Patent Publication Number: US-2023135474-A1

Title: Systems and Methods for Multi-Accessory Mount Assembly for a Firearm

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure generally relates to a firearm and more particularly relates to systems and methods for a multi-accessory mount assembly for a firearm. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional optic scopes, magnifiers, and laser scopes have been used with firearms to facilitate aiming and to improve shooting accuracy. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the enhanced, elevated multi-accessory mount assembly for a firearm disclosed herein. The firearm may include a barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end. On the firearm usually positioned above the barrel and between the muzzle end and breech end is a mounting surface to which an optic may be mounted. Such mounting surfaces may include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. According to certain embodiments, the multi-accessory mount assembly may include a proximal portion having a lower surface configured to be removably coupled to the firearm, for example, by attaching to a Picatinny or Weaver rail, and an upper surface configured to be removably coupled to an interchangeable sub mount. The interchangeable sub mount is configured to be removably coupled to one or more first firearm accessory, e.g., an optic scope, red dot sight, reflex sight, night vision monocular/scope, or magnifier. The assembly further may include a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion via a neck portion, e.g., a goose neck, such that the distal portion is elevated higher than the proximal portion. An upper surface of the distal portion is configured to be removably coupled to a second firearm accessory, e.g., an infrared (IR) laser, night vision monocular/scope. 
     Other features and aspects of the multi-accessory mount assembly will be apparent or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the detailed description. All other features and aspects, as well as other system, method, and assembly embodiments, are intended to be included within the description and are intended to be within the scope of the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably. 
         FIG.  1 A  schematically depicts an upper perspective view of an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a side perspective view of the multi-accessory mount assembly of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIGS.  1 C to  1 E  illustrate the steps of coupling a sub mount to a proximal portion of the multi-accessory mount assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates an upper perspective view of another exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a side perspective view of the interchangeable sub mount of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a view of an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly coupled to an exemplary optic in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a view of an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly coupled to an exemplary optic in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a view of an exemplary one-piece multi-accessory mount assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a side view of a multi-accessory mount assembly coupled to an optic and a laser in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a rear view of the multi-accessory mount assembly of  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  6 C  illustrates a side view of a multi-accessory mount assembly coupled to an optic and a laser in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 D  illustrates a rear view of the multi-accessory mount assembly of  FIG.  6 C . 
         FIGS.  7 A to  7 E  illustrate various views of another exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly coupled to another exemplary optic in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIGS.  7 F to  7 H  illustrate the coupling mechanism of the multi-accessory mount assembly of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 E . 
         FIGS.  8 A to  8 C  illustrate various views of another exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly in accordance with one of more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8 D  is a top view of the coupling mechanism of the multi-accessory mount assembly of  FIGS.  8 A to  8 C . 
         FIG.  9    is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method for coupling a multi-accessory mount assembly to a firearm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Described below are embodiments of a multi-accessory mount assembly that can be attached to a firearm. Methods of installing the multi-accessory mount assembly on the firearm are also disclosed. The firearm may include a barrel with a breech end and a muzzle end. In some instances, the firearm may be a rifle (e.g., fully automatic, semi-automatic or bolt-action), pistol, shotgun, or the like. In some instances, the firearm may be a rifle, such as an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, among others that include a Picatinny or Weaver rail positioned above the barrel. Any firearm may be used in association with the firearm sight disclosed herein. 
     The multi-accessory mount assembly of the present disclosure solves several problems that military, law enforcement, first responders and civilians have encountered when using an IR laser on a rifle. A multi-accessory mount assembly in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base with an elevated mount, and sub mounts that attach to the base. For example, the sub mounts may be interchangeable. The multi-accessory mount assembly moves the position of the IR laser/illuminator to the approximate center of the rifle (e.g., approximately over the action), and elevates the IR laser/illuminator to avoid the IR emission from the IR laser/illuminator being blocked or obscured by the user&#39;s hand should the user hold the rifle with their support (or off) hand gripping the handguard. The interchangeable sub mount removeably attaches to an optic, such as one or more of a scope, red dot, reflex sight, magnifier or the like. The interchangeable sub mount positions the optic so that it sufficiently clears the IR laser so as not to impede the operability of the optic. Because the sub mount is interchangeable, it may be sized for different optics, and/or for multiple components, such as a red dot/reflex sight and a magnifier. The sub mount attaches to the base in a fitted fashion so that the optic returns to zero if the sub mount is removed from the base and then subsequently reattached. The multi-accessory mount assembly frees up rail space on the firearm platform, balances the weight to center mass over the firearm, and provides a near co-witnessed and unobstructed path for the laser/illuminator to be mounted rearward of the support arm of the shooter/operator. 
