Patent ID: 7685759

Claim:
An improved clamping device for a weapon accessory rail of a type having an elongate mounting structure of generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape, the mounting structure including a mounting surface, first and second proximal surfaces on opposite sides of the mounting surface and inclined with respect to the mounting surface, a first distal surface adjacent to and inclined with respect to the first proximal surface, and a second distal surface adjacent to and inclined with respect to the second proximal surface, said clamping device comprising: a mounting shoe including a first inward facing surface for engaging the mounting surface of the mounting structure and an outward facing surface opposite the first inward facing surface for attaching an accessory device thereto; said mounting shoe further including a second inward facing surface for engaging the second distal surface of the mounting structure; a cam lever pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, said cam lever having a rotary cam surface engaging a bearing member; and said bearing member movable to a clamped position in response to movement of said cam lever to said first position and an unclamped position in response to movement of the cam lever to the second position, said bearing member for exerting a net clamping force on the first distal surface of the mounting structure when said bearing member is in the clamped position, wherein the net clamping force exerted by said bearing member is in a direction orthogonal to the first distal surface.