U.S. patent application number 11/754550 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for grip for a handgun.
Invention is credited to Stefan Hofs, Thomas Metzger, Adrian Thomele.
Application Number | 20080060247 11/754550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37398687 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080060247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomele; Adrian ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
GRIP FOR A HANDGUN
Abstract
The invention relates to a grip for a handgun, in particular a
pistol, having a grip module (1) made of plastic and a metal
carrier element (2) that is insertable into said grip module (1).
In order to enable a simple and cost-effective adaptation to the
widest variety of demands of the marksman, a magazine shaft (4),
projecting downward from the grip module (1) and onto which is
slipped a grip shell module (3), is formed as a part of the carrier
element (2).
Inventors: |
Thomele; Adrian;
(Eckernforde, DE) ; Metzger; Thomas; (Eckernforde,
DE) ; Hofs; Stefan; (Eckernforde, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLEIT KAIN GIBBONS GUTMAN BONGINI & BIANCO
21355 EAST DIXIE HIGHWAY
SUITE 115
MIAMI
FL
33180
US
|
Family ID: |
37398687 |
Appl. No.: |
11/754550 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/71.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41A
11/02 20130101; F41C 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/071.02 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20060101
F41C023/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2006 |
EP |
06 012 945.9 |
Claims
1. Grip for a handgun, in particular a pistol, having a grip module
(1) made of plastic and a metal carrier element (2) insertable into
said grip module (1), characterized in that a magazine shaft (4),
projecting downward out of the grip module (1) and onto which is
slipped a grip shell module (3), is formed as a part of the carrier
element (2).
2. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip shell
module (3) also encloses the front side and rear side of the
magazine shaft (4).
3. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip shell
module (3) is designed as a hollow body that is slipped onto the
magazine shaft (4) from below.
4. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip shell
module (3) features a recess (32) in order to receive a cover (7)
molded as a part of the grip module (1).
5. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that a trigger guard
(6) is molded as a part of the grip module (1).
6. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier
element (2) is manufactured as a sheet metal construction of two
side parts (23, 24) connected to one another by means of connecting
webs (18-22).
7. Grip according to claim 6, characterized in that the side parts
(23, 24) of the carrier element (2) feature two parallel sections
(25, 26) extending downward, which project downward from the grip
module (1) and together with front and rear connecting webs (18,
19, 22) delimit the magazine shaft (4) formed integrally with the
carrier element (2).
8. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazine
shaft (4) is designed to receive the entire or nearly the entire
length of a magazine.
9. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that two parallel
holding stays (31) for a hammer spring abutment are arranged on the
rear side of the magazine shaft (4).
10. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that outwardly
curved guiding ridges (30) for a barrel slide or action that is
slidable on the carrier element (2) in a longitudinal direction are
mounted on the carrier element (2).
11. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip
module (1) and the grip shell module (3) are made of plastic.
12. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that a hand
protector (33) is molded as a part of the grip shell module
(3).
13. Grip according to claim 1, characterized in that a feed guide
(35) for the loading of a magazine is molded as a part of the
bottom end of the grip shell module (3).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a grip for a handgun, in particular
a pistol.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A grip of this type is known from EP 0 979 986 A2. There, a
single multi-function part made of metal is inserted in a removable
way in a housing made of plastic. However, the multi-function part
serves here only for guidance and support of the elements of the
trigger mechanism and contains the guides for the barrel slide,
which is slidable on the grip. The magazine shaft is formed in a
plastic housing designed as a single-piece. For this known weapon,
adapting the grip to differing specifications of the weapon is not
possible straight away, since the plastic housing is of integral
design, and in the event of potential changes or adaptations must
always be replaced in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The objective of the invention is to create a grip that
enables a simple and cost-effective adaptation to the widest
variety of demands of the marksman.
[0004] This problem is solved by means of a grip having the
features of Claim 1.
[0005] The grip according to the invention has a modular
construction and is composed of a grip module, preferably
manufactured of plastic, a metallic carrier element insertable into
said grip module and having a magazine shaft projecting downward
out from the grip module, and a grip shell module slipped onto the
magazine shaft. The carrier element, preferably executed as a sheet
metal construction, forms a universally applicable basic part, in
which or on which are arranged the parts of the handgun essential
to function, such as the trigger mechanism or the guides for a
barrel slide or action. Interchangeable grip shell modules and even
interchangeable grip modules for length adaptation and accessory
accommodation can be mounted to the universally applicable carrier
element. The magazine shaft formed on the carrier element serves
not only to receive a magazine, but at the same time also to form a
stable carrier for a grip shell module that can be replaced or
exchanged easily according to need. The grip shell module and the
grip module forming an upper shell are simple and cost-effective to
manufacture and can also be exchanged quickly and with no problem
without changing the parts of the weapon essential to function. The
grip according to the invention enables a limited grip
circumference with the highest possible strength and stability, as
well as an optimum adaptability with cost-effective
construction.
[0006] Expedient configurations and advantageous improvements of
the invention are given in the subclaims.
[0007] A grip shell module is thus designed, e.g., in such a way
that it also encloses the rear side and the front side of the
magazine shaft. It is expedient to design the grip shell module as
a hollow body slipped onto the magazine shaft from below.
