Firearm rail/handguard and mounting system

Abstract

An assembly for mounting a handguard to a firearm utilizes a clamping element disposed intermediate the barrel nut and the interior end of the handguard. The clamping element has multiple surfaces which mimic different diameter portions of the exterior profile of the barrel nut to prevent any of longitudinal, axial, or radial misalignment of the handguard relative to the axis of the firearm barrel. The clamping element may be secured in place with multiple fasteners having the same or different axes of movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly apparatus for securing a handguard to a firearm having a barrel nut, the assembly apparatus comprises:
 a handguard having a first end with an interior diameter shaped to receive at least a portion of an exterior of the barrel nut;   a biasing clamp element disposable intermediate the barrel nut and the interior diameter of the handguard, the biasing clamp element having at least one arcuate surfaces disposed adjacent the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut; and   a mechanism for securing the biasing clamp element intermediate the handguard and the barrel nut.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in combination with a cylindrical barrel nut extending along an axis and having an exterior perimeter defining first and second exterior surface portions with different exterior diameter values relative to the axis. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the biasing clamp element prevents movement of the handguard longitudinally along the axis of the barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the biasing clamping element has an arcuate surface disposable adjacent the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut to prevent at least one of radial and rotational movement of the handguard first end relative the barrel nut. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism for securing comprises at least one helicoil insert disposed within an aperture in the handguard and a threaded fastener receivable within the helicoil insert for forcing the biasing clamp element against the barrel nut. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the biasing clamp element further comprises a flat surface on an exterior portion thereof against which the mechanism for securing contacts. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism for securing comprises a plurality of helicoil inserts disposed within respective apertures within the handguard and a plurality of threaded fasteners, each receivable within one of the helicoil inserts for forcing the biasing clamp element against the barrel nut. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly kit for use with a firearm having a barrel nut and a handguard, the kit comprising:
 a biasing clamp element disposable intermediate the barrel nut and an interior diameter of the handguard, the biasing clamp element having first and second surfaces disposed adjacent first and second exterior surface portions, respectively, of the barrel nut; and   a mechanism for securing the biasing clamp element intermediate the handguard and the barrel nut.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly kit of  claim 7  wherein the biasing clamp element has an arcuate surface for positioning adjacent the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut to prevent at least one of radial and rotational movement of the handguard first end relative the barrel nut. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly kit of  claim 7  in combination with a cylindrical barrel nut extending along an axis and having an exterior perimeter defining first and second exterior surface portions with different exterior diameter values relative to the axis. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly kit of  claim 7  in combination with a handguard having a first end with an interior diameter shaped to receive at least a portion of a barrel nut exterior. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly apparatus for securing a handguard to a firearm, the firearm having a barrel nut with an exterior perimeter, the assembly apparatus comprises:
 a handguard having a first end with an interior diameter shaped to receive at least a portion of the exterior portion of the barrel nut; and   a biasing clamp element disposable intermediate the interior diameter of the handguard and a first location on the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut,   the biasing clamp element having an arcuate surface with a first radius of diameter and disposable adjacent the first location on the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut,   the biasing clamp element having a second arcuate surface having a second radius of diameter and disposable adjacent a second location on the exterior perimeter of the barrel nut; and   a first mechanism for securing the first clamping element intermediate the handguard and the barrel nut.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly apparatus of  claim 12  in combination with a cylindrical barrel nut extending along an axis and having an exterior perimeter defining first and second exterior surface portions with different exterior diameter values relative to the axis. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a second mechanism for securing the second clamping element intermediate the handguard and the barrel nut. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method for mounting a handguard to a firearm having a cylindrical barrel nut, the method comprising:
 A) disposing a first end of the handguard about a portion of the barrel nut;   B) inserting a biasing clamp element intermediate the first end of the handguard and the barrel nut at a first location about an exterior perimeter of the barrel nut;   C) forcing the biasing clamp element against the barrel nut from a first direction normal to an axis of the barrel nut.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprises:
 D) forcing the biasing clamp element against the barrel nut from a second direction normal to an axis of the barrel nut, the second direction different from the first direction. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 E) exposing the barrel nut of the firearm prior to disposing the first end of the handguard about a portion of the barrel nut.