Quick disconnect accessory mount and safety latch

Abstract

A mechanism for facilitating the quick assembly and disassembly of firearm accessories onto a rail, providing users with versatile and modular firearm capability to accommodate variable field conditions and missions. A dual safety mechanism avoids unintentional release. A streamlined design minimizes the potential for catching foreign objects.

1 : An accessory mounting system for releasable attachment to a mounting rail having oppositely angulated clamping surfaces, the system comprising:
 a mounting base having a plurality of angulated rail clamping surfaces, said mounting base having at least one lever pivot cylinder opening therein;   at least one locking lever, each said locking lever comprising a pivot cylinder further comprising at least one threaded hole configured for insertion into and rotation relative to said lever pivot cylinder opening, and further comprising a peripheral angulated cam surface being moveable into a force transmitting locking engagement with one of said oppositely angulated clamping surfaces upon rotation of said locking lever from a release position to a clamping position;   a retention member threaded to said threaded hole of said locking lever pivot cylinder; and   a resilient member installed between said mounting base and said retention member, continuously urging said locking lever against said mounting rail, towards said mounting base.   
     
     
         2 : The accessory mounting system of  claim 1 , whereby the position of the retention member can be adjusted, so that upon rotation of said retention member, adjustment of the clamping force of said peripheral angulated cam surface against said mounting rail is effected. 
     
     
         3 : The accessory mounting system of  claim 1 , whereby the retention member is a shoulder screw and is fully threaded in said locking lever's threaded hole. 
     
     
         4 : The accessory mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking member integral with or mounted to said mounting base; and   a safety latch mounted to said locking lever and having a latched position securing said locking lever at said clamping position and an open position permitting rotation of said locking lever from said clamping position to said release position.   
     
     
         5 : An accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail, comprising:
 a mounting base having a plurality of angulated rail clamping surfaces;   at least one locking lever mounted to said mounting base and having a clamping position establishing clamping engagement with said mounting rail and a release position releasing clamping engagement with said mounting rail, said locking lever comprising a peripheral angulated cam surface and a latch projection;   a safety latch assembled to said mounting base, selectively engaging said latch projection when said locking lever is at said clamping position and securing said locking lever against rotation from said clamping position, and configured for selective separation from said latch projection, whereby rotation of said locking lever from said clamping position to said release position may be effected; and   a resilient member continuously biasing said safety latch to said latched position.   
     
     
         6 : The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of  claim 5 , wherein, when said locking lever is at said clamping position, the projection of said locking lever on a plane perpendicular to the axis of said resilient member is contained substantially within the projection of said mounting base on the same plane. 
     
     
         7 : The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of  claim 5 , wherein said safety latch does not protrude substantially from said mounting base. 
     
     
         8 : An accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail, comprising:
 a mounting base having a plurality of angulated rail clamping surfaces and a latch projection;   at least one locking lever mounted to said mounting base, moveable between a clamping position establishing clamping engagement with said mounting rail and a release position releasing clamping engagement with said mounting rail;   a safety latch assembled to said locking lever, selectively engaging said latch projection when said locking lever is at said clamping position and securing said locking lever against rotation from said clamping position, and configured for selective separation from said latch projection, whereby rotation of said locking lever from said clamping position to said release position may be effected; and   a resilient member continuously biasing said safety latch to said latched position.   
     
     
         9 : The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of  claim 8 , wherein, when said locking lever is in the clamping position, the projection of said locking lever on a plane perpendicular to the axis of said resilient member is contained substantially within the projection of said mounting base on the same plane. 
     
     
         10 : The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of  claim 8 , wherein said safety latch does protrude substantially from said mounting base.