U.S. patent application number 12/239598 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for rifle mount.
Invention is credited to Preston L. Pritchett.
Application Number | 20090077855 12/239598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40470182 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090077855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pritchett; Preston L. |
March 26, 2009 |
RIFLE MOUNT
Abstract
The rifle mount of the present invention comprises a recoil lug
having an aperture formed therethrough, wherein the lug further
includes about its periphery at least one accessory mounting point.
The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is a one piece
mounting system which has an integral recoil lug that is sandwiched
between the receiver and barrel creating a more rigid mounting
system that is in an ergonomic operating area. In a preferred
embodiment the improved recoil lug rifle mount of the present
invention includes three accessory mounts disposed about the
periphery of the lug. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present
invention also includes extension wings which align the mounting
rails with the barrel of the rifle. The recoil lug rifle mount of
the present invention is operable to hold a variety of
interchangeable accessory devices (e.g., aiming devices, laser
range finding devices, flashlight devices) in a rigid yet more
accessible area for the operator. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the accessory mounts comprise standardized mil
spec (i.e., "Picatinny") mounting rails for interchangeability of
current technological accessory items known in public and military
arenas, such as a flashlight, laser, night vision device, aiming
device etc.
Inventors: |
Pritchett; Preston L.;
(Prague, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
US
|
Family ID: |
40470182 |
Appl. No.: |
12/239598 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60995323 |
Sep 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-purpose mount for supporting at least one accessory
device on a rifle, said rifle having a barrel and a receiver
assembly which are selectively coupled to one another, said mount
comprising: a recoil lug having at least one accessory mounting
surface on the outer periphery of said lug, wherein said lug
includes an aperture allowing said lug to be mounted between said
barrel and receiver assembly.
2. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 wherein said mounting surface
further comprises a rail assembly.
3. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 wherein said rail assembly
comprises a Picatinny rail.
4. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises
two mounting surfaces.
5. The multi-purpose mount of claim 4 wherein said two mounting
surfaces are positioned 180 degrees from one another.
6. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises
three mounting surfaces.
7. The multi-purpose mount of claim 6 wherein said two mounting
surfaces are positioned approximately 90 degrees from one
another.
8. The multi-purpose mount of claim 7 wherein each of said mount
surfaces comprise a rail assembly.
9. The multi-purpose mount of claim 8 wherein each of said rail
assemblies comprise a Picatinny rail.
10. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 further comprising an
extender portion between said periphery of said recoil lug and said
mounting surface.
11. The multi-purpose mount of claim 10 wherein said mounting
surface is pivotally attached to said extender portion
12. The multi-purpose mount of claim 1 wherein said barrel and
receiver assembly are selectively coupled by means of complementary
screw threads.
13. A rifle comprising in combination: a receiver assembly; a
barrel selectively coupled to said receiver assembly, and a recoil
lug positioned between said barrel and receiver assembly, wherein
said recoil lug includes at least one mounting surface for
supporting an accessory device on said rifle.
14. The rifle of claim 13 wherein said barrel and receiver assembly
are selectively coupled by means of complementary screw
threads.
15. The rifle of claim 13 wherein said mounting surface comprises a
rail assembly.
16. The rifle of claim 15 wherein said rail assembly comprises a
Picatinny rail.
17. The rifle of claim 15 wherein said at least one mounting
surface comprises three mounting surfaces spaced at approximately
90.degree. intervals about the periphery of the recoil lug.
18. The rifle of claim 13 wherein said recoil lug further comprises
an extender portion between the at least one mounting surface and
the outer periphery of the recoil lug.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to a
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/995,323 filed Sep. 26,
2007, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention broadly relates to apparatus for
mounting accessory sighting and aiming devices to firearms. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an accessory mount
fitted around the barrel of a rifle and configured to support a
series of accessory devices simultaneously.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Rifles have long included sights and optical scopes for
accurate aiming of the rifle at a target. Moreover, mechanisms for
mounting optical telescopes and similar aiming devices on firearms
are well developed in the art. In more recent years, the increasing
use technological accessories in conjunction with firearms has
generated a need for weapons to be capable of supporting various
technological accessories, such as flashlights, infrared and night
vision scopes, laser spotters, and so forth. Consequently, a wide
variety of mounts for rifles and other hand weapons have been
developed which permit the mounting of lights, scopes and the like
on the weapon, often along the barrel. Such mounts are generally
referred to as Modular Weapon Systems, and replace the factory hand
guards of the host weapon systems.
[0006] These modular weapon systems generally include Picatinny or
other standardized rail interface systems, often using MIL-STD-1913
for standardization of the mounting systems, and are affixed to the
barrel or stock of the rifle for mounting accessories thereon. A
variety of designs have been suggested for such modular weapon
systems and such rails, as well as differing numbers of rails which
can be coupled at one time to a rifle.
