Patent Application
20200109912
Superscript number # is a mark of a definition within the scope of this patent to be found after the section Description of QDCS's Procedures to Carry and Handle Long Barreled Firearms
The field relates to grips and, more specifically, to grips for use with firearms and methods for their use.
Classification: F41C 23/16, F41C
Other classifications: F41C 23/10, F41C 23/14, F41C 23/18, F41C 27/22, F41C 33/08, F41C 33/00
Keywords: foregrip, grip, weapon, forend, fore, fore-end, front, forward, angled, ergonomic
U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,557, Title: FIREARMS, GRIPS FOR FIREARMS, AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME, Mar. 20, 2007, Inventor: Gablowski, et al., describes the vertical foregrip type lockable to a fixed point along the firearm rail. It is intended for a single mission.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,843 Title: FOREGRIP Apr. 30, 2013, Inventor: Yan; Yuedong, describes a vertical foregrip with quick connect feature to the firearm rail and a retractable option, and it is intended for a single mission.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,676,975 Title: TACTICAL FOREGRIP ASSEMBLY, Mar. 16, 2010, Inventor: Phillips, et al., describes a combination of vertical foregrip with a light and it is intended for a single mission
U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,769 B1 Title: WEAPONS FOREGRIP, May 14, 2013, Inventor: Ghannam; Chris S., describes a substantially horizontal molded foregrip matching the contour of the hand, similar fashion as the US Patent Application: 20170191792. Because of its nature, it is a non-ambidextrous accessory and it is intended for a single mission. This type of grip because of its nature negates the opportunity to transition from one shoulder to the other shoulder and leaving an awkward hand posture.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,604, Title: ANGLED BIPOD FOREGRIP FOR FIREARM, Apr. 29, 2014, Inventor: Troy; Stephen P., describes a combination of an angled foregrip with a bipod, extending down and outwards legs to configure a bipod mode. As an angled foregrip it is intended for a single mission.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,977 Title: VERTICAL FORE GRIP WITH BIPOD, Apr. 4, 2017, Inventor: Moody; Joseph R., describes a vertical foregrip containing a pair of telescopic legs that if deployed will configure a bipod. In the foregrip mode, it would be intended to support only one weapon's mission.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,709,356 Title: MULTI-AXIS FIREARM FOREGRIP, Jul. 18, 2017, Inventor: Anstett; Todd J., describes an articulated foregrip looking for a more ergonomic hand posture based on a lockable rotating sphere; it would be intended to support only one weapon's mission.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,891,020 B2, Title: MULTI-PLATFORM ERGONOMIC FOREGRIP, Feb. 13, 2018, Inventor: Yi Huei Jen, discusses the advantages of an angled foregrip against a vertical foregrip, illustrates the concept of firearm control hand techniques, the use of handguard guide stops, and the most popular modular handrail systems. This grip would provide a very short tool extension, replicating one of the positions I, II, or III, supporting directly the handrail and adding handguard guide stops; it would be intended to support only one weapon's mission.
US Patent Application: 20170191792, Inventor: Holmes, Patent Title: AXIALLY OFFSET FOREGRIP FOR A FIREARM AND RELATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, provides a tool extension that addresses the Shoulder Horizontal Adduction angle and would reduce this typical 10° degree angle (Max. 60° degrees) for one of the positions I, II, or III. This type of grip because of its nature is a non-ambidextrous accessory, it would compromise carrying the weapon with an asymmetrical protuberance, and as the current art, it would be intended to support only one weapon's mission. This type of grip because of its nature negates the opportunity to transition from one shoulder to the other shoulder.
A foregrip is a firearm accessory attached to a handguard, usually located towards the front end of a long-barreled firearm to provide a stable foundation for weapon control1, shooting accuracy and recoil mitigation2, and to improve consistency and endurance.
Many speed and CQC3 shooters prefer to support the rifle at shoulder height holding the handguard directly compromising consistency by not placing their hand on the same location; however, to render effective weapon control and recoil mitigation, they have to expend extra energy holding and applying force very close to the handguard axis using only friction (inline grip). Using this method user quickly fatigues due to a very awkward posture with low bearing capacity and so close to the barrel axis. In any case, they discard the benefit of a foregrip to isolate the hand from the heated handguard making the firearm easier to handle as it generates large amounts of heat during firing.
