Tactical foregrip assembly

• US 7,676,975 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Breaching Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Breaching Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferris, Mark M., Gonthier, Arthur F., Phillips, Darron
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TILLMAN, JR, REGINALD S
• Application Number:
  US12/037,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20090044439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 42/710.1, 42/72, 42/73, 42/94, 42/84, 42/90, 421/46, 248/171, 89/14.2, 362/110, 362/114
• US Class Current: 42/72
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/14 Adjustable stock or stock parts, i.e. adaptable to personal requirements, e.g. length, pitch, cast or drop
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

A tactical foregrip assembly for use with a firearm, the assembly having an independently rotatable grip mount assembly and an independently rotatable light mount assembly. The invention comprises a stationary mount assembly attachable to the receiver of a firearm, a grip mount assembly radially rotatable about and electrically coupled to the stationary mount assembly, and a light mount assembly radially rotatable about and electrically coupled to the stationary mount and engagable with said grip assembly. The present invention allows the operator to provide light to illuminate an area while simultaneously positioning himself in a manner so as to maximally use available cover.

Claims

1. A tactical foregrip assembly for use with a firearm having a barrel and a receiver, the assembly comprising:

a stationary mount assembly attachable to said receiver;

a grip mount assembly having a grip assembly mounted to a grip mount, wherein said grip mount assembly is mounted on and radially rotatable about a portion of said stationary mount assembly; and

a light mount assembly mounted on and selectively radially rotatable about said stationary mount assembly independently of said grip mount assembly and having a light assembly mounted thereon.

2. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 further comprising a ball detent subsystem, said ball detent subsystem comprising:

a plurality of proximal detents disposed in said stationary mount assembly;

a plurality of distal detents disposed in said stationary mount assembly;

a light bearing ball disposed within an interior space of said light mount, said light bearing ball alignable with and urged toward said plurality of proximal detents with a light bearing spring, and wherein engagement of said light bearing ball with said plurality of proximal detents inhibits radial rotation of said light mount assembly relative to said stationary mount assembly; and

a grip bearing ball disposed within an interior space of said grip mount, said grip bearing ball alignable with and urged toward said plurality of distal detents with a grip bearing spring, wherein engagement of said grip bearing ball with said plurality of distal detents inhibits radial rotation of said grip mount assembly relative to said stationary mount assembly.

3. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 further comprising a voltage source electrically coupled to said electrical switch and adapted to provide power for said light assembly.

4. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said grip mount assembly includes at least one accessory mounting rail disposed on a peripheral portion thereof and said light mount assembly includes at least one accessory mounting rail disposed on a peripheral portion thereof.

5. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said grip assembly comprises an electrical switch electrically connectable to said light assembly.

6. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said stationary mount assembly comprises:

a barrel mount mountable to said receiver of said firearm and having a proximal portion with an outer surface thereof, a plurality of slip rings disposed circumferentially around said outer surface providing an electrical current path between said light mount assembly and said grip assembly; and

a barrel nut attached to said barrel mount and adapted to secure said stationary mount assembly to said receiver of said firearm.

7. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said grip mount comprises:

a proximal base surface having a release pin hole disposed therein; and

a release pin slidably positioned in said release pin hole, said release pin being operatively attached to a release button assembly to selectively move said release pin between engaged and disengaged positions.

8. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 7 wherein an end of said release pin is selectively alignable with said proximal base surface of said grip mount to disengage said light mount assembly from said grip mount assembly.

9. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 7 wherein said light mount comprises:

a distal base surface having at least one lock pin hole disposed therein;

a lock pin disposed within each of said at least one lock pin hole and alignable with said release pin; and

a lock spring disposed within each of said at least one lock pin hole, said lock spring positioned to urge said lock pin from said lock pin hole.

10. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 9 wherein said lock pin is selectively disposable within said release pin hole to prevent independent rotation of said light mount assembly relative to said grip mount.

16. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 10 wherein said stationary mount assembly comprises:

a barrel mount mountable around said receiver of said firearm and having a proximal portion with an outer surface thereof, each of said plurality of slip rings being disposed circumferentially around said outer surface; and

a barrel nut attached to said barrel mount and adapted to secure said stationary mount assembly to said receiver of said firearm.

17. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 10 wherein said grip mount comprises:

a proximal base surface having a release pin hole disposed therein; and

a release pin slidably positioned in said release pin hole, said release pin being operatively attached to a release button assembly to selectively move said release pin between engaged and disengaged positions.

18. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 17 wherein an end of said release pin is selectively alignable with said proximal base surface of said grip mount to disengage said light mount assembly from said grip mount assembly.

19. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 17 wherein said light mount comprises:

a distal base surface having at least one lock pin hole disposed therein;

a lock pin disposed within each of said at least one lock pin hole and alignable with said release pin; and

a lock spring disposed within each of said at least one lock pin hole, said lock spring positioned to urge said lock pin from said lock pin hole.

20. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 19 wherein said lock pin is selectively disposable within said release pin hole to prevent independent rotation of said light mount assembly relative to said grip mount.

21. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said barrel mount, said grip mount, and said light mount are concentrically aligned.

23. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 5 wherein said electrical switch is pressure-actuated, displacement-actuated, or force-actuated.

24. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 10 wherein said electrical switch is pressure-actuated, displacement-actuated, or force-actuated.

11. A tactical foregrip assembly for use with a firearm having a receiver and a barrel, the assembly comprising:

a stationary mount assembly attachable to said receiver of said firearm and having a plurality of conductive slip rings disposed about an outer surface;

a grip mount assembly having a grip assembly mounted to a grip mount, said grip mount assembly being positionable on and radially rotatable about a portion of said stationary mount assembly and electrically connectable to said plurality of slip rings; and

a light mount assembly mounted on and selectively radially rotatable about said stationary mount assembly independently of said grip mount assembly and having a light assembly mounted thereon that is electrically connectable to said plurality of slip rings.

12. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 11 further comprising a ball detent subsystem, said ball detent subsystem comprising:

a plurality of proximal detents disposed in said stationary mount assembly;

a plurality of distal detents disposed in said stationary mount assembly;

a light bearing ball disposed within an interior space of said light mount, said light bearing ball alignable with and urged toward said plurality of proximal detents with a light bearing spring, and wherein engagement of said light bearing ball with said plurality of proximal detents resists radial rotation of said light mount assembly relative to said stationary mount assembly; and

a grip bearing ball alignable disposed within an interior space of said grip mount, said grip bearing ball alignable with and urged toward said plurality of distal detents with a grip bearing spring, wherein engagement of said grip bearing ball with said plurality of distal detents resists radial rotation of said grip mount assembly relative to said stationary mount assembly.

13. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 11 further comprising a voltage source electrically coupled to said electrical switch and adapted to provide power for said light assembly.

14. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 11 wherein said grip mount assembly includes at least one accessory mounting rail disposed on a peripheral portion thereof and said light mount assembly includes at least one accessory mounting rail disposed on a peripheral portion thereof.

15. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 11 wherein said grip assembly comprises an electrical switch electrically connectable to said light assembly through said plurality of slip rings.

22. The tactical foregrip assembly of claim 11 wherein said barrel mount, said grip mount, and said light mount are concentrically aligned.