Articulating firearm fore grip

Abstract

An articulating fore grip adapted for retrofit attachment to a rail-like support structure of an existing firearm. The fore grip comprises a base member which is slidably attachable to and selectively positionable along the rail of the firearm. The base member is outfitted with a locking mechanism which is operative to selectively maintain the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail. The fore grip further comprises an adapter member which is rotatably connected to the base member, and a handle member which is pivotally connected to the adapter member. The rotatable and pivotal connection of the handle member to the base member effectuated by the adapter member allows the handle member to be selectively positioned in a multiplicity of differing angular orientations relative to the rail of the firearm, and further allows the handle member to be selectively moved between a fully deployed position and a fully collapsed position.

1 . A fore grip for retrofit attachment to a rail of a firearm, the fore grip comprising:
 a base member adapted to be slidably engageable to the rail;   an adapter member rotatably connected to the base member; and   a handle member pivotally connected to the adapter member.   
   
   
       2 . The fore grip of  claim 1  wherein the base member defines an elongate channel sized and configured to receive a portion of the rail. 
   
   
       3 . The fore grip of  claim 2  wherein:
 the channel is partially defined by an opposed pair of side walls of the base member; and   each of the side walls includes an elongate slot formed therein, the slots of the side walls extending in spaced, generally parallel relation to each other and being adapted to receive respective ones of a complimentary pair of protuberances defined by the rail.   
   
   
       4 . The fore grip of  claim 3  wherein the base member includes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail. 
   
   
       5 . The fore grip of  claim 4  wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw which is operative to selectively draw the side walls toward each other in a manner frictionally maintaining the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail when the base member is slidably attached thereto. 
   
   
       6 . The fore grip of  claim 1  wherein:
 the rail of the firearm extends along a first axis;   the adapter member is rotabably connected to the base member so as to be rotatable about a second axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis when the base member is slidably attached to the rail; and   the handle member is pivotally connected to the adapter member so as to be pivotal about a third axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the second axis when the base member is slidably attached to the rail.   
   
   
       7 . The fore grip of  claim 6  wherein the handle member defines a juxtaposed pair of ear portions, and a portion of the adapter member is advanced between the ear portions of the handle member. 
   
   
       8 . The fore grip of  claim 7  wherein the handle member is pivotally connected to the adapter member by a pivot pin which is advanced through the adapter member and the ear portions of the handle member. 
   
   
       9 . A fore grip for a firearm, comprising:
 a base member defining a first axis;   an adapter member rotatably connected to the base member so as to be rotatable about a second axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis; and   a handle member pivotally connected to the adapter member so as to be pivotal about a third axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the second axis.   
   
   
       10 . The fore grip of  claim 9  wherein the base member defines an elongate channel sized and configured to receive a portion of a rail of the firearm. 
   
   
       11 . The fore grip of  claim 10  wherein:
 the channel is partially defined by an opposed pair of side walls of the base member; and   each of the side walls includes an elongate slot formed therein, the slots of the side walls extending in spaced, generally parallel relation to each other and being adapted to receive respective ones of a complimentary pair of protuberances defined by the rail.   
   
   
       12 . The fore grip of  claim 11  wherein the base member includes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail. 
   
   
       13 . The fore grip of  claim 12  wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw which is operative to selectively draw the side walls toward each other in a manner frictionally maintaining the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail when the base member is slidably attached thereto. 
   
   
       14 . The fore grip of  claim 9  wherein the handle member defines a juxtaposed pair of ear portions, and a portion of the adapter member is advanced between the ear portions of the handle member. 
   
   
       15 . The fore grip of  claim 14  wherein the handle member is pivotally connected to the adapter member by a pivot pin which is advanced through the adapter member and the ear portions of the handle member. 
   
   
       16 . A fore grip for a firearm, comprising:
 a base member defining a first axis; and   a handle member rotatably and pivotally connected to the base member so as to be rotatable about a second axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis, and pivotal about a third axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the second axis.   
   
   
       17 . The fore grip of  claim 16  wherein the handle member is rotatably and pivotally connected to the base member by an intervening adapter member. 
   
   
       18 . The fore grip of  claim 17  wherein the adapter member is rotatably connected to the base member so as to be rotatable about the second axis, and the handle member is pivotally connected to the adapter member so as to be pivotal about the third axis. 
   
   
       19 . The fore grip of  claim 16  wherein the base member includes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the base member in a prescribed position relative to a rail of the firearm when the fore grip is mounted thereto. 
   
   
       20 . The fore grip of  claim 19  wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw.