Abstract:
A mount comprising a connecting portion attachable to a firearm, a first member connected to the connecting portion to be rotatable about a first axis, a second member connected to the first member to be rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and an attachment system connected to the second member for receiving an accessory. Also, a mount attachable to a firearm and having a dampener system connected to base and body portions thereof, the dampener system acting to dampen a recoil force produced by the firearm. Further, a mount attachable to a firearm and allowing a first rotation varying an azimuth of an accessory and a second rotation varying an angle of elevation of the accessory, and control means adjusting the second rotation to obtain a desired value and automatically producing the first rotation to correct a lateral drift of the firearm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to systems for mounting various accessories to firearms. 
   2. Background Art 
   It is well known to use various accessories, such as infrared and night vision scopes, laser spotters and the like, with firearms. In the case of small firearms, such accessories are typically mounted to an accessory mount directly securable to the firearm. 
   However, in the case of larger firearms producing a significant recoil force, such as the MK-19 grenade machine gun or the M-2HB machine gun, such accessories are usually mounted to an accessory mount securable to the cradle or another fixed support of the firearm. This eliminates the effect of the recoil force on the accessory, thus minimizing the risks of injury to the operator. One example of such a mount is the MK RANGER, which adapts to the MK-64 or MK-93 cradle used with the MK-19 grenade machine gun, and receives a laser. A disadvantage of such mounts is that the precision of the position of the accessories with respect to the firearm is influenced by the positioning of the firearm on the cradle or support. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory directly on a firearm having a significant recoil force while minimizing the risks of injury to the operator. 
   Also, existing accessory mounts directly securable to firearms usually provide no adjustment, or a very limited adjustment, of an orientation of the accessory with respect to the firearm. Accordingly, there exists a need for an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory directly on a firearm while allowing adjustment of the accessory with respect to the firearm about at least two axes. 
   Moreover, some firearms have a lateral drift which varies with the angle of elevation of the firearm and needs to be compensated in order to have effective and precise targeting. This is the case for the MK-19 grenade machine gun mentioned above. Accordingly, there exists a need for an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory directly on a firearm which automatically compensates for the lateral drift while varying the angle of elevation of the accessory. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory to a firearm which allows for adjustment of the accessory about two axes. 
   It is another aim of the present invention to provide an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory to a firearm which automatically adjusts an azimuth of the accessory when the angle of elevation thereof is varied to compensate for a lateral drift of the firearm. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory directly on a firearm which includes a system for dampening the recoil force produced by the firearm. 
   Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory to a firearm, the mount comprising a connecting portion attachable to the firearm, a first member connected to the connecting portion, the first member being rotatable with respect to the connecting portion about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a firing direction of the firearm, a second member connected to the first member, the second member being rotatable with respect to the first member about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a first attachment system connected to the second member for releasably receiving a first of the at least one accessory. 
   Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory to a firearm, the mount comprising a base portion attachable to the firearm, a body portion engaged to the base portion to be slidable along a first axis substantially parallel to a firing direction of the firearm, an attachment portion connected to the body portion for releasably receiving the at least one accessory, and a dampener system connected to the base and body portions, the dampener system acting along the first axis to dampen a recoil force produced by the firearm. 
   Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory to a firearm, the mount comprising a connecting portion attachable to the firearm, an attachment portion releasably receiving the at least one accessory and connected to the connecting portion to allow a first rotation varying an azimuth of the at least one accessory and a second rotation varying an angle of elevation of the at least one accessory, and control means adjusting the second rotation to obtain a desired value of the angle of elevation of the at least one accessory and automatically producing the first rotation to correct a lateral drift of the firearm. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the present invention and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mount according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a relative position between a body and base corresponding to a forward reaction force after a recoil of the firearm, and with an exploded portion showing a mounting of a control system providing no lateral drift correction; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1  showing the relative position between the body and base corresponding to the recoil of the firearm, with an exploded portion showing a mounting of the control system providing a lateral drift correction; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partly exploded, of the mount of  FIG. 2  from an opposed point of view and showing knob covers in place over adjustment knobs; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 3  from an alternative point of view and showing the adjustment knobs without the knob covers; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the mount of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the mount of  FIG. 2  showing a first simultaneous azimuth adjustment of first and second attachment systems providing the lateral drift correction; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the mount of  FIG. 1  or  2  showing a first simultaneous adjustment of the angle of elevation of the first and second attachment systems; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the mount of  FIG. 2  showing a second azimuth adjustment of the second attachment system; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the mount of  FIG. 1  or  2  showing a second adjustment of the angle of elevation of the second attachment system; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view of the mount of  FIG. 2  showing the various main components thereof. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now generally to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  10 , an accessory mount according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown at  10 . The mount  10  comprises a base  12  and a body  14  which are slidingly connected together through a dampening system  16  to form a connecting portion of the mount  10 . The mount  10  also comprises an attachment portion including a first element  18  connected to the body  14  by a first pivot  20 , a second element  22  connected to the first element  18  by a second pivot  24 , and a third element  26  connected to the second element  22  by a third pivot  28 . 
   The first pivot  20  provides a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base  12 , which corresponds to the firing direction of the firearm, such that the first element  18  rotates in a substantially horizontal plane when the firing direction is substantially horizontal. The second pivot  24  provides a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the first pivot  20 , such that the second element  22  rotates in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the first element  18 . The third pivot  28  provides a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the second pivot  24  such that the third element  26  rotates in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the second element  22 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a first attachment system  30  is connected to the second element  22 , and a second attachment system  32  is connected to the third element  26 . Both attachment systems  30 , 32  are standard accessory attachment systems, such as Picatinny-type rails which are composed of a series of spaced apart ribs. Preferably, the first attachment system  30  is directly connected to the second element  22  while the second attachment system  32  is connected to the third element  26  through a fourth pivot  34 . The fourth pivot  34  provides a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the third pivot  28 , such that the second attachment system  32  rotates in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the third element  26 . 
   The mount  10  thus provides for a variety of adjustments for accessories mounted thereon. As shown in  FIG. 6 , rotation about the first pivot  20  provides a first simultaneous azimuth adjustment “A” of the first and second attachment systems  30 , 32  through the first, second and third elements  18 , 22 , 26 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , rotation about the second pivot  24  provides for a first simultaneous angle of elevation adjustment “B” for the first and second attachment systems  30 , 32  through the second and third elements  22 , 26 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , rotation about the third pivot  28  provides a second azimuth adjustment “C” for the second attachment system  32  through the third element  26 . Finally, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 , rotation about the fourth pivot  34  provides a second angle of elevation adjustment “D” for the second attachment system  32 . 
   The various components of the mount  10  will now be described in more details. 
   As can be best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  10 , the base  12  includes a rail portion  40  which is adequately shaped to engage a given firearm (not shown). The rail portion  40  is adapted to be securely mounted to the firearm such as by fasteners or the like. Holes  42  are provided in the rail portion  40  for air circulation purposes. An arm  44  is releasably fastened onto the rail portion  40  by means of bolts or the like and can be readily detached from the rail portion  40  whenever it is desired to install the mount  10  on another firearm equipped with a rail similar to the rail portion  40 . 
   The arm  44  includes a top cylindrical bore  45  as well as part of the dampening system  16 , namely first and second hydraulic cylinders  46 , 48 . The first and second hydraulic cylinders  46 , 48  respectively receive first and second pistons  50 , 52 . The pistons  50 , 52  each have one end inside the respective cylinder  46 , 48  and another end secured to the body  14 . The hydraulic cylinders  46 , 48  and pistons  50 , 52  are parallel to the firing direction of the firearm such that the pistons  50 , 52  extend out of the cylinders  46 , 48  in opposite directions from each other. This allows for dampening to occur both during the recoil (see  FIG. 2 ) and the reaction forward movement (see  FIG. 1 ) following it. Although hydraulic dampeners are illustrated, it is also considered to use alternative dampening systems. 
