Abstract:
A connecting device for a weapon accessory has a seat having a sliding rack that removably connects the longitudinal groove of a weapon, and one or more gripping blocks disposed adjacent corresponding side walls of the seat. The gripping block assumes a first position where the gripping block extends inwardly towards the sliding rack to engage a selected transverse groove of the weapon, and a second position where the gripping block extends outwardly away from the respective side wall of the seat to release the longitudinal groove of the weapon. The connecting device also includes a control mechanism operatively coupled to the gripping block. The control mechanism assumes a normal position with the control mechanism controlling the gripping block to maintain the gripping block in the first position, and actuation of the control mechanism causes the gripping block to assume the second position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to weapon accessories, and in particular, to a connecting device for connecting an accessory to a weapon (such as a pistol).  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Weapons, such as pistols, shotguns and rifles, among others, are often used with accessories (such as aiming devices) that assist the user in the use of the weapon. These accessories are removably secured to the weapon by a connecting device. There have been many connecting devices that have been provided in the prior arts.  
           [0005]    [0005]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one conventional connecting device for a weapon accessory. The conventional connecting device comprises a main body  11  for receiving a weapon accessory  40 , which is typically a laser aiming device. The conventional connecting device has a groove  111  on the bottom side of the main body  11  that matches one of a plurality of grooves  31  on the corresponding side of the weapon  30 . The main body  11  is secured within the selected groove  31  by screwing square bolts  12  through corresponding grooves  111  and  31  into corresponding washers  13  and nuts  14 . The grooves  31  are typically arranged to be perpendicular to the barrel  32  of the gun and are arranged in series along the axis of the barrel  32 .  
           [0006]    Unfortunately, the conventional connecting devices (including but not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) for weapon accessories suffer from several drawbacks:  
           [0007]    (a) The construction of certain conventional connecting devices is complex, so it can be difficult and time-consuming to assemble or disassemble the connecting device, and to secure the connecting device to the weapon. The complex construction also results in increased manufacturing and material costs.  
           [0008]    (b) Close manufacturing tolerances may be required. In the connecting device of FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection of the main body  11  and the inner diameter of the selected groove  31  by the square bolt  12  requires precise tolerances. If the inner diameter of the groove  31  varies, or the size of the bolt  12  varies, the connection can be difficult to accomplish. For example, the main body  11  may not be securely attached to the groove  31 , or it may be difficult to screw the square bolt  12  into the groove  31 .  
           [0009]    Thus, there still remains a need for a connecting device for a weapon accessory that overcomes the drawbacks set forth above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0010]    It is one objective of the present invention to provide a connecting device for a weapon accessory that can reliably secure an accessory to the weapon.  
           [0011]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide a connecting device for a weapon accessory that can be quickly and conveniently secured to and removed from the weapon.  
           [0012]    It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a connecting device for a weapon accessory which can be engaged or disengaged with the weapon by manipulating one elastic mechanism.  
           [0013]    In order to accomplish the objectives of the present invention, the present invention provides a connecting device for a weapon accessory. The connecting device has a seat having a sliding rack that removably connects the longitudinal groove of a weapon, and one or more gripping blocks disposed adjacent corresponding side walls of the seat. The gripping block assumes a first position where the gripping block extends inwardly towards the sliding rack to engage a selected transverse groove of the weapon, and a second position where the gripping block extends outwardly away from the respective side wall of the seat to release the longitudinal groove of the weapon. The connecting device also includes a control mechanism operatively coupled to the gripping block. The control mechanism assumes a normal position with the control mechanism controlling the gripping block to maintain the gripping block in the first position, and actuation of the control mechanism causes the gripping block to assume the second position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating how a conventional connecting device is secured to a weapon, such as a pistol.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the conventional connecting device of FIG. 1 secured to a weapon.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 3.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5A is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 3 shown with the control mechanism in the normal position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 3 shown with the control mechanism being pressed.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 3 shown prior to engaging a pistol.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 3 shown after it has engaged a pistol.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7A is a front plan view of a sliding block of the connecting device of FIG. 3.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7B is a side plan view of the sliding block of FIG. 7A.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7C is a top plan view of the sliding block of FIG. 7A.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8A is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 3 shown with a control mechanism and sliding block according to another embodiment in the normal position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 8A shown with the control mechanism being actuated.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9A is a top cross-sectional plan view of a connecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention shown with the control mechanism in the normal position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 9A shown with the control mechanism being actuated.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9C is an exploded perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 9A.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10A is a top cross-sectional plan view of a connecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention shown with the control mechanism in the normal position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 10A shown with the control mechanism being actuated.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10C is an exploded perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 10A.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11A is a top cross-sectional plan view of a connecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention shown with the control mechanism in the normal position.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 11A shown with the control mechanism being actuated.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11C is an exploded perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 11A.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12A is a top cross-sectional plan view of a connecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention shown with the control mechanism in the normal position.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12B is a top cross-sectional plan view of the connecting device of FIG. 12A shown with the control mechanism being manipulated.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12C is an exploded perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 12A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one embodiment of a connecting device according to the present invention. The connecting device has a seat  50 , two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b , and a control mechanism.  
