Abstract:
A handgrip apparatus for firearm includes a hollow housing defining a handgrip surface and forming an enclosure. A fastener is connected to the housing for removably attaching the handgrip apparatus to a fore-end portion of a firearm. A retractable leg assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and includes a pair of pivoting legs usable as a bipod support when the leg assembly is in the extended position. In one aspect, one or more switches for controlling operation of one or more electronic devices are coupled to the handgrip apparatus. One or more connectors are electrically coupled to the one or switches and are adapted to be electrically coupled to one or more electronic devices. In another aspect, a handgrip apparatus having a pivoting attachment between the fastener and the housing positions is provided. In another aspect, a handgrip apparatus includes integrated conductors in the fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority, as a continuation-in-part type application, under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/084,942 filed Mar. 21, 2005, now pending, which properly claimed priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/555,279 filed Mar. 22, 2004. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a combination handgrip and bipod for firearm, as well as a method of supporting a firearm using same. The device in accordance with the present disclosure is convertible between a handgrip and a bi-pod or rest, and finds wide utility for use in connection with firearms, including without limitation, military and police use and training, hunting, target shooting, and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     A handgrip apparatus for firearm includes a hollow housing defining a handgrip surface and forming an enclosure. A fastener is connected to the housing for removably attaching the handgrip apparatus to a fore-end portion of a firearm. A retractable leg assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and includes a pair of pivoting legs usable as a bipod support when the leg assembly is in the extended position. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more switches for controlling operation of one or more electronic devices are coupled to the handgrip apparatus and one or more connectors are electrically coupled to the one or switches and are adapted to be electrically coupled to one or more electronic devices. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a handgrip apparatus having a pivoting attachment between the fastener and the housing positions is provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a removable handgrip according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the handgrip embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the handgrip embodiment appearing in  FIG. 1 , with the bipod assembly shown in the stored position. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , with the bipod leg assembly in the stored position. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , with the bipod leg assembly in the extended position. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan cross-sectional view taken along the lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken along the lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken along the lines  8 - 8  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken along the lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a preferred means for limiting rotation of the bipod leg assembly relative to the handgrip housing. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view an alternative leg assembly which may be employed with the handgrip embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary embodiment switch configuration. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a second exemplary embodiment switch configuration. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a removable handgrip is according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the handgrip embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the handgrip embodiment appearing in  FIG. 14 , with the bipod assembly shown in the stored position. 
         FIG. 17  is a plan cross-sectional view taken along the lines  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a rear elevational view of the handgrip embodiment appearing in  FIG. 14 , with the bipod assembly shown in the stored position. 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , with the bipod leg assembly in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 20  is a side cross-sectional view taken along the lines  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , with the bipod leg assembly in the extended position. 
         FIG. 22  is a side cross-sectional view taken along the lines  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a partially exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 14  embodiment illustrating a preferred means for limiting rotation of the bipod leg assembly relative to the handgrip housing. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a removable handgrip according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 , with the legs in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 26  is a side cross-sectional view taken along the lines  26 - 26  in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a bottom perspective view of a handgrip attached to a weapon rail interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the course of describing the hand grip embodiments herein, the is bottom of the device will refer to the lower end of the unit when the hand grip is in the generally vertical, operative position and the upper or top will refer to the opposite end, that is, the end that is proximate the firearm when the hand grip is attached to a firearm and in the generally vertical, operative position. 
     Referring to drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like or analogous components throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-10  depict a hand grip apparatus  10  includes a weapon mount or interface member  12  adapted to be removably mounted to the forearm portion of a firearm (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the preferred mounting member  12  depicted is adapted to be attached to a Picatinny rail interface (e.g., as specified in MIL-STD-1913). 
     The weapon mount  12  is shown somewhat generally and may be one of many variations of means for attachment to the MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail, including clamp, drawbar, thumbnut, and throw lever configurations, and the like. The weapon mount  12  may alternatively custom barrel or stanchion mounting portion. It will be recognized that the handgrip apparatus herein may be adapted for use with all manner firearms, including without limitation rifles, handguns, machine guns, mortars, etc., and all manner of weapon accessory mount rail interfaces or mounting systems. In a preferred embodiment, the weapon mount may be as described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. Alternatively, the weapon mount may employ a three-point clamp mechanism as described in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/855,928 filed on Nov. 1, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The mounting member  12  includes a pivot tongue  14  pivotally received within a pivot yoke  16  having a pair of opposing struts  17   a  and  17   b . A pivot lock and release assembly is provided to allow the hand grip  10  to pivot between a generally vertical or downwardly extending operative position and a folded position in which the hand grip extends in a direction generally parallel to the forearm portion of the firearm to which it is attached. In a preferred embodiment, when the handgrip is in the downward position, it is angled toward the user to minimize bending of the users wrist, preferably about 3-12 degrees is with respect to the barrel, and more preferably about 5 degrees. Thus, as used herein, such terms indicating orientation, such as “vertical,” “generally vertical,” “horizontal,” “generally horizontal,” and so forth, are intended to include such variations. 
     The pivot lock and release assembly includes a pivot locking member  18  including shaft portion  20  and an enlarged head portion  22 . The shaft portion  20  is received through an opening  24  in the strut  17   a  and an opening  26  in the pivot tongue  14  and defines a pivot axis about which the mounting member  12  rotates relative to the pivot yoke  16 . A pivot lock release button  28  is secured to the shaft  20  via a fastener  30  (e.g., a threaded fastener) and is received within opening  32  in the yoke  17   b . The release button  28  is urged to the locked position via a compression spring  33 , which may be for example a conical or cylindrical coil spring, or the like, and which is captured between the pivot lock release  28  and the tongue  14 . 
     The opening  26  is generally “+” shaped and can selectively engage the enlarged portion  22  of the pivot lock  18  in both the downward position and the folded position. In operation, pressing the button  28  against the urging of the spring  33  moves the enlarged portion  22  out of engagement with the opening  26 , thereby allowing the yoke  16  to pivot freely relative to the mounting member  12 . 
     In addition to converting between the vertical and folded positions via the pivot yoke  16 , the handgrip  10  also converts between a handgrip mode of operation and a bi-pod mode of operation. In the handgrip mode of operation, the handgrip  10  may used as a conventional, generally vertical hand grip, for example, in the case of a military rifle, wherein (for a right-handed marksman) the handgrip  10  is grasped by the left hand and a pistol grip of the firearm is grasped by the right hand, with the butt stock held against the right shoulder. 
     In the bi-pod mode of operation, the handgrip device  10  functions as a gun rest to support the front of the weapon above a support surface during targeting or shooting operations. While the bi-pod legs of the depicted embodiment may advantageously be employed to support the fore end of a firearm on the ground by a user in a prone position, it will be recognized that the is support legs may be used to support a firearm on any generally horizontal surface on which it may be desired to support a firearm, such as a tabletop, bench, floor, the ground, pavement, a vehicle surface, or the like. 
     The handgrip  10  additionally includes a handgrip housing  34 . The housing  34  may be made of any rigid material, and in a preferred embodiment is made from aluminum, more preferably lightweight aircraft aluminum. The handgrip housing  34  may include handgrip features  36  on its external surface, such as circumferential grooves, ridges, knurls, or other handgrip features on its external surface. In addition, the housing  34  may be textured, e.g., via sandblasting, to improve grip. Optionally, finger recesses and/or a soft or resilient material (not shown) to improve the user&#39;s grasp may be provided on the exterior surface of the housing  34 . 
     The handgrip housing  34  may be generally tubular and is open at the bottom end. The housing is substantially closed at or near the upper end and defines a cavity  38  at the upper end for receiving a circuit board  40 , such as a printed circuit board having conductive tracings, e.g., a printed circuit relief pattern, carrying one or more switches as discussed in greater detail below. The circuit board is received in a sealing plate  42  having a sealing gland or ring  44  received about the periphery of the sealing plate  42  to prevent ingress of moisture or other contaminants from entering the cavity  38 . 
     Threaded fasteners  46  pass through aligned openings  37  in the base of the cavity  38  and corresponding aligned openings in the sealing plate  42  and the circuit board  40  and rotatably engage aligned threaded openings  48  in the yoke  16  to secure the handgrip housing  34  thereto. Sealing rings  50  may be provided to prevent ingress of moisture via the openings  37 . 
     A collapsible leg assembly  52  includes first and second legs  54  pivotally attached to a piston member  56  slidably received within the interior of the housing  34 . A release button  58  slidably extends through an opening  60  in the housing  34 . The release button  58  includes an opening  62  and has a latch member  64  interiorly formed therein. As can best be seen in  FIG. 7 , which shows the leg assembly  52  retracted within the housing  34 , the leg assembly  52  is includes a hook member  66  releasably engaging the internal latch member  64 . 
     A spring flange or cup  67  is attached to or formed with the hook member  66  and receives a first end of a spring  68 , such as a conical or cylindrical (in the embodiment shown) coil spring. The second end of the spring  68  bears against the interior surface of the upper end of the housing  34 . In operation, when the release button  58  is depressed (e.g., against the urging of a captured spring (not shown), the latching member  64  is moved out of engagement with the hook  66 . The spring  68  then forces the spring flange  67  and the piston  56  downward toward the open end of the housing  34 . 
     An axial member  70  extends downwardly from the spring flange  67 , which may be integrally or separately formed with the spring flange  67  and/or hook member  66 . Two leg spreader arms  72  are pivotally attached at one end to the lower end of the axial member  70  and at the opposite end to one of the legs  54 . Downward movement of the axial member  70  relative to the piston  56  causes the spreader arms  72  to spread the bipod legs  54 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the bipod legs  54  are pivotally attached to the piston  56  via a pivot pin  55 . A torsion spring  57  or the like is positioned between the legs  54  to move the legs to the outward position when, during operation, the legs are moved out of the housing  34 . 
     An end cap or base ring  74  is attached to the lower end of the housing  34 , for example via internal threads rotatably engaging external threads formed on the housing  34 . The end cap includes an inwardly extending lip or shoulder  76  which engages the piston  56  and stops the downward motion thereof when the leg assembly  52  is extended. Alternatively, the end cap  74  may be secured to the housing via a number of fastener types, such as set screws, adhesives, clips, dogs, pawls, or the like, or combinations thereof. 
     To retract the bipod legs  54 , the legs are simply collapsed and reinserted into the housing  34 , against the bias of the spring  68 , wherein the hook  66  engages the latch member  64 . The legs  54  in the depicted embodiment include inverted feet  78 , which allow the legs  54  and feet  78  to be completely received within the housing  34 . Alternatively, pivoting feet may be attached to the legs, for example, as described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. The lower surface of the feet  78  may be grooved or otherwise textured to prevent slippage on the support surface. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the piston  56  and the interior axial wall of the housing  34  are not perfectly or completely round, but instead are shaped or keyed to prevent rotation of the leg assembly  52  relative to the housing  34 , or, more preferably, to limit the degree of relative rotation between the leg assembly  52  and the housing  34  to some specified amount. In the depicted embodiment, as best seen in  FIG. 10 , the piston  56  includes a flattened surface  57  at its periphery that corresponds to a like flattened surface  59  on the interior wall of the housing  34 . A similar keyed arrangement may be accomplished by a number of other methods, such as providing one or more protrusions on the piston  56  which slidingly mate with one or more corresponding aligned grooves or channels formed in the inner wall of the housing  34 . Alternatively, or additionally, one or more elongate projections on the inner wall of the housing  34  may slidingly engages one or more corresponding complimentary grooves in the piston  56  periphery. Likewise, any other mating, non-circular geometric configuration of the piston  56  and the housing  34  interior cross-sectional shape may be employed. 
     By close tolerencing of the dimensions of the housing  34  interior shape and the peripheral shape of the piston  56 , rotation of the leg assembly  52  relative to the housing  34  and thus, relative to the firearm, can be avoided, thereby ensuring that, when deployed, the legs will be in the proper orientation with respect to the firearm. That is, the legs will be spaced apart transversely with respect to the firearm axial direction. More preferably, however, the piston  56  peripheral shape is made slightly smaller or loose with respect to the housing interior shape, thereby allowing some play between the leg assembly  52  and the housing  34 . In this manner, some degree of rotation is permitted between the leg assembly  52  and the housing  34 . By selecting the dimensions of the piston with respect to the housing interior dimensions, any desired degree of rotation may be provided. Such relative rotation is advantageous in that it permits the weapon to be horizontally pivoted for aiming or targeting purposes without the need to move or shift the feet relative to the underlying support surface. 
     Alternatively, a circular piston  56  and housing interior shape may be provided and the relative rotation therebetween may be limited to a desired range via the placement of internal stop members, e.g., as described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. 
     The depicted preferred handgrip embodiment  10  includes integrated switches which may be used to actuate or control one or more electronic devices, such as one or more electronic devices or accessories mounted on the weapon. However, in alternative embodiments, the integrated switches may be omitted. In still other embodiments, such switches may be exteriorly mounted on the handgrip housing  34 , for example, as shown and described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. 
