Abstract:
A grip for a handgun including a deformable elastomer grip part positioned on each side of the handgun handle. One or more of the grip parts has a recess in its outside to receive a non-deformable stiffening element. The size and shape of the recess and stiffening element can be varied to accomplish the desired flexibility-to-stiffness of the handle grip.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous handgun grip arrangements have been proposed including the use of resilient grip panels with and without internal stiffening members embedded in such panels. Rubber grip panels and wood grip panels of various sizes and shapes have been used over the years. 
     None of the prior grip arrangements has provided satisfactory gripping by the operator together with an acceptable appearance, versatility and simplicity of design, combined with ease of manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Broadly, the present invention provides a novel grip arrangement for handguns in which elastomer grip elements are positioned on each side of the handle frame. The elastomer grip elements have recesses formed in them to receive non-deformable externally inserted stiffening elements. Fasteners are used to secure the elastomer grip elements and externally inserted stiffening elements to each other and to the handle frame. 
     It is a feature of the invention that the externally inserted stiffening elements are shaped and sized to be capable of being gripped by the handgun operator to move these externally inserted stiffening elements toward the handle frame thus deforming the resilient grip elements and providing a firm and comfortable grip for the handgun operator. The externally inserted stiffening elements further add to the functionality and appearance of the firearm, and the grips so constructed offer the advantages of superior cushioning against recoil and comfortable gripping surfaces for the shooter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a left side partial elevational view of a revolver including the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a right side partial elevational view of the revolver; 
     FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the handle of the revolver; 
     FIG. 4 is a rearward elevational view of the handle of the revolver; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 9 is a view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the revolver including the handle; 
     FIG. 11 is a right hand elevational view of a first modification of the invention as applied to a revolver; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15--15 of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 16 is a second modification of the present invention as applied to a revolver; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17--17 of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18--18 of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 19 is a view taken along the line 19--19 of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line 20--20 of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 21 is a view taken along the line 21--21 of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 22 is a third modification of the invention as applied to an automatic pistol; 
     FIG. 23 is a view taken along the line 23--23 of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line 24--24 of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25--25 of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the line 26--26 of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 27 is a left-hand elevational view of the handle of the automatic pistol; 
     FIG. 28 is a fourth modification of the invention as applied to another automatic pistol; 
     FIG. 29 is a rearward elevational view of the automatic pistol of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a frontal elevational view of the automatic pistol of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along the line 31--31 of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along the line 32--32 of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along the line 33--33 of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 31; 
     FIG. 35 is a left-hand side elevational view of a fifth modification as applied to a revolver; 
     FIG. 36 is, on its left half, a rearward view of the revolver of FIG. 35 and on its right half a sectional view; 
     FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken along the line 37--37 of FIG. 36; 
     FIG. 38 is a sectional view taken along line 38--38 of FIG. 35; 
     FIG. 39 is a partial left-hand side elevational view of a sixth modification as applied to a revolver; 
     FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken along line 40--40 of FIG. 41; 
     FIG. 41 is a rearward elevational view of the revolver of FIG. 39; 
     FIG. 42 is a partial elevational left-hand view of the revolver of FIG. 39; 
     FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken along line 43--43 of FIG. 42; 
     FIG. 44 is a sectional view taken along line 44--44 of FIG. 42; and 
     FIG. 45 is a sectional view taken along line 45--45 of FIG. 42. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning to FIGS. 1-3, revolver 10 includes frame 11, barrel 12, cylidner 13, hammer 14, trigger 16, trigger guard 17, left grip panel 18, right grip panel 19, left grip panel insert 21 and right grip panel insert 22. Also shown are left panel depression are 23 and grip panel fastener 24. 
     In FIGS. 4-10, it is seen that each panel 18, 19 is made of an elastomer or otherwise deformable material and sized and shaped including notches 20 to abut along narrow abutment surface 25 and to thereby surround handle frame 26. Grip panels 18, 19 each has in it a recess 27, 28 respectively. Recesses 27, 28 each extend a substantial distance up and down and a substantial distance across each panel 18, 19 and each recess 27, 28 receives a grip panel insert 21, 22 respectively. Panel inserts 21, 22 are made of a stiff material such as wood to provide more rigidity and a more pleasing appearance to the handle system which includes handle frame 11, grip panels 18, 19, panel inserts 21, 22 and the fastener arrangement 24 to hold them together The size and shape of the recesses 27, 28 and the inserts 21, 22 housed in them may be varied to control the resilience, stiffness, and appearance of a particular handle system. 
