Support equipment for small firearms

Abstract

To provide a fitting tool that, when attached to a grip of a small firearm, makes it easier for a user to sense a positional relation between the grip and each part of the palm that grips the grip, improves support and stability, and further improves accuracy and smoothness of the operation.SOLUTION: A support assistance fitting tool 101 externally fitted to a grip of small firearms comprises a projection-imparting portion 8 on an outer peripheral surface of an annular molding made of rubber-like elastic material, the wall thickness of which is thicker than the surrounding area and can impart projections on a surface of the grip when the fitting tool is attached to the grip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support and assistance device for small firearms. More specifically, when the device is attached to the grip of a small firearm such as a handgun or a toy imitating it, the present invention relates to a support and assistance device capable of providing protrusions on the surface of the grip that make it easier to sense the positional relationship between each part of the palm of the user's hand holding the grip and the grip.

Background Art

[0002] When using a small firearm such as a handgun, the functions of the human hand can be divided into the functions of the hypothenar side (the area from the middle finger to the little finger and the hypothenar) and the functions of the thenar side (the area from the thumb to the middle finger and the thenar) (see Fig. 12). The hypothenar side is suitable for the functions of supporting and stabilizing the small firearm, but is not good at fine operations. On the other hand, the thenar side is suitable for the function of fine operations, but is not good at supporting and stabilizing the small firearm. The user of the small firearm holds and supports the grip by wrapping it with the hypothenar side and the thenar, and mainly performs fine operations such as adjusting the aim and pulling the trigger with the thenar side. In this way, by the functions of the hypothenar side and the thenar side complementing each other, a series of operations can be performed smoothly. However, since the hypothenar side and the thenar side are located in close proximity to each other in the palm, confusion such as sensory errors and malfunctions may occur during the operation of the small firearm. Such confusion leads to a decrease in the accuracy and smoothness of movements such as clumsiness and a bad feeling in the hands, and ultimately to pain and physical disorders. Conventionally, it is known to attach anti-slip parts to the grip of a small firearm. However, anti-slip devices cannot correct sensory errors between the hypothenar side and the thenar side in the palm and misrecognition of the positional relationship with the grip.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a device that, when attached to the grip of a small arms, makes it easier for the user to sense the positional relationship between the various parts of the palm gripping the grip and the grip itself, thereby improving support and stability, and further improving the accuracy and smoothness of operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The support attachment of the present invention is a support attachment that is fitted onto the grip of a small firearm selected from the group consisting of small firearms and toys thereof, and is characterized in that the outer surface of an annular molded body made of a rubber-like elastic material is provided with a projection-providing portion which has a thickness greater than the surrounding area and can provide a projection on the surface of the grip when the attachment is attached to the grip. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] By attaching the support device of the present invention to the grip of a small arms and creating an intentional protrusion at a predetermined position on the front end of the grip, the user can recognize the sensation on the hypothenar side, which is essential for support and stability, when gripping the grip. As a result, the hypothenar and thenar sides work together precisely, improving the ease of fine operations such as pulling the trigger and aiming on the thenar side, thus leading to an overall improvement in the handling of small arms. Furthermore, the support attachment of the present invention can be easily and detachably attached to the grip of small arms. While modifying equipment issued to members of public institutions such as the police and the Self-Defense Forces is generally not permitted and is strictly restricted, using the support attachment of the present invention allows for the addition of a projection to the grip without altering the shape of the grip itself. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1A] This is a photograph showing one embodiment (equipment 101) of the support device of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is a photograph showing one embodiment (equipment 101) of the support device of the present invention. [Figure 1C] This is a photograph showing one embodiment (equipment 101) of the support device of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of a pistol. [Figure 2B] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of a pistol. [Figure 2C] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of a pistol. [Figure 3] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of a pistol (model). [Figure 4] This is a photograph showing the state of operating a handgun with the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached. [Figure 5] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of another small arms weapon. [Figure 6] This is a photograph showing the operation of another small arms weapon with the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached. [Figure 7] This is a photograph showing the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached to the grip of another small arms weapon. [Figure 8] This is a photograph showing the operation of another small arms weapon with the aforementioned attachment device 101 attached. [Figure 9A] This is a top view of the aforementioned mounting device 101. [Figure 9B] This is a left side view of the aforementioned mounting device 101. [Figure 9C] This is a front view of the aforementioned mounting device 101. [Figure 9D] This is a rear view of the aforementioned mounting device 101. [Figure 10A] This is a top view of the mounting device 102. [Figure 10B] This is a left side view of the aforementioned mounting device 102. [Figure 10C] This is a front view of the aforementioned mounting device 102. [Figure 10D] This is a rear view of the aforementioned mounting device 102. [Figure 11A] This is a top view of the mounting device 103. [Figure 11B] This is a left side view of the aforementioned mounting device 103. [Figure 11C] This is a front view of the aforementioned mounting device 103. [Figure 11D] It is a rear view of the mounting device 103. [Figure 12] It is a photograph explaining the functions of the hypothenar side (the area from the middle finger to the little finger and the hypothenar) and the thenar side (the area from the thumb to the index finger and the thenar).

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0007] The present invention will be described below. In the present invention, "small firearms" means small firearms including pistols, revolvers, machine pistols, machine guns, and toys imitating them. The present invention can also improve the operability of a toy firearm (toy gun) that can fire simulated bullets.

[0008] The support and assistance mounting device of the present invention is a support and assistance mounting device that is externally fitted to the grip of a small firearm selected from the group consisting of small firearms and their toys, and on the outer peripheral surface of an annular molded body made of a rubber-like elastic material, there is a protrusion-providing portion whose thickness is thicker than the surrounding area and can provide protrusions on the surface of the grip when the mounting device is mounted on the grip.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment, the thickness of the protrusion-providing portion may be 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. In another preferred embodiment, the width of the protrusion-providing portion defined by the axial length of the ring opening of the support and assistance mounting device may be 5.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less. In another preferred embodiment, the length of the protrusion-providing portion defined by the circumferential length of the outer peripheral surface of the support and assistance mounting device may be 10.0 mm or more.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment, when the projection plane seen from one axial direction of the ring opening of the support and assistance mounting device is defined as the upper surface and the projection plane seen from the other direction is defined as the bottom surface, the shapes of the upper surface and the bottom surface are substantially rectangular, when one of the two surfaces including the long side of the rectangle which is the shape of the upper surface is defined as the right side surface and the other is defined as the left side surface, the shapes of the right side surface and the left side surface are substantially triangular. If, of the two faces including the shorter side of the rectangle that makes up the upper surface, the face including the shorter side that forms the vertex of the roughly triangular shape that makes up the left and right sides is defined as the front, and the face including the shorter side that forms the base of the roughly triangular shape that makes up the left and right sides is defined as the back, then the projection-providing portion may be provided on the front. In the above embodiment, where the side view shape is approximately triangular, a linear reinforcing portion with a partially increased thickness may be provided along the edge of the ring opening.

[0011] By attaching the support device of the present invention to the grip of a small arms and creating an intentional protrusion at a predetermined position on the front end of the grip, the user can recognize the sensation on the hypothenar side, which is essential for support and stability, when gripping the grip. As a result, the hypothenar and thenar sides work together precisely, improving the ease of fine operations such as pulling the trigger and aiming on the thenar side, thus leading to an overall improvement in the handling of small arms.

[0012] The support attachment of the present invention can be easily and detachably attached to the grip of small arms. While modifying equipment issued to members of public institutions such as the police and the Self-Defense Forces is generally not permitted and is strictly restricted, using the support attachment of the present invention allows for the addition of a projection to the grip without altering the shape of the grip itself. By attaching the support device of the present invention to the grip of a small arms and adjusting the position of the projection according to the characteristics of each user, the overall handling of small arms, including aiming accuracy and smooth operation, can be improved. In other words, the position of the projection can be easily and optimally adjusted to suit each individual user without modifying a standardized grip.

[0013] [First Embodiment] The following describes preferred embodiments. Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C are photographs showing one embodiment (mounting device 101) of the support attachment of the present invention. Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C are photographs showing the mounting device 101 attached to the grip of a handgun. Figure 3 is a photograph showing the mounting device 101 attached to the grip of a handgun (colored model). Figure 4 is a photograph showing the handgun with the mounting device 101 attached being operated. Figure 5 is a photograph showing the attachment device 101 attached to the grip of another small arms. Figure 6 is a photograph showing the other small arms with the attachment device 101 attached being operated. Figure 7 is a photograph showing the attachment device 101 attached to the grip of another small arms. Figure 8 is a photograph showing the other small arms with the attachment device 101 attached being operated. Figure 9A is a top view of the attachment 101. Figure 9B is a left side view of the attachment 101. Figure 9C is a front view of the attachment 101. Figure 9D is a rear view of the attachment 101. The units of the dimensions shown in the figures are in mm, and the symbol R indicates the radius of curvature.

[0014] The attachment 101 is an annular molded body made of butyl rubber (IIR) and has an annular opening 1. In addition to butyl rubber (IIR), other rubber materials such as silicone rubber (SI) and fluororubber (FKM) can be used as the rubber-like elastic material that forms the annular molded body. When the mounting device 101 is defined as having a projection surface 2 when viewed from one direction in the axial direction X of the ring opening 1, and a projection surface 3 when viewed from the other direction in the same axial direction X, the top view shape and the bottom view shape of the mounting device 101 are substantially rectangular and symmetrical. When one of the two faces containing the longer side of the roughly rectangular shape described above in the top view is defined as the right side 4 and the other as the left side 5, the right side view shape and the left side view shape of the attachment 101 are roughly triangular and symmetrical. If, of the two faces containing the shorter side of the roughly rectangular shape in the top view, the face containing the shorter side that forms the vertex of the roughly triangular shape in the left and right side view is defined as the front 6, and the face containing the shorter side that forms the base of the roughly triangular shape in the left and right side view is defined as the back 7, then the front view shape of the attachment 101 is a horizontally elongated roughly rectangle, and the back view shape of the attachment 101 is a vertically elongated roughly rectangle.

[0015] The entire front surface 6 of the mounting device 101 is provided with a projection-providing portion that is formed to be thicker. This projection-providing portion has a thickness of 3.5 mm, which is thicker than the thickness of the other parts (1 mm) and the thickness of the linear reinforcement portion described later (2 mm). By forming a portion on the outer surface of the attachment that is thicker than the surrounding area, i.e., a projection, a projection is provided on the front end of the grip when the attachment is fitted onto the grip of a small arms, and the position of the projection can be sensed with the palm side (the inside when gripping an object, the side with fingerprints) or the side of the finger. Furthermore, the projection portion of the attachment device 101 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the support attachment device. The projection portion has a width (W) of 10 mm, defined as the axial length of the ring opening of the support attachment device, and a length (L) of 21 mm, defined as the circumferential length of the outer surface of the support attachment device.

[0016] In the present invention, the projection portion is preferably such that it can be sensed by the pad or side of a finger and does not cause discomfort or hindrance during the operation of a small arms weapon, and has a suitable thickness, width, and length. In the present invention, the preferred thickness, width, and length of the projection portion are as follows. If the thickness, width, or length of the projection portion is not uniform, these dimensions shall be determined by the maximum dimension. From the viewpoint of ensuring that the protrusions provided by the protrusion-providing portion are of an appropriate height, the thickness of the protrusion-providing portion is preferably 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm in the non-attached state, and more preferably 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. If the thickness of the protrusion-providing portion is too small, it becomes difficult to sense the step of the protrusion-providing portion. On the other hand, if the thickness of the protrusion-providing portion is too large, there is a risk of feeling discomfort when the finger touches the protrusion-providing portion.

[0017] The width (W) of the projection portion, defined as the axial length of the ring opening of the support device, is preferably 5.0 mm to 20.0 mm, and more preferably 7.0 mm to 15.0 mm, when the device is not being worn. If the width of the projection portion is too small, it becomes difficult to sense the presence of the projection. On the other hand, if the width of the projection portion is too large, when a finger touches the projection portion, it may feel elongated, making it difficult to recognize the proper positional relationship between the grip and the palm.

[0018] The length (L) of the projection portion, defined as the circumferential length of the outer surface of the support device, is preferably 10.0 mm or more, and more preferably 20.0 mm or more, when the device is not being worn. By setting the length of the projection portion to a certain level or more, the step of the projection portion located on the front end of the grip of the small arms can be sensed by touch from the tip of the ring finger (fourth finger) to the second joint (PIP joint), making it easier to recognize the appropriate positional relationship between the grip and the palm. There is no particular upper limit to the length of the projection portion, but usually a maximum of 40.0 mm is sufficient. When the projection is provided extending substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the support attachment, it may be formed continuously or intermittently. If it is provided intermittently, providing at least three raised sections with thicker walls at the starting point, intermediate point, and ending point makes it easier to sense the step in the projection.

[0019] In the present invention, in order to increase the strength of the support device, linear reinforcing portions, which are partially thicker than the surrounding area, may be provided continuously or intermittently in portions other than those with protrusions. The mounting device 101 has a continuous linear reinforcing section 9, which is thicker than the ring opening 1. The linear reinforcing section has a thickness of 2 mm, which is thinner than the thickness of the projection section (3.5 mm), but thicker than the thickness of the other parts (1 mm).

[0020] The mounting device 101 is fitted onto the grip of a small arms gun, as shown in the photographs in Figures 2 and 3. The projection on the front surface 6 of the mounting device 101 is positioned at the front end of the grip, and the linear reinforcing parts, which are spaced apart and arranged in two stages on the back surface 7 of the mounting device 101, are positioned at the rear end of the grip. In the standard height configuration, the projection is positioned so that when the user grips the grip, the pad of the ring finger (fourth finger) touches the front end of the grip, and the lower of the two linear reinforcing parts is positioned so that it is approximately horizontal when the user is in a firing stance. As described above, by positioning and attaching the mounting device 101, and creating an intentional protrusion at a predetermined position on the grip, the pad of the ring finger will come into contact with the protruding part when the user grips the grip. This allows the shape of the grip to fit well with the indentation from the palm to the thenar eminence on the palm side, enabling the user to recognize the sensation on the hypothenar eminence side, which is essential for support and stability. As a result, the hypothenar eminence side and the thenar eminence side work together precisely, improving the ease of fine operations such as pulling the trigger and aiming on the thenar eminence side, thus leading to an overall improvement in the handling of small arms. When the attachment device 101 is attached to the grip of a small arms, two linear reinforcing parts are positioned vertically at a predetermined distance from each other at the rear end of the grip. As a result, when the grip is held by the hand, the thenar eminence senses the positions of the two linear reinforcing parts, further improving support stability.

[0021] Furthermore, the positioning of the support device can be freely adjusted to suit the individual characteristics of the user. For example, the support device may be positioned so that when the user grips the handle, the upper side of the ring finger (fourth finger) touches the front end of the handle, and the step of the protruding part rests on the side of the ring finger (fourth finger).

[0022] [Second Embodiment] Other embodiments are described below. Figure 10A is a top view of the mounting device 102. Figure 10B is a left side view of the mounting device 102. Figure 10C is a front view of the mounting device 102. Figure 10D is a rear view of the mounting device 102. The units of the numerical values ​​indicating dimensions in the figures are mm, and the symbol R indicates the radius of curvature. The attachment device 102 is an annular molded body made of a rubber-like elastic material and has an annular opening 1. When the mounting device 102 is defined as having a projection surface 2 when viewed from one direction in the axial direction X of the ring opening 1, and a projection surface 3 when viewed from the other direction in the same axial direction X, the top view shape and the bottom view shape of the mounting device 102 are substantially rectangular and symmetrical. If we define one of the two faces containing the longer side of the roughly rectangular shape described above as the top view as the right side 4 and the other as the left side 5, then the right side view shape and the left side view shape of the attachment 102 are roughly rectangular and symmetrical. If we define one of the two surfaces containing the shorter side of the roughly rectangular shape described above as the top view as the front 6 and the other as the back 7, then the front view shape and rear view shape of the attachment 102 are roughly rectangular and symmetrical.

[0023] In the mounting device 102, the projection portion 8 is provided only on the front surface 6 of the mounting device 102 and not on the back surface 7 of the mounting device 102. The projection portion 8 has a thickness of 3.5 mm, which is thicker than the other parts which have a thickness of 2 mm. The projection portion 8 extends substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the front surface 6, maintaining a position corresponding to half the height of the front surface 6, and is provided to completely traverse the front surface 6. The projection portion has a width (W) of 10 mm, defined as the axial length of the ring opening of the support attachment, and a length (L) of 21 mm, defined as the circumferential length of the outer surface of the support attachment.

[0024] [Third Embodiment] Other embodiments are described below. Figure 11A is a top view of the mounting device 103. Figure 11B is a left side view of the mounting device 103. Figure 11C is a front view of the mounting device 103. Figure 11D is a rear view of the mounting device 103. The units of the numerical values ​​indicating dimensions in the figures are in mm, and the symbol R indicates the radius of curvature. The attachment device 103 is an annular molded body made of a rubber-like elastic material and has an annular opening 1. When the projection surface of the mounting device 103 viewed from one direction in the axial direction X of the ring opening 1 is defined as the top surface 2, and the projection surface viewed from the other direction in the axial direction X is defined as the bottom surface 3, the top view shape and the bottom view shape of the mounting device 103 are substantially rectangular and symmetrical. If we define one of the two faces containing the longer side of the roughly rectangular shape described above as the top view as the right side 4 and the other as the left side 5, then the right side view shape and the left side view shape of the attachment 103 are roughly rectangular and symmetrical. If we define one of the two surfaces containing the shorter side of the roughly rectangular shape described above as the top view as the front 6 and the other as the back 7, then the front view shape and rear view shape of the attachment 103 are a horizontally elongated roughly rectangular shape and are symmetrical.

[0025] In the mounting device 103, the projection portion 8 is provided only on the front surface 6 of the mounting device 103 and not on the back surface 7 of the mounting device 103. The projection portion 8 has a thickness of 3.5 mm, which is thicker than the other parts which have a thickness of 2 mm. The projection portion 8 is provided on the entire front surface 6 of the mounting device 103. The projection portion has a width (W) of 10 mm, which is defined as the axial length of the ring opening of the support mounting device, and a length (L) of 21 mm, which is defined as the circumferential length of the outer surface of the support mounting device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0026] 101, 102, 103 Support equipment 1 Ring opening 2 Top side 3. Bottom 4 Right side 5 Left side 6 Front 7 Back 8. Projection-providing part 9 Linear reinforcement section

Claims

1. A support attachment fitted to the grip of a small firearm selected from the group consisting of small firearms and their toys, wherein the support attachment is an annular molded body made of a rubber-like elastic material, If we define the projection plane viewed from one axial direction of the ring opening as the top surface and the projection plane viewed from the other as the bottom surface, then the shapes of the top surface and the bottom surface are approximately rectangular. If we define one of the two faces containing the long side of the rectangle that is the shape of the upper surface as the right side and the other as the left side, then the shapes of the right side and the left side are approximately triangular. When the two surfaces including the shorter side of the rectangle that has the shape of the upper surface are defined as the front surface, and the surfaces including the shorter side that is the vertex of the roughly triangular shape that has the shape of the left and right sides are defined as the back surface, the front surface is provided with a projection-providing portion that is thicker than the surrounding area and can provide a projection on the surface of the grip when the attachment is attached to the grip, and the edge of the ring opening is provided with a linear reinforcing portion that is partially thicker.

2. The support attachment according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the projection-providing portion is 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

3. The support attachment according to claim 1, wherein the width of the projection-providing portion, defined as the axial length of the ring opening of the support attachment, is 5.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less.

4. The support attachment according to claim 1, wherein the length of the projection-providing portion, defined as the circumferential length of the outer surface of the support attachment, is 10.0 mm or more.

Images