Cover Systems For Firearm Handguards

Abstract

In a first embodiment, a cover system for firearms is provided, the cover system comprising: a first cover, a second cover and a third cover. The first cover comprises a first opposite side and a second opposite side. The first opposite side comprises a first full-slot and a second full-slot, and the second opposite side comprises a first half-slot and a second half-slot. The second cover comprises a third opposite side and a fourth opposite side. The third opposite side comprises a third half-slot and a fourth half-slot. The fourth opposite side comprises a fifth half-slot and a sixth half-slot. The third cover comprises a fifth opposite side and a sixth opposite side. The fifth opposite side comprises a seventh half-slot and an eighth half-slot, and the sixth opposite side comprises a third full-slot and a fourth full-slot. Aligning the first, second, and third covers results in four additional full-slots.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 747,566, filed January 21, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to cover systems for firearm handguards. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] As noted by US Patent Number 9,599,430: "Firearm handguards are designed to protect the shooter from being burned due to contact with the hot barrel of a firearm. Handguards can also be used to facilitate the connection of weapon accessories (e.g., optics, laser, night vision, fore grips, bipods, tactical lights, etc.) to the firearm." More particularly, modern firearms such as, but not limited to, AR-15 rifles have handguards comprising of accessory mounting slots to attach such accessories.

[0005] Thus, in the history of firearms there has been a need to prevent the user’s hands from being burnt by the heat generated by the barrel. Traditionally this was achieved by using a wooden extension of the stock or handguard. As manufacturing technologies changed handguards were made from metal (usually steel) and plastics in addition to wood. Machineguns for example, may have a handguard made of steel and perforated with holes in order to allow airflow across the barrel surface in order to cool it.

[0006] In the last few decades, aluminum has become widely used for the manufacture of handguards principally due to its light weight, ease of manufacture, and heat sink properties which once again aid in the cooling of the barrel. Handguards were populated with holes to allow better barrel cooling. The holes became standardized accessory mounting slots to enable the attachment of various accessories to the handguard.

[0007] Because with sustained use the handguards would also get hot, plastic covers such as 'M-LOK's Type 2 Covers' were designed to insulate the user’s hands from the heat and provide a tactile gripping surface particularly in wet conditions. However, by their very nature such covers necessarily restrict airflow and occupy accessory mounting space (i.e., the standardized accessory mounting slots). Hence there is a need to go some way to address these issues.SUMMARY

[0008] In a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A through 1H) a cover system 1000 for firearms is provided, the cover system 1000 comprising: a first cover 1020, a second cover 1040 and a third cover 1060.

[0009] The first cover 1020 comprises a first opposite side 1080 and a second opposite side 1100. The first opposite side 1080 comprises a first full-slot 1120 and a second full-slot 1140, and the second opposite side 1100 comprises a first half-slot 1160 and a second half-slot 1180.

[0010] The second cover 1040 comprises a third opposite side 1200 and a fourth opposite side 1220. The third opposite side 1200 comprises a third half-slot 1240 and a fourth half-slot 1260. The fourth opposite side 1220 comprises a fifth half-slot 1280 and a sixth half-slot 1300.

[0011] The third cover 1060 comprises a fifth opposite side 1320 and a sixth opposite side 1340. The fifth opposite side 1320 comprises a seventh half-slot 1360 and an eighth half-slot 1380, and the sixth opposite side 1340 comprises a third full-slot 1400 and a fourth full-slot 1420.

[0012] During normal operation of the cover system 1000 the second cover 1040 is located between the first cover 1020 and the third cover 1060 such that:

[0013] (a) the first half-slot 1160 of the first cover 1020 is aligned with the third half-slot 1240 of the second cover 1040 to provide a fifth full-slot 1440,

[0014] (b) the second half-slot 1180 of the first cover 1020 is aligned with the fourth half-slot 1260 of the second cover 1040 to provide a sixth full-slot 1460,

[0015] (c) the fifth half-slot 1280 of the second cover 1040 is aligned with the seventh half-slot 1360 of the third cover 1060 to provide a seventh full-slot 1480, and

[0016] (d) the sixth half-slot 1300 of the second cover 1040 is aligned with the eighth half-slot 1380 of the third cover 1060 to provide an eighth full-slot 1500.

[0017] Hence, the first embodiment results in the creation of four additional full-slots: fifth full-slot 1440, sixth full-slot 1460, seventh full-slot 1480, and eighth full-slot 1500 which are in addition to: first full-slot 1120, second full-slot 1140, third full-slot 1400, and fourth full-slot 1420. It is notable that one or more firearm accessories 1600 (see, for example, FIG. 1H) can be affixed temporarily or permanently via any of the full-slots to any one of accessory mounting slots 1520.

