U.S. patent application number 10/151073 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for ergonomic finger grip enhancers for mounting on firearms, sporting implements or hand tools.
Invention is credited to Lawless, Albert J..
Application Number | 20020170224 10/151073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23121410 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020170224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawless, Albert J. |
November 21, 2002 |
Ergonomic finger grip enhancers for mounting on firearms, sporting
implements or hand tools
Abstract
A finger grip enhancer for mounting on a selected location on
firearms, hand tools and other items having handles or grips for
providing an improved finger gripping surface. The grip enhancer
can comprise flexible or rigid materials having a high coefficient
of friction for an improved gripping surface. The grip enhancer
includes a finger grip body, having a top, a bottom and a back
surface. The back surface is preferably adapted for receiving an
adhesive thereon and attaching the grip enhancer on the selected
location on the firearm or the hand tool The finger grip body also
includes an ergonomic shaped front finger surface having a top
portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knob portion.
The lower knob portion is adapted for receiving a portion of the
bottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger of the user
and preventing slippage thereon.
Inventors: |
Lawless, Albert J.;
(Boulder, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James K. Poole, Esq.
P.O. Box 925
Loveland
CO
80539-0925
US
|
Family ID: |
23121410 |
Appl. No.: |
10/151073 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60291693 |
May 17, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/71.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/71.02 |
International
Class: |
F41C 023/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege
and property right is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An ergonomic finger grip enhancer for mounting on a selected
location on a grip or handle to be grasped with the user's hand,
for providing an improved gripping surface thereon, the grip
enhancer comprising: a finger grip body, said finger grip body
having a top, a bottom and a back surface, the back surface adapted
for attaching the grip enhancer to the selected location on the
grip or handle using attachment means; and an ergonomic shaped
front finger surface in said grip body, the front finger surface
having a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower
knob portion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving a
portion of the bottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger
of the user and preventing slippage thereon.
2. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 wherein said finger
grip body comprises a flexible or resilient material having a high
coefficient of friction for providing an improved gripping surface
thereon.
3. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 wherein said finger
grip body comprises a rigid material having a high coefficient of
friction for providing an improved gripping surface thereon.
4. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 wherein the back
surface is adapted for receiving adhesive thereon and securing the
grip enhancer onto the grip or handle.
5. The grip enhancer as described in claim 4 wherein the back
surface is substantially flat for receiving the adhesive thereon
and for securing the grip enhancer onto flat surfaces on said grip
or handle.
6. The grip enhancer as described in claim 4 wherein the back
surface is curved to provide a concave surface to receive the
adhesive thereon and for securing the grip onto curved surfaces on
said grip or handle.
7. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to
fit onto at least one location on the grip, handle, frame, gripping
surface or stock of a firearm.
8. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to
fit onto at least one location on the grip or handle of a hand
tool.
9. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to
fit onto at least one location on the grip or handle of a power
tool.
10. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to
fit onto at least one location on the grip or handle of a sporting
implement.
11. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to
fit onto at least one location on the grip or handle of mobility
equipment.
12. An ergonomic finger grip enhancer for mounting on a selected
location on a grip, handle, frame, gripping surface or stock of a
firearm for providing an improved ergonomic gripping surface, the
grip enhancer comprising: a finger grip body, said finger grip body
optionally comprising a high coefficient of friction material for
providing an improved gripping surface thereon, said grip body
having a top, a bottom and a back surface, the back surface adapted
for receiving an adhesive thereon and attaching the grip enhancer
to the selected location on said firearm; and an ergonomic shaped
front finger surface in said grip body, the front finger surface
having a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower
knob portion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving a
portion of the bottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger
of the user and preventing slippage thereon.
13. The grip enhancer as described in claim 12 wherein said finger
grip body comprises a rigid material.
14. The grip enhancer as described in claim 12 wherein said finger
grip body comprises a flexible or resilient material for conforming
to a contour of a curved portion on a grip or handle of said
firearm.
15. The grip enhancer as described in claim 12 wherein the back
surface of said grip body is flat for receiving the adhesive
thereon and securing the grip enhancer onto said firearm.
16. The grip enhancer as described in claim 12 wherein the back
surface of said grip body is curved concavely for receiving the
adhesive thereon and contoured for securing the grip enhancer onto
curved surfaces on said firearm.
