Handguard

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A handguard (also known as crossguard or crosstree) is also a part of a sword that is just above the handle. It protects the wielder's hands from an opponent's sword should it happen to slide down the blade.

References

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rapid firing of a rifle produces substantial heat which must be dissipatedin a controlled manner to prevent damage to the weapon and injury to the hand ofthe person holding the gun. Representative of current hand guards is the handguardshown in FIG. 2 which includes a plastic outer shell with an internal metallicliner spaced from the barrel of the gun to absorb the heat produced.

What is needed is a handguard which will absorb more heat faster and yet protectthe user's hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The handguard of this invention utilizes no metallic liner but instead provideshand guard half sections made entirely of plastic material with radially extendingfins on the inner side wall that function to absorb the heat generated by the gun barrel.

The preferred material is a glass fiber reinforced polyamide (thermoplastic)with good impact resistance, high strength, and a high melting point (590°F. minimum). Additives are to be used for increased heat stabilization, heat agingresistance, and lubrication.

The fins in the handguards serve a dual purpose. They draw heat away from thebarrel and provide additional strength and rigidity to the part. Holes are locatedin the top of each handguard to provide additional air flow to the barrel.

Testing has proved that finned handguards remain comfortable to touch duringand after full-auto fire (210 rounds) of an M-16 rifle. After firing, only veryminor signs of melting or charring around the front area for the gas tube wereevident. This did not adversely affect or diminish the function of the handguards.In comparison, conventional commercial plastic handguards without aluminum heatshields were rendered useless after the same testing. Only the plastic handguardswith double metal heat shields were as effective as the finned handguards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an M-16 weapon showing the handguard of thisinvention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a half section of a prior art handguard employingan aluminum metal liner.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the handguard half sections in positionto be attached to the barrel of a gun.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one of the half sections.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 6 is an end elevation view taken along 6—6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 7—7 inFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The handguard of this invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1 by the referencenumeral 10 and i shown mounted on an M-16 rifle 12.

The handguard 10 includes upper and lower half sections 14 and16. Each of the half sections include a semi-cylindrical or oval shapedouter wall 18 having an inner surface 32 on which is mounted a pluralityof coplaner fin portions 22. The fin portions are spaced apart along theirinner free ends to form a channel 24 for a gas tube (not shown).

Each of the fin portions include an inner concave edge 26 having at itsopposite ends straight edges 28 and 30 which extend to the innersurface 32 of the wall 18. The concave edges 26 when mountedon the barrel of a gun will be in spaced relationship thereto to avoid interferingwith the operation of the weapon but close enough to absorb heat produced duringthe firing of the gun.

A series of air circulation holes 34 are provided between the fin portions22 in the channel wall 18.

Opposite ends of the half sections include mounting shoulders 36at the forward end and 38 at the rear end. A cap or clamp (not shown) engagesthe shoulders to hold the handguard on the gun barrel.

The exterior of the half sections 14 and 16 include longitudinallyspaced apart annular shoulders 40 to facilitate gripping of the weapon.

Thus in operation it is seen that the handguard half sections of this inventionwhen mounted on the barrel of a gun will absorb heat into the fins positioned aroundthe barrel but due to the low conductivity of the plastic material used the heatwill not be transmitted quickly to the exterior surface thus avoiding discomfortto the users hands.