U.S. patent application number 11/974046 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for pivotable accessory mount.
Invention is credited to Moshe Oz.
Application Number | 20080209789 11/974046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39732095 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080209789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oz; Moshe |
September 4, 2008 |
Pivotable accessory mount
Abstract
An accessory mount for a firearm includes a base and an
accessory receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment axis
with respect to the base. According to one embodiment, the base is
received onto a mounting rail secured to the firearm and includes
first and second portions removably attached to each other by a
fastener to facilitate attachment of the base to the mounting rail.
According to one embodiment, a pin is received by the base and by
spaced support members of the accessory receiver to provide a
rotatable connection. A locking mechanism locks the accessory
receiver against relative rotation with respect to the base in one
of a plurality of angular positions.
Inventors: |
Oz; Moshe; (Natanya,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Patent Docketing
One Logan Square, 18th and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Family ID: |
39732095 |
Appl. No.: |
11/974046 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60850936 |
Oct 11, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41G 1/35 20130101; F41G 11/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. An accessory mount for a firearm comprising: a base adapted for
mounting receipt onto a firearm; and an accessory receiver adapted
for receiving and supporting a firearm accessory, the accessory
receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment axis with respect
to the base for adjusting the angular orientation of the accessory
receiver.
2. The accessory mount of claim 1, wherein the base is received on
an accessory mounting rail secured to the firearm.
3. The accessory mount of claim 2, wherein the base defines an
interior having angled surfaces providing a dovetail connection
with the accessory mounting rail.
4. The accessory mount of claim 1, wherein the accessory receiver
includes an elongated body defining an inner bore for receiving an
elongated portion of the firearm accessory.
5. The accessory mount of claim 1, wherein the accessory receiver
includes a pair of support members spaced apart from each other
such that the base is located between the support members, and
wherein the accessory mount includes an elongated pin received by
the support members and the base along the adjustment axis for
rotatably connecting the accessory receiver to the base.
6. The accessory mount of claim 5 further comprising a locking
mechanism for locking the accessory receiver with respect to the
base in one of a plurality of angular positions.
7. The accessory mount of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism
includes a plurality of projections defined by either one of the
base and the accessory receiver and a plurality of openings defined
by the other one of the base and the accessory receiver, the
projections adapted for receipt by the openings such that relative
rotation between the accessory receiver and the base is
limited.
8. The accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the projections are
defined on one of the support members of the accessory receiver and
the openings are defined by the base.
9. The accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the pin is slidably
received by the base to provide for relative longitudinal movement
between the base and the accessory receiver along the adjustment
axis for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged
position of the locking mechanism, relative rotation between the
accessory receiver and the base being respectively disabled and
enabled when the locking mechanism is located in the engaged and
disengaged positions.
10. The accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism
further includes a spring located between the base and one of the
support members and adapted to bias the accessory receiver and base
towards the engaged position for the locking mechanism.
11. The accessory mount of claim 2, wherein the base includes first
and second portions removably secured to each other by a fastener
to facilitate a releasable attachment between the base and the
accessory mounting rail.
12. An accessory mount for a firearm comprising: a base adapted for
attachment to a mounting rail secured to the firearm; an accessory
receiver adapted for receiving and supporting a firearm accessory,
the accessory receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment
axis with respect to the base for adjusting the angular orientation
of the accessory receiver; and a locking mechanism for locking the
accessory receiver against relative rotation with respect to the
base in one of a plurality of angular positions.
13. The accessory mount of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism
includes a plurality of projections defined by either one of the
base and the accessory receiver and a plurality of openings defined
by the other one of the base and the accessory receiver, the
projections adapted for receipt by the openings such that relative
rotation between the accessory receiver and the base is
limited.
14. The accessory mount of claim 13, wherein movement between the
plurality of angular positions is achieved by relative rotation
between the plurality of projections and the plurality of openings
of the locking mechanism about the adjustment axis.
15. The accessory mount of claim 14, wherein the plurality of
projections include eight tabs spaced about the adjustment axis at
45 degree intervals and wherein the plurality of openings include
three slot openings spaced about one-half of the adjustment axis at
90 degree intervals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application No. 60/850,936, filed Oct. 11, 2006, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to firearms
accessories and, more particularly to a pivotably adjustable
accessory mount for mounting an accessory to a firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide an accessory mount for attaching an
accessory, such as an illumination light, to a firearm. Accessory
mounts typically include a base portion having a mounting rail that
is secured to the firearm. The mounting rail (e.g., a Picatinny or
Weaver rail) provides a standardized mounting platform for
attachment of accessories to a firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention, an accessory mount is
provided for mounting an accessory, such as a light, to a mounting
rail on a firearm. The accessory mount is pivotable to the rail to
provide selection of the angular orientation of the light with
respect to the firearm.
[0005] The accessory mount includes an accessory receiver adapted
for receiving and supporting an accessory. According to one
embodiment, the accessory receiver includes a body defining a
rounded bore for receiving an accessory having a rounded exterior
surface. The accessory mount also includes a base adapted for
attachment to a rail mount system. According to one embodiment, the
base includes opposite legs each defining a notch for receiving
opposite side edges of the rail system in the manner of a dovetail
connection.
