Patent Publication Number: US-11656059-B1

Title: Firearm mounting system and related method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a weapon mounting system, and more particularly to a firearm mount for mounting accessories to a weapon such as a firearm. 
     Many modern sporting and military firearms include a handguard that extends forward of a receiver, and generally around a barrel of the firearm. The handguard prevents contact between the user and the barrel, thereby protecting the user when the barrel heats up after extended periods of fire. The handguard also can provide one or more rails or other surfaces upon which to mount accessories, such as lights, lasers, grenade launchers and other items. 
     An issue with many handguards is that they can be difficult to securely and precisely mount to a firearm. Frequently, handguards are provided with screws that tighten against a part of the barrel or some other portion of the firearm. While the screws can hold the handguard in most situations, they can sometimes give way and slide, so that the handguard can rotate, under excessive forces or moments exerted on the handguard, relative to the remainder of the firearm. In turn, this can provide an inadequate grasping surface. In other cases, where the rotation is significant, rails on the handguard can misalign with other rails on the remainder of the firearm. This can be particularly problematic where a sight or laser is mounted on the handguard. As a result of the rotation or misalignment, the firearm can become less accurate or an accessory can be damaged. 
     Yet further issues for handguards and accessory mounts can be present where the firearm is uniquely configured. For example, in an MP5 firearm, manufactured by Heckler &amp; Koch of Germany, or variants thereof, a tube extends above the barrel, away from the receiver of the firearm. Due to its configuration, the tube has little or no good attachment points for accessories or other components. Thus, most handguards and rails for the MP5 are secured only to the receiver, or alternatively and separately under the tube. This reduces the amount of space for accessory mounting, as well as locations for a user to grip and handle the firearm. 
     Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of mounting rails and handguards, and in particular, the way that they are secured to a firearm and their orientation relative to certain parts of the firearm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An accessory mounting system for a weapon, such as a firearm, is provided including a handguard and a receiver shroud with a mounting rail. 
     In one embodiment, the handguard is configured to extend above a cocking lever housing and/or barrel of a weapon, such as a firearm, and a receiver shroud extending rearward from the upper handguard and integrally formed with the upper handguard to form a single piece guard. 
     In another embodiment, the receiver shroud can include a mounting rail, such as a picatinny rail, and opposing lateral sidewalls extending downward from the rail. The receiver shroud can simultaneously extend above a firearm receiver as the upper handguard extends above the cocking lever housing to cover an upper surface or upper portion of the firearm. 
     In still another embodiment, the upper handguard can define a cocking lever slot and/or the receiver shroud can define an ejection port recess rearward of the slot. The slot can be of an L configuration so that a cocking lever can move therein along at least two different paths to facilitate cocking of the firearm. 
     In yet another embodiment, the guard can be secured to the firearm with opposing plugs having claws that engage ledges of the receiver to clamp the guard to the firearm. The plugs can be inserted relative to plug holes defined by the receiver shroud from opposing sides of the receiver shroud. 
     In even another embodiment, the plugs can include a first plug disposed in a first plug hole defined by a first lateral sidewall of the shroud. The first plug can include a first claw configured to engage a first ledge of the receiver on a first side of the receiver. A first fastener can be operably coupled to the first plug and can extend within a first fastener hole transverse to the first plug hole defined by the first lateral sidewall. 
     In a further embodiment, the plugs can include a second plug disposed in a second plug hole defined by a second lateral sidewall of the shroud. The second plug can extend toward the first plug, in a direction opposite the first plug. The second plug can include a second claw configured to engage a second ledge of the receiver opposite the first ledge of the receiver. A second fastener can be operably coupled to the second plug and can extend within a second fastener hole transverse to the second plug hole defined by the second lateral sidewall. 
     In still a further embodiment, the first and second fasteners can be operable to engage the first and second claws with the first and second ledges respectively so that a portion of the receiver is clamped between an interior surface of the receiver shroud and the first and second claws in a clamp mode to secure the single piece guard to the firearm. 
