FRAME AND HANDGRIP FOR AUTOLOADING PISTOL, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a frame and an attachably removable handgrip or handle for an autoloading firearm, such as a pistol, and particularly to an attachable, removable handgrip that may be particularly designed to fit magazines at at angle of insertion different than the handgrip centerline angle of attachment, which among other things, allows for the interchangeability of different manufacturer's magazines, the loading of magazines able to accommodate different caliber cartridges, and magazines having double stacked cartridges. The handgrips may be supplied as a separate kit for attachment to an existing firearm. Alternatively, a firearm manufacturer or dealer may supply the firearm already equipped with the removable handgrip. A novel, slidable attachment scheme facilitates interconnection of the removable handgrip to the pistol frame.

Description of Related Art

A 2011 handgun is derived from a 1911 pistol but with changes that are beyond cosmetic. One of the most notable differences between the 1911 pistol and the newer 2011 piston is the magazine capacity. The original 1911 pistol typically has a single-stack magazine, which holds seven to eight rounds of 0.45 ACP ammunition. In contrast, the 2011 pistol, with its double-stack magazine, can hold 15 to 22 rounds, depending on the caliber.

The term 2011 was made popular by Strayer Tripp International (“STI”), later identified as Staccato. Essentially, the 2011 pistol employs a widebody 1911 frame that takes advantage of the double-stack magazine. The 2011/double-stack 1911 was designed to keep the positive attributes of the 1911 (the trigger, ergonomics, and the like) while enhancing capacity. The STI design basically removes the grip and trigger guard from the frame. A perspective view of the remaining frame rail of this prior art design is depicted in FIG. 1. Frame rail or upper receiver 10 of this design is shown without a grip or trigger, which form their own assembly for attachment to the frame. The typically polymer grip and trigger guard module (generally molded from polymer to save weight) is then set and bolted into frame rail 10. A barrel is situated in the topside of upper receiver 10, and a pistol slide attaches at the top.

The 2011 pistol design receives the double stack magazine in the handgrip or handle. The majority of semi-automatic pistols produced in the last 100 years use detachable magazines. Many designs are compatible with magazines of varying sizes and capacities, allowing a user to change the firearm's ammunition caliber and capacity.

Magazine operational characteristics, such as free drop, proper feed, and an open slide on the last round, can be affected by the magazine internal design, the angle of the feed, and the caliber of the cartridge. Pistols are generally made for the magazine to be inserted into the handgrip; thus, the angle of the magazine is generally determined by the angle of the handgrip.

The design of the cartridge can dictate not only the operational characteristics of the magazine, but the geometry of the receiving handgrip as well. Typically, a magazine has to take into account the shoulder angles of the rounds, whether the round is a straight jacket the entire length or if it has a rim at the end of it, and how the rounds fit at an angle into the magazine. An advantage proposed by the instant invention, and not realized in the prior art, is a design inclusive of interchangeable pistol handgrips, each capable of receiving a magazine of different caliber cartridges at different angles of insertion relative to the handgrip centerline. Such an advancement in the art would be a great benefit for a firearm's versatility.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,708 issued to Strayer, et al., titled “FRAME/HANDGRIP ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOLOADING HANDGUN”, a frame/handgrip assembly is provided for autoloading handguns of the Model 1911 A1 type which incorporates a metal frame structure having guide rails for receiving a conventional slide and having a configuration for receiving other standard 1911 A1 components. The handgrip structure incorporates an integral trigger guard and both the trigger guard and the connecting elements of the handgrip are physically interlocked with the frame structure by means of screws, pins, etc. Any removal of the handgrip structure requires simultaneous removal of the integral trigger guard and connecting elements.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame and trigger guard/handgrip assembly 20 of the prior art. The elongate, gripless frame structure shown generally at 22 includes an attachable assembly of a trigger guard 24 and handgrip 26; the trigger guard/handgrip assembly being releasably interconnected with a frame rail, such as the one depicted in FIG. 1.

