Firearm accessory mounting system

Abstract

A firearm accessory mounting and protection system including integrated channels machined into the handguard or receiver of a firearm that allows wires / cables to be concealed and protected under removable covers which slide into the integrated channels. These channels can also be used to mount and accommodate optional accessories or mounting surfaces. A firearm free-float handguard mounting system including a barrel nut and cam-lock mount with two machined cam-lock bolts that ride on the cam-lock nut and move up and down with a forty-five degree motion while contained in the handguards housing where the bolts sit in channels machined into the barrel nut allowing for the handguard to be easily installed or removed for cleaning, firearm maintenance, servicing, etc.

Description

[0001]Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001FIREARM ACCESSORY MOUNTING SYSTEMSPECIFICATION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis non-provisional application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofApplication Serial No. 63 / 622,473 filed on January 18, 2024 entitled FIREARMMOUNTING ACCESSORY SYSTEM and whose entire disclosure is incorporated byreference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to firearms and more particularly to firearm accessorymounting system for securely and releasably mounting a wide range of accessories andassociated cable concealment The first invention relates to firearm accessory systems,and more particularly, to a method and system for securely and releasably mounting,concealing, guiding, and protecting, accessories, cables, and wires on or attached to afirearm. The second invention relates generally to the field of firearms, and moreparticularly, to the systems and methods by which a firearm handguard uses amechanism which attaches to a barrel nut or mounting device for lockup to the receiverof a firearm.2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTMission critical components such as lights, lasers, and pressure switches areoften times mounted to the handguard or receiver of firearms. Fig. 23 provides anexample of a typical firearm 1 comprising a stock / pistol brace 2, a pistol grip 3, trigger4, bolt carrier 5, upper receiver 6, barrel 7 having a distal end 10, barrel nut 8,handguard 9 (or also referred to as “rail”) having an accessory AC (e.g., a flashlight)coupled thereto, and a charging handle 13. The proximal end 9A of the handguard 9 isinserted over the distal end 10 of the barrel 7 and the handguard 9 (which has an innerpassageway (not shown)) is slid towards, and coupled to, the barrel nut 8, therebysecuring the handguard 9 to the upper receiver 6 of the firearm 1.In addition to these components bi-pods, foregrips, secondary aiming devices,bayonets, slings, shooting stabilizer attachments, etc. are also mounted to thesehandguards, typically on one of the four main faces at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clockpositions (with respect to a transverse view of the firearm). Today, most rails employone of three methods for attaching these devices; Picatinny rails, M-Lok rail slots (e.g.,Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001U.S. Patent No.9,239,209 (Mayberry, et al.)), or KeyModTM rail slots (U.S. Patent No.9,341,441 (Cheng, et al.)).Often times the 2, 4, 7, and 10 o’clock positions on the rail are left as unusedspace where slots are machined out for weight reduction and heat dissipation. Currently,there are no integrated wire / cable management channel / cover systems that aremachined into the handguard or upper receiver of a firearm to protect and conceal thewires / cables for weapons mounted lights, lasers, aiming devices, etc. that havewires / cables / pressure switches / etc., for operation of the accessories. Currently, asshown most clearly in Fig. 23, the wires and cables (W) for such devices / accessories(AC) are zip tied, taped (T), and affixed with ranger bands (ST) or add on accessoriesthat are prone to failure, dry rot, snagging, are cumbersome, add weight, and take upvaluable rail space that could otherwise be dedicated to mission critical components andweapons mounted accessories. No rail / handguard / receiver on the market today offers anintegrated cable management channel and cover for protecting, concealing, guiding, andmounting wires and accessories. Instead, if the end-user mounts an accessory withwires and cables today, they must purchase an add on product like one of thoseattachment methods listed above.An example of a so-called existing solution would be U.S. Patent No.9,453,703(Michal, et al.). This patent discloses a grip cover that doubles as cable managementand is attached to the handguard of a gun using the Picatinny rails. It takes up space onthe rails, adding to the overall diameter of the handguard making it less ergonomical foruse, adds weight, is not integrated nor machined into the handguard, and prevents theend user from mounting other accessories to the Picatinny rails because it covers thePicatinny rail.U.S. Patent No. 12,082,366 (Lee, et al.) clips onto the Picatinny rail of ahandguard and has grooves in the apparatus which allow the user to secure wiresagainst the handguard, but only covers small areas of wire, often times leaving largesections of the wires exposed and prone to damage from snagging, abrasion, and alitany of other issues.U.S. Patent No.7,243,454 (Cahill) discloses a vertical foregrip which integratesthe wires of a pressure switch into the grip. This solves the problem of concealment onthe vertical foregrip, but once the wire hits the handguard, it is once again left exposedand affixed with substandard methodologies as listed above.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001U.S. Patent No.8,850,735 (Kenney) discloses a removable section of Picatinnyrail and cable / wire guides that press into the handguard and leave the wire uncoveredand exposed to snagging, cuts, and other elements that would be catastrophic to theaccessories that are controlled by those wires / cables.U.S. Patent Publication No. 2023 / 0110575 (Cinco) discloses a method forattaching wires to the handguard with a cover that bolts to the holes in a handguard andonly covers a small portion of the cables.U.S. Patent No.10,514,235 (McCauley, et al.) discloses the Picatinny rail mountto attach a pressure switch and cover a portion of the w ire, but does not integrate thewire into the handguard under cover and causes the end user to lose a significantamount of Picatinny rail space.U.S. Patent Publication No.2015 / 0345879 (Jen) discloses a channel in the upperreceiver to mount accessories, but does not include mounting covers or accessories, butinstead utilizes slots in the dovetail channel causing the end user to still have to use thedeficient methods listed above.U.S. Patent No.7,836,625 (Swan, et al.) discloses a device specifically used forbreaching shotgun handguards. This product bolts to the holes on many handguards inthe 2,4,7, and 10 o’clock positions and allows the end user to mount accessories to it.This device is not integrated into the handguard itself and does not act as a cover orchannel for wires, cables, or handguards. It also relies on previously-machined holesnot designed for accessory attachment.Due to the lack of an integrated solution, many accessories come with slotsdesigned specifically for zip ties so that the end user can affix the accessory to thehandguard; an example of this is the Unity Tactical pressure switch (e.g., U.S. PatentNo. D984,971 (Zimmer)). This limits how the wires can be attached, provides pooraesthetics, and does little to protect the wires / cables from being snagged, cut, gouged,or ripped out, rendering the devices they are attached to with limited function or nofunction at all. In some cases, the zip ties when cut down can be sharp and posepotential injury to the end-user.The device disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.2010 / 0192446 (Darian) haselectrical wires built into a Picatinny rail mount system that clamps to the rifle’sreceiver. This system is proprietary and cannot be used with other pressure switchsystems and cables.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001U.S. Patent No. 7,845,105 (Cahill) discloses a rail cover that attaches to thePicatinny portion of a handguard and allows for the pressure switch to be integrated intothe Picatinny rail cover. This takes up valuable rail space and does not provide muchprotection for the wires / cables.U.S. Patent Publication No. 2023 / 0152056 (Lee, et al.) discloses using theinterior side of the handguard itself to house the wires / cables and leaves the cablesdangerously close to the heat of the barrel and possible moving parts. The guiding ofthese cables also requires the removal of the entire handguard itself which canjeopardize the zero of any sights or lasers that are mounted to the handguard.WO 2023 / 230367 (Werner, et al.) discloses a system for cable management, butis not integrated into the handguard itself and does not fully protect the cables.U.S. Patent Publication No.2016 / 0211095 (Zimmer) discloses an example of adevice that the above references attempt to secure and protect. This device has twocable leads, one for a light and the other for a laser which would cause the end user tohave to attach even more of the above-mentioned devices to secure the cables.Thus, in view of all of the foregoing, there remains a need for a system andmethod that is designed to mount accessories and address cable / wire management,protection, and routing, while simultaneously not taking away from the traditionalvaluable rail space.Handguards have multiple uses when attached to a firearms receiver. Theyserve as a protective barrier for the shooter from both moving and hot parts containedunderneath such as the barrel, gas block, gas tube, pistons etc. Handguards enable theshooter to steady the front of the firearm as they shoot the firearm. In addition, manyhandguards have slots and attachment points that allow the user to mount accessories,lights, lasers, grips, bipods, etc. to the firearm. Free-floating handguards today are oftenmounted using an attachment method by where the handguard slides onto or over abarrel nut, and then is attached to that barrel nut mechanically through the use of bolts,nuts, wedges, screws, pins, etc. These systems are often times clunky, heavy, requiretiming the barrel nut, use multiple tools and parts which are sometimes difficult to workwith, and do not provide a solid lock-up. In addition, the parts often times get lost orare damaged when installing the handguard on the barrel nut because they are notattached when mounting, but are attached after installation. The following provideexamples of these deficiencies.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001Parts like those disclosed in U.S. Patent No.7,716,865 (Daniel, et al., see Fig.2therein, reference numbers 108, 110, 112) require upwards of four plus bolts and nuts toattach the handguard to the receiver.U.S. Patent No.8,607,490 (Zinsner) discloses using a non-timing barrel nut andquick attach mounting system for the handguard, but because of its latches, it is proneto failure and the additional weight of the system is a major flaw.U.S. Patent No. 9,389,043 (Zhang) discloses using a multiple piece system toclamp onto the barrel nut, as seen in Fig. 3 therein. The problem with this system isthat it has many pieces that can be lost and the lock-up mechanism is prone to failureand alignment issues.U.S. Patent No. 9,464,865 (Shea, et al.) discloses using a barrel nut lock-upmechanism that wedges the barrel nut and locks up the handguard. This system usesmultiple pieces and an uncommon tool which adds complexity to the mounting process.U.S. Patent No. 9,528,793 (Oglesby) uses a barrel nut with a groove thatrequires an additional anti-rotational ring to account for the handguard moving side toside. But once again, this suffers from the need to use more pieces.U.S. Patent No. 9,766,036 (Daly, Jr.) discloses using a clamping system thatincludes small parts that are challenging to seat when mounting the handguard to thebarrel nut.U.S. Patent No. 10,126,095 (Reid) discloses using a wedge lockup on a non-timing barrel nut which has many parts; again, more parts and thus more likely to fail.U.S. Patent No. 10,809,038 (Geissele) discloses a device that requires a“handguard key” for proper alignment. See also U.S. Patent Nos. D709,582 (Geissele);D828,897 (Geissele), and D844,094 (Geissele).U.S. Patent No. 9,599,430 (Geissele) discloses a lockup device that hasmultiple pieces that are not integrated into the handguard and are prone to loss whilealso requiring special tools to attach the barrel nut.U.S. Patent No.9,032,658 (Geissele) discloses a modular rail system that uses asimilar lock up and allows accessories to be attached mechanically but only at the 3, 6,9, and 12 o’clock positions.U.S. Patent No.9,476,673 (Miller, et al.) discloses using a wedge lock systemto mount the barrel nut to the handguard which squeezes the barrel nut up into thehandguard extrusion. This system is solid, but lacks ease for removal and installationand has multiple pieces adding weight.