Abstract:
An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a lower portion, an upper portion and a locking mechanism. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional patent application of Non-Provisional patent application No. Ser. 14/773,261 filed on Jun. 8, 2015, and which claims priority from Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 14/662,342 filed on Mar. 19, 2015 and from Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/062,441 filed on Oct. 10, 2014 and 62/067,612 filed on Oct. 23, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a quick release attachment for mounting accessories (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) on the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many individuals and firearm enthusiasts desire to mount one or more interchangeable accessories, such as a scope, light, bayonet and the like, onto their firearms. Historically, this has been accomplished by fixedly mounting the accessory to the Picatinny or tactical rail of the firearm, which is essentially a bracket that can be attached to a firearm and which provides a standard mounting platform for a desired attachment. However, heretofore, the process of mounting such accessories to the Picatinny rail has required the use of external tools, and has been both awkward and time-consuming Moreover, the inability to timely attach a desired accessory to a firearm, or switch accessories, can be dangerous for the user. For example, in combat, a soldier&#39;s inability to quickly attach a bayonet to his firearm could result in death or serious injury to the soldier. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that enables a user to quickly and securely attach/detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm without the use of external tools. There is also a long felt need for a device that is capable of being locked/unlocked with a single hand, thereby allowing the user to retain possession of the firearm with his remaining hand. Finally, there is a long felt need for a device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach/detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a lower portion, an upper portion, and a locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a handle portion, at least one latch with a spring attached thereto, and at least one lock that is repositionable by the movement of said at least one latch. 
         [0007]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention securely attached to a Picatinny rail of a firearm. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  detached from a Picatinny rail of a firearm. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  securely attached to a Picatinny rail of a firearm. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the device depicted in  FIG. 3A  at cut line  3 B- 3 B. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the device depicted in  FIG. 4A  at cut line  4 B- 4 B. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lower portion and locking mechanism of the device depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a button lock to reduce the likelihood of an accidental release of the locking mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a rear elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  is a side cross-sectional view of the device depicted in  FIG. 7A  at cut line  7 B- 7 B. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a partially exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10A  is a front elevational view of the additional alternative embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10B  is a side cross-sectional view of the device depicted in  FIG. 9  at cut line  10 B- 10 B. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of the lower portion and locking mechanism of the device depicted in  FIG. 9  in a locked position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11B  is a top perspective view of the lower portion and locking mechanism of the device depicted in  FIG. 9  in an unlocked position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12A  is a bottom perspective view of the lower portion and locking mechanism of the device depicted in  FIG. 9  in a locked position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12B  is a bottom perspective view of the lower portion and locking mechanism of the device depicted in  FIG. 9  in an unlocked position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0027]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the side slide lock and quick release device  100  of the present invention securely attached to a Picatinny rail  20  of a firearm (not shown), and  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the device  100  of the present invention detached from Picatinny rail  20 . By way of background, Picatinny rail  20  is an elongated bracket that may be attached to a firearm to provide a standard mounting platform for accessories and attachments such as a scope, light, bayonet and the like. Rail  20  is typically comprised of a plurality of raised, spaced apart lugs or ridges  22  along its top or upper surface, with channels  24  located between and formed by said ridges  22 , and a rail flange  26  extending along each side of rail  20 . 
         [0028]    The side slide lock and quick release device  100  of the present invention is preferably comprised of a lower portion  110 , an upper portion  120  removably attached to said lower portion  110  through the use of fasteners  130 , and a locking mechanism  140  for detachably securing device  100  to rail  20  without the need for external tools. As best illustrated in the FIGS., lower portion  110  is an elongated member having a top surface  111 , a bottom surface  112 , opposing side surfaces  113 , a rear  115 , a front  116 , a rear fence  117  and a forward fence  118 , wherein said rear fence  117  and said forward fence  118  extend downwardly from said bottom surface  112  for mating engagement with rail  20 , as described more fully below. 
         [0029]    Lower portion  110  further comprises one or more continuous openings  1112  that extend between top surface  111  and bottom surface  112 , and from a first side surface  113  in the direction of a second side surface  113 , for receipt of a portion of locking mechanism  140 , as described more fully below. Top surface  111  may also comprise a plurality of spaced apart openings  1114  for receipt of fasteners  130  to fixedly attach lower portion  110  to upper portion  120 . 
