Rail mounted and integrated tie down bracket with engagement jaws for retaining a loss preventing lanyard extending from a rail mounted weapon accessory

Abstract

The present invention teaches a tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory. The bracket includes a first body portion supported by the rail and a second body portion releasably engaged to the first body portion. The body portions exhibit opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing the body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.

1 . A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
 a first body portion supported by the rail; and   a second body portion releasably engaged to said first body portion, said body portions exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of said first body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a detent projecting from a forward face of said first portion to clamp to the rail, a bolt extending from said forward detent to a rear biasing component and, upon rotating the detent between first and second positions, causing the biasing element to draw against and pinch the opposing rear surface of the rail. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a hex bolt extending through mating threaded locations associated with each of said first and second body portions. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , said first and second body portions further including side by side assembleable portions with alternating widthwise displacement pins and aligning seating apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tie-off aperture defined in a selected body portion and for receiving a looped end of the lanyard. 
     
     
         7 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of said body portions being integrally defined with said rail and receiving the other body portion in engaged and clamping fashion. 
     
     
         8 . The bracket as described in  claim 7 , said at least one body portion being recessed mounted with respect to an accessory mounting surface of the rail. 
     
     
         9 . A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
 a first body portion supported by the rail; and   a second body portion including a pivotal clamping element which is mounted to a first location of said first body portion and is releasably engaged to said first body portion, said body portions exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.   
     
     
         10 . The bracket as described in  claim 9 , further comprising a detent projecting from a forward face of said first portion to clamp to the rail, a bolt extending from said forward detent to a rear biasing component and, upon rotating the detent between first and second positions, causing the biasing element to draw against and pinch the opposing rear surface of the rail. 
     
     
         11 . The bracket as described in  claim 9 , further comprising a hex bolt extending through mating threaded locations associated with each of said first and second body portions. 
     
     
         12 . A tie down bracket for restraining an extending lanyard associated with a weapon rail mounted accessory, comprising:
 a first body portion supported by the rail; and   a second body portion releasably engaged to said first body portion, said first and second body portions being side by side assembleable portions with alternating widthwise displacement pins and aligning seating apertures and exhibiting opposing surfaces between which is placed a length of the lanyard prior to compressing said body portions against one another to engage and fix the lanyard.   
     
     
         13 . The bracket as described in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one tie-off aperture defined in a selected body portion and for receiving a looped end of the lanyard. 
     
     
         14 . The bracket as described in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one of said body portions being integrally defined with said rail and receiving the other body portion in engaged and clamping fashion. 
     
     
         15 . The bracket as described in  claim 14 , said at least one body portion being recessed mounted with respect to an accessory mounting surface of the rail.