FIREARM WITH FORWARD GRIP ATTACHMENT SYSTEM

• US 20140068987A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JJE Brands, LLC
• Original Assignee: RA Brands LLC (RA Factors, Inc.)
• Inventors: Burt, Eric C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,297,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/16
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/48 Barrel mounting means, e.g. releasable mountings for replaceable barrels
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 3/66 Breech housings or frames; Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 3/84 mounted within the gun stock
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/04 Folding or telescopic stocks or stock parts articulated or collapsible guns F41A11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02

Abstract

A hand guard attachment system for releasably attaching a hand guard to a firearm is disclosed herein. The system includes the hand guard having a proximal end configured to engage a forward end of a receiver of the firearm. The system further includes a tensioning assembly configured to interface between the hand guard and the forward end of the firearm. The tensioning assembly is further configured to selectively maintain an engaged position between the hand guard and the firearm such that the hand guard is releasably attached to the firearm without interfering with, or requiring removal of, the barrel and/or barrel nut connected to the receiver.

Claims

1. A hand guard attachment system for releasably attaching a hand guard to a firearm, comprising:

the hand guard, the hand guard comprising a proximal end configured to engage a forward end of the firearm;

a tensioning assembly received within an interfacing position engaged between the hand guard and the forward end of the receiver, wherein the tensioning assembly selectively maintains an engaged position against the hand guard and the forward end of the firearm such that the hand guard is releasably attached to the firearm.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand guard comprises:

a cylindrical body having at least one retention slot formed therethrough, the retention slot configured to be engaged with the tensioning assembly to secure the hand guard to the forward end of the firearm.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the firearm comprises:

a barrel nut mounted at the forward end of the firearm adjacent the retention slot, wherein the tensioning assembly engages the hand guard along the retention slot and engages the barrel but to form a releasable connection therebetween.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the barrel nut comprises an annular recess formed thereon about a central axis of the barrel nut, the annular recess configured to engage the tensioning assembly.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a turnbuckle mechanism, the turnbuckle mechanism comprising:

a rotatable spindle having opposed threaded shanks extending therefrom; and

engaging tabs mounted on respective ones of the opposed threaded shanks, the engaging tabs moveable between extended and retracted positions relative to the rotatable spindle in response to rotation of the rotatable spindle such that the engaging tabs are moved into and out of engagement with the hand guard and forward end of the firearm.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the engaging tabs each comprise:

an elongated body having a proximal end mounted to its respective threaded shank, a distal end spaced therefrom and adapted to engage the hand guard along the retention slot; and

a lateral projection extending outwardly from the elongated body and configured to engage and move between the hand guard and barrel nut upon rotation of the spindle to form a frictional mounting engagement between the hand guard and the barrel nut.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a cam mechanism having at least one cam lever and a pair of opposed engaging tabs in mechanical communication with the at least one cam lever, whereby the engaging tabs are extensible and retractable in response to movement of the at least one cam lever such that the engaging tabs are moved into and out of engagement with the at least one retention slot and a portion of the barrel nut.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism comprising:

a ratcheting knob having opposed shanks extending therefrom; and

engaging tabs mounted on respective ones of the opposed shanks, the engaging tabs configured to extend outwardly and inwardly relative to the ratcheting knob responsive to actuation of the ratcheting knob such that the engaging tabs are moved into and out of engagement with the at least one retention slot and the annular recess.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand guard further comprises at least one interfacing tab extending longitudinally from the proximal end of the hand guard and configured to engage a corresponding surface feature of the forward end of the firearm to put the hand guard against the firearm.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one interfacing tab comprises inwardly projecting edges having an inner diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the forward end of the firearm.

11. A firearm, comprising:

an upper receiver having a bolt assembly therein;

a barrel coupled to the upper receiver by a barrel nut;

a hand guard releasably attached to the upper receiver in a floating with respect to the barrel, the hand guard comprising a proximal end configured to engage the upper receiver; and

a tensioning assembly mountable between the hand guard and the barrel nut, and operable so as to be selectively moveable into an engaged position between the hand guard and the barrel nut for releasably attaching the hand guard to the firearm.

12. The firearm of claim 11, further comprising:

a reduced profile stock system interfaced with the upper receiver, the stock system comprising a stock and at least one rail attached to the stock and slideably received along a guide recess formed within the upper receiver.

13. The firearm of claim 12, further comprising a lower receiver, a buffer tube assembly mounted to a rear portion of the lower receiver and including a buffer tube coupled to the bolt assembly for dampening recoil movement of the bolt assembly, and a housing surrounding the buffer tube and having a slot formed therethrough adapted to receive and guide the at least one rail of the stock system into the guide recess of the upper receiver when the stock system is moved to a retracted position.

14. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the barrel nut comprises an annular recess formed thereon about a central axis of the barrel nut, the annular recess configured to engage the tensioning assembly.

15. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a turnbuckle mechanism, the turnbuckle mechanism comprising:

a rotatable spindle having opposed threaded shanks extending therefrom; and

engaging tabs mounted on respective ones of the opposed threaded shanks, the engaging tabs moveable between extended and retracted positions relative to the rotatable spindle in response to rotation of the rotatable spindle such that the engaging tabs are moved into and out of engagement with the hand guard and barrel nut.

16. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the hand guard further comprises at least one interfacing tab extending longitudinally from the proximal end of the hand guard and configured to engage a corresponding surface feature of the upper receiver to put the hand guard against the firearm.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one interfacing tab comprises inwardly projecting edges having an inner diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the upper receiver.

18. A collapsible stock system configured to be interfaced with an upper receiver and a lower receiver of a firearm, comprising:

a stock;

at least one rail attached to the stock and configured to be slideably received along a guide recess formed within the upper receiver; and

a buffer tube assembly configured to be mounted to a rear portion of the lower receiver including a buffer tube coupled to a bolt assembly of the upper receiver, and a housing surrounding the buffer tube and having a slot formed therethrough adapted to receive and guide the at least one rail of the stock system into the guide recess of the upper receiver when the stock system is moved to a retracted or collapsed position.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the buffer tube assembly is configured to house and support a buffering mechanism comprising:

a guide rod having a proximal end configured to be coupled to the bolt assembly and a distal end extending to a distal end of the buffer tube housing and terminating at an expanded plate; and

a counterweight slidably mounted along the guide rod.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a retention mechanism comprising at least one spring operable to bias the stock toward an extended or open position and a release mechanism configured to hold the stock in its closed position until released.