Patent ID: 7367152

Claim:
A pivoting accessory mount for use with a firearm, comprising: a base member having a front edge, a rear edge, a longitudinal axis extending between said front edge and said rear edge, a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface configured to be mounted on an upper receiver of said firearm wherein said longitudinal axis of said mounting base is in substantial alignment with a barrel of said firearm, said top surface having supporting structure extending upwardly therefrom; a mounting shaft supported by and extending through said supporting structure, said mounting shaft having a central axis that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; an accessory clamp having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section including an interface for receiving and retaining a firearm accessory, said lower section configured to be received about said mounting shaft, wherein said accessory clamp can be pivoted about said mounting shaft between a first, inactive position adjacent the firearm and a second, active position protruding substantially vertically from said firearm, wherein said mounting shaft is linearly displaceable along said central axis between a latched position and a released position, wherein said mounting shaft in said latched position engages said supporting structure and said accessory clamp thereby preventing said accessory clamp from pivoting relative to said base member.