Patent Publication Number: US-2022214142-A1

Title: Firearm rail mount and related method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a rail mount for mounting an accessory to a firearm. 
     Many modern sporting and military firearms include a rail system designed to mount accessories, such as scopes, reflex sights, lights, lasers and the like to the firearm. A popular type of rail system is the picatinny rail system. Most present accessories are designed to mount to such a rail system with ease. Some firearms, however, do not have good mounting systems, let alone a picatinny rail system commonly mounted to them. One such firearm is the Kalashnikov gas rifle, better known as the AK-47, and its variants, which comprise one of the largest groups of firearms in the world. The AK-47 rifles, as well as some other variants, have a wedge shaped rail on the side of the receiver, with no rail mounted on the top of the firearm due to a dust cover located there. 
     Some manufacturers have developed mounts that extend up from this wedge rail on the side of such weapons. These mounts include a picatinny rail that extends over the top of the receiver so that an accessory can be mounted there. A popular type of side rail mount is the UTG Pro Quick Detachable AK Side Mount, available from Leapers, Inc. of Livonia, Mich. This mount offers a top rail that extends over the top of the firearm receiver and positioned well for further mounting of optics and other accessories along a line of sight over the top of the receiver. This mount also has quick detach capability implemented via a throw lever. Tightening the throw lever bends a rail part that clamps against the wedge rail of the firearm to secure the mount to the same. While this provides exceptional grip and attachment to the rail, it can sometimes be difficult and time consuming to precisely tighten the lever a desired amount. The rail mount also grips the wedge rail in a localized, curved area where the rail part bends, which might not distribute the clamping force widely enough in some cases. 
     Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of rail mounts to secure accessories to rails of firearms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mount for removably attaching accessories to a firearm is provided. The mount can include a base having a mounting rail, a lock block moveable in a recess of the base and a throw lever, which when activated, allows springs to move the lock block in the recess so the lock block disengages the firearm rail in an open mode. 
     In one embodiment, the thumb lever can engage the lock block to a closed mode in which it clamps the mount to the firearm rail in a fixed position relative to the firearm. An accessory thus can be firmly, consistently and securely mounted relative to the firearm with the mount for use by a user. 
     In another embodiment, the thumb lever can be joined with a threaded shaft that engages a threaded element, for example, a keps nut, associated with the lock block. The keps nut can have a head with multiple notches, and a sleeve that extends into a bore defined by the lock block. The sleeve can include threads that threadably engage the threaded shaft so that as the threaded shaft is rotated, the threaded element can thread off the shaft. The springs can thus move the lock block in the recess to release the lock block from the firearm rail. 
     In still another embodiment, the mount can include a lock element, for example, a toggle lock. The toggle lock can be mounted adjacent the threaded element, and can be selectively moveable in and out of a particular notch of the threaded element when that notch is aligned with the lock element. As a result, the toggle lock can engage and lock with the threaded element so that it will not rotate in a locked mode. When the threaded shaft rotates in the threaded element, the threaded element threads off the shaft, and as noted above, the springs can thus move the lock block in the recess to release the lock block from the firearm rail so that the mount can be removed therefrom. 
     In yet another embodiment, the mount includes a ledge joined with the base and disposed adjacent the thumb lever when the lock block is in the closed mode. The mount can include a ball catch that engages the thumb lever to secure the thumb lever in a retracted mode when the lock block is in the closed mode. The ball catch can include a ball and another spring associated with the ledge to activate the ball. 
     In even another embodiment, the mount can be configured to engage a firearm rail located on a lateral side of the firearm, for example, on a lateral side of a receiver. The mount can include an L-shaped leg extending upward from the base. The leg can be configured to extend over a portion of the firearm. The accessory mounting rail can be joined with an upper portion of the leg so that the accessory rail extends along a longitudinal axis of the firearm. 
     In a further embodiment, the lock block includes a first block guide and a second block guide disposed at opposing ends of the lock block. The first guide block guide registers with a corresponding first base guide, and the second block guide registers with a corresponding second base guide. Both base guides can be associated with the base. The first and second block guides registered with the first and second base guides can align the lock block in the recess so that the lock block can slide within the recess in an aligned, consistent, relatively linear, nonbinding and/or smooth manner. 
     In a still a further embodiment, a method of using the mount is provided. The method can include: providing a base joined with an accessory mounting rail, the base defining a recess with a lock block movably disposed in the recess, the lock block defining a bore within which a threaded element is selectively, rotatably constrained; rotating a thumb lever joined with the base so that a threaded shaft, joined with the thumb lever, rotates relative to the threaded element; an urging the lock block away from a firearm rail via a spring so that the mount can be detached from the firearm rail in an open mode. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the method can include locating the threaded element between the bore and the threaded shaft so that the threaded shaft does not directly engage the lock block. 
     In even a further embodiment, the method can include engaging a toggle lock with a notch of the threaded element so that the threaded element is rotatably constrained in the bore, unable to rotate. In some cases, the toggle lock includes a nose that projects into a particular notch so that the threaded element cannot rotate. 
     The current embodiments of the mount and related method of use provide benefits above that previously have been unachievable. These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a mount of a current embodiment mounted on a lateral firearm rail of a firearm such that a mounting rail projects over an upper portion of the firearm, with the lock block in a closed mode securing the mount to the firearm rail; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the mount with the lock block in a closed mode securing the mount to the firearm; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the mount showing a threaded element and a toggle lock in a locked mode so the threaded element does not rotate in the lock block; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the lock block and base engaging a firearm rail in a closed mode to secure the mount to the firearm rail in a secure manner; 
         FIG. 5  is a side section view of the lock block and base disengaging a firearm rail in an open mode to the mount that can be removed from the firearm rail; 
         FIG. 6  is a front section view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom section view of a toggle lock engaging the threaded element so the threaded element will not rotate; and 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom section view of a toggle lock depressed to disengage the threaded element so the threaded element can be tightened with a tool to adjust the clamping force of the lock block and base on a firearm rail. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS 
     A current embodiment of the mount is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  and generally designated  10 . The mount  10  can be used to mount a variety of different accessories to the firearm. The accessories can include, but are not limited to, optical scopes, reflex sights, red dots, lighting systems, aiming lasers, iron sights, bipods, cameras, and virtually any other rail mounted accessory. The mount  10  is configured to be secured to the weapon  2  via a firearm rail  3  that is fixedly secured to or integrated with the weapon. Where the weapon  2  is a firearm, such as the exemplary, shown AK-47 style rifle or variant thereof, the mount  10  can be configured to join with a laterally disposed firearm mounting rail, or firearm rail  3 . The mount can also be used with an upper or lower mounted firearm rail. The mount can be used with any type of firearm, such as shotguns, handguns, artillery weapons, as well as archery devices, such as compound bows and crossbows or other projectile shooting devices. 
     The firearm rail  3  can be disposed on a lateral side  2 L of the receiver  4  of the weapon  1 . In this configuration, a base  20  of the mount extends along the lateral side  4 L of the receiver, and a leg  27  extends upward from the base, along the lateral side, angling or curving over an upper portion  2 U of the weapon or firearm. This leg  27  can be generally L-shaped as shown. The mount can include an accessory mounting rail  25 , which can be a longitudinal rail as shown. The rail  25  described herein is a picatinny rail, however, any other type of rail or mounting structure is contemplated to be compatible with the mount  10 . The rail can extend generally along, parallel to and or transverse to the longitudinal axis LA of the firearm. Further, although shown as attaching to a side or lateral firearm rail, the mount  10  herein can be used in other applications, where the mount  10  and its accessory rail  25  is mounted atop the weapon, over a receiver  3  or an upper portion  2 U of the weapon  2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the mount  10  includes a base  20  defining a recess  21  and a lock block  30  movably mounted in the recess or relative to the base. The mount further includes a thumb lever  40  which can allow the lock block to move relative to the base and any firearm rail  3  to which the mount is secured. Turning to  FIGS. 2-3 , the base can define the recess generally between forward  21 F and rearward  21 R parts. The forward part  21 F can include a first base guide  21 B 1  and the rearward part  21 R can include a second base guide  21 B 2 . These base guides optionally can be grooves, recesses, channels, slots as shown, or alternatively can be pyramidal structures, triangular structures, contours, projections, raised areas or the like. 
     As shown, these base guides can interface with and guide the lock block  30  in the recess  21 . More particularly, the lock block can include a first block guide  31 B 1  and a second block guide  31 B 2  at opposing ends or opposing sides thereof. The first block guide can be at the forward part of the lock block, and can slidably or movably fit, register and/or interface with and/or relative to the first base guide. The second block guide can be at the rearward part of the lock block and can slidably or movably fit, register and/or interface with and/or relative to the second base guide. The block guides can extend from the top of the lock block to its bottom, through its height H, or can be smaller and shorter, depending on the application. Optionally, the block guides can have a length L 1  that is equal to or shorter than the height, and that can be shorter than a length L 2  of the base guides. The block guides optionally can be pyramidal structures, triangular structures, contours, projections, raised areas or the like as shown, or alternatively can be grooves, recesses, channels or slots. In some cases the structures of the base guides and the block guides can be reversed. Whatever the structure of the base and block guides, the first and second block guides registered with the first and second base guides can align the lock block  30  in the recess  21  so that the lock block can slide, transition or otherwise move within the recess in an aligned manner therewith. The tolerances between the block and base guides can be close and minimal so that the lock block does not bind, tilt or lock up when moving relative to the recess via the springs as described below or other movement input. 
     As mentioned above, the base can include forward and rearward parts  21 F and  21 R. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a pivot region or block  22  can be disposed, and can be aligned over or in the recess  21 , optionally between the front and rearward parts, and/or between the base guides. The pivot block  22  can extend outward from the base  20  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pivot block also can define a shaft bore  22 B extending through the block  22 . The shaft bore can be vertical as shown, or in other applications, horizontal. The shaft bore can be sized to receive a bushing  22 S and a portion of a threaded shaft  45 , which can be partially threaded as shown or fully threaded. The bushing  22 S can facilitate rotation of the shaft  45  in the pivot block. Optionally, the bushing can be removed in some applications if the metal of the base is hard enough. 
     The threaded shaft  45  can extend above and below the pivot block, and can extend a greater distance below the pivot block as shown in some cases. The threaded shaft also can extend downward into the recess  21 . The threads  45 T of the threaded shaft  45  can extend to an area of the lock block corresponding to a bore  30 B defined by the lock block, but optionally those threads and the threaded shaft do not directly contact the lock block or the bore as described below. The threaded shaft also can extend above the pivot block as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and that upper part of the threaded shaft  45  can be nonrotatably, fixedly secured to the thumb lever  40 . More particularly, the threaded shaft upper part can extend into a bore  40 B of the thumb lever and can be pinned there to the lever via a pin  41 P or set screw that fixes or secures the threaded shaft  45  to the thumb lever. Although referred to as a thumb lever, the lever  40  can be any elongated lever, bar, or member that can facilitate rotation of the threaded shaft when moved or rotated as described below. 
     The thumb lever  40  can extend rearward from the threaded shaft and pivot block a distance, and optionally can extend over a ledge  21 L of the base adjacent and/or above the rear part  21 R. As shown in  FIG. 5 , that ledge can include a ball catch  23  that can engage a detent  40 C in the thumb lever to hold the thumb lever in the retracted position shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , when the lock block is in a closed mode as described below. The ball catch can include a housing  23 H in which a spring  23 S is disposed and pushes a ball  23 B to a raised position. With sufficient force on the lever, the ball  23 B can retract slightly into the housing  23 H to allow the detent  40 C to clear the ball and be released for movement or rotation relative to the pivot block and or base  20  in general. In this manner, the thumb lever can be extended to an extended mode as shown in  FIGS. 5-6  when the lock block is in an open mode to remove or adjust the base relative to the firearm. 
     The base  20  as shown in  FIGS. 3-4  can include an inner side  201 . The inner side can include a slot, groove or channel  20 G. That slot can be configured to receive a portion of the firearm rail  3 . In particular, the slot  20 G can receive the first part  3 A of the firearm rail, which can be in the shape of a tapered wedge having an undercut  3 AU into which part of the base adjacent the channel  20 G fits. The firearm rail  3  also can include a second part  3 B, which can also be in the shape of a tapered wedge having a similar undercut  3 BU into which a rail flange  30 R of the lock block  30  fits as described below to clamp the firearm rail between the base and the lock block. The lock block  30  can define a corresponding slot, groove or channel  30 G into which the part  3 BU of the firearm rail can fit. Generally, the slot  20 G and the slot  30 G, and the surrounding material of the base and lock block, are configured to clamp against the firearm rail when the lock block is in the closed mode as described below. 
     As mentioned above, the mount  10  includes the lock block  30  movably disposed in the recess  21  of the base  20 , optionally between the forward and rearward parts of the base, and below the pivot block of the base. The lock block shown in  FIGS. 2-4  can include a bore  30 B that extends generally from an upper surface of the block to a lower surface of the block. The bore  30 B can be smooth as shown, or can include other contours, but optionally is not threaded. The bore can include a contoured tapered or frustoconical entry  30 BT near the lower surface. 
     The bore can be configured to receive a threaded element  50  therein. The threaded element can include a sleeve  53  and a head  55 . The sleeve  53  can include a threaded bore  50 B with threads  50 T therein. The outside of the sleeve and head, however, are not threaded and can free spin inside the bore. These threads can threadably receive the threads  45 T of the threaded shaft  45  so that the threaded element can thread on and off the threaded shaft upon directional rotation of the threaded shaft. The threaded element  50  also can define a drive feature  59  which can be a hole or other feature configured to receive a tool. The drive hole can mate with the tool, which can be a hex key drive, a TORX drive, a star drive, Phillips or flat head screw drive, or some other drive. The tool  59 T can be used to rotate the threaded element onto or off the threaded shaft to set the initial clamping force of the mount on the firearm rail as described below. 
     The threaded element  50  as shown can be in the form of a keps nut having multiple notches  50 N as shown in  FIG. 3 . These notches can be formed or defined in the head  55 . The notches can be equally radially spaced about the axis TLA and/or the drive feature  59  of the threaded element. The notches can be configured to circumferentiate the drive feature and can vary in number. Optionally, the notches can be of a depth D 1  that is less than a diameter D of the threaded element head  55 . The particular depth can be selected to accommodate the lock element  60 . 
     The lock element  60  as shown in  FIGS. 3, 7 and 8  can be in the form of a toggle lock pivotally joined with the lock block  30 . The toggle lock  60  can include a toggle engagement surface or a lock surface, shown as a tooth  63  that selectively engages the threaded element  50  to selectively, rotatably constrain the threaded element in the lock block  30 . This constraint can prevent the keps nut from rotating in the bore  30 B, even while the threaded shaft  45  rotates in the bore  50 B of the threaded element to thread the keps nut onto the threads of the threaded shaft. The toggle lock can include an engagement button  63  opposite the tooth  63 . A spring  66  can be biased against the button  63  to urge it to the position shown in  FIG. 7 , where the toggle lock is in a locked mode to prevent rotation of the threaded element in the bore. When the toggle lock is depressed with a force F 3 , it can pivot about the pivot pin  65  and the toggle lock axis PA, which can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis TLA of the bore and threaded shaft. When the force is applied, the tooth  63  can exit the notch  50 N 1  so that the threaded element can be rotated. Generally the sleeve and tapered head can be rotated in the bore of the lock block when the lock element is disengaged from the plurality of notches. The threaded element  50  can be rotated with the tool  59 T to tighten the threaded element relative to the threaded shaft, which in turn moves the lock block to reduce the space S 1  between the lock block groove  30 G and the base groove  20 G. This can effectively tighten the mount, for example, the lock block and the base, relative to the firearm rail  3 , before the throw lever is moved to a closed mode to finally tighten and clamp the mount to the firearm rail. After the threaded element is threaded on the threaded shaft a suitable amount, to set the clamping force on the firearm rail, the force F 3  can be removed, in which case the spring  66  rotates the toggle lock  60  so that the lock surface or tooth  63  again engages the notches  50 N. Upon this engagement, the threaded element is prevented from rotating in the bore of the lock block. 
