Patent Publication Number: US-9429381-B1

Title: Firearm mounting bracket assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 14/461,699, filed Aug. 18, 2014 and entitled ACCESSORY RAIL ADAPTOR, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to firearms. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a firearm mounting bracket assembly which facilitates mounting of a firearm to a tree, pole or other support for steady and sustained aiming and firing of the firearm as well as enables use of the support as a shield from projectiles in the event of return fire. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description provided herein is solely for the purpose of generally presenting the context of various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Aspects of the background description are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the claimed subject matter. 
     Semiautomatic and automatic firearms are often used by police and military personnel. In shootout or combat situations, it may be necessary for police or military personnel to hold, aim and shoot a firearm for prolonged periods of time. However, the police or military personnel may be required to steady the firearm using his or her hands, and this may compromise the shooting accuracy of the firearm as well as tire the personnel during the operation. Additionally, in the event of return fire, the personnel may seek shelter from projectiles by hiding behind a tree, pole or other shielding object. 
     Accordingly, a firearm mounting bracket assembly which facilitates mounting of a firearm to a tree, pole or other support for steady and sustained aiming and firing of the firearm and enables use of the support as a shield from projectiles in the event of return fire may be desirable in some applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a firearm mounting bracket assembly which facilitates mounting of a firearm to a tree, pole or other support for steady and sustained aiming and firing of the firearm as well as enables use of the support as a shield from projectiles in the event of return fire. An illustrative embodiment of the firearm mounting bracket assembly includes an assembly mount bracket; an assembly mounting mechanism carried by the assembly mount bracket; and an accessory rail adaptor including an adaptor body carried by the assembly mount bracket, the adaptor body having a firearm attachment surface; an adaptor roller carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface; and an adaptor flange carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller, the adaptor flange selectively moveable relative to the adaptor roller. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the firearm mounting bracket assembly mounted on a tree in typical application of the assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly mounted on a tree in typical application of the assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly mounted on a tree and a firearm (illustrated in phantom) mounted on the firearm mounting bracket assembly in typical application of the assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly mounted on a tree; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly, more particularly illustrating loosening of a assembly securing strap which facilitates attachment of the assembly to a tree (not illustrated) or other support; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly, more particularly illustrating tightening of the assembly securing strap; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a typical accessory rail adaptor of an illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly, more particularly illustrating attachment of a lower accessory mount rail on a firearm (illustrated in phantom) to the accessory rail adaptor by initially inserting a first lateral rail edge of the lower accessory mount rail beneath an adaptor flange on the adaptor; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the accessory rail adaptor, more particularly illustrating completing attachment of the lower accessory mount rail on the firearm to the accessory rail adaptor by inserting a second lateral rail edge of the lower accessory mount rail beneath an adaptor roller on the adaptor; 
         FIG. 9  is top view of the accessory rail adaptor; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 , with the adaptor flange on the accessory rail adaptor deployed in a rail locking position; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 , with the adaptor flange on the accessory rail adaptor deployed in a rail unlocking position; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the accessory rail adaptor mounted on an adaptor mount bracket and deployed in an upright position; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the accessory rail adaptor mounted on an adaptor mount bracket and pivoted to the left on the adaptor mount bracket; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the accessory rail adaptor mounted on an adaptor mount bracket and pivoted to the right on the adaptor mount bracket; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly with a firearm support cradle, a bow mount arm and an accessory mount hook on the assembly mount bracket for supporting a firearm, a bow and an accessory, respectively; and 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a typical accessory mount hook of the illustrative firearm mounting bracket assembly illustrated in  FIG. 15 , with an accessory suspended from the accessory mount hook. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, relative terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “side” and “end” are intended to be used in an illustrative and not a limiting sense. In some applications, for example, those elements which are identified as “lower” may be located in other spatial relationships relative to those elements which are identified as “lower” in the following detailed description. 
     Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the firearm mounting bracket assembly, hereinafter assembly, is generally indicated by reference numeral  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in typical application, as will be hereinafter described, the assembly  100  may be attached to a support  94  such as a tree, telephone pole or the like. A firearm  46  can be expeditiously attached to and supported by the assembly  100  for aiming and firing of the firearm  46  at a target (not illustrated). The assembly  100  holds the firearm  46  steady and enables an operator to accurately aim and shoot the firearm  46  at the target in a sustained manner without tiring, as well as enables the firearm operator to use the support  94  as a shield from projectiles in the event of return fire, particularly in military or law enforcement applications. 
     The assembly  100  may include an assembly mount bracket  60  which is adapted for attachment to the support  94 . The assembly mount bracket  60  may include a support engaging member  61  adapted to engage the support  94 . A pair of spaced-apart support engaging arms  62  may extend from the support engaging member  61 . A mounting mechanism plate  66  may extend from the support engaging member  61 . The mounting mechanism plate  66  may be disposed in perpendicular relationship to the support engaging member  61 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a strap roller slot  63  may be provided in the support engaging member  61  at the junction between the support engaging member  61  and the mounting mechanism plate  66 . A strap roller  64  may be mounted for rotation in the strap roller slot  63  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pair of spaced-apart strap pin flanges  90  may extend from the support engaging member  61 . A strap pin slot  92  may be provided between the strap pin flanges  90  opposite the strap roller slot  63  ( FIG. 2 ). A strap pin  91  can be selectively and removably inserted in a pair of registering strap pin openings (not illustrated) in the respective strap pin flanges  90  to span the strap pin slot  92  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
     An accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  may be provided on the mounting mechanism plate  66 . The accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  may be disposed in perpendicular relationship to the mounting mechanism plate  66 . A pair of spaced-apart support engaging arms  71  may extend from the mechanism mounting plate  66  in spaced-apart relationship to the support engaging arms  62  on the support engaging member  61 . The support engaging member  61 , mounting mechanism plate  66 , accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  and various other components of the assembly mount bracket  60  may include metal such as aluminum or steel and/or a composite material such as carbon fiber composite or plastic, for example and without limitation. 
     An assembly mounting mechanism  74  may be provided on the assembly mount bracket  60  to facilitate attachment of the assembly  100  to the support  94 . The assembly mounting mechanism  74  may include any apparatus, device or mechanism which is suitable for the purpose of attaching the assembly mount bracket  60  to the support  94 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , in some embodiments, the assembly mounting mechanism  74  may include a ratchet mechanism which may be standard or conventional. In some embodiments, the ratchet mechanism  74  may include a ratchet frame  75  which may be mounted to the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  using mechanical fasteners and/or other suitable technique known by those skilled in the art. A rotatable ratchet drum  76  may be mounted in the ratchet frame  75 . Ratchet teeth  77  may be provided on the ratchet drum  76 . An assembly securing strap  84  may be wound on the ratchet drum  76 . The assembly securing strap  84  may extend from the ratchet drum  76  through the strap roller slot  63  and against the strap roller  64  ( FIG. 2 ). The extending end of the assembly securing strap  84  may be formed and sewn into a strap loop  85  which is detachably attached to the strap pin  91  removably seated in the strap pin slot  92 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A ratchet tab  80  may be mounted on the ratchet frame  75 . A ratchet tab spring  81  may normally bias the ratchet tab  80  into engagement with the ratchet teeth  77  on the ratchet drum  76  to enable rotation of the ratchet drum  76  in a first rotational direction and prevent rotation of the ratchet drum  76  in a second rotational direction. A ratchet handle  86  may operably engage the ratchet drum  76  for rotation of the ratchet drum  76  in the first direction by back-and-forth manipulation of the ratchet handle  86 , typically in the conventional manner, to facilitate selective winding of the assembly securing strap  84  on the ratchet drum  76 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . A ratchet release button  87  may operably engage the ratchet drum  76  to release the ratchet drum  76  and facilitate selective extension of the assembly securing strap  84  from the ratchet drum  76 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     In typical application of the assembly  100 , which will be hereinafter further described, the assembly  100  may be mounted on the support  94  by initially detaching the strap loop  85  on the assembly securing strap  84  from the strap pin  91  by removing the strap pin  91  from the registering strap pin openings (not illustrated) in the respective strap pin flanges  90 . The support engaging arms  62 ,  71  may be placed against the support  94 , after which the assembly securing strap  84  may be extended from the ratchet drum  76 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , typically by depressing the ratchet release button  87 . The loose strap loop  85  on the assembly securing strap  84  may be extended around the support  94  and then re-attached to the strap pin  91  in the strap pin slot  92  by placing the strap loop  85  in the strap pin slot  92  and re-inserting the strap pin  91  in the registering strap pin openings (not illustrated) in the respective strap pin flanges  90  through the registering strap loop  85 . The ratchet handle  86  may be manipulated in the back-and-forth motion to wind the assembly securing strap  84  on the ratchet drum  76  until the assembly securing strap  84  tightens around the support  94 , the support engaging arms  62 ,  71  snugly engage the support  94  and the assembly mount bracket  60  is oriented in a horizontal position above the ground (not illustrated). 
