Cage style dual pump handguard for rifle/pistol or other firearm system

Abstract

A firearm assembly comprises a frame defining a bolt passage; a barrel connected to the frame and extending forward of the frame; a bolt operable to reciprocate within the bolt passage between a forward battery position and rearward recoil piston; a forend structure connected to the frame forward to the frame and encompassing a portion of the barrel; a grip slidably connected to the forend structure and connected to the bolt; the grip operable to cycle the bolt between the forward battery position and the rearward recoil piston; and the forend structure including a plurality of parallel rods.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A firearm assembly comprising:
 a frame defining a bolt passage;   a barrel connected to the frame and extending forward of the frame;   a bolt operable to reciprocate within the bolt passage between a forward battery position and rearward recoil piston;   a forend structure connected to the frame forward to the frame and encompassing a portion of the barrel;   a grip slidably connected to the forend structure and connected to the bolt;   the grip operable to cycle the bolt between the forward battery position and the rearward recoil piston; and   the forend structure including a plurality of parallel rods.   
     
     
         2 .  1  wherein the rods are evenly spaced from each other about the barrel. 
     
     
         3 .  2  wherein the rods are arranged in a circle centered on the barrel. 
     
     
         4 .  1  wherein the rods are arranged in a regular polygon. 
     
     
         5 .  4  wherein the rods are arranged in an octagon. 
     
     
         6 .  1  including an attachment having a clamp configured to grip a pair of adjacent rods. 
     
     
         7 .  1  wherein the grip encircles all the rods. 
     
     
         8 .  1  wherein the grip contacts only outer surfaces of the rods facing away from the barrel. 
     
     
         9 .  1  wherein the grip is free of structure between any rod and the barrel. 
     
     
         10 .  1  wherein the grip defines a major central aperture receiving all the rods. 
     
     
         11 .  1  including a lower receiver connected to the frame. 
     
     
         12 .  1  wherein the firearm assembly is an upper receiver assembly configured to connect to a lower receiver. 
     
     
         13 .  1  wherein the grip is rotationally engaged to the rods. 
     
     
         14 .  1  wherein the grip is operably connected to the bolt by a connector element lateral to the barrel and having a portion passing through a slot on a lateral side of the frame.