Abstract:
A removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus and method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus mounts to an existing forestock of a weapon with an interference fit actuated by a single screw. The apparatus also includes a passage for receiving the barrel of a target illumination device. Resilient prongs are provided adjacent the rear of the passage to press the illumination device longitudinally along approximately the same axis as the weapon&#39;s barrel to prevent dislodgment upon movement of the weapon during handling or discharge, and to enable relatively quick, one-handed release and replacement of the entire illumination device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to weapons, and more specifically to a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for a weapon and method thereof.  
         [0002]     Target-illuminating devices such as flashlights, lasers, pointers, and the like are often employed by police and civilian security agencies to designate a possible target. As such, various ways to mount target-illuminating devices to various weapons, such a pistols, rifles, and shotguns have been developed, such as using an attachable holder. Although some of the attachable illuminating device holders are suitable for their intended purposes, improvements are still needed in the way to quickly mount a target-illuminating device holder to a weapon as some problems remain.  
         [0003]     For example, some prior art devices attach a target-illuminating device to a shotgun using multiple screws sank into the shotgun&#39;s forestock. In situations where such screws loosen and/or fall out, tightening or re-attaching the device may be unavailable in the field without various tools and extra screws. Furthermore, devices which are attached to the forestock with adhesive and screws sank into the forestock cannot be easily switched to another shotgun. Moreover, the grip position on such target illumination device holders cannot be adjusted easily on the forestock, to account for personnel of different sizes using the shotgun.  
         [0004]     In prior art devices, which replace the forestock with one that has an integral target-illuminating device, special training is required to remove the existing forestock and install the new forestock. In addition to special training, special tools and multiple parts are also needed to install such a prior art device. In addition, as with the screw on devices, the grip position on an illuminated device made integral with the forestock cannot be adjusted.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is against the above background that the present invention provides a number of advantages and advance over the prior art. The present invention provides a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip designed to allow police, security personnel, tactical teams, and military personnel to provide a target illumination device, such as a flashlight, a laser, and the like to a weapon, such as a shotgun, pistol, and rifle.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, the present invention is constructed of a high impact material, which provides a stable shape such that the present invention may be used without the target illumination device accommodated in a provided throughbore or passage. The present invention provides tension tabs or resilient indented prongs at rear of device adjacent the exit of the passage to removably, yet securely hold the illuminating device therebetween. The present invention, in one embodiment, also removably yet firmly attaches to the existing forestock of a shotgun by simply tightening one screw located in the rear of the apparatus, thereby causing an interference fit between the existing forestock and an locking mechanism of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention attaches firmly to the bottom of the existing forestock without any special tools or training. The locking mechanism allows for quick and easy installation and removal of the apparatus. The present invention, which is ergonomically designed with a non-slip grip pattern, can also be moved forward or back on the forestock so individuals of all sizes can adjust the position of the apparatus to their own comfort.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, rails may be provided to the present invention permits the user to choose between 2 different light attachment methods. The first is to utilize the integrated light holder in the grip by simply sliding a rechargeable flashlight, such as for example, a Streamlight Stinger brand flashlight, into the opening until the rear of the flashlight locks between the prongs located in the rear of the holder. This method allows the user to place the light in a position that is easiest for them to actuate. The light can be quickly removed by pulling on the light towards the front. The second light attachment method is to attach a light by utilizing one of the three positional rails located on either side of the integrated target-illuminating device holder and shotgun grip. The rails permit a light such as for example, a Streamlight M-3 brand flashlight or similar lighting device, to simply slide onto the rail and place it in one of three positions that best suits the user.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, in one illustrated embodiment, a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first portion having a contoured interior surface, which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon, and a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the weapon when tightened.  
         [0009]     In another illustrated embodiment, a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first portion having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of the passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and a pair of rails.  
         [0010]     In still other illustrated embodiment, a method for detachably securing a target-illuminating device to a weapon having a barrel and a forestock is disclosed. The method comprises providing a removable integrated target-illuminating device holder and grip apparatus to the forestock of the weapon. The apparatus comprising a first portion having a contoured interior surface which is shaped to mate closely with the forestock of the weapon, a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a longitudinally extending passage sized to accept the illuminating device, and indented resilient prongs located adjacent an opening of the passage to press the target-illuminating device along approximately the same axis as the barrel of the weapon, and a releasable locking mechanism adapted to cause an interference fit between the forestock of the shogun when tightened. The method further includes tightening the locking mechanism to attach the apparatus to the weapon, and accommodating the illuminating device in the passage.  
         [0011]     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a first illustrative embodiment of the invention as it would be attached to an example of a common police-style shotgun and as it would hold an example of a common police-style flashlight;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up elevated front side view of the invention of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a close-up rear view of the invention of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a close-up side view of the invention of  FIG. 1  releasable attached to a common police-style shotgun and releasably holding an example flashlight inserted therein;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a third embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C show a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]     As shown by  FIG. 1 , mounted releasably together are a common police-style shotgun  10  and a target-illuminating device  20  by an integrated target-illuminating device holder and shotgun grip or apparatus  30  according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the common police-style shotgun  10  is, such as for example, a Remington brand, Model 870 Police shotgun. In such an embodiment, the apparatus  30  has an interior surface  32  which is shaped to mate closely with a forestock  12  of the particular shotgun for which it is intended. However, in other embodiments, the present invention may be intended and used with any conventional shotgun.  
         [0022]     As well known to those experienced in the shotgun art, the forestock  12  in such a shotgun is grasped by the user and manipulated with a back-and-forth sliding action to actuate a mechanism  14  in the example shotgun for the purpose of ejecting spent shotgun shells, chambering live shells and cocking the hammer. In this embodiment, the user would grasp a molded integrated grip  34  of the apparatus  30  and manipulate it in a fashion identical to the way he or she would grasp the factory-installed forestock  12  of the shotgun  10 . It is to be appreciated that the grip  34  is provided with an ergonomically designed, non-slip grip pattern.  
         [0023]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the pattern of the grip  34  is formed of three raised finger portions  36  provided slanted and separated from each other as shown by  FIG. 4 , in order to provide suitable spacing and surface area for a user with gloves to grip and positively manipulate the apparatus  30  without slippage. In one embodiment, the finger portions  36  are raised above the exterior surface of the grip  34  a distance ranging from about ¼ of an inch to about 1 inch, and separated from each other a distance ranging from about ½ of an inch to about 1 ½ inches. It is further to be appreciated, that by design, the grip  34  does not mimic the contour and grip pattern of a shotgun&#39;s typical factory-supplied forestock  12  to which it may be releasably mounted, as is intended by some prior art devices.  
         [0024]     The body material of the apparatus  30  is a high impact material, and may be injection molded or cast out of any of a number of types of polymers or composite materials or machined out of any one of a number of polymers, composites, metals or wood. In this embodiment, the body material is a glass filled polycarbonate material.  
         [0025]     As is well known, a flashlight such as is shown by way of example in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , typically includes a barrel portion  22  which typically houses disposable or rechargeable batteries, and a head portion  24  which typically houses a lamp, reflector and lens assembly  26  which in turn are often retained in place by a bezel  28 . By way of example,  FIG. 4  illustrates such a flashlight as being a StreamLight brand, model Stinger, flashlight which is a common rechargeable flashlight often issued to police and security officers for patrol use. In this embodiment, the example the flashlight&#39;s head portion  24  also contains an on/off switch  27 . Similar designed lasers, pointers, or other illumination devices having a barrel may be used with the present invention.  
         [0026]     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the apparatus  30  contains a smooth walled passage  38  which is fabricated to accept the barrel  22  of a specific example Stinger flashlight  20 . It is to be appreciated that a slight insertion force of the flashlight into the apparatus  30  is necessary due to the closeness of the diameter of the passage  38  to the exterior diameter of the barrel  22  of the flashlight  20 . In one embodiment, the difference between these two diameters is less than 1/32 of an inch, thereby providing the barrel  22  with a snug yet releasably fit within the passage  38  of the apparatus  30 . Other passages of other sizes may be provided in other embodiments to accommodate barrels of other illuminating devices. It is also to be appreciated that with the apparatus  30  mounted releasably to the forestock  12  of the shotgun  10 , the passage  38  is provided in approximately the same plane as, and parallel to, a barrel  16  of the example shotgun  12 .  
         [0027]     As best shown by  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the apparatus  30  is further provided with a pair of resilient indented prongs  40  adjacent the rear of the passage  38 . The prongs  40  are designed such that they engage some portion of barrel  22  when flashlight  20  is accommodated in the passage  38 . It is to be appreciated that the shape of the passage  28  and head portion  24  of the flashlight prevent over insertion of the flashlight into the passage, such that the on/off switch  27  may still be operated by a user. It is further to be appreciated that the engagement of the barrel  22  of the flashlight  20  between the resilient indented prongs  40  ensures that the flashlight can be inserted in only one orientation, prevents it from rotating once inserted, and also indexes the on/off switch  27  about the longitudinal axis of the barrel  38  in any orientation desired by the operator of the shotgun.  
