Slideable Attachment Interface for Recoil-Stable Firearm Grips
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modular firearm grip assemblies experience loosening due to recoil forces, leading to undesirable play and discontinuities in the grip surface, affecting grip effectiveness, comfort, and aesthetic design, especially when using rotatably-driven fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A grip assembly design that utilizes a push tool access port and a canted retention system with a plunger assembly, allowing easy removal and replacement of grip parts like backstraps and magwells without fastener discontinuities, using a slideable attachment interface and expandable bodies for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotatably-driven fasteners are used to attach backstrap to grip frame, then modular grip assembly can be assembled, but loosening occurs due to recoil forces causing play and discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a plunger assembly with retention element, a spring mechanism, and a push tool access port. This segmentation allows the retention system to be independently optimized for recoil resistance while maintaining modular grip assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger assembly automatically engages with the grip frame to prevent loosening under recoil forces without requiring active intervention. The system self-regulates retention force based on recoil pressure, eliminating the need for pre-tightening or adjustment during operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If rotatably-driven fasteners are used, then grip assembly can be constructed, but grip surface discontinuities affect aesthetic design and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener head and driving mechanism are extracted from the grip surface area. The retention function is moved to the plunger assembly that engages internally with the grip frame, leaving the grip surface continuous and uninterrupted for aesthetic and ergonomic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger assembly acts as an intermediary retention mechanism that connects the backstrap to the grip frame without requiring surface-mounted fasteners. This mediator provides secure attachment while preserving the visual and tactile continuity of the grip surface.
3Strength
If traditional fasteners are used, then attachment can be secured, but recoil forces cause loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plunger assembly is pre-configured to exert continuous outward pressure against the backstrap, creating preliminary anti-action that counteracts recoil forces before they can cause loosening. This preventive mechanism maintains constant retention pressure throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system dynamically adjusts retention force parameters based on recoil pressure. The spring mechanism increases retention force in response to recoil events, adapting the attachment strength to match the applied loads and preventing loosening over time.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, an apparatus to operate in a recoil environment includes an attachment configured to slidably couple to a firearm; wherein the attachment includes: a slideable attachment interface to restrict a coupling movement of the attachment relative to the at least one part, wherein the coupling movement is along a plane, wherein the slideable attachment interface comprises a male feature or a female feature of: a dovetail interface; a T-slot interface; or another undercut interface; and an additional interface associated with a separable part, the additional interface to further restrict movement of the attachment relative to the at least one part; a portion of the length of the separable part to urge the attachment against a surface of the firearm, the urge the attachment to resist movement of the attachment, along the plane, away from the surface of the firearm, wherein the separable part includes terminal ends and a length, the attachment to apply a counter force on the portion of the length of the separable part. Other embodiments are disclosed and/or claimed.