Mounting apparatus

• US 6,449,893 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Original Assignee: Heckler & KOCH GmbH (H&K AG)
• Inventors: Spinner, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers, Troy
• Application Number:
  US09/747,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20010022044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 421/24, 421/25, 421/26, 421/19, 421/27, 421/28, 89/411.9
• US Class Current: 42/127
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/001 Means for mounting tubular or beam shaped sighting or aiming devices on firearms
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

A mounting apparatus is disclosed for attaching a sighting device onto a weapon. The mounting apparatus has a rail disposed on part of the weapon in a longitudinal direction. The rail has a pair of longitudinally extending opposed sides and a longitudinally extending first attachment element on each of the opposed sides. A removable mounting base has a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a longitudinally extending second attachment element on each side edge. Each second attachment element is complimentary to a corresponding one of the first attachment elements. The mounting base is slidingly and longitudinally engaged with the rail via the complimentary first and second attachment elements. The mounting base is formed of at least two parts which are slidable against one another in a transverse direction. A spring mechanism produces a spring force and is arranged to bias the two parts of the mounting base into engagement with the rail. The spring force is overcome by manually squeezing the two parts to release the mounting base from the rail.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus for attaching a sighting device onto a weapon, the mounting apparatus comprising:

a rail disposed on part of the weapon in a longitudinal direction, the rail having a pair of longitudinally extending opposed sides and a longitudinally extending first attachment element on each of the opposed sides;

a removable mounting base having a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a longitudinally extending second attachment element on each side edge, each second attachment element being complimentary to a corresponding one of the first attachment elements, the mounting base slidingly and longitudinally engaged with the rail via the complimentary first and second attachment elements, wherein the mounting base is formed of at least two parts which are linearly slidable against one another in a transverse direction; and

a spring mechanism providing a spring force and arranged to bias the two parts of the mounting base into engagement with the rail, wherein the spring force is overcome by manually squeezing the two parts to release the mounting base from the rail.

2. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sighting device is selected from a group of devices including at least a telescopic sight, an infrared sight, a night sight telescope, a laser aiming device, a sighting telescope for special munitions, and a grenade launcher sight.

3. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment element is a chamfer provided on each of the opposed sides of the rail and the second attachment device is a complimentary groove provided on one side edge of the mounting base and at least one complimentary claw provided on the other side edge of the mounting base.

4. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one recess in a portion of the rail; and

a projection disposed on a side of the mounting base proximal to the recess, wherein the projection engages the recess upon attachment of the mounting base to the rail.

5. A mounting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recess of the rail is constructed as a transverse groove, and wherein the projection of the mounting base is a cross pin secured in a fixed part of the mounting base and is installed to engage in the transverse groove of the rail.

6. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting base clampingly engages the rail from outside the opposed sides of the rail, and wherein one of the two parts of the mounting base is partially received inside the other of the two parts and can be depressed therein upon overcoming the spring force of the spring.

7. A mounting apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

at least one transverse groove in a portion of the rail;

a cross pin disposed on a side of the mounting base proximal to the recess, wherein the cross pin engages the transverse groove upon attachment of the mounting base to the rail, and wherein the cross pin is positioned beside the depressible one part.

8. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail includes a plurality of cross grooves.

9. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail extends over a substantial part of the weapon.

10. A mounting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the weapon is a rifle having at least a forward stock, and wherein the rail extends up to a front end of the forward stock.

11. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail is made of a material selected from a group of materials comprising at least zinc and plastic.

12. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail is constructed as an integral part of the weapon.

13. A mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail is constructed as a discrete separate component and is subsequently secured to a part of the weapon.