Accessory mounting apparatus and system

Apparatus and system for mounting accessories to firearms and the like. More specifically, an apparatus and system for mounting accessories such as optics, sighting telescopes, lasers, thermal imaging devices, night vision devises, knives, cameras, flashlights and the like to firearms that have been fitted with a Picatinny mounting rail. The mounting apparatus is quickly secured to and removed from a Picatinny rail and provides a highly secure and stable mount for accessories. The apparatus and the accessories that are attached to it may be removed and replaced from the Picatinny rail repeatedly without affecting the preset sighting zero of the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and system for mounting accessories to weapons, and more specifically, to an apparatus and system for mounting accessories such as optics, sighting telescopes, lasers, thermal imaging devices, night vision devises, knives, cameras, flashlights and the like to weapons such as firearms that have a Picatinny rail. The mounting apparatus is quickly secured to and removed from a Picatinny rail and provides a highly secure and stable mount for accessories. When the mount of the present invention is used to mount an accessory that requires or benefits from a sighting zero, the invention allows the accessory to be removed and replaced from the Picatinny rail repeatedly without affecting the preset sighting zero.

BACKGROUND

A Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913), which is also sometimes called a tactical rail is a standard bracket that is used on some firearms that provides a standardized mounting platform for accessories. Picatinny rails are used on many different types of firearms and were originally designed for mounting scopes. However, the rails are useful for mounting any number of different types of accessories, including but not limited to accessories such as optics, sighting telescopes, laser aiming modules, thermal imaging devices, night vision devises, knives, cameras, flashlights, foregrips, bipods, bayonets, and the like. Picatinny rails are used on many firearms, including innumerable types of rifles, and pistols.

The rail is a longitudinal member that is mounted to the weapon. The rail includes opposed side edges with a specific configuration and a series of ridges extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the member; each ridge is separated from adjacent ridges with a spacing slot. The rails have very standardized size and spacing specifications.

There are numerous ways to mount a Picatinny rail to a firearm, depending to an extent on the specific firearm and stock. In many cases, the Picatinny rail is an integral and standard part of the firearm that is added by the manufacturer. Moreover, regardless of the manner of attachment, one or more Picatinny rails may be mounted to a firearm. For instance, three and sometimes four rails may be mounted at approximately 90 degree positions around the barrel and stock. Generally speaking, the Picatinny rail provides a very stable mounting platform that tends to dissipate heat as the barrel heats and cools, and therefore tends to not flex.

There are also many types of mounting devices designed for Picatinny rails. The mounting device provides an interface between an accessory device such as those mentioned above, and the rail, and attaches the accessory to the rail. The mounting apparatus typically spans the width of the rail and in some manner attaches to the opposed longitudinal edges of the rail, and has some kind of mechanism that locates the mounting apparatus relative to the transverse ridges. The mounting devices also include some kind of securing system by which the mounting device is secured to the rail, typically with some kind of quick release mechanism that enables the mounting device, and the accessory that is attached to it, to be quickly mounted to and released from the rail and thus the firearm.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,904 describes an Adjustable Throw-Lever Picatinny Rail Clamp that utilizes a throw-lever releasable mounting system. Another example of a mounting device for a Picatinny rail is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,698, Connecting Pieces for Weapon Rails.

A closely associated and similar rail is known as the Weaver rail. A Weaver rail is structurally very similar to the Picatinny rail, but the transverse ridges of a Weaver rail are different from the Picatinny rail. Generally speaking, therefore, the present invention is a device to provide a mounting interface between a mounting rail—such as for example the Picatinny and Weaver rails—and an accessory device that is to mounted to the mounting rail. The term weapon rail is therefore used at times to refer generically to these types of mounting rails, although the rails are not limited to use with weapons.

Despite the mounting devices shown and described in the two patents just mentioned, there is a need for an improved and robust mounting apparatus for the Picatinny rail system.

The present invention relates to an improved design for a mounting apparatus for use with Picatinny rails and which is used to mount accessories to firearms. The mounting apparatus is quickly secured to and removed from a Picatinny rail and provides a highly secure and stable mount for accessories. When the mount of the present invention is used to mount an accessory that requires or benefits from a sighting zero, the present invention allows the accessory to be removed and replaced from the Picatinny rail repeatedly without affecting the preset sighting zero of the accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus and system for quick and secure mounting of accessory devices to a Picatinny rail. As used herein, Picatinny rail identifies the well known type of rail sold under that name. However, it is to be understood that the present invention may be used with the similar Weaver rail as well, and that references to Picatinny rail herein should be construed as including other rail systems including the Weaver rail.

With reference to the series ofFIGS. 1 through 3, a conventional Picatinny rail10is shown. The rail10is defined by an elongate body12that has a lower side base14and opposed longitudinal side edges16and18that extend linearly along the rail10and which are generally wedge shaped in cross sectional view as inFIG. 2. Plural transverse ridges20extend across the upper surface22of rail10and each transverse ridge20is separated from the adjacent transverse ridge by a space24. There are a variety of ways to mount the rail10to a firearm, but one exemplary method is by affixing the rail10to a firearm barrel or stock with screws inserted through openings26. Moreover, it is to be understood that a Picatinny rail is not limited in use to firearms, but instead may be used to mount accessories to a variety of devices, including but not limited to vehicles of all descriptions, all terrain vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles, trekking sticks, cameras, and in other applications for military and recreational uses.

A first illustrated embodiment of the mounting apparatus and system according to the present invention is shown inFIGS. 4,5and6. Apparatus100includes an elongate main body102that preferably is an extruded or machined part fabricated from aluminum or other appropriate alloy. The main body102has an upper surface104that serves as the general mounting area for an accessory device (such as those described above) and a lower surface106that defines the structures that attach the main body102to the Picatinny rail10. The configuration of the upper surface104may be varied according to the attachment requirements and configuration of the specific accessory that the apparatus100is designed to mount. Some specific examples of mount apparatus100designed for different accessories are described herein and shown in the drawings, for example,FIGS. 39 and 40. Additionally, the alternative embodiment of a mount100shown inFIGS. 7 and 8has an upper surface400that is configured for mounting a specific accessory.

Returning toFIGS. 4,5and6, lower surface106is defined by a first linear and longitudinally extending side edge108that is generally wedge shaped in cross section to define a wedge shaped linear groove110that is cooperatively shaped so that the wedge shaped longitudinal side edge18of rail10is received in groove110when apparatus100is attached to rail10(see, e.g.,FIG. 13).

The opposite side of lower surface106has a similarly configured structure designed to engage the opposite longitudinal side edge16of rail10when apparatus100is attached to rail10. However, the opposite side of lower surface106utilizes an elongate resilient clip member112that is attached to the side surface114of main body102and which defines a robust and resilient hinge mechanism. Resilient clip member112is attached securely to side surface114of main body102along an angled or sloped upper edge portion113of the main body with plural fasteners such as rivets115(or equivalent screws, spot welding, adhesive, etc.). The clip member112has a lower portion that defines a side edge116that is shaped to define a rounded edge that is cooperatively shaped to (a) slip over longitudinal side edge16of rail10when the apparatus100is mounted to rail10, and (b) engage side edge16with the wedge shaped portion of the side edge received in a groove118defined by the side edge116of resilient clip member112combined with main body102. Because the clip member112is attached to main body102along the sloped upper edge portion113, the lower portion of the clip, the lower part of the clip, that is, linear side edge116may be forced outwardly away from the main body102as the apparatus100is mounted to rail10, in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 6, and as detailed below. Because the clip is resilient, once the linear side edge116passes over side edge16of rail10, the side edge116snaps firmly back into its original position and thus secures the apparatus100to rail10. Thus, in a resting position such as that shown inFIG. 4, the resilient clip112is in a resting position. As the apparatus100is mounted, the resilient clip112is deflected to a second position (arrow A;FIG. 6) as the side edge116passes over liner side edge16of rail10. As the side edge116of clip112clears side edge16of rail10, the clip again assumes the resting position and in this position, side edge16of the rail is received in groove118.

The resilient clip member112is shown detail and in isolation inFIGS. 14 through 17. The clip is preferably manufactured from high quality spring steel or other equivalent resilient material. Clip112is an elongate member that has dimensions that correspond to the side edge of main body102to which the clip112is mounted. Referring to the cross sectional view ofFIG. 17, the upper portion150of clip112conforms to the sloped upper edge portion113of main body102(See, e.g.,FIG. 5) and defines the portion of the clip through which the attachment members (such as rivets115) pass through bores151to attach the clip to the main body102. Adjacent upper portion150is a side portion152that, when the clip112is mounted to main body102, extends along the side114of the main body102. Immediately adjacent side portion152is a lower portion154, which is defined by a section that turns at approximately 90 degrees from side portion152and curves in a downward direction to define the edge116. A pair of bores156is formed in side portion154, which, as detailed below, are configured to accept studs that mount the release knobs122.

The length of resilient clip112may be varied relative to the length of the main body102of apparatus100. Thus, there is no need for the clip to extend the entire length of the main body; the clip may be shorter than the main body. Moreover, in some cases there may be more than one clip used on a single main body.

With reference now toFIG. 13, the apparatus100is shown in cross section mounted to a Picatinny rail10. The clip112is attached to the sloped upper edge portion113of main body of the apparatus100with rivets115. The portion of clip112that lies adjacent to the side114of the main body102is slightly spaced apart from the main body, the space being identified with reference number17. It may be seen that inFIG. 13where the apparatus100is mounted to rail10, the opposed wedge shaped rails16and18of the rail10are received into the cooperatively configured wedge shaped grooves110and118of mount apparatus100with the lower portion of clip112, that is, edge116in its resting position (solid lines inFIG. 13) to secure the apparatus100in place on the rail10. The widest dimension of the rail10is between the points of wedge shaped rails16and18, and the width of the apparatus100between the wedge shaped grooves110and118is the same as the widest dimension of the rail. But because the resilient clip may be moved from its resting position (solid lines inFIG. 13), to an extended or deflected position (as shown in phantom lines inFIG. 13), the apparatus100may be disconnected from the rail10. It will thus be understood that the mount100is attached to the rail10by first placing the mount at an angle relative to the rail and such that rail18is received in groove110. The mount100is then pressed onto the underlying rail. As the mount is pressed toward and onto the rail10, resilient clip112is deflected in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 13as the edge116rides over and past rail16. Once the edge116passes over the rail16, the resilient clip112snaps back into its resting position, securing the mount100to the rail10. The mount is detached from the rail10by pulling the side of the mount100with resilient clip112upwardly and at an angle relative to the rail10, thereby again deflecting the resilient clip112as the edge116passes over the wedge shaped rail16.

As detailed below, apparatus100further includes a resilient centering stud120and one or more knobs or release knobs122that releasably secure apparatus100to the Picatinny rail10.

Turning now toFIGS. 18 through 21, centering stud120will be described. The centering stud120is preferably a one-piece resilient clip121that is mounted to the lower surface106of main body102with any suitable fastener, such as screws124or appropriate rivets. Clip121is preferably a resilient material such as spring steel. Clip121is mounted to the lower surface of main body102(i.e., the surface of the main body that faces rail10when the mount100is attached to the rail) such that the clip extends transverse to the axis of the main body (see, e.g.,FIG. 8). It will be appreciated that, as detailed below, the clip121is configured to resistively and resiliently fit into a space24between transverse ridges20on Picatinny rail10when apparatus100is mounted to the rail. In cross sectional view such as the view ofFIG. 21, clip121is a generally U-shaped member having opposite upright arms160and162connected by a base164. Each of the arms160and162has an outwardly extending portion166. The distance D inFIG. 21is sized to fit into a space24of rail10; the distance E inFIG. 21is greater than distance D, and thus greater than the width of a space24of rail10. As such, because the clip is resilient, when the apparatus100is mounted to rail10the outwardly extending portions166of arms160and162are compressed toward one another and the clip121is press-fitted into a space24between transverse ridges20on rail10with the outwardly extending portions166bearing against the opposing walls of the space24. It will be appreciated that when the outwardly extending portions166of arms160and162are compressed toward one another and the clip121is press-fitted into a space24between transverse ridges20on rail10with the outwardly extending portions166bearing against the opposing walls of the space24, the mount apparatus100is incapable of longitudinal movement on rail10. The centering stud120thus functions as a zeroing apparatus and a stop.

Turning now to the series of illustrations ofFIGS. 22 through 37, the release knobs122will be detailed, both in structure and operation. Generally speaking, each release knob122is specially designed to lock or secure the resilient clip112in a first or secured position when the mount apparatus100is mounted on a rail10to prevent the mount from being removed from the rail10unintentionally. The release knob in its secured position cannot be unintentionally spun loose. This is accomplished by having a knob that is spring loaded so that the release knob is normally in a free spin position. When the mount apparatus100is to be removed from the rail10, the knob may be pulled outwardly. As it is pulled, the knob engages with an internal gear which enables the knob to be spun away from the resilient clip112, thereby allowing the clip to be moved from its secured position to an unsecured position, from which the apparatus100may be detached from rail10. All of the components of the release knob122are fabricated from appropriate materials such as stainless steel or other alloys.

Each release knob122comprises several components, including a stud or bolt200(exemplarily shown inFIGS. 8,9,10and22, and in isolation inFIGS. 35,36and37); a slip barrel204(shown in isolation inFIGS. 29,30and31); a gear knob206(shown in isolation inFIGS. 32,33and34); and various parts described below that are used with these components.

With reference toFIGS. 35,36and37, bolt200is defined by a shaft201that has and enlarged head203on one end, a threaded portion205on the end of the shaft201opposite head203, and an internally threaded bore207in the end of the bolt opposite head203. Bolt200is press fit into main body102of mount100transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body such that the bolt extends through openings202in the main body (see, e.g.,FIG. 8) and so that the bolt is fixed relative to the main body. When the bolt200is attached to main body102, the treated portion205of bolt200extends outwardly of the main body.

Each release knob122further comprises a cylindrical slip barrel204(see, e.g.,FIGS. 29,30and31) that defines the portion of release knob122that the user manipulates to operate the knob. Although not shown in the illustrations in order to simplify the views, the external surface of the slip barrel204may be knurled or otherwise treated to make it easier for a user to manipulate. The slip barrel204is generally described as a cylindrical member that has an internal shelf210that includes plural lobes212that, as detailed below correspond to the size, position and shape of multiple lobes of the gear knob206. As detailed below, the plural lobes212of shelf210interact with the plural lobes of the gear knob in order to facilitate operation of the release knob. The internal shelf210defines a ledge221, the purpose of which is detailed below.

The gear knob206is retained within the interior of the slip barrel204in the assembled release knob122, as detailed below. Each gear knob26is defined by a cylindrical shaft215that has an inward end213with an axial and internally threaded opening211, and at the opposite end of the shaft215is a multi-lobed portion208that has multiple lobes209. The relative directional term “inward” refers to the direction from the end213toward the main body102.

