Adjustable ergonomic grip for a weapon

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9599429-B1
Application number	US-201514984290-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 30, 2015
Priority date	Dec 30, 2015
Publication date	Mar 21, 2017
Grant date	Mar 21, 2017

Abstract

A handgrip for a firearm is provided for ergonomic angular adjustment. The ergonomic adjustable handgrip illustratively includes an attachment to a firearm, an upper grip portion, and a lower grip portion. The lower grip portion can be released by a push button, adjusted to a user preferred angle relative to the upper grip portion, and locked into the angle by releasing the push button.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A firearm comprising:
a body including a barrel extending along a longitudinal barrel axis;
a handgrip extending along a grip axis downwardly from the longitudinal barrel axis, the handgrip including:
an upper grip portion coupled to the body;
a lower grip portion operably coupled to the upper grip portion for angular adjustment along a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal barrel axis and the grip axis;
a locking device configured to move parallel with the pivot axis between a locked position and an actuated position, the locking device in the locked position securing the lower grip portion in one of a plurality of different angular positions around the pivot axis relative to the upper grip portion, and the locking device in the actuated position permitting rotational movement of the lower grip portion relative to the upper grip portion; and
a push button supported by the lower grip portion and configured to move the locking device from the locked position to the actuated position, wherein the locking device includes:
a locking drum coupled to the lower grip portion and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking teeth; and
wherein the upper grip portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cooperating teeth configured to engage with the locking teeth of the locking drum.

2. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising a spring operably coupled to the locking device, wherein the locking device is configured to move axially along the pivot axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the locking device in the first position secures the lower grip portion in one of the plurality of different angular positions relative to the upper grip portion, and the locking device in the second position releases the lower grip portion for angular adjustment relative to the upper grip portion about the pivot axis, the spring being configured to bias the locking device along the pivot axis toward the first position.

3. The firearm of claim 2 further comprising a button retainer section configured to limit axial movement of the button and the locking device in a direction from the second position toward the first position.

4. The firearm of claim 3 , wherein the button retainer section includes:
a button retention cap opening supported by the lower grip portion and coaxially aligned along the pivot axis; and
a button retention cap coaxially aligned along the pivot axis within the button retention cap opening and operably coupled to the button.

5. The firearm of claim 2 , including:
a spring retenter coaxially aligned along the pivot axis and secured to the lower grip portion;
wherein the spring includes a first end engaging the spring retainer and a second end engaging the locking device.

6. An adjustable handgrip for a firearm comprising:
an upper grip portion configured to be secured to a body of the firearm, the body including a barrel extending along a longitudinal barrel axis, wherein the upper grip is coupled with the body so as to extend away from the longitudinal barrel axis along a grip axis, the upper grip portion including a downwardly extending lobe along the grip axis and having a first pivot opening;
a lower grip portion including an upwardly extending lobe having a second pivot opening, the first pivot opening and the second pivot opening being coaxially aligned along a pivot axis such that the lower grip portion is angularly adjustable along the pivot axis relative to the upper grip portion between a plurality of different angular positions, wherein the pivot axis is perpendicular to both the grip axis and the longitudinal barrel axis:
a button coaxially aligned along the pivot axis within the first pivot opening and the second pivot opening;
a locking device operably coupled to the lower grip portion and configured to move axially along the pivot axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the locking device in the first position secures the lower grip portion in one of the plurality of different angular positions relative to the upper grip portion, and the locking device in the second position releases the lower grip portion for angular adjustment relative to the upper grip portion about the pivot axis;
a spring configured to bias the locking device axially along the pivot axis toward the first position; and
a button operably coupled to the locking device and coaxially aligned with the pivot axis, wherein depressing the button opposes the bias of the spring and moves the locking device axially along the pivot axis toward the second position.

7. The adjustable handgrip of claim 6 further comprising a button retainer configured to limit axial movement of the button and the locking device in a direction from the second position toward the first position.

8. The adjustable handgrip of claim 7 wherein the button retainer includes:
a button retention cap opening supported by the lower portion and coaxially aligned along the pivot axis; and
a button retention cap coaxially aligned along the pivot axis within the button retention cap opening and operably coupled to the button.

9. The adjustable handgrip of claim 6 including:
a spring retainer coaxially aligned along the pivot axis and secured to the lower grip portion;
wherein the spring includes a first end engaging the spring retainer and a second end engaging the locking device.

10. The adjustable handgrip of claim 6 wherein the locking device includes:
a locking drum coupled to the lower grip portion and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking teeth; and
wherein the upper grip portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cooperating teeth axially aligned with the first pivot opening and supported by the downwardly extending lobe, the locking teeth of the locking drum configured engage with the cooperating teeth of the upper grip portion.

11. The adjustable handgrip of claim 10 , wherein the locking drum further includes a guide sleeve extending axially opposite the locking teeth of the locking drum, the guide sleeve receiving an end of the spring.

12. The adjustable handgrip of claim 6 , further comprising a fastener securing the locking device to the button.

13. The adjustable handgrip of claim 6 , further comprising a plug, wherein the lower grip portion includes a third pivot opening coaxially aligned with the first pivot opening and the second pivot opening along the pivot axis, the second pivot opening positioned intermediate the first pivot opening and the third pivot opening, the plug being received within the third pivot opening.

14. A method of operating an adjustable handgrip for a firearm, the method further comprising the steps of:
providing a firearm comprising a body including a barrel extending along a longitudinal barrel axis:
providing an adjustable handgrip with an upper grip portion, a lower grip portion, and a button, wherein the upper grip is coupled with the body so as to extend away from the longitudinal barrel axis along a grip axis:
depressing the button to an actuated position, wherein a locking device releases the lower grip portion for rotational movement relative to the upper grip portion about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is perpendicular to both the grip axis and the longitudinal barrel axis:
rotating the lower grip portion of the adjustable grip relative to the upper grip portion about the pivot axis to a user desired angle of use; and
releasing the button wherein the locking device is biased to a locked position to secure the lower grip portion at the user desired angle relative to th

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Davis Jason M

Classifications

• F41C23/10

  Stocks or grips for pistols, e.g. revolvers (F41C23/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F41C23/16

  Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards (pump-action guns F41C7/02) · CPC title

• F41C23/14 Primary

  Adjustable stock or stock parts, i.e. adaptable to personal requirements, e.g. length, pitch, cast or drop · CPC title