U.S. patent application number 13/736638 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-10 for scope mount.
This patent application is currently assigned to TALLEY MFG., INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is TALLEY MFG., INC.. Invention is credited to Ronald J. Shaffer, JR., Gary E. Turner, JR..
Application Number | 20140190062 13/736638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51059865 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140190062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner, JR.; Gary E. ; et
al. |
July 10, 2014 |
SCOPE MOUNT
Abstract
A scope mount for a firearm is disclosed. The scope mount may
include a first ring component covering a first portion of an upper
half of a scope body, and a second ring component covering a second
portion of the upper half of the scope body. The scope mount may
also include a third ring component covering a first portion of a
lower half of the scope body, and a fourth ring component covering
a second portion of the lower half of the scope body. The first and
second ring components may removably attach to the third and fourth
ring components, respectively, and may form at least two rings
around the scope body. The third and fourth ring components may be
integral with a scope mount base, and the scope mount base may be
configured to removably attach to a Picatinny rail.
Inventors: |
Turner, JR.; Gary E.;
(Summerville, SC) ; Shaffer, JR.; Ronald J.;
(Yemassee, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TALLEY MFG., INC. |
Santee |
SC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TALLEY MFG., INC.
Santee
SC
|
Family ID: |
51059865 |
Appl. No.: |
13/736638 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
B23P 19/04 20130101; Y10T 29/49895 20150115; B23P 19/10 20130101;
F41G 1/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/124 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/387 20060101
F41G001/387 |
Claims
1. A scope mount for a firearm, comprising: a first ring component
covering a first portion of an upper half of a scope body; a second
ring component covering a second portion of the upper half of the
scope body; a third ring component covering a first portion of a
lower half of the scope body; a fourth ring component covering a
second portion of the lower half of the scope body, wherein the
first and second ring components removably attach to the third and
fourth ring components, respectively, forming at least two rings
around the scope body, and wherein the third and fourth ring
components are integral with a scope mount base; and a leveling
surface on the scope mount base between the third and fourth ring
components, such that the leveling surface is maintained at a fixed
distance parallel to an underside of a scope placed in the scope
mount.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The scope mount of claim 1, wherein the ring components are
formed from cutting two solid rings in half with a saw blade that
has a thickness of approximately the same dimension as the fixed
distance.
5. The scope mount of claim 1, wherein the first and second ring
components are screwed to the third and fourth ring components,
respectively, forming the at least two rings.
6. The scope mount of claim 5, wherein the at least two rings cover
a majority of the scope body between a turret of the scope and an
objective bell and an ocular bell of the scope.
7. The scope mount of claim 1, further including at least first and
second segments of Picatinny rail removably attached, in alignment,
to the first and second ring components, respectively.
8. The scope mount of claim 1, further including at least first and
second segments of Picatinny rail removably attached, in alignment,
to the third and fourth ring components, respectively.
9. The scope mount of claim 1, further including a plurality of
screws stored in the scope mount base.
10. A scope mount for a firearm, comprising: a scope mount base
removably attached to a plurality of attachment points on the
firearm, the scope mount base having a leveling surface; a first
ring component covering a first portion of an upper half of a scope
body; a second ring component covering a second portion of the
upper half of the scope body; a third ring component covering a
first portion of a lower half of the scope body; a fourth ring
component covering a second portion of the lower half of the scope
body, wherein the first and second ring components removably attach
to the third and fourth ring components, respectively, forming at
least two rings, wherein the third and fourth ring components are
integral with the scope mount base, and wherein the leveling
surface is maintained at a fixed distance parallel to an underside
of a scope placed in the scope mount.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. The scope mount of claim 10, wherein the ring components are
formed from cutting two solid rings in half with a saw blade that
has a thickness of approximately the same dimension as the fixed
distance.
14. The scope mount of claim 10, wherein the first and second ring
components are screwed to the third and fourth ring components,
respectively, forming the at least two rings.
15. The scope mount of claim 14, wherein the at least two rings
cover a majority of the scope body between a turret of the scope
and an objective bell and an ocular bell of the scope.
16. The scope mount of claim 10, further including at least first
and second segments of Picatinny rail removably attached, in
alignment, to the first and second ring components,
respectively.
17. The scope mount of claim 10, further including at least first
and second segments of Picatinny rail removably attached, in
alignment, to the third and fourth ring components,
respectively.
18. The scope mount of claim 10, further including a plurality of
screws stored in the scope mount base.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. The scope mount of claim 1, further including a ring space
between the first ring component and the third ring component.
22. The scope mount of claim 21, wherein the ring space is greater
than the fixed distance.
23. The scope mount of claim 21, wherein the ring space is smaller
than the fixed distance.
24. The scope mount of claim 21, wherein the ring space is equal to
the fixed distance.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a scope mount
and, more particularly, to a scope mount for a firearm.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A firearm scope, typically, is mounted on a firearm via a
scope mount, and is used to enhance a firearm operator's ability to
accurately fire a direct shot at a desired target. Movement, or
slippage, of the scope within the scope mount must be restricted in
order to maintain the scope's alignment with the firearm. Slippage
of the firearm-mounted scope may occur when a firearm is fired and
the subsequent backward recoil of the firearm causes the scope to
shift forward or to either side within the mount if the scope's fit
within the mount is not adequately secure. Scope slippage may also
result from rough handling of the firearm on account of the firearm
operator's activity and/or movements. Conventional scope mounts for
firearms include mechanisms designed to restrict, and/or otherwise
limit, movement of the scope during the transport and use of the
firearm.
[0003] Many conventional scope mounts are designed to fit a variety
of scopes as well as mount to a variety of firearms. Under such
circumstances, a single scope mount may be used for a variety of
firearms and scopes owned and/or utilized by a firearm operator.
Such a universal-type scope mount presents a cost savings benefit
and provides a measure of relative convenience for owners/operators
of multiple firearms who wish to own and utilize only one scope
mount. Although such universal-type scope mounts may fit a number
of scopes and firearms reasonably well, such scope mounts may not
fit any one scope and firearm very well. Such a compromised scope
fit within a scope mount may be sufficient in some situations;
however, in other situations such a fit is inadequate.
[0004] The disclosed scope mount is directed to overcoming one or
more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY
[0005] Military and law enforcement personnel regularly utilize
relatively heavy firearms which are often equipped with relatively
heavier scopes. Such relatively heavier firearms create greater
tendencies for scope slippage of the attached relatively larger
scopes. For example, larger firearms experience more significant
amounts of recoil upon firing. The increased recoil exerted on
relatively more substantial scopes puts more strain on scope mounts
than would otherwise be experienced. Such increased strain on a
scope mount that is not very well-fitted to the attached scope has
an increased likelihood of scope slippage.
[0006] Adding to the increased likelihood of scope slippage on
account of the increased size of the firearm, scope, and firearm
recoil is the fact that military and law enforcement personnel
often fire their firearms in rapid succession. In either training
or active duty situations, such personnel may fire their firearms
in rapid succession for extended periods of time. The collective
effect on the scope mount-scope fit from successively fired shots,
over prolonged periods of time, can be significant, and can cause
scope slippage in situations where the scope is not very well
fitted into a scope mount.
[0007] Additionally, given the physical activities of such
personnel, the firearms of such personnel may be regularly exposed
to rough handling and harsh conditions. Such personnel may need to
utilize their firearms as battering rams, as shields, as levers,
and/or in any other makeshift manner. Such rough handling of
firearms adds additional strain on the scope/scope mount fit, and
increases the likelihood of a less-than very well-fitted
scope/scope mount apparatus encountering scope slippage.
[0008] In these circumstances, where scope slippage has an enhanced
likelihood of occurring, it is crucial that scope slippage not
occur, and that such personnel maintain accurate scope/firearm
alignment. Such personnel rely on the accuracy of their firearm
scopes in life and death and/or other relatively high stakes
situations. In some of these high stakes situations military and
law enforcement personnel may need to accurately fire upon targets
exceeding 2,000 meters in distance from where the shots are fired.
It is of particular importance in such long-range targeting that a
firearm's scope remain accurately aligned to the firearm because
even the slightest deviation from adequate scope/firearm alignment
can result in a failed objective.
[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a scope
mount for a firearm. The scope mount may include a first ring
component covering a first portion of an upper half of a scope
body, and a second ring component covering a second portion of the
upper half of the scope body. The scope mount may also include a
third ring component covering a first portion of a lower half of
the scope body, and a fourth ring component covering a second
portion of the lower half of the scope body. The first and second
ring components may removably attach to the third and fourth ring
components, respectively, and may form at least two rings around
the scope body. The third and fourth ring components may be
integral with a scope mount base.
[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
scope mount for a firearm. The scope mount may include a first ring
component covering a first portion of an upper half of a scope
body, and a second ring component covering a second portion of the
upper half of the scope body. The scope mount may also include a
third ring component covering a first portion of a lower half of
the scope body, and a fourth ring component covering a second
portion of the lower half of the scope body. The first and second
ring components may removably attach to the third and fourth ring
components, respectively, and may form at least two rings around
the scope body. The third and fourth ring components may be
integral with a scope mount base, and the scope mount base may be
removably attached to a plurality of attachment points on the
firearm.
[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
method of leveling a scope. The method may include providing a
leveling shim fitted for a leveling surface on the base of a scope
mount, and enabling a user to orient a scope placed in the scope
mount such that an underside of the scope rests on the leveling
shim when portions of the scope rest on a first set of at least two
ring components. The method may further include providing a second
set of at least two ring components for placement on top of the
inserted scope such that when the first set of ring components is
aligned with the second set of ring components at least two
complete rings surrounding the scope are formed. The method may
additionally include providing a means of securing the first and
second sets of ring components surrounding the scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary
disclosed scope mount fitted to a scope;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration providing an alternate
view of the exemplary disclosed scope mount of FIG. 1, sans
scope;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the exemplary
disclosed scope mount of FIG. 1 mounted to a firearm;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration providing a
front-view of the exemplary disclosed scope mount of FIG. 1 mounted
to a Picatinny rail, sans scope;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration providing a
bottom-view of the exemplary disclosed scope mount of FIG. 1, sans
scope and firearm;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternative
exemplary disclosed scope mount attached to a firearm, sans
scope;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a method of
leveling a scope within the exemplary disclosed scope mount of FIG.
1; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a method of
securing a scope to the exemplary disclosed scope mount of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] An exemplary scope mount 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Scope
mount 10 is depicted and described as a scope mount designed for a
rifle. However, it is contemplated that scope mount 10 may be
utilized with any firearm including any long gun and/or hand gun
such as, for example, any rifle, shot gun, muzzleloader, revolver
or pistol. Scope mount 10 may be manufactured of aircraft-grade
aluminum or any other metal, alloy, amalgamation, plastic or
substance known in the art. Scope mount 10 may be anodized and
provided with a non-reflective finish. Scope mount 10 may be
designed to house, and/or otherwise fit, scope 110.
[0021] Scope 110 is depicted and described as a refracting
telescopic sighting device. However, it is contemplated that scope
110 may include any sighting device such as, for example, a
reflector sight and/or a laser sight. Scope 110 may include an
objective bell 120 and an ocular bell 130. Objective bell 120 may
house various optical elements designed to collect and focus light.
Ocular bell 130 may include optical elements designed to further
focus and magnify the images targeted by scope 110. Scope 110 may
further include adjustment controls manually manipulated by turrets
140. Turrets 140 may provide opportunity to regulate focusing
control, elevation or vertical adjustment, windage or horizontal
adjustment, as well as adjustments for magnification, illumination,
parallax compensation, etc. While housing scope 110, scope mount 10
may afford unfettered access to turrets 140 and/or other control
aspects and features of scope 110.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, scope mount 10 may include a plurality
of removable rails 30 fastened to scope mount 10 by screws placed
in screw holes 35. Removable rails 30 may enable the attachment of
additional accessories for use in conjunction with scope 110.
Examples of additional accessories that may be mounted on removable
rails 30 include lasers, illuminators, levels, tactical lights and
night vision equipment. As depicted in FIG. 1, removable rails 30
may be selectively placed in axial and/or radial orientations
relative to scope 110. Removable rails 30 may be relatively short
segments of MIL-STD-1913 rail, STANAG 2324 rail, or simply
"Tactical Rail," alternatively known as a Picatinny rail. This type
of Picatinny rail may be a mounting bracket used to provide a
standardized mounting platform on firearms. Similar to scope mount
10, removable rails 30 may be manufactured of aircraft-grade
aluminum or any other metal, alloy, amalgamation, plastic or
substance known in the art. Removable rails 30 may be anodized and
provided with a non-reflective finish. Screws placed in screw holes
35 may include oxide coated steel mounting screws.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a number of components of scope mount 10
including rings 20, a scope mount base 50 and screws 55. Rings 20
may cover portions of scope 110 between objective bell 120 and
turrets 140, and between turrets 140 and ocular bell 130. In an
exemplary embodiment, rings 20 may surround the entire scope 110
between objective bell 120 and turrets 140, and the entire scope
110 between turrets 140 and ocular bell 130. Scope mount base 50
may at least partially define a portion of rings 20. Embedded in
scope mount 50 may be a plurality of spare screws 55. Screws 55 may
be of uniform or varying sizes. Screws 55 may include oxide coated
steel mounting screws.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates how rings 20 may include an upper ring
component 21, a lower ring component 22, and rings 20a and 20b.
Upper ring component 21 may be placed over the top of scope 110,
and in alignment with lower ring component 22, so as to form a
complete ring 20 surrounding scope 110. Rings 20 may be considered
to include first and second ring components covering upper-half
portions of scope 110. Rings 20 may further be considered to
include third and fourth ring components covering lower-half
portions of scope 110. The first and second ring components may
attach to the third and fourth ring components, respectively,
forming two rings circumspectly surrounding portions of scope 110.
Rings 20 may include rings 20a and 20b. Rings 20a and 20b may
include rings of varying sizes and dimensions. Ring 20a may cover a
majority of scope 110 between turrets 140 and ocular bell 130. In
an exemplary embodiment, ring 20a may include a diameter of about
1.0 to 3.5 inches. An axial dimension or length of ring 20a may be
about 1.0 to 5.0 inches or about 1.0 to 1.5 times as long as a
diameter of ring 20a. Ring 20b may cover a majority of scope 110
between turrets 140 and objective bell 120. In an exemplary
embodiment, ring 20b may include a diameter of about 1.0 to 3.5
inches. An axial dimension or length of ring 20b may be about 1.0
to 4.0 inches or about 1.0 to 1.2 times as long as a diameter of
ring 20b.
[0025] FIG. 2 further illustrates screw holes 25, base screws 75,
and a leveling surface 40. Upper ring component 21 and lower ring
component 22 may be attached by screws placed in screw holes 25.
Screws placed in screw holes 25 may include oxide coated steel
mounting screws. Scope mount base 50 may attach to a firearm via a
mounting bracket. Base screws 75 may provide opportunity to tighten
and/or release scope mount 10 from such a mounting bracket. Scope
mount base 50 may also at least partially define scope leveling
surface 40 between rings 20a and 20b. Scope leveling surface 40 may
parallel the underside of scope 110 when scope 110 is placed in
scope mount 10.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, upon mounting of scope 110 onto a
firearm 90 via scope mount 10, a scope underside 150 may be brought
into close proximity with scope leveling surface 40 of scope mount
10. Scope underside 150 may be level and may parallel scope
leveling surface 40. A leveling space 45 may exist between scope
underside 150 and scope leveling surface 40. Leveling space 45 may
be of a fixed dimension all along scope leveling surface 40.
Leveling space 45 may provide opportunity to level scope 110 within
scope mount 10. A more detailed explanation of the procedure for
leveling scope 110 within scope mount 10 follows with respect to
FIG. 7.
[0027] As is also shown in FIG. 3, scope mount 10 may removably
attach to a Picatinny rail 95 located on firearm 90. Similar to
removable rails 30, Picatinny rail 95 may include a MIL-STD-1913
rail or STANAG 2324 rail. Picatinny rail 95 may extend either the
full length or less than the full length of firearm 90. Scope mount
10 may attach to Picatinny rail 95 at any point along Picatinny
rail 95. Scope mount 10 may removably attach to one or more
portions of Picatinny rail 95 adjacent a loading and/or ejection
port 160. In certain embodiments, scope mount 10 may mount over the
top of, but not obstruct access to, loading and/or ejection port
160 and/or a bolt action associated with the firearm. As
illustrated by FIG. 5, scope mount 10 may engage Picatinny rail 95
via a Picatinny rail engagement area 80 located on an underside of
scope mount base 70. As shown in FIG. 5, Picatinny rail engagement
area 80 may receive a portion of Picatinny rail 95, and scope mount
10 may be tightened to the received portion of Picatinny rail 95
via base screws 75. As shown in FIG. 4, base screws 75 may tighten
the mount of scope mount base 50 onto Picatinny rail 95 by bringing
a detachable portion 76 into a tight fit with Picatinny rail 95
and/or scope mount base 50. To dismount scope mount base 50 from
Picatinny rail 95 base screws 75 may be loosened, and detachable
portion 76 may then be detached and/or removed.
[0028] Alternatively, scope mount 10 may be configured to removably
attach to any mounting platform known in the art. In addition to
being configured to mount to a Picatinny rail, scope mount 10 may
be configured to removably attach to any integrated rail system,
and/or to any general or customized scope mounting system. In
particular, scope mount base 70 may be configured to removably
attach to any general or customized mounting platform known in the
art.
[0029] As shown in the front, or down-the-barrel, view of FIG. 4, a
ring space 60 exists between upper ring component 21 and lower ring
component 22. The dimension of ring space 60 may or may not be
equal to leveling space 45. In an exemplary embodiment, rings 20
may be formed by cutting solid rings into two halves, e.g., upper
ring component 21 and lower ring component 22. The width of the
cutting saw blade may be about 0.050 inches, creating a ring space
60 of about 0.050 inches. In the exemplary embodiment, leveling
space 45 may be designed to also be about 0.050 inches. A leveling
shim 65 (not shown in FIG. 4) that is about 0.050 inches wide may
provide leveling assistance when utilized in leveling space 45
and/or ring space 60 during the mounting of scope 110 within scope
mount 10. As previously noted, a more detailed explanation of the
procedure for leveling scope 110 within scope mount 10 will follow
in the description of FIG. 7.
[0030] Alternatively, the ring components, or ring halves, of rings
20 may be oriented in a horizontal, vertical and/or any orientation
relative to firearm 90. Rings 20 may be formed around scope 110
such that ring space 60 is parallel, perpendicular or situated in
any orientation relative to scope leveling surface 40, and/or to
firearm 90.
[0031] As is also shown in FIG. 4, removable rails 30 may be
removably attached to scope mount 10 in a variety of orientations.
A plurality of removable rails 30 may be utilized simultaneously or
they may all be removed from scope mount 10. Screws for securing
removable rails 30 through screw holes 35 may be manually tightened
and loosened.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a scope mount
210. FIG. 6 illustrates a number of the components of scope mount
210 including rings 220, a scope mount base 250 and screw holes
255. Rings 220 may surround portions of a scope. Scope mount base
250 may at least partially define a portion of rings 220. Scope
mount 220 may be mounted directly to firearm 90 by screws placed in
screw holes 255 in scope mount base 250 rather than by attachment
to Picatinny rail 95. Scope mount base 250 may attach to one or
more portions of firearm 90 adjacent loading and/or ejection port
160. In some embodiments, scope mount 220 may mount over the top
of, but not obstruct access to, loading and/or ejection port 160.
Scope mount 220 may attach to firearm 90 via a plurality of
attachment points. As illustrated in FIG. 6, scope mount 220 may
attach to firearm 90 via a plurality of attachment points
surrounding loading and/or ejection port 160.
[0033] FIG. 6 also illustrates how rings 220 may include an upper
ring component 221, a lower ring component 222, and rings 220a and
220b. Upper ring component 221 may be placed over the top of a
scope, and in alignment with lower ring component 222, so as to
form a complete ring 220 surrounding the scope. Rings 220 may be
considered to include first and second ring components covering
upper-half portions of scope 110. Rings 220 may further be
considered to include third and fourth ring components covering
lower-half portions of scope 110. The first and second ring
components may attach to the third and fourth ring components,
respectively, forming two rings surrounding portions of scope 110.
Rings 220 may include rings 220a and 220b. Rings 220a and 220b may
include rings of varying sizes and dimensions. In an exemplary
embodiment, ring 220a may include a diameter of about 1.0 to 3.5
inches. An axial dimension or length of ring 220a may be about 1.0
to 5.0 inches or about 1.0 to 1.5 times as long as a diameter of
ring 220a. In an exemplary embodiment, ring 220b may include a
diameter of about 1.0 to 3.5 inches. An axial dimension or length
of ring 220b may be about 1.0 to 4.0 inches or about 1.0 to 1.2
times as long as a diameter of ring 220b.
[0034] FIG. 6 further illustrates screw holes 225 and a leveling
surface 240. Upper ring component 221 and lower ring component 222
may be attached by screws placed in screw holes 225. Screws placed
in screw holes 225 and/or screw holes 255 may include oxide coated
steel mounting screws. Scope mount base 250 may at least partially
define scope leveling surface 240 between rings 220a and 220b.
Scope leveling surface 240 may parallel the underside of a scope
placed in scope mount 210.
[0035] The disclosed scope mount may be used with any firearm where
a reduction in scope slippage is desired. In particular, the
disclosed scope mount may be used when a higher degree of targeting
accuracy is desired for firearms equipped with a scope. The
disclosed scope mount may include rings 20, 220 which are designed
to receive and surround portions of a scope 110. Rings 20, 220 may
be tightened so as to achieve a tight fit around scope 110. Either
before or after mounting scope mounts 10, 210 to firearm 90, scope
110 may be leveled onto scope mount 10, 210 in such a way that the
reticules, or targeting features associated with the scope, are
aligned with firearm 90. The procedure of leveling a scope within
scope mount 10, 210 will now be explained.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 7, a leveling shim 65 may be utilized
within leveling space 45 between scope leveling surface 40, 240 and
scope underside 150. As described previously, in an exemplary
embodiment, leveling shim 65 and leveling space 45 may each be
about 0.050 inches in width. After initial placement of leveling
shim 65 onto scope leveling surface 40, 240 scope 110 may be placed
to rest upon leveling shim 65. At this point, leveling shim 65
levels scope 110 within scope mount 10, 210. Screws may be
tightened slightly (not fully) in screw holes 25, 225. The screws
are tightened to a point where, upon removal of leveling shim 65,
scope 110 will not experience any wobble within scope mount 10,
210.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates an additional use of leveling shim 65 in
leveling, and or mounting, scope 110 within scope mount 10, 210.
After screws in screw holes 25, 225 have been sufficiently
tightened so as to not allow wobble of scope 110, leveling shim 65
may be inserted into ring space 60. As described previously, in an
exemplary embodiment, leveling shim 65 and ring space 60 may each
be about 0.050 inches in width. After placement of leveling shim 65
into ring space 60, screws in screw holes 25, 225 may be tightened
to the full extent allowed while leveling shim 65 is located in
ring space 60. After the screws in screw holes 25, 225 have been
tightened to the extent possible, leveling shim 65 may be removed
from ring space 60, and the aforementioned screws may be tightened
to the full extent possible. This process of utilizing leveling
shim 65 during the tightening of the aforementioned screws may
result in a more uniform tightening of rings 20, 220 around scope
110. To further accomplish a uniform tightening of rings 20, 220
around scope 110, the individual tightening the screws may do so in
a cris-cross pattern so as to prevent one side of scope mount 10,
110 from closing significantly quicker than the other.
[0038] In addition to affording improved scope/scope mount
stability, the disclosed scope mount provides its user the benefit
of adjusting the equipment attached to scope mount 10, 210 in a
relatively quick and efficient manner. Removable rails 30 enable
firearm operators to lighten their load by removing removable rails
30 and/or any equipment attached thereto. If a situation arises
where additional equipment is desired, for example night vision
gear upon nightfall, the firearm operator is able to quickly attach
the desired gear to removable rails 30. In this manner, removable
rails 30 allow for efficient adaptation to changing conditions and
circumstances a firearm operator may experience during a single
mission when swapping out an entire firearm is not feasible. If
during the addition or removal of removable rails 30 any screw is
lost, spare screws 55 are available.
[0039] An additional benefit of the disclosed scope mount 10, 210
is that of pre-mounting. Scope mount 10, 210 may have scope 110
pre-mounted into it in such a manner that scope 110 is leveled with
scope mount 10, 210, and is ready for a quick exchange if at any
point a firearm operator requires a new scope. By having
pre-mounted scope/scope mounts ready for use, firearm operators may
swap out scope mounts rather than entire firearms and/or scopes
when a scope needs to be replaced. Because leveling a scope may be
a time consuming and tedious procedure, and given that transporting
a spare pre-mounted firearm may not be feasible, for firearm
operators who are either hunting or performing a military or law
enforcement-related mission, this option of quickly replacing a
compromised scope may afford significant benefit.
[0040] Given its relatively simple design and constitution, scope
mount 10, 210 may be a reliable option for extended periods of
time, requiring relatively little repair and maintenance.
Additionally, given its lack of numerous complex mechanisms, scope
mount 10, 210 is more likely to continue restricting scope slippage
during rough handling and inclement conditions than a scope mount
with more intricate parts.
[0041] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed scope
mount and method of leveling a scope without departing from the
scope mount and the scope leveling and mounting methods of the
disclosure. Other embodiments of the scope mount will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the methods of leveling and mounting a scope
disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and
examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the
disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *