# Patent

## Title
Accessory mount for a firearm

## Abstract

An accessory mount for a firearm that includes a barrel and a front sight located on the barrel comprises: a first section adapted to engage a first side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in an aperture defined by and through the front sight; a second section adapted to engage a second side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight; and one or more fasteners that secure the first and second sections to one another; wherein the first and second sections collectively define a substantially cylindrical channel adapted to receive and secure an accessory below the barrel of the firearm.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/959,386 filed on Jul. 14, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, the increasing complexity of tactical operations and gear has generated a need for various accessories that are mounted to a firearm, including, for example, flashlights, scopes, laser sights, etc. Consequently, various mounts and mounting systems have been developed for securing such accessories to a firearm. For example, various rail systems are known in the art for securing accessories to a firearm. In such rail systems, rails or tracks are fixed to the barrel or stock of the rifle, with the accessories then being mounted to the rails or tracks. However, such rail systems can add significant weight to the firearm and also require multiple and/or complex fasteners that can add potential failure points to the firearm. In addition, since rails are often mounted to the hand guard (or hand guard replacement) of the rifle, accessories mounted to these rails must be zeroed often. Specifically, the alignment of the accessory relative to the barrel may change slightly during firing of the firearm or if the firearm receives a shock, such as when it is dropped or bumps against an object.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an accessory mount that does not require complex rail systems, while still providing for secure mounting of an accessory to a firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an accessory mount for a firearm, and, more particularly, an accessory mount that engages the front sight of the firearm.
An exemplary accessory mount made in accordance with the present invention is secured to a firearm that includes a barrel with a the front sight positioned near the front end of the barrel. The front sight has a generally trapezoidal shape and defines an aperture therethrough above the gas-tube cross bar that has a corresponding, generally trapezoidal shape. The exemplary accessory mount is comprised of two sections: a first section adapted to engage a first side of the firearm at the front sight, and a second section adapted to engage a second side of the firearm at the front sight. The first section has an upper boss that extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight. Similarly, the second section has an upper boss that extends into the aperture defined by and through the front sight.
The first section also defines a lower cavity, while the second section defines a corresponding lower cavity. These two lower cavities collectively define a substantially cylindrical channel positioned below the barrel when the first and second sections are assembled to the firearm, a channel adapted to receive and secure an accessory for the firearm at the front sight.
To secure the exemplary accessory mount to the firearm, the first section is positioned such that the upper boss of the first section extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight. Similarly, the second section is positioned such that the upper boss of the second section extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight. As a result, various holes defined by the first section are placed in registry with corresponding holes defined by the second section, such that screws or similar fasteners can be used to secure the first and second sections to one another.
Once so assembled, the substantially cylindrical channel that is collectively defined by the cavities of the respective first and second sections below the barrel can receive and secure an accessory for the firearm. In this regard, the wall of either the first or the second section surrounding the substantially cylindrical channel may be provided with a finger portion that is secured to the remainder of the section along the bottom edge of the section, resulting in a free distal end. Accordingly, since the accessory mount is preferably made of somewhat flexible plastic material, there is sufficient flexibility that the finger portion can be pressed inward relative to the adjacent wall portions of the section. Thus, when the accessory mount is secured to the firearm and an accessory is received in the channel, a thumb screw or similar fastener can be passed through a hole defined through the free distal end of the central finger portion and a corresponding hole defined by the other section. As such, tightening of the thumb screw will cause the finger portion to flex inward and into engagement with the accessory, thus applying sufficient frictional force to the accessory to secure the accessory in the channel.
As a further refinement, because the diameter of an accessory could vary, the accessory mount may include a substantially cylindrical insert comprised of a first sizing adapter section and a second sizing adapter section, which fit within the channel defined by the cavities of the respective first and second sections of the accessory mount.
Therefore, an accessory can be secured to a firearm without the need for complex rail systems or other intermediate devices, while still providing for secure mounting of the accessory to the firearm. No removal, dismantling, or changes to the sight or any other portion of the firearm are required, nor is any professional gunsmithing required. Rather, the accessory mount can be secured to the firearm with a small number of simple fasteners.



DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary accessory mount made in accordance with the present invention secured to a firearm;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary accessory mount of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an alternate perspective view of the two sections that comprise the exemplary accessory mount of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary accessory mount made in accordance with the present invention secured to a firearm and including first and second sizing adapter sections;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first and second sizing adapter sections of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the first and second sizing adapter sections of FIG. 4 assembled to one another;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first and second sizing adapter sections similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the inwardly extending side wall portions from each of the first and second sizing adapter sections removed; and
FIG. 8 is an end view of the first and second sizing adapter sections similar to that of FIG. 6, but with the inwardly extending side wall portions from each of the first and second sizing adapter sections removed.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an accessory mount for a firearm, and, more particularly, an accessory mount that engages the front sight of the firearm.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary accessory mount 10 made in accordance with the present invention engages the front sight 204 of a firearm 200. In this example, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the exemplary accessory mount 10 is secured to a firearm 200 that is from the AR-15 family of firearms, which includes not only the AR-15 semiautomatic rifles manufactured and distributed by Colt Industries, Inc. of New York, N.Y. for civilian and sporting use, but also includes M-16 rifles and variants thereof that are used by U.S. and foreign militaries, along with similar firearms or “clones” distributed by other manufacturers. The firearm 200 includes a barrel 202, and the front sight 204 is positioned near the front end of the barrel 202. The front sight 204 has a generally trapezoidal shape and defines an aperture 206 therethrough above the gas-tube cross bar 208 that has a corresponding, generally trapezoidal shape.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary accessory mount 10 is comprised of two sections: a first section 10a adapted to engage a first side of the firearm 200 at the front sight 204, and a second section 10b adapted to engage a second side of the firearm 200 at the front sight 204. The first section 10a has an upper boss 12a that extends into and is received in the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204. The first section 10a further defines two holes 14a, 16a through the upper boss 12a, the importance of which is further discussed below. Similarly, the second section 10b has an upper boss 12b that extends into the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204, and further defines two holes 14b, 16b through the upper boss 12b. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3, the upper boss 12a includes an integral tab 20a that is designed to mate with a corresponding cavity 22b defined by the second section 10b when the first and second sections 10a, 10b are assembled together to the firearm 200, as further discussed below.
Referring still to FIG. 3, in this exemplary embodiment, the first section 10a further includes a lip 24a that, when the first section 10a is assembled to the firearm 200, extends into and is received in the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204, engaging the gas tube cross-bar 208 along a lower boundary of the aperture 206. Similarly, the second section 10b further includes a lip 24b that, when the second section 10b is assembled to the firearm 200, extends into and is received in the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204, engaging the gas tube cross-bar 208 along the lower boundary of the aperture 206 and abutting the lip 24a of the first section 10a. Below the lips 24a, 24b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b of the accessory mount 10, each section 10a, 10b defines a cavity 30a, 30b. These two cavities 30a, 30b collectively define a substantially cylindrical channel that engages the barrel 202 of the firearm 200 below the front sight 204 when the first and second sections 10a, 10b are assembled to the firearm 200.
Referring still to FIG. 3, the first section 10a also defines a lower cavity 40a, while the second section 10b defines a corresponding lower cavity 40b. These two lower cavities 40a, 40b collectively define a substantially cylindrical channel positioned below the barrel 202 when the first and second sections 10a, 10b are assembled to the firearm 200, a channel adapted to receive and secure an accessory for the firearm 200, as further discussed below. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the first section 10a includes an integral tab 50a positioned above the cavity 40a that is designed to mate with a corresponding cavity 51b defined by the second section 10b when the first and second sections 10a, 10b are assembled together to the firearm 200. Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, the first section 10a includes integral tabs 60a, 64a positioned below the cavity 40a that are designed to mate with corresponding cavities 62b, 66b defined by the second section 10b when the first and second sections 10a, 10b are assembled together to the firearm 200. Finally, the first section 10a defines two holes 52a, 54a along its lower edge and below the cavity 40a, while the second section 10b defines two corresponding holes 52b, 54b along its lower edge and below the cavity 40b. 
As a further refinement, and as also best shown in FIG. 3, the first section 10a also defines a shaped cavity 68a that is positioned just below the barrel 202 of the firearm 200 when assembled to the firearm 200, while the second section 10b defines a corresponding shaped cavity 68b. These shaped cavities 68a, 68b cooperate to create a void so that the accessory mount 10 can be positioned over the bayonet lug 210 that is common on firearms from the AR-15 family of firearms.
To secure the exemplary accessory mount 10 to the firearm 200, the first section 10a is positioned such that the upper boss 12a of the first section 10a extends into and is received in the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204. Similarly, the second section 10b is positioned such that the upper boss 12b of the second section 10b extends into and is received in the aperture 206 defined by and through the front sight 204. As a result, the hole 14a defined by the first section 10a is in registry with the hole 14b defined by the second section 10b, such that a screw 70 or similar fastener can be passed through the holes 14a, 14b and secured by a nut 71. Similarly, the hole 16a defined by the first section 10a is in registry with the hole 16b defined by the second section 10b, such that a screw 72 or similar fastener can be passed through the holes 16a, 16b and secured by a nut 73. In this regard, although not clearly shown in the Figures, the nuts 71, 73 (along with the nuts 81, 83, 98 described below) preferably have hexagonal heads and are each received in a respective exterior cavity defined by the first section 10a that has a corresponding hexagonal shape, thus preventing rotation of the nuts 71, 73 during assembly. As mentioned above, when assembled in this manner, the integral tab 20a of the first section 10a mates with the corresponding cavity 22b defined by the second section 10b. 
Along the lower edge of the accessory mount 10, the hole 52a defined by the first section 10a is in registry with the hole 52b defined by the second section 10b, such that a screw 80 or similar fastener can be passed through the holes 52a, 52b and secured by a nut 81. Similarly, the hole 54a defined by the first section 10a is in registry with the hole 54b defined by the second section 10b, such that a screw 82 or similar fastener can be passed through the holes 54a, 54b and secured by a nut 83. As mentioned above, when assembled in this manner, the integral tab 50a positioned above the cavity 40a of the first section 10a mates with a corresponding cavity 51b defined by the second section 10b, while the integral tabs 60a, 64a positioned below the cavity 40a of the first section 10a mate with corresponding cavities 62b, 66b defined by the second section 10b. 
Returning now to FIG. 1, the substantially cylindrical channel (as generally indicated by reference numeral 45 in FIG. 1) that is collectively defined by the cavities 40a, 40b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b is adapted to receive and secure an accessory for the firearm 200, such as a flashlight (not shown). In this regard, in this exemplary embodiment, the wall of the second section 10b surrounding the substantially cylindrical channel 45 includes a central finger portion 90b that is secured to the remainder of the second section 10b along the bottom edge of the second section 10b, resulting in a free distal end 92b. Accordingly, since the accessory mount 10 is preferably made of a glass-filled nylon material (such as Ultramid® 1503-2, which is manufactured and distributed by BASF Aktiengesellschaft of Ludwigshafen, Germany), or a similar plastic material, there is sufficient flexibility that the central finger portion 90b can be pressed inward relative to the adjacent wall portions of the second section 10b. Thus, when the accessory mount 10 is secured to the firearm 200 and an accessory (not shown) is received in the channel 45, a thumb screw 96 or similar fastener can be passed through a hole 94b defined through the free distal end 92b of the central finger portion 90b and a corresponding hole 56a defined by the first section 10a, where it is then secured by a nut 98. As such, tightening of the thumb screw 96 will cause the central finger portion 90b to flex inward toward the first section 10a and into a cutout section 58a defined in the wall of the first section 10a, pressing the central finger portion 90b into engagement with the accessory and applying sufficient frictional force to the accessory to secure the accessory in the channel 45.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, because the diameter of a flashlight or other accessory could vary, as a further refinement, the accessory mount 10 of the present invention may include a means for effectively changing the diameter of the substantially cylindrical channel 45 (shown in FIG. 1) that is collectively defined by the cavities 40a, 40b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b, while ensuring that accessory is properly aligned within the channel 45. Specifically, in this alternate embodiment, the accessory mount 10 further includes a first sizing adapter section 100a and a second sizing adapter section 100b, which collectively form a substantially cylindrical insert that fits within the channel 45 (shown in FIG. 1) defined by the cavities 40a, 40b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b of the accessory mount 10.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the first sizing adapter section 100a includes three discrete ribs 110a, 120a, 130a, which are connected to one another along the lower edge of the sizing adapter section 100a. The first rib 110a includes a base portion 112a with an inwardly extending side wall portion 114a connected to the outer lateral edge of the base portion 112a. The second rib 120a includes a base portion 122a with a pair of inwardly extending side wall portions 124a, 126a, one connected to each lateral edge of the base portion 122a. Finally, the third rib 130a includes a base portion 132a with an inwardly extending side wall portion 134a connected to the lateral edge of the base portion 132a. 
Similarly, the second sizing adapter section 100b is essentially a mirror image of the first sizing adapter section 100a, including three discrete ribs 110b, 120b, 130b, which are connected to one another along the lower edge of the sizing adapter section 100b. The first rib 110b includes a base portion 112b with an inwardly extending side wall portion 114b connected to the outer lateral edge of the base portion 112b. The second rib 120b includes a base portion 122b with a pair of inwardly extending side wall portions 124b, 126b, one connected to each lateral edge of the base portion 122b. Finally, the third rib 130b includes a base portion 132b with an inwardly extending side wall portion 134b connected to the lateral edge of the base portion 132b. 
As best shown in FIG. 6, when the sizing adapter sections 100a, 100b are fit together within the channel 45 defined by the cavities 40a, 40b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b of the accessory mount 10, an inner, substantially cylindrical channel 150 is formed for receiving and securing an accessory for the firearm 200. The channel 150 has a smaller diameter than that of the channel 45 (shown in FIG. 1) defined by the cavities 40a, 40b of the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the channel 45 (shown in FIG. 1) is approximately one inch, while the diameter of the channel 150 is approximately three-quarters of an inch. Accordingly, by using the sizing adapter sections 100a, 100b, the accessory mount 10 can receive and secure accessories with a smaller diameter.
Furthermore, to the extent that an accessory has an intermediate diameter, the sizing adapter sections 100a, 100b can be further adjusted by cutting and removing the four inwardly extending side wall portions 114a, 124a, 126a, 134a, 114b, 124b, 126b, 134b from each of the first and second sizing adapter sections 100a, 100b. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, this results in a substantially cylindrical channel 160 with a diameter between that of the channel 150 (shown in FIG. 6) and the channel 45 (shown in FIG. 1).
Therefore, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an accessory can be secured to a firearm without the need for complex rail systems or other intermediate devices, while still providing for secure mounting of the accessory to the firearm. No removal, dismantling, or changes to the sight or any other portion of the firearm are required, nor is any professional gunsmithing required. Rather, the accessory mount can be secured to the firearm with a small number of simple fasteners.
Furthermore, once an accessory is secured to a firearm 200 using the accessory mount 10 of the present invention, the accessory and its on/off switch can be readily accessed while the firearm 200 remains in a ready-to-fire position as the user can simply slide his hand forward along the length of the firearm 200 to locate the accessory. In this regard, if the accessory received and secured to the firearm 200 is a flashlight (not shown) with the tail cap extending out of the rear of the accessory mount 10, the front sling swivel 212 will be located just behind the exposed tail cap of the flashlight. Thus, the user can readily activate the push-button, on-off switch of the flashlight by rotating and pressing the front sling swivel 212 into engagement with the push-button, on-off switch. If the accessory received and secured to the firearm 200 is a flashlight, but the tail cap is recessed into the interior of the accessory mount 10, the tail cap can still be accessed and rotated through the large side openings 18a, 18b defined through the respective first and second sections 10a, 10b. 
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are also possible without departing from the teachings of the present invention or the scope of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiments disclosed, is given primarily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.

## Claims

1. An accessory mount for a firearm that includes a barrel and a front sight located on the barrel, comprising:
a first section adapted to engage a first side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in an aperture defined by and through the front sight;
a second section adapted to engage a second side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight; and
one or more fasteners that secure the first and second sections to one another;
wherein the first and second sections collectively define a substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel that is positioned below and substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm, and wherein the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel is adapted to receive and secure an accessory.

2. The accessory mount as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second sections collectively define a second substantially cylindrical channel that engages the barrel of the firearm below the front sight.

3. The accessory mount as recited in claim 1, wherein the aperture defined by and through the front sight has a generally trapezoidal shape, wherein the boss of the first section that extends into the aperture defined by and through the front sight has a corresponding trapezoidal shape, and wherein the boss of the second section that extends into the aperture defined by and through the front sight also has a corresponding trapezoidal shape.

4. The accessory mount as recited in claim 3, wherein the first section further includes a lip that extends into the aperture defined by and through the front sight and engages a gas tube cross-bar along a lower boundary of the aperture defined by and through the front sight, and wherein the second section also includes a lip that extends into the aperture defined by and through the front sight and engages the gas tube cross-bar along the lower boundary of the aperture defined by and through the front sight.

5. The accessory mount as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sections includes a wall portion surrounding the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel adapted to receive and secure the accessory, and wherein the wall portion has a free distal end, such that the wall portion can be pressed inward relative to adjacent wall portions and into engagement with the accessory that is received and secured in the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel.

6. The accessory mount as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an insert that fits within the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel defined by the first and second sections, said insert defining an inner, substantially cylindrical channel with a diameter less than that of the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel defined by the first and second sections.

7. The accessory mount as recited in claim 6, in which said insert includes a first sizing adapter section and a second sizing adapter section.

8. The accessory mount as recited in claim 7, in which each said sizing adapter section comprises multiple discrete ribs that are connected to one another along an edge of the respective sizing adapter section.

9. The accessory mount as recited in claim 8, in which each rib of each said sizing adapter section includes a base portion with one or more inwardly extending side wall portions, such that removal of the one or more inwardly extending side wall portions effectively changes the diameter of the inner, substantially cylindrical channel.

10. A combination, comprising:
a firearm that includes a barrel and a front sight located on the barrel;
an accessory for the firearm; and
an accessory mount secured to the firearm at the front sight, the accessory mount including a first section adapted to engage a first side of the firearm at the front sight, a second section adapted to engage a second side of the firearm at the front sight, and one or more fasteners that secure the first and second sections to one another, and wherein the first and second sections collectively define a substantially and enclosed cylindrical channel that (a) is positioned below and substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm and (b) receives and secures the accessory below the barrel of the firearm.

11. The combination as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second sections includes a wall portion surrounding the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel adapted to receive and secure the accessory, and wherein the wall portion has a free distal end, such that the wall portion can be pressed inward relative to adjacent wall portions and into engagement with the accessory.

12. The combination as recited in claim 10, and further comprising an insert that fits within the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel defined by the first and second sections, said insert defining an inner, substantially cylindrical channel with a diameter less than that of the substantially cylindrical and enclosed channel defined by the first and second sections.

13. The combination as recited in claim 12, in which said insert includes a first sizing adapter section and a second sizing adapter section.

14. The accessory mount as recited in claim 13, in which each said sizing adapter section comprises multiple discrete ribs that are connected to one another along a lower edge of the respective sizing adapter section.

15. The accessory mount as recited in claim 14, in which each rib of each said sizing adapter section includes a base portion with one or more inwardly extending side wall portions, such that removal of the one or more inwardly extending side wall portions effectively changes the diameter of the inner, substantially cylindrical channel.

16. An accessory mount for a firearm that includes a barrel and a front sight located on the barrel, comprising:
a first section adapted to engage a first side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in an aperture defined by and through the front sight;
a second section adapted to engage a second side of the firearm at the front sight and including a boss that extends into and is received in the aperture defined by and through the front sight;
one or more fasteners that secure the first and second sections to one another, such that the first and second sections collectively define a substantially cylindrical channel adapted to receive and secure an accessory; and
an insert that fits within the substantially cylindrical channel defined by the first and second sections, said insert defining an inner, substantially cylindrical channel with a diameter less than that of the substantially cylindrical channel defined by the first and second sections, and said insert including a first sizing adapter section and a second sizing adapter section;
wherein each said sizing adapter section comprises multiple discrete ribs that are connected to one another along an edge of the respective sizing adapter section.

17. The accessory mount as recited in claim 16, in which each rib of each said sizing adapter section includes a base portion with one or more inwardly extending side wall portions, such that removal of the one or more inwardly extending side wall portions effectively changes the diameter of the inner, substantially cylindrical channel.