[0006] The accessory receiver is rotatably connected to the base
for selected angles of rotation with respect to the rail. According
to one embodiment, the base is received between spaced support
posts of the receiver. The accessory mount includes a pin received
in aligned openings in the support posts of the receiver and passes
through a bore defined by the base for rotatably connecting the
receiver to the base.
[0007] The accessory mount includes a locking mechanism adapted for
locking the receiver and the base against relative rotation in one
of multiple selected angular positions. According to one
embodiment, the locking mechanism includes tab projections carried
by one of the receiver and the base adapted for receipt within slot
openings defined by the other one of the receiver and the base.
According to one presently preferred embodiment, the tab
projections are located on one of the support posts of the receiver
and are received in slot openings defined by the base.
[0008] The accessory mount preferably includes a spring arranged to
urge the tab projections and slot openings of the locking mechanism
towards each other for securing the accessory receiver to the base
in one of the angular positions. According to one embodiment, the
spring is a compression spring received on the pin and contacting a
first support post of the receiver and the base at opposite ends of
the spring to bias the base towards the second support post of the
receiver.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the base of the accessory mount
includes a leg defining a rail-receiving notch that is removably
attached to the base to facilitate attachment of the base to a rail
mounting system. Preferably, the leg of the base is attached using
a fastener.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings
show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However,
it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a pivotable accessory mount
according to the present invention received on an accessory rail
secured to a pistol model, the accessory mount supporting a light
such that the light is located beneath the barrel of the pistol
model substantially in line with the barrel and the grip of the
pistol model.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the accessory mount,
rail, light, and pistol model of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front perspective view of the
accessory mount, rail, light, and a portion of the pistol model of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the accessory mount,
rail, light and a portion of the pistol model of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front end view of the accessory mount, rail, and
pistol model of FIG. 1 shown without the light.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the accessory mount,
rail, light and pistol model of FIG. 1, an accessory receiver of
the accessory mount pivoted approximately 45 degrees in a clockwise
direction, when viewed from the front (i.e., barrel) end of the
pistol model, with respect to a base of the accessory mount from
the position shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front end view of the accessory mount, rail, and
pistol model of FIG. 6 shown without the light.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front end view of the accessory mount, rail, and
pistol model of FIG. 1 shown without the light and with the
accessory receiver of the accessory mount pivoted approximately 90
degrees in a clockwise direction, when viewed from the front end of
the pistol model, with respect to the base of the accessory mount
from the position shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front end view of the accessory mount, rail, and
pistol model of FIG. 1 shown without the light and with the
accessory receiver of the accessory mount pivoted approximately 90
degrees in a counter-clockwise direction, when viewed from the
front end of the pistol model, with respect to the base of the
accessory mount from the position shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the accessory mount of
FIGS. 1 through 9 removed from the rail and pistol model shown with
the base of the accessory mount in an engaged position with respect
to the accessory receiver of the accessory mount.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the accessory mount of
FIG. 10 shown with the base of the accessory mount retracted with
respect to the accessory receiver of the accessory mount from the
engaged position of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views of the accessory mount of
FIG. 11 showing tab projections of the accessory receiver of the
accessory mount, the accessory mount shown with a portion of the
base removed for clarity of view.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an end view of the base of the accessory mount
illustrating slot openings of the base adapted for receipt of the
tab projections of the accessory receiver.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a partial view of the accessory receiver of the
accessory mount illustrating the tab projections of the accessory
receiver.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the accessory mount
showing the base of the accessory mount.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to the drawings, where like numerals identify like
elements, there is shown an accessory mount 10 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The accessory mount 10
includes an accessory receiver 12 adapted to receive and support an
accessory, such as a light 14, and a base 16 adapted for receipt by
an accessory rail system, such as rail system 18. As described
below in greater detail, the accessory receiver 12 of the accessory
mount 10 is adapted for pivot with respect to the base 16 of the
accessory mount 10 mount is adapted To facilitate illustration of
the invention, the accessory mount 10 is shown received by the
accessory rail system 18, which has been secured to a plastic model
1911 pistol 20 with a mounting rail attached forward of the trigger
guard. It should be understood, however, that the accessory mount
10 is not limited to use with any particular accessory rail system
or on any particular firearm. Rail systems of the depicted type are
available from Command Arms Accessories.
[0027] The accessory receiver 12 of the accessory mount 10 includes
an elongated body 22 defining an inner bore 24. The inner bore 24
of body 22 has a rounded inner surface 26 facilitating receipt by
the receiver 12 of an accessory having an elongated and generally
rounded exterior such as the handle portion of a battery-powered
light 14. It should be understood that the invention is not limited
in scope to rounded bores receiving rounded accessories, however,
and that bores and accessories having non-round configuration could
be used.
[0028] The accessory receiver 12 includes a pair of support posts
28, 30 extending from one side of the body 22 of the receiver 12.
As shown, the support posts 28, 30 are spaced apart from each other
to provide for receipt of the base 16 of the accessory mount 10
between the support posts 28, 30. As may be seen in FIG. 10, the
accessory mount 10 includes an elongated pin 32 for rotatably
connecting the base 16 of the accessory mount 10 between the
support posts 28, 30 of the accessory receiver 12. The pin 32 is
received in aligned openings of the support posts 28, of the
accessory receiver and through a bore 34 defined by the base
16.
[0029] The accessory mount 10 includes a compression spring 36
received on the pin 32. The compression spring 36 contacts support
post 28 of accessory receiver 12 at one end of the spring 36 and an
annular shoulder defined within the bore 34 of the base 16 at an
opposite end of the spring 36. As should be understood, the action
of the compression spring tends to urge the base 16 of accessory
mount 10 away from support post 28 of accessory receiver 12 and
towards support post 30.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 11-15, the accessory mount 10 includes a
locking mechanism 38 adapted for locking the accessory receiver 12
and base 16 of the accessory mount 10 against relative rotation in
one of a plurality of preset angular positions. The locking
mechanism 38 includes tab projections 40 carried by support post 30
that are adapted for receipt by slot openings 42 defined by the
base 16. As shown in FIG. 15, the support post 30 includes three
tab projections 40 angularly spaced from each other at 90 degree
intervals about a lower half of the pin 32 (from the point of view
shown in FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 14, the base 16 of accessory
mount 10 includes 8 slot openings 42 spaced from each other at 45
degree intervals about a centrally-located circular recess 44. This
arrangement provides preset angular positions located at 45 degree
intervals in which the tab projections 40 can engage the slot
openings 42 to lock the receiver 12 and base 16 against relative
rotation. It should be understood that it is not required that the
support post 30 include 3 tab projections 40 and that the support
post 30 could include only one tab projection 40 to provide the
desired locking feature. The inclusion of 3 tab projections 40 as
shown, however, provides added stability and balance for the
locking mechanism 38.
[0031] To operate the locking mechanism 38, a user applies force to
the receiver 12 to overcome the biasing force of the compression
spring 36 to draw the base 16 away from the support post 30 and
toward support post 28. In this condition, which is shown in FIGS.
11-13, the tab projections 40 are retracted (i.e., disengaged) from
the slot openings 42, thereby permitting relative rotation between
the receiver 12 and base 16 of the accessory mount 10.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the accessory mount 10 is
shown in a first position in which the receiver 12 is located below
the barrel of the piston model 20 (from the point of view shown in
FIG. 5) substantially in line with both the barrel and the grip of
the pistol model 20. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the first
position would result if the tab projections 40 of the locking
mechanism 38 inserted into the slot openings 42 of the locking
mechanism 38 in the orientations shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the accessory receiver 12 of the
accessory mount 10 has been pivoted with respect to the base 16 of
the accessory mount 10 to a second position. As shown in FIG. 7,
the second position for the accessory receiver 12 is located 45
degrees in a clockwise direction (from the point of view shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7) from that of the first position.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, the accessory receiver 12 of the
accessory mount 10 has been pivoted with respect to the base 16 to
a third position. As seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 8, the third
position for the accessory receiver 12 is located 90 degrees in a
clockwise direction (from the point of view shown in FIGS. 5 and 8)
from that of the first position.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 9, the accessory receiver 12 of the
accessory mount 10 has been pivoted with respect to the base 16 to
a fourth position. As seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 9, the fourth
position for the accessory receiver 12 is located 90 degrees in a
counter-clockwise direction (from the point of view shown in FIGS.
5 and 9) from that of the first position. It should be understood
that the accessory receiver 12 of the accessory mount 10 is also
adapted to locate the accessory receiver 12 in a fifth position
(not shown) with respect to the base 16 in which the accessory
receiver 12 is located 45 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction
(from the point of view shown in FIG. 5) from that of the first
position.
[0036] The number of slot openings 42 provided in the base 16 of
the accessory mount 10 could be varied from that shown such that
the number of potential positions could be varied. Also it is not
required that the tab projections 40 are included on the receiver
12 for engagement with slot openings 42 on the base 16. The
interfitting elements of the locking mechanism 38 could be switched
such that slot openings are defined by the receiver 12 for
receiving tab projections carried by the base 16.
[0037] The base 16 of accessory mount 10 includes first and second
legs 46, 48 located on opposite sides of the base 16. Each of the
legs 46, 48 defines an elongated notch 50 on an inner surface of
the leg 46, 48. As shown in FIG. 5 for example, the notches 50 in
the base legs 46, 48 are adapted to receive opposite side edges of
the rail system 18 in the manner of a dove-tail connection for
securing the base 16 to the rail system 18. As described above, the
rail system 18 is known and no further description is needed.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 16, the second leg 48 of base 16
is removably secured to the base 16 to facilitate attachment of the
base to rail system 18. As shown in FIG. 16, the base 16 of
accessory mount 10 includes a fastener 52 for securing the second
leg 48 to the base 16. In FIG. 13, the base 16 is shown with the
second leg 48 removed.
[0039] The foregoing describes the invention in terms of
embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling
description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial
modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may
nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.
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