Modular handguard device for a firearm

Abstract

A modular handguard device configured to be slidably mated to an outer surface of an existing or affixed handguard. The handguard of the present invention may be configured to mate with any handguard to provide an extension of the handguard for purposes including mitigation of detectable heat signature, operator safety and increased reconfigurability of firearms for mission specific needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular handguard for attachment to a fixed handguard comprising:
 an outer form comprising an inner surface configured to be disposed over an outer surface of an affixed handguard;   an inner form comprising an outer surface and a hollow form, said inner form further comprising a first end offset from a first end of said outer form;   said outer surface of said inner form being coincident with said inner surface of said outer form;   said first end of said inner form having an offset from said first end of said outer form.   
     
     
         2 . The modular handguard of  claim 1 , wherein said inner form is inset from said outer form along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The modular handguard of  claim 2 , wherein said inner form is inset from said outer form a distance of 2.54 cm (1.0 in). 
     
     
         4 . The modular handguard of  claim 1 , wherein said inner form further comprises a mechanical stop. 
     
     
         5 . The modular handguard of  claim 1  further comprising apertures through an outer surface of said outer form. 
     
     
         6 . The modular handguard of  claim 5  further comprising threaded apertures through said outer surface of said outer form. 
     
     
         7 . The modular handguard of  claim 1 , wherein said outer form further comprises slide features coincident with said inner surface of said outer form and said slide features are configured to mechanically engage with said affixed handguard. 
     
     
         8 . The modular handguard of  claim 1 , wherein said inner form further comprises an attachment feature. 
     
     
         9 . The modular handguard of  claim 8 , wherein said attachment feature is coincident with said mechanical stop and
 said attachment feature is configured to abut an attachment feature of said affixed handguard, wherein said attachment feature of said modular handguard and said attachment feature of said affixed handguard are contiguous.   
     
     
         10 . The modular handguard of  claim 1 , wherein said modular handguard is manufactured from a polymeric material having a melting point above 200° C. (392° F.). 
     
     
         11 . A modular handguard comprising:
 an inner form having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface of said inner form having similar cross-sectional profile to an affixed handguard;   an outer form having an inner surface and an outer surface with the profile of said inner surface of said outer form matching said cross-sectional profile of said outer surface of said inner form;   said inner form having a length parallel with a longitudinal axis, said length of said inner form being shorter than a length of said outer form parallel with said longitudinal axis;   an attachment feature affixed to said inner form parallel to said longitudinal axis;   said inner form and said outer form parallel said longitudinal axis with a first end of said inner form being offset from a first end of said outer form;   a mechanical stop coincident with said first end of said inner form;   slide features coincident with said inner surface of said outer form; mechanical interlock features; and   said slide features extending from said first end of said outer form to said first end of said inner form;   wherein said inner surface of said outer form is configured to be slidably mated with an outer surface of said affixed handguard, and said mechanical stop is configured to abut a first end of said affixed handguard, wherein said attachment feature of said modular handguard and said attachment feature of said affixed are being contiguous.