     Certain embodiments of the multi-accessory mount assembly are designed to be modular and perfectly complements superior shooting stances and body mechanics, while capitalizing on reduced fatigue (e.g., heads up versus hunched positions) while shooting, thus allowing proper body mechanics and positioning. The multi-accessory mount assembly further allows the operator to utilize modern and mission critical head-borne systems and personal protective equipment (PPE), e.g., helmets, night vision, gasmasks, communications equipment, body armor, face wraps, etc., and aids in shoulder transitions for offhand shooting and cross eye dominant individuals. The multi-accessory mount assembly is designed to be modular and scalable, and may accept multiple optics system configurations. The assembly further may include a space to mount a magnifier behind the day optic. 
     These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail through reference to the accompanying drawings in the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. This brief introduction, including section titles and corresponding summaries, is provided for the reader&#39;s convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many. 
     Illustrative Embodiments 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 A to  1 E , an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided. Multi-accessory mount assembly  10  may include proximal portion  12 , neck portion  14 , and distal portion  16 . Distal portion  16  extends from proximal portion  12  via neck portion  14 . Moreover, neck portion  14  may be angled such distal portion  16  is elevated higher than proximal portion  12 . As shown in  FIG.  1 A , neck portion  14  may include cut outs  24  to reduce the weight of the multi-accessory mount assembly. In some embodiments, cut outs  24  may extend horizontally through neck portion  14 . 
     Proximal portion  12  has lower surface  20  and upper surface  22 . Lower surface  20  is configured to be removably coupled to a firearm. In some instances, the firearm may be a conventional and/or tactical, and may be a rifle, pistol, shotgun or the like. However, the firearm may be any number of firearms, such as, but not limited to, an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, or the like with a rail system, such as a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. The firearm may generally include a barrel and a muzzle end. Proximal portion  12  may include one or more screws/knobs  28  for facilitating attachment of proximal portion  12  to the rail system of the firearm, e.g., the Picatinny rail or the Weaver rail. 
     Distal portion  16  has an upper surface configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., an IR laser/illuminator. The upper surface of distal portion  16  may include rail system  18  to facilitate coupling with the firearm accessory. For example, rail system  18  may include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. Distal potion  16  may be elevated from the rail system of the firearm a predetermined height when proximal portion  12  is coupled to the rail system of the firearm, thereby creating a space sized and shaped to permit the support hand of the operator of the firearm to grip the handguard without interfering with the use of the firearm accessory. 
     Upper surface  22  of proximal portion  12  may be configured to be removably coupled to an interchangeable sub mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mount  100 . For example, upper surface  22  may include one or more apertures  26 , e.g., threaded apertures, for receiving screws that pass through corresponding apertures in interchangeable sub mount  100  to tightly secure the interchangeable sub mount. For example, upper surface  22  may include a threaded aperture at a proximal region and another threaded aperture at a distal region. Accordingly, interchangeable sub mount  100  may include a corresponding number of apertures  106 , e.g., threaded apertures, such that apertures  106  may be aligned with apertures  26  of proximal portion  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 C , proximal portion  12  may include position reference features that ensure exact repositioning of interchangeable sub mount  100  relative to the proximal portion  12 . An example system of position reference features includes groove  32  sized and shaped to receive and mate with ridge  110  of interchangeable sub mount  100 . In addition, as shown in  FIG.  1 D , interchangeable sub mount  100  may include groove  108  sized and shaped to receive and mate with protrusion  34  of proximal portion  12 . Accordingly, interchangeable sub mount  100  may be removably coupled to proximal portion  12  such that groove  32  mates with ridge  110 , groove  108  mates with protrusion  34 , and apertures  106  are aligned with apertures  26 , as shown in  FIG.  1 E . Upon alignment, a fastener, e.g., screws S, may be used to couple interchangeable sub mount  100  with proximal portion  12  via apertures  26  and  106 , as shown in  FIG.  1 F . Screws S may fit through cutouts in the Picatinny rail, if necessary, which function as extensions of apertures  106  and  26 . With this mounting system for interchangeable sub mount  100 , interchangeable sub mount  100  can be repeatedly removed and re-installed, and return to zero each time. 
