GB2455760A

GB2455760A - Pivotally hinged rail handguard

Info

Publication number: GB2455760A
Application number: GB0724850A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Bruegger
Original assignee: Bruegger & Thomet AG
Current assignee: Bruegger & Thomet AG
Priority date: 2007-12-20
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2009-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-20
Also published as: GB2455760B; GB0724850D0

Abstract

A handguard for a firearm comprises a first section 1, which in a mounted state is substantially disposed underneath a barrel of the firearm, and a second section 2, which in a mounted state is substantially disposed above the barrel of the firearm. The first and the second handguard sections 1, 2 together, in a mounted state, enclose at least a section of the barrel, and are pivotally connected laterally via hinge elements 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. A swivel axis extends at least substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel, both sections 1, 2 are fixable to each other by snap-on-lock fixing mean. Threaded pin 23 connects section 2 to the firearm. A multitude of rails 28 are provided to mount accessories on the firearm, and sling holding pieces may be attached to recesses 4. Sections 1, 2 may be unlocked from each other via movement of element 26 which is fixed to locking plate 24.

Description

Tactical Rail Handguarci The present invention relates to a handguard for a firearm, the firearm comprising a barrel, the barreJ having a longitudinal axis, said handguard comprising a first handguard section, which in a mounted state is substantially disposed at least partly underneath the barrel, and a second handguard section, whIch in a mounted state Is substantially disposed at least partly above the barrel of the firearm, wherein the first and second handguard sections together enclose, in a mounted state, at least portions of the barrel, wherein the first and second handguarcj sections are plvotaliy connected.

Handguard devices are known from prior art. Among other things, their purpose is to allow the user to safely handle a weapon, in particular when firing a shot, and further to protect at least the guiding hand, i.e. the hand positioned underneath the front barrel. In particular, the protection assured by the handguard device indudes avoiding an inadvertent contact with the barrel, as the barrel may become hot, especially if multiple shots are fired.

Moreover, handguard devices according to the state of the art have to be disposed separably from the weapon, especially when cleaning the weapon, so as to ensure complete cleaning of the weapon and of possible mountable accessories. For this purpose, simple screwing arrangements are known in the art, in which the user has to release and remove the individual screws to remove the handguard and the accessories connected to it from the firearm.

However, especially when such a weapon is employed in the field, there is the disadvantage that conditions may hamper a clear arrangement of parts, which means that smaller disassembled parts in particular may be lost in such circumstances, thus impairing the proper function of the firearm.

British patent application GB 0719096.0 discloses a handguard for a firearm, wherein the first and second handguard sections are pivotalty connected to an end portion of at least one of the handguard sections, which end portion points towards the muzzle of the barrel, and are connected to an at feast partly separable security bolt in a section pointing towards the user of the firearm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a handguard for a firearm which creates further alternatives of pivotable handguard sections.

This object is solved by a handguard for a firearm according to claim I at least one of said handguard sections is pivotable with respect to the other about a swivel axis extending at feast substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.

Preferred embodiments of such a handguard are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the handguard for a firearm essentially consists of two parts and comprises a first, bottom, handguard section and a second, top, handguard section. "Top" and "bottom" in this context refer to the position of such a handguard on a firearm, with "top" referring to the section of a firearm where the aiming line is usually determined by, for example, rear and front sights or any alternative aiming device. Accordingly, the term "bottom" refers to the section of a firearm where the trigger or triggering device is usually located.

The handguard according to the present invention preferably encloses at least a part of the firearm barrel, which usually extends in a horizontal fine between the aiming device and the trigger. Further, the first and second handguard sections are pivotally connected to each other, with a hinge or a joint disposed in a plane defined by the axis of the barrel and the swivel axis. Usually, the joint is arranged in a lateral section extending in the horizontal plane on the right or left side of the barrel substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. However, the plane separating the handguard sections may any plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of the barrel or a planar comprising an axis parallel to the axis of the barrel.

Although both handguard sections may be pivotable, usually, only the second handguard section Is pivotable with respect to the first handguard section that is fixed to the barrel or any other part of the firearm. However, in an alternative of the invention, the first handguard section may be pivotable with respect to the second handguard section. In a third alternative both handguard sections are swiveable with respect to a swivel axis that is fixed to the barrel or another part of the firearm.

In the mounted and closed state, the two handguard sections are connected in the front section, i.e. on the user's side, by an at least partly releasable security bolt, in such a way that the handguard is held in place on the firearm, thus reducing to a preset minimum the clearance between the handguard and the firearm.

In this context, what is meant by a "partly releasable security bolt" is a security bolt which Is slidably and/or rotatably accommodated in preferably the first handguard section, and which in a closed state of the two handguard sections engages at least one recess in the second handguard section and at least two seats in the first handguard section. It is of course also within the scope of the invention to reverse the arrangement of the security bolt with respect to the handguard sections.

In this context, what Is understood by "seats" for the security bolt is openings or hooks that are adapted to hold the two handguard sections in a locked position of the security bolt.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the security bolt has at least one notch or groove connecting the security bolt, in a locked position, to at least one seat, preferably of the first handguard section, so as to avoid inadvertent releasing of the security bolt. It is of course also within the scope of the present invention to provide alternative locking devices for the security bolt in combination with at least one recess of the first or second handguard section, so as to prevent inadvertent unlocking of the handguard. Furthermore, other securing devices such as sliders or detents can also be provided.

In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two handguard sections are biased against each other at least in the closed state, the bias preferably being achieved by providing damping devices or resilient pressure pins on at least one opposite surface of the complementary handguard section. In addition, on at least one of the surfaces that are opposite to each other in the closed state, the handguard Includes at least one projection that engages a corresponding recess on the opposite surface of the other handguard section.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the handguard includes at least one, preferably a multitude of rails or mounting rails serving, in particular, to mount accessories on the firearm, such as flashlights, night-vision devices, supports, combinations thereof, or the like.

Furthermore, in another preferred embodiment, the handguarj includes recesses such as through-holes or the like, to which additional elements such as sling holding pieces or the like can be attached.

In another preferred embodiment, the handguard of the Invention Includes * engagement projections, which preferably are disposed on the user's side of the * handguard end portion and serve to mount the handguard on the firearm. The projections engage corresponding recesses in the firearm, thus holding the handguard in position, In particular in the lateral direction.

Moreover, In a further embodiment, the handguard includes one or a multitude of threaded pins that connect at least the bottom handguard portion to the firearm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handguard also includes a multitude of adjusting screws which, particularly in the vicinity of the end portions of the handguard, serve to reduce and/or adjust the clearance between the firearm and the handle.

The present invention also includes using the above described handguard for long firearms, and particularly for an assault rifle such as an SA-80.

The invention will now be explained based on a preferred embodiment, it should be noted that changes and modifications can be made to the handguard of the present invention without departing from its protective scope.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the handguard. It shows handguard sections 1 and 2 of a firearm, which are configured as a picatinny rail for the bottom I and as a picatinny rail for the top 2. In the upper rail 1 recesses 10, 11 for pivot hinges 12 and 13 of the top section 2, respectively, are shown, which support pivot pins 14 and 15, respectively, that connect the top handguard section 2 with the bottom handguard section 1 by means of pivot hinges 16 each that are connected to the bottom section 1 by means of screws 17. The pivot hinges 12, 13 are connected to the top handguard section 2 at one of Its lateral downside edges 18 by means of screws 19. Grooves 20, 21 positioned at the downsIde 18 permit to swivel top section 2 about the axis defined by the longitudinal direction of the pins 14, 15.

Further shown on the left end of the bottom handguard section are two projections 22, which also serve to fasten and stabilise the handguard in a mounted state.

Moreover, a heat shield 5 is disposed in the bottom handguard section 1. The heat shield 5 is shown in an upwardly displaced position in the exploded view.

In the large recesses in the rear section of the bottom handguard section 1, reference numeral 4 desIgnates sling holding pieces which serve to fasten shoulder straps to the firearm via the handguard. Further, reference numerals 6 designate spacers which serve to adjust the firearm in the handguard. Also provided is a threaded pin 23, which can be used for connecting the bottom handguard with the firearm.

The bottom handguard Is also fastened by a locking screw 3, which is screwed Into the side of the bottom handguard I to connect It to the firearm disposed within the top and bottom handguards.

A security bolt (not shown) may be provided that among other things acts together with the corresponding seat on the opposite side of the bottom handguard section In such a way that the top handguard in the locked position Is prevented from inadvertently sliding or slipping out.

The top section 2 is fastened to the bottom section 1 by means of a snap-on-lock formed by a locking plate 24 fastened to the bottom section 1 by screws 25 wherein the snap-on-lock cooperates with an adapted protrusion or recess or an excavation in the top section 2 (not shown). A plastic protective element 26 fixed to the locking plate 24 on its upper side may be actuated by a user by pressing near to its outer edge downwards to detach the upper section 2 from the bottom section 1 and to swivel the upper section 2 with respect to the bottom section 2 about the axis defined by the longitudinal direction of the pins 14, 15.

Between the two opposite surface edges of the two handguard sections 1 and 2, the resilient pressure pieces 27 may be provided, which on the one hand serve to maintain a certain bias between the parts In the closed state of the two handguard sections 1, 2, in particular to prevent rattling or the like, and on the other hand to prevent the metallic parts from striking against each other when the two handguard sections 1,2 are closed.

The handguard section comprIses a muftltude of mounting rails 28 for mounting accessories on the firearm.

