Method and apparatus for attaching a supplemental device to an unaltered host firearm

• US 5,930,935 A
• Filed: 09/11/1998
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: R/M Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: R/M Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Griffin, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHELLIAH, MEENA A
• Application Number:
  US09/152,233
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 42/105, 42/77, 42/85, 42/86
• US Class Current: 42/105
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/06 Adaptations of smallarms for firing grenades, e.g. rifle grenades, or for firing riot-control ammunition; Barrel attachments therefor signal pistols F41C3/02

Abstract

An interbar assembly (34) for reversibly attaching a supplemental device, e.g., grenade launcher (32), to a host weapon, e.g., rifle (10). A preferred interbar assembly attaches at its forward end to the bayonet lug (54) of rifle (10), and at its rearward end to the magazine well (31) of rifle (10). In a preferred embodiment, such connection can be made without the need for special tools and without altering the rifle in any way prior to making the connection. The invention also includes a supplemental sling strap attachment point (100), so the sling strap (29) can be readily relocated after attaching the grenade launcher (32), for example, to the rifle (10). Another aspect of the invention is a grenade launcher (for example) sight (104) mounted directly on the interbar assembly (34) that carries the grenade launcher (32).

Claims

1. An interbar assembly for reversibly attaching a supplemental device to a host weapon having a magazine well and a bayonet lug, comprising:

(a) an elongated interbar carrying the supplemental device, the interbar having a front end and a rear end and a length comparable to the distance between the magazine well and the bayonet lug;

(b) a front mount attached to the front end of the interbar, the front mount being constructed and arranged to receive the bayonet lug; and

(c) a rear mount attached to the rear end of the interbar, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to receive the magazine well, whereby the interbar assembly and the supplemental device are secured to the host weapon.

2. The interbar assembly of claim 1, wherein the interbar is not integral with the supplemental device, and the two are connected together.

3. The interbar assembly of claim 2, wherein threaded fasteners are used to connect the interbar to the supplemental device.

4. A system for attaching a supplemental device assembly to a host weapon having a breech bracing structure and a bayonet attachment point, the system comprising:

(a) a front mount attached to the front of the supplemental device assembly, the front mount being constructed and arranged to connect to the bayonet attachment point; and

(b) a rear mount attached to the rear of the supplemental device assembly, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to operatively engage the breech bracing structure, whereby the supplemental device assembly is secured to the host weapon.

5. A supplemental device assembly suitable for attachment to an unaltered host weapon having a breech bracing structure and a bayonet attachment point, the supplemental device assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated supplemental device barrel;

(b) an elongated interbar operatively connected to the supplemental device barrel;

(c) a front mount attached to the front of the interbar, the front mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect without the need for tools to the bayonet attachment point; and

(d) a rear mount attached to the rear of the interbar, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to operatively engage the breech bracing structure without the need for tools, whereby the supplemental device assembly is reversibly secured without tools to the unaltered host weapon.

6. The supplemental device assembly of claim 5, wherein the interbar is not integral with the supplemental device receiver, and the two are connected together.

7. The supplemental device assembly of claim 6, wherein threaded fasteners are used to connect the interbar to the supplemental device receiver.

8. A weapon system comprising:

(a) a host weapon comprising a breech bracing structure and a bayonet attachment point;

(b) a supplemental device assembly comprising an elongated barrel and an elongated interbar operatively connected thereto;

(c) a front mount attached to the front of the interbar, the front mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect to the bayonet attachment point; and

(d) a rear mount attached to the rear of the interbar, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to operatively engage the breech bracing structure, whereby the supplemental device assembly is reversibly secured to the host weapon, and whereby the host weapon can be used as a single-purpose dedicated weapon or the supplemental device assembly can be attached to the host weapon to create a dual-purpose weapon.

9. An interbar assembly for reversibly attaching a supplemental device to a host weapon, the host weapon having a butt, a barrel, a breech portion, a sling strap having a barrel end and a butt end, a butt sling strap attachment point and a barrel sling strap attachment point, and the interbar assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated interbar having a front end and a rear end, the interbar carrying the supplemental device;

(b) a front mount attached to the front end of the interbar, the front mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect proximate the host weapon barrel;

(c) a rear mount attached to the rear end of the interbar, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect proximate the breech portion of the host weapon; and

(d) a supplemental sling strap attachment point located on the interbar, wherein the barrel end of the sling strap may be relocated from the barrel sling strap attachment point to the supplemental sling strap attachment point when the interbar assembly is attached to the host weapon.

10. The interbar assembly of claim 9, wherein the interbar is not integral with the supplemental device, and the two are connected together.

11. The interbar assembly of claim 10, wherein threaded fasteners are used to connect the interbar to the supplemental device.

12. An interbar assembly for reversibly attaching a supplemental device to a host weapon having a barrel, a breech portion, and a host weapon sight, the interbar assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated interbar having a front end and a rear end, the interbar carrying the supplemental device;

(b) a front mount attached to the front end of the interbar, the front mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect proximate the host weapon barrel;

(c) a rear mount attached to the rear end of the interbar, the rear mount being constructed and arranged to reversibly connect proximate the breech portion of the host weapon; and

(d) a supplemental device sight located on the interbar.