(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0182182 A1 Adcock, JR
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US 20140182182A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0182182 A1 Adcock, JR. (43) Pub. Date: Jul. 3, 2014 (54) VERTICAL FOREGRIP Publication Classification 51) Int. C. (71) Applicant: TUF, LLC, Columbia Falls, MT (US) (51) F4 IC 27/16 (2006.01) (72) Inventor: East L. Adcock, JR., Bethesda, F4C23/6F4C23/22 3882006.O1 (US) (52) U.S. Cl. CPC ................. F4 IC 27/16 (2013.01); F4 IC 23/16 (73) Assignee: TUF, LLC, Columbia Falls, MT (US) USPC ..............................................................(2013.01); F4 IC 23/22 (2013.01) 42/72 (57) ABSTRACT (21) Appl. No.: 14/145,509 A foregrip for a firearm may comprise a mounting device configured to attach to a mounting rail of a firearm and a grip 1-1. body. The grip body may include a top portion configured to (22) Filed: Dec. 31, 2013 be removably attached to the mounting device and a lateral side portion configured to be gripped by the hand of a person Related U.S. Application Dat using a firearm. A cavity may be disposed within the grip e pplication Uata body, and a blade may be disposed at least partially within the (60) Provisional application No. 61/747,705, filed on Dec. cavity, wherein the blade is movable between a retracted 31, 2012. position and a deployed position relative to the grip body. 10 Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 1 of 5 US 2014/0182182 A1 s o o d O O o Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 2 of 5 US 2014/0182182 A1 Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 3 of 5 US 2014/0182182 A1 FIG. 4 Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 4 of 5 US 2014/0182182 A1 s (s S. (AFN s s s Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 5 of 5 US 2014/0182182 A1 US 2014/0182182 A1 Jul. 3, 2014 VERTICAL FOREGRIP shooters who require ease of use, practicality, and ruggedness from the equipment they must rely on when in the field and BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION under harsh conditions. Additional variations on the present invention incorporate multi-functionality within these 0001. This invention relates to firearms, and in particular, devices. The differences lie in the use of the functional to a foregrip removably attached to the forward part of a rifle. devices incorporated into Vertical foregrips making them not 0002. The AR (Armalite Rifle) platform has been the only unique but practical as well, all of which feature United States standard battle rifle platform for the past fifty requested "one-handed operation. years. Introduced in the 1960s as a replacement for the M-14 0008 To accomplish this, the present invention provides a rifle, M-16s were deployed in Vietnam as the military's new vertical foregrip (VFG) in several configurations. Each con standard battle rifle. The M-16 was originally known as the figuration provides end-users with a secure grip for holding AR-15, the designation originating from the Armalite com the weaponina firing position while also providing additional pany that produces the first M-16's. functionality in the form of tools and other functional devices 0003. In the intervening years, the AR platform evolved to that are incorporated into the grip itself for use while in the more Sophisticated configurations and capabilities. One field. The invention grip is not merely used to store articles, major innovation was the introduction of the Picatinny rail but is an integral part of the tool itself. system adopted Feb. 3, 1995 as a standardized mounting 0009 For purposes of this application Applicant provides system that allows accessories from multiple vendors to be five configurations as follows. Version #1 (VFG-1) provides a mounted on the battle rifle and interchangeable from one vertical foregrip with an integral sliding blade. Version #2 weapon to another. (VFG-2) provides a vertical foregrip with an integral razor (or 0004. The Picatinny rail, alternatively known as the U.S. box-cutter). Version #3 (VFG-3) provides a vertical foregrip MIL-STD-1913 rail, NATO Stanag2324 rail, or simply “Tac with an integral multi-tool configuration (similar to a Swiss tical Rail. is a bracket used on firearms in order to provide a army knife). Version #4 (VFG-4) provides a vertical foregrip standardized mounting platform. The Picatinny rail is a dove with an integral flashlight). Version #5 (VFG-5) provides a tail or T-shaped mount with diagonal grooves that prevent the Vertical foregrip which may be rotated to a horizontal posi mounting accessory from moving back and farther due to tion. recoil. The rail comprises a series of ridges with a T-shaped 0010. These together with other objects of the invention, cross-section interspersed with flat 'spacing slots. Accesso along with various features of novelty, which characterize the ries are mounted either by sliding them on from one end to the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the drawings other, by means of a mount which is clamped to the rail with and specification annexed hereto and forming a part of this bolts, thumbscrews or levers, or onto the slots between raised disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its sections. operating advantages and the specific objects attained by that 0005 With the advent of the Picatinny rail system, manu engage the flangesits uses, reference should be had to the facturers began producing various accessories to aid soldiers accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which in the field with a wide array of products ranging from mul there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. tiple telescopic sights, range-finding devices, red-dot aiming devices, laser aiming devices, rail-mounted flashlights, alter BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS nate sights, and bi-pods, all of which represents the majority of catagories of accessories available for mounting on the 0011 FIG. 1 is side view of a M-16 battle rifle with vertical Picatinny rails. Vertical foregrips and other accessories foregrip. mounted at the 6 o'clock position on shoulder fired weapons 0012 FIG. 2 is a diagrammed view of a vertical foregrip have become known in military, law enforcement and civilian with integral sliding blade attached to a rail mounting device. aaS. 0013 FIG. 3 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip 0006 A vertical foregrip is designed to attach to a firearm with blade fully inserted and separated from the mounting for the forward hand (or "offhand”). These aid in the maneu device. Verability of the firearm, since the natural angle of a person’s 0014 FIG. 4 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip outstretched hand is more oriented to grasping objects at a with blade deployed. Vertical angle, rather than a horizontal one perpendicular to 0015 FIG. 5 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip the body. Prior art foregrips attachable to rifles provide some with box-cutter enclosed. levels of utilization but are less functional in design. Most 0016 FIG. 6 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip foregrips of this type are constructed whereby the interior of with multi-tool enclosed. the foregrip is a hollow cavity for storing “small parts.” Other 0017 FIG. 7 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip uses comprise installing batteries inside the foregrip cavity to with spare flashlight. power Picatinny rail-mounted flashlights, or where the fore 0018 FIG. 8 is a diagrammed view of the vertical foregrip grip and flashlight are an integral unit and the batteries again with trunnion. are contained within the foregrip cavity. Some prior art grips provide the option of allowing the foregrip to be positioned at DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION various angles. 0019 Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION elements are indicated by like numerals, there are the five versions of the VFG as briefly described above. VFG-1 pro 0007. Applicant has devised several accessories config vides a vertical foregrip with an integral sliding blade. VFG-2 ured for the Picatinny rail system that are not only unique in provides a vertical foregrip with an integral razor. VFG-3 design, but are highly functional as well. The functionality is provides a vertical foregrip with an integral multi-tool con in keeping with the demands of soldiers, police and civilian figuration. VFG-4 provides a vertical foregrip with an integral US 2014/0182182 A1 Jul. 3, 2014 flashlight). VFG-5 provides a vertical foregrip which may be approaches, the toggle Switch can be made alternately to rotated to a horizontal position. release the blade upon pressing forward on the toggle Switch 0020 FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional combat firearm, or pulling back on the toggle Switch, and also can use springs i.e., a U.S. M-16. The firearm 10 has a stock 11 forming the to re-set the position of the toggle Switch with each action. (2) firearm rearward portion. The stock 11 terminates forwardly After activating the toggle Switch, releasing or deploying the in an upper receiver 12 attached to a lower receiver 13 from blade requires that the foregrip be given a quick flick of the which a pistol grip 14 downwardly and rearwardly protrudes. wrist (or pointed downward to allow gravity to deploy the A magazine 15 protrudes downwardly and forwardly from blade) so the blade slides out the top of the foregrip. The the lower receiver 13. A trigger 16 protrudes downwardly toggle Switch 36 is activated to engage a second lower notch from the lower receiver 13 between the pistol grip 14 and 45 on the blade thus locking the blade in a deployed position.