Patent Application
20180202769
The present disclosure relates to mount mechanisms in general, and in particular to a mount mechanism for mounting accessories, such as laser sighting devices, lighting devices, etc., on a tactical rail of a firearm.
Rail systems allow various types of accessories, such as laser sights, flashlights, etc., to be attached to a firearm such as a rifle or a pistol. By using a rail system, it is not necessary to attach accessories directly to the barrel of a firearm, which can adversely affect the accuracy of the firearm.
A rail system typically includes a rail platform having a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. There are many types of clamping mechanisms designed for mounting accessories on either one or both of the above-mentioned rails. Throw-lever type clamping mechanisms capable of releasable mounting of accessories on a rail of a firearm tend to be the clamping mechanism of choice by military and law enforcement personnel because throw-lever type clamping mechanisms allow them to efficiently change out accessories under field conditions without losing the aim-point (or zero) of the firearm or accessories.
However, a throw-lever type clamping mechanism may become loosened when the associated firearm is subjected to significant vibration and rough use. If a throw-lever of the clamping mechanism becomes too loose and rotates to a release position inadvertently, the attached accessory will also be loosened to the extent that it may fall off from the firearm. Needless to say, it can be extremely hazardous to an operator of the firearm if the above-mentioned situation occurs under tactical field conditions.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved throw-lever type clamping mechanism for mounting accessories on a rail of a firearm.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mounting mechanism for mounting accessories on a rail of a firearm includes a base, a clamp and a lever. The base includes a lever keeper and a first rail-engaging surface. The clamp includes a second rail-engaging surface. The lever, which includes a lever tab, is connected to the clamp at a pivot to allow an operator to selectively place the clamp in an engaged position or a disengaged position. The lever is configured to move the clamp to the engaged position to allow a rail projection to be secured in a mounting cavity located between the first rail-engaging surface of the base and the second rail-engaging surface of the clamp. When in the engaged position, the lever tab located on the lever is configured to be engaged with the lever keeper located on the base in order to prevent the lever from swinging away from the clamp. The lever is also configured to move the clamp to the disengaged position to allow the rail projection to be released from the mounting cavity. A force is needed to be applied against a spring within the lever before the lever can be swung away from the clamp.
The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.
The invention itself, as well as its modes of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
With reference now to
Each one of rail platforms 11a-11d from
Clamp 21 can be connected to base 22 via a mechanical slide or guide. Lever 23 is attached to base 22 via a pivot 24. Pivot 24 may include a pin that connects lever 23 to base 22. Lever 23 is also connected to clamp 21 to allow an operator to move lever 23 in order to position clamp 21 from a disengaged position to an engaged position, and vice versa. In the disengaged position, as shown in
In the engaged position, as shown in
A lever tab 41 is located on lever 23, and a lever keeper 42 is located on base 22. Lever keeper 42 is configured to be engaged with lever tab 41 when lever 23 is in an engaged position. Specifically, lever keeper 42 prevents lever 23 from swinging away from clamp 21, whether inadvertently or not. The combination of lever tab 41 and lever keeper 42 ensure that lever 23 maintains a secure engagement with clamp 21 during the engaged position.
Base 22 also includes multiple holes 29 to allow an accessory, such as a scope ring for securing a scope, to be attached to base 22 via multiple screws (not shown). It is understood by those skilled in the art that a specific type of attachment other than a ring can be employed for securing a specific type of accessory to base 22.
An operator can attach mounting mechanism 20 (along with an accessory) onto a rail platform quickly and easily. The operator initially positions mounting mechanism 20 at a desired point on rail platform 11a (or one of other rail platforms 11b-11d). To position mounting mechanism 20 on rail platform 11a, clamp 21 is brought into its disengaged position (i.e., lever 23 away from clamp 21). After the desired point on rail platform 11a has been reached, the operator can swing lever 23 towards clamp 21 in order to secure mounting mechanism 20 on rail platform 11a. At this point, lever keeper 42 is located in the locus of lever tab 41 such that lever 23 is not allowed to swing away from clamp 21.
With reference now
When an operator desires to un-mount mounting mechanism 20 from a rail platform, the operator needs to initially push lever cover 44 by using a thumb or forefinger in the direction of P (also shown in
Alternatively, a different type of spring can be placed within lever 23 such that the operator can release lever tab 41 from lever keeper 42 by pulling lever cover 44 with a thumb and a forefinger in a direction opposite of P to actuate (elongate) the spring.
Referring now to
As has been described, the present disclosure provides an improved mounting mechanism for mounting accessories on a tactical rail of a firearm that can positively secure a throw-lever at its clamping position.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