         [0028]     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the present invention is removably yet firmly attached to the existing forestock  12  of the example shotgun  10  by a locking mechanism  42  of the apparatus  30 . In particular, a screw  44  located in the rear of the apparatus  30  which when tightened causes an interference fit between the existing forestock  12  and a tension wedge  46  of the locking mechanism  42 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the tension wedge  46  is slidably accommodated in a track  48  molded in the interior surface of the apparatus below the contoured interior surface  32 . As illustrated, the tension wedge  46  is shaped to be retained in the track  48  by a pair of rail portions  50  provided by the apparatus  30 . In the illustrated embodiments, the tension wedge  46  is also provided with a patterned top surface  49  that increases the resistance created between the tension wedge and the engaged bottom surface of the forestock  12 .  
         [0029]     In addition to the interference fit, as the tension wedge  46  is drawn into engagement with the bottom of the forestock  12 , a pair of hooked portions  52  of the apparatus  30  comes into firm engagement with the upper portions of the forestock  12 . As shown by  FIG. 4 , the forestock  12  is larger than the apparatus  30 . Accordingly, the apparatus  30  can be moved forward or back on the forestock  12  without compromising its attachment strength, and thereby providing a range of adjustment so that individuals of all sizes can adjust the apparatus  30  to their own comfort. In one embodiment, the range of this forestock adjustment for the apparatus  30  is from about 1 inch to about 2 inches measured from the front of the forestock  12 . Furthermore, since the apparatus attaches firmly to the bottom of the existing forestock  12  of the example shotgun  12  by an interference fit, the locking mechanism  42  allows for quick and easy installation and removal of the apparatus  30  without a special tool or training.  
         [0030]     It is also to be appreciated that for convenience of illustration and discussion, the apparatus  30  can be divided into a first portion  54  and a second portion  56  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As shown, the first potion  54  includes the shaped interior surface  32  and hooked portions  52 . The second portion  56  includes the locking mechanism  42 , the passage  38 , the grip  34 , grip pattern  36 , and prongs  40 .  
         [0031]     To utilize this embodiment of the apparatus  30 , the user operating the example firearm  10  would take a working flashlight  20  and insert it into the passage  38  of the second portion  56 . The barrel  22  of the example flashlight  20  is accommodated in the passage  38  and engaged by the prongs  40  to properly aligning the example flashlight with the barrel  16  of the shotgun and preventing it from rotating therein. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the head  24  of the flashlight, the on/off switch, and bezel  28  remain exposed and extend laterally away from the axis of the passage  38 . Accordingly, to operate the example flashlight  20 , the user would actuate the exposed on/off switch  27  located forward of the apparatus  30 .  
         [0032]     To remove or replace the example flashlight  20 , the user would grasp the example flashlight&#39;s head  24  between his or her thumb and second finger and pull to permit the example flashlight  20  to be withdrawn from the passage  38 .  
         [0033]     The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments, which achieve the features and advantages of the present invention. Modification and substitutions to specific structures can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]     For example, and not to be limited by,  FIGS. 5-7  show other various alternative embodiments on the present invention. In a first alternative embodiment, the present invention is designed to provide personnel with a tactical light mount and grip for a shotgun, such as for example, the Remington Magnum 870 shotgun. As with the previous embodiment, this alternative embodiment attaches to the shotgun by sliding the device  30  onto the existing forestock and then tightening the screw  44  in the rear that activates the tension wedge  46  to lock the device  30  into place, such as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this alternative embodiment, the device  30  is further provided with a pair of three positional rails  58 , one on each side of the device  30 . In an alternative embodiment, only one rail  58  may be provided. As shown best by  FIG. 5B , the rails  58  are shaped such that a flashlight  60 , such as for example, a Streamlight M-3 brand flashlight or similar flashlight, can be attached thereto. Once attached, the flashlight can be moved forward or backward to one of three different positions, provided by locking locations  62  provided on each of the rails  58 , to allow for personal preference and individual fit.  
         [0035]     In still another alternative embodiment, the device  30  may just include only the first portion  54  provided with the rails  58 . This embodiment is illustrated by  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In such an embodiment, the device  30  mounts to the weapon in the same manner as described above via the sliding tension wedge  46  being operated by screw  44 . Such an embodiment is useful to those users desiring to mount a flashlight via the rails  58  only, such as on a pistol, where a grip is not necessary.  
         [0036]     In yet another alternative embodiment, the device  30  may just include only the second portion  56 , such as illustrated by  FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C. In such an embodiment, the device  30  is designed to provide personnel with a tactical light mount and grip for a rifle, such as for example, the M-4, M-16, AR-15 models. The device  30  in this embodiment is mounted to a stock lower half  64  of the rifle, which is attached to the rifle by pulling back on a forestock locking ring (not shown) as a replacement. Optionally, rails  58  may also be provide to this embodiment.  
         [0037]     Accordingly, in view of all the above described embodiments, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.