Handguard system with integral gas tube for gas operated firearms

Abstract

A novel firearm handguard system includes a handguard and an integrated gas tube. In a particular embodiment, the gas tube includes fastening feature and the handguard includes a complementary fastening feature that is adapted to be coupled to the fastening feature of the gas tube. In a more particular embodiment, the gas tube includes an integral mounting rail and the handguard includes an integral mounting rail. In an even more particular embodiment, the gas tube and the handguard each include a feature for configuring removable rail systems thereon.

1 . A firearm handguard system comprising:
 a gas tube having
 a rear end adapted to engage a gas tube receiver socket, 
 a fore-end adapted to engage a gas block, 
 an interior surface defining a piston bore, 
 an exterior surface, and 
 a fastening feature; and 
   a handguard having
 a rear end adapted to engage the firearm, 
 a fore-end adapted to engage the firearm, 
 an exterior surface, and 
 a complementary fastening feature adapted to be coupled to said fastening feature. 
   
     
     
         2 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said fastening feature of said gas tube includes at least one aperture;   said complementary fastening feature of said handguard includes at least one aperture; and   said at least one aperture of said fastening feature is aligned with said at least one aperture of said complementary fastening feature.   
     
     
         3 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 2 , wherein one of said at least one aperture of said fastening feature and said at least one aperture of said complementary fastening feature is threaded, the other of said at least one aperture of said fastening feature and said at least one aperture of said complementary fastening feature is a clearance aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 3 , wherein
 said at least one aperture of said fastening feature of said gas tube is a clearance aperture;   said fastening feature of said gas tube further includes at least one threaded fastener, said at least one threaded fastener being adapted to pass through said at least one clearance aperture, said at least one fastener defining an external thread set; and   said at least one aperture of said complementary fastening feature of said handguard is a threaded aperture defining a complementary internal thread set, said complementary internal thread set being adapted to mate with said external thread set of said fastener.   
     
     
         5 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 4 , wherein said exterior surface of said gas tube and said exterior surface of said handguard are adapted to abut one another. 
     
     
         6 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said fastening feature and said complementary fastening feature form a fixed mechanical joint directly between said gas tube and said hand guard. 
     
     
         7 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said fastening feature and said complementary fastening feature includes a threaded fastener, said threaded fastener having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said threaded fastener being secured directly to said gas tube and said second end of said threaded fastener being secured directly to said handguard. 
     
     
         8 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said exterior surface of said gas tube defines at least one planar side surface; and   said exterior surface of said handguard defines at least one planar side surface, said at least one planar side surface of said gas tube and said at least one planar side surface of said handguard being coplanar.   
     
     
         9 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said side surface of said gas tube and said side surface of said handguard is adapted to receive a removable mounting platform. 
     
     
         10 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 9 , wherein said side surface of said gas tube defines a plurality of threaded apertures adapted for configuring rail systems on said side surface of said gas tube. 
     
     
         11 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 9 , wherein said side surface of said handguard defines a plurality of threaded apertures adapted for configuring rail systems on said side surface of said handguard. 
     
     
         12 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 11 , wherein said side surface of said gas tube defines a plurality of threaded apertures adapted for configuring rail systems on said side surface of said gas tube. 
     
     
         13 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said gas tube defines an integral rail system. 
     
     
         14 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said handguard defines an integral rail system. 
     
     
         15 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said gas tube is a first single body and said handguard is a second single body. 
     
     
         16 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spring element seated within said handguard system, said spring element having a first end adapted to retain a cleaning rod disposed within said handguard and a second end adapted to exert a biasing force on the exterior surface of a firearm barrel. 
     
     
         17 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said gas tube is adapted to mount over a barrel and remain spaced apart from said barrel. 
     
     
         18 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 17 , wherein said handguard is adapted to mount under a barrel and remain spaced apart from said barrel. 
     
     
         19 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein said gas tube and said handguard are adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a barrel without contacting said barrel. 
     
     
         20 . A firearm handguard system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said exterior surface of said gas tube and said exterior surface of said handguard are adapted to abut one another;   said gas tube is a first single body and said handguard is a second single body;   first single body defines a rail system;   said second single body defines a rail system; and   said gas tube and said handguard are adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a barrel without contacting said barrel.   
     
     
         21 . A gas-operated firearm comprising:
 a receiver;   a barrel coupled to said receiver,   a retainer coupled to said barrel;   a gas tube receiver socket;   a gas block;   a gas tube having a rear end adapted to engage said gas tube receiver socket, a fore-end adapted to engage said gas block, an interior surface defining a piston bore, an exterior surface, and a fastening feature; and   a handguard having a rear end adapted to engage said receiver, a fore-end adapted to engage said retainer, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a complementary fastening feature adapted to be coupled to said fastening feature of said gas tube.   
     
     
         22 . A firearm according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 exterior surface of said gas tube and said exterior surface of said handguard are adapted to abut one another;   said gas tube is a first single body and said handguard is a second single body;   first single body defines a rail system;   said second single body defines a rail system; and   said gas tube and said handguard are adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a barrel without contacting said barrel.   
     
     
         23 . A firearm handguard system comprising:
 a gas tube having
 a rear end adapted to engage a gas tube receiver socket, 
 a fore-end adapted to engage a gas block, 
 an interior surface defining a piston bore, and 
 an exterior surface; and 
   a handguard having
 a rear end, 
 a fore-end, and 
 an exterior surface, and 
   means for fastening said gas tube to said handguard.