Patent ID: 8037633
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: F41C

Abstract:
1. A handguard for use on a firearm having a receiver, a barrel and a barrel nut affixing the barrel to the receiver, the barrel nut having radially outwardly directed tines spaced about the outer periphery, the handguard comprising: an elongated tubular, cylindrical body with an inner surface and an outer surface, the body having a distal end and a proximal end, the inner surface of the body adjacent the proximal end having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the barrel nut and smaller than a diameter defined by the outer tips of the tines; the body having a plurality of radially outwardly directed grooves defined in the inner surface and extending longitudinally from the proximal end toward the distal end, the grooves being spaced apart around the periphery of the inner surface so as to correspond with the tines on the barrel nut and allow passage of the tines on the barrel nut therethrough, the grooves defining a longitudinally extending land between each adjacent pair of grooves; and the body further having a circumferentially extending channel defined in the inner surface, spaced from the proximal end so as to receive the tines therein with the barrel nut in the tightened position to allow limited rotation of the body around the barrel relative to the barrel nut.