Universal rail mounting system

Abstract

A mounting system enables modular accessories to be fastened to any flat surface. Multiple, parallel accessory rails are mounted in parallel to provide a mounting system over substantially all of the area of a flat surface. The rails are spaced apart by channels to allow inverted rails to be inserted between and fastened to the parallel rails to expand the mounting capabilities of the mounting system. Removable attachment devices are engagable with the channels and the rails of the enclosure to expand the interconnection capabilities of the enclosure.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 471,211, filed on Apr. 4, 2011; to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 471,689, filed on Apr. 4, 2011; to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 472,185, filed on Apr. 5, 2011; and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 532,513, filed on Sep. 8, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is in the field of mounting systems that enable accessories to be quickly connected to and disconnected from a base unit.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rail System is employed for the mounting of one or more auxiliary accessories to small arms (e.g. rifles, pistols, etc.). This system allows equipment such as a telescopic sight to be mounted along the same axis as the barrel of small arms and incorporates multiple accessories into a systematic whole.[0006]The STANAG 4694 N...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Naturally a system to allow attachments along and across planes, not lines, needs to be devised. As the STANAG 4694 provides a modular and efficient method for fastening auxiliary accessories across a straight line, it is utilized as the basis of the present invention.

[0010]The underlying concept behind the system is simple, mount multiple STANAG 4694 rails in parallel and in such a way as to allow inverted rails to be inserted between the parallel rails and subsequently fastened through an appropriate mechanism. In addition to this the present invention provides a system by which the invention can be mounted and joined across orthogonal surfaces via the use of a STANAG 4694 mounted at a 45 degree angle in relation to the surfaces.

[0013]The system also provides the ability to implement custom designed pieces, such as riser rails similar in shape to construction I-beams. The riser rail is simply an example of a specially designed accessory and the system's modularity allows for the integration of a vast number of user defined accessories.

Problems solved by technology

While the STANAG 4694 is a both a robust and highly effective system, it is limited by the fact the accessories may only be mounted along the center-line of a single rail.

While this is an acceptable limitation for small arms it constricts its use in other applications.

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