Abstract:
A grip is disclosed. The grip comprises a base portion; a grip portion pivotably connected to the base portion for arrangement in one of: a deployed orientation, a stowed orientation and an intermediate orientation, wherein the grip portion includes a first, inner body, and a second, outer body, wherein the second, outer body is movably- and telescopingly-connected to the first, inner body; and a locking assembly arranged within and at least partially contained by the grip portion, wherein a portion of the locking assembly is selectively-extendable in one of an orientation within the grip portion and beyond an outer surface of the grip portion for selective coupling of the portion of the locking assembly with the base portion. A method for operating a grip is also disclosed. An assembly is also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates to a foregrip. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Foregrips are known in the art. Improvements to foregrips are continuously being sought in order to advance the art. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary foregrip. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the foregrip of  FIG. 1A  in an adjusted orientation. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the foregrip of  FIG. 1A  according to line  2 A- 2 A. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the foregrip according to  FIG. 2A  in a partially adjusted orientation. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the foregrip according to  FIG. 2B  in a partially adjusted orientation. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the foregrip according to  FIG. 2C  in another partially adjusted orientation. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2E  is a cross-sectional view of the foregrip of  FIG. 1B  according to line  2 E- 2 E 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a view of the foregrip of  FIG. 1A  attached to a firearm. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a view of the foregrip of  FIG. 1B  attached to a firearm. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The figures illustrate an exemplary implementation of a foregrip. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1A-1B  and  3 A- 3 B illustrate an exemplary foregrip shown generally at  10 . In FIGS.  1 A/ 3 A, the foregrip  10  is shown configured in first orientation whereas, in FIGS.  1 B/ 3 B, the foregrip  10  is shown configured in a second orientation that is different from that of the first orientation. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the foregrip  10  may include a base portion  12  and a grip portion  14 . The grip portion  14  is pivotably-coupled to the base portion  12  by way of, for example, a pivot pin  16 , fastener, bolt or the like. 
         [0016]    In an implementation, the “first orientation” of the foregrip  10  of FIGS.  1 A/ 3 A may be referred to as an “extended/deployed” orientation whereas, the “second orientation” of the foregrip  10  in FIGS.  1 B/ 3 B may be referred to as a “collapsed/stowed” orientation. The use of the terms extended/deployed and collapsed/stowed may, in an implementation, arise from a frame of reference/attachment of the foregrip  10  to, for example, another device, such as, for example, a firearm, F (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3A-3B ). 
         [0017]    Further, in some implementations, the foregrip  10  may be referred to as a “grip.” In the illustrated implementation of  FIGS. 3A-3B , the grip  10  is shown mounted to the firearm, F, in a forward orientation with respect to a handle-grip (not shown) of the firearm, F, that may be proximate a trigger (not shown); accordingly, because of the forward orientation of the grip  10  with respect to the handle-grip/trigger, the grip  10  may be referred to as a “foregrip.” Irrespective of a particular location of the device described in the present disclosure, the device may be referred to a “grip,” “foregrip” or the like, as desired. 
         [0018]    As seen in  FIG. 3A , when the foregrip  10  is arranged in the extended/deployed orientation relative to the firearm, F, a grip portion axis, A 14 -A 14 , may be axially aligned with the grip portion  14 , and, may, for example, substantially perpendicularly traverse a firearm axis, A F -A F , extending along, for example, a barrel portion, F B , of the firearm, F. As seen in  FIG. 3B , when the foregrip  10  is arranged in the collapsed/stowed orientation relative to the firearm, F, the grip portion axis, A 14 -A 14 , may, for example, not be arranged substantially perpendicularly with respect to or traverse the firearm axis, A F -A F , extending along, for example, the barrel portion, F B , of the firearm, F, but, rather, be arranged, for example, substantially in parallel with the firearm axis, A F -A F . 
         [0019]    Although shown attached to a firearm, F, the foregrip  10  is not limited to be attached to a device, F, that launches relatively small projectiles such as, for example, bullets, paint balls, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the foregrip  10  may be attached to, for example, a cross-bow that launches, for example, arrows. Further, the foregrip  10  is not limited to being attached to projectile-launching devices, and, may alternatively be attached to any device, such as, for example, a power tool. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the base portion  12  may generally include a head portion  18  and a neck portion  20  (see FIGS.  1 B and  2 A- 2 E). The neck portion  20  includes a passage  22  (see  FIGS. 2A-2E ) that permits insertion of the pivot pin  16  for pivotably-connecting the base portion  12  to the grip portion  14 . 
         [0021]    The head portion  18  may at least partially form a quick-disconnect device  24 . Functionally, the quick-disconnect device  24  permits a quick and simple detachment/attachment of the foregrip  10  to the firearm, F. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the quick-disconnect device  24  may include a first clamp portion  26  and a second clamp portion  28  that collectively form a channel  30  including a geometry that corresponds to, for example, a Picatinny rail, F R  ( FIGS. 3A-3B ), of the firearm, F. The second clamp portion  28  is movably-arranged with respect to a fixed orientation of the first clamp portion  26  in order to enlarge/reduce the width geometry of the channel  30  for permitting detachment/attachment of the foregrip  10  to the firearm. 
         [0023]    Movement of the second clamp portion  28  with respect to the first clamp portion  26  is conducted by way of rotational movement of a lever  32 . According to the illustrated orientation of the quick-disconnect device  24  of  FIGS. 1A-1B , the lever  32  is shown in an “open position” such that the second clamp portion  28  has been adjusted to at least a partial “open orientation” with respect to the fixed orientation of the first clamp portion  26 ; as a result, an enlarged spacing, S, between the first clamp portion  26  and the second clamp portion  28  is provided. The open orientation of the quick-disconnect device  24  may permit, for example, the foregrip  10  to be detached from the Picatinny rail, F R , of the firearm, F. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the grip portion  14  may generally include a first, inner body  34  and a second, outer body  36  that telescopingly-receives the first, inner body  34 . In order to permit the foregrip  10  to be adjusted from the extended/deployed orientation of  FIG. 1A  to the collapsed/stowed orientation of  FIG. 1B , the second, outer body  36  is initially moved (e.g., pulled) according to the direction of the arrow, D 1  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1A and 2A ). 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2E , a locking assembly is shown generally at  100  according to an embodiment. The locking assembly  100  may functionally permit the grip portion  14  to be locked (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2A ,  2 E) relative to the base portion  12  in one of the extended/deployed orientation of  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A and the collapsed/stowed orientation of  FIG. 1B ,  2 E. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the locking assembly  100  is disposed within and is at least partially contained by the grip portion  14 . In an embodiment, the locking assembly  100  may be disposed within a bore  38  formed by one or more of the first, inner body  34  and the second, outer body  36 . An end cap  40  may be connected to, for example, an end of the second, outer body  36  opposite that of the base portion  12  for closing-out the bore  38 . 
         [0027]    In an implementation, the locking assembly  100  includes a carrier body  102 , a stop ring  104 , a tension spring  106 , a stop cap  108 , a locking wedge  110  and a locking wedge fastener  112 . The carrier body  102  includes a substantially tubular body  114  having a first threaded outer surface portion  116   a  and a second threaded outer surface portion  116   b . In an embodiment, the first, outer threaded surface portion  116   a  may be located proximate a first, upper end  102   a  of the carrier body  102  and the second, outer threaded surface portion  116   b  may be located proximate a second, lower end  102   b  of the carrier body  102 . 
         [0028]    The second, outer body  36  of the grip portion  14  may include a radially-inwardly projecting annular ledge  42 . The annular ledge  42  may include an inner threaded surface  44  that permits the second, outer body  36  to be threadingly-coupled to the second, outer threaded surface portion  116   b  of the carrier body  102 . 
         [0029]    The stop ring  104  includes an upper surface  118 , a lower surface  120  and an outer threaded surface portion  122 . The annular ledge  42  includes an upper surface  46  that may be disposed adjacent and support the lower surface  120  of the stop ring  104 . 
         [0030]    The first, inner body  34  of the grip portion  14  may include an outer surface portion  48  and an inner threaded surface  50 . The outer threaded surface portion  122  of the stop ring  104  may be threadingly-coupled to the inner threaded surface  50  of the first inner body  34 . 
         [0031]    The stop cap  108  includes an outwardly-facing surface portion  124  and a plurality of inwardly-facing, stepped surface portions  126  formed by stepped surfaces  126   a - 126   e . The stepped surfaces  126   a - 126   e  include: a first threaded surface portion  126   a , a first ledge surface portion  126   b , a first non-threaded surface portion  126   c , a second ledge surface portion  126   d  and a second non-threaded surface portion  126   e.    
