Folding stack plate for foregrips

• US 8,136,284 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grip Pod Systems LLC (Grip Pod Systems International, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Grip Pod Systems LLC (Grip Pod Systems International, LLC)
• Inventors: Moody, Joseph R., Gaddini, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clement, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US12/899,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20110099878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 42/72, 42/94, 42/710.1, 89/14.2, 89/370.4
• US Class Current: 42/72
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/08 Bipods
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/04 Folding or telescopic stocks or stock parts articulated or collapsible guns F41A11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of allowing a firearm to be supported by a foldable fore grip/gun handle. The fore grip gun handle can have bipod type legs that can be extendable from the handle. The fore grip handle can be just a vertical extension. The adapter can allow for the fore grip/gun handle to move from a fold back position along the bottom of the firearm so that the firearm can be easily carried, and the adapter to can allow for the handle to move down to a vertical support position beneath the firearm when the firearm is to be used. The adapter can also support a light in both a folded position and in a downwardly extended position, where light can be aimed forward, rearward to the side and/or pointed down from the firearm. The adapter can allow for a dual functioning component that can be either or both a fore grip and/or a light source.

Claims

1. An accessory adapter for firearms, comprising:

an upper plate member having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the upper plate member having a pair of clamp rails, wherein the clamp rails include a rotatable knob for allowing the clamp rails to move toward or away from each other;

a lower plate member having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the lower facing surface having a pair of picatinny rails; and

a hinge for pivotally attaching one end of the upper plate member to one end of the lower plate member, where the upper plate member and the lower plate member are pivotable between a position where the upper plate member and the lower plate member are sandwiched to one another, and be pivotable to a down position where the lower plate member is perpendicular to the upper plate member, and wherein the adapter is useful for attaching accessories to the firearm.

2. The accessory adapter of claim 1, wherein the upper plate member has a rectangular shape.

3. The accessory adapter of claim 1, wherein the lower plate member has a rectangular shape.

4. The accessory adapter of claim 1, wherein the upper plate member has a rectangular shape, and the lower plate member has a rectangular shape.

5. The accessory adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a pullable button for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

6. The accessory adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a depressible button for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

7. The accessory adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

8. The accessory adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a stop for limiting the lower plate member to pivot to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the upper plate member.

9. A foldable adapter for firearms, comprising:

a top plate having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the plate having a pair of clamp rails, and a rotatable knob for allowing the clamp rails to move toward or away from each other;

a bottom plate having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the bottom plate having a pair of picatinny rails; and

a pivot end for pivotally attaching the top plate to the bottom plate, wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are pivotable between a position where the top plate and the bottom plate are sandwiched to one another, and a down position where the bottom plate is perpendicular to the top plate, and wherein the adapter is useful for attaching accessories to the firearm.

10. The foldable adapter of claim 9, wherein the top plate and the bottom plate have rectangular shapes.

11. The foldable adapter of claim 9, further comprising:

a pullable button for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

12. The foldable adapter of claim 9, further comprising:

a depressible button for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

13. The foldable adapter of claim 9, further comprising:

a switch for releasing the lower plate member from the sandwiched position to the perpendicular position.

14. The foldable adapter of claim 9, further comprising:

a stop for limiting the bottom plate to pivot to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the top plate.

15. A foldable adapter for use with firearms having picatinny rails, comprising:

a top plate having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the plate having a pair of clamp rails;

a rotatable knob for allowing the clamp rails to move toward or away from each other;

a bottom plate having an upper facing surface and a lower facing surface, the bottom plate having a pair of picatinny rails; and

a pivot end for pivotally attaching the top plate to the bottom plate,

a release for releasing the lower plate member from a sandwiched position to rotate; and

a stop for limiting the bottom plate to pivot to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the top plate, wherein the adapter is useful for attaching accessories to the firearm.