17. An ergonomic finger grip enhancer kit for mounting grip
enhancers on a selected location on a firearm, sporting implement,
mobility aid or hand tool for providing an improved gripping
surface, said kit comprising: a plurality of finger grip bodies,
said finger grip bodies optionally comprising a high coefficient of
friction material for providing an improved gripping surface
thereon, with each of said grip bodies having a top, a bottom and a
back surface, the back surface adapted for receiving an adhesive
thereon and attaching the grip enhancer onto the selected locations
on the item to which it is to be attached; and an ergonomic shaped
front finger surface in each of said grip bodies, the front finger
surface having a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into
a lower knob portion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving
a portion of the bottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent
finger of the user and preventing slippage thereon.
18. The grip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein said
finger grip bodies comprise a rigid material.
19. The grip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein said
finger grip bodies comprise a flexible or resilient material for
conforming to a contour of a curved portion on a firearm or grip of
a hand tool.
20. The grip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein the back
surface of said grip bodies is flat for receiving the adhesive
thereon and securing the grip enhancer onto the firearm or hand
tool.
21. The grip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein the back
surface of said grip bodies is curved concavely for receiving the
adhesive thereon and contoured for securing the grip enhancer on
curved surfaces on the firearm or hand tool.
Description
REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on a provisional patent
application filed on May 17, 2001 having Serial No. 60/291,693 by
the subject inventor and having a title of "GRIP ENHANCEMENT FOR
TOOLS OR FIREARMS". A related application by the same inventor,
AJL-2, based upon a provisional application also filed on May 17,
2001, U.S. Ser. No. 60/292,274, is directed to "LIGHT GUIDES FOR
TOOLS OR FIREARMS".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (A) Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an improved finger grip used with
all types of firearms, sporting implements, hand tools and the like
and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an
ergonomically designed finger grip enhancer for mounting on a
firearm or a hand tool for improved grip and for helping prevent
slippage on the item.
[0004] (B) Discussion of Relevant Art
[0005] It is well known to provide hand grips on the handles of
various types of tools and implements to obtain a comfortable feel
as well as to reduce or eliminate the torsional movement between
the handle and the hand of the user. Hand grips such as the types
used on power tools or bicycle handle bars are often contoured
according to the finger surfaces to aid the user or rider in
maintaining a firm grip.
[0006] In the United States, there are a number of manufacturers
making handgun extensions, grip enhancers, rubber grips and like
accessories for firearms. Also the prior art grip enhancers can
include one or more finger swells between gripping fingers.
Further, gunsmiths can improve a gun owner's grip by roughening the
gripping surface, along with adding bulky stocks or by providing
finger swells by expensive welding with refinishing.
[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,181 discloses "auxiliary
tool handles" for removable, adjustable attachment to cylindrical
tool handles such as used for garden rakes, hoes and the like. The
auxiliary handles comprise at least one curvilinear handle segment,
which can be attached to the tool handle by slidable sleeves. The
auxiliary handles can be installed substantially perpendicular to
the straight tool handle. This patent also discusses the forces and
fatigue factors involved in using various types of hand tools.
[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,495 and 5,155,878 to Dellis disclose
moldable hand grips for use with cycle handlebars, tools, guns and
the like which can be custom molded to fit the contours of a
particular user's hand. The grips can include special surface
properties for comfort and adhesive and resilient inner layers for
enhanced function.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,920 discloses a "power grip insert"
which is attachable to either a handled instrument or a user's
hand, with one side contoured to accommodate the handle shank to be
gripped and an opposing side contoured in accordance with the
musculature of the palm of the user's hand. The insert can be
permanently attached to a glove for use with golf clubs. This
patent provides an extensive discussion of the anatomy of the hand
and the need to adapt the grips of various handled instruments to
minimize stress and fatigue in use.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,381 discloses a "universal thin walled
finger groove adapter" for handguns, comprising a thin ductile
metal reinforcing plate encapsulated with thin front and back
layers of elastomeric material. At least one finger groove
projection is provided on the front surface of the adapter. The
adapter is molded in a flat condition, may be trimmed in that
configuration to a variety of shapes for mounting on various
different handgun handles, and is deformed into the appropriate
shape for mounting to the handgun by the user. The adapters are
said to be well suited for handgun users with small hands. This
patent discusses grip factors important to the effective use of
firearms.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,279 discloses an ergonomically
deformable grip for firearms, which is made of elastomeric material
to obtain a basic contour at the front of the grip through a series
of flexible projections formed from the material. The projections
can be similar to thin ribs separated from each other by narrow
spaces, over which the fingers of the user's hands support
themselves. This patent discusses prior art handgun grips and their
shortcomings. The deformable grips disclosed therein seem suitable
for accommodating hands with fingers of various sizes. However, it
would appear to do this without providing the benefit of a stronger
grasp, since the ribs would have to be too flexible to provide
adequate support from the upper and lower surfaces of the fingers.
