COMPACT LOCKING RAIL MOUNT AND MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A locking rail mount including a body mounted adjacent to a mounting rail and a clamp screw extending through a channel defined by the body and across the mounting rail. The clamp screw includes a screw head having a surface facing toward the mounting rail with locking elements having a surface relief geometry. At least one compression spring is positioned between the body and a rail clamp that pushes the rail clamp toward the surface of the screw head. The surface of the rail clamp includes locking elements having the surface relief geometry that are complementarily arranged with respect to the locking elements of the screw head. When the clamp screw is tightened, the locking elements of the rail clamp and screw head are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw.

Claims

1. A locking rail mount comprising: a body arranged to be mounted adjacent to a mounting rail, the mounting rail extending in a first direction and including a plurality of ties extending at least partially across the rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a clamp screw extending through a channel defined by the body and across the mounting rail in the second direction, the clamp screw including a screw head having a first surface facing away from the mounting rail and a second surface facing toward the mounting rail, the second surface including a first plurality of locking elements having a first surface relief geometry; a rail clamp arranged to: i) engage with a first end of a first tie of the plurality of ties to hold the body adjacent to the mounting rail; and ii) disengage from the first end of the first tie of the plurality of ties and release the body from adjacent to the mounting rail; and at least one compression spring positioned between the body and the rail clamp, the at least one compression spring applying a compression force that pushes a first surface of the rail clamp toward the second surface of the screw head, the first surface of the rail clamp including a second plurality of locking elements complementarily arranged with respect to the first plurality of locking elements and having a second surface relief geometry complementary to the first surface relief geometry; wherein, when the clamp screw is tightened, the first plurality of locking elements and second plurality of locking elements are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw.

2. The locking rail mount of claim 1, wherein the body is a portion of an accessory.

3. The locking rail mount of claim 2, wherein the accessory includes one of an optical sight, camera, phone, light, laser, audio sensor, audio emitter, and detachably connectable tool.

4. The locking rail mount of claim 1, wherein the first surface relief geometry and the second surface relief geometry include a cam angle.

5. The locking rail mount of claim 1, wherein the mounting rail is located on one of a firearm, helmet, pack, wearable item, and vehicle.

6. The locking rail mount of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression spring causes axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp.

7. The locking rail mount of claim 6 comprising at least one disc spring, wherein the at least one compression spring and the at least one disc spring cause the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp.

8. The locking rail mount of claim 7, wherein the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw rotates provides a positive tactile interface to a user.

9. The locking rail mount of claim 8, wherein the positive tactile interface reduces the likelihood of the clamp screw being over-tightened to a point of damaging the mechanics of the locking rail mount.

10. The locking rail mount of claim 1, wherein, when the clamp screw is tightened to secure the body to the rail, a rotation of the clamp screw with enough torque to overcome the increased compression spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen the rail mounted body.

11. A firearm accessory comprising: a mounting interface arranged to connect the accessory to a rail mounting assembly; and the rail mounting assembly including: a body arranged to be mounted adjacent to a mounting rail, the mounting rail extending in a first direction and including a plurality of ties extending at least partially across the rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a clamp screw extending through a channel defined by the body and across the mounting rail in the second direction, the clamp screw including a screw head having a first surface facing away from the mounting rail and a second surface facing toward the mounting rail, the second surface including a first plurality of locking elements having a first surface relief geometry; a rail clamp arranged to: i) engage with a first end of a first tie of the plurality of ties to hold the body adjacent to the mounting rail; and ii) disengage from the first end of the first tie of the plurality of ties and release the body from adjacent to the mounting rail; and at least one compression spring positioned between the body and the rail clamp, the at least one compression spring applying a compression force that pushes a first surface of the rail clamp toward the second surface of the screw head, the first surface of the rail clamp including a second plurality of locking elements complementarily arranged with respect to the first plurality of locking elements and having a second surface relief geometry complementary to the first surface relief geometry; wherein, when the clamp screw is tightened, the first plurality of locking elements and second plurality of locking elements are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw.

12. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein the firearm accessory includes one of an optical sight, camera, light, laser, audio sensor, audio emitter, and detachably connectable tool.

13. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein the first surface relief geometry and the second surface relief geometry include a cam angle.

14. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein the mounting rail is located on a portion of the firearm.

15. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein the at least one compression spring causes axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp.

16. The firearm accessory of claim 15 comprising at least one disc spring, wherein the at least one compression spring and the at least one disc spring cause the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the rail clamp.

17. The firearm accessory of claim 16, wherein the axial movement along the clamp screw as the clamp screw rotates provides a positive tactile interface to a user.

18. The firearm accessory of claim 17, wherein the positive tactile interface reduces the likelihood of the clamp screw being over-tightened to a point of damaging the mechanics of the locking rail mount.

19. The firearm accessory of claim 11, wherein, when the clamp screw is tightened to secure the body to the rail, a rotation of the clamp screw with enough torque to overcome the increased compression spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen the rail mounted body.

20. A firearm comprising: a mounting rail arranged to receive a rail mounting assembly; and the rail mounting assembly including: a body arranged to be mounted adjacent to the mounting rail, the mounting rail extending in a first direction and including a plurality of ties extending at least partially across the rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a clamp screw extending through a channel defined by the body and across the mounting rail in the second direction, the clamp screw including a screw head having a first surface facing away from the mounting rail and a second surface facing toward the mounting rail, the second surface including a first plurality of locking elements having a first surface relief geometry; a rail clamp arranged to: i) engage with a first end of a first tie of the plurality of ties to hold the body adjacent to the mounting rail; and ii) disengage from the first end of the first tie of the plurality of ties and release the body from adjacent to the mounting rail; and at least one compression spring positioned between the body and the rail clamp, the at least one compression spring applying a compression force that pushes a first surface of the rail clamp toward the second surface of the screw head, the first surface of the rail clamp including a second plurality of locking elements complementarily arranged with respect to the first plurality of locking elements and having a second surface relief geometry complementary to the first surface relief geometry; wherein, when the clamp screw is tightened, the first plurality of locking elements and second plurality of locking elements are aligned to lock the rail clamp and clamp screw together to prevent unintended rotation of the clamp screw.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIGS. 1A and 1B show front and side views of an accessory mounted on a rail;

[0019] FIG. 2A shows a top-down cross-sectional view of a locking rail mount;

[0020] FIG. 2B shows perspective view of a screw head and rail clamp of FIG. 2A;

[0021] FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the locking rail mount of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

[0022] FIGS. 3A-3C show various views of the clamp screw and screw head of the locking rail mount of FIGS. 1A-2C; and

[0023] FIGS. 4A-4G show various views of the rail clamp of FIGS. 1A-2C.

[0024] Like reference numerals in different figures indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with existing rail mounting devices and systems. The application includes exemplary devices, systems, and assemblies for providing reliable, resilient, and user-friendly rail mounting techniques.

[0026] Innovative aspects of the disclosure include a compact locking rail mount design with a minimum of machined parts required to meet design to cost goals and improve reliability. This robust solution has integral mechanical locking features preventing the device from loosening on the rail when exposed to shock and vibration events without the need for thread locking adhesive. Disc and/or compression springs are used as a resilient feature in conjunction with the mechanical locking features to cause axial movement along the locking screw as the screw is rotated to either tighten or loosen the locking and/or rail clamp. Using axial movement is very desirable as it requires the disc and/or compression spring pressure to be increased to overcome the mechanical lock. The design provides a user with a positive tactile interface reducing the likelihood of the screw being over-tightened to the point of damaging the mechanics of the locking rail mount.

[0027] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a front view 100 and side view 150 of an accessory body 110 mounted on a rail 108 via a locking rail mount 114. In these exemplary views 100 and 150, the accessory includes an optical sight, but other types of accessories may be used. Locking rail mount 114 includes and/or connects with body 110, which is arranged to be mounted adjacent to mounting rail 108. The mounting rail 108 extends in a first direction and includes a plurality of ties such as ties 214 and 220 that extend at least partially across rail 108 in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A clamp screw 102 extends through a channel 216 defined by body 110 and across mounting rail 108 in the second direction. In some implementations, clamp screw 102 causes minimum obscuration. Mounting rail 108 may include multiple channels such as channels 216 and 222 extending between ties of rail 108.

[0028] Clamp screw 102 and/or 224 may include screw head 112 having a first surface 218 facing away from mounting rail 108 and a second surface 210 facing toward mounting rail 108. The second surface 210 includes a plurality of locking elements 206, each having a surface relief geometry. Rail clamp 106 is arranged to engage with a first end of tie 214 of the plurality of ties 214 and 220 to hold body 110 adjacent to mounting rail 108 and disengage from the first end of the tie 214 and release body 110 from adjacent to mounting rail 108. Screw head 112 may include tool features 104 that enable operation of the screw 112 using a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0029] At least one compression spring 204 is positioned between body 110 and rail clamp 106. The at least one compression spring 204 applies a compression force that pushes a surface 212 and/or 414 of rail clamp 106 toward surface 210 of screw head 112. Surface 212 of rail clamp 106 may include a plurality of locking elements 208 complementarily arranged with respect to a plurality of locking elements 206 on surface 210 of screw head 112 that have a complimentary and/or opposing surface relief geometry to locking elements 208. Locking elements 206 may including male locking elements while locking elements 208 include female locking elements or vice versa. When clamp screw 102 is tightened, the plurality of locking elements 206 and plurality of locking elements 208 are aligned to lock rail clamp 106 and clamp screw 102 together to prevent unintended rotation of clamp screw 102.

[0030] The body 110 may be a portion of an accessory such as, without limitation, an optical sight, camera, phone, light, laser, audio sensor, audio emitter, or detachably connectable tool. The surface relief geometry of elements 206 and 208 may include a cam angle. Mounting rail 108 may be located on, without limitation, a firearm, helmet, pack, wearable item, or vehicle. At least one compression spring 204 may cause axial movement along clamp screw 102 as clamp screw 102 is rotated to either tighten or loosen rail clamp 106. Locking rail mount 114 may include at least one disc spring 276.

[0031] At least one compression spring 204 and at least one disc spring 276 may cause axial movement along clamp screw 102 as clamp screw 102 is rotated to either tighten or loosen rail clamp 106. The axial movement along clamp screw 102 as clamp screw 102 rotates may provide a positive tactile interface to a user. The positive tactile interface may reduce the likelihood of clamp screw 102 being over-tightened to a point of damaging the mechanics of locking rail mount 114. In some implementations, when clamp screw 102 is tightened to secure body 110 to rail 108, a rotation of clamp screw 102 with enough torque to overcome the increased compression spring pressure induced by the rail clamp's axial movement is required to loosen rail mounted body 110.

[0032] In some implementations, locking rail mount 114 is part of a rail mounting assembly where the rail mounting assembly includes a mounting interface arranged to connect an accessory to the rail mounting assembly while the rail mounting assembly uses locking rail mount 114 to connect to mounting rail 108. In one implementation, a firearm includes mounting rail 108 that is arranged to receive a rail mounting assembly having locking rail mount 114.

[0033] FIG. 2A shows a top-down cross-sectional view 200 of locking rail mount 114 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A illustrates the position of various elements of rail mount 114 such as compression springs 204, disc springs 276, channels 216 and 222, ties 214 and 220, and outer surface 218 of screw head 112. One or more compression springs 204 may provide an extra stroke to push rail clamp 106 back away from the rail 108 for ease in mounting and removing body 110. Clamp screw 102 may also function as a crossbar in channel and/or slot 216 of rail 108.

[0034] FIG. 2B shows perspective view 250 of screw head 112 and rail clamp 106 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B illustrates how locking features 202 such as locking elements 206 and 208 complimentarily oppose each other to enable locking of clamp screw 102.

[0035] FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view 270 of locking rail mount 114 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. FIG. 2C illustrates male/female looking feature 272 shown in the “locked position” when locking elements 206 and 208 mate and/or are engaged with each other as clamp screw 102 is tightened. FIG. 2C shows heeled rail clamp 274 and/or 106 and a device base/clamp screw 102 threaded interface that enables clamp screw 102 to threadable engage with device body 110. Device body relief 280 may be configured to facilitate upsetting on end of clamp screw 102 to make it captive. Disc springs 276 may be stacked to provide a clamping force and required stroke.

[0036] FIGS. 3A-3C show various views 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, and 310 of clamp screw 102 and screw head 112 of locking rail mount 114 of FIGS. 1A-2C. FIG. 3A shows a view 300 of surface 210 of screw head 112 and a corresponding cross-sectional view 302 of clamp screw 102. FIG. 3B shows a side view 304 of clamp screw 102 with a corresponding view of surface 218 of screw head 112. FIG. 3C shows a side view of screw head 112 and a corresponding perspective view of screw head 112 illustrating locking elements 206 on surface 210 of screw head 112.

[0037] FIGS. 4A-4G show various views 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 of rail clamp 106 of FIGS. 1A-2C. FIG. 4A shows a perspective view 400 surface 414 of rail clamp 106 including locking elements 208. FIG. 4B shows another perspective view 402 of rail clamp 106. FIG. 4C shows a back-facing view 404 of rail clamp 106, i.e. a view of the surface of rail clamp 106 facing toward mounting 108. FIG. 4D shows a zoomed-in view 406 of a locking element 208 on surface 414 of rail clamp 106. FIG. 4E shows front-facing view 410 of rail clamp 106 with surface 414 including locking elements 208. FIG. 4F shows top down view 412 of rail clamp 106. FIG. 4G shows a side view 408 of rail clamp 106.

[0038] Elements or steps of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements or steps may be left out of the systems or processes described previously without adversely affecting their operation or the operation of the system in general. Furthermore, various separate elements or steps may be combined into one or more individual elements or steps to perform the functions described in this specification.

[0039] Other implementations not specifically described in this specification are also within the scope of the following claims.