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, a locking pin, in mechanical conjunction with a spring and a locking disk, cause a key to engage with a select channel of a Picatinny rail while a forward and rear fence of the present invention engage the rail flanges of said Picatinny rail. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/058,225 filed Oct. 1, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a swivel lock 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 or her 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 or her 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 block portion, a locking pin, a spring, a locking disk and a button. 
         [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 a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention securely attached to a Picatinny rail of a firearm in a locked position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device depicted in  FIG. 1  atop a Picatinny rail of a firearm in an unlocked position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1  in a locked position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1  in an unlocked position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a rear elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  in a locked position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4A  at cut line  4 B- 4 B. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a rear elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  in an unlocked position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 5A  at cut line  5 B- 5 B. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of the locking pin, locking disk and spring of the device of  FIG. 1  in a locked position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the locking pin, locking disk and spring of the device of  FIG. 1  in an unlocked position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is a bottom perspective view of the locking pin, locking disk, spring and button of the device of  FIG. 1  in a partially assembled position immediately after the insertion of locking pin into locking disk. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of locking pin, locking disk, spring and button of the device of  FIG. 1  in an assembled and locked position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the swivel lock device  100  of the present invention in a locked position and securely attached to a Picatinny rail  20  of a firearm. 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 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the swivel lock device  100  of the present invention in an unlocked position and unsecured to Picatinny rail  20 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3-8 , the swivel lock device  100  of the present invention is preferably comprised of a block portion  110 , a locking pin  130 , a spring  140 , a locking disk  150  and a button  160 , as described more fully below. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 , block portion  110  is preferably comprised of a top portion  112 , a bottom surface  114 , a front  116 , a rear  118 , a forward fence  122 , a rear fence  124  and a screw  128 . Block portion  110  has a length extending from the rear  118  to the front  116 , and is further comprised of a vertical aperture  121  that extends transverse to the length of block portion  110  and a horizontal aperture  119  that extends from the rear  118  through vertical aperture  121  in a direction along the length of block portion  110 . As described more fully below, horizontal aperture  119  is sized and shaped to receive spring  140  and slidably repositionable locking pin  130 . Similarly, vertical aperture  121  is sized and shaped to receive a rotatably repositionable locking disk  150 , as also described more full below.  FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1  in a locked position, and  FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1  in an unlocked position. 
         [0025]    Top portion  112  of block  110  is further comprised of a first opening  1120 , a second opening  1122  and a seat  1124  formed therein. Each of first opening  1120  and second opening  1122  extend through to vertical aperture  121 , and seat  1124  is located adjacent to vertical aperture  121  and is larger in size that first opening  1120 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 . As explained more fully below, each of first opening  1120  and seat  1124  is sized and shaped to receive a portion of button  160  and second opening  1122  is sized to receive screw  128 . 
         [0026]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  and  7 , each of said forward fence  122  and rear fence  124  extend downwardly from said bottom surface  114  for mating engagement with rail  20 . More specifically, rear fence  124  protrudes downwardly from one side of bottom surface  114  towards the rear  118  of block portion  110  and has a length that extends parallel to the length of block portion  110 , but only partially along said length. Similarly, forward fence  122  protrudes downwardly from the opposite side of bottom surface  114  towards the front  116  of block portion  110  and has a length that extends parallel to the length of block portion  110 , but only partially along said length as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . Each of rear fence  124  and forward fence  122  further comprise a generally v-shaped groove  126  extending along a substantial portion of the length of each of said rear and forward fences  124 ,  122  for mating engagement with rail flanges  26  of Picatinny rail  20 . 
         [0027]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , locking pin  130  is an elongated member comprised of a generally cylindrically shaped handle portion  132 , a generally rectangular shaped body portion  134  and a pin catch portion  136 , each of which is sized to be slidably repositioned within horizontal aperture  119  immediately adjacent to spring  140 , which is also housed within horizontal aperture  119  as best shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5B . More specifically, locking pin  130  is slidably disposed within horizontal aperture  119  of block portion  110  and through locking disk  150  which is rotatably positioned within vertical aperture  121 , as described more fully below. Further, the end of pin catch portion  136  is in contact with spring  140  toward front  116  of block portion  110 , and handle portion  132  extends outward from rear  118  of block portion  110  and horizontal aperture  119 , as best shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5B . Locking pin  130  is biased by spring  140  toward the rear  118  of block portion  110 . 
         [0028]    As previously stated body portion  134  is generally rectangular in shape and preferably comprised of opposing grooves  1340  that extend along a portion of the length of said body portion  134  between said handle portion  132  and said pin catch portion  136 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 , which allow for additional rotational movement of locking disk  150 . Pin catch portion  136  is preferably comprised of a pair of opposing ridges  1360  each further comprised of an angled portion  1362 , as best shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , for engaging a portion of locking disk  150  as more fully described below. 
         [0029]    Locking disk  150  is shaped and sized to be disposed and rotatably repositionable within vertical aperture  121 , and is comprised of an upper portion  152 , a lower portion  154 , a continuous opening  155 , a slot  156  positioned between said upper portion  152  and said lower portion  154  and adjacent to said continuous opening  155 , and a key  158 , as best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Upper portion  152  is generally circular in shape with an opening  1520  for receipt of one or more of screw  128  and ridge  1360  of pin catch portion  136  of locking pin  130 , as best shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , as device  100  is moved between a locked position (shown in  FIG. 6A ) and an unlocked position (shown in  FIG. 6B ). The positioning of screw  128  within opening  1520  helps to prevent the over rotation of block portion  110  about locking disk  150 . 
         [0030]    As best shown in  FIG. 8A , continuous opening  155  extends through locking disk  150  and is sized and shaped to accommodate locking pin  130 , which passes through said continuous opening  155 . Similarly, slot  156  also extends through locking disk  150  adjacent to continuous opening  155  and is sized and shaped to accommodate body portion  134  of locking pin  130  as locking disk  150  rotates within vertical aperture  121  between an unlocked position (shown in  FIG. 8A ) and a locked position (shown in  FIG. 8B ). 
         [0031]    Key  158  extends downwardly from lower portion  154  of locking disk  150  in the direction of rail  20 , and at an angle from slot  156 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the angle between slot  156  and key  158  is between 20 and 40 degrees, though it is contemplated that other angles can also be employed. Key  158  is sized and shaped for mating engagement with a select one of said channels  24  between two of said ridges  22  of rail  20  to ensure a secure attachment between device  100  and rail  20 . 
         [0032]    Button  160  is preferably comprised of a head  162  and a larger body  164 . Body  164  is shaped and sized to fit within seat  1124  and head  162  is shaped and sized to pass through first opening  1120  in top portion  112  of body portion  110 . Button  160  is useful for mounting accessories to the firearm such as a bipod, vertical grip, etc. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of device  100  in a locked position, and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of device  100  of  FIG. 4A  at cut line  4 B- 4 B. Similarly,  FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view of device  100  in an unlocked position, and  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 5A  at cut line  5 B- 5 B.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  further display the mechanical interplay between locking pin  130 , spring  140  and locking disk  150 . More specifically,  FIG. 6A  is a top view of locking pin  130 , spring  140  and locking disk  150  in a locked position, and  FIG. 6B  is a top view of locking pin  130 , spring  140  and locking disk  150  in an unlocked position. 
         [0034]    Having now described the general structure of a preferred embodiment of device  100 , its function will now be described in general terms. A user (not shown) desiring to securely mount device  100  onto rail  20  would simply place device  100  (in an unlocked position) at a desired position along and on top of Picatinny rail  20  at a slight angle—meaning that the alignment of device  100  would be slightly offset (i.e., preferably less than 45°) from rail  20 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 . The user would then depress handle portion  132  of locking pin  130  forward (i.e., in the direction of device  100 ) so that key  159  is disposed in a select one of channels  24  in rail  20  between two ridges  22 . Block portion  110  is then rotated until the locking pin  130  is urged rearward (i.e., away from device  100  in the direction of handle portion  132 ) and ridge  1360  of pin catch portion  136  engages in opening  1520  of locking disk  150 . When pin catch portion  136  is engaged with opening  1520 , and body portion  134  is positioned within slot  156 , block portion  110  is locked and prevented from rotating about locking disk  150  and each of forward fence  122  and rear fence  124  are securely engaged with a respective one of rail flanges  26 , as best shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]    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.