Abstract
A sight and accessory mount assembly for a firearm having a rail includes a sight mount configured to carry a sight, and an accessory mount configured to carry an accessory. The accessory mount extends rearwardly from, and is pivotally connected to, the sight mount when the sight and accessory mount is attached to the firearm rail. The accessory mount is rotatable between a first end position and a second end position relative to the first sight mount, wherein in the first end position the accessory mount and an accessory that may be carried by the accessory mount are aligned with the sight mount and a sight that may be carried by the sight mount, and in the second end position the accessory mount and an accessory that may be carried by the accessory mount are pivoted away from the sight mount.
Claims
1. A sight and accessory mount assembly for a firearm having a rail, the sight and accessory mount assembly comprising: a sight mount configured to carry a sight and to be attached to the rail with the sight mount positioned at least partly between the sight and the firearm; an accessory mount configured to carry a firearm accessory, wherein the accessory mount is pivotably connected to the sight mount, and wherein the accessory mount protrudes from the sight mount in a direction aligned with the firearm, wherein the accessory mount is pivotable between a first end position and a second end position relative to the sight, and wherein in the first end position the firearm accessory is aligned with the sight, and in the second end position the firearm accessory is pivoted away from the sight.
2. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the sight mount has a lower side, and in the second end position, at least a portion of the accessory mount is pivoted to intersect a plane defined by the lower side of the sight mount.
3. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 1, wherein in the second end position, a portion of the accessory mount is located at the rail of the firearm.
4. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 1, wherein in the second end position the accessory mount contacts the rail of the firearm.
5. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the sight mount has a right side and a left side, wherein the accessory mount pivots around a pivot axis located at one of the right side and the left side.
6. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 5, wherein a front side of the accessory mount forms a protruding member that protrudes forward from the front side along the pivot axis and that overlaps a portion of the right side of the sight mount, and wherein the protruding member engages the right side of the sight mount in the first end position and second end position.
7. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 6, wherein the protruding member forms a wall that has a first wall end and a second wall end and outlines a portion of a cylinder centered on the pivot axis, wherein the first wall end engages the right side of the sight mount in the first position of the accessory mount and the second wall end engages the right side of the sight mount in the second position of the accessory mount.
8. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 5, wherein the protruding member is arranged to provide a defined range of rotation of the accessory mount relative to the sight mount around the pivot axis.
9. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 8, wherein the defined range of rotation is 30-180 degrees.
10. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 8, wherein the defined range of rotation is 60-90 degrees.
11. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory mount comprises a pivot pin seated in a pivot pin recess, wherein the pivot pin pivotally connects the accessory mount to the sight mount.
12. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a cross bolt slidably supported by the sight mount, wherein the cross bolt has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cross bolt engages the pivot pin and prevents the pivot pin from moving in an axial direction along a pivot axis, and wherein in the second position the cross bolt is disengaged from the pivot pin and allows the pivot pin to move in the axial direction along the pivot axis.
13. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 12, wherein the sight mount comprises a spring-loaded first plunger that engages a first cross bolt recess in the first position of the cross bolt and a second cross bolt recess in the second position of the cross bolt.
14. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 6, wherein the accessory mount further comprises: an insert in the protruding member and having a pair of circumferentially spaced-apart indentations; and a pivot lock that comprises a spring loaded second plunger that is engageable with at least one of the indentations to bias the accessory mount toward the first end position.