[0008] In a particularly advantageous design, the carrier element
is manufactured as a sheet metal construction of two side parts
connected to one another by means of connecting webs. The side
parts of the carrier element feature two parallel sections
extending downward, which project downward from the grip module and
together with the front and rear connecting webs delimit the
magazine shaft formed integrally with the carrier element. The
magazine shaft is preferably dimensioned to be able to receive the
entire or nearly the entire length of a magazine.
[0009] In an expedient configuration, the guides for a barrel slide
or action that is slidable on the carrier element can also be
mounted to the carrier element that receives the control elements
and functional element of the handgun.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention arise
from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the
aid of the drawing. Shown are:
[0011] FIG. 1, a grip of a handgun in an oblique view and
[0012] FIG. 2, the grip of FIG. 1 with the individual parts in
exploded view and
[0013] FIG. 3, a grip shell module of the grip shown in FIG. 1 in
an oblique view from the front.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The grip of a pistol depicted diagrammatically in FIGS. 1
and 2 is composed of a grip module (1), a carrier element (2)
insertable in said grip module (1), and a grip shell module (3)
capable of being slipped onto the carrier element (2). As emerges
from FIG. 2 in particular, a downward extending magazine shaft (4)
is formed on the carrier element (2) that is insertable in the grip
module (1).
[0015] The grip module (1), preferably manufactured as an
injection-molded part of plastic, comprises simply an upper
retainer part (5) in the form of a frame, on the underside of which
is molded a trigger guard (6) and a front cover (7) in the shape of
a half shell for the upper part of the magazine shaft (4). The
action or slide of the handgun, not represented here, is slidably
arranged on the retainer part (5). Various openings or recesses or
hollows for different control elements or functional elements are
provided in the two sidewalls (8, 9) of the upper retainer part
(5). Thus a lateral recess (10) for a slide release is arranged,
e.g. in the left sidewall (8) viewed in the firing direction.
Moreover, located in the area of the recess (10) in the sidewall
(8) is a slot (11) open at the top for a bearing pin of a slide
release which is known and therefore not shown. Provided in the
right sidewall (9), viewed in the firing direction, opposite the
slot (11) is a mounting hole (12) for the bearing pin of the slide
release. Arranged to the rear of the grip module (1) are through
openings (13) in the sidewalls (8, 9) for a hammer spindle. In
addition, two oblong holes (14), positioned aligned with one
another in front of the two openings (13) in the sidewalls (8, 9)
are provided for the actuating cams of two control elements
pivotably mounted on the hammer spindle. Also provided in the front
cover (7) are through-holes (15) aligned with one another for a
magazine holder. The rear wall ( 16) of the grip module (1)
features a recess (17) for a hammer.
[0016] As emerges from FIG. 2, the carrier element (2) features two
side parts (23, 24) connected to one another by means of connecting
webs (18-22). The side parts (23, 24) of the carrier element (2)
include downward extending parallel sections (25) and (26),
respectively, which in an assembled state project downward from the
upper retainer part (5) of the grip module (1) and together with
front and rear connecting webs (18, 19, 22) delimit the magazine
shaft (4) formed integrally with the carrier element (2). The
parallel sections (25, 26) reach far enough downward that the
magazine shaft (4) is formed to receive the entire or nearly the
entire length of a magazine. In order to save weight, appropriate
openings (27) are provided in the sections (25, 26). The carrier
element (2) is preferably manufactured as a diecut bent component
of sheet metal or the like. Also provided in the side parts (23,
24) of the carrier element (2) are drilled holes (28) aligned with
one another for the slide release, oblong holes (29) for the cams
of the control elements, and additional recesses and openings for
diverse control elements and functional elements. Shaped at the
upper side of the rear ends of the two side parts (23, 24) of the
carrier element (2) are two outwardly bent guiding ridges (30) that
form the rear guides for a barrel slide or action that is slidable
in a longitudinal direction on the carrier element (2). The front
guides can be attached to a separate mounting part or also to the
carrier element. Attached to the bottom end of the magazine shaft
(4) at the rear side of it are two parallel holding stays (31) for
a hammer spring abutment. The carrier element (2) can be mounted in
the grip module (1) by means of separate cross pins or other
suitable retainers. The carrier element (2) also can be mounted in
the grip module (1) by means of, e.g., a clip connection, or can be
cemented therein.
[0017] The grip shell module (3) is slipped on from below onto the
magazine shaft (4) extending downward from the carrier element (2).
The front side of the grip shell module, likewise manufactured of
plastic in the preferred embodiments is also closed, such that the
grip shell module (3) encloses not only the side surfaces but also
the front and rear sides of the magazine shaft. The front side of
the grip shell module (3) features simply a recess (32) for the
cover (7) molded as part of the carrier element (1). As is evident
from FIG. 1, the grip shell module (3) covers the entire length of
the magazine shaft (4).
[0018] It is recognizable in FIG. 3 that the upper side of the grip
shell module (3) includes a hand protector (33), molded as part of
the piece, in the form of a "beaver tail". The hand protector (33)
projects backward away from the grip shell module (3) and covers
the bottom end of the carrier element (1). A feed guide (35) in the
form of a feed incline (jet funnel) is molded as a integrally with
the bottom end of the grip shell module (3) about the feed opening
(34) for the magazine. This facilitates loading a magazine even
under extreme conditions. The shape of the grip shell module (3)
can be configured in various ways and adapted to the respective
demands of the marksman.
* * * * *