Grip/cover for key lock system

Covers for key lock mounting systems on small arms such as the AR or M4 family of rifles and carbines can provide protection for the firearm, comfort for the operator, and electrical power to firearm accessories. The cover has keyhole grips that are pressed into the key lock mounting points in mounting system. The cover is held seated against the surface of the mounting system by the shape and resilience of keyhole grips. V-notch keyhole grips can attach to keyhole shaped mounting points and slot shaped mounting points. The covers have connectors and internal circuitry such that covers lined up edge to edge are electrically connected. Firearm accessories can be electrically powered the connectors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to the fields of small arms, firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm accessory mounting systems.

BACKGROUND

One of the most common firearm platforms currently in use forms the basis for the military M-16, M-4, civilian AR-15, and a plethora of related firearms. One of the most convenient aspects of the AR platform family is that the parts and pieces can be mixed and matched to produce a wide variety of firearms having different capabilities, different appearances, and even different calibers. The terms M-16, M-4, and AR are used interchangeably here because they refer to substantially similar firearms.

Current small arms use mounting rail systems for attaching accessories to the small arm. For example, M-4 and M-16 carbines are often fitted with a single piece handguard that incorporates up to four Picatinny rails. Picatinny rails are well known mounting rails that meet the specifications contained in MIL-STD-1913 and MIL-STD-1913 Notice 1. Another mounting rail called the Weaver rail is a notoriously well-known variation of the Picatinny rail. Battaglia discloses a mounting rail system in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,711 while Olson discloses another in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,363.

Picatinny rails were attached to or formed into the upper receivers of M-16 style firearms to which sights such as scopes, red dots, and even iron sights have been mounted. Over time, more and more mounting rails have been added to the firearm with current models having mounting rails on the receiver and four mounting rails on the forward hand guard. The reason is that a vast number of rail mountable firearm accessories have become available. Examples of these firearms accessories include the aforementioned sights as well as lasers, flashlights, bayonets, grenade launchers, sling swivels, cameras, bipods, vertical fore grips, and other items. The mounting rails and associated mounting hardware also became heavy as more and more rails and accessories were attached. To address this issue, M-lok and keylock mounting systems were developed as lighter and more ergonomic alternatives.

FIG. 1, labeled as “prior art,” illustrates an M-16 type firearm101with mounting rails106. The specific rifle is a flat top model having a mounting rail106on the upper receiver102as well as the four on the handguard105. As is standard for M16 type firearms, the handguard105is attached to the firearm by being pushed into a front handguard cup104by a delta ring103. The illustrated handguard101has four non-powered mounting rails106of which three are visible. A number of accessories have been developed to attach to small arms by way of mounting rails106. The mounting rails have recoil grooves that help lock accessories in place and help users attach accessories in repeatable positions. Note that the term “firearm” used here and throughout this document is intended to include firearm replicas. In general, firearm replicas are toys or models that look substantially like fully functioning firearms and are designed to accommodate the same firearm accessories as those used with fully functional firearms. As such,FIG. 1can also be a picture of a firearm replica. Certain AR style firearms have “free floating” handguards that do not have a front handguard cup104or delta ring103but instead are clamped or bolted onto the firearm where the barrel is attached to the upper receiver.

FIG. 2, labeled as “prior art,” illustrates a handguard201with key lock mounting points202and a mounting rail106. Two types of firearm accessories can be attached to the handguard ofFIG. 2. One type is accessories for Picatinny rails that are clamped to the rail106and that often interface with the recoil grooves in the mounting rail106. The second type of accessory is those that attach to the key lock mounting points202. The keylock mounting points inFIG. 2are “keyhole shaped” in that they have a larger round hole with a rounded slot extending outward. Other handguards have keylock mounting points that are not keyhole shaped but instead are slots that typically have rounded ends or rounded corners.