15. The sight and accessory mount assembly of claim 14, wherein the insert is an annular insert that has a through hole through which the pivot pin extends.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] A more complete understanding of the abovementioned and other features and advantages of the proposed technology disclosed herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from a right side of a firearm with the sight and accessory mount assembly mounted thereon, with the accessory mount pivoted into a first end position;
[0060] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from the right side of a firearm with sight and accessory mount assembly mounted thereon, with the accessory mount pivoted into a second end position;
[0061] FIG. 3a shows a partial plan view from the rear of the rifle with the accessory mount in the first end position;
[0062] FIG. 3b shows a partial plan view from the rear of the rifle with the accessory mount in the second end position;
[0063] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the sight mount and sight and the accessory mount and the accessory;
[0064] FIG. 5 shows a perspective exploded view from the left side of the sight mount;
[0065] FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of the accessory mount;
[0066] FIG. 7a shows a plan view of the left side of the sight mount with the accessory mount in the first end position;
[0067] FIG. 7b shows a cross sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 7a;
[0068] FIG. 7c shows a cross sectional view along a longitudinal direction, or between the front side and rear side, of the sight mount;
[0069] FIG. 7d shows a cross sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 7c with the cross bolt in the first position;
[0070] FIG. 7e shows a cross sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 7c with the cross bolt in the second position;
[0071] FIG. 8a shows a view of the rear side of the sight and accessory mount assembly;
[0072] FIG. 8b shows a perspective view of the right side of the sight and accessory mount assembly;
[0073] FIG. 8c shows the sight and accessory mount assembly with the second sight mount in the first end position; and
[0074] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of the right side of the sight mount assembly, carrying a sight, attached to a rail of the rifle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0075] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from a right side of a firearm 100 with a sight and accessory mount assembly 10 attached to the firearm 100. The sight and accessory mount assembly 10 comprises a sight mount 12 and an accessory mount 14. The sight and accessory mount assembly 10 is shown with the accessory mount 14 in a first end position. In the illustrated embodiment, the firearm 100 is a rifle (and will be referred to as such below), particularly an AR-platform rifle, but this is by way of example only. The rifle 100 has a stock 104, arranged to be in contact with a shoulder of an operator (not shown) of the rifle 100 during shooting. In addition, the rifle 100, in the particular exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, comprises a receiver 105 with a pistol grip 112 and a magazine well 106 for receiving a magazine (not shown). Arranged on an upper side of the receiver is a rail 108 configured for attaching the sight and accessory mount assembly 10. The rifle 100 further comprises a barrel 101 that may be fitted with a flash suppressor or muzzle brake 102 and/or a handguard 110 that covers at least a major portion of the barrel 101. The muzzle brake 102 (if attached) extends in the direction of a target during firing of the rifle 100.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from the same side as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 the sight and accessory mount assembly 10 is pivoted into a second end position.
[0077] FIGS. 3a and 3b show partial plan views from the rear of the rifle 10 showing the accessory mount 14, carrying an accessory 18 in the form of magnifier or magnifying optic 18, in the first end position and the second end position. The accessory mount 14 pivots relative to the sight mount 12. FIG. 3a shows the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 pivoted to the first end position. In the first end position, the accessory 18 aligns and is collinear with a sight 16. This allows the operator to acquire a sight picture through both the sight 16 and the accessory 18 at the same time.
[0078] In FIG. 3b the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 are shown as pivoted downward toward the rail 108 of the rifle 100 to a second end position. In the second end position, the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 are pivoted away from the sight mount 12 and the sight 16. Thus, in the second end position, the accessory 18 is pivoted downward and sideways relative to the sight 16, so that the accessory 18 clears the sight 16 and thus does not obstruct the sight 16 or the sight picture provided by the sight 16. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3b, the sight 16 can be used on its own, such as during close combat operations.
[0079] FIG. 3b shows the accessory 18 adjacent the rail 108 in the second end position. The sight mount 12 has a lower side 20 (FIG. 4) that contacts an upper surface of the rail 108 when the sight mount 12 is attached or mounted to the rail 108. The lower side 20 of the sight mount 12 defines a plane 32 (FIG. 3b). When the accessory mount 14 is in the second end position, a portion of the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 intersects the plane 32. Worded differently, when the accessory 18 is in the second end position, a portion of the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 contacts the upper surface of the rail 108. FIG. 3b shows that when the accessory mount 14 and the accessory 18 are in the second end position, the accessory 18 clears and does not obstruct the view through the sight 16.
[0080] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the sight mount 12, the sight 16, the accessory mount 14, and the accessory 18. The sight 16 (shown as a red dot sight by way of example only) is removably attached to a top or upper surface of the sight mount 12. The accessory mount 14 is arranged between the sight mount 12 and the stock 104, but the order may be reversed. The accessory mount 14 extends from a rear side 28 of the sight mount 12 in a rearward direction relative to the rifle 100. The accessory mount 14 carries or fastens an accessory 18. The accessory 18 is shown, by way of example only, in the form of a 3 magnifying optic. When the accessory mount 14 is arranged in the first end position, an optical axis of the sight 16 is aligned and collinear with the accessory 18. The operator may thereby acquire a magnified sight picture of a target with the red dot overlaid.
[0081] The accessory mount 14 comprises a body having a pivot pin or spigot 40 extending forwardly from a front side 36 of the accessory mount 14, which has a rear side 34. The pivot pin 40 has a first end 40a and a second end 40b (see FIG. 6), wherein the first end 40a is received in a pivot pin recess or orifice 44 at the rear of the sight mount 12, thereby enabling the accessory mount 14 to pivot, or rotate, around a pivot axis 42 (see FIG. 7b) relative to the sight mount 12. The accessory mount 14 has an attachment mechanism, advantageously in the form of a ring mount 15, for removably attaching or clamping the accessory 18 to the accessory mount 14.