         [0041]    The seat  50  has a left side wall  31  and a right side wall  32 . Sliding racks  51  are provided adjacent the top of the side walls  31 ,  32 . A front surface  52  is provided at the front of the side walls  31 ,  32 . Each side wall  31  and  32  has a corresponding opening  55  and  54 , respectively, that are aligned with each other.  
         [0042]    Each sliding block  60   a  and  60   b  is fitted through a corresponding opening  54  and  55 , respectively, of the corresponding side wall  32  and  31 , respectively. Each sliding block  60   a  and  60   b  performs a gripping function, as described below. An inwardly-biased elastic component  70  (such as a spring) is positioned between the two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b . Corresponding bolts  80  can be inserted through each sliding block  60   a  and  60   b , and through the elastic component  70 , to connect the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  to each other.  
         [0043]    The control mechanism can be a button  90  which can be secured between the side walls  31 ,  32  of the seat  50  by a screw  93  that is inserted through an elongated hole  94  in the button  90  and secured to the seat  50  at a fixed location. The provision of the elongated hole  94  with the fixed screw  93  means that the button  90  can move back and forth along the top of the seat  50 , with the fixed screw  93  defining the opposing limits of movement of the button  90 . Referring also to FIGS. 5A, 5B,  6 A and  6 B, an outwardly-biased elastic component  92  (such as a spring) is positioned in the elongated hole  94 , and between the screw  93  and the front of the button  90 , to exert a normal outward bias against the button  90  to push the button  90  forward in the direction of the arrow F. The button  90  also has a rear portion  91  having outwardly-extending angled surfaces  95  and  96  that are adapted to engage the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b , respectively. In particular, as will be explained greater detail below, the angled surfaces on the rear portion  91  and the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  are adapted to engage each other. Referring to FIG. 5A, the inward natural bias of the elastic component  70  will pull the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  towards each other when the button  90  is being normally outwardly biased by the elastic component  92  towards the front in the direction of arrow F. However, when the button  90  is pushed to the rear in the direction of arrow R (see FIG. 5B), the rear portion  91  of the button  90  will push the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  away from each other (overcoming the normal inward bias of the elastic component  70 ) and cause the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  to protrude away from the side walls  32  and  31 , respectively. In other words, the button  90  and the two sliding blocks  60   a ,  60   b  are operatively engaged by pressing or releasing the button  90 .  
         [0044]    The sliding block  60   a  is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS.  7 A- 7 C. The sliding block  60   b  is identical to the sliding block  60   a  but oriented in the opposite orientation. Thus, only the sliding block  60   a  is described and illustrated in connection with FIGS.  7 A- 7 C. The elements of the sliding block  60   b  bear the same numerals as the elements of the sliding block  60   a  described above, except that a “b” is used in the numeral designations for the sliding block  60   b  instead of an “a”.  
         [0045]    The sliding block  60   a  has a horizontal section  65   a  and a vertical section  64   a  extending perpendicularly from the top of the horizontal section  65   a . A first inwardly-extending angled surface  61   a  is provided at one end of the sliding block  60   a , and is aligned with the outwardly-extending angled surface  95  of the button  90 . Similarly, the sliding block  60   b  has a first inwardly-extending angled surface  61   b  that is aligned with the outwardly-extending angled surface  96  of the button  90 . The vertical section  64   a  of the sliding block  60   a  has an angled top surface  62   a  that communicates with an angled side surface  63   a . The inclination of the angled surfaces  62   a  and  63   a  extends from the outer side of the sliding block  60   a  to inner side, so that the vertical section  64   a  can act as an engaging member of the sliding block  60   a  that is used to engage the transverse groove  33  of the weapon  30  (see also FIGS.  5 A- 6 B).  
         [0046]    FIGS.  5 A- 6 B illustrate how the connecting device of the present invention is attached to a weapon  30 . A weapon accessory  40   a  (such as an aiming device, which can be a conventional laser sight) is positioned inside a bore  53  of the seat  50 . First, the button  90  is pressed rearwardly in the direction of arrow R to separate the two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b , causing the sliding blocks  60   a ,  60   b  to extend out of the side walls  31 ,  32  (see FIG. 5B). The provision of the surface  52  adjacent the front of the seat  50  (which is the end of the seat  50  that faces the grooves  34  when the connecting device is attached to the weapon  30 ) makes it easier to slide the sliding rack  51  of seat  50  into the longitudinal groove  34  of the weapon  30 . The position of the seat  50  can then be adjusted within the longitudinal groove  34  to the selected transverse groove  33 , and then releasing the button  90  will allow the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  to be biased towards each other so as to be engaged into the selected transverse groove  33 . In particular, when the button  90  is released, the natural outward bias of the elastic component  92  will push the button  90  forward in the direction of the arrow F (see FIG. 5A), and the natural inward bias of the elastic component  70  will pull the two sliding blocks  60   a ,  60   b  towards each other to exert a gripping force. Also, with the elastic component  70  disposed between the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b , the depth of the engagement (of the two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  into the selected transverse groove  33 ) is adjusted automatically depending upon the width of the transverse groove  33 . This automatic adjustment provides a more secure attachment.  
         [0047]    To remove the seat  50  from the longitudinal groove  34 , the user merely presses the button  90  so that the sliding blocks  60   a ,  60   b  release their grip on the longitudinal groove  34 , and the user simply slides the seat  50  off the longitudinal groove  34 .  
         [0048]    Thus, in the present invention, the two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  are slid into the transverse groove  33  from two opposing sides (i.e., side walls  31 ,  32 ) of the seat  50 , with the two sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b  providing a gripping force to grip the transverse groove  33 . By gripping the longitudinal groove  34  from two sides, the seat  50  can be more securely and effectively connected with the weapon  30 , and minimizes the shaking that the seat  50  might otherwise experience, so as to improve the weapon&#39;s aiming precision. In addition, the present invention only requires the pressing and releasing of one button to attach and detach, respectively, the seat  50  from the weapon  30 , thereby facilitating convenient, quick and effective deployment of the connecting device.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another button  190  that can be utilized with the same seat  50  in FIGS.  1 - 6 B above. The button  190  also has a fixed screw  193  that is inserted through an elongated hole  194  in the button  190 . An outwardly-biased elastic component  192  (such as a spring) is positioned in the elongated hole  194 , and between the screw  193  and the rear of the button  190 , to exert a normal bias against the button  190  to push the button  190  rearward in the direction of the arrow R. The button  190  also has a rear portion  191  having inwardly-extending angled surfaces  195  and  196 . The sliding blocks  160   a  and  160   b  now have outwardly-extending angled surfaces  161   a  and  161   b , respectively, that are aligned with (and adapted to engage) the inwardly-extending angled surfaces  195  and  196 , respectively, on the button  190 .  
         [0050]    In use, the natural outward bias of the elastic component  170  will push the sliding blocks  160   a  and  160   b  away from each other. When the button  190  is normally biased by the elastic component  192  towards the rear in the direction of the arrow R (see FIG. 8A), the inwardly-extending angled surfaces  195  and  196  of the button  190  will engage the outwardly-extending angled surfaces  161   a  and  161   b , respectively, overcoming the natural outward bias of the elastic component  170  so as to hold the sliding blocks  160   a  and  160   b  together. When the button  190  is pulled to the front in the direction of arrow F (see FIG. 8B), the inwardly-extending angled surfaces  195  and  196  of the button  190  will release the outwardly-extending angled surfaces  161   a  and  161   b , respectively, so the natural outward bias of the elastic component  170  will push the sliding blocks  160   a  and  160   b  away from each other and cause the sliding blocks  160   a  and  160   b  to protrude away from the side walls  32  and  31 , respectively.  
         [0051]    The control mechanism can be embodied in other constructions other than the buttons  90  and  190  described above. For example, FIGS.  9 A- 9 C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention where the seat  250  is similar to the seat  50 , except that the aligned openings  254  and  255  in the seat  250  have a different shape than the aligned openings  54  and  55  in the seat  50 . In the embodiment in FIGS.  9 A- 9 C, the control mechanism has two bars  290   a  and  290   b , each having a gripping end  260   a  and  260   b , respectively, that functions in the same manner as the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b . The two bars  290   a  and  290   b  cross each other at about their mid-points at the location of a pivot pin  291  that pivotably couples the bars  290   a ,  290   b  and the seat  250 . Inwardly-biased elastic components  292   a  and  292   b  (e.g., springs) are provided between the seat  250  and each end of the bars  290   a ,  290   b  opposite the gripping ends  260   a ,  260   b . The elastic components  292   a ,  292   b  exert an inward bias to normally bias the bars  290   a ,  290   b  to the seat  250 , as shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A also shows that the two gripping ends  260   a ,  260   b  extend through the openings  254  and  255  into the seat  250 , and are disposed closest to each other, when the bars  290   a ,  290   b  are in their normal position (when the bars  290   a ,  290   b  are biased towards the seat  250  by the elastic components  292   a ,  292   b ).  
         [0052]    When the user pushes the bars  290   a ,  290   b  in the direction the arrows A 1  in FIG. 9B against the normal bias of the elastic components  292   a ,  292   b , the gripping ends  260   a ,  260   b  will move away from each other so that the longitudinal groove of the weapon  30  can be placed between the gripping ends  260   a ,  260   b . When the user then releases the push on the bars  290   a ,  290   b , the elastic components  292   a ,  292   b  will bias the ends  260   a ,  260   b  towards each other to grip a transverse groove  33  on the weapon  30 . The grip on the transverse groove  33  can be released by pushing the bars  290   a ,  290   b  in the direction of the arrows A 1  in FIG. 9B.  
         [0053]    The control mechanism in FIGS.  10 A- 10 C is essentially the same as in FIGS.  9 A- 9 C, except that the two crossing bars  290   a ,  290   b  are now replaced by two generally V-shaped bars  290   x  and  290   y  that are positioned side-by-side and pivoted by a pivot pin  293  that is fixed in the seat  250 . The same numerals are used in FIGS.  1 A- 10 C to designate the same elements in FIGS.  9 A- 9 C. Outwardly-biased elastic components  292   x  and  292   y  (e.g., springs) are provided between the seat  250  and each end of the bars  290   x ,  290   y  opposite the gripping ends  260   x ,  260   y . The elastic components  292   x ,  292   y  normally bias the bars  290   x ,  290   y  away from the seat  250 , as shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10A also shows that the two gripping ends  260   x ,  260   y  extend through the openings  254  and  255  into the seat  250 , and are disposed closest to each other, when the bars  290   x ,  290   y  are in their normal position (when the bars  290   a ,  290   b  are biased away from the seat  250  by the elastic components  292   a ,  292   b ).  
         [0054]    When the user presses the bars  290   x ,  290   y  towards the seat  250  in FIG. 10B against the normal bias of the elastic components  292   x ,  292   y , the gripping ends  260   x ,  260   y  will move away from each other so that the longitudinal groove of the weapon  30  can be placed between the gripping ends  260   x ,  260   y . When the user then releases the pressing force on the bars  290   x ,  290   y , the elastic components  292   x ,  292   y  will bias the ends  260   x ,  260   y  towards each other to grip a transverse groove  33  on the weapon  30 . The grip on the transverse groove  33  can be released by pressing the bars  290   x ,  290   y  towards the seat  250  as shown in FIG. 10B.  
         [0055]    FIGS.  11 A- 11 C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention where the seat  250  is used with a different control mechanism. In the embodiment in FIGS.  11 A- 11 C, the control mechanism has two rods  390   a  and  390   b , each having a gripping end  360   a  and  360   b , respectively, that functions in the same manner as the sliding blocks  60   a  and  60   b . Opposite each gripping end  360   a  and  360   b  is provided a pushing end  370   a  and  370   b , respectively. The two rods  390   a ,  390   b  are positioned side-by-side along their lengths, with the pushing end  370   a  of the rod  390   a  positioned adjacent one opening  255  and the gripping end  360   a  of the rod  390   a  positioned adjacent the opposing aligned opening  254 . Similarly, the pushing end  370   b  of the rod  390   b  is positioned adjacent one opening  254  and the gripping end  360   b  of the rod  390   b  positioned adjacent the opposing aligned opening  255 . An inwardly-biased elastic component  392  has opposing ends that are secured to a different rod  390   a ,  390   b  adjacent the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b . The elastic component  392  normally biases the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b  of the rods  390   a ,  390   b  towards each other, as shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11A also shows that the two gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b  extend through the openings  254  and  255  into the seat  250 , and are disposed closest to each other, when the rods  390   a ,  390   b  are in their normal position (when the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b  are biased towards each other by the elastic component  392 ). Thus, the two rods  390   a ,  390   b  move in a straight line adjacent to each other and in a direction opposite to each other, and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat  250 .  
         [0056]    When the user pushes the pushing ends  370   a ,  370   b  towards each other in the direction the arrows B 1  in FIG. 11A against the normal bias of the elastic component  392 , the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b  will move away from each other so that the longitudinal groove of the weapon  30  can be placed between the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b . See FIG. 11B. When the user then releases the push on the pushing ends  370   a ,  370   b , the elastic components  392   a ,  392   b  will bias the gripping ends  360   a ,  360   b  towards each other to grip a transverse groove  33  on the weapon  30 , as shown in FIG. 11A. The grip on the transverse groove  33  can be released by pushing the pushing ends  370   a ,  370   b  in the direction of the arrows B 1  in FIG. 11A.  
         [0057]    FIGS.  12 A- 12 C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention where the seat  450  is similar to the seat  50 , except that the aligned openings  454  and  455  in the seat  450  have a different shape than the aligned openings  54  and  55  in the seat  50 . In the embodiment in FIGS.  12 A- 12 C, the control mechanism includes a threaded screw  492  having opposing ends that can threadably receive two mounting blocks  460   a  and  460   b . The screw  492  extends through the openings  454  and  455  of the seat  450 , and the mounting blocks  460   a  and  460   b  extend through openings  455  and  454 , respectively. Respective nuts  470   a  and  470   b  are threadably engaged at the opposite ends of the screw  492  and cooperate with the respective mounting blocks  460   a  and  460   b  to prevent the respective mounting blocks  460   a  and  460   b  from falling off the opposite ends of the screw  492 . By threading the mounting blocks  460   a ,  460   b , the user can vary the distance along the thread  492  between the two mounting blocks  460   a ,  460   b  so that the longitudinal groove of the weapon  30  can be placed between, and gripped by, the two mounting blocks  460   a ,  460   b.    
         [0058]    Although the various embodiments illustrated herein provide a pair of sliding or mounting blocks that are adapted to engage the weapon  30  along the opposing lateral sides of the weapon  30 , the same engaging and disengaging purpose can be accomplished by using only one lateral sliding or mounting block.  
         [0059]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.