An Accessory For A Firearm

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory for a firearm, such as a rifle, which has a stock having a fore end. The accessory includes a fore grip and a mounting assembly attached to an end of the fore grip. The mounting assembly includes a base having two protrusions extending outwards from the base to define a cradle there between for the fore end of the stock. The protrusions include apertures complementary to a band of a bridging member. The fore grip make it easier to carry the firearm and may include compartments for storage of accessories such as a bipod and the like.

What I/We claim is: 
     
         1 . An accessory for a firearm having a stock, wherein the stock includes a fore end,
 the accessory including:   a fore grip; and   a mounting assembly attached to an end of the fore grip,   the mounting assembly including a base having two protrusions, wherein the protrusions extend outwards from the base to define a cradle there between for the fore end of the stock, and wherein the protrusions include apertures complementary to a band of a bridging member.   
     
     
         2 . An accessory as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fore grip has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of the fore grip includes the mounting assembly. 
     
     
         3 . An accessory as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lower end of the fore grip includes telescopically extendable legs. 
     
     
         4 . An accessory as claimed in either  claim 2  or  claim 3  wherein the fore grip is formed from two halves, wherein each half is linked to the other at the upper end via a hinge. 
     
     
         5 . An accessory as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein the base includes an additional two protrusions extending outwards from the base. 
     
     
         6 . An accessory as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein the mounting assembly also includes a bridging member spanning the two protrusions of the base, wherein the bridging member includes a band. 
     
     
         7 . An accessory as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the band includes a latching and/or locking mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . An accessory as claimed in  claim 6  or  claim 7  wherein the bridging member is a cable tie having a head and a band. 
     
     
         9 . An accessory as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the apertures of the protrusions are complementary to the band of the cable tie. 
     
     
         10 . An accessory as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the protrusions include an upper end, wherein the apertures pass through the upper end. 
     
     
         11 . A method of attaching an accessory for a firearm, the firearm having a stock wherein the stock includes a fore end, and wherein the accessory includes a fore grip; and a mounting assembly attached to an end of the fore grip, the mounting assembly including a base having two protrusions, wherein the protrusions extend outwards from the base to define a cradle there between for the fore end of the stock, and wherein the protrusions include apertures complementary to a band of a bridging member, wherein the band also includes a latching and/or locking mechanism,
 the method including the steps of:   a) placing the fore end of the stock into the cradle of the mounting assembly;   b) passing the bridging member over the barrel of the firearm; and   c) securing the bridging member to the base by passing the band of the bridging member through the latching and/or locking mechanism, thereby clamping the fore grip to the fore end of the stock.   
     
     
         17 . An accessory for a firearm substantially as herein described in the best modes section of the specification and with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
     
         18 . A method of attaching an accessory for a firearm substantially as herein described in the best modes section of the specification and with reference to the accompanying figures.