Patent Publication Number: US-7900390-B2

Title: Light rail and accessory rail mount for vertical fore grip

Description:
This invention is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/652,337 filed Jan. 11, 2007, now allowed now U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,304 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,762 filed Jul. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,429, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/725,082 filed Dec. 2, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,424, U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/267,729 filed Oct. 20, 2006, now U.S. Design Pat. D566,220, and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/259,347 filed May 5, 2006, now U.S. Design Pat. D566,219. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to guns and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of using and installing an accessory mount having a Picatinny rail onto a fore grip/gun handle, where the mount can support a light, laser or accessory directly from the fore grip/gun handle. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Vertical fore grips have become popular with firearms, such as rifles. The fore grips allow the operator a handle to both support and help aim the firearm at a target. Fore grips have included standard elongated handles, that can have generally cylindrical gripping portions that can be fixed to the firearms, and the fore grips have included removable handles that can attach beneath rail type brackets underneath the firearms. 
     In addition to elongated handles, vertical fore grips have included other variations such as bipods that can also be fixably attached to the firearms, and be removably attached to the rail type brackets underneath the firearms. 
     Often the rail type brackets underneath the firearms, such as the rifles are used to support accessories such as lights. However, using a removable fore grip takes away the space that has been used for the accessory lights. Thus, operators often have to choose whether to use the removable fore grips on the bottom facing rails or use accessory lights. 
     Thus, a problem exists where the operator using the removable fore grip has no place to support their accessory lights causing a disadvantage for sighting targets. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle that allows for an accessory mount to be fixably attached directly to the fore grip handle. 
     A secondary objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle that allows for an accessory mount to be removably attached directly to the fore grip handle. 
     A third objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle with an accessory mount having rails for mounting accessories thereon. 
     A fourth objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle that can be removably mounted to rail brackets on the firearm, and has separate rail brackets for mounting accessories from the handle. 
     A fifth objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle having an accessory mount to allow flashlights to be removably attached thereto. 
     A sixth objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle having an accessory mount to allow laser sights to be removably attached thereto. 
     A seventh objective of the subject invention is to provide a firearm fore grip/gun handle having an accessory mount to allow bayonets to be removably attached thereto. 
     An eighth objective of the subject invention is to provide an existing firearm fore grip/gun handle with accessory mount for accessories to be removably attached thereto. 
     A ninth objective of the subject invention is to provide a bipod firearm fore grip/gun handle with accessory mount for accessories to be removably attached thereto. 
     The accessory mount can be used with fore grips having a firearm mounting assembly that can be self-contained or can feature adaptable mounting heads to interface with Weaver or Picatinny Rail mounts or a simple bolt attachment to a firearm. A fore grip is coupled to the mounting assembly, or can be integrated with the mounting assembly, and the fore grip is to be gripped by the hand of a user when the mounting assembly is attached or coupled to a firearm. The fore grip is used for stabilizing the firearm during firing when the user grips the fore grip. 
     The accessory mount can be used with fore grips having concealable and collapsible bipod legs. Alternatively, the accessory mount can be used with other types of fore grips. 
     The fore grip handle can include a void space or female orifice to hold an accessory switch such as but not limited to a depressible switch, for activating an accessory unit, such as but not limited to a light. A cap cover can cover the void space or female orifice. A tension fit pin can hold the cap cover in place. 
     A firearm fore grip with accessory mount holder, can include an elongated handle having a top end and a bottom end and outer sidewalls between the top end and the bottom end, and an accessory mount having a portion that is attached to a portion of the outer sidewalls of the handle, the accessory mount having rails for allowing an accessory to be removably attached to the rails on the accessory mount. 
     The accessory mount can be molded to a side portion of the outer sidewalls of the handle. 
     The accessory mount can be attached by a slot, and a mateable plug portion, the slot and the mateable slug portion interlocking with one another, and for allowing the accessory mount to be attachable to the handle. 
     The slot can be located in the portion of the outer sidewalls of the handle, and the mateable plug protrudes from the accessory mount, wherein the accessory mount attaches to the handle by the plug interlocking with the slot. 
     The slot can be located on the accessory mount, and the mateable plug protrudes from the portion of the outer sidewalls of the handle, wherein the accessory mount attaches to the handle by the plug interlocking with the slot. 
     The slot and the plug portion can each have a cylindrical configuration. The slot and the slug portion can each have a rectangular configuration. The slot and the plug portion can each have threads for allowing the plug to screw into the slot. 
     The accessory that can be mounted to the accessory mount can be a flash light. The accessory that can be mounted to the accessory mount can be a laser light. The accessory that can be mounted to the accessory mount can be an optical sight. The accessory that can be mounted to the accessory mount can be an optical scope. The accessory that can be mounted to the accessory mount can be a bayonet. 
     The fore grip can be clamped about lower facing rails on the firearm, so that the rails on the accessory mount are oriented perpendicular to and below the lower facing rails on the firearm. 
     The rails on both the accessory mount and the lower facing rails on the firearm can each include Picatinny rails. 
     A method of mounting accessories from the fore grips of firearms, can include the steps of providing a firearm having a vertical fore grip handle, the handle having an upper end being attached to the firearm, and a lower end, with sidewalls between the upper end and the lower end, attaching an accessory mount to a portion of the sidewalls of the handle, and attaching an accessory to the accessory mount. 
     The attaching step can be by molding the accessory mount to the portion of the sidewalls of the handle. 
     The attaching step can be by interlocking the accessory mount to the portion of the sidewalls of the handle by a slot and a mateable plug that is inserted therein. 
     The interlocking step can be by locating the slot on the portion of the sidewalls of the handle, and locating the mateable plug on the accessory mount. 
     The interlocking step can be by locating the slot on the accessory mount, and locating the mateable plug on the portion of the sidewalls of the handle. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying flow charts and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustration only, and not limitation: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective enlarged upper view of a fore grip showing accessory mounting bay plug. 
         FIG. 2  is another view of the upper portion of the fore grip of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting bay plug and friction pin removed. 
         FIG. 3  is another view of  FIG. 1  of an accessory switch and friction pin to install. 
         FIG. 4  is another view of  FIG. 3  showing accessory switch and friction pin installed. 
         FIG. 5  is a front left perspective of an accessory rail mount for the fore grip. 
         FIG. 6  is a front right perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear right perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear left perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow F 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow RV. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow T. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow B. 
         FIG. 13  is a left side view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow L. 
         FIG. 14  is a right side view of the mount of  FIG. 5  along arrow R. 
         FIG. 15  is another perspective view of a fore grip such as the inventors&#39; bipod vertical fore grip with installed accessory bay plug. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the fore grip of  FIG. 15  showing friction pin and accessory bay plug removed exposing the accessory bay. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the fore grip of  FIG. 16  with an accessory rail mount ready to install. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the fore grip of  FIG. 17  with installed accessory rail mount being secured with a screw and a hex nut. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the fore grip of  FIG. 18  with the fore grip clamped onto a rifle rail with accessory flashlight ready to be mounted onto the accessory rail mount. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the fore grip of  FIG. 19  with accessory flashlight mounted to the accessory rail mount. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of a bipod vertical fore grip that can be used with the accessory rail mount. 
         FIG. 22  is a top left perspective view of an accessory rail mount attached to another vertical fore grip. 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom right perspective view of  FIG. 22  showing the accessory rail mount attached to the vertical fore grip. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The invention is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/652,337 filed Jan. 11, 2007, now allowed which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,762 filed Jul. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,429, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/725,082 filed Dec. 2, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,424, U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. D267,729 filed Oct. 20, 2006, now U.S. Design patent D566,220 and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/259,347 filed May 5, 2006, now U.S. Design Pat. D566,219 all by the same inventors and assigned to the same assignee, which are incorporated by reference. 
     The invention can be used with the novel bipod vertical fore grip described in reference to the inventors&#39; previous inventions. 
     A list of the components in  FIGS. 1-23  will now be described
       100 . Fore grip embodiment     105 . accessory mounting bay plug     107 . side connection tabs on plug     109 . through-holes in side tabs     110 . Fore grip handle.     120 . Leg(s).     140 . Friction pin     142 . Enlarged head     144 . Elongated shaft     145 . Head piece     180 . Rail clamp bolt.     190 . Accessory mounting bay.     195 . through-holes in side walls of bay     800 . Accessory rail mount.     802 . Front face leg     804 . Left face leg     806  Angled face end     810  Mounting screw hole.     820  Side mounting lip     823 . Mounting screw hole     825 . Hex nut recess.     830  Accessory bay insert boss.     840 . Mounting plate member with Picatinny style mounting rails on accessory.     842 . Separate feet members     850  Accessory bay plug.     860  Accessory bay.     870  Friction pin.     880  Hex nut.     890  Mounting screw.     900  Firearm/rifle     910  Picatinny rail on firearm/rifle     920  Rail mounted flashlight accessory     930  Another vertical fore grip.   

     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the accessory mount invention can be used with the inventors novel fore grip  100  that has a mounting section or end  145  having parallel rails that can be attached to rails  910 , such as Picatinny rails on a firearm such as a rifle  900 , and the like, by adjusting the head piece clamps with rail clamp bolt  180 . The fore grip can include of a machining or a casting that utilizes aluminum or a molding that utilizes high impact resistant polymer or a composite material. The fore grip is a grip for gripping by the hand of a user when the fore grip  100  is attached to the firearm  900 . Although the mounting end  3  being an integral part of the handle for illustration purposes only, it should be understood that the mounting end head piece  145  can be a separate component that is then attached by other members, such as threads or a lock screw or locking bolt to the handle  100 . For illustrative purposes, the mounting end head piece uses a Picatinny mounting rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail), a mounting system widely used by military for attachment of various devices to military rifles. However, it should be understood that other methods of attachment to a firearm could be used. 
     As described in the parent patent applications that are incorporated by reference, the fore grip can have a handle portion  110 , with bottom retaining cap  130  have a concealable and collapsible bipod legs  120 . One version can have a tubular recess consisting of a first cylindrical cutout housing the bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism and a void space for other accessories. The release mechanism such as a depressible button has a compression spring positioned between the piston assembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and the compression spring. The legs are connected to the bottom of the piston assembly via a hinge and spring that when released from confinement within the fore grip, causes the legs to expand outward until deployed. 
     Another version of the fore grip with bipod uses only one spring, wherein the legs can be gravity and/or snap/shook released from the handle by a switch (such as the depressible button) and the spring expands the legs out to the fully deployed position. 
     To use the fore grip, a user simply attaches the fore grip to the firearm, regardless of whether or not the bipod legs are deployed. If the legs are deployed, then the user has the option of using the gun with the legs deployed or compressing or squeezing the legs together, and pushing them upwards into the fore grip until the male part of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism catches and locks the bipod legs and the piston assembly into the closed position. 
     Accessory Adapters 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective enlarged upper view of the fore grip  100  showing accessory mounting bay plug  105 .  FIG. 2  is another view of the upper portion of the fore grip  100  of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting bay plug  105  and friction pin  140  removed. The friction pin  140  can have an enlarged head  142 , and an elongated shaft  144  with raised/barbed edges  145 . The accessory mounting bay plug  105  can be sized to fit into accessory mounting bay  190  formed in side face of head piece  145 . Through-holes  195  can be on side walls to bay  190 . The plug  105  can be held in place inside of bay  190  by sliding the raised/barbed edges  145  on shaft  144  of pin  140  into through-holes  195  and holes  109  in plug tabs  107 . Pulling the pin  140  by head  142  outward away from head piece  145  can allow the plug  105  to be released from bay  190 . 