Using the three primary components just described, the release knob122is assembled as best seen inFIGS. 22A and 2B. A coil spring222is placed around the cylindrical outer portion of shaft215of gear knob206and the gear knob206and spring are inserted into the slip barrel204such that the coil spring222resides in a cylindrical cavity220In the slip barrel—the cavity220is bounded by a ledge221on the slip barrel so that the spring is retained between the ledge221on one end, and the lobes209on the opposite end. The gear knob is then threaded onto the threaded portion205of bolt200that extends outwardly of main body202. That is, the internally threaded opening211of gear knob206is threaded onto threaded portion205. A washer225(seeFIGS. 8,9) may optionally be placed between the inward end213of the gear knob and main body102prior to attachment of the gear knob to the bolt. With gear knob206threaded onto bolt200as described, a keeper226is placed over the outward end of gear knob206and a screw227is threaded into threaded opening207of bolt200—the keeper prevents unintentional disassembly of the knob from the bold. An outer cap232is optionally snap fit into the exterior of the slip barrel204as seen inFIG. 24. The cap232prevents dirt and debris from entering the release knob122and completes the assembly.

In the assembled release knob122the spring222normally bears against and pushes the slip barrel204toward the clip112of main body102. Stated in another way, in a resting position the innermost surface of the slip barrel204is urged in the direction toward the clip112, as shown with arrow A inFIG. 22A. In this normal or resting position, the spring222is pushing the slip barrel204and its lobed shelf210away from the multi-lobed portion208of gear knob206such that the lobes of the gear knob are normally disengaged from the lobes of the shelf. In this position, slip barrel204may be axially rotated freely and without affecting the release knob122. That is, in this free-spin position rotation of the slip barrel204does not cause rotation of the gear knob206. It will be appreciated that inFIG. 22Athe release knob122is shown in the secure position. That is, the inner edge213of gear knob206is bearing against clip112. In this position the clip cannot be moved away from the main body102of apparatus100and as a result, the apparatus100cannot be removed from the rail10(assuming that the apparatus100is attached to a rail10). Even though the inner edge213of gear knob206is bearing against clip112, there is still a space17between the main body102and the clip112. Said another way, while the gear knob206screwed tightly into the secured position, the gear knob does not compress the clip against the main body enough to close the space17.

When slip barrel204is pulled outwardly (i.e., away from the main body102, arrow B inFIG. 22B), against the spring force of spring222, the spring is compressed and the lobes209of gear knob206mesh with and engage the lobes212of shelf210(of slip barrel204). Once the lobes209engage lobes212, axial rotation of slip barrel204causes gear knob206to rotate on bolt200, which as noted, is fixed relative to main body200. Thus, by pulling slip barrel204outwardly to engage the lobes209and212(which act as intermeshed gears), the release knob122may be tightened by rotation the slip barrel in a clockwise direction, which rotates the gear knob on the threaded end of bolt200. This causes the innermost edge213of the gear knob206to bear against the resilient clip112and as the gear knob is tightened against the clip, the innermost edge213thereby prevents the clip from being movable from its resting, locked position. With reference toFIG. 13, the clip112is secured in the position shown in solid lines when the release knob122is tightened into the secured position. If a washer225is used as shown inFIG. 10, the washer is between the innermost edge213and clip112. In either case, with the release knob122tightened as just described, the clip112is in the secured position and the mount100cannot be removed from its attachment with the rail10because the clip112cannot be moved or deflected away from the main body102. Once the slip barrel is released, the spring force of spring222drives the slip barrel204toward main body102to disengage the lobes209and212—that is, back to the free-spin position.

Engaging the gears (i.e., lobes209,212) once again by pulling the slip barrel outwardly (arrow B,FIG. 22B) and rotating the slip barrel in the opposite direction—the counterclockwise direction—loosens (i.e., unscrews) the gear knob206from the threaded portion205of bolt200, and thereby moves the innermost edge213of the gear knob away from the clip112(FIG. 22C) so that the gear knob is no longer bearing against the clip112and edge213is spaced apart from clip112. In this position the clip112is movable in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 13) and thus over its engagement on rail10to thereby allow the mounting apparatus100to be removed from rail10. Typically, two complete rotations of the slip barrel in the loosening direction (i.e., counterclockwise) is enough to provide sufficient distance between the innermost edge213of gear knob206and resilient clip112for movement of clip112sufficiently that the mount apparatus100may easily be removed from the rail10. It will be appreciated that even in this unsecured position the mount100will remain in place on rail10until the mount is forcibly removed. The keeper232acts as a stop to prevent gear knob206from being unscrewed from bolt200.

Based on the foregoing description it will be understood that the release knob122is in its normal, free-spin mode (FIG. 22A) whenever a user is not pulling the slip barrel outwardly and into the position shown inFIG. 22B. The release knob may thus be in the free-spin position when the knob is in its secured mode—that is, when the knob122is locking the clip112so that the mount100may not be removed from rail10(FIG. 22A), and when the knob is in its unsecured mode as shown inFIG. 22C.

In the normal, free-spin position, with the mounting apparatus100mounted to a rail10and the release knob122in the secured position, the mounting apparatus100cannot be removed from rail10because clip112cannot be moved from its normal, resting and locked position to allow the clip to move over the edge16of the rail10. As such, even when the release knobs122hit external objects in normal use and abuse, the mounting apparatus100and any accessory mounted to it remain secured to the rail10.

After removal, with the release knob (or knobs) in the unsecured position, the mounting apparatus100may be quickly remounted onto rail10by first engaging edge108of main body102over edge18of the rail (by tilting the main body102at an angle relative to the rail10), then pressing downwardly on the opposite side of main body102so that clip112and edge116slides over edge16of the rail. Centering stud120is automatically inserted resiliently and resistively into a space24between transverse ridges20. The apparatus100is then secured or locked into place on the rail10by pulling slip barrel204outwardly (to engage the gears defined by lobes209and212) and then rotating the barrel in the clockwise direction to tighten the release knob122into the secured position with inner edge213bearing against clip112.

The quick mount system defined by the resilient clip112and the selective release knobs122allows the apparatus100to be securely mounted to a Picatinny rail so that the mount does not separate from the rail, even when used in harsh conditions, yet allows the mount to be quickly removed. Because the centering stud120always (and automatically) is inserted between two adjacent transverse ridges20, the mounting apparatus100is always mounted in the same position relative to the rail (although the centering stud may not always “land” in the same space24between ridges20each time the apparatus100is mounted). As a result, the sighting zero is precisely and accurately repeated even when the mounting apparatus (and the attached accessory) are attached to and detached from the rail10multiple times.

As noted previously, the upper surface104of main body102may take on a variety of different configurations depending on the specific accessory that is being mounted to the apparatus100. While the upper surface is preferably generically configured to universally mount a variety of accessories of the type described above, sometimes special configurations are necessary.

As shown inFIGS. 38,39and40, the mounting apparatus according to the present invention may take on numerous sizes and configurations depending upon the particular accessories that are going to be mounted to the rail. With respect toFIG. 38, only one release knob122is utilized and the length of the apparatus300is relatively shorter than the embodiments described elsewhere. With reference toFIG. 39, the mount350is especially configured so that the upper portion302of the mount is adapted for mounting a specific device, in this case a sight sold under the trademark AIMPOINT, Micro T-1. And inFIG. 40the upper portion402of the mount400is configured to mount a flashlight such as the light sold under the trademark HALO. Thus, a semicircular retainer404in combination with a semicircular seat406defines a clip into which the cylindrical body of the flashlight may be slid and secured in place with retaining bolts408, which tighten the clip around the flashlight body.

It will be appreciated that there are numerous other equivalent structures that may be used to substitute for structures detailed herein, such as the release knobs. To cite just a few examples, a mount100according to the present invention could have resilient clips such as clip112along both lateral side edges of the main body of the mount.

While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.