FIG. 3, labeled as “prior art,” illustrates three keylock mounting points302as viewed from the underside which would also be the inside of a keylock mounting system301. The illustrated keylock mounting points are keyhole shaped with a larger round section303and a longer slotted section304extending out from the round section303. The illustrated slotted section304has an angled inner surface305. Other keylock mounting points do not have an angled inner surface305, round section303, or either.

FIG. 4, labeled as “prior art,” illustrates a cut view of the keylock mounting point ofFIG. 2-3.FIG. 4provides a more detailed view of the angled inner surface305of a slotted section304.

A number of the firearm accessories are electrically powered. Many solutions simply include battery compartments. For example, a flashlight accessory is basically a battery powered flashlight with rail compatible mount points. More recently, solutions are being developed for electrifying the firearms and rail systems. Hines (U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,975) and Thompson (U.S. Patent Application 2011/0000120) teach bringing electrical power to forward mounted accessories. Darian (U.S. Patent Applications 2010/0192446, 2010/0192448, and 2011/0131858) also teaches powering firearm accessories from a firearm rail. Such rails can be referred to as empowered mounting rails.

Keylock mounting points are advantageous because they are lighter than mounting rails but they experience difficulties because it can be more difficult to mount accessories to keylock mounting points than to mounting rails. Certain current art electrified rail systems use powered firearm mounting rails that conduct electrical energy from an electrical input connection to one or more rail mounted devices. Systems and methods providing alternative methods of controlling and attaching electronic and electrified devices are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Systems and methods for powering electrical and electronic firearm accessories through covers for key lock mounting systems are needed.

It is therefore an aspect of the embodiments to provide a resilient cover that can be fastened to the mounting system and over the keyhole shaped openings. The cover has a main body and covers at least one, typically more, key lock mounting points. The cover uses keyhole grips to attach to the key lock mounting points. The keyhole grips extend from the bottom of the cover's main body and are shaped to fit into the keyhole shaped openings. The keyhole grips widen at the bottom such that they must be forcibly pushed into the keyhole opening. The resilience and shape of the cover material allows the keyhole grip to temporarily deform enough that the keyhole grip can be pushed into the keyhole opening. The keyhole grip is seated when the bottom of the cover's main body lies against the top surface of the mounting system, such as that illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the shape of the keyhole grip causes the resilient material to be deformed less, or be not deformed at all, when the cover is seated.

While useful, a single-grip cover may be prone to rotation. As such, some covers can have two or more keyhole grips spaced to attach to two or more key lock mounting points. Consecutive keyhole grips can fit into consecutive key lock mounting points or can spaced further apart. Areas of the cover overlaying a key lock mounting point and lacking a keyhole grip can have openings to allow heat or rubble to escape through the mounting point.

The cover can be made of a material that is resilient enough that the keyhole grip temporarily deforms during insertion into the key lock mounting point. Once fully inserted, the keyhole grip returns to is original shape or as close to that shape as possible given the dimensions of the keyhole mounting point. The material is also resilient enough that the cover can be repeatedly attached and removed from the key lock mounting system by pulling the cover away from the mounting system and without requiring access to or manipulation of the keyhole grip. The cover material should also be soft enough and resilient enough that the mounting system is not scratched, marred, or permanently deformed when the keyhole grips is pressed through the keyhole opening or when the cover is pulled off the mounting system. For example, a rubber cover can be used on an aluminum or hard plastic mounting system while an aluminum or steel cover is not resilient enough.

The cover has a cover body with the cover body having a cover top, cover bottom, a first end, a second end, and two sides. The covers can carry electrical current between the first end and the second end by incorporating a first circuit. The first circuit has a first connector fixedly located at the first end and a second connector fixedly located at the second end. A conductor inside the cover electrically connects the first connector and the second connector. The covers are designed to be mounted end to end on a mounting system such that the first circuit of one cover is electrically connected to similar circuits in adjacent covers. The first circuit can use a conductive cover body as the conductor between the connectors.

It is another aspect of the embodiments that the covers can have additional circuits substantially similar to the first circuit although only one of the circuits can use the cover body as a conductor. Some embodiments incorporate a circuit board within the covers and can have the connectors mounting on the circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. In general, the figures are not to scale.