Regardless user's strength, weapon's weight, type, shape and caliber, and handguard's shape and size, the handguard inline grip awkward posture poses high biomechanical stresses to the involved joints, ligaments, tendons and tissues, therefore wrist, elbow and shoulder muscles quickly fatigue due to the merge of large:
The ergonomic functionality would bring shooters the ability to use the proper posture of their support hand, especially for long periods of time, reducing the wrist, elbow and shoulder strain that results in fatigue, muscle vibration, shaking and eventual pain associated with the use of a horizontal handguard or vertical foregrip, mostly used as a handguard guide stop. Therefore, many shooters have the preference to use an angled foregrip looking for a more neutral wrist, elbow and shoulder posture for long-term weapon control, shooting accuracy, recoil mitigation, and consistency, and the best mission result. In addition to its ergonomic functionality, an angled foregrip would allow shooters to employ different firearm control hand techniques with palm, thumb and index finger to reduce energy consumption, or potentially nimbler, more natural, instinctive, controllable, comfortable or robust, or simply to access or avoid other attached devices. However, shooters can't use the simplest fatigue relief that is to change the angles of the wrist without losing weapon control.
In yet another aspect of the art, the bracing distance defined as the distance between the support hand holding the weapon's front-end and the buttstock's heel sat on the user's shoulder pocket. Basically, the firearm is braced to the torso (making up a triangle from shoulder to shoulder, extension of the support arm and bracing distances) and firearm's weight is distributed between the user's support hand and shoulder. The bracing distance creates a compromise between the extreme weapon control of a large bracing distance with a lighter load reaction on the support hand with torso rotation for CQC, even though a larger body's moment of inertia with extended arm increases torso and legs energy consumption; and the stability of a small bracing distance (elbow closer to the body) with static torso and steady weapon for accurate long distance shooting, even though having support hand closer to the firearm's center of gravity renders heavier supported weight reaction; and an intermediate bracing distance for everything else. This compromise is exacerbated by the continuously changing circumstances in modern combat and highly mobile shooting games where milliseconds count.
Currently, shooters are limited to use a vertical, single slope or articulated foregrips then they have to settle adapting their support hand to one mission with a fixed single geometry and bracing position along the handguard; or, consume critical time under high stress and risk adjusting foregrip's geometry, in any case, forcing the hand to remain in the same position, therefore, any other optimal use of the weapon is compromised.
Moreover, shooters are required to add other accessories to the weapon to add aiming stability:
However, this is achieved by adding weight to the firearm's worst place. In general, it is recommended to minimize the weight of the weapon, especially to avoid attaching heavy accessories close to the front end of the weapon since weapon's moment of inertia will increase (equivalent to mass in rotational movements), therefore, increasing energy consumption for weapon control and slowing it down.
In yet another aspect of the art, shooters use an over the shoulder or across the chest long sling to carry their weapon over long distances or for mobility4; as the target approaches the weapon is handled over one of the ready positions and finally mounted to start aiming; and if needed, under high stress and risk, transferred to the other shoulder, expend critical time getting in and out of aiming aids such as the bicep cuff or the hasty sling, adjusting the sling length or fishing to grab the rifle; all of this using quite awkward, inefficient, limiting and cumbersome procedures that must be mastered. To alleviate this aspect, numerous carry styles, sling configurations, designs, and procedures have been created considering some of the following factors:
Hanging a firearm with a strap seems a very elemental issue, however improving the art addressing all factors, just mentioned, has proven to be a major challenge.
Lastly, it is common knowledge that firearms are used under the most extreme and rigorous conditions, therefore, the firearm and its accessories must be simple, robust, capable, reliable and easy to operate under all conditions the firearm is used; ideally, with reduced training and maintenance.
The enhanced foregrip subject of this patent offers 9 distinct ergonomic plus 4 improved conventional grip positions and 35 firearm control hand techniques to facilitate optimal fitting of the firearm to the user based on the different situational uses or missions, and the users' body makeup, stance, preferences, and their current physical characteristics; being reliable and simple, since its optimum use is reduced to change hand position and taking advantage of the simplest fatigue relief that is to change the angles of the wrist without losing weapon control1. Independently from the mission, the ergonomic multiple support hand grip positions offer a more neutral wrist, elbow and shoulder posture that would maximize control and force production potential of the joints muscles, at the end rendering faster response and wider movement range for a longer time. In addition, the foregrip can be used as a barricade stop or rested on a surface as a monopod.
