# US 2014/0360079 A1 · Tactical rail engaging assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360079 A1 - Document ID: US20140360079A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/372,467 - Filed: 2013-01-16 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-18 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Christopher A.J. Iannello - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360079A1 ## CPC - F41C 23/16: Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards (pump-action guns F41C7/02) - F41G 11/003: {Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"} - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) ## Abstract A tactical rail engaging assembly may include a securing base having opposed first and second lateral walls connected to opposed first and second end walls. A rail-receiving channel may be formed through a surface of the securing base. At least one button may be formed through at least one of the first and second end walls. At least one rail lock may extend between the first and second lateral walls and have at least one surface extending into the rail-receiving channel in an extended state. The button(s) is operatively connected to the rail lock(s). The button(s) is configured to be engaged to move the surface of the rail lock(s) from the extended state to a retracted state in order to allow at least a portion of the tactical rail to move within the rail-receiving channel relative to the securing base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tactical rail engaging assembly configured to securely engage a tactical rail, the tactical rail engaging assembly comprising: a securing base having opposed first and second lateral walls connected to opposed first and second end walls, wherein a rail-receiving channel is formed through a surface of the securing base; at least one button formed through at least one of the first and second end walls; and at least one rail lock extending between the first and second lateral walls and having at least one surface extending into the rail-receiving channel in an extended state, wherein the at least one button is operatively connected to the at least one rail lock, wherein the at least one button is configured to be engaged to move the at least one surface of the at least one rail lock from the extended state to a retracted state in order to allow at least a portion of the tactical rail to move within the rail-receiving channel relative to the securing base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one button comprises first and second buttons located at the first and second walls, respectively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one rail lock comprises first and second rail locks extending between the first and second lateral walls. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring member abutting into at least a portion of the at least one rail lock. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising a graspable member connected to the securing base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 5, further comprising an end cap removably secured to the graspable member, wherein the graspable member includes a hollow interior chamber closed by the end cap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one rail segment extending from one or both of the first and second lateral walls, wherein the at least one rail segment is configured to securely retain a component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one rail segment is integrally formed with the one or both of the first and second lateral walls. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one rail segment is removably secured to the one or both of the first and second lateral walls. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or both of the first and second lateral walls comprises a connection post and first and second securing anchors, and wherein the at least one rail segment securely connects to the one or both of the first and second lateral walls through the connection post and the first and second securing anchors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one rail segment comprises a body having a slot and a pivot beam extending into the slot, wherein the pivot beam includes a free stud at a terminal end, and wherein a component is configured to connect to the body through, at least in part, the free stud. ### Claim 12 A tactical rail engaging assembly configured to securely engage a tactical rail, the tactical rail engaging assembly comprising: a securing base having opposed first and second lateral walls connected to opposed first and second end walls, wherein a rail-receiving channel is formed through a surface of the securing base, wherein the rail-receiving channel is configured to receive a at least a portion of the tactical rail; a first rail segment extending from the first lateral wall; and a second rail segment extending from the second lateral wall, wherein each of the first and rail segments is configured to securely retain a component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second rail segments is integrally formed with the first and second lateral walls, respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 12, wherein one or both of the first and second rail segments is removably secured to one or both of the first and second lateral walls, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 12, wherein one or both of the first and second lateral walls comprises a connection post and first and second securing anchors, and wherein one or both of the first and second rail segments securely connects to the one or both of the first and second lateral walls through the connection post and the first and second securing anchors. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 15, wherein the one or both of the first and second rail segments comprises connection channels configured to securely connect to the connection post and the first and second securing anchors, wherein the connection channels comprise one or more of reciprocal channels formed through or within one or both of the first and second rail segments. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The tactical rail engaging assembly of claim 12, wherein one or both of the first and second rail segments comprises a body having a slot and a pivot beam extending into the slot, wherein the pivot beam includes a free stud at a terminal end, and wherein the component is configured to connect to the body through, at least in part, the free stud. ### Claim 18 A tactical rail configured to receive and retain a component, the tactical rail comprising: at least one rail segment including a body having a slot and a pivot beam extending into the slot, wherein the pivot beam includes a free stud at a terminal end, and wherein the component is configured to connect to the body in a securing connection through, at least in part, the free stud, wherein a reciprocal feature of the component is configured to receive and retain the free stud or be securely positioned between the free stud and a portion of the body, and wherein the pivot beam is configured to be manipulated to remove the free stud from the securing connection with the free stud. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The tactical rail of claim 18, wherein the at least one rail segment comprises connection channels configured to receive and retain portions of a securing base. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The tactical rail of claim 19, wherein the connection channels are configured to secure to a connection post and first and second securing anchors of the securing base.