Mounting Platform

Abstract

An elongated mounting platform has Picatinny rails on the surface of its opposing elongated sides, opposing elongated edges, and opposing ends. Rails can be continuous or discontinuous along each surface. The mounting platform serves to support Picatinny accessories that are not being used in association with a firearm.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Picatinny rail system was designed to provide a standardized mounting platform for rifle scopes. A series of T-shaped ridges is interspersed by spacing slots to form the rail. In contrast with the predecessor Weaver mount, the width of the spacing slots on a Picatinny rail is consistently 0.206 inches. The consistency in slot width allowed the Picatinny rail to become a military standard for mounting rails. Thus, the Picatinny rail is also known as the MIL-STD-1913 rail. Further, the rail is known as the STANAG 2324 rail as well as just a “Tactical Rail.”

The ease and security by which a rifle scope can be mounted to the Picatinny rail encouraged the development of brackets and clamps to mount other accessories on the rail. Accessories including, but not limited to, tactical lights, laser aiming modules or red dot sights, spotting scopes, handles, slings, night visions devices, reflex sights, cameras, flashlights, foregrips, bipods, and bayonets have been made to attach to a Picatinny rail. Likewise, adaptors have been devised that connect to the rail and add a further rail increasing the capacity of the rail system. Rifles have been made that have Picatinny rails on all four sides of the stock to allow attachment of multiple accessories. Floating quad-rail systems have been devised so as to not interfere with the accuracy of the rifle (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,265). U.S. Patent Application No. 2012/0285067 describes a universal rail mounting system having multiple parallel accessory rails. Existing rail systems however can only be used in association with a firearm. A need remains for a rail system that can be used with a firearm but can also be used independent of a firearm to support, control, and utilize the many accessories designed for a Picatinny rail system.

All patents, patent applications, provisional patent applications and publications referred to or cited herein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings of the specification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an elongated mounting platform with Picatinny type rails on all six sides of the platform. The platform has opposing elongated sides, opposing long edges, and opposing ends. Picatinny accessories can be mounted on the platform for support and control during use away from a firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective partially exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the platform of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the platform of the subject invention with multiple Picatinny accessories mounted to the platform.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the platform of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention involves an elongated mounting platform with Picatinny type rails on each surface. All six sides of the platform has Picatinny type rails.

The platform of the subject invention is elongated and has opposing elongated sides 10, elongated opposing edges 12, and opposing ends 14. In the exemplified embodiment, the platform is molded of plastic. Plastic is light-weight, durable, and resistant to damage from water and humidity. In the exemplified embodiment, the platform is molded with voids 16 and support structures 18 to reduce its weight and increase its strength. One skilled in the art would understand however that the subject platform can be made of any other material that is sturdy enough to support the rail system and any accessories placed upon it.

In a preferred embodiment, the Picatinny rails are molded with the platform. It is noted however that the rails can be separately applied to the platform. In a particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, rails on the elongated edges 12 and the ends 14 are molded with the platform. Separate rail pieces 20 are attached to the elongated sides 10 to complete the platform. Rail pieces connect to the rail platform by for example, snaps, or screws 22. In this embodiment, the rail pieces form a discontinuous rail along the side. Rails along all sides, edges, and ends of the invention can be continuous or discontinuous allowing for customization of the mounting platform.

The mounting platform of the subject invention serves to support multiple Picatinny accessories. The subject platform can be used by manufacturers and retailers to display laser sights and scopes designed to be placed on a Picatinny mounting system on a rifle. As shown in FIG. 2 however, the subject platform is anticipated for use in a much broader market. When fitted with a stock 24 on one end 14 and a handle 26 on one edge 12a the mounting platform can be held and positioned like a rifle. In this configuration, a range finder, or scope can be mounted on the edge opposing the handle 12b to provide the user a sturdy platform for determining the range of a target or scoping a mountainside for game. A camera mounted on the opposing side of the handle provided a steady shot for a photographer. A knife or bayonet 28 can be mounted to an end or side for defense. A hiker or animal control manager can mount pepper/bear spray 30 to the platform for steady support of the can while spraying. Handles and slings can be added to the rail system to make the unit easily transportable. For home defense, pepper spray and/or a knife mounted to the subject platform as well as a flashlight, or a noise blaster can be used to discourage an intruder. Law enforcement can use the device of the subject invention to mount pepper spray, a stun gun, or a taser. The platform and accessories can be color-coded for convenience and could be made to glow-in-the dark so they are easy to find and retrieve. Accessories for Picatinny rails continue to be made and each can be added to the mounting platform of the subject invention. Rail systems that attach to Picatinny rails exist that will double the capacity of the rail.

The subject system is advantageous because rails are available to mount accessories on every surface of the platform. The ability to mount accessories on all sides allows the platform to be used apart from a firearm. Although the subject platform is shown away from a firearm, it is noted that the platform can be attached to and used with a firearm. Further, although all rails shown along a the surfaces of the subject platform are Picatinny type rails, rail configuration can include other mounting type rails, such as a Weaver mount.

It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. An elongated mounting platform comprising: one side and an opposing side;one edge and an opposing edge; andone end and an opposing end;

2. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein said platform is molded from plastic.

3. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein said platform and at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is molded from plastic.

4. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is removably attached to said platform.

5. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is discontinuous along a length of the side, edge, or end.

6. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on at least one of said one side and said opposing side is discontinuous along a length of said side.

7. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on each of said one side and said opposing side is discontinuous along a length of said side.

8. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on said one side is discontinuous along a length of said one side.

9. The elongated mounting platform of claim 1, further comprising a stock mounted on said surface presenting picatinny type rails on said one end and a handle on said surface presenting picatinny type rails on said one edge.

10. The elongated mounting platform of claim 9, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a camera mount, pepper/bear spray, and a bayonet on at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end.

11. An elongated mounting platform comprising: one side and an opposing side;one edge and an opposing edge, a stock attached to the one edge;one end and an opposing end, a handle attached to the one end;

12. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein said platform is molded from plastic.

13. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein said platform and at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is molded from plastic.

14. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is removably attached to said platform.

15. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end is discontinuous along a length of the side, edge, or end.

16. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on at least one of said side and said opposing side is discontinuous along a length of said side.

17. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on each of said one side and said opposing side is discontinuous along a length of said side.

18. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, wherein said surface presenting picatinny type rails on said one side is discontinuous along a length of said one side.

19. The elongated mounting platform of claim 11, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a camera mount, pepper/bear spray, and a bayonet on at least one of said surfaces presenting picatinny type rails of said one side and said opposing side, said one edge and opposing edge, and said one end and said opposing end.