Patent ID: 8844186
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: F41A,F41C

Abstract:
1. A hand guard assembly reversibly attachable to a firearm, the firearm having a receiver, a barrel having a front site, a firearm barrel nut having a smooth circular outer surface and a serrated rim wherein the firearm barrel nut functions to affix the barrel to the receiver; wherein the hand guard assembly comprises: an upper component comprising an upper component wall, an upper component proximal end, an upper component distal end, an upper component outer surface, an upper component inner surface and two parallel upper component edges; and a lower component comprising a lower component wall, a lower component proximal end, a lower component distal end, a lower component outer surface, a lower component inner surface, and two parallel lower component edges; wherein the upper and lower components are of equal length; and wherein the upper component inner surface at the upper component proximal end and the lower component inner surface at the lower component proximal end are each configured to define a smooth concave semicircular surface disposed between the two parallel upper component edges and the two parallel lower component edges respectively; and wherein each concave semicircular surface further comprises a groove configured to accommodate the serrated rim of a barrel nut on a firearm to which the hand guard assembly is attached, such that when the upper component and lower component are assembled and attached to the firearm barrel nut, the smooth concave semicircular surfaces provide intimate contact with the smooth circular outer surface of the barrel nut; wherein the proximal end of the upper component comprises two diametrically opposed L-shaped flanges and the proximal end of the lower component comprises two diametrically opposed flat flanges wherein the two upper component L-shaped flanges are configured to mate with and maintain intimate contact with the two lower component flat flanges and wherein the distal end of the lower component comprises two diametrically disposed parallel tabs extending upward from the two parallel lower component edges and the upper component comprises two diametrically disposed slots, wherein the lower component tabs are configured to mate with and maintain intimate contact with the upper component slots; and wherein the upper component and lower component are each dimensioned and configured such that, when the proximal ends are attached to the barrel nut and to one another, the hand guard assembly defines a generally tubular sleeve that encircles the firearm barrel along its longitudinal axis and extends from the barrel nut to a position just short of the firearm barrel front sight; and wherein the sole contact between the firearm and the hand guard assembly is the intimate contact between the barrel nut and the inner surfaces of the proximal ends of the upper and lower components.