Trigger shrouding apparatus for firearms

Abstract

A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm comprises a firearm component and a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component. The firearm component is configured for being detachably attached to one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and a magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body. The trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component. The trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm, comprising:
 a firearm component configured for being detachably attached to one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and a magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body; and   a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component and wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding'side wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the trigger shrouding side wall terminates at a trigger access opening of the trigger .shrouding structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the firearm component. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is essentially immovable with respect to firearm component. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the trigger shrouding structure is a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the trigger shrouding structure is a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is detachably attached to firearm component. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is essentially immovable with respect firearm component. 
     
     
         9 . A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm, comprising:
 a hand gripping structure having a receiver mounting portion configured for being mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm; and   a trigger shrouding structure attached to the hand gripping structure, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes two opposing side walls that each extend forward of the hand gripping structure with respect to an orientation of the hand gripping structure when the hand gripping structure is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body and wherein a first one of said side walls includes a protruding portion thereof that protrudes outwardly away from a second one of said side walls such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the protruding portion intersects a first trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the hand gripping structure. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the trigger shrouding structure and the hand gripping structure jointly define a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the trigger shrouding structure, is a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first one of said side walls is detachably attached to the hand gripping structure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the trigger shrouding structure and the hand gripping structure jointly define a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         16 . A firearm, comprising:
 a receiver body assembly including a receiver body, a magazine well structure and a trigger, wherein the receiver body has a front portion and rear portion, wherein the trigger extends from a lower edge portion of the receiver body between the front and rear portions of the receiver body, and wherein the magazine well structure is attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the front portion of the receiver body;   a hand gripping structure attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the rear portion of the receiver body such that a trigger accessing space is defined between the hand gripping structure and the magazine well structure; and   a trigger shrouding structure attached to at least one of the hand gripping structure and the receiver assembly, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes a first side wall that extends over the trigger accessing space on a first side of the receiver body, wherein the first side wall includes a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly away from the trigger accessing space such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall, and wherein the first side wall defines a trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure.   
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 16  wherein the first side wall is essentially immovable with respect to the hand gripping structure. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 16  wherein:
 the receiver assembly further includes a trigger guard connected directly between the hand gripping structure and at least one of the magazine well structure and the receiver body; 
 the trigger shrouding structure is attached to at least' east one of the magazine well structure and the trigger guard. 
 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 18  wherein the trigger shrouding structure is at least one of a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm of  claim 18  wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the rear portion of the receiver body.