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001U.S. Patent No 9,429,388 (Mayberry, et al.) discloses the Magpul M-Loksystem slots.In view of all of the foregoing, there remains a need for a handguard lock-up / mounting system that is self-contained within the handguard itself, preventing theloss of parts, serviceable with common tools, while at the same time providing a quickmethod for attaching and detaching the handguard and providing a solid lock up withthe upper receiver.All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA firearm handguard for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated withfirearm-mounted accessories is disclosed. The handguard comprises: an elongatedbody having a longitudinal axis and a having central passageway configured forreceiving a barrel of the firearm therethrough, wherein the elongated body comprises anouter surface aligned with the longitudinal axis, and wherein the outer surfacecomprises a plurality of channels therein, and wherein the plurality of channels areoriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and running at least a portion of a length of theelongated body.A firearm having a receiver assembly for guiding or protecting wires or cablesassociated with firearm-mounted accessories is disclosed. The receiver assemblycomprises: an upper receiver having a longitudinal axis and a coupling configured forreceiving one end of a barrel of the firearm therein, and wherein the coupling has anouter thread for connecting a barrel nut thereto, wherein the upper receiver comprisesan outer surface aligned with the longitudinal axis, and wherein the outer surfacecomprises a plurality of channels therein, wherein the plurality of channels is orientedparallel to the longitudinal axis and running at least a portion of a length of the upperreceiver. Afirearm handguard mounting system that is self-contained and which enablesinstallation and removal of the handguard from the firearm using minimal parts andtools is disclosed. The mounting system comprises: a handguard comprising anelongated body having a longitudinal axis and a passageway configured for receiving abarrel nut therein at a first end of the elongated body and wherein the barrel nut isconfigured to secure to an upper receiver of the firearm; wherein the first end has anouter surface, and wherein the outer surface has a slot therein, and wherein the slot isAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end further comprises a plurality ofcavities for receiving a respective fastener therein, wherein the plurality of cavities istransverse to the longitudinal axis and to the slot and passing through the slot; a cavityin the first end oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned at ends of theplurality of cavities transverse to the longitudinal axis; a cylindrical element configuredfor insertion into the cavity in the first end that is parallel to said longitudinal axis andand having a corresponding plurality of threaded apertures therein; and when thefasteners are positioned in the respective cavities and are engaged in respective ones ofthe threaded apertures in the cylindrical element, the first end closes the slot andclamps around the barrel nut to releasably mount the handguard to the firearm.A method for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated with firearm-mounted accessories is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a plurality ofchannels in an outer surface of a handguard, having a longitudinal axis, that isconfigured to couple to an upper receiver of the firearm, wherein the plurality ofchannels run at least along a portion of a length of the handguard, said plurality ofchannels being oriented to be parallel to said longitudinal axis.A method for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated with firearm-mounted accessories is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a plurality ofchannels in an outer surface of an upper receiver of the firearm, having a longitudinalaxis, the plurality of channels running at least along a portion of a length of the upperreceiver, and wherein the plurality of channels is oriented to be parallel to thelongitudinal axis.A method for mounting a handguard to a firearm that is self-contained andwhich enables installation and removal of the handguard from the firearm usingminimal parts and tools is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a handguardhaving a longitudinal axis and a passageway configured for receiving a barrel nuttherein at a first end of the elongated body, and wherein the barrel nut is configured tosecure to an upper receiver of the firearm; forming a slot in an outer surface of the firstend that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, forming a plurality of cavities that aretransverse to the longitudinal axis and to the slot and passing through the slot forreceiving a respective fastener therein; positioning a cylindrical element in the cavity inthe first end and having a corresponding plurality of threaded apertures therein; andinserting the fasteners into the respective cavities until they are engaged in respectiveAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001ones of the threaded apertures in the cylindrical element whereby the first end closes theslot and clamps around the barrel nut to releasably mount the handguard to the firearm.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGSMany aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the presentdisclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate correspondingparts throughout the several views.Fig. 1 is an exploded diagram of the inventive handguard and all the partsassociated with the inventive channel system including; channels, covers (only two ofwhich are shown), lockdown set screws, cable / wire lead take up screw / nut, cam nut,cam-lock bolts, and the barrel nut;Fig. 2 depicts the handguard fully of the present invention assembled with thecovers and the mounting mechanism in the locked -down position;Fig. 3 depicts the handguard with an inventive channel cover loosened andsliding out the front of the inventive channel;Fig. 4 depicts the inventive handguards with two inventive channel coverscompletely slid free from the handguard and with the respective channel cover setscrews removed;Fig.5 depicts the handguard with the inventive cam-lock bolts mounting systemloosened from their seated position to a 45° position;Fig.6 depicts the handguard with the inventive cam-lock bolts mounting systemloosened and the barrel nut sliding out of the handguard and with two of the inventivechannel covers completely removed;Fig.7 depicts the handguard with the inventive cam-lock bolts mounting systemloosened and the barrel nut completely removed from the handguard and with two ofthe inventive channel covers completely removed;Fig. 8 depicts the inventive channel and inventive cover system being used inconjunction with an accessory (e.g., a pressure switch) and its associated wire / cablewhich is being guided / protected by the channel cover;Fig. 9 is a partial front isometric view of the inventive handguard installed onthe receiver assembly of a firearm;Fig. 10 is another partial front isometric view of the inventive handguardinstalled on the receiver assembly of a firearm;Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001Fig.11 is a partial underside isometric view of the inventive handguard installedon a receiver assembly of a firearm and depicting the handguard’s inventive lock-upmechanism; Fig.12 is top isometric view of the inventive handguard installed on the receiverassembly of a firearm;Fig. 13 is a bottom isometric view of the inventive handguard installed on thereceiver assembly of a firearm;Fig.14 is a bottom view of the handguard and its inventive channel, cover, andlock-up mechanism shown in an exploded view;Fig. 15 is a side view of the handguard and its inventive channel, channelcovers, and lock-up mechanism shown in an exploded view;Fig.16 is top view of the handguard showing the inventive channel with channelcover fully inserted and an exploded view of the inventive lock-up mechanism;Fig.17 is a bottom view of the handguard showing the inventive channel covers(both wire / cable channel cover and the accessory mount cover) completely removedfrom the channels;Fig.18 is a partial cross-section view of the rear end of the inventive handguardwhich mounts to the upper receiver (not shown) and is shown in its fully locked-upinventive lock-up mechanism;Fig. 18A is a partial cross-sectional view of the barrel nut and cam-lock boltsdepicting how the bolt shafts interface with grooves in the barrel nut to prevent thehandguard from moving away from the barrel nut;Figs. 19A-19B are rear cross-sectional views of the inventive handguard;Figs. 19C-19D are front cross-sectional views of the inventive handguard;Fig. 20 depicts the inventive wire / cable management channel cover, showingside, rear, front and end views;Fig. 21 depicts the inventive accessory mount channel cover, showing front,side, rear and end views;Fig. 22 is an isometric view of the barrel nut of the present invention;Fig. 22A is a side view of the barrel nut of the present invention; andFig.23 depicts an exemplary firearm, e.g., an AR-15 in a disassembled state forfirearm terminology.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent likeparts throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosurewill be described in detail. Throughout this description, various components may beidentified having specific values, these values are provided as exemplary embodimentsand should not be limiting of various concepts of the present invention as manycomparable sizes and / or values may be implemented.Slide Lock Integrated Channel (SLIC) System 22The SLIC system 22 comprises a modified handguard device 26 having alongitudinal axis 25 and passageway 27 (Fig. 2) and having integrated channels 26A-26D along with channel covers 28, only one 26A of which is shown in Fig. 1. TheSLIC system 22 comprises a channel machined horizontally or vertically, but notlimited to, along any of the faces of the handguard device 26 which can be made of, butnot limited to, aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium, any combination of metal alloys,plastics, carbon fiber, or resin polymers, and deep enough into the extrusion of thehandguard 26, to create a channel 26A (or 26B-26D) capable of having a cover28A / 28B or attachment that has been machined to mate up to the surface that wasmachined horizontally or vertically, but not limited to, slide into said channel 26A. Assuch, these integrated channels 26A-26D serve to protect and guide wires / cables forfirearm mounted lights, lasers and aiming devices. Furthermore, with the cover28A / 28B attached over the channels 26A-26D, these create additional mountingsurfaces, thereby allowing for added customization.It should be understood that there are two types of channel covers. One cover isa wire / cable management channel cover 28A (as shown in Fig.20) and the other type ofcover is an accessory mount channel cover 28B (as shown in Fig. 21). The channelcover 28A comprises a plurality of alternately-oriented and opened, rounded T-shapedapertures 30 with circular apertures 32 on either side whereas the channel cover 28Bcomprises a plurality of oval-shaped apertures 34 (i.e., M-Lok slots). Both covers28A / 28B comprise end apertures 35 for receiving cover lockdown set screws 36 (Fig.1)to releasably secure the covers 28A / 28B over a respective channel. The circularapertures 32 in the channel cover 28A are configured for receiving a wire / cable leadtake-up screw 38A (Figs. 14-15) therethrough which is releasably secured with awire / cable lead take-up nut 38B (Figs. 14-15). The wire / cable lead take-up screw38A / 38B nut allows the user to wrap the wire / cable around the screw 38A to take upAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001extra space on a wire lead that may be longer than necessary. It keeps it clean andprevents the wire from completely pinching itself.Although only one channel cover 28A / 28B can be used with any one channel26A-26D, different covers can be used on different channels. See for example, Fig.15,that depicts an accessory mount channel cover 28B being used in one channel while awire / cable management channel cover 28A is being used in another channel. Fig. 3depicts one cover 28B installed over channel 26A of the handguard 26 by way ofexample only. Figs.4-7 depict isometric views of the inventive handguard 26 with twodifferent covers 28A and 28B being applied to channels 26D and 26A respectively, and,again, by way of example only. Figs.16-17 provide top and bottom views, respectively,of the handguard 26.Fig.9 depicts an exemplary firearms receiver set 8 that has been attached to theinventive handguard 26 where the method for engagement of the wire / cablemanagement channel cover 28A or the accessory mount channel cover 28B within thechannels 26A-26D is a reverse dovetail channel edges 40 that have been machined intothe handguard 26 extrusion channels at the 2, 4, 7, and 10 o’clock positions. Thereverse dovetail channel edges 40 corresponds to the channel covers’ 28A / 28B matingdovetail configuration 42 (Figs. 10 and 20-21). In particular, in Fig. 9, a wire / cablemanagement channel cover 28A is engaged with channel 26A that has been machinedwith the reverse dovetail edges 40. Thus, the cover 28A slides over the channel 26A bythe mating dovetail configuration 42 engaging the reverse dovetail channel edges andthen slid back until it reaches the back / stop 44 of the channel where the cover 28Acomes to a stopping point. Each cover 28A / 28B then uses cover lockdown set screws36 to releasably secure the cover 28A / 28B over the channel 26A-26D and to thehandguard 26 once the cover 28A / 28B has been slid over the channel 26A-26D fromthe front 46 of the handguard 26 to the back / stop 44 of the channel 26A-26D on thehandguard 26.Figs. 19A-19B show cross-sectional rear views of the handguard 26 and Figs.19C-19D show cross-sectional front views of the handguard 26, depicting theexemplary reverse dovetail edges 40 and machined into upper portions / edges of thechannels 26A-26D of the handguard 26. Figs. 20 and 21 show the correspondingdovetail mating configurations 42 of both the channel cover 28A and the accessorymount cover 28B.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001To use any of the channels 26A-26D to conceal wires / cables, the coverlockdown set screws 36 are loosened and the channel cover 28A (Fig.20) is slid to thefront 46 of the handguard 26 until the channel cover 28A is completely removed fromthe handguard 26. Once the cover 28A is removed, a wired / cabled device or accessoryAC is releasably mounted to the handguard 26, placing the wires W into the SLICchannel cover 28A and then the cover 28A is slid into the SLIC channel 26A / 26D,being sure to outlet the wire W through one of the SLIC channel cover 28A entry andexit apertures (30) that run along both sides of the cover 28A. After the SLIC channelcover 28A has been fully slid to the back of the SLIC channel 26A-26D and up againstthe back / stop 44, the cover lockdown set screws 36 are inserted and then tighteneddown. This completes the installation.An exemplary graphic of a pressure switch installation can be seen in Fig. 8whereby the accessory AC (e.g., pressure switch) is secured on top of a Picatinny railon the top of the handguard 26 and the associated cable / wire W fed through anaccessory mount channel cover 28B. The SLIC system 22 allows firearms accessoriesAC to be mounted along the channel 26A-26D utilizing the SLIC channel accessorymount cover 28B which utilizes the same SLIC channel 26A-26D mounting surface.As mentioned previously, Fig. 21 depicts the cover 28B using the dovetailmount 42 for coupling with the SLIC reverse dovetail channel 40 system. To mount anaccessory AC to this system, the cover lockdown set screws 36 are first loosened andthen the cover 28B is slid to the front 46 of the handguard 26 and then disengaged fromthe handguard 26. The desired accessory AC (e.g., lights, lasers, aiming devices,pressure switches, etc.) is then mounted to the cover 28B and then the cover 28B is slidall the way back into the SLIC channel 26A-26D and up against the back / stop 44; thelockdown set screws 36 are then tightened down once in place. The oval shaped-apertures 34 allow the end user to make micro adjustments to the location of desiredaccessories AC which interface with the channel 26A-26D.Although the SLIC channel 26A-26D may be machined using reverse dovetailconfiguration 40, it is within the broadest scope of the present invention 20 to includeother releasable cover connecting interfaces, such as a slot style, or a ratcheting cut-outwhich can run along any of the handguard 26 or receivers faces or walls. The channels26A-26D accept covers 28A / 28B and accessories AC mounts that are compatible withthe channels’ 26A-26D machined surface. For example, if the channel 26A-26D hasbeen machined in reverse dovetail as pictured in the cross-sectional views of Fig. 19,Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001then the mating cover 28A / 28B would be machined with a dovetail attachment pointsurface as seen in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 20-21. The SLIC channel covers28A / 28B can be machined out of and made of, but not limited to, aluminum, steel,titanium, magnesium, any combination of metal alloys, plastics, carbon fiber, or resinpolymers. It is within the broadest scope of the present invention 20 to also cover theintegration of channels within the upper receiver 8 and lower receiver, both of whichtogether form a “receiver assembly.” As such, although the handguard 26 is shownthroughout this Specification as a separate component from the receiver assembly, itshould be understood that it is within the broadest scope of this invention to include theformation of channels within the receiver assembly (preferably the upper receiver 8)and that by use of the term “handguard 26” as having channels formed or integratedtherein, the term “handguard” also includes the receiver assembly having channelsformed therein. The reference numbers 6A and 6B in Figs. 9-10 and 12-13 show thelocations at which two channels (e.g., channel 26A and 26D) could be located. Like theinventive handguard 26, integrated channels 26A-26D in the receiver assembly wouldhouse wires that would run up to, for example, a flashlight (not shown) that would bemounted to the upper receiver 8. As such, the wire / cable management channel cover28A and / or the accessory mount channel cover 28B can be used in the integratedchannels 26A-26D of the receiver assembly, along with the associated cover lockdownset screws 36 and wire / cable lead take-up screws 38A / nuts 38B.Cam-Lock Mounting System” (CLMS) 24The inventive mounting system, or CLMS 24 allows the user to attach the SLICsystem 22 to the barrel nut 48 (see Figs. 22-22A) and upper receiver 8 of a firearm 1.The CLMS 24 is shown in Fig. 1. The cam lock nut 52 is housed in a machined cavity54 (see Figs. 18-18A) at the bottom corner of the handguard 26 as pictured in Fig. 18and the rear cross-section depicted in Figs. 19A-19B. In addition, the two ends of thecam lock nut 52 comprise cam lock nut threaded apertures 52A and 52B, as shown mostclearly in Fig.15. The threaded ends of the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B engage into thesethreaded apertures 52A / 52B when these bolts 50A / 50B are tightened. The cavity 54machined into the handguard 26 for the cam-lock nut 52 must be bigger in diameter andlength than the cam-lock nut 52 itself, to allow the cam-lock nut 52 to rotate freelywhen the two cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B which have been screwed into the cam-lock nut52 are loosened releasing the pressure on the barrel nut 48 and allowing the cam-lockAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001bolts 50A / 50B to drop 45° (with regard to a horizontal reference HR , e.g., when thehandguard 26 is held level-see Figs. 1 and 5-7) from the machined countersunk cavity54, both putting relief on the barrel nut 48 and releasing the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50Bfrom grooves 48A / 48B (Fig. 16) machined into the barrel nut 48, enabling thehandguard 26 to be slid forward towards the muzzle of the firearm 1 and off of thebarrel nut 48 and firearm 1. For the CLMS 24 to operate, a relief slot 58 machined intothe bottom of the handguard 26 as seen in Figs. 17-18 must be present. This slot 58allows the handguard 26 to clamp onto the barrel nut 48 when the cam-lock nut 52 isrotated in its housed cavity 54 as the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B are rotated upwards intothe shelfed machined slots 58A / 58B on the handguard 26 and using the grooves48A / 48B cut into the barrel nut 48 to properly position itself when the cam-lock bolts50A / 50B are tightened and the cam-lock bolt heads 60A / 60B seat into the machinedshelf on the bottom side (Fig.18) of the handguard 26 and utilize the empty space fromthe machined relief slot 58 on the bottom of the handguard 26 to allow the handguard26 to clamp onto the barrel nut 48. As shown most clearly in Fig. 18A, the grooves48A / 48B in the barrel nut 48 are formed so that when the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B arerotated up into their housing, they align with the grooves 48A / 48B and stop thehandguard 26 from moving forward or backward on the barrel 9. Thus, these grooves48A / 48B assist in securing the bolts 50A / 50B in place and allowing space as the bolts50A / 50B are tightened for the handguard 26 to flex and clamp onto the barrel nut 48.As the bolts 50A / 50B are tightened, they squeeze the handguard 26 onto the barrel nut49, thereby creating a solid mounting surface and actual lock-up itself.It should be understood that the during normal operation and use, the cam-lockbolts 50A / 50B can be loosened but are hardly ever completely removed from theircorresponding slots 58A / 58B. Only if the user intends to remove the bolts 50A / 50Bcompletely, can those bolts be removed completely. It is understood that the bolts50A / 50B are positioned at a 45° angle when they are attached to the cam lock nut 52.Thus, in Figs. 1 and 5-7, depicting the bolts 50A / 50B completely removed from theslots 58A / 58B is not the normal state of these bolts.The handguard 26 is machined with tolerances to precisely slide over the barrelnut 48 and sit flush against the receiver 8 of the firearm 1 so that little pressure fromtightening the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B is needed to create a solid lock up of thehandguard 26 to the barrel nut 48 when properly installed. The CLMS 24 componentsAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001can be machined out of and made of, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, titanium,magnesium, any combination of metal alloys, plastics, carbon fiber, or resin polymers.The bolts 50A / 50B come preinstalled when shipped to the customer, so they donot need to be indexed with cam-lock nut 52. By loosening the bolts 50A / 50B, theCLMS 24 will drop the bolts 50A / 50B at a 45° angle when the handguard 26 is heldlevel. Conversely, when the bolts 50A / 50B are ready to be tightened, the bolts 50A / 50Bare pushed up into their slots 58A / 58B and tightened down, thereby seating in theirslots 58A / 58B on the bottom of the handguard 26. If the bolts 50A / 50B do ever comeall the way out of their slots 58A / 58B for some reason, they are easy to re-align and tobe threaded again by just dropping the cam lock nut 52 into its slot and shaking thehandguard 26 to align the cam lock nut threaded apertures 52A and 52B with thethreaded ends of the cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B.Thus, in summary, the SLIC system 22 comprises integrated channels 26A-26Dmachined into the handguard 26 / receiver 8 of the firearm platform 1 that allow forcovers / mounting 28A / 28B surface attachments to be slid into the channels 26A-26Dand mechanically secured. These channels 26A-26D are machined at the 2, 4, 7, and 10o’clock positions on the handguard 26 but can be machined into any face of ahandguard 26 or receiver 8. These channels 26A-26D serve to protect and guidewires / cables W for firearms mounted lights, lasers, and aiming devices. The integratedchannels 26A-26D also accommodate covers / mounting 28A / 28B surface attachmentswhich create additional mounting surfaces allowing for added customization to theplatform 1. And the CLMS 24 provides for a lock-up system that is self-contained in thehandguard 26 to alleviate the possibility for lost parts while providing ease ofinstallation and removal with fewer parts and tools. Upon loosening the cam-lock bolts50A / 50B from the cam-lock nut 52 the cam- lock bolts 50A / 50B drop forty-fivedegrees from their countersunk mating surface that is machined into the handguard 26and allow the handguard 26 to slide off the barrel nut 48. When mounting thehandguard 26 to the barrel nut 48, the handguard 26 is slid over the barrel nut 48 untilthe handguard 26 seats against the upper receiver 8. The cam-lock bolts 50A / 50B arethen pushed up rotating the cam-lock nut 52 and then tightened down, seating in theirrespective slots which also align with respective barrel nut grooves 48A / 48B. As thecam-lock bolts 50A / 50B are tightened down, they seat into their slots, squeezing thehandguard 26 against the barrel nut 48 creating a solid mounting surface and lockup.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001Reference CharactersAC mountable accessoryHR horizontal referenceST straps or wire tiesT tape / electrical tapeW wire(s)1 firearm (e.g., AR-15)2 stock / pistol brace3 pistol grip4 trigger5 bolt carrier6 upper receiver6A first side of upper receiver6B second side of upper receiver7 barrel8 barrel nut9 handguard / rail9A proximal end of handguard / rail10 distal end of barrel11 charging handle20 overall firearm accessory mounting system22 SLIC (slide lock integrated channel) system includes the inventive handguarddevice 26 and covers 28A / 28B24 CLMS (cam-lock mounting system)25 longitudinal axis of modified handguard device26 modified handguard device / modified rail device27 passageway26A integrated channel- 2 O’clock position26B integrated channel- 4 O’clock position26C integrated channel- 7 O’clock positionAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 2000126D integrated channel- 10 O’clock position28A wire / cable management channel cover28B accessory mount channel cover30 alternately-oriented and opened, rounded T-shaped apertures32 circular apertures on either side of T-shaped apertures34 M-Lok slots (oval-shaped apertures)35 end apertures36 cover lockdown set screws38A wire / cable lead take-up screw38B wire / cable lead take-up nut40 reverse dovetail channel edges42 mating dovetail configuration on channel covers44 back of channels that acts as a stop46 front of handguard48 modified barrel nut48A groove in barrel nut48B groove in barrel nut50A first cam lock bolt50B second cam lock bolt52 cam-lock nut52A cam-lock nut threaded aperture52B cam-lock nut threaded aperture53 cavity in housing for cam lock nut54 machined cavity in handguard for cam-lock nut56 relief slot58A shelfed-machine slot for cam-lock bolt 50A58B shelfed-machine slot for cam-lock bolt 50B60A head of cam-lock bolt 50A60B head of cam-lock bolt 50BAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specificexamples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A firearm handguard for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated withfirearm-mounted accessories, said handguard comprising:an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and a havingcentral passageway configured for receiving a barrel of the firearmtherethrough, said elongated body comprising an outer surface alignedwith said longitudinal axis, said outer surface comprising a plurality ofchannels therein, said plurality of channels being oriented parallel tosaid longitudinal axis and running at least a portion of a length of saidelongated body.

2. The firearm handguard of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of channelscomprises four channels.

3. The firearm handguard of Claim 2 wherein said four channels are radiallyspaced from each other at a 2 o’clock position, a 4 o’clock position, a 7 o’clock positionand a 10 o’clock position about said longitudinal axis.

4. The firearm handguard of Claim 1 further comprising a respectivecover that is configured to be releasably secured over a corresponding channel.

5. The firearm handguard of Claim 1 wherein a first type of cover comprises aplurality of apertures for guiding the wires or cables into the corresponding channel.

6. The firearm handguard of Claim 1 wherein a second type of cover comprisesa plurality of apertures configured for releasable securement of additional firearmaccessories thereto.

7. The firearm handguard of Claim 4 wherein each of said covers allows forreleasable securement of additional firearm accessories thereto.

8. The firearm handguard of Claim 4 wherein each of said channels comprises apair of reverse dovetail edges and each of said respective covers comprises a pair ofcorresponding dovetail configurations, said pair of corresponding dovetailconfigurations mating with pair of reverse dovetail edges when each of said respectivecovers is slid over said corresponding channel.

9. A firearm having a receiver assembly for guiding or protecting wires orcables associated with firearm-mounted accessories, said receiver assembly comprising:an upper receiver having a longitudinal axis and a couplingconfigured for receiving one end of a barrel of the firearm therein, saidAttorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001coupling having an outer thread for connecting a barrel nut thereto, saidupper receiver comprising an outer surface aligned with saidlongitudinal axis, said outer surface comprising a plurality of channelstherein, said plurality of channels being oriented parallel to saidlongitudinal axis and running at least a portion of a length of said upperreceiver.

10. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 9 wherein said plurality of channelscomprises four channels.

11. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 10 wherein said four channels areradially spaced from each other at a 2 o’clock position, a 4 o’clock position, a 7 o’clockposition and a 10 o’clock position about said longitudinal axis.

12. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 9 further comprising arespective cover that is configured to be releasably secured over acorresponding channel.

13. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 9 wherein a first type of covercomprises a plurality of apertures for guiding the wires or cables into the correspondingchannel.

14. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 9 wherein a second type of covercomprises a plurality of apertures configured for releasable securement of additionalfirearm accessories thereto.

15. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 8 wherein each of said coversallows for releasable securement of additional firearm accessories thereto.

16. The firearm receiver assembly of Claim 12 wherein each of said channelscomprises a pair of reverse dovetail edges and each of said respective covers comprisesa pair of corresponding dovetail configurations, said pair of corresponding dovetailconfigurations mating with pair of reverse dovetail edges when each of said respectivecovers is slid over said corresponding channel.

17. A firearm handguard mounting system that is self-contained and whichenables installation and removal of the handguard from the firearm using minimal partsand tools, said mounting system comprising:a handguard comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axisand a passageway configured for receiving a barrel nut therein at a first end ofsaid elongated body, said barrel nut being configured to secure to an upperreceiver of the firearm;Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 20001said first end having an outer surface, said outer surface having a slottherein, said slot being parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first end furthercomprising a plurality of cavities for receiving a respective fastener therein, saidplurality of cavities being transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said slotand passing through said slot;a cavity in said first end oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis andpositioned at ends of said plurality of cavities transverse to said longitudinalaxis; acylindrical element configured for insertion into said cavity in saidfirst end that is parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a correspondingplurality of threaded apertures therein; andwhen said fasteners positioned in said respective cavities and areengaged in respective ones of said threaded apertures in said cylindricalelement, said first end closes said slot and clamps around said barrel nut toreleasably mount said handguard to the firearm.

18. The firearm handguard mounting system of Claim 17 wherein said barrel nutcomprises a plurality of radial grooves therein and wherein each of said fastenersengage a respective radial groove for preventing movement of said handguard.

19. The firearm handguard mounting system of Claim 18 wherein said barrel nutcomprises two radial grooves and said first end comprises two cavities for receiving arespective fastener therein and said cylindrical element comprises two threadedapertures.

20. The firearm handguard mounting system of Claim 17 wherein said pluralityof cavities are oriented at a downward angle with respect to a horizontal reference.

21. The firearm handguard of Claim 20 wherein said downward angle is 45°.

22. A method for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated with firearm-mounted accessories, said method comprising:forming a plurality of channels in an outer surface of ahandguard, having a longitudinal axis, that is configured to couple to anupper receiver of the firearm, said plurality of channels running at leastalong a portion of a length of said handguard, said plurality of channelsbeing oriented to be parallel to said longitudinal axis.

23. The method of Claim 22 wherein said plurality of channels comprises fourchannels.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 2000124. The method of Claim 23 wherein said step of forming said plurality ofchannels comprises forming four channels that radially spaced from each other at a 2o’clock position, a 4 o’clock position, a 7 o’clock position and a 10 o’clock positionabout said longitudinal axis.

25. The method of Claim 22 further comprising the step of forming arespective cover that is configured to be releasably secured over a correspondingchannel.

26. The method of Claim 25 wherein a first type of cover comprises a pluralityof apertures for guiding the wires or cables into the corresponding channel.

27. The method of Claim 25 wherein a second type of cover comprises aplurality of apertures configured for releasable securement of additional firearmaccessories thereto.

28. The method of Claim 25 wherein said step of forming said respective coverscomprises forming a pair of reverse dovetail edges along each channel and forming acorresponding pair dovetail configurations on edges of said covers, said pair ofcorresponding dovetail configurations mating with pair of reverse dovetail edges wheneach of said respective covers is slid over said corresponding channel.

29. A method for guiding or protecting wires or cables associated with firearm-mounted accessories, said method comprising:forming a plurality of channels in an outer surface of an upperreceiver of the firearm, having a longitudinal axis, said plurality ofchannels running at least along a portion of a length of said upperreceiver, said plurality of channels being oriented to be parallel to saidlongitudinal axis.

30. The method of Claim 29 wherein said plurality of channels comprises fourchannels.

31. The method of Claim 30 wherein said step of forming said plurality ofchannels comprises forming four channels that radially spaced from each other at a 2o’clock position, a 4 o’clock position, a 7 o’clock position and a 10 o’clock positionabout said longitudinal axis.

32. The method of Claim 29 further comprising the step of forming a respectivecover that is configured to be releasably secured over a corresponding channel.

33. The method of Claim 25 wherein a first type of cover comprises a pluralityof apertures for guiding the wires or cables into the corresponding channel.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 2000134. The method of Claim 29 wherein a second type of cover comprises aplurality of apertures configured for releasable securement of additional firearmaccessories thereto.

35. The method of Claim 29 wherein said step of forming said respective coverscomprises forming a pair of reverse dovetail edges along each channel and forming acorresponding pair dovetail configurations on edges of said covers, said pair ofcorresponding dovetail configurations mating with pair of reverse dovetail edges wheneach of said respective covers is slid over said corresponding channel.

36. A method for mounting a handguard to a firearm that is self-contained andwhich enables installation and removal of the handguard from the firearm usingminimal parts and tools, said method comprising:providing a handguard having a longitudinal axis and a passagewayconfigured for receiving a barrel nut therein at a first end of said elongatedbody, said barrel nut being configured to secure to an upper receiver of thefirearm; forming a slot in an outer surface of said first end that is parallel to saidlongitudinal axis,forming a plurality of cavities that are transverse to said longitudinalaxis and to said slot and passing through said slot for receiving a respectivefastener therein;positioning a cylindrical element in said cavity in said first end that isparallel to said longitudinal axis and having a corresponding plurality ofthreaded apertures therein; andinserting said fasteners into said respective cavities until they areengaged in respective ones of said threaded apertures in said cylindrical elementwhereby said first end closes said slot and clamps around said barrel nut toreleasably mount said handguard to the firearm.

37. The method of Claim 36 wherein said step of forming said plurality ofcavities that are transverse to said longitudinal axis comprises orienting each one of saidplurality of cavities with a corresponding radial groove in said barrel nut such that saidcorresponding fastener inserted in said cavity engages a respective radial groove forpreventing movement of said handguard.Attorney Docket No. A1340 / 2000138. The method of Claim 37 wherein said barrel nut comprises two radialgrooves and said first end comprises two cavities for receiving a respective fastenertherein and said cylindrical element comprises two threaded apertures.

39. The method of Claim 36 wherein said step of forming said plurality ofcavities comprises orienting said cavities at a downward angle with respect to ahorizontal reference.

40. The method of Claim 39 wherein said downward angle is 45°.

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