Abstract:
An improved mounting device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to a Magpul MLOK rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least one locking mechanism to enable a user to quickly removably attach the improved mounting device to an MLOK rail on a firearm. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also comprises a side wedge and side wedge spring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/104,188 filed on Jan. 16, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an improved mounting device for quick and easy attachment of accessories (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to a Magpul MLOK rail of a firearm. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many individuals and firearm enthusiasts desire to mount one or more interchangeable accessories, such as a scope, light, bayonet and the like, onto their firearms. Historically, this has been accomplished by fixedly mounting the accessory to a Magpul MLOK rail of a firearm, which is essentially a bracket that can be attached to a firearm and which provides a standard mounting platform for a desired attachment. However, heretofore, the process of mounting such accessories to the MLOK rail has required the use of external tools, and has been both awkward and time-consuming. Moreover, the inability to timely attach a desired accessory to a firearm, or switch accessories, can be dangerous for the user. For example, in combat, a soldier&#39;s inability to quickly attach a bayonet to his firearm could result in death or serious injury to the soldier. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that enables a user to quickly and securely attach/detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to a MLOK rail of a firearm without the use of external tools. There is also a long felt need for a device that is capable of being locked/unlocked with a single hand, thereby allowing the user to retain possession of the firearm with his remaining hand. Finally, there is a long felt need for a device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach/detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the MLOK rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the improved mounting device comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and one or more locking mechanisms to enable a user to quickly and removably attach the improved mounting device to a MLOK rail on a firearm, as described more fully below. In a further preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a side wedge and spring, and each locking mechanism is comprised of a releasing pin, at least one spring and a wedge. 
         [0007]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention securely attached to a portion of a MLOK rail. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention in a locked position and attached to a portion of a MLOK rail. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention with side wedge in a locked position and attached to a portion of a MLOK rail. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3  in an unlocked position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the device of  FIG. 4  in a locked position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6 . is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention in an unlocked position, detached and spaced apart from a MLOK rail. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of the lower portion of the device of  FIG. 3  in a locked position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the lower portion of the device of  FIG. 3  in an unlocked position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of the side wedge and a portion of the lower portion for receipt thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0020]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the improved mounting device  100  of the present invention securely attached to a portion of a MLOK rail  10 . By way of background, MLOK rail  10  is an elongated bracket that may be attached to a firearm to provide a standard mounting platform for accessories and attachments such as a scope, light, bayonet and the like. Rail  10  is typically comprised of a top  12 , an opposing bottom  14 , sides  16  and a continuous opening  18  that extends from top  12  to bottom  14 . 
         [0021]    The improved mounting device  100  of the present invention is preferably comprised of an upper portion  110 , a lower portion  140  removably attached to said upper portion  110  through the use of fasteners  190  and a locking mechanism  170  for detachably securing device  100  to rail  10  without the need for external tools. Except as otherwise stated herein, device  100  is preferably comprised of durable materials, such as metal, plastic, etc. 
         [0022]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , upper portion  110  is a generally elongated member that is comprised of a top  111 , an opposing bottom  112 , a pair of opposing side slots  114 , a rear end  115  and a front end  116 . Top  111  is also comprised of a plurality of raised spaced apart lugs or ridges  1110 , with channels  1112  located between said ridges  1110  and formed by said ridges  1110 . Opposing side slots  114  preferably extend between rear end  115  and front end  116  and are useful for attaching accessories (such as a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to device  100 . Bottom  112  may comprise a plurality of spaced apart threaded openings therein (not shown) for receipt of fasteners  190 , which are used to fixedly attach upper portion  110  to lower portion  140  as described more fully below. 
         [0023]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2-5, 7A, 7B and 8 , lower portion  140  is preferably an elongated member comprised of a bottom portion  141 , a pair of rails  142  extending upwardly from said bottom portion  141 , a channel  143  and a block  144 . More specifically, each of said rails  142  is spaced apart and generally parallel to the other of said rails  142  which, along with bottom portion  141 , form channel  143 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Block  144  is preferably positioned within channel  143  at approximately the midpoint of channel  143 , and attached to each of said rails  142  as described more fully below. 
         [0024]    Each of said rails  142  further comprises a top  1420 , one or more continuous fastener openings  1422  extending from said top  1420  through bottom portion  141  for receipt of a fastener  190 , and a pin seat  1424 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Pin seat  1424  further comprises a continuous pin seat opening  1426  that extends from the top surface of pin seat  1424  through bottom portion  141 , as described more fully below. 
         [0025]    In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as best illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5, 7A, 7B, 9 and 9A , device  100  preferably comprises a side wedge  150  and side wedge spring  160 . Side wedge  150  is further comprised of a generally D-shaped head portion  152  and a smaller, generally D-Shaped body portion  156 . D-shaped head portion  152  is further comprised of a generally flat face  153  and a spring seat  154 , as best shown in  FIG. 9A . Similarly, generally D-shaped body portion  156  is further comprised of an inclined face portion  157 , which is preferably at an angle of between 5 and 15 degrees from the vertical plane (which is parallel to opening  18 ). In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, lower portion  140  is further comprised of a generally D-shaped side wedge opening  145  that extends from top  142  through bottom portion  141  for receipt of side wedge  150 , and a side wedge seat  1452 , as best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9A . The purpose and function of side wedge  150  and side wedge spring  160  is further described below. 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2-9A , device  100  is preferably also comprised of two locking mechanisms  170 . Each of locking mechanisms  170  is preferably comprised of a releasing pin  170 , a channel spring  174 , a pin spring  176  and a wedge  178 . Releasing pin  172  is further comprised of a body portion  1720  for insertion into pin seat opening  1426  and a head  1722 . Head  1722  is shaped and sized to be capable of travelling in and out of pin seat  1424 , as described more fully below. 
         [0027]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , channel spring  174  is an elongated spring that is positioned within channel  143  between block  144  and wedge  178  for applying biased tension against wedge  178 , as described more fully below. Pin spring  176  is an elongated spring that is positioned between bottom  112  of upper portion  110  and head  1722  of releasing pin  172  for applying biased tension against releasing pin  172 , as described more fully below. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 , wedge  178  is preferably comprised of a top surface  1780 , a bottom surface  1782 , an inboard side  1784  with an indentation  1785  therein and a latch portion  1786 . More specifically, latch portion  1786  extends downwardly and outwardly from bottom surface  1782  of wedge  178 . Wedge  178  is positioned within channel  143  immediately adjacent channel spring  174  opposite of block  144 . More specifically, channel spring  174  sits partially within a spring seat  1783  in wedge  178 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8 and 9 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second locking mechanism  170  is located in the opposite end of channel  143  on the other side of block  144  and functions in the same manner. 
         [0029]    Having now described the general structure of a preferred embodiment of device  100 , its function will now be described in general terms.  FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the device  100  of the present invention in an unlocked position. When device  100  is in an unlocked position, the biased tension of pin spring  176  on head  1722  causes a section of body portion  1720  of releasing pin  172  to extend outwardly from pin seat opening  1426  and bottom portion  141  of lower portion  140 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A user (not shown) desiring to securely attach improved mounting device  100  onto MLOK rail  10  would simply place device  100  onto the top of rail  10 . As device  100  is placed onto rail  10 , latch portion  1786  of wedge  178  passes through opening  18  of rail  10 , and releasing pin  172  compresses pin spring  176  against bottom  112  of upper portion  110 . In an unlocked position, head  1722  of releasing pin  172  rests within pin seat  1424  adjacent to indentation  1785  on inboard side  1784  of wedge  178 , and wedge  178  is compressing channel spring  174  against block  144 . However, as pin spring  176  is compressed, head  1722  of releasing pin  172  leaves pin seat  1424  and clears the top  1420  of rail  142  thereby permitting the energy stored in channel spring  174  to be released against wedge  178  which, in turn causes wedge  178  to travel along channel  143  in a direction opposite of block  144  and for latch portion  1786  of wedge  178  to engage rail  10 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . When latch portion  1786  of wedge  178  engages rail  10 , device  100  is securely and removably attached to rail  10 .  FIG. 5  depicts a bottom perspective view of device  100  in the locked position. 
         [0030]    In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention with a side wedge  150  and side wedge spring  160  installed thereon, as the user installs device  100  on rail  10 , the portion of body portion  156  that extends outwardly from side wedge opening  145  beyond bottom portion  141  comes into contact with rails  10  and inclined face  157  comes into contact with the side of rail opening  18  thereby causing side wedge spring  160  to partially compress and the incline of inclined face  157  applies pressure to rail  10  thereby reducing the likelihood and amount of lateral movement of device  100  in relation to rail  10 . 
         [0031]    When a user (not shown) desires to remove improved mounting device  100  from MLOK rail  10 , the user simply applies pressure to the end of wedge  178  extending beyond channel  143  in the direction of channel spring  174 , thereby causing wedge  178  to travel along channel  143  and channel spring  174  to compress between wedge  178  and block  144 . As wedge  178  travels along channel  143 , latch portion  1786  of wedge  178  will disengage from rail  10  and indentation  1785  in inboard side  1784  of wedge  178  will again align with pin seat  1424  to permit receipt of head  1722 . Once aligned and capable of receiving head  1722  of releasing pin  172 , the biased tension in pin spring  176  will cause head  1722  of releasing pin  172  to again be positioned within pin seat  1424  adjacent to indentation  1785  in inboard side  1784  of wedge  178 . At this time, the unlocked device  100  can be removed from MLOK rail  10 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Further, as device  100  is removed, the energy stored in compressed side wedge spring  160  is released thereby causing body portion  156  of side wedge  150  to again extend outwardly from bottom portion  141  of lower portion  140 . 
         [0032]    Other variations are also within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0033]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0034]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.