# US 2014/0150317 A1 · Modular accessory system for rifle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150317 A1 - Document ID: US20140150317A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/177,150 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-10 - Inventors: Matthew J. Esserman; Charles Rubac; Thomas Coughlin Maher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150317A1 ## CPC - F41C 23/16: Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards (pump-action guns F41C7/02) - F41C 23/22: Stocks having space for the storage of objects - F41C 27/00: Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for - 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 rifle is provided. The rifle comprises a barrel, a handguard partly axially surrounding the barrel, and a modular accessory system. The modular accessory system comprises a housing and a modular accessory support system positioned within the housing, wherein the support system includes at least two modular accessory slots. The modular accessory system also comprises a modular accessory removably secured and individually adjustable within each slot. The housing partly axially surrounds the barrel and is positioned axially adjacent to the handguard such that a combination of the handguard and the housing surrounds the barrel completely in an axial manner. Support system configurations of preferably either tray-type or platform-type may be contemplated. The modular accessory system may further comprise a common power source and a display system. A modular accessory system for rifles capable of exchangeably mounting accessories thereto in plug-and-play fashion is therefore achieved. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rifle having a hand grip, a barrel, and a top handguard which is configured to combine with a bottom handguard, the top handguard located vertically above the bottom handguard when the rifle is held with the hand grip pointing at the floor, the rifle comprising: the barrel; the top handguard partly axially surrounding the barrel; and a modular accessory system comprising: a housing configured to replace the bottom handguard; and a modular accessory support system positioned within the housing, wherein the support system includes at least two modular accessory slots, wherein each modular accessory slot is configured to removably secure a modular accessory therein such that each accessory is individually adjustable in a first axis and a second axis while being removably secured within each slot, and wherein the first axis is perpendicular from the second axis; wherein the housing partly axially surrounds the barrel and is positioned vertically below and axially adjacent to the top handguard, such that a combination of the top handguard and the housing surrounds the barrel completely in an axial manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein the top handguard and the housing are removably secured to the rifle via a Delta-ring connector or a connector similar to a Delta-ring connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein each accessory is capable of being accessed via an opening within the housing that is exposed upon separation of the housing from the top handguard, and wherein at least a portion of the barrel resides in at least a portion of the opening when the housing is not separated from the top handguard. ### Claim 4 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein each accessory is capable of being accessed via an opening within the housing that is exposed upon separation of the housing from the top handguard, wherein the opening is located at a top side of the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein the housing includes a door that is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein each accessory is capable of being accessed via an opening within the housing that is exposed when the door is in the open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The rifle of claim 5, wherein the door is located at a bottom side of the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein each accessory is capable of being accessed via a front surface of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein the housing includes a front cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein each accessory is capable of being accessed via a front surface of the housing that is exposed when the front cover is in the open position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rifle of claim 1, wherein the support system comprises a tray that contains holders that define the at least two slots, and wherein the individual adjustability of each accessory is achieved via adjustment of a corresponding one of the holders. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The rifle of claim 9, wherein the tray is adjustable in a third axis and a fourth axis thereby effecting adjustment of the accessories in a combined manner, and wherein the third axis is perpendicular from the fourth axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rifle of claim 1, wherein the support system comprises a platform that includes the at least two slots. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The rifle of claim 11, wherein the platform is adjustable in a third axis and a fourth axis thereby effecting adjustment of the accessories in a combined manner, and wherein the third axis is perpendicular from the fourth axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rifle of claim 1, wherein the modular accessory system further comprises a common power source electrically connected to each accessory while each accessory is removably secured within each slot, and wherein each accessory is powered by the common power source. ### Claim at position 14 14-15. (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The rifle of claim 1, wherein the modular accessory system further comprises a display system which includes a display, wherein the display system is communicatively connected to each accessory while each accessory is removably secured within each slot, wherein data corresponding to each accessory is received by the display system, and wherein information corresponding to the data is displayed on the display. ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein the top handguard and the housing are removably secured to the rifle via a Delta-ring connector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 5) The rifle of claim 5, wherein an interior space within the housing is accessible via the opening, and wherein each modular accessory slot is contained entirely within the interior space. ### Claim 20 (depends on 22) The rifle of claim 22, wherein each modular accessory slot is contained entirely within an interior space within the housing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The rifle of claim 1, wherein each modular accessory slot is positioned non-externally to the housing. ### Claim 22 A rifle having a hand grip, a barrel, and a top handguard which is configured to combine with a bottom handguard, the top handguard located vertically above the bottom handguard when the rifle is held with the hand grip pointing at the floor, the rifle comprising: the barrel; the top handguard partly axially surrounding the barrel; and a modular accessory system comprising: a housing configured to replace the bottom handguard; and a modular accessory support system positioned within the housing, wherein the support system includes at least one modular accessory slot, wherein each modular accessory slot is configured to removably secure a modular accessory therein, and wherein each modular accessory slot is positioned non-externally to the housing; wherein the housing partly axially surrounds the barrel and is positioned vertically below and axially adjacent to the top handguard, such that a combination of the top handguard and the housing surrounds the barrel completely in an axial manner. ### Claim 23 A modular accessory system for use with a rifle having a barrel and a handguard partly axially surrounding the barrel, the modular accessory system comprising: a housing; and a modular accessory support system positioned within the housing, wherein the support system includes at least one modular accessory slot, wherein each modular accessory slot is configured to removably secure a modular accessory therein, and wherein each modular accessory slot is positioned non-externally to the housing; wherein the housing is configured to partly axially surround the barrel and is positioned axially adjacent to the handguard that partly axially surrounds the barrel, such that a combination of the handguard and the housing surrounds the barrel completely in an axial manner; and wherein the handguard and the housing combine at an interface which resides in a plane, and wherein the barrel at least partly resides in the plane.