Quick detach accessory attachment

Abstract

An accessory attachment has a housing with a top end and a bottom end, at least one locking member, and a spring-biased retractor apparatus. The retractor apparatus interfaces with the locking member to move the locking member from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The accessory attachment may be attached to, or removed from, a mounting receptacle by moving the retractor apparatus toward or away from either end of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessory attachment, comprising:
 a housing with a top end and a bottom end;   at least one locking member;   a spring-biased retractor apparatus that interfaces with the at least one locking member to move the at least one locking member from an engaged position to a disengaged position;   wherein the accessory attachment may be attached to, or removed from, a mounting receptacle by moving the retractor apparatus toward or away from either end of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased retractor apparatus comprises an upper recess for receiving the at least one locking member in a disengaged position, a lower recess for receiving the at least one locking member in another disengaged position, and an engagement surface disposed between the upper recess and the lower recess for supporting the at least one locking member in the engaged position. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising four locking members. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased retractor apparatus comprises a hollow column section and a spring attaches to the retractor apparatus within the hollow column section. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor apparatus is biased between two or more springs. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory attachment of  claim 5 , wherein one of the two or more springs is compressed while another of the two or more springs is extended by the pulling or pushing of the finger grips. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the top of the housing is configured to attach to an accessory by one of a clip, hook, loop, buckle, button, or a customized accessory interface. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor apparatus comprises a pair of finger grips having two separate surfaces for gripping. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory attachment of  claim 8 , further comprising a substantially rigid bail that forms a sling loop, wherein the bail has a top rigid bar member and is attached to the sides of the housing by linking members that connect to the housing between the finger grips. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory attachment of  claim 9 , wherein the rigid bail rotates about the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of an upper housing and a lower housing. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory attachment of  claim 11 , wherein the upper housing and lower housing comprise a vertical groove within which the retractor apparatus may be pulled up or pushed down. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a crown for retaining the locking members substantially in place with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor mechanism comprises a pair of finger grips having ridges that provide a gripping surface and endpoints that slope away from a midpoint. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory attachment of  claim 1 , wherein one or more components are made out of a metal. 
     
     
         16 . A firearm accessory attachment system comprising;
 a firearm accessory,   a firearm configured with a quick-detach mounting receptacle,   an accessory attachment comprising;
 a housing with a top end and a bottom end; 
 at least one locking member; 
 a spring-biased retractor apparatus that interfaces with the at least one locking member to move the at least one locking member from an engaged position to a disengaged position; 
 wherein the accessory attachment may be attached to, or removed from, the quick-detach mounting receptacle either by pushing or pulling the retractor mechanism toward or away from either end of the housing parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of finger grips operatively coupled to the retractor apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory attachment can rotate within the quick-detach mounting receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , the accessory attachment further comprising one of a clip, hook, loop, buckle, button, or a customized accessory interface. 
     
     
         20 . A sling attachment system, comprising:
 a sling;   an article, configured with a mounting receptacle, to be supported by the sling;   an accessory attachment that couples the sling to the article, the accessory attachment comprising;   a housing with a top end and a bottom end;   at least one locking member;   a spring-biased retractor apparatus that interfaces with the at least one locking member to move the at least one locking member from an engaged position to a disengaged position;   wherein the accessory attachment may be attached to, or removed from, the mounting receptacle either by pushing or pulling the retractor apparatus toward or away from either end of the housing parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.