U.S. patent application number 13/797219 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for rear sight for firearm.
This patent application is currently assigned to I.P. HOLDING GROUP I, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is I.P. HOLDING GROUP I, LLC. Invention is credited to Russell E. Kruse.
Application Number | 20140259856 13/797219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520788 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kruse; Russell E. |
September 18, 2014 |
Rear Sight for Firearm
Abstract
A rear sight comprises a base member and a top member. The base
member comprises a fitting portion and a base member bearing
surface. The fitting portion of the base member is attachable to a
firearm. The top member comprises a rear sight alignment portion
and a top member bearing surface. The top member bearing surface is
slidably engageable with the base member bearing surface for
pivotable movement of the top member relative to the base member
between lowered and raised positions. Movement of the top member
away from the lowered position and toward the raised position
increases the distance between the rear sight alignment portion and
a barrel axis of the firearm to thereby adjust the elevation of the
rear sight alignment portion of the rear sight.
Inventors: |
Kruse; Russell E.; (St.
Charles, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
I.P. HOLDING GROUP I, LLC |
St. Louis |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
I.P. HOLDING GROUP I, LLC
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
51520788 |
Appl. No.: |
13/797219 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/033 20130101;
F41G 1/26 20130101; F41G 1/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/136 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/16 20060101
F41G001/16 |
Claims
1. A rear sight for use in a firearm, the firearm including a
barrel having a longitudinal barrel axis, a front sight having a
front sight alignment portion, and a rear sight receiving portion,
the rear sight receiving portion having a rear sight receiving slot
rearwardly spaced from the front sight, the rear sight comprising:
a base member comprising a fitting portion and at least one base
member bearing surface, the fitting portion of the base member
being shaped and configured to be inserted into and retained in the
sight receiving slot of the firearm; a top member comprising a rear
sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface, the rear sight alignment portion being adapted to be
aligned with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm; the
at least one top member bearing surface being slidably engageable
with the at least one base member bearing surface for pivotable
movement of the top member relative to the base member between a
lowered position and a raised position, the base member and the top
member being configured such that pivoting movement of the top
member relative to the base member away from the lowered position
and toward the raised position increases the distance between the
rear sight alignment portion and the barrel axis of the firearm to
thereby adjust the elevation of the rear sight alignment portion of
the rear sight when the rear sight is attached to the firearm via
the rear sight receiving slot, the base member being of a unitary,
one-piece construction, the top member being of a unitary,
one-piece construction.
2. A rear sight as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one
top member bearing surface is slidably engageable with the at least
one base member bearing surface for pivotable movement of the top
member relative to the base member about a laterally extending
elevation adjusting axis between the lowered and raised positions,
the top member and the base member being adapted and configured
such that the elevation adjusting axis is generally parallel to the
slot axis when the rear sight is attached to the firearm via the
rear sight receiving slot.
3. A rear sight as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one
top member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, and wherein the at least one
base member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, the at least one arcuate
bearing surface of the top member being slidably engageable with
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member for
pivotable movement of the top member relative to the base member
between the lowered and raised positions.
4. A rear sight as set forth in claim 3 wherein the radius of
curvature of the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the top
member is substantially similar to the radius of curvature of the
at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member.
5. A rear sight as set forth in claim 3 wherein the at least one
arcuate bearing surface of the top member is adapted to nest with
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member.
6. A rear sight as set forth in claim 5 wherein the at least one
arcuate bearing surface of the base member is concave and wherein
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the top member is
convex.
7. A rear sight for use in a firearm, the firearm including a
barrel having a longitudinal barrel axis, a front sight having a
front sight alignment portion, and a rear sight receiving portion,
the rear sight receiving portion being rearwardly spaced from the
front sight, the rear sight comprising: a base member comprising a
fitting portion and at least one base member bearing surface, the
fitting portion being operatively attachable to the rear sight
receiving portion of the firearm; a top member comprising a rear
sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface, the rear sight alignment portion being adapted to be
aligned with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm, the
at least one top member bearing surface being slidably engageable
with the at least one base member bearing surface for pivotable
movement of the top member relative to the base member about a
laterally extending elevation adjusting axis between a lowered
position and a raised position, the base member and the top member
being configured such that the elevation adjusting axis is
generally perpendicular to a plane containing the barrel axis for
all pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base member
between the lowered and raised positions when the rear sight is
operatively attached to the firearm via the rear sight receiving
portion, the base member and the top member being configured such
that the elevation adjusting axis is spaced from the base member
for all pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base
member between the lowered and raised positions, the base member
and the top member being configured such that pivoting movement of
the top member relative to the base member away from the lowered
position and toward the raised position increases the distance
between the rear sight alignment portion and the barrel axis of the
firearm to thereby adjust the elevation of the rear sight alignment
portion of the rear sight when the rear sight is operatively
attached to the firearm via the rear sight receiving portion.
8. A rear sight as set forth in claim 7 wherein the base member and
the top member are configured such that the elevation adjusting
axis is spaced a fixed distance from the base member for all
pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base member
between the lowered and raised positions.
9. A rear sight as set forth in claim 8 wherein the at least one
top member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, and wherein the at least one
base member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, the at least one arcuate
bearing surface of the top member being slidably engageable with
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member for
pivotable movement of the top member relative to the base member
between the lowered and raised positions.
10. A rear sight as set forth in claim 9 wherein the radius of
curvature of the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the top
member is substantially similar to the radius of curvature of the
at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member.
11. A rear sight as set forth in claim 9 wherein the at least one
arcuate bearing surface of the top member is adapted to nest with
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the base member.
12. A rear sight as set forth in claim 11 wherein the at least one
arcuate bearing surface of the base member is concave and wherein
the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the top member is
convex.
13. A rear sight as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a
fastener for adjustably locking the top member to the base member,
the fastener being moveable between a released position and a
locked position, the top member being moveable relative to the base
member between the lowered and raised positions when the fastener
is in the released position, the top member being locked against
movement relative to the base member when the fastener is in the
locked position.
14. A rear sight as set forth in claim 13 wherein the fastener
comprises a threaded shaft and a shoulder, the base member
comprises a threaded hole for threadably receiving the threaded
shaft, the top member includes a through slot sized for passage
therethrough of the threaded shaft, the slot being sized to permit
movement of the top member relative to both the fastener and the
base member between the lowered and raised positions when the
fastener is in the released position, the threaded shaft of the
fastener being threaded into the threaded hole sufficiently to
cause the top member to be pressed between the shoulder and the
base member when the fastener is in the locked position.
15. A rear sight as set forth in claim 14 wherein the rear sight
receiving portion of the firearm includes a sight receiving slot
extending generally along a laterally extending slot axis, and
wherein the fitting portion of the base member is shaped and
configured to be inserted into and retained in the sight receiving
slot.
16. A rear sight as set forth in claim 15 wherein the fitting
portion of the base member is moveable relative to the sight
receiving slot for adjusting drifting of the rear sight.
17. A rear sight as set forth in claim 16 further comprising at
least one set screw having a threaded shaft, the base member
comprising a through set screw receiving hole, the set screw
receiving hole having a thread for threadably receiving the
threaded shaft of the set screw, the set screw being threadably
moveable relative to the base member between a set screw released
position and a set screw locked position, the set screw and base
member being adapted for engagement of the set screw with the rear
sight receiving portion of the firearm to prevent movement of the
base member relative to the rear sight receiving portion of the
firearm when the set screw is in the locked position.
18. A rear sight as set forth in claim 17 wherein the top member
includes a through access hole adapted to permit access to the set
screw through the access hole when the top member bearing surface
is in engagement with the base member bearing surface and the
fastener is in the locked position.
19. A rear sight as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rear sight
receiving portion of the firearm includes a sight receiving slot
extending generally along a laterally extending slot axis, and
wherein the fitting portion of the base member is shaped and
configured to be inserted into and retained in the sight receiving
slot.
20. A rear sight as set forth in claim 19 wherein the fitting
portion of the base member is moveable relative to the sight
receiving slot for adjusting drifting of the rear sight.
21. A rear sight as set forth in claim 20 further comprising at
least one set screw having a threaded shaft, the base member
comprising a through set screw receiving hole, the set screw
receiving hole having a thread for threadably receiving the
threaded shaft of the set screw, the set screw being threadably
moveable relative to the base member between a set screw released
position and a set screw locked position, the set screw and base
member being adapted for engagement of the set screw with the rear
sight receiving portion of the firearm to prevent movement of the
base member relative to the rear sight receiving portion of the
firearm when the set screw is in the locked position.
22. A rear sight as set forth in claim 21 wherein the top member
includes a through access hole adapted to permit access to the set
screw through the access hole when the top member bearing surface
is in engagement with the base member bearing surface and the
fastener is in the locked position.
23. A rear sight as set forth in claim 7 wherein the base member
and the top member are configured such that the spacing between the
elevation adjusting axis and the base member varies as the top
member is moved between the lowered and raised positions.
24. A rear sight as set forth in claim 7 wherein the base member is
of a unitary, one-piece construction, and wherein the top member is
of a unitary, one-piece construction.
25. A method of using a rear sight as set forth in claim 7
comprising: operatively attaching the fitting portion of the base
member to a rear sight receiving portion of a firearm; sliding the
at least one top member bearing surface along the at least one base
member bearing surface to pivotally move the top member relative to
the base member about the laterally extending elevation adjusting
axis between the lowered and raised positions.
26. A rear sight for use in a firearm, the firearm including a
barrel having a longitudinal barrel axis, a front sight having a
front sight alignment portion, and a slide portion, the slide
portion having a rear sight receiving slot, the rear sight
receiving slot extending generally along a laterally extending slot
axis, the rear sight receiving slot being rearwardly spaced from
the front sight, the rear sight comprising: a base member
comprising a fitting portion and at least one base member bearing
surface, the fitting portion of the base member being shaped and
configured to be inserted into and retained in the sight receiving
slot of the slide portion of the firearm; a top member comprising a
rear sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface, the rear sight alignment portion being adapted to be
aligned with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm; the
at least one top member bearing surface being slidably engageable
with the at least one base member bearing surface for pivotable
movement of the top member relative to the base member about a
laterally extending elevation adjusting axis between a lowered
position and a raised position, the top member and the base member
being adapted and configured such that the elevation adjusting axis
is generally parallel to the slot axis when the rear sight is
attached to the slide portion of the firearm via the rear sight
receiving slot, the base member and the top member being configured
such that the elevation adjusting axis is spaced from the base
member, the base member and the top member being configured such
that pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base
member away from the lowered position and toward the raised
position increases the distance between the rear sight alignment
portion and the barrel axis of the firearm to thereby adjust the
elevation of the rear sight alignment portion of the rear sight
when the rear sight is attached to the slide portion of the firearm
via the rear sight receiving slot.
27. A rear sight as set forth in claim 26 wherein the at least one
top member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, the at least one arcuate
bearing surface of the top member being spaced a distance from the
elevation adjusting axis that is substantially equal to the radius
of curvature of the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the top
member.
28. A rear sight as set forth in claim 26 wherein the at least one
base member bearing surface comprises at least one arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature, the at least one arcuate
bearing surface of the base member being spaced a distance from the
elevation adjusting axis that is substantially equal to the radius
of curvature of the at least one arcuate bearing surface of the
base member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention pertains to sights for use in firearms. More
specifically, the present invention pertains to rear sights for
adjusting elevation and/or drift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One aspect of the invention is a rear sight for use in a
firearm. The firearm includes a barrel having a longitudinal barrel
axis, a front sight having a front sight alignment portion, and a
rear sight receiving portion. The rear sight receiving portion has
a rear sight receiving slot rearwardly spaced from the front sight.
The rear sight comprises a base member and a top member. The base
member comprises a fitting portion and at least one base member
bearing surface. The fitting portion of the base member is shaped
and configured to be inserted into and retained in the sight
receiving slot of the firearm. The top member comprises a rear
sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface. The rear sight alignment portion is adapted to be aligned
with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm. The at least
one top member bearing surface is slidably engageable with the at
least one base member bearing surface for pivotable movement of the
top member relative to the base member between a lowered position
and a raised position. The base member and the top member being
configured such that pivoting movement of the top member relative
to the base member away from the lowered position and toward the
raised position increases the distance between the rear sight
alignment portion and the barrel axis of the firearm to thereby
adjust the elevation of the rear sight alignment portion of the
rear sight when the rear sight is attached to the firearm via the
rear sight receiving slot. The base member is of a unitary,
one-piece construction. The top member is of a unitary, one-piece
construction.
[0006] Another aspect of the invention is a rear sight for use in a
firearm. The firearm including a barrel having a longitudinal
barrel axis, a front sight having a front sight alignment portion,
and a rear sight receiving portion. The rear sight receiving
portion is rearwardly spaced from the front sight. The rear sight
comprises a base member and a top member. The base member comprises
a fitting portion and at least one base member bearing surface. The
fitting portion is operatively attachable to the rear sight
receiving portion of the firearm. The top member comprises a rear
sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface. The rear sight alignment portion is adapted to be aligned
with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm. The at least
one top member bearing surface is slidably engageable with the at
least one base member bearing surface for pivotable movement of the
top member relative to the base member about a laterally extending
elevation adjusting axis between a lowered position and a raised
position. The base member and the top member are configured such
that the elevation adjusting axis is generally perpendicular to a
plane containing the barrel axis for all pivoting movement of the
top member relative to the base member between the lowered and
raised positions when the rear sight is operatively attached to the
firearm via the rear sight receiving portion. The base member and
the top member are configured such that the elevation adjusting
axis is spaced from the base member for all pivoting movement of
the top member relative to the base member between the lowered and
raised positions. The base member and the top member are configured
such that pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base
member away from the lowered position and toward the raised
position increases the distance between the rear sight alignment
portion and the barrel axis of the firearm to thereby adjust the
elevation of the rear sight alignment portion of the rear sight
when the rear sight is operatively attached to the firearm via the
rear sight receiving portion.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a rear
sight for use in a firearm. The firearm including a barrel having a
longitudinal barrel axis, a front sight having a front sight
alignment portion, and a slide portion. The slide portion has a
rear sight receiving slot. The rear sight receiving slot extends
generally along a laterally extending slot axis. The rear sight
receiving slot is rearwardly spaced from the front sight. The rear
sight comprises a base member and a top member. The base member
comprises a fitting portion and at least one base member bearing
surface. The fitting portion of the base member is shaped and
configured to be inserted into and retained in the sight receiving
slot of the slide portion of the firearm. The top member comprises
a rear sight alignment portion and at least one top member bearing
surface. The rear sight alignment portion is adapted to be aligned
with the front sight alignment portion of the firearm. The at least
one top member bearing surface is slidably engageable with the at
least one base member bearing surface for pivotable movement of the
top member relative to the base member about a laterally extending
elevation adjusting axis between a lowered position and a raised
position. The top member and the base member are adapted and
configured such that the elevation adjusting axis is generally
parallel to the slot axis when the rear sight is attached to the
slide portion of the firearm via the rear sight receiving slot. The
base member and the top member are configured such that the
elevation adjusting axis is spaced from the base member. The base
member and the top member are configured such that pivoting
movement of the top member relative to the base member away from
the lowered position and toward the raised position increases the
distance between the rear sight alignment portion and the barrel
axis of the firearm to thereby adjust the elevation of the rear
sight alignment portion of the rear sight when the rear sight is
attached to the slide portion of the firearm via the rear sight
receiving slot.
[0008] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as
well as the operation of the invention, are described in detail
below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a rear
sight of the present invention, the rear sight being shown attached
to a sight receiving slot in a slide of a firearm.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rear sight of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is front elevational view of the rear sight of FIGS.
1 and 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear sight of FIGS.
1-3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the rear sight of
FIGS. 1-4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of
line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and shows a base member, a top member a threaded
fastener, and two set screws.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a fragmented side elevational view of the rear
sight of FIGS. 1-6 with the base member received in a sight
receiving slot in a slide of a firearm and showing movement of the
top member relative to the base member between lowered and raised
positions.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of a second
embodiment of a rear sight of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of
a rear sight of the present invention, the rear sight being in a
lowered position.
[0018] FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of the rear sight of FIG.
9A, except the rear sight is shown in a raised position.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an exploded front elevational view of the rear
sight of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
[0020] Reference numerals in the written specification and in the
drawing figures indicate corresponding items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] A rear sight of the present invention is generally indicated
by reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 1-7. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear
sight 20 is adapted to attach to a conventional firearm 22. The
firearm 22 including a barrel having a longitudinal barrel axis
X.sub.b, a front sight 26 having a front sight alignment portion
28, and a rear sight receiving portion 30 rearwardly spaced from
the front sight. The rear sight receiving portion 30 may comprise a
rear sight receiving slot 32 in a slide portion 34 of the firearm
22. The rear sight receiving slot 32 extends generally along a
laterally extending slot axis X.sub.s (FIG. 6). Although the
firearm has been described as having a sight receiving slot in a
slide portion, it is to be understood that a rear sight in
accordance with the present invention may be used with firearms
that do not have slides and that do not have sight receiving
slots.
[0022] The rear sight comprises a base member 40 and a top member
42. Preferably, the base member 40 is of a unitary, one-piece
construction and the top member is of a unitary, one-piece
construction. In other words, to minimize parts, it is preferred
that neither the base member 40 nor the top member 42 is formed of
multiple parts. The base member 40 comprises a fitting portion 44
and at least one, and preferably two, base member bearing surfaces
46. The fitting portion 44 is operatively attachable to the rear
sight receiving portion 30 of the firearm 22. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-8, the fitting portion 44 is shaped and configured
to be inserted into and retained in the sight receiving slot 32 of
the slide portion 34 of the firearm 22. The sight receiving slot 32
is shaped for receiving a dovetail fitting. Thus, in the present
embodiment, the fitting portion has a dovetail shape.
[0023] The top member 42 comprises a rear sight alignment portion
50 and comprises at least one, and preferably two, top member
bearing surfaces 52. The rear sight alignment portion 50 is adapted
to be aligned with the front sight alignment portion 28 of the
firearm 22. Each top member bearing surface 52 is slidably
engageable with a corresponding one of the base member bearing
surfaces for pivotable movement of the top member 42 relative to
the base member 40 about a laterally extending elevation adjusting
axis X.sub.e between a lowered position (shown in solid lines in
FIG. 7) and a raised position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7).
The base member 40 and the top member 42 are configured such that
the elevation adjusting axis X.sub.e is generally perpendicular to
a plane containing the barrel axis X.sub.b for all pivoting
movement of the top member relative to the base member between the
lowered and raised positions when the rear sight 20 is operatively
attached to the firearm 22 via the rear sight receiving portion 30.
The base member 40 and the top member 42 are configured such that
the elevation adjusting axis X.sub.e is spaced from the base member
for all pivoting movement of the top member relative to the base
member between the lowered and raised positions. The base member 40
and the top member 42 are configured such that pivoting movement of
the top member relative to the base member away from the lowered
position and toward the raised position increases the distance
between the rear sight alignment portion 50 and the barrel axis
X.sub.b of the firearm 22 to thereby adjust the elevation of the
rear sight alignment portion 50 of the rear sight 20 when the rear
sight is operatively attached to the firearm via the rear sight
receiving portion 30.
[0024] Preferably, each top member bearing surface 52 is adapted to
nest with the corresponding base member bearing surface 46.
Preferably, each base member bearing surface 46 is concave and each
top member bearing surface 52 is convex. In the present embodiment,
each top member bearing surface 52 constitutes an arcuate bearing
surface having a radius of curvature r.sub.c (FIG. 7) and each base
member bearing surface 46 constitutes an arcuate bearing surface
having a radius of curvature. In the present embodiment, the radius
of curvature of each of the top member bearing surfaces 52 has
substantially the same radius of curvature as the other. In the
present embodiment, the radius of curvature of each of the base
member bearing surface 46 has substantially the same radius of
curvature as the other. In the present embodiment, the radius of
curvature of each of the top member bearing surfaces 52 is
substantially the same as the radius of curvature of each of the
base member bearing surfaces 46. In the present embodiment, each
arcuate bearing surface of the top member 42 is slidably engageable
with the corresponding one arcuate bearing surface of the base
member 40 for pivotable movement of the top member relative to the
base member between the lowered and raised positions, such that the
elevation adjusting axis X.sub.e is spaced a fixed distance from
the base member 40 for all pivoting movement of the top member 42
relative to the base member between the lowered and raised
positions. In the present embodiment, the distance between the base
member 40 and the elevation adjusting axis X.sub.e is substantially
equal to the radius of curvature of the base and top member bearing
surfaces 46, 52 (e.g, about 0.7 inches).
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear sight 20 further
comprising a fastener 60 for adjustably locking the top member 42
to the base member 40. The fastener 60 comprises a threaded shaft
62 and a shoulder 64. The base member 40 comprises a threaded hole
66 for threadably receiving the threaded shaft 62 of the fastener.
The top member 42 includes a through slot 68 sized for unrestricted
passage therethrough of the threaded shaft 62. The fastener 60 is
moveable between a released position and a locked position. The top
member 42 is slidably moveable relative to the base member 40
between the lowered and raised positions when the fastener 60 is in
the released position. The top member 42 is locked against movement
relative to the base member 40 when the fastener 60 is in the
locked position. The slot 68 in the top member 42 is sized to
permit movement of the top member relative to both the fastener 60
and the base member 40 between the lowered and raised positions
(FIG. 7) when the fastener is in the released position. The
threaded shaft 62 of the fastener 60 is threaded into the threaded
hole 66 (downward as shown in FIG. 6) sufficiently to cause the top
member 42 to be pressed between the shoulder 64 of the fastener and
the base member 40 when the fastener is in the locked position.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the fitting portion 44 of the
base member 40 is moveable relative to the sight receiving slot 32
for adjusting drifting of the rear sight 20. The rear sight further
comprises at least one, and preferably two, set screws 70, each
having a threaded shaft. The base member 40 comprises a pair of
through set screw receiving holes 72. Each set screw receiving hole
72 having a thread for threadably receiving the threaded shaft of
the corresponding set screw 70. Each set screw 70 is threadably
moveable relative to the base member between a set screw released
position and a set screw locked position. The set screws 70 and the
base member are adapted for engagement of the set screw with the
slide portion 34 of the firearm 22 (e.g., the set screw presses
against the slide portion to wedge the fitting portion 44 upward in
the sight receiving slot 32) to prevent movement of the base member
40 relative to the slide portion when the set screw is in the
locked position. The top member 42 includes a pair of through
access holes 74 (preferably in the form of slots) positioned to
permit access to the set screws 70 via the access holes when the
top member bearing surface 52 is in engagement with the base member
bearing surface 46 and the fastener 60 is in the locked position.
As shown in FIG. 6, the top member 42 and the base member 40 fit
together in a manner that prevents the top member from moving
laterally relative to the base member (i.e., moving either right or
left as viewed in FIG. 6) even when the fastener 60 is in the
released position. To adjust drifting, a user positions the set
screws 70 in the set screw released position and moves the entire
rear sight 20 laterally along the slot axis X.sub.s. When the rear
sight 20 is in the desired lateral position, the user tightens the
set screws 70 to the set screw locked positions. Thus, drift may be
adjusted without removing the top member 42 from the base member
40.
[0027] Another embodiment of a rear sight of the present invention
is generally indicated by reference numeral 120 in FIG. 8. The rear
sight 120 is similar to the rear sight 20 of FIGS. 1-7 except for
the differences noted herein. Thus, except for the noted
differences, the above description of the rear sight 20 applies
equally to the rear sight 120. The rear sight 120 comprises a base
member 140 and a top member 142. The base member 140 is similar to
the base member 40 described above except each base member bearing
surface 146 of the base member 140 comprises first and second ramp
portions 146a and 146b instead of an arcuate bearing surface. The
first and second ramp portions 146a, 146b may be flat or curved, or
one may be flat and the other curved. The top member 142 is similar
to the top member 42 described above except each top member bearing
surface 152 comprises spaced apart first and second top bearing
surface portions 152a 152b. The base and top members 140, 142 are
configured such that the first top bearing surface portion 152a
slides along the first ramp portion 146a and the second top bearing
surface portion 152b slides along the second ramp portion 146b as
the top member 142 is moved relative to the base member 140 between
the lowered position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 8) and the
raised position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8).
[0028] Another embodiment of a rear sight of the present invention
is generally indicated by reference numeral 220 in FIGS. 9A, 9B and
10. The rear sight 220 is similar to the rear sight 20 of FIGS. 1-7
except for the differences noted herein. Thus, except for the noted
differences or differences apparent from the drawing figures, the
above description of the rear sight 20 applies equally to the rear
sight 220. The rear sight 220 comprises a base member 240 and a top
member 242. The base member 240 includes a base member bearing
surface 246. The base member bearing surface 246 is convex and
generally arcuate in shape. The top member 242 includes a top
bearing surface 252. The top bearing surface is concave and
generally arcuate in shape. The base and top members 240, 242 are
configured such that the top bearing surface 252 slides on the base
member bearing surface 246 as the top member 242 is moved relative
to the base member 240 between the lowered position (shown in FIG.
9A) and the raised position (shown in FIG. 9B). The top member 242
pivots about the elevation adjusting axis Xe as the top member is
moved between the lowered and raised positions. The top and base
members 242, 240 are shaped and configured such that the top member
242 is placed onto or removed from the base member by sliding the
top member onto the base member along the elevation adjusting axis
Xe. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rear sight 220 includes front
and rear rotation limiting screws 280, 282. The front rotation
limiting screw 280 is threaded into a front portion of the top
member 242 and has a bottom end engageable with a surface of the
base member 240. The front rotation limiting screw 280 adjustably
limits rotation of the top member 242 relative to the base member
240 in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGS. 9A and
9B). The rear rotation limiting screw 282 is threaded into a rear
portion of the top member 242 and has a bottom end engageable with
a surface of the slide portion 234 of the firearm. The rear
rotation limiting screw 282 adjustably limits rotation of the top
member 242 relative to the base member 240 in a clockwise direction
(as viewed in FIGS. 9A and 9B).
[0029] Referring to FIG. 10, the rear sight 220 also includes first
and second windage adjustment screws 284, 286 for adjustably fixing
the lateral position (positioning right or left as viewed in FIG.
10) of the top member 242 relative to the base member 240. The
first windage adjustment screw 284 is adapted to be threaded into a
threaded hole 288 in the one side of the base member 240 and the
second windage adjustment screw 286 is adapted to be threaded into
the threaded hole 288 on the other side of the base member. The
heads of the windage adjustment screws 284, 286 are adapted to
engage recessed shoulders 290, 292 in the top member 242 and engage
the base member 240 only via the threaded holes. Thus, the relative
lateral positions of the base and top members 240, 242 can be
adjusted by loosening one of the windage adjustment screws and
tightening the other.
[0030] As various modifications could be made in the constructions
and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from
the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims
appended hereto and their equivalents.
[0031] It should also be understood that when introducing elements
of the present invention in the claims or in the above description
of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms "comprising,"
"including," and "having" are intended to be open-ended and mean
that there may be additional elements other than the listed
elements. Additionally, the term "portion" should be construed as
meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies.
Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third
should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position
or time sequence between limitations. Still further, the order in
which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented
should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which
such steps must be performed, unless such an order is inherent.
* * * * *