Modular system for mounting firearm accessories and method for attaching firearm accessory to firearm

Abstract

A modular system ( 100 ) for mounting firearm accessories and a method for attaching a firearm accessory to a firearm are provided. In embodiment, the modular system ( 100 ) includes a first mounting member ( 110 ) capable of receiving a firearm accessory, and a second mounting member ( 120 ) capable of combining with the first mounting member ( 110 ). A joining mechanism ( 130 ), rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the firearm, releasably joins the first mounting member ( 110 ) with the second mounting member ( 120 ). In another embodiment, the modular system ( 10 ) further includes an adjustment mechanism ( 170 ) for adjusting engagement tightness of the mounting members ( 110,12 ) with a mounting site ( 200 ) to ensure more secure joining thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular system for mounting firearm accessories, comprising:
 a first mounting member capable of receiving a firearm accessory;   a second mounting member capable of engaging with the first mounting member; and   a joining mechanism for releasably engaging the first and second mounting members to a mounting site,   wherein the joining mechanism is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joining mechanism comprises a column and a grip pivotably coupled to an end of the column. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a locking member on the second mounting member, the locking member being capable of engaging with the grip to maintain the grip at a stationary position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hook such that, when the locking mechanism is engaged with the grip, the hook is engaged with a central portion of the grip. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adjustment mechanism coupled to the joining mechanism for adjusting engagement tightness of the first and second mounting members with the mounting site.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a sprocket wheel defining a plurality of teeth positions and a detent device coupled to one of the teeth positions. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein an angle between neighboring teeth positions ranges from about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sprocket wheel is engaged with the joining mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detent device is movably disposed in the first mounting member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detent device is retractable into the first mounting member to allow rotation of the sprocket wheel. 
     
     
         11 . A method for attaching a firearm accessory to a firearm, the method comprising:
 A) providing a modular system for mounting firearm accessories, the system comprising:
 a first mounting member capable of receiving a firearm accessory, 
 a second mounting member capable of combining with the first mounting member, and 
 a joining mechanism for releasably combining the first mounting member with the second mounting member; 
   B) attaching the first and second mounting members to a mounting site of a firearm; and   C) joining the first and second mounting members by rotating the joining mechanism about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a firearm.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 D) attaching a firearm accessory to the first mounting member of the modular system.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein C) comprises rotating the joining mechanism through an angle of approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the modular system for mounting firearm accessories further comprises:
 an adjustment mechanism movable coupled to the joining mechanism for adjusting engagement tightness of the first and second mounting members with the mounting site. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 D) adjusting engagement tightness of the first and second mounting members with the mounting site using the adjustment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a sprocket wheel defining a plurality of teeth about a perimeter thereof and wherein D) comprises:
 D1) rotating the sprocket wheel of the adjustment mechanism to adjust the relative position of the first and second mounting members to a mounting site.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of teeth of the sprocket wheel are disposed about the perimeter thereof at predetermined angle ranging from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 30 degrees wherein D1) comprises:
 D1a) rotating the sprocket wheel comprises rotating the sprocket wheel incrementally for a predetermined angle in each step.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a detent device engagable with one of the plurality of teeth of the sprocket wheel and wherein D) comprises:
 D2) engaging the sprocket wheel with the detent device to fix the relative position of the first and second mounting members to each other and the mounting site.