GRIP FOR HOLDING A WEAPON AND WEAPON WITH SUCH A GRIP

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handle for holding a weapon.

[0002] The invention also relates to a weapon comprising such a grip. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the field of firearms, it is common practice to equip firearms with an additional grip, also called a foregrip, which is placed at the front of the weapon. This allows the user to grip the weapon with one hand at the trigger handle and the other hand at the foregrip.

[0004] This makes it easier for the user to handle the weapon and also to fire it.

[0005] The support handle is, however, most often shaped into a simple cylinder, which is hardly ergonomic for the user.

[0006] To overcome this drawback and increase the applicable gripping force, it has been proposed to modify the support handle so that it has hollows to facilitate the placement of the user's fingers.

[0007] However, users sometimes experience discomfort when grasping the shaped handle. Notable prior art: US2009 / 313873 US2011 / 047850 SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One aim of the invention is to provide a more ergonomic weapon handle.

[0009] One aim of the invention is also to provide a weapon including such a grip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To achieve this goal, a grip handle for a weapon is proposed, according to claim 1 the grip extending along a given axis and comprising a plate intended to be attached to a weapon and a gripping pommel of the handle connected to the plate and shaped to have locations intended to receive the fingers of a user.

[0011] According to the invention, the pommel is connected to the plate so as to be mounted pivoting relative to the plate along the given axis, the handle comprising at least one lock to temporarily block the pivoting of the pommel relative to the plate along the given axis.

[0012] Thus, the relative angular position, along the given axis, between the knob and the plate can be modified by the user to adapt the position of the components in the most suitable way. In particular, it is possible for the knob to be positioned asymmetrically relative to the plate along the given axis if the user prefers this positioning.

[0013] A user can thus arrange the pommel appropriately relative to a working axis of the forces exerted by the user's fingers, according to the weight of the weapon in question, the recoil of the weapon in question during firing, the way the user holds the weapon...

[0014] Advantageously, the handle proves to be usable by both left-handed and right-handed people.

[0015] The handle according to the invention thus proves to be particularly ergonomic.

[0016] It is noted that the handle according to the invention is indeed the additional handle added to the weapon to facilitate handling of the weapon and in no case the weapon's operating handle including the trigger.

[0017] In particular, the handle includes a control ring arranged between the plate and the pommel and mounted to pivot relative to the plate and pommel along the given axis, the handle including at least one lock to temporarily block the pivoting of the control ring relative to the plate and pommel.

[0018] In particular, the lock associated with the pommel is the same lock as that associated with the control ring.

[0019] In particular, the lock has a retaining rod arranged through the knob and connected by screwing to the plate, the lock being movable in translation along the given axis relative to the plate by screwing and unscrewing to the plate, the knob being driven in translation along the axis given by the lock.

[0020] In particular, the knob and / or the lock associated with the knob is hollow.

[0021] In particular, the handle includes a power supply element and / or a control element.

[0022] In particular, the handle includes a control button.

[0023] In particular, the control button is mounted pivotally on the handle along an axis of rotation orthogonal to the given axis of rotation of the knob.

[0024] The invention also relates to a weapon comprising such a grip.

[0025] In particular, the weapon's grip is mounted removablely on the weapon.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular, non-limiting embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description with reference to the attached figures, among which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a weapon according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 is a side view of the weapon's grip shown in the figure 1 , there figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handle illustrated in the figure 2 With the various components of the handle loosened, the figure 4 is a side view of a grab handle according to a second embodiment of the invention, the figure 5 is a side view of a grab handle according to a third embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] With reference to the figure 1 The weapon, generally designated as 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprises a firing handle 2 and a support handle 3, also called an additional handle, allowing a user to more easily manipulate their weapon. The support handle 3 is thus arranged at the front of the weapon 1 and the firing handle 2 at the rear of the weapon 1, the user grasping the handles in one of their hands during use.

[0029] The grip handle 3 is here shaped so as to be removablely mounted on the weapon 1. Typically the grip handle 3 is shaped so as to be mounted on the weapon 1 by a rail fixing system, here of the Picatinny type.

[0030] With reference to figures 2 And 3 The support handle 3 will be described in more detail.

[0031] The grip 3 generally extends along an X axis, orthogonal to a Y axis along which the barrel of the weapon generally extends (Y axis in relation to which the front and rear of the weapon are qualified).

[0032] The retaining handle 3 has a plate 4 which is the part of the retaining handle 3 mounted on the weapon 1, and this in a removable manner as already indicated.

[0033] In particular, the support handle 3 includes a control ring 5 which is connected to the plate 4 so as to be mounted pivotally relative to the plate 4 along the X-axis. The control ring 5 extends immediately below the plate 4. The plate 4 and the control ring 5 are shaped to temporarily interlock with each other in order to temporarily secure the control ring 5 to the plate 4. Typically, the proximal end 6 of the control ring 5 is toothed in order to interlock with a corresponding toothed portion 7 of the plate 4.

[0034] Furthermore, the grip handle 3 includes a knob 8 for grasping the grip handle 3. The knob 8 is shaped, for example by thermoforming, to have recesses 9 for the user's fingers. Typically, these recesses 9 are parallel to each other in the knob 8. There are three of these recesses 9.

[0035] The knob 8 is connected to the plate 4 so as to be mounted pivotally relative to the plate 4 along the X-axis, here via the control ring 5. The knob 8 extends immediately below the control ring 5. The control ring 5 and the knob 8 are shaped to temporarily interlock with each other in order to temporarily secure the control ring 5 to the knob 8. Typically, the distal end 10 of the control ring 5 is toothed to interlock with a correspondingly toothed proximal end 11 of the knob 8.

[0036] To temporarily secure the pommel 8 and the control ring 5 to the plate 4, the retaining handle 3 includes a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism comprises a clamping rod 12 extending along the X axis within the pommel 8 and, at its proximal end 13, screwed into a support rod 14 rigidly fixed to the plate 4 and extending along the X axis within the control ring 5 and the pommel 8.

[0037] Screwing the clamping rod 12 into the retaining rod 14 causes the clamping rod 12 to move upwards towards the support rod 14 along the X-axis. The clamping rod 12 is thus positioned so that it abuts against the pommel 8, its upward movement resulting in a corresponding movement of the pommel 8. The pommel 8 then engages with the control ring 5, which in turn engages with the plate 4, completing the temporary fastening of the pommel 8, the control ring 5, and the clamping rod 12 to the plate 4 until the clamping rod 12 is next unscrewed. When the pommel 8, the control ring 5, and the plate 4 are fully brought together, they interlock to form a solid assembly rigidly fixed to the weapon 1.

[0038] Furthermore, if the user wants to change the relative position of the control ring 5 and / or the knob 8 with respect to the plate 4, he simply needs to unscrew the clamping rod 12, change the angular position of the control ring 5 and / or the knob 8 and then screw the clamping rod 12 back in.

[0039] Adapting the support handle 3 to each user is therefore quick and easy.

[0040] It is noted that it is thus possible to modify the relative position between the different elements of the support handle 3 along the X axis and this over 360 degrees.

[0041] The support handle 3 is therefore very modular for a user.

[0042] Furthermore, the rotational locking via the teeth of the different elements of the retaining handle 3 ensures robustness in maintaining the position of the different elements relative to each other during the use of the weapon, although it may cause vibrations during a firing, for example.

[0043] The clamping rod 12 preferably has at its distal end 15 a gripping ring 16, here rigidly fixed to the clamping rod 12, which is arranged outside the knob 8 to allow the user to more easily manipulate the clamping rod 12. In this case, it is this ring 16 that abuts against the corresponding distal end 17 of the knob 8 when the clamping rod 12 is tightened to move the knob 8 in translation along the X-axis. This ring 16 therefore rests against the distal end 17 of the knob 8 when the knob 8 is temporarily secured to the control ring 5 and the plate 4.

[0044] This ring 16 is preferably not smooth (for example notched) in order to facilitate its handling.

