Firearm handgrip assembly with laser gunsight system

Abstract

A firearm handgrip assembly with laser gunsight system has a first grip frame element adapted for mounting to a first portion of the firearm frame, the first grip frame element including at least one of an illuminator, a battery, a switch, and a controller, a cover portion of the grip defining an interior channel adapted to closely receive at least a major portion of the first portion of the firearm frame and the first grip frame element, the cover portion having a contoured exterior surface adapted for gripping by a user's hand, and a fastener operably engaging the cover portion to the firearm frame. The firearm frame may be a curved butt frame of a revolver. The interior channel of the cover portion may be curved. The fastener may include a threaded element connected to a lower end of the firearm frame.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A grip for mounting to a firearm frame comprising:
 a first grip frame element adapted for mounting to a first portion of the firearm frame;   the first grip frame element including at least one of an illuminator, a battery, a switch, and a controller;   a cover portion of the grip being a body defining an interior recess having an open upper end adapted to closely receive and encompass a first portion of a firearm frame and the first portion of the first grip frame element;   the cover portion having a contoured exterior surface adapted for gripping by a user's hand; and   a fastener operably engaging the cover portion to a firearm frame.   
     
     
         2 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the firearm frame is a curved butt frame of a revolver. 
     
     
         3 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the interior recess of the cover portion is curved. 
     
     
         4 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the fastener includes a threaded element connected to a lower end of the firearm frame, and a threaded fastener passing through a fastener aperture defined in the cover portion. 
     
     
         5 . The grip of  claim 1  including a second grip frame element. 
     
     
         6 . The grip of  claim 5  wherein the first and second grip frame elements are adapted to mount on opposed major faces of the firearm frame. 
     
     
         7 . The grip of  claim 6  including an electrical conductor interconnecting the first and second grip frame elements. 
     
     
         8 . The grip of  claim 7  including a switch operably connected to the electrical conductor. 
     
     
         9 . The grip of  claim 6  wherein each of the first and second grip frame elements is a planar member. 
     
     
         10 . The grip of  claim 9  wherein the first and second grip frame elements are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the first grip frame element is formed of a rigid material that does not flex during firearm operation, and wherein the cover portion includes an elastomeric surface portion. 
     
     
         12 . The grip of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the first and second grip frame elements includes an illuminator received in an illuminator frame portion, and wherein the cover portion encompasses the first and second grip frame elements except for the illuminator frame portion. 
     
     
         13 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the cover portion is free of any electrical components. 
     
     
         14 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the cover portion encompasses the front and sides of the first portion of the firearm frame. 
     
     
         15 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the cover portion includes a flexible portion operably aligned with a switch on the first grip frame element, such that pressure on the flexible portion of the cover operates the switch. 
     
     
         16 . The grip of  claim 1  wherein the cover portion is connected to the frame by only a single fastener. 
     
     
         17 . A grip assembly for mounting to a firearm frame having a frame grip having opposed first and second sides, the grip assembly comprising:
 a first grip frame element adapted for mounting to the first side of the frame grip;   a second grip frame element adapted for mounting to the second side of the frame grip;   each of the first and second grip frame elements including at least one of a battery, a switch, a controller and an illuminator;   an electrical conductor extending between the first and second grip frame elements;   a grip cover element defining a recess adapted to receive the frame grip, and at least major portions of the first and second grip frame elements; and   wherein the grip cover element includes a flexible button portion, and the electrical conductor includes switch registered with the button portion when the grip cover element is installed.   
     
     
         18 . The grip assembly of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the first and second grip frame elements includes an illuminator received in an illuminator frame portion, and wherein the cover portion encompasses the first and second grip frame elements except for the illuminator frame portion.