         [0032]    The first threaded surface portion  126   a  is substantially perpendicularly connected to the first ledge surface  126   b . The first ledge surface portion  126   b  is substantially perpendicularly connected to the first non-threaded surface portion  126   c . The first non-threaded surface portion  126   c  is substantially perpendicularly connected to the second ledge surface portion  126   d . The second ledge surface portion  126   d  is substantially perpendicularly connected to the second non-threaded surface portion  126   e.    
         [0033]    The first threaded surface portion  126   a  may be threadingly-coupled to the first, outer threaded surface portion  116   a  of the carrier body  102 . The first ledge surface  126   b  may be disposed adjacent the first, upper end  102   a  of the carrier body  102 . The first non-threaded surface portion  126   c  may form an annular cavity that accommodates a head portion  130  of the locking wedge fastener  112 . The second ledge surface portion  126   d  may be disposed adjacent or opposite a surface portion  132  of the head portion  130  of the locking wedge fastener  112 . The second non-threaded surface portion  126   e  forms a passage  134  extending through the stop cap  108 . The passage  134  permits a stem portion  136  of the locking wedge fastener  112  to extend through the passage  134  and beyond an upper surface portion  138  of the stop cap  108 . 
         [0034]    The locking wedge  110  includes a lower surface  140 , an upper surface  142  and an outer surface  144  connecting the lower surface  140  to the upper surface  142 . The lower surface  140  of the locking wedge  110  may be disposed substantially adjacent the upper surface portion  138  of the stop cap  108 . 
         [0035]    The lower surface  140  of the locking wedge  110  may further define a threaded bore  146  extending into the locking wedge  110 . The threaded bore  146  may be coupled to a threaded outer surface  148  of the stem portion  136  of the locking wedge fastener  112  that extends through the passage  134  and beyond the upper surface portion  138  of the stop cap  108 . 
         [0036]    Each of the first inner body  34 , the carrier body  102 , the stop ring  104  and the stop cap  108  may be designed in a manner such that, upon threadingly-coupling the first inner body  34 , the carrier body  102 , the stop ring  104  and the stop cap  108  as described above, an annular bore  150  is formed that accommodates reception of the tension spring  106 . Accordingly, when arranged within the annular bore  150 , (1) a first end  106   a  of the tension spring  106  may be disposed adjacent a lower surface portion  152  of the stop cap  108 , (2) a second end  106   b  of the tension spring  106  may be disposed adjacent the upper surface  118  of the stop ring  104 , and (3) the tension spring  106  circumscribes the outer surface portion  116  of the carrier body  102 . 
         [0037]    Once the locking assembly  100  is disposed within the bore  38  formed by one or more of the first, inner body  34  and the second, outer body  36 , the end cap  40  is connected to the second, outer body  36  for closing-out the bore  38 . The connection of the end cap  40  to the second, outer body  36  may be accomplished by way of a threaded connected. For example, an inner surface  52  of the second, outer body  36  may include a threaded surface portion  54 , and, an outer surface  56  of the end cap  40  may include a threaded surface portion  58  that is threadingly-coupled to the threaded surface portion  54  of the second, outer body  36 . 
         [0038]    As will be described at  FIGS. 2A-2D , a threadingly-connected assembly  175  is defined by the connection of: (1) the end cap  40  to the second, outer body  36 , (2) the second, outer body  36  to carrier body  102 , (3) the carrier body  102  to the stop cap  108 , and (4) the stop ring  104  to the first, inner body  34 . Accordingly, as a result of the threadingly-connected assembly  175 , a user may grasp and pull, D 1 , on one or more of the end cap  40  and the second, outer body  36  in order to manipulate the locking assembly to/from an un/locked orientation in order to permit the foregrip  10  to be arranged in one of the extended/deployed orientation of  FIG. 1A  and the collapsed/stowed orientation of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0039]    Referring initially to  FIG. 2A , the tension spring  106  is shown in an expanded, at rest orientation within the annular bore  150  along with the locking wedge  110 , which may form a male portion  154 , being nested within a first recess  60   a  formed in the neck portion  20  of the base portion  12 . As a result of the male portion  154  being nested within the first recess  60   a , the foregrip  10  may be said to be locked in the extended/deployed orientation. 
