Removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus and method thereof
A removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus and method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus mounts to an existing forestock of a weapon with an interference fit actuated by a single screw. The apparatus also includes a passage for receiving the barrel of a target illumination device. Resilient prongs are provided adjacent the rear of the passage to press the illumination device longitudinally along approximately the same axis as the weapon's barrel to prevent dislodgment upon movement of the weapon during handling or discharge, and to enable relatively quick, one-handed release and replacement of the entire illumination device.
The present invention relates to weapons, and more specifically to a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for a weapon and method thereof.
Target-illuminating devices such as flashlights, lasers, pointers, and the like are often employed by police and civilian security agencies to designate a possible target. As such, various ways to mount target-illuminating devices to various weapons, such a pistols, rifles, and shotguns have been developed, such as using an attachable holder. Although some of the attachable illuminating device holders are suitable for their intended purposes, improvements are still needed in the way to quickly mount a target-illuminating device holder to a weapon as some problems remain.
For example, some prior art devices attach a target-illuminating device to a shotgun using multiple screws sank into the shotgun's forestock. In situations where such screws loosen and/or fall out, tightening or re-attaching the device may be unavailable in the field without various tools and extra screws. Furthermore, devices which are attached to the forestock with adhesive and screws sank into the forestock cannot be easily switched to another shotgun. Moreover, the grip position on such target illumination device holders cannot be adjusted easily on the forestock, to account for personnel of different sizes using the shotgun.
In prior art devices, which replace the forestock with one that has an integral target-illuminating device, special training is required to remove the existing forestock and install the new forestock. In addition to special training, special tools and multiple parts are also needed to install such a prior art device. In addition, as with the screw on devices, the grip position on an illuminated device made integral with the forestock cannot be adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is against the above background that the present invention provides a number of advantages and advance over the prior art. The present invention provides a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip designed to allow police, security personnel, tactical teams, and military personnel to provide a target illumination device, such as a flashlight, a laser, and the like to a weapon, such as a shotgun, pistol, and rifle.
In one embodiment, the present invention is constructed of a high impact material, which provides a stable shape such that the present invention may be used without the target illumination device accommodated in a provided throughbore or passage. The present invention provides tension tabs or resilient indented prongs at rear of device adjacent the exit of the passage to removably, yet securely hold the illuminating device therebetween. The present invention, in one embodiment, also removably yet firmly attaches to the existing forestock of a shotgun by simply tightening one screw located in the rear of the apparatus, thereby causing an interference fit between the existing forestock and an locking mechanism of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention attaches firmly to the bottom of the existing forestock without any special tools or training. The locking mechanism allows for quick and easy installation and removal of the apparatus. The present invention, which is ergonomically designed with a non-slip grip pattern, can also be moved forward or back on the forestock so individuals of all sizes can adjust the position of the apparatus to their own comfort.
In another embodiment, rails may be provided to the present invention permits the user to choose between 2 different light attachment methods. The first is to utilize the integrated light holder in the grip by simply sliding a rechargeable flashlight, such as for example, a Streamlight Stinger brand flashlight, into the opening until the rear of the flashlight locks between the prongs located in the rear of the holder. This method allows the user to place the light in a position that is easiest for them to actuate. The light can be quickly removed by pulling on the light towards the front. The second light attachment method is to attach a light by utilizing one of the three positional rails located on either side of the integrated target-illuminating device holder and shotgun grip. The rails permit a light such as for example, a Streamlight M-3 brand flashlight or similar lighting device, to simply slide onto the rail and place it in one of three positions that best suits the user.
Accordingly, in one illustrated embodiment, a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first portion having a contoured interior surface, which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon, and a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the weapon when tightened.
In another illustrated embodiment, a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first portion having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of the passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and a pair of rails.
In still other illustrated embodiment, a method for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock is disclosed. The method comprises providing a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus to the forestock of the weapon. The apparatus comprising a first portion having a contoured interior surface which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon, a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of the passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the shogun when tightened. The method further includes tightening the locking mechanism to attach the apparatus to the weapon, and accommodating the illuminating device in the passage.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention.
As shown by
As well known to those experienced in the shotgun art, the forestock 12 in such a shotgun is grasped by the user and manipulated with a back-and-forth sliding action to actuate a mechanism 14 in the example shotgun for the purpose of ejecting spent shotgun shells, chambering live shells and cocking the hammer. In this embodiment, the user would grasp a molded integrated grip 34 of the apparatus 30 and manipulate it in a fashion identical to the way he or she would grasp the factory-installed forestock 12 of the shotgun 10. It is to be appreciated that the grip 34 is provided with an ergonomically designed, non-slip grip pattern.
