Patent Abstract:
A mount adapter device is disclosed which utilizes a spring-loaded push system that employs a dual locking mechanism to releasably, consistently, and securely lock accessories to a weapon accessory rail. The mount adapter device generally includes a first base member, a second base member, a push rod member, and a resilient member. The push rod member slidably connects the first base member and the second base member. The first base member is linearly slidable into engagement with the second base member in a first direction, and the second base member is linearly slidable into engagement with the first base member in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The first base member includes a first clamping member for engaging one edge of the rail. The second base member includes a second clamping member for engaging an opposite edge of the rail. The resilient member provides a spring force and is arranged to force the first clamping member to move in the first direction into locking engagement with the first edge of the rail while simultaneously forcing the second clamping member to move in the second direction into locking engagement with the second edge of the rail. A knob on the push rod member may be rotated down the push rod member to provide the device with a second locked position.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/277,864, filed Sep. 30, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to mounting devices for attaching various accessories to a support structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to mount adapter devices utilizing a spring-loaded push system for quickly and securely attaching firearm accessories to weapon accessory rails. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Universal weapon accessory rails such as the “Picatinny rail” (i.e., MIL-STD-1913 rail) provide a standardized platform for mounting and dismounting firearm accessories to weapons. Generally, accessories including optics, tactical lights, grenade launchers, night vision devices, and other weapon-mounted accessories are not designed for direct attachment to the rails. Thus, mount adapter devices are typically employed to attach accessories to firearms. 
         [0006]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , conventional weapon accessory rails are defined by a grooved mounting feature that serves as the platform used to mount accessories. The grooved mounting feature comprises a plurality of mounting projections  50  extending perpendicular along a longitudinal axis  53  of each rail  43 . The mounting projections  50  are separated by a plurality of transverse grooves  40  evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 . Each of the mounting projections  50  includes an upper mounting surface  39  and opposite transverse edges  48  and  49  which are beveled to form a first  41   a  and a second  41   b  inclined proximal surface on opposite sides of the upper mounting surface  39 , a first inclined distal surface  42   a  adjacent the first inclined proximal surface  41   a , and a second inclined distal surface  42   b  adjacent the second inclined proximal surface  41   b . These mounting projections  50  are provided so that accessories may be mounted to weapon accessory rails using mount adapter devices which are able to grip the edges  48  and  49  of the rails. 
         [0007]    Various mount adapter devices have been suggested for attaching weapon accessories to firearms. A common objective of all mount adapter devices is to releasably and securely fasten an accessory to a weapon. To accomplish this objective prior art devices commonly employ bolts, thumbscrews, or levers to draw together opposing clamping members having inclined surfaces aligned with and facing the inclined surfaces of the mounting projections on the rail. The bolt, thumbscrew, or lever urges a moving clamping member toward the direction of a stationary clamping member. In this manner, the opposing clamping members grip the inclined surfaces of the mounting projections in an effort to attach the device to the rail. Design problems in prior art devices, however, present several disadvantages—one significant disadvantage being insufficient clamping forces. 
         [0008]    Most users of mount adapter devices, especially military or law enforcement personnel, demand the ability to quickly switch from one accessory to another, as well as the ability to easily and quickly mount and dismount the accessory. Particularly in combat settings, efficient field modification of weapon configurations is vital. Yet, current devices are unable to fulfill such user demands. 
         [0009]    Compact and lightweight devices are needed for quickly modifying weapon configurations, but compared to the disclosed invention, prior art devices are large and cumbersome. This design flaw makes tasks such as mounting, dismounting, and switching accessories difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, the comparatively larger prior art devices are more susceptible to being inadvertently forced out of position on the rail by an external force or upon an accidental impact. 
         [0010]    A common type of prior art mount adapter device employs levers or similar actuating members as a means of clamping or locking the device to the rail. Such devices require two hands and too much time to attach the device to the rail. One hand positions and holds the device to the rail while the other hand forces the lever to a lock position. This method of attachment does not provide an efficient means of modifying weapon configurations. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, a fundamental defect encountered with devices employing levers is that the levers are prone to breakage. For example, due to dimensional variations among different rails, if a particular rail happens to be larger than other conventional rails, a user may have to press harder on a lever in order to get the clamping mechanism to properly attach to the rail. The force exerted on the lever can oftentimes cause the lever to break. 
