CLAMPING SYSTEM FOR ADDITIONAL DEVICES ON A PICATINNY RAIL

Description

[0001] Self-loading rifles, such as assault rifles for military use, are often equipped with additional devices such as telescopic sights, red dot sights, lights, lasers, bipods, etc. For easy and repeatable attachment of these accessories, these weapons are usually equipped with dovetail rails on the top of their system, which are manufactured according to MIL-STD-1913 or standards based on MIL-STD-1913. Dovetail rails of this type are referred to as "Picatinny rails" and consist of a profile running in the direction of fire, which is provided with transverse grooves at regular intervals. The mounting systems for attaching additional devices are equipped with at least one recoil lug on the side facing the Picatinny rail, which engages in one of the transverse grooves.The handguard and other parts of the weapon can also be equipped with Picatinny rails, whereby the Picatinny rails can be an integral part of a component of the weapon or as separate parts that can be connected to the corresponding weapon component, for example by a screw connection.

[0002] A clamping system for additional devices on Picatinny rails is disclosed, for example, in EP 2 339 287 A2. This mounting system has either a nut system or a lever system for clamping onto the Picatinny rail. The dimensions of the lever system were designed in such a way that the relatively long lever allows a very high clamping force to be applied and the curved shape of the lever makes it easy to operate even when wearing gloves. If, for example, rifle scopes are attached using such clamping systems, the adjustment turrets for parallax compensation, illumination unit and windage adjustment attached to the left and right of the rifle scope protrude further laterally than the nut or lever system. The clamping system therefore does not interfere with use of the weapon. This mounting system is also very suitable for clamping night vision or thermal imaging attachments.Even these very wide and heavy attachments, in most cases, extend significantly beyond the clamping system. A further advantage of the lever system, even over the nut system disclosed in the same application, is its tool-free operation and the consistently constant clamping torque.

[0003] A clamping system constructed according to EP 2 339 287 A2 is very wide, as the lever extends laterally far beyond the width of the Picatinny rail. This is due to the fact that the contact surface of the movable clamping jaw with the lever is located laterally next to the Picatinny rail. Furthermore, the lever's rotation axis is offset even further outward from the Picatinny rail than the contact surface of the movable clamping jaw.

[0004] Widely used military self-loading weapons, such as AR15 and AR10-type weapons, feature a Picatinny rail and a rear-mounted charging handle on top of their receiver. Rear-mounted means that the charging handle's controls extend laterally beyond the width of the Picatinny rail, but are located behind the end of the Picatinny rail facing the shooter. This means that clamping systems that protrude far to the side do not interfere with the operation of the charging handle.

[0005] To accommodate additional equipment, bolt-action rifles often feature Picatinny rails on their receivers. Here, too, clamping systems that protrude far to the side are not a problem if the clamping system controls are located on the closed left side of the receiver when viewed in the direction of fire, and the accessories are designed accordingly. The receivers of bolt-action rifles typically have the ejection port on the right side. In this case, clamping systems that protrude far can impede case ejection. Therefore, the operating elements of the mounting systems on bolt-action rifles are usually installed on the left side of the weapon.

[0006] The development of military self-loading weapons has recently produced weapon systems in which the charging handle is located very close to the side of the Picatinny rail and, viewed in the direction of fire, at the height of the mounted sight. Examples of weapons of this type include the HK433 and HK437 from Heckler & Koch, the CZ BREN from Česká zbrojovka a.s., and the FN-SCAR from Fabrique Nationale Herstal. Operating the charging handle can result in injuries if the shooter's hand gets caught on the controls of the sight clamp system.

[0007] Single-magnification red dot sights with a closed housing are often used as sighting optics for various types of weapons. On the side of the optics housing, many devices of this type feature the battery housing or the dial for the various illumination levels. The dial or the battery housing often form a single unit. Recent developments have led to optics housings being very slim and devoid of any protruding components. One example of this design is the ACRO from Aimpoint. A very slim clamping system offers significant advantages in preventing the optics from snagging on the shooter's clothing and improving the handling of the entire system consisting of weapon and sighting optics.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a clamping system for accessories on Picatinny rails, particularly for attaching single-magnification red dot sights, that has very little lateral overhang beyond the width of the Picatinny rail and can be operated without tools. To expand the range of applications of such a clamping system, its clamping force must be large enough to allow it to be used universally on all types of weapons. At the same time, it should be easy and safe to operate while wearing gloves. To accommodate the varying sight heights of the most common types of weapons, it should be possible to build it at different heights.

[0009] To enable tool-free operation, clamping systems operated by nuts or screws are not an option. The advantage of such clamping systems is the high clamping force that can be applied using the operating key. Such clamping systems are therefore also suitable for use on heavy machine guns, for example.

[0010] In addition to EP 2 339 287 A2, various clamping systems for additional devices on Picatinny rails are already known in the prior art: DE 20 2011 002 180 U1 discloses a clamping system that can be operated without tools using clamping levers. The levers fit very tightly against the body of the mounting device, but are very short, resulting in a relatively low clamping force.

[0011] US 6,606,813 B1 shows a clamping system that is particularly low-profile and can be operated without tools using a clamping lever. Fig. 10It is evident that the pivot axis of the lever is significantly further away from the center of the Picatinny rail than the outer surface of the movable clamping jaw, which means that the lever protrudes relatively far to the side.

[0012] US 2013 / 0312307 A1 shows a clamping system with a relatively small lateral projection. A spring transmits a tensile force to a wedge-shaped component, which in turn transmits the clamping force to the movable clamping jaw. To unlock the clamping system, the wedge-shaped component is moved against the spring force using a push button. A disadvantage of this system is the relatively low clamping force exerted by the spring and the wedge-shaped component.

[0013] US 2010 / 0107467 A1 discloses a clamping system that can be operated without tools using a lever. Fig. 2 and Fig. 5It can be seen that the vertically arranged rotation axes of the levers are significantly further away from the center of the Picatinny rail than the outer surfaces of the clamping jaws, which results in a relatively large lateral overhang of the clamping levers.

[0014] US 2017 / 0261288 A1 discloses a clamping system that has a very small lateral projection and can be operated without tools. Clamping is achieved by means of a screw-like component whose head has raised and recessed portions along its circumference. These raised and recessed portions serve, on the one hand, to secure the clamped portion in the clamped state (see Fig. 10 and Fig. 24), on the other hand, they provide the necessary grip to operate the component by hand. The torque applied to the screw-like component by hand alone, and consequently the clamping force transferred to the Picatinny rail, is relatively low.

[0015] WO 2005 / 083351 A1 shows a clamping system that can be operated without tools using a horizontally pivoting lever. Figures 2 and 3 It is evident that the vertically arranged pivot axis is significantly farther from the center of the Picatinny rail than the outer surface of the movable clamping jaw. This arrangement results in the mounting device projecting relatively far laterally. Fig. 1 It can be seen that the lever is completely integrated into the housing in its closed position, but only because the outer wall of the housing has been extended sufficiently far beyond the outer surface of the movable clamping jaw.

[0016] EP 3 783 294 B1 discloses a clamping system in which the lever's pivot axis is arranged horizontally. To apply the clamping force, the lever must be pivoted upward, where it rests against the housing, resulting in a relatively large minimum housing height. Here, too, the lever's pivot axis is located farther from the center of the Picatinny rail than the outer surface of the movable clamping jaw, resulting in a relatively large lateral overhang.

[0017] The objective of the invention is to create a clamping system for accessories on Picatinny rails that has the smallest possible lateral overhang over the Picatinny rail and can be operated without tools. The clamping force should be sufficiently high to allow safe use on all types of weapons, and it should be possible to mount it at different heights.

[0018] The object is achieved by a clamping device having the features of claim 1. Expedient embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0019] The clamping device according to the invention comprises a horizontally pivoting lever with an eccentric cam and a movable clamping jaw for its operation. The contact surface of the movable clamping jaw with the eccentric cam on the lever is located above the surface and within the width of the Picatinny rail. This enables a significantly slimmer design of the mounting device, as the contact surface has been relocated from the outside of the movable clamping jaw toward the center of the Picatinny rail.

[0020] By moving the contact surface towards the center of the Picatinny rail, the lever can be fully integrated into the slim housing when closed.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lever is equipped with a safety catch and, due to its relatively long length, protrudes beyond the front or rear end of the housing when locked, at least with the safety catch. This allows the lever to be operated easily and safely even while wearing gloves, and its length generates a relatively high clamping force.

[0022] The vertical arrangement of the lever's pivot axis enables a relatively low overall height of the housing, since this arrangement allows the clamping lever to be pivoted horizontally and does not have to be folded upwards onto the housing.

[0023] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the figures.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing has only one clamping system according to the invention. In further embodiments of the invention not shown in the figures, multiple clamping systems can be installed simultaneously in one housing.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 a clamping system according to EP 2 339 287 A2, corresponding to the prior art, in a perspective view, Fig. 2 a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, with an additional device mounted on the housing, clamped on the Picatinny rail of an assault rifle, in a perspective view, Fig. 3 a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, in an exploded view, Fig. 4 a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, in a perspective view obliquely from below, Fig. 5 a movable clamping jaw in a perspective view, Fig. 6 the lever in a perspective view, Fig. 7 a clamping system in the released state, installed in a housing, in a view from below in section, Fig. 8 a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, in a view from below in section, Fig.9a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, clamped on the Picatinny rail of an assault rifle, in a rear sectional view, Fig. 10a clamping system in the clamped state, installed in a housing, clamped on the Picatinny rail of an assault rifle, in a side view from the left.

[0026] The Fig. 1shows a clamping system according to EP 2 339 287 A2, corresponding to the prior art. The clamping system is shown clamped onto a Picatinny rail. It is evident that the lever extends very far laterally beyond the Picatinny rail, since the contact surface of the movable clamping jaw to the lever's eccentric is arranged laterally next to the Picatinny rail. In addition, the lever's axis of rotation is offset even further laterally to the outside next to the Picatinny rail than the contact surface of the movable clamping jaw to the lever's eccentric. Due to the design, the contact surface of the movable clamping jaw is formed by its outer surface.

[0027] Fig. 2shows an inventive clamping system for additional devices in the clamped state on a Picatinny rail 1. The clamping system is installed in a housing 2, the upper side of which is provided with an interface 3 for receiving an additional device 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the interface 3 is designed, by way of example, to receive the ACRO single-magnification red dot sight from Aimpoint. The interface 3 can be designed for any type of additional device, such as red dot sights, telescopic sights, optical magnifiers, lasers, lamps, rangefinders, etc. The housing 2 is clamped onto the Picatinny rail 1 by the inventive clamping system.

[0028] The height H1 of the housing 2 determines the height H2 of the optical axis of the additional device 4. Both dimensions are measured from the surface of the Picatinny rail 1 on which the housing 2 rests with its base surface 50 (see Fig. 3) when the clamping system is clamped. Different types of weapons require different heights for the various additional devices. If, for example, a lamp or a laser is to be attached using the clamping system according to the invention, it is advisable to select the technically lowest possible height H1. If, for example, a red dot sight is to be attached to a repeating rifle, the height H1 should be lower than when attaching the same red dot sight to an assault rifle. When attaching aiming devices, the height H1 is highly dependent on the height of the cheek rest of the shoulder rest or the stock of the weapon. The opening 5 in the housing 2 serves to save weight. If the housing 2 is to be designed with a greater height H1 than in Fig. 1 shown, the height of the opening 5 increases. If the housing 2 is to be built at its lowest possible height H1, the opening 5 can be omitted.

[0029] Fig. 2Shows the charging handle 6 in its forward end position. To charge the weapon, the charging handle 6 must be pulled manually in the groove 7 to its rear end position. With clamping systems that protrude far beyond the barrel, this movement can cause hand injuries.