In the illustrated embodiment of
The body material of the apparatus 30 is a high impact material, and may be injection molded or cast out of any of a number of types of polymers or composite materials or machined out of any one of a number of polymers, composites, metals or wood. In this embodiment, the body material is a glass filled polycarbonate material.
As is well known, a flashlight such as is shown by way of example in
As seen in
As best shown by
Turning now to
In addition to the interference fit, as the tension wedge 46 is drawn into engagement with the bottom of the forestock 12, a pair of hooked portions 52 of the apparatus 30 comes into firm engagement with the upper portions of the forestock 12. As shown by
It is also to be appreciated that for convenience of illustration and discussion, the apparatus 30 can be divided into a first portion 54 and a second portion 56 as illustrated in
To utilize this embodiment of the apparatus 30, the user operating the example firearm 10 would take a working flashlight 20 and insert it into the passage 38 of the second portion 56. The barrel 22 of the example flashlight 20 is accommodated in the passage 38 and engaged by the prongs 40 to properly aligning the example flashlight with the barrel 16 of the shotgun and preventing it from rotating therein. As best seen in
To remove or replace the example flashlight 20, the user would grasp the example flashlight's head 24 between his or her thumb and second finger and pull to permit the example flashlight 20 to be withdrawn from the passage 38.
The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments, which achieve the features and advantages of the present invention. Modification and substitutions to specific structures can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, and not to be limited by,
In still another alternative embodiment, the device 30 may just include only the first portion 54 provided with the rails 58. This embodiment is illustrated by
In yet another alternative embodiment, the device 30 may just include only the second portion 56, such as illustrated by
Accordingly, in view of all the above described embodiments, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock, said apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a contoured interior surface which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon;
- a second portion adjacent said first portion and having a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the weapon when tightened.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a tension wedge slidably accommodated in a track provided adjacent the contoured interior surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a tension wedge slidably accommodated in a track provided adjacent the contoured interior surface, and wherein said tension wedge is shaped to be retained in said track by a provided pair of rail portions of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a tension wedge slidably accommodated in said apparatus and a screw for causing movement of said tension wedge.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a tension wedge slidably accommodated in a track of said apparatus, said tension wedge having a patterned surface which increases the resistance created by the interference fit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first portion further comprises hooked portions adapted to engage firmly the forestock when said locking mechanism is tightened.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first portion further comprises hooked portions adapted to engage firmly the forestock when said locking mechanism is tightened, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a tension wedge slidably accommodated in said apparatus and a screw for causing movement of said tension wedge, wherein movement of said tension wedge causes the interference fit.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second portion further has a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the target-illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of said passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second portion further has a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the target-illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of said passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and wherein said second portion has an exterior surface with a non-slip grip pattern.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second portion further has a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the target-illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of said passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and wherein said second portion has an exterior surface with a non-slip grip pattern comprising three separated raised portions provided at a slant.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rails configured to mount the target-illuminating device.
12. A removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon, said apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of said passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon; and
- a pair of rails.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a contoured interior surface that is shaped to mate closely with a forestock of the weapon.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first portion has a grip pattern on an exterior surface thereof.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between a forestock of the shogun when tightened, said locking mechanism having a screw attached to a tension wedge, said tension wedge being accommodated slidably in a track provided in said first portion adjacent the contoured interior surface.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tension wedge is shaped to be retained in said track by a provided pair of rail portions provided in said second portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tension wedge has a patterned surface which increases the resistance created by the interference fit.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second portion further comprises hooked portions adapted to engage firmly the forestock when said locking mechanism is tightened, wherein movement of said tension wedge causes the interference fit.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a material selected from glass filled polycarbonates, polymers, composites, metals, woods and combinations thereof.
20. A method for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock, said method comprising:
- providing a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus to the forestock of the weapon, said apparatus comprising: a first portion having a contoured interior surface which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon, a second portion adjacent said first portion and having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of said passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the shogun when tightened;
- tightening said locking mechanism to attach said apparatus to said weapon; and
- accommodating the illuminating device in said passage.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2007
Inventors: Scott Florea (Dayton, OH), Darnell Halsall (Dayton, OH), Erik Steckel (Dayton, OH), Carl Jones (Dayton, OH)
Application Number: 11/214,448
International Classification: F41G 1/00 (20060101);