Modular panel system for attaching accessories to a firearm rail system

• US 20050241211A1
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Original Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Richard E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/124
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

A reconfigurable modular interface system for an integrated and standardized weapons system is disclosed. An upper accessory mount is provided that includes one interface for mounting to the desired primary mounting component, such as a firearm. The upper accessory mount further includes a second interface along its bottom edge for attaching accessories thereto. Accessories to be mounted into the modular interface system may either include mating formations that are provided as integrated OEM parts or through the use of retrofit adapter panels mounted to the secondary device.

Claims

1. A modular accessory interface system for a firearm,

said firearm including an upper receiver having a forward end and a rearward end, said upper receiver further including a dovetail rail extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end, said upper receiver still further having a barrel receiving receptacle at a forward end thereof, said firearm further including a barrel received in said barrel receiving receptacle and a barrel nut received around an outer surface of said barrel receiving receptacle to retain said barrel within said barrel receiving receptacle,

said modular accessory interface system comprising:

an upper accessory mount having a forward end, a rearward end, a rail extending between said forward end and said rearward end and symmetrically opposing side walls that extend outwardly and downwardly from said, said opposing side walls terminating in symmetrically opposing longitudinally extending mounting channels;

means for securing said rearward end of said upper accessory mount to said upper receiver of said firearm; and

first and second mounting panels, each of said mounting panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge including interfiting mating formations configured to be received and retained in said mounting channels, said bottom edge configured to receive and retain a lower firearm accessory.

2. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, wherein each of said longitudinally extending mounting channels has an upper wall and a lower wall, and said lower wall comprises a plurality of spaced wall segments.

3. The modular accessory interface of claim 2, said interfitting mating formations on said first and second mounting panels comprising a plurality of spaced protrusions that matingly interfit between said spaced wall segments.

4. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, wherein said means for securing said rearward end of said upper accessory mount to said receiver comprises:

a sleeve extending from said rearward end of said upper accessory mount, said sleeve configured to extend over said upper receiver and engage said dovetail rail on said upper receiver.

5. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, wherein said means for securing said rearward end of said upper accessory mount to said receiver comprises:

a clamp removably fastened to said rearward end of said upper accessory mount, said rearward end of said upper accessory mount and said clamp including clamping surfaces configured to cooperatively engage an outer surface of said barrel nut and thereby entirely support said upper accessory mount on said barrel nut.

6. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting panels are engaged with said lower firearm accessory using screws.

7. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, said first and second mounting panels including protrusions extending inwardly to engage corresponding mating formations formed on said lower firearm accessory said protrusions and said mating formations cooperating to assist to engage and retain said lower firearm accessory.

8. The modular accessory interface of claim 7, wherein said first and second mounting panels are engaged with said lower firearm accessory using screws.

9. The modular accessory interface of claim 1, wherein said lower firearm accessory comprises a grenade launcher.

10. An accessory mounting system for interfacing accessory devices with a firearm accessory interface system,

said accessory interface system including an upper accessory mount having a forward end, a rearward end, a rail extending between said forward end and said rearward end and symmetrically opposing side walls that extend outwardly and downwardly from said, said opposing side walls terminating in symmetrically opposing longitudinally extending mounting channels and means for securing said rearward end of said upper accessory mount to a firearm,

said accessory mounting system comprising:

first and second adapter panels, each of said adapter panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge including interfiting mating formations configured to be received and retained in said mounting channels, said bottom edge configured to receive and retain a firearm accessory.

11. The accessory mounting system of claim 10, wherein each of said longitudinally extending mounting channels has an upper wall and a lower wall, and said lower wall comprises a plurality of spaced wall segments, said interfitting mating formations on said first and second adapter panels comprising a plurality of spaced protrusions that matingly interfit between said spaced wall segments.

12. The accessory mounting system of claim 10, wherein said first and second adapter panels are engaged with said firearm accessory using screws.

13. The accessory mounting system of claim 10, said first and second adapter panels including protrusions extending inwardly to engage corresponding mating formations formed on said lower firearm accessory said protrusions and said mating formations cooperating to engage and retain said firearm accessory.

14. The accessory mounting system of claim 13, wherein said first and second adapter panels are engaged with said firearm accessory using screws.

15. The accessory mounting system of claim 10, wherein said firearm accessory comprises a grenade launcher.

16. A modular weapons interface system comprising:

an upper accessory mount having a forward end, a rearward end, a rail extending between said forward end and said rearward end and symmetrically opposing side walls that extend outwardly and downwardly from said, said opposing side walls terminating in symmetrically opposing longitudinally extending mounting channels, said upper accessory mount further including and means for securing said upper accessory mount to a mounting surface; and

first and second adapter panels, each of said adapter panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge including interfiting mating formations configured to be received and retained in said mounting channels, said bottom edge configured to receive and retain a weapon system.

17. The modular weapons interface system of claim 16, wherein each of said longitudinally extending mounting channels has an upper wall and a lower wall, and said lower wall comprises a plurality of spaced wall segments, said interfitting mating formations on said first and second adapter panels comprising a plurality of spaced protrusions that matingly interfit between said spaced wall segments.

18. The modular weapons interface system of claim 16, wherein said first and second adapter panels are engaged with said weapon system using screws.

19. The modular weapons interface system of claim 16, wherein said first and second adapter panels include protrusions extending inwardly to engage corresponding mating formations formed on said weapon system said protrusions and said mating formations cooperating to engage and retain said weapon system.

20. The modular weapons interface system of claim 19, wherein said first and second adapter panels are engaged with said weapon system using screws.