ADHESIVE AND BOLT-ON TYPE GUN GRIP, GUN EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORY SYSTEMS
Weapon and gun accessories and grip devices and systems for attachment by adhesive or fasteners to various gun parts and components including gun rails.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/900,152, filed May 22, 2013, and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/505,764, filed May 3, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure and related inventions is in the general field of firearms and firearm accessories which fit with or attach to firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCertain firearms are equipped with mounting systems in the form of rails which generally run along the length of the barrel or elsewhere for mounting of accessories such as sighting scopes, lights, lasers or infrared sights. The MIL-STD-1913 rail is one type of standardized rail which has been adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense as a standardized mounting platform for use on the M16, M16A4 or 5.56 mm and AR-15 and other weapons platforms. The MIL-STD-1913 rail mounting system is also sometimes referred to as the “Picatinny” or “Weaver” rail, as further described in the co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/505,764, incorporated herein by reference. As shown in that application, a MIL-STD-1913 rail has a series of spaced-apart flanges each of which have a generally T-shaped profile with a generally planar central surface F1, lateral and outwardly angled surfaces F2, inwardly angled surface F3 and base surface F4 which extend from a rail body. Each of the flanges of the rail are spaced apart a distance of 0.206 inches (5.23 mm) to define a slot width. The uniform spacing of the flanges of the rail provides a standardized mounting system for different types of accessories, and also function to dissipate some heat from the barrel so that the rail does not expand and contract with the barrel temperature. The spacing of the slot centers is 0.394 inches (10.01 mm), and the slot depth is 0.118 inches (3.00 mm). Other specifications and dimensions are set forth in MIL-STD-1913, incorporated herein by reference.
Another type of standardized mounting rail is known as the Weaver rail, which has the same general configuration as the MIL-STD-1913 rail but with a slightly smaller slot width of 0.180 inches (4.572 mm). The MIL-STD-1913 or Picatinny or Weaver rails, also generally and collectively referred to herein as “rails” or “rail”, are generally disposed along the length of the barrel proximate to the breach, and are commonly arranged in tandem, for example on opposing sides of the barrel, or in a quadrant with one rail facing up, one down, one to the right and one to the left. The rails are formed integral with or otherwise attached to a mounting structure which is secured to the gun, such as to the exterior of the gun barrel. The rails are made of machined steel, aluminum, alloys or polymers.
Another type of gun barrel protection system is in the general form of a cylinder or sleeve that is positioned over a segment of a barrel, with or without a single Picatinny or Weaver type rail projecting from one radial position on the sleeve. Additional rails can be fastened to the sleeve at other radial positions. Another design variation of the rails is the inclusion of through-holes formed through a cross-section, whereby the rails can be fastened to a barrel sleeve or other structure or component of a gun by fasteners such as bolts or screws.
Many different types of attachments and accessories have been developed for attachment to gun rails such as the MIL-STD-1913 rail, including aiming, telescopic, reflex and red dot sights, lights, lasers and laser sights and accompanying switches, forward hand grips, bipods and bayonets. These accessories are generally configured to fit or clamp over the cross-section of the rail and against the lateral edges of the flanges. Devices with wires, such as for example running from a switch to a light, present the challenge of wire management in trying to keep the wire or wires closely proximate to the rail. This is particularly important for combat and tactical users to avoid snagging of wires or other interference with the gun, although many of the current solutions still leave wires exposed and closely secured to the rails. The different prior art types of covers developed for attachment to the MIL-STD-1913/Picatinny and Weaver rails are made of hard plastic with clip configurations for snap-fit over the rail. Although such rail covers provide a smooth surface for gripping a gun about the rails, they do not provide any improved or enhanced functionality, and relay solely on the strength of the plastic material to establish and maintain a firm grip on the rail. The hard plastic of such covers can be slippery, brittle and does not perform any other function than to cover the flanges and slots of the rail and has minimal heat resistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure and related inventions include gun rail attachments, components, accessories and systems which engage securely and work with any style gun rail, including but not limited to the MIL-STD-1913, Picatinny or Weaver style rails or the NATO Accessory Rail (NAR) STANAG 4694 or 2324, and perform a multitude of functions as described herein. One novel aspect of the attachments and components is the use of relatively lower durometer polymeric material in an approximate range of 5 Shore A or lower and up to 90 Shore A. The novel use of this type of material for the gun rail attachments and components described provides the benefits of a superior gripping material and structures, durability and abrasion resistance, noise reduction, heat resistance and protection, waterproof and chemical resistance, shock absorption, and adaptability to a wide variety of device applications including packaging of electronic devices, switches, batteries, wires and internal compartments and passageways. Other advantages of the use of relatively lower durometer polymeric material for gun rail attachments including insulative properties against thermal shock, the ability to cut or mold to different lengths, high friction tactile gripping surface in any conditions, reduction of infra-red heat signature and mirage effect, and the ability to mold and manufacture in different colors and with different additives for desired properties.
