# US 11,441,870 B2 · Forward brace assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,870 B2 - Document ID: US11441870B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/073,278 - Filed: 2020-10-16 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18 - Applicants: James Matthew Underwood; Larry Cullen Underwood - Inventors: James Matthew Underwood; Larry Cullen Underwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441870B2 ## CPC - F41C 23/16: Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards (pump-action guns F41C7/02) - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR ## Abstract A forward brace assembly for a firearm includes a forward portion designed to interface with an operator's off hand and an aft panel extending rearward from the forward portion. At least a portion of the forward brace assembly is attached to an underside of a handguard of the firearm. The aft panel prevents the operator's off hand from wrapping around a rear side of the forward portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A forward brace assembly for a firearm, the forward brace assembly comprising: a forward portion designed to interface with an operator's off hand; and an aft panel extending rearward from the forward portion in a direction that is not perpendicular to a forward/aft direction of the firearm, wherein: at least a portion of the forward brace assembly is attached to an underside of a handguard of the firearm; and the aft panel prevents the operator's off hand from wrapping around a rear side of the forward portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein the forward portion is approximately cylindrical. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein: the forward portion and the aft panel are separate components; and the aft panel is attached directly to the underside of the handguard. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The forward brace assembly of claim 3, wherein the forward portion is attached to a rail on an underside of the aft panel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein the forward portion and the aft panel are integrally formed as a single component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the forward portion comprises a polymer material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein the forward portion is angled rearward. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein the aft panel comprises a modular component such that the aft panel comprises a plurality of sections that are removably attached to one another. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one thumb rest extending in a lateral direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The forward brace assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sections comprise varying lengths extending down from the handguard. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory selected from the group of a flashlight, a laser, an infrared laser or light emitter, an ultraviolet light emitter, a microphone, a regular camera, a night-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, an infrared camera, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR). ### Claim 12 A firearm comprising: at least one receiver with a magazine well; a pistol grip attached to the at least one receiver, wherein the pistol grip is designed to interface with an operator's shooting hand; a handguard disposed forward of the at least one receiver; a forward brace assembly disposed below the handguard, the forward brace assembly comprising: a forward portion designed to interface with an operator's off hand; and an aft panel extending rearward from the forward portion, wherein: the aft panel is attached to an underside of the handguard at a first attachment portion; the forward portion is attached to a rail on an underside of the aft panel such that the rail extends in a direction that is not perpendicular to a direction of the first attachment portion; and the aft panel prevents the operator's off hand from wrapping around a rear side of the forward portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein the forward portion is approximately cylindrical and the aft panel is a plate shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein: the forward portion and the aft panel are separate components; and the forward portion and the aft panel are removably attached to one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein the forward portion and the aft panel are integrally formed as a single component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the forward portion comprises a polymer material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein the forward portion is angled rearward. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, wherein: the aft panel comprises a modular component such that the aft panel comprises a plurality of sections that are removably attached to one another; and the plurality of sections comprises varying lengths extending down from the handguard. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The firearm of claim 18, wherein the plurality of sections are configured to fill in a space between the forward portion and the at least one receiver. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The firearm of claim 12, further comprising at least one accessory selected from the group of a flashlight, a laser, an infrared laser or light emitter, an ultraviolet light emitter, a microphone, a regular camera, a night-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, an infrared camera, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR). ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The forward brace assembly of claim 1, wherein a height of the aft panel is approximately equal to a height of the forward portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 11) The forward brace assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one accessory is disposed on a forward side of the forward portion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The firearm of claim 20, wherein the at least one accessory is disposed on a forward side of the forward portion. ### Claim 24 A forward brace assembly for a firearm, the forward brace assembly comprising: a forward portion designed to interface with an operator's off hand; and an aft panel extending rearward from the forward portion, wherein: at least a portion of the forward brace assembly is attached to an underside of a handguard of the firearm; the aft panel is modular such that sections of the aft panel are removably attached to one another to change the dimensions of the aft panel in at least one direction; and the aft panel prevents the operator's off hand from wrapping around a rear side of the forward portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The forward brace assembly of claim 24, wherein the aft panel can be extended in a forward/aft direction of the firearm by attaching at least one of the sections such that the aft panel extends to a receiver of the firearm.