Attachable accessory-retaining device for a firearm

Abstract

An attachable accessory-retaining device for use with firearms comprises a body having a first retainer housing portion and a second retainer housing portion, an engagement surface for registering a portion of the body against a firearm, and a support surface for engaging a trigger guard of a firearm, the first retainer housing being configured to receive at least one auxiliary accessory and the second retainer housing portion having a cavity for retaining an auxiliary magazine or a clip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachable accessory-retaining device for use with firearms, comprising:
 a body having a first retainer housing portion and a second retainer housing portion, an engagement surface for registering a portion of the body against a firearm and a support surface for engaging a trigger guard of a firearm, wherein the first retainer housing is configured to receive at least one auxiliary accessory and the second retainer housing portion has a cavity for retaining an auxiliary magazine or a clip.   
     
     
         2 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a forward portion oriented, in use, toward a muzzle of a firearm and a rearward portion oriented, in use, toward a grip of a firearm. 
     
     
         3 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement surface has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the second retainer housing portion has an axis that passes through the cavity and intersects the longitudinal axis of the engagement surface at an acute angle thereto such that the cavity is angled toward a grip of a firearm when in use. 
     
     
         4 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface further comprises a rail mount element for engaging the rail of a firearm. 
     
     
         5 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , further comprising a securement device for securing the body to a firearm. 
     
     
         6 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the first retainer housing portion is further configured with at least one opening to receive an auxiliary device. 
     
     
         7 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 6 , wherein the first retainer housing portion is configured with two openings to each receive an auxiliary device therein. 
     
     
         8 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 7 , further comprising a holding member positioned with each opening to retain an auxiliary device in the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 6 , wherein the openings are tubular in shape to receive a lighting device or laser device therein. 
     
     
         10 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the second retainer housing portion further comprises at least one retention device for engaging a magazine or clip when positioned in the cavity of the second retainer housing portion. 
     
     
         11 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one retention device is spring loaded. 
     
     
         12 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one laterally extending guard positioned along the first retainer housing portion. 
     
     
         13 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one laterally extending guard is positioned at a forward end of the first retainer housing portion oriented, in use, toward a muzzle of a firearm. 
     
     
         14 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , further comprising a locating member positioned along the first retainer housing portion, providing a support face for the location of auxiliary devices against the body. 
     
     
         15 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger guard positioned between the first retainer housing portion and the second retainer housing portion at a forward end of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the first retainer housing portion is separable from the second retainer housing portion, the first retainer housing portion including the engagement surface for enabling attachment of the first retainer housing portion to a firearm separate from the second retainer housing portion. 
     
     
         17 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein the body forms part of a firearm frame and supports a firearm stabilizing device that extends from the body of the accessory-retaining device to a wearer's arm, in use. 
     
     
         18 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 17 , further comprising a mounting member positioned to extend upwardly from the body and structured to support a sighting system. 
     
     
         19 . The attachable accessory-retaining device of  claim 18 , wherein the mounting member is detachably attachable to the body. 
     
     
         20 . A firearm, comprising:
 a barrel;   a grip or stock;   a trigger guard; and   an accessory-retaining device having a body comprising a first retainer housing portion and a second retainer housing portion, an engagement surface for registering with the barrel and a support surface for engaging the trigger guard, the first retainer housing being configured to receive at least one auxiliary accessory positioned in parallel orientation to the barrel, and the second retainer housing portion having a cavity for removably retaining an auxiliary magazine or a clip.   
     
     
         21 . The firearm of  claim 20 , wherein the second retainer housing is oriented at an angle to the barrel in a direction toward the grip or stock. 
     
     
         22 . The firearm of  claim 21 , wherein the first retainer housing portion is configured with at least one opening to receive a lighting device or laser device therein. 
     
     
         23 . The firearm of  claim 20 , wherein the engagement surface further comprises a rail mount apparatus for slidably attaching the accessory-retaining device to a rail located along the barrel. 
     
     
         24 . The firearm of  claim 20 , further comprising a locating member positioned along the first retainer housing portion, providing a support member for the location of auxiliary devices against the body.