Another novel aspect of the attachments and components of the systems is the use of spring-biased clips as attachment, securement and reinforcing members configured to fit on standardized rails, such as the military standard MIL-STD-1913 rails as used on the M4 and M16, M16A4 guns, on AR-15 rifles, heavy machine guns, weapon-mount platforms and gear such as helmets, uniforms and other gear and the like, and on hunting rifles and shot guns and pistols. The clips, which can be made of steel, spring steel, stainless steel, carbon fiber or polymeric material, are over-molded or bonded with a high performance polymeric material which forms the body of the attachment and which is abrasion and damage resistant, heat resistant and formed with various durometers for optimization of desired performance features, further described. The gripping strength of the steel clips on the rail provides strong engagement and resistance against sliding.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure and related inventions, there is provided a gun attachment for attachment to a gun rail having flanges with multiple surfaces, the gun attachment having a body which is configured to fit over three or more surfaces of the flanges of the gun rail, the body having a material hardness in a range of 40 Shore A to 80 Shore A, and a reinforcement member attached to the body, the reinforcement member configured to fit over three or more surfaces of the flanges of the gun rail.
In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure and accompanying inventions, there is provided a gun attachment for attachment to a rail of a gun, the gun attachment having a body configured to fit over one or more flanges of a rail of a gun, each of the flanges of the rail having at least five adjoining profile surfaces including a first central profile surface, two symmetrical outwardly angled surfaces which extend outwardly from the first central profile surface, and two symmetrical inwardly angled surfaces which extend inwardly from the respective outwardly angled surfaces; the gun attachment body having an underside which includes a central planar region configured to extend over the first central profile surface of a flange, the two outwardly angled regions configured to extend over the two outwardly angled profile surfaces of the flange, two lateral inwardly angled regions configured to extend over the two inwardly angled profile surfaces of the flange; and an upper body portion which extends beyond the profile surfaces of the flange, and a reinforcing member attached to the gun attachment body.
In another aspect of the present disclosure and related inventions, gun grips and accessories have a generally planar mounting surface configured for attachment to a gun rail, such as to a generally planar surface formed by aligned profiles of the series of flanges of the Mil-STD-1913 type rails, by adhesive or by fasteners which extend through the grips or accessories and into or through the rail or rail mounting structure.
The present disclosure and related inventions include these and other aspects and innovations, as further described with reference to the accompanying drawing Figures.
In the accompanying drawing figures:
The present disclosure and related inventions pertain to gun accessories, including bolt-on and adhesive type gun covers, gun grips, and gun equipment for accessory mounting and accessory wiring. One of the principle components of the system(s) are the flexible material(s) such as rubber, silicon, neoprene or any other suitable moldable compound or polymer that can be directly adhered to a weapon platform or accessory via adhesive compounds, or optionally over-molded mechanically and/or chemically bonded to clips, bars or rigid skeleton components that can be adhered to, or attached anywhere on a weapon, by means of adhesives, hardware or the inherent rigid structure of the internal component. Such components can be configured to fit on most M4 carbines, M16s, AR-15s, and on hunting rifles and shot guns or any weapon platform or accessory that may help in the operation of the said platform. One particular embodiment of these panels of the present disclosure are generally referred to herein as planar mount rail attachments, and are further described herein and depicted in various embodiments in the accompanying drawings of the disclosure.
Planar mount rail attachments, also referred to alternatively herein as “panels” or “accessories” or “rail covers”, in the various alternate embodiments shown at 210-1110 in
Various embodiments of the planar rail attachments, the various alternate embodiments of which are indicated generally at 210 in
The planar mount rail attachment micro pockets or pockets 214, 314, as depicted in
The planar mount rail attachments 210-1110 can be manufactured in various colors and sizes and can be cut, shaped or formed into different profiles for custom fitment. The planar mount rail attachments may have one or multiple indents on the underside that will allow the user to open a hole through the panel which may allow it to be bolted, screwed or fastened to the mating surface when an adhesive compound is not used, as for example in the embodiments 210, 510, 810 and 1010. This prevents any movement along the mating surface and provides an indexing system for positive location and engagement on the weapon or weapon accessory. Attachment holes are aligned with fastener-receiving holes in a gun rail or rail guard, as further described.