In U.S. Pat. No. 10,962,313 issued to Wilson's Gun Shop, Inc., titled “HANDGUN”, an improved M1911 handgun is disclosed. The improved M1911 handgun teaches a handle containing a lower end, and a magazine well formed in the handle and adapted to receive and hold a double stacked magazine, wherein the inner cross-sectional profile of the magazine well is same from the lower end of the handle to a top of a frame of the handgun. As with other prior art designs, any removal of the handgrip structure requires the simultaneous removal of the integral trigger guard and connecting elements.

Thus, interchangable handgun handgrip assemblies that incorporate structural and operational mechanisms to accommodate magazines at different angles of insertion relative to the handgrip centerline, and different caliber cartridges, and which allow for expedient removal and attachment to a pistol frame without requiring removal of the trigger guard, would be desirable in the art, and would facilitate enhanced cartridge capacity while having a handgrip of substantially the same external configuration and manual “feel” as compared to a conventional Government Model 1911 A1 handgun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an attachable, removable handgrip that may be particularly designed to fit magazines at at angle of insertion different than the handgrip centerline angle of attachment.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel pistol frame lower receiver having a trigger housing appendage, capable of securing a removably attachable handgrip module.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a removably attachable handgrip module is provided, attaching to an underside of a frame/trigger housing assembly, utilizing flange extensions that are slideably inserted within shaped receiving wells on each side of the frame/trigger housing assembly, and secured via attachment screws or lugs.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel attachment of a pistol frame lower receiver having a trigger housing appendage to a handgrip module utilizing upper and lower tracks or channels receiving an insertable trigger bail.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of attaching a handgrip module to a lower receiver having a trigger housing appendage for a pistol, such as a 2011 model firearm.

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an autoloading pistol comprising: a slide; a barrel; a frame or lower receiver extending in a longitudinal direction, and having a trigger housing appendage, the barrel secured within the lower receiver, and the slide being in slideable contact with the lower receiver; and a releasably attachable handgrip module having a first centerline measured at a predetermined first angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine, and having a second centerline at a predetermined second angle measured with respect to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first angle and the second angle are not equal.

The handgrip module and the lower receiver form an attachment such that the handgrip module is releaseably attachable to an underside of the lower receiver, wherein the handgrip module includes: opposing flange extensions projecting towards the lower receiver for slidable insertion with the lower receiver underside, the opposing flange extensions each having attachment through-holes for receiving attachment screws or lugs; the lower receiver includes: opposing shaped receiving wells, each formed for receiving one of the flange extensions, the opposing shaped receiving wells have screw holes aligning with the flange extension attachment through-holes when the handgrip module is completely inserted within the lower receiver opposing shaped receiving wells; and attachment screws or lugs for attaching the handgrip module to the lower receiver.

The second centerline of the magazine bore may be misaligned relative to the first centerline of the handgrip module within a range of 0.1 degrees to 7 degrees, or within a range of 0.5 degrees to 4 degrees.

The handgrip module may include opposing reinforcing stiffeners that key into the lower receiver.

The lower receiver may include an upper trigger bail track, and the handgrip module may include a lower trigger bail track, such that the upper trigger bail track and the lower trigger bail track form a channel in an interlocking connection to receive a trigger bail.

A magazine release component and a magazine lock structure may be employed, wherein the lower receiver includes a first cavity for receiving a magazine release component, and a second cavity for receiving a magazine lock structure.

The handgrip module may include opposing ledge structures on an inside of each opposing flange extension for mating with a lower side of the lower receiver, and forming a receiving edge for slidable insertion of the handgrip module.

The handgrip module polymer material may be fabricated with a non-slip grip texture on its exterior to facilitate handhold.

In a second aspect, the present invention is reated to a releasably attachable handgrip module for an autoloading pistol comprising: a handgrip having an upper end and a lower end; and a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine; and opposing flange extensions projecting towards the upper end, the opposing flange extensions each having attachment through-holes for receiving attachment screws or lugs; the releasably attachable handgrip module having a first centerline, and the magazine bore having a second centerline at an angle measured with respect to the first centerline, such that the angle formed between the first and second centerlines is non-zero.

The handgrip module may include a lower trigger bail track located in an upper portion of the handgrip module proximate the upper end, such that the lower trigger bail track is formed to receive at least a portion of a trigger bail.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of assembling a pistol, the method comprising providing a frame/trigger housing assembly having a trigger guard and an attachment structure; providing a removably attachable handgrip module having complementary attachment structure to the frame/trigger housing assembly attachment structure, and a a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine; attaching the frame/trigger housing assembly to the removably attachable handgrip module by the attachment structure and the complementary attachment structure; and attaching a slide and a barrel to the frame/trigger housing assembly.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of assembling an an autoloading pistol, the method comprising: providing a frame/trigger housing assembly having a trigger guard, opposing cavities with attachment through-holes, and cavities to receive magazine locking and release structures; attaching a slide and a barrel to the frame/trigger housing assembly; providing a trigger bail; providing a removably attachable handgrip module having opposing extension flanges with attachment screw holes; slidably inserting the removably attachable handgrip module into the frame/trigger housing assembly such that the extension flanges are slideably received within the frame/trigger housing assembly opposing cavities; wherein: a) the attachment through-holes of the frame/trigger housing assembly align with the attachment screw holes of the handgrip module opposing extension flanges; and b) the lower receiver includes an upper trigger bail track, and the handgrip module includes a lower trigger bail track, such that the upper trigger bail track and the lower trigger bail track form a channel to receive the trigger bail in an interlocking connection; attaching the handgrip module to the frame/trigger housing by inserting screws or lugs into aligned attachment through-holes of the frame/trigger housing assembly and the attachment screw holes of the handgrip module opposing extension flanges; inserting the trigger bail into the channel formed by the upper trigger bail track and the lower trigger bail track; and inserting magazine locking and release structures into cavities within the lower receiver to serve as an interlocking component, aiding in attaching the handgrip module to the lower receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a prior art upper receiver or frame rail for a 2011 firearm, shown without a handgrip or trigger guard;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a prior art handgrip/trigger guard assembly for attachment to an upper receiver or frame rail as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of one embodiment of a frame/trigger housing assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the frame/trigger housing assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the frame/trigger housing assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the handgrip module of the present invention configured to be secured to an underside of the frame/trigger housing assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts the exploded view of FIG. 6 with the trigger bail and attachment lugs shown; and

FIG. 8 depicts a partial transparent view of a portion of the attachably removeable handgrip module attached to the lower receiver, illustrating the magazine locking members situated within cavities of the lower receiver.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

For ease of description, the apparatus of this invention is described in normal (upright) operating position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc., are used in respect to this positional reference.

A modular autoloading pistol capable of accommodating a releasably attachable handgrip module is presented. The handgrip module is slidably attachable to a lower receiver or frame, which is inclusive of a trigger housing appendage having a trigger guard, and having a novel interconnection feature for receiving the handgrip. The releasably attachable handgrip is designed to receive a magazine, preferably a double stack magazine, at a predetermined angle of insertion. The predetermined angle of insertion may be different from the angle of the handgrip module centerline, as further discussed below. Advantageously, interchangeable handgrips may accommodate different magazines at different predetermined angles of insertion.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of one embodiment of a frame/trigger housing assembly or lower receiver 30 of the present invention. (The frame/trigger housing assembly 30 may be referred to herein interchangeably as the lower receiver.) Frame 32 and trigger housing appendage 34 form to create a single assembly, where the trigger housing is either securely attached to the frame/trigger housing assembly or integral therewith, separate and distinct from any attachment of a handgrip assembly.

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the frame/trigger housing assembly of FIG. 3. An attachment structure for the handgrip module is presented. In the illustrative embodiment, screw holes 36 are positioned on each side of frame/trigger housing assembly 30 within a shaped receiving well 38 for facilitating attachment of a handgrip module (not shown). The attachment screw holes 36 are designed and configured to receive attachment bolts (not shown) that secure a handgrip module to the lower receiver. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the frame/trigger housing assembly 30 of FIG. 3. Cavities 37, 39 are formed on the lower portion of frame/trigger housing assembly 30 to receive magazine release and lock structures 50, 51 respectively (shown in FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the attachably removeable handgrip module 40 of the present invention. Handgrip module 40 is configured to be secured to an underside of the frame/trigger housing assembly 30. The top portion of each side of handgrip module 40 includes a complementary attachment structure for attaching to the frame/trigger housing assembly. In this illustrative embodiment, flange extensions 44. Upon connection of handgrip module 40 to the underside of frame/trigger housing assembly 30, flange extensions 44 are slideably inserted within shaped receiving well 38 on each side of the frame/trigger housing assembly. Screw holes 42 in handgrip module 40 align with attachment screw holes 36 upon full insertion of handgrip module 40 within receiving wells 38 of the lower receiver 30.

Handgrip module 40 includes opposing ledge structures 46 on each side of flange 44 for seating to the lower side of frame/trigger housing assembly 30. Ledge structures 46 form a receiving edge 47 for the slidable insertion of handgrip module 40 into the receiving flange of the lower receiver 30.

It is noted that the attachment structure of the frame/trigger housing assembly, and the complementary attachment structure of the handgrip module may be configured for attachment other than by a securing screw or lug, such as, slide-on and snap-on attachment schemes, and the present invention is not limited to attachment schemes that are known in the art for pistol accessories.

Handgrip modules that are a separate, removably attachable component, housing the autoloading pistol stack magazine, will allow the user interchangeability of different types of handgrip modules, which may be designed to receive their own unique magazine, and be configured to have a centerline at a different predetermined angle that may not necessarily be equal to the angle of the handgrip centerline. The angle differential of the centerlines between the handgrip and the magazine may be measured relative to the longitudinal direction of the pistol frame and barrel, or simply with respect to one another, and it at least one embodiment is non-zero.

Advantageously, in the present design, the handgrip module is attachably removable without the necessity of removing any portion of the lower receiver pistol frame and trigger assembly. In at least one embodiment, the handgrip module is designed, at least in part, of polymer material, which allows for the attachment or formation of non-slip grip texture on the exterior, enhancing handhold.

A magazine bore or well 48 in handgrip module 40 comprises a lower end 49 that is open to receive a magazine. The magazine well 48 further comprises an upper end that is open, allowing a projectile (not shown) to be transferred from the magazine to a firing assembly when the handgrip module 40 is secured to the lower receiver 30. The inner cross-sectional profile of the lower end may be complementary, although not necessarily the same dimensions, to an inner cross-sectional profile of the upper end.

In at least one embodiment, the centerline 56 of the magazine bore or well 48 of handgrip module 40 is misaligned respective to the angle of the centerline 54 of the handgrip itself, preferably between 0.1 degrees to 7 degrees, and more preferably between 0.5 degrees to 4 degrees, to accommodate different magazine designs and angles of insertion, such as those from popular firearm manufacturers: Glock GmbH, Sig Sauer (L&O Holding Gmbh & Co. KG), CZ-USA (subsidiary of Českázbrojovka, a.s.), and others. In this manner, the magazine bore centerline 56 need not be parallel with the centerline 54 of the handgrip module as measured relative to the pistol frame, or measured relative to one another, enabling a particular handgrip module to accommodate the unique design of a manufacturer's magazine structure, and unique angle of insertion. This allows for the magazine's cartridges to be received within the firearm chamber from an angle other than that of the handgrip's angle. Insomuch as some cartridges are better suited for loading at angles other than the handgrip's angle, the present invention facilitates easy interchangeability of handgrips that can hold different manufacturer's magazines at varying angles of insertion.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the centerline 56 of magazine bore or well 48 is shown having a general major angle a with respect to centerline 54 of the handgrip. In this illustration, the general major angle a is measured relative to the handgrip centerline 54, that is, the centerline 56 of the shifted magazine angle is skewed from the handgrip centerline 54 by a degrees.

Depending upon the materials used for handgrip fabrication, the handgrip module 40 may comprise a metal reinforcing stiffener 52 that further keys into the lower receiver strengthening the assembly. In this manner, a lighter handgrip material may be used while still maintaining the necessary strength of the handgrip module. An improved lower receiver (in one embodiment, preferably steel) with an attached or integral trigger housing appendage enables the handgrip module to be predominantly a separate polymer molded component of the pistol, thus decreasing weight.

A magazine release and lock structure 50, 51 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 6. In one preferred embodiment, the latch stop component 51 is fabricated from steel. As noted, the non-parallel or angled magazine bore and magazine latch position changes allow a modular double stack pistol to encompass several established magazine designs with unique loading angles. The trigger housing appendage (also in one embodiment, preferably of steel fabrication) facilitates the unique handgrip module with off-axis magazine bore, further allowing for more ergonomic grip finger clearance cuts, which are not available in the current market 2011 pistol.

The handgrip module is uniquely designed to house a trigger bail 60 in an interlocking fashion with a lower portion of the frame/trigger housing assembly 30. FIG. 7 depicts the exploded view of FIG. 6 with the trigger bail 60 and attachment screws or lugs 62a and receiving studs 62b shown. It is noted that attachment screws represent one method of attachment to secure the handgrip module to the frame/trigger housing. Other attachment schemes known in the art may be employed without defeating the novel concepts of this configuration. The lower receiver 30 defines a trigger shoe track/channel 66 in the trigger housing assembly for receiving trigger bail 60.

FIG. 8 depicts a partial transparent view of a portion of the attachably removeable handgrip module 40 attached to the lower receiver, illustrating the magazine release and locking members 50, 51 situated within cavities 39a,b, respectively, of the lower receiver.

As shown in FIG. 8, trigger bail 60 is slideably inserted into molded trigger bail track 66 formed by complementary portions on both the handgrip module 40 and the lower receiver 30, such that the receiving structure of the handgrip module is directly complementary to a receiving structure of the lower receiver, the latter being located on the lower receiver above the handgrip module track/channel 66. Insertion of the trigger bail 60 serves as an interconnection component for these upper and lower tracks/channels.

The lower receiver 30, having a trigger guard appendage, houses the upper trigger bail track, and is designed to allow for ergonomic finger relief cuts. In a complementary fashion, the handgrip module 40, fabricated predominantly of polymer material, forms the lower trigger bail track. These upper and lower trigger bail tracks form a channel for the interlocking structure for the trigger bail, aiding in attachment of the handgrip module 40 to the lower receiver 30.

The present invention further includes a method of assembling an improved frame and handgrip module for an autoloading pistol. The method comprises providing a slide, a barrel, a removably attachable handgrip module, a frame/trigger housing assembly (lower receiver), a trigger bail, magazine locking structures, and attachment screws, wherein the handgrip module includes extension flanges with attachment screw holes, the extension flanges being slideably received within the frame/trigger housing assembly, where the flanges are slidingly inserted within complementary cavities located on the frame/trigger housing assembly. The complementary cavities have complementary attachment screw holes that align with the attachment screw holes of the handgrip module upon full insertion. A trigger bail, inserted within upper trigger bail tracks on the lower receiver and lower trigger bail tracks on the handgrip module, serves as an interlocking component, aiding in attaching the handgrip module to the lower receiver. Attachment screws are then placed within the attachment screw holes of both the lower receiver and the handgrip module's extension flanges. The step of providing a handgrip module includes providing a handgrip module having a magazine bore or well that may be disposed at an angle different than that of the centerline of the handgrip module itself.

While the present invention is capable of different embodiments in many forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose some specific forms as exemplary embodiments. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is: