rib having slight clearance to said annular groove when said pad top surface is engaging said firearm barrel nut outer surface; whereby, said clamp pad, forced by said actuating screw, engaging and applying clamping force to said barrel nut outer surface when said actuating screw is advanced and tightened; and the barrel nut outer surface is gripped between said clamp pad top surface and the opposing handguard inner surface, thus securing said handguard to said firearm, said clamp device and the attached handguard longitudinal movement further limited by said rib being received by said barrel nut groove.