     The upper surface of interchangeable sub mount  100  may be configured to be removably coupled to one or more firearm accessories, e.g., one or more of a red dot, reflex sight, scope, IR or thermal scope/monocular, or a magnifier. The term “optic” will be used herein to describe collectively an optic or an optic mount. The upper surface of interchangeable sub mount  100  may include a rail system  102  to facilitate coupling with the firearm accessory. For example, protrusions  102  may include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. Moreover, interchangeable sub mount  100  may include opening  104  for weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount  100 . As shown in  FIG.  1 B , height H of the upper surface of interchangeable sub mount  100  may be predetermined based on, for example, the desired height of the optic for the shooter and/or the attached optic so that it is operable over the firearm accessory attached to distal portion  16 . For example, some optics are shorter (e.g., distance from bottom surface of the optic to reticle) than other optics, and they may require a relatively taller interchangeable sub mount so the reticle of the optic is viewable on target over the firearm accessory. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with multi-accessory mount assembly  10  is provided. Interchangeable sub mount  200 , as shown in  FIG.  2 B , may be constructed and coupled to proximal portion  12  similar to interchangeable sub mount  100 . For example, rail system  202  corresponds with rail system  102 , opening  204  corresponds with opening  104 , and one or more apertures  206  correspond with one or more apertures  106 . Interchangeable sub mount  200  differs from interchangeable sub mount  100  in that interchangeable sub mount  200  may have a longer longitudinal length than interchangeable sub mount  100 , and consequently can have two or more firearm accessories attached to it, such as a red dot/reflex sight and a magnifier or a thermal or IR scope or monocular. Accordingly, the operator of the firearm may select between interchangeable sub mounts  100  and  200  based on the desired firearm accessory(ies) to be coupled to the firearm. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , coupling multi-accessory mount assembly  10  to an optic is described. Optic  300  may be removably coupled to an upper surface of the interchangeable mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mount  200 , such that optic  300  is positioned at a height H. Optic  300  may include base  302  and lens holder  306  for holding lens  308 . Moreover, optic  300  may include knob  304  which may be actuated to fix optic  300  to the interchangeable sub mount  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , coupling multi-accessory mount assembly  10  to optic  450  via interchangeable sub mount  400 , which is adjustable, is described. Interchangeable sub mount  400  may be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mounts  100  and  200  described above. For example, lower surface  404  of interchangeable sub mount  400  may be configured to be removably coupled to upper surface  22  of proximal portion  12 , e.g., via screw S, and upper surface  406  of interchangeable sub mount  400  may be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic  450 . Moreover, upper surface  406  may extend from lower surface  404  via middle portion  402 , which may have opening  408 . Unlike interchangeable sub mounts  100  and  200 , as shown in  FIG.  4   , interchangeable sub mount  400  may have a parallelogram shape such that upper surface  406  is positioned distal to lower surface  404 . Accordingly, middle portion  402  may be angled. 
     In addition, the lower portion of interchangeable sub mount  400  may include rail system  412 , which may be fixed to proximal portion  12 , such that middle portion  402  is slidably movable relative to rail system  410 . Accordingly, rail system  410  may include threaded apertures for aligning with the threaded apertures of proximal portion  12 , and for receiving screw S, such that rail system  410  may be fixed relative to proximal portion  12 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , rail system  410  may include a plurality of openings  412  configured to engage with pins/knobs  414  (e.g., a screw), such that pins/knobs  414  may be disengaged with openings  412  to permit middle portion  402  to be moved along rail system  410  to a desired longitudinal position, and pins/knobs  414  may engage with openings  412  to lock middle portion  402  in the desired longitudinal position relative to rail system  410  and proximal portion  12 . 
     Optic  450  may be removably coupled to upper surface  406  of interchangeable sub mount  400 . Moreover, optic  450  may have one or more knobs for controlling operation of optic  450 . When multi-accessory mount assembly  10  is coupled to both optic  450  via interchangeable sub mount  400  and IR laser/illuminator  350 , optic  450  is raised by height H. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly where the sub mount is integrally formed with the proximal portion of the multi-accessory mount assembly, e.g., as a single piece. In such a configuration, sub mount  1000  portion is not interchangeable, but fixed with the rest of the multi-accessory mount assembly. This configuration also may allow for an optic to be above a laser such that the laser does not block the firearm operator&#39;s vision of the optic reticle on the target. Further, the one-piece design may provide stability and be configured to allow for mounting of a single type of optic. As shown in  FIG.  5   , upper portion  1006  of sub mount  1000  may extend from lower portion  1002  via middle portion  1004 . Middle portion  1004  may contain serrations on the front or rear. Moreover, sub mount  1000  may have a tapered shape such that the width of middle portion  1004  decreases from lower portion  1002  toward upper portion  1006 . For example, a proximal side of middle portion  1004  may extend vertically, whereas a distal side of middle portion  1004  may be angled. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ″ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 , with similar components having like prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portion  12 ″ corresponds with proximal portion  12 , neck portion  14 ″ corresponds with neck portion  14 , and distal portion  16 ″ corresponds with distal portion  16 . Multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ differs from multi-accessory mount assembly  10  in that multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ″ is one-piece with the proximal portion  12 ″, neck portion  14 ″, and distal portion  16 ″, as described in further detail above. 
       FIG.  6 A  is a side view of multi-accessory mount assembly  10  coupled to both optic  300  via interchangeable sub mount  100 , and to laser  350 .  FIG.  6 B  is a rear view of multi-accessory mount assembly  10  coupled to optic  300  via interchangeable sub mount  100  and to laser  350 . Height H allows for optic  300  to be visible above laser  350 . As shown in  FIG.  6 B , lower surface  20  of proximal portion  12  may include channel  30  sized and shaped to engage with the rail mechanism of the firearm, e.g., at the middle region of the firearm (e.g., approximately over the action), via screws/knobs  28 . The line of sight through optic  300  may be above IR laser  350 , being raised by height H, such that IR laser  350  does not block the firearm operator&#39;s vision of the optic reticle on the target. 
       FIG.  6 C  is a side view of multi-accessory mount assembly  10  coupled to both optic  450  via interchangeable sub mount  400 , and to laser  350 . As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, any of the firearm accessories described above may be interchangeably coupled to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 , and multi-accessory mount assembly  10  further may be removably coupled to other known firearm accessories.  FIG.  6 D  is a rear view of multi-accessory mount assembly  10  coupled to optic  450  via interchangeable sub mount  400  and to laser  350 . The height H allows for optic  450  to be visible above the laser  350 . As shown in  FIG.  6 D , the reticle of optic  450  may be visible on target above IR laser/illuminator  350 , such that laser  350  does not block the firearm operator&#39;s vision of the optic reticle on the target. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7 A to  7 E , an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with an alternative exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided. Multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 , with similar components having like-prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portion  12  corresponds with proximal portion  12 , neck portion  14  corresponds with neck portion  14 , and distal portion  16  corresponds with distal portion  16 . Multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ differs from multi-accessory mount assembly  10  in that multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ includes groove  501  disposed between proximal portion  12  and neck portion  14  for releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount  500 , as described in further detail below. As shown in  FIG.  7 D , neck portion  14  may include cut outs  524  to reduce the weight of the multi-accessory mount assembly. In some embodiments, cut outs  524  may extend horizontally through neck portion  14 . 
     Interchangeable sub mount  500  may be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mounts  100 ,  200 , and  400  described above. For example, lower portion  502  of interchangeable sub mount  500  may be configured to be removably coupled to proximal portion  12 , and upper portion  506  of interchangeable sub mount  500  may be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic  450 . Moreover, upper portion  506  may extend from lower portion  502  via middle portion  504 . Middle portion  504  may contain serrations on the front or rear. Unlike interchangeable sub mounts  100 ,  200 , and  400 , as shown in  FIG.  7 A , interchangeable sub mount  500  may have a tapered shape such that the width of middle portion  504  decreases from lower portion  502  toward upper portion  506 . For example, a proximal side of middle portion  504  may extend vertically, whereas a distal side of middle portion  504  may be angled. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG.  7 B , interchangeable sub mount  100  may include opening  512  extending from the proximal side of middle portion  504  to the distal side of middle portion  504  for weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount  500 . An iron-sight system including bar  570  and ramp  580  may be disposed within opening  512 . For example, the iron sight system may be configured such that ramp  580  is set within opening  512  and rear bar  570  is within cut out  24 . As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, the iron-sight system may be any other iron sight system of one or two pieces, including but not limited to post systems, bead systems, ramp systems, ring systems, or combinations of these or other iron-sight systems. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 C , upper portion  506  may include one or more apertures  514 , e.g., threaded apertures, for receiving screws that pass through corresponding apertures in the firearm accessory, e.g., optic  450 , to tightly secure the firearm accessory to interchangeable sub mount  500 . As shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 D , interchangeable sub mount  100  may include openings  508  and  509 , each extending laterally into a side of middle portion  504  for additional weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount  500 . Openings  508  and  509  may be separated by a support-providing wall, such that neither openings  508  nor  509  extend completely through middle portion  504 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7 E to  7 H , coupling multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ to optic  450  via interchangeable sub mount  500  is described. As shown in  FIG.  7 E , lower portion  502  may include screw bore  560  extending through a proximal portion of lower portion  502 , and proximal portion  12  may have a corresponding screw bore  561  extending at least partially therethrough, which may be aligned with screw bore  560  to facilitate securement of interchangeable sub mount  500  to proximal portion  12 , e.g., via a screw. As described above, multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ includes groove  501  for releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount  500 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS.  7 G and  7 H , lower portion  502  of interchangeable sub mount  500  includes ridge  510  sized and shaped to be securely received by groove  501 . In addition, lower portion  502  of interchangeable sub mount  500  includes pin  516  extending outwardly from the bottom surface of lower portion  502 , and multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ includes receptacle  503 , sized and shaped to securely and pivotally receive pin  516  therein. 
     First, as shown in  FIGS.  7 G , interchangeable sub mount  500  may be positioned above and perpendicular to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′, such that pin  516  is aligned with receptacle  503 , and so that lowering of interchangeable sub mount  500  toward multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ can be achieved without colliding ridge  510  and neck portion  14 . When interchangeable sub mount  500  is in contact with multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ such that pin  516  is received within receptacle  503 , interchangeable sub mount  500  may then be rotated relative to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ as shown in  FIG.  7 H  so that ridge  510  enters groove  501 . 
       FIG.  7 D  illustrates when interchangeable sub mount  500  is properly aligned with multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′, e.g., when lower portion  502  is parallel with proximal portion  12 , and screw bore  560  is aligned with screw bore  561 . A screw may then be inserted to secure interchangeable sub mount  500  to proximal portion  12 . The frictional forces between ridge  510  and groove  501 , the frictional forces between pin  516  and receptacle  503 , and the frictional forces between the bottom surface of lower portion  502  and the upper surface of proximal portion  12  may assist in securely maintaining interchangeable sub mount  500  in positioned relative to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  8 A to  8 D , an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with an alternative exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided.  FIG.  8 A  shows a side view of a proximal portion  12  onto which the interchangeable sub mount  600  will be mounted.  FIG.  8 B  shows the bottom view of the proximal portion  12 , including showing screw bores extending therethrough.  FIG.  8 C  shows a cross-sectional view of the interchangeable sub mount  600 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 A , multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly  10 , with similar components having like prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portion  12  corresponds with proximal portion  12 , neck portion  14  corresponds with neck portion  14 , and distal portion  16  corresponds with distal portion  16 . Multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ differs from multi-accessory mount assembly  10  in that multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ includes groove  601  disposed between proximal portion  12  and neck portion  14  for releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount  600 , as described in further detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 C , interchangeable sub mount  600  may be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mounts  100 ,  200 ,  400 , and  500  described above. For example, lower portion  602  of interchangeable sub mount  600  may be configured to be removably coupled to proximal portion  12 , and upper portion  606  of interchangeable sub mount  600  may be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic  450 . Moreover, upper portion  606  may extend from lower portion  602  via middle portion  604 . For example, a proximal side of middle portion  604  may extend vertically, whereas at least a portion of a distal side of middle portion  604  may be angled. Middle portion  604  may contain serrations on the front or rear. In addition, interchangeable sub mount  600  may include opening  612  extending from the proximal side of middle portion  604  to the distal side of middle portion  604  for weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount  600 . 
     Lower portion  602  may include one or more screw bores  660  extending through a proximal portion of lower portion  602 , and proximal portion  12  may have a corresponding screw bore  661  extending at least partially therethrough, which may be aligned with screw bore  660  to facilitate securement of interchangeable sub mount  600  to proximal portion  12 , e.g., via a screw. As shown in  FIG.  8 C , proximal portion  12  may include two separate screw bores  660  for mounting interchangeable sub mount  600  thereupon, which may be aligned with the two screw bores  661  of proximal portion  12 , as shown in  FIG.  8 B . 
       FIG.  8 D  shows the coupling mechanism of proximal portion  12  for securing interchangeable sub mount  600  to the proximal portion  12 . As described above, multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ′ includes groove  601  for releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount  600 . Accordingly, groove  601  is sized and shaped to securely receive ridge  610  of lower portion  602  of interchangeable sub mount  600 , as shown in  FIG.  8 D . In addition, proximal portion  12  includes receptacle  603  sized and shaped to securely and pivotally receive pin  616  extending outwardly from the bottom surface of lower portion  602  of interchangeable sub mount  600  therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , exemplary method  500  for coupling multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ,  10 ′ to a firearm is provided. At step  502 , proximal portion  12 ,  12 ,  12  of multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ,  10 ′ may be coupled to the rail mechanism of the firearm, e.g., a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail, via screws/knobs  28 . Multi-accessory mount assembly  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ should be coupled to the firearm such that distal portion  16 , is distal to proximal portion  12 , relative to the firearm. At step  504 , an interchangeable sub mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mounts  100 ,  200 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600  may be selected by the firearm operator and coupled to proximal portion  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ using a system of position reference features depending on which interchangeable sub mount is selected, e.g., such that groove  32  mates with ridge  110 , groove  108  mates with protrusion  34 , apertures  106  are aligned with apertures  26 , pin  516  is received within receptacle  503 , ridge  510  enters groove  501 , screw bore  560  is aligned with screw bore  561 , pin  616  is received within receptacle  603 , ridge  610  enters groove  601 , and/or screw bore  660  is aligned with screw bore  661 , etc. 
     Screws S may be used to fix the selected interchangeable sub mount to the proximal portion. For example, when interchangeable sub mount  500  is selected, interchangeable sub mount  500  may be coupled to proximal portion  12 , e.g., by engaging pin  516  and receptacle  503 , rotating interchangeable sub mount  500  until ridge  516  is engaged with groove  501 , and inserting screw S through screw bores  560  and  561 . When interchangeable sub mount  600  is selected, interchangeable sub mount  600  may be coupled to proximal portion  12 , e.g., by engaging pin  616  and receptacle  603 , rotating interchangeable sub mount  600  until ridge  616  is engaged with groove  601 , and inserting screws S through both screw bores  660  and both screw bores  661 . At step  506 , a first firearm accessory, e.g., laser  350 , may be coupled to the upper surface of distal portion  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. At step  508 , a second fire arm, e.g., optic  450  or  300 , may be coupled to the upper surface of the selected interchangeable sub mount. 
     Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.