[0045] Preferably, the knob 8 and the clamping rod 12 are hollow over at least a portion of the knob and a portion of the clamping rod 12 respectively. Here, the knob 8 and the clamping rod 12 are hollow over substantially the entire length (along the X axis) of the knob 8 and the clamping rod 12 respectively.

[0046] This allows for the arrangement of additional elements (not visible here) in the support handle 3, and therefore in the knob 8, such as power supply elements (like a battery, a cell...), control elements (like an electronic board, a radio transmitter...) ...

[0047] The clamping rod 12 is for example closed at its distal end, here at the level of the ring 16, by a plug in order to allow access to the inside of the clamping rod 12.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the support handle 3 includes at least one control button 18 configured to trigger a command, the control button 18 being located away from the element on which the button's command acts. This operating button 18 is, for example, configured to actuate a radio transmitter arranged inside the clamping rod 12.

[0049] The said control button 18 is typically arranged on the control ring 5: due to the mobility of the control ring 5 around the X axis, it is possible for a user to position the control button 18 at an angular position which is agreeable to him in particular according to the length of his thumb or the angle of his hand on the support handle 3.

[0050] Preferably, the control button 18 is mounted to rotate freely on the control ring 5 along a second Z axis, orthogonal to the X axis and also to the Y axis along which the weapon extends.

[0051] The grip handle 3 also includes a lock to temporarily prevent rotation of the control button 18 relative to the control ring 5 along the Z-axis. For example, the control button 18 is configured to cooperate with snap-lock stops on the control ring 5, allowing the control button 18 to be temporarily locked in one of its stop positions. Preferably, to prevent accidental release of the control button 18 during use of the weapon 1, the control button 18 is configured so that it can only be moved along the Z-axis when constant (and not spontaneous) pressure is applied to its pivoting stem.

[0052] In this way, it is possible for a user to adapt the position of the control button 18 not only along the X axis but also along the Z axis. It is therefore possible for a user to position the control button 18 at an angular position that suits them, in particular depending on whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.

[0053] In particular, if the control button 18 has a curved surface for the user's thumb positioning, the user can customize the tilt of this curved surface.

[0054] It is noted that it is thus possible to modify the relative position of the control button 18 along the X axis and along the Z axis over 360 degrees for both axes.

[0055] The support handle 3 is therefore very modular for a user.

[0056] Preferably, the support handle 3 includes a sensor (not visible here) associated with the control button 18 in order to determine the relative position along the Z axis of said control button 18 vis-à-vis the control ring 5.

[0057] This allows an indication to be provided to a control unit (whether or not carried by the retaining handle 3) on the direction of manipulation of the control button 18 according to its angle of positioning relative to the plate 4.

[0058] It may indeed be necessary to reverse the direction of the command delivered by the control button 18 according to its relative position, for example if the control button 18 is of the up-down translation type.

[0059] With reference to the figure 4 A second embodiment will now be described.

[0060] This second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that the support handle 103 does not have a control ring.

[0061] The knob 108 is therefore connected to the plate 104 so as to be mounted pivotally relative to the plate 104 along the X-axis, directly on the plate 104. The knob 108 thus extends immediately below the plate 104. The knob 108 and the plate 104 are shaped to temporarily interlock with each other in order to temporarily secure the knob 108 to the plate 104. Typically, the proximal end 111 of the knob 108 is toothed in order to interlock with a corresponding toothed portion 110 of the plate 104.

[0062] Screwing the clamping rod into the retaining rod causes the clamping rod to move upwards towards the support rod along the X-axis. The clamping rod is thus positioned so that it abuts against the pommel 108, its upward movement resulting in a corresponding movement of the pommel 108. The pommel 108 then finally engages with the plate 104, completing the temporary connection of the pommel 108 and the clamping rod to the plate 104 until the next time the clamping rod is unscrewed. When the pommel 108 and the plate 104 are fully brought together, they interlock to form a single, rigidly fixed assembly attached to the weapon 101.

[0063] The control button 118 is arranged here directly on the plate 104.

