U.S. patent number 3,671,000 [Application Number 05/045,841] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-20 for sight-thru telescopic sight mount.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Williams Gun Sight Co.. Invention is credited to Paul D. Williams.
United States Patent |
3,671,000 |
Williams |
June 20, 1972 |
SIGHT-THRU TELESCOPIC SIGHT MOUNT
Abstract
A telescopic sight mount for operatively securing a telescopic
sight to the receiver or similar portion of a firearm and
comprising a pair of apertured base members adapted to be installed
directly on the firearm and detachably support pairs of split ring
retaining members fixedly secured to an associated telescopic
sight, the sight mount permitting use of standard "iron" sights on
the firearm without requiring removal of the telescopic sight and
providing a new and improved means for conveniently interchanging
telescopic sights.
Inventors: |
Williams; Paul D. (Davison,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Williams Gun Sight Co.
(Davison, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
21940164 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/045,841 |
Filed: |
June 12, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/205.1;
248/222.14; 248/224.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G
11/003 (20130101); F41G 1/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41G
1/00 (20060101); F41G 1/06 (20060101); F41G
1/387 (20060101); F41g 001/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/205,223,224,225,226
;33/50,51,53 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Foss; J. Franklin
Claims
I claim:
1. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a
firearm provided with standard iron sights,
a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to
said firearm and defining an aperture providing a view of the iron
sights,
fastening means for securing said lower base member to a firearm
and means on said lower base member providing access to said
fastening means,
a telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the
telescope sight,
cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said
telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining
member to said base member,
said mounting means including complementary projection means on one
of said members and recess means on the other of said members,
whereby said members are longitudinally slidably engageable with
each other,
said projection means comprising a generally laterally inwardly
inclined surface and a generally vertically disposed surface,
locking means extending laterally of said other member and
engageable with said vertically disposed surface for lockingly
securing said members against relative longitudinal sliding
movement,
said mounting means including means providing access to said
fastening means.
2. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic signt to a
firearm provided with standard iron sights,
a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies, each of said
assemblies comprising a first generally ring-shaped member having a
mounting portion on the lower end thereof,
fastener means extending between the firearm and said mounting
portion for operatively securing said first member to the
firearm,
each of said assemblies further comprising a second generally
ring-shaped member consisting of a pair of split ring elements
adapted to be affixed to the telescopic sight,
cooperable attachment means on the lower ends of said second
members and the upper ends of said first members for securing said
members together,
said attachment means including complimentary tenon and tenon
receiving recess means on said first and second members, and
means on said first members providing access to said fastener
means.
3. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a
firearm provided with standard iron sights,
a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to
said firearm,
said lower base member including a longitudinally extending
mounting portion and a ring-shaped portion
defining a central aperture providing a view of the iron sights of
said firearm,
a generally ring-shaped telescopic sight retaining member adapted
to be affixed to the telescopic sight,
cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said
telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining
member to said base member,
said mounting means including complementary-shaped tenon and tenon
receiving recess means on confronting portions of said base and
retaining members,
fastening means for securing said mounting portion of said base
member to the firearm, and
means including an access opening in said ring-shaped portion of
said base member providing access to said fastening means.
4. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a
firearm provided with standard iron sights,
a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies,
each of said assemblies comprising a generally ring-shaped lower
base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm,
said lower base members including longitudinally aligned central
apertures providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm,
each of said assemblies further comprising a generally ring-shaped
telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the
telescope sight, and
cooperable mounting means on said lower base members and said
telescope retaining members for detachably securing said retaining
members to the associated of said base members,
said mounting means including tenon means extending longitudinally
and upwardly from said base members and complementary-shaped tenon
receiving recess means on confronting portions of said retaining
members adapted to slidably engage said tenon means.
5. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a
firearm provided with standard iron sights,
a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to
said firearm,
said lower base member including a central aperture providing a
view of the iron sights of said firearm,
a telescopic sight retaining member comprising a pair of split ring
elements adapted to be affixed to the telescope sight,
cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said
telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining
member to said base member,
said mounting means including complementary shaped longitudinally
slideably engageable tenon and tenon receiving means on confronting
portions of said base and retaining members, and
means for limiting relative longitudinal sliding movement of said
retaining member relative to said base member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telescopic sights adapted for firearm mounting are commercially
available to the sportsman, hunter, marksman, etc. in numerous
forms, each of which is designed to fulfill a particular preference
or objective. Some of the variables that are considered in
selecting telescopic sights are the optic power of the sight, the
relative brightness afforded, the type of reticle, and the degree
of and means for providing windage and elevation adjustment. When
the proper telescopic sight has been selected, the firearm user is,
of course, desirous of being able to conveniently mount or install
the sight, and the ease of such installation is dependent upon the
particular sight mount utilized.
Traditionally telescopic sight mounts generally comprise a one or
two piece base member which is adapted to be affixed to the
receiver or some other portion of the firearm. In the case of a
single piece base, there is generally provided on opposite
longitudinal ends, an integral half cradle adapted to receive the
underside of the telescopic sight. The sight itself is affixed
within the cradle by one or more concave half-ring elements which
are detachably connected, by suitable screws, etc. to the base
member, thereby securing the sight to the mount by the compressive
strapping action of the rings. When the base is comprised of two
separate units, such units are longitudinally spaced or oriented
and define a pair of aligned cradle-like recesses within which the
telescopic sight is nestingly received. As with one-piece
constructions, one or more upper half-ring elements are used to
strap the sight within the mount. With either type of sight mount,
removal or interchanging of the sight generally requires the
detachment of the connecting means, i.e., screws, etc. which secure
any elements to the lower base. This necessitates the removal of
the screws and requires the complete separation of the elements
from the lower base or bases, as the case may be. Unfortunately,
the retaining screws are occasionally lost in the process, thereby
rendering the entire scope mount inoperative until replacement
retaining screws can be obtained.
One particular type of telescopic sight mount that has found
considerable commercial acceptance, and to which the present
invention is directed, includes a central longitudinal aperture or
apertures (depending on whether a one or two-piece base is used),
that permits an instant view of the standard iron sights on the
firearm. This is recognized as a distinct advantage since it allows
use of either the telescopic sight or the iron sights, without
requiring detaching of the telescopic sight. The primary
disadvantage, however, to conventional telescopic sight mounts,
i.e., the inconvenience of changing from one telescopic sight to
another, still applies to such "see-thru" style sight mounts, and
it is to this objectionable characteristic that this present
invention is addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to means for attaching a
telescopic sight to a firearm and, more particularly, to a novel
telescopic sight mounting device which is readily and conveniently
adapted to permit interchanging of telescopic sights. The sight
mount is comprised essentially of a pair of lower apertured base
members which are adapted to be affixed to the firearm, and a pair
of sight-retaining members adapted to be secured directly to the
body of an associated telescopic sight and be detachably secured to
the base members.
It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved sight mount of the above character which
permits removing the telescopic sight without necessitating the
disassociation of the split ring retaining or mounting members or
requiring removal of the mount base affixed to the firearm.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide
a new and improved telescopic sight mount of the above described
type which includes positive retention means between the lower base
members and the upper split ring members capable of effectively
withstanding the recoil action that occurs during operation of the
associated firearm.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
telescopic sight mount that permits quicker, more convenient
interchanging of telescopic sights.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
telescopic sight mount of the "see-thru" variety having apertured
base members providing a large down range field of view.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
telescopic sight mount which is lightweight and may be precision
machined so as not to alter the balance of the rifle, and which is
also extremely compact and weather resistant.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a
telescopic sight mount which is adapted to receive telescopic
sights having increased diameter ocular and objective ends.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of the telescopic sight mount
of the present invention, as shown in operative association with
the receiver portion of a conventional firearm;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the firearm and telescopic
sight mount illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially
along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, with the extreme righthand portion
of the sight mount fragmentarily broken away;
FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially
along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2, and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rearward section of a
conventional firearm is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and
is shown as comprising a receiver portion 12 engaged with and
secured to a firearm stock 14 in a manner common in the art. At the
rearward end of the receiver 12, a conventional "iron" sight in the
form of a receiver peep sight 16 is mounted, the sight 16 being
adapted for conventional use in conjunction with a suitable front
or forward sight (not shown) on the muzzle end of the firearm
barrel 17.