[0018] The first 1020, second 1040, and third 1060 covers collectively define a cross-section in the form of an octagon with one side (a top side) missing, i.e. the three covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon 1070; see FIG. 1E.

[0019] In a second embodiment (see FIGS. 2A through 2G) a cover system 2000 for firearm handguards is provided, the cover system 2000 comprising: a fourth cover 2020, a fifth cover 2040, and a sixth cover 2060.

[0020] The three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define an octagon with one side (a top side) missing, i.e. the three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon (2070); see FIG. 2E.

[0021] The fourth cover 2020 comprises a seventh opposite side 2080 and an eighth opposite side 2090. The seventh opposite side 2080 comprises a ninth full-slot 2100, and the eighth opposite side 2090 comprises a ninth half-slot 2120.

[0022] The fifth cover 2040 comprises a ninth opposite side 2140 and a tenth opposite side 2160. The ninth opposite side 2140 comprises a tenth half-slot 2180, and the tenth opposite side 2160 comprises an eleventh half-slot 2200.

[0023] The sixth cover 2060 comprises an eleventh opposite side 2220 and a twelfth opposite side 2240. The eleventh opposite side 2220 comprises a twelfth half-slot 2260, and the twelfth opposite side 2240 comprises a tenth full-slot 2280.

[0024] During normal operation of the cover system 2000 the fifth cover 2040 is located between the fourth cover 2020 and the sixth cover 2060 such that:

[0025] (e) the ninth half-slot 2120 of the fourth cover 2020 is aligned with the tenth half-slot 2180 of the fifth cover 2040 to provide an eleventh full-slot 2360,

[0026] (f) the eleventh half-slot 2200 of the fifth cover 2040 is aligned with the twelfth half-slot 2260 of the sixth cover 2060 to provide a twelfth full-slot 2380.

[0027] The three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define an octagon with one side (a top side) missing, i.e. the three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon (2070); see FIG. 2E.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1A shows a cover system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 1B shows a schematic according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the cover system shown in FIG. 1A.

[0031] FIG. 1D shows an alternative perspective view of the cover system shown in FIG. 1A.

[0032] FIG. 1E shows an end view of a first, second and third covers in a combined state according the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 1F shows an end view of a first, second, and third covers shown separately and in relation of a firearm handguard according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 1G shows an end view of the first, second, and covers shown separately about to be fastened to a firearm handguard according to one aspect of the first embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 1H shows an environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2A shows a cover system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2B shows a schematic according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of the cover system shown in FIG. 2A.

[0039] FIG. 2D shows an alternative perspective view of the cover system shown in FIG. 2A.

[0040] FIG. 2E shows an end view of a fourth, fifth and sixth covers in a combined state according the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2F shows an end view of a fourth, fifth, and sixth covers shown separately and in relation of a firearm handguard according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 2G shows an end view of the fourth, fifth, and sixth covers shown separately about to be fastened to a firearm handguard according to one aspect of the second embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 3A shows a table.

[0044] FIG. 3B shows a table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] It is to be understood that the terms "top", "bottom", “left”, “right”, "side", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "height", "width", "length", “end” and the like are used herein merely to describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any specific orientation or configuration. It should also be understood that the claimed invention and parts may be of any size, shape or configuration suitable for operation of the invention and may be constructed of any suitable materials such as, but not limited to, heat resistant plastic. Still further, any and all dimensions if shown in attached Figures are example dimensions; dimensions (length, width, height) can vary from those shown.

[0046] The Table shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B serves as a useful point of reference.

[0047] In a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A through 1H) a cover system 1000 for firearms is provided, the cover system 1000 comprising: a first cover 1020, a second cover 1040 and a third cover 1060.

[0048] The first cover 1020 comprises a first opposite side 1080 and a second opposite side 1100. The first opposite side 1080 comprises a first full-slot 1120 and a second full-slot 1140, and the second opposite side 1100 comprises a first half-slot 1160 and a second half-slot 1180; see FIG. 2A.

[0049] The second cover 1040 comprises a third opposite side 1200 and a fourth opposite side 1220. The third opposite side 1200 comprises a third half-slot 1240 and a fourth half-slot 1260. The fourth opposite side 1220 comprises a fifth half-slot 1280 and a sixth half-slot 1300; see FIG. 2A.

[0050] The third cover 1060 comprises a fifth opposite side 1320 and a sixth opposite side 1340. The fifth opposite side 1320 comprises a seventh half-slot 1360 and an eighth half-slot 1380, and the sixth opposite side 1340 comprises a third full-slot 1400 and a fourth full-slot 1420; see FIG. 2A.

[0051] During normal operation of the cover system 1000 the second cover 1040 is located between the first cover 1020 and the third cover 1060 such that:

[0052] (a) the first half-slot 1160 of the first cover 1020 is aligned with the third half-slot 1240 of the second cover 1040 to provide a fifth full-slot 1440,

[0053] (b) the second half-slot 1180 of the first cover 1020 is aligned with the fourth half-slot 1260 of the second cover 1040 to provide a sixth full-slot 1460,

[0054] (c) the fifth half-slot 1280 of the second cover 1040 is aligned with the seventh half-slot 1360 of the third cover 1060 to provide a seventh full-slot 1480, and

[0055] (d) the sixth half-slot 1300 of the second cover 1040 is aligned with the eighth half-slot 1380 of the third cover 1060 to provide an additional eighth full-slot 1500.

[0056] Hence, the first embodiment results in the creation of four additional full-slots: fifth full-slot 1440, sixth full-slot 1460, seventh full-slot 1480, and eighth full-slot 1500 which are in addition to: first full-slot 1120, second full-slot 1140, third full-slot 1400, and fourth full-slot 1420. It is notable that one or more firearm accessories 1600 (see, for example, FIG. 1H) can be affixed temporarily or permanently via any of the full-slots 1120, 1140, 1440, 1460, 1480, 1500, 1400, or 1420 to any of the standardized accessory mounting slots 1520.

[0057] The three covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an octagon with one side (a top side) missing, i.e. the three covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon 1070; see FIG. 1E.

[0058] The first 1020, second 1040 and third 1060 covers optionally snap fit to mounting slots 1520 of a firearm handguard 1540.

[0059] At least one of the first cover 1020, second cover 1040, or third cover 1060, or a combination thereof comprise of an aperture 1560. It should be understood that the expression: "at least one of the first cover 1020, second cover 1040, or third cover 1060, or a combination thereof comprise of an aperture 1560" is intended to mean: first cover 1020 alone comprises an aperture 1560; or second cover 1040 alone comprises an aperture 1560; or third cover 1060 alone comprises an aperture 1560; or first cover 1020 and second cover 1040 each comprises an aperture 1560; or first cover 1020 and third cover 1060 each comprises an aperture 1560; or second cover 1040 and third cover 1060 each comprises an aperture 1560; or first cover 1020, second cover 1040 and third 1060 cover each comprises an aperture 1560. For example, each of the covers 1020, 1040, and 1060 can comprise an aperture 1560.

[0060] The aperture 1560 is able to accommodate a fastener 1580 (see FIG. 1H).

[0061] With respect to the second embodiment described below the articles "a", "an" and "the" refer to plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0062] In a second embodiment (see FIGS. 2A through 2G) a cover system 2000 for firearm handguards is provided, the cover system 2000 comprising: a fourth cover 2020, a fifth cover 2040, and a sixth cover 2060.

[0063] The three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define an octagon with one side (a top side) missing, i.e. the three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon 2070; see FIG. 2E.

[0064] The fourth cover 2020 comprises a seventh opposite side 2080 and an eighth opposite side 2090. The seventh opposite side 2080 comprises a ninth full-slot 2100, and the eighth opposite side 2090 comprises a ninth half-slot 2120.

[0065] The fifth cover 2040 comprises a ninth opposite side 2140 and a tenth opposite side 2160. The ninth opposite side 2140 comprises a tenth half-slot 2180, and the tenth opposite side 2160 comprises an eleventh half-slot 2200.

[0066] The sixth cover 2060 comprises an eleventh opposite side 2220 and a twelfth opposite side 2240. The eleventh opposite side 2220 comprises a twelfth half-slot 2260, and the twelfth opposite side 2240 comprises a tenth full-slot 2280.

[0067] During normal operation of the cover system 2000 the fifth cover 2040 is located between the fourth cover 2020 and the sixth cover 2060 such that:

[0068] (e) the ninth half-slot 2120 of the fourth cover 2020 is aligned with the tenth half-slot 2180 of the fifth cover 2040 to provide an eleventh full-slot 2360,

[0069] (f) the eleventh half-slot 2200 of the fifth cover 2040 is aligned with the twelfth half-slot 2260 of the sixth cover 2060 to provide a twelfth full-slot 2380.

[0070] At least one of the fourth cover 2020, fifth cover 2040, or sixth cover 2060, or a combination thereof comprise of a second aperture 2300. It should be understood that the expression: "at least one of the fourth cover 2020, fifth cover 2040, or sixth cover 2060, or a combination thereof comprise of a second aperture 2300" is intended to mean: fourth cover 2020 alone comprises a second aperture 2300; or fifth cover 2040 alone comprises a second aperture 2300; or sixth cover 2060 alone comprises a second aperture 2300; or fourth cover 2020 and fifth cover 2040 each comprise a second aperture 2300; or fourth cover 2020 and sixth cover 2060 each comprise a second aperture 2300; or fifth cover 2040 and sixth cover 2060 each comprise a second aperture 2300; or fourth cover 2020, fifth cover 2040 and sixth 2060 cover each comprise a second aperture 2300. For example, each of the covers 2020, 2040, and 2060 can comprise of a second aperture 2300. The second aperture 2300 is able to accommodate a second fastener 2400.

[0071] The invention has been described herein with reference to particular exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are meant to be illustrative, and the invention is not limited to the examples provided. Certain alterations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cover system (1000) for firearms, comprising: a first cover (1020), the first cover (1020) comprises a first opposite side (1080) and a second opposite side (1100), wherein the first opposite side (1080) comprises a first full-slot (1120) and a second full-slot (1140), and wherein the second opposite side (1100) comprises a first half-slot (1160) and a second half-slot (1180); a second cover (1040), the second cover (1040) comprises a third opposite side (1200) and a fourth opposite side (1220), wherein the third opposite side (1200) comprises a third half-slot (1240) and a fourth half-slot (1260), and wherein the fourth opposite side (1220) comprises a fifth half-slot (1280) and a sixth half-slot (1300); and a third cover (1060), the third cover (1060) comprises a fifth opposite side (1320) and a sixth opposite side (1340), wherein the fifth opposite side (1320) comprises a seventh half-slot (1360) and an eighth half-slot (1380), and wherein the sixth opposite side (1340) comprises a third full-slot (1400) and a fourth full-slot (1420), wherein at least one of the covers (1020, 1040, or 1060, or a combination thereof) comprise an aperture (1560), wherein the three covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon (1070).

2. The cover system (1000) for firearms according to claim 1, wherein the first (1020), second (1040) and third (1060) covers snap fit to a firearm handguard (1540).

3. A cover system (1000) for firearms, comprising: a first cover (1020), the first cover (1020) comprises a first opposite side (1080) and a second opposite side (1100), wherein the first opposite side (1080) comprises a first full-slot (1120) and a second full-slot (1140), and wherein the second opposite side (1100) comprises a first half-slot (1160) and a second half-slot (1180); a second cover (1040), the second cover (1040) comprises a third opposite side (1200) and a fourth opposite side (1220), wherein the third opposite side (1200) comprises a third half-slot (1240) and a fourth half-slot (1260), and wherein fourth opposite side (1220) comprises a fifth half-slot (1280) and a sixth half-slot (1300); and a third cover (1060), the third cover (1060) comprises a fifth opposite side (1320) and a sixth opposite side (1340), wherein the fifth opposite side (1320) comprises a seventh half-slot (1360) and an eighth half-slot (1380), and wherein the sixth opposite side (1340) comprises a third full-slot (1400) and a fourth full-slot (1420), wherein the three covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon (1070),wherein the second cover (1040) is located between the first cover (1020) and the third cover (1060) such that: (a) the first half-slot (1160) of the first cover (1020) is aligned with the third half-slot (1240) of the second cover (1040) to provide a fifth full-slot (1440), (b) the second half-slot (1180) of the first cover (1020) is aligned with the fourth half-slot (1260) of the second cover (1040) to provide a sixth full-slot (1460), (c) the fifth half-slot (1280) of the second cover (1040) is aligned with the seventh half-slot (1360) of the third cover (1060) to provide a seventh full-slot (1480), and (d) the sixth half-slot (1300) of the second cover (1040) is aligned with the eighth half-slot (1380) of the third cover (1060) to provide an eighth full-slot (1500), wherein each of the covers (1020, 1040, and 1060) comprise an aperture.

4. A cover system (2000) for firearms, comprising: a fourth cover (2020), the fourth cover (2020) comprises a seventh opposite side (2080) and an eighth opposite side (2090), wherein the seventh opposite side (2080) comprises a ninth full-slot (2100), and wherein the eighth opposite side (2090) comprises a ninth half-slot (2120); a fifth cover (2040) comprises a ninth opposite side (2140) and a tenth opposite side (2160), wherein the ninth opposite side (2140) comprises a tenth half-slot (2180), and wherein the tenth opposite side (2160) comprises an eleventh half-slot (2200); and a sixth cover (2060) comprises an eleventh opposite side (2220) and a twelfth opposite side (2240), wherein the eleventh opposite side (2220) comprises a twelfth half-slot (2260), and wherein the twelfth opposite side (2240) comprises a tenth full-slot (2280), wherein each of the covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) comprise of a second aperture (2300).

5. The cover system (2000) for firearms according to claim 4, wherein the second cover (2040) is located between the first cover (2020) and the third cover (2060) such that the three covers (2020, 2040, and 2060) collectively define a cross-section in the form of an open top octagon (2070).

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