Modular panel system for attaching accessories to a firearm rail system

A reconfigurable modular interface system for an integrated and standardized weapons system is disclosed. An upper accessory mount is provided that includes one interface for mounting to the desired primary mounting component, such as a firearm. The upper accessory mount further includes a second interface along its bottom edge for attaching accessories thereto. Accessories to be mounted into the modular interface system may either include mating formations that are provided as integrated OEM parts or through the use of retrofit adapter panels mounted to the secondary device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to modular attachment systems for weapons. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular panel system that is integrated to mount onto an accessory rail system in order to interface additional equipment onto a firearm or another support structure.

As the field of combat and commercial weaponry expands, numerous add-on enhancements have become available for attachment to standard firearms, thereby significantly upgrading the capability of the firearm. Various methods and means have been developed for interfacing these various add-on enhancements to a wide array of firearms. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,871 discloses a quickly detachable-interface means for modular enhancements. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,806 discloses a universal receiver sleeve having an upper interface portion with standard, universal dimensions that are modular and configured to receive any accessory mount while the receiver sleeve further includes a lower interface portion that is specific to the particular firearm with which it will be employed. Another interface means is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,650 where an extended rigid interface frame including upper and lower rails is shown. The interface frame is joined to a firearm receiver where a yoke braces the extended rigid frame receiver sleeve to the forward portion of the firearm's receiver. The interface frame extends forward around the firearm's barrel between the front of the receiver and a head assembly that is attached on the front end of the barrel thereby replacing the firearm's normal front sight. A weaver type interface rail is provided both above and below the barrel from the head assembly to the receiver. In

Some types of rigid interface frames are supported entirely by the yoke at the front of the receiver. In this case, the distal end of the extended rigid frame terminates in a front sight housing, which connects the upper and lower rails and provides a housing for advanced laser and sensor components and the standard front sight bead. The front sight housing is self-supported by the connection of the upper and lower rails running back to the yoke and secured to the top of the receiver. In this manner, the barrel of the rifle is free floating in that it does not touch the extended rigid frame in any manner. This permits greater shooting accuracy and protects sensitive electrical components within the front sight housing by isolating the front sight housing from the heat generated from the barrel.

Although the principles of the above-identified patented devices are generally applicable to all firearms, the specific firearm example identified in each patent was the U.S. military M16 rifle and carbine. The M16 has been in service for a number of years and will continue to be a popular rifle both in the U.S. military and foreign military for the foreseeable future. However, with the increasing development and refinement of laser technology and other technologies, it has become highly desirable to integrate the ability to mount modular attachments onto and into firearms.

As can be appreciated, the problem with integrating modular attachments onto firearms is the inherent conflict between a gun barrel's physical functioning and the additional weight and/or shocks that may be introduced thereto resulting from the attachment of additional accessories. To obtain the best and most reliable performance, a gun barrel should be physically isolated, i.e., “floating”. It is preferred that nothing be attached to the gun barrel, thereby isolating the barrel physically and eliminating bending and “droop” along the barrel's longitudinal axis. The ideal mounting arrangement for modular attachments, therefore, is one where the attachment is completely isolated from the gun barrel. This isolation serves two functional purposes. First, during operation, the temperature of a gun barrel can rise to 900.degree. F. This type of heat, as well as the physical shock transferred through the gun barrel during firing, can damage or destroy any attachments that are mounted in direct contact with the barrel. The heat generated by the gun barrel is transferred to any devices mounted thereon, resulting in the direct transfer of enough heat to burn a user's hands and interfere with the operation of any attachments. The second issue compounding this problem is the requirement that in order to support the loads imposed by mounting attachments to the barrel of the firearm, the barrels need be extra heavy to support the added weight and shock forces. For example, a grenade launcher attachment not only introduces additional weight to the barrel, it also introduces substantial recoil in operation. This recoil force is transferred into the firearm through the attachment of the grenade launcher to the barrel. This in turn means more cantilevered stress on the barrel where it is joined with the M-16's aluminum receiver. The combination of heat and force applied to the barrel in this manner tends to pull the barrel chamber out of alignment with the bolt lead, thereby causing bolt lug and extractor failure, ultimately jamming the firearm.

There is thus a need for a unique modular support design for mounting accessories to a firearm that serves to support the accessory without introducing loads or additional stresses into the barrel of the firearm. There is an additional need for such a modular support to have a large stable interface in order to support heavier accessories such as a grenade launcher. Further, there is a need for providing a means for retrofitting preexisting equipment to facilitate integration with a modular support system thereby allowing for easy mounting, removal and interchangeability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard, the present invention provides a modular interface system for mounting accessory devices onto other primary devices, such as for example, mounting a secondary grenade launcher onto an M16 rifle. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved modular interface system for mounting modular accessories onto firearms or other desired mounting locations without requiring that they be attached to, or supported by the gun barrel.

The present invention is disclosed in the context of a Swan universal receiver rail although the teachings herein are applicable to a broad variety of different sleeve and/or rail interface platforms. In general, the present invention utilizes a Swan universal receiver rail assembly as the platform for constructing a modular interface system that allows for the attachment of additional accessories. The present invention will be described in terms of its integration with the three popular formats of rail assemblies, namely rails that include an upper sleeve portion that extends over and attaches to the upper receiver of the firearm, rails that derive their support from the existing firearm barrel nut attachment and rails that utilize a replacement barrel nut.

In the first case, the rail system includes an extended upper sleeve portion that serves to support the rail system by attaching to the upper receiver of the firearm. The upper rear portion of the receiver rail attaches to the top of the receiver of a firearm and generally includes a portion that extends forward above the firearm barrel to a position just short of the firearm front sight. The underside of the rear portion of the rail is fixedly attached to the receiver top. The underside of the forward portion of the rail has an upper accessory mount attached thereto. A removable lower accessory such as a bottom hand guard piece or a modular accessory mounted in accordance with the present invention is fitted about the bottom of the gun barrel and is attached to the upper accessory mount via a unique channel and track system. The upper accessory mount and lower accessory pieces are not physically connected to, or supported in any way by the gun barrel. The upper accessory mount is self-supported by the connection of the rear portion of the rail to the top of receiver.

In the second embodiment, the modular interface system includes an upper accessory mount with a mounting element such as a Swan rail or a flat plate extending along the top thereof, the rear extension portion of the accessory mount that extends over the firearm receiver for connecting the device to a firearm receiver is eliminated. In place of the rearward rail extension, means for interfacing the upper accessory mount with the barrel nut attached to the front of the firearm receiver is provided. The side walls of the upper accessory mount terminate in a channel and track interface that includes mating formations for receiving and retaining the lower accessory in a mounted position. The unique channel and track interface is the feature of the present invention that allows the mounting of lower accessories to the modular interface system.

Finally, as was provided above, the rear portion of the upper accessory mount interface that extends over the firearm upper receiver is eliminated and a replacement barrel nut is utilized, in this manner, the upper accessory mount is attached to the replacement barrel nut using attachment means such as a clamping assembly or fasteners installed directly into the replacement barrel nut.

In each of the embodiments, the upper accessory mount is preferably made up of a universal receiver rail having a top side, an underside and two opposite sides connecting the top side with the underside, the universal receiver rail further including at least a forward portion and optionally rear portion. If the assembly includes the rear rail portion, the underside of the rear portion of the rail is configured to be fixedly attached to the top of a firearm receiver, with the front portion of the rail extending forward above the firearm barrel. The upper accessory mount has opposing side walls that extend downwardly from the bottom of the front portion of the rail. Similarly, if the upper accessory mount is intended for mounting in alternate locations such as onto the side of a vehicle, the rail will not include a rear portion. In this configuration the top of the front portion of the rail will be formed into a Weaver type interface or may be simply flat to allow the accessory interface to be mounted onto a flat surface.

