Variable Orientation Mount With Grooved Circular Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mount systems for securing appliances like flashlights to firearms are limited in their ability to provide versatile orientation options, as they are primarily designed for longitudinal rails and lack flexibility in mounting to other types of objects.
Innovation Solution
A grooved circular mount that allows for securement devices with V-shaped surfaces and a transverse bar to be used, enabling the appliance to be mounted at various orientations by engaging with rotationally spaced diametric grooves, thereby adapting to different objects and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mount system is designed for specific longitudinal rails (Picatinny or Universal), then securement reliability is improved, but adaptability to other objects or orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mount system incorporates both longitudinal rail engagement features (V-shaped surfaces) and circular grooved features in a single integrated structure. This allows the same mount to securely attach to traditional Picatinny rails while also providing adjustable circular orientation options for mounting to various objects, thereby achieving multi-functionality and resolving the contradiction between reliability for specific rails and adaptability to other objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount includes a adjustable mechanism that allows the appliance to be positioned at multiple orientations (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) relative to the mounting surface. This dynamic adjustability enables the mount to adapt to different orientation requirements while maintaining secure attachment, resolving the contradiction between fixed securement reliability and versatile adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If a mount system uses traditional longitudinal rails, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases when adapting to new objects
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both longitudinal rail engagement and circular grooved mounting capabilities into a single mount design, the system eliminates the need for separate mount designs for different applications. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation for both traditional rail mounting and new object mounting scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is divided into distinct functional segments: a longitudinal rail engagement portion with V-shaped surfaces and a circular grooved portion with diametric grooves. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, reducing complexity by allowing modular engagement with different mounting surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mount system provides fixed orientation only, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to various orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mount incorporates adjustable orientation features that allow the appliance to be positioned at multiple predetermined angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) relative to the mounting surface. This dynamic adjustability maintains manufacturing precision for each fixed position while providing adaptability to various orientation requirements through a single unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular grooves are pre-formed at specific diametric positions during manufacturing, establishing precise angular references in advance. This preliminary action ensures manufacturing precision for each orientation position while the overall design provides adaptability by allowing selection of different pre-formed groove positions for different orientation requirements.
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
Enables secure and versatile mounting of appliances to various objects, including those without longitudinal rails, by allowing the device to be oriented in multiple positions using the circular mount's diametric grooves, enhancing flexibility and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes first and second opposed surfaces for securingly engaging the circular element at the wedge-shaped circumferential portion
Implementation Method 2
The device includes a bar extending between the first and second opposed surfaces for engaging the at least one diametric groove
Implementation Method 3
The device is preferably adapted for clamping its opposed surfaces to the circular element at such circular element's wedge-shaped circumferential portion
Data Source
AI summary
A mount for securing an appliance such as a light beam generator to a support or other object at various selected orientations of the appliance. A preferred embodiment of the mount includes a circular element having a wedge-shaped circumferential portion and a plurality of rotationally spaced diametric grooves, and a securement device including first and second opposed surfaces for securingly engaging the circular element's wedge-shaped circumferential portion, the securement device including a bar extending between the first and second opposed surfaces for engaging a selected one of the diametric grooves.