Patent Publication Number: US-2019186861-A1

Title: Anti-Grab Gun Barrel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to firearm accessories, and more particularly, to a sharp tool near the muzzle of a long gun to prevent grabbing the barrel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Several designs for knives attached to guns have been designed in the past. These can generally be categorized as fold out knives and bayonets. None of them, however, includes a series of sharp instruments that radiate around the barrel of a firearm and do not extend beyond the muzzle. 
     Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,762 issued to Leung. However, it differs from the present invention because Leung shows a blade extending from the buttstock of a firearm. A blade extending from the rear of the gun will not be able to stop someone from grabbing the muzzle end of a long gun when attepting to disarm a gun holder. Leung is more like the well known bayonet where a blade extends beyond the body of the gun. Both Leung and the common bayonet are offensive weapons. 
     In contrast, the present invention is a defensive tool that in primary embodiments does not extend the length of the firearm and is used defensively when an assailant attempts to grab the barrel of the gun to disarm the gun holder. 
     Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
     A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification and title are provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 CFR 1.72 and are not intended to be used for interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims. 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the detailed description of the invention below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device to prevent an assailant from offensively grabbing the barrel of a gun. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a device to increase officer or soldier safety during close quarters interaction by limiting another&#39;s ability to grab the barrel of the gun during an attempt to disarm the officer or soldier. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gun barrel mounted sharp tool that can be used without resorting to a traditional knife and also extends the range of utility of the sharp tool. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an elevation view of an example of an anti-grab gun barrel. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-section elevation view of the anti-grab gun barrel from the perspective noted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of an anti-grab gun barrel. 
         FIG. 4  shows an elevation view of a gun having an anti-grab gun barrel. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a muzzle end portion of a gun similar to the gun shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6  shows an elevation view of an example of an anti-grab gun barrel device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated and described. 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated or is obvious by context. 
     The subject device and method of use is sometimes referred to as the device, the invention, the anti-grab gun barrel, the sharp device, the spikes, the blades, the cutting device, the machine or other similar terms. These terms may be used interchangeably as context requires and from use the intent becomes apparent. The masculine can sometimes refer to the feminine and neuter and vice versa. The plural may include the singular and singular the plural as appropriate from a fair and reasonable interpretation in the situation. 
     In close quarters fighting with a long gun, as opposed to a pistol, the gun holder generally uses both hands to hold his weapon. The gun holder is intended to be anyone who is rightfully in possession of their weapon. Typically this could be a law enforcement officer, soldier or civilian. In this example, a criminal is encountered by the gun holder. The criminal or bad guy can be anyone who may try to physically disarm the gun holder or to otherwise control the direction of the barrel of the gun. 
     As the gun holder encounters the criminal face to face the criminal may try to grab the gun barrel to take the gun from the gun holder or to redirect the gun barrel away from the criminal. This loss of control of the gun would make the gun holder&#39;s use of the firearm at best ineffective and could be dangerous or lethal to the gun holder. 
     Some hand to hand combat or martial arts instruction directly teaches the technique of grabbing the muzzle end of the gun barrel to disarm and turn the gun around back onto the rightful gun owner. With the leverage the criminal may have this could cause an accidental discharge of the weapon in an inconvenient direction. 
     The situation of a criminal grabbing the barrel of the firearm is exacerbated where there gun holder is surprised or ambushed by the criminal. It may be much easier for the criminal to turn the tables onto the gun holder with speed and ease. This is highly dangerous for the gun holder. On duty and in combat, officers and soldiers are injured by their own weapons used against them. 
     A way to deter and prevent a criminal from grabbing the barrel of the gun to take it from the rightful gun owner is needed. If the hand of the criminal is injured, this is not likely a mortal wound to the criminal and may hasten his surrender to the rightful gun holder. The present device can deescalate dangerous encounters with aggressive criminals trying to attack the pursuing officer or soldier. 
     Throughout the disclosure the terms rightful gun owner, civilian, officer and solder are use interchangeably to refer to the person initially and properly holding the gun before anyone tries to grab the barrel and take control of the gun. Similarly, bad guy, criminal and other such terms refer to the person attempting to take control of the gun of another. Generally, the officer is pursuing the bad guy and needs to retain complete control of the weapon to subdue, capture or kill the bad buy as the situation warrants. 
