Low-Profile Accessory Coupling Member for Firearm Rails

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for coupling firearm accessories to accessory rails are often cumbersome, expensive, and prone to mechanical failure due to numerous moving parts, and can protrude and snag on objects, making them inconvenient and less user-friendly, especially in high-stress situations.

Innovation Solution

A system using a coupling member with a head that fits within the accessory rail, featuring a threaded body with a drive region at the opposite end, allowing for secure compression of the accessory without the need for external nuts or protruding mechanisms, and incorporating designs like inverted screws and T-nut configurations for efficient and low-profile attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw and nut method is used to couple accessory to rail, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the screw head and nut functions into a single integrated coupling member. The coupling member includes an internal threaded bore (nut function) and an external drive region (screw head function), eliminating the need for separate nuts and simplifying the coupling mechanism while maintaining secure attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling member serves multiple functions: it provides threading for secure attachment, includes a drive region for tool engagement, and features a low-profile design that prevents snagging. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate components into a single universal coupling element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If slide-on mechanism with screw-core locking is used, then attachment security is improved, but ease of operation worsens and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is pre-configured with the internal threaded bore and drive region, allowing the accessory to be directly screwed onto the rail without requiring preliminary alignment of multiple components or activation of locking mechanisms. The attachment action is simplified to a single screwing motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If protruding coupling mechanisms are used, then attachment security is achieved, but harmful factors increase due to snagging risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidsnagging hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the coupling mechanism protrude outward from the accessory, the patent inverts the design by placing the drive region at the end of the coupling member that interfaces with the rail, while the head remains recessed within the accessory. This inversion eliminates the protruding hazard while maintaining the attachment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple moving parts are used in coupling mechanism, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased mechanical failure risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical failure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts from the coupling mechanism. By integrating the nut and screw head functions into a single coupling member with a simple threaded bore and drive region, the design removes multiple separate components that could fail, while still providing adequate coupling flexibility for various accessory types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a low-profile, user-friendly, and secure attachment method that reduces the risk of snagging and mechanical failure, enhancing ease of use and speed in critical situations like combat or law enforcement.

Implementation Method 1

drive the threaded body of the coupling member into the threaded hole of the accessory such that the coupling member and accessory are compressed against the accessory rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10260841B2Firearm accessory mounting system

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 BRAVO COMPANY MFG

AI summary

A firearm accessory mounting system includes a mounting assembly coupled to a firearm accessory, a mounting fastener, and a mounting bolt. The mounting fastener is rotatable between a locked positioned and an unlocked position. The mounting bolt is coupled to the mounting fastener for rotating the mounting fastener between the locked position and the unlocked position.