U.S. patent application number 14/069016 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for selectively releasable flashlight attachment device for handgun.
The applicant listed for this patent is Matthew E. McKendrick, William H. Rogers. Invention is credited to Matthew E. McKendrick, William H. Rogers.
Application Number | 20140196349 14/069016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164062 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140196349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rogers; William H. ; et
al. |
July 17, 2014 |
Selectively Releasable Flashlight Attachment Device for Handgun
Abstract
This releasable flashlight attachment device can be placed and
removed on/from the frame of a firearm without the user's hand
passing in front of the barrel. It includes: (1) a bottom portion
with a receiver section that engages an integral rail portion of a
handgun and an adjacent nesting area adapted to hold a small flash
light; (2) a cap to secure the light in the nesting area; and (3) a
locking tab and spring that automatically engages the locking
cross-slot integral to the rail portion, and the locking lab can be
oriented in opposite directions in the receiver section to
facilitate use of the device for either right or left side
flashlight mounting. The bottom portion flexes laterally and has
other features that allow the device to be snap mounted and easily
demounted by rotation of the handgun relative to the device.
Inventors: |
Rogers; William H.; (St.
Augustine, FL) ; McKendrick; Matthew E.;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rogers; William H.
McKendrick; Matthew E. |
St. Augustine
Jacksonville |
FL
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51164062 |
Appl. No.: |
14/069016 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
29443051 |
Jan 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
14069016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41G 1/35 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A releasable flashlight attachment device for firearms
comprising: a receiving section mountable to a firearm accessory
mounting rail extending below and parallel to the barrel of said
firearm; a flashlight nesting section extending from said receiving
section and adapted to hold a flashlight parallel to said barrel
and rail so as to project light emitted by said flashlight parallel
to said barrel and rail; and said receiving section being engagable
and mounted to said firearm accessory mounting rail by sliding on
said rail or being snapped into place thereon and being unsnapped
therefrom by relative rotation between said device and said rail or
sliding off said rail, said receiving section flexing open to snap
mount onto said rail, and said receiving section flexing open to
demount from said rail.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said nesting section extends
laterally from said receiving section to dispose said nesting
section to the side of said firearm when the receiving section is
mounted to said firearm mounting rail.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spring and locking
tab mountable in said receiving section, said spring and locking
tab engaging locking notches in said rail when said receiving
section is mounted thereon, said spring and locking tab being
mounted in selected opposing directions for placement of said
nesting section on either side of said firearm.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said receiving section includes
parallel sets of side rail engagement features that snap into
complemental grooves along sides of said firearm accessory mounting
rail when said receiving section is mounted to said firearm
accessory mounting rail.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said side rail engagement
features are rounded to readily disengage from said grooves upon
said relative rotation.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said nesting section includes a
movable lever arm to be grasped by a user in disengaging said side
rail engagement features from the groove in which said features are
nested when demounting said device from the firearm.
7. The device of claim 4, wherein said side rail engagement
features have inclined upper surfaces which interface with matching
inclined mounting rail ramping surfaces such that the abutting
surfaces thereof slide/ramp past each other during snapping
engagement or disengagement by said relative rotation.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said nesting section and said
receiving section are integral.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate top piece
detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a
flashlight positionable therein.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user actuatable
disengagement lever for disengaging said locking tab from a locking
notch in said rail.
11. A releasable flashlight attachment device for firearms
comprising: a receiving section mountable to a firearm accessory
mounting rail extending below and parallel to a barrel of the
firearm; a flashlight nesting section adapted to hold a flashlight
parallel to said barrel and rail so as to project light emitted by
the flashlight parallel to said barrel and rail, said flashlight
nesting section extending laterally from said receiving section to
dispose said nesting section to one side of the firearm when said
receiving section is mounted to said firearm mounting rail; a
spring and locking tab mountable in said receiving section, said
spring and locking tab engaging selective locking notches in said
rail when the receiver is mounted thereon, and said spring and
locking tab being mounted in selected opposing directions for
placement of said nesting section on either side of the firearm;
and said receiving section being engagable and mounted to said
firearm accessory mounting rail by sliding on said rail or being
snapped into place thereon and being unsnapped therefrom by
relative rotation between said device and said rail or sliding
forwardly off said rail, said receiving section flexing open in
order to snap mount onto said rail, and said receiving section
flexing open in order to demount from said rail.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said receiving section includes
parallel sets of side rail engagement features that snap into
matching grooves along sides of said firearm accessory mounting
rail when said receiving section is mounted to said firearm
accessory mounting rail.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said side rail engagement
features are rounded to readily disengage from one side groove upon
said relative rotation.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein said nesting section includes a
lever arm graspable by a user in disengaging said side rail
engagement features from said one groove in which said features are
nested when demounting said device from said firearm.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein said side rail engagement
features have inclined upper surfaces which interface with matching
inclined mounting rail ramping surfaces such that the abutting
surfaces thereof slide/ramp past each other during snapping
engagement or disengagement by said relative rotation.
16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a user actuatable
disengagement lever for disengaging said locking tab from a locking
notch in said rail.
17. The device of claim 14, wherein said nesting section and said
receiving section are integral.
18. The device of claim 15, further comprising an arcuate top piece
detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a
flashlight positionable therein.
19. The device of claim 11, further comprising an arcuate top piece
detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a
flashlight positionable therein.
20. The device of claim 12, further comprising an arcuate top piece
detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a
flashlight positionable therein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims an invention that was disclosed in
part in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/443,051, filed
Jan. 11, 2013, entitled "Selectively Releasable Flashlight
Attachment for Handgun".
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to non-dedicated light devices
able to mount to handguns with integral rails. More particularly,
the invention pertains to a releasable flashlight attachment
device. Specifically, the instant invention improves on prior art
in the field of the invention by providing such a device that can
be easily placed and removed on the frame of the weapon, without
the user's hand passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm.
[0006] 2. Relevant Art
[0007] Historically, it has been difficult for even skilled
marksmen to coordinate a hand held flashlight with a firearm at
night. The modern two handed handgun shooting technique requires
the support hand to wrap around the hand which controls the firing
of the weapon in order to substantially control the weapon during
firing. The user must relinquish some control of the handgun if the
support hand is used to hold or even switch on and off a light
while firing. In recent years the industry has improved upon this
skill by incorporating a mounting rail with locking indentions,
into the frame of the firearm, in-line with and just below the
barrel of the firearm. A specially designed light module may be
attached to the firearm using the integral mounting rail on the
firearm. The light module is secured to the firearm's mounting rail
just forward of the front of the trigger guard on pistols and near
the front of the hand guard or fore stock of shoulder firearms.
[0008] However, these dedicated light modules pose problems with
how the firearm is holstered. In order for the holster to contain
the firearm with attached light it must offer an area large enough
for the light to pass in and out. This adds bulk to the holster,
but more importantly, it compromises security of the firearm being
held by the holster. This is because dedicated light modules
necessarily are mounted in front of the trigger guard below the
slide and barrel of the handgun. The dedicated light module is
significantly larger than the trigger guard that it mounts in front
of. The part of the holster that normally protects the trigger area
of the handgun must be enlarged in order to allow the light module
to pass in and out of the holster. That same opening allows an
assailant to place their finger into the holster and engage the
trigger and fire the firearm in the holster, possibly causing
serious injury to the wearer of the firearm.
[0009] The invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,364 provides
an alternative arrangement that uses a relatively inexpensive hand
held light with a tail cap switch that can be quickly attached to a
drawn handgun. The light portion, once attached to the firearm, is
affixed adjacent to the frame of the handgun and is positioned
right or left of the centerline of the handgun frame so that it can
be operated by the thumb of the support hand of either a right or
left handed operator. The device can be quickly installed after the
handgun is removed from a holster and can be quickly removed prior
to re-holstering the handgun. The success of this invention has
been bolstered by parallel advances in LED (Light emitting diode)
technology related to small hand held light devices. These have
progressed to the point that very small inexpensive lights are
available that produce illumination capable of identifying targets
up to 25 meters away in total darkness. (One of these very small
lights is the Streamlight Microstream.RTM.).
[0010] The advantages of the referenced invention over the more
expensive dedicated mounted light unit have been proven by the
success of the sales of this product. It allows the wearer of a
handgun to carry the weapon securely in a holster that fits the
firearm without an attached light. However it allows the user to
quickly attach a light to the drawn weapon if illumination is
required. The attachment of the light is straightforward but there
continues to be a safety concern with removing the light module
under stress. The action of pulling the light module forward and
off of the rail portion of the handgun frame can place the support
hand in front of the muzzle at the same time the hand that is
controlling the firearm and trigger is pulling back. An improvement
upon the referenced invention that would address the safety
concerns and utilize the availability of the newer less expensive
small hand held lights is, therefore, extremely advantageous.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one primary aspect of the invention there is provided a
releasable flashlight attachment device that can be easily placed
and removed on the frame of the weapon without the user's hand
passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a
releasable flashlight attachment device composed of three molded
polymer parts. One part contains the matching receiver portion that
engages the integral rail portion of a handgun. This portion of the
device is designed to flex in the middle so that with added
rotational force perpendicular to the two parallel rails,
additional clearance between the two engaging rails can be
received. One of the two engaging rails of the invention is
designed such that a rotation of the device relative to the handgun
will cause it to release from that side of the rail portion of the
frame of the handgun when the unit flexes in a wider position. In
that same part a nesting area adjacent to the receiver portion is
provided to accept a small tail switched light (such as the
previously mentioned Streamlight Microstream.RTM.). The small light
is nested immediately adjacent to the one engaging rail designed to
release from the matching handgun rail. A second part of the device
matches the nesting area and forms a clamp to secure the light to
the unit by the use of attaching screws. A third part fits into the
receiver portion running lengthwise and between the two engaging
rails and has multiple functions. It acts as a leaf spring at both
ends. The back portion of the third part has a flat landing area to
facilitate installation and also has a leading edge portion
designed to engage the area of the handgun where the trigger guard
transitions to the frame. This leading edge part of the leaf spring
design flexes against the trigger guard transition, areas as the
light unit is moved into a locking position. This flexing action
puts a load on the locking area of the rail system and also allows
the unit to move back a slightly adjustable amount to accommodate
the slight variations in the placement of the locking notch of
different handgun manufactures. The forward portion of the third
part has a locking tab incorporated into the leaf spring. This tab
automatically engages the locking cross-slot integral to the
handgun frame rail system. This third part can be installed from
either end of the device allowing the light to be positioned either
right or left of the centerline of the handgun for ambidextrous
operation.
[0013] In still another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a releasable flashlight attachment device having an
attachment process that allows the user to grip the back of the
light and approach the muzzle of the handgun from underneath the
firearm. The leading edge of the handgun rail, which is flush with
the muzzle of the firearm, is indexed on the flat landing area of
the third part of the device. The user then slides the light unit
back toward the grip of the handgun until the locking tab of the
third part automatically engages the locking cross-slot rail
portion of the handgun frame thus securing the unit on the handgun.
In doing so no part of the users support hand passes in front of
the muzzle of the handgun. To remove the unit from the handgun, the
user simply holds the light portion of the device with support hand
and using the controlling hand, rotates the handgun away from the
light fixture. This action causes the unit to unlock from the frame
of the handgun preventing the user's support hand from passing in
front of the muzzle of the firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this
invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and
method of operation, together with further object and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flashlight attachment
device of the invention with a flashlight mounted therein in close
proximity to a handgun and is adapted and positioned for mounting
to the left side of the handgun;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the flashlight attachment
device adapted for right side handgun mounting with a flashlight
mounted therein and affixed in proper position on a handgun in
accordance with this invention;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a second perspective view of the version of the
invention shown in FIG. 2A;
[0018] FIG. 2C is bottom view of the invention shown in FIGS. 2A
and B;
[0019] FIG. 3A is an enlarged bottom view of the attachment device
with a flashlight mounted therein in accordance with this
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 3A;
[0021] FIG. 3C is a top perspective view of FIG. 3A;
[0022] FIG. 3D is a reduced top view of FIG. 3A;
[0023] FIG. 3E is a front end view of FIG. 3D;
[0024] FIG. 3F is a rear end view of FIG. 3D;
[0025] FIG. 3G is a right side elevational view of FIG. 3D;
[0026] FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the lower or bottom
piece of the flashlight attachment device;
[0027] FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view from another angle
similar to FIG. 4A;
[0028] FIG. 4C is an end elevational view of the lower piece shown
in FIG. 4A;
[0029] FIG. 4D is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 4C from
the opposite side;
[0030] FIG. 4E is a top perspective view of the lower piece shown
in FIG. 4A;
[0031] FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the upper piece or cap
to attach to the lower piece shown in FIG. 4A;
[0032] FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of the upper piece shown
in FIG. 5A;
[0033] FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the latching piece
or tongue portion of the flashlight attachment device of this
invention;
[0034] FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the latching piece of
FIG. 6A;
[0035] FIG. 6C is a left side elevation view of FIG. 6B;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the flashlight
attachment device of the invention with a flashlight mounted
therein being removed from a handgun in accordance with this
invention, the hand being shown in broken lines;
[0037] FIG. 8A is a partial right side elevational view of a second
embodiment showing a locking and unlocking lever at the front of
the attachment device of this invention;
[0038] FIG. 8B is a partial front view illustrating a locking and
unlocking lever at the side of the attachment device of this
invention; and
[0039] FIG. 8C is a top perspective view of FIG. 8B.
DESCRIPTION
[0040] As will be noted from FIGS. 1 through 2C showing a firearm 1
in conjunction with the flashlight mounting device 2 of the
invention, the device being described allows a non-dedicated light
device (a flashlight 3) to be easily and conveniently mounted to
and on the integral mounting rail 1A provided under the barrel 1B
and in front of the trigger guard 1C of most modern military and
police firearms. The mounting device 2 is composed of three primary
molded polymer parts--a bottom piece 2A, an upper piece/cap 4, and
a multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5--which are discussed in
turn below.
[0041] The largest and most important portion of the mounting
device 2 is its bottom piece/portion 2A, which has a receiver
trough or portion 2A1 that fits around and engages the integral
rail 1A of a firearm/handgun 1. As will be noted from the drawing
figures, the rail 1A has a generally "T" shaped cross-section
producing inset grooves 1A1. Likewise, the receiver portion 2A1 of
the device 2 has parallel engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 (best
seen in FIG. 3D) intended to interface with and nest in the grooves
1A1. The receiver portion 2A1 of the device 2 is designed to flex
generally in the middle, thus allowing a snap fit between the
engagement features 2A2, 2A3 and grooves 1A1 in initially mounting
the device 2. This is facilitated by inclined mounting rail ramping
surfaces 1A3 (see FIG. 2A), which interface with matching inclined
upper surfaces of engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 see FIG. 3D) such
that the abutting surfaces of the two parts slide/ramp past each
other during the snap engagement process.
[0042] In addition, when rotational force perpendicular to rails 1A
is applied, additional clearance between the two engaging rails
formed by side engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 will be created,
enabling the device 2 to be disengaged from the firearm 1. This can
readily be accomplished--see FIG. 7--by gripping the side of the
device containing flashlight 3 and flashlight nesting portion 2C,
and using the leverage created by its position away from rail 1A to
either hold portion 2C and flashlight 3 while twisting the handgun
1 away, or holding the handgun 1 steady while twisting the device 2
away. One of the two sets of parallel engagement features (nesting
side engagement features 2A3, which is located on the same side as
flashlight nesting portion 2C) is designed with somewhat rounded
ends such that a rotation of the device 2 relative to the handgun 1
will cause it to release from that side of the rail portion 1A of
the frame of the handgun 1 when the receiver portion 2A1
flexes/opens into a wider position.
[0043] Bottom piece/portion 2A also includes an intermediate
portion 2B by which it is joined to a flashlight nesting
area/portion 2C adjacent to the receiver portion 2A1, which is
provided to accept a small tail switched 3A flash light 3 (such as
the previously mentioned Streamlight Microstream.RTM.). The small
light 3 is nested immediately adjacent to the engagement features
2A3 designed to release from the matching handgun rail 1A. The
second part of the device--upper piece/cap 4--matches the nesting
area 2C and forms a clamp to secure the light 3 to the unit 2 by
the use of attaching screws 2B1.
[0044] It should be noted that the first two pieces discussed
(flashlight mounting device bottom piece 2A and cap 4) are
identical and unchanged whether the device 2 is configured for
right side or left side mounting. Right or left mounting
configuration is dictated only by the orientation of the third
part--multi-purpose spring/latching piece (or "tongue") 5 in the
receiver portion 2A1. Latching piece 5 extends lengthwise between
the two rows of engaging features 2A2, 2A3, flanking receiver
portion 2A1, and has multiple functions. First, it acts as a leaf
spring at both ends. The back portion of the spring/latching piece
5 has a flat landing area 5A to facilitate installation and also
has a leading edge portion 5A1 designed to engage the slight
channel area or transition area 1B1 of the handgun 1 where the
trigger guard 1C transitions to the frame 1B. This leading edge 5A1
of the leaf spring design of latching piece 5 flexes against the
trigger guard 1C at transition areas 1B1 as the unit 2 is moved
into a locking position. This flexing action puts a load on the
locking area (i.e., where parallel engagement features 2A2 and 2A3
interface with and nest in the groove 1A1 of the rail system 1A)
facilitating frictional binding between these parts to stabilize
the unit 2 in position and also allows the unit 2 to move back a
slightly adjustable amount to accommodate the slight variations in
the placement of the locking notches 1A2 of different handgun
manufactures.
[0045] The forward portion of the spring/latching piece 5 has a
locking tab 5B which automatically engages the locking
notch/cross-slot 1A2 integral to the handgun frame rail system 1A.
Spring/latching piece 5 can be installed from either end of the
device 2 allowing the light 3 to be positioned either right or left
of the centerline of the handgun 1 for ambidextrous operation. It
will be clear from review of the drawing figures, if the latching
piece is oriented such that its leading edge 5A1 and the light
switch are oriented as shown in FIG. 3D, it will be positioned for
right hand mounting and use. Likewise, the reverse orientation will
configure the device 2 for left hand mounting and use. The snap
feature 5C of the multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5 and
interfacing configuration and features of the trough of the
receiver portion 2A1 are specifically adapted and designed for this
purpose.
[0046] The attaching process of the device 2 with its included
flashlight 3 to the handgun 1 allows the user to grip the back of
the flash light mounting device 2 and approach the muzzle of the
handgun 1 from underneath the firearm frame 1B. The leading edge of
the handgun rail 1A, which is flush with the muzzle of the firearm
1, is indexed on the flat landing area 5A as previously discussed.
The user then slides the light unit 2 rearward toward the
grip/handle 1D of the handgun 1 until the locking tab 5B
automatically engages the locking cross-slot 1A2 of the rail 1A
portion of the handgun frame 1B, thus securing the unit on the
handgun 1. In doing so no part of the users support hand passes in
front of the muzzle of the handgun 1. To remove the unit 2 from the
handgun 1, the user simply holds the light portion (flashlight
nesting portion 2C) of the device 2 with support hand and using the
controlling hand, rotates the handgun 1 away from the light portion
2C or vice-versa. This action causes the unit 2 to unlock from the
frame 1B of the handgun 1 preventing the user's support hand from
passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm 1 (see FIG. 7).
[0047] Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, a further variation
with a finger actuatable disengagement lever 5D can be attached to,
or interact with, multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5B to allow
it to be released from engagement in a particular cross-slot 1A2
and allow the device to be slid/adjusted forward and backward on
rail 1A (and/or even removed by sliding off of rail 1A, though this
is not generally considered to be a desirable option). Two versions
are shown: (1) a version with a simple pull-down/back lever 5D, as
illustrated in FIG. 8A; and (2) a version where pushing a push
button lever 5D connected to tongue 5, by interaction of ramping
edges/surfaces 7, forces tongue 5 and integral tab 5B downward and
out of engagement with a slot 1A2. However, as should be apparent,
in view of the foregoing, numerous other changes and variations can
be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept herein
disclosed. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the
embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely
illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.
Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not
intended to limit the scope of the claims, which recite those
features regarded as essential to the invention.
PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES
[0048] 1 Firearm [0049] 1A Firearm accessory mounting rail [0050]
1A1 Firearm accessory mounting rail side groove [0051] 1A2 Firearm
accessory mounting rail locking notches/cross-slots [0052] 1A3
Firearm accessory mounting rail ramping surfaces [0053] 1B Firearm
barrel [0054] 1B1 Transition area [0055] 1C Firearm trigger guard
[0056] 1D Firearm handle/grip [0057] 2 Flashlight mounting
device/unit of the invention [0058] 2A Bottom piece/portion of
flashlight mounting device [0059] 2A1 Receiver portion of
flashlight mounting device [0060] 2A2 Open side rail engagement
features of receiver portion [0061] 2A3 Nesting side rail
engagement features of receiver portion [0062] 2B Intermediate
portion of flashlight mounting device [0063] 2B1 Securing screws
[0064] 2C Flashlight nesting portion of flashlight mounting device
[0065] 3 Flashlight [0066] 3A Flashlight activation switch at rear
of flashlight [0067] 3B Flashlight lens at front of flashlight
[0068] 4 Cap [0069] 5 Multi-purpose spring and locking tab [0070]
5A Flat landing area of multi-purpose spring and locking tab [0071]
5A1 Leading edge portion of multi-purpose spring and locking tab
[0072] 5B Locking tab of multi-purpose spring and locking tab
[0073] 5C Snap feature of multi-purpose spring and locking tab
[0074] 5D Finger actuatable disengagement lever [0075] 6 Hand of
user [0076] 7 Ramping surfaces/edges
* * * * *