Abstract:
This invention relates to a forearm “free floating” handguard for high rate of fire semiautomatic rifles and carbines such as the M16 family. More particularly, a handguard is disclosed that includes an integral gripping section and ventilation cut-outs, providing optimal grip strength, improved convective barrel cooling, while minimizing weight of the firearm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the general field of forearm handguard assemblies for a rifles, and to the particular field of forearm handguards for high rate of fire semiautomatic rifles and carbines such as the M16 family of firearms. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Modern semiautomatic rifles enable rapid, high volume firing which can heat the barrel to very high temperatures. To protect the shooter from burns from the hot barrel, the barrel is usually surrounded by a handguard located directly in front of the receiver. In many cases, the handguard is vented to provide convective cooling and dissipate heat from barrel. An example of an early handguard can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,994, “Gun forearm”. 
         [0005]    In addition to their heat protection function, handguards are commonly designed to attach weapon accessories such as optics, laser, night vision, foregrips, bipods, and tactical lights to the firearm. A current example of a handguard designed as such can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 8,819,980, “Modular Rifle Handguard.” 
         [0006]    Although many rifle handguards are large in diameter and tubular in design, handguards can also have a triangular or pear-like shape wherein the base is wider and more flat than the top. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246, “Forward Handguard Assembly for Rifle”), the traditional tubular design can result in poor grip and muscle fatigue. U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246 further notes that unlike hunting or other military rifles which use a full stock, many semiautomatic rifles rely on the use of the forward handguard for stability, control, and aiming of the weapon. U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246 attempts to address the issue of grip and muscle fatigue through an ergonomically designed handguard wherein the handguard is oblique in shape with a flat lower surface and edges for gripping. However, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,982, there are advantages to a generally cylindrical handguard. 
         [0007]    Other attempts to improve grip and reduce muscle fatigue have included gripping systems mounted directly to the handguard. For example, Pat. Application No. 2009/0178325, “Hand Grip System with Integrated Sign For Mounting to Firearm”, illustrates one example of such a design. In designs such as this, the handgrip is attached to the bottom of the handguard. 
         [0008]    While previous attempts to modify the shape of the handguard, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,246, and attempts to add an attachable handgrip such as in Pat. Application No. 2009/0178325, address the problems of grip strength and muscle fatigue, they introduce other problems such as increased weight and inefficient cooling of the rifle barrel. There is a need for a semiautomatic rifle handguard that will provide the benefits of improved convective cooling of the firearm barrel, improved grip strength and reduced muscle fatigue of the shooter, and minimized overall weight of the firearm. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with the invention, an ergonomic gripping section is longitudinally incorporated into the free-floating cylindrical member. This design improves grip, reduces muscle fatigue and provides improved convective cooling of the firearm while reducing the overall weight of the firearm. 
         [0010]    The gripping section may be integrated directly into the cylindrical member or alternatively, it may be a separate member attached to the cylindrical member. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, the incorporation of the gripping section directly into the cylindrical member such that they form a single integral member provides the greatest combination of benefits to the shooter. The gripping section may be made of the same material as the cylindrical member, but may also be constructed of different materials than the cylindrical member. 
         [0011]    If desired, particular embodiments of the invention can be made of different sizes, materials, or colors, have numbers or letters on the handguard, or can contain other uniquely identifiable characters. Furthermore, the gripping section may incorporate various textures to improve friction and grip. Although any light weight, high strength, corrosion resistant, heat resistant material may be used, manufacturing the invention using a single integral section of high strength aluminum provides an optimum combination of strength, heat resistance, and low weight. 
         [0012]    The handguard and gripping section may also incorporate cooling vents, ventilation cut-outs, ribbing, heat shields, or double heat shields and liners to provide cooling air circulation around the barrel of the firearm. Cooling vents and ventilation cut-outs also reduce the weight of the handguard and provide an aesthetically pleasing “skeletal” look. One or more removable and moveable mounting rails may be provided with the handguard. Finally, the handguard may include mounting structures to enabling weapon accessory attachments as needed. 
         [0013]    The invention may be used to particular advantage as a handguard for semiautomatic rifles, but it may also be used in other firearms where handguards are utilized. 
         [0014]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purpose of example, not for purpose of limitation. 
           [0016]    Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once designated, an element will be identified by the identical number throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying drawings is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present disclosure. In such drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric front view showing the left side of an embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a plain front-end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a plain back-end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a plain top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a plain bottom view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plain side view showing the right side of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , wherein such cross section is located in the handguard grip section as shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a plain left side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  mounted to a semiautomatic rifle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components.  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8  illustrate the gripping section and handguard of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the invention includes cylindrical member ( 7 ), gripping section ( 1 ), top mounting rail ( 2 ), forward ventilation cut-outs ( 8 ), rear ventilation cut-outs ( 3 ), screw holes ( 4 ), forward side bracket slots ( 5 ), rear side bracket slots ( 9 ), forward bottom bracket slots ( 6 ), and rear bottom bracket slots ( 10 ). 