Thus, resistance in a vertical plane, as during gun recoil or
hitting the holster during the draw, would probably not be
substantially improved.
[0012] Despite the numerous patents in this field, there remains a
need for simple, inexpensive devices which can be used to improve
the user's grasp upon the grips of hand tools in general, and
firearms in particular. For example, the rubberized sleeves fitted
with finger grooves for handgun grips have a detrimental effect on
the esthetics of the firearm, since they cover parts of the grip
which are normally made of wood. Such sleeves thicken the handgrip
area, making it harden to conceal when holstered. Such sleeves can
also make repositioning of the grip hand difficult during the draw,
if a less than ideal position was obtained in the holster. In
contrast, the devices of the present invention have the benefit of
properly positioning the fingers as the gun is grasped in the
holster. Since the rotation of the gun upward during the draw
before the barrel has cleared the holster can result in the weapon
falling to the ground, the present invention reduces this risk by
providing a stronger grasp, especially in the plane of such a force
as hitting the holster. Many prior art devices such as the sleeves
described above are model specific, thus requiring gun stores and
manufacturers to maintain large inventories of devices to fit
numerous gun models.
[0013] None of the above mentioned prior art firearm grip enhancers
provide the unique structure, function, objects and advantages of
the present invention as described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the
invention to provide a finger grip enhancer made of flexible or
resilient high friction material or rigid high friction material,
which conforms easily to the grasping fingers to improve control of
a firearm, hand tool or the like. The high friction material may be
plastic, metal or other suitable materials.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a finger grip
enhancer that is inexpensive and can be quickly and easily attached
using adhesive or other suitable attachment means to a selected
location on various handguns, firearms, tools and the like for
increased grip.
[0016] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
plurality of finger grip enhancers for receiving two or more
fingers thereon for improved gripping on a handgun grip or tool
handle.
[0017] The present invention provides finger grip enhancers of
various configurations which can be installed singly or in
combination upon the handles or handgrips of various tools,
sporting implements, mobility aids and firearms to provide
ergonomically enhanced grips. The finger grip enhancer includes a
finger grip body having a top, a bottom and a flat or curved
(concave) back surface. The back surface is preferably adapted for
receiving an adhesive and attaching the grip enhancer onto a
selected location on the firearm or a grip of a hand tool. The grip
enhancer is made of or comprises a flexible, resilient or rigid
material, preferably having a high coefficient of friction for an
improved gripping surface. The finger grip body also includes an
ergonomic shaped front finger surface. The front finger surface
includes a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a
lower knob portion. The lower knob portion is designed to rest
against the bottom of a finger and prevent slippage thereon.
[0018] The grip enhancers of the present invention provide nearly
universal means for improving the physical interface between the
human hand and the grips, handles and the like for most hand-held
tools, weapons and the like. The improvements are provided by a
more secure grasp of the handles or grips through an increase in
hand-grip contact area, together with reduction in the stress and
fatigue caused by the exertion required to maintain the grasp
through hand strength only. Most common grip designs for tools and
the like provide a secure grasp only through friction with the
hand, which increases with grip force. Thus, extended use or
adverse conditions such as dampness or cold tend to induce fatigue,
tremor or loss of grip in the user. The grip enhancers of the
present invention function by nearly matching the grip surface of
the tool or firearm to the shape and size of the user's hand.