     As noted above, the lock block  30  can be movably disposed in the recess  21  of the mount  10 . One or more springs  56 ,  57  also can be disposed in the recess or otherwise can engage the lock block. Generally, these springs can be configured to bias the lock block away from the firearm rail when the lock block is in an open mode shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The spring  56  can be seated and/or trapped in holes  56 HL of the lock block and  56 HB of the base, for example, the pivot block  22 . The spring  57  can be seated and/or trapped in holes  57 HL of the lock block and  57 HB of the base. The holes can trap and or guide the springs, and can provide recesses into which the springs retract. Although shown as coil springs, the springs  56  and  57  can be replaced with any bias element, leaf spring, rubber or elastomeric material, elastic or compression element or the like, all referred to as springs herein. Optionally, the springs  56  and  57  can be symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of longitudinal axis TLA of the bore  30 B. This can be so that the springs exert relatively balanced forces F 1  and F 2  against the lock block to evenly move it in the recess, so the lock block does not tilt and/or bind in the recess. Of course, where included, the alignment guides also can help in maintaining smooth movement of the lock block. 
     A method of using the mount  10  of the current embodiment will now be described. In general, the mount  10  can be applied to a firearm rail  3  of the firearm  2 . The rail  3  can be inserted in the grooves  20 G and  30 G of the base and lock block. The mount can be slid along the rail until the accessory rail  25  is properly positioned over the top  2 U of the firearm, in a location satisfactory for mounting the accessory. The toggle lock can be depressed with a force F 3  as shown in  FIG. 8  so the lock is in an unlocked mode and the threaded element  50  can be rotated due to the lock surface  63  disengaging the notches  50 N. A tool  59 T can be mated with the drive feature  59  and turned. This turns the threaded element  50  so it threads on the threaded shaft. The threaded element also pulls the lock block upward toward the pivot block due to the head  55  engaging the tapered part of the bore. The lock block can be guided by the guides in the recess so it does not tilt or bind in the recess, and can move in a linear manner. The springs depress when the lock block is moved up. The grooves  20 G and  30 G also close in on the firearm rails. The lock block and base can be snugged against the firearm rail to secure the mount to the firearm. After this setting of the base and the lock block, the toggle lock can be released by removing force F 3 . The tooth  63  can engage a notch so that the threaded element is again rotationally constrained in the bore  30 B. 
     To remove the mount  10  from the firearm rail, a user can engage the thumb lever  40  and rotate it from the position over the ledge  21 L in  FIG. 4  to the position shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . In so doing, the ball catch  23 C is depressed sufficiently to allow the thumb lever to rotate forward. As it does, the threaded shaft  45  also rotates in unison. The threaded shaft  45  rotates relative to the threaded element  50 , so that the threaded element loosens off the threads  45 T of the shaft. The head  53  of the threaded element, held from rotating by the toggle lock  60  in the locked mode, moves away from the pivot block  22 . As this occurs, the lock block  30  is urged away from the pivot block  22  by way of the springs  56 ,  57  urging the lock block  30  to do so. The guides along the lock block registered in the grooves allow the lock block to move in an un-tilted or nonbinding manner. When the lock block moves, the space S between the grooves  20 G and  30 G increases so that the clamping forces by the lock block and the base are removed partially or fully from the firearm rail  3 . When this occurs, the user can slide the mount along the rail and remove the mount from the firearm or adjust the position of the mount relative to the firearm rail and firearm. 
     The various components and features of the embodiments herein can take on a variety of aesthetic forms, shapes and sizes. Although a particular component or feature can have a function, that feature can be expressed in different aesthetic manners to form an artistic design and/or purely ornamental design. 
     Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s). 
     In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or “coupled to” another component, part or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to the other component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; Y, Z, and/or any other possible combination together or alone of those elements, noting that the same is open ended and can include other elements.