Abstract:
A mounting apparatus is provided. This mounting apparatus, or sometimes referred to as an apparatus or hinged mounting clamp system, may include a member, or referenced for convenience herein as a pivoting clamp arm, configured so as to grasp a mounting rail or similar structure. The pivoting clamp arm may also be spring loaded. A threaded locking bolt or similar component may also be used to assist one or more springs to apply force to the pivoting clamp arm to assist in the grasping of a mounting rail or similar structure. A related method is also provided.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/946,679, filed on Feb. 28, 2014. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       [0002]    The invention may be better understood, but is not limited, by reference to the accompanying figures, which are briefly described below. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the invention when used in connection with a flashlight/laser combination device. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1B  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0005]      FIG. 1C  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0006]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0007]      FIG. 2B  is an alternate perspective view of the aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0008]      FIG. 2C  is an alternate perspective view of the aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0009]      FIG. 2D  is an alternate perspective view of an assembly of the components shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0010]      FIG. 2E  is an alternate view of aspects of the embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2D . 
         [0011]      FIG. 2F  is an exploded view of the aspects of the embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0012]      FIG. 2G  is an alternate perspective view to help illustrate aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2H  is an alternate perspective view of what is shown in  FIG. 2G . 
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a cut-away view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a cut-away view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3D  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3E  is a cut away view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3F  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3G  is a cut-away view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3H  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3I  is a cut-away view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3J  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention when used in connection with a flashlight, laser combination. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 4A , but not mounted and unsecured. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4C  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4D  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 4B , with the arm in a grasping position. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4E  is an alternate perspective view of illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 4D . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4F  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention when used in connection with a flashlight, laser combination while mounted and secured to a mounting rail. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4G  is an alternate perspective view illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 4F . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    This invention is an apparatus that may be configured to quickly attach or, if appropriate, detach one device to or from another. This quick and easy method of attaching or detaching devices is not available in the prior art. 
         [0032]    In one or more embodiments, the invention comprises a pivoting clamp arm, one or more securing bolts or similar structure, one or more hinge bolts or similar structure, and one or more springs. The invention, however, is not limited to any specific number of securing bolts, springs or pivoting clamp arms. 
         [0033]    The apparatus of the present invention can, for example, be used to attach such devices as a laser sight with or without a flashlight combination device, to a firearm. By way of other examples, the apparatus can be used to attach optical sighting devices, iron sighting devices, cameras, grips, bipods, and slings to a rail or similar structure on a firearm or other devices. 
         [0034]    The apparatus is also not limited to mounting to a single type of mounting rail, but can also be used to attach to many different kinds of devices that have different kinds of mounting rails, graspable grooves, or similar type of features, structures, or configurations that are able to be grasped. Examples of such devices include bicycles, helmets, cameras, tripods, bipods, automobiles, watercraft, power tools, safes, TVs, audio equipment, tablets &amp; mobile phones, exercise equipment, furniture and sports equipment. 
         [0035]    To help understand the invention, the following discussion is provided with reference to the certain embodiments shown in the accompanying Figures. The invention, however, should not be considered to be limited to those embodiments. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded illustration of one or more embodiments of the invention when used in connection with a flashlight/laser combination device  16 . From this view, clamp arm  3  (comprising clamp arm subparts  3 A and  3 B) is shown with locking bolt  1  positioned in front of locking bolt hole  2 . Hinge bolt  12  is shown relative to hinge shoulders  8 A and  8 B, with through holes, and hinge pivot hole  5 . To help explain the motion of clamp arm  3 , a portion of clamp arm  3  is labeled as  3 A and another portion is labeled as  3 B. Pivot stopper groove  6  is also shown on clamp arm  3 , which when assembled engages pivot stopper angle  11 . While hinge bolt  12  is shown as a bolt, hinge bolt  12  may be a pin or rod or any similar structure that allows clamp arm  3  to pivot between hinge shoulders  8 A and  8 B. Hinge bolt  12  may be of any length sufficient to assist the pivoting function of clamp arm  3 . Within mounting area  19 , a stabilizing key bar  13  is shown connected to fixed mounting clamp arm  14 . In one or more embodiments, stabilizing key bar  13  is optional and may be used to prevent the pivoting clamp arm  3  from moving within the mounting area. Also, from this view, hinge swing cavity  18  is shown recessed within device main body  15 . In one or more embodiments, springs  7 A and  7 B are suspended behind pivoting clamp arm  3 , which when assembled fit into spring holes  9 A and  9 B. In one or more embodiments, spring holes  9 A and  9 B may be recessed within device main body  15 . While two springs are shown, there is no requirement for any specific number of springs, and even a single spring or similar structure may be used. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  are alternative views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 1A . In  FIG. 1C , optional matching recessed spring holes  10 A and  10 B can be seen positioned partially within pivoting clamp arm  3 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded illustration of pivoting clamp arm  3  positioned relative to locking bolt  1 , hinge bolt  12 , and springs  7 A and  7 B. In one or more embodiments, locking bolt hole  2  optionally comprises a small recess for the head of locking bolt  1 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 2B and 2C  are alternative views of the components of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , locking bolt hole  2  is shown positioned between optional matching recessed spring holes  10 A and  10 B. In  FIG. 2C , an assembly of the components of one or more embodiments of the invention is shown, but without showing hinge shoulders  8 A and  8 B. In this view, hinge bolt  12  is positioned within hinge pivot hole  5 . Springs  7 A and  7 B are positioned partially within optional recessed spring holes  10 A and  10 B. Locking bolt  1  is positioned within locking bolt hole  2  protruding out of pivoting clamp arm  3  so that when fully assembled, the protruding portion of locking bolt  1  pushes against device main body  15  shown in  FIG. 1A , causing pivoting clamp arm  3  to pivot closed. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2D and 2E  are alternative views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 2C . In  FIGS. 2D and 2E , locking bolt  1  is shown positioned within locking bolt hole  2 , with hinge shoulders  8 A and  8 B omitted for clarity. Springs  7 A and  7 B are positioned partially within optional recessed spring holes  10 A and  10 B. In one or more embodiments, pivoting clamp arm  3  includes groove  4 A, rail chamfered edge  4 B, and/or pivot stopper groove  6 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2F  is an exploded view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2G  is a perspective view of one or more embodiments of the invention showing device main body  15 , hinge swing cavity  18 , and a cut-away view of mounting rail  17  positioned within mounting area  19 . Portions of mounting rail  17  are also referred to as  17 A and  17 B for convenience. In  FIG. 2G , mounting rail  17  is shown as a cut-away view so the fitting of stabilizing key bar  13  is visible as it is positioned within one of mounting rail slots  17 B. Additionally, hinge swing cavity  18  is shown recessed in device main body  15 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2H  is an alternate view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 2G . In this view, mounting clamp arm  14  is shown with stabilizing key bar  13 . The pivot stopper angle  11  is positioned between shoulders  8 A and  8 B relative to mounting area  19 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3A  is a cut away internal view of one or more embodiments of the invention showing the front of pivoting clamp arm  3  as mounted to rail  17 . Springs  7 A and  7 B push on the bottom of pivoting clamp arm  3  at  3 B causing pivoting clamp arm  3  to pivot on hinge bolt  12 . The resulting force causes pivoting clamp arm  3  at  3 A to pivot closed on rail  17  at  17 A, thereby securing pivoting clamp arm  3  to rail  17 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 3B ,  3 C, and  3 D are alternative views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 3A . In  FIG. 3C  the pivoting clamp arm  3  is closed, mounted to rail  17  with the assistance of locking bolt  1 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3E  is a cut away internal view of one or more embodiments of the invention showing the front of pivoting clamp arm  3  when it is not mounted to a rail. In this view, clamp arm  3  is in the closed position and its motion is stopped by pivot stopper groove  6  engaging pivot stopper angle  11 . Springs  7 A and  7 B are pushing on pivoting clamp arm  3  at  3 B causing clamp arm  3  to pivot around hinge bolt  12  and close. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3F  is an alternate view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3G  is a cut-away internal view of one or more embodiments of the invention showing the front of clamp arm  3  when it is not mounted to a rail. In this view, clamp arm  3  is in the grasping position, but not secured to a rail, such as mounting rail  17 . In this view, an external force, such as the force applied by the user&#39;s finger in the direction of the large arrow, pushes down and inward on locking bolt  1  causing arm clamp arm  3  to pivot open. When clamp arm  3  pivots open, springs  7 A and  7 B are compressed within the hinged swing cavity  18 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3H  is an alternate view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 3G . 
         [0050]      FIG. 3I  is a cut away internal view of one or more embodiments of the invention showing the front of clamp arm  3  when it is not mounted to a rail. In this view, clamp arm  3  is closed, and the motion is stopped when pivot stopper groove  6  and pivot stopper angle  11  meet. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3J  is an alternate view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 3I . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one or more embodiments of the invention shown when used in connection with a flashlight/laser combination device  16 . The invention is shown mounted to mounting rail  17  (comprising mounting rail subparts  17 A and  17 B) of, for example, a firearm  17 C. Mounting rail  17 , however, is not necessarily part of a firearm, and may be any mounting rail, graspable groove, or similar type of feature, structure, or configuration that is able to be grasped. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 4B and 4C  are alternate views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 4A , but not yet mounted to mounting rail  17 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4E and 4D  are alternate views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 4A , but not yet mounted to mounting rail  17 , with the clamp arm  3  in the grasping position. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 4F and 4G  are alternate views of one or more embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 4A , and showing it mounted and secured to mounting rail  17 .