Grip/cover for key lock system
Covers for key lock mounting systems on small arms such as the AR or M4 family of rifles and carbines can provide protection for the firearm, comfort for the operator, and electrical power to firearm accessories. The cover has keyhole grips that are pressed into the key lock mounting points in mounting system. The cover is held seated against the surface of the mounting system by the shape and resilience of keyhole grips. V-notch keyhole grips can attach to keyhole shaped mounting points and slot shaped mounting points. The covers have connectors and internal circuitry such that covers lined up edge to edge are electrically connected. Firearm accessories can be electrically powered the connectors.
1. A cover for a firearm fore end comprising a plurality of key lock mounting points, the cover comprising:
an overmold comprising a first resilient material;
a substrate comprising a second resilient material that is not the first resilient material;
a cover body comprising a cover top, a cover bottom, a first end, and a second end;
a keyhole grip comprising a narrow part and a wide part, wherein the keyhole grip is fixed to the cover bottom, wherein the keyhole grip is dimensioned to be pressed into at least one point of the plurality of the key lock mounting points, wherein the keyhole grip comprises the first resilient material or the second resilient material, wherein pressing the keyhole grip into the key lock mounting point causes the wide part to deform more than the narrow part, wherein the narrow part is between the wide part and the bottom of the cover body, wherein the wide part comprises two wedges, wherein pressing the keyhole grip into the key lock mounting point causes the wedges to press together until a widest part of the wide part has passed through the key lock mounting point, wherein the wedges press back apart as the widest part is pressed past the key lock mounting point, and wherein the two wedges are separated by a v-notch; and
a first circuit comprising a first connector, a second connector, and a conductor wherein the conductor electrically connects the first connector to the second connector, wherein the first connector is fixedly located at the first end, and wherein the second connector is fixedly located at the second end.
2. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a circuit board wherein the circuit board comprises the conductor, wherein the first connector is fixedly attached to the circuit board, and wherein the second connector is fixedly attached to the circuit board.
3. The cover on claim 2 wherein the first circuit further comprises a switch that controls the flow of electricity between the first connector and the second connector, and wherein the switch is fixedly attached to the circuit board.
4. The cover of claim 2 wherein the first circuit further comprises a switch and a third connector, wherein the switch controls the flow of electricity between the first connector and the third connector, wherein the switch is fixedly attached to the circuit board, and wherein the third connector is accessible through the cover top such that a firearm accessory can be positioned on the cover top and electrically connected to the first circuit.
5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the conductor has a length and wherein the first resilient material fully encapsulates the conductor along the length.
6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the conductor has a length and wherein the second resilient material fully encapsulates the conductor along the length.
7. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a second circuit comprising a third connector, a fourth connector, and a second conductor, wherein the second conductor electrically connects the third connector to the fourth connector, wherein the third connector is fixedly located at the first end, wherein the fourth connector is fixedly located at the second end, and wherein the overmold electrically insulates the second circuit from the first circuit.
8. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a second circuit comprising a third connector, a fourth connector, and a second conductor, wherein the second conductor electrically connects the third connector to the fourth connector, wherein the third connector is fixedly located at the first end, wherein the fourth connector is fixedly located at the second end, and wherein the substrate electrically insulates the second circuit from the first circuit.
9. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a second cover that is identical in form to the cover wherein the second end of the cover is plugged into the first end of the second cover such that the first circuit of the cover is electrically connected to the first circuit of the second cover.
10. The cover on claim 1 wherein the first circuit further comprises a switching device that controls the flow of electricity between the first connector and the second connector.
11. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises a magnetic contact.
12. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises a plug.
13. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises a socket.
14. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a second circuit comprising a third connector, a fourth connector, and a second conductor, wherein the second conductor electrically connects the third connector to the fourth connector, wherein the third connector is fixedly located at the first end, wherein the fourth connector is fixedly located at the second end, and wherein the cover electrically insulates the second circuit from the first circuit.
15. The cover of claim 14 wherein the first circuit further comprises a top connector, wherein the second circuit further comprises a second top connector, and wherein the top connector and second top connector are accessible through the cover top.
16. The cover of claim 7 wherein the first circuit further comprises a top connector, wherein the second circuit further comprises a second top connector, and wherein the top connector and second top connector are accessible through the cover top.
17. The cover of claim 8 wherein the first circuit further comprises a top connector, wherein the second circuit further comprises a second top connector, and wherein the top connector and second top connector are accessible through the cover top.
18. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first circuit further comprises a top connector, and wherein the top connector is accessible through the cover top.