Covers for key lock mounting systems on small arms such as the AR or M4 family of rifles and carbines can provide protection for the firearm and comfort for the operator. The cover has keyhole grips that are pressed into the key lock mounting points in mounting system. The cover is held seated against the surface of the mounting system by the shape and resilience of keyhole grips. V-notch keyhole grips can attach to keyhole shaped mounting points and slot shaped mounting points.

U.S. Ser. No. 14/593,134 was filed Jan. 9, 2015, is entitled “Cone Grip For Handgun” and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Ser. No. 14/593,134 discloses a handgrip having an overmold and a substrate. It is for its teachings of grips, overmolds, and substrates that U.S. Ser. No. 14/593,134 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

Provisional Application 62/056,172 was filed Sep. 26, 2014, is entitled “Cover For Key Lock Systems” and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Provisional Application 62/056,172 discloses prior art keylock systems for mounting accessories to firearms and discloses a variety of embodiments of covers for key lock systems, many of which are also taught in this application. It is for its teachings of keylock systems and covers for keylock systems that Provisional Application 62/056,172 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

Provisional Application 62/232,393 was filed Sep. 24, 2015, is entitled “Cover For Key Lock Systems” and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Provisional Application 62/232,393 discloses prior art keylock systems for mounting accessories to firearms and discloses a variety of embodiments of covers for key lock systems, many of which are also taught in this application. It is for its teachings of keylock systems and covers for keylock systems that Provisional Application 62/232,393 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 5illustrates a cover501having key shaped keyhole grips502in accordance with aspects of the embodiment. The cover body505has raised surface503over the keyhole grips and a non-raised surface504elsewhere such as between the keyhole grips. The cover501has two ends, a first end506and a second end507. The first end506has a first connector508and a third connector510. The second end507has a second connector509and a fourth connector511. The first connector508is electrically connected to the second connector509by a conductor such as a wire passing through the cover body505. The third connector510is electrically connected to the fourth connector511by a second conductor such as a wire passing through the cover body505. The first connector508, second connector509, and conductor are all parts of a first circuit. The third connector510, fourth connector511, and second conductor are all parts of a second circuit. When cover501is by itself, as shown inFIG. 5, the first circuit and the second circuit are electrically isolated from one another. For example, the cover body505can be formed from an electrical insulator such that electricity cannot flow from the first circuit to the second circuit. Alternatively, an insulated wire having a conductor surrounded by an insulating jacket can electrically connect two of the connectors while the other two connectors are electrically connected by a conductive cover body. The conductor, second conductor or both can be formed from a conductive rubber, plastic, silicone, or other formulation. In another embodiment, the cover body505is a conductive rubber, plastic, silicone, or other formation and the first circuit and second circuit are electrically insulted from each other and from the cover body such that the cover body provides electrical shielding to the first circuit and the second circuit.

The connectors ofFIG. 5are pins509,511and sockets508,510. A series of covers, all substantially similar to cover501, can be aligned end to end and plugged into one another to thereby cover a longer area and to also to elongate the first circuit and the second circuit.

FIG. 6illustrates a different view of the cover501ofFIG. 5in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The keyhole grips502can he seen to be keyhole shaped and to have a narrow part602and a wide part that has a rounded lower portion601. The first circuit and the second circuit are substantially inside the cover body505with the connectors508,509,520,511accessible at the ends506,507of the cover501.

FIG. 7illustrates a side view of the cover501ofFIGS. 5-6in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The raised surface503can be seen as can the narrow part602and the wide part601of the keyhole grip502. Also more clearly visible is the widest part701of the wide part601. Pressing the keyhole grip502into a key lock mounting point302causes the keyhole grip to deform until the widest part701has been pressed through the opening. Being made of resilient material, the keyhole grip attempts to return to its original shape and the widest part701presses out. When pressed into a mounting point such as that ofFIGS. 3-4, the widest part presses out and into the angled inner surface. It is this action of the keyhole grip pressing out and into the side of the keyhole mounting point that holds the cover501and all similar covers onto keylock mounting systems. In some embodiments, the firearm grip or fore end can be electrically conductive such that an electrically conductive cover body becomes electrically connected to the fore end when pressed into position on the fore end. Such electrical connectivity can he advantageous for shielding electronics and circuitry or for providing a common electrical ground.

FIG. 8illustrates a cover801having a step-patterned top surface804and keyhole grips802with stepped wide parts803in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The stepped wide part allows the keyhole grip to better match the stepped contour on the underside of keyhole mounting points such as those ofFIGS. 3-4in which part of the underside has an angled surface and another part does not. This particular cover801has two additional socket type connectors805,806through which a firearm accessory can connect to the first circuit and second circuit to thereby be electrically powered by way of cover801. As illustrated, fifth connector805is part of the first circuit while sixth connector806is part of the second circuit.

FIG. 9illustrates a different view of the cover801ofFIG. 8in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. As with other keyhole grips, the keyhole grip ofFIG. 9has a narrow part901. The stepped wide part has a first rounded lower portion802and a second rounded lower portion803.

FIGS. 10-14illustrate a cover1001with a keyhole grip1102having two wedges1004and a v-notch1005in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The cover has a cover body1002with a cover top1202and a cover bottom1101. The keyhole grip1102has a narrow part1103and a wide part1301with the wedges1004being part of the wide part. The wedges1104have an upper surface1006.FIG. 12illustrates an aggressively patterned cover top1202whereas other cover tops can be smooth, lightly textured, or otherwise patterned.FIGS. 14-15show the cover1001fixed to a keyhole system301. The illustrated keyhole system has keyhole shaped keyhole mounting points although cover1001can as easily be fixed to slot shaped keyhole mounting points.FIG. 12shows that this particular embodiment has round ends1202that can have a radius equal to that of the rounded slot ends1401.

FIG. 10illustrates a front view of the cover ofFIGS. 10-14.FIG. 11illustrates a view from the underside of the cover ofFIGS. 10-14.FIG. 12illustrates a side view of the cover ofFIGS. 10-14.FIG. 13illustrates a view from above of the cover ofFIGS. 10-14.FIG. 14illustrates a view from above of the cover ofFIGS. 10-14attached to a keyhole mounting point such as that ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 15illustrates a view from above of a cover1501attached to a slot shaped keyhole mounting point1502. The illustrated keyhole mounting system1503has slot shaped key hole mounting points1502instead of the keyhole shaped ones ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16illustrates two covers1601,1602connected by free pins1605in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Free pins1605are pins that can be pulled completely from and re-inserted into compatible sockets such as sockets1603. Free pins are different from captured pins509,511which are fixed in place and cannot be pulled free without damaging or destroying a connector. Covers1601and1602can be pressed together end-to-end such that the free pins1605are pressed into sockets1603such that the cover's1601,1602first circuits are electrically connected and such that the cover's1601,1602second circuits are electrically connected. Cover1601and1602differ internally but are compatible with one another and can he plugged together as indicated inFIG. 16.

Cover1602ofFIG. 16has conductors1604that electrically connect the sockets1603on opposing ends of the cover1602. As such, conductors1604can be bare wires or conductive channels passing through a non-conductive cover body1606. The non-conductive cover body1606insulates the first circuit (top) from the second circuit (bottom).

Cover1601ofFIG. 16has an insulated wire1607or insulated conductor connecting insulated sockets1609. The cover body1608of cover1601is formed from a conductive material. The first circuit of cover1601, having insulated sockets1609and conductor1607, is not electrically connected to cover body1608. Sockets1603are not insulated and are electrically connected to cover body1608. Therefore, the second circuit of cover1601includes the two sockets1603and the cover body1608that electrically connects the two sockets1603. Note that a cover similar to cover1602can be constructed with a conductive body, insulated conductor, and insulated sockets such as those of cover1601to thereby produce a cover with conductive body and insulated first and second circuits.

