Apparatus for securing a device to a weapon
An auxiliary device for use with a weapon has a plurality of detachable attachment assemblies that can be coupled to a receiver on the auxiliary device. Each attachment assembly has a positioning member engageable in the receiver, a moveable jaw for grabbing the sides of the rail, and a tightener. The different attachment assemblies may alternately be coupled to the same auxiliary device to provide tool and tool free installation.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent applications Ser. No. 60/638,874, filed Dec. 22, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates generally to attachment devices and methods for securing auxiliary devices (e.g., scopes, sights, lasers, lights) to a weapon and, more particularly, to an assembly for attaching an auxiliary device to a rail system of a weapon.
BACKGROUNDThe need to effectively see a target and aim a weapon in the direction of the target is well recognized. Auxiliary devices to facilitate illuminating a target or aiming a weapon, especially under low light conditions, are known. Examples of known auxiliary devices include scopes, illuminators, lasers, aiming lights and combined illuminator/laser units. For convenience, these (and other) devices are generally referred to herein as auxiliary devices. Attaching auxiliary devices to a weapon typically requires separate brackets or other mechanical components, which may necessitate tools, e.g., screwdrivers, coins, hex wrenches or shell casings, for attaching the auxiliary device itself or the mechanical component.
Auxiliary devices, for example a scope, may be used by a variety of users on a variety of weapons and each user may prefer a different way of securing the scope to the weapon. One user may prefer securing the scope to the weapon with a screwdriver, where another user may desire a tool-free installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a better understanding of the present invention, together with other objects, features and advantages, reference should be made to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the following figures wherein:
Auxiliary devices include, but are not limited to scopes, illuminators, lasers, sights, aiming lights, and combined illuminator/laser units. These auxiliary devices may be secured to a rail on a weapon, for example a pistol or long gun, and aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis LA of the weapon. The auxiliary device may be secured to a rail disposed above, below, or on the side of the weapon, depending on its intended purpose. The rail may have a MIL-STD-1913, Weaver, or other profile and may include one or more cross slots. The cross slot may be used to assist in resisting movement of the auxiliary device along the longitudinal axis LA of the weapon during recoil.
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Alternatively, a receiver 1006B may be configured with a beveled wall 1012B (see
The positioning member 1008A, 1008B may include a transverse locator bar 1018 that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAA of the housing 1002. The bar 1018 may have a generally rectangular cross section that is sized to cooperate with a cross slot 1052 on a rail 1050. The bar 1018 may extend substantially across the width of auxiliary device 1000. Alternatively, one or more pins may cooperate with the cross slot 1052 to prevent longitudinal movement of the auxiliary device relative to the weapon. The positioning member 1008A may have one or more openings 1024 (for the retainer(s) 1010 to extend therethrough) aligned with the one or more opening(s) 1026 on the mounting plate 1004A. Alternatively, movement of the auxiliary device 1000 along the longitudinal axis of a weapon may be prevented by a transverse bar formed as an integral or removable part of the mounting plate 1004A, 1004B.
The positioning member 1008A, 1008B may have an end portion 1020 (discussed below) extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAA of the housing 1002.
Extending from the mounting plate 1004 may be a structural member 1014. The structural member 1014 may extend along at least a portion of the auxiliary device 1000. The structural member 1014 may have a profile that cooperates with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, a Weaver rail, or other rail. Alternatively, the structural member may be secured to the mounting plate 1004A, 1004B with fasteners.
A contoured jaw 1022A, 1022B may have a profile that cooperates with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, a Weaver rail, or other rail. The contoured jaw 1022A, 1022B may have a first portion 1022E (see
A tightener 1030A, 1030B, 1030C, 1030D, 1030E may be coupled to the end portion 1020 of the positioning member 1008A, 1008B. When rotated, the tightener 1030A, 1030B, 1030C, 1030D, 1030E may cause the contoured jaw 1022A, 1022B to be drawn closer to the first structural member 1014, thereby applying a clamping force on the rail 1050.
The positioning members 1008A, 1008B, the contoured jaws 1022A, 1022B, and the tighteners 1030A, 1030B, 1030C, 1030D, 1030E may be combined to form one or more attachment assemblies 1060A, 1060B, 1060C, 1060D, 1060E. The different attachment assemblies 1060A, 1060B, 1060C, 1060D, 1060E may be coupled to the mounting plate 1004A, 10004B to provide options to the weapon operator or soldier.
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To secure the auxiliary device 1000 to the rail 1050, the installer may position the auxiliary device 1000 along the longitudinal axis LA of the rail 1050 with the bar 1018 aligned with a transverse slot 1052 located on the rail 1050. The installer may then align the first structural member 1014 with an edge of the rail 1050 and then rotate the auxiliary device 1000 onto the opposing edge of the rail. The installer may then rotate the tightener until the contoured jaw securely clamps the rail 1050. The process may be reversed to remove the auxiliary device.
According to one embodiment, an auxiliary device includes a mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing, and a first and a second attachment assembly. Each attachment assembly having a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver, a contoured jaw, and a tightener that when rotated causes the first contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
According to another embodiment, an auxiliary device includes a mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing, a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver, a contoured jaw, and a first and a second tightener coupleable to the positioning member such that when rotated causes the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
According to another embodiment, an auxiliary device includes a mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing, a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member, a contoured jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the positioning. member, and a cam lever tightener rotatable about a pivot retained on the end portion of the positioning member by a retainer, rotation of the lever urging the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
This invention has been described in connection with various embodiments. These embodiments are for example only and are not intended to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention encompasses all devices and equivalents which are within the scope of the claims which follow.
Claims
1. An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising:
- a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;
- a first attachment assembly comprising a first positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member; a first jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the first positioning member; and a first tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupled to the end portion of the first positioning member that when rotated causes the first contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member; and
- a second attachment assembly comprising a second positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member; a second jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the second positioning member; and a second tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupled to the end portion of the second positioning member that when rotated causes the second contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
2. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the contoured jaw has a profile extending parallel with the first structural member.
3. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the first positioning member further comprises a cross bar sized to fit in a slot on a rail of a weapon.
4. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the first positioning member comprises one or more pins.
5. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the first positioning member has one or more openings for coupling the positioning member to the mounting plate.
6. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the first tightener is a thumbscrew.
7. The auxiliary device of claim 6, wherein the second tightener is a cam lever.
8. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the first positioning member has an externally threaded portion.
9. The auxiliary device of claim 8, wherein the first tightener is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.
10. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the tightener is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.
11. An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising:
- a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;
- a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member;
- a contoured jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the positioning member;
- a first tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupleable to the end portion of the positioning member such that when rotated causes the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member; and
- a second tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupleable to the end portion of the positioning member such that when rotated causes the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
12. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the contoured jaw has a profile extending parallel with the first structural member.
13. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the first positioning member further comprises a cross bar sized to fit in a slot on a rail of a weapon.
14. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the first positioning member comprises one or more pins.
15. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the first positioning member has one or more openings for coupling the positioning member to the mounting plate.
16. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the first tightener is a thumbscrew.
17. The auxiliary device of claim 16, wherein the second tightener is a cam lever.
18. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the end portion of the first positioning member has an externally threaded portion.
19. The auxiliary device of claim 18, wherein the first tightener is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.
20. The auxiliary device of claim 11, wherein the first tightener is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.
21. The auxiliary device of claim 20, further comprising a spring latch retainer for retaining the tightener.
22. An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising:
- a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;
- a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member;
- a contoured jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the positioning member;
- a cam lever tightener rotatable about a pivot retained on the end portion of the positioning member by a retainer, rotation of the lever urging the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.
23. The auxiliary device of claim 20, wherein rotation of the retainer provides adjustment of the distance between the contoured jaw and the first structural member.
24. The auxiliary device of claim 20, further comprising a spring latch retainer coupled to the mounting plate to prevent unintentional rotation of the cam lever tightener.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 21, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 11, 2007
Inventor: Sean Carney (Dunstable, MA)
Application Number: 11/314,477
International Classification: F41A 29/00 (20060101);