US-12618640-B2 - Firearms accessory device

US12618640B2US 12618640 B2US12618640 B2US 12618640B2US-12618640-B2

Abstract

A firearm accessory device removably attachable to a firearm. The accessary device including a finger stop assembly for coupling to a handguard, forestock, barrel or accessory rail of a firearm. The finger stop device may include an illumination device and a power source housed within the device. In embodiments, the device may further include one or more activation devices operably and electrically connected to the illumination device and positioned at an access opening forwardly oriented in a body portion of the device.

Inventors

Casey R. Carlson
Brian Hedeen

Assignees

Laser Aiming Systems Corporation

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20241120

Claims (20)

1 . A device configured as an accessory for a firearm, comprising: a housing removably attachable to the firearm, the housing having an axis through a forward end and a rearward end of the housing and comprising a body portion downwardly extending from a cover portion, wherein the body portion includes a first trunk portion, a forward portion extending forwardly from an upper portion of the first trunk portion, the forward portion comprising a second trunk portion extending downwardly forward of the first trunk portion, the forward portion having a first tapered neck portion between the first trunk portion and the second trunk portion and a second tapered neck portion between the second trunk portion and a forward end portion; an aperture formed in the forward end of the housing; an illumination device engaged by an internal seat disposed within the housing, the illumination device being configured to emit light through the aperture; an activation device extending through the housing, the activation device being operably connected to the illumination device and a power supply, wherein actuation of the activation device directs power from the power supply to the illumination device; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the housing to the firearm, wherein the activation device, the first trunk portion, and the second trunk portion each intersect a common plane.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device is an LED.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the common plane approximately vertically bisects the device.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device and the aperture each intersect the common plane.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the activation device at least partially extends through a first opening in the body portion of the housing at an angle between an adjacent plane defined by the housing and a line through and perpendicular to the first opening in a range of about 36 degrees to about 56 degrees.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is rigidly connectable to a forend of the firearm.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines inner framework structure including at least one of a compartment, a chamber, a mount, and a seat.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the inner framework structure is integral with a wall of the housing.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first trunk portion comprises a left side wall portion and a right side wall portion separated by the common plane.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of aluminum.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the forward portion and the first trunk portion are configured to be positioned immediately below a barrel of the firearm.
12 . A device removably attachable to a firearm, the device comprising: a body having a middle tapered neck portion between a forward trunk portion and a rearward trunk portion and a forward tapered neck portion between the forward trunk portion and a forward end portion, the forward trunk portion and the rearward trunk portion each having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein, when the device is mounted to the firearm, the upper portion of each of the forward trunk portion and the rearward trunk portion are proximal to the firearm, wherein an outermost cross-sectional perimeter of the forward end portion is greater than any cross-sectional perimeter of the forward tapered neck portion; an inner chamber defined by a wall of the body and configured to receive an illumination device therein; an activation device extending through the body portion, wherein the activation device is configured to direct power from a power supply to the illumination device, and wherein the activation device at least partially extends through a first opening in the body at an angle between an adjacent plane defined by the body and a line through and perpendicular to the first opening; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the body to the firearm.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the forward trunk portion and the rearward trunk portion each intersect a common plane.
14 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising the illumination device, wherein the illumination device comprises one or more LEDs.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein, when the activation device is actuated, illumination from the illumination device emits through an aperture defined by the forward end portion of the body.
16 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the common plane approximately vertically bisects the device.
17 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the angle is in a range of about 36 degrees to about 56 degrees.
18 . An illumination device comprising: a housing, the housing defining an inner chamber and having a first trunk portion vertically oriented between an upper portion and a lower portion, a forward portion extending forward from the first trunk portion, a second trunk portion oriented forward of the first trunk portion and extending from the forward portion, a forward neck portion between the second trunk portion and a forward end portion, and a rearward neck portion between the first trunk portion and the second trunk portion, wherein, when viewed from a side profile perspective, the housing forms a first forward arc having an arc length from a forward end to a rearward end, the first forward arc having a positive curvature along its arc length relative to a forward center or forward center of curvature; an illumination device disposed within the inner chamber defined by a wall of the housing; and an activation device accessible from outside of the housing, through a forward activator access opening in at least the first forward arc, the activation device being operably connected to the illumination device and a power supply, wherein engagement with the activation device directs power from the power supply to the illumination device.
19 . The illumination device of claim 18 , wherein, when viewed from a side profile perspective, the illumination device further forms a first rearward arc having a second arc length from a forward end to a rearward end.
20 . The illumination device of claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the activation device defines a forward activator angle at the forward center, from an x-axis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/601,101, filed Nov. 20, 2023, entitled “Firearm Accessory,” the entirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to firearm accessory devices for mounting on a firearm. BACKGROUND Many firearms, particularly rifles, are controlled with the non-firing hand receiving a hand guard surrounding the firearm barrel. Grasping the firearm can be awkward and uncomfortable for users, particularly in extended firing sessions. Standardized mounting rails have made it possible to mount a wide variety of accessories to a firearm. Weapon-mounted firearm accessories have become an important tool for military, police, and civilian firearm users. Presently, many shooters utilize different accessories to enhance their firearm and provide additional functionality which allows for improved firearm utilization. One such accessory is the firearm foregrip. A firearm foregrip is typically attached onto a handguard rail via different mechanisms and vertically oriented or angled. Foregrips usually include an elongated handle that can be gripped by the hand not operating the trigger. Such conventional firearm foregrips may provide additional support and control, they can however become uncomfortable and awkward for users, particularly in extended firing sessions. Any improvements with respect to ergonomic functionality and the ability to employ different support hand holding techniques would be welcome. In one or more embodiments, the accessory devices disclosed herein are further advantageous in that they include ergonomic features configured to maximize user comfort, accuracy and safety. SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to firearm accessory devices for mounting on a firearm, in particular, a hand/finger support/stop having an illumination device for coupling to a handguard, forestock, barrel or accessory rail of a firearm. In one or more embodiments, an accessory device that may be attached to a firearm, the device including a light source and a power source housed within the device. In embodiments, the device may further include one or more activation devices operably and electrically connected to the illumination device and positioned at one or more access openings forwardly oriented in a body portion of the device. In one or more embodiments, there is disclosed herein an accessory device for a firearm. In embodiments, the device may include a housing removably attachable to the firearm, wherein the housing includes a body portion downwardly extending from a cover portion and including a first trunk portion and forward and rearward portions oppositely extending from an upper portion of the first trunk portion. In embodiments, the forward portion each may have one or more tapered neck portions between the first trunk portion and a forward end portion. In one or more embodiments, the forward portion includes a second trunk portion extending downwardly forward of the first trunk portion. The forward portion may include a first tapered neck portion between the first trunk portion and the second trunk portion and a second tapered neck portion between the second trunk portion and a forward end portion. In one or more embodiments, the device may further include an aperture formed in the forward end of the housing, an illumination device positioned within the housing and configured to emit light through the aperture and a first activation device. In embodiments, the first activation device and the forward, rearward and first and second trunk portions may each intersect a common plane. The first activation device may be accessible from outside of the housing, through the wall of the body portion, and be operably (electrically) connected to the illumination device and a power supply, wherein engagement with the first activation device directs power from the power supply to the illumination device. In one or more embodiments, the illumination is an LED illumination device and the device further includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the housing to the firearm. In one or more embodiments, the first activation device at least partially extends through a first opening in the housing wall of the second trunk portion at an acute angle between the housing axis and a line through and perpendicular to the first opening. In embodiments, the acute angle may be in the range of about 36 degrees to about 56 degrees. In some embodiments, the acute angle may be in the range of about 41.00 degrees to about 51.00 degrees, and in one or more embodiments, the acute angle is about 46.50 degrees. In one or more embodiments, the housing includes structure within the wall, wherein the structure defines compartments, chambers, mounts and/or seats for containing electronic components and a power source. In some embodiments, the structure is integral with the housing wall. In on