U.S. patent application number 15/626235 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-20 for firearm component having improved grippability.
The applicant listed for this patent is George Collins. Invention is credited to George Collins.
Application Number | 20180363998 15/626235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64657273 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180363998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; George |
December 20, 2018 |
FIREARM COMPONENT HAVING IMPROVED GRIPPABILITY
Abstract
The present invention provides a firearm component having
improved grippability for use with a firearm, such as a pistol,
revolver, or other suitable handgun, and a method for manufacturing
same. The firearm component hereof includes an abrasive material
deposited onto at least a portion thereof. The abrasive material is
selected from the group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic
diamond, cubic boron nitride, sapphire, and carbide. Preferably,
the abrasive material is either natural or synthetic diamond ground
down to micron-sized diamond particulates. The diamond particulates
are then deposited onto at least a portion of the firearm component
by way of electroplating, electroless plating, or brazing.
Inventors: |
Collins; George; (Troy,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Collins; George |
Troy |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64657273 |
Appl. No.: |
15/626235 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20130101;
F41C 3/00 20130101; F41A 3/72 20130101; F41C 23/10 20130101; F41C
23/18 20130101; F41A 3/64 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/72 20060101
F41A003/72 |
Claims
1. A firearm component having improved grippability, the firearm
component comprising: an abrasive material deposited onto at least
a portion of the firearm component, the abrasive material being
natural diamond.
2. The firearm component of claim 1 wherein the size of the
abrasive material ranges from 0.25 microns to about 2500
microns.
3. The firearm component of claim 2 wherein the size of the
abrasive material ranges from 2000 microns to about 2500
microns.
4. The firearm component of claim 2 wherein the size of the
abrasive material ranges from about 0.25 microns to about 1
micron.
5. The firearm component of claim 1 wherein the abrasive material
is deposited onto an adhesive strip, the adhesive strip being
disposed onto the firearm component.
6. The firearm component of claim 5 wherein the adhesive strip is
metal.
7. The firearm component of claim 5 wherein the adhesive strip is
plastic.
8. A firearm utilizing the firearm component of claim 1 wherein the
firearm component is a slide, the firearm including a frame having
a grip and a barrel, the slide slidably mounted atop the barrel of
the frame for arming the firearm.
9. A method of manufacturing a firearm component having improved
grippability, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a
firearm component; (b) providing an abrasive material, the abrasive
material being a natural diamond; and (c) depositing the abrasive
material onto at least a portion of the firearm component.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the size of the abrasive material
ranges from 0.25 microns to about 2500 microns.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the size of the abrasive
material ranges from 2000 microns to about 2500 microns.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the size of the abrasive
material ranges from about 0.25 microns to about 1 micron.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the depositing of the abrasive
material onto the firearm component is performed by
electroplating.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein the depositing of the abrasive
material onto the firearm component is performed by electroless
plating.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the depositing of the abrasive
material onto the firearm component is performed by brazing.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the adhesive material is
deposited onto an adhesive strip, the adhesive strip being adhered
onto the firearm component.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the adhesive strip is metal.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the adhesive strip is
plastic.
19. The method of claim 9 further comprising: (a) masking the
firearm component with tape, paint, and plating wax to create a
seal around the firearm component; and (b) carving out a portion of
the seal to provide limited access to an area of the firearm
component.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a completion application which claims
the priority benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/351,366, filed Jun. 17, 2016, for "Gun
Slide Having Improved Grippability," the entire disclosure of
which, including the drawing, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to firearms. More
particularly, the present invention pertains to means and methods
for improving the grippability of firearms. Even more particularly,
the present invention concerns means and methods for improving the
grippability of individual firearm components.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] To operate a handheld firearm, specifically a semi-automatic
pistol having a slide, the shooter retracts the slide to arm or
"cock" the firearm which loads a bullet from the cartridge.
Oftentimes, the slide may become challenging to move as it is
typically a smooth, substantially cylindrical piece of metal.
Providing a pistol with a slide having an improved grip would solve
the difficulties one encounters in arming or cocking the
firearm.
[0004] Another commonly used style of a handheld firearm is a
revolver. Revolvers include a cylinder having multiple chambers for
storing a bullet within each chamber. Revolvers also include a
barrel which aligns with a chamber for directing a fired bullet out
of the firearm. Instead of operating a slide to cock the firearm,
as one does with a pistol, a revolver is cocked by retracting a
rear hammer away from the cylinder with one's thumb or supporting
hand. Retracting the hammer rotates the cylinder in order to align
a subsequent chamber with the barrel.
[0005] In the course of their routine use, firearms are typically
exposed to harsh environments in which they are subjected to
corrosion and/or abrasion. Such environments adversely affect both
the external and the internal components of the firearm, which
results in rusting, scratching, excessive wear, and the like. This
can lead to a decrease in useful life, unreliability, and faulty
operation. Even the moisture and corrosive compounds that come into
contact with a firearm due to atmospheric conditions or simply from
user-handling can result in degradation of the integrity of the
firearm.
[0006] In the past, the prior art has taught making modifications
to the structural and material compositions of a firearm in order
to improve its physical properties and be able to withstand such
abrasive environments.
[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,930 to Sietsema teaches
methods and compositions for strengthening the components of a
firearm to combat the aforementioned wear by depositing a first and
a second layer of wear-resistant material onto the firearm. The
first layer is a corrosion-resistant material and the second layer
is an abrasion-resistant material such as ceramic materials,
metals, metal alloys, diamond-like carbon coatings, and graphite.
The materials may be deposited onto the firearm component by way of
electroplating, electroless plating, and/or vapor deposition
methods.
[0008] U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S. 2014/0230298 to King
similarly teaches manufacturing a firearm wherein the components
have an anodized finish. The finish is created by any suitable
process such as conventional electroplating or electroless nickel
plating in order to provide a more durable coating to the
firearm.
[0009] While the above-mentioned prior art teaches methods for
improving the durability and strength of a firearm, the references
fail to address the issue of improving the grippability of a
firearm using an abrasive or superabrasive material. Micron-sized
abrasive and superabrasive materials are commonly used in high
performance tools for sawing, grinding, and abrasion purposes, but
it is understood that these materials have not yet been utilized on
firearms to improve grippability.
[0010] As taught by the prior references, electroplating individual
components of a firearm using diamond-like carbon provides the
opposite effect of improving grippability by creating a smooth,
slick surface instead of an abrasive surface.
[0011] In use, it is essential that the firearm, namely, the grip
and/or the slide, not be too slick as it becomes difficult to
operate in certain conditions such as when the shooter's hand
becomes moist or sweaty.
[0012] Moreover, firearm grips are typically formed from a polymer
or may include a rubber coating to ensure the user does not lose
control of a firearm during use.
[0013] However, while each of the teachings disclosed in the above
references may be suitable for the uses and problems they intend to
solve, there is an ongoing need for improvements in individual
firearm components, such as one which is at least partially coated
with a durable and abrasive-resistant material to improve its
grippability.
[0014] It is to this to which the present invention is
directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides, in a first aspect hereof, a
firearm component having improved grippability, the firearm
component comprising:
[0016] an abrasive material being deposited on at least a portion
of the firearm component, the abrasive material selected from the
group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic diamond, cubic boron
nitride (CBN), sapphire, carbide, and the like.
[0017] The abrasive material may be deposited onto the firearm
component by any suitable method such as by electroplating,
electroless plating, brazing, or the like.
[0018] Alternatively, it is to be understood that the abrasive
material may be either directly or indirectly applied to the
firearm component. Thus, the abrasive material may be deposited
onto an adhesive film and, thereafter, the film may be adhered onto
any part of the firearm component.
[0019] The present invention also provides, in a second aspect
hereof, a method of manufacturing a firearm component having
improved grippability, the method comprising the steps of:
[0020] (a) providing a firearm component;
[0021] (b) providing an abrasive material, the abrasive material
selected from the group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic
diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), sapphire, and carbide; and
[0022] (c) depositing the abrasive material onto at least a portion
of the firearm component.
[0023] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the accompanying drawing and detailed
description. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to
like parts through the several views, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm having a plurality
of firearm components in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the firearm components
hereof being nickel plated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown an
improved firearm denoted as 10 having improved grippability.
[0027] The firearm 10 depicted herein is a pistol 11. However, it
is to be understood that the present invention is equally
applicable to other firearms such as revolvers, semi-automatic
machine guns, and the like. Therefore, all reference to a "firearm"
below should be understood as applying to any such firearm.
[0028] As is well-known in the art, a pistol 11, generally,
comprises a frame 12 including a grip 14, a trigger guard 16, and a
barrel 18.
[0029] A magazine 20 is housed within the grip 14. A trigger 22 is
disposed within the trigger guard 16 to actuate firing the firearm
10. A slide 24 is slidably mounted atop the barrel 18 for arming or
"cocking" the firearm 10 and for loading a bullet from the magazine
20 into position. Oftentimes, firearms, such as a .45 caliber 1911
pistol, further include a front strap 15, a back strap 17, and a
pair of grip plates 19 (of which only one is shown), disposed onto
respective sides of the grip 14.