FIGS. 17-18illustrate a front view of a cover1701having a substrate1703, overmold1702, and circuit board1707in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The substrate1703includes the keyhole grip1704and a lower portion1705of the cover body1706. The substrate1703is a plastic that provides structural rigidity to the cover while the overmold1702is a softer plastic that provides an ergonomic gripping surface and form. The substrate material is not only more rigid than the overmold material but also gives the keyhole grip1704a less resilient surface than the overmold material. The less resilient surface is less prone to binding in a key hole mounting point before the keyhole grip is fully inserted. The substrate material typically has a higher melting point than the overmold material such that substrates can be formed first and then overmolds cast directly over and into the substrates. The circuit board should also be able to withstand melted overmold material. An alternative is to attach the connectors and conductors of the first circuit and second circuit directly to the substrate or to cast the substrate around the first and second circuit. Yet another alternative is to form the substrate and overmold separately, assemble the cover with the circuit board properly positioned, and to apply heat or adhesives to bind the components together.

FIG. 17illustrates a front view of a cover1701having substrate1703, overmold1703, and circuit board1707.FIG. 18illustrates a cut view of the cover1701and shows substrate1703, overmold1703, and circuit board1707in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIGS. 19-21illustrate aspects of substrate1703of FIGS,17-18, The substrate is can be a single molded piece with the lower cover body1705and keyhole grip1704which has wedges1901and v-notch1902. It should be noted that the keyhole grip of cover1701can be very similar, even identical, in form, to the keyhole grips of other embodiments contemplated herein. Although the substrate material is more rigid than the overmold material, the substrate material must be resilient enough that the keyhole grip can be pressed into a key hole mounting point without breaking and must be resilient enough that the wedges press outward and hold the cover1701to the mounting system.

FIG. 19illustrates a front view of substrate1703.FIG. 20illustrates a view from above of substrate1703.FIG. 21illustrates a side view of substrate1703.

FIGS. 22-23illustrate a views and aspects of overmold1702of cover1701ofFIGS. 17-18in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Overmold1702includes the top portion of the cover body2201and a cavity2202into which the circuit board1707and top portion1705of the substrate1703fits. Holes in the ends of the cover body2201provide access to the cover's connectors or for connectors to pass through the ends of the cover body to thereby be accessible.

FIG. 22illustrates a front view of overmold1702.FIG. 23illustrates a view from below of overmold1702.

An embodiment similar to that ofFIGS. 17-23reverses the overmold and the substrate elements such that the elements illustrated inFIGS. 19-21become the overmold and are made of the softer more resilient overmold material and such that the elements illustrated inFIGS. 22-23become the substrate and are made of the harder and less resilient substrate material.

FIG. 24illustrates a top view of a circuit board2401in accordance with aspect of the embodiments. The circuit board2401has a substrate2402a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit has a first connector2403, second connector2404, conductor2405, and switch2409. Conductor2405electrically connects first connector2403and second connector2404. Switch2409can interrupt the electrical connection between first connector2403and second connector2404. Another way of describing the first circuit would split conductor2405into two conductors with each conductor connecting a connector to the switch such that operating the switch makes and breaks the electrical connection between the connectors. The second circuit has a third connector2406, fourth connector2407, conductor2408electrically connecting third connector2406and fourth connector2407.

Switch2409can be accessible through a hole in cover body or can be operated by pushing onto a spot on the cover body. For example, the cover body can have a thinned area over the switch in order to ease operation of the switch. In such embodiments, successive presses of the switch can make and break the first circuit. Such operation can be achieved mechanically or electronically wherein the switch contains mechanical elements or electronic logic. Such switches are known in the art and can even be purchased as assemblies for mounting on circuit boards.

The circuit board ofFIG. 24is illustrated with the first and third connectors2403,2406sticking past the edge of the circuit board. This provides for the first and third connectors2403,2406to be flush with the ends of the cover body because the circuit board is inside the cover body. Note that the first and third connectors2403,2406are socket connectors, and that the second and fourth connectors2404,2407are pin connectors. Other embodiments can require the pins of adjacent covers to pass into the cover body before reaching the sockets.