         [0027]    Cylindrical member ( 7 ) is a “free floating” handguard designed for a semiautomatic rifle. The “free floating” design is formed where the inner surface of cylindrical member ( 7 ) maintains radial spacing from the outer surface of the firearm barrel. As shown in  FIG. 1 , cylindrical member ( 7 ) has a cylindrical, tubular shape. However, other shapes for the cylindrical member ( 7 ) may be possible, such as triangular, pear shaped, and rectangular. Cylindrical member ( 7 ) should be made of strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant, heat resistant material. Optimally, the cylindrical member ( 7 ) should be constructed using a metal such as high strength aluminum. Finally, the cylindrical member ( 7 ) of the present invention is preferably constructed from a single piece of material. However, alternative designs where the cylindrical member ( 7 ) is composed of two or more elements are possible. 
         [0028]    Cylindrical member ( 7 ) is attached to the rifle receiver using screw holes ( 4 ) on the rear of the cylindrical member ( 7 ). Attaching the cylindrical member ( 7 ) only at the rear gives it a “free floating” design such that no portion of the cylindrical member contacts the barrel of the rifle. 
         [0029]    Gripping section ( 1 ) may be integrated directly into cylindrical member ( 7 ) or, alternatively, it may be a separate member attached to cylindrical member ( 7 ). Preferably, gripping section ( 1 ) is incorporated directly into cylindrical member ( 7 ) such that they form a single integral member. Gripping section ( 1 ) may be made of the same material as cylindrical member ( 7 ), but may also be constructed of different materials than cylindrical member ( 7 ). In either configuration, gripping section ( 1 ) should be constructed of a lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant, and heat resistant material such as high-strength aluminum. Further, gripping section ( 1 ) may have various textures. Preferably, the surface of gripping section ( 1 ) is composed of a series of triangular shapes providing for optimal grip friction and giving it a ridged appearance, as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, other textures are possible for gripping section ( 1 ) such as bumpy, knobby, contoured, gritty, or grainy depending on the grip friction or aesthetics desired. 
         [0030]    Cylindrical member ( 7 ) has a top mounting rail ( 2 ) longitudinally extending along the top portion of its entire length, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Such accessory mounting rails are widely known as Picatinny Rails. Front end and back end views of the cylindrical member ( 7 ) in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  and cross-sectional view  FIG. 7  show the partially octagonal shape and placement of the top mounting rail ( 2 ). 
         [0031]    Forward ventilation cut-outs ( 8 ) and rear ventilation cut-outs ( 3 ) help reduce weight, improve ventilation, and provide an aesthetically pleasing “skeletal look” to cylindrical member ( 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , forward ventilation cut-outs ( 8 ) partially wrap around the front portion of cylindrical member ( 7 ). Similarly, rear ventilation cut-outs ( 3 ) partially wrap around the rear portion of cylindrical member ( 7 ). Although rectangular shaped cut-outs are preferred, other shapes are possible. Additionally, for aesthetic reasons the forward ventilation cut-outs ( 8 ) and rear ventilation cut-outs ( 3 ) are set on a diagonal, reminiscent of a shark&#39;s gills. Other embodiments of the invention could include vertical or horizontal forward and rear ventilation cut-outs, ( 8 ) and ( 3 ) respectively.  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8  illustrate an embodiment of the forward ventilation cut-outs ( 8 ) and rear ventilation cut-outs ( 3 ) on the right side and the left side of the cylindrical member ( 7 ). 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , rifle accessories such as flashlights, scopes, and laser sights can be mounted to the cylindrical member ( 7 ) through use of forward side bracket slots ( 5 ), rear side bracket slots ( 9 ), forward bottom bracket slots ( 6 ), and rear bottom bracket slots ( 10 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , forward bottom bracket slots ( 6 ) are located on the bottom front end portion of cylindrical member ( 7 ). Similarly, rear bottom bracket slots ( 10 ) are located on the bottom rear end portion of cylindrical member ( 7 ). In the current embodiment of the invention, the bracket slots ( 5 ), ( 9 ), ( 6 ), and ( 10 ) are oval in shape with one side of the slots larger than the other side. Other embodiments may include more or less bracket slots and slots of different shapes.  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8  illustrate an embodiment of the forward side bracket slots ( 5 ), rear side bracket slots ( 9 ), forward bottom bracket slots ( 6 ), and rear bottom bracket slots ( 10 ). on the right side and the left side of the cylindrical member ( 7 ). 
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements that, while not shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and thus are within its spirit and scope.