[0064] The handle 103, as described, can therefore be operated equally well by a left-handed or right-handed person. Indeed, to change its position, a user simply needs to follow these steps: rotate the pommel 108 around the X axis relative to the plate 104 (the pommel 108 is then oriented towards the operating handle and no longer towards the barrel of the weapon), rotate the control button 118 around the Z axis (the entire handle 103 is then configured in right-handed or left-handed position but oriented towards the operating handle), remove the handle 103 from the weapon and reattach it to the weapon in the opposite direction so that this time the handle 103 is oriented towards the barrel of the weapon and no longer towards the operating handle.

[0065] Thus, it is possible for a user to adapt the position of the control button 118 not only along the X axis but also along the Z axis. It is therefore possible for a user to position the control button 118 at an angular position that suits them, particularly depending on whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.

[0066] In particular, this also allows the depth of the control button 118's position relative to the user to be adjusted. The user can thus adapt the position of the control button 118 according to the length of their thumb or the angle of their hand on the support handle 103.

[0067] This embodiment proves to be simpler than the first embodiment.

[0068] The first embodiment, however, avoids temporarily separating the retaining handle 103 from the weapon in order to reattach it in a different direction.

[0069] Of course the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and variations can be made to it without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0070] In particular, although here the foregrip is mounted detachably on the weapon, it could also be rigidly fixed to the weapon and not removable. The foregrip plate could therefore be a single piece with the rest of the weapon or a separate component attached to the weapon and rigidly fixed to it.

[0071] It will also be possible to do away with the control ring and thus position the support handle directly under the plate.

[0072] The connection of the various elements of the grab handle may differ from what has been indicated. For example, a support rod may be omitted: the clamping rod will then be screwed directly into a tapped hole in the plate.

[0073] Although the grip here provides a radio function, either as a replacement or in addition to it, other types of functions can be implemented using the grip. The grip can therefore have more control buttons than previously indicated. These control buttons can be located directly on the pommel rather than on the control ring. The grip can thus provide wireless communication, allow the user to modify the images projected onto a display (for example, to zoom in on the images projected onto a scope)...

[0074] The support handle may also be without power or controls. figure 5 This illustrates a third embodiment in which the handle does not carry power or control and therefore has no control buttons.

Claims

1. A weapon front handle, the handle extending along a first given axis (X) and comprising a plate (4; 104) for securing to a weapon and a grip (8; 108) for gripping the handle, which grip is connected to the plate and shaped to present grooves (9; 109) for receiving a user's fingers, the handle being characterized in that the grip is connected to the plate in such a manner as to be mounted to pivot relative to the plate about the first given axis (X), the handle including at least one latch for temporarily blocking pivoting of the grip relative to the plate about the first given axis (X), the handle including a control button (18; 118) mounted on the handle to pivot about a second axis of rotation (Z) orthogonal to the first given axis of rotation (X) of the grip (8; 108), the front handle also including a latch for temporarily blocking turning of the control button about the second axis of rotation (Z), the control button being configured to trigger a command, the control button being remote from the element on which the button command acts.

2. A handle according to the preceding claim, wherein the handle further comprises a control ring (5) arranged between the plate (4) and the grip (8) and mounted to pivot relative to the plate and to the grip about the given axis (X), the handle including at least one latch for temporarily blocking pivoting of the control ring relative to the plate and to the grip.

3. A handle according to claim 2, wherein the latch associated with the grip (8) is the same latch as the latch associated with the control ring (5).

4. A handle according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch comprises a support rod (12) arranged through the grip and screw fastened to the plate (4; 104), the latch being movable in translation along the given axis (X) relative to the plate by being tightened and loosened relative to the plate, the grip (8; 108) being driven in translation along the given axis (X) by the latch.

5. A handle according to any preceding claim, wherein the grip (8; 108) and / or the latch associated with the grip is hollow.

6. A handle according to any preceding claim, including a power supply element and / or a control element.

7. A weapon including a weapon front handle according to any preceding claim.

8. A weapon according to the preceding claim, wherein the weapon front handle is removably mounted on the weapon.