U.S. patent application number 11/367057 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for mount for firearm sighting device having throw-lever clamp and lever safety latch.
Invention is credited to Mark C. Larue.
Application Number | 20060207156 11/367057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37008817 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Larue; Mark C. |
September 21, 2006 |
Mount for firearm sighting device having throw-lever clamp and
lever safety latch
Abstract
For firearms, particularly tactical firearms such as the AR-15
tactical rifle, a throw-lever actuated rail clamp is provided for
support of various accessories such as optical sighting devices,
laser sighting devices, target lighting devices on various part of
a firearm to provide for use of the firearm in variable field
conditions, during the day or at night. A mount clamp is releasably
secured to a firearm rail by a pivotal throw-lever having an
eccentric locking component. A safety latch mechanism is mounted
for linear movement on the actuating arm of the throw-lever and is
moveable to a latched position engaging a latching element of the
clamp base to retain the throw-lever at its clamping position. The
safety latch is linearly moveable from its latched position to a
release position that permits rotational movement of the throw
lever toward its release or non-clamping position.
Inventors: |
Larue; Mark C.; (Leander,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES L. JACKSON;James L. Jackson, P.C.
10723 Sugar Hill Dr.
Houston
TX
77042
US
|
Family ID: |
37008817 |
Appl. No.: |
11/367057 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60658865 |
Mar 5, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/127 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/38 20060101
F41G001/38 |
Claims
1. An accessory mount for releasable attachment to the mount rail
of a firearm, comprising: a mount base having a rail engaging clamp
member; at least one throw-lever mechanism having a clamping plate
being mounted to said rail engaging clamp member and being
rotatable to a clamping position establishing clamping engagement
with the mount rail and to a release position releasing clamping
engagement with the mount rail; a lever arm projecting from said
throw-lever mechanism; a latch projection being provided on said
mount base; and a safety latch selectively engaging said latch
projection when said throw-lever mechanism is at said clamping
position and securing said throw-lever against rotation from said
clamping position and being selectively separated from said latch
projection permitting rotation of said throw-lever from said
clamping position.
2. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said
safety latch being mounted on said lever arm and having a latch
receptacle receiving said latch projection therein when said
throw-lever mechanism is at said clamping position and being
separated from said latch projection when said safety latch is
moved from said clamping position.
3. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said
safety latch being mounted on said lever arm and being linearly
moveable to latched and release positions relative to said lever
arm, said safety latch having a latch receptacle receiving said
latch projection therein when said throw-lever mechanism is at said
clamping position and said latch receptacle being separated from
said latch projection when said safety latch is moved linearly from
said latched position to said release position.
4. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said
safety latch defining a receptacle receiving said lever arm in
linearly moveable guided relation therein; and said safety latch
and said lever arm establishing latch movement control and limiting
linear movement of said safety latch relative to said lever arm to
said latched and released positions of said safety latch.
5. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 4, comprising: said
safety latch defining an elongate movement control slot of defined
length; and a movement control member being fixed to said lever arm
and being received within said elongate movement control slot and
being linearly moveable within said elongate movement control slot
within limits established by said defined length.
6. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 5, comprising: said
movement control member being a movement control pin projecting
from said lever arm and being engaged within said elongate movement
control slot, said movement control pin limiting linear movement of
said safety latch and establishing said latched and released
positions thereof.
7. An accessory mount for releasable attachment to the mount rail
of a firearm, comprising: a mount base having a rail engaging clamp
member; at least one throw-lever mechanism being mounted to said
mount base and being moveable to a clamping position establishing
clamping engagement with the mount rail and to a release position
releasing clamping engagement with the mount rail; and safety latch
means being positionable at a latched position securing said
throw-lever mechanism at said clamping position and being
positionable at a release position permitting rotation of said
throw-lever from said clamping position.
8. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 7, comprising: said
throw-lever mechanism having a clamping plate being mounted on said
mount base for rotation to a clamping position for clamping said
mount base to said mount rail and being rotatable to a release
position permitting separation of said mount base from said mount
rail; a lever arm projecting from said clamping plate; and said
safety latch means being a safety latch member having a latched
position securing said lever arm at said clamping position and
having a release position permitting rotational movement of said
lever arm and said throw-lever from said clamping position.
9. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 8, comprising: said
safety latch member being supported by said lever arm and being
linearly moveable to said latched and release positions relative to
said lever arm; a latch projection being located on said mount
base; and said safety latch member defining a latch projection
receptacle receiving said latch projection therein at said latched
position and being clear of said latch projection at said release
position.
10. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 7, comprising: said
safety latch being mounted on said lever arm and being linearly
moveable to latched and release positions relative to said lever
arm, said safety latch having a latch receptacle receiving said
latch projection therein when said throw-lever mechanism is at said
clamping position and said latch receptacle being separated from
said latch projection when said safety latch is moved linearly from
said latched position to said release position.
11. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 7, comprising: said
safety latch defining a receptacle receiving said lever arm in
linearly moveable guided relation therein; and said safety latch
and said lever arm establishing latch movement control and limiting
linear movement of said safety latch relative to said lever arm to
said latched and released positions of said safety latch.
12. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 11, comprising: said
safety latch defining an elongate movement control slot of defined
length; and a movement control member being fixed to said lever arm
and being received within said elongate movement control slot and
being linearly moveable within said elongate movement control slot
within limits established by said defined length.
13. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 12, comprising: said
movement control member being a movement control pin projecting
from said lever arm and being engaged within said elongate movement
control slot, said movement control pin limiting linear movement of
said safety latch and establishing said latched and release
positions thereof.
14. An accessory mount for releasable attachment to the mount rail
of a firearm, comprising: a mount base having a rail engaging clamp
member; at least one throw-lever mechanism being mounted to said
mount base and being moveable to a clamping position establishing
clamping engagement with the mount rail and to a release position
releasing clamping engagement with the mount rail; and a safety
latch having a latched position securing said throw-lever mechanism
at said clamping position and having a release position permitting
rotation of said throw-lever from said clamping position.
15. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 14, comprising: said
throw-lever mechanism having a clamping plate being mounted on said
mount base for rotation to a clamping position for clamping said
mount base to said mount rail and being rotatable to a release
position permitting separation of said mount base from said mount
rail; a lever arm projecting from said clamping plate; and said
safety latch member having a latched position securing said lever
arm at said clamping position and having a release position
permitting rotational movement of said lever arm and said
throw-lever from said clamping position.
16. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 15, comprising: said
safety latch member being supported by said lever arm and being
linearly moveable to said latched and release positions relative to
said lever arm; a latch projection being located on said mount
base; and said safety latch member defining a latch projection
receptacle receiving said latch projection therein at said latched
position and being clear of said latch projection at said release
position.
17. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 15, comprising: said
safety latch being mounted on said lever arm and being linearly
moveable to latched and release positions relative to said lever
arm, said safety latch having a latch receptacle receiving said
latch projection therein when said throw-lever mechanism is at said
clamping position and said latch receptacle being separated from
said latch projection when said safety latch is moved linearly from
said latched position to said release position.
18. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 15, comprising: said
safety latch defining a receptacle receiving said lever arm in
linearly moveable guided relation therein; and said safety latch
and said lever arm establishing latch movement control and limiting
linear movement of said safety latch relative to said lever arm to
said latched and released positions of said safety latch.
19. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 15, comprising: said
safety latch defining an elongate movement control slot of defined
length; and a movement control member being fixed to said lever arm
and being received within said elongate movement control slot, said
safety latch being linearly moveable relative to said lever arm
within limits established by said defined length of said elongate
movement control slot.
20. The accessory mount mechanism of claim 19, comprising: said
movement control member being a movement control pin projecting
from said lever arm and being engaged within said elongate movement
control slot, said movement control pin limiting linear movement of
said safety latch and establishing said latched and released
positions thereof.
Description
RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] Applicant hereby claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/658,865, filed on Mar. 5, 2005 by Mark C.
LaRue and entitled "Mount For Firearm Sighting Device Having
Throw-lever Clamp and Lever Safety Latch".
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0002] The subject matter of the invention set forth herein is
related to the subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/008,394, filed by Mark C. LaRue on Dec. 9, 2004 and entitled
Adjustable Throw-lever Picatinny Rail Clamp, which Application is
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention generally relates to mount mechanisms
for mounting firearm accessories such as telescopic sighting
devices, laser sighting devices, lighting devices and the like to
firearms, particularly tactical firearms that are used by military
and law enforcement personnel. This invention concerns releasable
mounts for firearms, especially tactical firearms, wherein sighting
devices, light devices and other firearm accessories are releasably
mounted to firearm components such as mounting rails to provide
users with desired firearm capability to accommodate variable field
conditions. The present invention also concerns throw-lever
clamping systems for retaining firearm accessory mounts in
releasable assembly with the structure of a firearm, enabling
sighting devices to be removed from a firearm and replaced without
losing the aim-point or zero of the sighting device. More
specifically, the present invention concerns locking or latching
systems for positively maintaining throw-levers in the closed or
clamping positions thereof to prevent inadvertent opening or
releasing movement thereof by sustained vibration or shock forces
or in the event the throw-levers are contacted in a manner that
world otherwise cause releasing rotation thereof during tactical
operations. Even more specifically, the present invention concerns
locking or latching systems for positively maintaining throw-levers
in the closed or clamping positions thereof to prevent inadvertent
opening or releasing movement of the throw-levers due to firearm
handling in rough field conditions.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,871 of Swan discloses a means for
attaching first and second Weaver interface platforms of an optical
rifle sight mount using throw-lever actuated clamp-type locking
mechanisms. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,580 of Mark C. LaRue, the inventor
of the present invention, discloses a self-centering and
self-aligning optical sight mounting system, including front and
rear mounting ring assemblies and mounting bases for mounting an
optical sighting device on a firearm such as a rifle or on other
devices.
[0007] The use of throw-lever type mount clamping mechanisms for
releasable mounting of optical sighting devices, laser sighting
devices and target lighting devices provides the users of tactical
firearms with a significant advance in the art. Military and law
enforcement personnel now have an efficient means for changing out
various types of sighting devices, target lighting devices and the
like under field conditions without losing the aim-point or zero of
the firearm. However, it has also been determined that mechanical
clamping devices having throw-levers can become loosened as the
firearm is subjected to significant vibration, such as when the
firearm is fired rapidly, such as during conditions of sustained
rapid fire and has cycled many rounds of ammunition. Sustained
vibration and rough use can cause the throw-levers of accessory
mount mechanisms to move, i.e., rotate inadvertently to the release
position. When this condition exists the sighting device of the
firearm, whether optical telescope, laser sighting device or the
like can become sufficiently loosened that its aim-point can be
lost or the sighting device can become loosened to the extent that
it may fall completely away from the firearm. In either case this
condition can subject the user of the firearm to considerable
danger in the event a firefight is in progress. It is desirable
therefore to provide means for positively latching or locking the
throw-levers of firearm mounting devices at their clamping
positions to prevent and thereby prevent inadvertent rotation of
the throw-levers from their latched positions.
[0008] There is a significant need to ensure the availability of
throw-lever actuated clamping mechanisms for releasably attaching
sighting devices and other accessories to firearms, and it is
equally important to provide positive assurance that the
throw-levers are prevented from becoming inadvertently rotated from
the clamping positions thereof to a loosened or release position by
the severe vibration of sustained rapid firing or by rough handling
in the field. Thus it is desirable to provide throw-lever type
releasable mounts having latch devices that positively secure the
throw-levers at their clamping positions and permit sighting
devices and other accessories from becoming loose or lose the
preset aim-point or zero and to further ensure that sighting
devices and other accessories do not come lose and fall from the
firearm. It is obvious that either of these disadvantageous
conditions, if occurring under tactical field conditions, can be
extremely hazardous to the user of the firearm. It is also
desirable to provide the user of a firearm with the capability for
selectively locking or retaining throw-levers at their clamping
positions, thereby minimizing the potential that a sighting device
or other clamp supported device might become loose or can fall away
from the firearm even under conditions of excessive prolonged
vibration or by rough handling in field conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is a principal feature of the present invention to
provide a throw-lever actuated mount for firearms wherein one or
more of the throw-levers of an accessory mount can be secured at
its locked or latched condition and will be retained in the latched
condition even when subjected to rough handling and/or when
subjected to the vibration of sustained rapid firing of the
firearm.
