Abstract:
A thumb rest for a pistol is disclosed, with the goal of allowing for more accurate shooting. The present invention is designed to give a shooter using this new style of shooting an additional point of control for the off-hand to utilize when stabilizing and aiming a pistol. The thumb rest is attached to a lower rail of a pistol. The present invention&#39;s assembly adds a support structure in the form of a thumb rest for a shooter&#39;s off hand to rest on and provide resistive force, while keeping the thumb from making contact with moving parts of a pistol. The present invention allows for a shooter to better grip a pistol and provide resistance to recoil forces by means of the present invention&#39;s thumb rest pad.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/325,924, a filing receipt of which is attached along with a request to the USPTO to retrieve this document, the contents of which are included and incorporated by reference into this utility patent application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    This invention is in the technical field of firearms. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of pistols. More particularly still, the present invention is a shooting accessory for a pistol. As a brief summary of one embodiment of the invention, a thumb rest for a pistol is disclosed, with the goal of allowing for more accurate shooting. 
         [0004]    Since the inception of the pistol, shooters have typically used their dominant hand and trigger hand to aim and control the weapon. There is new teaching that suggests that this style of shooting is more difficult to learn and typically less accurate when compared to newer techniques that incorporate the off hand, or non-trigger hand. The new pistol aiming technique taught to and utilized by America&#39;s special forces, requires a shooter to grasp a pistol with their dominant hand, wrap the fingers of the off hand over the fingers of the dominant hand, and then align the thumbs of both hands forward toward the front of the gun, using the off hand to aim the pistol while using the dominant hand to pull the trigger. This technique reduces the torqueing caused by pulling the trigger in typical shooting styles because the off hand has stabilized the weapon on target, allowing for a more controlled trigger pull. 
         [0005]    The present invention is designed to give a shooter using this new style of shooting an additional point of control for the off hand to utilize when stabilizing and aiming a pistol. The shooter can now apply force to this thumb rest as well as use the pad to counter the forces of recoil that occur when firing a pistol. This is advantageous to a shooter because it allows for a stronger grip, better control as well as faster acquisition of a target after firing. The present invention is also advantageous by means of preventing the shooters off hand and thumb coming in contact with the slide of the weapon, which is important to proper weapon function when firing a pistol. The present invention creates a strong and secure position for a shooter to rest their off hand thumb in order to more safely and accurately fire their pistol. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENT 
       [0006]    The present invention is a rest for a shooter&#39;s off hand thumb. It is attached to a lower rail of a pistol. The present invention&#39;s assembly adds a support structure in the form of a thumb rest for a shooter&#39;s off hand to rest on and provide resistive force, while keeping the thumb from making contact with moving parts of a pistol. The present invention allows for a shooter to better grip a pistol and provide resistance to recoil forces by means of the present invention&#39;s thumb rest pad. The present invention is intended to be placed on a pistols lower rail, located under the barrel of a pistol. The present invention has a base and a lock plate that attach to a pistol&#39;s lower rail. Attached to the base and lock plate is the thumb plate that provides the thumb pad and thumb guard. The thumb plate on the present invention provides the thumb pad where a shooter positions their thumb in order to counter act recoil forces and provide pressure and control in the aiming process. The present invention is fixed securely in position to a pistols rail by means of tightening the base and lock plate, in order to impede lateral and vertical movement of the invention, additionally a set screw in the base provides the arrestment of horizontal movement. This mounting configuration assures that the thumb plate, which is the feature of the invention that a shooter handles and applies forces to, never moves out of its fixed position. 
         [0007]    The aforementioned invention is a preferred embodiment, but one could create alternate embodiments. One such alternate embodiment may not utilize a set screw, while another alternate embodiment could have a sprung pin or boss that replaces the set screw, in order to fix the alternate embodiment&#39;s horizontal movement. An additional alternate embodiment could incorporate a different design or angle to the thumb pad and or the thumb guard portion of the alternate embodiment. 
         [0008]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It should be understood the while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of present embodiment, 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of present embodiment&#39;s thumb plate, 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an isometric exploded view of present embodiment and a pistol, 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the present embodiment installed on a pistol, held by two hands in a shooting position, and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is rear view of the present embodiment installed on a pistol, held by two hands in a shooting position. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Present embodiment 
           2 . Thumb plate 
           3 . Thumb plate fastener 
           4 . Lock plate 
           5 . Base 
           6 . Base tooth 
           7 . Lock plate tooth 
           8 . Set screw 
           9 . Spacer 
           10 . Thumb guard 
           11 . Thumb pad 
           12 . Angled surface 
           13 . Fastener hole on thumb plate 
           14 . Mount face 
           15 . Lower rail 
           16 . Slide 
           17 . Frame 
           18 . Pistol 
           19 . Trigger 
           20 . Hand grip 
           21 . Trigger hand 
           22 . Off hand 
           23 . Negative space 
           24 . Slide direction of motion 
           25 . Lock plate through hole 
           26 . Base threaded fastener hole 
           27 . Base threaded set screw hole 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]    It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention. 
         [0044]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
         [0045]    The present embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present embodiment. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow. 
         [0046]    Since the basic firearm is of a well-known type, only those parts of the firearm essential to an understanding of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Although the present embodiment will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present embodiment can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
         [0047]    The present embodiment is a thumb rest comprised of; a thumb plate, lock plate and base, held together with fasteners and a set screw. The present embodiment&#39;s assembly mounts on to a pistols lower rail. The present embodiment allows for a shooter to apply pressure to the thumb pad in order to form a more secure grip of the pistol, as well as counter act the recoil forces of the slide. The present embodiment also protects the shooters off hand thumb from making contact with the slide, preventing pistol malfunction or unintended contact with the slide and or other moving parts. 
         [0048]      FIG. 1 . Referring now to the present embodiment  1  in more detail. In  FIG. 1  there is shown an isometric view of the present embodiment  1 . The present embodiment  1  consists of; a base  5 , a lock plate  4 , a set screw, a thumb plate  2 , thumb plate fasteners  3 , and spacers  9  between the lock plate  4  and the base  5 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2 . Referring now to the present embodiment  1  in more detail. In  FIG. 2  there is shown an isometric view of present embodiment&#39;s thumb plate  2 . The thumb plate  2  is comprised of many unique features. The features unique to the thumb plate  2  are; a thumb guard  10 , a thumb pad  11 , a angled surface  12 , fastener holes  13 , and a mount face  14 . The thumb guard  10  is intended to prevent a shooter&#39;s off hand  22  thumb from coming in contact with a pistol&#39;s slide  16 . The thumb pad  11  is a place on which a shooter&#39;s off hand  22  thumb to rest and place pressure. The angled surface  12  tapers away from the thumb pad  11  in such a way that one can more easily holster a pistol  18  that has the present embodiment  1  attached. The fastener holes on the thumb plate  13  are used to attach the thumb plate  2  securely to a base  5 . The mount face  14  is designed to connect with a base  5 , washers  9  and lock plate  4  by means of thumb plate fasteners  3 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 3 . Referring now to the present embodiment  1  in more detail. In  FIG. 3 , there is shown isometric exploded view of present embodiment  1  and a pistol  18 . The pistol  18  is comprised of; a slide  16 , a trigger  19 , a frame  17 , a lower rail  15 , and a hand grip  20 . The present embodiment  1  has a base  5  which consists of a base tooth  6 , a base threaded set screw hole  27  and two base threaded fastener holes  26 . The present embodiment  1  also has a lock plate  4  which consists of a lock plate tooth  7  and two lock plate through holes  25 . 
         [0051]    The present embodiment  1  is mounted to a pistol  18  by means of aligning the base tooth  6  and the lock plate tooth  7  with the lower rail  15  of the pistol  18 . Spacers  9  are sometimes needed between the base  5  and the lock plate  4 , depending on the manufacture of the pistol  18 . The thumb plate  2  is then aligned with the lock plate  4 . Thumb plate fasteners  3  are inserted through fastener holes on thumb plate  13  and lock plate through holes  25  and finally threading in to the base threaded fastener holes  26  located on the base  5 . When the thumb plate fasteners  3  are firmly tightened, the present embodiment  1  will be fixed on to a pistol&#39;s  18  lower rail  15 . To ensure the present embodiment does not come loose, a set screw  8  is inserted and tightened in to a base threaded set screw hole  27  until the set screw  8  firmly contacts the underside of the lower rail  15 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4 . Referring now to the present embodiment  1  in more detail. In  FIG. 4 , there is shown a side view of the present embodiment  1  installed on a pistol  18 , held by two hands  21 ,  22 , in a shooting position. The present embodiment  1  is shown attached to the lower rail  15  of a pistol  18 . A shooter places their trigger hand  21  on the hand grip  20  and their off hand  22  around the trigger hand  21 , the shooter then rests their off hand  22  thumb, on to the present embodiments  1  thumb pad  11 . The hand position shown in  FIG. 4  helps to counter act the recoil of the slide direction of motion  24  when the pistol  18  is fired. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5 . Referring now to the present embodiment  1  in more detail. In  FIG. 5 , there is shown a rear view of the present embodiment  1  installed on a pistol  18 , held by two hands in a shooting position. The present embodiment  1  is shown attached to a pistol  18 . The slide  16  of the pistol  18  moves when the pistol  18  is fired. The present embodiment&#39;s  1  thumb plate  2  thumb guard  10  prevents a shooter&#39;s off hand  22  thumb from contacting the slide  16 , by creating negative space  23  between the slide  16  and the shooters off hand  22  thumb. 
       OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
       [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the present embodiment  1  is mounted to a pistol  18  by means of aligning the base tooth  6  and the lock plate tooth  7  with the lower rail  15  of the pistol  18 . Spacers  9  are sometimes needed between the base  5  and the lock plate  4 , depending on the manufacture of the pistol  18 . The thumb plate  2  is then aligned with the lock plate  4 , then thumb plate fasteners  3  are inserted through fastener holes on thumb plate  13  and lock plate through holes  25  and finally threading in to the base threaded fastener holes  26  located on the base  5 . When the thumb plate fasteners  3  are firmly tightened, the present embodiment  1  will be fixed on to a pistol&#39;s  18  lower rail  15 . To ensure the present embodiment does not come loose form the pistol  18  a set screw  8  is inserted and tightened in to a base threaded set screw hole  27  until the set screw  8  firmly contacts the lower rail  15 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a shooter places their shooting hand  21  on the hand grip  20  and their off hand  22  around the shooting hand  21 , the shooter then rests their off hand  22  thumb, on to the present embodiments  1  thumb pad  11 . The hand position shown in  FIG. 4  helps to counter act the recoil of the slide direction of motion  24  when the pistol  18  is fired. The present embodiment  1  also gives a shooter the ability to place pressure on the present embodiment&#39;s  1  thumb plate  2  thumb pad  11 , with their off hand  22  thumb, which aids in the aiming and stabilization process of shooting and handling a pistol  18 . 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0056]    The advantages of the present embodiment include, without limitation, the easy installation as well as removal, of the present embodiment on to a pistol&#39;s lower rail. The present embodiment is also advantageous because it aids in the recoil management, helping the shooter counteract the movement of the pistol&#39;s slide when the pistol is fired. Compared to the current method which is simply to tightly grasp the pistol&#39;s hand grip, the present embodiment creates a more secure grip by means of providing an additional control point in the form of the present embodiments thumb plate thumb pad. A more secure grip provided by the present embodiment aids in the aiming and stabilization process of shooting and handling a pistol. The present embodiment also makes the act of shooting a pistol safer, by providing a thumb guard, preventing a shooter&#39;s off hand thumb form coming in contact with the moving slide of the pistol. 
         [0057]    The present embodiment is also advantageous to those individuals who wish to have greater control of their pistol, increase their accuracy through better controlled aiming, reduce the effect of recoil by means of the thumb pad, and have a safer shooting experience by avoiding contact with a pistol&#39;s slide. 
         [0058]    In broad embodiment, the present embodiment is a thumb rest for a shooter&#39;s off hand thumb, which aids in accuracy, reduces recoil, increases pistol control and prevents unintended contact with a pistols slide. 
         [0059]    While the foregoing written description of the embodiment enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The embodiment should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the embodiment.