Integrated pressure switch pocket for a vertical fore grip

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/667,578, filed Apr. 2, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to a grip, and more particularly, to a vertical grip and/or a firearm with a vertical grip with an integrated pressure switch pocket and storage.

[0003] Modern firearms often require mounting and quickly shedding mission-specific accessories that accelerate soldier performance at a given combat task. One of those accessories that has proven invaluable in improving operator control and performance during sustained automatic fire is the vertical fore grip.

[0004] The current fore grip design is a glass-filled polypropylene component that can be uncomfortable to most hands. Many operators feel that the grip diameter is too small and requires considerable grasp pressure to prevent slippage. The material itself is waxy to the touch, and becomes even slicker when wet or sweaty. It also prevents proper adhesion of glues for pressure switches, resulting in less-than-satisfactory switch mounting methods. This grip has no form of hand retention other than small grooves at the grip end which easily pack with dirt or mud, eliminating any benefit.

[0005] Another weakness of existing grips is the mounting system. A small cylindrical soft plastic projection is the sole method of retaining the grip to the rail system. Any major impact to the grip shears the projection, allowing the firearm to slide out of control in an operator's hand. Field expedient fixes have been to drill out the sheared plastic part and replace it with a steel pin. This is time consuming and a stop-gap improvement.

[0006] In one embodiment, the invention is a vertical fore grip for attachment to a firearm. The grip includes a body having an internal storage cavity with an external opening, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, the mount located at one end of the body, a pocket adapted to receive a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a removable cap, adapted to cover the external opening. In another embodiment, the mount includes a rail groove, at least one locking bar dimensioned to interface with cross cuts in a firearm rail, a spring engaging the body and the locking bar, and at least one slot having an upper portion and a lower portion, the slot dimensioned to accept a locking bar substantially in the upper portion while engaged or substantially in the lower portion in a released condition, the slot protruding through the housing of the grip and running through the rail groove substantially perpendicular to the rail groove.

[0007] In one embodiment, the invention is firearm that includes a vertical fore grip. The fore grip includes a body having an internal storage cavity with an external opening, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, the mount located at one end of the body, a pocket adapted to receive a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a removable cap adapted to cover the external opening.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical fore grip for a firearm having an internal storage cavity and a pressure switch pocket.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a vertical fore grip 10 with pressure switch 11 installed on a firearm according to one embodiment of the invention. The pressure switch 11 is held in place by cap 12. Vertical fore grips 10 are often called upon to mount pressure switches for lasers and tactical lights. FIG. 2 shows a vertical grip 10 with locking bars 14 engaged in a Mil-Std-1913 rail on a firearm according to one embodiment of the invention. As discussed in detail below, in an embodiment, the vertical fore grip 10 includes a body 15, the upper portion of which is the mount, the body 15 having a cap 12 attached thereto, which removably covers an internal cavity of the body 15, and a pressure switch pocket 18, and removable cavity filler panel 13, as shown in FIGS. 3A,B.

[0034] In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the body 15 has a removable pressure switch cavity filler panel 13 installed. The body 15 is generally cylindrical in shape in one embodiment. This allows the operator to rotate his firearm around barriers without a shift in grip. In an embodiment, the body 15 also has smooth shape devoid of sharp edges allow the hand to firmly grasp the vertical fore grip 10 without fatigue. In another embodiment, soft-radius ridges 17 provide maximum retention under full-auto fire. Further, the end cap 12 is easy to manipulate with gloved fingers, in many different weather conditions. Locking bars 14, which are part of the mount, are shown in the resting position. It is possible to use one or more locking bars 14. As shown, dual locking bars 14 provide an interface to a firearm rail that permits simple connection or disconnection without requiring the use of any tools. Once locked, no significant fore-aft movement can take place, even under significant force.

[0035] FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of the invention with the filler panel 13 removed from the body 15, thereby exposing a pressure switch pocket 18. There is also a wire harness groove 19, located adjacent to the pressure switch pocket 18. In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3D the pressure switch pocket 18 is dove tailed and extends down to the bottom of the body. This allows the cap 12 to lock in a pressure switch 11, as shown in FIG. 3C. In an embodiment, the filler panel 13 has grooves that correspond to the dove tailed pocket 18, allowing it to slide into the pocket and assist in holding the filler panel 13 in the pocket 18. In an embodiment the pocket 18 is sized for a SureFire™ switch such as the switch on light model M951 KIT02, National/NATO Stock No.: 6240-01-532-4184. If a dove tail is not present in the pocket, or if a wider switch than the standard SureFire™ switch is used, such as the Insight Technology, Inc. ITI™ PEQ 5 Switch, then adhesive tape, Velcro™, or similar fastener may be used to secure the body of the switch to the vertical fore grip. For example, rubber bands or alternate elastic materials such inner-tube materials, may hold the switch to the grip. In these alternative mounting situations, the cap may still be used to lock the bottom of the switch in to prevent the switch from sliding down the grip. In one embodiment, the cap 12 is threaded and contains an O-ring 20 to allow a tight seal between the cap 12 and the body 15, thereby facilitating a waterproof storage cavity. FIG. 3B additionally shows tools that may be stored inside the internal storage cavity. FIG. 3C shows the vertical fore grip 10 according to an embodiment, with an installed pressure switch 11. The pressure switch 11 is held in place by the cap 12, and the wire harness 21 lies in groove 19.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment, an overhead view of the vertical fore grip 10 shows a spring 23, a recess 15a in the top to accept the spring 23, and two posts 15b that also assist in orienting the spring 23 and holding it in the recess 15a. According to another embodiment, the recesses 15c in the fore grip 10 for the locking bars 14 are also shown. These optional recesses 15c allow easier access to the locking bars 14, particularly with gloved fingers.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment, the mount includes the rail groove 22, at least one locking bar 14, the spring 23, and at least one slot 27. In one embodiment, the locking bars 14 are rectangular in shape with sloped ends, the ends having horizontal ridges to allow a better gripping surface. In one embodiment, each locking bar 14 further comprises at least one notch 14a along its bottom surface, dimensioned to accept the spring 23. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the locking bars may be made of injection molded resin and are slightly wedge shaped 14b in cross section to compensate for wear. In an embodiment, the spring 23 has an “H” shape and is made of heat treated corrosion-proof stainless steel. In a further embodiment, the spring may have an “I” shape similar to a leaf spring, engaging the locking bar at one point. In yet another embodiment, the spring may be an antler spring which is a bent wire with a similar profile to a staple where the ends of the wire curl toward the center of the wire after a stapler has attached it to paper, with a different wire for each notch 14a of the locking bar. The spring design is not limited to the embodiments above.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical fore grip 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The internal cavity 24 can accept tools and is waterproof if used with cap 12 and the O-ring 20.

[0039] FIG. 7A is a front view of the vertical fore grip 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. A locking bar 14, is shown in the resting position without an installed firearm rail in the rail slot 22. FIG. 7B shows the locking bar 14 in a retracted position without an installed firearm rail, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7C is a front cross-sectional view showing a locking bar 14 in a retracted position and a firearm rail 25 in the rail slot 22 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7D is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a locking bar in a locked position with the firearm rail 25 in the rail slot 22 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIGS. 8A and 8C are side views of the vertical fore grip 10 and an installed firearm rail 25 with the locking bars 14 in a depressed, non-locked, position according to one embodiment. The locking bars 14 are at the bottom of the slot 27 and thus have not engaged the cross cuts 26 on the firearm rail 25. FIGS. 8B and 8D show the locking bars 14 within the cross cuts 26 of the firearm rail 25, thereby locking the vertical fore grip 10 to the firearm rail 25 according to one embodiment. The locking bars 14 are near the top of the slots 27 when they have engaged the firearm rail 25. Note that only one locking bar 14 is necessary, but two, three, or more may also be used.

[0041] FIGS. 9A and 9B show one embodiment of the invention using L-shaped locking bars 114a,b. The L-shaped locking bars 114a,b engage with one another after being inserted through slots 127, to form a rectangular structure with a solid engaging bar 116. As seen in FIG. 9B, the assembled L-shaped locking bars 116 allow for one handed operation when installing the vertical fore grip 100 to a firearm rail. The assembled vertical fore grip 100 may also have a threaded cap 112, and a pressure switch filler panel 113. In one embodiment, one of the locking bars may also be in the shape of a “U” 117a as shown in FIGS. 9C-E. When a “U” shaped locking bar 117a is used, after inserting the “U” shaped locking bar 117a through the slots in the grip, a single, locking cross bar 117b is attached to 117a to form a completed assembly 118.

[0042] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the invention with a snap-on end cap 212 with tether 213, at the bottom of the vertical fore grip 200. In another embodiment, any of the caps described above may have a tether where one end of the tether may be attached to body, in the internal cavity, and the other end to the removable cap, thus allowing the tether to be stored inside the internal cavity when the cap is installed.

[0043] In one embodiment, vertical fore grip has internal storage for spare firearm bolt assemblies, extra batteries, medical supplies or any other mission specific items. The threaded end cap has a large diameter O-ring to make the cavity waterproof. The cap is optionally leashed to the body to prevent its loss.

[0044] Materials useful for the fore grip of the present invention include plastics, polymers and metals. In one embodiment, nylon resins are used for the fore grip body and heat-treated stainless steel is used for the spring, and rubber for the O-ring. However, different metals may be used for the spring and different rubber or polymer compounds may be used for the O-ring. In another embodiment, the nylon resin used for the fore grip body is available from Entec Co. as 2033 STHL and the nylon resin used for the locking bars and filler panel is also from Entec Co. as 2043 STHL, which has more glass fibers.

[0045] The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope of this invention.