INTEGRATED PRESSURE SWITCH POCKET FOR A VERTICAL FORE GRIP
A vertical fore grip for a firearm with an integrated pressure switch pocket. The vertical fore grip includes a body with internal storage cavity, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, a pocket for a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a cap to secure a pressure switch and waterproof the internal storage cavity. The mount has a groove for a firearm rail, at least one locking bar, and a spring for engaging the locking bar to a firearm rail.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/751,618, filed May 21, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,454, filed Mar. 31, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/667,578, filed Apr. 1, 2005, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a grip, and more particularly, to a vertical grip and/or a firearm with a vertical grip with an integrated pressure switch pocket and storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModern firearms often require mounting and quickly shedding mission-specific accessories that accelerate soldier performance at a given combat task. One of those accessories that has proven invaluable in improving operator control and performance during sustained automatic fire is the vertical fore grip.
The current fore grip design is a glass-filled polypropylene component that can be uncomfortable to most hands. Many operators feel that the grip diameter is too small and requires considerable grasp pressure to prevent slippage. The material itself is waxy to the touch, and becomes even slicker when wet or sweaty. It also prevents proper adhesion of glues for pressure switches, resulting in less-than-satisfactory switch mounting methods. This grip has no form of hand retention other than small grooves at the grip end which easily pack with dirt or mud, eliminating any benefit.
Another weakness of existing grips is the mounting system. A small cylindrical soft plastic projection is the sole method of retaining the grip to the rail system. Any major impact to the grip shears the projection, allowing the firearm to slide out of control in an operator's band. Field expedient fixes have been to drill out the sheared plastic part and replace it with a steel pin. This is time consuming and a stop-gap improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, the invention is a vertical fore grip for attachment to a firearm. The grip includes a body having an internal storage cavity with an external opening, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, the mount located at one end of the body, a pocket adapted to receive a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a removable cap, adapted to cover the external opening. In another embodiment, the mount includes a rail groove, at least one locking bar dimensioned to interface with cross cuts in a firearm rail, a spring engaging the body and the locking bar, and at least one slot having an upper portion and a lower portion, the slot dimensioned to accept a locking bar substantially in the upper portion while engaged or substantially in the lower portion in a released condition, the slot protruding through the housing of the grip and running through the rail groove substantially perpendicular to the rail groove.
In one embodiment, the invention is firearm that includes a vertical fore grip. The fore grip includes a body having an internal storage cavity with an external opening, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, the mount located at one end of the body, a pocket adapted to receive a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a removable cap adapted to cover the external opening.
As illustrated in
In the embodiment of
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, vertical fore grip has internal storage for spare firearm bolt assemblies, extra batteries, medical supplies or any other mission specific items. The threaded end cap has a large diameter O-ring to make the cavity waterproof. The cap is optionally leashed to the body to prevent its loss.
Materials useful for the fore grip of the present invention include plastics, polymers and metals. In one embodiment, nylon resins are used for the fore grip body and heat-treated stainless steel is used for the spring, and rubber for the O-ring. However, different metals may be used for the spring and different rubber or polymer compounds may be used for the O-ring. In another embodiment, the nylon resin used for the fore grip body is available from Entec Co. as 2033 STHL and the nylon resin used for the locking bars and filler panel is also from Entec Co. as 2043 STHL, which has more glass fibers.
The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A fore grip for attachment to a firearm, the fore grip comprising:
- a body having an external surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;
- a mount located at the first end of the body and adapted to secure the body to such firearm; and
- an elongated recessed pocket exposed through the external surface of the body, the pocket having a first end toward the first end of the body and a second end toward the second end of the body,
- wherein the recessed pocket comprises a dovetail to engage a part slid through the second end of the recessed pocket.
2. The fore grip of claim 1, wherein the second end of the pocket is open at the second end of the body to receive such part slid into the pocket.
3. The fore grip of claim 2, further comprising a removable cap attached to the second end of the body.
4. The fore grip of claim 3, wherein the body comprises an internal cavity having an opening it the second end of the body, and wherein the removable cap closes the opening.
5. The fore grip of claim 3, wherein the removable cap extends in front of the open second end of the pocket to retain such part in the pocket.
6. The fore grip of claim 1, further comprising the part slid into the pocket.
7. The fore grip of claim 6, wherein the part comprises a pressure switch.
8. The fore grip of claim 6, wherein the part comprises a filler panel.
9. The fore grip of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises at least one locking bar movable to engage such firearm.
10. A fore grip for attachment to a firearm, the fore grip comprising:
- a body having an external surface, a first end, and a second end;
- a mount located at the first end of the body and adapted to secure the body to such firearm;
- a recessed pocket exposed through the external surface of the body, having an end at the second end of the body, wherein the recessed pocket is adapted to receive a removable part into the recessed pocket;
- a removable cap on the second end of the body extending in front of the end of the pocket to block such part from exiting the pocket.
11. The fore grip of claim 10, further comprising the part inserted into the recessed pocket.
12. The fore grip of claim 11, wherein the removable cap blocks the part from exiting the pocket.
13. The fore grip of claim 11, wherein the part comprises a pressure switch.
14. The fore grip of claim 11, wherein the part comprises a filler panel.
15. The fore grip of claim 10, wherein the end of the pocket comprises an open end, and wherein the pocket is adapted to receive such part slid through the open end of the pocket.
16. The fore grip of claim 15, wherein the pocket comprises a dovetail to engage such part slid through the open end of the pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2008
Publication Date: May 28, 2009
Applicant:
Inventor: Jeffrey M. Cahill (Anaheim, CA)
Application Number: 12/266,473