[0030] To avoid injuries, the housing 2 has a very narrow design. No components of the clamping system according to the invention installed therein protrude laterally beyond the housing 2. The housing 2 has bevels at the front and rear, and the movable clamping jaw 8 has rounded portions on its claw 9. The lever 10 is fully integrated into the housing 2 when closed.

[0031] Fig. 3shows the lever 10 with the groove 11 and the transverse bore 12 therein. A securing element in the form of a pawl 13 has a bore 14. With the aid of the clamping sleeve 15, the pawl 13 is rotatably mounted in the lever 10. The compression spring 51 presses the pawl 13 with its stop surface 16 against the bottom of the groove 11.

[0032] The locking pin 17 is fixed in the bore 18 in the housing 2 by gluing or pressing and serves to secure the lever 10 against unintentional opening.

[0033] The pivot pin 19 (see Fig. 6) of the lever 10 is mounted in the elongated hole 20 of the base body 2 so that it can rotate and be moved transversely to the direction of fire. Using the adjusting screw 21, the position of the lever 10 can be adjusted transversely to the Picatinny rail 1. This allows manufacturing tolerances on the prism of the Picatinny rail 1 and in the clamping system to be compensated for and the desired clamping force to be set. The plastic pin 22 is inserted into the blind hole 49, which runs axially parallel to the internal thread 48 and partially protrudes into the internal thread 48. The thread flanks of the adjusting screw 21 thus deform the plastic pin 22, which secures the adjusting screw 21 against unintentional twisting.

[0034] The claw 9 of the movable clamping jaw 8 is pulled in the clamped state by the eccentric cam 23 of the lever 10 against the first lower flank 24 of the Picatinny rail 1 (see also Fig. 2). The housing 2 is supported with its first fixed jaw 26 and its second fixed jaw 27 on the opposite second lower flank 25 of the Picatinny rail 1 and the base body 2 is pulled onto the surface of the Picatinny rail 1.

[0035] The stop 28 on the housing 2 serves to absorb the recoil forces. When clamped, it engages in one of the transverse grooves of the Picatinny rail 1 and rests with its front stop surface 29 against the rear wall of the corresponding transverse groove.

[0036] In Fig. 4 the run-on bevel 30 on the locking pawl 13 is visible. If the clamping system is brought into the clamped position by pivoting the lever 10, the locking pawl 13 slides along the run-on bevel 30 over the locking pin 17. The compression spring 51, see Fig. 3, is compressed. As soon as the locking pin 17 has been overcome, the locking pawl 13 engages in the undercut between the locking pin 17 and the locking surface 31 on the housing 2.

[0037] In Fig. 5 The movable clamping jaw 8 with its contact surface 32 can be seen. The eccentric cam 23 (see Fig. 3 ) on the lever 10 rolls on the contact surface 32 when it is actuated. The first compression spring 33 and the second compression spring 34, see Fig. 3 , ensure constant contact of the surface 32 with the eccentric cam 23 over the entire pivoting range of the lever 10. The movable clamping jaw 8 is held in the first guide groove 36 by the first extension 35 (see Fig. 10 ) and by the second extension 37 in the second guide groove 38 (see Fig. 10 ) is mounted in the housing 2. The support plate 39, see Fig. 3 , is screwed into the housing 2 by means of the countersunk screw 40 and supports the two compression springs 33 and 34.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows the lever 10 with the eccentric cam 23, on which the free surface 41 with its distance F to the axis of rotation 43 of the lever 10 and the radius surface 42 with its radius R around the axis of rotation 43 of the lever 10 are located. The radius R is greater than the distance F, whereby the difference between the two dimensions was chosen to be large enough that the claw 9 of the movable clamping jaw 8 releases the Picatinny rail 1 when the clamping system is open and the mounting device can be removed.

[0039] In Fig. 7 It can be seen that the eccentric cam 23, in the released state of the clamping system, rests with its free surface 41 on the contact surface 32. The path when opening the lever 10 is limited by the first stop surface 44 (see Fig. 3 ) in housing 2.

[0040] In Fig. 8It can be seen that the eccentric cam 23, in the clamped state of the clamping system, rests with its radius surface 42 on the contact surface 32. The path when closing the lever 10 is limited by the second stop surface 45 (see Fig. 3 ) in housing 2.

[0041] Fig. 9illustrates that when clamped onto the Picatinny rail 1, the contact surface 32 of the movable clamping jaw 8 to the eccentric cam 23 of the pivot lever 10 lies above the surface and within the width B of the Picatinny rail 1. The adjusting screw 21 presses against the pivot pin 19, whereby the eccentric cam 23 is pressed with the radius surface 42 against the contact surface 32 of the movable clamping jaw 8. It can also be seen that the axis of rotation 43 of the lever 10 is closer to the center 46 of the Picatinny rail 1 than the outer surface 47 of the movable clamping jaw 8. In the clamping systems shown in the prior art, which are actuated with levers, the contact between the lever and the movable clamping jaw always occurs on an outer surface of the clamping jaw.In the clamping system according to the invention, this contact surface was relocated above the surface and within the width B of the Picatinny rail 1, thereby achieving a significantly narrower design of the overall system. Furthermore, it can be seen that the rotation axis 43 of the lever 10 lies within the width B of the Picatinny rail 1, which also contributes to a significantly narrower design of the overall system. The upwardly open, gray-shaded field in . Fig. 9 , defines the area in which the contact surface 32 is located in a clamping system according to the invention. If, as in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation 43 of the lever 10 also runs through this field, it is closer to the center 46 of the Picatinny rail 1 than the outer surface 47 of the movable clamping jaw 8, which also contributes to a smaller lateral overhang.

[0042] In Fig. 10It can be seen that at least the locking pawl 13 protrudes beyond the front end of the housing 2. This makes it easier to move the lever 10 from the clamped to the released position by the operator actuating the locking pawl 13 with one finger, holding it pressed, and simultaneously pulling the lever 10 with its help. Depending on the design of the clamping system and the housing 2, it is conceivable that the lever 10 itself also partially protrudes beyond the front end of the housing 2.

[0043] In Fig. 2 the lever 10 is shown on the left side of the housing 2 and pointing forward in the firing direction. In other versions not shown in the Figures 2 to 10 In the embodiments of the invention shown, the lever 10 can be located on the right side of the housing 2 and / or pointing rearward in the firing direction. Depending on the design of the interface 3, the housing 2 can be rotated 180° and placed on the Picatinny rail 1.

[0044] In another, not in the Figures 2 to 10 In the version shown, the pawl 13 is not rotatably mounted, but is designed to be displaceable against a spring force relative to the lever 10.

[0045] In another, not in the Figures 2 to 10 In the version shown, the spring installed between the lever 10 and the rotatably mounted pawl 13 is designed as a leg spring.

[0046] In another, not in the Figures 2 to 10 In the embodiment shown, the undercut into which the locking pawl 13 engages when clamped on the Picatinny rail 1 is formed, for example, by a correspondingly shaped groove in the housing 2.

[0047] In another, not in the Figures 2 to 10In the embodiment shown, the clamping system is simpler for cost reasons, ie, it is designed without a locking pawl 13 to prevent unintentional opening of the lever 10. In this embodiment, the lever 10 itself partially projects beyond the front or rear end of the housing 2. List of reference symbols

[0048] 1Picatinny rail 2Housing 3Interface 4Additional device 5Breakthrough 6Charging handle 7Groove for charging handle 8Movable clamping jaw 9Claw of the movable clamping jaw 10Lever 11Groove in the lever 12Hole in the lever 13Pawl 14Hole in the pawl 15Clamping sleeve 16Stop surface on the pawl 17Safety pin 18Hole for safety pin 19Pivot pin 20Elongated hole 21Adjusting screw 22Plastic pin 23Eccentric cam 24First lower flank of the Picatinny rail 25Second lower flank of the Picatinny rail 26First fixed cheek .27Second fixed jaw 28Stop 29Front stop surface 30Starting bevel 31Securing surface 32Contact surface 33First compression spring 34Second compression spring 35First extension 36First guide groove 37Second extension 38Second guide groove 39Support plate 40Countersunk screw 41Free surface 42Radius surface 43Rotation axis of the lever 44First stop surface in the housing 45Second stop surface in the housing 46Center of the Picatinny rail 47Outer surface of the movable clamping jaw 48Internal thread 49Blind hole 50Bottom surface 51Compression spring.

Claims

1. Clamping system for accessories on a Picatinny rail (1), which can be moved by means of a horizontally pivotable lever (10) from a released state into a state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1), characterized in that, in the state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1), a contact face (32) of a movable clamping jaw (8) with respect to the eccentric cam (23) of the lever (10) is located above the surface and within the width B of the Picatinny rail (1).

2. Clamping system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rotation axis (43) of the lever (10) is located closer to the center (46) of the Picatinny rail (1) than the outer face (47) of the movable clamping jaw (8).

3. Clamping system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the rotation axis (43) of the lever (10) is located within the width B of the Picatinny rail (1).

4. Clamping system according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the lever (10) has on the upper side thereof a rotary pin (19) and on the lower side thereof an eccentric cam (23).

5. Clamping system according to Claim 4, characterized in that the clamping system is installed in a housing, wherein the housing (2) has an elongate hole (20) in which the rotary pin (19) of the lever (10) is mounted rotatably and displaceably transversely relative to the Picatinny rail (1).

6. Clamping system according to Claim 5, characterized in that the housing (2) has an inner thread (48), which extends transversely relative to the Picatinny rail (1) and has an adjustment screw (21) which is screwed therein, and a blind hole bore (49) having a plastics material pin (22) located therein, wherein the inner thread (48) and the blind hole bore (49) extend axially parallel with respect to each other.

7. Clamping system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the blind hole bore (49) protrudes partially into the inner thread (48) and the thread flanks of the adjustment screw (21) deform the plastics material pin (22).

8. Clamping system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the position of the lever (10) transversely relative to the Picatinny rail (1) can be adjusted by means of the adjustment screw (21) screwed in the inner thread (48).

9. Clamping system according to Claim 4, characterized in that the eccentric cam (23) of the lever (10) in the released state of the clamping system presses with the free face (41) against the contact face (32) on the movable clamping jaw (8), and in that the eccentric cam (23) of the lever (10) in the state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1) presses with the radius face (42) against the contact face (32) on the movable clamping jaw (8), and in that the radius (R) of a radius face (42) about the rotation axis (43) of the lever (10) is greater than the distance (F) of the free face (41) with respect to the rotation axis (43) of the lever (10).

10. Clamping system according to Claim 9, characterized in that the difference between the radius (R) and the distance (F) is so great that a claw (9) of the movable clamping jaw (8) releases the Picatinny rail (1) in the open state of the clamping system and the housing (2) with the clamping system can be removed, and in that, in the state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1), the claw (9) of the movable clamping jaw (8) bears on a first lower flank (24) of the Picatinny rail (1) and a first fixed jaw (26) and a second fixed jaw (27) bears on a second lower flank (25) of the Picatinny rail (1) and the base face (50) of the housing (2) rests on the surface of the Picatinny rail (1).

11. Clamping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has on the base face (50) thereof a stop (28) which, in the state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1), engages in one of the cross slots of the Picatinny rail (1).

12. Clamping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is rotatably or displaceably secured on the lever (10) a lever pawl (13) which, in the state clamped on the Picatinny rail (1), engages in an undercut on the housing (2) as a result of the force of a spring.

13. Clamping system according to Claim 12, characterized in that the lever pawl (13) protrudes beyond the front or rear end of the housing (2).

14. Clamping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (10) protrudes beyond the front or rear end of the housing (2).