Short Tang French Grip System

Abstract

A French grip system includes a “short tang attachment” that firmly attaches to the short tang by using the “Allen Socket Hex Nut” and hex key Allen wrench that is used for pistol grips. The proposed “short tang attachment” is forced against the bell guard assembly by tightening the “Allen Socket Hex Nut” screwed on the end of the short tang. The “short tang attachment” keeps the entire bell guard assembly tightly in place and properly aligned, and it does NOT need to be removed to change the accompanying “slide-on French grips.” The “slide-on French grips” are designed to slide over the “short tang attachment” and are held in place by a “locking pin.” The “locking pin” is inserted into the aligned holes of the “slide-on French grip” and the “short tang attachment.” The “locking pin” is held in place by “grip tape” or a “rubber sleave” around the handle, encasing the “locking pin.” Removal of a “slide-on French grip” may be performed by removing the “grip tape” or “rubber sleave” to pull the “locking pin” from the “slide-on French grip” and “short tang attachment.” With the “locking pin” removed, the “slide-on French grip” may be easily slid off the “short tang attachment” without having to loosen the “bell guard assembly.” By keeping the “bell guard assembly” tightly in place, the risk of cutting the blade wires while changing a French grip is dramatically reduced.

1 : The present invention discloses a French grip system comprising of:
 a “short tang attachment” firmly attached to the short tang of an epee blade by using the “Allen Socket Hex Nut” that is used for pistol grips which allows fencer to use a French grip with a short tang blade;   a “Slide-on French grip” design that easily slides on and off the “short tang attachment” without loosening and misaligning the bell guard assembly by simply removing and reinserting the “locking pin;   a “Slide-on French grip” which may be quickly removed and installed because the bell guard assembly does not have to be loosened, realigned and re-tightened.   a “short tang attachment” which eliminates the additional weight of the “long tang” and pommel, providing the fencer with the option of a lighter weapon weight.