Revolver rail adapter
A rail adapter for a revolver type pistol includes an elongated adhesive structure adhered to a revolver type pistol, an elongated retention bracket adhered to the adhesive structure, and an elongated base panel having a contiguous forward protrusion or rail assembly including two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device. The retention bracket and the base panel body both include a plurality of transverse threaded bores so that the they are in alignment when positioned together. The retention of the base panel and its contiguous members to the retention bracket is accomplished by use of threaded screws or a similar retention device inserted into the threaded bores.
This invention relates to a rail adapter, specifically to one that provides a rail system so that rail compatible accessories can be attached to revolver type pistols.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ARTMany semi automatic pistols include a standardized accessory rail built directly into the pistol's frame. The rail allows a user to attach various rail compatible accessories such as a laser sight or weapon mounted flashlight directly to their pistol. Because revolver designs vary greatly from that of semi automatic pistols, they cannot easily be modified to accept use of standardized accessory rails or rail adapters.
Smith & Wesson Corp produces a M&P R8 revolver model with an integral standardized rail machined directly into the barrel. Because revolver barrels have design variances and material requirements, this cannot be accomplished on all barrels.
P&L Industries, Inc., DBA Laserlyte produces a separate mounting rail adapter that is available for a limited number of revolver models. The limited compatibility of the adapter is due to the design of the rail adapter itself, which requires the use of a pin that is inserted inside of an ejector rod's recessed housing. Many revolvers have no room in the recessed portion of the ejector rod housing and cannot accept use of the pin. Because of size and design variances found on the revolver's barrel, frame, ejector rod, and locking bolt; the rail adapter and pin can obstruct movement of the ejector rod. In addition, the alloy rail adapter is mounted directly to the revolver and can cause increased wear.
U.S. Pat. No 7,076,908 (2006) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,365 (2008) both issued to Kim describe rail adapters specifically designed for semi-automatic style pistols of a certain make and model. Both designs lack compatibility with revolvers.
My invention avoids using any material that obstructs movement or must be inserted inside the ejector rod housing. It does not require specialized machining or permanent modifications to the revolver. It allows for a universal fit amongst modern made revolvers and provides easy installation and removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment, a rail adapter that permits easy installation of a standardized accessory rail to a revolver is described. The rail adapter is constructed so that it is universally compatible with modern revolver designs.
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, a rail adapter includes an elongated adhesive structure adhered to a revolver type pistol, an elongated retention bracket adhered to the adhesive structure, and an elongated base panel having a contiguous forward protrusion or rail assembly including two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device. The retention bracket and the base panel body both include a plurality of transverse threaded bores so that they are in alignment when positioned together. The retention of the base panel and its contiguous members to the retention bracket is accomplished by use of threaded screws or a similar retention device inserted into the threaded bores.
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 barrel 16 of
Referring to
As shown in
Two threaded bores 3 are transversely centered on both forward and rearward ends of retention bracket 2 and base panel 5 (
Adhesive structure 1 is rectangular in shape and is approximately 6 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 1 mm in depth. The adhesive structure 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. Although 3M™ VHB™ tape is specifically mentioned in the preferred embodiment, similar adhesive materials may be used.
Retention bracket 2 measures approximately 6 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. Base panel 5 measures approximately 6.4 cm in length, 9 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. Base extension 6 measures approximately 4.25 cm in length, 4 mm in height, and 2 mm in depth. The diameter of the threaded bores 3 is approximately 3 mm, with a transverse depth of 4 mm. Retention screws 4 should be sized accordingly for a sufficient fit when secured to retention bracket 2 and base panel 5 as shown in
The two longitudinal rail guides 7 sharing a common rail platform 9 collectively measure approximately 4.25 in longitudinal length, 5 mm in peak height, with a peak transverse width of approximately 2 cm.
Referring to
All components excluding the adhesive structure 1 and retention screws 4 can be independently produced from various alloy or polymer materials. In a preferred embodiment, the components 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.
To install the rail adapter to a revolver 12, a user must place the adhesive structure 1 between cylinder 13 and trigger guard 15 so that it adheres to the right side of frame 14 as shown in
After the rail adapter is installed onto the revolver 12, an accessory such as an illumination accessory 10 can be mounted to the longitudinal rail guides 7 located on rail assembly 17. For example, as shown in
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 retention bracket 2 and the retention bores 3 of base panel 5 may be omitted so that the base panel 5 and its contiguous members can be attached directly to the adhesive structure 1. Additionally, the rail adapter can have measurement variances, materials may be substituted, and production methods may vary. 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. A rail adapter, comprising:
- (a) an elongated adhesive structure for adherence to a pistol, and
- (b) rail adapter means adhered to said adhesive structure for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device.
2. The rail adapter of claim 1 wherein said adhesive structure is composed of double sided tape.
3. The rail adapter means of claim 1 wherein said rail adapter means is composed of aluminum alloy.
4. The rail adapter means of claim 1 wherein said rail adapter means includes longitudinal rail guides.
5. The accessory adapter of claim 1 wherein said rail adhesive structure is rectangular in shape.
6. The rail adapter of claim 1 wherein said pistol is that of a revolver type design.
7. A rail adapter device for a pistol, comprising: an elongated adhesive structure, an elongated retention bracket, an elongated rail assembly having longitudinal rail guides, said elongated adhesive structure is adhered to said pistol, said retention bracket being sandwiched between said adhesive structure and said rail assembly, said rail assembly secured to said retention bracket with a plurality of retention screws.
8. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said adhesive structure is composed of double sided tape.
9. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said retention bracket is composed of aluminum alloy.
10. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said rail assembly is composed of aluminum alloy.
11. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said retention screws are transversely positioned through said retention bracket and said rail assembly at two predetermined locations.
12. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said retention screws are removable.
13. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said adhesive structure is rectangular in shape.
14. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said retention bracket is rectangular in shape.
15. The rail adapter of claim 7 wherein said pistol is that of a revolver type design.
16. A rail adapter device for a pistol, comprising: an elongated adhesive structure, an elongated rail assembly having longitudinal rail guides, said elongated adhesive structure is sandwiched between said pistol and said rail assembly.
17. The rail adapter of claim 16 wherein said adhesive structure is composed of double sided tape.
18. The rail adapter of claim 16 wherein said adhesive structure is rectangular in shape.
19. The rail adapter of claim 16 wherein said rail assembly is composed of aluminum alloy.
20. The rail adapter of claim 16 wherein said pistol is that of a revolver type design.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2012
Inventor: Michael A. Castaneda (Costa Mesa, CA)
Application Number: 12/925,323