Buffered mounting assembly with magnetic foot

Abstract

A mounting assembly for mounting accessories to a dovetail rail on a firearm is provided. The mounting assembly includes a main body having a lower portion with a first engagement member extending downwardly along one side thereof and a clamping assembly installed into the main body opposite the engagement member such that the clamping assembly can be engaged and disengaged with the dovetail rail to hold the mounting assembly on the dovetail rail. In addition, a buffer pad is provided between the clamping assembly and the interface point on the dovetail rail to protect the rail from wear. The clamping assembly includes a means for retracting the buffer pad when the clamping assembly is in the disengaged position, the retraction means preferably being magnetic. Such that the buffer pad is held out of the way when mounting or dismounting the mounting assembly.

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, an upper portion and a first engagement member extending downwardly along a first side of said lower portion said first engagement member configured to engage a first side of said dovetail rail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain said accessory;   a clamping assembly received along a second side of said lower portion, said clamping assembly being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; 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 said engaged position clamps said buffer pad against said second side of said dovetail rail and movement of said clamping assembly to said disengaged position withdraws said buffer pad away from said dovetail rail.   
   
   
       2 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said clamping assembly includes a magnet positioned therein, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said clamping assembly causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       3 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said clamping assembly is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formed from a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said clamping assembly causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       4 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , said clamping assembly further comprising:
 a camming foot positioned adjacent a bottom surface of lower portion;   a shaft affixed to and extending upwardly from said camming foot, said shaft extending through an opening in said body; and   an actuator arm positioned adjacent said top surface of said upper portion and affixed to a top end of said shaft such that rotation of said actuator arm causes rotation of said shaft and said camming foot,   wherein rotation of said clamping assembly to said engaged position causes said camming foot to engage said buffer pad against second side of said dovetail and rotation of said clamping assembly to said disengaged position causes said camming foot to rotate to a position that causes said buffer pad to withdraw clear from said dovetail rail.   
   
   
       5 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot includes a magnet positioned therein, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       6 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot is formed from a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       7 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot is coated with a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       8 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said camming foot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formed from a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       9 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said camming foot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is coated with a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       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, an upper portion and a first engagement member extending downwardly along a first side of said lower portion said first engagement member configured to engage a first side of said dovetail rail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain said accessory; and   a clamping assembly mounted along a second side of said lower portion, said clamping assembly being rotatable between an engaged position wherein said clamping assembly displaces a buffer pad into engagement with a second side of said dovetail rail and a disengaged position wherein said clamping assembly magnetically withdraws said buffer pad away from said second side of said dovetail rail.   
   
   
       11 . The mounting assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said clamping assembly includes a magnet positioned therein. 
   
   
       12 . The mounting assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said clamping assembly is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formed from a permanent magnetic material. 
   
   
       13 . The mounting assembly of  claim 10 , said clamping assembly further comprising:
 a camming foot positioned adjacent a bottom surface of lower portion;   a shaft affixed to and extending upwardly from said camming foot, said shaft extending through an opening in said body; and   an actuator arm positioned adjacent said top surface of said upper portion and affixed to a top end of said shaft such that rotation of said actuator arm causes rotation of said shaft and said camming foot,   wherein rotation of said clamping assembly to said engaged position causes said camming foot to engage said buffer pad against second side of said dovetail and rotation of said clamping assembly to said disengaged position causes said camming foot to rotate to a position that causes said buffer pad to withdraw clear from said dovetail rail.   
   
   
       14 . The mounting assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot includes a magnet positioned therein. 
   
   
       15 . The mounting assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot is formed from a permanent magnetic material. 
   
   
       16 . The mounting assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot is coated with a permanent magnetic material. 
   
   
       17 . The mounting assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said camming foot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formed from a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position. 
   
   
       18 . The mounting assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said camming foot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is coated with a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position.