[0010] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a
throw-lever actuated mount for firearms wherein a throw-lever of a
clamp type firearm accessory mount employs a rotatable throw-lever
clamping plate having a lever arm extending therefrom and wherein a
latch mechanism is carried by the lever arm and is moveable to a
latched position and a release position as desired by the user of
the firearm.
[0011] It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a
novel mechanism for securing the throw levers of throw-lever type
firearm mounts in the locked or clamping position thereof and when
desired, to permit simple and efficient release of throw-lever
retention, thus permitting manual actuation of the throw-levers
even during conditions of darkness and without the need for any
special tools, thus enabling the user of the firearm to make
accessory changes when desired and yet ensuring that the
accessories will remain in place even when the firearm is handled
during rough conditions or is subjected to sustained vibration for
extended periods of time.
[0012] Briefly, the various objects and features of the present
invention are realized through the provision of a releasable clamp
type mount mechanism for sighting devices, target lighting devices
and other firearm accessories, the mount mechanism having one or
more rotatably mounted throw-levers for rotational movement between
clamping and releasing positions with respect to the mounting rail
system of a firearm. The mount of the present invention is
applicable for releasable attachment to Picatinny or Weaver rail
systems that are typically fixed to the receivers of tactical
firearms, particularly rifles carried by military, tactical or law
enforcement personnel. The releasable clamp-type mounts permit
various firearm accessories such as sighting devices, lighting
devices, etc to be firmly and immovably, but releasably mounted to
a mounting rail firearm and also permit the user of the firearm to
have the capability for manually releasing and/or installing an
accessory mount without the need for tools of any kind.
[0013] The sight mount device incorporates a mount body structure
that defines one or more laterally projecting platforms each
providing rotatable support for a throw-lever. The mount body
structure defines a recess adjacent at least one of the laterally
projecting platforms within which is fixed a latch post or
projection that is typically defined by a latch pin that is
press-fitted into a latch post receptacle drilled or otherwise
formed in the mount body structure. Alternatively, the mount base
may be provided with an integral latch projection of any suitable
geometry. A keeper or latch member is received by a lever arm
projection of a throw-lever and is moveable linearly thereon
between latched and released positions. The latch member defines a
latch receptacle within which the latch post or latch projection is
received when the latch member is positioned at its latched
position. In the latched position the keeper or latch member is
secured against inadvertent linear releasing movement relative to
the lever structure by a spring-loaded detent in the lever arm that
engages a detent recess of the latch member. The keeper or latch
member is moved linearly by manual force that is sufficient to
overcome the resistance of the spring-loaded detent. Thus, no tools
or special equipment are needed to move the latch member between
its latched and released positions on the lever structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and
can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended
drawings, which drawings are incorporated as a part hereof.
[0015] It is to be noted however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only a typical embodiment of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0016] In the Drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration showing a sight mount
clamp body having front and rear throw-levers and showing the
throw-lever latch mechanism of the present invention in the release
position thereof;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial isometric illustration showing a latch
recess in the clamp body and showing the latch mechanism in its
release position, exposing the latch post and further showing the
throw-lever rotatably moved to its release or non-clamping
position;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration showing the sight mount
clamp body of FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing the throw-lever latch
mechanism of the present invention at the latched position
thereof;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial isometric illustration showing a latch
recess in the clamp body and showing the latch mechanism in its
latched position
[0021] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the throw-lever latch
or keeper mechanism of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the throw-lever latch
or keeper mechanism of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the throw-lever latch or keeper
mechanism of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an isometric illustration showing a bottom view of
the throw-lever safety latch or keeper mechanism of the present
invention as seen from its forward end;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of an alternative embodiment
showing the throw-lever and safety latch member unlocked and at an
intermediate position between the un-latch and latched positions
and with the safety latch retracted to its release position;
and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing the locked
position of the safety latch member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
clamp type firearm accessory mount mechanism is shown generally at
10 which comprises a clamp or mount base 12 having an elongate
clamp member 14 provided thereon. The clamp member 14 maybe
integrally formed with the clamp or mount base is desired or it may
be fixed to the base member in any suitable fashion and is undercut
so as to define an angulated upwardly facing clamping surface for
clamping engagement with a correspondingly angulated, but
downwardly facing angulated surface of a firearm mounting rail. A
mounting rail may be formed integrally with a firearm component,
such as a receiver or handguard, or may be fixed to a specified
part of a firearm by means of retainer screws or by means of any
other suitable fastening device. The mount base 12 has an elongate
trough 16 that is defined by parallel flanges 18 and 20. Retainer
screws, such as shown at 22 extend through the mounting base if
desired to positively fix the mount base at a desired position
along the mounting rail of a firearm. As will be explained in more
detail below the mount base will typically be provided with one or
more locator keys that engage within a selected one or more of the
spaces that are defined by a plurality of equally spaced transverse
locator slots extending transversely of the mounting rail of the
firearm. The locator key or keys project from the bottom or inner
portion of the mount base. The multiplicity of parallel lateral
spaces or slots of the mounting rail of a firearm provide a locator
function permitting a firearm accessory to be location at any
desired position along the length of the mounting rail. The
multiple spaces or slots also minimize the weight of the mounting
rail without detracting from its structural integrity, thus
ensuring that the firearm is of lightweight construction.
[0028] The mounting base 12 is provided with at least one
throw-lever mount platform 24 that projects laterally. The
particular mount base that is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided
with two throw-lever mount platforms 24 and 26 that are formed
integrally with the mount base structure. Throw-lever mechanisms
shown generally at 28 and 30 are mounted to the respective
throw-lever mount platforms for pivotal movement to clamping and
release positions as is discussed in detail in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/008,394, filed by Mark C. LaRue on Dec. 9,
2004 and entitled Adjustable Throw-lever Picatinny Rail Clamp,
which application is incorporated by reference herein for all
purposes. Each throw-lever mechanism has a throw-lever plate 29
from which a lever arm 32 extends, each lever arm being moveable
through an arc of substantially 90.degree. between the locking
position shown at the left portion of FIG. 1 and a release
position. At the right portion of FIGS. 1 and 2 the throw-lever
mechanism is shown partially rotated to an intermediate position
between the locking and release positions thereof.
[0029] The mount base 12, adjacent the throw lever mount platform
26, defines an open sided and open ended recess 34 which is defined
in part by recess surfaces 36 and 38 which are disposed in
angulated intersecting relation. It should be borne in mind that
the recess geometry shown and described herein is not intended to
be restrictive of the spirit and scope of the present invention. In
fact, depending on the structure of the throw-lever and mount base
system, a recess may not be needed. From the recess surface 36
projects a latch engaging projection 40, which may conveniently
take the form of a post that is press-fitted or otherwise fixed to
the mounting base at recess surface 36. In the alternative the
latch engaging projection may be formed integrally with the mount
base structure and may projects from the recess surface 36, such,
for example as is shown at 40a in FIG. 10.
[0030] With reference particularly to FIGS. 5-8, a throw-lever
latch member shown generally at 42 is an integral structural member
having generally parallel side walls 44 and 46 that extend from a
top wall 48. A closed end wall 50, preferably of curved
configuration also extends from the top wall 48 and merges with the
parallel side walls 44 and 46 and cooperates with the top wall and
side walls to define an elongate receptacle or pocket 52 within
which a significant portion of the lever arm 32 of a throw-lever
plate 29 is received for linear movement. The elongate receptacle
or pocket is defined in part by retainer flanges 54 and 56 that
serve to retain the latch or keeper member 42 in assembly with the
lever arm of the throw-lever. A curved retainer flange 58 extends
from the side wall retainer flanges 54 and 56 and further serves to
retain an end portion of the lever arm 32 and to provide a guiding
function as the throw-lever latch is moved linearly to its latched
and released positions relative to the lever arm.
[0031] The top wall 48 of the latch member 42 defines an elongate
linear movement control opening 60 of generally oval configuration,
being defined in part by straight side walls 62 and curved end
walls 64. Within the elongate opening 60 is received an end portion
66 of a movement control pin member 68 which is press fitted or
otherwise fixed within a passage or pin opening 70 of the lever arm
32, as is shown in detail in the partial sectional view of FIG. 10.
This feature permits the latch or catch member 42 to be moved
linearly within limits defined by the length of the elongate
opening 60, this linear movement defining the latched and release
positions of the latch member 42 relative to the lever arm 32 of
the throw-lever clamp plate member 29. The top wall 48 also defines
spaced recesses 72 and 74 that are engageable by a detent 76 that
is moveable within a passage 78 of the lever arm 32. The detent,
which may be a ball detent as shown in FIG. 11 is urged toward the
recesses 72 and 74 by a compression spring 80 that is also located
within the passage 78. The compression spring is maintained within
the passage by a retainer element 82 which may be press-fitted or
otherwise fixed within the passage 78. The spring urged detent 76
will engage within one of the recesses 72 or 74, depending on the
position of the latch member 42, and will retain the latch member
against linear movement until such time as a manual force of a
predetermined magnitude has been reached. When this manual force is
sufficient to move the detent fully into its passage against the
biasing force of the compression spring, the latch member will be
moved via a snap action to the desired latched or release
position.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, the top wall 48 of the throw-lever latch
member 42 also defines a latch pin recess 84 within which the latch
engaging pin 40 or projection 40a is received when the latch member
is moved linearly to its closed or latched position after the lever
arm 32 and clamp plate have been rotated manually to the closed or
clamping position. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the throw-lever latch
member 42 is shown at its latched position, with its engagement
with the latch engaging projection or pin 40 located within the
latch pin recess 84 preventing the throw-lever from being rotated
from its closed or locked clamping position. When it is desired to
rotate the throw-lever from its closed or locking position the user
of the firearm will apply a pulling force to the throw-lever latch
member 42. When this pulling force becomes sufficiently great to
overcome the bias of the compression spring 80 and move the detent
member 76 from the recess 72 or 74 and completely into the passage
78, the latch member 42 will be moved suddenly or "snapped" to its
release position. When the latch member 42 has been moved to its
release position a rotation force is manually applied to the latch
member and throw-lever which rotates the throw-lever from its
clamping position to its release position as is shown in progress
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, thus permitting the accessory mount mechanism
10 to be removed from the mount rail of the firearm.
[0033] To assemble the accessory mount to the mount rail of a
firearm, the latch mechanism of the throw-lever will be at its
release position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 and the lever arm 32
of the clamping plate 29 will be oriented essentially in transverse
relation with the clamp member 14 of the mount base 12. The
accessory mount is placed at the desired position on the mount rail
of the firearm and the throw-lever will be rotated to its closed or
clamping position. During this closing movement of the throw-lever,
the latch member of the lever arm 32 will be located at its release
position, thus permitting the latch receptacle 84 to be oriented in
registry with, but separated from the latch pin or projection 40 or
40a as the case may be. The latch mechanism is then moved linearly
to its latched position by linear movement of the safety latch 42,
thus causing the latch receptacle 84 to receive the latch engaging
projection 40 and causing the detent 76 to engage within the detent
recess 72 as shown in FIG. 10. The safety latch mechanism will then
remain in this latched position until it is subsequently moved to
its release position by manual force. Thus, the detent and detent
recess arrangement causes the safety latch to be maintained at
either it's latched or released position until it is moved by a
manually applied force.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, it should be borne in mind that the
latch engaging projection may take the form of a structural member
40a that is formed integrally with the clamp base member 12. The
latch engaging projection may have any other suitable form without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For
example, the latch projection may conveniently take the form of a
latch pin that is press-fitted or otherwise seated within a pin
receptacle of the mount base so that it is maintained in fixed
relation with the structure of the mount base. And it is not
necessary that there be provided a latch pin or projection recess
34 within the mount base. In fact the latch and latch projection
may be of different geometry depending on the needs of firearm
users. However, for tactical firearms, location of the latch
mechanism within a recess at its latched position tends to further
minimize the potential that the latch might be contacted by an
object during use of the firearm and might otherwise be
inadvertently moved toward its release position.
[0035] The present invention minimizes the potential inadvertent
release of any firearm rail mounted clamp device in the event the
throw-levers are contacted in a manner that could otherwise cause
releasing rotation thereof during tactical operations, such as by
sustained vibration or shock forces or in the event the
throw-levers are contacted in a manner that world otherwise cause
releasing rotation thereof during tactical operations.
[0036] In view of the foregoing it is evident that the present
invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and
features hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and
features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.
[0037] As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the
present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms
without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as merely
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and
all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *