U.S. patent application number 11/437946 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-22 for method and apparatus for mounting telescopic sights on firearms.
This patent application is currently assigned to Williams Gun Sight Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald E. Stover.
Application Number | 20070266611 11/437946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38710666 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070266611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stover; Gerald E. |
November 22, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for mounting telescopic sights on firearms
Abstract
A method and apparatus for attaching a telescopic scope to a
variety of rifles, without requiring the rifle to be modified by
drilling or the need to purchase multiple scope mounts, comprised
of front and rear mounting assemblies having a mounting plate and a
corresponding scope attachment ring. The bases comprise a planar
mounting surface embodying a radial recess down the center along
with at least one pair of mounting holes and at least one pair of
mounting slots for attachment to rifles having different screw
patterns and mounting surfaces. The mounting rings are received and
attached within longitudinal channels along the mounting bases and
the scope subsequently clamped in place by the upper and lower
attachment rings, providing for the removal and subsequent
attachment of the scope and attachment rings without loosing the
scope's previously zeroed calibration.
Inventors: |
Stover; Gerald E.; (Lapeer,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
Williams Gun Sight Company,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38710666 |
Appl. No.: |
11/437946 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41G 11/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/124 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/38 20060101
F41G001/38 |
Claims
1. In combination with a telescopic sight adapted to be removably
mounted upon each of a plurality of rifle style firearms, the
telescopic sight have a pair of mounting assemblies, each of which
comprises an upper ring-shaped sight engagement portion and a pair
of downwardly projecting spaced apart mounting arms having inwardly
projecting mounting portions thereon; each of the firearms having a
receiver portion provided with an upwardly facing sight mounting
surface provided with two pair of longitudinally spaced apart
internally tapped upwardly facing bores, the tapped bores of each
pair thereof on each of the firearm receivers being spaced a
different longitudinal distance apart from the pairs of bores on
the other of the firearm receivers, the improvement comprising: a
universal telescopic sight mounting system, comprising a pair of
longitudinally spaced apart mounting plates associated one with
each of the sight mounting assemblies of the telescopic sight; each
of said mounting plates being provided with at least one pair of
vertically disposed through-bores, longitudinally spaced from at
least one pair of slotted through bores, the longitudinal spacing
between each pair of through-bores being proximal to the
longitudinal spacing between the pairs of tapped bores of one of
the firearm receivers; a first fastening means comprising two pairs
of threaded fasteners, one of said pairs being associated with one
of said adapter plates and the other said pairs being associated
with the other of said adapter plates, whereby said adapter plates
are adapted to be surmounted on said mounting surface of any of the
firearms with one of the at least one pair of bores in each of the
adapter plates being aligned with the a corresponding first spaced
pair of tapped bores in the associated firearm receiver, and be
secured to the receiver by threaded fasteners, and one of the at
least one pair of slotted through bores in each of the adapter
plates being aligned with the a corresponding second spaced pair of
tapped bores in the associated firearm receiver, and be secured to
the receiver by said threaded fasteners, each of said adapter
plates removably receiving the inwardly projecting mounting
portions of one of said sight mounting assemblies, and second
fastening means extending laterally through said mounting portions
and said adapter plate for fixedly securing said assembles and
hence the telescopic sight to the associated of said mounting
plates, wherein when said telescopic sight in combination with said
upper ring-shaped sight engagement portion and said downwardly
projecting spaced apart mounting arms is removed from said adapter
plates and subsequently replaced, the calibration of said
telescopic sight is unchanged from prior attachment.
2. In combination with a telescopic sight adapted to be removably
mounted upon each of a plurality of rifle style firearms, the
telescopic sight have a pair of mounting assemblies, each of which
comprises an upper ring-shaped sight engagement portion and a pair
of downwardly projecting spaced apart mounting arms having inwardly
projecting mounting portions thereon; each of the firearms having a
receiver portion provided with an upwardly facing sight mounting
surface provided with two pair of longitudinally spaced apart
internally tapped upwardly facing bores, the tapped bores of each
pair thereof on each of the firearm receivers being spaced a
different longitudinal distance apart from the pairs of bores on
the other of the firearm receivers, the improvement comprising, a
universal telescopic sight mounting system, comprising a pair of
longitudinally spaced apart mounting plates associated one with
each of the sight mounting assemblies of the telescopic sight; each
of said mounting plates being provided with at least one pair of
vertically disposed through-bores, longitudinally spaced from at
least one pair of slotted through bores, the longitudinal spacing
between each pair of through-bores being proximal to the
longitudinal spacing between the pairs of tapped bores of one of
the firearm receivers; a first fastening means comprising two pairs
of threaded fasteners, one of said pairs being associated with one
of said adapter plates and the other said pairs being associated
with the other of said adapter plates, whereby said adapter plates
are adapted to be surmounted on said mounting surface of any of the
firearms with one of the at least one pair of bores in each of the
adapter plates being aligned with the a corresponding first spaced
pair of tapped bores in the associated firearm receiver, and be
secured to the receiver by threaded fasteners, and one of the at
least one pair of slotted through bores in each of the adapter
plates being aligned with the a corresponding second spaced pair of
tapped bores in the associated firearm receiver, and be secured to
the receiver by said threaded fasteners each of said adapter plates
being formed with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves along
the longitudinal sides thereof, said grooves removably receiving
the inwardly projecting mounting portions of one of said sight
mounting assemblies, and second fastening means extending laterally
through said mounting portions and said adapter plate for fixedly
securing said assembles and hence the telescopic sight to the
associated of said mounting plates, wherein when said telescopic
sight in combination with said upper ring-shaped sight engagement
portion and said downwardly projecting spaced apart mounting arms
is removed from said adapter plates and subsequently replaced, the
calibration of said telescopic sight is unchanged from prior
attachment.
3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said
adapter plates is formed with two pairs of spaced apart bores which
are arranged so as to provide at least four differently spaced
apart bore sets.
4. In combination with a telescopic sight adapted to be removably
mounted upon each of a plurality of rifle style firearms, the
telescopic sight have a pair of mounting assemblies, each of which
comprises an upper ring-shaped sight engagement portion and a pair
of downwardly projecting spaced apart mounting arms having inwardly
projecting mounting portions thereon; each of the firearms having a
receiver portion provided with an upwardly facing sight mounting
surface provided with two pair of longitudinally spaced apart
internally tapped upwardly facing bores, the tapped bores of each
pair thereof on each of the firearm receivers being spaced a
different longitudinal distance apart from the pairs of bores on
the other of the firearm receivers, the improvement comprising, a
universal telescopic sight mounting system, comprising a pair of
longitudinally spaced apart mounting plates associated one with
each of the sight mounting assemblies of the telescopic sight; each
of said mounting plates being provided with three pairs of
longitudinally spaced vertically disposed through-bores, the
longitudinal spacing between each pair of through-bores being equal
to the longitudinal spacing between the pairs of tapped bores of
one of the firearm receivers; a first fastening means comprising
two pairs of threaded fasteners, one of said pairs being associated
with one of said adapter plates and the other said pairs being
associated with the other of said adapter plates, whereby said
adapter plates are adapted to be surmounted on said mounting
surface of any of the firearms with one of the pairs of bores in
each of the adapter plates being aligned with the corresponding
spaced pair of tapped bores in the associated firearm receiver, and
be secured to the receiver by one of the pairs of threaded
fasteners, each of said adapter plates being formed with a pair of
longitudinally extending grooves along the longitudinal sides
thereof, said grooves removably receiving the inwardly projecting
mounting portions of one of said sight mounting assemblies, and
second fastening means extending laterally through said mounting
portions and said adapter plate for fixedly securing said assembles
and hence the telescopic sight to the associated of said mounting
plates, wherein at least one of the firearms has a cylindrical
upper sight mounting surface on its receiver portion and at least
one of the firearms has a relatively flat upper sight mounting
surface on its receiver portion, and wherein each of the adapter
plates is formed with a shallow concave surface on the underside
thereof which is adapted to nestingly receive the sight mounting
surface of each of said receivers, wherein when said telescopic
sight in combination with said upper ring-shaped sight engagement
portion and said downwardly projecting spaced apart mounting arms
is removed from said adapter plates and subsequently replaced, the
calibration of said telescopic sight is unchanged from prior
attachment.
5. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of
the firearms has a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on its
receiver portion and at least one of the firearms has a relatively
flat upper sight mounting surface on its receiver portion, and
wherein each of the adapter plates is configured with a shallow
concave surface on the underside thereof, formed between two
adjacent flat surfaces, said shallow concave surface adapted to
nestingly receive the sight mounting surface of each of said
firearms having a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion; said flat surfaces of said adapter plates formed
to receive the sight mounting surface of each of said firearms
having said relatively flat upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion.
6. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of
the firearms has a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on its
receiver portion and at least one of the firearms has a relatively
flat upper sight mounting surface on its receiver portion, and
wherein each of the adapter plates is configured with a shallow
concave surface on the underside thereof, formed between two
adjacent flat surfaces, said shallow concave surface adapted to
nestingly receive the sight mounting surface of each of said
firearms having a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion; said flat surfaces of said adapter plates formed
to receive the sight mounting surface of each of said firearms
having said relatively flat upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion.
7. The invention as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said
adapter plates is configured with two flat surfaces on either side
of said shallow concave surface; said flat surfaces of said adapter
plates formed to receive the sight mounting surface of each of said
at least one firearm having said relatively flat upper sight
mounting surface on their receiver portion.
8. The invention as set forth in claim 6, wherein at least one of
the firearms has a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on its
receiver portion and at least one of the firearms has a relatively
flat upper sight mounting surface on its receiver portion, and
wherein each of the adapter plates is configured with a shallow
concave surface on the underside thereof, formed between two
adjacent flat surfaces, said shallow concave surface adapted to
nestingly receive the sight mounting surface of each of said
firearms having a cylindrical upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion; said flat surfaces of said adapter plates formed
to receive the sight mounting surface of each of said firearms
having said relatively flat upper sight mounting surface on their
receiver portion.
9. The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said
adapter plates is configured with two flat surfaces on either side
of said shallow concave surface; said flat surfaces of said adapter
plates formed to receive the sight mounting surface of each of said
at least one firearm having said relatively flat upper sight
mounting surface on their receiver portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a scope mount used on
various rifles. More specifically, this invention relates to a
scope mount that can be universally mounted on a variety of
different rifles from different manufacturers without modifying the
firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Since the first field scopes that were attached to a
hunter's rifle used to enhance a hunter's ability to fire a more
direct shot at their desired target, there have been many different
methods of securing the instrument to the firearm. Not only must a
mount for a scope provide a secure attachment to the gun, it must
be able to maintain the scope's alignment after successive shots
have been fired. A significant problem that arises, which the
present invention overcomes, is that gun manufacturers use a
variety of different mounting patterns for scopes on the top of
their guns and rifles. In order to achieve the secure attachment
necessary for a scope, individualized mounts have been required for
the various manufacturers of guns or rifles on the market.
[0003] This becomes a large inconvenience for hunters that prefer
to use a single scope on several different rifles. In order for
them to change rifles to accommodate a single scope, they would
have to remove the scope from the mount of one rifle and attach it
to a separate mount for the second rifle. Accordingly, if the
hunter were to remove the scope from the mount and attach it to the
mount of the second rifle, he would have to realign the reticles of
the scope with respect to the mount as well as adjust the eye
relief distance of the scope and zero it before use. Eye relief
relates to the distance between the shooter's eye and the end of
the scope through which the shooter seeks his target. This process
takes skill and time, notwithstanding the need for the hunter to
purchase a separate scope mount for each individual gun. This
problem is overcome in the present invention by allowing the user
to mount a single scope to a large variety of rifles without
requiring the scope to be switched from one mount to another.
[0004] There have been earlier universal-type scope mounts
disclosed, but the differences and advantages of the present
invention will become clear in the description provided
hereinafter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,779 by inventors Ellison et al.
teaches of a scope mount base for a black powder rifle that uses
multiple holes for attachment to different rifles. The invention
discloses a single rear mounting hole and dual forward mounting
holes to adapt to two separate mounting patterns on two separate
rifles. The advantage of the present invention over Ellison is
quite clear in that not only does the present invention use
multiple holes of varying diameter for mounting the scope to a
greater variety of rifles, but also embodies a mounting base with
both planar and radial surfaces, allowing even greater versatility
as far as the number of rifles upon which the scope may be mounted.
