Patent Description:
Rail mounting assemblies are used to mount devices such as optical sights or other accessories onto rifles or similar weapons 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. Lever locking rail mount designs commonly used to mount optical sights and other devices are typically more user friendly but can introduce mounting reproducibility errors, elevate product cost, or have retention issues. Such approaches require increasing the clamping force to overcome an over center cam interface to swing the throw lever into the unlocked position and, thereby, act as a primary lock. In some designs, additional mechanical locks are included to prevent loosening of the device. These locks typically include a sliding or rotary key or tabs that act independently from the mounting mechanics to control only the throw lever position, leaving the threaded connection susceptible to loosening off.

Mounting devices such as red dot sights, flashlights, laser beam sights or designators on standard rails such as Picatinny, NATO or other rails used on rifles or similar weapons, often results in mounts with retention issues or cumbersome assemblies. The problem of device retention can result in a progressive loss of performance that may go unnoticed, potentially putting the user and others in danger in the case of a sighting system. In some instances, this failure can result in damage to or loss of the rifle sight or other device. Accordingly, there is a need for more reliable, more resilient, and less cumbersome rail mounting systems.

<CIT> describes a gun sight clamping system that utilizes a resilient device and an over-center cam to attach a gun sight to the rail of a gun. The body of the clamping system is clamped to the rail using a clamping mechanism on one side of the assembly and a resilient device on the other side of the assembly. The resilient device operates in a direction parallel to the clamping direction. A cross bar connects the clamping mechanism to the resilient device and provides a means to squeeze the body of the mount to the rail. As the lever is closed, the cam drives the cross bar, pulling the clamping mechanism against the rail. The resilient device allows the cam to move to an over- center position wherein the unit resists loosening during operation. Once the over- center position is achieved, the spring force of the resilient device holds the cam in the closed position.

The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with existing rail mount or mounting systems. The application includes exemplary devices and systems that provide user-friendly quick release capabilities along with reliable and resilient mounting mechanisms that are resistant to substantial and repeated shocks produced by a firearm.

This application describes exemplary systems and assemblies that provide quick and reliable techniques to introduce or remove a device, like an optical sight, from a rifle rail mount. In some implementations, this robust technical solution uses an over center cam on a throw lever to facilitate actuating the rail clamp to lock the device and/or assembly to the rail. Disk springs are used as strong, resilient features in conjunction with compression springs and mechanical locking features to cause an axial movement along a threaded crossbar as the mechanics act to tighten or loosen the rail clamp. One unique aspect of the concept includes integral mechanical locking features that prevent the threaded connection from backing off or otherwise loosening. Using cam features that induce axial movement is desirable as it leverages the disk spring pressure used to clamp the device, while applying it to the mechanical lock features. Various implementations provide a user with an adjustable and tactile positive interface that reduces the likelihood of the thread being over-tightened to the point of damaging the mechanics. When using a throw lever or similar quick release mechanism, a lock feature may be used to prevent unintended release of the rail clamping mechanics. In such an implementation, a spring assisted lock lever is used to assist the user when engaging and disengaging the lock. The tip of the lock lever engages a notch in the cylindrical surface of the throw lever in a male / female relationship that prevents the throw lever from being rotated into the unlocked position. The intention is to allow the user's index finger knuckle to depress the lock lever while the thumb of the same hand rotates the throw lever past the tip of the lock lever. The lock lever, when released, will ride along the throw lever and locate in the notch provided when the throw lever is again in the clamped position.

In one aspect, a rail mounting assembly provides for mounting an accessory to a rail of a firearm. The accessory may include, without limitations, an optical sight, laser, designator, and/or light. The assembly may include a base arranged to support the accessory. A first side portion may be configured to engage a first side of the rail. The first side portion may include lock nut receiving recess. A second side portion may be configured to engage a second side of the rail. In various implementations, the second side portion is opposite the first side portion and includes a moveable clamp that is movable relative to the first side portion such that the side portions cooperate to grip the rail.

The assembly may include a crossbar extending between the first side portion and the second side portion where the crossbar is movable relative to the moveable clamp. The lock nut may be threadably engageable to an end of the crossbar proximate to the first side portion. The lock nut may extend at least partially into the lock nut receiving recess when threadably engaged to the end of the crossbar proximate to the first side portion. A lock plate may be positioned within the lock nut receiving recess between the lock nut and a spring disk when the lock nut is threadably engaged with the crossbar. The assembly may include a throw lever including a cam interconnected with a second end of the crossbar. The cam may be configured to engage the moveable clamp and be operable to pull the crossbar such that the side portions are moved from a released position to an engaged position. The throw lever may be arranged to rotate the cam between an open and a closed position. The lock nut receiving recess may be shaped to prevent rotation of the lock plate while allowing rotation of the lock nut. The lock nut may include a diameter that is less than the length of a shortest side of the lock nut receiving recess.

The lock plate may include a first surface facing toward the lock nut. The first surface may include a plurality of first locking features and/or structures arranged to engage with a plurality of opposing second locking features on a first surface of the lock nut facing toward the lock plate. The plurality of first locking features and/or structures may include female locking structures and the plurality of second locking features may include male locking structures. The female locking structures may include a set of grooves extending radially from central axis of the lock plate. The male locking structures may include a set of raised surfaces extending radially form a central axis of the lock nut. Each groove of the set of grooves may have a triangular shape. Each raised surface of the set of raised surfaces may have a triangular shape.

The lock plate and lock nut receiving recess may have substantially rectangular shapes. The lock plate may be arranged to be positioned within the lock nut receiving recess. The lock nut may have a substantially cylindrical shape and a threaded central opening arranged to engage with a threaded interface at the end of the crossbar proximate to the first side portion. The lock nut may include a plurality of external sides arranged to form a hexagon. The lock nut may include a second side facing away from the mounting assembly where the second side includes a driver interface arranged to receive a driver to facilitate rotation of the lock nut.

The assembly may include a cam lock operable to lock the moveable cam in a closed position. The cam lock may include a lock lever that is pivotally interconnected with the base and movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The cam may include a locking notch that engages the lock lever when the lock lever is in the lock position to, thereby, lock the cam in the closed position. A portion of the throw lever may rest adjacent to the lock lever when the lock lever is in the unlock position and the moveable cam is in the open position.

The rail mounting assembly may include a spring biased push pin arranged to engage with the lock lever and hold the lock lever in the lock position. The accessory may be detachably connectable to the base. The position of the lock nut along the threaded interface of crossbar may determine a grip force of the rail mounting assembly to the rail. In some configurations, as the lock nut engagement with the threaded interface of crossbar increases, e.g., the lock nut is rotated in a clockwise direction, the grip force of the rail mounting assembly to rail increases.

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 rail mounting assembly may be used with hunting and/or sporting rifles or other non-military firearms. Implementations of the 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 in 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.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of an exemplary rail mounting assembly <NUM> including a lock nut <NUM> and lock plate <NUM> that is mounted on a rail <NUM>. The rail mounting assembly <NUM> also includes a base <NUM> and a lock nut receiving recess <NUM> arranged to receive the lock nut <NUM>, lock plate <NUM>, and one or more spring disks <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> further includes a crossbar <NUM> that extends between a first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM>. A throw lever <NUM> includes a cam <NUM> and is connected to the crossbar via a pin <NUM>. A moveable clamp <NUM> is arranged to slideably move along a portion of the crossbar <NUM> and is positioned adjacent to the second side portion <NUM> and cam <NUM>. At least one compression spring <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the crossbar <NUM> and arranged to apply a spring forces against the one or more spring disks <NUM> and/or the moveable clamp <NUM>.

In some implementations, the rail mounting assembly <NUM> provides a quick and reliable mechanism to introduce or remove a device, such as an optical sight, from a rifle rail mount such as assembly <NUM>. This robust solution uses an over center cam <NUM> on a throw lever <NUM> to facilitate actuating the rail clamp <NUM> to lock the device and/or assembly <NUM> to the rail <NUM>. Disk springs <NUM> are used as strong, resilient features in conjunction with compression springs <NUM> and mechanical locking features to cause an axial movement along the threaded crossbar <NUM>, as the mechanics act to tighten or loosen the rail clamp <NUM>. Unique to the concept are integral mechanical locking features preventing the threaded connection of the lock nut <NUM> to the crossbar <NUM> from backing off or otherwise loosening. Using cam <NUM> features that induce axial movement along crossbar <NUM> is very desirable as it leverages the disk spring <NUM> pressure used to clamp the device, applying it to the mechanical lock features. The design provides the user with an adjustable, tactile positive interface reducing the likelihood of the thread being over-tightened to the point of damaging the mechanics of assembly <NUM>.

In one implementation, lock plate <NUM> includes female features on its outward facing side, i.e., facing toward lock nut <NUM>, that are equally distributed while its rectangular shape acts to prevent rotation. These female locking features match with male locking features on the lock nut <NUM> in terms of their general size and with their respect to their pattern distribution. In some implementations, the angular separation of these features and/or structures are such that the pitch of the clamp screw and the stroke of the spring pressure are arranged to ensure optimal performance.

At least one set of these features, either male or female, must have a cam angle or similar geometry associated to its interface to allow the lock nut to be rotated by the user. In some implementations, the cam angle is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees from the surface of the lock plate <NUM> and/or lock nut <NUM>. Cam angles or similar geometry on both sets can improve the design's ease of use and the male / female designation is interchangeable.

Resilient devices such as disk springs and/or compression springs <NUM> may be installed between the base <NUM> of the assembly <NUM> and the lock plate118. As the throw lever <NUM> is rotated to clamp the device and/or assembly <NUM> to the rail <NUM>, the crossbar <NUM> is drawn in and the spring pressure of compression springs <NUM> is increased. The locking features mate and cam apart as the lock nut <NUM> is rotated to adjust the clamping pressure. This camming action causes the crossbar <NUM> to move axially and cause an increase in the spring load as the lock nut <NUM> disengages and slightly reducing spring pressure when the lock nut <NUM> features engage with the female locking features integral to the lock plate <NUM>. The engaged features act to lock the locking plate <NUM> and lock nut <NUM> together, leveraging the clamping force to resist unintended rotation. The user may continue to tighten the lock nut <NUM>, either by hand or using the tool features provided, until satisfied with the clamping pressure applied or until the lock nut <NUM> no longer indexes. The mechanics will be at the maximum spring force when the lock nut <NUM> can no longer be rotated and the locking features in the lock plate <NUM> and lock nut <NUM> are mated. When the lock nut <NUM> has been tightened and the throw lever <NUM> is in the locked position to secure the assembly <NUM> to the rail <NUM>, the threaded interface now sees the same spring pressure on its locking features as the rail mounted interface sees.

Integral features on the inward side of the lock nut <NUM> and outward face of the lock plate <NUM> are key to both the reliability, compensation of rail interface size variations and for providing user-adjustable clamping force. Incorporating compression springs <NUM> into the design improves the ease in which the assembly <NUM> is installed and removed from the rail <NUM>. The use of disk springs <NUM> allows for a compact design while providing the necessary clamping force to secure the device to the rail <NUM> and load the locking interface.

The throw lever <NUM> may be modified to incorporate a notch <NUM> to provide a feature relationship with a secondary lock lever <NUM>. In applications where a secondary lock is desired, this externally mounted lock lever <NUM> will be used to prevent the throw lever <NUM> from being rotated into an open and/or unlocked position. The implementation provides a visible and convenient mechanical interface that requires the user to intentionally overcome while attempting to rotate the throw lever <NUM>. Such a configuration allows a one-handed release of the lock lever <NUM> and of the throw lever <NUM> to free the assembly <NUM> from the rail. This acts on the throw lever <NUM> to address incidental and unintended rotations of the throw lever <NUM> which is separate from the retention issue of a threaded connection.

In some implementations, rail mounting assembly <NUM> provides for mounting an accessory to a rail <NUM> of a firearm. The accessory may include, without limitations, a optical sight, laser, and/or light. The assembly <NUM> may include a base <NUM> arranged to support the accessory. A first side portion <NUM> may be configured to engage a first side of the rail <NUM>. The first side portion <NUM> may include lock nut receiving recess <NUM>. A second side portion <NUM> may be configured to engage a second side of the rail <NUM>. The second side portion <NUM> is opposite the first side portion <NUM> and includes a moveable clamp <NUM> that is movable relative to the first side portion <NUM> such that the side portions cooperate to grip the rail <NUM>.

The assembly <NUM> may include a crossbar <NUM> extending between the first side portion126 and the second side portion <NUM> where the crossbar <NUM> is movable relative to the moveable clamp <NUM>. Lock nut <NUM> may be threadably engageable to an end of the crossbar <NUM> proximate to the first side portion <NUM>. The lock nut <NUM> may extend at least partially into the lock nut receiving recess <NUM> when threadably engaged to the end of the crossbar <NUM> proximate to the first side portion <NUM>. A lock plate <NUM> may be positioned within the lock nut receiving recess <NUM> between the lock nut <NUM> and a spring disk <NUM> when the lock nut <NUM> is threadably engaged with the crossbar <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> may include a throw lever <NUM> including a cam <NUM> interconnected with a second end of the crossbar <NUM>. The cam <NUM> may be configured to engage the moveable clamp <NUM> and be operable to pull the crossbar <NUM> such that the side portions <NUM> and <NUM> are moved from a released position to an engaged position. The throw lever <NUM> may be arranged to rotate the cam <NUM> between an open and a closed position. The lock nut receiving recess <NUM> may be shaped to prevent rotation of the lock plate <NUM> while allowing rotation of the lock nut <NUM>.

The lock plate <NUM> may include a first surface facing toward the lock nut <NUM>. The first surface may include a plurality of first locking features and/or structures arranged to engage with a plurality of opposing second locking features on a first surface of the lock nut <NUM> facing toward the lock plate <NUM>. The plurality of first locking features and/or structures may include female locking structures and the plurality of second locking features may include male locking structures. The female locking structures may include a set of grooves extending radially from central axis of the lock plate <NUM>. The male locking structures may include a set of raised surfaces extending radially form a central axis of the lock nut <NUM>. Each groove of the set of grooves may have a triangular shape. Each raised surface of the set of raised surfaces may have a triangular shape.

The lock plate <NUM> and lock nut receiving recess <NUM> may have substantially rectangular shapes. The lock plate <NUM> may be arranged to be positioned within the lock nut receiving recess <NUM>. The lock nut <NUM> may have a substantially cylindrical shape and a threaded central opening arranged to engage with a threaded interface at the end of the crossbar <NUM> proximate to the first side portion <NUM>. The lock nut <NUM> may include a plurality of external sides arranged to form a hexagon. The lock nut <NUM> may include a second side facing away from the mounting assembly <NUM> where the second side includes a driver interface arranged to receive a driver to facilitate rotation of the lock nut <NUM>.

The assembly <NUM> may include a cam lock operable to lock the moveable cam <NUM> in a closed position. The cam lock may include a lock lever <NUM> that is pivotally interconnected with the base <NUM> and movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The cam <NUM> may include a locking notch <NUM> that engages the lock lever <NUM> when the lock lever <NUM> is in the lock position to, thereby, lock the cam <NUM> in the closed position. A portion of the throw lever <NUM> may rest adjacent to the lock lever <NUM> when the lock lever <NUM> is in the unlock position and the moveable cam <NUM> is in the open position.

The rail mounting assembly <NUM> may include a spring biased push pin arranged to engage with the lock lever <NUM> and hold the lock lever <NUM> in the lock position. The accessory may be detachably connectable to the base <NUM>. The accessory may include at least one of an optical sight, laser, and light source. The position of lock nut <NUM> along the threaded interface of crossbar <NUM> may determine a grip force of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> to the rail <NUM>. In some configurations, as the lock nut <NUM> engagement with the threaded interface of crossbar <NUM> increases, the grip force of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> to rail <NUM> increases.

<FIG> shows a side cross-sectional view <NUM> of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG> including base <NUM>, crossbar <NUM>, cam <NUM>, lock nut <NUM>, threaded interface <NUM>, lock plate <NUM>, spring disks <NUM>, clamp <NUM>, and heeled surface <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the streamlined configuration of the assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the lock plate <NUM> of <FIG>. Views <NUM> and <NUM> illustrate how multiple grooves and/or female features extend radially from a central axis in radially outward directions. Views <NUM> and <NUM> illustrate the triangular shape of the multiple groves that are arranged to oppose and/or engage with the raised and/or male features of on an opposing surface of lock nut <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the lock nut <NUM> of <FIG>. The various views <NUM>-<NUM> illustrate the raised and/or male features on the surface facing toward the lock plate <NUM>. Views <NUM>-<NUM> illustrate how the raised and/or male features extend from a surface of the lock nut. As shown, the raised and/or male features may have a triangular shape that opposed the triangularly shape grooves on the surface of the lock plate. In some implementations, the raised features may reside on the lock plate <NUM> while the grooved features reside on the lock nut <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top-down view <NUM> of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> with the throw lever <NUM> in the lock position. When using throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM>, a lock lever <NUM> may be used to prevent unintended release of the rail clamping mechanics provided by cam <NUM> and/or <NUM> in the closed position. In one implementation, a spring assisted lock lever <NUM> is used to assist the user when engaging and disengaging the lock. The tip of the lock lever <NUM> engages a notch <NUM> in the cylindrical surface of the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> in a male / female relationship that prevents the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> from being rotated into the unlocked position. Such a configuration allows the user's index finger knuckle to depress the lock lever <NUM> while the thumb of the same hand rotates the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> past the tip of the locking lever <NUM>. The lock lever <NUM>, when released, will ride along the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> and locate in the notch <NUM> provided when the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> is again in the clamped and/or closed position. <FIG> shows a top-down view <NUM> of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> with the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> in the unlock position. In this position, the lock lever <NUM> rests against a portion of the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM>, which reduces the profile of the assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view <NUM> of the rail mounting assembly <NUM> with the throw lever <NUM> and/or <NUM> in the lock position. View <NUM> illustrates the streamlined configuration of assembly <NUM> in the lock position.

<FIG> show various view <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the lock lever <NUM>. In some implementations, a portion of the lock lever <NUM> includes grooves to facilitate a more firm engagement with a user's thumb or finger.

Elements or steps of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements or steps may be left out of the systems or processes described previously without adversely affecting their operation or the operation of the system in general. Furthermore, various separate elements or steps may be combined into one or more individual elements or steps to perform the functions described in this specification.

Claim 1:
A rail mounting assembly (<NUM>) for mounting an accessory to a rail (<NUM>) of a firearm comprising:
a base (<NUM>) arranged to support the accessory;
a first side portion (<NUM>) configured to engage a first side of the rail (<NUM>), the first side portion including a lock nut receiving recess (<NUM>);
a second side portion (<NUM>) configured to engage a second side of the rail (<NUM>), the second side portion (<NUM>) being opposite the first side portion (<NUM>) and including a moveable clamp (<NUM>) being movable relative to the first side portion (<NUM>) such that the side portions cooperate to grip the rail (<NUM>);
a crossbar (<NUM>) extending between the first side portion (<NUM>) and the second side portion (<NUM>), the crossbar (<NUM>) being movable relative to the moveable clamp (<NUM>);
a lock nut (<NUM>) being threadably engageable to an end of the crossbar proximate to the first side portion, the lock nut (<NUM>) extending at least partially into the lock nut receiving recess (<NUM>) when threadably engaged to the end of the crossbar (<NUM>) proximate to the first side portion (<NUM>);
a lock plate (<NUM>) positioned within the lock nut receiving recess (<NUM>) between the lock nut (<NUM>) and a spring disk (<NUM>) when the lock nut (<NUM>) is threadably engaged with the crossbar (<NUM>);
a throw lever (<NUM>) including a cam (<NUM>) interconnected with a second end of the crossbar (<NUM>), the cam (<NUM>) engaging the moveable clamp (<NUM>) and being operable to pull the crossbar (<NUM>) such that the side portions are moved from a released position to an engaged position, the throw lever (<NUM>) being arranged to rotate the cam (<NUM>) between an open and a closed position;
wherein the lock nut receiving recess (<NUM>) is shaped to prevent rotation of the lock plate (<NUM>) while allowing rotation of the lock nut (<NUM>).