Systems and Methods for Multi-Accessory Mount Assembly for a Firearm

The present disclosure is a continuation application of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/208,547, filed on Jun. 12, 2023, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/514,190, filed Oct. 29, 2021 now U.S. Pat. No. 11,733,004, issued Aug. 22, 2023, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/170,791, filed Apr. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The disclosure generally relates to a firearm and more particularly relates to systems and methods for a multi-accessory mount assembly for a firearm.

Conventional optic scopes, magnifiers, and laser scopes have been used with firearms to facilitate aiming and to improve shooting accuracy. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the enhanced, elevated multi-accessory mount assembly for a firearm disclosed herein. The firearm may include a barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end. On the firearm usually positioned above the barrel and between the muzzle end and breech end is a mounting surface to which an optic may be mounted. Such mounting surfaces may include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. According to certain embodiments, the multi-accessory mount assembly may include a proximal portion having a lower surface configured to be removably coupled to the firearm, for example, by attaching to a Picatinny or Weaver rail, and an upper surface configured to be removably coupled to an interchangeable sub mount. The interchangeable sub mount is configured to be removably coupled to one or more first firearm accessories, e.g., an optic scope, red dot sight, reflex sight, night vision monocular/scope, or magnifier. The assembly further may include a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion via a neck portion, e.g., a goose neck, such that the distal portion is elevated higher than the proximal portion. An upper surface of the distal portion is configured to be removably coupled to a second firearm accessory, e.g., an infrared (IR) laser, or night vision monocular/scope.

Other features and aspects of the multi-accessory mount assembly will be apparent or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the detailed description. All other features and aspects, as well as other systems, methods, and assembly embodiments, are intended to be included within the description and are intended to be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Described below are embodiments of a multi-accessory mount assembly that can be attached to a firearm. Methods of installing the multi-accessory mount assembly on the firearm are also disclosed. The firearm may include a barrel with a breech end and a muzzle end. In some instances, the firearm may be a rifle (e.g., fully automatic, semi-automatic or bolt-action), pistol, shotgun, or the like. In some instances, the firearm may be a rifle, such as an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, among others that include a Picatinny or Weaver rail positioned above the barrel. Any firearm may be used in association with the firearm sight disclosed herein.

The multi-accessory mount assembly of the present disclosure solves several problems that military, law enforcement, first responders and civilians have encountered when using an IR laser on a rifle. A multi-accessory mount assembly in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base with an elevated mount, and sub mounts that attach to the base. For example, the sub mounts may be interchangeable. The multi-accessory mount assembly moves the position of the IR laser/illuminator to the approximate center of the rifle (e.g., approximately over the action), and elevates the IR laser/illuminator to avoid the IR emission from the IR laser/illuminator being blocked or obscured by the user's hand should the user hold the rifle with their support (or off) hand gripping the handguard. The interchangeable sub mount removably attaches to an optic, such as one or more of a scope, red dot, reflex sight, magnifier or the like. The interchangeable sub mount positions the optic so that it sufficiently clears the IR laser so as not to impede the operability of the optic. Because the sub mount is interchangeable, it may be sized for different optics, and/or for multiple components, such as a red dot/reflex sight and a magnifier. The sub mount attaches to the base in a fitted fashion so that the optic returns to zero if the sub mount is removed from the base and then subsequently reattached. The multi-accessory mount assembly frees up rail space on the firearm platform, balances the weight to center mass over the firearm, and provides a near co-witnessed and unobstructed path for the laser/illuminator to be mounted rearward of the support arm of the shooter/operator.

Certain embodiments of the multi-accessory mount assembly are designed to be modular and perfectly complements superior shooting stances and body mechanics, while capitalizing on reduced fatigue (e.g., heads up versus hunched positions) while shooting, thus allowing proper body mechanics and positioning. The multi-accessory mount assembly further allows the operator to utilize modern and mission critical head-borne systems and personal protective equipment (PPE), e.g., helmets, night vision, gasmasks, communications equipment, body armor, face wraps, etc., and aids in shoulder transitions for offhand shooting and cross eye dominant individuals. The multi-accessory mount assembly is designed to be modular and scalable, and may accept multiple optics system configurations. The assembly further may include a space to mount a magnifier behind the day optic.

