Abstract:
A system for mounting one article to another article incorporates a clamp having a base configured to interlock with a Picatinny-type rail. In one form, the clamp has a quick-connect device serving as a platform for quickly attaching different articles to the clamp, and in another form a coupler joins two clamps that are attachable to respective different rails. The clamp preferably is spring biased to one position and manually operated to a second position to facilitate application to and removal from the rail. The invention thus provides an easily customizable equipment rack that can be mounted to almost any surface, allowing it to be extremely versatile. For example, it could be used to mount a shelf to a wall surface, or for supporting tools, weapons, and other articles on various structures, or for mounting accessories to a weapon or to other objects.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to devices and systems for mounting one article to another article. More particularly, the invention relates to a modular system including at least one Picatinny-type rail attachable to a surface, and a clamp attachable to the rail at desired adjusted positions along the length of the rail. According to one aspect of the invention, the clamp has a base that interlocks with the rail and a quick-connect device for mounting an article to the clamp. According to another aspect, a coupler interconnects two clamps that are attachable to separate rails. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    There are myriad devices and systems for mounting a first article to a second article, including vertically oriented rails mounted to a wall in horizontally spaced relationship to one another and to which shelf brackets can be attached for supporting a shelf on a wall. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,631,821, 6,179,136, and 6,220,463, and published US patent application 2010/0213334 are exemplary of such systems, wherein shelf support brackets have projections engaged in apertures in rails attached to a wall. 
         [0003]    Picatinny-type rails and Weaver rails are used for mounting various accessories to weapons. One or more rails are attached to the weapon and an accessory is mounted on the rail. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,877,166, 4,845,871 and 8,127,484 are exemplary of such systems. The devices disclosed in these patents utilize a cam lock structure to mount the accessory to the rail. 
         [0004]    None of the prior art devices utilize a Picatinny-type rail for mounting accessories to surfaces other than a weapon, and particularly for mounting shelves to a wall. The prior art devices especially do not disclose a system utilizing a clamp having a base configured to interlock with the rail, and a quick-correct device for quickly and easily attaching different articles to the clamp and thus to the rails. Moreover, applicant is not aware of any prior devices that incorporate a coupler joining two clamps attachable to different rails. 
         [0005]    It would be desirable to have a modular system for mounting one article to another article, wherein the system incorporates a Picatinny-type rail to which is mounted a clamp having a base configured to interlock with the rail, and particularly to such a system incorporating a quick-connect device serving as a platform for quickly and easily attaching different articles to the clamp and thus to the rail, and/or to such a system that incorporates a coupler joining two clamps attachable to different rails. The invention could be used for many purposes, including mounting a shelf to a wall surface, or for supporting tools, weapons, and other articles on various structures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention comprises a modular system for mounting one article to another article, wherein the system incorporates a Picatinny-type rail to which is mounted a clamp having a base configured to interlock with the rail. According to one aspect of the invention, a quick-connect device is attached to the clamp and serves as a platform for quickly and easily attaching different articles to the clamp and thus to the rail. The clamp preferably is spring biased to one position and manually operated to a second position to facilitate application to and removal from the rail. According to another aspect, a coupler joins two clamps that are attachable to different rails. The invention thus provides an easily customizable equipment rack that can be mounted to almost any surface, allowing it to be extremely versatile. For example, it could be used to mount a shelf to a wall surface, or for supporting tools, weapons, and other articles on various structures, or for mounting accessories to a weapon or to other objects. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment the clamp functions much like a bag clip, with pivoted clips on opposite sides of the clamp that have inturned clamping jaws spring biased into closed position against opposite sides of the rail and opened by squeezing clip arms toward one another to spread the jaws apart and release the clamp from the rail. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment the clamp comprises opposed halves or jaws that are spring biased away from one another to an open position, and a cam lock is used to move the halves toward one another to secure the clamp in closed position against opposite sides of the rail. Cross pieces are fixed to the two halves of the clamp, with the cross pieces fixed to each half extending toward but free of attachment to the opposite half. The cross pieces attached to one half are slidably engaged with the cross pieces attached to the opposite half, and detents on the inner ends of the cross pieces prevent the clamp halves from spreading too far apart. The cam lock includes a rod fixed at one end to one half of the clamp and slidably extending at its other end through the opposite clamp half. A cam member is attached to said other end of the rod on the outside of the adjacent clamp half and is manipulated to press the two halves toward one another into engagement with opposite sides of the rail. A spring urges the halves apart. In addition to preventing the clamp from opening too far, the cross pieces also prevent the clamp halves from twisting and becoming misaligned when unlocked, which would cause problems while trying to install the clamp. Both halves of the clamp are identically shaped to make manufacturing easier. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment the clamp has one fixed jaw that engages one side of the rail and a movable jaw that engages the opposite side of the rail. Thumb screws are connected with the movable jaw to move it to an open position spaced from the rail or to a closed position against the rail. Springs may be provided to urge the jaws apart when the thumb screws are loosened. 