   As can also be best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  10 , the body  14  includes a housing  60  defining a cavity for receiving the dampening system  16 , as well as first and second circular openings  62 , 64  in the housing  60  to accommodate the movement of the first and second hydraulic cylinders  46 , 48 , respectively. The housing  60  also includes first and second aligned holes  65 , which are aligned with the cylindrical bore  45  of the base  12  to receive a shaft (not shown) slidingly engaging the base  12  and the body  14 . A guide  66  extends from the housing  60  in a direction parallel to the firing direction of the firearm. The guide  66  is shaped as a shaft having a grooved end. As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the housing  60  also includes a pair of lugs  66  which form part of the first pivot  20 . 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the first element  18  preferably includes a series of holes  70  to minimize a weight thereof. The first element  18  includes a lug  72  (see  FIGS. 7 and 10 ) which is attached to the lugs  66  of the body  14  by a pin (not shown) to form the first pivot  20 . The first element  18  also includes a control system receiving portion  74  which includes a window  76  having a pointer  78  and a light (not shown) therein. The light is preferably mounted in a recess in a side wall of the window  76  to minimize light emissions outside of the window  76 . The first element  18  further includes a push button  80  for activating the light, and a closable battery casing  82  for receiving a battery powering the light. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1-2 , a control system generally shown at  90  allows a user to adjust the rotation of the second element  22  about the second pivot  24 . The control system  90  includes a shaft  92  which is rotationally retained by the first element  18  and by the guide  66 , and passes through the second element  22  located therebetween (see  FIG. 10 ). The shaft  92  is threaded on the end retained by the guide  66 . The second element  22  includes a pair of lugs  94  with aligned bores  96  near the shaft  92 . An arcuate plate  98  includes similar lugs  100  with aligned bores  102  which are engaged to the lugs  94  of the second element  22  by a pin  104  going through the aligned bores  96 , 102 . The guide  66  is thus sandwiched between the mounted arcuate plate  98  and the second element  22 . The arcuate plate  98  includes an arcuate slot  106  and has one flat side  108  and one side defining an arcuate groove  110  surrounded by an inclined plane  112 . A retaining knob  114  engages the threaded end of the shaft  92  over the arcuate plate  98 . 
   As can be best seen in  FIG. 3 , the other end of the shaft  92  is keyed to a dial  116  having numerical indications usually indicating a target distance (not shown) aligned with the window  76 , to an adjustment knob  118  having a profile easily grasped by a user, and to a standard quick locking system  120  which, when engaged, prevents the rotation of the shaft  92 . Preferably, the dial  116  is reversible and includes two sets of numerical indications corresponding to two different firearms. The numerical indications are disposed so that only one set is visible through the window  76 . 
   As can be best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the shaft  92  supports a gear  122  which is keyed thereto. The second element  22  includes an arcuate gear member  124  which is meshed with the gear  122 . The arcuate gear member  124 , as well as the arcuate slot and groove  106 , 110  of the installed plate  98 , each define an arc of circle having its center at the second pivot  24 . 
   The control system  90  allows the user to adjust the rotation of the second element  22  by turning the adjustment knob  118  until a desired numerical indication on the dial  116  is aligned with the pointer  78  in the window  76 . Turning the adjustment knob  118  turns the gear  122  through the shaft  92 , which activates the rotation of the second element  22  by rotating the arcuate gear member  124  about the second pivot  24 , thus varying the angle of elevation of the first and second attachment systems  30 , 32 . The user can than lock the second element  22  at the desired angle of elevation by engaging the quick locking system  120 . 
   The control system  90  also produces an automatic correction of a lateral drift of the firearm. As explained above, the guide  66  is sandwiched between the arcuate plate  98  and the second element  22 , such as to be snugly received in a channel formed between the two. When the arcuate plate  98  is mounted as shown in  FIG. 2 , i.e. with the inclined plane  112  in contact with the guide  66 , the channel thus created forms an angle with respect to the plane of rotation of the second element  22 . As the second element  22  is rotated about the pivot  24 , the guide  66  sliding in the angled channel will force a rotation of the first element  18  about the first pivot  20 . 