         [0012]    An additional problem of devices employing levers occurs when excessive vibration, recoil, or accidental contact of the lever with an external impact forces the lever to slide to an unlock or release position causing the device and the accessory to detach from the rail. In the case of accessories such as optical sights, a mere one-thousandth of an inch variance in the remounted position causes a one inch shift in the point of aim at one hundred yards. Accordingly, in addition to requiring the user to remount the optical sight, the user would also have to resight (or re-zero) the sight which is inefficient and inconvenient. 
         [0013]    Other prior art devices utilize bolts or thumb screws as opposed to levers. Generally, these devices have one or more knobs that the user must rotate through several 360 degree turns in order to attach or detach the device to the rail. Devices of this type cannot be attached to or detached from the rail as quickly as is sometimes required by users. 
         [0014]    In regards to accessories such as optical sights, it is imperative for accuracy that the optical sight remains rigidly attached to the firearm. Devices that utilize bolts or thumb screws as a locking means, however, are generally manually bolted down. As a result, the device easily comes loose from the rail as the manually tightened bolts do not remain consistently and tightly fastened in place. Additionally, the bolts and thumbscrews protrude out laterally from the mount adapter device when the device is attached to a rail. This makes the bolts and thumbscrews susceptible to catching or snagging on clothing or other external items which can jerk the device and the accessory out of position. 
         [0015]    Another common feature shared by many current devices relies on an opposing cam member to bear against one edge of the rail to attach the device to the rail. Generally, the length of the opposing cam member is substantially less than the length of a main clamping member. For example, in one design currently used, the opposing cam member measures approximately one half of an inch in length while the main clamping member measures approximately three inches in length. This feature results in insufficient holding strength of the device to the rail and leaves the accessory susceptible to misalignment caused by accidental impact, intense recoil, or jarring or dropping the firearm on which the accessory is mounted. Once again this can force the user to waste a great amount of time correcting the positioning, remounting, or resighting the accessory. 
         [0016]    Another problem with devices utilizing a cam member occurs as the cam member moves into a clamping position on the rail. The cam member rubs along and abrades an edge of the rail each time the device is attached to or detached from the rail. This disfigures and wears down the edges of the rails which reduces the ability of such devices to consistently, tightly, and securely attach to the damaged edges. Furthermore, devices utilizing cam members are not designed to account for the dimensional variations seen among different rails. This results in such devices either attaching too tightly to rails and disfiguring the rails as described above, or attaching to loosely to rails and leaving the attached accessory susceptible to misalignment or detachment. 
         [0017]    A mount adapter device is needed that is compact, lightweight, and that provides maximum and consistent clamping forces to attach the device to a rail, thereby allowing the device to withstand the impact of external forces. At the same time the device needs to be sturdy enough to withstand breakage of any parts. Moreover, a device is needed that will securely lock to all rails, including worn or damaged rails, without disfiguring the rails or requiring realignment. Opposed to prior art devices that require tools or two hands to attach the devices to a rail, a device is needed that can be quickly and effortlessly locked to a rail without the necessity of tools and requiring only one hand A device is needed that will retain its precise original orientation and alignment when detached and reattached to a rail, thereby allowing an optical, sighting, or other aiming or targeting device to maintain its zero position when detached and then subsequently reattached to the rail. 
         [0018]    In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for a mount adapter device which overcomes, mitigates, or solves the above problems in the art. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art which will become more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above described drawbacks associated with prior art mount adapter devices. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention provides for a mount adapter device utilizing a spring-loaded push system that employs a dual locking mechanism to releasably, consistently, and securely lock accessories to a universal weapon accessory rail. 
         [0020]    The mount adapter device of the present invention generally comprises a base including a first base member and a second base member, said first base member being linearly slidable into engagement with the second base member in a first direction, said second base member being linearly slidable into engagement with the first base member in a second direction which is opposite said first direction; said first base member including a first clamping member for engaging a first edge of the rail; said second base member including a second clamping member for engaging a second edge of the rail; a push rod member slidably connecting said first base member to said second base member, said push rod member including a shaft and a knob, said shaft including a first end and a second end, and said knob attached to said first end of the shaft; and a resilient member being received around said push rod member, said resilient member providing a spring force and arranged to force the first clamping member to move in said first direction into locking engagement with the first edge of the rail while simultaneously forcing the second clamping member to move in said second direction into locking engagement with the second edge of the rail. 
         [0021]    In operation, the first base member is connected to the push rod member in a manner that allows the first base member to slide up and down the shaft between the knob and the second base member. The second base member is threadedly fastened to the second end of the push rod member so that the second base member remains attached to the second end of the push rod member at all times. The resilient member provides a spring force which urges the first base member in a first direction down the shaft of the push rod member toward engagement with the second base member and which yieldably opposes movement of the first base member up the shaft toward the knob. At the same time, the resilient member bears against the knob which urges the push rod member in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The second end of the push rod member is attached to the second base member so that the spring force simultaneously urges the second base member in the second direction along with the push rod member. 
         [0022]    In this manner, the resilient member in association with the push rod member creates two directly opposing and moving forces urging the first base member in the first direction and the second base member in the second direction thereby forcing the first and second base members into engagement with one another. This forces the opposing clamping members of the first and second base members into locking engagement with the opposite transverse edges of the rail. Rather than employ a single moving force coming from one direction, as is seen in the prior art devices, the present invention locks to the rail by employing two directly opposing moving forces coming from two opposite directions. This results in two opposing forces, which are approximately equal in magnitude, being applied to the two opposite transverse edges of the rail. 
         [0023]    This spring-loaded push system feature provides numerous advantages over prior art devices. Most notably, rather than employing a moving force coming from one direction, the present device employs two directly opposing moving forces coming from two opposite directions which provides the device with maximum attachment and holding strength that is unparalleled in the art. 
         [0024]    Another advantage provided by the spring-loaded push rod system is that it allows the device to be quickly locked to or unlocked from a rail using only one hand and without the necessity of tools. Moreover, the spring-loaded push system allows the device to self-adjust to compensate for variations in rail dimensions thereby providing a secure and consistent attachment to any rail, including a worn or disfigured rail, as well as providing a locking means that does not damage the rail. Additionally, the spring-loaded push system provides for a uniform tension on all rails regardless of the strength of the user who attaches the device to the rail. 
         [0025]    A further advantage resides in the ability of the device to maintain at least three points of contact with a plurality of mounting projections at all times, whether or not the rail is worn or disfigured. The opposing clamping members facing the first and second inclined proximal surfaces of the mounting projections do not contact said first and second inclined proximal surfaces which allows the device to fit any rail, including rails with damaged edges. The three points of contact are provided by a lower mounting surface of the first base member, which bears against the upper mounting surfaces of the mounting projections, and the opposing clamping members of the first and second base members, which engage the first and second inclined distal surfaces of the mounting projections. This three-point contact provided for by the device, in combination with the two opposing moving forces provided by the spring-loaded push system, provides maximum holding strength which is unparalleled in this field. Experimental tests have demonstrated that the mount adapter device of the present invention can lift at least 1,600 pounds while mounted to a conventional weapon accessory rail without damaging the rail. 
         [0026]    Another advantage of the presently disclosed device resides in the ability of the device to maintain additional points of contact with one or more elected transverse grooves at all times. This advantage is provided by the central portion of the shaft of the push rod member and may be provided by one or more locating members. The central portion of the shaft and the locating members are configured to engage elected transverse grooves between the mounting projections on the rail to prevent forward and backward movement of the device along the longitudinal axis of the rail. The combination of the three-point contact with the mounting projections and the additional points of contact maintained between the push rod member and the locating members with the transverse grooves provides additional holding strength, the ability to withstand intense recoil and external impacts, and the ability to retain the precise original orientation and alignment of the accessory on the firearm upon detachment and reattachment of the device. In this manner, precisely aligned accessories such as sighting, aiming, or targeting devices may be detached from and reattached to the rail without the need for resighting the device. 
         [0027]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and compact device that offers no point of entanglement for military or law enforcement personnel&#39;s equipment. Still another object is to provide a device that has no loose components that would render the device inoperable should one be inadvertently lost. 
         [0028]    These, together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0029]    Though the present invention is discussed herein particularly with its application to mount adapter devices for firearms, note that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention solely to use in conjunction with firearms. The present invention clearly has a wide range of application in circumstances where a device is intended to be releasably attached in a secure manner to a support structure. Many other uses of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon acquiring a thorough understanding of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0031]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate exploded isometric views of one example of a mount adapter device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  aligned over a weapon accessory rail. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is an end elevational view of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to the rail shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the top side of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to the rail shown in  FIG. 2  in a first locked position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4B  is an isometric view of the top side of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to the rail shown in  FIG. 2  in a second locked position. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of the bottom side of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating the device in a closed position wherein a resilient member urges a first base member into engagement with a second base member. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of the bottom side of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating the device in an opened position wherein a push rod member is being depressed to disengage the second base member from the first base member so that the device could be attached to or detached from a weapon accessory rail (not illustrated). 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the top side of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating the device in the opened position wherein the device is being attached to or detached from the rail shown in  FIG. 2  and wherein the push rod member and two locating members are shown engaging transverse grooves of the rail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-6 , an exemplary embodiment of a mount adapter device in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated and generally includes a push rod member  13 , a resilient member  22 , a first base member  11 , and a second base member  12 . 
         [0040]    The push rod member  13  includes a knob  15  fastened to a first end  18  of a shaft  21 . The knob  15  includes a centrally threaded aperture  17  therein which allows the knob  15  to be rotated up and down the first end  18  of the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13 . The knob  15  may include a design such as the inverse U-shaped depressions  14  illustrated in the depicted embodiment. Such feature provides an attractive design and an additional gripping surface for rotating the knob  15  up and down the first end  18  of the shaft  21 . Furthermore, a sealing member  16 , such as a plastic gasket, may be disposed around a lower portion  63  of the knob  15  such that, upon assembly of the device  70 , the sealing member  16  may be interposed between the knob  15  and the first base member  11  when the knob  15  is rotated down to the bottom  65  of the first end  18  of the shaft  21 . 
         [0041]    In the depicted embodiment, the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13  includes a first end  18  and a second end  20  which are divided by a central portion  19 . The first end  18  is threaded and is non-contiguous with the second end  20  which is also threaded. The first end  18  may include large threads  60  which have a greater major and minor diameter than the small threads  61  on the second end  20  of the shaft  21 . The large threads  60  on the first end  18  are designed to prevent the first end  18  of the shaft  21  from passing through a first aperture  62  in the first base member  11 , upon assembly of the device  70 . Additionally, the large threads  60  provide the device  70  with increased holding strength when the device  70  is in a second locked position, as represented in  FIGS. 3 and 4B , which is discussed in detail below. The second end  20  is threaded to provide a means of fastening the push rod member  13  to the second base member  12 . The second base member  12  has a second aperture  29  therein which is internally threaded in order to receive and retain the second end  20  of the push rod member  13 . 
         [0042]    The first  18  and second  20  threaded ends of the shaft  21  may be divided by a central thread-free portion  19 . Upon assembly of the device  70 , this thread-free portion  19  may be disposed on a lower mounting surface  25  of the first base member  11  so that this thread-free portion  19  projects from the lower mounting surface  25  (as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) in order to engage an elected groove  40  of the rail  43  upon attachment of the device  70  to the rail  43  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0043]    In the depicted embodiment, the resilient member  22  is a spring which is received around the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13  and is captured between a lower portion of the knob  63  and a central recess  37  in a first lateral surface  23  of the first base member  11 . The resilient member  22  provides a spring force  64  which urges the first base member  11  into engagement with the second base member  12  such that when the device  70  is not being used it is in a closed position, as is represented in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0044]    The first base member  11  includes a first clamping member  46  having a first inclined proximal surface  32  adjacent to the lower mounting surface  25  and a first inclined distal surface  31  adjacent to the first inclined proximal surface  32 . The first base member  11  further includes a first engagement member  35  configured to engage the second base member  12  when the device  70  is in a closed position (shown in  FIG. 5A ). Further, the first base member  11  includes an upper (in the orientation shown in  FIGS. 2-4B  and  6 ) portion  44  configured to receive and retain an accessory (not illustrated). In the depicted embodiment, the upper portion  44  includes a pair of apertures  27  allowing passage of a fastener through the aperture  27  for securing an accessory to the upper portion  44 . Other means for securing an accessory to the device  70  that are known in the art may also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the upper portion may be configured to receive and retain an additional rail structure to allow for direct attachment of an accessory to the additional rail structure. 
