This invention relates to insert grips for the handguard of firearms.
Firearms of the type discussed herein generally include a lower receiver and mating upper receiver. The upper receiver includes a bolt, cartridge insertion and removal mechanism, a firing pin, etc. A barrel is engaged in the front end of the upper receiver and a stock is affixed to the rear end of the lower receiver by some convenient means, such as threading into a rear opening in the lower receiver. A trigger portion of the upper receiver fits into a downwardly directed opening in the lower receiver and is integrated with the internal mechanism of the upper receiver and the lower receiver in a well known manner. A pistol grip is attached to the lower receiver in a well known manner. A magazine or clip assembly (including a clip) is inserted into a downwardly directed opening in the lower receiver for inserting cartridges into the mechanism within the upper receiver in a well known manner. A handguard assembly is affixed to the front end of the upper receiver and surrounds and protects a portion of the barrel. The handguard assembly is also used by the operator to hold and steady the firearm during use.
A major problem with the use of these hand-held firearms of the auto/semi-auto version is that the handguard assembly, even though it may be substantially separated from the barrel, can become extremely hot and very uncomfortable to hold. This in turn can have an effect on the user's accuracy, etc.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved insert grips for firearms.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved insert grips that do not substantially affect the heat exchange ability of the handguard assembly while adding additional protection to the user against heat.
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, for cooperation with a firearm handguard having a plurality of regularly spaced holes therethrough, an insert grip is provided. The insert grip includes a plurality of tubular flexible inserts, each flexible insert including a tubular body sufficiently long to extend through one of the openings in the handguard assembly. The tubular body of each flexible insert has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the holes through the handguard and defines an insert hole therethrough. Securing structure associated with each flexible insert of the plurality of tubular flexible inserts is designed to firmly secure the plurality of tubular flexible inserts, one each, in a mating handguard hole of the handguard assembly. The plurality of tubular flexible inserts is formed of a heat insulation material so as to insulate a user's hand from the heat of the handguard assembly.
The desired objects of the instant invention are further achieved in accordance with an embodiment of an insert grip for cooperation with a firearm handguard having a plurality of regularly spaced holes therethrough. The insert grip including a plurality of tubular flexible inserts, each flexible insert including a tubular body sufficiently long to extend through one of the openings in the handguard assembly and defining an insert hole therethrough. Each flexible insert includes a laterally extending upper collar extending radially outwardly around the upper or outer end of the tubular body around the periphery of the insert hole and a radially outwardly extending lower flange surrounding the lower or inner end of the tubular body around the periphery of the insert hole. The tubular body of each flexible insert has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the holes through the handguard. The plurality of tubular flexible inserts are affixed together in a regular pattern designed to be coaxial engaged with a like plurality of the regularly spaced holes in the handguard, one each with a mating handguard hole. The upper collar of each tubular flexible insert extends laterally outwardly over an adjacent outer surface of the handguard and the lower flange extends laterally outwardly over an adjacent inner surface of the handguard to hold each flexible insert firmly within the mating handguard hole with the insert hole coaxial with the mating handguard hole. The plurality of tubular flexible inserts are formed of a material sufficiently resilient so that each insert can be flexed or deformed to be engaged in the mating openings, and each flexible insert is formed of a heat insulation material so as to insulate a user's hand from the heat of the handguard assembly.
The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
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Each insert 12 has a hole 23 therethrough so that even when a plurality of insert grips 10 are installed in openings 20 of handguard assembly 16 escape of heat from the barrel is only slightly obstructed. Also, insert grips 10 are formed of a heat insulation material so as to insulate a user's hand from the heat of the handguard assembly. In this preferred embodiment insert grip 10 is formed of rubber but other materials, such as a partially flexible insulating plastic or the like can be used.
Insert grip 10 is specially designed so that a firearm owner/user can install insert grips 10 around the periphery of handguard assembly 16 (as illustrated in
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Tubular locking insert 50 is formed of a firmer or rigid plastic or the like and includes a tubular body 52 with a radially outwardly extending flange 54 at the upper edge. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the outer diameter of tubular body 52 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of hole 23 in each insert 12 of insert grip 10. Further, in this specific embodiment each insert 12 is formed with a radially outwardly extending groove 56 extending peripherally around hole 23 and spaced a small distance from the upper edge. Groove 56 is positioned to receive flange 54 of tubular insert 50 when tubular insert 50 is inserted coaxially into hole 23 of insert 12. Thus, the stiffer tubular locking insert 50 is positioned coaxially within hole 23 and held in place by flange 54 engaged in groove 56. Since tubular locking insert 50 is stiffer than flexible insert 12, it locks inserts 12 and, thus insert grips 10, firmly engaged in openings 20 of handguard assembly 16 with no danger of being inadvertently disengaged.
It will be noted that the combination of an insert 12 with a body 22 having a minimum cross section and a very thin tubular locking insert 50 can be formed with a total cross-section that is thin enough to allow maximum transfer of cooling air through handguard assembly 16 while providing maximum safety against an inadvertent removal or disassembly of insert grips 10 from handguard assembly 16. While the specific embodiment illustrated includes flange 54 on stiff tubular locking insert 50 and groove 56 in flexible insert 12 as an anchoring structure, it should be understood that other anchoring structures might be used to hold the stiff tubular locking insert within the flexible insert, such as a rough or stippled outer surface on the stiff tubular insert.
Thus, a new and improved insert grip is illustrated and described. The new and improved insert grip is designed to provide a user with a more stable grip on the handguard assembly and to protect the user's hand from the heat of the handguard assembly. The improved insert grip is designed to be easily and conveniently installed on the outer surface of the handguard assembly of any firearm. Further, the improved insert grip can be easily installed at an optimum position (longitudinally along the length of the handguard assembly) for each specific user of a firearm. Also, the improved insert grip is relatively inexpensive and can be quickly and easily changed as needed.
Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/484,700, filed 11 May 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61484700 | May 2011 | US |