Protector for firearm rail

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rail cover for a firearm rail, and more particularly to a rail cover with a base and an insert. In one embodiment, a cover for a firearm rail includes a base with an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a groove dimensioned to engage a firearm rail. The cover also includes an insert for engaging the upper portion of the base. The upper portion of the base includes an overhang dimensioned to receive the insert. The groove retains the base to a firearm rail, and the overhang retains the insert to the base. The base is substantially rigid, and the insert is substantially flexible.

1 . A cover for a firearm rail, comprising:
 a base comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion comprising a groove dimensioned to engage such firearm rail; and   an insert for engaging the upper portion of the base;   wherein the upper portion of the base comprises an overhang dimensioned to receive the insert,   wherein the groove retains the base to such firearm rail and the overhang retains the insert to the base, and   wherein the base is substantially rigid and the insert is substantially flexible.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a tab and the base comprises an opening, and wherein the tab extends through the opening in the base to engage such firearm rail, and wherein the tab is dimensioned to engage a crosscut in such firearm rail, to position the base along the firearm rail. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a wing extending from the overhang. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the insert is textured. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 4 , wherein a top surface of the overhang is textured to match the top surface of the insert. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises aluminum or a glass-filled polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a flexible elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein information is provided on the top surface of the insert. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a hollowed-out portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a top surface opposite an underside, and wherein the underside of the insert comprises a pocket dimensioned to receive an accessory device. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 10 , wherein the accessory device comprises a pressure switch, and wherein the pressure switch is inserted into the pocket and is trapped between the base and the insert. 
     
     
         12 . A cover for an accessory rail having at least one slot, comprising:
 a rigid base comprising a bottom portion with first and second opposing bottom grooves dimensioned to accept such accessory rail, and comprising a top portion with first and second opposing top grooves; and   a flexible insert comprising first and second opposing side edges dimensioned to mate with the first and second opposing top grooves of the top portion of the base, to retain the insert to the base,   wherein the insert comprises a top surface and an underside, and wherein the underside of the insert comprises a tab that is dimensioned to extend through the base and into such slot in the accessory rail.   
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom portion of the base comprises first and second prongs that form the first and second bottom grooves, and wherein the top portion of the base comprises first and second overhangs that form the first and second top grooves. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 13 , wherein the top surface of the insert is textured, and wherein the overhangs are textured to match the textured top surface of the insert. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the underside of the insert comprises a pocket dimensioned to receive a pressure switch, and wherein the top surface of the insert comprises an area above the pocket, the area having a surface feature for locating the pocket by tactile feel. 
     
     
         16 . A firearm system comprising:
 a firearm accessory rail comprising at least one slot; and   a rail cover mounted to the accessory rail, the rail cover comprising:
 a base comprising a bottom portion with a channel and a top portion with a cavity; and 
 an insert comprising a tab, 
   wherein the accessory rail extends into the channel in the bottom portion of the base, thereby retaining the base to the rail,   wherein the insert is retained in the cavity of the top portion of the base, and   wherein the tab extends through an opening in the base and into the slot in the accessory rail to mount the rail cover to the accessory rail.   
     
     
         17 . The firearm system of  claim 16 , wherein the base is relatively rigid and the insert is relatively flexible. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm system of  claim 17 , wherein the insert comprises a textured top surface. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm system of  claim 18 , wherein the base comprises first and second overhangs that define the cavity between them, and wherein the first and second overhangs retain the insert to the base. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm system of  claim 19 , wherein the insert comprises an underside having a cavity.