     The circuit board  40  includes a plurality of switches mounted thereon for the selective actuation or control of one or more electronic accessories. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , in the depicted embodiment, the circuit board  40  includes switches S- 1 -S- 5 . The switches S- 1 -S- 5  are preferably magnetically actuated switch devices, most preferably magnetic reed switches, although other magnetic switch devices such as relays, Hall effect devices, etc. are also contemplated. Of course, other types of switches, such as a mechanical contact switches, e.g., as toggle, sliding contact, rocker actuator, push button switches, may be employed as well, but are less desirable because they pose additional sealing requirements to prevent entry of moisture or environmental contaminants. In still other embodiments, logic controlled switches may be employed. 
     A device selector  82  is slidable to selectively open or close the switches S- 1 , S- 2 , and S- 3 . In the depicted embodiment employing magnetic reed switches, the selector  82  carries a magnet  84 . The magnetic reed switches are of the normally open type and close when the magnet  84  is moved into alignment therewith. The device selector  82  slidably moves in a slot  86 . Notches  88  or like features are provided in the slot  86  to retain the selector  82  at a desired position. 
     When the selector  82  carrying the magnet  84  is moved from alignment with the switch S- 3  and into alignment with the switch S- 1 , the switch S- 1  is closed. Likewise, when the selector  82  is moved from alignment with the switch S- 3  and into alignment with the switch S- 2 , the switch S- 2  is closed. 
     A left device actuator  90  carrying a magnet  92  is slidably movable in a slot  94 . One or more compression springs  96 , e.g., conical or cylindrical coil springs, normally bias the actuator  90  so that the magnet  92  is moved out of alignment with the switch S- 4  causing the switch S- 4  to be open. When the actuator  90  is moved against the bias of the spring(s)  96  so that the magnet  92  is aligned with the switch S- 4 , the switch S- 4  closes. 
     A right device actuator  100  carrying a magnet  102  is slidably movable in a slot  104 . One or more compression springs  106  normally bias the actuator  100  so that the magnet  102  is moved out of alignment with the switch S- 5  causing the switch S- 5  to be open. When the actuator  100  is moved against the bias of the spring(s)  106  so that the magnet  102  is aligned with the switch S- 5 , the switch S- 5  closes. 
     The bias of the springs  96 ,  106  allows each of the actuators  90  and  100  to be operated as momentary switches. A notch or detent in the slots  94 ,  104  may be provided to allow the actuators to catch in the on position. The actuators may be released by moving the actuators  90 ,  100  out of the respective notch or detent. 
     First and second device connector cables  110  and  112 , respectively, are electrically coupled to the circuit board  40  via conductor cabling  111  and include electrical connectors  114  and  116 , respectively, for electronic coupling to a respective one of electronic accessory devices  120 ,  122  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In the depicted embodiment, the electronic devices  120  and  122  may advantageously be a laser device such as a laser sighting device and a light source for target illumination, such as tactical flashlight. 
     A schematic diagram showing an exemplary switch circuit when the selector  82  is in the central position is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In operation, when the selector  82  is moved into alignment with the switch S- 1 , the switch S- 1  is closed and the switch S- 3  is opened and either one of the left actuator  90  and the right actuator  100  may be employed to selectively actuate the first device  120 . When the selector  82  is moved into alignment with the switch S- 2 , either one of the left actuator  90  and the right actuator  100  may be employed to selectively actuate the second device  122 . In this manner, the selected device may be actuated in like fashion by both left- and right-handed marksmen. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12 , the left and right actuators  90  and  100  and aligned switches S- 4  and S- 5 , respectively, are inoperative to select either of the devices  120  or  122  when the selector  82  is moved into the center position to close the switch S- 3  and open the switches S- 1  and S- 2 . 
     In an alternative, preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 17 , the single switch S- 3  of the  FIG. 12  embodiment is replaced with two reed switches S- 3   a  and S- 3   b , which are normally open and which are both closed by the proximity of the magnet  84  when the selector  82  is in the central position. In operation, when the selector  82  is moved into alignment with the switch S- 1 , the switches S- 3   a  and S- 3   b  are opened and the switch S- 1  is closed. Either one of the left actuator  90  and the right actuator  100  may then be employed to selectively actuate the first device  120 . When the selector  82  is moved into alignment with the switch S- 2 , the switches S- 3   a  and S- 3   b  are opened and either one of the left actuator  90  and the right actuator  100  may be employed to selectively actuate the second device  122 , as described above. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 , each of the left and right actuators  90  and  100  and aligned switches S- 4  and S- 5 , respectively, are operative to simultaneously actuate both of the devices  120  and  122  when the selector  82  is moved into the central position to open the switches S- 1  and S- 2  and to close the switches S- 3   a  and S- 3   b . It will be recognized that myriad other switch is configurations may be employed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-23 , a handgrip apparatus  10   a  includes a weapon mount or interface member  12  adapted to be removably mounted to a Picatinny rail interface. The interface member  12  includes a lever  200  pivoting about a pivot pin  202  and having a cam surface  204  that bears against a rail grabber  206  for securing the handgrip to a rail interface. Alternative mounting systems as described above are also contemplated. 
