Firearm with keyhole-shaped mounting points
View Patent ↗A firearm with keyhole-shaped rail mounting points has a forend element having an exterior surface and interior surface. The forend element defines a plurality of rail mounting apertures extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. Each of the apertures has a first portion with a first diameter to closely receive a fastener head of a first diameter. Each of the apertures has a second portion with a second width less than the first diameter size to receive a shank portion of a fastener. There may be a recess on the interior surface size to receive the fastener head, the recess positioned at the second portion.
1. A firearm rail mounting facility for connecting an accessory to a forward portion of a firearm, the facility comprising:
a firearm forend barrel shroud element having an exterior surface operable for gripping by a user and an interior surface defining a barrel passage;
the firearm forend barrel shroud element defining a plurality of rail mounting apertures extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface;
each of the apertures having a first portion with a first diameter to closely receive a conical fastener head of a second diameter;
each of the apertures having a second portion with a second width less than the first diameter sized to receive a shank portion of a fastener;
each of the apertures having a chamfered recess on the interior surface sized to receive the conical fastener head, the chamfered recess positioned at the second portion.
2. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rail mounting apertures are aligned longitudinally parallel to the barrel passage.
3. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rail mounting apertures are aligned longitudinally parallel to the barrel passage with the second portion in front of the first portion.
4. A firearm with keyhole-shaped rail mounting points, including a barrel having a muzzle, comprising:
a firearm forend barrel shroud tube having a body with an exterior surface;
the exterior surface of the body including a mating feature;
the mating feature having a keyhole-shaped aperture having a wide end and a narrow end; and
wherein the forend tube has an interior surface that forms a chamfered recess around the narrow end.
5. The firearm of claim 4 , wherein the keyhole-shaped aperture is aligned parallel to the barrel with its narrow end pointing towards the muzzle and its wider end pointing away from the muzzle.
6. The firearm of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of mating features aligned longitudinally parallel to the barrel.
7. The firearm of claim 6 , further comprising:
a rail segment removably attached to the body;
the rail segment including a plurality of mating elements received by the mating features; and
wherein the rail segment is aligned longitudinally parallel to the barrel.
8. The firearm of claim 7 , wherein the rail segment is a rail system for mounting accessories on a firearm.
9. The firearm of claim 7 , wherein the mating elements are inverted T-nuts with conical tapered heads.