U.S. patent application number 16/107764 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-27 for handgun grips and insert.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Neale Lyman. Invention is credited to Robert Neale Lyman.
Application Number | 20180372443 16/107764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64692159 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180372443 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyman; Robert Neale |
December 27, 2018 |
Handgun Grips and Insert
Abstract
An insert for repair or increased durability of 1911 handguns is
disclosed. This insert replaces the feed ramp and vertical impact
surface of the handgun with a single piece of metal. In addition, a
grip modification particularly suited for concealed carry is
disclosed, comprising a non-abrasive surface penetrated by a
plurality of holes.
Inventors: |
Lyman; Robert Neale;
(Centennial, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lyman; Robert Neale |
Centennial |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64692159 |
Appl. No.: |
16/107764 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14298960 |
Jun 8, 2014 |
10054391 |
|
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16107764 |
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61833282 |
Jun 10, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/18 20130101;
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41C 23/10 20130101; F41A 9/55 20130101; F41C
23/16 20130101; F41A 9/38 20130101; F41A 9/01 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/10 20060101
F41C023/10; F41C 23/18 20060101 F41C023/18 |
Claims
1. A grip for a handgun, the grip comprising a non-abrasive body
with a plurality of holes passing through it.
2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the body is a grip panel.
3. The grip of claim 2, wherein the grip panel is formed from sheet
metal.
4. The grip of claim 3, wherein the sheet metal is stainless
steel.
5. The grip of claim 4, wherein the sheet metal is approximately 20
gauge.
6. The grip of claim 1, wherein the holes are laid out in a regular
hexagonal pattern.
7. The grip of claim 6, wherein the holes are of approximately 3/32
inches in diameter and have centers separated by approximately 5/32
inches.
8. The grip of claim 2, wherein the body is so sized as to fit a
1911 handgun.
9. The grip of claim 8, wherein the body is so contoured that, when
secured to the handgun, it adds between 5/32 inches to 1/4 inches
to the thickness of the handgun as measured at the widest point of
the body.
10. The grip panel of claim 2, so contoured as to form the
backstrap of a grip.
11. The grip of claim 2, further comprising a protective panel
having a smaller number of holes than the body.
12. The grip of claim 11, wherein the protective panel has a raised
outline.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The popular "1911" style handgun designed by John Browning
and produced by Colt under U.S. Pat. No. 984,519 has inspired
countless imitators and variations on the original design, as well
as creating an industry of aftermarket parts and gunsmiths employed
installing them. However, deviations from the original design have
not always been as reliable or durable as the original. In
particular, when aluminum is used as a frame material rather than
steel, damage can occur which steel frames do not suffer.
Hollow-point ammunition, common in self-defense and law-enforcement
applications, can dent or gouge an aluminum frame. Certain magazine
followers can do the same. The impact of the barrel on the frame
can, over time, result in peening, especially if high-power
ammunition is used.
[0002] In addition, sometimes incompetent gunsmithing will result
in damage to a pistol frame of any material, especially when the
feed ramp is polished or "repaired" in an effort to improve
reliability.
[0003] For some years, Evolution Gun Works has offered a steel
replacement for 1911 feed ramps to repair damaged frames and
improve durability. While popular and effective for its purpose,
this part does not address damage caused by repeated barrel impacts
to the vertical impact surface.
[0004] Another popular modification to the 1911 is changing of the
panels located on either side of the grip. Existing grip panels
vary in thickness, material, and utility, and range from custom
carved ivory to molded plastic, and from cheap, smooth walnut to
elaborately checkered exotic woods.
[0005] As the 1911 is a popular choice for self-defense, grip
panels useful for concealed carry of firearms are in demand. These
grip panels face a balancing act: aggressive checkering or other
texturing is helpful when a firearm is used under stress, when
sweat or blood may make it slippery, or a user's hold on it may be
rendered suboptimal by adrenaline or the need for a quick draw and
first shot. However, such textures can abrade both clothing and
skin when worn close to the body, tend to snag on loose clothing
when drawn, and can make it difficult for a user to slip his hand
around the grip when drawing from a concealed position. In this
sense, the demands of concealed carry are more stringent than those
of duty carry by police officers, and call for different
solutions.
[0006] Although modern polymer-framed pistols often do not have
removable grip panels on the sides of their grips, they do have
removable backstraps, which face similar constraints when used for
concealed carry.