     Referring now to the drawings at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes a stock  12 , a barrel  14 , a grip  16 , a muzzle  18 , spikes  20  and a trigger  22 . 
     Generally the anti-grab gun barrel device is attached to the muzzle  18  end of a stock long gun. The typical long gun may be a rifle, shotgun, carbine or other similar firearm. Long guns are generally operated using both hands of the gun holder. The device may be applied to shorter guns but may be less effective than when used on a long gun. 
     An important aspect of the anti-grab gun barrel is a series of sharp instruments that radiate away from the muzzle  18  end of the barrel  14 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  there are a plurality of rows of spikes  20 . The rows are along a section of the barrel  14  near the muzzle  18  and run parallel to the length of the barrel  14  between the muzzle  18  and the trigger  22  but generally more towards the muzzle. The rows are generally at least two inches long and may be up to about twelve inches long with about six to eight inches being ideal. 
     In the example best seen in the view shown in  FIG. 2 , there are four rows of spikes  20  that are spaced on radii about the barrel approximately equally. In this configuration, anyone that may grab the muzzle  18  end of the barrel  14  will certainly encounter at least some of the spikes  20 . The spikes  20  will cause injury to the hand of the grabber and will thereby prevent the grabber from effectively controlling the barrel  14  and direction of the firearm. 
     Although four rows of spikes  20  are shown in  FIG. 2 , there may be differing numbers of rows. At least 2 rows are needed to ensure that the grabber&#39;s hand encounters some of the spikes  20 . The anti-grab device could also have more than 4 rows, for example 5 to 8 rows is likely to remain effective for most scenarios that the officer or soldier is likely to encounter yet remain light enough. 
     The spike  20  configuration in  FIGS. 1 and 2  show that the rows of spikes  20  are oriented parallel to the length of the barrel  14 . Although not required to be effective, this configuration increases effectiveness of the device in some situations. 
     For example, when a soldier is clearing a building of bad guys. As the soldier turns towards a blind corner a bad guy could grab the muzzle  18  and of the barrel  14  clasping their hand over the spikes  20 . This alone may cause the bad guy to discontinue his attempt to control the direction of the weapon. However, as the soldier is trained to do, withdrawing the gun away from the bad guy can cause a slicing action of the spikes  20  as the spikes  20  are slid out of the bad guys closed grasp. In this way, a puncture wound to the bad guy&#39;s hand may be amplified with a more devastating slicing action. This may lead to a faster resolution of the conflict and almost certainly will prevent the bad guy from controlling the weapon. 
     In contrast to the well known bayonet, the spikes  20  do not extend beyond the muzzle  18  of the barrel  14 . The spikes  20  are generally not a stabbing or thrusting tool like the bayonet. The spikes  20  are more of a defensive tool when an aggressor attempts to control another person&#39;s firearm. It may be possible to use the spikes  20  offensively in a clubbing or thrusting action, but they are less effective in an offensive role than in a defensive role. Generally with this type of tool the weapon is withdrawn to be effective instead of a stabbing motion with a bayonet. 
     The length of the rows of spikes  20  is generally commensurate with the length of the barrel  14  between the muzzle  18  and the grip  16 . On some guns the grip  16  may be embodied as a pump machismo or forearm. Some guns may have other obstructions on the muzzle  18  end of the barrel  14 , like magazines, gas tubes or guards that may limit the length of the rows of spikes. 
     In most applications of the anti-grab gun barrel the rows of spikes  20  span from near the muzzle  18  end of the barrel  14  and traverse the exterior of the barrel  14  between about 2 and twelve inches toward the stock  12  end of the weapon. A length of about 6 inches has been found to be ideal for a general purpose anti-grab gun barrel. However, this dimension is not absolute and depending on the weapon the length of the row of spikes  20  may be somewhat shorter or longer. The dimension of the length of the row of spikes  20  and number of rows of spikes  20  radiating about the barrel may be selected by the geometry and dimension of the gun, the specific mission application and the nature of the spikes  20  or other sharp element as described below. 
       FIG. 2  is presented to demonstrate specifically an example of how the spikes  20  may radiate around the barrel  14 . In this example 4 rows of spikes  20  are on about ninety degree radials about the center axis of the barrel  14 . Even spacing of the spikes  20  is not required. More or fewer rows of spikes  20  are also effective. Protrusions of the gun assembly itself may dictate that spikes (or other sharps) are not on all sides of the barrel  14 . For example, if a gas tube or magazine is along one edge of the barrel  14  then the spikes may be on radials that avoid this area. 
     In determining the location and number of spikes the goal of injuring a hand grabbing the barrel  14  should be considered foremost. Someone grabbing the end of the barrel  14  should encounter and suffer from at least one spike  20  and preferably several spikes  20 . The spikes  20  are preferably sharpened to maximize injury to a grabbing hand and thereby discouraging grabbing the barrel  14 . Spikes  20  are typically fabricated from a lightweight metal alloy to remain rigid and keep a point. Other rigid polymers and combinations that can be secured or integral to the barrel and maintain sharpness may also be effectively used. Soft materials or materials unable to maintain an edge are less effective and should generally by avoided. 
     Looking now at  FIG. 3  where a version of the inventive concept is shown to have, among other features, spikes  24 , a bracket  26 , a rail  28 , a barrel  30  and a muzzle  31 . Where the version of the device in  FIG. 2  includes spikes  20  integral to the barrel  14 ,  FIG. 3  shows an alternate configuration where the anti-grab device is bracketed to the muzzle  31  end of the barrel  30 . 
     In this varietal demonstrated in  FIG. 3  the bracket  26  is affixed to the muzzle  31  end of the barrel  30  at a rail  28 . This can be a mil-spec rail such as a dovetail, Weaver or Picatinny style. Any rail  28  designed to interface with the bracket  26  to secure the device to the barrel  30  may be effectively employed to attach the sharps to the gun. 
     The spikes  24  may be integral to the bracket  26 . In this way the spikes  26  are securely held into place. There may be more than one rail  28  into which the device is attached. Similarly the bracket  26  may be one unified piece or several interconnected pieces. Individual segments of the bracket  26  may be affixed to differing rails  28 . The anti-grab barrel attachment should be securely affixed to the muzzle  31  end of the barrel  30  so that it is not displaced during violent use. 
     If on a rail  28 , the anti-grab attachment may be removed. Different styles of anti-grab devices may then be utilized depending on the specifics of the mission. The spikes  24  are exemplary of but one type of sharp element on the anti-grab device. Other cutting, slashing, gouging, slicing and piercing types of sharps may also be used. As long as the sharps have the ability to injure the hand of one trying to disarm the right bearer of the gun then they fall under the scope of this disclosure. Combinations of different sharps may be used as well on a single firearm. 
     Looking now at  FIGS. 4 through 6  where other embodiments of the inventive concepts are demonstrated and include, among other elements, a stock  32 , a button  34 , an electrode  36 , a muzzle  38 , blades  40 , a hilt  42 , a barrel  44 , sharps  46 , fasteners  48 , bracket  50 , bracket  52 , trigger  54 , barrel  56  and muzzle  58 . 
     A difference between the embodiment demonstrated in  FIG. 1  and that shown in figure includes use of a series of blades  40  instead of rows of spikes  20 . The blades  40  and spikes  20  are located similarly in both adaptations. Blades  40  and spikes  20  both serve to deter a bad guy from grabbing the muzzle  38  end of the barrel  44 . 
     Several blades  40  are oriented along the longitudinal dimension of the barrel  44  and radiate about the center of the barrel  44 . With the edge of the blades  40  running parallel to the barrel  44 , when a bad guy grabs puts his hands over the blades  40  the officer can retract the gun by pulling back and tend to slice and lacerate the hand of the bad guy. The bad guy will not be able to retain a grip on the barrel  44  over the blades  40 . 
