FIREARM GRIP

Abstract

A firearm grip has an elongated body having an upper end having an upper attachment facility configured to attach to a firearm, the elongated body having an opposed lower end having a second attachment facility, a palm rest element having a base element having a third attachment facility configured to removably connect to the second attachment facility, the palm rest having a palm support element connected to the base element, and the palm support element defining a central aperture receiving the base element and having an upper surface encompassing the base element. The palm support element may be pivotally connected to the base element. The palm support element may be connected to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to a major plane of the firearm. The pivot axis may be at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a firearm grip that enables the grip to be easily and quickly adjusted from a carbine grip to a sniper grip and to accommodate a variety of user hand sizes.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Firearm grips provide many advantages to the user when they are installed on a firearm, such as a rifle or machine gun. A firearm grip stabilizes the firearm, which helps maintain sight alignment and reduces muzzle flip from recoil. This allows for faster shooting and more accurate shots. For the user's comfort and maximum firearm accuracy, it is desirable for the firearm grip to not be too large or small for the user's hand. Furthermore, depending on how the firearm is to be used, different style grips are preferred. For example, a sniper may prefer the addition of a palm rest that is not needed by a carbine user.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm grip that enables the grip to be easily and quickly adjusted from a carbine grip to a sniper grip and to accommodate a variety of user hand sizes. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm grip according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enabling the grip to be easily and quickly adjusted from a carbine grip to a sniper grip and to accommodate a variety of user hand sizes.

The present invention provides an improved firearm grip, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm grip that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises an elongated body having an upper end having an upper attachment facility configured to attach to a firearm, the elongated body having an opposed lower end having a second attachment facility, a palm rest element having a base element having a third attachment facility configured to removably connect to the second attachment facility, the palm rest having a palm support element connected to the base element, and the palm support element defining a central aperture receiving the base element and having an upper surface encompassing the base element. The palm support element may be pivotally connected to the base element. The palm support element may be connected to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to a major plane of the firearm. The pivot axis may be at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the current embodiment of a firearm grip constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use attached to a rifle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 3A is a right side view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle with the palm rest element adjusted to a maximum of travel in a selected direction.

FIG. 3B is a right side view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the firearm with the palm rest element adjusted to a maximum of travel in a selected opposite direction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the firearm grip of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the firearm grip of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the improved firearm grip 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 shows the firearm grip in use connected to a firearm 12, which is a rifle in the current embodiment. The firearm grip includes an elongated body 14 having an upper end 16 having an upper attachment facility 18 configured to attach to the firearm. The elongated body has an opposed lower end 20 having a second attachment facility 22. A palm rest element 24 has a base element 26 having a third attachment facility 28 configured to removably connect to the second attachment facility. The palm rest element has a palm support element 30 connected to the base element. The palm support element defines a central aperture 32 receiving the base element and having an upper surface 34 encompassing the base element.

In the current embodiment, the palm support element 30 is pivotally connected to the base element 26. The palm support element is connected to pivot about a pivot axis 36 transverse to a major plane 38 of the firearm 12. The pivot axis is at a level below the opposed lower end 20 of the elongated body 14. The second attachment facility 22 of the elongated body defines a grip aperture 40, and the third attachment facility 28 includes a protrusion 42 configured to be received in the grip aperture. The palm support element is at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body. The palm support element has an upper surface 44 at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body. The palm support element has a lower surface 46 at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body. The palm support element has a bottom portion 92 connected to an upper portion 94 by two screws 96, 98 in the current embodiment. However, the bottom portion is optional and can either be removed or could be affixed to the upper portion by clips or a single screw and a locating tab.

A detachable elongated strap element 48 is configured for attachment along the length of the elongated body 14. The detachable elongated strap element has a lower end 50 above at least a portion of the palm support element 30. The detachable elongated strap element is a front strap configured for attachment along a front surface 52 of the elongated body. The detachable elongated strap element can also be a selected rear strap 54, 62, 64 configured for attachment along a rear surface 60 of the elongated body. The different rear straps provide the user with different options, such as beaver tails 68, 70 for the selected application and user comfort. When serving as a front strap, the detachable elongated strap element can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and textures to accommodate user preferences.

The palm support element 24 is connected to the base element 26 over a range of different vertical positions. The base element defines a vertical slot 56 defining the range of different vertical positions. A pivot element 58 is connected to the palm support element and received in the vertical slot. The pivot element is a bolt in the current embodiment that is received within a bore 72 defined by an anti-compression sleeve 74. The anti-compression sleeve has protrusions 76, 78 on either end that are received within the vertical slot. The anti-compression sleeve prevents collapse of the base element 26 when the pivot element is tightened. A captured nut 80 enables the pivot element to be tightened to secure the palm support element 30 at a selected height on the base element and at a selected angle relative to the base element. FIGS. 3A & B show the extremes of travel enabled by the pivot element.

For use as a carbine grip, a base element 66 that omits a palm rest element 24 can be connected to the second attachment facility 22 of the elongated body 14. Both the base element 66 and the base element 26 are releasably secured within the grip aperture 40 by spring-loaded pins 82, 84 that are received within apertures 86 defined by the base element 66 or apertures 88 defined by the base element 26. The spring-loaded pins are also received within apertures 90 defined by the elongated body 14.

It should be appreciated that the elongated body 14 includes a dovetail protrusion 92 that is received within a dovetail slot 94 defined by the rear strap 54, 62, 64 (shown in FIG. 4).

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of a firearm grip has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although rifles have been disclosed, the firearm grip is also suitable for use with shotguns, light and medium machine guns, and other firearms. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A firearm grip comprising: an elongated body having an upper end having an upper attachment facility configured to attach to a firearm;the elongated body having an opposed lower end having a second attachment facility;a palm rest element having a base element having a third attachment facility configured to removably connect to the second attachment facility;the palm rest having a palm support element connected to the base element; andthe palm support element defining a central aperture receiving the base element and having an upper surface encompassing the base element.

2. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the palm support element is pivotally connected to the base element.

3. The firearm grip of claim 2 wherein the palm support element is connected to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to a major plane of the firearm.

4. The firearm grip of claim 3 wherein the pivot axis is at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body.

5. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the second attachment facility of the elongated body defines a grip aperture, and the third attachment facility includes a protrusion configured to be received in the grip aperture.

6. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the palm support element is at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body.

7. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the palm support element has an upper surface at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body.

8. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the palm support element has a lower surface at a level below the opposed lower end of the elongated body.

9. The firearm grip of claim 1 including a detachable elongated strap element configured for attachment along the length of the elongated body.

10. The firearm grip of claim 9 wherein the detachable elongated strap element has a lower end above at least a portion of the palm support element.

11. The firearm grip of claim 9 wherein the detachable elongated strap element is a front strap configured for attachment along a front surface of the elongated body.

12. The firearm grip of claim 9 wherein the detachable elongated strap element is a rear strap configured for attachment along a rear surface of the elongated body.

13. The firearm grip of claim 1 wherein the palm support element is connected to the base element over a range of different vertical positions.

14. The firearm grip of claim 13 wherein the base element defines a vertical slot defining the range of different vertical positions.

15. The firearm grip of claim 14 including a pivot element connected to the palm support element and received in the vertical slot.