These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail through reference to the accompanying drawings in the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. This brief introduction, including section titles and corresponding summaries, is provided for the reader's convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many.

Referring now to, an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided. Multi-accessory mount assemblymay include proximal portion, neck portion, and distal portion. Distal portionextends from proximal portionvia neck portion. Moreover, neck portionmay be angled such distal portionis elevated higher than proximal portion. As shown in, neck portionmay include cut outsto reduce the weight of the multi-accessory mount assembly. In some embodiments, cut outsmay extend horizontally through neck portion.

Proximal portionhas lower surfaceand upper surface. Lower surfaceis configured to be removably coupled to a firearm. In some instances, the firearm may be a conventional and/or tactical, and may be a rifle, pistol, shotgun or the like. However, the firearm may be any number of firearms, such as, but not limited to, an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, or the like with a rail system, such as a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. The firearm may generally include a barrel and a muzzle end. Proximal portionmay include one or more screws/knobsfor facilitating attachment of proximal portionto the rail system of the firearm, e.g., the Picatinny rail or the Weaver rail.

Distal portionhas an upper surface configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., an IR laser/illuminator. The upper surface of distal portionmay include rail systemto facilitate coupling with the firearm accessory. For example, rail systemmay include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. Distal portionmay be elevated from the rail system of the firearm a predetermined height when proximal portionis coupled to the rail system of the firearm, thereby creating a space sized and shaped to permit the support hand of the operator of the firearm to grip the handguard without interfering with the use of the firearm accessory.

Upper surfaceof proximal portionmay be configured to be removably coupled to an interchangeable sub mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mount. For example, upper surfacemay include one or more apertures, e.g., threaded apertures, for receiving screws that pass through corresponding apertures in interchangeable sub mountto tightly secure the interchangeable sub mount. For example, upper surfacemay include a threaded aperture at a proximal region and another threaded aperture at a distal region. Accordingly, interchangeable sub mountmay include a corresponding number of apertures, e.g., threaded apertures, such that aperturesmay be aligned with aperturesof proximal portion.

As shown in, proximal portionmay include position reference features that ensure exact repositioning of interchangeable sub mountrelative to the proximal portion. An example system of position reference features includes groovesized and shaped to receive and mate with ridgeof interchangeable sub mount. In addition, as shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay include groovesized and shaped to receive and mate with protrusionof proximal portion. Accordingly, interchangeable sub mountmay be removably coupled to proximal portionsuch that groovemates with ridge, groovemates with protrusion, and aperturesare aligned with apertures, as shown in. Upon alignment, a fastener, e.g., screws S, may be used to couple interchangeable sub mountwith proximal portionvia aperturesand, as shown in. Screws S may fit through cutouts in the Picatinny rail, if necessary, which function as extensions of aperturesand. With this mounting system for interchangeable sub mount, interchangeable sub mountcan be repeatedly removed and re-installed, and return to zero each time.

The upper surface of interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to one or more firearm accessories, e.g., one or more of a red dot, reflex sight, scope, IR or thermal scope/monocular, or a magnifier. The term “optic” will be used herein to describe collectively an optic or an optic mount. The upper surface of interchangeable sub mountmay include a rail systemto facilitate coupling with the firearm accessory. For example, protrusionsmay include a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail. Moreover, interchangeable sub mountmay include openingfor weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount. As shown in, height H of the upper surface of interchangeable sub mountmay be predetermined based on, for example, the desired height of the optic for the shooter and/or the attached optic so that it is operable over the firearm accessory attached to distal portion. For example, some optics are shorter (e.g., distance from bottom surface of the optic to reticle) than other optics, and they may require a relatively taller interchangeable sub mount so the reticle of the optic is viewable on target over the firearm accessory.

Referring now to, an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with multi-accessory mount assemblyis provided. Interchangeable sub mount, as shown in, may be constructed and coupled to proximal portionsimilar to interchangeable sub mount. For example, rail systemcorresponds with rail system, openingcorresponds with opening, and one or more aperturescorrespond with one or more apertures. Interchangeable sub mountdiffers from interchangeable sub mountin that interchangeable sub mountmay have a longer longitudinal length than interchangeable sub mount, and consequently can have two or more firearm accessories attached to it, such as a red dot/reflex sight and a magnifier or a thermal or IR scope or monocular. Accordingly, the operator of the firearm may select between interchangeable sub mountsandbased on the desired firearm accessory(ies) to be coupled to the firearm.

Referring now to, coupling multi-accessory mount assemblyto an optic is described. Opticmay be removably coupled to an upper surface of the interchangeable mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mount, such that opticis positioned at a height H. Opticmay include baseand lens holderfor holding lens. Moreover, opticmay include knobwhich may be actuated to fix opticto the interchangeable sub mount.

Referring now to, coupling multi-accessory mount assemblyto opticvia interchangeable sub mount, which is adjustable, is described. Interchangeable sub mountmay be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mountsanddescribed above. For example, lower surfaceof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to upper surfaceof proximal portion, e.g., via screw S, and upper surfaceof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic. Moreover, upper surfacemay extend from lower surfacevia middle portion, which may have opening. Unlike interchangeable sub mountsand, as shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay have a parallelogram shape such that upper surfaceis positioned distal to lower surface. Accordingly, middle portionmay be angled.

In addition, the lower portion of interchangeable sub mountmay include rail system, which may be fixed to proximal portion, such that middle portionis slidably movable relative to rail system. Accordingly, rail systemmay include threaded apertures for aligning with the threaded apertures of proximal portion, and for receiving screw S, such that rail systemmay be fixed relative to proximal portion. As shown in, rail systemmay include a plurality of openingsconfigured to engage with pins/knobs(e.g., a screw), such that pins/knobsmay be disengaged with openingsto permit middle portionto be moved along rail systemto a desired longitudinal position, and pins/knobsmay engage with openingsto lock middle portionin the desired longitudinal position relative to rail systemand proximal portion.

Opticmay be removably coupled to upper surfaceof interchangeable sub mount. Moreover, opticmay have one or more knobs for controlling operation of optic. When multi-accessory mount assemblyis coupled to both opticvia interchangeable sub mountand IR laser/illuminator, opticis raised by height H.

is a perspective view of an exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly where the sub mount is integrally formed with the proximal portion of the multi-accessory mount assembly, e.g., as a single piece. In such a configuration, sub mountportion is not interchangeable, but fixed with the rest of the multi-accessory mount assembly. This configuration also may allow for an optic to be above a laser such that the laser does not block the firearm operator's vision of the optic reticle on the target. Further, the one-piece design may provide stability and be configured to allow for mounting of a single type of optic. As shown in, upper portionof sub mountmay extend from lower portionvia middle portion. Middle portionmay contain serrations on the front or rear. Moreover, sub mountmay have a tapered shape such that the width of middle portiondecreases from lower portiontoward upper portion. For example, a proximal side of middle portionmay extend vertically, whereas a distal side of middle portionmay be angled.

As shown in, multi-accessory mount assembly″ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly, with similar components having like prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portion″ corresponds with proximal portion, neck portion″ corresponds with neck portion, and distal portion″ corresponds with distal portion. Multi-accessory mount assembly′ differs from multi-accessory mount assemblyin that multi-accessory mount assembly″ is one-piece with the proximal portion″, neck portion″, and distal portion″, as described in further detail above.

is a side view of multi-accessory mount assemblycoupled to both opticvia interchangeable sub mount, and to laser.is a rear view of multi-accessory mount assemblycoupled to opticvia interchangeable sub mountand to laser. Height H allows for opticto be visible above laser. As shown in, lower surfaceof proximal portionmay include channelsized and shaped to engage with the rail mechanism of the firearm, e.g., at the middle region of the firearm (e.g., approximately over the action), via screws/knobs. The line of sight through opticmay be above IR laser, being raised by height H, such that IR laserdoes not block the firearm operator's vision of the optic reticle on the target.

is a side view of multi-accessory mount assemblycoupled to both opticvia interchangeable sub mount, and to laser. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, any of the firearm accessories described above may be interchangeably coupled to multi-accessory mount assembly, and multi-accessory mount assemblyfurther may be removably coupled to other known firearm accessories.is a rear view of multi-accessory mount assemblycoupled to opticvia interchangeable sub mountand to laser. The height H allows for opticto be visible above the laser. As shown in, the reticle of opticmay be visible on target above IR laser/illuminator, such that laserdoes not block the firearm operator's vision of the optic reticle on the target.

Referring now to, an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with an alternative exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided. Multi-accessory mount assembly′ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly, with similar components having like-prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portioncorresponds with proximal portion, neck portioncorresponds with neck portion, and distal portioncorresponds with distal portion. Multi-accessory mount assembly′ differs from multi-accessory mount assemblyin that multi-accessory mount assembly′ includes groovedisposed between proximal portionand neck portionfor releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount, as described in further detail below. As shown in, neck portionmay include cut outsto reduce the weight of the multi-accessory mount assembly. In some embodiments, cut outsmay extend horizontally through neck portion.

Interchangeable sub mountmay be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mounts,, anddescribed above. For example, lower portionof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to proximal portion, and upper portionof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic. Moreover, upper portionmay extend from lower portionvia middle portion. Middle portionmay contain serrations on the front or rear. Unlike interchangeable sub mounts,, and, as shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay have a tapered shape such that the width of middle portiondecreases from lower portiontoward upper portion. For example, a proximal side of middle portionmay extend vertically, whereas a distal side of middle portionmay be angled.

In addition, as shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay include openingextending from the proximal side of middle portionto the distal side of middle portionfor weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount. An iron-sight system including barand rampmay be disposed within opening. For example, the iron sight system may be configured such that rampis set within openingand rear baris within cut out. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, the iron-sight system may be any other iron sight system of one or two pieces, including but not limited to post systems, bead systems, ramp systems, ring systems, or combinations of these or other iron-sight systems.

As shown in, upper portionmay include one or more apertures, e.g., threaded apertures, for receiving screws that pass through corresponding apertures in the firearm accessory, e.g., optic, to tightly secure the firearm accessory to interchangeable sub mount. As shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay include openingsand, each extending laterally into a side of middle portionfor additional weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount. Openingsandmay be separated by a support-providing wall, such that neither openingsnorextend completely through middle portion.

Referring now to, coupling multi-accessory mount assembly′ to opticvia interchangeable sub mountis described. As shown in, lower portionmay include screw boreextending through a proximal portion of lower portion, and proximal portionmay have a corresponding screw boreextending at least partially therethrough, which may be aligned with screw boreto facilitate securement of interchangeable sub mountto proximal portion, e.g., via a screw. As described above, multi-accessory mount assembly′ includes groovefor releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount. Accordingly, as shown in, lower portionof interchangeable sub mountincludes ridgesized and shaped to be securely received by groove. In addition, lower portionof interchangeable sub mountincludes pinextending outwardly from the bottom surface of lower portion, and multi-accessory mount assembly′ includes receptacle, sized and shaped to securely and pivotally receive pintherein.

First, as shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay be positioned above and perpendicular to multi-accessory mount assembly′, such that pinis aligned with receptacle, and so that lowering of interchangeable sub mounttoward multi-accessory mount assembly′ can be achieved without colliding ridgeand neck portion. When interchangeable sub mountis in contact with multi-accessory mount assembly′ such that pinis received within receptacle, interchangeable sub mountmay then be rotated relative to multi-accessory mount assembly′ as shown inso that ridgeenters groove.

illustrates when interchangeable sub mountis properly aligned with multi-accessory mount assembly′, e.g., when lower portionis parallel with proximal portion, and screw boreis aligned with screw bore. A screw may then be inserted to secure interchangeable sub mountto proximal portion. The frictional forces between ridgeand groove, the frictional forces between pinand receptacle, and the frictional forces between the bottom surface of lower portionand the upper surface of proximal portionmay assist in securely maintaining interchangeable sub mountin positioned relative to multi-accessory mount assembly′.

