PARALLEL AXLE MOUNTING RAIL CLAMP

• US 20130318852A1
• Filed: 05/27/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Inventors: Teetzel, James W., Celona, Marc J., Wright, Nathaniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/90
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

An improved clamping device and method for a weapon accessory rail of a type having an elongate mounting structure of generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape, such as a Picatinny mounting rail, is provided.

Claims

1. A clamping device for a weapon accessory rail of a type having an elongate mounting structure of generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape, the clamping device comprising:

a mounting base including a first clamping surface for engaging a mounting surface of the mounting structure, said mounting base further including an outward facing surface opposite the first clamping surface for attaching an accessory device thereto and a hook disposed on a first transverse side of the mounting surface, the hook configured to engage a first transverse side of the mounting structure;

a pressure plate slidable with respect to the mounting base, the pressure plate received between first and second arms, said first and second arms axially spaced apart and extending from the mounting surface on a second transverse side of the mounting surface opposite the first transverse side of the mounting surface;

a cam member having a lever attached to a cam body, said cam body pivotally mounted between the first and second arms;

said cam body bearing against said pressure plate to cause sliding movement of the pressure plate in response to pivoting movement of said lever; and

a locking tab slidably attached to the pressure plate, said locking tab slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking tab having a lip engaging the cam member to prevent pivoting movement of the cam body out of a clamped position when the locking tab is in the locked position.

2. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising one or more tapped openings in the mounting surface.

3. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising:

said hook defining a second clamping surface for engaging an inclined surface on the first transverse side of the mounting structure; and

said pressure plate defining a third clamping surface for engaging an inclined surface on a second transverse side of the mounting structure.

4. The clamping device of claim 3, further comprising:

said pressure plate configured to exert a clamping force in a direction orthogonal to the inclined surface on the second transverse side of the mounting structure.

5. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the cam body is adjustable.

6. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising:

a height adjustment member comprising a bearing surface engaging pressure plate when said clamping device is in the clamped position;

said height adjustment member further including a threaded shaft attached to the bearing surface and extending through an opening in the cam body; and

a threaded nut rotatably engaging the threaded shaft, wherein rotation of the threaded nut in a first direction causes movement of the bearing surface toward the pressure plate and rotation of the threaded nut in a second direction causes movement of the bearing surface away from the pressure plate.

7. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein said threaded nut is received within a cavity formed in the cam body.

8. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more springs urging the locking tab toward the locked position.

9. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising:

a protrusion formed on said first clamping surface, said protrusion being sized to engage a transverse channel in the mounting structure.

10. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein said outward facing surface is adapted for removably attaching the accessory device.

11. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is a Picatinny rail.