A conventional telescopic firearm sight is indicated generally at
20 and is illustrated as having an increased diameter ocular end
portion 22, an increased diameter objective end portion 24, and a
central or intermediate tubular portion 26. The sight 20 is shown
as having conventional windage and/or elevation adjustment means
27.
A sight-thru telescopic sight mount, in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, is generally designated by the
numeral 28 and is shown as comprising a pair of longitudinally
spaced mount assemblies 30. Each of the assemblies 30 includes a
lower apertured base member 32 and a telescopic sight retaining
member 34 having a lower split ring 36 and an upper split ring 38.
The lower apertured base members 32, as best observed in FIG. 3,
are essentially ring-shaped in transverse cross-section and have
integral downwardly depending mounting portions 40 on the lower
sides thereof which define concave surfaces 41 formed about a
radius corresponding or complementary to that of the receiver
portion 12. The uppermost part of each of the base members 32,
herein designated by the numeral 42, defines an essentially
horizontal flat face 43 upon which an upwardly projecting integral
tenon 44 is formed. The interior or confronting surfaces of the
mounting portions 40, the upper portions 42, and a pair of integral
segmental annular side wall sections 46 of each of the base members
32 define relatively large longitudinally aligned apertures 50
adapted to provide a large field of view for operation of the
firearm 10 with its iron sights 16, etc.
As best observed in FIG. 2, one end (preferably the rearward end)
of the mounting portion 40 of each of the base members 32 is
longitudinally extended beyond the associated upper portion 42 and
is designated by the numeral 51. The extended ends 51, together
with the integral wall sections 46, define concavely shaped
transverse surfaces 52 which, in accordance with a preferred
orientation of the mount 28, face rearwardly and expose a
downwardly projecting bore 53 in each of the members 32.
Countersunk recesses or counterbores 54 are provided in the exposed
upper ends of the bores 53 and with the bores 53, are adapted to
receive mounting screws (not shown) having enlarged head portions
thereon, which mounting screws are adapted to be threadably
received within suitable vertically oriented threaded apertures 55
in the top of the receiver 12 for fixedly securing the base members
32 thereto.
A second countersunk bore 56 is provided in the forward end of the
mounting portion 40 of each of the members 32, whereby an
additional mounting screw 57 may be employed to threadably affix
the forward ends of the base members 32 to the firearm 10. Overhead
access to the bores 56 is provided by access apertures 58 formed in
the upper portions 42 of the members 32 and arranged in general
vertical alignment with the bores 56. Hence, it will be apparent
that the lower apertured base members 32 may be threadably affixed
to the receiver 12 in a convenient manner by virtue of the fact
that vertical access is provided to operate a vertically oriented
hand tool, such as a screwdriver or the like, in securing both of
the mounting screws for each of the base members 32.
With reference to FIG. 3, one longitudinally extending face 59 of
each of the upwardly projecting tenons 44 is inclined downwardly
and inwardly whereas its opposing face 60 is generally vertically
oriented, whereby the tenons 44 resembly half dovetail projections
in transverse cross-section. A vertical threaded bore 62 is
provided at one end of the generally flat, horizontal upper surface
43, defined on the upper portion 42 of each of the members 32, the
bores 62 being located adjacent the vertical faces 60 and adapted
to threadably receive suitable set screws or the like 64. As will
hereinafter be described, the tenons 44 and set screws 64 provide
for longitudinally slidable interconnection and proper orientation
of the telescope retaining members 34 on the base members 32.
The lower split ring 36 of each of the telescope retaining members
34 comprises a generally flat lower surface 66 having a
longitudinally extending, upwardly projecting recess 68 of
complementary shape in transverse cross-section with respect to the
tenons 44 and adapted for longitudinal sliding engagement
therewith. Slidable interconnection between the split rings 36 and
the base members 32 is longitudinally restricted by vertical
transverse shoulders 72 defined by undercuts 73 on the lower
surfaces 66, the shoulders 72 adapted to contact the upper ends of
the set screws 64, whereby the shoulders 72 and set screws 64 act
as a stop means to longitudinally orient the split rings 36 upon
the base members 32.
Each of the split rings 36 is adapted to be fixedly secured to the
associated one of the base members 32 by means of one or more
suitable set screws or the like 74 disposed within transverse
threaded bores 76 in the lower ends of the split rings 36 and
adapted for engagement with the vertical side walls 60 of the
tenons 44. It will be appreciated that when the set screws 64 are
threadably advanced into engagement with the tenons 44, the lower
ring members 36 will be fixedly connected to the associated of the
lower base members 32; conversely, slidably disassociation, i.e.,
removal of the rings 36 from the base members 32, will be readily
permitted by threadably retracting the set screws 64, from
engagement with the side walls 60 of the tenons 44, as will be
apparent. A particular advantage of the above described
construction will be seen from the fact that the set screws 74
engage the vertical side walls 60 of the tenons 44 in a manner such
that laterally directed forces exerted by the set screws 74 are
applied at right angles to the side walls 60 so as to optimize the
compressive engagement between the set screws 74 and tenons 44 and
effectively lockingly secure the retaining members 34 on the base
members 32.
The lower split rings 36 comprise integral segmental annular side
wall sections 78 which project upwardly and terminate in thickened
horizontal, laterally outwardly extending flanges 80 that are
formed with one or more vertical threaded bores 81. A
semi-cylindrical surface 82 is defined by each of the wall sections
78, which surfaces 82 are formed on a radius corresponding to the
tube portion 26 of telescopic sight 20, whereby to provide a cradle
for nestingly receiving the same.
The telescopic sight 20 is firmly retained upon or engaged with the
surfaces 82 by means of the upper split rings 38 which define
semi-cylindrical surfaces 84 that cooperate with the surfaces 82 in
fully encircling the tube portion 26 of the sight 20. Each of the
upper split rings 38 is formed with thickened horizontal, laterally
outwardly extending flanges 86 adapted to bear upon the flanges 80
of the lower split ring 36. The flanges 86 are formed with one or
more vertical counterbored openings 88 adapted for vertical
alignment with the threaded bores 81 formed in the outwardly
extending flanges 80 of the lower split rings 36, the openings 88
and bores 81 being adapted to receive suitable screws, bolts or the
like 90 having enlarged head portions 92. As best seen in FIG. 3,
the screws 90 extend downwardly through the counterbored openings
88 and are threadably engaged with the threaded bores 81, thereby
threadably affixing the upper rings 38 to the lower rings 36 and
positively retaining the telescopic sight 20 therebetween.
It will be seen from the above that the interchanging of telescopic
sights may be expeditiously achieved without requiring
disassociation of split rings 36 and 38 from the various sights
which are to be interchanged. When an interchange of sights is
desired, the set screws 64 are merely loosened and the particular
sight, such as the sight 20, together with the sight retaining
members 34 attached thereto, is slidably disengaged from the base
members 32. The telescopic sight that is to be used as a
replacement is provided with its own pair of retaining members that
are identical to the members 34 and which have been preaffixed
thereto and adapted for sliding engagement with the base members
32. The new sight may then be secured to the firearm 10 by properly
tightening the set screws 64, as will be apparent, thereby
completing the transition from one telescopic sight to another.
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated
herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it
will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to
modification, variation and change without departing from the scope
of the invention.
* * * * *