     Blades  40  are intended to represent and are interchangeable with sharps, cutting edges, points, spikes, blades in any sense as long as they are adapted to and capable of damaging the flesh on the hand of a bad guy who grabs the end of the barrel  44  in an attempt to control the gun. Blades may be straight like a razor blade or knife, serrated, saw blade style or a combination of blades and spikes or other forms of sharps. 
     In at least one version of the anti-grab gun barrel the sharps may extend slightly beyond the muzzle  18 . These may be separate sharps or may be extensions of the other rows of sharps or blades that radiate about the end of the barrel. Still, the sharps remain defensive and are more effective when withdrawn to prevent a hand from grabbing the barrel to control the gun. 
     In addition to blades  40  there may be an electrical shock weapon such as a conducted electrical weapon, stun gun, capacitive discharge device or other electrical shock weapon to provide a non-lethal incapacitation deterrent weapon. An electrode  36  near the muzzle  38  can be activated, for example, by the officer activating a button  34 . The button  34  could be in a convenient location near the trigger  54 . 
     Alternatively, the button  34  could function more as a switch. The officer could turn on the electrodes  36  with the button  34  so that the electrodes  36  are activated. When the officer contacts the bad guy with the electrodes  36  the shock could be delivered to safely subdue the bad guy without substantial injury to either party. 
     Optionally, a hilt  42  is provided at the stock  32  side of the blades  40 . The hilt  42  acts as a guard to prevent the officer&#39;s hand from engaging into the blades. When using the device in close quarters against an aggressive bad guy the protection that the hilt  42  offers can help ensure that the gun remains in control of the officer. The hilt  42  may be angled back towards the officer so that as his hand might slip forward toward the sharps it gets caught and stopped at the hilt  42  and avoids injury. 
       FIG. 6  shows a method to affix the anti-grab sharps  46  to the muzzle  58  end of the barrel  56 . This version would be suited for guns that were not manufactured with an integral anti-grab sharps  46  or an accessory rail system on the barrel  56 . The sharps  46  are affixed to bracket  52  and bracket  50 . The brackets  50  and  52  are placed over the barrel  56  and secured together with fasteners  48 . This style anti-grab device can be useful where the officer wants to change the style of sharp  46  to fit the particular situation. 
     If a secondary need to use the sharps  46 , for cutting other than the bad guy&#39;s hand, is anticipated then a suitable blade could be attached to the gun. For example, if an officer may need to cut rope then a knife style sharp can be used. Or, if branches may need to be cut then the saw blade type of sharp can be preferred. Any of the sharps should retain the ability to slice the bad guy&#39;s hand that grabs the barrel to attempt to control the firearm in addition to any secondary uses. 
     Aversion of the invention can be fairly described as an anti-grab gun barrel comprised of a plurality of sharps attached to a gun adjacent to a muzzle end of the gun. Sharps are generally anything sharp like a knife, saw blade, razor blade or spikes. Each of the sharps is comprised of an edge or series of points oriented lengthwise along the long axis of the barrel and radiate away from the barrel as seen in the drawings. The sharps do not extend beyond the muzzle end of the gun distinguishing it from a bayonet. The sharps extend a predetermined length between the muzzle end and a trigger, typically between about two and twelve inches but could deviate from that range a few inches. The sharps are configured so that when a gun controlled by an officer is grabbed on the sharps by a bad guy attempting to control the gun, the bad guy&#39;s hands are injured. Essentially, if someone tries to grab the barrel near the muzzle their hand will be injured and they will be unable to control the gun. 
     Versions of the invention may include an anti-grab gun barrel as described above that also includes a hilt is provided affixed to the gun between the trigger and the sharps to prevent the officer&#39;s hand from contacting the sharps. The hilt is essentially a guard to prevent the officer&#39;s hand from getting into the sharps for protection. There may also be a non-lethal electrical charge delivery device is positioned at the muzzle end of the gun and is selectively controlled by the officer. This may be a stun gun or similar shock device that is selectively discharged to control the bad guy in a non-lethal manner. The sharps are any of a smooth blade, a serrated blade, a razor edge, a row of spikes, a saw blade or any other flesh wounding device that would prevent a bad guy from grabbing the muzzle end of the barrel. 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.