Even more, the foregrip subject of this patent integrates a single effective multi-mission Quick Draw Carry System (QDCS) that improves safety, deployment, mobility4, endurance, mounting, shoulder transitions, reload and feeding stoppage remediation, furthermore, provides unobstructed access to the secondary gun at any time during the mission and reduces interferences and training.
Therefore, the foregrip and the QDCS subject of this patent would improve safety, survivability, shooting accuracy, consistency, weapon control and recoil mitigation by means of a well-positioned support hand and a fully available rested firing hand for the best trigger control possible for both the primary and the secondary weapons and very simplified training. Certainly, the enhanced foregrip subject of this patent would be an innovative tactical advantage for civilian, law enforcement, military, recreational and professional users.
Lastly, the foregrip subject of this patent doesn't add excessive weight to the front end of the weapon, doesn't use time-consuming adjusting procedures under high stress and risk, doesn't need to use tools, and doesn't add mechanisms or parts prone to failure.
The detailed description of the Invention will be divided in the following sections:
A typical long barreled firearm, see
The foregrip described herein is a unitary body comprising a bi-dimensional closed loop layout created with smoothly connected curved profiles, with dimensions to match various sizes of hands, comprised by the following zones outlining the external surfaces of the foregrip: (Refer to
The front-end zone (1Z) comprises 3 useful profiles: 1. Top horizontal flat (1H) representing a flat surface used to attach the foregrip to the handguard, 2. Front rounded (1F) has a very steep slope angle ending vertically, and 3. Rear rounded (2F) a curve close to 90 degrees. The rear upper zone (3Z) comprises five (5) profiles 1. A top horizontal flat (2H) representing a flat surface used to attach the foregrip to the handguard, 2. A front rounded (1U) sloped with a steep angle, 3. A rounded smooth sloped profile (2U), 4. A steep angle profile (4U) to create the wider sloped bridge relief, and 5. A back curve sloped slightly forward (3U). The rear lower zone (4Z) like a pistol grip with four (4) profiles: 1. A front distal profile (1L), 2. The back proximal profile (2L), 3. A recessed rounded profile (4L), and 4. A bottom horizontal flat profile (3L) representing a flat surface. The bridge zone (2Z) is comprised of four (4) rounded profiles: 1. A lower rounded profile (3F) close to the front end, 2. A lower rounded profile (3B) close to the rear end, and 3. A lower rounded profile (1B) to the middle, and 4. The upper smooth slope profile of the bridge (2B). The foregrip is a 3D solid body; its external surface is created connecting several cross sections where front end, rear upper end, rear lower end, and the bridge has a plurality of at least substantially oval cross-sections with their major axis or minor axis extending between their own profiles previously described. The surfaces that generate the lofted 3D solid object have a typical section of two offset ellipses to create a shelled body with multiple ergonomic grips. The foregrip is comprised of two symmetrical halves attached together making it an ambidextrous accessory.
The foregrip described, herein, can be mounted directly on M-LOK (see
A secondary version with built-in clamps in the front end and the rear end comprising a profile matching the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail platform (see
The foregrip material can be a high strength polymer, composite or a lightweight alloy. The surface finish of the foregrip is knurled or texturized or may be of a tactile polymeric material, such as an over-molded rubberized grip to improve gripping, reduce slipping and incorporate tactile marks for consistency. In manufacture, the foregrip can be made by any suitable method, including but not limited to injection molding, 3D printing, stamping, forging, casting, machining, welding, and soldering. The foregrip two symmetrical halves can be attached together by mechanical fasteners or bonded together by chemical or thermal means.
The foregrip, configured as described herein, enables in one single unit the utilization of the handguard or angled fore-end grips with slopes ranging from smooth to very steep and with bracing distances resulting from fully extended arm to elbow very close to the body, providing the following thirteen (13) distinct support hand grip positions for a total of (35) hand techniques gathered in following three (3) groups: (refer to
Group 1—For those who prefer supporting the firearm with the hand against the handguard, the foregrip described herein doesn't inhibit this practice, on the contrary, it provides guide stops for consistency: 3 positions, 12 techniques.
Group 2—Support hand on ergonomic sloped grip: 9 positions, 22 techniques.
