Firearm handguard system

A firearm comprising:

• a receiver;
• a barrel extending from the receiver and terminating in a muzzle;
• a barrel nut affixing the barrel to the receiver, the barrel nut having radially outwardly directed tines spaced about an outer periphery thereof;
• a tubular body having a rearward end, a forward end and an inner surface, the tubular body received over the barrel with the rearward end received over the barrel nut;
• a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by lands forming the inner surface of the tubular body and extending longitudinally from the rearward end toward the forward end, the plurality of longitudinal grooves being spaced apart around the periphery of the inner surface so as to correspond with the tines on the barrel nut;
• the lands are traversed by a first circumferentially extending groove formed forward from the rearward end of the tubular body, and a second circumferentially extending groove spaced forwardly to and parallel with the first circumferentially extending groove;
• wherein the tubular body is rotatable between an installation position with the plurality of longitudinal grooves aligned with the tines of the barrel nut, in which position the tubular body is slidably movable over the barrel nut until the tines reach the first circumferential groove, and a secure position wherein the tines move within the first circumferential groove until they are positioned behind the lands;
• and
• a clamp element having a body with a beveled end and a heel extending substantially perpendicularly from an opposing end of the body, adjustably positioned within the tubular body with the heel extending radially outwardly and received in the second groove and the beveled end engaging the barrel nut.

A clamping mechanism for attaching a handguard to a firearm comprising:

• a barrel nut having radially outwardly directed tines spaced about an outer periphery thereof;
• a tubular body having a rearward end, a forward end and an inner surface, the rearward end of the tubular body received over the barrel nut;
• a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by lands forming the inner surface of the tubular body and extending longitudinally from the rearward end toward the forward end, the plurality of longitudinal grooves being spaced apart around the periphery of the inner surface so as to correspond with the tines on the barrel nut;
• the lands are traversed by a first circumferentially extending groove formed forward from the rearward end of the tubular body, and a second circumferentially extending groove spaced forwardly to and parallel with the first circumferentially extending groove;
• wherein the tubular body is rotatable between an installation position with the plurality of longitudinal grooves aligned with the tines of the barrel nut, in which position the tubular body is slidably movable over the barrel nut until the tines reach the first circumferential groove, and a secure position wherein the tines move within the first circumferential groove until they are positioned behind the lands;
• and
• a clamp element having a body with a beveled end and a heel extending substantially perpendicularly from an opposing end of the body, adjustably positioned within the tubular body with the heel extending radially outwardly and received in the second groove and the beveled end engaging the barrel nut.