Abstract:
An adapter for converting a handgun into a rifle or carbine. The adapter includes an elongated member having a stock and a pair of sidewalls forming a cavity. A pair of guide rails is positioned on an inner edge of the cavity, and a locking bar is mounted within the sidewalls and extends across the cavity. The locking bar is selectively positionable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A handgun mounts into the adapter by aligning channels on the outer edge of the handgun into the guide rails. The handgun is slid along the guide rails and into the locking mechanism for attachment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an adapter for mounting to a handgun and, more particularly, to an adapter having guide rails and a locking mechanism that mates with rails on an outer edge of the handgun to convert a handgun into a carbine or rifle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Handguns and rifles are two different types of firearms used in a variety of applications. Each type of firearm has advantages and disadvantages over the other which dictate under which circumstances each is best suited for use. By way of example, a handgun is smaller and more easily carried, therefore it is often issued to police officers and military personnel as standard equipment. Alternatively, a rifle is considered a more accurate weapon partly because of the supporting stock that is pressed against the user&#39;s shoulder for support when aiming and firing. 
     One disadvantage of using a handgun is the difficulty in accurately aiming the weapon. The handgun is usually aimed by holding it away from the body with the arm in a substantially extended position. Many users grip the handgun with both hands for further accuracy and control. The weight of the handgun makes it difficult to hold in the extended position for any period of time because the muscles in the user&#39;s hands and arms begin to tire. If the user is under heavy physical assertion, such as a police officer chasing a suspect, it is additionally difficult to hold the handgun steady and accurately aim. 
     When the handgun is fired, the force of the recoil is absorbed by the user&#39;s hands and arms which is uncomfortable for many users. The recoil may further decrease the accuracy of the handgun as many users will flinch while firing in expectation of the recoil thereby altering the accuracy. 
     Various conversion kits have been invented for mounting a stock to the handgun. However, these kits have various drawbacks. Several kits require that mounts be permanently affixed to the handgun for attaching the stock. These mounts require holes be drilled into the handle, or some other permanent fixture attached to the handgun. Many users do not want their handguns damaged as they may be collectable items that will lose value if they become defaced. Additionally, the mounts and holes are difficult to accurately place on the handgun and often require the work be performed by a knowledgeable technician or the use of specialized tools. 
     Another drawback of previous conversion kits is the length of time in assembling and disassembling the kit. These kits often involve numerous pieces that must be attached in a particular order. These types of kits are not applicable for use in the field such as by armed forces personnel or police officers which must quickly and easily convert the handgun. Additionally, it is difficult to carry around all the elements of the conversion kit without accidentally losing them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention allows for a handgun user to quickly and easily obtain the advantages of a rifle or carbine. The handgun can be mounted to the adapter in situations in which a rifle or carbine is more advantageous. Likewise, the handgun can be dismounted from the adapter when the situation dictates. The adapter includes an elongated cavity sized for receiving the handgun. A pair of guide rails are positioned on an inner edge of the cavity and extend outward for mating with channels located on a lower edge of the handgun. A locking mechanism positioned along the guide rails releasably locks the handgun into the adapter. 
     The locking mechanism may include a locking bar mounted across the cavity and selectively positionable between locked and unlocked positions. A biasing member may be positioned adjacent to the locking bar for urging it into the locked position. The adapter may include cutaway sections that allow for the user to better grasp the handgun when mounted, and also allow for the handgun to function properly. An accessory block or grip may also be positioned on the adapter. 
     The handgun used with the adapter preferably includes channels that are preferably positioned on a lower edge of the handgun, adjacent to the barrel. As these channels are already present, it is not necessary to damage the handgun such as by drilling holes or inserting screws into sections of the handgun. When mounting the handgun to the adapter, the handgun is positioned within the cavity and the adapter guide rails are inserted into the handgun channels. The handgun is slid along the guide rails until it seats into the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism holds the handgun firmly in place when in the locked position, even when the handgun is fired. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handgun adapter constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view cut along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 illustrating the guide rails and locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the adapter constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating a first step in inserting a handgun into the adapter; 
     FIG. 4B is a side view illustrating a second step in inserting a handgun into the adapter; 
     FIG. 4C is a side view illustrating the handgun mounted within the adapter; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side view cut along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4C illustrating the handgun inserted within the guide rails of the adapter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, an adapter for mounting to a handgun is illustrated in FIG.  1  and generally indicated by the numeral  10 . Like-reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The terms “back” and “forward” are used throughout the invention as relative terms to describe positioning along the length of the adapter  10 . The “back” is the adapter end mounted against a user&#39;s shoulder when firing the firearm, and the “front” is the end away from the user. The term “firearm” is used to describe a variety of weapons including handguns, rifles, carbines, etc. The adapter  10  includes a stock  12 , sidewalls  22  forming a cavity  20 , and a locking mechanism  30 . The adapter  10  allows a user to quickly and easily mount a handgun  100  to obtain the advantages of a rifle or carbine. 
     The handgun  100  includes channels  120  extending along a length of the gun, preferably adjacent to the barrel  114  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a slot  102  is positioned along a lower edge of the handgun for receiving the adapter locking mechanism  30 . The adapter  10  is mounted to the handgun  100  via the channels  120  and slot  102  and does not require the user to make any alterations to the handgun. 
     The adapter stock  12  includes a back edge  13  that is braced against the user&#39;s arm or shoulder during shooting. The length of the stock extending between the back edge  13  and the cavity  20  may vary depending on specific applications, as well as the dimensions and specific shape of the stock  12 . In one embodiment, the stock  12  includes apertures (not shown) for reducing the weight of the stock to better balance the weight of the combination adapter  10  and handgun  100  for easier aiming and handling by the user. The stock  12  may further be removable from the adapter  10 , or may be collapsible. 
     The sidewalls  22  extend between the stock  12  and a front wall  24  as illustrated in FIG. 1. A cavity  20  is formed between the sidewalls  22  and is centered within the width of the adapter  10 . The sidewalls  22  may further include a variety of cutaway sections  28 . Functional components of the handgun  100  such as the grip  106 , trigger  110  and trigger guard  111 , and ejection port  112  are aligned with each of the cutaway sections  28  when mounted within the adapter  10  thereby allowing for the handgun to properly function without being inhibited by the adapter. Access to the grip  106  and trigger  110  also allows the user to have a more comfortable and effective holding position. 
     The cavity  20  may have a variety of dimensions. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cavity width is substantially the same throughout the length. Alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cavity  20  has a larger width towards the back edge and narrows towards the front end. This cavity dimensioning allows for easy insertion of the handgun  100  at the cavity back end and then more intricate alignment and mounting towards the front of the cavity. 
     Guide rails  27  are positioned in coplanar relation to mate with each of the handgun channels  120  as best illustrated in FIG.  5 . In one preferred embodiment, the guide rails  27  are semicircular extensions located along each inner edge of the sidewalls  22 . However various other shapes are also contemplated by the present invention. 
     The guide rails  27  are positioned at the forward end of the adapter  10 , and may extend backward along the cavity a variety of lengths beyond the locking mechanism  30 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, guide rails  27  extend from the front wall  24  backward to a point immediately beyond the locking mechanism  30 . 
     In one embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 , a support floor  25  is positioned at a front end of the cavity  20 . The support floor  25  guides and supports the handgun  100  during insertion and mounting to the guide rails  27 . Preferably, a bottom edge of the handgun  119  rests against the support floor  25 . Alternatively, the handgun  100  is held in place via the guide rails  27  and the biasing action of the locking mechanism  30  with no support floor. 
     A locking mechanism  30  allows for securing the handgun  100  to the adapter  10 . Preferably, the locking mechanism  30  includes a locking bar  31  with a biasing member  34 . The locking bar  31  extends across the width of the adapter  10  and is mounted within elongated apertures  33  within the sidewalls  22 . The locking bar  31  extends beyond the sidewalls  22  forming a gripping surface for the user to push downward against the biasing member  34  to lock and unlock the handgun  100  from the adapter  10 . Various other types of locking mechanisms are also available that do not extend into the sidewalls and are also contemplated by the present invention. 
     The biasing member  34  biases the locking bar  31  into the locked position. Biasing member  34  may have a variety of applications including a coil spring, or a leaf spring. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the biasing member  34  is positioned within an aperture  37  within the floor support  25 . 
     An accessory mount  40  may be positioned on a lower edge of the adapter for receiving accessories such as a laser attachment or flashlight. The accessory mount  40  preferably includes a pair of extensions  42  that correspond to the mounting guides rails  27 . The accessories include channels similar to the handgun channels  120  that mate with the extensions  42  for mounting. Preferably, a slot extends across the width of the accessory mount for receiving a locking member on the accessory in similar fashion to the adapter locking mechanism  30 . 
     In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, a grip  50  extends from the adapter  10  allowing the user a steadying handhold. The embodiment as illustrated includes the grip  50  extending from a lower edge of the adapter  10 , however, the grip  50  may be positioned to extend outward at a variety of angles. 
     FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the mounting procedure for attaching the handgun  100  to the adapter  10 . The handgun  100  includes channels  120  positioned along a lower, front edge and a slot  102  positioned on a bottom, front edge as illustrated in FIG.  4 A. The slot  102  preferably extends across the width of the handgun. The handgun  100  further includes a handle  106 , and a trigger  110  and trigger guard  111 . A barrel  114  is positioned along an upper edge and ejection port  112  allows for discarding spent shell casings. One type of handgun having a channel system suitable for mounting to the adapter is manufactured by Glock, Inc. 
     The user begins by inserting the handgun  100  into the cavity  20 . The cavity  20  is preferably sized such that the handgun  100  can be inserted from the bottom or top of the adapter  10 . Once inserted, the handgun  100  is moved towards the front section of the adapter  10 . The adapter guide rails  27  are aligned with the handgun channels  120 . As the handgun  100  continues to move toward the adapter front end, either the movement of the guides  104  along the guide rails  27  pushes the locking bar  31  in a downward position, or the user forces the locking bar downward by grasping the protruding locking bar  31 . 
     At the mounting point illustrated in FIG. 4C, handgun slot  102  aligns with the locking bar  31  allowing the biasing member  34  to force the locking bar upward into the slot  102 . At this mounting position, the barrel  114  extends outward from the front wall  24 , and the top edge of the firearm  100  is positioned above the sidewalls  22  allowing for the sights  116  to be unobscured. The cutaway sections  28  align with the ejection port  112 , trigger  110  and trigger guard  111 , and handle  106 . The handgun  100  may also be mounted at different locations along the length of the adapter depending upon the required application. 
     The user may brace the stock  12  against their shoulder, and grasp the firearm handle  106  and adapter grip  50 . The cutaway sections  28  align with functional components of the handgun such as adjacent to the ejection port  112  to allow shell casings to be discharged. Additionally, the handle  106  is preferably positioned adjacent to a cutaway section  28  for the user to grasp both the adapter and handle with one hand to have better feel and control during firing. The locking mechanism  30  maintains the handgun securely mounted within the adapter  10  such that there is no need for adjustment of the handgun after each shot is fired. The handgun  100  is removed from the adapter  10  by forcing the locking bar  31  away from engagement with the slot  102  and sliding the firearm towards the back edge of the adapter  10 . The adapter  10  may then be stored separately from the handgun  100  as is convenient for the user. 
     Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, the adapter  10  may have a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate various sizes and calibers of handguns. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.