Rifle handguard system with integrated barrel nut

Abstract

A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a receiver, the hand guard system includes a barrel nut having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface, and a tubular handguard having an end. The tubular handguard is receivable about the barrel and is received about the barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/008,357, filed Dec. 1, 2006, have been considered, and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e) for ex parte reexaminations, or the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 316 as provided in 37 CFR 1.997(e) for inter partes reexaminations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a receiver, the hand guard system comprising:
 a barrel nut being a unitary element, having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface; and   a unitary tubular handguard having an end, the tubular handguard receivable about the barrel and received about the barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof.   
     
     
       2. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the barrel nut further includes a plurality of passages positioned around the periphery of the barrel nut and extending longitudinally therealong intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface for permitting the passage of an element of an operating system therethrough. 
     
     
       3. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the barrel nut further includes a reduced portion separated from the threaded portion by a shoulder, the reduced portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the threaded portion. 
     
     
       4. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the receiver includes a rail, the system further including an extension rail coupled to the handguard, the extension rail including a receiver portion extending beyond the handguard, a dovetail groove formed in an underside of the receiver portion of the extension rail having a cross-sectional shape substantially identical to a cross-sectional shape of the rail on the receiver, for receipt of the rail therein, and fastening members for fastening the extension rail to the rail. 
     
     
       5. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the fastening members extend through apertures formed in the top of the extension rail for engaging the top of the rail within notches formed therein. 
     
     
       6. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the fasteners are set screws. 
     
     
       7. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein a portion of the tubular handguard underlying the extension rail is removed to form a channel therebetween. 
     
     
       8. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 1  further including fasteners received through the end of the tubular handguard for engaging the barrel nut and fixedly securing the tubular handguard thereto. 
     
     
       9. A handguard system comprising:
 an upper receiver;   a barrel having a base end and a muzzle end;   a barrel nut having an inner surface with a threaded portion threadably engaging the receiver and securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface; and   a unitary tubular handguard having an end, the tubular handguard encircling the barrel and received about the barrel nut with the end of the tubular handguard engaging the outer surface of the barrel nut.   
     
     
       10. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the barrel nut further includes a plurality of passages positioned around the periphery of the barrel nut and extending longitudinally therealong intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface for permitting the passage of an element of an operating system therethrough. 
     
     
       11. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the inner surface of the barrel nut further includes a reduced portion separated from the threaded portion by a shoulder, the reduced portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the threaded portion, the shoulder engaging a flange on the base end of the barrel. 
     
     
       12. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the receiver includes a rail, the system further including an extension rail coupled to the, handguard, the extension rail including a receiver portion extending beyond the handguard, a dovetail groove formed in an underside of the receiver portion of the extension rail having a cross-sectional shape substantially identical to a cross-sectional shape of the rail on the receiver, for receipt of the rail therein, and fastening members for fastening the extension rail to the rail. 
     
     
       13. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the fastening members extend through apertures formed in the top of the extension rail to engage the top of the rail within notches formed therein. 
     
     
       14. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the fasteners are set screws. 
     
     
       15. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a portion of the tubular handguard underlying the extension rail is removed to form a channel therebetween. 
     
     
       16. A handguard system as claimed in  claim 9  further including fasteners received through the end of the tubular handguard for engaging the barrel nut and fixedly securing the tubular handguard thereto. 
     
     
       17. A barrel nut for coupling a barrel to a receiver and receiving an end of a handguard having an inner surface, the barrel nut being a single unitary element comprising:
 an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface for engaging the inner surface of the end of the handguard; and   a plurality of passages positioned around the periphery of the barrel nut and extending longitudinally therealong intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface for permitting the passage of an element of an operating system therethrough.   
     
     
       18. A barrel nut as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the inner surface of the barrel nut further includes a reduced portion separated from the threaded portion by a shoulder, the reduced portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the threaded portion. 
     
     
       19. A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a receiver, the hand guard system comprising:
 a barrel nut being a unitary element, having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and a radial cylindrical outer surface;   a unitary tubular handguard having an end, the tubular handguard receivable about the barrel and removably received about the barrel nut, engaging only the radial cylindrical outer surface thereof; and   an extension rail extending beyond the handguard, the extension rail configured to contact a top portion of the receiver and align the unitary tubular handguard to the rifle;   wherein the engagement of the tubular handguard to the radial cylindrical outer surface extends substantially the entire length of the barrel nut.   
     
     
       20. A handguard system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the barrel nut further includes a plurality of passages positioned around the periphery of the barrel nut and extending longitudinally therealong intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface for permitting the passage of an element of an operating system therethrough. 
     
     
       21. A handguard system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inner surface of the barrel nut further includes a reduced portion separated from the threaded portion by a shoulder, the reduced portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the threaded portion. 
     
     
       22. A handguard system as claimed in claim 19 wherein a portion of the tubular handguard includes a channel formed under the extension rail. 
     
     
       23. A handguard system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the top portion of the receiver includes a rail; and wherein a dovetail groove is formed in an underside of the extension rail having a cross-sectional shape substantially identical to a cross-sectional shape of the rail on the receiver, for receipt of the rail therein, and fastening members for fastening the extension rail to the rail. 
     
     
       24. A handguard system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the fastening members extend through apertures formed in the top of the extension portion for engaging the top of the rail within notches formed therein. 
     
     
       25. A handguard system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the fasteners are set screws.