Patent ID: 8407923

Claim:
An accessory for a firearm comprising: an accessory portion; and an attachment portion that associates the accessory portion with a portion of a rail assembly when the attachment portion is snapped about the rail assembly, the attachment portion comprising: at least one first mounting arm and at least one second mounting arm, wherein the at least one first and second mounting arms are positioned about the portion of the rail assembly when snapped about the portion of the rail assembly, and wherein the accessory portion is positioned along an upper end of the at least one first and second mounting arms; a dovetail channel positioned along a lower end of each of the at least one first and second mounting arms that mates with a dovetail projection of the rail assembly, the dovetail channel comprising a rest position when the accessory is not associated with the rail assembly and comprising a displaced position when either dovetail channel is pushed against at least a portion of the rail assembly; a connecting arm positioned between the dovetail channel and the accessory portion that flexes outward in response to an expansion force imposed upon the dovetail channel when the dovetail channel is pushed against a portion of the rail assembly; and a securing mechanism comprising a non-securing position and a securing position, the securing position comprising a pulling force exerted on the at least one first and second mounting arms creating an increased clamping force against the portion of the rail assembly when the at least one first and second mounting arms are snapped about the rail assembly.