[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those familiar with various types
of handgrip accessories for firearms, tools and the like when
reviewing the following detailed description, showing the
contemplated novel construction, combination, and elements as
herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended
claims and drawings, it being understood that changes in the
precise embodiments to the disclosed invention are meant to be
included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar
as they may be precluded by the prior art. Numerals are employed to
identify corresponding or similar components in the figures and the
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred
embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes
presently devised for the practical application of the principles
thereof, and in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handgun having the subject
finger grip enhancers mounted on the front of a trigger guard and
on the front of the handgun's grip.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a finger grip enhancer
having a flat back surface used for securing the enhancer to a
portion of the handgun or hand tool.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the finger grip
enhancer shown in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of another finger grip
enhancer having a concavely curved back surface contoured for
securing the grip enhancer to the handgun or hand tool.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the finger grip
enhancer shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The following description concerns finger grip enhancers
designed for handgun grips, which are exemplary rather than
limiting of the invention. The finger grip enhancers of the
invention can be designed and installed on the handles, grips or
stocks of a wide variety of hand tools (e.g., garden tools such as
rakes, hoes and shovels and carpentry tools such as hammers, saws
and axes), power tools with pistol grips such as hand drills and
saws, sporting implements (e.g., baseball bats, hockey or lacrosse
sticks and the like), firearms such as pistols (revolvers and
"automatics" containing a magazine within the handle), various
long-barreled guns such as rifles and shotguns, and other projector
devices such as crossbows, archery bows, paintball guns, squirt
guns, underwater spearguns and the like. The long-barreled guns can
have conventional stocks or pistol grips comparable to those used
on pistols. The grip enhancers can also be used on the grips of
various mobility aids such as canes, walking sticks, crutches and
the handlegrips of wheelchairs pushed by attendants. When pulling a
loaded wheelchair backwards up an incline or stairway, it is
imperative that the attendant maintain a secure grip. The grip
enhancers can have various suitable sizes, shapes and
configurations, depending upon the shape and size of the grips
which are to be enhanced, the type of tool or firearm involved, and
the size of the user's hands, to mention some principal factors.
The grip enhancers will all generally have the features or
components disclosed and claimed below, however. The grip enhancers
can be produced in assortments of shapes and sizes which can be
selected for use on a variety of tools, weapons and the like.
Although described and illustrated herein primarily as "finger"
grip enhancers, the devices of the invention can be designed or
modified to support or enhance the grip of other portions of the
hand as well. Thus, the devices can be attached to the grip,
handle, frame (including trigger guards and the like), gripping
surfaces or stock of a firearm, for example.
[0027] Although these devices are generally symmetric and are
illustrated and described for use with the right hand, finger grip
enhancers which may be asymmetric can also be constructed for use
with left hand grips, generally by producing mirror images of the
embodiments shown herein. Certain terminology will be used in the
following description for convenience in reference only and should
not be considered limiting. The words "up", "down", "right" and
"left" will designate directions in the drawings to which reference
is made. The words "front" and "rear" will refer, respectively, to
the muzzle end of a firearm and the opposite end therefrom. The
words "top" and "bottom" will refer to the portions of the
components of the invention and the implements upon which they are
employed which are shown as uppermost or lower in the drawings, and
which are normally uppermost or lower when used in the normal
terrestrial frame of reference in which the "top" or upper surface
is the side opposite the gravitational force.
[0028] The grip enhancers of the present invention, whether used
singly or in combination, are designed and installed to have
ergonomic effects upon the tool grips. "Ergonomic" devices are
generally expected to be safer and/or more efficient when operated
by humans. In particular, the present grip enhancers are expected
to make the user's grip upon the tool or firearm to which they are
applied more stable and secure, without allowing the hand(s) to
tire excessively. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,181, which is
incorporated herein by reference, for descriptions of two ways in
which the human hand can grasp a tool grip and the effects of
fatigue when non-ergonomic grips are used.
[0029] The grip enhancers of the present invention can be installed
and modified to fit not only the fingers, which provides support
from the finger structure of bones and flesh in the areas between
the fingers, but can also be useful in providing a more
comfortable, stronger and less strenuous grasp for the other areas
of the hand. The web of the hand can be protected from the impact
of the handgun slide or hammer by placing a grip enhancer below the
hammer or slide on the back strap. The devices can also be useful
when affixed to the bottom rear surface of the grip safety of
military-style Colt M1911A1 semiautomatic pistols. Many users have
difficulty actuating this safety because their hands are not
sufficiently bulky to depress the lever; the devices of the present
invention can add sufficient bulk, as is done with custom grip
safeties which add a bump of metal to this location.
