Systems and methods for attaching an accessory to a rail of a firearm

Abstract

A system for attaching an accessory to a rail of a firearm is disclosed. The system comprising an aperture in the accessory, a slot in the accessory disposed adjacent to the aperture, a nut comprising a protrusion configured to mate with the slot, and a fastener configured to pass through the aperture and mate with the nut.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attaching an accessory to a rail of a firearm, the system comprising:
 an aperture in the accessory;   a slot in the accessory disposed adjacent to the aperture;   a nut comprising a protrusion configured to mate with the slot; and   a fastener configured to pass through the aperture and mate with the nut.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein nut comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole extending therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the top surface comprises an outer taper. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the top surface comprises an upper inner taper about the hole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface comprises a lower inner taper about the hole. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nut comprises internal threads. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises an upper inner taper. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener comprises a tapered portion that corresponds to the upper inner taper of the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises external threads. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is arcuate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is arcuate. 
     
     
         12 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a panel. 
     
     
         13 . A system for attaching a panel to a rail of a firearm, the system comprising:
 an aperture in the panel;   an arcuate slot in the panel disposed adjacent to the aperture;   a nut comprising an arcuate protrusion configured to mate with the arcuate slot, wherein the nut comprises a top surface with an outer taper; and   a fastener configured to pass through the aperture and mate with the nut.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein nut comprises a bottom surface and a hole extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the top surface comprises an upper inner taper about the hole. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom surface comprises a lower inner taper about the hole. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the nut comprises internal threads. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the aperture comprises an upper inner taper and the fastener comprises a tapered portion that corresponds to the upper inner taper of the aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener comprises external threads. 
     
     
         20 . A method for attaching an accessory to a rail of a firearm, the method comprising:
 forming an aperture in the accessory;   forming a slot in the accessory adjacent to the aperture;   providing a nut comprising a protrusion configured to mate with the slot; and   providing a fastener configured to pass through the aperture and mate with the nut.