Vertical fore grip with bipod

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods of using an ergonomic fore grip/gun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod. One version can have a tubular recess consisting of a first cylindrical cutout housing the bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism and a void space for other accessories. The release mechanism has a compression spring positioned between the piston assembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and the compression spring. The legs are connected to the bottom of the piston assembly via a hinge and spring that when released from confinement within the fore grip, causes the legs to expand outward until fully deployed. Telescoping legs allow adjustment of leg length for use on uneven terrain. The grip portion has an outer surface with a flat surface on sides of the grip to provide a more stable grip, assist in orienting the mounted weapon and support pressure pads for lights.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of supporting an object by a grip, comprising the steps of:
 providing a handle with side grooves, having a top and a bottom opening;   providing a bipod with legs in the opening on the bottom of the handle;   retracting the legs together inside the handle in a retracted position;   holding the legs in the retracted position with a catch;   releasing the catch to cause the legs to move downward;   extending the legs beyond the bottom opening of the handle; and   expanding bottom ends of the legs into an expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing the handle with a generally cylindrical shape.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 pivotally attaching each of the legs to one another with a hinge.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing an enlarged footer on each of the legs.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 mounting a top of the handle to a structure selected from one of a firearm and a camera.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting step includes the step of:
 mounting the top of the handle to the firearm.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting step includes the step of:
 mounting the top of the handle to the camera.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 the legs from the retracted position to the expanded position with a spring.   
     
     
         9 . A bipod system, comprising:
 a longitudinal handle having a griping surface, the handle having a top mount end and a bottom end leading to a storage space inside of the bipod;   a bipod consisting of two legs, each of the legs having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of each of the legs are pivotally attached to one another,   a catch mechanism for holding the top mount of the bipod being substantially inside the storage space inside of the bipod with the legs in a retracted position; and   a release mechanism for releasing the lower ends of the legs substantially below the bottom end of the handle, which allow the lower ends of the bipod to extend apart from one another.   
     
     
         10 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a vertical spring for pushing the upper end of the legs of the bipod downward when the release mechanism is activated.   
     
     
         11 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a horizontal spring for pushing the lower end of the legs to an extended apart position when the release mechanism is activated.   
     
     
         12 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a vertical spring for pushing the upper end of the legs of the bipod downward when the release mechanism is activated; and   a horizontal spring for pushing the lower end of the legs to an extended apart position when the release mechanism is activated.   
     
     
         13 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a mount on the top of the handle for mounting the handle to a firearm.   
     
     
         14 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a mount on the top of the handle for mounting the handle to a camera.   
     
     
         15 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an enlarged footer on the lower ends of each of the legs.   
     
     
         16 . The bipod system of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping surface on the handle includes:
 parallel raised horizontal ridges.   
     
     
         17 . The bipod system of  claim 9 , wherein the gripping surface on the handle includes:
 parallel horizontal grooves.