[0082] The sight mount 12 comprises a cross bolt 60 for locking the accessory mount 14 to the sight mount 12. The cross bolt 60 is slidably supported by the sight mount 12 and is slidable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cross bolt 60 prevents axial movement of the pivot pin 40 of the accessory mount 14 along the pivot pin axial direction or pivot axis 42, and prevents removal of the accessory mount 14 from the sight mount 12. The cross bolt 60 will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 7a-7e.
[0083] The sight mount 12 has a lower side 20, an upper side 22 (FIG. 5), a rear or first side 28, a front or second side 30, a right or third side 24, and a left or fourth side 26. The sight mount 12 further comprises a pivot lock 80 for biasing the accessory mount 14 selectively in the first end position and the second end position. The pivot lock 80 will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7b. At least a portion of the upper side 22 of the sight mount 12 is configured for removably attaching the sight 16 to the sight mount, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0084] FIG. 5 shows a perspective exploded view from the left side 26 of the sight mount 12. The sight mount 12 is shown having a clamping member 38 interacting with a ledge 39 on the right side 24 of the sight mount 12. The clamping member 38 and the ledge 39 cooperate to clamp the sight mount 12 to the rail 108 of the rifle 100. The clamping is achieved by (preferably) two fastening elements 41, shown, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, as threaded bolts that extend through corresponding holes 45 in the clamping member 38 and then thread into threaded holes (not shown) in the sight mount 12.
[0085] The cross bolt 60 (also shown in FIGS. 7d and 7e) is slidably mounted in a through hole 62 of the sight mount 12. The cross bolt 60 has a first annular recess or groove 64 and a second annular recess or groove 66, separated by an annular ridge 68. The cross bolt 60, which is rotationally symmetric, interacts with and is engaged by a first plunger 72 comprising a cylindrical plunger shaft 72a terminating in a rounded inner end 72b. The first plunger is seated in a first plunger hole 78 in the sight mount 12 (see FIG. 7c), and it is biased inwardly by a first plunger spring 74, preferably a helical coil spring, seated against the plunger shaft 72a. The plunger hole 78 is closed off at its outer end by a first threaded plunger screw 76 (see FIGS. 5 and 7c). The first plunger 72 is thereby spring-loaded. The rounded inner end 72b of the spring-loaded first plunger 72 is selectively engageable with the first recess 64 in the first position of the cross bolt 60, and with the second recess 66 in the second position of the cross bolt 60. The spring-loaded first plunger 72, the first annular recess 64, the second annular recess 66 and the annular ridge 68 of the cross bolt 60 form a biasing mechanism for the cross bolt 60.
[0086] FIG. 5 further shows a second plunger 82 supported in a second plunger hole 88 in a tubular fitting 89 on the rear side 28 of the sight mount 12. The second plunger 82 may advantageously be formed in a spherical shape, as shown. The second plunger hole 88 is closed at its outer end by a second threaded plunger screw 86. The second plunger 82 is biased by a second helical plunger spring 84 captured between the second plunger 82 and the second threaded plunger screw 86 so as to spring-load the second plunger 82 and bias it in an inward direction.
[0087] FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of the accessory mount 14. The accessory mount 14 includes the above-mentioned pivot pin 40, which has a first end 40a and a second end 40b. Adjacent the first end 40a is an annular groove 46 that engages the cross bolt 60 to prevent axial movement, or movement in the pivot pin axial direction, of the accessory mount 14 relative to the sight mount 12. The second end 40b of the pivot pin 40 is inserted into a recess 67 in a protruding member 54 extending forwardly from the front side 36 of the accessory mount 14. Between the annular groove 46 of the pivot pin 40 and the second end 40b of the pivot pin 40 is an annular ridge 48. The pivot pin 40 is fixed, or securely mounted, to the accessory mount 14 by a fixation member 43, such as a bolt or screw, that threads into an opening 94 that is oriented transverse to the recess 67. The fixation member opening 94 is connected to the recess 67 such that the fixation member 43 may be threaded into the opening 94 to apply a transverse or radially inward force to the pivot pin 40.
