Frame and handgrip for autoloading pistol, and method of assembling the same

Abstract

A modular autoloading pistol is presented, capable of accommodating a releasably attachable handgrip module. The handgrip module is slidably attachable to a lower receiver, which is inclusive of a trigger housing appendage having a trigger guard, and having an interconnection feature for receiving the handgrip module. The releasably attachable handgrip is designed to receive a double stack magazine at a predetermined angle of insertion. The predetermined angle of insertion may be different from the angle of the handgrip centerline. Advantageously, interchangeable handgrips may accommodate different magazines at different predetermined angles of insertion.

1 . An autoloading pistol comprising:
 a slide;   a barrel;   a frame or lower receiver extending in a longitudinal direction, and having a trigger housing appendage, said barrel secured within said lower receiver, and said slide being in slideable contact with said lower receiver; and   a releasably attachable handgrip module having a first centerline measured at a predetermined first angle with respect to said longitudinal direction, and a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine, and having a second centerline at a predetermined second angle measured with respect to said longitudinal direction, wherein said first angle and said second angle are not equal.   
     
     
         2 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein said handgrip module and said lower receiver form an attachment such that said handgrip module is releaseably attachable to an underside of said lower receiver, wherein said handgrip module includes:
 opposing flange extensions projecting towards said lower receiver for slidable insertion with said lower receiver underside, said opposing flange extensions each having attachment through-holes for receiving attachment screws or lugs; 
 
       said lower receiver includes:
 opposing shaped receiving wells, each formed for receiving one of said flange extensions, said opposing shaped receiving wells have screw holes aligning with said flange extension attachment through-holes when said handgrip module is completely inserted within said lower receiver opposing shaped receiving wells; and 
 
       attachment screws or lugs for attaching said handgrip module to said lower receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein said second centerline of said magazine bore is misaligned relative to said first centerline of said handgrip module within a range of 0.1 degrees to 7 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein said second centerline of said magazine bore is misaligned relative to said first centerline of said handgrip module within a range of 0.5 degrees to 4 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein said handgrip module includes opposing reinforcing stiffeners that key into said lower receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said lower receiver is fabricated from steel. 
     
     
         7 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 6  wherein at least a portion of said handgrip module is fabricated from polymer material. 
     
     
         8 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  wherein said lower receiver includes an upper trigger bail track, and said handgrip module includes a lower trigger bail track, such that said upper trigger bail track and said lower trigger bail track form a channel in an interlocking connection to receive a trigger bail. 
     
     
         9 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 1  including a magazine release component and a magazine lock structure, wherein said lower receiver includes a first cavity for receiving a magazine release component, and a second cavity for receiving a magazine lock structure. 
     
     
         10 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 2 , wherein said handgrip module includes opposing ledge structures on an inside of each opposing flange extension for mating with a lower side of said lower receiver, and forming a receiving edge for slidable insertion of said handgrip module. 
     
     
         11 . The autoloading pistol of  claim 7  wherein said handgrip module polymer material includes a non-slip grip texture on its exterior to facilitate handhold. 
     
     
         12 . A releasably attachable handgrip module for an autoloading pistol comprising:
 a handgrip having an upper end and a lower end; and   a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine; and   opposing flange extensions projecting towards said upper end, said opposing flange extensions each having attachment through-holes for receiving attachment screws or lugs;   said releasably attachable handgrip module having a first centerline, and said magazine bore having a second centerline at an angle measured with respect to said first centerline, such that said angle formed between said first and second centerlines is non-zero.   
     
     
         13 . The releasably attachable handgrip module of  claim 12  wherein said magazine bore second centerline is misaligned relative to said first centerline of said handgrip module within a range of 0.1 degrees to 7 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The releasably attachable handgrip module of  claim 12  wherein said magazine bore second centerline is misaligned relative to said first centerline of said handgrip module within a range of 0.5 degrees to 4 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The releasably attachable handgrip module of  claim 12  including a lower trigger bail track located in an upper portion of said handgrip module proximate said upper end, such that said lower trigger bail track is formed to receive at least a portion of a trigger bail. 
     
     
         16 . The releasably attachable handgrip module of  claim 12  wherein at least a portion of said handgrip module is fabricated from polymer material, and includes a non-slip grip texture on its exterior to facilitate handhold. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a pistol, said method comprising providing a frame/trigger housing assembly having a trigger guard and an attachment structure;
 providing a removably attachable handgrip module having complementary attachment structure to said frame/trigger housing assembly attachment structure, and a a magazine bore formed to receive a double stack magazine;   attaching said frame/trigger housing assembly to said removably attachable handgrip module by said attachment structure and said complementary attachment structure; and   attaching a slide and a barrel to said frame/trigger housing assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said frame/trigger housing assembly attachment structure includes opposing cavities with attachment through-holes, and said handgrip module complementary attachment structure includes opposing extension flanges with attachment screw holes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  including inserting screws or lugs into said attachment through-holes of said frame/trigger housing assembly and said attachment screw holes of said handgrip module opposing extension flanges. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling an an autoloading pistol, said method comprising:
 providing a frame/trigger housing assembly having a trigger guard, opposing cavities with attachment through-holes, and cavities to receive magazine locking and release structures;   attaching a slide and a barrel to said frame/trigger housing assembly;   providing a trigger bail;   providing a removably attachable handgrip module having opposing extension flanges with attachment screw holes;   slidably inserting said removably attachable handgrip module into said frame/trigger housing assembly such that said extension flanges are slideably received within said frame/trigger housing assembly opposing cavities;   wherein: a) said attachment through-holes of said frame/trigger housing assembly align with said attachment screw holes of said handgrip module opposing extension flanges; and b) said lower receiver includes an upper trigger bail track, and said handgrip module includes a lower trigger bail track, such that said upper trigger bail track and said lower trigger bail track form a channel to receive said trigger bail in an interlocking connection;   attaching said handgrip module to said frame/trigger housing by inserting screws or lugs into aligned attachment through-holes of said frame/trigger housing assembly and said attachment screw holes of said handgrip module opposing extension flanges;   inserting said trigger bail into said channel formed by said upper trigger bail track and said lower trigger bail track; and   inserting magazine locking and release structures into cavities within said lower receiver to serve as an interlocking component, aiding in attaching the handgrip module to the lower receiver.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of providing a handgrip module includes providing a handgrip module having a magazine bore or well having a centerline disposed at an angle different than that of a centerline of said handgrip module itself. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said magazine bore centerline is misaligned relative to said handgrip module centerline within a range of 0.1 degrees to 7 degrees.