Claims

Claims 1. A handguard for a firearm, the firearm comprising a barrel, the barrel having a longitudinal axis, said handguard comprising a first handguard section (1), which in a mounted state is substantially disposed at least partly underneath the barrel, and a second handguard section (2), which in a mounted state is substantially disposed at least partly above the barrel of the firearm, wherein the first and second handguard sections (1, 2) together enclose, in a mounted state, at least portions of the barrel, wherein the first and second handguard sections are pivotally connected, characterjsed in that at least one of said handguard sections is pivotable with respect to the other by a pivotal connecting means about a swivel axis extending at least substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and that both handguard sections are fixable to each other by a fixing means.
2. The handguard of Claim 1, characterised In that the pivotal connecting means between the first and second handguard sections (1, 2) is selected from a group comprising hinges (12, 13, 16), joints, bearings, plug connections, combinations thereof and the like.
3. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the fixing means comprises a separable snap fastener or snap-on-lock (24, 26) and/or at least one separable security bolt.
4. The handguard of any of Claim 3, characterjsecj In that the snap fastener or snap-on-lock (24, 26) comprises a socket (24) arranged to the first handguard section (1) and an excavation or a recess or a protrusion arranged at a longitudinal side of the second handguard section (2) cooperating with the first handguard section (1).
5. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least one abutment face between the first and second handguard sections (1, 2) comprises at least one, preferably a multitude of damping devices (27).
6. The handguard of Claim 5, characterlsed in that in the closed state of the first and second handguard sections, the damping device (27) causes a bias between the handguard sections (1, 2).
7. The handguard of any of Claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the damping device (27) is a spring, an elastic, a biased ball or pen, a resilient pressure pin, combinations thereof, or the like.
8. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the at least one security bolt is slidably accommodated in the first handguard section.
9. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the security bolt in a closed state of the first and second handguard sections (1, 2) engages at least one, preferably two seats of the second hand guard section (2) and two seats of the first handguard section (1).
10. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterjsed in that the security bolt is rotatably accommodated in the first and second handguard sections (1, 2).
11. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characteriseci in that the security bolt comprises at least one notch for locking the security bolt.
12. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterjsed in that the security bolt has at least one locking position, in which inadvertent releasing of the security bolt is substantially prevented.
13. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised In that the first and/or the second handguard section (1, 2) comprises at least one, preferably a multitude of mounting rails (28) for mounting accessories on the firearm.
14. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least the first handguard comprises, on an end section pointing towards user, engagement projections (22) for fastening the handguard on the firearm.
15. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterlsed In that at least the first handguard section (1) comprises recesses for mounting or for fastening additional elements such as a sling holding piece.
16. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least the first handguard section (1) further includes fastening elements such as a threaded pin (23) for mounting to a firearm.
17. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one, preferably a multitude of adjustment screws are provided for adjusting the clearance between the firearm and the handguard.

IS. A handguard for a firearm substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * * * * ** ***. * * * S. ** S S.. S

S S..

S *. * S 5* * S S * S

17. The handguard of any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least one, preferably a multitude of adjustment screws are provided for adjusting the clearance between the firearm and the handguard.

18. Using the handguard of any of the preceding Claims for a firearm such as an SA-80.

AMENDED CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

Claims 1. A handguard for a firearm, the firearm comprising a barrel, the barrel having a longitudinal axis, said handguard comprising a first handguard section, which in a mounted state is substantially disposed at least partly underneath the barrel, and a second handguard section, which in a mounted state is substantially disposed at least partly above the barrel of the firearm, wherein the first and second handguard sections together enclose, in a mounted state, at least portions of the barrel, wherein the first and second handguard sections are pivotally connected, characterised in that at least one of said handguard sections is pivotable with respect to the other by a pivotal connecting means about a swivel axis extending at least substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and that both handguard sections are fixable to each other by a fixing means.

2. The handguard of Claim 1, characterised in that the pivotal connecting means between the first and second handguard sections is selected from a group comprising hinges, joints, bearings, plug connections, combinations thereof and the like.

3. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing * means comprises a separable snap fastener or snap-on-lock and/or at least one separable security bolt. **. * * S...

4. The handguard of any of Claim 3, characterised in that the snap fastener or snap-on-lock comprises a socket arranged to the first handguard section and an excavation or a recess or a protrusion arranged at a longitudinal side of the second handguard section I..

*.... cooperating with the first handguard section. ** S* * . S

S I

5. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one abutment face between the first and second handguard sections comprises at least one, preferably a multitude of damping devices. *1\

6. The handguard of Claim 5, characterised in that in the closed state of the first and second handguard sections, the damping device causes a bias between the handguard sections.

7. The handguard of any of Claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the damping device is a spring, an elastic, a biased ball or pen, a resilient pressure pin, combinations thereof, or the like.

8. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one security bolt is slidably accommodated in the first handguard section.

9. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the security bolt in a closed state of the first and second handguard sections engages at least one, preferably two seats of the second handguard section and two seats of the first handguard section.

10. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the security bolt is rotatably accommodated in the first and second handguard sections.

11. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the security bolt * S. comprises at least one notch for locking the security bolt. *... * S *5**

12. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the security bolt has at least one locking position, in which inadvertent releasing of the security bolt is substantially prevented. * * * S...

13. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or the second handguard section comprises at least one, preferably a multitude of mounting rails for mounting accessories on the firearm.

14. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the first 2.

handguard comprises, on an end section pointing towards user, engagement projections for fastening the handguard on the firearm.

15. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the first handguard section comprises recesses for mounting or for fastening additional elements such as a sling holding piece.

16. The handguard of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at last the first handguard section further includes fastening elements such as a threaded pin for mounting to a firearm.