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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 discloses the Shown with basic straight French Grip as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 discloses another view with basic straight French grip as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0027] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.

[0030] The sport of Olympic fencing includes three types of weapons/competitions: epee, foil, and sabre. This invention pertains to the epee weapon. Fencers have an option of using an epee weapon with either a pistol grip or a French grip.

[0031] Typically, to use a French grip, a fencer must buy an epee blade with a long tang, the section of blade that extends into the sword's grip. Since most fencers begin with a pistol grip, an entirely new blade with a long tang must be purchased to use a French grip.

[0032] The proposed assembly allows a French grip to be used on a weapon blade with a short tang, designed for use with a pistol grip. As per preferred embodiments of the invention, one blade can be used for both French grips and pistol grips.

[0033] The grip of an epee handle is assembled by sliding the blade tang through the hole of the bell guard, through the hole of the socket holder, through the hole in the bell guard pad, and through the French grip. The end of the blade tang extends slightly beyond the end of the French grip handle where the pommel is screwed on to the blade tang like a large nut.

[0034] As the pommel is screwed onto the blade tang, it forces the French grip firmly against the bell guard pad, socket holder and bell guard. As per preferred embodiments of the invention, this is the only thing keeping the weapon assembled and “tight.” Assembly is complicated by the requirement for the blade's tiny, fragile wires to perfectly fit in the wire notch in the bell guard, socket holder, and the front of the French grip. The blade wires are ultimately connected to the weapon's socket. The fencer's body cord also connects to the weapon's socket, enabling the electronic circuit to be completed.

[0035] When a pommel is removed, the entire bell guard assembly (bell guard, bell guard pad, and socket holder) becomes loose and misaligned. The slightest misalignment can cause the wire to move out of the tiny wire notches in the bell guard, socket holder, and French grip and become pinched, likely causing the wire to be cut when the pommel is re-tightened to hold the bell guard assembly in place. Most fencers avoid loosening their weapon's pommel for this reason.

[0036] Although a French grip is somewhat simple regarding style, there are numerous variations, regarding curvature, length, and weight. Many fencers will frequently use different French grip styles while training. Due to the difficulties of removing the pommel and risk of causing the bell guard assembly to become loose and possibly misaligned (placing the blade wire at risk of being pinched or cut), most fencers will buy completely separate weapons for each of their French grip variations (e.g., straight, curved, light, heavy).

[0037] The invention as per additional embodiments allows a fencer to easily and quickly replace a French grip without loosening the bell guard assembly and risking blade wire misalignment with wire notches and becoming severely pinched or cut.

[0038] The French grip system includes a “short tang attachment” that firmly attaches to the short tang by using the same “Allen Socket Hex Nut” and hex key Allen wrench that is used for pistol grips. This “short tang attachment” is forced against the bell guard assembly by tightening the “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 French grips. Our “slide-on French grips” are designed to fit over the “short tang attachment” and are held in place by a “locking pin.” The “locking pin” is pushed through aligned holes in the “slide-on French grip” and “short tang attachment.” The “locking pin” is held in place by either “grip tape” or a “rubber sleave.” Since a glove is required safety equipment, fencers apply “grip tape” or use a “rubber sleave” over the handle to improve their grip. Removal of a “slide-on French grip” may be performed by removing the “grip tape” or “rubber sleave” to pull out to the “locking pin.” Once the “locking pin” is removed, the “slide-on French grip” may be slid off the “short tang attachment.” Again, a primary advantage of our French grip system is that the bell guard assembly does not become loose and misaligned, during this simple process.

[0039] The assembly works in the following way. The French grip system includes a “short tang attachment” that firmly attaches to the short tang by using the same “Allen Socket Hex Nut” that is used for pistol grips. This “short tang attachment” is forced against the bell guard assembly by tightening the “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 French grips.

[0040] The “slide-on French grips” are designed to fit over the “short tang attachment” and are held in place by a “locking pin” that is inserted in the aligned holes of both the “short tang attachment” and a “slide-on French grip.” The “locking pin” is smooth and can be easily removed to allow the current “slide-on French grip” to be easily slid off the “short tang attachment.” A new “slide-on French grip” can be slid on the “short tang attachment” and the “locking pin” can be easily reinserted to firmly hold the “slide-on French grip” in place. The “locking pin” is held in place by the “grip tape” or “rubber sleave” on the fencing handle, used to increase grip.

[0041] While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

[0042] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0043] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.