Guard For Firearm Muzzle Attachments

Abstract

A muzzle attachment guard for a firearm includes a base and a guard. The base defines a receiver configured to receive an engagement mechanism of a muzzle end of a firearm barrel. The engagement mechanism remains accessible from within the cage when the guard is attached to the firearm barrel. The cage defines at least one opening large enough to allow the passage of a user's fingers and/or tools to access a muzzle attachment disposed inside of the cage.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A guard assembly for a muzzle attachment fixed to a muzzle of a firearm by an engagement mechanism of said muzzle of said firearm, said guard assembly comprising:
 a base defining a receiver configured to receive said muzzle of said firearm; and   a guard extending from said base in a forward direction and at least partially surrounding a bore axis of said firearm, said guard defining an interior space, wherein said muzzle attachment is disposed; and wherein   said guard defines a first passage extending from outside of said guard to said interior space of said guard; and   said first passage has a first dimension measured along a direction parallel to said bore axis and a second dimension measured in a plane perpendicular to said bore axis, said first dimension being sufficient to permit a tool to pass through said first passage and engage said muzzle attachment, and said second dimension being sufficient to facilitate rotation of said tool in said plane and about said bore axis.   
     
     
         2 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base further defines a bore extending in a direction perpendicular to said bore axis of said firearm from an outer edge of said base into said receiver;   said guard defines an aperture aligned with said bore; and   said guard assembly further includes a pin configured to be permanently fixed in said bore in engagement with said muzzle of said firearm, to permanently fix said guard assembly to said muzzle of said firearm.   
     
     
         3 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said receiver defines a cylindrical opening configured to engage a complementary cylindrical surface of said muzzle of said firearm. 
     
     
         4 . The guard assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said cylindrical opening includes a first thread set configured to engage a complementary second thread set on said cylindrical surface of said muzzle of said firearm. 
     
     
         5 . The guard assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said engagement mechanism of said muzzle remains accessible when said muzzle is received by said receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said guard is rigidly fixed to said base. 
     
     
         7 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said base is disposed within an inch of a second plane perpendicular to said bore axis and passing through said first opening. 
     
     
         8  The guard assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said second dimension of said first passage subtends an angle of at least 60 degrees at said bore axis. 
     
     
         9 . The guard assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said second dimension of said first passage subtends an angle of at least 90 degrees at said bore axis. 
     
     
         10 . The guard assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said second dimension of said first passage subtends an angle greater than 180 degrees at said bore axis. 
     
     
         11 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first passage is large enough to facilitate the passage of said muzzle attachment. 
     
     
         12 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said guard additionally defines a second passage extending from outside of said cage to said interior space of said cage, said second passage including a third dimension measured along a direction parallel to said bore axis and a fourth dimension measured in a plane perpendicular to said bore axis;   said second passage is disposed on an opposite side of said guard from said first passage;   said second dimension of said first passage subtends an angle of at least 60 degrees at said bore axis; and   said fourth dimension of said second passage subtends an angle of at least 60 degrees at said bore axis.   
     
     
         13 . The guard assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said second dimension of said first passage subtends an angle of at least 90 degrees at said bore axis; and   said fourth dimension of said second passage subtends an angle of at least 90 degrees at said bore axis.   
     
     
         14 . The guard assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first passage and said second passage are symmetrical about said bore axis. 
     
     
         15 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base includes a plate having a cylindrical outer surface;   said guard includes a shell having cylindrical inner surface that mates with said cylindrical outer surface of said base plate.   
     
     
         16 . The guard assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said guard includes a cylindrical shell having a wall that defines said first passage;   said cylindrical shell has a first end fixed to said base;   said cylindrical shell includes a second end opposite said first end; and   said second end includes an opening with a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge including a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, and a fourth segment;   said second segment is disposed between said first segment and said third segment;   said first segment is disposed between said second segment and said fourth segment;   said first segment and said third segment are disposed on a first side of a second plane perpendicular to said bore axis; and   said second segment and said fourth segment are disposed on an opposite side of said second plane.   
     
     
         17 . The guard assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat shield disposed at least partially around said guard. 
     
     
         18 . The guard assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said heat shield defines at least one opening through said heat shield. 
     
     
         19 . The guard assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said heat shield is made of spring steel. 
     
     
         20 . The guard assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said heat shield is selectively removable from said guard. 
     
     
         21 . The guard assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said heat shield includes at least one tab configured to engage at least one opening of said guard.