     In yet a further embodiment, a method is provided. The method can include providing a firearm including a cocking lever housing joined with a receiver and an upper surface; providing a receiver shroud integrally formed with an upper handguard to form a single piece guard, the receiver shroud including an uppermost portion having a mounting rail, a receiver shroud interior surface opposite the mounting rail, a first lateral sidewall on a first side of a longitudinal axis of the single piece guard extending downward from the picatinny rail, and a second lateral sidewall on a second side of the longitudinal axis of the single piece guard extending downward from the mounting rail opposite the first lateral sidewall; placing the single piece guard over the upper surface so that the receiver shroud simultaneously extends above the receiver as the upper handguard extends above the cocking lever housing of the firearm, the receiver shroud interior surface being disposed adjacent the upper surface of the firearm; and securing the single piece guard to the firearm in a fixed orientation. 
     In even a further embodiment, the method can include sliding a first plug into a first plug hole defined by the first lateral sidewall toward the longitudinal axis of the single piece guard to engage a first ledge of the receiver; installing a first fastener relative to the first plug; sliding a second plug into a second plug hole defined by the second lateral sidewall toward the longitudinal axis of the single piece guard, in a direction opposite the first plug, to engage a second ledge of the receiver opposite the first ledge of the receiver; and installing a second fastener relative to the second plug. 
     In another embodiment, the method can include positioning a lower handguard below the cocking lever housing of the firearm; and extending a lower handguard fastener through a lower handguard fastener hole defined by the upper handguard to secure the lower handguard to the upper handguard. The method optionally can include placing a cocking lever of the firearm in a slot defined by the single piece guard. 
     The current embodiments provide a firearm mounting rail that mounts easily and rigidly to a variety of firearms, including but not limited to an MP5 firearm or variants thereof. Where the upper handguard and receiver shroud are integrally formed, a single piece guard can cover an upper surface of the firearm, and can provide a mounting rail there. Where the plugs are used, those can be inserted laterally, from the sides of the receiver shroud, so that claws of the plugs can engage respective ledges of the receiver on opposite sides of the receiver. Such plugs can be easy and quick to install, and can provide a consistent, rigid connection to the ledges and the receiver. When the plug fasteners are installed, they can exert associated vertical forces on the ledges and can clamp a portion of the receiver between the claws and an interior surface of the single piece guard to secure the guard to the firearm. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a first perspective view of the firearm mount of a current embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the firearm mount. 
         FIG.  3    is a second perspective view of the firearm mount. 
         FIG.  4    is a close-up, section view of the firearm mount before assembly relative to a receiver of the firearm. 
         FIG.  5    is a close-up, section view of the firearm mount during assembly relative to the receiver. 
         FIG.  6    is another section view of the firearm mount during assembly relative to the receiver. 
         FIG.  7    is a section view of the firearm mount after assembly relative to the receiver. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS 
     A current embodiment of the firearm mount is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 7    and generally designated  10 . The firearm mount  10  is configured to be secured over a barrel  2  and cocking lever housing  4  extending from a receiver  6  associated with a weapon  8 , such as a firearm. The weapon  8  can be a sporting, military or hunting rifle or pistol, for example an MP5 from Heckler &amp; Koch of Germany, variants thereof and other firearm or weapon systems that include a barrel, receiver and an optional cocking lever housing and/or gas tube. The mount  10  can include an upper handguard  20  that extends above the cocking lever housing  4  when mounted to the firearm  8 . The mount  10  can include a receiver shroud  30  extending rearward from the upper handguard  20  and integrally formed with the upper handguard  20  to form a single piece guard having a longitudinal axis L. The receiver shroud  30  can be configured to extend above the receiver  6  of the firearm  8  simultaneously while the upper handguard  20  extends above the cocking lever housing  4  of the firearm  8  to cover an upper surface  9  of the firearm when the mount is installed relative to the firearm. The mount  10  can include a plug system  40  including plugs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  configured to be inserted into corresponding holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2  on opposing sides of the mount  10  and in particular the receiver shroud  30 . The plugs can be slid inward toward the longitudinal axis LA of the single piece guard ultimately to engage ledges or projections, commonly referred to herein as ledges  6 A,  6 B,  6 C and  6 D disposed on opposite sides of the receiver  6  and the longitudinal axis LA. Each individual plug can include a respective claw that directly engages the respective ledges on opposite sides of the receiver. When the plugs are actuated by respective fasteners, the respective claws can engage the respective ledges so that a portion of the receiver  6  is clamped in a clamp mode between a receiver shroud interior surface  301  and the claws to secure the single piece guard to the firearm  8  in a secure and rigid manner. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  1 - 7   , the firearm mount  10  and components of the weapon  8  will now be described in further detail. As mentioned above, the mount  10  mounts over and above the cocking lever housing  4 , as well as a barrel  2  of the firearm. The barrel  2  can include a muzzle end  2 M and a receiver end  2 R. The receiver end  2 R can extend from the receiver  6 . The cocking lever housing  4  can extend forwardly from the receiver  6 . In some cases, that lever housing  4  can extend as a tube from a portion of the receiver  6  over the barrel  3 . The components of the housing  4  and receiver  6  can be stamped from metal parts or otherwise formed or machined. The cocking lever housing  4  can house a cocking lever  4 C that is designed to move a bolt within the receiver  4  to load a bullet in a chamber of the associated barrel  2 . The cocking lever  4  can be configured to move linearly along a first path P 1  that is generally parallel to the barrel axis BA and/or the longitudinal axis LA of the mount  10 . The lever however also is movable along a second path P 2  that is transverse to the first path P 1 . That second path P 2  can be a curvilinear or arcuate path such that the cocking lever  4 C rotates about the cocking lever housing axis HA, and further optionally within the mount  10  when mounted to the firearm  8 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the mount  10  can include the upper handguard  20 . The upper handguard  20  can extend forwardly, away from the receiver  6  above the cocking lever housing  4  as well as the barrel  2  and components thereof. Where the cocking lever housing  4  houses cocking lever  4 C, the mount  10 , and more particularly the upper handguard  20  can define a slot  23 . The slot  23  can include different coextensive portions and can enable the cocking lever  4 C to move at least two different directions along different paths. For example, the slot  23  can include a first portion  21  extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and along the first path P 1 , and optionally parallel to the housing axis HA. The slot  23  can include a second portion  22  that optionally is transverse the first portion  21 . The second portion can extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and upward in a vertical manner, partially circumferentiating the housing axis HA. The second portion  22  of the slot  23  can extend along a second path P 2  and in a second direction, different from the first direction along which the first path P 1  extends. The second path P 2  optionally can be perpendicular to the housing axis HA and can extend in a vertical direction. The first path P 1  can extend along a horizontal orientation or direction, while the firearm is leveled with the barrel axis BA horizontally oriented. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first and second portions  21  and  22  of the slot  23  can transition to one another at a corner  23 C which can be radiused, rounded or curved to allow the cocking lever  4 C to easily transition around that corner  23 C. The second portion  22  of the slot can extend upward and can be formed in an upper wall  22 U of the upper handguard  20 . The first portion  21  of the slot  23  can be formed in a first sidewall  20 S 1  of the upper handguard  20 , distal from the second sidewall  20 S 2  of the upper handguard  20 . The respective sidewalls  20 S 1  and  20 S 2  can lay on opposite sides of longitudinal axis LA. Optionally, the first  21  and second  22  portions of the slot  23  can form an L-shape. Of course, depending on the firearm and movement path of the cocking lever, the shape of the slot  23  can vary. 
     Optionally, the firearm mount  10  can include a lower handguard  50  configured to extend below and/or under the cocking lever housing  4  and/or the barrel  2  of the firearm  8 . The lower handguard  50  can extend forward from the receiver  6  and can at least partially surround and/or cover the barrel  2 , between the ends  2 R and  2 M of the barrel  2 . The lower handguard  50  can include one or more connectors  55  that can join the lower handguard  50  with the upper handguard  20  and/or a portion of the receiver  30 . As shown, the connector  55  can include one or more blocks  56 A,  56 B,  56 C and  56 D. The blocks can align with lower handguard fastener holes  26 A,  26 B,  26 C and  26 D, shown for example in  FIGS.  2  and  3    defined by the upper handguard  20 . Respective lower handguard fasteners  59 A,  59 B,  59 C and  59 D of the connectors  55  can extend through the lower handguard fastener holes  26 A,  26 B,  26 C and  26 D and the blocks  56 A,  56 B,  56 C and  56 D to secure the lower handguard to the upper handguard and the remainder of the mount  10 . In particular, the respective fastener  59 B can be in the form of an elongated fastener with a threaded end. That fastener  59 B can be installed relative to hole  26 B and blocks  59 B,  59 A. Fastener  59 A can be installed through hole  26 A and into the threaded end of fastener  59 B to secure the handguard there. Fasteners  59 C and  59 D can extend through respective holes  26 C and  26 D to engage the respective blocks  56 C and  56 D, which can be threaded. The fasteners can be sufficiently tightened to secure the lower handguard  50  to the upper handguard  20  and the associated receiver  30  of the single piece guard. Optionally, although the connectors are shown as associated with the lower handguard  50 , they alternatively can be associated with the upper handguard  20 , with the lower handguard including fastener holes through which fasteners can extend into the connectors. Further, the fasteners can come in various configurations and can engage the blocks and handguards in various manners. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , each of the upper handguard  20  and lower handguard  50  can be constructed in the form of a channel, such as a C-shaped or U-shaped channel, so that these respective components of the firearm mount  10  can extend at least partially around the barrel  2  and/or cocking lever housing  4 . Each of the respective upper handguard and lower handguard can include exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surfaces can be configured for grasping manually by a user and/or can include one or more accessory mounting rails, holes, recess, projections or the like. The handguards can be constructed to have a relatively slim and low-profile around the barrel  2  and/or the cocking lever housing  4 , and can be contoured for easy manual grasping by a user. Optionally, a portion of the lower handguard  50  can include a swivel mount hole  57  that is disposed between the forward and rearward mounting blocks  56 A and  56 D. The swivel hole  57  can accommodate a variety of pins, posts etc. for associated swivels useful with the firearm  8 . The handguards  20  and  50  also can include the above noted longitudinal axis or plane LA dividing the handguard and/or the mount  10  into left L and right R sides. These orientations, left L and right R are with reference to a user looking down the barrel  2  from the rear sight  8 R to the front sight  8 F. The various components of the firearm mount  10  can be constructed from metals, polymers, composites and/or combinations of the foregoing. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the receiver shroud  30  will be described in more detail. In particular, the receiver shroud  30  as mentioned above can be integrally formed with the upper handguard  20 . In some cases, this can include a separately constructed shroud rigidly secured to the upper handguard with fasteners or other elements. However, as illustrated, the components form a single piece guard that is monolithic and that extends over both the receiver and the cocking lever housing. The receiver shroud  30  can include an uppermost portion  30 U having a mounting rail  35 , which as shown can be in the form of a picatinny rail, which is specified in MIL-STD  1913 , which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Of course, other types of mounting rails such as Weaver rails, mounting blocks or other mounting structures can be used as a mounting rail as contemplated herein. 
     The receiver shroud  30  can include a receiver shroud interior surface  301  that is disposed opposite the mounting rail  35 . This receiver shroud interior surface  301  can extend on the interior of the receiver shroud and can form a portion of the C- or U-shaped channel  30 C that is defined by the receiver shroud  30  and or the handguard  20 . The receiver shroud  30  can include a first lateral side wall  31  on a first side of the longitudinal axis LA, for example the left side L. This first lateral side wall  31  can extend downward, away from the mounting rail and/or upper interior surface  301  of the receiver shroud. The receiver shroud  30  can include a second lateral side wall  32  on a second side of longitudinal axis LA, for example, on the right side R of the longitudinal axis LA. The second lateral side wall  32  can extend downward from the mounting rail, opposite the first lateral side wall. Together, the first lateral side wall  31 , receiver shroud interior surface  301  and second lateral side wall  32  can form a C- or U-shaped cavity compartment or channel  30 C shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the receiver shroud  30  can further define an ejection port recess  36  that aligns with an ejection port  6 P of the receiver  6 . The ejection port recess  36  can be disposed between adjacent plugs  40  on the second side, for example the right side R of longitudinal axis LA as shown. Of course, the ejection port recess  36  can be disposed on the other side L of the receiver shroud with weapons having a differently oriented ejection port. The ejection port recess  36  can extend upward from a lower edge  30 E of the receiver shroud  30  such that the lower edge  30 E is interrupted by that ejection port recess  36 . In other constructions not shown, the edge  30 E can be continuous and the ejection port recess  36  can be a true through hole that extends through the second lateral side wall  32  of the receiver  30 , surrounded entirely by that wall  32 . Further, although shown as extending only to about the same height as the plugs  40 , the ejection port recess  36  optionally can extend upward to the mounting rail, and in some cases can be defined at least partially by the mounting rail  35 , although not shown. 
     With further reference to  FIG.  6   , as mentioned above, the receiver shroud  30  can include a lower portion that terminates at respective lower edges  30 E and  30 E 2  of the respective sidewalls  32  and  31 . These lower edges  30 E and  30 E 2  can be configured to include ramped surfaces  30 ER and  30 E 2 R. These ramped surfaces can directly engage and/or can be placed adjacent the outer or exterior surface  6 E of the receiver  6  when the guard unit is installed relative to the receiver  6 . The ramped surfaces optionally can be slightly curved or angled and can rest immediately adjacent the curved or angled outer surface exterior surface  6 E of the receiver  6  when the unit is fully installed. 
     As mentioned above, the mount  10  can include a plug system  40 . This plug system  40  can include a first set of plugs disposed on a first side of longitudinal axis and a second set of plugs disposed on the opposite side of longitudinal axis LA. In some cases there may be only two plugs, one with each plug on each side of the longitudinal axis LA. As shown, however, there are a total of four plugs. Optionally, there may be additional and/or fewer plugs depending on the application and the firearm. The receiver shroud  30  can define the respective holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2  on the respective first and second sides of longitudinal axis to receive the respective plugs  40  therein. Optionally, the holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2  can be tubes and the respective plugs can be of a shape corresponding to the tubes. Further optionally, the holes can be cylindrical and the respective plugs can be cylindrical as well. This corresponding shape of the holes or tubes and plugs can allow sliding fitment of the plugs within the respective holes defined by the receiver shroud. 
     The receiver shroud  30  optionally can include one or more fastener shoulders or buttresses  37 A,  37 B,  37 C and  37 D above each of the respective fastener holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , these buttresses can include shroud fastener holes, for example  37 AH and  37 BH that extend optionally vertically relative to the receiver shroud  30 . These shroud fastener holes  37 AH and  37 BH can be configured to receive respective fasteners  37 F. These shroud holes can be unthreaded as shown or threaded in some cases. The buttresses or shoulders can include respective recesses  37 R 1  that can receive the heads  37 FH of the respective fasteners  37 F. With these head recesses  37 R 1  defined in the buttresses, the heads  37 FH can be below or flush with the tops of the buttresses so that they do not protrude. This provides a cleaner appearance and prevents snagging of those fasteners. Further, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the respective fastener holes  37 AH and  37 BH of the buttresses, for example,  37 A and  37 B, can be oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis LA of the receiver shroud and/or the guard  10 . Optionally, these holes and their respective axes can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA as well as the housing axis HA of the cocking lever housing  4 . 
     The plugs  40  as mentioned above can each include independent plugs  41 ,  42 ,  43  and  44 . With reference to  FIG.  6   , the first and second plugs will be described in detail here, noting that all the plugs can be identical or very similar. Given this, the first plug  41  will be the primary focus here. As shown, the first plug  41  can include an exterior surface  41 E configured to face outward and mate flush with the exterior surface  30 E of the first lateral side wall  31 . As shown, that surface can be contoured and optionally curved or angled. The first plug  41  can define a first fastener hole  41 H that is transverse to the first plug hole  30 H 1  defined by the first lateral side wall  31 . As an example, this plug hole  30 H 1 , as well as the opposing second plug hole  30 H 2  can be oriented along a plug hole axis  30 HA. The axis FA of the first fastener hole  41 H can be transverse and/or perpendicular to the plug hole axis  30 HA. The same can be true with the second fastener hole  42 H of the second plug  42  as well as the other plugs used in connection with the mount  10 . 
     Optionally, the first and second plug holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2  on opposite sides of longitudinal axis LA can be aligned with one another. As shown, in  FIG.  6   , the holes can be aligned along the plug hole axis  30 HA. This plug hole axis  30 HA can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and/or a vertical plane P 3  that is coincident with that longitudinal axis LA. Further optionally, the plug hole axis  30 HA can be horizontal when the firearm is in a level firing orientation, for example when the bore barrel axis BA and/or the longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal. In this level firing orientation, the first and second fastener holes  41 H and  42 H can be vertical. Further, the first fastener hole  41 H and second fastener hole  42 H can each be threaded to receive the threaded shafts  37 FS of the respective fasteners  37 F when installed as described below. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the first plug  41  can include a first claw  41 C that extends inwardly beyond the first fastener hole  41 H. This first claw  41 C can include a ramped surface  41 R that is configured to engage a first ledge  6 A of the receiver  6 . The receiver  6  can include that first ledge  6 A on a first side of the longitudinal axis LA and a second opposing ledge  6 B on a second opposing side of the longitudinal axis LA. These ledges can be formed along the bottom or some other part of projections, slots, recess, bumps or other features on the receiver, optionally stamped or otherwise formed in the receiver. There can be one, two or more ledges on each of the respective sides of the longitudinal axis of the receiver and/or the mount  10 . It will be appreciated that respective additional ledges can interface with the third  43  and fourth  44  plugs further rearward on the receiver in a similar manner as described here. Optionally, the second plug  42  likewise can include a second claw  42 C, including a ramped surface  42 , are similar to that of the first plug  41 . Any additional optional third and fourth plugs  43  and  44  likewise can include such claws that can engage respective ledges of the receiver. 
