US Patent 7059076 Firearm rail system

An attachment for a firearm having a barrel with a barrel nut mechanism located around an aft portion of said barrel. The attachment includes a shield or supplemental mechanism which is positioned close to the barrel. An attachment mechanism having a first and second claw diametrically opposed to each other, are positioned to be accepted by the barrel nut mechanism secured to the barrel. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment completely encircles the barrel using an upper portion and a lower portion which is swivelly connected to said attachment mechanism at a first end and a locking mechanism securable to the upper portion of the barrel handguard.