RAIL MOUNTED AND INTEGRATED TIE DOWN BRACKET WITH ENGAGEMENT JAWS FOR RETAINING A LOSS PREVENTING LANYARD EXTENDING FROM A RAIL MOUNTED WEAPON ACCESSORY
The present invention teaches a tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory. The bracket includes a first body portion supported by the rail and a second body portion releasably engaged to the first body portion. The body portions exhibit opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing the body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.
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The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/530,435 filed Sep. 2, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention discloses multiple variants of a tie down bracket (including both rail mounted and integrated variants) with engagement jaws or pincers for grabbing and restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory. Additional features include such as a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of a supporting rail associated with a weapon. In this fashion, the bracket engages and retains a loss preventing lanyard (such as including a polymeric coated cable with a metal core) extending from a rail mounted accessory and such that, in the event the accessory disengages from its rail mounted location, the lanyard is securely retained so as to prevent loss of the accessory.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELEVANT ARTThe relevant art teaches an elongated rail which is capable of mounting atop a firearm. The rail is configured for receiving any of a number of weapon mounted accessories, such as gun scopes, infrared or laser directional or range finding devices, and the like. One disadvantageous aspect of use in dynamic environments includes inadvertent disengagement of the accessories from the top extending rail, often resulting in damage or loss of the accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention teaches a tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory. The bracket includes a first body portion supported by the rail and a second body portion releasably engaged to the first body portion. The body portions exhibit opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing the body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.
Additional features include a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of the first body portion. A detent projects from a forward face of the first portion to clamp to the rail. A bolt extends from the forward detent to a rear biasing component and, upon rotating the detent between first and second positions, causes the biasing element to draw against and pinch the opposing rear surface of the rail.
A hex bolt extends through mating threaded locations associated with each of said first and second body portions. The first and second body portions further include side by side assembleable portions with alternating widthwise displacement pins and aligning seating apertures. At least one tie-off aperture is defined in a selected body portion for receiving a looped end of the lanyard.
In a further configuration, at least one of the body portions is integrally defined with the rail and receives the other body portion in engaged and clamping fashion. The body portion is further recessed mounted with respect to an accessory mounting surface of the rail.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Referring initially to
As further shown in
This improves on the current practice of securing the weapon accessory using a length of cord to tie down the accessory and tie it off to such as the barrel or to wrap the cord around the hand guard, as such method relies upon the operator's ability to tie a secure knot that can withstand the abuse of combat. It has also been found that, during extended shooting events, the weapon barrel tends to heat to a level which can cause melting of nylon cords.
Referring again to
An underside profile of the lower portion 12 (see forward edge locator profile 19 with recessed underside 20) is further such that it seats the lower portion at a dedicated lengthwise location of the rail 2. A ball and slot detent 22 projects from a forward face of the lower portion 12 and is engaged (such as by rotating) in order to clamp the main lower body to the rail 2. Although not clearly shown, a bolt (see in phantom at 25 in
As is also depicted in the cutaway view of
In use, the hex bolt is loosened a sufficient degree to permit insertion of a length of cable 6 between the undulating or serrated surfaces, following which the hex bolt is tightened to compress and grip around the lanyard, thereby preventing it from being disengaged. Following this, the pivot lever or cam 16 is rotated, such as around lower pivot point 40, in order to reseat over the main body 12 in a biasing fashion and so that the lever covers and obscures the upper hex bolt 34.
Utilization of the dedicated tie-down point enables the operator to thereby utilize a length of lanyard/cable exhibiting a metal core and which will otherwise not be affected by the generated heat of the barrel and will be maintained intact during use. It is further understood that the tie down kit and bracket can be removed and remounted to the rail 2 without having to set up the cable or cord 6 each and every time, and as is otherwise required when employing the traditional tie down method.
The tie down bracket will also be able to accept multiple types of tie down materials (not limited to any specific type or composition of lanyard) and its use further standardizes the process in which a given operator will secure his weapon accessories with resultant increase in weapon readiness. The tie down bracket further ensures that any accessories are not lost in the event the primary rail support mount located at the base of the accessory somehow disengages from the specified rail mounting location.
Referring now to
As is best shown in the exploded view of
As further depicted in
Although not shown, it is further understood that the two piece side assembleable (or clamshell) design of
Referring to
Finally,
Having described our invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
- a first body portion supported by the rail; and
- a second body portion releasably engaged to said first body portion, said body portions exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.
2. The bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of said first body portion.
3. The bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising a detent projecting from a forward face of said first portion to clamp to the rail, a bolt extending from said forward detent to a rear biasing component and, upon rotating the detent between first and second positions, causing the biasing element to draw against and pinch the opposing rear surface of the rail.
4. The bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising a hex bolt extending through mating threaded locations associated with each of said first and second body portions.
5. The bracket as described in claim 1, said first and second body portions further including side by side assembleable portions with alternating widthwise displacement pins and aligning seating apertures.
6. The bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one tie-off aperture defined in a selected body portion and for receiving a looped end of the lanyard.
7. The bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one of said body portions being integrally defined with said rail and receiving the other body portion in engaged and clamping fashion.
8. The bracket as described in claim 7, said at least one body portion being recessed mounted with respect to an accessory mounting surface of the rail.
9. A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
- a first body portion supported by the rail; and
- a second body portion including a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of said first body portion and is releasably engaged to said first body portion, said body portions exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.
10. The bracket as described in claim 9, further comprising a detent projecting from a forward face of said first portion to clamp to the rail, a bolt extending from said forward detent to a rear biasing component and, upon rotating the detent between first and second positions, causing the biasing element to draw against and pinch the opposing rear surface of the rail.
11. The bracket as described in claim 9, further comprising a hex bolt extending through mating threaded locations associated with each of said first and second body portions.
12. A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
- a first body portion supported by the rail; and
- a second body portion releasably engaged to said first body portion, said first and second body portions being side by side assembleable portions with alternating widthwise displacement pins and aligning seating apertures and exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.
13. The bracket as described in claim 12, further comprising at least one tie-off aperture defined in a selected body portion and for receiving a looped end of the lanyard.
14. The bracket as described in claim 12, further comprising at least one of said body portions being integrally defined with said rail and receiving the other body portion in engaged and clamping fashion.
15. The bracket as described in claim 14, said at least one body portion being recessed mounted with respect to an accessory mounting surface of the rail.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 4, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 7, 2013
Applicant: ELITE ARMS INC. (Dexter, MI)
Inventors: Dennis Finnegan (Pinckney, MI), Scott Eric Watkins (Portage, MI)
Application Number: 13/602,576