Mounting assembly with adjustable spring tension and pivoting lock lever

• US 8,112,933 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Original Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): KLEIN, GABRIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/008,063
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 42/72, 42/90, 421/24, 421/25, 421/26, 421/27, 421/28, 403/373, 403/374.1, 403/374.2, 403/374.5, 403/381, 248/229.1, 248/229.12, 248/229.13, 248/229.14, 248/229.2, 248/229.21, 248/229.23, 248/229.24, 248/226.11, 248/228.2, 248/228.3, 248/28.4, 248/228.5
• US Class Current: 42/127
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7071 Lever actuator

Abstract

An improved mounting assembly is provided that is configured to be releasably attached to a standard dovetail rail profile, wherein the initial clamping tension of a clamping assembly is adjustable. The mounting assembly includes a main body having a lower portion that is configured to engage a standard dovetail and an upper portion accessory receiving formation. The lower portion of the mounting assembly has a first engagement member extending downwardly along one side thereof for engaging one side of the dovetail rail and a clamping assembly to engage the opposing side of the dovetail rail. At least one spring and a retention nut are provided as part of the clamping assembly such that retention nut controls the preset spring tension thereby controlling the clamping force applied by the clamping assembly. A lock lever connected to the actuator arm selectively locks the position of the retention nut on the threaded shaft.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail rail interface on a firearm, said mounting assembly comprising:

a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion configured to engage a first side of said dovetail rail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain said accessory;

a boss formation extending outwardly from a side of said body and including an opening therein;

a clamping assembly configured to releasably engage a second side of said dovetail rail, including,

a foot portion positioned adjacent a bottom surface of said boss formation, said foot portion including a cam surface;

an actuator arm extending outwardly from said foot portion;

a shaft affixed to said foot portion and extending upwardly through said opening in said boss formation, a terminal end of said shaft being threaded;

a spring received around said shaft adjacent the top surface of said boss formation;

a retention nut threadedly received on said terminal end of said shaft such that said spring is captured between a bottom surface of said retention nut and a top surface of said boss formation, the retention nut having a plurality of indexing slots on an outer circumference thereof; and

a lock lever pivotably connected directly to said actuator arm, said lock lever configured and arranged to engage the indexing slots on the retention nut to allow a user to lock the position of said retention nut on said threaded shaft,

wherein movement of said clamping assembly to releasably engage said dovetail rail causes said foot portion to clamp against said second side of said dovetail rail.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said lock lever includes a blade end for engaging said retention nut and a pressable actuator end, wherein said blade end of said lock lever engages said retention nut and prevents accidental rotation of said retention nut relative to said shaft when said actuator end is released and said lock lever disengages said blade end from said retention nut when said actuator end is pressed.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second spring biasing said lock lever into engagement with said retention nut.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly further comprises a bushing received within said opening in said boss formation, said bushing including an opening, said shaft of said clamping assembly extending through said opening in said bushing, said spring being captured between the bottom surface of said retention nut and a top surface of said bushing.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring is a coil spring.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a buffer pad pivotally attached adjacent a bottom surface of said lower portion and adjacent said clamping assembly, wherein movement of said clamping assembly to releasably engage said dovetail rail causes said foot portion to clamp said buffer pad against said second side of said dovetail rail.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said boss formation includes a shoulder formation configured and arranged to prevent rotation of said actuator arm beyond a disengaged position.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said foot portion further includes a second cam surface.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said foot portion further includes a recess formed adjacent to said cam surface with a magnet secured therein.

10. A mounting assembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail rail interface on a firearm, said mounting assembly comprising:

a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion configured to engage a first side of said dovetail rail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain said accessory;

a boss formation extending outwardly from a side of said body and including an opening therein;

a clamping assembly configured to releasably engage a second side of said dovetail rail, including,

a foot portion positioned adjacent a bottom surface of said boss formation, said foot portion including a cam surface;

a shaft affixed to said foot portion and extending upwardly through said opening in said boss formation, a terminal end of said shaft being threaded;

a first spring received around said shaft adjacent the top surface of said boss formation;

an actuator arm positioned around said shaft and above said first spring, said actuator arm engaged with said shaft such that rotation of said actuator arm causes rotation of said shaft and said camming foot; and

a retention nut threadedly received on said terminal end of said shaft such that said actuator arm and said spring is captured between a bottom surface of said retention nut and a top surface of said boss formation, the retention nut having a plurality of indexing slots on an outer circumference thereof;

a lock lever pivotably connected directly to said actuator arm;

a second spring biasing said lock lever into engagement with said indexing slots on said retention nut to lock the position of said retention nut on said threaded shaft; and

wherein movement of said clamping assembly to releasably engage said dovetail rail causes said foot portion to clamp against said second side of said dovetail rail.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said lock lever includes a blade end for engaging said retention nut and a pressable actuator end, wherein said blade end of said lock lever engages said retention nut and prevents accidental rotation of said retention nut relative to said shaft when said actuator end is released and said lock lever disengages said blade end from said retention nut when said actuator end is pressed.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said clamping assembly further comprises a bushing received within said opening in said boss formation, said bushing including an opening, said shaft of said clamping assembly extending through said opening in said bushing, said first spring being captured between the bottom surface of said retention nut and a top surface of said bushing.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said first spring is a coil spring.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said foot portion positioned adjacent to said bottom surface of said boss formation further includes a second cam surface.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said foot portion further includes a recess formed adjacent to said cam surface with a magnet secured therein.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said boss formation includes a shoulder formation configured and arranged to prevent rotation of said actuator arm beyond a disengaged position.

17. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said second spring is a coil spring.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 10, further comprising a buffer pad pivotally attached adjacent a bottom surface of said lower portion and adjacent said clamping assembly, wherein movement of said clamping assembly to releasably engage said dovetail rail causes said foot portion to clamp said buffer pad against said second side of said dovetail rail.

19. A mounting assembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail rail interface on a firearm, said mounting assembly comprising:

a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion configured to engage a first side of said dovetail rail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain said accessory;

a boss formation extending outwardly from a side of said body and including an opening therein;

a clamping assembly configured to releasably engage a second side of said dovetail rail, including,

a foot portion positioned adjacent a bottom surface of said boss formation, said foot portion including a cam surface;

a shaft affixed to said foot portion and extending upwardly through said opening in said boss formation, a terminal end of said shaft being threaded;

a first spring received around said shaft adjacent the top surface of said boss formation;

an actuator arm positioned around said shaft and above said first spring, said actuator arm engaged with said shaft such that rotation of said actuator arm causes rotation of said shaft and said camming foot; and

a retention nut threadedly received on said terminal end of said shaft such that said actuator arm and said spring is captured between a bottom surface of said retention nut and a top surface of said boss formation, the retention nut having a plurality of indexing slots on an outer circumference thereof;

a lock lever pivotally connected directly to said actuator arm;

a second spring biasing said lock lever into engagement with said indexing slots on said retention nut to lock the position of said retention nut on said threaded shaft; and

a buffer pad pivotally attached adjacent a bottom surface of said lower portion and adjacent said clamping assembly;

wherein movement of said clamping assembly to releasably engage said dovetail rail causes said foot portion to clamp said buffer pad against said second side of said dovetail rail.

20. The mounting assembly of claim 19, wherein said lock lever includes a blade end for engaging said retention nut and a pressable actuator end, wherein said blade end of said lock lever engages said retention nut and prevents accidental rotation of said retention nut relative to said shaft when said actuator end is released and said lock lever disengages said blade end from said retention nut when said actuator end is pressed.