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The invention provides a mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm. The mounting apparatus includes a coupler connectable to the accessory and having a tapered plug with a slot that extends inward from an outer wall of the plug. The apparatus further includes a support bas

The invention provides a mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm. The mounting apparatus includes a coupler connectable to the accessory and having a tapered plug with a slot that extends inward from an outer wall of the plug. The apparatus further includes a support base with an internal cavity extending between opposed side walls of the base. The support base has an aperture with an internal wall arrangement including an orifice wherein the aperture is dimensioned for reception of the plug. A keeper is slidably positioned within the internal cavity and has a finger that extends through the orifice and into the slot to retain the plug within the aperture. The apparatus is moveable between a secured position wherein the keeper finger extends through the orifice and into the slot of the plug positioned within the aperture, a released position wherein the keeper finger is disengaged from the orifice, and a detached position wherein the coupler and the accessory are removed from the base by applying a vertical lifting force.

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What is claimed is: 1. A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm, the mounting apparatus comprising: a coupler connectable to the accessory and having a downward tapered plug extending from a main body portion, the plug having a slot that extends inward from an outer wa

What is claimed is: 1. A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm, the mounting apparatus comprising: a coupler connectable to the accessory and having a downward tapered plug extending from a main body portion, the plug having a slot that extends inward from an outer wall of the plug; a support base having an internal cavity extending between opposed side walls of the base, the support base further having an aperture with an internal wall arrangement including an orifice, the aperture being cooperatively dimensioned with the plug for reception of the plug; a keeper slidably positioned within the internal cavity, the keeper having opposed arms that extend from a central portion of the keeper, wherein each arm has a finger that extends through the orifice and into the slot to retain the plug within the aperture; a release assembly having an actuator operably connected to the keeper, wherein the application of a release force to the actuator displaces the finger from the slot thereby permitting removal of the plug from the aperture. 2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release assembly includes a means for biasing the actuator, the biasing means positioned between the actuator and an internal wall of the base. 3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of an upper portion of the plug is greater than the diameter of a lower portion of the plug. 4. The mounting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the aperture has a downward taper wherein the diameter of an upper portion of the aperture is greater than the diameter of a lower portion of the aperture. 5. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aperture extends between an upper wall of the base and a lower wall of the base. 6. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupler includes an upper ring segment and a lower ring segment that collectively define a receiver, the receiver engaging an outer surface of the accessory. 7. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot includes a horizontal upper wall, a vertical internal wall and a sloped lower wall. 8. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keeper and the finger move in direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plug. 9. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger has a leading portion with an inclined upper surface, and wherein the leading portion extends through the orifice and into the slot to retain the plug within the aperture. 10. A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm, the mounting apparatus comprising: an accessory coupler having a plug extending from a main body portion, the plug having an inwardly extending slot; a support base having an internal cavity extending between opposed side walls of the base, the base further having an aperture cooperatively dimensioned with the plug for reception of the plug, the aperture having an internal wall arrangement with an orifice; a keeper slidably positioned within the internal cavity, the keeper having a central portion and an outwardly extending arm with a finger; an actuator slidably positioned within the internal cavity and operably connected to the keeper; the apparatus being moveable between a secured position wherein the finger extends through the orifice and into the slot to retain the plug within the aperture, and a released position wherein the finger exits the slot and aperture by passing through the orifice, and wherein the application of an inwardly directed releasing force to the actuator moves the apparatus from the secured position to the released position. 11. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the release assembly includes a means for biasing the actuator, the biasing means positioned between the actuator and an internal wall of the base. 12. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plug has a downward taper whereby the diameter of an upper portion of the plug is greater than the diameter of a lower portion of the plug. 13. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the releasing force is applied in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plug. 14. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the releasing force is applied in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aperture. 15. A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an accessory to a firearm, the mounting apparatus comprising: a coupler connectable to the accessory and having a plug extending from a main body portion, the plug having a slot that extends inward from an outer wall of the plug; a support base having an internal cavity extending between opposed side walls of the base, the base further having an aperture cooperatively dimensioned with the plug for reception of the plug, the aperture having an internal wall arrangement with an orifice; a keeper slidably positioned within the internal cavity, the keeper having a central portion with an extending arm and a finger extending from the arm, wherein the finger extends through the orifice and into the slot to retain the plug within the aperture; and, the apparatus being moveable between a secured position wherein the finger extends through the orifice and into the slot of the plug positioned within the aperture, and a released position wherein the finger is disengaged from the orifice, and a detached position wherein the coupler and the accessory are removed from the base. 16. The mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is moved between the secured position and the released position by the application of a releasing force to the keeper. 17. The mounting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the releasing force is directed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aperture. 18. The mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is moved between the released position and the detached position by the application of a detaching force to the firearm accessory. 19. The mounting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the detaching force is applied in a direction that is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis of the aperture. 20. The mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the both the aperture and the plug have a downward taper whereby the diameter of an upper portion is greater than the diameter of a lower portion.