Removable Hand Guard with Modular Nesting and Tool-Free Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional firearms with integral hand guards have limited accessory mounting options and require tools for removal, leading to potential loss of fasteners in operational conditions, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A semi-automatic or automatic rifle design featuring a removable hand guard section with a molded composite structure and mounting rail portion, allowing for modular and interchangeable configurations, including a locking collar for secure attachment and detachment without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional hand guard with fasteners is used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring tools for removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard is divided into modular sections that can be independently removed and reconfigured. The hand guard assembly includes a forward hand guard section and a rear hand guard section that can be separated from each other and from the receiver, allowing tool-free removal while maintaining structural integrity when assembled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand guard sections are designed to nest within each other during storage or transport. The forward hand guard section can be inserted into the rear hand guard section, creating a compact configuration that simplifies handling and deployment without requiring tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If conventional hand guard with fasteners is used, then structural strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential loss of fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfastener retention

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism is extracted from traditional removable fasteners and integrated into the hand guard structure itself. The hand guard sections incorporate integral retention features that engage with corresponding features on the receiver and each other, eliminating separate fasteners that could be lost while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hand guard sections and receiver are designed with integrated engagement features that combine the functions of attachment and retention into a single unified structure. The locating features and retention lugs are built into the hand guard sections themselves, merging the fastening function into the hand guard assembly rather than using separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If integral hand guard configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited accessory mounting options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaccessory mounting options

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard sections are designed as universal mounting platforms with integrated accessory rails and multiple mounting locations. Each hand guard section provides standardized accessory mounting capabilities that allow various accessories to be attached at different positions, making the hand guard assembly adaptable to different operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hand guard configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The modular sections can be repositioned, reconfigured, or removed based on operational needs, and accessories can be mounted at different locations along the hand guard sections, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If removable hand guard section is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to modular components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular configurationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard is segmented into a limited number of modular sections (forward and rear sections) that can be independently removed and reconfigured. This segmentation provides adaptability for different operational scenarios while keeping the number of components manageable and the overall system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular hand guard sections are designed to nest within each other when not in use, reducing the overall number of discrete components in the deployed configuration. The nesting arrangement allows multiple sections to occupy minimal space while maintaining their individual functionality when assembled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9482485B2Firearm having a removable hand guard

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 COLT S MANUFACTURING COMPANY

AI summary

An upper receiver for a firearm is provided. The upper receiver having: a hand guard section integrally formed with the upper receiver; a rail section integrally formed with the hand guard section, wherein the rail section is formed of a first material and the hand guard section is formed of a second material, wherein the second material is molded about the first material.