         [0040]    As seen in  FIG. 2B , upon applying a pulling force, D 1  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2A ), to one or more of the end cap  40  and the second, outer body  36 , the pulling force, D 1 , causes movement of the following components of the threadingly-connected assembly  175 : (1) firstly, the threaded connection of the second, outer body  36  to the carrier body  102  causes the carrier body  102  to be moved according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , (2) secondly, the threaded connection of the carrier body  102  to the stop cap  108  causes the stop cap  108  to also be moved according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , (3) thirdly, because the locking wedge  110  is connected to the stop cap  108  by way of the locking wedge fastener  112 , upon moving the stop cap  108  according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , the locking wedge  110  is correspondingly-moved according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , such that the male portion  154  is no longer nested within the first recess  60   a . Upon retracting the male portion  154  from the first recess  60   a , the grip portion  14  may be said to be unlocked from the base portion  12 . 
         [0041]    As seen in  FIGS. 2A-2E , although part of the threadingly-connected assembly  175 , the stop ring  104  is not moved according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 ; the stop ring  104  remains statically-connected in a fixed orientation to the first, inner body  34  by way of the threadingly-connected surfaces  50 / 122  and is not movable according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 . As a result of the lack of movement of the stop ring  104  according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , the stop cap  108  pushed downwardly upon the tension spring  106  according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 , such that, as seen in  FIG. 2B , the tension spring  106  is changed in orientation from the expanded, at rest orientation within the annular bore  150  to a compressed orientation within the annular bore  150  against the stop ring  104 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , upon retracting the male portion  154  from the first recess  60   a  as described above, the grip portion  14  may be said to be unlocked from the base portion  12  such that the grip portion  14  may be permitted to pivot according to the direction of the arrow, D 2 , relative to the base portion  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 2C-2D , upon pivoting, D 2 , the grip portion  14 , the user may electively release the pulling force according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 . Upon pivoting, D 2 , the grip portion  14 , the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is no longer aligned with the first recess  60   a , but, rather, is aligned with an arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 . 
         [0043]    As described above, at any time during the pivoting, D 2 , of the grip portion  14 , the pulling force, D 1 , may be electively released. Referring to  FIG. 2C , upon electively releasing the pulling force, D 1 , energy that is stored by the compressed tension spring  106  is at least partially released according to the direction of the arrow, D 1 &#39;, which is opposite that of the arrow, D 1 . However, because the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is no longer aligned with the first recess  60   a , but, rather, is aligned with an arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 , the energy stored by the compressed tension spring  106  is at least partially released such that the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  is biased substantially adjacent to the arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 . Accordingly, because the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  may be arranged substantially adjacent the arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 , the energy stored by the compressed tension spring  106  is prohibited from being completely released upon a user electively releasing the pulling force, D 1 . Thus, as a result, the tension spring  106  may remain in at least partially compressed orientation within the annular bore  150  against the stop ring  104  as the grip portion  14  is pivoted, D 2 , relative to the base portion  12 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 2B-2D , when the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  is arranged substantially adjacent/opposite the arcuate surface portion  156  or not nested within a recess  60   a ,  60   b  formed in the neck portion  20 , the grip portion  14  may be said to be pivotally arranged in an “intermediate” orientation. The intermediate orientation may be an orientation of the grip portion  14  that is other than a locked orientation with the base portion  12 , or, between the extended/deployed orientation and the collapsed/stowed orientation. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2D , the grip portion  14  may be said to be approximately arranged in the collapsed/stowed orientation when the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is no longer aligned with the arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 , but, rather when the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is substantially aligned with a second recess  60   b  formed in the neck portion  20  of the base portion  12 . In an implementation, the first recess  60   a  and the second recess  60   b  may be offset by one another by approximately 90°; accordingly, the pivoting motion, D 2 , may be limited to be about 90°. 
         [0046]    As seen in  FIG. 2D , the tension spring  106  is illustrated as being in the compressed orientation within the annular bore  150 . The compressed orientation of the tension spring  106  may arise from the user still applying the pulling force, D 1 ; alternatively, the illustrated, compressed orientation of the tension spring  106  may arise from the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  being about but not completely substantially aligned with the second recess  60   b  formed in the neck portion  20 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 2E , the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is no longer aligned with aligned with an arcuate surface portion  156  of the neck portion  20 , but, rather, is aligned with the second recess  60   b . As a result of the arcuate surface portion  156  no longer impeding expansion of the compressed tension spring  106  and/or the user no longer applying the pulling force, D 1 , the tension spring  106  is permitted to expand and release energy such that the upper surface  142 /male portion  154  of the locking wedge  110  is driven into and registered within the second recess  60   b  such that the grip portion  14  may be said to be locked relative to the base portion  12 . 
         [0048]    A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.