       FIG.  6    shows the plugs  40 , and in particular the first plug  41  and second plug  42 , before installation in the respective plug holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2 , before the fasters  37 F are installed in the respective holes  37 AH and  37 BH of the respective shoulders or buttresses  37 A and  37 B.  FIG.  7   , however, shows the plugs  40 , and in particular the plugs  41  and  42 , after installation of the plugs relative to the plug holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2 . As shown there, the plug  41  is installed in the first lateral side wall  31  and projects inwardly toward the longitudinal axis LA or vertical plane P 3  with which the longitudinal axis LA is coincident. The plug  41  is inserted in the hole  30 H 1  with the claw  41 C disposed adjacent and/or in direct contact with the ledge  6 A. The fastener  37 F is installed relative to the receiver shroud and is disposed in the buttress or shoulder  37 A. The head  37 FH of the fastener  37  is disposed in the recess  37 R 1  and placed flush with the top of the buttress  37 A for a clean appearance. The shaft of the fastener  37 FS is threaded so that it engages the threaded hole in particular the first fastener hole  41 H defined by the first plug  41 . The hole in the buttress  37 AH however may not be threaded so that the threads of the shaft not engage that particular hole or the buttress. When the fastener  37 F in  FIG.  7    is rotated, for example in direction R about the fastener axis FA, the threads of the fastener engage the threads of the hole  41 H of the first plug  41 . As a result, the claw  41 C is urged upward. When this occurs, it can exert a force F 1  on the first ledge  6 A. The other fastener installed similarly in the second plug  42  can operate in a substantially identical manner. When that other fastener is tightened, the second plug  42  also moves upward so the claw  42 C exerts a force F 1  against the second ledge  6 B. As the fasteners are tightened, the forces F 1  exerted on the ledges can result in a corresponding force F 2  being exerted by the receiver shroud interior surface  301  against the upper portion or upper surface  9 , or some other part, of the receiver  6 . These forces F 1  and F 2  can cooperatively clamp a portion of the receiver  6  between the receiver shroud interior surface  301  and the first and second claws  41 C and  42 C (as well as any other claws of any other plugs  43 ,  44 ) in a clamp mode. In turn, this clamping action and the corresponding forces secure the mount  10  to the receiver  6  and to the firearm  8  in general. Optionally, the respective fasteners  37 F can be tightened in a particular sequence so as to apply even and balanced forces against the ledges and the upper surface of the receiver. The mounting rail  35  also can be checked for its level relative to the upper surface or upper portion  9  of the receiver and other components of the firearm  8  so that when accessories are mounted thereto, they are generally level relative to those components. 
     A method of using the firearm mount  10  of the current embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  2 - 7   . The method can begin with providing the firearm  8 , which can include a cocking lever housing  4  joined with a receiver  6  and an upper surface  9 . The receiver shroud  30 , integrally formed with an upper handguard  20  to form a single piece guard, can be provided. The single piece guard can be placed over the upper surface  9  so that the receiver shroud  30  simultaneously extends above the receiver  6  as the upper handguard  20  extends above and/or covers the cocking lever housing  6 . The receiver shroud interior surface  301  can be disposed adjacent, for example, near and/or in direct engagement and contact with, the upper surface or other portion  9  of the firearm  8 . The single piece guard can be secured to the firearm in a fixed configuration and/or orientation. 