   In the case where no lateral drift correction is required, the arcuate plate  98  is mounted as shown in  FIG. 1 , i.e. with the flat side  108  against the guide and the retaining knob  118  sliding on a flat surface within the arcuate groove  110 . As the second element  22  is rotated about the second pivot  66 , the guide  66  will thus slide in a channel parallel to the plane of rotation of the second element  22 . In that case, no rotation will occur about the first pivot  20  and the first element  18  and body  14  will act as an integral member. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user can also adjust the rotation of the third element  26  about the third pivot  28  by turning a small knob  126 . The small knob  126  is keyed onto a threaded shaft (not shown), which is retained in the third element  26  and threadably received in the second element  22 . Similarly, the user can adjust the rotation of the second adjustment system  32  about the fourth pivot  34  by turning a second small knob  128 . The second small knob  128  is keyed onto a second threaded shaft (not shown) which is similarly retained in the third element  26  and threadably received in the second adjustment system  32 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the small knobs  126 , 128  is equipped with a removable knob cover  130 , 132  which, when engaged over the respective knob  126 , 128 , prevents the knob  126 , 128  from being accidentally turned. 
   In operation, the user determines if the firearm to be used requires a lateral drift correction and mounts the arcuate plate  98  accordingly. The user then attaches the mount  10  to the firearm through the rail portion  40 , and desired accessories to the first and second attachment systems  30 , 32 . The user first adjusts the angle of elevation of the accessories by turning the adjustment knob  118  until a desired numerical indication of the dial  116  is aligned with the pointer  78  in the window  46 . If needed, the user can press the push button  80  such as to activate the light in the window  76  to better see the numerical indications on the dial  116 . Turning the adjustment knob  118  will simultaneously rotate the second and third elements  22 , 26  about the second pivot  24  through the action of the gear  122  and arcuate gear member  124 . When the desired orientation of the second element  22  is obtained, the quick locking system  120  is engaged to prevent accidental rotation of the control system  90 . 
   If the arcuate plate  98  is mounted as shown in  FIG. 2 , turning the adjustment knob  118  will also provide the lateral drift correction by simultaneously rotating the first, second and third elements  18 , 22 , 26  about the first pivot  20  through the action of the guide  66  and inclined plane  112  of the arcuate plate  98 . If the arcuate plate  98  is mounted as shown in  FIG. 1 , no rotation will occur about the first pivot  20  and the first element  18  will form an integral member with the body  14 . 
   The user can then adjust the azimuth and angle of elevation of the accessory mounted onto the second attachment system  32  by turning the small knobs  126 , 128  which will respectively rotate the third element  26  about the third pivot  28  and the second attachment system  32  about the fourth pivot  34 . Once the desired orientation is obtained, the knob covers  130 , 132  are engaged to the small knobs  126 , 128  to prevent accidental rotation thereof. 
   When the firearm is fired, the recoil force as well as the reaction forward force will be dampened by the dampening system  16 . This will minimize the risk of injury to the user by limiting the range and speed of the movement of the accessories caused by the recoil of the firearm. 
   The various user controls of the mount  10  (i.e. the knobs  118 , 126 , 128 , the quick locking system  120 , the knob covers  130 , 132 , the push button  80 ) are disposed and designed such as to be operable with a single hand, thus simplifying the use of the mount  10 . 
   The present invention thus provides for releasable attachment of at least one accessory directly to a firearm while providing separate adjustment of two accessories with respect to a firing direction about at least two axes. 
   The present invention also advantageously provides lateral drift correction when needed while being usable with firearms requiring no lateral drift correction. 
   The present invention further provides a dampening system dampening the recoil force produced by a firearm, such that accessories can be mounted directly on firearms producing a significant recoil force while minimizing the risks of injury to the user. 
   The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the foregoing description is illustrative only, and that various alternatives and modifications can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.