Pivotable accessory mount

Abstract

An accessory mount for a firearm includes a base and an accessory receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment axis with respect to the base. According to one embodiment, the base is received onto a mounting rail secured to the firearm and includes first and second portions removably attached to each other by a fastener to facilitate attachment of the base to the mounting rail. According to one embodiment, a pin is received by the base and by spaced support members of the accessory receiver to provide a rotatable connection. A locking mechanism locks the accessory receiver against relative rotation with respect to the base in one of a plurality of angular positions.

1 . An accessory mount for a firearm comprising:
 a base adapted for mounting receipt onto a firearm; and   an accessory receiver adapted for receiving and supporting a firearm accessory, the accessory receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment axis with respect to the base for adjusting the angular orientation of the accessory receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base is received on an accessory mounting rail secured to the firearm. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory mount of  claim 2 , wherein the base defines an interior having angled surfaces providing a dovetail connection with the accessory mounting rail. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory mount of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory receiver includes an elongated body defining an inner bore for receiving an elongated portion of the firearm accessory. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory mount of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory receiver includes a pair of support members spaced apart from each other such that the base is located between the support members, and wherein the accessory mount includes an elongated pin received by the support members and the base along the adjustment axis for rotatably connecting the accessory receiver to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory mount of  claim 5  further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the accessory receiver with respect to the base in one of a plurality of angular positions. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory mount of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of projections defined by either one of the base and the accessory receiver and a plurality of openings defined by the other one of the base and the accessory receiver, the projections adapted for receipt by the openings such that relative rotation between the accessory receiver and the base is limited. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory mount of  claim 7 , wherein the projections are defined on one of the support members of the accessory receiver and the openings are defined by the base. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory mount of  claim 7 , wherein the pin is slidably received by the base to provide for relative longitudinal movement between the base and the accessory receiver along the adjustment axis for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position of the locking mechanism, relative rotation between the accessory receiver and the base being respectively disabled and enabled when the locking mechanism is located in the engaged and disengaged positions. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory mount of  claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism further includes a spring located between the base and one of the support members and adapted to bias the accessory receiver and base towards the engaged position for the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory mount of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes first and second portions removably secured to each other by a fastener to facilitate a releasable attachment between the base and the accessory mounting rail. 
     
     
         12 . An accessory mount for a firearm comprising:
 a base adapted for attachment to a mounting rail secured to the firearm;   an accessory receiver adapted for receiving and supporting a firearm accessory, the accessory receiver adapted for rotation about an adjustment axis with respect to the base for adjusting the angular orientation of the accessory receiver; and   a locking mechanism for locking the accessory receiver against relative rotation with respect to the base in one of a plurality of angular positions.   
     
     
         13 . The accessory mount of  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of projections defined by either one of the base and the accessory receiver and a plurality of openings defined by the other one of the base and the accessory receiver, the projections adapted for receipt by the openings such that relative rotation between the accessory receiver and the base is limited. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory mount of  claim 13 , wherein movement between the plurality of angular positions is achieved by relative rotation between the plurality of projections and the plurality of openings of the locking mechanism about the adjustment axis. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory mount of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of projections include eight tabs spaced about the adjustment axis at 45 degree intervals and wherein the plurality of openings include three slot openings spaced about one-half of the adjustment axis at 90 degree intervals.