Group 3—Other support arrangements: One position, one technique:
For all missions and carrying, the foregrip described herein provides shooters an ample set of options to locate the supporting hand optimized for all missions and carrying the firearm and to reduce fatigue and improve the mission result: (Refer to
The foregrip allows to simultaneously apply enough force to the foregrip sitting the weapon against the user's shoulder or pushing forward to stabilize firearms without buttstock along a line 3.5″-6.5″ below and offset of the bore axis, to effectively withstand the recoil and muzzle raise momentums to mitigate recoil, and would allow dedicating the rested and relaxed strong hand to trigger control. See Table 1.
Traditionally, to be able to aim effectively, speed and CQC rifle shooters must use the weak hand, with the fully extended arm, to support the rifle's fore-end at shoulder level and very close to the handguard axis using only friction (inline grip). This is an awkward posture with a low bearing capacity, shooters must expend extra energy and quickly fatigue, the muscle starts vibrating, shaking and hurting; rendering at the end ineffective weapon control and recoil mitigation, and shooting accuracy is degraded.
The compromised joints are the support hand wrist, elbow and shoulder.
A neutral (ideal) posture of a joint is achieved when:
A posture is considered “awkward” when it moves away from the neutral posture towards the limits of the range of motion. Why should an awkward posture be avoided?
The foregrip subject of this patent provides 9 nine distinct support hand grip positions (Theoretically, they can't be counted) that reduce the awkward posture of elbow, shoulder and wrist joints that result of holding a rifle at shoulder height as follows, see Table 1 and
Shooters should find their preferred set of foregrip positions, factoring their body makeup, stance, current gear, and main mission, to achieve the most neutral posture wrist, elbow and shoulder (halfway of the articulation range of motion) reducing muscle strain, fatigue, vibration and shaking, and maximizing control and force production potential of the joints muscles; therefore, obtaining faster response and wider weapon control range, and improving shooting accuracy, consistency, endurance and mission results; this is a very innovative tactical advantage.
In fact, the positions for general-purpose and long-distance shooting would become a much better alternative in extended CQC engagements.
For more aiming stability: The foregrip front end surface (1F) can be pushed against a barricade using the foregrip as a barricade stop, or the rear end surface (3L) can be rested on the floor or other suitable surface using foregrip as a monopod, or surface (3B) on a barricade, bench, sandbag or bench block.
The foregrip described herein, enables a very efficient, multi-mission, highly ergonomic and convenient Quick Draw Carry System (QDCS) for long-barreled firearms that enhances firearm safety, deployment, carrying, mounting, reloading and feeding stoppage remediation, as well as, user's survivability, mobility, and endurance.
The Quick Draw Carry System described herein, is designed as an integrated whole, such that, all its components interact, interdepend, work together and enhance the others' functions and features. The QDCS comprises four (4) components, see
The QDCS sling is one of the two-points type, being short, simple, light, rigid and with length adjustment in one end. Basically, any type of sling will work, preferably, the sling has the adjustable length buckle that remains in the same position regardless of how loose or tight the sling is; the ends have quick-connect swivel terminals or another adequate connection method most suitable to the firearm to be set up and user's preference. See
Some trial and error may be involved to set the position of foregrip along the handguard, considering handguard length limitations, body makeup, long distance and close-range shooting missions, and magwell clearance for reloads. The handguard, for the AR platform, minimum length to support all available positions is 12.3″. See
The QDCS sling is configured attaching the sling end-point with length adjustability to the receiver end plate, and the other end connecting the buttstock's side by its heel (for a right-hander the same side as ejection port, connector attached with a right-hand half twist). Basically, the sling is confined within the buttstock, attaching it using two points separated approximately the buttstock's length.
Sling length should allow performing all carrying and handling procedures; no further in field adjustments will be required, except the mini hasty sling, see stowing procedure.
QDCS doesn't inhibit user to switch to a conventional 2-point sling configuration provided that at least one sling end-point and the sling length can be changed in the field, although this doesn't provide any advantage over the QDCS.
Besides, QDCS sling provides a safe and efficient method to store rifles vertically using a simple hanger on a wall.
This improved QDCS confines the long-barreled firearm in front of and across the user's chest with firing grip pointing upwards and the muzzle pointing down and towards user's weak side and comfortably distributes weapon's weight between the foregrip grabbed by the support hand and the two-point sling, described and configured herein, wrapped around the neck. Support hand grabs foregrip, the subject of this patent using a very neutral posture, in one of the eight (8) options listed in Hand Positions claim 7 item D to fine tune: Mission, wrist posture, weight distribution, muzzle, and buttstock position. See
Sling length should be adjusted as short as possible before the mission, wearing full gear and still being able to perform all carrying and handling procedures comfortably; no further adjustments will be required, except the two methods to organize a mini hasty sling, five (5) points of contact, where the sling adjustment buckle will be needed, see stowing procedure.
