Patent ID: 8196329

Claim:
A weapon accessory mounting system for releasably mounting an accessory element directly onto the front sight base of a host weapon without requiring permanent modification of the host weapon, the system comprising: a bracket element including a clamp member and a plank member, the clamp member defined by a base portion disposed between two laterally opposed clamp arms each having an inner groove, the cross-sectional shape of the clamp member at least partially defining a channel extending along a sight base axis, the plank member extending outwardly from the base portion along an aim axis, the plank member having a rail portion, the rail portion having two laterally disposed rail edges and at least one accessory engagement slot extending laterally therebetween, the aim axis being substantially perpendicular to the sight base axis; and a first and second detent element disposed in the base portion for protrusion of at least a portion of each detent element into the channel, wherein the plank member intersects the base portion between the first and second detent elements and at least one of the first and second detent elements is actuatable.