The present invention provides a foundation for integrated laser fire control devices, sensors, communications, and a vast array of quickly attached ancillary devices, such as standard night vision, thermal, shot guns, grenade launchers, and other special systems. In particular, since the upper accessory mount of the present invention has a large platform relative to previous rail mounting systems, it allows the mounting of larger accessories such as grenade launchers. Further the present invention allows for retrofitting accessories with adapter panels to allow existing equipment to be mounted into the modular interface system.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular interface system that allows ancillary devices to be removably mounted onto a firearm. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique modular interface system designed for mounting lower accessories to a firearm that serves to support the accessory without introducing loads or additional stresses into the barrel of the firearm. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a modular interface system that includes a large stable interface in order to support heavier accessories such as a grenade launcher. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a means for retrofitting preexisting equipment to facilitate integration with a modular interface system thereby allowing for easy mounting, removal and interchangeability.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, the modular interface system of the present invention is shown and generally illustrated in the figures. Referring first toFIG. 1, a M16/M4 firearm is shown and generally indicated at10. (M16 and M4 are trademarks of Colt Defense, Inc.). The M16 has been in service for a number of years and will continue to be a popular rifle both in the U.S. military and foreign military for the foreseeable future. Generally, the M16/M4 weapon10includes a lower receiver12, upper receiver14, butt stock16, and barrel18. Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the barrel18is attached to the front of the upper receiver14by inserting the rear end of the barrel into a barrel-receiving receptacle20at the front end of the upper receiver14. A pin22on the barrel18aligns with a notch24in the barrel-receiving receptacle20for proper alignment. The barrel18is held in assembled relation with the upper receiver14by a barrel nut26that is threaded onto the outside surface of the barrel-receiving receptacle20. A “delta ring”28(FIG. 1) encircles the barrel nut26and provides a spring loaded ring for attachment of the M16/M4 standard hand guards (not shown) between the delta ring and a forward receptor cap32mounted at the front end of the barrel18. A gas tube29extends from the upper receiver14to the receptor cap32at the front end of the barrel18. The standard hand guards, when installed, serve to encircle and protect both the barrel18and gas tube29.

It should be appreciated that while the base firearm described herein is an M16/M4 weapon10, the disclosure of the present invention is applicable to any rifle. While specific components and features of the M16/M4 weapon10are described in detail for the purpose of illustration and clarity, any one skilled in the art can easily apply the teachings of the present application to any of the rifles available on the market today.

The newer models of the M16/M4 weapons further include a mil-std 1913 dovetail rail30extending along the top of the upper receiver14. This integrated receiver rail30provides a convenient mounting point for many types of enhancement devices such as scopes and other sighting devices. However, space on the upper receiver rail30is limited, and many military personnel often have multiple sighting devices. In addition, there are a variety of lighting devices, handgrips, etc. that could also be attached to the weapon for enhanced use of the weapon, but there is simply not enough space on the upper receiver rail30to accommodate all of the desired accessories. Accordingly, the increasing development and refinement of laser sights, infrared lighting, visible lighting, night vision, and specialized scopes and magnifiers, and other accessories continues to drive the need for versatile and reliable integration systems that include additional mil-std 1913 dovetail rails or other sturdier interface formats that can support this important equipment and yet stand the test of rugged military use and abuse.

In this context,FIG. 3shows a preferred embodiment of the modular interface system100of the present invention installed onto a M16 firearm10. The modular interface system100includes an upper accessory mount generally indicated at102, a means for interfacing the upper accessory mount102with the firearm generally indicated at104and a lower firearm accessory generally indicated at106. In terms of this embodiment of the modular interface system100, the means for interfacing the upper accessory mount102with the firearm10is shown as a sleeve104extending rearwardly from the upper accessory mount102in a manner that extends over the upper receiver14of the firearm10and engages the dovetail rail30provided thereon. The upper accessory mount102is the main structural element of the modular interface system100and serves to interface with the upper receiver14of the firearm10and thereby provides the necessary support for receiving and reliably retaining lower accessories106without transferring any of the loads generated thereby to the barrel18of the firearm10. The upper accessory mount102is generally semi-cylindrical in shape, has a forward end and a rearward end and preferably includes a mil-std 1913 dovetail rail108extending longitudinally along the upper surface between the forward end and the rearward end, although the inclusion of a dovetail rail30is not critical to the present invention. As can best be seen inFIG. 4, The semi-cylindrical upper accessory mount102further includes symmetrically opposing side walls110that extend outwardly and downwardly from the dovetail rail108and terminate in symmetrically opposing longitudinally extending mounting channels112,114. Turning now toFIG. 5, the modular interface system100is shown removed from the firearm10and the upper accessory mount102is shown with the lower hand guard accessory106removed to better illustrate the configuration of the mounting channels112,114. The upper accessory mount102can be seen to include mounting channels112,114formed on the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls110. The mounting channels112,114provide the interface by which ancillary equipment or accessories are mounted onto the modular interface system100. The mounting channels112,114in the preferred embodiment are formed to have a generally female, T-shaped cross section. As is shown in this embodiment, the bottom hand guard accessory106includes at least one longitudinal T-shaped protrusion116positioned near to the top on each of the opposing inner side walls where each protrusion116is a mirror of the other. The bottom hand guard accessory106is adapted to being joined to the upper accessory mount102by sliding the bottom hand guard106longitudinal T-shaped protrusion116into the mounting channels112,114in the upper accessory mount102. In similar fashion any other accessories that are to be integrated into the modular interface system100of the present invention would include the required protrusions116to engage the mounting channels112,114in the same way that the bottom hand guard106accessory does.

It should be appreciated that in the preferred embodiments as described herein, the mating formations are formed as generally T-shaped projections116that are slidably received within the mounting channels112,114. In this manner, the mounting channels112,114are used to mount various accessories, such as the lower hand guard accessory106. Further, the present invention provides, as will be described in detail below, adapter panels for interfacing various other accessories such as a grenade launcher with the upper accessory mount102. Furthermore, to make the upper hand accessory mount102compatible with lower hand guards of prior rail systems produced by the applicant, and to make the mounting and removal of the lower accessory106easier, the lower wall of the mounting channels112,114are provided with interrupted wall segments112A,114A. The provision of the interrupted wall segments112A,114A allow for the mounting and removal of a lower accessory106without having to slide the lower accessory106the entire length of the unbroken mounting channel112,114. However, the modular interface system100need not include the interrupted wall segments112A,114A. The removable hand guard system including the interrupted wall segments and interrupted lug projections are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,245, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Turning toFIGS. 6-8, symmetrically opposed adapter panels118are shown for integrating various accessory devices with modular interface system100by engaging the upper accessory mount102of the present invention. The adapter panels118can be integrated into various accessory devices as standard components, formed into the housings thereof or the accessory devices can be retrofit to allow mounting of the adapter panels118thereby allowing a wide range of accessory devices to be interfaced with the upper accessory mount102. In the figures, adapter panels118for integrating a grenade launcher120into the modular interface system100are shown and disclosed. While a standard 40 mm M203 military grenade launcher120is shown, it can be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention can be utilized to integrate any other device into the interface of the present invention.

In particular, the present invention provides for adapter panels118that have a top edge and a bottom edge. The bottom edges of the adapter panels118are configured for attachment onto the desired accessory device to be mounted. The lower edges of the adapter panels are attached onto the accessory device preferably by threaded fasteners122such as screws, although any other suitable fastener would fall within the scope of the disclosure. Similarly, the housing of the accessory device may be formed to include the adapter panels, as an integrated component such as is the case with the lower hand guard accessory106. With particular reference to the grenade launcher120, the lower edges of the adapter panels118are fastened to the breech124of the grenade launcher120with screws122. Once the adapter panels118mounted to the accessory device, the device in turn can then be received onto the upper accessory mount102. The top edge of the adapter panels118includes longitudinal T-shaped projections116positioned near to the top edge. In this manner, the adapter panels118are configured in a manner that allows them to be mounted into the upper accessory mount102by sliding the longitudinal T-shaped projections116on the top edge of the adapter panels118into the mounting channels112,114on the upper accessory mount102. The lower accessory120is thereby firmly mounted into the modular interface100and retained by the upper accessory mount102via the adapter panels118as is shown inFIG. 7. Further, the upper accessory mount102and the lower accessory120are not physically connected in any way to the gun barrel18. The upper accessory mount102and the lower accessory120are self-supported by the connection of the rear portion of the modular interface100to the upper receiver14of the firearm 10.

