US12601562 - Barrel nut handguard system

The patent describes a barrel nut handguard system designed to secure a handguard to a barrel nut of a firearm, featuring a connector bridge that engages registration grooves on the barrel nut to prevent sliding. The system allows for the barrel nut to be tightened without requiring rotational indexing relative to the firearm receiver, enhancing stability and ease of installation.

Claim 1

1 . An apparatus configured to secure a handguard to a barrel nut of a firearm, the apparatus comprising: a handguard including an elongated interior configured to fit over a barrel and a barrel nut of a firearm, the barrel including a barrel axis, the handguard including a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, with a first bridge slot defined by the first sidewall, the first bridge slot extending to the elongated interior and longitudinally along the handguard; a first shoulder extending from the first sidewall and configured to receive a vertically extending first fastener; a barrel nut including a midline bisecting the barrel nut into an upper portion and a lower portion, the barrel nut including a periphery, the barrel nut defining a first registration groove around the periphery of the barrel nut, the barrel nut sized to be positioned in the handguard interior adjacent the barrel; and a first connector bridge disposed in the first bridge slot, the first connector bridge including a first ramped surface configured to engage the first registration groove in the lower portion of the barrel nut below the midline, the first connector bridge oriented for engagement by the first fastener such that when the first fastener is tightened, the barrel nut is clamped between the first ramped surface and the elongated interior of the handguard, wherein the barrel nut includes a second registration groove distal from the first registration groove, wherein the first connector bridge includes a second ramped surface distal from the first ramped surface, wherein the second ramped surface is configured to engage an engagement surface within the second registration groove. a handguard including an elongated interior configured to fit over a barrel and a barrel nut of a firearm, the barrel including a barrel axis, the handguard including a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, with a first bridge slot defined by the first sidewall, the first bridge slot extending to the elongated interior and longitudinally along the handguard; a first shoulder extending from the first sidewall and configured to receive a vertically extending first fastener; a barrel nut including a midline bisecting the barrel nut into an upper portion and a lower portion, the barrel nut including a periphery, the barrel nut defining a first registration groove around the periphery of the barrel nut, the barrel nut sized to be positioned in the handguard interior adjacent the barrel; and a first connector bridge disposed in the first bridge slot, the first connector bridge including a first ramped surface configured to engage the first registration groove in the lower portion of the barrel nut below the midline, the first connector bridge oriented for engagement by the first fastener such that when the first fastener is tightened, the barrel nut is clamped between the first ramped surface and the elongated interior of the handguard, wherein the barrel nut includes a second registration groove distal from the first registration groove, wherein the first connector bridge includes a second ramped surface distal from the first ramped surface, wherein the second ramped surface is configured to engage an engagement surface within the second registration groove.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12601562

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12601562