FIG. 25illustrates a view from below of an overmold2501for a cover, the overmold2501having a thinned area2502for a button and slots2503for a connectors in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 26illustrates a circuit board2601having pad2603,2606, pin2604,2607, and socket connectors2602,2609in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The pin connectors2604,2607can be spring loaded or magnetic. A spring loaded pin connector has a spring or other element pushing the pin outward from the pin connector housing. When the pin is pushed against a pad connector then the pin can retreat into the pin connector housing such that the pin presses against the pad connector and an electrical contact is maintained between pin and pad. A magnetic pin connector has the pin retracted at least partially into the pin connector housing until a pad connector is brought close. Magnetic attraction causes the pin to extend from the pin connector housing and maintain electrical contact with the pad connector.

The first circuit has first connector2603, second connector2604, conductor2605, and fifth connector2609. The second circuit has third connector2606, fourth connector2607, and sixth connector2602. The first connector2603and third connector2606are pad connectors. Second connector2604and fourth connector2607are pin connectors. Fifth connector2609and sixth connector2602are socket connectors. Holes in the cover body such as slots2503can provide access to the socket connectors which may be wholly within the cover body, flush with the cover body, or extend out of the cover body. Firearm accessories can be attached to a firearm by pressing the accessory into the socket connectors. Other embodiments simply combine the firearm accessory with the cover such that the accessory can be powered or controlled by an adjacent cover.

FIG. 27illustrates a firearm2706with a covers2709mounted on the firearm fore end2707, the covers2709passing electricity to each other and to various firearm accessories in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. An operator2701can carry the firearm2706and wear a vest2702or back pack2704. The vest2702can have an integral or attached power supply2703. Similarly, the back pack2704can be fitted with a power supply2705. The power supplies can supply electrical power to the covers2709by way of input connectors2708that receive electrical energy and interface electrically with the covers. The covers2709are illustrated as lined up on either side of the firearm fore end2707. As such, the covers2709on the left side of the fore end are all electrically connected and receiving power from a power supply2703,2705. Similarly, the covers2709on the right are all electrically connected and receiving power from a power supply2703,2705.

A variety of firearm accessories are connected to the covers2709and receiving electrical power from the covers2709. Note that the accessories can alternatively be integral with the covers. The accessories are a camera2710, a battery monitor2711that can observe the charge state of the power supplies, a GPS receiver2712, and infra-red light2713, a colored light2714, a white light2715, a non-transitory memory2716that can store data received by or produced by another accessory, an LCD display2717that can display information provided by another firearm accessory, a laser designator2718, a video camera2719, a data transceiver2720, a data downlink2721, a data uplink2722, and an output power connector2723. The output power connector2723is shown powering a flashlight2724that is not necessarily mounted on the firearm fore end, for example, the flashlight2724can be taped to the firearm barrel or even carried by another operator.

FIG. 28illustrates an input power connector2801in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The illustrated input power connector2801can be, essentially, a cover2801with wires2803,2804exiting one edge instead of having sockets. The wires are connected internally to the first and second circuits. The opposite edge of the input power connector2801can have pins509,511or pads or sockets. Alternatively, an input power connector can simply be a plug similar to the input power connector2801ofFIG. 28but lacking the key locking elements. Another alternative embodiment of the input power connector is a plug that plugs into the top sockets of a cover such as sockets2609,2502. Yet another embodiment would have wires passing directly through the cover top, side, or bottom and permanently connected to the first and second circuits. Embodiments using a conductive cover body as the conductor in one of the circuits can have a single wire plugged into or permanently fixed to the other circuit. A further embodiment is simply wires plugged into the sockets of a cover such as the cover501ofFIG. 5.

The output power connector can be substantially similar to the input power connector. An interesting use of the power connectors is that one firearm can be electrically connected to another firearm such that one powers the electrical accessories of the other.