It can be appreciated that the present invention discloses the use of retrofit adapter panels118, as there are a great number and variety of previously manufactured devices that a user may wish to integrate into the present modular interface system100. Turning to the cross-section shown inFIG. 8, it can be seen that to enhance the quality and strength of the connection between the retrofit adapter panels118and the accessory device120to be mounted, the walls in the breech124of the device120may be further milled to include a longitudinal channel126therein. The retrofit adapter panels118can be seen to include a key type interface128that is received into the channel126to increase the rigidity of this particular connection. The retrofit adapter panels118are then fastened into place on the accessory device120using any appropriate type fastener known in the art. It should be clear that this manner of mounting an accessory can be utilized with nearly any desirable structure simply by adjusting the particular shape of the adapter panels118and the relative placement and angles of the mounting surfaces and the interface structures at the top edge of the adapter panels118.

Further, while adapter panels118are shown, the disclosure is not limited to use with retrofitting existing equipment. Clearly the present modular interface system100anticipates use as a standard mount for incorporation into newly manufactured equipment in an integral fashion. The ultimate teaching of the present invention is the provision of a standard interface system that allows the integration of various pieces of equipment in a modular fashion. Further, it provides for example the means to mount a grenade launcher120or any other desirable accessory to either a firearm, the side of a helicopter or a tank without requiring any modification. For the applications discussed where the modular interface system100is utilized with mounting conditions other than attachment to a firearm10, numerous upper accessory mounts102would simply be mounted in the desired interface locations and the lower accessory120moved from one location to the next.

Referring now toFIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment upper accessory mount is shown and generally illustrated at202. The upper sleeve is not configured to extend over the firearm10upper receiver14and engage the top of the upper receiver14. In this embodiment, the upper accessory mount202includes a clamp or yoke204that is provided at the rearward end of the upper accessory mount202to removably secure the upper accessory mount202to the barrel nut26of the firearm10. The clamp204includes a body portion218that is generally semi-cylindrical in shape, and further includes two flanges220,222extending outwardly to the sides. Fasteners224extend through aligned openings226in the flanges220,222and the opposing side walls of the upper accessory mount202to draw the clamp204and upper accessory mount202together around the barrel nut26. While in the FIGS. four fasteners224are shown for attaching the clamp204to the upper accessory mount202, the number of fasteners224can vary and may include one fastener224per side or three fasteners224per side. The rearward end of the upper accessory mount202and the clamp204include inner clamping surfaces230configured to cooperatively engage the outer surfaces of the barrel nut26as well as encircle the toothed flange of the barrel nut. In particular, a circular groove234is formed in each of the clamping surfaces230to accommodate the toothed flange On the barrel nut26. The front ends of each of the flanges220,222of the clamp204includes an extended support shelf220A,222A to further reduce downward bending moments, as added weight is applied to the forward end of the upper accessory mount202. The length of the shelves220A,222A can be varied according to the length of the upper accessory mount202, longer accessory mounts202(for firearms with longer barrels) would benefit from an elongated shelf.

The upper accessory mount202includes downwardly extending side walls210that terminate at their lower ends with the mounting channels112,114as were described above. The mounting channels are configured to receive the desired lower accessory120or adapter panels118there by completing the modular interface system.

FIG. 11shows a third embodiment upper accessory mount302. The upper accessory mount302engages the firearm receiver14by utilizing a replacement barrel nut326. The standard firearm barrel nut26is removed and replaced with barrel nut326. Barrel nut includes threaded mounting holes328therein. The upper accessory mount302also includes mounting holes330that align with the mounting holes328in the barrel nut326. The upper accessory mount is then rigidly retained in place by installing threaded fasteners332through the holes in the upper accessory mount302into the holes328in the barrel nut326. In this manner the upper accessory mount is rigidly attached to the barrel nut326, which is in turn connected to the upper receiver14. In all other respects, the upper accessory mount302operates and functions as described above.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a unique modular interface system that allows various components of a weapons system to be integrated and reconfigured as desired without modifying the components. Further, the present invention can be utilized as both an OEM type structure or a retrofit system to allow quick and easy integration of various components within a diverse weapons system. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial utility and commercial merit.