Tool-Free Forend Grip Assembly with Actuator Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearms forends are ergonomically challenging to grip, leading to discomfort and fatigue, especially for extended use, as they require unnatural hand positioning and often necessitate weapon modification for accessory mounting systems.
Innovation Solution
A grip assembly that attaches tool-free to an unaltered forend, oriented vertically, using a mounting plate with an actuator mechanism for secure attachment and detachment, compatible with various rifle models without altering the weapon's design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vertical grip accessory is mounted to provide ergonomic gripping, then gripping comfort is improved, but the weapon requires modification with accessory-mounting rails
Solution Approach 1:
The grip assembly is divided into separate components: a mounting plate that interfaces with the forend, a vertical grip portion, and an actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows the grip to be attached as a complete unit without modifying the weapon itself, resolving the contradiction between improving gripping comfort and avoiding weapon modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves as an intermediary element between the grip assembly and the forend. It features apertures that receive pins from the forend without requiring alteration to the weapon, enabling ergonomic gripping while maintaining the weapon's original design integrity.
2Ease of operation
If accessory-mounting rails are added beneath the barrel to support vertical grips, then gripping functionality is improved, but the weapon's original design and appearance are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting function from the weapon's original structure by using the forend's existing apertures and pins. This eliminates the need to add accessory-mounting rails beneath the barrel, thereby maintaining the weapon's original appearance while providing vertical grip functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is designed to interface with the universal pin-and-aperture system already present in the forend, making it compatible with various rifle models without requiring model-specific modifications. This universality allows the grip assembly to be attached to unaltered forends while preserving the weapon's design.
3Ease of manufacture
If the forend diameter is sized for functional rifle requirements, then the rifle can be manufactured with standard dimensions, but the gripping surface is not optimum for operator comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the gripping surface by attaching the vertical grip portion to the forend. This creates a new gripping plane that is perpendicular to the forend's longitudinal axis, providing ergonomic comfort while the forend itself maintains its standard manufactured dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip assembly is nested onto the forend through the mounting plate that interfaces with the forend's pins and apertures. This nested configuration allows the ergonomic grip to be added without changing the forend's original standardized dimensions, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and gripping comfort.
4Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to ensure reliable grip mounting, then gripping stability is improved, but the attachment process becomes complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism enables the grip assembly to be attached and detached without external tools. The operator manually actuates the mechanism to engage or disengage the locking structure, providing secure attachment while maintaining ease of operation. The system serves itself by incorporating the attachment function within the grip assembly rather than requiring separate tool-based fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure transitions between locked and unlocked states through actuation. This dynamic mechanism provides reliable securement when engaged while allowing easy detachment when needed, resolving the contradiction between mounting stability and attachment simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A weapon grip assembly for mating with a weapon without tools is provided. The assembly generally includes a handle, a weapon interface supported by the handle, and an actuator operatively engageable in furtherance of securely affixing the weapon interface to a lower portion of an unaltered handguard of the weapon. The weapon interface generally includes a mount body, and an actuatable locking structure reversibly extendible from the mount body via operative engagement of the actuator.