Patent Publication Number: US-9891020-B2

Title: Multi-platform ergonomic foregrip

Description:
Presently, many shooters utilize different accessories to enhance their firearm and provide additional functionality which allows for improved firearm utilization. One such accessory is the firearm foregrip. One of the most popular firearm accessories is the foregrip. A firearm foregrip is typically attached onto a handguard rail via different mechanisms that allow a user to essentially customize their firearm. This accessory acts to provide a stable position on the fore end of the firearm to guide the shooters support hand as well as to allow the shooter to apply some rearward pressure to the grip and in turn allows the shooter to firmly seat the firearm against their shoulder. Fortunately, a user is not limited to one specific design of foregrip, as there are vertical grips and angled grips. Each serves a similar purpose, but the angled foregrip typically maintains the functionality of the vertical grip while providing additional capability and support hand ergonomics. The ergonomic functionality comes from the ability for a user to properly utilize their support hand, especially for long periods of engagement, without the wrist strain associated with using a vertical grip. Therefore, many shooters have a preference to utilize the angled foregrip. In addition to its ergonomic functionality, an angled foregrip allows a shooter to employ different support hand holding techniques. 
     Now the issue shooters have encountered with the angled foregrip is its ability to be utilized on different handguard mounting platforms. Current foregrip mounting mechanisms utilize a KeyMod mounting mechanism which is a standard mounting platform for mounting accessories onto a handguard. A second mounting mechanism, which was recently developed but becoming more popular and heading towards being a standardized mounting platform is the M-LOK platform. This platform provides many advantages over previous mounting platforms while maintaining the strength of attachment mechanism. Unfortunately, M-LOK is being slowly phased in as the standard platform. Unfortunately, costs and availability of accessories that can mount on the M-LOK platform have caused some shooters to consider the short term advantages of utilizing an M-LOK platform. On the other hand, some early adopters of the M-LOK platform have found that they cannot utilize their KeyMod mounting accessories with their M-LOK platform. Hence, they must discard their accessories or sell them to purchase new ones. As previously mentioned, the firearm foregrip is one of the most, if not the most, popular accessory for a shooter to add to their firearm. Most are made to fit the KeyMod platform, which is good for those still utilizing the old platform, but those whom have adopted to M-LOK platform are found wanting as foregrips are slowly being developed to meet the shooters&#39; needs. Therefore, it is apparent that there is a need for a foregrip that can be attached to the older KeyMod platform as well as the newer M-LOK platform, while still maintaining the strength and stability of the proven KeyMod foregrip designs. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to a multi-platform ergonomic foregrip which can be attached onto different mounting platform handguards. The foregrip comprises a base adapted to engage a handguard rail, a front end portion, a rear end portion, and an intermediate portion. The front end portion features two engagement surfaces that are generally vertical in relation to the attachment rail on which it is attached, and can be engage by a users&#39; hand or finger to provide additional firing control. The rear portion features two additional engagement surfaces that also allow a user to utilize different firearm control hand techniques via a partially curved portion and an angled portion. Finally, the intermediate portion is partially curved and partially horizontal and connected the front end to the rear end. The design of the intermediate section provides maximum ergonomic positioning for a shooters hand to be placed when utilizing different firearm control hand techniques. 
     The invention is best understood through examination of the description of drawings as well as the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions are set forth and have been assigned numerical designations to enable the reader to understand the reasoning behind and the application of the present invention. These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more obvious when taken with reference to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration the present invention, Multi-Platform Ergonomic Foregrip. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the present invention, Multi-Platform Ergonomic Foregrip. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the present invention positioned on a firearm handguard. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the present invention attached on one style of firearm handguard. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of the present invention attached on another style of firearm handguard. 
         FIGS. 6-9  are illustrations of different methods a shooter can utilizing to hold the firearm handguard. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration the present invention, Multi-Platform Ergonomic Foregrip  100 . This illustration shows a plurality of engagement, attachment and positioning features. On the top surface of the invention  100 , positioning lugs  102  are present to guide a user in the installation process. These lugs  102  allows the invention  100  to be positioned appropriately, prior to securing the apparatus, on different handguard mounting platforms. This is apparent in  FIGS. 4 and 5  which each illustrate different mounting platforms, in this case the KeyMod mounting platform and the M-LOK handguard mounting platforms respectively. Insertion of a fastener  300  via fastener holes  103 , shown in  FIG. 2 , and illustrated in  FIG. 3  will provide a method for securing the invention  100  onto a firearm handguard  200 . 
     As mentioned,  FIG. 1  is an illustration the present invention, Multi-Platform Ergonomic Foregrip  100 . The invention  100  further features a front end  111  and a rear end  121  separated by a horizontal engagement portion  133 , which runs from the front end, and a curved engagement portion  135  which connected the horizontal engagement portion  133  to the rear end  121 . 
     The front end further comprises a vertical member defined by a first vertical engagement surface  113  and a second vertical engagement surface  115  by which a user can utilize in a method similar to that shown in both  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The rear end  121  further comprises two engagement surfaces wherein a first engagement surface  123 , having a first angled grip surface  1231  and a second angled grip surface  1232  connecting at an angle over ninety (90) degrees, provides a position for a user to utilize a method of holding the invention  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The rear end  121  also features a second engagement surface  125  by which a shooter can position their hand on the handguard. The invention  100  also features the curved engagement portion  135  and the horizontal engagement surface  133  by which a user can effectively position their hand or a finger to provide additional grip and better firing control as shown in  FIGS. 6 through 9 .