[0030] The grip enhancers of the present invention can also be
installed or modified for use in improving contact with the
shooter's palm when applied to the side grip panel areas of a
handgun. Such effects are currently accomplished by using custom
oversized grips, which often have to be fitted to the hand using
woodworking tools. The grip enhancers of the invention,
particularly when molded of soft plastic materials, can be easily
trimmed and shaped using commonly available implements such as
knives and files. The grip enhancers of the invention can also be
used as finger rests by installation with the knob portion in a
substantially horizontal position to provide both positioning and
support for the trigger finger or thumb. Such use can be especially
useful on revolvers to prevent the cylinder release from striking
the thumb in recoil. Also with revolvers, modified versions of the
grip enhancers can be used to provide more positive actuation of
the hammer to a single action position by thumb cocking; slippage
of the thumb off the hammer during thumb cocking can cause an
accidental discharge of the gun.
[0031] Turning now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a perspective view
of a plurality of the subject finger grip enhancers is shown, the
grip enhancers having general reference numeral 10. One of the grip
enhancers 10 is mounted on the front of a trigger guard 12 of a
handgun 14. Also, a pair of grip enhancers 10 are shown mounted on
the front and along the length of a grip 16 of the handgun 14.
Clearly, any number of grip enhancers 10 can be used on the grip of
a firearm or tool depending on the size of the user's hand, the
length of the grip, the type of grip application and the other
types of gripping surfaces.
[0032] In FIGS. 2 and 3, both rear and front perspective views of
the finger grip enhancer 10 are illustrated. The grip enhancer 10
includes a finger grip body 18 having a top 20, a bottom 22 and a
flat back surface 24. The flat back surface 24 is generally used
for receiving an adhesive and attaching the grip enhancer to a
selected location on the firearm or a grip of a hand tool. However,
threaded connectors such as setscrews, pressure-fitted pins and
other mechanical connection means, including fabric hook-and-loop
fasteners, can also be used (not shown here). When the grip
enhancers are to be installed on metallic magazine-type handgrips
or other metallic surfaces, the grip enhancers can be made of
ferromagnetic materials which provide sufficient magnetic
attraction to hold the grip enhancers in place. The grip enhancer
10 can be made of a flexible or rigid plastic, metal material or
the like, preferably having a high coefficient of friction for an
improved gripping surface. Magnetic grip enhancers can be formed of
magnetized ferromagnetic metals or polymeric composites filled with
sufficient ferromagnetic particles to produce the same effect. Many
suitable types of polymeric materials are available, with
properties ranging from rigid and brittle to flexible or resilient.
Natural materials comprising wood, ivory and mother-of-pearl can
also be used. It is convenient for the grip enhancers to be molded
or otherwise formed of material which is soft enough to be trimmed
to the optimum size and shape. Materials can be used which absorb
perspiration, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,495, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] The finger grip body 18 also includes an ergonomic shaped
front finger surface 26 having a top portion 28 tapered downwardly
and outwardly into a lower knob portion 30. The lower knob portion
30 is designed to rest against the bottom of a finger and prevent
slippage thereon. The finger or fingers of the user of the finger
grip enhancer 10 are not shown in the drawings.
[0034] In FIGS. 4 and 5, both front and rear perspective views of
another finger grip enhancer 10 are illustrated. In this
embodiment, the grip enhancer 10 has a curved (concave) back
surface 32 contoured for securing the grip enhancer 10 to a curved
(convex) portion of the handgun or hand tool. Obviously, when a
rigid material is used for the grip enhancer, the curved back
surface 32 provides for ease in mounting to a curved portion of the
trigger guard 12, as shown in FIG. 1, and other curved surfaces on
a firearm or hand tool. The backs of the grip enhancers will
generally be curved in a concave manner to fit convex portions of
the grips or other portions of the tools, but can also be designed
with convex curved portions to fit into concavely-curved portions
of a tool if necessary.
[0035] The method of installation of one or more grip enhancers on
a tool or firearm grip will generally encompass trial positioning
upon the tool, followed by gluing or attachment by other suitable
means when the appropriate positions have been confirmed. For
example, the grip enhancers can be installed upon a
magazine-handled pistol as illustrated in FIG. 1 using the
following steps:
[0036] 1) Decide on how permanent the installation is intended to
be. Generally, the stronger the adhesive used, the more likely the
surface (especially polished or blued metal surfaces) is to be
damaged by removal of the grip enhancers and adhesive. For example,
LocTite(R) Black Max(R) is very permanent, and reports are mixed on
whether removal of such adhesive will damage the blueing on
firearms. Epoxy cements will generally damage most finishes. An
adhesive which has been successfully tested for removal without
damage to metal finishes such as anodizing is SuperGlue Corp.(R)
Future Glue(R), but any adhesive should be tested on an
inconspicuous area of the surface before actual use. When
installing the grip enhancers on various polymeric surfaces, most
commercial "instant" glues should be effective.
[0037] 2) By trial and error, determine the exact location and feel
desired for each grip enhancer and mark location. Trim the narrow
upper portion of the grip enhancer to a suitable length and width
if necessary.
[0038] 3) Apply adhesive to the grip enhancer(s), position
carefully at location for installation and press into position
until adhesive sets, using clamps, rubber bands or the like if
necessary.
[0039] 4) Inspect final installation to ensure that the resulting
grip is comfortable and effective, and that none of the installed
components block any moving parts of the weapon.
[0040] Installation and testing of the grip enhancers of the
present invention on various handguns including both "automatics"
and revolvers and long-barreled guns including rifles and shotguns
have revealed various advantages. The grip can be custom fitted for
an individual user's hand, providing a firmer grip with less
fatigue in use. When used with pistols, for example, use of the
grip enhancers can make the gun point better, recover faster after
firing and provide a comfortable grip even when used for prolonged
periods. A non-slip grip is provided for all sorts of weather and
atmospheric conditions, whether using one or both hands. (The
non-trigger hand is often used to grasp a handgun, with at least
one finger resting on the grip enhancer which is placed on the
trigger guard.) When used on certain automatic pisols, the grip
enhancers of the invention can prevent "hammer bite," i.e. the
impact of the slide or back of the hammer upon the web of the hand
between the index finger and thumb. This painful effect not only
degrades marksmanship but can lead to irritation and even serious
infections of the hand. To alleviate this, the grip enhancers of
the invention can installed with the lower and knob portions of the
devices serving as a top knob when positioned under the tang of the
pistol below the hammer. In such applications, the knob of the
device forces the flesh of the shooter's hand to the side and
rearward, thus keeping it out of the impact area of the slide
and/or hammer.
[0041] Prior art literature acknowledges the need to accommodate
various hand sizes in firearm grips. The grip enhancers of the
present invention not only accommodate different sizes of grips,
but allow the owner to optimize the grip of the firearm or other
tool to his particular hand. In preferred embodiments, single
"finger swells" can be trimmed to length to allow, for example, the
bottom surface of a firearm trigger guard, to provide an upper snug
contact surface with the shooter's middle finger by installation of
the device below the middle finger and as close as comfortable to
the guard. Additional devices can be installed to provide similar
support to the bottom of the shooter's ring finger for an optimum
grip. If the pistol grip is sufficiently long, a third grip
enhancer can be installed below the first two to provide support to
the bottom side of the shooter's little finger.
EXAMPLE
[0042] The invention will be further illustrated by the following
non-limiting example. One of the grip enhancers were installed on
the grip of a 16 oz. Kel-Tec 9 mm semiautomatic pistol as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Normally, when firing a powerful or very
small handgun, the recoil forces cause an upward movement of the
gun and a rotational torque on the hand. Actual test firing of this
weapon before and after modification according to the invention
resulted in substantially faster recovery times for second shots
with precise sight alignment for the modified version. The shooter
also found the modifications improved the natural pointability of
the gun. Firearms trainers agree that the fit or feel of a pistol
in the hand has a substantial impact upon the shooter's ability to
perform rapid point shooting, such as firing from the hip. A
substantial number of firearms experts and trainers have reported
that the feel and pointability of this modified pistol were notably
improved when a single grip enhancer was installed in an "average"
user position. They agreed that when the devices were installed to
optimize the grip for a particular shooter's hand, the benefits
would be increased.
[0043] From reviewing the above-mentioned drawings and
specifications, it is apparent that the finger grip enhancer 10 may
have various geometric shapes and sizes for mounting on firearms,
tool grips and the like without departing from the spirit and scope
of the subject invention.
[0044] While the invention has been particularly shown, described
and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred
embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art
that the foregoing and other modifications are exemplary only, and
that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention
as claimed except as precluded by the prior art. The terms and
expressions employed are used as terms of description, not of
limitation, and there is no intention to exclude any equivalents of
the features shown and described, or portions thereof, by using
these terms and expressions.
* * * * *