As a result of the aforesaid shortcomings of prior art scope
mounts, the need arose for a single sight mount that can securely
attach a scope to a variety of different rifles without having to
modify the mount or the rifle prior to attachment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a scope
mount for a firearm that may be used with a variety of rifle
models.
[0006] A more specific object of the present invention is to
provide a universal scope mount which is attachable to a plurality
of rifles with tapped holes that are factory-formed without having
to drill additional holes in the mounting surface of the rifle.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
universal scope mount for rifles that utilizes a plate embodying
multiple sets of mounting holes of specific diameters including
slotted holes to adapt to a variety of different hole patterns that
are factory-formed within the different rifles.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
universal scope mount utilizing a plate that can attach a scope to
a rifle embodying either a flat mounting surface or a round
mounting surface upon the rifle.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
universal scope mount that allows the utilization of a scope and
mount from one rifle to be directly mounted on a second rifle
having a different mounting pattern.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a universal scope mount which allows a user to transfer a
single scope between multiple rifles with little effort or
time.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide for a
universal scope mount which is uncomplicated in construction and
easy to manufacture.
[0012] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide
for a universal scope mount which provides for the return of the
scope to zero degrees without calibration each time the scope is
removed and remounted to the scope mount.
[0013] The foregoing objects are accomplished in the preferred
embodiment of the invention by a rifle scope mount that can
universally mount a scope to a plurality of different rifle models,
comprising a front and rear mounting plate and corresponding front
and rear scope attachment rings. The front and rear mounting plate
are rectangular in shape and comprise a generally I-beam
cross-section. Each mounting plate may be of varying length, but
comprises at least one pair of congruent mounting holes of at least
two different diameters, as well as a slotted mounting hole,
allowing the attachment of the mounting plate to a variety of
rifles by using a specific pair of holes in the mounting plate that
correlate to the specific hole patterns that are factory-formed
within the different rifles. Alternatively, a single mounting hole
may be combined with a slotted hole for further applicability. Each
mounting plate also comprises a plurality of horizontal holes
interspaced between the mounting holes for selectively fastening
the attachment rings holding the scope to the plate.
[0014] The front and rear attachment rings, which are also
identical, each comprise an upper and lower portion. The lower
portion embodies a generally C-shaped, downward facing ring
comprising two mounting arms for attachment to the mounting plate
and an upward facing semi-circular portion upon which the
cylindrical body of a scope rests. The upward extending arms of the
semi-circular element terminate in generally outward projecting
flanges with one or more pre-tapped mounting holes therethrough for
fastening to congruent flanges of the upper portion of the
attachment rings, securing the scope body to the attachment
rings.
[0015] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the universal gun scope
mount of the present invention as attached to a scope sight and
mounted to a rifle;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the universal gun
scope mount of the present invention, showing the various
components used to attach a sight to a rifle;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a larger, perspective view of one of the mounting
bases of the present invention, enabling the universal scope mount
to be attached to a variety of rifles;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a larger, perspective view of an alternative
embodiment for the mounting bases of the present invention,
enabling the universal scope mount to be attached to a variety of
rifles; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the scope mounting rings of
the present invention as attached to one of the mounting bases.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0023] Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is
shown therein the universal scope mount 10 of the present invention
as attached to a scope 12 and mounted to a rifle 14. FIG. 2 further
shows an exploded view of universal scope mount 10 of the present
invention. Universal scope mount 10 is generally comprised of two
mounting assemblies, one set to secure the front of scope 12 to
rifle 14 and one to secure the rear. Both the front and the rear
mounting assemblies are comprised of three main elements: a
mounting plate 20, a lower mounting ring 30, and an upper mounting
ring 60. FIG. 2 further shows the mounting hardware 50 used to
attach mounting plate 20 to the barrel of rifle 14 having a radial
mounting surface 15. Also shown is the hardware 52 used for
attaching lower mounting ring 30 to mounting plate 20 and the
hardware 54 for attaching the upper mounting ring 40 to lower
mounting ring 30, thereby securing scope 12 in between lower
mounting ring 30 and upper mounting ring 40 of both the front and
rear sets of the present invention.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, mounting plate 20 of both
the front and rear mounting assemblies is comprised of a generally
rectangular shape having a first top surface 21, a bottom surface
23, and two side surfaces 25. Bottom surface 23 of both the front
and rear mounting plate 20 further embodies a shallow radius 24
running the length of bottom surface 23. Radius 24 enables mounting
plate 20 to be securely mounted to rifles 14 having a planar
mounting surface or a radial surface as shown in FIG. 2, increasing
the mount's versatility to a wider variety of applications. Each of
the front and rear mounting plates 20 further embody a channel 28
on both side surfaces 25 running the length of mounting plate 20.
This channel 28 receives lower mounting ring 30 for attachment
thereto.
[0025] Front and rear mounting plate 20 further comprise a
plurality of holes 26 vertically through mounting plate 20, with at
least one pair of holes 26a having a varying diameter than the
others. Holes 26 and 26a are used in pairs and more specifically
are the ones to be used in any given application to receive
mounting hardware 50 depending on the specific rifle 14 to which
mounting plates 20 are to be attached. Embodying multiple holes 26
and 26a allows mounting plate 20 of scope mount 10 to be attached
to a variety of rifles 14 without the need to drill additional
holes in rifle 14. Slotted mounting holes 27 are further
incorporated in mounting plate 20, allowing for greater universal
application of the scope mount to a variety of rifles having
varying scope mounting hole spacing.
[0026] Interspaced between vertical mounting holes 26, 26a, and 27,
mounting plate 20 comprises at least one pair of horizontal holes
29 through mounting plate 20 positioned in the center of channel 28
a predetermined distance apart from each other. Horizontal
attachment holes 29 receive mounting hardware 52 for attaching
lower mounting ring 30 to mounting plate 20 of both the front and
rear sets of mounting assemblies.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment for the
mounting plate is shown having slotted mounting holes 27 in
combination with standard vertical mounting holes and separated by
a partial bottle neck, illustrating further versatility in the
design and application of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 5, in combination with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, shows lower
mounting ring 30 and upper mounting ring 60 are shown attached
together and mounted on mounting plate 20. Specifically, FIG. 2
shows both lower mounting ring 30 and upper mounting ring 60
unattached to mounting base 20 as opposed to FIG. 5 illustrating
them assembled. Each of the single element, lower mounting rings 30
is comprised of a generally C-shaped, downward facing portion 32
with two opposing mounting arms 34 and 35 for attachment to the
mounting plate 20 and an upward facing semi-circular portion 36
with two upward extending arms 38 and 40 upon which the cylindrical
body of scope 12 rests. Downward facing mounting arms 34 and 35
each have an inward flange 37 that engages with channels 28 of
mounting plate located along side surfaces 25 of mounting plate 20
for attachment thereto.
[0029] One of downward facing mounting arms 34 of mounting rings 30
embodies a through-bore 39 through mounting arm 34 and inward
flange 37. Opposing mounting arm 35 has a complementary, threaded
through-bore in which mounting hardware 52 is received after being
inserted through bore 39 and hole 29 of mounting plate 20 for
attachment of lower mounting rings 30 to mounting plate 20.
[0030] Upward extending arms 38 and 40 of both front and rear lower
mounting rings 30 terminate in generally outward projecting flanges
42 with one or more pre-tapped mounting holes 44 shown in FIG. 2
therethrough for receiving mounting hardware 54 fastening upper
mounting ring 60 to lower mounting ring 30. Upper mounting ring 60
is generally C-shaped and comprises outward projecting flanges 62
congruent to flanges 42 of upper portion 36 of lower mounting rings
30. Both outward projecting flanges 62 have one or more
through-bores 64 complementary to mounting holes 44 of flanges 42
located on lower mounting ring 30.
[0031] When attaching scope 12 to rifle 14, scope 12 body is
positioned between upward extending arms 38 and 40 of front and
rear lower mounting rings 30. Once scope 12 is in the desired
position, upper mounting rings 60 are placed over the body of scope
12 directly above lower mounting rings 30 so that flanges 62 of
upper mounting rings 60 align with flanges 42 of lower mounting
rings 30. Upper mounting rings 60 and lower mounting rings 30 are
then attached together with mounting hardware 54, thereby clamping
scope 12 in place.
[0032] The combination of channels 28 located along mounting plate
20 with complementary flange 37 of mounting arms 34, 35 with screw
52 allows for the removal and subsequent replacement of scope 12
and mounting rings 30 without having to readjust the calibration of
the scope to zero.
[0033] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *