Abstract:
A hinged mounting assembly for use in connection with a gun-mounted light accessory is disclosed. The assembly has a light source disposed within a housing and a rail clamp connected to the housing. The rail clamp has a fixed clamp member attached to the housing and a hinged clamp member pivotally attached to the housing. The static clamp member and the hinged clamp member are disposed on opposite sides of the housing. A vertically moveable adjustment tab is attached to a first clamp post end. The adjustment tab has a cylindrical member with a lower half that is planar and an upper half that is arcuate. A vertically and horizontally adjustment tab is attached to a second clamp post end. The second adjustment tab also has a lower half that is planar and an upper half that is arcuate.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearm mounted accessories and more particularly to an improved device for mounting a lighting device to a firearm. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A large variety of accessories have been developed for use in combination with firearms, tools, and other devices. In particular, accessories have been designed and developed to be mounted to a firearm, tool, or other device to enhance its use. Examples of such accessories include lights, sighting lasers, scopes, night vision devices, grips, flash and sound control devices, and bipods. 
     A common means of mounting such accessories is accomplished with an accessory mount, often in the form of a rail attached to the firearm, tool, or other device. A popular type of rail is the Picatinny rail, which is generally wedge shaped and provides a standardized accessory mounting platform. The Picatinny rail carries the official U.S. Government designation MIL-STD-1913. Not all mounts use a Picatinny rail system. Moreover, not all rail systems have standardized dimensions. 
     Rails are currently offered on nearly every type of firearm, from handguns to rifles and shotguns. Rails of various lengths are available to be coupled in various locations that are convenient with the varying accessories. For example, a rail may be located on the underside and near the front of a rifle barrel to accommodate advantageous placement of a bipod or a rail may be located on the top of a tactical rifle&#39;s upper receiver to accommodate attachment of a scope. 
     Rail systems allow a variety of accessories to be mounted on a firearm, tool, or device. Interchangeability of accessories allows a single firearm, tool, or device to be reconfigured to meet different needs. Rail systems are also useful if accessory mounting and removal can be accomplished quickly and easily. Therefore, it is advantageous that the system that mounts the accessory to the rail is easy and convenient to operate. 
     Firearms, whether used for hunting, sport, or military and law enforcement, are deadly instruments and as such, accuracy is paramount. Lights are common accessories because they provide illumination in low-light environments, which is critical for accuracy. Laser sights are also common accessories that assist accuracy by projecting a laser in the same direction as the firearm&#39;s bore and provide a reference for the shooter. Of course other mounted accessories are contemplated for use herein. Because many of the accessories used contribute to the accuracy of the firearm, it is important that the accessory remained fixed, despite being bumped and jostled during transport and use and despite the recoil force created by discharging the firearm. 
     Therefore, it is advantageous if the accessory is both easily attached and removed to allow for accessories to be easily exchanged based on current need, but also to be firmly attached to maximize accuracy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-referenced need is satisfied with a firearm accessory mounting device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment, a hinged mounting assembly for use in connection with a gun-mounted light accessory is disclosed. The assembly comprises a light source disposed within a housing and a rail clamp connected to the housing. The rail clamp comprises a static clamp member attached to the housing and a hinged clamp member pivotally attached to the housing. The static clamp member and the hinged clamp member are disposed on opposite sides of the housing. The assembly further comprises a vertically moveable adjustment tab attached to a first rod disposed in an aperture within the static clamp member and a vertically and horizontally second adjustment tab attached to a second rod disposed in an aperture within the hinged clamp member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a hinged mounting assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a left-side view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a right-side view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the hinged mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a hinged mounting assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  10 . A light source  11  is disposed within a housing  12 . A static rail clamp  13  is affixed to the housing  12 . The static rail clamp  13  comprises a lip  14   a , which forms the top portion of the static rail clamp  13 . A hinged rail clamp  15  is pivotally attached to the housing  12  and positioned opposite the static rail clamp  13 . In one aspect of the invention, the hinged rail clamp  15  comprises a lip  14   b , which forms the top portion of the hinged rail clamp  15 . A sliding switch  16  for turning power on and off to the light source is affixed to the housing  12  and may be depressed from either side of the housing  12 . A key member  17  is positioned between the static rail clamp  13  and the hinged rail clamp  15 . The key member  17  comprises an anchor end  19  that is pivotally affixed to an anchor post  18  that is disposed within the housing  12 . The key member  17  further comprises a front key end  20 . A rod  40  of a non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  passes through aperture  24   a  in the static rail clamp  13  and attaches to the key member  17 . Opposite the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  is a rotatable adjustment tab  22  with a threaded rod  29  that passes through the aperture in the hinged rail clamp  15  and attaches to the key member  17 . The aperture is smaller in diameter than the tabs  21  and  22  but larger in diameter than the rods  29  and  40  which allows both the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  and the rotatable adjustment tab  22  to be moved up or down as the key member  17  pivots on the anchor post  18  but does not permit the tabs to pass through the aperture. 
