Patent Application
20250067529
This invention relates to a handgun having a separable fire control unit frame and handgrip.
In contrast to polymer-framed handguns that usually have metal parts molded into the polymer material, other handgun designs have been developed in which a frame part is separable from a grip module. One example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,301, issued Jul. 1, 2001, to Fredrich Aigner, et al., and assigned to Steyr Mannlicher AG & Co KG. The frame is usually made of metal and is the regulated and serialized part under U.S. laws. The frame carries the fire control mechanism (trigger assembly) and rails on which the slide reciprocates. The grip module is often (but not always) made of a molded polymer material and provides the handgrip and magazine well. The grip module also can provide a forwardly extending dust cover and accessory rail positioned under the barrel. This modularity allows a single, serialized frame to be assembled with different grip modules that may accommodate different slide and barrel lengths, provide different handgrip girth/lengths, and allow other variations in features and configuration.
A particular modular handgun design made by Sig Sauer, Inc. under the model name P365 has a polymer grip module that includes an inserted or embedded/overmolded metal reinforcing bracket with protrusions which engage recesses or notches at the forward end of the frame to secure the forward end of the frame to the grip module before being pinned in place at the rear end. Presumably, the strength of this metallic insert is needed to securely connect it with the frame and distribute the recoil forces transferred when the handgun is fired. This design is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 10,648,769, issued May 12, 2020, to Adrian Thomele, et al., and assigned to Sig Sauer, Inc. Part of the appeal of this platform is that the user can select (and change) features. Metallic grip modules for this design, if they do not use a separate retention insert, are very challenging to reproduce with conventional subtractive manufacturing techniques like CNC machining due to clearances and rotary tool practices.
The present invention provides a modular handgun with a separable fire control unit frame, the grip module having a two-part grip module that assembles to a fire control unit frame.
In one embodiment, the grip module includes a main grip module portion configured with a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the fire control unit frame and a handgrip configured to receive an ammunition magazine. A secondary grip module portion is attachable to the main portion and has a rearward end configured with at least one projection configured to engage with a recess at a forward end of the fire control unit frame.
In one embodiment, a variety of secondary, forward extension portions can be provided in various lengths to accommodate different barrel/slide lengths or can provide different features, such as an accessory attachment rail. Both portions can be made of metal or, if desired, the secondary portion and main portions can be made of different materials. For example, the main portion can be polymer and the secondary portion can be made of metal, such as an aluminum alloy or steel. The secondary portion can provide projections that mate with sockets or recesses in the frame where the two parts engage (or vice versa).
Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.
Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:
With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. “Forward” will indicate the direction of the muzzle and the direction in which projectiles are fired, while “rearward” will indicate the opposite direction. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Although firearms may be used in any orientation, “left” and “right” will generally indicate the sides according to the user's orientation, “top” or “up” will be the upward direction when the firearm is gripped in the ordinary manner.
Referring to
A secondary portion 34a, 34b of the grip module 16 is secured to the main portion 18. In the Illustrated embodiment, the grip module 16 is detachably secured to the main portion 18, such as with a threaded fastener 36. According to the illustrated embodiment, a portion (in this case, a tongue extension 35) of the secondary portion 34a, 34b of the grip module slides into a channel 37 in the main grip portion 18 of the grip module. This engages the parts together and positions and aligns the openings to receive the threaded fastener 36. Alternatively, the main portion 18 could be configured to slide into a channel (not shown) of the secondary portion 34a, 34b. Or, the main portion 18 could include a dustcover and a minimized, inset secondary portion (not shown) that provides projections 40 that engage recesses 42 in the front end of the frame 12, be configured to engage, such as slidingly, the main grip portion 18.
The secondary portion 34a, 34b can provide a cover (commonly referred to as a “dust cover”) for the recoil spring (not shown) and, if desired, can provide an accessory attachment rail 38, as shown. Secondary portions 34a, 34b of different lengths can be selected to modify the grip module 16 for different slide/barrel lengths.
A secondary portion 34a, 34b of selected length or features can be attached to the main portion 18 to form a grip module 16 of selected dustcover length and/or grip length or girth. The secondary portion 34a, 34b provides projections 40 that engage recesses 42 in the front end of the frame 12. This engagement secures the main portion 18 and forward portion 34a, 34b together at the forward end of the frame 12 and a pin 43 is inserted through aligned openings 44, 46 at the rear end of the frame 12 and grip main portion 18. This forward end frame engagement also helps ensure alignment between the frame 12, which has rails 14 that support the slide to align the barrel, and the optional secondary portion accessory rail 38, which can hold a laser or other sighing device that needs to stay consistently aligned with the barrel. This engagement prevents relative rotation as well as cantilevering between the frame 12 and accessory rail 38 of the secondary portion 34a, 34b.
According to one embodiment, the main portion 18 can be made of lightweight molded polymer material and the secondary portion 34a, 34b made from durable aluminum or steel. This eliminates the need for an embedded metallic bracket in a prior design polymer grip module to engage recesses 42 in the forward end of the frame 12. The incorporation of the frame-engaging projections 40 into a separable secondary portion 34a, 34b submodule makes this part and feature more easily manufactured by traditional subtractive machining methods.
According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a grip module 16 for a frame 12 of this design without the need to embed a metal bracket to engage recesses 42 in the forward end of the frame 12. Additionally, this invention can make the grip module 16 even more modularly modifiable to different slide/barrel lengths or to provide different grip lengths or girth without replacement of the entire grip module 16.
While one or more embodiments of the present invention have 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. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/533,708, filed Aug. 21, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63533708 | Aug 2023 | US |