The Quick Draw Carrying System (QDCS) described herein, would streamline the procedures to handle firearms; certainly, the QDCS would smoothen the training path. Following procedure specifications apply to the AR-15, AR-10, M16, M4 platforms, similar procedures can be developed to most other magazine feed platforms.
Response Time from carrying to firing is shorter than drawing a pistol and almost as fast than the muzzle down ready position. Particularly hunters, left-handed and female shooters, operators carrying chest gear and users of extra-long rifles would take advantage of it. Because of its nature, QDCS offers a safer alternative to maneuver within crowded groups than both ready positions, the user always keeps full muzzle awareness8 and never loses sight of the target.
Start with the Quick Draw Carrying position, support hand grabs foregrip as per item h) of the previous procedure:
Most likely the buttstock would be shouldered and leveled at the correct aiming elevation. Users in high alert might be grabbing buttstock saving time. Apply Standing Posture Best Practices6.
Attempting to grab firing grip instead may cause chest rig interference and lost target sight, and hand grabbing firing grip would result in an awkward posture. With just adjusting the sling tension a mini hasty sling can be configured see
(American—European—African—Hasty—Bicep cuff—3PS—)
There are two ways to stow the weapon away, improving the degree of retention and freeing up both hands, for example, climbing, handcuffing, low (belly) crawling, running, carrying or pulling a load. This procedure is impossible using a single point sling (1PS) without adding supplemental hardware and manipulations.
First method—Weapon would rest on the back and follow its movements: See
Alternate method—Firearm buttstock would tuck in by the weak side armpit: See
Thread weak arm through the sling
(1PS—)
The QDCS enables a unique very safe and efficient ambidextrous kneeling reload and feeding stoppage remediation for most magazine feed firearms. See Reload Feeding Stoppage Remediation7
In the current art, reload and feeding stoppage remediation uses firing hand to support firearm's entire weight, therefore, disabling secondary weapon's, and creating unstable, obtrusive and awkward workspaces. Worst of all, it makes the standing operator vulnerable and worst of all, helpless.
The QDCS RFSR, the kneeling position enables to hold the weapon's weight between thigh and neck leaving both hands available to be used on a very stable and accessible workspace and keeping available the QDCS fast deployment of the secondary weapon. The QDCS RFSR is very safe leaving muzzle down and firing hand off the grip, in fact, firing hand purpose changes to assist the work done by the support hand. Furthermore, the kneeling position makes the shooter easier to cover and a target harder to hit.
Firing grip points up to create an excellent workspace exposing ejection port, bolt carrier position, chamber, ejection chamber, magazine well, and offers a very good posture to use the AR standard magazine release, bolt catch, and charging handle; it would reduce the need for ambidextrous enhancements to those parts; also it opens access to chest and weak side rig and eliminates magazine reorientation for insertion/storage.
Furthermore, it would extend the time between malfunction of recycled magazines that are the cause of most feeding stoppages. Magazines' operation should be checked before the mission as any other part of the weapon system.
In the case of semi-automatic or fully automatic firearms, if the weapon stops reloading and the trigger is locked, the weapon is ready to be reloaded with a new full magazine or there is a feeding stoppage in progress.
The operator personal safety must take precedence before any other action is to be taken.
Necessary for dynamic situations looking for right or left cover standing or kneeling. There are two methods without the sling interference and manipulation like using 2PS and 3PS.
Full transition:
Quick transition:
One step: Support hand moves closer to magwell to allow manipulation, firing hand transfers buttstock above sling and down into the other side shoulder pocket. Good for just a few shots. This procedure is the same as for 1 Point Sling configurations.
(=1PS 2PS—3PS—)
The (QDCS) improvements over current art: carry styles, sling designs, sling configurations and procedures are categorized as follows:
Named styles and Sling type: 1PS, 2PS and 3PS, and Hasty sling and Bicep Cuff or Loop sling variants have marks for current art reference and comparison when applying.