As disclosed in the co-pending application Ser. No. 13/505,764, the planar mount attachments skeleton or internal structure can be made from any type of ferrous, non-ferrous, plastic or rigid material. The skeleton shape may be able to be conformed prior to or during installation. Optional wire clips or cross clips can also be used in conjunction with the panels or used alone in wire retention applications. As disclosed, the wire clips or cross clips may also embody the same materials, components, designs or similar profiles of the planar panels. The wire clips and cross clips allow the user to place the clip on any area of a weapon or the like for wire or accessory retention and protection, and eliminate the danger of loose or unprotected wires on a weapon or surface. Wires or small accessories can be routed through the center wire arch anywhere that the wire clips or cross clips can be attached, or may allow a wire to be transversely routed between adjacent Planar mount rail attachment and/or hold a wire parallel or perpendicular to the length of a gun or gun barrel. Any of the panel configurations can also be used as indexing points.
The non-skeleton embodiments may be manufactured with a contoured or flush (flat bottom) whereby a panel may be attached to a mating surface with an adhesive bonding agent or tape applied for mounting to other surfaces. The adhesive or tape may or may not come applied to the panels and can be applied at any time during installation, or re-installation, of the panel. One side of the adhesive or tape will for a semi-permanent bond with the weapon surface and underside of the panel system or component. The adhesive or tape may also feature the ability to install mechanical or magnetic attaching features or devices such as, but not limited to, any interlocking connector, bristle, hook and loop type fasteners or “Velcro”™ with the ability to be detached and re-attached. The ability to install planar mount rail attachments with or without pockets in the various disclosed embodiments allows users to utilize or protect other surfaces of weapons not otherwise protectable, and provides improved wire and accessory attachment and management.
The disclosure and related inventions thus provide grip and the means of wire(s) and accessory management on gun equipment, weapons and or any accessory systems. These planar mount rail attachment are designed to have a very strong mechanical and/or chemical engagement with the mounting surface and will provide improved gripping surfaces and materials, integral pockets or cavities for concealment and containment of accessories such as switches, wiring, batteries, lights or sensors or other devices, and combinations thereof for increased gun utility, safety and performance.
Claims
1. A gun accessory configured for attachment to a gun rail, the gun accessory comprising a body with a substantially planar mounting surface configured for attachment to a gun, one or more projecting features which project from the body and away from the substantially planar mounting surface.
- the body of the gun accessory made of polymeric material with viscoelasticity in durometers in the hardness range of 5 Shore A to 90 Shore A, the polymeric material selected from the group of: synthetic rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, butyl rubber, silicone, urethane viscoelastic urethane, nylon, PVC, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVB, PVDF or Nanbrol®, a nano-particle reinforced nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and thermoplastic polymer alloys with SBR, EPDM or urethanes as base polymers and blended to optimize dynamic properties, dimensional stability and elasticity, thermal resistance and fatigue performance, and
2. The gun accessory of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing structure in combination with the body of the gun accessory.
3. The gun accessory of claim 1 in combination with a gun rail attached to a gun.
4. The gun accessory of claim 1 in combination with a gun rail which extends from a gun barrel cover.
5. The gun accessory of claim 1 further comprising holes for receiving fasteners for fastening the gun accessory to a gun rail.
6. The gun accessory of claim 1 wherein the one or more projecting features are in the form of a series of parallel ribs or ridges.
7. The gun accessory of claim 1 further comprising integrally formed attachment fittings configured to fit with an accessory mounting structure on a gun.
8. The gun accessory of claim 1 further comprising at least one cavity in the body of the gun accessory.
9. The gun accessory of claim 1 further comprising at least one passage through at least a portion of the body configured to accept a wire.
10. The gun accessory of claim 8 wherein the at least one cavity extends through the body of the accessory.
11. The gun accessory of claim 1 in combination with an adhesive on the substantially planar mounting surface of the body.
12. The gun accessory of claim 1 in combination with a Picatinny rail.
13. The gun accessory of claim 1 in combination with a barrel cover.
14. The gun accessory of claim 1 wherein the projecting features are configured similar to the flanges of a Picatinny rail.
Type: Application
Filed: May 5, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2014
Inventors: Frank J. MICHAL (Medina, OH), Michael E. STEIN (New Philadelphia, OH)
Application Number: 14/269,805
International Classification: F41C 23/16 (20060101); F41C 27/00 (20060101);