     In particular, with reference to  FIG.  2   , the single piece guard including the receiver shroud  30  and integral upper handguard  20  can be disposed over the upper surface or portion  9  of the receiver  6  and/or cocking lever housing  4 . The shroud and upper handguard can be placed between a front site  8 F and a rear sight  8 R of the firearm  8  fitting within that span. The guard can be lowered until the respective receiver lower edges  30 E and  30 E 2  engage the surface contours of the receiver  6  as shown in  FIG.  5   . There, the ramped surfaces can engage the respective contours of the receiver, and optionally, the interior surface  301  of the receiver shroud can engage at least a portion of the upper surface or portion  9 . If there are any alignment blocks  9 B ( FIG.  4   ) on the receiver or upper surface  9 , those can fit in corresponding recesses defined by the receiver shroud interior surface  301 . The port ejection recess  36  when included also can be aligned with the ejection port  6 P of the receiver  6 . 
     With the receiver shroud  30  placed adjacent the receiver  6 , the plugs  40  can be installed. As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the exemplary first and second plugs  41 ,  42  can be projected toward the respective first and second plug holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2  of the respective first  31  and second  32  lateral side walls. The plugs can be moved or slid inward from the lateral side walls toward the longitudinal axis LA or the plane P 3 . The engagement surfaces  41 S and  42 S of the respective first and second plugs can engage the interior surfaces of the respective holes  30 H 1  and  30 H 2 . Where the engagement surfaces optionally are cylindrical, the holes likewise can be cylindrical so that the respective plugs can move or slide inwardly toward the longitudinal axis LA and the plane P 3 . The first and second plugs can continue to slide toward one another and toward the receiver along the axis plug hole axis  30 HA until the respective claws  41 C and  42 C are disposed adjacent and/or engage the respective ledges  6 A and  6 B of the receiver. 
     Upon this engagement, the fasteners  37 F can be positioned in the respective holes  37 AH and  37 BH of the shoulders, and threaded into the respective first fastener hole  41 H and the second fastener hole  42 H of the plugs  41  and  42  respectively. As an example, shown in  FIG.  7   , the fastener  37 F can be rotated in direction R about the fastener axis FA. As a result, the fastener threads into the first fastener hole  41 H. This insertion of the plugs in the respective holes can be done for the remaining plugs to install them. The respective fasteners can be tightened as well. As a result, the claws can exert forces F 1  on the respective ledges of the receiver. A corresponding force F 2  is exerted by the receiver shroud interior surface  301  on the surface or other portion  9  of the receiver. As a result, the portion of the receiver, generally between the ledges and the upper surfaces of the receiver, are clamped between these components. With this clamping force, the receiver shroud and the upper handguard are secured to the receiver and thus the firearm in a clamp mode. 
     Optionally, after the mount  10  is secured to the firearm  8  in the clamp mode, a cocking lever  4 C can be installed relative to the cocking lever housing  4 . The cocking lever can be disposed at least partially through the slot  23 . A user can cycle the cocking lever  4 C to ensure that it sufficiently moves within the slot  23 , for example in the first portion  21  and the second portion  22 , along the respective paths of these slot portions. 
     Where included, the lower handguard  50  can be installed. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the lower handguard  50  can be positioned below the barrel and or the cocking lever housing. The lower handguard  50  can be moved upward toward the upper handguard  20 . The respective holes  26 A- 26 D of the upper handguard  20  can be aligned with the respective blocks  56 A- 56 D. Corresponding lower handguard fasteners  59 A- 59  can be disposed or extended through the respective fastener holes of the upper handguard and into the respective connecting blocks. The fasteners can be sufficiently tightened to secure that lower handguard  50  to the upper handguard  20 . 
     After the firearm mount  10  is installed on the firearm, accessories, such as reflex sights, red dots, scopes or other sights, lights or pressure switches can be installed on the mounting rail  35  as well as any other accessory mounting locations on the shroud  30 , the upper handguard  20  and/or the lower handguard  50 . To remove the firearm mount  10 , the above procedure can be reversed. 
     Although the different elements and assemblies of the embodiments are described herein as having certain functional characteristics, each element and/or its relation to other elements can be depicted or oriented in a variety of different aesthetic configurations, which support the ornamental and aesthetic aspects of the same. Simply because an apparatus, element or assembly of one or more of elements is described herein as having a function does not mean its orientation, layout or configuration is not purely aesthetic and ornamental in nature. 
     Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s). 
     In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or “coupled to” another component, part or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to the other component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; Y, Z, and/or any other possible combination together or alone of those elements, noting that the same is open ended and can include other elements.