Within the scope of this patent, Weapon Control is the action that starts with the support hand holding up the foregrip subject of this patent, located towards the front end of a long-barreled firearm, to provide a stable support to the weapon's front end weight, and with a good purchase of the foregrip to ensure a controlled rotation while driving the muzzle up, down or sideways towards different targets and also, to roll weapon to handle canting shooting (off-axis) in awkward or nontraditional body positions like a rollover prone, all of this with the purpose of acquiring a target at the fastest speed possible, and ends keeping the desire sight alignment steady to get ready to fire. And, simultaneously applying enough force to sit the buttstock against the shoulder (mounting the weapon) or pushing forward to stabilize firearms without buttstock (also, serves for muzzle strikes) getting ready to mitigate recoil after shooting.
Within the scope of this patent, Recoil Mitigation or Management is the action that starts with the support hand holding up the foregrip subject of this patent and to simultaneously apply enough force to sit the weapon against the user's shoulder along a parallel line below and far from the bore axis to withstand, after shooting, the firearm recoil and muzzle raise momentums with the purpose of reacquiring the target at the fastest speed possible (or shot follow up), and ends keeping the desire sight alignment steady to get ready to fire again.
Within the scope of this patent, Close Quarters Combat, also known as CQB for Close Quarters Battle, is a very dynamic shooting at close range, urban and confined space engagement scenarios that will push the limits of Weapon Control and Recoil Mitigation to the highest level.
Lately, it is part of high-speed shooting games, like 3-gun competitions.
Within the scope of this patent, Mobility is the action that starts carrying the firearm while running at any speed, zigzagging with frequent stops avoiding obstacles, ending at the time to mount the weapon, for example running for cover.
Mobility would be improved upon the use of the foregrip subject of this patent within the Quick Draw Carry System (QDCS), also subject of this patent, because the QDCS achieves the appropriate body balance with free to move arms, weak arm supports one firearm's end, while running at high speed, with frequent stops and run, and in different directions to avoid obstacles. Furthermore, in the QDCS the foregrip and sling enhance endurance due to the neck support and available release of the firing hand stress. Finally, the QDCS doesn't inhibit the user to choose the conventional run with the weapon in the back neither with buttstock over the shoulder in the muzzle down ready position for lateral moves.
Within the scope of this patent, Natural Point of Aim or Zero Position is the neutral aiming posture that the body wants to maintain once the desired sight alignment is established. To find this posture begin aiming at the desired target, close eyes, move muzzle to right then center then to left and back to the start, open eyes, if sight alignment happens to be the same as the original one then you found the Natural Point of Aim for this shot. Otherwise, slightly relocating feet to rotate the body to realign muzzle or moving support hand closer along foregrip bridge or lowering hand grip along the rear end of the foregrip to raise muzzle or vice versa, check again until reaching it. This procedure will become second nature with conscious practice. Furthermore, its neutral ergonomic character minimizes muscle vibration, shaking and fatigue, and maximizes control and force production potential of the joints muscles for faster response and wider range weapon control, shooting accuracy, recoil mitigation, consistency, and endurance.
Within the scope of this patent, standing stance best practices are the foundation for accurate shots and to build the Ergonomic Natural Point of Aim posture faster and minimizing fatigue, muscle vibration, shaking and eventual pain, and energy consumption, furthermore, maximizing the potential of muscle control and force production in the standing stance.
Standing stance best practices:
Standing stance best practices are a balancing act of most factors supporting the firearm that can affect shooting result. Consider the following conditions:
From every point of view, current firearm reloading and feeding stoppage remediation in the standing position puts the operator in a quite vulnerable condition and worst of all, helpless; therefore, training firearm reload and feeding stoppage remediation standing supporting weapon with firing hand should be removed from shooting training manuals making such critical practices safer gaining a survival advantage.
Safety must be before everything else:
Omissions: Within the scope of this patent, trigger control, safety lever handling, firing, breathing, sight alignment, and shop malfunction mitigation details are not discussed, nonetheless, the practice of most of them will be improved upon the use of the foregrip described herein, rendering safety, efficiency, shooting accuracy and consistency, if their best practices are applied.
Moment of Inertia is omitted. A snapshot of its effect is apparent in figure skating spins, skater rotates around the body's center of gravity and can reduce rotational speed just hunching and opening arms to the side, and vice versa. For a rotating object with a given mass, the farthest the mass is from its center of rotation the largest the moment of inertia will become, therefore, opening arms the rotation slows down to conserve the momentum of the system. If the goal is to keep the speed up additional torque must be applied to counteract the increase of moment of inertia, doing so more energy will be consumed.
