GRIPS FOR HANDGUN

Abstract: A handgun construction is described including a handle frame (26) elastomer grip element portions (18,19) positioned on the sides, including as desired on the front and rear sides, of the handle frame. The elastomer grip element portions have recesses to each receive a non-deformable insert element (21,22). Fasteners (24) hold the frame, grip element portions and inserts together.

Description: The present invention relates to a revolver handle construction. Numerous handgun grip arrangements have been proposed including the use of resilient grip panels with and without internal stiffening members embedded in such panels. Rubber grip panels and wood grip panels of various sizes and shapes have been used over the years. None of the prior grip arrangements has provided satisfactory gripping by the operator together with an acceptable appearance, versatility and simplicity of design, combined with ease of manufacture. British patent specification GB 2172972A describes a handgun handle construction as described in the pre-characterising part of claim 1. In particular, Figure 10 shows a handle frame having a pair of separate grip elements positioned on each side of the handle frame. Recesses are provided on the outside of each grip element to accommodate a respective stiffening element. A locating stud fixedly attached to the handle frame passes through a hole in each grip element and terminates in a blind recess on the inside of each stiffening element. However, the grip elements are not integrally moulded, nor is the locating stud removable to allow fitting of an integrally moulded grip element (as in the present invention). The contents of GB 2172972 are not intended to form part of the scope of protection of the present patent specification. The present invention provides a revolver handle which comprises a handle frame, elastomer grip elements positioned on each side of the handle frame, each grip element including an inside portion engageable with the handle frame and including an outside portion for engagement with the handgun user's hand; respective recesses in the outside portion of each grip element; a non-deformable externally inserted stiffening element in each recess; fastener and alignment means for fastening and aligning the grip means, the frame and the stiffening elements; each elastomer grip element being provided with a hole for engagement with stud means passing transversely through an opening in the handle frame to stabilise the grip element on the handle frame in conjunction with stabilizing abutment surfaces on the handgun handle; and each stiffening element being provided with a blind recess for engagement with the stud means characterised in further comprising a spine portion and a lower connector portion, both integrally formed with the grip elements, the inside portions of the grip elements being shaped to be slidably engaged with the handle frame; and in that the stud means is slidably removably received in the transverse opening in the handle frame; and in that the spine portion includes a substantially flat uninterrupted inner surface positioned adjacent the handle frame. The externally inserted stiffening elements may be shaped and sized to be capable of being gripped by the handgun operator to move these externally inserted stiffening elements toward the handle frame thus deforming the resilient grip elements and providing a firm and comfortable grip for the handgun operator. The externally inserted stiffening elements further add to the functionability and appearance of the firearm, and the grips so constructed offer the advantages of superior cushioning against recoil and comfortable gripping surface for the shooter. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a left side partial elevational view of a small revolver; Figure 2 is a partial left side sectional view of the small revolver; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 48-48 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partial right side elevational view of the small revolver grip; Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the small revolver handle grip construction; Figure 6 is a partial left side elevational view of the small revolver grip; Figure 7 is a plan view of the grip construction; Figure 8 is a bottom view of the grip construction; Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 54-54 of Figure 6; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 55-55 of Figure 4; Figure 11 is a sectional view through grip and handle assembled as shown in Figs. 12 and 13; Figure 12 is a partial left elevational view of the revolver frame; Figure 13 is a sectional view of an integral grip panel; Figure 14 is a left elevational view of the left side of the grip panel; and Figure 15 is an exploded perspective of the small revolver with the grip panel; panel spine; panel inserts and fastener arrangement. A small revolver 120 includes frame 121, barrel 122, hammer 123, grip panels 124 as integrally formed include spine portion 124a and lower connector portion 124b (Fig.10). Also shown are trigger 126, trigger guard 127, and grip frame 128 including rearward frame piece 129a with notch 129b to form space 129c between piece 129a and grip panels 124 (Fig.2) and forward frame piece 130a with notch 130b to form space 130c between piece 130a and grip panels 124. Spaces 129c and 130c provide additional flexibility to the handle system. Right and left panel inserts 131, 132 respectively are positioned in right and left grip panel recesses 133, 134 (Figs. 3 and 15). Alignment pin 136 passes through grip frame opening 137; grip panel left and right openings 138l, 138r (not shown) and the pin ends are nested in insert recesses 131a, 132a (See Fig.15). The fastener arrangement for urging the grip panels 124 against grip frame 128 and also urging grip panels 131, 132, positioned in recesses 133, 134, against the grip panels 124 includes bolt 141 with bolt head 142, head washer 143 and the threaded end nut 144. By rotating nut 144 to move it toward bolt head 142 panel inserts are moved toward one another compressing flexible grip panels 124. Bolt 141 passes through right insert bolt hole 131b; grip panel holes 146r, 146l and left insert bolt hole 132b. Also shown is grip panel perimeter notch 147 around the upper end of grip panels 124 to mate with the curved grip frame corner profile 148 (see Figs. 3 and 15). As seen in Figs. 12 and 13 grip panels 124 are slidable over grip frame 128 to engage with grip frame 128 with or without stretching or deforming of the elastomer integral grip panels 124. The grip panels 124 are shaped and configured to include spine portion 124a and lower connection portion 124b. Portions 124a, 124b may be separated, fabricated and positioned with respect to the remainder of the grip panels 124 by gluing or other fastener arrangement.

Claims: A revolver handle which comprises a handle frame (128), elastomer grip elements (124) positioned on each side of the handle frame, each grip element including an inside portion engageable with the handle frame and including an outside portion for engagement with the handgun user's hand; respective recesses (133, 134) in the outside portion of each grip element; a non-deformable externally inserted stiffening element (131, 132) in each recess; fastener and alignment means (141) for fastening and aligning the grip means, the frame and the stiffening elements; each elastomer grip element (124) being provided with a hole (138l, 138r) for engagement with stud means (136) passing transversely through an opening (137) in the handle frame (121) to stabilise the grip element (124) on the handle frame (121) in conjunction with stabilizing abutment surfaces on the handgun handle; and each stiffening element (131, 132) being provided with a blind recess (131a, 132a) for engagement with the stud means (136) characterised in further comprising a spine portion (124a) and a lower connector portion (124b), both integrally formed with the grip elements, the inside portions of the grip elements being shaped to be slidably engaged with the handle frame; and in that the stud means is slidably removably received in the transverse opening (137) in the handle frame (121); and in that the spine portion (124a) includes a substantially flat uninterrupted inner surface positioned adjacent the handle frame (121). A handle according to claim 1 characterised in that spaces (129c, 130c) are provided between the inside portions of the grip elements and the handle frame. A handle according to either preceding claim characterised in that the handle frame (128) has an opening (128a) therein over which the grip elements extend. A handle according to any preceding claim characterised in that the fastener means includes a threaded fastener (141) which engages the stiffening elements (131, 132) and passes through said grip elements (124) and the handle frame (121).

Inventors: RUGER, WILLIAM BATTERMAN
Applicants: STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F41C23
IPC codes: F41A23, F41C3, F41C23, F41C7, F41A5, F41A9, F41A7