     Alignment of panel inserts is further controlled by the tolerance between the recess edges 27a, 28a and the sides of the panel inserts 21, 22. In addition, alignment of both panels 18, 19 and inserts 21, 22 is aided by alignment recess holes 30 in the panels 18, 19 and insert openings 31 in the inserts 21, 22 which holes and openings receive stud 32 affixed to handle frame 26 (see FIG. 10). Stud 32 prevents turning or twisting of the grip elements around fastener arrangement 24. 
     Handle frame 26 is preferably substantially smaller than the grip panels 18, 19 permitting substitution of smaller or larger panels as desired. Where larger panels are used which extend below the frame handle 26, the size and shape of the insert design will permit obtaining the desired flexibility-to-stiffness of the system. For example, a man with a large hand and a strong grip may wish a larger or stiffer insert as compared to a woman with a smaller hand and a less strong grip. 
     Handle frame 26 and panels 18, 19 are shaped to provide space 33 in front of and behind handle frame 26 (see FIGS. 7, 8). Hammer strut 34, hammer spring 36 and springloaded trigger guard latch mechanism 37 is also shown (FIG. 8 ). Fastener 24 includes bolt 39, nut 41 and washer 42. 
     Turning to FIGS. 11-15, the second embodiment of the invention includes revolver 40 in which the grip panels 18&#39;, 19&#39; do not engage but instead are separated by the handle frame 26&#39;. Further the grip panels 18&#39;, 19&#39; each include a second inner recess 43, 44 (positioned opposite outer recesses 27&#39;, 28&#39;) to provide for right and left spaces 46, 47 between the panels 18&#39;, 19&#39; and the handle frame 26&#39;. The purpose and function of inserts 21&#39;, 22&#39;, fasteners 24&#39; and aliqnment stud 32&#39; are the same as in the earlier described embodiment. 
     With attention to FIGS. 16-21, the third embodiment is shown adapted for another style of revolver known as the &#34;single action&#34; type. This embodiment shows revolver 50 in which second inner recesses 43&#39;, 44&#39; are slightly larger than in the earlier second embodiment. Handle frame 26&#39; includes frame opening 49. All other aspects of the invention are similar to the second embodiment. 
     With attention now to FIGS. 22-27, an automatic pistol is shown with handle 61 including handle frame 62, flexible grip members 63, 64 and rigid inserts 72, 73. Fasteners 68 pass through holes 69 in the grip members 63, 64 and through holes 71 and the grip inserts 72, 73 for threaded engagement in threaded holes 74 in grip handle frame 62 to avoid interference with the magazine 77. Fasteners 68 are recessed in inserts 72, 73. Also shown is barrel 79, bolts 80 and 81 handle frame release lever. 
     Turning to FIGS. 28-34 a fifth embodiment is seen in which pistol 90 carries the same handle grip construction as pistol 70 except the flexible grip panels 81, 82 are secured to grip handle frame 83 by lower fasteners 84 which engage notches 86, 87 in the lower ends of panels 81, 82, respectively. The handle construction of pistol 90 further differs in that rigid inserts 88, 89 carry tapered end portions 91, 92 which fit into complementary panel notches 93, 94. 
     FIGS. 35-38 illustrate another embodiment as shown in which revolver 100 has a handle construction similar to that illustrated in FIG. 11 in that the new grips extend over the revolver&#39;s handle with generally the same external contours as the handle. This basic handle style is used on many kinds of revolvers, and FIGS. 35-38 illustrate that this new grip arrangement is adaptable to many guns, such as those manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Colt, Charter Arms, Llama, Taurus, Rossi and others. Also shown are hammer spring 91 and spring anchor piece 92. 
     Finally, with respect to FIGS. 39-45, revolver 110 includes grip panels 111, 112; inserts 113, 114; grip handle 116 and exposed lower grip handle section 117. Support pin 118 engages grip panels 111, 112 (see FIG. 43). Inserted fastener assembly 121 engages panels 111, 112 to urge them toward frame 116 (FIG. 45). Elastomer element wraps around the rear portion of the grip frame only giving resiliency to that portion and sides only. The front area comprises the grip frame itself.