Firearm accessory mount
An apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm includes an adapter member formed to the contours of the firearm's surface, an adjacent rail having two longitudinal rail guides protruding from each longitudinal side of the rail for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device, and an adhesive member adhering the adapter member and its attached components to the firearm.
This invention relates to an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ARTMany firearms include a standardized accessory rail or accessory mount built directly into the firearm's body. The rail allows an operator to attach various rail compatible accessories such as a laser sight or weapon mounted flashlight directly to the firearm. Because some firearms do not include accessory mounts, operators either have to omit carrying an accessory device or purchase an adapter, many of which are unstable, require permanent firearm modifications or disassembly, and are known to cause excessive wear to the firearm.
Novak designs, Inc. produces a pistol accessory mount sold as a “1911 Tactical Light Rail.” This accessory mount requires that the pistol be permanently altered by drilling bores into the pistol to secure the rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,908 (2006) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,365 (2008) both issued to Kim describe rail mount adapters. The first requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore within a pistol's frame and requires partial disassembly of the pistol to install. Because of pistol variances, not all pistols contain a compatible bore. The latter device must utilize an existing rail to secure the rail device. Both devices make direct contact with the body of the firearm and can cause excessive marring or wear.
U.S. Pat. No 7,395,627 (2008) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,366 (2008) both issued to Mathews, et al also describe rail mount adapters. The first device requires that the rail adapter be mounted directly to the trigger guard, which can cause increased wear and become unstable when recoil is present. The latter device also requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore within pistol's frame for compatibility and requires partial disassembly of the pistol to install.
My invention provides a highly stable mounting apparatus. It avoids direct contact of the accessory mount to a firearm by providing a buffer to protect the body of the firearm from wear. It allows an operator to easily mount an accessory device to the firearm without permanently altering the firearm, disassembling portions of the firearm, or using an existing rail. It also allows the operator to choose the longitudinal placement of the accessory mount when installed onto the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm is described.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm includes an adapter member formed to the contours of the firearm's surface, an adjacent rail having two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device, and an adhesive member adhering the adapter member and its attached components to the firearm.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.
Unless noted otherwise, “longitudinal” describes a direction parallel to slide 9 of
Referring to
Referring to
An accessory such an illumination accessory 12 can now be readily mounted to the longitudinal guides 5 located on rail 7. For example, as shown in
Adapter members 2 should be sized accordingly to support frame 8 of
In the preferred embodiment, adhesive member 1 is the only separate component of the mounting apparatus. The remaining adapter members 2 and rail 7 should be machined as a singular contiguous body.
The adhesive member 1 is produced by 3M Company and is available under 3M™ VHB™ Tapes. The 3M™ VHB™ tape provides a high bond double sided adhesive tape capable of strongly adhering various alloys and other materials together. It is widely used in both construction and aerospace industries and is well known within the art. Other adhesives are available and may be used without limiting the overall scope of the embodiment described.
In the preferred embodiment, the accessory mount can be formed from an aluminum alloy by use of either manual or CNC machining. CNC machining is well known within the art for its ability to manipulate alloys to precise tolerances and specifications.
From the description above, a number of advantages become evident. For example, an operator can adjust longitudinal placement of the mounting apparatus onto frame 8 to accommodate their personal preference. The mounting apparatus is not dependent on the trigger guard, which can become unstable and shift during recoil. The flexible adhesive member 1 acts as a buffer between the firearm 10 and the mounting apparatus, thus preventing marring and increased wear to the firearm 10. Lastly, no permanent alterations or dissassembly of the firearm 10 is required for installation. Other advantages may become present to those familiar with the art.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the accessory mount can have measurement variances, materials may be substituted, and production methods may vary. In addition, the adapter arms 2 can also be mounted directly to a barrel on a fixed barrel firearm and the shape can be altered to conform to a desired surface shape. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
Claims
1. An accessory mount for a firearm comprising an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure, a plurality of elongated adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of said firearm, said adapter members being joined to said rail structure and adhered to a surface of said firearm.
2. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are adhered to the surface of said firearm with double sided tape.
3. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein the number of said adapter members is two.
4. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are semi-flexible.
5. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure is comprised of a rigid material.
6. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure includes a plurality of transverse slots.
7. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each longitudinal side of said rail structure.
8. An accessory mount for a firearm, comprising:
- (a) an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure,
- (b) a plurality of adapter members collectively conforming to the surface shape of said firearm and being joined to said rail structure so that said adapter members are located adjacent to said rail structure, and
- (c) means for adhering said adapter members to the surface of said firearm.
9. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure is composed of a rigid material
10. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said adapter members are semi-flexible.
11. The adhering means of claim 8 wherein said means is composed of a double sided tape.
12. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure includes a plurality of transverse slots.
13. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein the number of said adapter members is two.
14. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each longitudinal side of said rail structure.
15. A method of securing an accessory mount to a firearm comprising:
- (a) selecting a position on a surface of said firearm, for affixation of a plurality of elongated adapter members, said adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of said firearm and are joined to an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure,
- (b) adhering the adapter members to the surface of said firearm,
- (c) attaching a rail compatible accessory device to said rail structure
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adhering step comprises placing a double-sided adhesive between the surface of said firearm and said adapter members.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises slidably mating said rail compatible accessory device with said guides.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the selecting step comprises choosing a longitudinal position on said firearm for affixation of said adapter arms.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2010
Publication Date: May 24, 2012
Inventor: Michael A. Castaneda (Costa Mesa, CA)
Application Number: 12/927,647