Jul 29, 2025

US12372327 - Accessory mounting system and method of using the same

An accessory attachment system is presented. The accessory attachment system includes a mounting rail. The mounting rail has a plurality of protrusion and recesses. The protrusions and recesses alternate in a repeating pattern along the mounting rail. The accessory attachment system also includes an accessory configured to be mounted on the mounting rail. The accessory attachment system also includes a friction plate configured to hold the accessory in a position on the mounting rail. The friction plate comprises friction feature configured to interact with the plurality of protrusions and recesses to create a friction force that holds the accessory in the position. The accessory attachment system allows for movement of the accessory along the rail with an application of force. The applied force is greater than the friction force.

Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors: Tim S. Hjertberg
Filing date: 2020-06-23

The patent describes an accessory attachment system featuring a mounting rail with alternating protrusions and recesses, designed to securely hold an accessory in place using a friction plate. This system allows for the accessory to be repositioned along the rail when a force greater than the friction force is applied.

Claim 1

An accessory attachment system comprising: a mounting rail comprising a plurality of protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions and recesses alternate in a repeating pattern along the mounting rail; an accessory configured to be mounted on the mounting rail; a friction plate configured to hold the accessory in a position on the mounting rail, wherein the friction plate comprises a friction feature configured to interact with the plurality of protrusions and recesses to create a friction force that holds the accessory in the position, wherein the friction feature is configured to cause a deflection of the friction plate in a deflection direction when interacting with the plurality of protrusions and recesses, wherein the friction plate and the friction feature are formed from the same piece in a unitary construction, wherein the friction plate is configured to temporarily deform, wherein the friction force is created by the interaction of friction features with the plurality of protrusions and recesses of the mounting rail; and wherein the accessory attachment system allows for movement of the accessory along the rail with an application of force, wherein the applied force is greater than the friction force. a mounting rail comprising a plurality of protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions and recesses alternate in a repeating pattern along the mounting rail; an accessory configured to be mounted on the mounting rail; a friction plate configured to hold the accessory in a position on the mounting rail, wherein the friction plate comprises a friction feature configured to interact with the plurality of protrusions and recesses to create a friction force that holds the accessory in the position, wherein the friction feature is configured to cause a deflection of the friction plate in a deflection direction when interacting with the plurality of protrusions and recesses, wherein the friction plate and the friction feature are formed from the same piece in a unitary construction, wherein the friction plate is configured to temporarily deform, wherein the friction force is created by the interaction of friction features with the plurality of protrusions and recesses of the mounting rail; and wherein the accessory attachment system allows for movement of the accessory along the rail with an application of force, wherein the applied force is greater than the friction force.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12372327

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12372327