     Accessory mounts are mounted to a rail system by sliding the accessory over the end of the mount and then securing the mount to the rail in some fashion. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a biasing member (e.g., a spring)  23  is located between the housing  12  and the key member  17  so that the key member  17  is biased in an upward position and the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  and the rotatable adjustment tab  22  are forced against the top of the aperture. In this manner, the key member  17  is biased in a “closed” position. By applying pressure to the tabs  21  and  22 , the key member  17  may be moved downward into an “open” position to allow for the hinged mounting assembly  10  to be slid into place on the rail system and then secured by releasing the pressure on the tabs  21  and  22 . While a spring is specifically referenced herein, it is understood that any biasing device may be used so long as the desired function of biasing the front end  20  of key member  17  in an upward position is achieved. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the rotatable adjustment tab  22  is threaded to the key member  17  so that as the rotatable adjustment tab  22  is rotated it becomes closer to the key member  17 , thereby closing the hinged rail clamp  15  and decreasing the distance between the hinged rail clamp  15  and the static rail clamp  13 . In this manner, the rotatable adjustment tab  22  is both vertically and horizontally adjustable while the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  is only vertically adjustable. 
     The rotatable adjustment tab  22  comprises a slot  28 . A flat-head screwdriver (or other implement) can be inserted into the slot  28  and used to rotate the rotatable adjustment tab  22 . The rotatable adjustment tab  22  can also be rotated by finger. Advantageously, in one aspect of the invention, the rotatable adjustment tab  22  (located on the side proximal the hinged rail clamp) may be moved vertically independent of the movement of the other adjustment tab. In this manner, the hinged rail clamp  15  may be “opened” by depressing the rotatable adjustable tab member  22  and the mounting assembly may be removed without sliding the mounting assembly off of the rail. The hinged rail clamp  15  may also be used to accommodate different sized rail systems on which the assembly may be attached. In other words, due to variations in widths amongst different rail systems, the hinged rail clamp  15  may be used to adjust the width of the overall mounting assembly  10  in order to accommodate placement on different sized rail systems. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, both the rotatable adjustment tab  22  and the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  comprise a truncated side  25   a ,  25   b  that is ergonomically shaped to allow a user to comfortably apply simultaneous downward pressure to both the rotatable adjustment tab  22  and the non-rotatable adjustment tab  21 , thereby applying pressure against the biasing member  23  and depressing the key member  17 . The truncated side  25   a ,  25   b  of the tabs  21 ,  22  comprise a flat bottom face and an arcuate top face. The arcuate top face curves from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation when the tabs are positioned to be depressed by a user. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a hinged mounting assembly in the open position generally at  30  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With reference generally to  FIGS. 1-9 , a light source  11  is disposed within a housing  12 . A static rail clamp  13  is affixed to the housing  12 . The static rail clamp  13  comprises a lip  14   a ,  14   b , which forms the top portion of the static rail clamp  13 , a tapered groove  26   a ,  26   b  along the middle of the static rail clamp  13 , and a base  27   a ,  27   b  along the bottom of the static rail clamp  13 . The lip, tapered groove, and base cooperatively function to facilitate attachment of the accessory mount to a variety of rail systems. A hinged rail clamp  15  is pivotally attached to the housing  12  and positioned opposite the static rail clamp  13 . The hinged rail clamp  15  comprises a lip  14   a ,  14   b , which forms the top portion of the hinged rail clamp  15 , a tapered groove  26   a ,  26   b  along the middle of the hinged rail clamp  14   a ,  14   b , and a base  27   a ,  27   b  along the bottom of the hinged rail clamp  14   a ,  14   b . The rotatable adjustment tab  22  is attached to the key member  17  by a threaded rod  29  so that as the rotatable adjustment tab  22  is rotated the threaded rod  29  pulls the rotatable adjustment tab  22  closer to the key member  17 , thereby closing the hinged rail clamp  15  and decreasing the distance between the hinged rail clamp  15  and the static rail clamp  13 . As the distance between the key member  17  and the rotatable adjustment tab  22  changes, the hinged rail clamp rotates about a hinge  31  that is attached to the housing  12 . In other words, while both adjustment tabs are vertically adjustable, only the rotatable adjustment tab  22  is horizontally adjustable. 
     While a threaded rod assembly is specifically described herein, it is understood that other devices may be used for horizontal adjustment of the second tab member  22 . For example, the threaded rod  29  may be fixedly attached to the rotatably adjustment tab  22  but configured for threaded engagement with the key member  17 . Other examples include, but without limitation, compression fittings, luer connectors, and other adjustable connection devices known in the art may be used as suits a particular application. 
     As noted above, the rotatable adjustment tab  22  may be used to loosen the hinged rail clamp  15  to such a degree that the accessory mount  10  may be removed from a rail assembly without sliding the assembly off of the end of the rail system. Additionally, in the event the mount does not tightly fit against the rail system, the rotatable adjustment tab  22  may be employed to decrease the distance between rail clamps  13  and  15  to more firmly secure the accessory mount  10  onto the rail. 
       FIG. 5  shows a rear view of a hinged mounting assembly shown generally at  10 . A static rail clamp  13  is attached to a housing  12 . A back plate  31  may be removed and replaced from the housing  12  using adjustment slots  32 . The static rail clamp  13  comprises a lip  14   a ,  14   b  forming the top portion, a tapered groove  26   a ,  26   b , and a base  27   a ,  27   b . A hinged rail clamp  15  is attached to the housing  12  opposite the static rail clamp  13 . The hinged rail clamp  15  comprises a lip  14   a ,  14   b  forming the top portion, a tapered groove  26   a ,  26   b , and a base  27   a ,  27   b.    
       FIG. 6  shows a left-side view of a hinged mounting assembly shown generally at  10 . A light source  11  is disposed within a housing  12 . A hinged rail clamp  15  is rotatably attached to the housing  12  by a hinge  31 . A rotatable adjustment tab  22  is attached to the hinged rail clamp  15 . The rotatable adjustment tab  22  comprises a truncated side  25   a ,  25   b  and a slot  28 . A sliding switch  16  is affixed to the housing  12 . An anchor post  18  intersects the housing  12 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a right-side view of a hinged mounting assembly shown generally at  10 . A light source  11  is disposed within a housing  12 . A static rail clamp  13  is attached to the housing  12 . A non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  is attached to the static rail clamp  13 . The non-rotatable adjustment tab  21  comprises a truncated side  25   a ,  25   b . A sliding switch  16  is affixed to the housing  12 . An anchor post  18  intersects the housing  12 . 
     The foregoing detailed description describes the invention with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as described and set forth herein. More specifically, while illustrative exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus-function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.