Abstract: An apparatus for coupling an object to a support has an object member that includes an upper surface configured for attachment to a portion of the object, a lower extent including a generally conical object portion depending from the object member; and a notch formed in a portion of the lower extent. A support member includes a lower surface configured for attachment to the support, an upper surface, and a receptacle formed in the upper surface to receive the lower extent of the object member. The receptacle includes a generally conical support portion to receive and mate with the generally conical object portion. A latch member is selectively operable to engage the notch of the object portion to selectively secure together the object and support members.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling an object to a support has an object member that includes an upper surface configured for attachment to a portion of the object, a lower extent including a generally conical object portion depending from the object member; and a notch formed in a portion of the lower extent. A support member includes a lower surface configured for attachment to the support, an upper surface, and a receptacle formed in the upper surface to receive the lower extent of the object member. The receptacle includes a generally conical support portion to receive and mate with the generally conical object portion. A latch member is selectively operable to engage the notch of the object portion to selectively secure together the object and support members.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling an object to a support has an object member that includes an upper surface configured for attachment to a portion of the object, a lower extent including a generally conical object portion depending from the object member; and a notch formed in a portion of the lower extent. A support member includes a lower surface configured for attachment to the support, an upper surface, and a receptacle formed in the upper surface to receive the lower extent of the object member. The receptacle includes a generally conical support portion to receive and mate with the generally conical object portion. A latch member is selectively operable to engage the notch of the object portion to selectively secure together the object and support members.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an electrically powered device to a helmet has a mounting body configured to be removably secured to an existing mounting fixture on the helmet and depending generally downwardly therefrom. A device-mounting rail is carried by the mounting body and has a length extending generally transversely to each side of the mounting body. At least one longitudinal slot is formed in the device-mounting rail and an electrically conductive rail is carried on the device rail and at least partially coextensive with the longitudinal slot, the electrically conductive rail configured to mate with a receptacle on the device. A fastener extends through the longitudinal slot to engage and secure the device to the device-mounting rail. A source of electrical power is in communication with the device through the electrically conductive rail and receptacle.

Abstract: A sighting device is configured to be mounted on a firearm and comprises a core unit that includes a source of electrical power; a hood removably secured to the core unit and enclosing a portion of the core unit and at least partially defining a sight window through the hood; and an electrical connection between the core unit and the hood, wherein electrical power is transmitted between the core unit and the hood. The electrical accessory may be one of a solar charging cell; a laser pointer sighting device powered by the core unit; or a laser range-finding device powered by the core unit.

Abstract: A sighting device is configured to be mounted on a firearm and comprises a core unit that includes a source of electrical power; a hood removably secured to the core unit and enclosing a portion of the core unit and at least partially defining a sight window through the hood; and an electrical connection between the core unit and the hood, wherein electrical power is transmitted between the core unit and the hood. The electrical accessory may be one of a solar charging cell; a laser pointer sighting device powered by the core unit; or a laser range-finding device powered by the core unit.

Abstract: A sighting device is configured to be mounted on a firearm and comprises a core unit that includes a source of electrical power; a hood removably secured to the core unit and enclosing a portion of the core unit and at least partially defining a sight window through the hood; and an electrical connection between the core unit and the hood, wherein electrical power is transmitted between the core unit and the hood. The electrical accessory may be one of a solar charging cell; a laser pointer sighting device powered by the core unit; or a laser range-finding device powered by the core unit.

Abstract: A charging handle accessory has an upper portion with a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at their upper extent. The upper portion is configured to be assembled over an upper portion of the charging slide. A lower portion has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at one end. Each of the sidewalls of the lower portion has a lip configured to engage a lower extent of the charging slide. A sliding connection is provided at the lower extent of the upper portion and the upper extent of the lower portion, wherein the upper and lower portions are coupled together in sliding relation. A fastener extends between the upper and lower portions to secure the upper and lower portions against sliding relative to one another and secure them on the charging slide of the firearm.