[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,600 to E'Nama discloses an
attachment that clamps to the barrel of an M-16. Traverse slots,
depending from the device, allow the securement of a singular
accessory. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,650 to Swan teaches a
multi-purpose rifle mount secured to the receiver of the rifle. The
mount has a sleeve that fits over the barrel. The barrel remains
"free-floating" in that the sleeve is positioned a distance from
the barrel and does not contact the barrel at any point. Similarly,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,484 to Mooney et al. teaches a universal mount
for rifle comprising an upper rail having a plurality of traverse
ribs running from the back of the upper receiver to the gas block,
and a hand guard surrounding the barrel. The hand guard includes
side mounts allowing the addition of accessory devices such as
flashlights and laser sights.
[0008] However, it has been found that current accessory mounts
affixed to the stock or hand guards of firearms are susceptible to
inaccuracies due to being jarred and jolted during the course of
regular operations and especially during firing. The current
systems made for the bolt action rifles tend to be configured too
far forward on the weapon and are not sufficiently rigid. Moreover,
they oftentimes include complex and intricate attachment
mechanisms. In addition, such accessory mounts often detract from
the original ergonomics of the firearm. Therefore, a continuing
need exists for a simple, yet versatile accessory mount that does
not detract from a firearm's original ergonomics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The improved rifle mount of the present invention comprises
a recoil lug having an aperture formed therethrough, wherein the
lug further includes about its periphery at least one accessory
mounting point. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention
is a one piece mounting system which has an integral recoil lug
that is sandwiched between the receiver and barrel creating a more
rigid mounting system that is in a ergonomic operating area.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the improved recoil lug rifle
mount of the present invention includes three accessory mounts
disposed about the periphery of the lug. The recoil lug rifle mount
of the present invention also includes extension wings which align
the mounting rails with the barrel of the rifle. The recoil lug
rifle mount of the present invention is operable to hold a variety
of interchangeable accessory devices (e.g., aiming devices, laser
range finding devices, flashlight devices) in a rigid yet more
accessible area for the operator. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the accessory mounts comprise standardized mil
spec (i.e., "Picatinny") mounting rails for interchangeability of
current technological accessory items known in public and military
arenas, such as a flashlight, laser, night vision device, aiming
device etc.
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the improved recoil lug rifle
mount of the present invention is constructed as a one piece unit.
The recoil lug accessory mount of the present invention is formed
out of a single piece of metal for rigidity. The one-piece rifle
mount device of the present invention replaces the existing factory
recoil lug, to better stabilize the action into a stock. Moreover,
the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention may be
incorporated into a weapon without extensive modification of the
rifle, undue process, machine labor or additional skill set outside
the typical process of gunsmithing or armorer skills. In another
embodiment, the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention
includes accessory mounts which are selectively attached and
relatively coupled to the recoil lug portion of the mount.
[0012] The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is
designed to work with receivers that have integral rails or mounts.
The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is held in
place by the inherent compression-tension/friction between the
barrel and receiver when tightened, therefore eliminating addition
compression pins, indexing or mechanical means to maintain
alignment to the host action/rifle. The recoil lug rifle mount of
the present invention will not degrade, interfere, or limit the
inherent accuracy of the host weapon system. Every bolt rifle or
rifle that needs more rail space or needs a more rigid accessory
mount will benefit from the recoil lug rifle mount of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of
the present invention may be had by reference to the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art rifle and scope
mount;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a exploded perspective view of a typical prior
art rifle depicting a recoil lug disposed between the receiver and
barrel;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention mounted on a
typical prior art rifle;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention shown mounted
on a typical prior art rifle in FIG. 2A;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the embodiment, of the recoil
lug rifle mount of the present invention shown in FIGS.
2A&B;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the
recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention shown in FIGS.
2A&B;
[0020] FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the
recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention shown in FIGS.
2A&B; and
[0021] FIG. 3D is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the
recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention shown in FIGS.
2A&B
[0022] Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "top," "bottom," "first," "second," "upper," "lower,"
"height," "width," "length," "end," "side," "horizontal,"
"vertical," and similar terms are used herein, it should be
understood that these terms have reference only to the structure
shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, current hunting and sniper
rifles 10 typically comprise a rifled barrel 12 having an attached
firing mechanism and housed in a rifle stock 20. In bolt action
rifles as depicted, the firing mechanism typically include a firing
bolt 4 slidably coupled with a receiver mechanism 18. A trigger
assembly 2 is utilized to actuate a firing pin within the bolt
action. In addition, such rifles oftentimes include an optical
scope 8 that is typically positioned above the receiver 18 and
configured parallel to the gun barrel 12, so that the scope line of
sight extends generally parallel to the line of fire extending from
the barrel 12. The optical scope 8 is fixably attached to the
receiver 18 by means of a primary mount 6. Typically, the primary
mount 6 is fixably attached to the receiver 18 by means of screw
fasteners. The primary mount 6 usually includes a rail system upon
which the optical scope 8 can be demountably attached.
[0024] The barrel 12 of the exemplary prior art rifle 10 is
rotatively coupled to the receiver 18 by means of complementary
screw 13 and thread 17 mechanism. A recoil lug 14 is positioned
between the barrel 12 and the receiver 18. The recoil lug 14
typically comprises a plate or block portion on the bottom of the
receiver and/or barrel that transfers the recoil to the stock 20 of
the firearm 10. The recoil lug 14 typically includes an aperture or
hole 15 through which the barrel 12 and receiver 18 can be
rotatively coupled. The standard recoil lug 14 is held between the
barrel 12 and receiver 18 under the compression/friction of
screwing the barrel 12 into the receiver 18.
[0025] With reference now to FIG. 2A, an embodiment a typical rifle
configured with an embodiment of the improved recoil lug rifle
mount 30 of the present invention is shown. The recoil lug rifle
mount 30 of the present invention takes the place of the recoil lug
14 on firearms that have such a recoil lug mechanism. The rifle
mount 30 includes at least one accessory mounting point which does
not interfere with the primary mount 6 nor detract from the
firearm's original ergonomics. By placing the recoil lug rifle
mount 30 between the barrel and the receiver it is positioned in an
area that is more user friendly for the operator and is held rigid
between the barrel and the receiver.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2B-3D, the improved recoil lug rifle mount
30 of the present invention includes a lug portion 34 having an
aperture or hole 40 through which a barrel and receiver can be
rotatively coupled, wherein the lug portion 34 further includes
about its periphery at least one accessory mounting point. The
recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the present invention is held in place
by the inherent compression-tension/friction between the barrel 12
and receiver 18 when tightened, therefore eliminating addition
compression pins, indexing or mechanical means to maintain
alignment to the host action/rifle. As shown in the Figures, a
preferred embodiment the improved recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the
present invention includes three accessory mounts 32, 36, 38
disposed about the periphery of the lug 34. As shown in FIGS.
3C-3D, it is noted that the accessory mounts can be configured
directly to the outer periphery of the lug 34 (e.g., accessory
mount 32) or may include an extender portion 31, 33 extend the
accessory mounts (e.g., accessory mounts 36, 38) further away from
the periphery of the lug 34. As depicted in the Figures, in a
preferred embodiment of the recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the
present invention the three accessory mounts 32, 36, 38 are
configured at approximately 90.degree. from each other.
[0027] in the embodiment of the recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the
present invention depicted in the figures, the depicted accessory
mounts 32, 36, 38 comprise standardized mil spec "Picatinny" rails
as an attachment platform. As depicted, the rifle mount 30 may also
includes extension wings 35, 37 for rigidity. Moreover, the
extension wings 35. 37 align the mounting rails 32, 36, 38 with the
barrel 12 of the rifle. The incorporation of standardized mounting
rails enable the rifle mount 30 of the present invention to hold a
wide variety of technological accessory items such as laser range
finders, night vision devices, flashlights etc. It is understood
that the improved recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the present
invention may be dimensioned so as to work with any suitable
rifle.
[0028] The recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the present invention has
the advantage of not being held on by screws. It will work on any
receiver/barrel configuration that has a recoil lug between the
barrel and the receiver. It is held in place from the barrel 12
being screwed into the receiver 18. It may also be pinned in place
to keep the mounting rails aligned when the barrel 12 is being
tightened to the receiver 18.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the recoil lug rifle mount 30 of
the present invention is constructed as a one piece unit. Any
durable material may be suitable for manufacturing the rifle mount
30 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the recoil
lug rifle mount of the present invention is manufactured out of the
metallic alloy 4140 PH 28-32HRC. Some softer metals, such as
aluminum, are not entirely suitable material for constructing the
invention because of the compression forces exerted between the
barrel and the receiver/action. It has been found that the lug
portion 34 needs to be square front to back to keep the barrel 12
aligned square with the receiver 18. While in a preferred
embodiment, the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is
manufactured as a single piece without any component parts;
nonetheless, it is understood that other embodiments may include
component wings which may be rotated in relation to the centralized
lug portion 34. For example, the attachment wings and rails may be
relatively coupled to the extender portions 31, 33
[0030] In one embodiment of the rifle mount 30 of the present
invention, the top rail mount 32 is lilted like an extension of the
primary mount rail 6 instead of being flat so that if someone
mounts a scope ring this far forwards it will not be stress bent
into the scope.
[0031] The recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the present invention may
be incorporated without extensive modification of the rifle, undue
process, machine labor or additional skill set outside the typical
process of gunsmithing or armorer skills. It will not degrade,
interfere, or limit the inherent accuracy of the host weapon
system. Moreover, the recoil lug rifle mount 30 of the present
invention can be utilized with actions that have integral recoil
lugs and with actions that have replaceable recoil lugs.
[0032] It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that
there has been described herein an improved rifle mount system that
greatly improves the ability of an operator to mount additional
accessory devices to a rifle.
[0033] Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a
preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and
modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof. For example, the recoil lug rifle mount of the
present invention may include a plurality of mounting rails. The
terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of
description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of
excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover
any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *