Floating Side Rail Clamp Adaptor for Weapon Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon accessory mounting systems, such as those using Picatinny and Weaver rails, face difficulties in accommodating dimensional variations and combat damage, leading to complex and error-prone attachment processes, misalignment issues, and reduced reliability under field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A floating side rail clamp weapon accessory mount adaptor with a stationary side rail clamp, movable floating side rail clamp, and leaf spring system that applies evenly increasing force, allowing for wider variance in rail dimensions and simplifying attachment by eliminating the need for the 'align, tilt, roll, and snap' method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional weapon accessory mounting systems (Picatinny/Weaver rails) are used, then standardized attachment capability is provided, but dimensional variations and combat damage cause misalignment and attachment failures
Solution Approach 1:
The mount adaptor employs a dynamic floating side rail clamp mechanism that can move along the rail body to accommodate dimensional variations. The cam lever system allows the clamp to shift position dynamically, adapting to different rail dimensions and combat damage conditions, thereby maintaining reliable attachment without requiring precise pre-alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the floating side rail clamp relative to the rail body. By allowing the clamp to move along the rail body and adjust its position, the system can compensate for dimensional variations in the rail and maintain proper attachment, effectively transforming a static mounting system into one that can adapt to parameter changes.
2Ease of operation
If conventional mount adaptors with fixed side rails are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but complex alignment procedures ('align, tilt, roll, and snap') are required for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The floating side rail clamp mechanism simplifies attachment operations by allowing the clamp to move dynamically along the rail body during the mounting process. This eliminates the need for complex manual alignment procedures like 'align, tilt, roll, and snap,' as the mechanism self-adjusts to accommodate dimensional variations and achieves secure attachment through the cam lever locking action.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional biasing plates are used in mount adaptors, then structural simplicity is maintained, but uneven force application causes misalignment and attachment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional biasing plate mechanism with a cam lever system that provides controlled, progressive force application. The cam lever mechanism ensures even force distribution across the attachment surface, preventing misalignment and attachment errors while maintaining structural integrity through a more sophisticated mechanical system.
4Reliability
If conventional mount adaptors are used, then basic attachment function is provided, but combat damage and dimensional variations reduce reliability under field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The floating side rail clamp mechanism enhances field reliability by dynamically adapting to combat damage and dimensional variations. The cam lever system allows the clamp to shift position and maintain secure attachment even when the rail is damaged or varies from standard dimensions, ensuring the mount adaptor remains functional under harsh field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates inherent tolerance features that cushion against dimensional variations and combat damage before they can cause attachment failure. The floating clamp mechanism is designed to accommodate a range of rail dimensions and damage conditions, providing a buffer that maintains reliability under field conditions without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances.
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 more reliable, easy-to-use, and adaptable weapon accessory mounting system that can accommodate significant dimensional variations and combat damage, ensuring proper alignment and reducing the risk of accessory detachment, thus enhancing combat effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring system directly and operable coupled to the floating side rail clamp that applies evenly increasing force to the floating side rail clamp in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stationary side rail clamp engagement surface
Data Source
AI summary
A floating side rail clamp weapon accessory mount adaptor includes a stationary side rail clamp, a floating side rail clamp, and a leaf spring system that replaces prior art biasing plates. The floating side rail clamp moves as a single unit under evenly increasing influence provided by the leaf spring system coupled to the floating side rail clamp. The floating side rail clamp moves as a single unit such that a floating side rail clamp engagement surface of the floating side rail clamp remains substantially parallel to corresponding portion of a stationary side rail clamp engagement surface of the stationary side rail clamp as the floating side rail clamp moves, as a unit, towards the stationary side rail clamp in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stationary side rail clamp engagement surface.