         [0030]    As previously described, lower portion  110  is comprised of a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart fences  117 ,  118  that extend downwardly from said bottom surface  112  for mating engagement with rail  20 . More specifically, rear fence  117  protrudes downwardly from one side of bottom surface  112  towards the front  116  of lower portion  110  and extends substantially along the length of lower portion  110 . Similarly, forward fence  118  protrudes downwardly from the opposite side of bottom surface  112  towards the rear  115  of lower portion  110  and is generally parallel to rear fence  117 , but that only extends partially along the length of lower portion  110 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 , due to the presence of one or more continuous openings  1112 . Rear fence  117  further comprise a generally v-shaped groove  119  extending along a substantial portion of the length of rear fence  117  for mating engagement with rail flange  26  of rail  20 . Likewise, when locking mechanism  140  is engaged, forward fence  118  and a portion of locking mechanism  140  also form a generally v-shaped groove extending along a portion of the length of said forward fence  118  for mating engagement with rail flange  26  of rail  20 , as best shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0031]    Upper portion  120  is also a generally elongated member that is comprised of a top  121 , an opposing bottom  122 , a pair of opposing side slots  124 , a rear end  125  and a front end  126 . Similar to Picatinny rail  20 , top  121  is also comprised of a plurality of raised, spaced apart lugs or ridges  1210 , with channels  1212  located between and formed by said ridges  1210 . 
         [0032]    Bottom  122  is generally flat and preferably corresponds in shape and size with top surface  111  of lower portion  110  as shown in the Figures, with the exception of (i) an elongated longitudinal opening or channel  1220  formed therein for receipt of a portion of locking mechanism  140  and (ii) one or more spring channels  123  formed therein for receipt of a spring, both of which are explained more fully below. Channel  1220  preferably extends along a partial length of bottom  122  from rear  115  in the direction of front  116 . Each of said spring channel(s)  123  also preferably extends a partial length of bottom surface  122  to coincide with the positioning of springs, as described more fully below. 
         [0033]    Opposing side slots  124  are similar to rail flanges  26  in rail  20 , and preferably extend between rear end  125  and front end  126  and are useful for attaching accessories (such as a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to device  100  in generally the same manner that accessories (not shown) would ordinarily be attached to rail  20 . Opposing side slots  124  may further comprise a plurality of spaced apart openings  1240  extending through bottom  122 . The number and placement of openings  1240  preferably correspond to the number and placement of openings  1114  in lower portion  110  for receipt of fasteners  130 , which are used to fixedly attach upper portion  120  to lower portion  110 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0034]    Locking mechanism  140  is preferably comprised of an elongated arm portion  142 , a handle portion  144  for engaging or dis-engaging locking mechanism  140 , one or more locks  146  and one or more springs  147 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, arm portion  142  is further comprised of a front latch  1420  and a rear latch  1425  positioned in series and sized to fit and slide longitudinally within channel  1220 . Each of latches  1420 ,  1425  further comprise a radially shaped continuous opening  1426  therein for receipt of a cam, as explained more fully below and depicted in  FIG. 5 . Handle portion  144  may be attached to rear latch  1425  via fasteners  145 . 
         [0035]    Each of locks  146  are generally block-like in shape and further comprise a cam  1460  that extends upwardly from a top surface  1462  of lock  146 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . More specifically cam  1460  is positioned in opening  1426  of latches  1420 ,  1425  so that when said latches  1420 ,  1425  are repositioned longitudinally within channel  1220 , cams  1460  cause each of locks  146  to move in and partially out of continuous openings  1112  in lower portion  110 . 
         [0036]    A spring  147  is positioned atop of each of front latch  1420  and rear latch  1425  as shown in  FIG. 5  and secured to said latches via a spring post  148  and a spring pin  149 . More specifically, each of springs  147  is comprised of a first end  1472  and a second end  1474 , with said first end  1472  being fixedly attached to said spring post  148  via spring pin  149 . Springs  147  are biased in the general direction of the length of device  100 , as best shown in  FIG. 5  and, when fully assembled, springs  147  are contained and confined within spring channels  123  of upper portion  120 . 