[0088] As mentioned above, the protruding member 54, which extends from the front side 36 of the accessory mount 14 parallel with the pivot pin 40, forms or includes a wall that has a first end 58 and a second end 59, and that outlines a portion of a cylinder centered on the pivot axis around the pivot pin 40. The protruding member 54 overlaps and engages the right side 24 of the sight mount 12. The first end 58 engages the right or third side 24 of the sight mount 12 when the accessory mount 14 is in the first end position. The second end 59 engages the right or third side 24 of the sight mount 12 when the accessory mount 14 is in the second position. The first end 58 and the second end 59, together with the right or third side 24 of the sight mount 12, define the first and second pivot end positions of the accessory mount 14, as well as the range of pivot movement of the accessory mount 14.
[0089] FIG. 6 further shows an insert 50 and a seat 56, conforming to or matching the insert 50, at the front of the accessory mount 14. The insert 50 has a radially outward extending protrusion 57 (see FIG. 7b) with a pair of circumferentially-spaced apart indentations 52 in its outer surface. The insert 50 may have a central through hole or opening 90, configured to receive the pivot pin 40. The insert 50 forms a wall that has a first end and a second end, and it outlines a portion of a second cylinder centered on the pivot axis around which the pivot pin 40 pivots. The insert protrusion 57 matches the seat 56, and it prevents the insert 50 from rotating relative to the accessory mount 14. This results in the insert 50 moving together with the accessory mount 14 as the accessory mount 14 transitions from the first end position to the second end position. The second end 40b of the pivot pin 40 that is received by the recess 67 in the accessory mount 14 extends through the central opening 90 in the insert 50. The insert 50 is arranged between the annular ridge 48 of the pivot pin 40 and the seat 56. The insert 50 is thereby locked and prevented from moving in the axial direction of the pivot pin 40 when the accessory mount 14 is pivotally connected to the sight mount 12.
[0090] FIG. 7a shows a plan view of the left or fourth side 26 of the sight mount 12 with the accessory mount 14 in the first end position. FIG. 7a shows that the sight mount 12 may have one or more weight-reducing cuts or openings 92. FIG. 7a shows the optical axis 96 of the sight 16 and the accessory 18, with the accessory mount 14 in the first end position, as being aligned.
[0091] FIG. 7b is a cross sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 7a, showing the spring-loaded second plunger 82. The second plunger 82 is biased against the insert 50 by the second plunger spring 84. The second plunger spring 84 and the second plunger 82 are supported within the second plunger hole 88 extending radially inward from the left or fourth side 26 towards the pivot pin 40 and the pivot axis 42. The second plunger 82 is shown as a ball or sphere, but other configurations may be functionally equivalent or suitable. The second plunger spring 84 is arranged between the threaded second plunger screw 86 that is threaded into the outer end of the second plunger hole 88 of the sight mount 12. The second plunger 82 engages the insert 50, and it is selectively engageable with the indentations 52 of the insert 50. The spring-biased second plunger 82 and the insert 50 form the above-mentioned pivot lock 80. In FIG. 7b, the accessory mount 14 is shown in the first end position. The pivot lock 80 biases the accessory mount 14 and prevents it from transitioning from the first end position until the spring force applied by the second plunger spring 84 through the second plunger 82 has been overcome. FIG. 7b further shows the pivot axis 42 around which the pivot pin 40 rotates.
[0092] FIG. 7c is a cross sectional view along the longitudinal direction, or transverse to and extending between the front side 30 and the rear side 28 of the sight mount 12. As discussed above, the first plunger 72 is slidably supported in the first plunger hole 78. The first plunger hole 78 is closed at an outer end by a threaded first plunger screw 76, and it terminates at an inner end at the through hole 62 that slidably supports the cross bolt 60. The first plunger 72 is spring loaded by the second spring 74 that is seated between the first plunger 72 and the threaded first plunger screw 76 that is threaded into the first plunger hole 78. FIG. 7c shows that the first plunger hole 78 is arranged transverse to the cross bolt 60, at an angle in relation to the front side 30 of the sight mount 12. The first plunger 72 extends through the second plunger hole 78 and into the through hole 62 that slidably supports the cross bolt 60 so as to engage and bias the cross bolt 60.
[0093] FIG. 7d shows a cross sectional view along B-B in FIG. 7c. The cross bolt 60 is slidably supported in the through hole 62. The through hole 62 extends from the right side 24 to the left side 26 of the sight mount 12. In FIG. 7d, the cross bolt 60 is arranged in a second position, in which a third cross bolt recess 70 in the cross bolt 60 is aligned with the pivot pin recess 44 that receives the pivot pin 40. The third cross bolt recess 70 is shown in the form of an annular recess or groove that conforms to the shape of the pivot pin recess 44 that receives the pivot pin 40. By conforming to the shape of the pivot pin recess 44 that receives the pivot pin 40, the third cross bolt recess 70, when aligned with the pivot pin recess 44, defines with the pivot pin recess 44 a cylindrical opening that allows the accessory mount 14 to be removed by sliding the pivot pin 40 from the sight mount 12 in the pivot pin 40 axial direction, i.e., along the pivot pin axis 42.
[0094] FIG. 7e shows the cross bolt 60 in a first position, wherein the third recess 70 of the cross bolt 60 engages the annular groove 46 of the pivot pin 40, and it thus prevents or blocks the pivot pin 40 from moving in the pivot pin axial direction. The accessory mount 14 is thereby prevented from being removed from the sight mount 12 when the cross bolt 60 is in the first position.
[0095] FIG. 8a shows a view from the rear of the sight and accessory mount assembly 10, with the sight 16 and the accessory 18 removed. FIG. 8a shows that the lower side 20 of the sight mount 12 defines the plane 32. When the sight mount 12 is attached to the rail 108, the upper surface of the rail will be located at the plane 32. FIG. 8a further shows the accessory mount 14 pivoted to the second end position, wherein a portion of the accessory mount 14 intersects the plane 32. That portion of the accessory mount 14 will thereby contact the rail 108 when the accessory mount 14 is pivoted to the second end position.
[0096] FIG. 8b shows a perspective view of the right side 24 of the sight and accessory mount assembly 10. The protruding member 54 extending from the front side 36 of the accessory mount 14 overlaps a portion of the right side 24 of the sight mount 12. When the accessory mount 14 is in the second end position, the second wall end 59 of the protruding member 54 will contact and engage the right side 24 of the sight mount 12 and limit further pivoting of the accessory mount 14. FIG. 8b shows that the first wall end 58 is not in contact with the right side 24 when the accessory mount 14 is in the second end position.
[0097] FIG. 8c shows the sight and accessory mount assembly 10 of FIG. 8b, wherein the accessory mount 14 is in the first end position, in which the first end 58 is in contact with the right side 24 of the sight mount 12.
[0098] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of the right side 24 of the sight mount 12 attached to the rail 108 of the rifle 100 and carrying, or fastening, the sight 16. With the accessory mount 14 removed from the sight and accessory mount 10, the sight mount 12 is usable on its own.
ITEM LIST
[0099] 16 sight [0100] 18 accessory [0101] 20 lower side of sight mount [0102] 22 upper side of sight mount [0103] 24 right side, or third side, of sight mount [0104] 26 left side, or fourth side, of sight mount [0105] 28 rear side, or first side, of the sight mount [0106] 30 front side, or second side, of the sight mount [0107] 32 lower side plane of sight mount [0108] 34 rear side of accessory mount [0109] 36 front side of accessory mount [0110] 38 sight rail clamp [0111] 39 sight mount clamping ledge [0112] 40 pivot pin, or spigot [0113] 40a first end of pivot pin [0114] 40b second end of pivot pin [0115] 41 clamp fastening elements [0116] 42 pivot axis [0117] 43 fixation bolt [0118] 44 pivot pin recess or orifice [0119] 45 clamp apertures for fastening elements 41 [0120] 46 pivot pin annular groove [0121] 48 pivot pin ridge [0122] 50 insert [0123] 52 indentations in insert [0124] 54 protruding member [0125] 56 seat for insert [0126] 57 insert protrusion [0127] 58 first wall end of insert protrusion [0128] 59 second wall end of insert protrusion [0129] 60 cross bolt [0130] 62 cross bolt support through hole [0131] 64 cross bolt first annular recess [0132] 66 cross bolt second annular recess [0133] 67 pivot pin bearing recess [0134] 68 cross bolt ridge [0135] 70 cross bolt third annular recess [0136] 72 first plunger [0137] 72a shaft or body of first plunger [0138] 72b head of first plunger [0139] 74 first plunger spring [0140] 76 fixing bolt [0141] 78 first plunger support recess [0142] 80 pivot lock [0143] 82 second plunger [0144] 84 second plunger spring [0145] 86 fixing bolt [0146] 88 second plunger support hole or recess [0147] 89 tubular fixture for second plunger [0148] 90 insert through hole or opening [0149] 92 weight-reducing cuts [0150] 94 fixation bolt opening [0151] 96 optical axis of sight and accessory in first position [0152] 100 firearm or rifle [0153] 101 barrel [0154] 102 muzzle brake [0155] 104 stock [0156] 105 receiver [0157] 106 magazine well [0158] 108 rail [0159] 110 hand guard [0160] 112 pistol grip
