Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02896765 2015-07-13
Attorney Ref: 1122P006CA01
WEAPON ACCESSORY BRACKET
Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a weapon accessory bracket and, more particularly,
to a weapon
accessory bracket that is able to deliver electrical energy to a weapon
accessory, such as a
weapon sight, that is mounted to the bracket.
Background
Numerous weapon accessories (e.g., sights, etc.) require electrical energy to
operate.
Typically, each weapon accessory has its own built-in source of electrical
energy. In some
instances, the source of electrical energy is a battery pack that may or may
not be removable
from the sight.
Summary of the Invention
In one aspect, a bracket is disclosed for coupling a weapon accessory to a
weapon. The
bracket includes a bracket housing that defines a space for receiving a self-
contained energy
storage device, such as a battery or the like, and a means to transfer
electrical energy from a self-
contained energy storage device in the space to a weapon accessory mounted
onto the bracket
housing. The weapon accessory requires electrical energy to operate, but does
not have its own
built-in source of electrical energy. Instead, the weapon accessory receives
the electrical energy
it needs to operate from one or more self-contained energy storage devices in
the bracket.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and
from the claims.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. lA is a side view of an assembly that includes a gun and a sight
connected to the
gun via a mounting bracket and an accessory rail.
FIG. 1B is an exploded side view of the assembly in FIG. 1B.
FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial internal view of the mounting bracket in
FIGS. lA and 1B.
FIG. 3 is atop, partial internal view of the mounting bracket in FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4A-4C are front views showing a sight, a mounting bracket and an
accessory rail
in various stages of assembly.
FIG. 5 represents a mounting bracket that is physically and electrically
compatible with
several different types of weapon accessories.
Detailed Description
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary assembly 100 that includes a weapon accessory
(i.e., a sight
102) mounted onto a weapon (i.e., a gun 104). More particularly, in the
illustrated
implementation, the sight 102 is mounted to a mounting bracket 106, which is
mounted to an
accessory rail 108, which is mounted to the gun 104. The sight 102 requires
electrical energy to
operate, but does not have its own built-in energy source. When assembled, the
sight 102
receives the electrical energy it needs to operate from one or more self-
contained electrical
energy sources, such as batteries, that are in, coupled to and/or form part of
the mounting bracket
106.
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Since the sight 102 does not have its own built-in energy source, the sight
102 can be
made smaller and lighter than it otherwise would be if it did have its own
built-in energy source.
A smaller and lighter sight 102 can be very desirable, particularly if a
person (e.g., a soldier),
wants to carry around more than one sight for use with a particular gun. Some
of these sights
may be replacement sights in case a primary sight stops working properly; some
of these sights
may offer different functionality than a primary sight. In those instances,
the smaller and lighter
weight of each sight can make it easier to carry around however many sights,
with however
many different types of functionality one desires.
Moreover, in a typical implementation, sights having different types of
functionality (e.g.,
telescopic, night vision, etc.) can all be designed to be compatible,
electrically and physically,
with one single mounting bracket design. This can enable a person (e.g., a
soldier) to access
different types of sight functionality by swapping out different types of
sights on one gun.
In some implementations, sights and mounting brackets can be designed to make
it
relatively easy to swap out different types of sights on one mounting bracket.
This can make it
easy for a person (e.g., a soldier) to access the varying functionalities of
the different sights
easily and in the field.
In a typical implementation, the -efore, the concepts disclosed herein may
make it easier
for a soldier, for example, to have easy access to a large number of different
weapon accessory
functionalities.
FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the assembly 100 in FIG. IA.
The exploded view in FIG. 1B makes clear that, in this implementation, the
weapon 104,
the accessory rail 108, the mounting bracket 106 and the sight 102 are all
physically distinct
components, which, when assembled, are held together using various temporary
fastening
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Attorney Ref: 1122P006CA01
devices (e.g., screws, clamps, and the like). In general, the phrase
"physically distinct," and
variations thereof, should be construed as distinguishable as physically
separate or discrete.
Thus, two components may be considered physically distinct even if they have
been joined
together temporarily (e.g., by using fas -ners, such as screws, clamps, bolts,
or the like) as long
as they are distinguishable as physically separate or discrete components. Two
or more
components that have been joined together with fasteners may be considered
physically separate
or discrete if, for example, simply removing the fasteners would enable the
two components to
be physically separated from one another. Thus, although the weapon 104, the
accessory rail
108, the mounting bracket 106 and the sight 102 in FIG. lA are joined together
temporarily (e.g.,
with screws, clamps or the like), they are physically distinct components
because removing the
fasteners that hold them together would enable them to be physically separated
from one another.
Two components should not be considered physically distinct if, for example,
they have been
permanently joined together (e.g., by welding, soldering, or the like) or have
been integrally cast,
molded or otherwise formed as a single physical unit.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of showing an exemplary design for the mounting
bracket
106 in FIG. 1. Some of the internal components of the mounting bracket are
shown with dashed
lines in FIG. 2.
In general, the illustrated mounting bracket 106 has: A) a bracket housing 212
that
defines a space (e.g., a battery compartment 214) for receiving one or more
self-contained
energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, not shown in FIG. 2); B) a means for
transferring
electrical energy from the self-contained energy storage devices in the space
to a weapon
accessory (e.g., sight 102 in FIG. 1) mounted onto the bracket housing 212.
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It is important to note that the bracket 106 shown in FIG. 2 represents only
one specific
bracket design. Numerous variations are possible and fall within the scope of
the present
disclosure. For example, in various implementations, the space for receiving
the one or more
self-contained energy storage devices can have a variety of different
configurations to
accommodate a different number and/or type of self-contained energy storage
devices.
Additionally, the means for transferring electrical energy from the self-
contained energy storage
device(s) in the space to a weapon accessory can be different from what is
shown in FIG. 2. For
example, the means for transferring the electrical energy can include
virtually any arrangement
of electrically conductive and/or electromagnetic components configured to
transfer electrical
energy from the self-contained energy storage device(s) in the space to a
weapon accessory. The
bracket 106 can be made from virtually any suitable material or combination of
materials. The
bracket 106 can be virtually any size or shape to suit its intended
functionality. Furthermore, the
bracket 106 can include a variety of other features not shown in FIG. 2. Other
variations in the
bracket 106 are possible as well.
Referring now to the specific implementation shown in FIG. 2, the overall
bracket
housing 212 essentially forms a clamp that is configured to physically engage
an accessory rail
(e.g., a Picatinny rail or the like) on a gun. In this regard, the bracket
housing 212 has a first
clamping portion 220a and a second clamping portion 220b that is attached to
the first clamping
portion 220a with a screw 222. The first clamping portion 220a and the second
clamping portion
220b are movable relative to each other by manipulating the screw 222. For
example, in a
typical implementation, tightening the screw 222 would cause the first
clamping portion 220a
and the second clamping portion 220b to become closer to each, whereas
loosening the screw
222 would cause the first clamping portion 220a and the second clamping
portion 220b to move
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apart from one another. Typically, the screw 222 is loosened to place the
bracket 106 over a
Picatinny rail and then tightened to ensure that the bracket 106 is held in
place securely in the
rail.
Various modifications of the overall bracket design, including the way that
the bracket
engages the weapon or accessory rail on the weapon, are possible. For example,
in some
implementations, the bracket may include a quick-release mechanism for
mounting the bracket
onto the weapon or accessory rail. Some examples of these quick-release
mechanisms are
described in US Patent No. 8,393,105, entitled Floating Side Rail Clamp Weapon
Accessory
Mount Adaptor, US Patent No. 8,020,335, entitled Mount for Mounting
Accessories on a
Weapon, US Patent No. 4,845871, entitled Attachment Device, and US Patent
Application
Publication No. 2013/0160345, entitled Firearm Sight Mount. Portions of these
references that
describe mechanisms for mounting a bracket onto a weapon, accessory rail, or
the like, are
incorporated by reference herein.
In the illustrated implementation, the space for receiving one or more self-
contained
energy storage devices is a battery compartment 214. In the illustrated
implementation, the
battery compartment is designed to contain two "AA" batteries (not shown).
The means for transferring electrical energy from the self-contained energy
storage
devices in the space to a weapon accessory (e.g., sight 102 in FIG. 1) mounted
onto the bracket
housing 212. In the illustrated example the means for transferring energy
incudes: A) means to
electrically engage the self-contained energy storage devices in the space
214, B) means to
transfer electrical energy from the space 214 to a connection interface 218
for the weapon
accessory (e.g., the sight), and C) the connection interface 218 itself.
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In a typical implementation, such as the one shown, the means to electrically
engage the
self-contained energy storage devices in the space would include electrical
conductors (not
shown), such as metal strips and springs, configured to securely hold and
electrically engage the
terminals of one or more batteries in the space 214.
Moreover, in a typical implementation, such as the one shown, the means to
transfer
electrical energy from the space 214 to a connection interface 218 for the
weapon accessory
(e.g., the sight) includes electrical conductors that extend from the space
214, through the bracket
housing 212 and to the connection interface 218 for the weapon accessory.
Finally, in a typical implementation, such as the one shown, the connection
interface 218
for the weapon accessory includes: 1) electrical contacts 224 exposed for
connection to
corresponding electrical contacts on a weapon accessory (e.g., a sight); and
2) holes 226 for
mounting screws to pass through and physically engage screw holes in the
weapon accessory.
Other configurations for physically and electrically engaging the weapon
accessory are possible
as well. In general, however, in most instances, the connection interface 218
(and a
corresponding connection interface on the weapon accessory) is designed to
facilitate relatively
easy installation and removal of the weapon accessory on the bracket.
The connection interface 218 may have a variety of different configurations.
For
example, in some implementations, the connection interface 218 (and the
corresponding
connection interface on the weapon accessory) form a "hot shoe" style
connector that is designed
to physically and electrically engage a corresponding connector on a weapon
accessory (e.g., a
sight). An example of this kind of "hot shoe" style connector is shown in US
Patent No.
8,443,539, entitled Rail Contacts for Accessories Mounted on the Powered Rail
of a Weapon
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and, in particular, in Figures 8D to 81 of that patent, relevant portions of
which are incorporated
by reference herein.
FIG. 2 shows one specific design of the means for transferring electrical
energy from the
batteries to the weapon accessory. However, various modifications are
possible. For example,
in some implementations, the means for transferring electrical energy may omit
or include a
significantly modified version of one or more of the components shown. For
example, in some
implementations, the electrical conductors 216 could be significantly
shortened or eliminated
entirely. If the electrical conductors 216 are eliminated entirely, then the
space 214 that holds
the batteries is designed so that the battery terminals contact the weapon
accessory connection
1 0 interface 218 directly. As another example, in some implementations,
both the electrical
conductors 216 and the weapon accessory connection interface 218 could be
eliminated
completely. In those instances, the space 214 that holds the batteries is
configured so that the
battery terminals contact corresponding electrical contacts on a weapon
accessory that is
mounted to the bracket 106.
There are a variety of ways that the weapon accessory (e.g., sight) may be
physically
coupled to the bracket 106. In the illustrated example, there are two holes
226 that extend
through the bracket housing 212 that are sized to accommodate screws (not
shown) that would
pass in an upward direction through the holes to engage the weapon accessory.
Another
example of this general approach for attaching a weapon accessory to a
mounting bracket is
shown in US Patent No. 8,230,636, entitled Accessory Module with Integrated
Electronic
Devices. Relevant portions of the referenced patent are incorporated by
reference herein.
FIG. 3 is a top, partial cut-away view of the bracket in FIG. 2.
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The view in FIG. 3 shows a pair of batteries 326 (i.e., the self-contained
energy storage
devices) inside the battery compartment 214. The view in FIG. 3 also shows
electrical
conductors, including metal strips 328a and springs 328b, configured to
securely hold and
electrically engage the terminals of one or more batteries in the space 214.
FIG. 4A-4C shows a sight 102, a mounting bracket 106 and an accessory rail 108
in
various stages of assembly.
The sight 102 requires electrical energy to operate, but does not have its own
built-in
source of electrical energy. Instead, it is designed to receive the electrical
energy it needs to
operate from one or more self-contained energy storage devices in the bracket
106. The bracket
106 has a housing that defines a space (not shown) for receiving the one or
more self-contained
energy storage devices, and a means to transfer electrical energy from the one
or more self-
contained energy storage devices in the space to the sight 102 when it is
mounted to the bracket
106.
In FIG. 4A, the sight 102, the mounting bracket 106 and the accessory rail 108
are
separate from one another (i.e., they have not yet been connected to each
other).
FIG. 4B is similar to FIG. 4A in that it shows the sight 102, the mounting
bracket 106
and the accessory rail 108, but in FIG. 4B, the sight 102 is physically and
electrically connected
to the bracket 106. In this regard, screws 434 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A) pass from
the bottom of the
bracket 106, through holes in the bracket 106 and get screwed into holes in
the bottom of the
sight 102.
FIG. 4C is similar to FIG. 4B in that it shows the sight 102, the mounting
bracket 106 and
the accessory rail 108, and the sight 102 is physically and electrically
connected to the bracket
106, but in FIG. 4C, the bracket 106 is also physically connected to the
accessory rail 108. In a
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typical implementation, this is accomplished by loosening screw 222 to open
the clamp (formed
by the first and second clamping portions of the bracket housing), placing the
clamp over a
gripping portion of the rail 108, and then tightening the screw 222 to
securely fasten the clamp
onto the gripping portion of the rail 108.
FIG. 5 is intended to represent a single mounting bracket 106 that is designed
to be
physically and electrically compatible with multiple different sights 502a-
502n.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it
will be
understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the invention.
For example, the techniques and structures disclosed herein can be adapted for
use in
connection with any kind of weapon and any kind of weapon accessory that
requires electrical
energy and is configured to be physically attached to a weapon. Exemplary
accessories may
include, for example, laser aiming modules, tactical lights, night vision
sights, or the like.
The specific physical and electrical design of the bracket and its internal
components can
be modified extensively. The relative size and/or shape of the different
components and their
positions relative to the overall bracket and the other components can vary
considerably.
The bracket can include virtually any type of self-contained energy storage
device or
combination of self-contained storage devices. These may include, for example,
one or more of
the following: a battery, a capacitor and any other self-contained device that
is capable of
supplying electrical energy usable by the weapon accessory.
The bracket can include virtually any type of means for transferring energy
from the self-
contained storage device(s) to a weapou accessory mounted on the bracket. The
bracket can
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include virtually any type of connection interface for the weapon accessory.
The bracket can be
adapted to be connected to the weapon in any number of ways as well.
The bracket may be designed with additional structural or functional features
not
explicitly described above. In some implementations, for example, the bracket,
and one or more
corresponding weapon accessories, may be designed to withstand particular
environment
stresses. For example, in some implementations, they may weather resistant or
resistant to shock
or G-forces. As another example, the bracket may include inclusion of
additional circuitry (e.g.,
control and/or monitoring circuitry), back-up batteries, etc. If the bracket
includes control
circuitry, then the connection interface would likely include data transfer
capabilities as well. In
some implementations, the bracket may include an energy harvesting device that
harvests recoil
energy from operation of the weapon, for example. The bracket can include
biological batteries,
super-capacitors, nano-batteries or an additive manufactured battery. The
battery (or other
storage device) may form some part of the bracket housing. The bracket could
be designed to
be attached to any type of weapon accessory mount, not just an accessory rail.
A single bracket
could be designed to include multiple accessory connection interfaces. The
bracket could be
designed with one or more storage compartment to store spare batteries. The
bracket could be
used as a centralized power and data hub to provide power and communicate data
between
different devices. In a typical implementation, the bracket is designed so
that the electrical
energy being supplied to the weapon accessory is not noticeably interrupted
during weapon
firing.
Other implementations are within the scope of the claims.
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