U.S. patent application number 12/927647 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for firearm accessory mount.
Invention is credited to Michael A. Castaneda.
Application Number | 20120124881 12/927647 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46062983 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120124881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Castaneda; Michael A. |
May 24, 2012 |
Firearm accessory mount
Abstract
An apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm
includes an adapter member formed to the contours of the firearm's
surface, an adjacent rail having two longitudinal rail guides
protruding from each longitudinal side of the rail for slidably
mating with a rail compatible accessory device, and an adhesive
member adhering the adapter member and its attached components to
the firearm.
Inventors: |
Castaneda; Michael A.;
(Costa Mesa, CA) |
Family ID: |
46062983 |
Appl. No.: |
12/927647 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. An accessory mount for a firearm comprising an elongated rail
structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each
longitudinal side of said rail structure, a plurality of elongated
adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of
said firearm, said adapter members being joined to said rail
structure and adhered to a surface of said firearm.
2. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are
adhered to the surface of said firearm with double sided tape.
3. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein the number of said
adapter members is two.
4. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are
semi-flexible.
5. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure is
comprised of a rigid material.
6. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure
includes a plurality of transverse slots.
7. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure
includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each
longitudinal side of said rail structure.
8. An accessory mount for a firearm, comprising: (a) an elongated
rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each
longitudinal side of said rail structure, (b) a plurality of
adapter members collectively conforming to the surface shape of
said firearm and being joined to said rail structure so that said
adapter members are located adjacent to said rail structure, and
(c) means for adhering said adapter members to the surface of said
firearm.
9. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure is
composed of a rigid material
10. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said adapter members are
semi-flexible.
11. The adhering means of claim 8 wherein said means is composed of
a double sided tape.
12. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure
includes a plurality of transverse slots.
13. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein the number of said
adapter members is two.
14. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure
includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each
longitudinal side of said rail structure.
15. A method of securing an accessory mount to a firearm
comprising: (a) selecting a position on a surface of said firearm,
for affixation of a plurality of elongated adapter members, said
adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of
said firearm and are joined to an elongated rail structure having
two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of
said rail structure, (b) adhering the adapter members to the
surface of said firearm, (c) attaching a rail compatible accessory
device to said rail structure
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adhering step comprises
placing a double-sided adhesive between the surface of said firearm
and said adapter members.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises
slidably mating said rail compatible accessory device with said
guides.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the selecting step comprises
choosing a longitudinal position on said firearm for affixation of
said adapter arms.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for mounting an
accessory device to a firearm.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Many firearms include a standardized accessory rail or
accessory mount built directly into the firearm's body. The rail
allows an operator to attach various rail compatible accessories
such as a laser sight or weapon mounted flashlight directly to the
firearm. Because some firearms do not include accessory mounts,
operators either have to omit carrying an accessory device or
purchase an adapter, many of which are unstable, require permanent
firearm modifications or disassembly, and are known to cause
excessive wear to the firearm.
[0003] Novak designs, Inc. produces a pistol accessory mount sold
as a "1911 Tactical Light Rail." This accessory mount requires that
the pistol be permanently altered by drilling bores into the pistol
to secure the rail.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,908 (2006) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,365
(2008) both issued to Kim describe rail mount adapters. The first
requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore
within a pistol's frame and requires partial disassembly of the
pistol to install. Because of pistol variances, not all pistols
contain a compatible bore. The latter device must utilize an
existing rail to secure the rail device. Both devices make direct
contact with the body of the firearm and can cause excessive
marring or wear.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No 7,395,627 (2008) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,366
(2008) both issued to Mathews, et al also describe rail mount
adapters. The first device requires that the rail adapter be
mounted directly to the trigger guard, which can cause increased
wear and become unstable when recoil is present. The latter device
also requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore
within pistol's frame for compatibility and requires partial
disassembly of the pistol to install.
[0006] My invention provides a highly stable mounting apparatus. It
avoids direct contact of the accessory mount to a firearm by
providing a buffer to protect the body of the firearm from wear. It
allows an operator to easily mount an accessory device to the
firearm without permanently altering the firearm, disassembling
portions of the firearm, or using an existing rail. It also allows
the operator to choose the longitudinal placement of the accessory
mount when installed onto the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for mounting
an accessory device to a firearm is described.
[0008] 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.
[0009] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an apparatus for mounting an accessory
device to a firearm includes an adapter member formed to the
contours of the firearm's surface, an adjacent rail having two
longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible
accessory device, and an adhesive member adhering the adapter
member and its attached components to the firearm.
[0010] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] 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.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an accessory mount installed
on a pistol.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the accessory mount shown in
FIG. 1 with section lines.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the accessory mount shown in FIG.
2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the accessory mount shown in FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the accessory mount and firearm of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory mount shown in FIG.
5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the accessory mount according
to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 taken at the section plane
and in the direction indicated by lines 7-7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Unless noted otherwise, "longitudinal" describes a direction
parallel to slide 9 of FIG. 1; "transverse" describes a horizontal
direction perpendicular to slide 9 when slide 9 is horizontally
positioned as shown in FIG. 1; "above" means vertically above when
the firearm 10 is held with its slide 9 horizontal; "below" or
"beneath" means vertically below when the firearm 10 is held with
the slide 9 horizontal. In addition, "length" describes a
longitudinal measurement; "height" describes a vertical
measurement, "depth" or "width" describes a transverse
measurement.
[0020] FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 show a mounting apparatus according to one
embodiment. The mounting apparatus has an elongated rail 7
comprised of platform 6, guides 5, slots 3, and grooves 4. Platform
6 is an elongated base structure having two longitudinal guides 5
protruding on each of its longitudinal sides. Platform 6 acts as a
base for the mounting apparatus and provides a common platform for
guides 5. Guides 5 are pointed protrusions that provide a guide or
track for slidably mating with rail compatible accessories, which
are well known to the art and described herein.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows, three depressions or slots 3 intersecting
guides 5 and platform 6 in a transverse direction. Each slot is
equal in dimension and runs through the entire transverse width of
both guides 5 and platform 6.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, two longitudinal grooves 4
extend vertically above each side of platform 6 so that they are
adjacent to guides 5 and share the same longitudinal length as
guides 5 and platform 6. Grooves 4 provide additional clearance for
an accessory to be mounted and also provide additional vertical
length to the mounting apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show two adapter members 2 extending
vertically above grooves 4 on each side so that they are contoured
to the surface shape of frame 8 of FIG. 1. Adapter members 2 share
the same longitudinal length as grooves 4, guides 5, and platform
6. The two adapter members 2 are collectively concave in shape and
provide a support structure for increasing surface area around
frame 8.
[0024] FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show a flexible adhesive member 1
adhered inside of the concave structure of adapter members 2 so
that it also resembles a concave structure. In preferred
embodiment, adhesive member 1 is comprised of a removable
double-sided adhesive tape. The adhesive member 1 joins both
adapter members 2 to the firearm 10 of FIG. 1.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, to use the mounting
apparatus on a firearm 10, an operator must adhere adhesive member
1 within the concave portion of adapter members 2. Once adhered,
adapter members 2, and its contiguous rail 7 are ready to be
mounted on firearm 10. To mount, the operator must position the now
concave adhesive member 1 and its adhered components to the lower
surface of frame 8 so that it fits to the contours of frame 8, thus
adhering the mounting apparatus to firearm 10. Once secured to
firearm 10, rail 7 should be parallel to slide 9.
[0026] An accessory such an illumination accessory 12 can now be
readily mounted to the longitudinal guides 5 located on rail 7. For
example, as shown in FIG. 5, illumination accessory 12 includes a
pair of guide tongues 11 for slidably mating with the longitudinal
guides 5 of the mounting apparatus. A latch on the illumination
accessory 12 housing may co-act with the transverse slots 3 for
preventing further longitudinal movement of the illumination
accessory 12 along the accessory mount when the illumination
accessory 12 is at a predetermined position. Illumination
accessories of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,237
(2002) issued to Mathews, et al.
[0027] Adapter members 2 should be sized accordingly to support
frame 8 of FIG. 1. Longitudinal grooves 4 each measure
approximately 4.25 cm in length, 3 mm in vertical height, and 1.5
cm in width. The longitudinal guides 5 sharing a common platform 6
collectively measure approximately 4.25 cm in length, 5 mm in peak
height, with a peak transverse width of approximately 2 cm. Slots 3
measure approximately 5 mm in longitudinal length, with a
transverse width of 2 cm. The recessed portion of the slots 3 is
approximately 3 mm in height and the separation in front of and
between each of the slots 3 is approximately 5 mm in longitudinal
length. Although specific measurements are described, the
dimensions and number of grooves 8 may be adjusted without limiting
the overall scope of the embodiments described.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, adhesive member 1 is the only
separate component of the mounting apparatus. The remaining adapter
members 2 and rail 7 should be machined as a singular contiguous
body.
[0029] The adhesive member 1 is produced by 3M Company and is
available under 3M.TM. VHB.TM. Tapes. The 3M.TM. VHB.TM. 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. Other adhesives are available and may be used
without limiting the overall scope of the embodiment described.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the accessory mount 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.
[0031] From the description above, a number of advantages become
evident. For example, an operator can adjust longitudinal placement
of the mounting apparatus onto frame 8 to accommodate their
personal preference. The mounting apparatus is not dependent on the
trigger guard, which can become unstable and shift during recoil.
The flexible adhesive member 1 acts as a buffer between the firearm
10 and the mounting apparatus, thus preventing marring and
increased wear to the firearm 10. Lastly, no permanent alterations
or dissassembly of the firearm 10 is required for installation.
Other advantages may become present to those familiar with the
art.
[0032] 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 accessory mount can have measurement
variances, materials may be substituted, and production methods may
vary. In addition, the adapter arms 2 can also be mounted directly
to a barrel on a fixed barrel firearm and the shape can be altered
to conform to a desired surface shape. Accordingly, the scope of
the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
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