[0030] It is to be understood that each of the individual
components or parts of the firearm 10 described above may be
removed from the frame 12 of the firearm 10 and will collectively
be referred to as a "firearm component" throughout the ensuing
description.
[0031] Now, and in accordance with a first aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a firearm component 25 having improved
grippability, the firearm component 25 comprising:
[0032] an abrasive material deposited onto at least a portion of
the firearm component 25, the abrasive material selected from the
group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic diamond, cubic boron
nitride (CBN), sapphire, and carbide.
[0033] It is to be understood that the term "abrasive material"
used herein also includes any material qualifying as a
superabrasive material.
[0034] During operation of a firearm, it is desirable that the grip
remain secured within the grasp of the user. Therefore, it is
desired that the individual firearm components 25 of the firearm
10, such as the grip 14 and the slide 24, have improved
grippability to ensure that the hand of the user does not slip when
operating the firearm 10.
[0035] To accomplish this goal, it is necessary to at least
partially coat the firearm component 25 with an abrasive material
without negatively affecting its durability and performance.
[0036] As noted above, depositing micron-sized natural diamond,
synthetic diamond, CBN, sapphire, or carbide onto at least a
portion of the firearm component 25 offers increased
corrosion-resistance and abrasive-resistance while, simultaneously,
providing an abrasive surface for increasing one's ability to
sufficiently operate the firearm 10.
[0037] By depositing a layer of an abrasive material, such as
diamond particulates 26, which are commonly used and widely
commercially available, onto at least a portion of the firearm
component 25, the above-mentioned benefits may be achieved.
[0038] It is to be understood that it is well known in the art that
diamond particulates 26 are formed by grinding down micron-sized
natural diamond, synthetic diamond, CBN, sapphire, or carbide using
a process called micronization. The diamond particulates 26 may be
ground down into a particle of any desired size, commonly referred
to as diamond grit, powder, or dust. Alternatively, the diamond
particulates 26 may be grown to size through synthesis. CBN and
synthetic diamond, when man made, are synthetized under pressure
and heat. Therefore, they can be grown to specific mesh or micron
sizes. In use herewith, the size of the diamond particulates 26
ranges from about 0.25 microns to about 2500 microns. More
particularly, if it is desired to create an extremely coarse
abrasive surface, the size of the diamond particulates 26 ranges
from about 2000 microns to about 2500 microns. Alternatively, if it
is desired to create an extremely fine abrasive surface, the size
of the diamond particulates 26 ranges from about 0.25 microns to
about 1 micron.
[0039] The diamond particulates 26 are deposited onto the firearm
component 25, either directly or indirectly as described below, via
any suitable means well known in the art such as electroplating,
electroless plating, brazing, or the like.
[0040] The diamond particulates 26 may be either directly or
indirectly deposited onto the firearm component 25. Thus, a film 27
may be at least partially coated with the diamond particulates 26,
instead of the firearm component 25, itself, by electroplating,
electroless plating, or brazing. The film 27 is then adhered,
glued, or otherwise secured onto the firearm 10. This avoids
depositing the diamond particulates 26 onto the firearm component
25 directly. As shown, the film 27 is disposed onto a portion of
the slide 24. The film 27 may vary in size and shape with various
mesh and micron sizes based on the desires of the user. Where the
film 27 is adhered onto the firearm component 25, one side of the
film 27 may include a peel and stick adhesive in order to directly
adhere the film 27.
[0041] Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that diamond
particulates 26 provide a sharpening surface to almost any
material. Therefore, the firearm component 25, having an abrasive
exterior in accordance herewith, may serve a secondary function of
assisting in the sharpening of one's knives or fish hooks.
[0042] Additionally, the firearm 10 may include grooves cut into
the grip to provide a frictional surface and ensure that the hand
of the user does not slip and to further improve grippability.
[0043] Now, and in a second aspect hereof, the present invention
provides a method for manufacturing a firearm component having
improved grippability, the method comprising the steps of:
[0044] (a) providing a firearm component 25;
[0045] (b) providing an abrasive material, the abrasive material
selected from the group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic
diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), sapphire, and carbide; and
[0046] (c) depositing the abrasive material onto at least a portion
of the firearm component 25.
[0047] Preferably, the abrasive material is either natural or
synthetic diamond which is deposited onto the firearm component 25
by electroplating. Specifically, the diamond particulates 26 are
electroplated onto the firearm component 25 by using a nickel
plating technique.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the firearm component 25 is depicted as
the slide 24. Nickel plating diamond particulates 26 onto the
firearm component 25 requires submerging a nickel mass 28, which
functions as an anode, and the firearm component 25, which
functions as a cathode, into an electrolytic nickel bath 30. The
electrolytic nickel bath 30 is a solution comprising an ionic
nickel compound dissolved in water in order to allow electricity to
flow between the nickel mass 28 and the firearm component 25. The
diamond particulates 26 are then introduced into the nickel bath 30
and suspended therein. Oftentimes, an agitation system such as a
fluidized bed (not shown) is used to maintain the diamond
particulates 26 within their suspended state. A thixotropic agent
may also be added to the nickel bath 30 in order to further aid in
suspending the diamond particulates 26.
[0049] A power supply 32, such as a constant current rectifier,
then supplies a direct current to the nickel mass 28 and the
firearm component 25. A pair of conducting wires 34, 36
interconnect the nickel mass 28 and the firearm component 25,
respectively, to the power supply 32. It is to be understood that
one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to calculate the
sufficient amount of power to be supplied based on the rate of
deposition of nickel onto the firearm component 25. The larger the
power supply 32, the faster the rate of electroplating.
[0050] As the current from the power supply 32 is applied to the
nickel mass 28, nickel atoms are dissolved in the nickel solution.
The dissolved nickel atoms then plate out onto the firearm
component 25 and attract the diamond particulates 26, thus bonding
the diamond particulates 26 to the firearm component 25.
[0051] It is to be understood that any other suitable metal may be
used in lieu of a nickel mass 28, such as copper, gold, zinc, or
the like. Similarly, the electrolytic bath 30 may comprise any
other suitable ionic compound based on the metal used in lieu of
the nickel mass 28.
[0052] Additionally, the location of the suspended diamond
particulates 26 may be modified as desired in order to focus the
deposition of diamond particulates 26 onto specific areas of the
firearm component 25, namely, the top or sides thereof.
[0053] To ensure that only specific areas of the firearm component
25 are at least partially coated with the diamond particulates 26,
the firearm component 25 may be masked using tape, paint, plating
wax, or any combination thereof. Preferably, a seal 29 comprising
tape, paint, and plating wax masks the entire firearm component 25.
Thereafter, only the specific areas of the firearm component 25
that are to be treated are exposed by carving out at least one
portion of the seal 29. The seal 29 may be carved into using any
suitable cutting tool, such as a utility knife or the like.
[0054] While a pistol may be disassembled in order to deposit the
diamond particulates 26 just the slide, the grip, or other parts
individually, certain handguns such as a revolver cannot be taken
apart as easily. Therefore, when depositing the diamond
particulates 26 onto a revolver in accordance herewith, the entire
revolver must be masked and sealed. Thereafter, only specific
portions of the seal are carved out to provide limited access to
the firearm component 25.
[0055] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the firearm
component 25 being electroplated with the diamond particulates 26
provides other desirable benefits due to its abrasive surface such
as being able to be used to sharpen a knife.
[0056] Alternatively, and as noted above, the diamond particulates
26 may be deposited onto the firearm component 24 by way of
electroless plating. Electroless plating is a process by which the
firearm component 25 is submerged in a chemical bath or solution
and treated with a chemical in order to at least partially coat the
firearm component 25. Here, the firearm component 25 functions as
both the anode and the cathode. Contrary to electroplating, no
power source is required in electroless plating. The diamond
particulates 26 are provided in the bath and provide the desired
abrasive surface material when the chemical in the bath is
attracted to the firearm component 25.
[0057] Also noted above, the firearm component 25 may comprise a
film 27, preferably, an adhesive film, as shown in FIG. 1, which
can be coated with the diamond particulates 26 in the same manner.
Thereafter, the film 27 is adhered, glued, or otherwise secured
onto any specific part of the firearm 10, such as the grip 14, the
slide 24, the front strap 15, the back strap 17, or the grip plates
19 to provide the same benefits.
[0058] From the above, it is to be appreciated that defined herein
is a new and unique firearm component being at least partially
coated with a natural diamond, synthetic diamond, cubic boron
nitride, sapphire, or carbide to provide increased abrasion and
gripping properties.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0059] 10 Firearm [0060] 12 Frame [0061] 14 Grip [0062] 15 Front
strap [0063] 16 Trigger guard [0064] 17 Back strap [0065] 18 Barrel
[0066] 19 Grip plate [0067] 20 Magazine [0068] 22 Trigger [0069] 24
Slide [0070] 25 Firearm component [0071] 26 Diamond particulates
[0072] 27 Film [0073] 28 Nickel mass [0074] 29 Seal [0075] 30
Nickel bath [0076] 32 Power supply [0077] 34 Conducting wire [0078]
36 Conducting wire
* * * * *