SUMMARY
[0007] An insert for a 1911-style firearms comprising both a feed
ramp and a vertical impact surface so sized as to reproduce the
approximate dimensions of a corresponding portion of a conventional
frame.
[0008] A grip for a handgun, comprising a body with a plurality of
holes passing through it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a 1911-style firearm
frame with the insert highlighted with bold lines.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a close up of the frame showing the insert in
greater detail.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a 1911-style firearm frame,
showing a portion of the frame removed for replacement, and the
insert in position for insertion.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of a novel grip
panel mounted on a 1911-style handgun.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a GLOCK.RTM.-style handgun
showing an alternative embodiment of a perforated grip panel on the
backstrap.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a grip
panel for a 1911, showing a protective panel for mounting between
the grip panel and the gun.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] A 1911-style pistol may benefit from the replacement of a
portion of its frame. Replacement may be required as a result of
damage or sloppy gunsmithing, or it the case of frames made of
materials softer or weaker than steel, it may be performed
prophylactically, to increase durability and long-term reliability
of the firearm.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a feed ramp 10 and vertical impact
surface 12 of a 1911-style handgun frame 8 may be replaced with an
insert 14. The insert itself is preferably made of chrome-moly
steel, such as 4140 or 4340, hardened to approximately Rockwell C
30.
[0017] The insert 14 must have external dimensions which replicate
those of an unmodified frame 8 and also allow for a close interface
to transfer force effectively to the frame 8 without unnecessary
movement of the insert. The top of the insert 14 forms a barrel bed
16, which has a cylindrical shape with a first radius of about
0.348''. The rear of the insert 14 forms a feed ramp 10 with a
similar cylindrical shape, with a second radius of 0.236''. The
feed ramp 10 meets the barrel bed 16 with an included angle of
approximately 121.5 degrees, resulting in an angle with the
vertical 18 of about 31.5 degrees. The vertical impact surface 12,
meanwhile, meets the barrel bed 16 with an included angle of about
90 degrees, and is substantially flat except for an optional small
undercut 13 on the lower portion. These dimensions match those of
the original 1911 design.
[0018] The bottom 22 and sides 24, 26 are substantially flat and
meet at 90 degree angles, forming a substantially rectangular cross
section. Vertical frame interface surfaces 28, protrude
approximately 1/16'' from the sides 24, 26 and are approximately
1/16'' wide, with a 1/32'' radius as shown in FIG. 3. The
horizontal frame interface surfaces 29 are similarly shaped and
protrude from the bottom 22 of the insert 14.
[0019] Installation of the insert 14 begins with cutting the frame
8 to accept it. The corresponding portion of the frame is removed
using a milling machine to extend the barrel lug slot 30 all the
way to the magazine well 32. This slot is approximately 0.365''
wide, and is cut to a depth of approximately 0.135'' above the
center of the slide stop pin hole 34, or about 0.315'' below the
top of the slide rails 36. These dimensions may require adjustment
by a few thousandths of an inch either way to account for
manufacturing variations in both the frame 8 and the insert 14.
Careful measurements should be made before any cutting is
attempted.
[0020] When the slot 30 has been extended, recesses 38, 40 must be
cut to receive the frame interface surfaces 28, 29. A 1/16'' ball
end mill is used to cut vertical recesses 1/16'' deep in the sides
42 of the slot 30, and horizontal recesses 1/16'' deep in the
bottom 44 of the slot 30. A ball end mill is preferred because a
rounded cross-section of the recesses 38, 40 is less likely to
develop stress cracks than a square cross-section. In a preferred
embodiment, the first recess 38 is cut with its center
approximately 0.525'' from the center of the slide stop pin hole
34, or about 3/32'' from the original location of the vertical
impact surface. The second recess 40 is then cut with its center
approximately 0.730'' from the center of the slide stop pin hole
34, or 0.205'' behind the center of the first recess 38. Again,
these dimensions will require confirmation before cutting to
account for manufacturing tolerances.
[0021] The insert 14 is placed in the frame 8 and the fit is
verified. It is advisable, when manufacturing an insert 14, to
deliberately make it somewhat larger than is strictly necessary to
allow for dimensional variation in the frame cuts. Small
adjustments to the size of the insert 14 and the frame interface
surfaces 28, 29 on critical dimensions may be made with files or
with a mill or surface grinder. Blueprints showing all the critical
dimensions of a 1911-style pistol are widely available to assist
this fitting step. In a preferred embodiment, there is a small
degree of interference between the insert 14 and the frame 8, such
that the insert requires some force to put in place.
