Patent attributes
Provided is a handguard attachment mechanism for use with a firearm using a standard AR-pattern barrel nut having a substantially cylindrical portion with an axial length and an enlarged diameter radial flange at a forward end. The handguard includes a substantially tubular handguard with proximal and distal ends. The proximal end includes a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward, but not to, the distal end. A pair of clamping lugs, one positioned on each side of the slot adjacent the proximal end, have means for adjustably drawing the clamping lugs together to narrow at least a portion of the longitudinal slot. A circumferentially incomplete barrel nut bushing is configured to fit on the barrel nut. When the barrel nut bushing is placed on the barrel nut and the proximal end of the handguard is placed over the barrel nut bushing, the clamping means adjustably draws the clamping lugs together, compressing the barrel nut bushing on the barrel nut, to releasably secure the handguard to the barrel nut.