     The handgrip  10   a  additionally includes a handgrip housing  34  and may include handgrip features  36  on its external surface, such as circumferential grooves, ridges, knurls, or other handgrip features on its external surface. Also, the housing  34  may be textured, e.g., via sandblasting, to improve grip. Optionally, finger recesses and/or a soft or resilient material (not shown) to improve the user&#39;s grasp may be provided on the exterior surface of the housing  34 . 
     The handgrip housing  34  may be generally tubular and is open at the bottom end. The housing is substantially closed at or near the upper end and defines a cavity  38  at the upper end for receiving a circuit board  40 , carrying one or more switches as detailed above. The circuit board is received in a sealing plate  42  having a sealing gland or ring  44  received about the periphery thereof. 
     Threaded fasteners  46  pass through aligned openings  37  in the base of the cavity  38  and corresponding aligned openings in the sealing plate  42  and the circuit board  40  and rotatably engage aligned threaded openings  48  in the interface member  12  to secure the handgrip housing  34  thereto. Sealing rings  50  may be provided to prevent ingress of moisture via the openings  37 . 
     A collapsible leg assembly  52  is received within the housing  34  and may be as described above by way of reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . Alternative leg assemblies, such as the leg assembly of  FIG. 11  are also contemplated. 
     An end cap or base ring  74  is attached to the lower end of the housing  34 , for example via internal threads rotatably engaging external threads formed on the housing  34  or other fastener. The end cap includes an inwardly extending lip or shoulder  76  which engages the piston  56  and stops the downward motion thereof when the leg assembly  52  is extended. An O-ring  75  may disposed about the base ring  74 . 
     To retract the bipod legs  54 , the legs are simply collapsed and reinserted into the housing  34 , against the bias of the spring  68 , wherein the hook  66  engages the latch member  64 . The legs  54  in the depicted embodiment include inverted feet  78 , which allow the legs  54  and feet  78  to be completely received within the housing  34 . Alternatively, pivoting feet may be attached to the legs, for example, as described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. 
     In the depicted preferred embodiment, the piston  56  and the interior axial wall of the housing  34  are shaped or keyed, e.g., via aligned complimentary features  57  and  59 , respectively, to prevent and/or limit the rotation of the leg assembly  52  relative to the housing  34 , as described above, to ensure proper orientation of the leg assembly  52  relative to the housing and/or permit some degree of rotation of the leg assembly relative to the housing  34 . 
     Alternatively, a circular piston  56  and housing interior shape may be provided and the relative rotation therebetween may be limited to a desired range via the placement of internal stop members, e.g., as described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. 
     The depicted preferred handgrip embodiment  10   a  includes integrated switches which may be used to actuate or control one or more electronic devices, such as one or more electronic devices or accessories mounted on the weapon. However, in alternative embodiments, the integrated switches may be omitted. In still other embodiments, such switches may be exteriorly mounted on the handgrip housing  34 , for example, as shown and described in the aforementioned Ser. No. 11/084,942. 
     The circuit board  40  includes a plurality of switches, such as S- 1 -S- 5  as detailed above with respect to  FIG. 12  or  13 . A device selector  82  and left and right actuators  90  and  100 , respectively, as detailed above may be provided for actuating one or more weapon-mounted accessories. 
     First and second device connector cables  110  and  112 , is respectively, are electrically coupled to the circuit board  40  via conductor cabling  111  and include electrical connectors  114  and  116 , respectively, for electronic coupling to a respective electronic accessory device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24-27 , there appears a third embodiment hand grip device  10   b , which is as described above by way of reference to the device  10   a , but wherein the electronic connectors  114  and  116  and cables  110  and  112  are omitted and replaced with electrical contacts  220  in the interface member  12 . The contacts  220  engage conductors  222  formed on the weapon rail interface  224 . The conductors  222 , in turn, are electrically coupled to the accessory device or devices to be operated. The handgrip device  10   b  may be used with a circuit-carrying rail interface system as described in U.S. provisional application No. 60/879,923, filed on Jan. 11, 2007, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.