         [0037]    In the further preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B , locking mechanism  140  further comprises a button lock  150  for reducing the likelihood of an accidental or premature release of locking mechanism  140 . More specifically, button lock  150  comprises a button portion  152 , a pin  154  and an arm  156 , wherein button portion  152  and arm  156  are preferably integrally formed and pivot about pin  154 . Button lock  150  is engaged/disengaged by partially rotating button portion  152  about pin  142 , as described more fully below. Button portion  152  resides in a recess  159  in handle portion  144 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . When in the disengaged position, arm  156  resides in a recess  158  in arm portion  142 . When in the engaged position, arm  142  extends outwardly from recess  158  to contact rear end  125  of upper portion  120  to prevent locking mechanism  140  from accidentally or prematurely releasing, as described more fully below. 
         [0038]    For purposes of further clarity,  FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , device  100  may further comprise an insert device  180  that may be secured to, and extend downwardly from, the bottom surface  112  of lower portion  110  with fasteners  181 . Insert device  180  further comprises an insert portion  182  with an opening  1820  therein for receipt of a spring  184  and a ball  186 . As more fully described below, insert device  180  is inserted into a select one of channels  24  of Picatinny rail  20  when device  100  is installed on rail  20 , and biased spring  184  and ball  186  apply pressure against a select one of ridges  22  of rail  20 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  through  FIG. 12B  depict an additional alternative embodiment of the present invention in which locking mechanism  140  further comprises an arm  210  and related components for retaining handle portion  144  in a desired position while installing device  100  onto rail  20 , as more fully described below. More specifically,  FIG. 9  is a partially exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention and shows locking mechanism  140  further comprised of a pin  200 , arm  210 , a spring  220  and a pair of spacers  240 . In this particular embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , lower portion  110  further comprises in top surface  111  a pin channel  202  for receipt of pin  200 , an arm channel  212  that preferably extends between top surface  111  and bottom surface  112  for receipt of arm  210 , and one or more spacer channels  242  for receipt of spacers  240 . Additionally, rear latch  1425  further comprises an aperture  1427  therein for receipt of a portion of arm  210 , as more fully described below. 
         [0040]    As best shown in  FIG. 9 , arm  210  is further comprised of a first end  2102 , an opposing second end  2104 , an opening  2105  for receipt of pin  200  and a spring seat  2106  for receipt of spring  220 , as more fully described below. More specifically, pin  200  is inserted into opening  2105  and extends from each side thereof to reside in pin channel  202  and permit arm  210  to pivot about pin  200  as arm  210  resides in arm channel  212  and extends beyond bottom surface  112  of lower portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 12B . Each of spacers  240  reside in a respective spacer channel  242  and prevent pin  200  from being prematurely removed from pin channel  202 . Further, spring  220  rests atop of spring seat  2106  adjacent to second end  2104  of arm  210 , and first end  2102  of arm  210  resides in arm channel  212  below aperture  1427  in rear latch  1425 , as explained more fully below. 
         [0041]    More specifically, when device  100  is assembled and in the locked position (meaning the handle portion  144  is at its furthest point from rear  115 , as shown in  FIGS. 10A &amp;B,  11 A and  12 A), spring  220 , which is positioned in compression between spring seat  2106  on arm  210  and a spring channel  222  formed within bottom  122  of upper portion  120 , causes first end  2102  to pivot about pin  200  in the direction of rear latch  1425 , but is prevented from doing so until handle portion  144  is pushed in the direction of rear  115  thereby enabling aperture  1427  on rear latch  1425  to move into position to receive first end  2102  of arm  210 . Once received, handle portion  144  is prevented from moving out of the unlocked position (meaning that handle portion  144  is at its closest position to rear  115 , as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 12B ) until such time as device  100  is placed onto rail  20 , which causes the portion of second end  2104  of arm  210  to pivot in the direction of spring  220  and spring  220  to compress between spring seat  2106  and spring channel  222  in upper portion  120 . As spring  220  compresses, first end  2102  of arm  210  leaves aperture  1427  and handle portion  144  returns to the locked position as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 12A . In this manner, a user (not shown) is capable of installing device  100  onto rail  20  without having to both push the handle portion  144  towards device  100  and hold it there until device  100  is installed onto rail  20  at a desired location. 
