Quick Disconnect Sling Mount Using Wave Spring Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-disconnect (QD) sling mounts for rifles often rely on spring-loaded ball latches, which can fail unexpectedly due to shallow grooves or wear, leading to accidental release of the sling and potential gun drop, and are costly to manufacture for robustness.
Innovation Solution
A QD sling mount design featuring a cup with a through-opening and a T-shaped post that uses a wave spring to bias the post into a locked position, allowing for quick attachment and detachment without relying on a spring-loaded ball latch, ensuring secure attachment without the need for a button that can be inadvertently activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded ball latch is used in existing QD sling mounts, then quick attachment and detachment is enabled, but the mechanism can fail unexpectedly due to shallow grooves or wear, leading to accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded ball latch mechanism entirely and replaces it with a post-and-cup system where the post is inserted through a through-opening in the cup and secured by a wave spring that biases the post against the cup, eliminating the problematic ball latch while maintaining quick disconnect functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a ball latch that can accidentally release, the invention inverts the approach by using a post that must be deliberately removed from the cup against spring bias, making accidental release impossible while maintaining ease of intentional detachment
2Productivity
If a spring-loaded ball latch is used to enable quick disconnect, then attachment speed is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to robustness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simpler, less expensive components (post, cup, wave spring) compared to robust spring-loaded ball latches, achieving the same quick disconnect function with lower manufacturing cost and simpler production processes
3Ease of operation
If a button is included in the QD mechanism for release, then detachment is enabled, but the button can be inadvertently activated leading to accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the button component entirely and replaces it with a post that is inserted through a through-opening and secured by a wave spring, eliminating the possibility of inadvertent button activation while maintaining deliberate detachment capability
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 design provides a secure and reliable quick-disconnect mechanism that prevents accidental release of the sling, maintaining gun stability while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A spring on the post body retains the post in the locked position and similarly biases the post towards removal when the first end portion is aligned with the through-opening
Data Source
AI summary
A quick disconnect assembly for a sling mount includes a cup having a top portion and a shaft portion connected to the top portion, the cup defining a non-circular through-opening and a recess that extends axially part way into the shaft portion. A post includes a post body extending axially between a first end portion and a second end, the first end portion having one or more protrusions. The post is configured to pass through the through-opening in the cup when the post is in an unlocked position with the protrusion(s) aligned with the through-opening. Rotating the post to a locked position aligns the protrusion(s) with the recess, which can define a plus shape with the through opening. A mounting body on the second end of the post defines or can include an attachment point. A spring is on the post between the mounting body and the cup.