Apparatus for securing a device to a weapon

Abstract

An auxiliary device for use with a weapon has a plurality of detachable attachment assemblies that can be coupled to a receiver on the auxiliary device. Each attachment assembly has a positioning member engageable in the receiver, a moveable jaw for grabbing the sides of the rail, and a tightener. The different attachment assemblies may alternately be coupled to the same auxiliary device to provide tool and tool free installation.

1 . An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising: 
 a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;    a first attachment assembly comprising a first positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member; a first jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the first positioning member; and a first tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupled to the end portion of the first positioning member that when rotated causes the first contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member; and    a second attachment assembly comprising a second positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member; a second jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the second positioning member; and a second tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupled to the end portion of the second positioning member that when rotated causes the second contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.    
     
     
         2 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the contoured jaw has a profile extending parallel with the first structural member.  
     
     
         3 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first positioning member further comprises a cross bar sized to fit in a slot on a rail of a weapon.  
     
     
         4 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first positioning member comprises one or more pins.  
     
     
         5 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first positioning member has one or more openings for coupling the positioning member to the mounting plate.  
     
     
         6 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tightener is a thumbscrew.  
     
     
         7 . The auxiliary device of  claim 6 , wherein the second tightener is a cam lever.  
     
     
         8 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the first positioning member has an externally threaded portion.  
     
     
         9 . The auxiliary device of  claim 8 , wherein the first tightener is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.  
     
     
         10 . The auxiliary device of  claim 1 , wherein the tightener is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.  
     
     
         11 . An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising: 
 a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and extending along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;    a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member;    a contoured jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the positioning member;    a first tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupleable to the end portion of the positioning member such that when rotated causes the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member; and    a second tightener selected from the group consisting of a cam lever, a clutch knob, a thumbscrew, and a throw lever, coupleable to the end portion of the positioning member such that when rotated causes the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.    
     
     
         12 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the contoured jaw has a profile extending parallel with the first structural member.  
     
     
         13 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the first positioning member further comprises a cross bar sized to fit in a slot on a rail of a weapon.  
     
     
         14 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the first positioning member comprises one or more pins.  
     
     
         15 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the first positioning member has one or more openings for coupling the positioning member to the mounting plate.  
     
     
         16 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the first tightener is a thumbscrew.  
     
     
         17 . The auxiliary device of  claim 16 , wherein the second tightener is a cam lever.  
     
     
         18 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the end portion of the first positioning member has an externally threaded portion.  
     
     
         19 . The auxiliary device of  claim 18 , wherein the first tightener is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.  
     
     
         20 . The auxiliary device of  claim 11 , wherein the first tightener is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.  
     
     
         21 . The auxiliary device of  claim 20 , further comprising a spring latch retainer for retaining the tightener.  
     
     
         22 . An auxiliary device for use with a weapon, the auxiliary device comprising: 
 a housing having a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a receiver formed therein and a first structural member extending from a first side of the mounting plate along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the housing;    a positioning member configured to fit in the receiver such that an end portion extends generally perpendicular to the first structural member;    a contoured jaw with an opening sized to accept the end portion of the positioning member;    a cam lever tightener rotatable about a pivot retained on the end portion of the positioning member by a retainer, rotation of the lever urging the contoured jaw to be drawn closer to the first structural member.    
     
     
         23 . The auxiliary device of  claim 20 , wherein rotation of the retainer provides adjustment of the distance between the contoured jaw and the first structural member.  
     
     
         24 . The auxiliary device of  claim 20 , further comprising a spring latch retainer coupled to the mounting plate to prevent unintentional rotation of the cam lever tightener.