     An accessory rail adaptor  1  may be provided on the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  of the assembly mount bracket  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in typical application, which will be hereinafter described, the accessory rail adaptor  1  may facilitate expeditious attachment of a firearm  46  to the assembly  100  and detachment of the firearm  46  from the assembly  100 . As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 , the accessory rail adaptor  1  may include an adaptor body  2 . The adaptor body  2  and other components of the accessory rail adaptor  1 , which will be hereinafter described, may include metal such as aluminum or steel and/or a composite material such as carbon fiber composite or plastic, for example and without limitation. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the adaptor body  2  may include a first adaptor body side surface  3 ; a second adaptor body side surface  4  which is opposite the first adaptor body side surface  3 ; and a first adaptor body end  5  and a second adaptor body end  6  at opposite ends of the adaptor body  2 . The adaptor body  2  may further include a firearm attachment surface  8 . In some embodiments, multiple adaptor ridges  9  may extend from the firearm attachment surface  8  in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
     An adaptor roller  16  is provided on the adaptor body  2 . The adaptor roller  16  is disposed adjacent to the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2 . An adaptor flange  20  is provided on the adaptor body  2 . The adaptor flange  20  is disposed adjacent to the firearm attachment surface  8  and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller  16 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the adaptor flange  20  is selectively moveable toward and away from the adaptor roller  16  such as in a manner and for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. 
     The adaptor roller  16  may be mounted on the adaptor body  2  according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, a pair of spaced-apart roller mount arms  14  may extend from the adaptor body  2  at the first adaptor body side surface  3 . The roller mount arms  14  may be secured to the adaptor body  2  via arm fasteners  15 . The roller mount arms  14  may protrude beyond the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2 . The adaptor roller  16  may be journaled for rotation between the roller mount arms  14  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     The adaptor flange  20  may be mounted for selective movement toward and away from the adaptor roller  16  according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in some embodiments, the adaptor flange  20  may be pivotally attached to the second adaptor body side surface  4  of the adaptor body  2  via a flange mount shaft  24 . The flange mount shaft  24  may be secured at each end via a pair of flange fasteners  23  ( FIG. 9 ). Accordingly, the adaptor flange  20  may be selectively pivotal between a locking position illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in which the adaptor flange  20  is oriented toward the adaptor roller  16 , and a release position illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in which the adaptor flange  20  is oriented away from the adaptor roller  16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a flange pivot space  10  may be provided in the second adaptor body side surface  4  of the adaptor body  2  to accommodate the adaptor flange  20  in the release position. 
