초록 ▼

A new and useful structure and method are provided that enable a coupling device to be integrated with an auxiliary device and to be effectively operated to securely couple the auxiliary device to a male dovetail rail (e.g. the male dovetail rail of a firearm). In addition, the structure and method

A new and useful structure and method are provided that enable a coupling device to be integrated with an auxiliary device and to be effectively operated to securely couple the auxiliary device to a male dovetail rail (e.g. the male dovetail rail of a firearm). In addition, the structure and method of the present invention are designed to provide a range of adjustment over which the coupling structure can be effectively operated. Thus, the coupling structure can take up a range of tolerance variations in the manufacture of the male dovetail rail.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus comprising a. a male dovetail rail, b. an auxiliary device, and c. coupling structure integrated with the auxiliary device in a manner that enables the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled with the male dovetail rail or uncoupled from the male dovetail rail; d

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus comprising a. a male dovetail rail, b. an auxiliary device, and c. coupling structure integrated with the auxiliary device in a manner that enables the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled with the male dovetail rail or uncoupled from the male dovetail rail; d. the coupling structure comprising a side bar and a flex bar in facing but spaced relationship, a cam lever that is pivotal relative to the flex bar, and a recoil locking cross bolt connected with the side bar, flex bar and cam lever in a manner such that (i) pivotal movement of the cam lever in one direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, draws the side bar towards the dovetail rail, and establishes and maintains mating surfaces between the side bar and dovetail rail, enabling the auxiliary device to be coupled to the male dovetail rail, and (ii) pivotal movement of the lever in an opposite direction initiates a slight bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar away from the dovetail rail, enabling the auxiliary sight device to be uncoupled from the male dovetail rail. 2. Apparatus for use in coupling an auxiliary device with a male dovetail rail, comprising a. coupling structure that can be integrated with an auxiliary device in a manner such that the coupling structure can enable the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled with or uncoupled from a male dovetail rail; b. the coupling structure comprising a side bar and a flex bar configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the auxiliary device, a cam lever that is pivotal relative to the flex bar, and a recoil locking cross bolt connected with the side bar, flex bar and lever in a manner such that (i) pivotal movement of the lever in one direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, draws the side bar towards the flex bar, and establishes and maintains engagement between the side bar and the dovetail rail, and (ii) pivotal movement of the lever in an opposite direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar away from the dovetail rail, thus enabling the auxiliary sight device to be uncoupled from the male dovetail rail. 3. Apparatus for use in coupling an auxiliary device of a type that includes a side bar with a male dovetail rail, comprising a. coupling structure that can be integrated with an auxiliary device in a manner such that the coupling structure can enable the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled with or uncoupled from a male dovetail rail; b. the coupling structure comprising a flex bar configured to be disposed on an opposite side of the auxiliary device as the side bar, a cam lever that is pivotal relative to the flex bar, and a recoil locking cross bolt configured to be connected with the flex bar, the lever and the side bar of the auxiliary device in a manner such that (i) pivotal movement of the lever in one direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, draws the side bar towards the flex bar, and establishes and maintains engagement between the side bar and the dovetail rail, and (ii) pivotal movement of the lever in an opposite direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar away from the dovetail rail, thus enabling the auxiliary sight device to be uncoupled from the male dovetail rail. 4. A method for integrating coupling structure into an auxiliary device to enable the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled and uncoupled with a male dovetail rail, comprising the steps of a. providing a side bar and a flex bar configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the auxiliary device, and a cam lever that is pivotal relative to the flex bar, and b. connecting a recoil locking cross bolt with the side bar, flex bar and cam lever in a manner such that (i) pivotal movement of the lever in one direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar towards the flex bar, and establishes and maintains engagement between the side bar and the male dovetail rail, to enable the auxiliary device to be coupled to the male dovetail rail, and (ii) pivotal movement of the lever in an opposite direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar away from the flex bar, thus enabling the auxiliary device to be uncoupled from the male dovetail rail. 5. A method for integrating coupling structure into an auxiliary device, comprising the steps of a. providing components for forming an auxiliary device, and b. integrating coupling structure into the auxiliary device in a manner that enables the auxiliary device to be coupled to a male dovetail rail; c. the coupling structure including a side bar, flex bar, moveable lever with a cam that acts on the flex bar, a recoil locking bolt and a retention spring that biases the side bar away from the flex bar, and d. the coupling characteristics of the coupling being configured to enable the cam to selectively act on the flex bar in a manner that (i) initiates a bend in the flex bar, pulls the side bar toward the flex bar, and establishes and maintains engagement between the side bar and the male dovetail rail or (ii) releases at least some tension on the flex bar and enables the retention spring to push and maintain the side bar away from the flex bar. 6. Apparatus comprising a. an auxiliary device, and b. coupling structure integrated with the auxiliary device in a manner that enables the auxiliary device to be selectively coupled with or uncoupled from a male dovetail rail; d. the coupling structure comprising a side bar and a flex bar in facing but spaced relationship, a cam lever that is pivotal relative to the flex bar, and a recoil locking cross bolt connected with the side bar, flex bar and cam lever in a manner such that (i) pivotal movement of the cam lever in one direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, draws the side bar towards the flex bar, and establishes and maintains engagement between the side bar and the male dovetail rail, enabling the auxiliary device to be coupled to a male dovetail rail, and (ii) pivotal movement of the lever in an opposite direction initiates a bend in the flex bar, moves the side bar away from the flex bar, enabling the auxiliary device to be uncoupled from a male dovetail rail. 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the flex bar is configured to enable the auxiliary device to be secured thereto, to enable the coupling structure to be integrated with the auxiliary device. 8. A method as defined in claim 4, including configuring the flex bar in a manner that enables an auxiliary device to be secured to the flex bar. 9. A method as defined in claim 5, including configuring the flex bar in a manner that enables an auxiliary device to be secured to the flex bar. 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the recoil locking cross bolt extends through a hole in the flex bar and through a hole in a cam pivot, the recoil locking cross bolt has threads at one end that enable the recoil locking cross bolt to engage a threaded opening in a side bar, and the other end of the recoil locking cross bolt has a head that is disposed between sides of the cam lever, and wherein the head of the recoil locking cross bolt has a plurality of openings that are located about its periphery such that pairs of the openings can be selectively aligned with openings in the sides of the cam lever in a selected orientation, and those pairs of openings can be maintained in the selected orientation by interconnection of a pivot lock with the cam pivot, each of which extends through the openings in the sides of the cam lever. 11. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein the coupling structure is configured such that the recoil locking cross bolt extends through a hole in the flex bar and through a hole in a cam pivot, the recoil locking cross bolt has threads at one end that enable the recoil locking cross bolt to engage a threaded opening in a side bar, and the other end of the recoil locking cross bolt has a head that is disposed between sides of the cam lever, and wherein the head of the recoil locking cross bolt has a plurality of openings that are located about its periphery such that pairs of the openings can be selectively aligned with openings in the sides of the cam lever in a selected orientation, and those pairs of openings can be maintained in the selected orientation by interconnection of a pivot lock with the cam pivot, each of which extends trough the openings in the sides of the cam lever.