         [0045]    The second base member  12  includes a second clamping member  47  that opposes the first clamping member  46 . The second clamping member  47  has a second inclined proximal surface  34  adjacent to the lower mounting surface  25  and a second inclined distal surface  33  adjacent to the second inclined proximal surface  34 . The second base member  12  further includes a second engagement member  36  configured to engage the first engagement member  35  of the first base member  11  when the device  70  is in a closed position (shown in  FIG. 5A ). 
         [0046]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the opposing first  46  and second  47  clamping members are equal in length (that is, in the direction of the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 ) and provide two opposing moving clamping forces  51  and  52 , which are approximately equal in magnitude, against opposite transverse edges  48  and  49  of the rail  43 . The two opposing moving clamping forces  51  and  52  come from two opposite directions  54  and  55 , which are transverse to the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 . 
         [0047]    The first  11  and second  12  base members are connected by first inserting the second end  20  of the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13  through a first aperture  62  in the first lateral surface  23  of the first base member  11  until the large threads  60  projecting radially from the first end  18  of the shaft  21  prevent the shaft  21  from being further received through the first aperture  62 . After the shaft  21  is slidably received through the first aperture  62 , the central portion  19  of the shaft  21  is positioned in a channel  28 , formed in the lower mounting surface  25  of the first base member  11 , which is configured and arranged for sliding engagement with the central portion  19  of the shaft  21 . The second end  20  of the shaft  21  is subsequently fastened to a second aperture  29 , which is internally threaded. The second aperture  29  is located in a second lateral surface  24  of the second base member  12  and is positioned to align with the first aperture  62  in the first base member  11 . The second aperture  29  is configured to receive and retain the threaded portion of the second end  20  of the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13 . Upon assembly, the resilient member  22  is received around the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13  and is captured between a lower portion of the knob  63  and a central recess  37  in the first lateral surface  23  of the first base member  11 . 
         [0048]    In certain embodiments contemplated by this invention, locating members  26  may be optionally provided to limit the movement of the device  70  along the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 . In the depicted embodiment, the mount adapter device  70  includes two locating members  26  fixed to the first base member  11  through apertures  38  formed therein. The locating members  26  are disposed on the lower mounting surface  25  of the first base member  11 . When the device  70  is installed on the rail  43  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), locating members  26  are configured to engage elected grooves  40  between mounting projections  50  in order to restrict any forward or backward movement of the device  70  along the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 . The locating members  26  may define elongated rods as in the depicted embodiment, wherein a terminal end of each locating member  26  may extend past the lower mounting surface  25  of the first base member  11  (as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) in order to be slidably received by a complimentary locating member aperture  30  located in the second base member  12 . Although the accompanying Figures illustrate the device  70  as including two locating members  26 , other embodiments are contemplated wherein greater or lesser numbers of locating members  26  are employed, zero locating members  26  being necessary. 
         [0049]    A threaded set screw  45  may be threadedly received within an internally threaded set screw aperture  63  in the second base member  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The set screw  45  may be rotated until it bears against the second end  20  of the push rod member  13  so as to retain the push rod member  13  at a desired rotational position and to prevent disengagement of the push rod member  13  from the second base member  12 . 
         [0050]    In operation, the first base member  11  is connected to the push rod member  13  in a manner that allows the first base member  11  to slide up and down the shaft  21  between the knob  15  and the second base member  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The second base member  12  is threadedly fastened to the second end  20  of the shaft  21  so that the second base member  12  remains attached to the second end  20  of the push rod member  13  at all times. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5A , the resilient member  22  provides a spring force  64  which urges the first base member  11  in a first direction  54  toward engagement with the second base member  12 , and which yieldably opposes movement of the first base member  11  in a second direction  55  toward the knob  15 . At the same time, the spring force  64  of the resilient member  22  bears against the lower portion  63  of the knob  15  which urges the push rod member  13  in a second direction  55 , opposite the first direction  54 . The second end  20  of the push rod member  13  is attached to the second base member  12  so that the spring force  64  simultaneously urges the second base member  12  along with the push rod member  13  in the second direction  55 . In this manner, as is represented in  FIG. 2 , the resilient member  22 , in association with the push rod member  13 , creates two opposing and moving clamping forces  51  and  52  by urging the first base member  11  in the first direction  54  and the second base member  12  in the second direction  55 , which is opposite the first direction  54 . This forces the opposing clamping members  46  and  47  into locking engagement with the opposite transverse edges  48  and  49  of the rail  43 . 
         [0051]    Rather than employ a single moving force coming from one direction, such as is seen in the prior art devices, the present invention locks to the rail  43  by employing two directly opposing moving forces  51  and  52  coming from two opposite directions  54  and  55 . This results in two opposing forces  51  and  52 , which are approximately equal in magnitude, being applied to the opposite transverse edges  48  and  49  of the rail  43 . 
         [0052]    The spring force  64  provided by the resilient member  22  may be overcome by manually depressing the push rod member  13  to disengage the first base member  11  from the second base member  12  thereby moving the first  11  and second  12  base members into an opened position (as illustrated in  FIG. 5B ). This increases the distance between the opposing clamping members  46  and  47  of the first  11  and second  12  base members. With the push rod member  13  depressed and the device  70  in the opened position, the device  70  is positioned on the rail  43  so that the lower mounting surface  25  bears against the upper mounting surfaces  39  of the mounting projections  50  and the central portion  19  of the shaft  21  of the push rod member  13 , along with any locating members  26 , is aligned and engaged with an elected transverse groove  40  on the rail  43  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0053]    The depressed push rod member  13  is then released which causes the resilient member  22  to decompress thereby forcing the first base member  11  in a first direction  54  toward engagement with the second base member  12  while simultaneously forcing the second base member  12  in a second direction  55 , opposite the first direction  54 , toward engagement with the first base member  11 . Movement of the first  11  and second base members  12  forces the opposing clamping members  46  and  47  to bear against the opposite transverse edges  48  and  49  of the rail  43  via two opposing and moving clamping forces  51  and  52  which come from two opposite directions  54  and  55 . In this manner, the device  70  provides for a first locked position (shown in  FIG. 4A ) which allows the device  70  to be attached to the rail  43  in approximately 1 second by depressing the push rod member  13 , placing the device  70  on the rail  43 , and then releasing the push rod member  13 . 
         [0054]    Furthermore, the push rod member  13  provides for a second locked position (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4B ). Starting from the first locked position with the device  70  attached to the rail  43 , the knob  15  is rotated down the first end  18  of the shaft  21  toward the first base member  11  until the lower portion of the knob  63  is adjacent the first lateral surface  23  of the first base member  11 . This second locked position fixedly locks the first base member  11 , along with the first clamping member  46 , and the second base member  12 , along with the second clamping member  47 , to the rail  43 . The second locked position provides the device  70  with maximum holding strength that is unparalleled and unheard of in this field. 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  depicts the three points of contact that occur between the device  70  and a plurality of mounting projections  50  when the device is in the first locked position (shown in  FIG. 4A ) or the second locked position (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4B ). The first clamping member  46  engages the first inclined distal surfaces  42   a  of a plurality of mounting projections  50 , the second clamping member  47  engages the second inclined distal surfaces  42   b  of a plurality of mounting projections  50 , and the lower mounting surface  25  bears against the upper mounting surfaces  39  of a plurality of mounting projections  50 . A small amount of space separates both the first clamping member  46  from the first inclined proximal surfaces  41   a  of the mounting projections  50  and the second clamping member  47  from the second inclined proximal surfaces  41   b  of the mounting projections  50 . This design allows the device  70  to fit any rail, including worn or disfigured rails. Moreover, the three-point contact provided for by the device  70  yields maximum holding strength which is unmatched by prior art devices. 
         [0056]    In addition to providing an easy and quick attachment method, the device  70  also may be easily and quickly detached from the rail  43 . Starting in the first locked position (shown in  FIG. 4A ), simply depress the push rod member  13  in a direction  54  that is transverse to the longitudinal axis  53  of the rail  43 . This disengages the opposing clamping members  46  and  47  from the rail  43  so that the device  70  is in the opened position (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and may be simply lifted off the rail  43 . 
         [0057]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Once given the above disclosures, many other features, modifications, and variations will become apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the teachings set forth herein. Such other features, modifications, and variations are therefore considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5