Referring now to, an alternative exemplary interchangeable sub mount for coupling with an alternative exemplary multi-accessory mount assembly is provided.shows a side view of a proximal portiononto which the interchangeable sub mountwill be mounted.shows the bottom view of the proximal portion, including showing screw bores extending therethrough.shows a cross-sectional view of the interchangeable sub mount.

As shown in, multi-accessory mount assembly′ may be constructed similar to multi-accessory mount assembly, with similar components having like prime reference numerals. For example, proximal portioncorresponds with proximal portion, neck portioncorresponds with neck portion, and distal portioncorresponds with distal portion. Multi-accessory mount assembly′ differs from multi-accessory mount assemblyin that multi-accessory mount assembly′ includes groovedisposed between proximal portionand neck portionfor releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount, as described in further detail below.

As shown in, interchangeable sub mountmay be constructed similar to interchangeable sub mounts,,, anddescribed above. For example, lower portionof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to proximal portion, and upper portionof interchangeable sub mountmay be configured to be removably coupled to a firearm accessory, e.g., optic. Moreover, upper portionmay extend from lower portionvia middle portion. For example, a proximal side of middle portionmay extend vertically, whereas at least a portion of a distal side of middle portionmay be angled. Middle portionmay contain serrations on the front or rear. In addition, interchangeable sub mountmay include openingextending from the proximal side of middle portionto the distal side of middle portionfor weight reduction of interchangeable sub mount.

Lower portionmay include one or more screw boresextending through a proximal portion of lower portion, and proximal portionmay have a corresponding screw boreextending at least partially therethrough, which may be aligned with screw boreto facilitate securement of interchangeable sub mountto proximal portion, e.g., via a screw. As shown in, proximal portionmay include two separate screw boresfor mounting interchangeable sub mountthereupon, which may be aligned with the two screw boresof proximal portion, as shown in.

shows the coupling mechanism of proximal portionfor securing interchangeable sub mountto the proximal portion. As described above, multi-accessory mount assembly′ includes groovefor releasably engaging with interchangeable sub mount. Accordingly, grooveis sized and shaped to securely receive ridgeof lower portionof interchangeable sub mount, as shown in. In addition, proximal portionincludes receptaclesized and shaped to securely and pivotally receive pinextending outwardly from the bottom surface of lower portionof interchangeable sub mounttherein.

Referring now to, exemplary methodfor coupling multi-accessory mount assembly,′ to a firearm is provided. At step, proximal portion,,of multi-accessory mount assembly,′ may be coupled to the rail mechanism of the firearm, e.g., a Picatinny rail or a Weaver rail, via screws/knobs. Multi-accessory mount assembly,′,″ should be coupled to the firearm such that distal portion, is distal to proximal portion, relative to the firearm. At step, an interchangeable sub mount, e.g., interchangeable sub mounts,,,,may be selected by the firearm operator and coupled to proximal portion,′,″ using a system of position reference features depending on which interchangeable sub mount is selected, e.g., such that groovemates with ridge, groovemates with protrusion, aperturesare aligned with apertures, pinis received within receptacle, ridgeenters groove, screw boreis aligned with screw bore, pinis received within receptacle, ridgeenters groove, and/or screw boreis aligned with screw bore, etc.

Screws S may be used to fix the selected interchangeable sub mount to the proximal portion. For example, when interchangeable sub mountis selected, interchangeable sub mountmay be coupled to proximal portion, e.g., by engaging pinand receptacle, rotating interchangeable sub mountuntil ridgeis engaged with groove, and inserting screw S through screw boresand. When interchangeable sub mountis selected, interchangeable sub mountmay be coupled to proximal portion, e.g., by engaging pinand receptacle, rotating interchangeable sub mountuntil ridgeis engaged with groove, and inserting screws S through both screw boresand both screw bores. At step, a first firearm accessory, e.g., laser, may be coupled to the upper surface of distal portion,′,″. At step, a second fire arm, e.g., opticor, may be coupled to the upper surface of the selected interchangeable sub mount.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.