US20160018185A1 - Weapon accessory bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of GB Patent Application serial number 1412527.2, filed Jul. 15, 2014, entitled “Weapon Accessory Bracket,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A 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 inFIG. 1B.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial internal view of the mounting bracket inFIGS. 1A and 1B.
• FIG. 3 is a top, partial internal view of the mounting bracket inFIG. 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 anexemplary assembly100 that includes a weapon accessory (i.e., a sight102) mounted onto a weapon (i.e., a gun104). More particularly, in the illustrated implementation, thesight102 is mounted to amounting bracket106, which is mounted to anaccessory rail108, which is mounted to thegun104. Thesight102 requires electrical energy to operate, but does not have its own built-in energy source. When assembled, thesight102 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 themounting bracket106.
• Since thesight102 does not have its own built-in energy source, thesight102 can be made smaller and lighter than it otherwise would be if it did have its own built-in energy source. A smaller andlighter sight102 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, therefore, 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 theassembly100 inFIG. 1A.
• The exploded view inFIG. 1B makes clear that, in this implementation, theweapon104, theaccessory rail108, themounting bracket106 and thesight102 are all physically distinct components, which, when assembled, are held together using various temporary fastening 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 fasteners, 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 theweapon104, theaccessory rail108, themounting bracket106 and thesight102 inFIG. 1A 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 themounting bracket106 inFIG. 1. Some of the internal components of the mounting bracket are shown with dashed lines inFIG. 2.
• In general, the illustratedmounting bracket106 has: A) abracket housing212 that defines a space (e.g., a battery compartment214) for receiving one or more self-contained energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, not shown inFIG. 2); B) a means for transferring electrical energy from the self-contained energy storage devices in the space to a weapon accessory (e.g.,sight102 inFIG. 1) mounted onto thebracket housing212.
• It is important to note that thebracket106 shown inFIG. 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 inFIG. 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. Thebracket106 can be made from virtually any suitable material or combination of materials. Thebracket106 can be virtually any size or shape to suit its intended functionality. Furthermore, thebracket106 can include a variety of other features not shown inFIG. 2. Other variations in thebracket106 are possible as well.
• Referring now to the specific implementation shown inFIG. 2, theoverall bracket housing212 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, thebracket housing212 has afirst clamping portion220aand asecond clamping portion220bthat is attached to thefirst clamping portion220awith ascrew222. Thefirst clamping portion220aand thesecond clamping portion220bare movable relative to each other by manipulating thescrew222. For example, in a typical implementation, tightening thescrew222 would cause thefirst clamping portion220aand thesecond clamping portion220bto become closer to each, whereas loosening thescrew222 would cause thefirst clamping portion220aand thesecond clamping portion220bto move apart from one another. Typically, thescrew222 is loosened to place thebracket106 over a Picatinny rail and then tightened to ensure that thebracket106 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 U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,105, entitled Floating Side Rail Clamp Weapon Accessory Mount Adaptor, U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,335, entitled Mount for Mounting Accessories on a Weapon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,871, 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 abattery compartment214. 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.,sight102 inFIG. 1) mounted onto thebracket housing212. In the illustrated example, the means for transferring energy includes: A) means to electrically engage the self-contained energy storage devices in thespace214, B) means to transfer electrical energy from thespace214 to aconnection interface218 for the weapon accessory (e.g., the sight), and C) theconnection interface218 itself.
• 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 thespace214.
• Moreover, in a typical implementation, such as the one shown, the means to transfer electrical energy from thespace214 to aconnection interface218 for the weapon accessory (e.g., the sight) includes electrical conductors that extend from thespace214, through thebracket housing212 and to theconnection interface218 for the weapon accessory.
• Finally, in a typical implementation, such as the one shown, theconnection interface218 for the weapon accessory includes: 1)electrical contacts224 exposed for connection to corresponding electrical contacts on a weapon accessory (e.g., a sight); and 2)holes226 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 interface218 (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.
• Theconnection interface218 may have a variety of different configurations. For example, in some implementations, the connection interface218 (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 U.S. Pat. No. 8,443,539, entitled Rail Contacts for Accessories Mounted on the Powered Rail of a Weapon and, in particular, inFIGS. 8D to 8I 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, theelectrical conductors216 could be significantly shortened or eliminated entirely. If theelectrical conductors216 are eliminated entirely, then thespace214 that holds the batteries is designed so that the battery terminals contact the weaponaccessory connection interface218 directly. As another example, in some implementations, both theelectrical conductors216 and the weaponaccessory connection interface218 could be eliminated completely. In those instances, thespace214 that holds the batteries is configured so that the battery terminals contact corresponding electrical contacts on a weapon accessory that is mounted to thebracket106.
• There are a variety of ways that the weapon accessory (e.g., sight) may be physically coupled to thebracket106. In the illustrated example, there are twoholes226 that extend through thebracket housing212 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 U.S. Pat. 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 inFIG. 2.
• The view inFIG. 3 shows a pair of batteries326 (i.e., the self-contained energy storage devices) inside thebattery compartment214. The view inFIG. 3 also shows electrical conductors, includingmetal strips328aand springs328b, configured to securely hold and electrically engage the terminals of one or more batteries in thespace214.
• FIG. 4A-4C shows asight102, a mountingbracket106 and anaccessory rail108 in various stages of assembly.
• Thesight102 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 thebracket106. Thebracket106 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 thesight102 when it is mounted to thebracket106.
• InFIG. 4A, thesight102, the mountingbracket106 and theaccessory rail108 are separate from one another (i.e., they have not yet been connected to each other).
• FIG. 4B is similar toFIG. 4A in that it shows thesight102, the mountingbracket106 and theaccessory rail108, but inFIG. 4B, thesight102 is physically and electrically connected to thebracket106. In this regard, screws434 (see, e.g.,FIG. 4A) pass from the bottom of thebracket106, through holes in thebracket106 and get screwed into holes in the bottom of thesight102.
• FIG. 4C is similar toFIG. 4B in that it shows thesight102, the mountingbracket106 and theaccessory rail108, and thesight102 is physically and electrically connected to thebracket106, but inFIG. 4C, thebracket106 is also physically connected to theaccessory rail108. In a typical implementation, this is accomplished by looseningscrew222 to open the clamp (formed by the first and second clamping portions of the bracket housing), placing the clamp over a gripping portion of therail108, and then tightening thescrew222 to securely fasten the clamp onto the gripping portion of therail108.
• FIG. 5 is intended to represent asingle mounting bracket106 that is designed to be physically and electrically compatible with multiple different sights502a-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 weapon accessory mounted on the bracket. The bracket can 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.

Claims (27)

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket for coupling a weapon accessory to a weapon, the bracket comprising:

a bracket housing that defines a space for receiving a self-contained energy storage device; 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.

2. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the weapon accessory requires electrical energy to operate, but does not have its own built-in source of electrical energy.

3. The bracket ofclaim 1, further comprising a self-contained energy storage device in the space defined by the bracket housing.

4. The bracket ofclaim 3, wherein the self-contained energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of: a battery, a capacitor and any other self-contained device that is capable of supplying electrical energy usable by the weapon accessory.

5. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the bracket defines:

a first structure to facilitate physically mounting the bracket to the weapon or to an accessory rail on the weapon; and

a second structure to facilitate physically mounting the weapon accessory to the bracket and delivering the electrical energy to the weapon accessory.

6. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the means to transfer electrical energy comprises one or more electrical conductors to electrically engage the self-contained energy storage device in the space.

7. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the means to transfer electrical energy comprises a means to physically and electrically engage the weapon accessory.

8. The bracket ofclaim 7, wherein the means to physically and electrically engage the weapon accessory is configured such that physically engaging the weapon accessory also results in electrically engaging the weapon accessory.

9. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the bracket is physically distinct from the weapon and the weapon accessory.

10. The bracket ofclaim 1, wherein the weapon is a gun and the weapon accessory is a sight for the gun.

11. A bracket for coupling a weapon accessory to a weapon, the bracket comprising:

a bracket housing that defines a space for receiving a self-contained energy storage device;

a means to electrically engage the self-contained energy storage device in the space so that electrical energy from the self-contained energy storage device can be delivered to a weapon accessory coupled to the bracket housing;

a means to facilitate physically mounting the bracket to the weapon or to an accessory rail on the weapon; and

a means to facilitate physically mounting the weapon accessory to the bracket and to facilitate delivery of the electrical energy to the weapon accessory,

wherein the weapon accessory requires electrical energy to operate, but does not have its own built-in source of electrical energy.

12. The bracket ofclaim 11, further comprising a self-contained energy storage device in the space defined by the bracket housing,

wherein the self-contained energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of: a battery, a capacitor and any other self-contained device that is capable of supplying electrical energy usable by the weapon accessory.

13. The bracket ofclaim 11, wherein the means to facilitate physically mounting the weapon accessory to the bracket and to facilitate delivery of the electrical energy to the weapon accessory is configured such that physically engaging the weapon accessory also results in electrically engaging the weapon accessory.

14. The bracket ofclaim 11, wherein the bracket is physically distinct from the weapon and the weapon accessory.

15. The bracket ofclaim 11, wherein the weapon is a gun and the weapon accessory is a sight for the gun.

16. An assembly comprising:

a bracket comprising:

a bracket housing that defines a space for receiving a self-contained energy storage device; and

means to transfer electrical energy from a self-contained energy storage device in the space to a weapon accessory mounted onto the bracket housing; and

a weapon accessory mounted onto the bracket, wherein the weapon accessory requires electrical energy to operate, but does not have its own built-in source of electrical energy.

17. The assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising:

a weapon, wherein the bracket is mounted onto the weapon or onto an accessory rail coupled to the weapon.

18. The assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the bracket is physically distinct from the weapon and the weapon accessory.

19. The assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the weapon is a gun and the weapon accessory is a sight for the gun.

20. The assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising a self-contained energy storage device in the space defined by the bracket housing, wherein the self-contained energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of: a battery, a capacitor and any other self-contained device that is capable of supplying electrical energy usable by the weapon accessory.

21. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the bracket further defines:

a first structure to facilitate physically mounting the bracket to a weapon or to an accessory rail on the weapon; and

a second structure to facilitate physically mounting the weapon accessory to the bracket and delivering the electrical energy to the weapon accessory.

22. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the means to transfer electrical energy comprises one or more electrical conductors to electrically engage the self-contained energy storage device in the space.

23. The bracket ofclaim 22, wherein the means to transfer electrical energy comprises means to physically and electrically engage the weapon accessory.

24. The bracket ofclaim 23, wherein the means to physically and electrically engage the weapon accessory is configured such that physically engaging the weapon accessory also results in electrically engaging the weapon accessory.

25. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the weapon accessory has one or more electrical terminals configured to engage corresponding electrical terminals on the bracket when the weapon accessory is physically engaged to the bracket.

26. A collection of components for mounting to a weapon, the collection of components comprising:

a single bracket for mounting a weapon accessory to a weapon, the bracket comprising:

a bracket housing that defines a space for receiving a self-contained energy storage device; and

one or more electrical conductors configured to electrically engage the self-contained energy storage device in the space for delivering electrical energy to a weapon accessory coupled to the bracket housing; and

a plurality of weapon accessories comprising a first type of weapon accessory and a second type of weapon accessory that is different than the first type of weapon accessory,

wherein the first type of weapon accessory and the second type of weapon accessory are interchangeable such that they both are configured to physically and electrically engage the bracket.

27. The collection of components inclaim 26, wherein the first and second types of weapon accessories require electrical energy to operate, but do not include a built-in electrical energy sources.

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