Reversible t-rail mountable to a picatinny rail

Abstract

The present invention is a T-rail that is capable of supporting, in the preferred embodiment, a day and night optical sights, image intensifier and thermal imaging device (scope) and an infrared laser designator. The scope is supported on an upper rail while the designator is supported on an extension that extends perpendicularly away from the upper rail. The T-rail supports these two objects in alignment so that when the T-rail is removed from the weapon and subsequently replaced, the two objects remain in alignment. The T-rail is designed to be mounted to a standard Picatinny rail and comprises a jaw and flange along its bottom to facilitate this mounting. The jaw has a top surface and a bottom surface that matingly engage the top and bottom slope of one side of the Picatinny rail, while the flange has only an upper surface that rests along the top slope of the other side of the rail. A clamp that engages the exposed bottom slope of the mounting rail and the body of the T-rail is used to secure and lock the T-rail in place alone the mounting rail. The attachment device, including the jaw, flange and clamp, are designed so that the T-rail may be mounted in either direction on the mounting rail. In other words, the scope and designator may be mounted for either a right handed or left handed shooter.