Scope mounting system

Abstract

A scope mounting system having one or more components formed of a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. In one form, the component is formed of an alloy of zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper. The scope mounting system preferably includes one or more components, such as a base and / or rings, at least one of the components being formed by casting.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 664,061, filed Mar. 22, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to firearms accessories, and more particularly to rings and mounts for affixing a telescopic sight (“scope”) to a firearm.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Telescopic gun sights (“scopes”) are often used in connection with firearms to improve shooting accuracy. A scope is typically mounted to the receiver, barrel, or other portion of a rifle or other type of firearm using a mounting system including one or more (typically two) scope mounting rings and, optionally, a mounting base.[0004]Traditionally, the components of commercially-available mounting systems fall within two general categories: higher-end systems formed of machined steel and lower-end systems formed of aluminum extrusion...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention relates to improved scope mounting systems for firearms meeting these and other needs. In example forms, the present invention includes a mounting system including one or more scope mounting rings and, optionally, a mounting base or bases, providing improved performance and characteristics relative to previously known mounting systems. The mounting system of the present invention provides many of the advantages of both steel and aluminum components, while avoiding many of the disadvantages of each material. In addition to mounting of telescopic sights, the present invention may be adapted for mounting laser-aiming systems and / or other accessories and hardware to a firearm.

[0007]For example, in one aspect, the invention is a mounting system for mounting to a firearm, the mounting system being fabricated of a material having greater strength, durability and weight per unit volume than aluminum; and improved corrosion-resistance, cost and workability relative to steel. In example forms of the invention, one or more components of the mounting system are formed of a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper.

Problems solved by technology

Steel mounting components are typically relatively expensive, largely due to higher labor and material costs.

For example, steel's hardness renders machining and finishing of components more difficult and time consuming than aluminum components.

Steel also has the disadvantage of its tendency to rust and corrode over time.

For example, threaded bores in aluminum components tend to strip more easily during assembly, and cracking of the components sometimes occurs due to aluminum's lower stress tolerance.

Aluminum typically is also more susceptible to fatigue failure and stress concentration failure than steel.

Also, the extrusion processes typically used to fabricate aluminum components place limitations on the component geometries that can be produced.

For example, components produced by extrusion processes typically have flat contours and limited detailing, and are considered less appealing by many consumers.

The relatively light weight of aluminum also contributes to consumers' perception of these components as being of inferior quality and / or durability.

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