         [0042]    Having now described the general structure of a number of embodiments of device  100 , its function will now be described in general terms. A user (not shown) desiring to securely mount device  100  (as depicted in  FIGS. 1-8 ) onto rail  20  would simply place device  100  (in an unlocked position—meaning the handle portion  144  is pushed in towards device  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) at a desired position along and on top of rail  20  so that fences  117 ,  118  clear rail flanges  26  and locks  146  and insert device  180  are capable of being inserted into a respective select one of said channels  24 . Once device  100  is placed on rail  20 , the user would then release handle portion  144  (which is compressing springs  147 ) in a direction opposite of rear  115 , thereby causing cams  1460  to travel clockwise within radial openings  1426  and each of locks  146  to securely engage Picatinny rail  20 . A user may then also desire to engage button lock  150  by partially rotating button portion  152  downwardly about pin  154  so that arm  156  extends upwardly from recess  158  to contact rear end  125  of upper portion  120  to prevent locking mechanism  140  from prematurely or accidentally disengaging. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, a user (not shown) desiring to securely mount device  100  (as depicted in  FIGS. 9 through 12B ) onto rail  20  would simply push handle portion  144  in the direction of rear  115  until first end of pivoting arm  210  engages aperture  1427  in rear latch  1425  and place device  100  (in an unlocked position—meaning the handle portion  144  is pushed in towards rear  115 , as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 12B ) at a desired position along and on top of rail  20  so that fences  117 ,  118  clear rail flanges  26  and locks  146  and insert device  180  are capable of being inserted into a respective select one of said channels  24 . Once device  100  is placed on rail  20 , arm  210  pivots about pin  200  so that first end  2102  of arm  210  leaves aperture  1427  thereby allowing handle portion  144  (which is compressing springs  147 ) to release in a direction opposite of rear  115 , thereby causing cams  1460  to travel clockwise within radial openings  1426  and each of locks  146  to securely engage Picatinny rail  20 . A user may then also desire to engage button lock  150  by partially rotating button portion  152  downwardly about pin  154  so that arm  156  extends upwardly from recess  158  to contact rear end  125  of upper portion  120  to prevent locking mechanism  140  from prematurely or accidentally disengaging. 
         [0044]    Similarly, to unlock locking mechanism  140  (as depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 8 ) to reposition device  100  along rail  20  or remove device  100  from rail  20  altogether, a user (not shown) would simply (i) disengage button lock  150  by partially rotating button portion  152  upwardly about pin  154  so that arm  156  retreats into recess  158  and (ii) push in handle portion  144  in the direction of rear  115 , thereby causing springs  147  to compress and cams  1460  to travel counter-clockwise within radial openings  1426  and each of locks  146  to disengage from Picatinny rail  20 . More specifically, as the user pushes in handle portion  144  and rear latch  1425  moves forward along channel  1220  it makes contact with front latch  1420  and causes the same to also move forward, thereby causing each of springs  147  to compress and the device  100  to become capable of being installed or removed from rail  20 . Once the device  100  has been installed, the compression force in the springs  147  causes each of front latch  1420  and rear latch  1425  to retreat to their original position. 
         [0045]    Similarly, to unlock locking mechanism  140  (as depicted in  FIGS. 9 through 12 ) to reposition device  100  along rail  20  or remove device  100  from rail  20  altogether, a user (not shown) would simply (i) disengage button lock  150  by partially rotating button portion  152  upwardly about pin  154  so that arm  156  retreats into recess  158  and (ii) push in handle portion  144  in the direction of rear  115 , thereby causing first end of pivoting arm  210  to engage aperture  1427  in rear latch  1425  and springs  147  to compress and cams  1460  to travel counter-clockwise within radial openings  1426  and each of locks  146  to disengage from Picatinny rail  20 . More specifically, as the user pushes in handle portion  144  and rear latch  1425  moves forward along channel  1220  it makes contact with front latch  1420  and causes the same to also move forward, thereby causing each of springs  147  to compress and the device  100  to become capable of being installed or removed from rail  20 . Once the device  100  has been installed, the compression force in the springs  147  causes each of front latch  1420  and rear latch  1425  to retreat to their original position. 
         [0046]    Other variations are also within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0047]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0048]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.