Quick Mount for Rail Using Spring-Biased Retention Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail accessory mounts for projectile shooting devices require tools for mounting and removal, can be over or under-tightened, and may require extra dexterity, leading to inconsistent attachment and potential accidental release.
Innovation Solution
A quick mount design featuring a base with undercut legs and a retention plate biased by a spring, allowing secure and release modes, with a toggle lock for secure mode retention, enabling easy attachment and detachment without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded fastener with camming lever is used to secure the mount to the rail, then the mount can be tightened to clamp the rail, but the lever can be inadvertently actuated to release the mount and accessory from the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The retention plate is designed to be rotatable between a secure mode position and a release mode position, allowing dynamic switching between locked and unlocked states. The bias element provides automatic return to the secure mode, while manual actuation enables controlled release, eliminating accidental release while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias element continuously applies feedback force to the retention plate, urging it to rotate into and maintain the secure mode position. This automatic feedback mechanism ensures the mount remains securely clamped unless intentionally released through manual actuation, preventing inadvertent release.
2Manufacturing precision
If a threaded fastener with camming lever is used to secure the mount to the rail, then the mount can be tightened, but the mount can be over tightened or under tightened, providing inconsistent attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The bias element automatically positions the retention plate in the secure mode, eliminating the need for manual tightening control. The system self-adjusts to provide consistent attachment force, preventing both over-tightening and under-tightening issues that occur with manual camming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from manual camming with variable force application to a spring-biased rotational system with consistent force. The bias element ensures uniform engagement force throughout the attachment process, providing manufacturing precision in the attachment consistency parameter.
3Productivity
If a threaded fastener with camming lever is used to secure the mount to the rail, then the mount can be tightened, but it requires tools and time to mount and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional threaded fastener with a spring-biased rotational retention plate mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for tools and manual threading operations, allowing tool-free mounting and removal through simple rotational actuation of the retention plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the base with undercut legs for rail engagement, the rotatable retention plate for securing, and the bias element for automatic engagement. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, enabling rapid tool-free operation while maintaining secure attachment.
4Ease of operation
If a threaded fastener with camming lever is used to secure the mount to the rail, then the mount can be tightened, but it requires extra dexterity to secure the mount to the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The bias element automatically performs the complex rotational engagement action, eliminating the need for user dexterity in positioning and tightening. The system self-positions the retention plate in the secure mode through spring force, reducing the operational skill level required while maintaining reliable attachment.
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 secure, tool-free attachment and detachment mechanism for rail accessories, ensuring consistent mounting and reducing the risk of accidental release, while simplifying the process with intuitive operation.
Implementation Method 1
a bias element... the retention plate is operable in a secure mode in which the bias element urges the retention plate to rotate and engage a second undercut wall or element of the plate against a second longitudinal rail surface
Implementation Method 2
the mount can include a toggle lock to lock the retention plate in the secure mode. The toggle lock can be pivotally joined with the retention plate
Implementation Method 3
a first leg with a first undercut wall or element that engages a first longitudinal rail surface... a second leg opposite the first undercut wall or element
Data Source
AI summary
A quick mount for removably attaching an accessory to a longitudinal rail, the mount including a base having a first leg with a first undercut wall that engages a first longitudinal rail surface, a second leg opposite the first undercut wall, a retention plate rotatably mounted to the base adjacent the second leg and a bias element. The retention plate is operable in a secure mode in which the bias element urges the retention plate to rotate and engage a second undercut wall of the plate against a second longitudinal rail surface opposite the first surface and thereby clamp the mount to the rail. The retention plate is operable in a release mode where the second undercut wall disengages the second surface thereby releasing the mount from the rail. The mount can include a toggle lock to lock the plate in the secure mode. A related method is provided.