Gun-Mountable Light Clamping Mechanism for Secure Rail Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gun-mountable lights lack a snug fit on gun rails, leading to play and variability in direction, requiring multiple lights for different manufacturers' guns, and pose safety risks during attachment due to hand placement near the muzzle.
Innovation Solution
A light design with a clamping arrangement and keying system that provides a secure, repeatable mount using a clamping screw and interchangeable keying members, allowing the light to be snapped onto and off the rail without hand placement in front of the muzzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slide-on mount with spring-loaded cross bar is used, then the light can be easily attached and removed, but the mount does not provide a snug fit and introduces substantial play
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses a movable clamp member that can be dynamically adjusted between a mounted state (clamped against the rail) and a removed state (disengaged from the rail). The clamp member moves along the rail under spring bias, allowing easy attachment by sliding into position and secure mounting when clamped, while maintaining mounting precision through the keyed connection that prevents lateral play.
2Productivity
If conventional slide-on mounts are used, then the light can be quickly mounted, but the mounting is not repeatable and accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the conventional spring-loaded cross bar mechanical system with a clamp member that uses a keyed connection system. The key member engages with a keyway in the rail to provide precise positioning and repeatable mounting, while the clamp screw provides secure clamping. This substitution maintains quick mounting capability while achieving accurate and repeatable positioning.
3Ease of operation
If a separate cover is provided for accessing the battery compartment, then the battery can be accessed, but the size and weight of the light increase
Solution Approach 1:
The head is designed to be removable and serves dual functions: it provides the light-emitting function and simultaneously serves as the cover for the battery compartment. When the head is removed, it provides access to the battery cavity. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate cover, reducing the overall size and weight of the light while maintaining ease of battery access.
4Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable keying members are used, then the light can mount on various gun rails, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keying system is segmented into interchangeable key members that can be independently selected and attached to the clamp member. Each key member is designed to fit a specific rail configuration. This segmentation allows the user to have a single light body with different key members for different rails, reducing overall system complexity compared to having multiple complete light assemblies, while maintaining versatility across different gun rail types.
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A light (10,10') may comprise a light body (40,40') having an opening for receiving an electrical power source (149), and a head (20,20') including a light source (360) and having an end for engaging the light body (40,40'). A head (20,20') for a light (10,10') may comprise a light source (360), a reflector, an end for engaging a light body; and an insulating member. At least three concentric and/or coaxial electrical contacts of the head are enclosed by the head and light body when the head and light body are engaged. One of the three concentric electrical contacts may provide an electrical connection to the light source and one of the three concentric electrical contacts may be for making an electrical connection to an electrical power source.