       FIG. 3  is another view of  FIG. 1  showing an accessory switch  1280  and friction pin  140  ready to be installed.  FIG. 4  is another view of  FIG. 3  showing the accessory switch  1280  and friction pin  140  installed. The back of accessory switch  1280  can have a raised plug  1287  sized to fit inside of bay  190  and held in place by pin  140  in a manner similar to that described in  FIGS. 1-2 . The accessory switch  1280  can have a step shaped configuration with a lower portion  1282  having a depressible power switch  1283 , reachable from a finger or thumb of a user gripping about handle  110  that can turn power on and off to plug  1285  that can be hooked to accessory equipment. The accessory equipment can include but is not limited to a flashlight, laser light target finder that can also be used with the weapon the fore grip is attached to. 
     The novel accessory unit plug  1280  can be modified to include a depressible switch  1283  and accessory (i.e. Light, laser, and the like), such as those manufactured by Insight Technology Inc. of Londonberry, N.H., or Crimson Trace Corp. of Beaverton, Oreg. 
     Accessory Rail Mount 
       FIG. 5  is a front left perspective of an accessory rail mount  800  for use with the fore grip  100 .  FIG. 6  is a front right perspective view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a rear right perspective view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  is a rear left perspective view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 9  is a front view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow F.  FIG. 10  is a rear view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow RV.  FIG. 11  is a top view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow T.  FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow B.  FIG. 13  is a left side view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow L.  FIG. 14  is a right side view of the mount  800  of  FIG. 5  along arrow R. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the novel accessory mount  800  can be formed from injection molded plastic, and/or composite material such as glass filled nylon and/or the material described above of which the fore grip  100  is formed from. In addition, the accessory mount  800  can be optionally strengthened from metal inserts inside the body. 
     The accessory mount  800  can have a generally right angled triangular configuration having a front face leg  802  that can have a length of approximately 2.72″, a left face leg  804  having a length of approximately 1.51″ and an angled face end  806  having a length of approximately 1.81″ and have a triangular plate portion with a thickness of approximately 0.19″. The front face leg  802  can have a width up to approximately 0.83″, and a T-shaped cross-section and thickness of approximately 0.38″ 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-12 , accessory mount  800  can include a mounting screw hole  810  in accessory bay insert boss  830 , with a hex nut recess  825  in a side mounting lip  820  also having a similar mounting screw hole  823 . Along the front face leg  802  can be mounting plate  840  having opposite facing edge rails. Preferably the rails can be as Picatinny rails that are found on military type firearms such as rifles, and the like. Separated feet members  842  can also be used as well, and can be formed from the same materials as the rest of the accessory mount  800  above, and/or be formed from metal materials, and the like. 
       FIG. 15  is another perspective view of a fore grip  100  such as the inventors&#39; bipod vertical fore grip  100  with installed accessory bay plug  850 / 105 .  FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the fore grip  100  of  FIG. 15  showing friction pin  140 / 870  and accessory bay plug  850 / 105  removed exposing the accessory bay  860 / 190 .  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the fore grip  100  of  FIG. 16  with an accessory rail mount  800  ready to install.  FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the fore grip  100  of  FIG. 17  with installed accessory rail mount  800  being secured with a screw  890  and a hex nut  880 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-18 , the accessory bay plug  850 / 105  can be removed from the accessory bay  860 / 190  by removing out the friction pin  870 / 140  from the through-holes  195  in the sidewalls of the bay  860 / 190 . Next, the accessory bay insert boss  830  having a shape that matches the inside of the inside of bay  860 / 190  can be inserted into the accessory bay  860 / 190  so that rails  840  extend to the side off the handle  100 . A mounting screw  890  can be inserted through both mounting screw hole  823  in side mounting lip  820  and through mounting screw hole  195  in bay  860 / 190 , and through mounting screw hole  810  in accessory bay insert boss  830 . A hex nut  880  can be positioned in hex nut recess  825  on side mounting lip  820  so that the screw fastener  890  can be threaded into the nut  880  to fasten and lock the accessory mount  800  in place. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the fore grip  800  of  FIG. 18  with the fore grip  800  clamped onto a rifle rail  910  (such as a Picatinny rail) with an accessory flashlight  920  ready to be mounted onto the accessory rail mount  800 .  FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the fore grip  100  of  FIG. 19  with grip edges  925  of an accessory flashlight  920  mounted to the accessory rail mount  800 . A flash light such as but not limited to one manufactured by Surefire Inc. can be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19-20 , the fore grip attached accessory mount rails  840  can be oriented to be perpendicular to the rail mounts  910  on the bottom of the firearm. The grip edges  925  of the accessory flashlight  920  can slide in a tight fit about the rail edges  840  on the accessory mount  800 . 
     Although an accessory flash light is shown, other accessory lights having rails, such as but not limited to laser lights, and the like, can be used. Additionally, other accessories having rails, such as but not limited to sights and scopes can be used. Additionally, other accessories having mounting rails, such as bayonets, can be used with the novel accessory mount  800 . 
     While the accessory mount  800  is shown with a plug boss  830 , the plug can be configured to be rectangular. Still furthermore, the plug can be configured to be cylindrical, and the like. 
     Although the plug  830  is shown to be fastened by a screw type fastener, the plug can be fastened by a removable pin, and the like. The plug can be snap fit into the slot. 
     Additionally, the plug can have threaded sides and the bay can have threaded sides so that the plug screws into a slot having threads in the sidewall of the fore grip. 
     Additionally, the accessory mount can be fixably attached to the fore grip by being molded onto the fore grip during the manufacturing of the fore grip. 
     As described above, the invention can be used with the inventors&#39; novel bipod fore grip shown in  FIG. 21 . A preferred embodiment can have the head piece  145  having a length of approximately 1.85 inches a width of approximately 1.29 inches and a height of approximately 1.15 inches. In a fully leg retracted/closed position, the fore grip can have a height of approximately 6.32 inches. The handle portion  110  can have a length of approximately 2.95 inches and a width of approximately 1.37 inches. The legs can have a width of approximately 0.73 inches along with the feet having a width of approximately 0.99 inches. In a fully deployed/expanded position, the fore grip can have an overall height of approximately 8.57 inches, with the legs  120  having a spread eagle angle therebetween of approximately 76 degrees, and the inside angle of the feet  128  to the rest of the legs being approximately 52 degrees. The feet can be spread apart from toe to toe at approximately 6.95 inches. 
     Although, the preferred embodiment lists specific dimensions, the invention can be practiced with different sized and shaped components. 
     The fore grip can be made from various components such as but not limited to polymeric materials, such as but not limited to plastic and/or glass filled nylon with and without metal inserts such as aluminum, galvanized metal, stainless steel, and the like Additionally, the fore grip can include void spaces where possible to decrease weight. 
     Although a depressible button is shown above, the invention can use other types of activation such as but not limited to toggle switches, pressure actuated switches, temperature actuated switches and the like, to release the inside legs to slide down and expand outward from beneath the housing. 
     Attached to Other Fore Grips 
       FIG. 22  is a top left perspective view of an accessory rail mount  800  attached to another vertical fore grip  930 .  FIG. 23  is a bottom right perspective view of  FIG. 22  showing the accessory rail mount  800  attached to the vertical fore grip  930 . The invention can be used with other fore grips  930 . A bay  960  similar to the bay  860  describe above can be modified so that a bay portion can be drilled out and/or cut into a sidewall portion of an existing fore grip  930 . 
     Similar to the previously described embodiment, a plug and recess/slot can be configured to be rectangular. Still furthermore, the plug and recess/slot can be configured to be cylindrical, and the like. Snap fits can also be used. 
     Additionally, the plug on the accessory mount can have threads and a hole/slot in the fore grip  930  can be drilled out and have internal threads so that the plug can screw onto the fore grip  930 . 
     Additionally, the accessory mount can be fixably attached to the fore grip by being permanently fastened thereon by adhesive such as glue, cement, and the like, after hole/slot is drilled and the plug is inserted therein. 
     Although the slots are shown on the fore grips, and the plugs on the accessory mount, the fore grips can be modified to include plugs and the accessory mount have slots thereon. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.