[0022] When the fit is satisfactory, the insert must be permanently
attached to the frame. If the frame 8 and insert 14 are made of
compatible materials, it may be welded. However, welding will
affect the heat treatment of both the frame 8 and the insert 14,
and may require that the resultant assembly be stress-relieved or
heat treated anew. If the frame 8 is made of a different material
than the insert 14, as is the case for aluminum frames, then it is
preferable to attach the insert 14 by the use of a pin 52. The
insert 14 should be clamped firmly against the frame such that all
insert surfaces are in solid contact with the corresponding
surfaces on the frame. Then a hole may be drilled through both the
frame (50) and the insert (51). Preferably, this hole 50, 51 is
1/16'' in diameter and is drilled through the slideway 48, similar
to the hole used to retain the ejector in place. Preferably, the
hole 50, 51 is located about halfway between the first recess 38
and the second recess 40. A pin 52 may then be inserted to retain
the insert 14 in place. Preferably, this pin 52 is a roll pin,
although a solid pin may also be chosen. A screw or screws might
also be used. A hole 50, 51 may be drilled in other locations, such
as lower on the frame 8, where it the frame 8 is thicker, but care
must be taken that the hole 50 does not damage the serial number or
manufacturer name and location, as both of these are required by
law to be displayed. Regardless of the securement method, the
insert 14 must be fit closely to the frame and so that the roll pin
or other securement device is not bearing the bulk of forces when
the gun is fired.
[0023] Preferably, some form of sealant is used to between the
insert 14 and the frame 8 to bond the two and limit the entry of
corrosive gases and moisture. Choices include wicking threadlocker
such as LOCTITE.RTM. 290, made by the Permatex Corporation, or
bearing/sleeve mounting compounds such as LOCTITE.RTM. 609.
[0024] A gun grip intended for concealed carry must meet two
contradictory requirements. It must allow for a reliable, firm grip
on the gun even when used under great stress, and it must be
comfortable to wear and easy to draw from a concealed position.
Therefore, it must not be either too smooth or too textured.
[0025] It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
(and those familiar with the BATFE's definition) that a handgun is
a firearm that is intended to be fired while held in one hand. It
is thus distinct from weapons that may be placed against the
shoulder or held by two hands. It will be further understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the "grip" of a handgun is
that part of the handgun which is grasped by a user's hand while
the handgun is being fired. It is of course possible to grasp a
handgun in many ways, including by the slide, barrel, trigger
guard, or in the case of AR-15 handguns, buy an "A2" style carrying
handle. Each of these methods of holding a handgun may be
appropriate during transport, repair, reloading, or other
operations. However, none of these various parts that could
hypothetically be grasped during non-firing operations would be
regarded as a "grip." In addition, it may also be possible to use a
second hand to grasp a handgun in a different place while firing,
such as the magazine of an AR-15 handgun. The magazine is not
thereby transformed into a "grip" in the eyes of one having
ordinary skill in the art. For the purposes of this application,
"grip" should be understood to refer to that part of a handgun
grasped by a user when the handgun is fired from a single hand,
while the user's other hand is not in contact with the handgun.
This definition shall be understood to apply throughout the
specification, including both the preamble and body of the
claims.
[0026] It will be further understood that "grip" refers to the
entirety of the part grasped during firing, and that a grip may
comprise multiple parts. For instance, the "grip" of a 1911 handgun
comprises the frame (which normally contacts a user's fingers at
the front and the edges of the back), the mainspring housing and
grip safety (which contact the user's hands at the back), and the
"grip panels," which are typically attached to the side of the grip
with screws, as illustrated in FIG. 4. A "grip panel" is any item
that comprises only a portion of the grip. This may include side
panels, such as in FIG. 4, a back panel as shown in FIG. 5, as well
as other designs not shown in the figures. Under this definition,
the mainspring housing or grip safety of a 1911 would also
constitute a "grip panel." By contrast, a single piece grip such as
is commonly found on AR-15 and AK-47 handguns, would not constitute
a "grip panel," because in those cases the grip, while removable
from the receiver of the firearm, is a single piece that does not
have removable parts.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows one solution to this problem. A 1911-style
handgun 102 is mounted with a pair of grip panels comprising bodies
104 having holes passing through them. The surface of the grip
panels is non-abrasive. For the purposes of this application,
"non-abrasive" refers to the lack of sharp protrusions on the
surface of the grip panel as may be detected by passing the panel
over exposed human skin with light pressure. This means the holes
themselves are slightly chamfered and the body lacks burrs, parting
line ridges, or other small features likely to irritate a user's
skin. The exact finish is not important, and may be bead or sand
blasted, brushed, or even mirror polished. The surface may be bare
metal or plastic, or may be coated, passivated, or otherwise
treated. The non-abrasive character makes the body 104 comfortable
against the skin when worn for extended periods. It also prevents
grabbing of clothing, which can be at best embarrassing, revealing
a handgun 102 that a wearer would prefer stay hidden, or at worst
dangerous, as it interferes with a rapid presentation of the weapon
in a life-threatening situation. Finally, a non-abrasive body 104
is comfortable for a user's hand to remove from concealment.
Typically concealed-carry holsters place a handgun 102 very close
to a user's body, and sometimes even inside of a user's pants. This
requires that the user's fingers slide between the handgun 102 and
a beltline or the user's torso. The non-abrasive surface of the
body 104 makes this sliding both fast and comfortable.
[0028] The entire body 104 is preferably penetrated by holes 106.
The holes allow the skin of a user's hand to enter the body 104
slightly, and thereby provide positive control over the handgun 102
under recoil. When ungrasped, or grasped lightly, the gun 102 has a
smooth character, comfortable to wear, but when grasped firmly, it
takes on a textured character, secure under duress. This provides
the balance required in a concealed carry application.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the holes 106 are round, 3/32''
in diameter, and located in a regular hexagonal pattern with a
5/32'' distance 108 between their centers. One feature of a regular
hexagonal pattern is that the centers of any three adjacent holes
form an equilateral triangle in the plane of surface through which
they pass. This combination is aesthetically pleasing, especially
when the hole pattern is aligned with the front edge of the grip
body 104, as best shown in FIG. 4. However, no particular pattern
is required for the functional purposes described above. A body 104
could be machined (for metal) or molded (for plastic) in any
pattern that pleased a user.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the body 104 is made from
commercially-available perforated sheet metal. When the preferred
regular-hexagonal hole pattern is chosen, 20 gauge 304 stainless
steel is preferred as a material. This combination provides
adequate stiffness even when strongly grasped by a user, but is
still relatively lightweight and inexpensive to both cut and form
to shape.
[0031] It should be noted that commercially-available perforated
sheet metal typically has a smooth side and a rough side. The rough
side should be oriented inward, away from the user's hand, in order
to secure the twin advantages of a non-abrasive surface for
comfortable carry and texture for a secure hold. Reversing the
orientation would result in a highly aggressive gripping surface
likely to leave a user in considerable pain and possibly bleeding
after a day wearing it next to the skin. When the body 104 is not
made from commercially-available sheet metal, care should be taken
to ensure that no burs, parting lines, or other roughness remain to
abrade or irritate a user.
[0032] The exact dimensions of grip panels for a 1911 handgun are
well known from blueprints produced for the U.S. Army.
[0033] Optionally, a rubber border 110 may be placed around the
body 104 before installation. This border serves to protect the
finish of the handgun 102 from abrasion by the steel edge 112.
U-shaped rubber is available commercially.
[0034] In one embodiment, best shown in FIG. 6, a protective panel
114 is placed beneath the body 104. This panel may have a raised
outline 116 that touches the edge 112, thus preventing any sharp
portions of said edge 112 from coming into contact with the firearm
102, a user, or a user's clothing. The protective panel 114 also
prevents the entry of any foreign substance such as dirt or water
into the handgun 102 through the holes 106. The protective panel
114 may be made of any material that does not mar the handgun 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, the protective panel 114 is made of a
flexible material such as urethane rubber. Because screws (not
shown) are used to attach grips to a 1911 handgun, the protective
panel 114 must have holes 122 to allow the screws to pass through
it.
[0035] FIG. 5. shows an alternative embodiment of a grip panel,
comprising the perforated body 118 mounted on the backstrap of a
GLOCK.RTM.-style handgun 120. While many polymer-framed automatic
pistols do not have removable side panels, a popular feature is the
removable backstrap, which permits the adjustment of grip size to
suit a user's hand. The polymer backstraps provided by
manufacturers can be replaced with backstraps 118 in much the same
way as for 1911 grip panels. As with 1911 grip panels, any material
such as perforates sheet metal or molded plastic may be chosen.
* * * * *