     In some embodiments, a flange biasing mechanism  26  may be provided on the adaptor body  2  in engagement with the adaptor flange  20 . The flange biasing mechanism  26  may include any type of biasing device or mechanism which normally biases the adaptor flange  20  in the locking position on the adaptor body  2 . For example and without limitation, in some embodiments, the flange biasing mechanism  26  may include a coiled flange bias spring  30 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the flange bias spring  30  may be disposed in a spring cavity  28  which extends through the adaptor body  2  from the first adaptor body side surface  3  to the second adaptor body side surface  4  and protrudes beyond the adaptor body side surface  4  to engage the adaptor flange  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the adaptor flange  20  may include an adaptor flange body  21  which is pivotally attached to the adaptor body  2  such as via the flange mount shaft  24 . An adaptor flange tab  22  may protrude from the adaptor flange body  21  adjacent to the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2 . A rail lock space  32  may be formed by and between the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2 , the adaptor roller  16  and the adaptor flange body  21  and the adaptor flange  22  of the adaptor flange  20  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
     The adaptor body  2  of the accessory rail adaptor  1  may be attached to the accessory rail adapter mount plate  70  of the assembly mount bracket  60  according to any suitable attachment technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, an adaptor mount bracket  34  may attach the adaptor body  2  to the accessory rail adapter mount plate  70 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , the adaptor mount bracket  34  may include a bracket pedestal  35  which may be attached to the accessory rail adapter mount plate  70 . In some embodiments, the bracket pedestal  35  may be mounted in a rotatable manner with respect to the adaptor mount plate  70  such as via a pedestal mount fastener  42 . A bracket platform  36  may be pivotally attached to the bracket pedestal  35  such as via a bracket mount bolt  38  which extends through at least one bolt opening (not illustrated) in at least one platform  37  protruding from the bracket platform  36  and through a registering bolt opening (not illustrated) in the bracket pedestal  35 . A pair of spaced-apart bracket arms  40  may extend from the bracket platform  36 . The adaptor body  2  may be pivotally mounted between the bracket arms  40  via a pair of bracket fasteners  39 . Thus, the bracket platform  36  may be selectively pivoted with respect to the bracket pedestal  35  about a first pivot axis defined by the bracket mount bolt  38 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , and the adaptor body  2  may be selectively pivoted with respect to the bracket arms  40  about the bracket fasteners  39  along a second pivot axis which is perpendicular to the first pivot axis of the bracket mount bolt  38  to facilitate multi-positioning capability of the firearm  46  mounted on the accessory rail adaptor  1 . 
     In typical application, the assembly  100  facilitates mounting of a firearm  46  (illustrated in phantom in  FIG. 3 ) to a tree, pole or other support  94  for steady and sustained aiming and firing of the firearm  46  as well as use of the support  94  as a shield from projectiles in the event of return fire. Accordingly, the assembly  100  may be mounted on the support  94  by placing the support engaging arms  62 ,  71  on the assembly mount bracket  60  against the support  94  and extending and tightening the assembly securing strap  84  around the support  94  by operation of the assembly mounting mechanism  74 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 1-6 . The firearm  46  is attached to the accessory rail adaptor  1  preparatory to aiming and firing the firearm  46  at a target (not illustrated). As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some applications, the firearm  46  may be a standard or conventional automatic or semiautomatic rifle having a firearm receiver  47 , a rear grip  48  and a stock  49  extending from the firearm receiver  47  and a barrel  52  extending forwardly from the firearm receiver  47 . The upper accessory mount rail  54  and the lower accessory mount rail  55  may extend along the barrel  52 . The upper accessory mount rail  54  and the lower accessory mount rail  55  may each be a conventional Weaver rail mount or Picatinny mount (such as a mil-standard 1913 rail), for example and without limitation. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lower accessory mount rail  55  on the firearm  46  may be attached to the accessory rail adaptor  1  as follows. The adaptor flange  20  is initially pivoted from the locking position illustrated in  FIG. 10  to the release position illustrated in  FIG. 11  against the bias imparted by the flange biasing mechanism  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , as the lower accessory mount rail  55  is oriented at an angled position relative to the adaptor body  2 , a first lateral rail edge  56  of the lower accessory mount rail  55  is then inserted between the firearm attachment surface  8  on the adaptor body  2  and the adaptor flange tab  22  on the adaptor flange  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a second lateral edge  57  of the lower accessory mount rail  55  is then pushed against the adaptor roller  16 , which rotates between the roller mount arms  14  until the second lateral edge  57  snaps into place between the adaptor roller  16  and the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2  as the flange biasing mechanism  26  returns the adaptor flange  20  to the locking position illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Accordingly, the lower accessory mount rail  55  is securely seated in the rail lock space  32  ( FIG. 7 ) against the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2 . 
     As the assembly  100  remains securely fastened to the support  94  and the firearm  46  remains securely fastened to the assembly  100 , the firearm operator (not illustrated) aims and fires the firearm  46  toward the target. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the firearm  46  remains steady and immovable throughout operation as the firearm operator repeatedly fires the firearm  46  at the target. Additionally, due to the typical universal positioning capability of the adaptor mount bracket  34 , the firearm operator can rotate the firearm  46  as the bracket pedestal  35  rotates about the pedestal mount fastener  42  as well as pivot the firearm  46  in a side-to-side motion as the adaptor body  2  pivots about the bracket fasteners  39  and angle the firearm  46  along the desired vertical aiming trajectory as the bracket platform  36  pivots about the bracket mount bolt  38 . In the event of return fire, such as may occur in law enforcement or military applications, the firearm operator can shield himself or herself from projectiles by standing or crouching behind the support  94 . Moreover, the accessory rail adaptor  1  prevents rearward recoil motion of the firearm  46  relative to the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  by securely immobilizing the lower accessory mount rail  55  on the firearm  46  during shooting. 
     The firearm  46  can be selectively detached from the accessory rail adaptor  1  by disengaging the second lateral rail edge  57  of the lower accessory mount rail  55  from the firearm attachment surface  8  of the adaptor body  2  while rotating the second lateral edge  57  against the adaptor roller  16  and then removing the first lateral rail edge  56  of the lower accessory rail mount  55  from the rail lock space  32 , in a reverse of the steps which were heretofore described with respect to attachment of the firearm  46  to the accessory rail adaptor  1  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The assembly mount bracket  60  can be selectively removed from the support  94  typically by depression of the ratchet release button  86  on the assembly mounting mechanism  74  to release the ratchet drum  76  and pulling the assembly securing strap  84  from the ratchet drum  76 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , as the ratchet drum  76  rotates to loosen the assembly securing strap  84 . Next, the strap pin  91  may be removed from the strap pin openings (not illustrated) in the strap pin flanges  90  ( FIG. 1 ) of the assembly mount bracket  60  to remove the strap loop  85  from the strap pin slot  92  and then the assembly securing strap  84  from around the support  94 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 15 and 16  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the assembly  100  includes a firearm support cradle  120  which is provided on the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  of the assembly mount bracket  60  in place of the accessory rail adaptor  1  which was heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 1-14 . The accessory rail adaptor  1  and the firearm support cradle  120  may be detachably and interchangeably attached to the assembly mount bracket  60 . The firearm support cradle  120  may be attached to the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  via cradle mount bolt  121  which may facilitate selective rotational adjustment of the firearm support cradle  120 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in application of the assembly  100 , the firearm support cradle  120  may support a firearm  46  for steady and sustained aiming and firing of the firearm  46 . The firearm support cradle  120  may facilitate multi-positioning capability of the firearm  46  as the firearm support cradle  120  is rotated via the cradle mount bolt  121 . 
     In some embodiments, a bow mount arm  124  may extend from the assembly mount bracket  60 . The bow mount arm  124  may be attached to the accessory rail adaptor mount plate  70  via the cradle mount bolt  121 . A retainer flange  125  may terminate the extending or distal end of the bow mount arm  124 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in application of the assembly  100 , a bow  128  (illustrated in phantom) may be suspended from the bow mount arm  124  when not in use. The retainer flange  125  prevents the bow  128  from inadvertently sliding from the bow mount arm  124 . 
     In some embodiments, an accessory mount hook  130  may be attached to the assembly mount bracket  60 . The accessory mount hook  130  may include a hook shaft  131  which may be attached to the mounting mechanism plate  66  of the assembly mount bracket  60  via a hook mount bolt  133  and securing not  134 . A curved hook bottom segment  132  may extend from the hook shaft  131 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , an accessory  136  such as a bag, sack or the like containing items (not illustrated) such as ammunition may be suspended from the accessory mount hook  130  for ease of access by the operator of the firearm  46  in application of the assembly  100 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.