Patent ID: 7458179

Claim:
A modular accessory interface system for a firearm, said firearm including an upper receiver having a forward end and a rearward end, said upper receiver further including a dovetail rail extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end, said upper receiver still further having a barrel receiving receptacle at a forward end thereof, said firearm further including a barrel received in said barrel receiving receptacle and a barrel nut received around an outer surface of said barrel receiving receptacle to retain said barrel within said barrel receiving receptacle, said modular accessory interface system comprising: an upper accessory mount having a forward end, a rearward end, a rail extending between said forward end and said rearward end and symmetrically opposing side walls that extend outwardly and downwardly from said, said opposing side walls terminating in symmetrically opposing longitudinally extending mounting channels; means for securing said rearward end of said upper accessory mount to said upper receiver of said firearm; first and second mounting panels, each of said mounting panels having a upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion including interfiting mating formations configured to be received and retained in said mounting channels, said lower portion of said first and second mounting panels configured to releasably receive and retain a lower firearm accessory therebetween; and fasteners to secure said lower portion of said mounting panels to said lower firearm accessory.