Patents by Inventor Michael Christopher Rice

Michael Christopher Rice has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11221193
    Abstract: A firearm accessory is operable in two modes. A first mode in which the firearm accessory is coupled, at least indirectly, to a firearm to define a foregrip. In the first mode, a blade on the accessory is in a sheathed position. A second mode in which the firearm is disconnected from the firearm to define a knife. In the second mode, the blade is in an extended position. In each mode and position, the tip of the blade is vertically above the upper end of the grip body. The firearm accessory has prongs that connect the grip body to an attachment mechanism or coupler. Within the coupler are flexible liner locks that have sloped protrusions that engage recess in the blade to lock the blade in the extend position. The liner locks may be flexibly unlocked by depressing a button carried by the grip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SWITCH GRIP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Rice, Daniel Edward Caldwell, III, Shane Matthew Tully
  • Publication number: 20210164754
    Abstract: A firearm accessory is operable in two modes. A first mode in which the firearm accessory is coupled, at least indirectly, to a firearm to define a foregrip. In the first mode, a blade on the accessory is in a sheathed position. A second mode in which the firearm is disconnected from the firearm to define a knife. In the second mode, the blade is in an extended position. In each mode and position, the tip of the blade is vertically above the upper end of the grip body. The firearm accessory has prongs that connect the grip body to an attachment mechanism or coupler. Within the coupler are flexible liner locks that have sloped protrusions that engage recess in the blade to lock the blade in the extend position. The liner locks may be flexibly unlocked by depressing a button carried by the grip body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Switch Grip, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Rice, Daniel Edward Caldwell, III, Shane Matthew Tully
  • Patent number: 9389044
    Abstract: A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Switch Grip LLC
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Rice, Torrance L. Adcock
  • Publication number: 20160102939
    Abstract: A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Rice, Torrance L. Adcock
  • Patent number: 9234722
    Abstract: A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Switch Grip LLC
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Rice, Torrance L. Adcock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9228796
    Abstract: A foregrip for a firearm may comprise a mounting device configured to attach to a mounting rail of a firearm and a grip body. The grip body may include a top portion configured to be removably attached to the mounting device and a lateral side portion configured to be gripped by the hand of a person using a firearm. A cavity may be disposed within the grip body, and a blade may be disposed at least partially within the cavity, wherein the blade is movable between a refracted position and a deployed position relative to the grip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Switch Grip LLC
    Inventors: Torrance L. Adcock, Jr., Michael Christopher Rice
  • Publication number: 20140230303
    Abstract: A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Rice