Weapon accessory mounting adapter

Abstract

A weapon accessory mounting adapter that increases the accessory mounting capacity of a weapon by utilizing a bipod stud or picatinny rail to attach accessories. This in turn, makes the weapon and its operator more responsive to changing shooting scenarios. The weapon accessory mounting adapter utilizes the bayonet mounting lug and flash suppressor of the weapon for temporary attachment of the accessories. This configuration allows the retention of weapon ergonomics when the weapon accessory mounting adapter is attached and maintains a low weapon weight when detached. Good ergonomics and low weight are important considerations in regard to effective weapon handling.

1 . A weapon accessory mounting adapter that increases accessory mounting capacity without requiring a permanent installation comprising:
 a. A front bracket;   b. A rear latch device;   c. An adapter body;   d. A plurality of socket cap screws;   e. A plurality of hex nuts;   f. A plurality of fastener inserts;   g. A plurality of roll pins;   h. A rail insert; or   i. A bipod insert; and   j. A bipod stud   
       Wherein said front bracket is located at the forward end of said adapter body and said rear latch device is located at the rearward end of said adapter body thereby allowing attachment to the flash suppressor and bayonet mounting lug of a weapon; and 
       Wherein said socket cap screws fixedly attach said front bracket and said rear latch assembly to said adapter body by threading into said fastener inserts located within said adapter body and said roll pins located adjacent to said socket cap screws align said front bracket and said rear latch device to said adapter body; and 
       Wherein said plurality of socket cap screws located transversely in the upper and lower portions of said adapter body along with said plurality of hex nuts couple the two panels of said adapter body; and 
       Wherein said plurality of socket cap screws located transversely and adjacent to the lower portion of said adapter body along with said plurality of hex nuts fixedly attach said rail insert or said bipod insert thereby allowing attachment of weapon accessories; and 
       Wherein said bipod stud is located on the bottom surface of and centered from the sides of said bipod insert and rearward from the forward edge of said bipod insert a distance corresponding to the mounting of a bipod. 
     
     
         2 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said front bracket has an upper hole large enough to allow through a weapon flash suppressor. 
     
     
         3 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said front bracket is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         4 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said rear latch device is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         5 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said adapter body is comprised of two complementary mateable right-hand and left-hand panels. 
     
     
         6 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 5  wherein said adapter body panels are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         7 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said adapter body is comprised of a single piece of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         8 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said fastener insert comprises a flange shape, when viewed widthwise, selected from the groups consisting of circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, and any combination of these. 
     
     
         9 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said fastener insert is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         10 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said rail insert comprises the form of a picatinny rail. 
     
     
         11 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said rail insert is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these. 
     
     
         12 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said bipod insert comprises a curve shaped bottom surface, when viewed widthwise, of a 1″ radius, the circle for which has a center centrally aligned on the bipod insert between the two sides thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said bipod insert comprises a bottom surface shape, when viewed widthwise, selected from the groups consisting of oval, elliptical, rectangular, and any combination of these. 
     
     
         14 . The weapon accessory mounting adapter of  claim 1  wherein said bipod insert is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, a fiberglass composite, a ceramic and any composite or combination of these.