Backstrap assembly for an electronic firearm

• US 6,523,296 B1
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Constant, Robert L., Klebes, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers, Troy
• Application Number:
  US10/059,904
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 42/84, 42/700.1, 42/701.1, 89/280.5, 891/35
• US Class Current: 42/84
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/69 Electric contacts or switches peculiar thereto F41A19/65 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/12 Auxiliary stocks for stabilising, or for transforming pistols, e.g. revolvers, into shoulder-fired guns

Abstract

A backstrap assembly for a firearm includes a backstrap housing for accommodating electronic circuitry. The backstrap housing defines a rearward gripping portion and an open-ended frontward portion. The gripping portion defines apertures for receiving therein switch activators such as push buttons or keypads. A circuit assembly is disposed within the backstrap housing, and includes electrical switches including switch activators within respective apertures of the backstrap housing. A retaining element is coupled to the backstrap housing for holding in position at a rearward end the plurality of switch activators. Preferably, the retaining element includes sidewalls having a plurality of projections received within respective openings defined by at least one opposing wall of the backstrap housings Further, the rearward gripping portion of the backstrap housing defines a plurality of ribs between the plurality of apertures for an improved gripping surface and to prevent pull-out of the switch activators.

Claims

1. A backstrap assembly for a firearm, the backstrap assembly comprising:

a backstrap housing for accommodating electronic circuitry, the backstrap housing defining a rearward gripping portion and an open-ended frontward portion, the gripping portion defining a plurality of apertures for receiving therein switch activators;

a circuit assembly disposed within the backstrap housing, the circuit assembly including a plurality of electrical switches including switch activators within respective apertures of the backstrap housing; and

a retaining element coupled to the backstrap housing, the retaining element generally defining a frame for holding in position at a rearward end the plurality of switch activators.

2. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the retaining element includes sidewalls having a plurality of projections received within respective openings defined by at least one opposing wall of the backstrap housing.

3. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein a portion of the circuit assembly is interposed between the sidewalls of the retaining element for positioning the circuit assembly within the backstrap housing.

4. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of switch activators are push buttons.

5. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the rearward gripping portion of the backstrap housing defines a plurality of ribs between the plurality of apertures.

6. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the backstrap housing is of one piece.

7. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein an upper portion of the backstrap housing is open-ended and defines a compartment for accommodating additional electronic circuitry, and further including a backstrap cover disposed over the upper portion of the backstrap housing.

8. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the compartment defined by the upper portion of the backstrap housing accommodates an electronic indicator, and the backstrap cover defines at a rearward portion an opening for displaying the electronic indicator.

9. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 8, further including a cover molded into the backstrap cover and disposed over the opening of the backstrap cover.

10. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein the electronic indicator is an LCD display.

11. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 7, further including means for coupling the backstrap cover to the backstrap housing.

12. A backstrap assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the coupling means is a yoke.