Integrated rail system and method for making and using same

• US 8,028,459 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Otis Patent Trust
• Original Assignee: The Otis Patent Trust
• Inventors: Williams, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEMAN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US12/466,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20100287809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 42/90, 42/710.1, 42/72, 42/83, 42/85, 421/06
• US Class Current: 42/90
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

Embodiments of the application can include an integrated rail system construction for a firearm with transverse ribs or tabs (e.g., picatinny rail) to include an undercut or slot at a front and/or rear face to cooperate with mounting structure for a detachable accessory. Embodiments of a rail structure can include a channel to pass wires used to power accessories mounted to the rail. Embodiments of the application can include methods for manufacturing an integral rail system.

Claims

1. A rail system assembly for a firearm including a barrel, the rail system assembly comprising:

a tubular body to couple to the firearm over a portion of the barrel in a substantially coaxially and radially spaced relationship;

at least one accessory rail at a predetermined position of the tubular body, said at least one rail including a plurality of ribs separated to define opposing lateral surfaces, the plurality of ribs comprising a first rib and an adjacent rib, wherein a first lateral surface of the first rib faces an opposing lateral surface of the adjacent rib; and

a first anchor slot in the first lateral surface of the first rib, wherein the first anchor slot is positioned below a top portion of the first rib, such that the first anchor slot forms an undercut under the too portion of the first rib.

2. The rail system assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second anchor slot in a lateral surface of a second rib, wherein the second anchor slot is positioned below a top portion of the second rib, such that the second anchor slot forms an undercut under the top portion of the second rib.

3. The rail system assembly of claim 2, wherein the first anchor slot and the second anchor slot intersect at least one longitudinal conduit configured to pass through the plurality of ribs.

4. The rail system assembly of claim 2, wherein the first anchor slot and the second anchor slot form a pair of anchor slots in opposing lateral surfaces of the first rib and the second rib.

5. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor slot removes a portion of the first rib.

6. The rail system assembly of claim 5, wherein the first anchor slot removes a portion of a bottom surface of a recess between the first rib and the adjacent rib.

7. The rail system assembly of claim 6, wherein the bottom surface of the recess is curved.

8. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor slot is configured to include a curved surface, a right angle, a linear surface, a recessed engagement surface, or an engagement shoulder.

9. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor slot is configured to operate with the opposing lateral surface of the adjacent rib to mount an accessory.

10. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein the first lateral surface comprises an additional anchor slot over the first anchor slot.

11. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein a rear lateral surface of the first rib comprises the first anchor slot.

12. The rail system assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one accessory rail comprises a top rail, a bottom rail, or a side rail, and wherein said at least one accessory rail comprises a military-standard-1913 rail.

13. The rail system assembly of claim 12, wherein said at least one accessory rail comprises:

opposing longitudinal side grooves, the side grooves to define external reference surfaces for mounting accessories; and

a longitudinal central groove between the opposing side grooves, the central groove to define internal reference surfaces for mounting accessories.

14. A rail system assembly for a firearm including a barrel, the rail system assembly comprising:

a mounting body to couple over a portion of a barrel in a spaced relationship thereto;

at least one accessory rail at a predetermined position of the mounting body, said at least one accessory rail including a plurality of ribs spaced by opposing lateral surfaces, wherein an opposing lateral surface of one of the ribs faces an opposing lateral surface of an adjacent one of the ribs;

a curved lower surface between at least one pair of adjacent ribs; and

at least one anchor slot in an opposing lateral surface of at least one of the ribs in the at least one pair of adjacent ribs, wherein selected anchor slots among a plurality of anchor slots intersect a plurality of longitudinal conduits that pass through a portion of said plurality of ribs.

15. The rail system assembly of claim 14, wherein the curved lower surface is a prescribed radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the mounting body.

16. The rail system assembly of claim 14, wherein a bottom surface of a recess said plurality of ribs is a convex curved surface.