Abstract:
A grip for attachment to a firearm is provided. The firearm grip includes a housing having an internal storage cavity and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body and a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
   This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/431,828, filed on Dec. 9, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a grip, and more particularly, to a grip and/or a firearm with a grip having a hinged pull tab. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Modern firearms often require batteries for the operation of various firearm features, such as laser sight lines, lights, laser illuminators, laser target designators, infra-red lights, illuminated sights, and holographic sights. Accordingly, a need exists for a firearm grip having an internal battery storage chamber and/or a firearm grip having a hinged pull tab that removably covers a firearm grip cavity. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, the present invention is a grip for attachment to a firearm. The grip includes a housing having an internal storage cavity and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body and a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention is a firearm grip for attachment to a firearm. The firearm grip includes a housing having an internal storage cavity and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body; a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity; a protrusion that extends from the body and removably lockingly engages a wall that defines a notch in the housing; a hinge integrally formed with the body, allowing for pivotal movement of the body; and a flexible handle integrally formed with the body. 
   In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a firearm grip for attachment to a firearm. The firearm grip includes a housing having at least two elongated cylindrical internal storage cavities and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body and a stopper attached to the body for each internal storage cavity, wherein each stopper removably engages a wall that defines an open end of a corresponding one of the internal storage cavities to removably cover the internal storage cavity, and wherein each stopper includes at least one ring about its perimeter, which removably frictionally engages the wall that defines the open end of a corresponding one of the internal cavities to form a water tight seal with the internal cavity to prevent moisture from entering therein. The pull tab also includes a protrusion that extends from the body and removably lockingly engages a wall that defines a notch in the housing; a hinge integrally formed with the body, allowing for pivotal movement of the body; and a flexible handle comprising a first end integrally formed with the body and a free movable second end that resiliently retracts to a position adjacent to a bottom surface of the body when no external force is applied thereto. 
   In still another embodiment, the present invention is a firearm that includes a firearm grip having a housing with an internal storage cavity. A pull tab is fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body; a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity; a protrusion that extends from the body and removably lockingly engages a wall that defines a notch in the housing; a hinge integrally formed with the body, allowing for pivotal movement of the body; and a flexible handle integrally formed with the body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a firearm grip according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the firearm grip of  FIG. 1  attached to a firearm and having, in an opened position, a hinged pull tab; 
       FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the firearm grip of  FIG. 1  with the hinged pull tab omitted for clarity; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the firearm grip of  FIG. 1  with the hinged pull tab omitted for clarity; 
       FIG. 5A–5D  each show a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the firearm grip of  FIG. 1  having batteries in various battery arrangements within a battery storage chamber of the firearm grip; 
       FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the firearm grip of  FIG. 1  showing the hinged pull tab mounted therein for supporting batteries that are disposed within a battery storage chamber of the firearm grip; 
       FIG. 7  is a lateral cross-sectional view of the hinged pull tab of  FIG. 6  taken from line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the hinged pull tab of  FIG. 6 ; and 
       FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinged pull tab of  FIG. 6  taken from line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1–9 , embodiments of the present invention are directed to a firearm grip having an internal battery storage chamber and/or a firearm grip having a hinged pull tab that removably covers a firearm grip cavity, such as a battery storage chamber. 
     FIG. 1  shows a firearm grip  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows the firearm grip  10  attached to a weapon, such as a firearm or gun  12  (for clarity purposes, only a portion of the firearm  12  is shown.) As discussed in detail below, the firearm grip  10  includes a housing  11  having a pull tab  14  attached thereto, which removably covers an internal cavity of the housing  11 , such as an internal battery storage chamber  16 , as shown for example in  FIG. 3 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the battery storage chamber  16  includes two storage cavities  18 . Each cavity  18 , in turn, includes a series of inwardly stepped battery compartments that extend from a lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10  to an upper portion  24  of the firearm grip  10 . 
   In the depicted embodiment, each cavity  18  includes a first battery compartment  26 , a second battery compartment  28 , and a third battery compartment  30 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  is substantially cylindrical in shape, with each successive battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  having a smaller diameter than its adjacent battery compartment when viewed from the lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10  to the upper portion  24  of the firearm grip  10 . 
   In another embodiment, although each cavity is generally inwardly stepped from the lower portion  22  to the upper portion  24  of the firearm grip  10 , one or more of the battery compartments may be substantially the same size as an adjacent battery compartment. In addition, in another embodiment, each cavity includes a plurality of battery compartments that are each of substantially the same size. 
   In one exemplary embodiment, each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  also shares a common wall. For example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  is non-concentrically positioned with respect to the remaining battery compartments, such that a side of each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  is aligned to form a substantially smooth common wall  32  that extends across the length of each cavity  18 . The smooth wall  32  facilitates insertion of batteries into the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  of each cavity  18 . 
