Patent ID: 12235071

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described below are embodiments of an adjustable weight assembly for a handguard of a firearm. Methods of manufacturing and using the adjustable weight assembly are also disclosed.

In certain embodiments, the adjustable weight assembly may include a handguard, a weight configured to be attached to the handguard, and a firearm accessory configured to be adjustably secured about the weight. In some instances, the weight includes a slot, and the adjustable weight assembly may further include a tab configured to be adjustably secured about the slot. For example, the slot may include a lip forming a channel. The tab may be configured to be (i) movably disposed within the channel between the lip and the handguard in a first configuration and (ii) securely sandwiched within the channel between the lip and the handguard in a second configuration. In some instances, a width of the tab may be larger than a width of the channel. In this manner, a weight distribution of the firearm may be adjusted by attaching the weight to the handguard and/or adjusting a position of the firearm accessory about the weight.

Turning now to the drawings,FIG.1Adepicts an embodiment of an adjustable weight assembly100. The adjustable weight assembly100may be mounted onto a handguard102or the like. In some embodiments, the handguard102may have an M-Lok® interface, a Picatinny interface, a keymod interface, or any other suitable interface or combinations thereof that are suitable for mounting accessories. The handguard102may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The adjustable weight assembly100may include weights104comprising a first weight104aand a second weight104b. Any number of weights104may be used herein. The weights104may be removably coupled to the handguard102. In some instances, the weights104may be substantially the same length as the handguard102. The weights104may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

In certain embodiments, the first weight104amay be disposed on a first side of the handguard102, and the second weight104bmay be disposed on a second side of the handguard102. The weights104may be disposed at any suitable location on the handguard102. In some instances, the first weight104aand the second weight104bmay be substantially identical. In other instances, the first weight104aand the second weight104bmay be different sizes, different weights, and/or different configurations. In certain embodiments, the first weight104aand the second weight104bmay each have a front side, a rear side, and a slot. For example, the first weight104amay include a slot108, and the second weight104bmay include a slot108. The slots108may be configured to house an accessory that is configured to be adjustably secured within the slots108.

As shown inFIG.2A, the weights104may have at least one mount118to secure the weights104to the handguard102. In some instances, the weights104may include a plurality of mounts118to secure the weights104to the handguard102. Any number of mounts118may be used herein. The size and shape of the mounts118may correspond to the handguard102interface.

In some embodiments, the first weight104amay have at least one hole114for securing the weight104ato the handguard102. Any number of holes114may be used herein. The size and shape of the holes114may correspond to the handguard102interface. In some instances, the hole114may have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard102to secure the weight104aonto the handguard102. In some embodiments, the first weight104amay have a plurality of holes114for securing the first weight104ato the handguard102. A first hole114may be positioned at the front of the handguard102, and a second hole114may be positioned at the rear of the handguard102.

The first weight104amay also have at least one quick detach mount112. In some embodiments, the first weight104ahas a first quick detach mount112and a second quick detach112mount on either side of the slot108. The first weight104amay also include an accessory110disposed within the slot108that includes a quick detach mount206. The accessory110is configured to be adjustably secured within the slot108. The quick detach mounts112,206may be counter bored for easy connected and detachment of accessories. In some embodiments, the quick detach mounts112may also have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard102to secure the first weight104aonto the handguard102.

In some embodiments, the first weight104amay comprise any number of holes114and/or quick detach mounts112in the side of the weight. The first weight104amay use either the holes114, the quick detach mounts112, or both to secure the first weight104ato the handguard102by insertion of a screw or fastener therethrough. In some embodiments, there are an equal number of holes114and quick detach mounts112on either side of the slot108.

In some embodiments, the second weight104bmay have at least one hole114for securing the second weight104bto the handguard102. Any number of holes114may be used herein. The size and shape of the holes114may correspond to the handguard102interface. In some instances, the holes114may have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard102to secure the second weight104bonto the handguard102. In some embodiments, the second weight104bmay have a plurality of holes114for securing the second weight104bto the handguard102. A first hole114may be positioned at the front of the handguard102, and a second hole114may be positioned at the rear of the handguard102.

The second weight104bmay also have at least one quick detach mount112. In some embodiments, the second weight104bmay include a first quick detach mount112and a second quick detach112mount on either side of the slot108. The second weight104bmay also include an accessory110disposed within the slot108that includes a quick detach mount206. The accessory110is configured to be adjustably secured within the slot108. The quick detach mounts112,206may be counter bored for easy connected and detachment of accessories. In some embodiments, the quick detach mounts112may also have a screw or other fastener inserted therethrough and into the handguard102to secure the second weights104bonto the handguard102.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.2A, the slots108may include a lip116on the inside surface of the weights104. As shown inFIGS.3B and3C, the lip116may create a channel120when the weights104are secured to the handguard102. An accessory106or an accessory110may be disposed within the slots108. The accessories106,110are configured to be slid along the channel120when the weights104are not tightly secured against the handguard102.

The accessory106, as shown byFIGS.4A and4B, has a tab204connected to a shaft202. The shaft202may comprise an elongated solid portion with a textured tip or sides to allow for easier grasping. The accessory106may be slid forward and backward relative to the weights104within the slots108as shown inFIGS.3B and3C. The position of the accessory106may allow for a user to grasp the shaft202portion at different points of the handguard102. The tab204may have a width w′ as shown inFIG.4A. The width w′ of the tab may be greater than the width w of the channel as shown inFIG.2A. The width w′ of the tab being greater than the width w of the channel results in some of the tab204extending beyond the backside of the weights104, as shown inFIG.2C. In this manner, the tab204can be tightened against the handguard102in the channel120when the weights are tightly secured to the handguard102.

As depicted inFIG.3B, the accessory106is in a first position in the middle of the slot108in the channel120, and inFIG.3Cthe accessory106is in a second position toward the front of the slot108in the channel120. The accessory106may be located at any location within the slot108. As shown inFIG.2C, the tab204has a greater width than the channel120and extends beyond a backside of the weight104, so that when the weight104is tightened, the tab204is held in place by frictional pressure, or sandwiched between the handguard102and lip116.

As shown inFIGS.4A and4B, the accessory106has a shaft202and a tab204. The width w′ of the tab204is wider than the width of the channel120w, thus securing the tab204within the slot108. The shaft202may have a textured surface for easier gripping. The shaft202may extend out the slot108for easier sliding of the tab106along the channel120.

As shown inFIGS.4C and4D, the accessory110has a shaft210and a tab204. Within the shaft210is an aperture206for quickly securing and removing other accessories. The width w′ of the tab204is wider than the width of the channel120w, thus securing the accessory110within the slot108. The shaft210may extend out the slot108for easier sliding of the accessory110along the channel120.

The accessories106,110can be substituted for various other accessories or mounts including, but not limited to, side mounted sights, lasers, guides, lights, or other firearm accessories. The addition of the weights104and the adjustability of the accessories106,110enables a user to adjust a weight, center of gravity, and balance point of a firearm by adding the weights104and adjusting the accessory106,110along the slot108.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.