Abstract:
A rail adapter for a revolver type pistol includes an elongated adhesive structure adhered to a revolver type pistol, an elongated retention bracket adhered to the adhesive structure, and an elongated base panel having a contiguous forward protrusion or rail assembly including two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device. The retention bracket and the base panel body both include a plurality of transverse threaded bores so that the they are in alignment when positioned together. The retention of the base panel and its contiguous members to the retention bracket is accomplished by use of threaded screws or a similar retention device inserted into the threaded bores.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a rail adapter, specifically to one that provides a rail system so that rail compatible accessories can be attached to revolver type pistols. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Many semi automatic pistols include a standardized accessory rail built directly into the pistol&#39;s frame. The rail allows a user to attach various rail compatible accessories such as a laser sight or weapon mounted flashlight directly to their pistol. Because revolver designs vary greatly from that of semi automatic pistols, they cannot easily be modified to accept use of standardized accessory rails or rail adapters. 
         [0003]    Smith &amp; Wesson Corp produces a M&amp;P R8 revolver model with an integral standardized rail machined directly into the barrel. Because revolver barrels have design variances and material requirements, this cannot be accomplished on all barrels. 
         [0004]    P&amp;L Industries, Inc., DBA Laserlyte produces a separate mounting rail adapter that is available for a limited number of revolver models. The limited compatibility of the adapter is due to the design of the rail adapter itself, which requires the use of a pin that is inserted inside of an ejector rod&#39;s recessed housing. Many revolvers have no room in the recessed portion of the ejector rod housing and cannot accept use of the pin. Because of size and design variances found on the revolver&#39;s barrel, frame, ejector rod, and locking bolt; the rail adapter and pin can obstruct movement of the ejector rod. In addition, the alloy rail adapter is mounted directly to the revolver and can cause increased wear. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No 7,076,908 (2006) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,365 (2008) both issued to Kim describe rail adapters specifically designed for semi-automatic style pistols of a certain make and model. Both designs lack compatibility with revolvers. 
         [0006]    My invention avoids using any material that obstructs movement or must be inserted inside the ejector rod housing. It does not require specialized machining or permanent modifications to the revolver. It allows for a universal fit amongst modern made revolvers and provides easy installation and removal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment, a rail adapter that permits easy installation of a standardized accessory rail to a revolver is described. The rail adapter is constructed so that it is universally compatible with modern revolver designs. 
         [0008]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0009]    To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a rail adapter includes an elongated adhesive structure adhered to a revolver type pistol, an elongated retention bracket adhered to the adhesive structure, and an elongated base panel having a contiguous forward protrusion or rail assembly including two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device. The retention bracket and the base panel body both include a plurality of transverse threaded bores so that they are in alignment when positioned together. The retention of the base panel and its contiguous members to the retention bracket is accomplished by use of threaded screws or a similar retention device inserted into the threaded bores. 
         [0010]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded right side view of a rail adapter according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-6  with section lines. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the rail adapter according to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 7  taken at the section plane and in the direction indicated by lines  8 - 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the rail adapter shown in  FIG. 1-8 . This figure shows the rail adapter installed on a revolver type pistol with the addition of a mounted accessory device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a right side view of the revolver type pistol, rail adapter, and accessory device of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Unless noted otherwise, “longitudinal” describes a direction parallel to barrel  16  of  FIG. 10 ; “transverse” describes a horizontal direction perpendicular to barrel  16  when barrel  16  is horizontally positioned as shown in  FIG. 10 ; “above” means vertically above when the revolver  12  is held with its barrel  16  horizontal; “below” or “beneath” means vertically below when the revolver  12  is held with the barrel  16  horizontal. In addition, “length” describes a longitudinal measurement; “height” describes a vertical measurement, “depth” or “width” describes a transverse measurement. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  show a rail adapter according to one embodiment. The rail adapter has an elongated adhesive structure  1 , which is adhered to a similarly sized retention bracket  2 . A base panel  5  that is slightly more elongated than retention bracket  2  is positioned onto retention bracket  2  so that retention bracket  2  is sandwiched between adhesive structure  1  and base panel  5 . Base extension  6  extends longitudinally below the forward edge of base panel  5  in a contiguous manner, expanding the overall longitudinal length of the rail adapter, and forming a step or recessed area directly in front of base panel  5 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , two longitudinal rail guides  7  are located below base extension  6  on both right and left sides of a rail platform  9 . The width of rail platform  9  runs perpendicular or transversely to both base panel  5  and base extension  6  and shares the same longitudinal length as base extension  6 . When viewed from the front, base extension  6 , longitudinal rail guides  7 , and rail platform  9  resemble and “L” shaped structure. Rail platform  9  also includes three slots or transverse locking grooves  8 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , Base panel  5 , base extension  6 , rail guides  7 , locking grooves  8 , and rail platform  9  may collectively be referred to as rail assembly  17  unless otherwise noted. 
         [0026]    Two threaded bores  3  are transversely centered on both forward and rearward ends of retention bracket  2  and base panel  5  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 3  shows that when retention bracket  2  is positioned against base panel  5 , the threaded bores  3  of  FIG. 1  are transversely aligned for acceptance of retention screws  4 , thus securing both retention bracket  2  to base panel  5 ; including the contiguous members of base panel  5  that collectively form rail assembly  17  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  provides a sectional view of the accessory adapter according to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 7  taken at the section plane and in the direction indicated by lines  8 - 8 .  FIG. 8  demonstrates the positioning of the retention screws  4  inside the transversely aligned threaded bores  3  of  FIG. 1  in both base panel  5  and retention panel  2 . 
         [0028]    Adhesive structure  1  is rectangular in shape and is approximately 6 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 1 mm in depth. The adhesive structure  1  is produced by 3M Company and is available under 3M™ VHB™ Tapes. The 3M™ VHB™ tape provides a high bond double sided adhesive tape capable of strongly adhering various alloys and other materials together. It is widely used in both construction and aerospace industries and is well known within the art. Although 3M™ VHB™ tape is specifically mentioned in the preferred embodiment, similar adhesive materials may be used. 
         [0029]    Retention bracket  2  measures approximately 6 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. Base panel  5  measures approximately 6.4 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. Base extension  6  measures approximately 4.25 cm in length, 4 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. The diameter of the threaded bores  3  is approximately 3 mm, with a transverse depth of 4 mm. Retention screws  4  should be sized accordingly for a sufficient fit when secured to retention bracket  2  and base panel  5  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Retention screws  4  are well known within the art and can be easily and readily obtained through 3 rd  party vendors and hardware retail chains. 
         [0030]    The two longitudinal rail guides  7  sharing a common rail platform  9  collectively measure approximately 4.25 in longitudinal length, 5 mm in peak height, with a peak transverse width of approximately 2 cm. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the three locking grooves  8  measure approximately 5 mm in longitudinal length, with a transverse width of 2 cm. The recessed portion of the locking grooves  8  is approximately 3 mm in height and the separation in front of and between each of the three locking grooves  8  is approximately 5 mm in longitudinal length. Although specific measurements are described, the dimensions of the locking grooves  8  may be adjusted without limiting the overall scope of the embodiments described. 
         [0032]    All components excluding the adhesive structure  1  and retention screws  4  can be independently produced from various alloy or polymer materials. In a preferred embodiment, the components can be formed from an aluminum alloy by use of either manual or CNC machining. CNC machining is well known within the art for its ability to manipulate alloys to precise tolerances and specifications. 
         [0033]    To install the rail adapter to a revolver  12 , a user must place the adhesive structure  1  between cylinder  13  and trigger guard  15  so that it adheres to the right side of frame  14  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The retention bracket  2  is then placed on top of the adhesive structure  1  so that the retention bracket  2  adheres to the adhesive structure  1 . Rail assembly  17  is then positioned onto the retention bracket  2 . Two retention screws  4  are placed inside the now aligned threaded bores  3  of both retention bracket  2  and base panel  5 , securing retention bracket  2  to base panel  5 , including the contiguous members of base panel  5  that collectively form rail assembly  17  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]    After the rail adapter is installed onto the revolver  12 , an accessory such as an illumination accessory  10  can be mounted to the longitudinal rail guides  7  located on rail assembly  17 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the illumination accessory  10  includes a pair of guide tongues  11  for slidably mating with the longitudinal rail guides  7  of the rail adapter. A latch on the illumination accessory  10  housing may co-act with the transverse locking grooves  8  for preventing further longitudinal movement of the illumination accessory  10  along the rail adapter when the illumination accessory  10  is at a predetermined position. If the user no longer requires the rail adapter, only the retention screws  4  need to be manipulated to remove rail assembly  17 , leaving the adhesive structure  1  and retention bracket  2  in place for future use without adding significant volume to the revolver  12 . illumination accessories of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No 6,378,237 (2002) issued to Mathews, et al. 
         [0035]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the retention bracket  2  and the retention bores  3  of base panel  5  may be omitted so that the base panel  5  and its contiguous members can be attached directly to the adhesive structure  1 . Additionally, the rail adapter can have measurement variances, materials may be substituted, and production methods may vary. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.