Apparatus, System, and Method for a Mounting Shoe with Locking Projection
An apparatus, system, and method for a mounting shoe with a locking projection is disclosed. A mounting shoe has a shoe body. A base is connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side. A locking projection is removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/161,550, entitled, “Apparatus, System, and Method for a Mounting Shoe with Locking Projection” filed May 23, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/180,737 filed Jun. 17, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure is generally related to mounting devices and more particularly is related to an apparatus, system, and method for a mounting shoe with locking projection and related methods thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREOptical devices are commonly used in various environments to enhance the capabilities of the user's vision. In military environments, various optical devices are used to give a soldier enhanced visibility in harsh conditions. For example, devices like night vision monoculars are commonly used in the military to enhance a soldier's visibility in low light conditions. These optical devices are affixed to combat helmets, weapons, or other structures that a soldier uses, and during a field operation, a soldier may move the optical device between the various mounting structures.
The use of a shoe to secure an optical device to a mounting structure, such as a combat helmet or a weapon, is well-known in the art.
The optical device mounting system shown in
While both types of shoes have been used for some time, manufacturing a shoe that is successful with both the butterfly clip engagement and the pocket engagement has proved difficult. The shoe must be manufactured with extremely precise tolerances to allow the shoe to engage with the mounting receiver properly. Often times, a shoe with both types of engagement may fit with the butterfly clip but not fit with the pocket, or vice versa. It is often difficult for manufactures to control the tolerances needed for the butterfly clip engagement, and failing to do so can prevent proper mounting of the optical device. For example, if the tolerance between the angled edge of the shoe and the butterfly clip is too large, the shoe may be too loose within the mounting receiver, whereas if the tolerance is too small, the shoe may not lock within the mounting receiver at all, or the butterfly clip may become jammed and not allow the shoe to be released.
Another type of mounting device integral with an optical unit is the Legacy Mini-Universal Monocular (MUM) produced by Insight Technology. The Legacy MUM was used with night vision monoculars and was manufactured as a low cost alternative to military monoculars. The Legacy MUM is based upon a very simple and inexpensive molded plastic housing/chassis for the optics and relatively simple lens assemblies and removable battery housing. However, when the Legacy MUM was subjected to the conditions of in-field use, the plastic housing proved to be a weak and flimsy foundation in which the lenses and battery housing affix. The plastic housing, manufactured from soft, non-durable plastics, usually tear off with any hard use. As a result, the Legacy MUM failed to provide an adequate solution to many in-field uses.
A plate interface was supplied with many of the Legacy MUM devices in the marketplace. The original manufacturer of the Legacy MUM designed and supplied specific interface parts to fit with the interface plate. The parts are still in general global use today and are used to mount optics to mounting structures, such as, for example, to helmets, arms, weapon mounts, or in some cases interface devices to affix a secondary optic to the Legacy MUM. These interface plates were also manufactured from soft plastics and also tended to tear out and be discarded.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREEmbodiments of the present disclosure provide a mounting shoe and related methods. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the mounting shoe, among others, can be implemented as follows. The mounting shoe has a shoe body. A base is connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side. A locking projection is removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a mounting shoe system. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The mounting shoe system has an optical device having a chassis, wherein the chassis is formed from metal. A metal plate is attachable to the metal chassis. A shoe body has a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body, wherein the base has a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side, wherein the shoe body and base are attachable to the metal plate by engaging rail edges of the metal plate with the channel. A locking projection is removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel, wherein the locking projection extends below an upper surface of the metal plate.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods of mounting an optical device. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing an optical device having a metal chassis, wherein a metal plate is attached to the metal chassis; mounting a shoe body and a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body to the metal plate by slidably engaging rail edges of the metal plate with a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side; and locking the shoe body and the base to the metal plate by engaging a locking projection with the metal plate, wherein the locking projection is positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel, whereby the shoe body and base are prevented from moving in a direction along a length of the rail edges.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The subject disclosure is directed to an improved apparatus, system, and method for mounting optical devices to various mounting structures, and is further directed to providing a mounting device which can interface with existing technologies. While existing technologies, such as the Legacy MUM, have failed to be long-term, durable, and high-quality devices, many of their users have invested significantly in these technologies. These users are hesitant to purchase new mounting systems since it would require investing in costly new hardware. The subject disclosure may provide users with an improved device which interfaces with existing technology, overcomes the problems of the inferior plastic housing, and provides additional features.
The shoe 110 may be used to retain mountable devices, such as optical devices, to a mounting structure, such as combat helmets, weapons, or other structures. The shoe 110 can be used with a variety of different optical devices that are well-known in the art, such as, for example, night vision monoculars. The shoe 110 may be used with a bridge or similar structure for connecting two or more optical devices together for use on a mounting structure, as detailed further herein. The shoe body 120 may be formed from a rigid, durable material, such as a metal or alloy, and generally has a dovetail shape where one side of the shoe body 120 is wider than another side, however other shaped shoe bodies 120 may be possible. As is shown in
The base 130 is connected to an underside of the shoe body 120, such as by integrally forming or manufacturing the shoe body 120 to the base 130, although other construction and manufacturing techniques can be employed. The channel 140 of the base 130 may be an open pathway defined by structures of the base 130 which is sized to receive a mounting bar on a bridge, or similar mounting structure, as will be later described. The channel 140 commonly is connected between opposing edges of the base 130, such as between a first side 132 on a front of the mounting shoe 110 and a second side 134 on a rear end of the mounting shoe 110. The channel 140 may be offset from the base 130 and/or shoe body 120, such that a center line of the channel 140 is laterally offset from a center line of the base 130 or shoe body 120.
The locking projection 160 may include a threaded fastener such as a set screw or similar screw, which is positioned within the hole 162. The locking projection 160 may have threaded sides which engage with the internal threaded sidewalls of the hole 162. When the locking projection 160 is positioned far enough within the hole 162, the end of the locking projection 160 may extend into the channel 140, for example, past a ceiling 142 of the channel 140, such that the locking projection 160, at least in part, is in an intersecting position with the channel 140. When the locking projection 160 is removed upwards, the lower end of the locking projection 160 may be removed from the channel 140 and not intersect with the channel 140.
In use, as will be described herein, the locking projection 160 may be used to removably lock the shoe body 120 and base 130 to a mounting bar 170 (
Once the mounting bar 170 is affixed to the optical device 112 with the threaded fasteners 172, the mounting shoe 110 may be engaged with the mounting bar 170. This engagement occurs through the angled sidewall edges of channel 140 of the mounting shoe 110 receiving the rail edges of the mounting bar 170, which is aligned with the edge opening of the channel 140 such that the two structures can be moved laterally to one another to position the mounting bar 170 fully or partially within the channel 140. The angled sidewall edges of the channel 140 may be matched to closely engage with the rail edges of the mounting bar 170. For example, the angled edges may have a wider distance therebetween proximate to a ceiling of the channel 140 and a closer distance therebetween near the lower edge of the base 130, where the rail of the mounting bar 170 is wide at the top thereof and slopes inward near the bottom of the mounting bar 170. As the mounting bar 170 is moved into the channel 140, the locking projection 160 can be inserted into the hole 162 and can be received in either one of the two circular cavities 174 or within the slot cavity 176, depending on the design. When the locking projection 160 engages with one or more of the cavities, the mounting bar 170 may be fixedly retained within the channel 140, since the mounting bar 170 is prevented from movement in all directions by either the locking protrusion or the sidewalls and/or ceiling of the channel 140.
An important feature of the subject disclosure is the use of a metal chassis on the optical device 112. The use of a metal chassis on the optical device 112 in combination with a metal mounting bar 170 ensures there will be a durable, quality connection between the mounting bar 170 and the optical device 112. In contrast, the prior art uses a plastic chassis such that when the metal plate is secured to the plastic housing with two self-piloting short screws, these short screws are driven straight into plastic, which provides little resistance to stripping and shearing forces. Essentially, the plate tears out by hand when any levered force is applied. This problem is overcome by the use of the metal chassis in the optical device 112. Longer screws may be used by the subject disclosure to securely fasten the mounting bar 170 (interface plate) to the metal chassis. The new metal chassis of the optical device 112 may have shock isolation inserts which allows conventional equipment to be utilized in many dynamic and convertible user formats not previously possible without the use of the stronger exo-skeletal. In one example, generally speaking, the lenses and battery module of the optical device 112 may be removed from the plastic housing along with the image tube, and the metal chassis may be installed, which allows these components to be retrofitted onto the new housing.
Relative to the prior art, it is noted that the subject disclosure may be used with existing devices. It is noted that the subject disclosure may use a mounting bar 170 which is interchangeable with the Legacy MUM interface plate. Likewise, the mounting shoe 110, as described herein, can operate with existing Legacy MUM interface plates, thereby providing an interface to new age hardware that previously did not interface with conventional plates. A user could also use a device with a mounting shoe 110 on one side of their helmet to use for modern equipment, retain the Legacy system on the other side of the helmet for Legacy hardware based on the logistical dynamics. In any case the user can use just the Legacy interface via the plate, one plate and one MUM Clip if desired, or both legacy plates can be covered with dual/opposing MUM Clips.
The shoe 110 may be used to retain mountable devices, such as optical devices, to a mounting structure, such as combat helmets, weapons, or other structures. The shoe 110 can be used with a variety of different optical devices that are well-known in the art, such as, for example, night vision monoculars. The shoe 110 may be used with a bridge or similar structure for connecting two or more optical devices together for use on a mounting structure, as detailed further herein. The shoe body 120 may be formed from a rigid, durable material, such as a metal or alloy, and generally has a dovetail shape where one side of the shoe body 120 is wider than another side, however other shaped shoe bodies 120 may be possible. As is shown in
The base 130 is connected to an underside of the shoe body 120, such as by integrally forming or manufacturing the shoe body 120 to the base 130, although other construction and manufacturing techniques can be employed. The channel 140 of the base 130 may be an open pathway defined by structures of the base 130 which is sized to receive a mounting bar on a bridge, or similar mounting structure, as will be later described. The channel 140 commonly is connected between opposing edges of the base 130, such as between a first side 132 on a front of the mounting shoe 110 and a second side 134 on a rear end of the mounting shoe 110.
The biased lever 150 may be mounted within an inset cavity of the shoe body 120 such that a top edge of the biased lever 150 is positioned flush or substantially flush with a top surface of the shoe body 120. The biased lever 150 may be characterized as having at least two ends: a locking end 152 which is positioned on the side of the locking projection 160 and an actuating end 154 which is positioned on an opposing side from the locking projection 160. The actuating end 154 is the end which is pushed or actuated by a user to allow the biased lever 150 to pivot about a pivot point (positioned between the locking and actuating ends 152, 154), and subsequently move the locking end 152. As is shown, the actuating end 154 may include a textured surface, such as knurling or ribs, which allow it to be easily actuated by a user's fingers.
The biased lever 150 may be biased using a spring or similar biasing mechanism, such that it is a spring-loaded lever. The biasing mechanism may be designed to force the biased lever 150 between the unlocked and locked positions, one of which may be considered a home position (where the biased lever 150 remains when no force is acting on it). Thus, the biased lever 150 may naturally be positioned in one of the unlocked and locked positions. Commonly, the natural position will be the locked position (shown in
Once the mounting bar 170 is affixed to the optical device 112 with the threaded fasteners 172, the mounting shoe 110 may be engaged with the mounting bar 170. This engagement occurs through the channel 140 of the mounting shoe 110 receiving the mounting bar 170, which is aligned with the edge opening of the channel 140 such that the two structures can be moved laterally to one another to position the mounting bar 170 fully or partially within the channel 140. As the mounting bar 170 is moved into the channel 140, the locking protrusion (not visible) on the biased lever 150 can be received in either one of the two circular cavities 174 or within the slot cavity 176, depending on the design. When the locking protrusion engages with one or more of the cavities, the mounting bar 170 may be fixedly retained within the channel 140, since the locking bar 170 is prevented from movement in all directions by either the locking protrusion or the sidewalls and/or ceiling of the channel 140.
In
As is shown by block 202, an optical device having a metal chassis is provided, wherein a metal plate is attached to the metal chassis. A shoe body and a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body are mounted to the metal plate by slidably engaging rail edges of the metal plate with a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side (block 204). The shoe body and the base are locked to the metal plate by engaging a locking projection with the metal plate, wherein the locking projection is positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel, whereby the shoe body and base are prevented from moving in a direction along a length of the rail edges (block 206).
The method may include any additional number of steps, features, or functions, including any disclosed within this disclosure. For example, the locking projection may further comprise a threaded set screw, wherein locking the shoe body and the base to the metal plate further comprises rotating the threaded set screw to a position where the threaded set screw is positioned at least partially below an upper surface of the metal plate. In this situation, rotating the threaded set screw to at least partially occupy an open cavity formed within the metal plate may move the threaded set screw into a locked position. In one of many alternatives, locking the shoe body and the base to the metal plate may further comprise actuating a biased lever having a non-threaded projection from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the biased lever is positioned within at least a portion of the shoe body. In either situation, the rail edges of the metal plate may be slidably engaged with the channel by sliding the channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the hole. Once the connections are secure, the shoe body may be mounted to a mounting structure, such as a combat helmet or weapon.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. A mounting shoe comprising:
- a shoe body;
- a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side, wherein the channel has at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein a first distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a ceiling of the channel is greater than a second distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a bottom surface of the base; and
- a locking projection removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel.
2. The mounting shoe of claim 1, wherein the locking projection further comprises a threaded screw, and wherein the threaded screw is engagable with a threaded, internal sidewall of the hole.
3. The mounting shoe of claim 2, wherein the threaded screw further comprises a set screw.
4. The mounting shoe of claim 2, wherein the threaded screw is positioned fully below the top surface of the shoe body.
5. The mounting shoe of claim 1, wherein the locking projection is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position, the locking projection is at least partially intersecting the channel, and wherein in the disengaged position, the locking projection is non-intersecting with the channel.
6. The mounting shoe of claim 1, wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the shoe body.
7. A mounting shoe comprising: a locking projection removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the locking projection formed on a biased lever, wherein the biased lever is positioned within at least a portion of the shoe body, wherein the biased lever is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to move the locking projection between nonintersecting and intersecting positions within the channel.
- a shoe body;
- a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side; and
8. The mounting shoe of claim 7, wherein the locking projection is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position, the locking projection is at least partially intersecting the channel, and wherein in the disengaged position, the locking projection is non-intersecting the channel.
9. The mounting shoe of claim 7, wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the shoe body.
10. The mounting shoe of claim 7, wherein the channel has at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein a first distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a ceiling of the channel is greater than a second distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a bottom surface of the base.
11. An optical device mounting system comprising:
- an optical device having a chassis;
- a plate attachable to the chassis;
- a mounting shoe having a channel, wherein the mounting shoe is attachable to the plate by engaging rail edges of the plate with the channel; and
- a locking projection positionable at least partially in the channel
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the locking projection further comprises a threaded set screw, and wherein the threaded screw is engagable with a threaded, internal sidewall of a hole in the mounting shoe.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the mounting shoe.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the chassis and the plate are formed from metal.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the plate has at least one cavity formed therein, wherein the locking projection is at least partially engagable with the at least one cavity.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one cavity further comprises at least two circular cavities positioned along a length of the plate.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein when the locking projection is positioned through the at least one cavity, translational movement between the mounting shoe and the plate is prevented.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the locking projection extends below an upper surface of the plate.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the channel further comprises at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein the rail edges of the plate are slidably engagable with the first and second angled sidewalls.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein the locking projection is formed on a biased lever, wherein the biased lever is positioned within at least a portion of the mounting shoe, wherein the biased lever is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to move the locking projection between nonintersecting and intersecting positions within the plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2018
Inventor: Robert J. McCreight, JR. (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 15/936,119