Pistol Grip Panel Retention via Latch Plate Undercuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm grips and backstraps with visible screws are aesthetically unpleasing and prone to loosening due to recoil, and the 1911-style pistol's configuration complicates alternate attachment methods.
Innovation Solution
A pistol grip panels and backstrap retention system that uses a latch plate mechanism with a spring bias, forward and rearward grip undercuts, and a mainspring housing sliding into tracks to secure grip panels and backstrap without visible screws, utilizing detent pins and gaskets for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible screws are used to secure grip panels to the frame, then the grip panels can be firmly attached, but the aesthetics are degraded and the screws may loosen due to recoil vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes visible external fasteners (screws) from the grip panel attachment system. Instead, it uses internal retention mechanisms including rearward-facing protuberances on the frame that engage with recesses in the grip panels, and forward-facing protuberances on the grip panels that engage with recesses in the frame. This extraction of visible fasteners resolves the contradiction by maintaining secure attachment while improving aesthetic appearance.
2Ease of manufacture
If visible screws are used to secure grip panels, then the attachment method is simple, but the screws may loosen through use and recoil vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates traditional screws entirely, replacing them with integrated protrusion-recess engagement mechanisms. The frame includes rearward-facing protuberances that engage recesses in the grip panels, and the grip panels include forward-facing protuberances that engage recesses in the frame. This extraction of screw-based attachment resolves the reliability issue of screw loosening while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the attachment function into the structural components themselves. The protuberances and recesses are integrated directly into the frame and grip panel structures, eliminating the need for separate fastening components. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing reliable attachment without the loosening problems of separate screw fasteners.
3Ease of operation
If the 1911-style pistol configuration is maintained with traditional screw-on grips, then the mainspring, mainspring housing, hammer strut, and grip safety are easily accessible, but the grip attachment is visible and prone to loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visible screw fasteners and replaces them with internal retention mechanisms. The rearward-facing protuberances on the frame and forward-facing protuberances on the grip panels provide secure attachment without visible external fasteners, resolving the contradiction between component accessibility and attachment stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional screw-on grip panels are used, then the grip thickness and firearm width are fixed, but alternative grip options cannot be easily implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grip system into interchangeable grip panels that can be removed and replaced. The retention mechanism using protuberances and recesses allows for easy removal and reattachment of different grip panels with varying thicknesses and profiles. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling grip interchangeability while maintaining secure attachment through the retention mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm having a grip panels and backstrap retention system is provided. A latch plate is disposed adjacent to the backstrap side of the frame having a pair of side edges having rearward facing protuberances thereon and is moveable perpendicular to the magazine well axis from an engagement position towards the trigger side of the frame to a disengagement position towards the backstrap side of the frame. A latch plate spring biases the latch plate to the disengagement position. Each grip panel has a forward grip undercut to receive corresponding forward frame undercuts. Each forward grip undercut engages the corresponding forward frame undercut by seating each grip panel in its grip offset surface and translating each grip panel toward the trigger side of the frame. Each grip panel further has a rearward grip undercut facing the frame to receive a corresponding undercut latch plate protuberance. When the latch plate is in the engagement position, the latch plate protuberances engage the rearward grip undercuts.