U.S. patent application number 14/949428 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for mechanism for attachment of accessories to gun.
The applicant listed for this patent is RYAN M. LEY. Invention is credited to RYAN M. LEY.
Application Number | 20160146572 14/949428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56009874 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160146572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEY; RYAN M. |
May 26, 2016 |
MECHANISM FOR ATTACHMENT OF ACCESSORIES TO GUN
Abstract
A system for attaching and stabilizing a gun attachment
accessory to the frame of a firearm in which the firearm frame has
two parallel lateral rails running longitudinally along the length
of the firearm frame and a one groove in the bottom of the firearm
barrel frame positioned between and perpendicular to the lateral
rails. A gun attachment accessory mounted to the frame via the
lateral rails features a protrusion located on the upper surface of
an accessory that is equipped with means to extend the protrusion
such that it engages with the groove in the bottom of the firearm
frame. The means to extend the protrusion such that it engages with
the groove include a thumb screw possibly equipped with a
compression spring, threaded through a bore such that the turning
of the screw raises or lowers a platform featuring the
protrusion.
Inventors: |
LEY; RYAN M.; (WILMINGTON,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEY; RYAN M. |
WILMINGTON |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56009874 |
Appl. No.: |
14/949428 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62083216 |
Nov 22, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20130101;
F41G 11/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A system for attaching a component to a firearm having a barrel
frame, the system comprising a first lateral rail extending
longitudinally along the bottom of the firearm barrel frame; a
second lateral rail extending longitudinally along the bottom of
the firearm barrel frame, this second rail being spaced from and
parallel to the first rail; at least one groove in the bottom of
the firearm barrel frame positioned between and perpendicular to
the first and second parallel lateral rails extending
longitudinally along the bottom of the firearm barrel frame; a
first lateral channel feature on the component to be attached to
the firearm, the channel configured to compliment and interlock
with the first lateral rail along the bottom of the firearm barrel
frame; a second lateral channel feature on the component to be
attached to the firearm, the channel configured to compliment and
interlock with the second lateral rail along the bottom of the
firearm barrel frame; a protrusion feature on the component to be
attached to the firearm, the protrusion being configured to
compliment and interlock with at least one groove in the bottom of
the firearm barrel frame positioned between and perpendicular to
the first and second parallel lateral rails extending
longitudinally along the bottom of the firearm barrel frame, the
protrusion being positioned between the first channel and the
second channel; and means whereby the protrusion feature on the
component to be attached to the firearm may be manually adjusted so
as to extend or retract the protrusion.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for manually adjusting
the protrusion feature on the component to be attached to the
firearm is a mechanism comprising a threaded bore through the
center of the component, the bore having a first end and a second
end with the protrusion feature being positioned at the second end
of the bore; a threaded screw complimentary to the threads of the
bore that may advance or retreat through the bore by the clockwise
or counter-clockwise turning of the screw, the head of the screw
being at the first end of the bore; and means whereby the screw
engages the protrusion feature such that the protrusion is extended
outward from the body of the component when the screw is advanced
through the bore, and the protrusion is retracted to the body of
the component when the screw is retreated through the bore.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the screw is a thumb screw.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the protrusion feature is a
platform having at least one protrusion on one surface of the
platform.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein the protrusion feature is a
platform having at least one protrusion on one surface of the
platform.
6. The system of claim 3 wherein the protrusion feature is a
platform having at least one protrusion on one surface of the
platform.
7. A system for attaching a component to a firearm having a barrel
frame, the system comprising a first lateral rail extending
longitudinally along the bottom of the firearm barrel frame; a
second lateral rail extending longitudinally along the bottom of
the firearm barrel frame, this second rail being spaced from and
parallel to the first rail; at least one groove in the bottom of
the firearm barrel frame positioned between and perpendicular to
the first and second parallel lateral rails extending
longitudinally along the bottom of the firearm barrel frame; a
first lateral channel feature on the component to be attached to
the firearm, the channel configured to compliment and interlock
with the first lateral rail along the bottom of the firearm barrel
frame; a second lateral channel feature on the component to be
attached to the firearm, the channel configured to compliment and
interlock with the second lateral rail along the bottom of the
firearm barrel frame; a protrusion feature on the component to be
attached to the firearm, the protrusion feature comprising a
platform having at least one protrusion on one surface of the
platform, and the protrusion being configured to compliment and
interlock with at least one groove in the bottom of the firearm
barrel frame positioned between and perpendicular to the first and
second parallel lateral rails extending longitudinally along the
bottom of the firearm barrel frame, the protrusion feature being
positioned between the first channel and the second channel; a
threaded bore through the center of the component, the bore having
a first end and a second end with the protrusion feature being
positioned at the second end of the bore; a threaded thumb screw
complimentary to the threads of the bore that may advance or
retreat through the bore by the clockwise or counter-clockwise
turning of the screw, the head of the screw being at the first end
of the bore; and means whereby the screw engages the protrusion
feature such that the protrusion is extended outward from the body
of the component when the screw is advanced through the bore, and
the protrusion is retracted to the body of the component when the
screw is retreated through the bore.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Number 62/083,216 filed on Nov. 22, 2014.
The content of United States Provisional Application Number
62/083,216 filed on Nov. 22, 2014 is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] (a) Field of the Invention.
[0006] The present invention is in the technical field of
accessories that may be attached to guns. More particularly, the
present invention is in the technical field of mechanisms that
provide for the attachment of accessories to guns.
[0007] (b) Background Art.
[0008] The technical field of the present invention has long known
of a variety of mechanisms providing for the attachment of
accessories to guns. However, the present state of the art is such
that these mechanisms frequently comprise delicate and finely
calibrated clips, button releases, and the like. Though admittedly
functional for the purpose of facilitating the attachment of an
accessory to the barrel of a gun, delicate and finely calibrated
components in the attachment mechanisms known in the art are
undesirable from a manufacturing cost perspective and they further
leave the user with a product that is not durable and, therefore,
not well-suited for high intensity activities undertaken while the
mechanism is engaged, including without limitation, tactical
training exercises utilizing a gun.
[0009] For the above stated reasons, the present state of the art
is wanting of a mechanism that facilitates the attachment of
accessories to a gun, but that is both inexpensive to manufacture
and sturdy and durable in use. It is considered a primary objective
of the present invention to provide a mechanism meeting these
criteria.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is an inexpensive and sturdy mechanism
allowing attachment of accessories to the barrel of a gun having
two parallel lateral rails extending longitudinally along the
bottom of a barrel frame and at least one groove between and
perpendicular to the lateral rails, the mechanism formed of a rigid
material and comprising a selected gun attachment accessory, a
track formed of two parallel lateral channels into which the
parallel lateral rails of the gun barrel frame may be inserted and
at least one retractable protrusion between and perpendicular to
the lateral channels, the protrusion fitting into at least one
groove between and perpendicular to the lateral rails along the
bottom of the barrel frame. The present invention enables the
vertical stabilization of the gun attachment accessory to the
weapon via the engagement of the parallel lateral channels of the
mechanism with the parallel lateral rails along the bottom of the
gun barrel frame. Further, the present invention enables the
horizontal and longitudinal stabilization of the gun attachment
accessory to the weapon via the engagement of the retractable
protrusion with at least one groove between and perpendicular to
the lateral rails along the bottom of the barrel frame. Still
further, the vertical, horizontal and longitudinal stabilization is
achieved without need for finely calibrated and delicate clips,
button releases, etc., but rather is accomplished through a
relatively crude, but sturdy design of the mechanism, including
without limitation the parallel lateral channels and the
retractable protrusion.
[0011] The inventor contemplates that alternative embodiments of
the above-disclosed invention exist, each a more detailed
implementation of the above-described basic invention.
Specifically, the inventor contemplates that the means whereby the
retractable protrusion may be configured to engage or retract may
be via simple thumb screw mechanism wherein the thumb screw is
threaded through a bore in the body of the gun attachment
accessory, a rigid piece featuring the protrusion being recessed in
the bore opposite the head of the thumb screw. In this particular
embodiment, the tip of the thumb screw is in contact with the
underneath surface of the rigid piece featuring the protrusion and
thereby raises or lowers the rigid piece and the protrusion when
the thumb screw is turned clockwise or counterclockwise,
respectively, by a user manipulating the head of the screw. When
the present invention is loosely attached to a gun via insertion of
the parallel lateral rails along the bottom of the gun barrel frame
into the parallel lateral channels of the mechanism, the gun
attachment accessory is locked into place via clockwise turning of
the thumb screw until the protrusion is within at least one groove
between and perpendicular to the lateral rails along the bottom of
the barrel frame. In this sense, the attachment of the accessory to
the weapon may be tightened or loosened at a user's discretion by
rotation of the thumbscrew clockwise or counterclockwise,
respectively.
[0012] A similar embodiment is further contemplated wherein the
retractable protrusion may be configured to engage or retract may
be via simple thumb screw mechanism comprising a thumb screw that
is threaded through a bore in the body of the gun attachment
accessory, a rigid piece featuring the protrusion being recessed in
the bore opposite the head of the thumb screw, and a compression
spring having a flat panel affixed at its base, the plane of the
panel being perpendicular to the axis of the spring cylinder. In
function, the head of the thumbscrew is present at a first end of
the bore, and the rigid piece featuring the protrusion is present
at a second end of the bore. Within the bore, the tip of the thumb
screw is in contact with the flat panel affixed to one end of the
compression spring and the second end of the compression spring is
in contact with the underneath surface of the rigid piece featuring
the protrusion, such that clockwise turning of the thumb screw
forces compression of the compression spring that, in turn, biases
the rigid piece and protrusion to extend outward from the bore.
When the present embodiment is loosely attached to a gun via
insertion of the parallel lateral rails along the bottom of the gun
barrel frame into the parallel lateral channels of the mechanism,
the gun attachment accessory is locked into place via clockwise
turning of the thumb screw until the protrusion is within at least
one groove between and perpendicular to the lateral rails along the
bottom of the barrel frame. The advantage of this embodiment lies
in the fact that the tightening of the thumb screw effecting the
tightening of the protrusion against at least one groove between
and perpendicular to the lateral rails along the bottom of the
barrel frame is not the only mechanism holding the protrusion in
place within the groove and, therefore, if the thumb screw were to
be released by counterclockwise rotation, whether intentional or
accidental, the compression spring mechanism continues to bias the
protrusion against the groove and, thereby, keep the gun attachment
mechanism sturdily locked in place. While a compression spring
having a flat panel affixed at its base, the plane of the panel
being perpendicular to the axis of the spring cylinder, is recited
as a biasing means in this particular embodiment, the inventor is
cognizant that any number of biasing means may be employed in the
alternative without impairing the function of the overall
mechanism, including without limitation a compression spring
without the flat panel affixed or a longer compression spring
enveloping the thread of the thumb screw and in direct contact with
the head of the thumbscrew.
[0013] The inventor further expressly contemplates that any of the
embodiments referenced herein may be also utilized with any gun
having two parallel lateral rails longitudinal along the bottom of
a barrel frame and a series of grooves between and perpendicular to
the lateral rails, thus enabling the gun attachment accessory to be
affixed to the gun at any of a select number of configurations
occasioned by the spacing in the series of grooves between and
perpendicular to the lateral rails in the gun frame. Further, the
inventor contemplates that the gun attachment accessory itself may
be any item that may be useful to a user when attached to the
barrel frame of a firearm, including without limitation, a
flashlight, a dummy flashlight, a laser pointer, a bayonet, a gun
stand, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gun on which the now
disclosed inventive mechanism is intended for use;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mountable gun
accessory making use of the now disclosed inventive mechanism;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a widget having the now
disclosed inventive mechanism integrated; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is three (3) isolation views of the varying
components of the now disclosed inventive mechanism as the same may
be found integrated with a widget for attachment to a gun.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1
there is shown an example of a handgun of a type that would be
compatible for use with the now disclosed inventive mechanism.
Specifically depicted is a handgun having a handle 34 and barrel
37, and also having a pair of parallel lateral rails 33 at the
bottom of the barrel 37 frame and at least one groove 38
perpendicular to and between the parallel lateral rails 33, the
groove 38 also being at the bottom of the barrel 37 frame. It is
the presence of these parallel lateral rails 33 and the
perpendicular groove 38 that is necessary for a weapon to be
compatible with the now disclosed inventive mechanism.
[0019] Further referring to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 2
there is shown an exploded view of an arbitrary widget 20 making
use of the now disclosed inventive mechanism in association with a
compatible handgun. FIG. 2 illustrates a first lateral channel 21
engaging a first parallel lateral rail 33 (not shown) of the
handgun, the exterior of a second lateral channel 22 engaging a
second parallel lateral rail 33 (not shown) of the handgun, and the
head 27 of a thumbscrew component of the inventive mechanism. As
depicted, the first lateral channel 21 and the second lateral
channel 22 secure the widget 20 to the handgun via engagement of
the parallel lateral rails 33 (not shown) at the base of the barrel
37 frame of the handgun. Further, the head 27 of the thumb screw
component is twisted clockwise to push a protrusion 25 upward to
engage one of the perpendicular grooves 38 (not shown) in the base
of the barrel 37 (not shown) frame of the handgun, thus securing
the widget 20 longitudinally along the length of the handgun barrel
37 (not shown).
[0020] To convey a better understanding of the inventive mechanism,
in FIG. 3 there is shown an elevated perspective view of a widget
having the now disclosed inventive mechanism integrated.
Specifically shown is the arbitrary widget 20 having the inventive
mechanism integrated, the inventive mechanism comprising the first
lateral channel 21, the second lateral channel 22, a protrusion 25
that is perpendicular in orientation to the first lateral channel
21 and second lateral channel 22, a flat recess 24 between the
first lateral channel 21 and second lateral channel 22, and a
platform component 29 to which the protrusion 25 is attached.
Because the view of FIG. 3 is strictly an elevated perspective view
of the mechanism, the aspects of the mechanism to be present at the
bottom of the arbitrary widget 20 such as the head 27 of the
thumbscrew already identified cannot be seen in FIG. 3.
[0021] In FIG. 4 there is shown three (3) isolation views of the
varying components of the now disclosed inventive mechanism as the
same may be found integrated with a widget for attachment to a gun.
The views are of the components disassembled. Depicted is the top
of the arbitrary widget 20 showing the first lateral channel 21,
the second lateral channel 22, the flat recess 24 between the
lateral channels, and a threaded bore 23 through the center of the
widget 20. Also depicted is the bottom of the arbitrary widget 20
showing a relatively smooth bottom surface 32, a first depression
30 and a second depression 31 designed to compliment the arms of
the head 27 of the thumb screw component, and the view from the
bottom of the threaded bore 23 through the middle of the widget 20.
Further depicted is the thumb screw component and assembly of the
inventive mechanism featuring a thumb screw having a head 27 and a
threaded shaft 26, a compression spring 28 enveloping the threaded
shaft 26, and the previously identified platform component 29 to
which the protrusion 25 is attached.
[0022] In operation, any arbitrary widget 20 may be attached to a
compatible gun having at least two parallel lateral rails 33 at the
base of the gun's barrel 37 frame and at least one groove 38 in the
base of the gun's barrel 37 frame, the groove 38 being cut
perpendicular to and being located in between the parallel lateral
rails 33 in the base of the gun's barrel 37 frame. The widget 20
utilizes the inventive mechanism to attach to the base of the gun
barrel 37 by way of a two-fold securing system: (i) the insertion
of the parallel lateral rails 33 at the base of the gun's barrel 37
frame into the first lateral channel 21 and the second lateral
channel 22, respectively, of the inventive mechanism, and (ii) the
insertion of the protrusion 25 of the inventive mechanism into at
least one groove 38 in the base of the gun's barrel 37 frame
located between and perpendicular to the parallel lateral rails 33.
In practice, the parallel lateral rails 33 of the gun barrel 37
frame slide into the corresponding first lateral channel 21 and
second lateral channel 22, and then the widget 20 is locked into
place by insertion of the protrusion 25 into one of the grooves 38
in the gun barrel 37 frame. The protrusion 25 is inserted into a
groove 38 by the clockwise turning of the head 27 of the thumb
screw causing the threads of the shaft 26 to engage the threaded
bore 23 and drive the shaft 26 upward, thus driving the platform
component 29 and the attached protrusion 25 upward until the
protrusion 25 firmly engages the groove 38. The protrusion 25 is
disengaged from the groove 38 by the counter-clockwise turning of
the head 27 of the thumb screw causing the threads of the shaft 26
to engage the threaded bore 23 and cause the shaft 26 to retreat
downward, thus allowing the platform component 29 and the
protrusion 25 to retreat as well and disengage the groove 38. The
introduction of the compression spring 28 between either the
threaded bore 23 and the platform component 29 or between the head
27 of the thumb screw and the threaded bore 23 provides biasing
means to ensure that the mechanism remains tightly engaged when
needed and counteracts the loosening effect of the head 27 of the
thumb screw being inadvertently turned counter-clockwise during use
and/or demanding physical activity.
[0023] Reference throughout the specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0024] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0025] It is understood that the above-described embodiments are
only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode,
is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by
the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing
description.
[0026] While the foregoing written description of the invention
enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered
presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will
understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method,
and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited
by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all
embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *