Patent ID: 12215956

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG.1, an exemplary firearm2includes an upper receiver4, a lower receiver6that cooperates with the upper receiver4to define a body8of the firearm2, and a barrel10extending from the body8. A stock12is coupled to the body8opposite the barrel10, and a handguard14surrounds a portion of the barrel10adjacent the upper receiver4.

The firearm2also includes an accessory interface or rail15, with portions extending along a top side of the handguard14and the upper receiver4. An accessory16(e.g., a flashlight, scope, sight, handgrip, sling mount, etc.) is removably coupled to the rail15by an accessory mount18. The illustrated rail15is a Picatinny rail. As such, the rail15has a top side21including a top surface22(FIG.2), a first side23including a first upper angled surface24and a first lower angled surface28, and a second side25opposite the first side23and including a second upper angled surface26and a second lower angled surface30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper angled surfaces24,26extend downward and outward (e.g., at a 45 degree angle) from the top surface22. The lower angled surfaces28,30extend downward and inward (e.g., at 90 degree angles) relative to the respective upper angled surfaces24,26. A chamfer or transition surface31may be disposed between the upper angled surfaces24,26and the lower angled surfaces28,30, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of grooves or notches32is formed in the top surface22of the rail15, and the illustrated notches32extend across the width of the rail15at regularly spaced increments (FIG.1). In other embodiments, the rail15may have other geometries and/or other features suitable for mounting accessories thereto.

FIG.3illustrates an accessory16and an accessory mount18according to one embodiment, which can be used to secure the accessory16to the rail15of the firearm2or to a rail on any other firearm or device (such as a stand). The illustrated accessory16is an optic (e.g., a scope) with a housing34containing one or more optic elements36(e.g., lenses). The accessory mount18is coupled to the housing34via a plurality of fasteners (not shown) and includes a body38with an upper side40adjacent the accessory16, a lower side42opposite the upper side40, and a front side44, a rear side46, and opposite lateral sides48,50extending between the front side44and the rear side46. The lower side42of the accessory mount includes a lower engagement surface52(FIG.5) that is positioned adjacent the top surface22(FIG.2) of the rail15when the accessory mount18is coupled to the rail15(e.g.,FIG.1).

The accessory mount18further includes a clamp assembly54coupled to the body38. The clamp assembly54includes a movable clamp member56with a threaded shaft58and an actuator60, which in the illustrated embodiment is a nut60threadably engaged with the shaft58. The shaft58is received within a bore62that extends through the body38of the accessory mount18along an axis64. With reference toFIG.5, the axis64is inclined at an angle θ relative to the lower engagement surface52of the body38. That is, the axis64and the lower engagement surface52are oriented to define a non-zero included angle θ (i.e. the angle θ is greater than 0 degrees such that the axis64and the lower engagement surface52are not parallel). For example, in some embodiments, the angle θ is greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees, and in some embodiments, the angle θ is between 5 degrees and 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle θ is between 5 degrees and 80 degrees, or between 10 degrees and 75 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ is between 10 degrees and 50 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle θ is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ is between 15 degrees and 20 degrees.

With reference toFIG.4, in the illustrated embodiment, a relief66in the first lateral side48surrounds the periphery of the bore62and provides clearance for a tool (e.g., a socket) to be slid over the nut60to facilitate rotating the nut60. In some embodiments, the nut60may be replaced with a knob configured to be grasped and rotated by hand. In such embodiments, the knob may be knurled to provide increased grip.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first washer68and a second washer70are received on the shaft58between the nut60and the body38. The first washer68is a flat washer that distributes a clamping load exerted by the nut60against the body38to inhibit wear on the nut60and/or the body38. The second washer70is a disc spring or wave spring that is resiliently compressible to provide an axial preload and the threads of the nut60and the shaft58, inhibiting the nut60from loosening. In other embodiments, one or both washers68,70may be omitted, or other washer configurations may be used.

The clamp assembly54further includes a fixed clamp member72that projects from the lower side42of the body38and extends along the entire length of the body38from the front side44to the rear side46. Alternatively, the fixed clamp member72may not extend the entire length of the body38or may be split into multiple segments. With reference toFIG.5, the fixed clamp member72includes a first engagement surface74engageable with the first lower angled surface28of the rail15. The movable clamp member56includes a hook76defining a second engagement surface78that is engageable with the second lower angled surface30on the rail15. The shaft58and the hook76may be integrally formed together as a single piece. Alternatively, the shaft58and hook76may be formed separately and coupled together by welding, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a set screw) or any other suitable means.

The movable clamp member56is movable along the axis64(e.g., in response to rotation of the nut60) to clamp the rail15between the first and second engagement surfaces74,78and the lower engagement surface52of the body38. The clamp assembly54thus provides three areas of contact (i.e. the surfaces74,28; the surfaces78,30; and the surfaces52,22) in a triangular pattern to secure the accessory mount18to the rail15. In some embodiments, alternative actuators may be provided in place of the nut60to move the movable clamp member56along the axis62. For example, the nut60may be replaced by a cam-lever pivotally coupled to the body38.

With reference toFIG.6, the illustrated accessory mount18further includes a plurality of recoil lugs80that projects from the lower engagement surface52of the body38. The recoil lugs80extend laterally across the body38generally between the fixed clamp member72and the hook76of the movable clamp member56. The recoil lugs80are sized and shaped to be received within the notches32of the rail15. That is, the recoil lugs80are engageable with the rail15to secure the accessory mount18against recoil forces generated by discharging the firearm2. In other embodiments, different numbers and/or arrangements of recoil lugs80may be provided, depending on the overall length of the accessory mount18, for example.

In operation, to couple the accessory16to the firearm2, the accessory mount18is positioned on the rail15by first aligning the recoil lugs80with notches32in the rail15, and then inserting the recoil lugs80into the notches32until the lower engagement surface52of the body38abuts the top side22of the rail (FIGS.1,2, and6). Next, the user rotates the nut60relative to the shaft58about the axis64in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise). As the nut60is rotated relative to the shaft58, the movable clamp member56moves along the axis64in the direction of arrow A inFIG.5. This decreases the spacing between the fixed clamp member72and the hook76of the movable clamp member56. The user continues to rotate the nut60in the tightening direction until the fixed clamp member72and the movable clamp member56engage the first and second sides23,25of the rail15. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second engagement surfaces74,78of the clamp assembly54bear against the lower angled surfaces28,30of the rail. This securely clamps the accessory mount18to the rail15.

The angled orientation of the movable clamp member56and the nut60advantageously reduces the overall width of the accessory mount18. In addition, the nut60is less likely to snag on straps, webbing, clothing, etc.

FIG.7illustrates an accessory mount118according to another embodiment. The accessory mount118is similar to the accessory mount18described above with reference toFIGS.3-6. Accordingly, features and elements of the accessory mount118corresponding with features and elements of the accessory mount18are given like reference numbers plus 100. In addition, the following description focuses primarily on differences between the accessory mount118and the accessory mount18.

The body138of the accessory mount118has a greater height H (i.e. a greater distance between the upper side140and the lower side142) than the body38of the accessory mount18. As such, the body138can accommodate the a steeper inclination angle θ for the movable clamp member156.

FIG.8illustrates an accessory mount218according to another embodiment. The accessory mount218is similar to the accessory mount18described above with reference toFIGS.3-6. Accordingly, features and elements of the accessory mount218corresponding with features and elements of the accessory mount18are given like reference numbers plus 200. In addition, the following description focuses primarily on differences between the accessory mount218and the accessory mount18.

The accessory mount218is configured to secure a relatively long accessory16, such as a high-power scope, to the rail15. As such, the mount218includes an elongated body238and two clamping assemblies254, each having a structure and operation similar to the clamping assembly54described above with reference toFIGS.3-6. There is a gap between the two clamping assemblies254, such that this embodiment does not include a continuous fixed clamp member that projects from the lower side of the body238and extends along the entire length of the body238from the front side to the rear side. Instead, the fixed clamp member of this embodiment is split into two segments272a,272b, and thus includes first and second engagement surfaces274a,274bengageable with the first lower angled surface28of the rail15. In other embodiments, the accessory mount218may include three or more clamping assemblies254.

FIGS.9-11illustrate an accessory mount318according to another embodiment. The accessory mount318is similar to the accessory mount18described above with reference toFIGS.3-6. Accordingly, features and elements of the accessory mount318corresponding with features and elements of the accessory mount18are given like reference numbers plus 300. In addition, the following description focuses primarily on differences between the accessory mount318and the accessory mount18.

Referring toFIG.10, the actuator360of the clamp assembly354in the illustrated embodiment is a knurled wheel with a central aperture that is threadably engaged with the shaft358. The actuator360extends laterally through the body338of the mount318, such that the actuator360can be accessed and manipulated from either side of the mount318(facilitating ambidextrous operation).

In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft358of the movable clamp member356is oriented such that the included angle θ between the axis364and the lower engagement surface352is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees, or between 60 degrees and 90 degrees in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the angle θ may be between 70 degrees and 80 degrees.

With reference toFIG.11, the clamp assembly354further includes a detent mechanism371configured to retain the actuator360in a set position and inhibit inadvertent loosening of the actuator360. The illustrated detent mechanism371includes a detent373, a plurality of recesses375formed in the actuator360, and a spring377configured to bias the detent373into engagement with the plurality of recesses375. In other embodiments, the detent373may be provided on the actuator360, and the recesses375may be provided in the body338of the mount318. In other embodiments, the detent mechanism371may have yet other configurations.

When a user desires to tighten the actuator360(e.g., to secure the mount318to the rail15), the user may grasp or press against the actuator360to rotate the actuator360about the axis364in a tightening direction (FIG.10). As the actuator360rotates, the ball373rides in an out of the recesses375, accompanied by corresponding compression and expansion of the spring377(FIG.11). The engagement between the ball373and the recesses376may provide the user with tactile and/or audible feedback during rotation of the actuator360. Once the rail15is tightly clamped between the movable clamp member356and the fixed clamp member372. The engagement between the ball373and a corresponding recess375inhibits the actuator360from rotating and loosening the clamp assembly354without deliberate action from the user.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims: