U.S. patent application number 14/861593 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for weapon accessory mount system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Frank J. Michal. Invention is credited to Frank J. Michal.
Application Number | 20160084606 14/861593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55525461 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160084606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michal; Frank J. |
March 24, 2016 |
WEAPON ACCESSORY MOUNT SYSTEM
Abstract
In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed
herein, an apparatus, comprising a mounting base configured to
attach to a weapon, a ball coupled with the mounting base, and a
socket mount coupled with the ball. The socket mount comprises at
least one port allowing a locking mechanism to lock the ball at a
position and a head configured to mount an accessory. When the
locking mechanism is disengaged, the ball can be moved to any
desired position, and then the locking mechanism can be employed to
lock the ball into the desired position.
Inventors: |
Michal; Frank J.; (Medina,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Michal; Frank J. |
Medina |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55525461 |
Appl. No.: |
14/861593 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62053285 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/00 20060101
F41A035/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a mounting base configured to attach
to a weapon; a ball coupled with the mounting base; and a socket
mount coupled with the ball, the socket mount comprises at least
one port allowing a locking mechanism to lock the ball at a
position and a head configured to mount an accessory.
2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a shaft
coupling the ball to the mounting base.
3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to attach to a Picatinny style rail system.
4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to attach to a KeyMod style rail system.
5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to attach to a M-Lock style rail system.
6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to attach to a Weaver style rail system.
7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to bolt onto a smooth surface at a fore end of the
weapon.
8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting base is
configured to adhere onto a smooth surface at a fore end of the
weapon.
9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one
port is threaded, the apparatus further comprising a threaded
fastener configured to engage the port, the threaded fastener
operable to put pressure on the ball to hold the ball at the
position.
10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the socket mount
comprises a plurality of cutouts corresponding to a plurality of
mechanical locks at a plurality of predefined angles.
11. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the head is one of
a group consisting of a threaded head and a pin head.
12. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a grip
coupled with the head of the socket mount.
13. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a laser
light coupled with the head of the socket mount.
14. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a rail
selected from a group consisting a weaver rail, a Picatinny style
rail, a KeyMod rail style rail, M-Lock style rail, and a Weaver
style rail coupled with the head of the socket mount.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/053,285 filed Sep.
22, 2014.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure and related invention is in the
general field of firearms and firearm accessories.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many accessories are available to attach to a weapon. These
accessories include, but are not limited to vertical foreend grips,
lights, lasers, other types of grips, optics, or check guard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a
part of the specification illustrate the example embodiments.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
weapon accessory mount system in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the weapon accessory mount system
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the weapon accessory mount system
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the of the weapon accessory
mount system illustrated in FIG. 2 along the A-A axis.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates examples of mechanical locking
positions.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates examples of a the ball located in the
mechanical locking positions.
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a weapon accessory mount
system coupled with modular stacking rings.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a top view of the weapon accessory mount system
illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the weapon accessory mount
system in FIG. 8 along the B-B axis.
[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a weapon accessory mount
system coupled with a laser light.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a top view of the weapon accessory mount system
illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of the weapon accessory mount
system in FIG. 11 along the C-C axis.
[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a weapon accessory mount
system coupled with a rail.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a top view of the weapon accessory mount system
illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of the weapon accessory mount
system in FIG. 11 along the D-D axis.
OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following presents a simplified overview of the example
embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the example embodiments. This overview is not an
extensive overview of the example embodiments. It is intended to
neither identify key or critical elements of the example
embodiments nor delineate the scope of the appended claims. Its
sole purpose is to present some concepts of the example embodiments
in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description
that is presented later.
[0021] In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed
herein, an apparatus, comprising a mounting base configured to
attach to a weapon, a ball coupled with the mounting base, and a
socket mount coupled with the ball. The socket mount comprises at
least one port allowing a locking mechanism to lock the ball at a
position and a head configured to mount an accessory.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0022] This description provides examples not intended to limit the
scope of the appended claims. The figures generally indicate the
features of the examples, where it is understood and appreciated
that like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements.
Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" or "an example embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at
least one embodiment described herein and does not imply that the
feature, structure, or characteristic is present in all embodiments
described herein.
[0023] Described in an example embodiment herein is a weapon
accessory mount system that comprises a multi-directional ball and
socket mount that can be adjusted to an infinite number of
positions as well as multiple fixed locking locations. The weapon
accessory mount system can accommodate various weapon accessories
such as vertical grips, Picatinny rail sections, lights, lasers,
optics etc. The weapon accessory mount system clips, bolts or
adheres to a rifle such as an M-16, AR-15 or any style weapon
platform that may feature the mil standard 1913 or "Picatinny"
style rail system or a weapon system that may benefit from the
versatility of the weapon accessory mount system. The weapon
accessory mount system may also directly bolt to or adhere to the
fore-end of a weapon that does not feature Picatinny style rails
such as on the key-mod, Weaver, M-Lock, bolt on or a smooth surface
on the weapon. The weapon accessory mount system allows an operator
to adjust the position of an accessory such as a vertical grip on a
weapon such to an ergonomic position that fits their personal
shooting style. The weapon accessory mount system can be adjusted
by loosening and tightening the mounting mechanism located at the
top of the grip, which allows an operator to move the vertical grip
or accessory to the desired position. Once the vertical grip or
accessory is in the desired position the ball and socket mechanism
can be tightened locking the vertical grip or accessory in place.
The weapon accessory mount system can be made of rigid materials
such as aluminum, titanium, nylon, fiberglass reinforced plastic or
any combination of materials similar to the aforementioned
materials.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a weapon
accessory mount system 10 in accordance with an example embodiment.
The weapon accessory system comprises a mounting base 12 configured
to attach to a weapon (not shown), e.g., a firearm such as a pistol
and/or rifle, a ball 14 coupled with the mounting base, and a
socket mount 16 coupled with the ball 14. The socket mount 16
comprises at least one port 18 allowing a locking mechanism 20 to
lock the ball 14 at a position and a head 22 configured to mount an
accessory. The socket mount 16 comprises a socket 15 that allows
the ball 14 to rotate.
[0025] The mounting base 12 may be configured to attach to any
suitable portion of a weapon. For example, the mounting base 12 may
be configured to attach to a Picatinny style rail system, a KeyMod
style rail system, a M-Lock style rail system, or a Weaver style
rail system. In yet other example embodiments, the mounting base 12
may be configured to bolt onto a smooth surface at a fore end of
the weapon. In still yet other example embodiments, the mounting
base 12 may be configured to adhere onto a smooth surface at a fore
end of the weapon.
[0026] In an example embodiment, a shaft 30 couples the ball 14 to
the socket mount 16. This can provide greater clearance for the
mounting base 12 from the socket mount 16.
[0027] In an example embodiment, the at least one port 18 is
threaded allowing for a threaded fastener to be employed as a
locking mechanism 20 to lock the ball 14 into a desired position.
For example, the fastener may be loosened to allow the ball to be
moved to a desired position (as indicated in FIG. 2 the ball 14 may
be moved in any position in a semi-spherical area circumscribed by
the socket mount 16). Once the ball is in the desired positioned,
the fastener is tightened, which applies pressure onto the ball 14,
locking the ball between the fastener and a cage 17 (FIG. 9)
portion of the socket mount 16.
[0028] The head 22 of the socket mount 16 can be threaded allowing
for a threaded fastener or be a pinned head. As will be described
in further detail herein infra, this can allow for a variety of
accessories to be coupled with the socket mount 15.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5, in an example embodiment, the socket
mount 16 comprises a plurality of cutouts corresponding to a
plurality of mechanical locks at a plurality of predefined angles.
In the illustrated example, the cutouts correspond to 30, 45, 60,
and 90 degree angles. However, those skilled in the art can readily
appreciate that cutouts can be provided for any desired physically
realizable angles. FIG. 6 illustrates the ball 14 engaging the
cutouts.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 7-9, there is illustrated an example of a
weapon accessory mount system 10 employed to couple modular
stacking rings 24, 26, 28 to the weapon. As those skilled in the
art can readily appreciate, any physically realizable number of
stacking rings can be employed. The ball 14 can be moved into a
desired position by a user of the weapon and locked into place as
described herein.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 10-12, there is illustrated an example of
the weapon accessory mount system 10 described herein employed to
couple a laser light to the weapon. The weapon accessory mount
system 10 allows for the laser light to be adjusted to site the
weapon.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, there is illustrated an example of
the weapon accessory mount system 10 coupled with a rail system.
The rail system can be any rail system, such as, including but not
limited to a Weaver rail, a Picatinny style rail, a KeyMod rail
style rail, and a M-Lock style rail. This can be useful to mount an
accessory that is configured to mount on a rail to be mounted on a
weapon that does not have a rail, or to mount the accessory in a
manner that the accessory can be adjusted by movement of the ball
14 as described herein.
[0033] Described above are example embodiments. It is, of course,
not possible to describe every conceivable combination of
components or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of
the example embodiments are possible. Accordingly, this application
is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and
variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
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