Abstract: A quick-attach-and-detach mount for removably securing an accessory on a rail of a firearm comprises a clamp carried by a portion of the accessory. The clamp includes a pair of generally opposing surfaces. An opposing jaw is formed on one of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp and is configured to engage an undercut on the rail. At least one movable jaw is secured in a recess in another of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp in opposition to the opposing jaw and is configured to engage an undercut on an opposite side of the rail from the opposing jaw. A biasing member is disposed in the recess to urge the movable jaw into engagement with the undercut on the rail. A locking member may be at least partially disposed in the recess and selectively act upon the movable jaw to selectively secure the movable jaw in engagement with the rail.

Abstract: A sighting device is configured to be mounted on a firearm and comprises a core unit that includes a source of electrical power; a hood removably secured to the core unit and enclosing a portion of the core unit and at least partially defining a sight window through the hood; and an electrical connection between the core unit and the hood, wherein electrical power is transmitted between the core unit and the hood. The electrical accessory may be one of a solar charging cell; a laser pointer sighting device powered by the core unit; or a laser range-finding device powered by the core unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a leveling rail apparatus configured for directly mounting a rifle onto a tripod, a pan-tilt head mount, or other support structure, as disclosed herein. The apparatus may comprise, by way of example, a rail mount for securing the firearm; a leveling structure coupled to the rail mount and having at least one arcuate surface, the leveling structure operable to swivel about the arcuate surface; and a securing means coupled to the leveling structure, the securing means for securing the leveling structure to the rail mount.

Abstract: A quick-attach-and-detach mount for removably securing an accessory on a rail of a firearm comprises a clamp carried by a portion of the accessory. The clamp includes a pair of generally opposing surfaces. An opposing jaw is formed on one of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp and is configured to engage an undercut on the rail. At least one movable jaw is secured in a recess in another of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp in opposition to the opposing jaw and is configured to engage an undercut on an opposite side of the rail from the opposing jaw. A biasing member is disposed in the recess to urge the movable jaw into engagement with the undercut on the rail. A locking member may be at least partially disposed in the recess and selectively act upon the movable jaw to selectively secure the movable jaw in engagement with the rail.

Abstract: A quick-attach-and-detach mount for removably securing an accessory on a rail of a firearm comprises a clamp carried by a portion of the accessory. The clamp includes a pair of generally opposing surfaces. An opposing jaw is formed on one of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp, the fixed jaw being configured to engage an undercut on the rail. At least one movable jaw is secured in a recess in another of the generally opposing surfaces of the clamp in opposition to the fixed jaw, the movable jaw being configured to engage an undercut on an opposite side of the rail from the fixed jaw. A biasing member is disposed in the recess to urge the movable jaw into engagement with an undercut on the rail opposite that engaged by the fixed jaw, wherein the mount and accessory are attached and detached from the rail and firearm by manipulating the accessory and clamp to compress the biasing member and permit the movable jaw to move in and out of engagement with the rail.

Abstract: A firearm grip is disclosed that attaches to a firearm, such as a rifle, by clamping on a portion of the rifle's forend, stock, buttstock or other chassis. The firearm grip disclosed herein maximizes the surface contact area to which pressure is applied to a portion of the firearm in contact with the clamp jaws of the firearm grip by the introduction of a rotating or swiveling jaw relative to the grip's fixed jaw. This enables the firearm grip to swivel and adjust to firearms of variable or tapering width along the length of the firearm in contact with the firearm grip, while maintaining optimal contact and pressure against the clamped portion of the firearm in contact with the firearm grip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing tripod shooting platforms. An apparatus according to the present disclosure may comprise a loop strap having a securing means for attaching the loop strap to a tripod shooting platform, an adjustment means for adjusting the length of the loop strap, and a loop for engaging a user's foot and creating tension in the loop strap, thereby generating a compressive stabilizing force on the tripod shooting platform. A method of stabilizing a tripod shooting platform according to the present disclosure may comprise the steps of securing a first end of a loop strap to the tripod shooting platform, adjusting the length of the loop strap, and pulling down on a second end of the loop strap to create tension in the loop strap, thereby generating a stabilizing force on the tripod shooting platform.

Abstract: A firearm sight comprises a sight body including a clamp at its lower extent for removably securing the sight to a portion of a firearm. An upwardly facing surface is disposed on the sight body above the clamp and a housing projects above the upwardly facing portion, the housing containing a lens assembly. A shade is carried by the sight body, the shade movable along the sight body from a retracted position in which the shell is at least partially contained by the housing, and an extended position in which the shell extends over the upwardly facing surface.