Optic Mount Assembly Lever Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional side rail systems for rifles often experience loosening of fasteners due to vibrations, leading to inadvertent movement of optic mounts, and may not be optimally dimensioned for different types of mounts, resulting in shifting or disassembly issues.
Innovation Solution
An optic mount assembly featuring a clamping bar and lever system, where the lever is pivotally coupled to the clamping bar with a fastener, allowing for adjustable engagement with the side rail to prevent lateral and vertical movement, and incorporating springs for quick-release functionality and customization for various side rail sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fastener is used to secure the optic mount to the side rail, then the optic mount can be attached to the side rail, but the fastener may loosen due to vibrations during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fastener system to a dynamic lever-based clamping mechanism. The lever can be manually positioned to tighten or release the clamping bar, providing active control over the optic mount's securing state. This dynamic system allows the user to reliably secure the mount when needed while easily releasing it when adjustment is required, overcoming the vibration-induced loosening problem of traditional static fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from a traditional screw-based system and implements it through a lever-operated clamping mechanism. By removing the threaded fastener and replacing it with a lever that directly actuates the clamping bar, the system eliminates the vibration-induced loosening issue inherent in threaded connections while maintaining secure attachment capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional side rail dimensions are used, then the side rail can be manufactured with standard dimensions, but the engagement protrusion and opening may not be optimally dimensioned for different types of optic mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable lever mechanism that allows the engagement dimensions to be dynamically changed based on the specific optic mount being installed. The lever can be positioned at different angles and tensions, enabling the same side rail to accommodate various optic mount sizes and types. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility without requiring multiple fixed-dimension side rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement parameters (clamping force, lever angle, position) to adapt to different optic mount requirements. By allowing these parameters to be adjusted rather than fixed, the side rail can optimally engage different types of optic mounts while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-distance clamping bar and lever system is used, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but it cannot be customized for differently sized side rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed-distance clamping bar and lever system into a dynamically adjustable mechanism. The lever can be positioned at various distances from the clamping bar through manual adjustment, allowing the assembly to accommodate differently sized side rails. This dynamic capability enables customization for various rifle configurations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to fully adjustable mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses an optic mount assembly for coupling an optic mount to a side rail of a firearm. The optic mount assembly includes a clamping bar including a body and protrusions extending from opposing side surfaces of the body. The optic mount assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the clamping bar. The optic mount assembly includes a fastener coupling the lever to the clamping bar. The clamping bar is configured to be at least partially inserted into and engaged with a cutout of the side rail, and configured to be inserted into a cutout in an optic mount.