         [0010]    In a still further embodiment the clamp has one fixed jaw that engages one side of the rail and a movable jaw that engages the opposite side of the rail. The movable jaw is spring biased into engagement with the rail, and one or more actuating bars are connected with the movable jaw to move it to open position away from the rail. 
         [0011]    The quick connect makes the clamp a more user friendly platform for a variety of accessories that could attach to it, instead of using threaded connections. The quick connect makes the entire system more modular than using fixed accessories. The base is machined to interlock with the Picatinny-type rail to provide a positive mechanical lock against sliding of the clamp on the rail. 
         [0012]    Since the clamp/platform uses the same rail found on weapons, it could also be mounted to the weapon itself to further increase the functionality of the modular system. For example, attaching the clamp/hook combination to a weapon allows the weapon to be hung on a railing or pipe. The coupler is particularly suited to this task. 
         [0013]    Since the platform is a quick connect, there could be many accessories that could quickly and easily be attached to it, such as, for example, a triangle shelf bracket, a pistol holster, a Picatinny rail to Picatinny rail coupler, and others. 
         [0014]    U-shaped hooks can be attached to the clamp of the invention to form a gun rack or to form a support or hanger for a variety of objects. A Velcro strap can be wrapped around the hook to hold objects in place. The hook preferably is made of aluminum and is easily deformed to grip the item supported in the hook. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an assembly showing one use of the clamp of the invention, wherein some clamps are used to attach shelf brackets to spaced rails mounted on a wall for supporting a shelf, and other clamps are used to support hooks on the rails. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary bottom isometric view of part of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing details of the shelf bracket attachment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top isometric view of a first embodiment of clamp according to the invention, shown in closed position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a bottom isometric view of the clamp of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the clamp of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , shown in open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top isometric view of a second embodiment of clamp according to the invention shown mounted to a Picatinny-type rail, with the clamp in the foreground shown in closed locked position and the clamp in the background shown in open unlocked position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an exploded top isometric view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a top isometric view of the clamp used in the assembly of  FIGS. 6-8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the clamp of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a greatly enlarged exploded isometric view of the cam lock rod used in the clamp of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the quick connect used in the clamp of  FIG. 6 , shown in unlocked position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the quick connect used in the clamp of  FIG. 6 , shown in locked position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a left side isometric view of a third embodiment of clamp according to the invention, shown in open unlocked position, wherein a movable jaw is spring biased to an open position moved away from an opposed fixed jaw, and thumb screws are connected with the movable jaw to draw it toward the fixed jaw. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a right side isometric view of the clamp of  FIG. 14 , shown in closed locked position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a left side isometric view of a fourth embodiment of clamp according to the invention, shown in closed locked position, wherein a movable jaw is spring biased to an open position moved away from an opposed fixed jaw, and one or more actuating bars are connected with the movable jaw to move it to open position away from the fixed jaw. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a right side isometric view of the clamp of  FIG. 16 , shown in open unlocked position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is an exploded isometric view of a Picatinny-type rail and two different versions of clamps according to the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a top isometric view of a hook that may be attached to the clamp of the invention, with a Velcro strip shown in broken lines. 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is an exploded isometric view showing two different types of clamp according to the invention positioned for attachment to a Picatinny-type rail. 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is an isometric view of a conventional utility hook for supporting an object, with a Velcro strap shown in broken lines. 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of a hook shown in inverted position and having slotted openings for securing the hook in different angularly adjusted positions. 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of a modification of the invention wherein a coupler joins two clamps to form a clamp assembly that can be used to attach one rail to another rail. 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is an exploded top isometric view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  is a top isometric view of the modified base used in the clamping member of  FIGS. 23-25 , wherein a locking tab is formed on one end of the base. 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  is a top isometric view of the modified base of  FIG. 27  assembled to the clamping member, with the cam lock in closed position and a padlock attached to it to secure it closed. 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  is a top isometric view of a second form of coupler used to join two clamping members rotationally oriented 90° with respect to one another in a clamping assembly. 
           [0044]      FIG. 29  is a fragmentary isometric view depicting the clamp assembly of  FIG. 28  used to mount the vertically oriented rail on a firearm to a horizontal rail on a wall. 
           [0045]      FIG. 30  is a top isometric view of a third form of coupler used to join two clamping members in a clamping assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    One potential application of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein two generally triangular shelf brackets  10  supporting a shelf  11 , and two U-shaped hooks  12 , are mounted on two horizontally spaced vertically oriented Picatinny-style rails  13  by a first embodiment of clamp  14  according to the invention. 
         [0047]    As seen best in  FIGS. 3-5 , the clamp  14  is operated similarly to a hair clip or bag clip and comprises a main body  15  having a grooved bottom surface  16  adapted to mesh with the grooved upper surface  13 A on the rail  13 , and an upper portion  17  with receptacles  18  in its upper surface adapted to receive threaded fasteners or quick-connect couplings (not shown) depending upon which type of connection is used. Clip elements  19 A and  19 B are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the body  15  by hinge pins  20  and have depending legs or jaws  21  and arms or tabs  22  extending angularly upwardly from the jaws. Inturned flanges  23  on the bottom edges of the jaws are adapted to extend beneath shoulders  13 B (seen best in  FIG. 6 ) on the rails to hold the clamp  14  to the rail when the clip elements are in their closed position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Movement of the clamp longitudinally of the rail is prevented by meshing of the grooved surfaces  13 A and  16 . The clip elements are biased to their closed position by a torsion spring (not shown) mounted on the hinge pins in a conventional manner, or by any other suitable biasing means, and are moved to an open position as shown in  FIG. 5  by squeezing the arms  22  inwardly toward one another to disengage the flanges  23  from beneath the shoulders  13 B. 
         [0048]    A second, preferred form of clamp according to the invention is shown at  30  in  FIGS. 6-13 . In  FIG. 6  the clamp  30  is shown in the foreground in its locked condition and in the background in its unlocked condition. As seen best in  FIGS. 7-13 , this form of the invention comprises a clamping member  31 , a base member  40  attached to the bottom of the clamping member, a quick connect  50  attached to the top of the clamping member, and a cap  60  covering the quick connect. 
         [0049]    The clamping member  31  has opposed jaws  32 A and  32 B connected for movement toward and away from one another by first cross pieces  33 A and  34 A that each have one end fixed to jaw  32 A and a free end spaced from jaw  32 B, second cross pieces  33 B and  34 B that each have one end fixed to jaw  32 B and a free end spaced from jaw  32 A, and a rod  35  fixed at one end  35 A to jaw  32 A and an opposite bifurcated end  35 B slidably engaged through an opening in jaw  32 B. A coil spring  36  around rod  35  is engaged between the jaws to urge them apart. The cross pieces  33 A and  34 A are slidably interengaged with respective opposite cross pieces  33 B and  34 B, and inturned detents  37  on their adjacent ends limit outward movement of the jaws away from one another. In the specific example shown, the cross pieces  33 A,  34 A and  33 B,  34 B are rectilinear in transverse cross section and together with the rod  35  maintain the jaws in aligned parallel relationship with one another. A cam lock  38  is pinned to the bifurcated end  35 B of rod  35  that projects through jaw  32 B to move the jaws toward one another to clamp the rail  13  between them when the cam is moved from the position shown in  FIG. 8  to the position shown in  FIG. 7 . Movement of the cam lock from the position shown in  FIG. 8  to the position shown in  FIG. 7  permits the spring to urge the jaws away from one another to release the clamp  30  from the rail  13 . 
         [0050]    The base member  40  (seen best in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) comprises a main body wall  41  with upstanding end walls  42  and  43  at opposite ends thereof and a plurality of transversely extending spaced parallel ribs  44  on its bottom surface. Openings  45  for receiving fasteners as described hereinafter are formed in the upper surfaces of the end walls  42  and  43 . 
         [0051]    The quick connect  50 , as seen best in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  12  and  13 , comprises a shallow box-like housing  51  having a bottom wall  52 , opposite side walls  53 A and  53 B, opposite end walls  54 A and  54 B, and an open top. A quick connect receptacle  55  having sockets  55 A and  55 B in its opposite ends stands upwardly into the housing from the bottom wall, and a tuning-fork-shaped locking member  56  has arms  56 A and  56 B extending closely along respective opposite sides of the receptacle. An extension  57  on one end of the locking member projects through one end wall of the housing and may be engaged to push the locking member from the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 12  to the locked position shown in  FIG. 13 . Ball-bearing-like locking detents  58  are engaged in openings at opposite sides of the receptacle in registry with the sockets  55 A and  55 B so that the detents project outwardly beyond the outer sides of the receptacle and a short distance into the sockets. Shallow recesses  56 C in the surfaces of the arms  56 A and  56 B are adapted to come into and out of registry with the detents so that when the locking member is moved to its unlocked position the detents move outwardly into the recesses and away from gripping engagement with a locking member (not shown) received in the sockets. When the locking member is moved to its locked position, the arms  56 A and  56 B push the detents inwardly into frictional locking engagement with an object received in the sockets. Openings  59  extend through the end walls  54 A and  54 B for receiving fasteners as described hereinafter. 
         [0052]    The cover  60  simply comprises a flat rectangular plate that is positioned on top of the quick connect and suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts or the like  61  are extended through openings  62  in opposite ends of the cover and through the openings  59  in the quick connect and into the openings  45  in the base member end walls to hold the parts assembled and form a unitary clamp construction as seen in  FIG. 6 . It will be noted that with the parts assembled, the end walls  42  and  43  on the base member extend flush between respective opposite ends of the jaws  32 A and  32 B of the clamping member and substantially coplanar with the end walls  54 A and  54 B of the quick connect. Openings  63  through the cover provide entry for a male quick connect device into the female sockets  55 A and  55 B in the quick connect  50 . 
         [0053]    A further embodiment of clamp is shown at  70  in  FIGS. 14-16 . In this form of the invention, one clamping jaw  71  and a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs or bars  72  are formed integrally with clamp body  73 . The bars  72  are spaced below and extend parallel to the bottom surface of body  73 , and a movable clamping jaw  74  is reciprocable in this space. One or more thumb screws  75  are threaded through body  73  at the base of clamping jaw  71  and are connected with the movable clamping jaw  74  to move the clamping jaw  74  toward and away from jaw  71  when the thumb screws are turned. 
         [0054]    Another embodiment of clamp is shown at  80  in  FIGS. 17-19 . As in that form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , one clamping jaw  81  and a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs or bars  82  are formed integrally with clamp body  83 . The bars  82  are spaced below and extend parallel to the bottom surface of body  83 , and a movable clamping jaw  84  is reciprocable in this space. One or more rods  85  extend through openings in body  83  at the base of clamping jaw  81  and are connected with the movable clamping jaw  84  to move the clamping jaw  84  toward and away from jaw  81  when the rods are moved by a plate or bar  86  that may be attached to the outer ends of rods  85  to move them in unison and facilitate their operation. The movable jaw  84  may be spring loaded (not shown), if desired, to urge it toward fixed jaw  81 . 
         [0055]    Different clamps of the invention may be used in combination, as depicted at  14  and  80 , respectively, in  FIG. 20 , shown exploded away from a Picatinny-type rail  13 . 
         [0056]    A conventional utility hook H is shown in  FIG. 21 , with an optional Velcro® strap S attached to the hook for securing an object (not shown) to the hook. The hook is available from Rugged Gear of Elk Point, S. Dak., and is made of aluminum that may be easily deformed to increase or decrease the space between the legs of the hook. 
         [0057]    A modified hook  90  is shown in  FIG. 22 , wherein the hook is depicted in an inverted position and has arcuate slots  91  and  92  in one of its legs spaced outwardly on opposite sides of a central hole  93 . The slots permit easy adjustment to any position over a range of 90°. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 23-27  depict another form of the invention wherein a coupler  101  is connected between two clamping members  31  to form a clamp assembly  100 . Suitable fasteners (not shown) are extended through openings  103  in opposite ends of modified bases  40 ′ and into threaded holes  104  in the top and bottom surfaces of the coupler at opposite ends thereof to hold the clamp assembly together as shown in  FIG. 23 . A locking tab  102  on one end of the base  40 ′ extends laterally into position to overlap with the operating arm of cam lock  38  when the cam lock is in closed position, and a padlock P may be engaged in holes in the arm and tab to lock the clamping member in closed position on a rail. 
         [0059]    As seen best in  FIGS. 24-28 , the clamp assembly  100  comprises coupler  102  connected between two clamping members  31  each with a modified base  40 ′. The clamping members  31  are identical to those shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , including cam locks  38 . The modified bases  40 ′ differ from the base shown in  FIGS. 6-8  in that a lock tab  102  is formed on one end of the base. The lock tab extends laterally into a position that aligns with the end of the cam lock when the cam lock is in closed position to clamp the jaws  32 A and  32 B against opposite sides of the rail, and a padlock P may be inserted through openings in the overlapped portions of the lock tab and cam lock to secure the cam lock in its closed condition and thus lock the clamp member to the rail. With this arrangement the clamp assembly  100  may be securely locked to the rail on a firearm and to a second rail that is suitably fastened to a surface. See  FIG. 29 , which shows a modified clamp assembly for mounting a firearm to a rail extending horizontally on a wall. 
         [0060]    A modified clamp assembly  110  is shown in  FIG. 28 , wherein the platforms  101 ′A and  101 ′B at opposite ends of the coupler  101 ′ are rotationally displaced 90° with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis A of the coupler. Thus, the coupler  101 ′ could be used to interconnect two rails that are rotationally displaced with respect to one another. An example is depicted in  FIG. 29 , wherein the clamping member  31  at one end of the clamp assembly  110  is locked to the rail  13 - 1  on a firearm F, and the clamping member  31  at the other end of the clamp assembly is locked to the rail  13 - 2  on a wall. 
         [0061]    A further modified clamp assembly  120  is shown in  FIG. 30 , wherein the central column  120 C extending between the platforms  120 A and  120 B of coupler  121  is elongate to form a stand-off for spacing one item from another item (not shown) coupled together with the coupler. 
         [0062]    The modular clamp system of the invention can be mounted to almost any surface and provides great flexibility in designing systems for supporting a variety of objects on a variety of other objects and surfaces. The system of the invention is compatible with all currently available Picatinny rail accessories, which can be mounted to the clamp platform with screws (not shown) or the quick connect mechanism disclosed herein.