Patent Description:
Rail mounting assemblies are used to mount devices such as optical sights or other accessories onto rifles, similar weapons, or other devices that generate significant shock profiles which poses a challenge to device retention. Existing attempts to retain these devices often include using bolted connections that rely on thread locking adhesive, nylon locking inserts, or similar thread lockers to keep them from backing off.

Mounting small devices such as red dot sights, flashlights, laser beam sights or designators on standard rails such as Picatinny, NATO or other rails often results in disproportionally large mounting mechanics or mounts with retention issues. Large lever locking rail mount designs commonly used to mount large telescopic type sights are sometimes used on small rail mounted devices, defeating the attempt to provide a compact solution. In some designs, mechanical locks are added to prevent loosening of the device. These typically are sliding or rotary keys or tabs that act independently from the mounting mechanics. Large mounting mechanics can be a snag hazard and cause an obstruction to the scene in a sight. More compact rail mounts often have multiple small parts and fasteners that are potential points of failure and increase the cost of the solution. Existing rail mounts typically require the use of thread locking adhesives to mitigate the risk of the mounted device coming loose due to shock or vibration.

Accordingly, there is a need for more reliable, more resilient, and less cumbersome rail mounting systems.

<CIT> describes a locking mechanism for securely attaching an accessory mount to a firearm having a Picatinny/Weaver mounting rail. The locking mechanism includes a resiliently biased slider jam that is received within a transverse groove of the Picatinny/Weaver rail. A clip is provided to clamp the accessory mount to the rail by a locking screw. A locking screw spring may urge the clip away from a tight engagement with the rail when the locking screw is in a loosened condition. The locking mechanism is adaptable to all Picatinny/Weaver rails and provides a rock solid firearm accessory mounting system.

The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with existing rail mounts or mounting systems. The application includes exemplary mounts and assemblies that provide reliable and resilient mounting of accessories that are resistant to substantial and repeated shocks produced by a firearm or other device.

This application describes exemplary mounts and assemblies that use the body of the device to thread a clamp screw into or an insert into the body if the body material is not suitable for a threaded interface (e.g., plastic). Female features on the inward side of a head of the clamp screw are equally distributed around its diameter and used to prevent inadvertent rotation. These female locking features match with male locking features on a clamp component in terms of their general size, but more specifically with their respect to their pattern distribution. The angular separation of these features, the pitch of the clamp screw, and the stroke of spring pressure are taken into consideration to ensure optimal performance. In certain implementations, at least one set of these features, either male or female, have a cam angle or similar geometry associated to its interface to allow the clamp screw to be rotated by a user. Cam angles or similar geometry on both sets can improve the design's ease of use and the male / female designation is interchangeable. In some configurations, resilient devices such as disc springs and/or compression springs are installed between the base of the device and the rail clamp. As the clamp screw is rotated to clamp the device to the rail, the rail clamp is drawn in and the spring pressure increased.

In various implementations, the locking features mate and cam apart as the clamp screw is rotated. This camming action causes the rail clamp to move axially while increasing the spring load as the head of the clamp screw rides over the male locking feature. When the locking features align again, the spring pressure is slightly reduced and the engaged features act to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to, thereby, prevent unintended rotation. The user can continue to tighten the clamp screw, either by hand or using a tool feature on the screw head, until satisfied with the clamping pressure applied or until the screw no longer indexes. In one configuration, the mechanics will be at the maximum spring force when the clamp screw can no longer be rotated and the locking features are mated.

In some implementations, when the clamp screw has been tightened to secure the device to the rail, a rotation of the clamp screw with enough torque to overcome the increased spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen the rail mounted device. This has the technical effect of reducing the clamping force only and would need to be repeated multiple times to loosen the device and several times to free the device from the rail.

In various configurations, integral features on the inward side of the clamp screw and outward face of the rail clamp enable part reduction which impacts both the reliability and cost of the clamping solution. Incorporating compression springs into the design improves the ease in which the device is installed and removed from a rail. The use of disc springs allows for a compact design while providing the necessary clamping force to secure the device to the rail and load the locking interface. Threading directly into the base of the device to interface with the clamp screw simplifies the design with a minimum of parts required. Machined features in the base also function to heel the rail clamp as the device is clamped to the rail.

In one aspect, a locking rail mount includes a body arranged to be mounted adjacent to a mounting rail where the mounting rail extends in a first direction and includes a plurality of ties extending at least partially across the rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The rail mount also includes a clamp screw extending through a channel defined by the body and across the mounting rail in the second direction. The clamp screw includes a screw head having a first surface facing away from the mounting rail and a second surface facing toward the mounting rail. The second surface includes a first plurality of locking elements where each has a first surface relief geometry.

The rail mount further includes a rail clamp arranged to: i) engage with a first end of a first tie of the plurality of ties to hold the body adjacent to the mounting rail; and ii) disengage from the first end of the first tie of the plurality of ties and release the body from adjacent to the mounting rail. At least one compression spring is positioned between the body and the rail clamp. The at least one compression spring applies a compression force that pushes a first surface of the rail clamp toward the second surface of the screw head. The first surface of the rail clamp includes a second plurality of locking elements complementarily arranged with respect to the first plurality of locking elements and having a second surface relief geometry that is complementary and/or opposing to the first plurality of locking elements. When the clamp screw is tightened, the first plurality of locking elements and second plurality of locking elements are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw.

In some implementations, the body is a portion of an accessory. The accessory may include an optical sight, camera, phone, light, laser, audio sensor, audio emitter, or detachably connectable tool. The surface relief geometry may include a cam angle. The mounting rail may be located on a firearm, helmet, pack, wearable item, or vehicle. At least one compression spring may cause axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp. The rail mount may include at least one disc spring. The at least one compression spring and the at least one disc spring may cause the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp.

In some implementations, the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw rotates provides a positive tactile interface to a user. The positive tactile interface may reduce the likelihood of the clamp screw being over-tightened to a point of damaging the mechanics of the locking rail mount. In some configurations, when the clamp screw is tightened to secure the body to the rail, a rotation of the clamp screw with enough torque to overcome the increased compression spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen the rail mounted body.

In another aspect, the above-described locking rail mount is part of a rail mounting assembly where the rail mounting assembly includes a mounting interface arranged to connect an accessory to the rail mounting assembly while the rail mounting assembly uses the locking rail mount to connect to the mounting rail. In a further aspect, a firearm includes the above-described mounting rail, which is arranged to receive a rail mounting assembly having the above-described locking rail mount.

Any two or more of the features described in this specification, including in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described in this specification. While aspects of the disclosure may relate to military applications, these aspects can also relate to non-military and commercial applications. For instance, implementations of the compact rail mount or rail mounting assembly may be used with hunting and/or sporting rifles or other non-military firearms. Implementations of the rail mount or rail mounting assembly described herein may be used to mount various types of accessories to various types of structures and/or items. For example, a rail may be implemented on a vehicle such as a car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, plane, boat, and the like. A rail may be implemented on a helmet, pack, or other wearable items. The type of accessory may include, without limitation, a camera, phone, light, audio sensor, audio emitter, detachably connectable tool, and the like.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description.

Like reference numerals in different figures indicate like elements.

The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with existing rail mounting devices and systems. The application includes exemplary devices, systems, and assemblies for providing reliable, resilient, and user-friendly rail mounting techniques.

Innovative aspects of the disclosure include a compact locking rail mount design with a minimum of machined parts required to meet design to cost goals and improve reliability. This robust solution has integral mechanical locking features preventing the device from loosening on the rail when exposed to shock and vibration events without the need for thread locking adhesive. Disc and/or compression springs are used as a resilient feature in conjunction with the mechanical locking features to cause axial movement along the locking screw as the screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the locking and/or rail clamp. Using axial movement is very desirable as it requires the disc and/or compression spring pressure to be increased to overcome the mechanical lock. The design provides a user with a positive tactile interface reducing the likelihood of the screw being over-tightened to the point of damaging the mechanics of the locking rail mount.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a front view <NUM> and side view <NUM> of an accessory body <NUM> mounted on a rail <NUM> via a locking rail mount <NUM>. In these exemplary views <NUM> and <NUM>, the accessory includes an optical sight, but other types of accessories may be used. Locking rail mount <NUM> includes and/or connects with body <NUM>, which is arranged to be mounted adjacent to mounting rail <NUM>. The mounting rail <NUM> extends in a first direction and includes a plurality of ties such as ties <NUM> and <NUM> that extend at least partially across rail <NUM> in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A clamp screw <NUM> extends through a channel <NUM> defined by body <NUM> and across mounting rail <NUM> in the second direction. In some implementations, clamp screw <NUM> causes minimum obscuration. Mounting rail <NUM> may include multiple channels such as channels <NUM> and <NUM> extending between ties of rail <NUM>.

Clamp screw <NUM> and/or <NUM> may include screw head <NUM> having a first surface <NUM> facing away from mounting rail <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> facing toward mounting rail <NUM>. The second surface <NUM> includes a plurality of locking elements <NUM>, each having a surface relief geometry. Rail clamp <NUM> is arranged to engage with a first end of tie <NUM> of the plurality of ties <NUM> and <NUM> to hold body <NUM> adjacent to mounting rail <NUM> and disengage from the first end of the tie <NUM> and release body <NUM> from adjacent to mounting rail <NUM>. Screw head <NUM> may include tool features <NUM> that enable operation of the screw <NUM> using a tool such as a screwdriver.

At least one compression spring <NUM> is positioned between body <NUM> and rail clamp <NUM>. The at least one compression spring <NUM> applies a compression force that pushes a surface <NUM> and/or <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM> toward surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM>. Surface <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM> may include a plurality of locking elements <NUM> complementarily arranged with respect to a plurality of locking elements <NUM> on surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM> that have a complimentary and/or opposing surface relief geometry to locking elements <NUM>. Locking elements <NUM> may including male locking elements while locking elements <NUM> include female locking elements or vice versa. When clamp screw <NUM> is tightened, the plurality of locking elements <NUM> and plurality of locking elements <NUM> are aligned to lock rail clamp <NUM> and clamp screw <NUM> together to prevent unintended rotation of clamp screw <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be a portion of an accessory such as, without limitation, an optical sight, camera, phone, light, laser, audio sensor, audio emitter, or detachably connectable tool. The surface relief geometry of elements <NUM> and <NUM> may include a cam angle. Mounting rail <NUM> may be located on, without limitation, a firearm, helmet, pack, wearable item, or vehicle. At least one compression spring <NUM> may cause axial movement along clamp screw <NUM> as clamp screw <NUM> is rotated to either tighten or loosen rail clamp <NUM>. Locking rail mount <NUM> may include at least one disc spring <NUM>.

At least one compression spring <NUM> and at least one disc spring <NUM> may cause axial movement along clamp screw <NUM> as clamp screw <NUM> is rotated to either tighten or loosen rail clamp <NUM>. The axial movement along clamp screw <NUM> as clamp screw <NUM> rotates may provide a positive tactile interface to a user. The positive tactile interface may reduce the likelihood of clamp screw <NUM> being over-tightened to a point of damaging the mechanics of locking rail mount <NUM>. In some implementations, when clamp screw <NUM> is tightened to secure body <NUM> to rail <NUM>, a rotation of clamp screw <NUM> with enough torque to overcome the increased compression spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen rail mounted body <NUM>.

In some implementations, locking rail mount <NUM> is part of a rail mounting assembly where the rail mounting assembly includes a mounting interface arranged to connect an accessory to the rail mounting assembly while the rail mounting assembly uses locking rail mount <NUM> to connect to mounting rail <NUM>. In one implementation, a firearm includes mounting rail <NUM> that is arranged to receive a rail mounting assembly having locking rail mount <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top-down cross-sectional view <NUM> of locking rail mount <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the position of various elements of rail mount <NUM> such as compression springs <NUM>, disc springs <NUM>, channels <NUM> and <NUM>, ties <NUM> and <NUM>, and outer surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM>. One or more compression springs <NUM> may provide an extra stroke to push rail clamp <NUM> back away from the rail <NUM> for ease in mounting and removing body <NUM>. Clamp screw <NUM> may also function as a crossbar in channel and/or slot <NUM> of rail <NUM>.

<FIG> shows perspective view <NUM> of screw head <NUM> and rail clamp <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates how locking features <NUM> such as locking elements <NUM> and <NUM> complimentarily oppose each other to enable locking of clamp screw <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view <NUM> of locking rail mount <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates male/female looking feature <NUM> shown in the "locked position" when locking elements <NUM> and <NUM> mate and/or are engaged with each other as clamp screw <NUM> is tightened. <FIG> shows heeled rail clamp <NUM> and/or <NUM> and a device base/clamp screw <NUM> threaded interface that enables clamp screw <NUM> to threadable engage with device body <NUM>. Device body relief <NUM> may be configured to facilitate upsetting on end of clamp screw <NUM> to make it captive. Disc springs <NUM> may be stacked to provide a clamping force and required stroke.

<FIG> show various views <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of clamp screw <NUM> and screw head <NUM> of locking rail mount <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a view <NUM> of surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM> and a corresponding cross-sectional view <NUM> of clamp screw <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view <NUM> of clamp screw <NUM> with a corresponding view of surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of screw head <NUM> and a corresponding perspective view of screw head <NUM> illustrating locking elements <NUM> on surface <NUM> of screw head <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a perspective view <NUM> surface <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM> including locking elements <NUM>. <FIG> shows another perspective view <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM>. <FIG> shows a back-facing view <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM>, i.e. a view of the surface of rail clamp <NUM> facing toward mounting <NUM>. <FIG> shows a zoomed-in view <NUM> of a locking element <NUM> on surface <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM>. <FIG> shows front-facing view <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM> with surface <NUM> including locking elements <NUM>. <FIG> shows top down view <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view <NUM> of rail clamp <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A locking rail mount (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) arranged to be mounted adjacent to a mounting rail (<NUM>), the mounting rail (<NUM>) extending in a first direction and including a plurality of ties (<NUM>) extending at least partially across the rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
a clamp screw (<NUM>) extending through a channel defined by the body (<NUM>) and across the mounting rail (<NUM>) in the second direction, the clamp screw (<NUM>) including a screw head (<NUM>) having a first surface (<NUM>) facing away from the mounting rail and a second surface (<NUM>) facing toward the mounting rail, the second surface including a first plurality of locking elements (<NUM>) having a first surface relief geometry;
a rail clamp (<NUM>) arranged to: i) engage with a first end of a first tie of the plurality of ties to hold the body adjacent to the mounting rail; and ii) disengage from the first end of the first tie of the plurality of ties and release the body from adjacent to the mounting rail; and
at least one compression spring (<NUM>) positioned between the body (<NUM>) and the rail clamp (<NUM>), the at least one compression spring (<NUM>) applying a compression force that pushes a first surface of the rail clamp toward the second surface of the screw head, the first surface of the rail clamp including a second plurality of locking elements (<NUM>) complementarily arranged with respect to the first plurality of locking elements (<NUM>) and having a second surface relief geometry complementary to the first surface relief geometry;
wherein, when the clamp screw (<NUM>) is tightened, the first plurality of locking elements (<NUM>) and second plurality of locking elements (<NUM>) are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw (<NUM>).