   At least one of the cavities  18  includes a fastener hole  34 , for example at its uppermost end, for receiving a fastener  36 , such as a screw. The fastener  36  extends through the fastener hole  34  enabling the firearm grip  10  to be removably secured to the firearm  12 . A sealing washer  38  is disposed between a head  40  of the fastener  36  and the fastener hole  34  to create a fluid tight seal at the uppermost end of the corresponding cavity  18 , in which the fastener hole  34  is disposed. 
   Opposite the common wall  32  each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  forms a shoulder  26 S,  28 S and  30 S at its upper end for receiving and supporting an upper end of a battery. In embodiments, where the battery compartments  26 ,  28 , and  30  are concentric, however, each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  forms two shoulders at its upper end for receiving a battery. 
     FIGS. 5A–5D  show examples of how various batteries fit within the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5A–5D , the third battery compartment  30  is formed to securely receive a typical DL-1 type battery  42 . As such, the length and diameter of the third battery compartment  30  are substantially the same as or slightly larger than the length and diameter of the DL-1 type battery  42 , while the uppermost portion of the third battery compartment  30  forms the shoulder  30 S that is smaller than the diameter of the DL-1 type battery  42  to prevent the DL-1 type battery from extending therepast. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5C , the first battery compartment  26  is formed to securely receive a typical 123 Lithium Series battery  44 . As such, the length and diameter of the first battery compartment  26  are substantially the same as or slightly larger than the length and diameter of the 123 Lithium Series battery  44 , while the uppermost portion of the first battery compartment  26  forms the shoulder  26 S that is smaller than the diameter of the 123 Lithium Series battery  44  to prevent the 123 Lithium Series battery  44  from extending therepast. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5A , the first and second battery compartments  26  and  28  are formed to securely receive a typical AA battery  46 . As such, the combined length of the first and second battery compartments  26  and  28  is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the length of the AA battery  46 ; and the diameter of the second battery compartment  28  is substantially the same or slightly larger than the diameter of the AA battery  46 , while the uppermost portion of the second battery compartment  28  forms the shoulder  28 S that is smaller than the diameter of the AA battery  46  to prevent the AA battery  46  from extending therepast. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5D , the second battery compartment  28  is formed to securely receive a typical N type battery  48 . As such, the diameter of the second battery compartment  28  is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the N type battery  48 , while the uppermost portion of the second battery compartment  28  forms the shoulder  28 S that is smaller than the diameter of the N type battery  48  to prevent the N type battery  48  from extending therepast. 
   In any portion of each cavity  18  that does not receive a battery, a spacer  50  may be inserted to reduce movement (i.e., rattling) of the batteries within the cavity  18 . In one embodiment, the spacer  50  is a foam spacer that is laterally compressible to fit within any of the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30 . 
   In addition, the pull tab  14 , discussed in more detail below, is attached to the lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10  to support a lower surface of any battery or spacer that is positioned adjacently thereto. In one embodiment, the pull tab  14  slightly extends into the first battery compartment  26  to press against any battery or spacer that is positioned adjacently thereto. This further reduces rattling of the batteries within each cavity  18 . 
     FIGS. 5A–5D  show exemplary arrangements of batteries combinations that may be received within each cavity  18  of the firearm grip  10 . For example,  FIG. 5A  shows each cavity  18  storing a DL-1 typebattery  42  and a AA battery  46 , with a spacer  50  disposed above the DL-1 type battery to reduce rattling.  FIG. 5B  shows each cavity  18  storing a DL-1 type battery  42  with a spacer  50  disposed therebelow to reduce rattling.  FIG. 5C  shows each cavity  18  storing a DL-1 type battery  42  and a 123 Lithium Series battery  44 , with a spacer  50  disposed therebetween to reduce rattling.  FIG. 5D  shows each cavity  18  storing a DL-1 type battery  42  and a N type battery  48 , with a spacer  50  disposed below the N type battery  48  to reduce rattling. 
   Although the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  have been described above as capable of receiving and storing some combination of DL-1 type batteries  42 , N type batteries  48 , 123 Lithium series batteries  44  and AA batteries  46 , the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  may be formed to receive any appropriate type of battery and/or any appropriate combinations of batteries. 
   Although the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  have been described above as being cylindrical in shape, each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  may be formed to any one of a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, square, elliptical, or crescent, among other appropriate shapes. In addition, one or more of the battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  may have a different shape than the remaining battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30  and/or each battery compartment  26 ,  28  and  30  may have a different shape. 
   Also, although each cavity  18  has been described as having three battery compartments  26 ,  28  and  30 , each cavity  18  may have any number of battery compartments, limited only by the desired length of the firearm grip  10 ; and although the battery storage chamber  16  has been described as having two cavities  18 , the battery storage chamber  16  may have any appropriate number of cavities  18 , such as one, three or four, for example. 
   In one embodiment, the firearm grip  10  is formed from a non-conductive material, such as a hard plastic material, in a molding process. Although, the firearm grip  10  may be formed from any appropriate material, it is desirable that at least the lower and upper portions  22  and  24  of the firearm grip  10  and/or the upper and lower ends of each cavity  18  are either formed from a non-conductive material or insulated so that electrical current does not flow through the batteries when the batteries are stored within each cavity  18 . Although the battery storage chamber  16  has been described above as being used in a firearm grip  10 , the battery storage chamber  16  may be incorporated into any appropriate portable device such as a camera. 
   The pull tab  14  is attached to the lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10 . In one embodiment, the pull tab  14  is integrally formed from a flexible material, for example an elastomeric material, such as a rubber material. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing  11  of the firearm grip  10  includes a slot  52  for receiving the pull tab  14 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , the pull tab  14  includes an arm  54  that is fixedly mounted within the slot  52 , such that the pull tab  14  is integral to the firearm grip  10 . The pull tab  14  may be mounted within the slot  52  by any appropriate means such as by use of an epoxy, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or heat fusing among other appropriate fastening means. 
   The arm  54  is connected to an integrally formed hinge  56  that allows for pivotal movement of the pull tab  14 . The pull tab  14  has a body portion  55  that contains one or more stoppers  58 . The pull tab  14  contains one stopper  58  for each cavity  18  in the battery storage compartment  16  of the firearm grip  10 . 
   For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 6  the battery storage compartment  16  contains two cavities  18  in the battery storage compartment  16  of the firearm grip  10  and the pull tab  14  includes two stoppers  58 . Each stopper  58  fits tightly within a lower opening  60  of its corresponding cavity  18  to frictionally secure each stopper  58  within its corresponding cavity  18 . In one embodiment, the lower opening  60  of each cavity  18  is substantially circular and each stopper  58  is substantially cylindrical. 
   When secured within its corresponding cavity  18 , each stopper  58  forms a water tight seal with a wall of its corresponding cavity  18  to prevent moisture from entering the cavity  18 . In addition, when secured within its corresponding cavity  18 , each stopper  58  longitudinally supports the batteries and/or spacers that are disposed within its corresponding cavity  18 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6–9 , each stopper  58  has at least one circumferential ring  62 , such as a circular ring. Although the depicted embodiment shows each stopper as having two circumferential rings  62 , each stopper  58  may have any appropriate number of circumferential rings  62 . Each circumferential ring  62  assists in frictionally securing the stopper  58  within against a wall of its corresponding cavity  18  and assists in creating a water tight seal between the stopper  58  and its corresponding cavity  18  to prevent moisture from entering the cavity  18 . 
   In one embodiment, the pull tab  14  includes a protrusion  64  that mates with a notch  66  in the housing  11  of the firearm grip  10 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the notch  66  is part of an opening  68  in the housing  11  of the firearm grip  10  that is disposed below the battery storage chamber  16 . The mating of the protrusion  64  of the pull tab  14  with the notch  66  in the firearm grip  10  provides a locking engagement between the pull tab  14  and the firearm grip  10  and helps secure each stopper  58  within its corresponding cavity  18 . 
   An integrally formed flexible handle  70  extends from the pull tab  14 . When the handle  70  is pulled in a direction away from the lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10 , the body  55  of the pull tab  14  rotates about the hinge  56  of the pull tab  14 , causing the protrusion  64  of the pull tab  14  to disengage from the notch  66  of the firearm grip  10 , and causing each stopper  58  to disengage from its corresponding cavity  18 . When the handle  70  is released, the handle  70  resiliently retracts adjacent to the body  55  of the pull tab  14 . 
   Similarly, when the handle  70  is pushed in a direction towards the lower portion  22  of the firearm grip  10 , the body  55  of the pull tab  14  rotates about the hinge  56  of the pull tab  14 , causing the protrusion  64  of the pull tab  14  to lockingly engage the notch  66  of the firearm grip  10 , and causing each stopper  58  to frictionally engage its corresponding cavity  18 . 
   In the embodiments of  FIGS. 6–9 , each stopper  58  includes a an inner ring  73  and an outer ring  75  separated by a channel  74 . The channel  74  assists in dust and debris collection within the battery storage chamber  16  and allows the outer ring  75  to be easily compressible. An advantage of the outer ring  75  being easily compressible is that it allows the outer ring  75  to be formed to a larger size than the lower opening  60  of its corresponding cavity  18 . Thus, forming a more secure frictional engagement of each stopper  58  with its corresponding cavity  18 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the pull tab  14  is mounted within to the firearm grip  10  in an opening  68  in the housing  11  of the firearm grip  10  that is disposed below the battery storage chamber  16 , such that when each stopper  58  is frictionally engaged with its corresponding cavity  18  and when the protrusion  64  of the pull tab  14  is lockingly engaged the notch  66  of the firearm grip  10 , the pull tab  14  is disposed completely within the opening  68  with the handle  70  disposed substantially flush with a bottom surface of the firearm grip  10 . Although the pull tab  14  has been described above as being used in a firearm grip  10 , the pull tab  14  may be incorporated into any appropriate portable device such as a camera. 
   The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope of this invention.