Modular handguard for firearm

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular handguard for a firearm which allows a portion of the length of the handguard to be quickly and easily added or removed. The improved modular handguard of the present invention has a base which attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm. An extension slidably mates with the base such that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension are generally aligned. A latch removably connects the base and the extension.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handguard for a firearm having a barrel nut, comprising:
 a base having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm;   an extension having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extension slidably mates with second end of the base such that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension are generally aligned;   a latch for removably connecting the base and the extension.   
     
     
         2 . The handguard of  claim 1  wherein the base has pin bores and wherein the latch is a spring-biased latch and comprises:
 a pivot pin positioned in the pin bores of the base; 
 a pivot arm mounted on the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has an open position and a closed position; and 
 a spring for biasing the pivot arm to the closed position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The handguard of  claim 2  wherein the pivot arm comprises:
 an elongated body having first and second ends and having a hole located between the first and second ends to receive the pivot pin; and 
 an inwardly protruding catch on the second end of the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         4 . The handguard of  claim 3  wherein the extension has a locking channel and wherein the catch lockingly engages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the closed position and the catch disengages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the open position. 
     
     
         5 . The handguard of  claim 4  wherein the base and the extension can be slidably separated when the pivot arm is in the open position and cannot be separated when the pivot arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The handguard of  claim 5  wherein the base includes a groove formed on the interior of the base and wherein the extension includes a ridge that is slidably received in the groove when the base and the extension are slidably mated. 
     
     
         7 . A handguard for a firearm having a barrel nut, comprising:
 a base having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm;   an extension having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extension slidably mates with second end of the base such that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension are generally aligned;   a spring-biased latch for removably connecting the base and the extension.   
     
     
         8 . The handguard of  claim 7  wherein the base has pin bores and wherein the latch comprises:
 a pivot pin positioned in the pin bores of the base; 
 a pivot arm mounted on the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has an open position and a closed position; and 
 a spring for biasing the pivot arm to the closed position. 
 
     
     
         9 . The handguard of  claim 8  wherein the pivot arm comprises:
 an elongated body having first and second ends and having a hole located between the first and second ends to receive the pivot pin; and 
 an inwardly protruding catch on the second end of the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         10 . The handguard of  claim 9  wherein the extension has a locking channel and wherein the catch lockingly engages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the closed position and the catch disengages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The handguard of  claim 10  wherein the base and the extension can be slidably separated when the pivot arm is in the open position and cannot be separated when the pivot arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The handguard of  claim 11  wherein the base includes a groove formed on the interior of the base and wherein the extension includes a ridge that is slidably received in the groove when the base and the extension are slidably mated. 
     
     
         13 . A handguard for a firearm having a barrel nut, comprising:
 a base having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm;   an extension having first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extension slidably mates with second end of the base such that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension are generally aligned;   a latch attached to the base for removably connecting the base and the extension.   
     
     
         14 . The handguard of  claim 13  wherein the latch is a spring-biased latch and comprises:
 a pivot pin; 
 a pivot arm mounted on the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has an open position and a closed position; and 
 a spring for biasing the pivot arm to the closed position. 
 
     
     
         15 . The handguard of  claim 14  wherein the pivot arm comprises:
 an elongated body having first and second ends and having a hole located between the first and second ends to receive the pivot pin; and 
 an inwardly protruding catch on the second end of the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         16 . The handguard of  claim 15  wherein the extension has a locking channel and wherein the catch lockingly engages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the closed position and the catch disengages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The handguard of  claim 14  wherein the base and the extension can be slidably separated when the pivot arm is in the open position and cannot be separated when the pivot arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The handguard of  claim 13  wherein the base includes a groove formed on the interior of the base and wherein the extension includes a ridge that is slidably received in the groove when the base and the extension are slidably mated.