Mounting system for mini red dot sights

Abstract

A mounting system for securing a viewing optic to a firearm utilizes an oval dovetail-shaped connecting component having a first end, a second end, and a contoured perimeter that form a dovetail-like profile. The viewing optic has a bottom surface with a mortise-shaped slot, the first end of which is open to receive the oval dovetail-shaped connecting component and the second end of which is closed. The viewing optic further includes a fastening area on one side of the viewing optic, the fastening area having a first securing structure. A fastening element has a second securing structure, the first securing structure and the second securing structure corresponding to each other to facilitate securing the fastening element to the fastening area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application is a non - provisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 057,377, filed on July 28, 2020, and is a claim - of - priority application of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application. This U.S. Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this specification.

[0002] This disclosure (the present invention) relates to an attachment system for observation optical instruments. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an attachment system for attaching a mini red dot sight to a firearm.

Background Art

[0003] A mini red dot sight (MRDS) is generally a non - magnifying reflector - type sight used for small firearms, such as rifles and pistols. The MRDS uses a reflective optical system that projects light towards the user so as to view the target field and an illuminated red dot reticle. The MRDS may be either a closed - type in which all optical elements are completely housed by a housing or an open - type in which at least a part of the optical elements is not housed by the housing.

[0004] Open - type MRDSs are relatively small and, generally speaking, are relatively easy to attach to a firearm because screws or other attachment hardware protrude from the exposed upper surface of the base and can be directly coupled to a fixing structure provided on the upper surface of the firearm. However, since the optical elements are exposed, open - type MRDSs can collect dirt / debris that may adversely affect the performance of the MRDS.

[0005] A closed-type MRDS has a housing that completely encloses the optics, thus protecting them from the elements. However, as a result of being completely enclosed, the top surface of the base is not exposed, and therefore, a closed-type MRDS cannot be easily attached to a firearm. Generally speaking, these sides of a closed-type MRDS are fixed to a firearm, and for this to be necessary, a fixing structure that is compatible with both the firearm and the MRDS is required.

[0006] Each current retractable MRDS uses its own proprietary and intellectual property mounting solution based on the MRDS brand and the brand and model of the firearm to which the MRDS is attached. For example, most retractable MRDSs require an intellectual property mounting plate to ensure compatibility with the various mounting structures of the MRDS. In other words, a different intellectual property mounting plate is required for each of the different brands and models of firearms. Furthermore, this mounting plate is generally only useful when attaching a closed MRDS to a firearm; it must be removed when using an open MRDS.

[0007] Alternatively, some MRDSs have a detachable casing that allows them to be used as open MRDSs and mounted on firearms. If the user then wishes to use the MRDS as a closed MRDS, the casing can be reattached. It should be understood that even when the MRDS is ultimately used as a closed MRDS, the optics are still exposed to the surrounding environment if the casing is detachable. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] For the reasons stated above, providing a mounting system that is useful for both open and closed MRDS and / or compatible with any brand and model of firearm is a significant advantage. Thus, a mounting system that can solve these problems is highly desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a mounting system for securing an observation optical device to a firearm. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting system includes an oval dovetail connecting component having a first end, a second end, and a shaped perimeter that form a dovetail contour, and an observation optical device having a bottom surface with a mortise slot that opens at the first end to receive the oval dovetail connecting component and is closed at the second end, the observation optical device further having a fastening area provided on one side of the observation optical device, the fastening area having a first fixing structure, and the mounting system further includes a fastening element having a second fixing structure, the first and second fixing structures being corresponding to each other and facilitating fastening of the fastening element to the fastening area.

[0010] In another embodiment, the fastening region is a groove with depth, and the fastening element has a thickness approximately equal to the depth of the groove. In yet another embodiment, the first end of the oval dovetail connecting component is rounded. In yet another embodiment, the first and second fastening structures each have at least one screw hole, and the at least one screw hole in the fastening region and the fastening element are coaxial. In another embodiment of the mounting system according to claim 1, the observation optical instrument is an MRDS. The MRDS is a closed-type MRDS.

[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a firearm. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firearm has at least one accessory mounting structure having a pair of threaded openings, and a dovetail-shaped connecting component having a first end, a second end, and a shaped perimeter forming a dovetail contour and having at least two threaded holes, the dovetail-shaped connecting component being positioned on the firearm so as to be secured to the firearm by at least two screws with at least two threaded holes coaxial with the threaded openings, the firearm has an observation optics having a bottom surface with a mortise-shaped slot having a first end that opens to receive an oval dovetail-shaped connecting component and a second end that is closed, the observation optics further having a fastening region provided on one side of the observation optics, the fastening region having a first fixing structure, the observation optics engaging in a sliding relationship with the dovetail-shaped connecting component, the firearm further includes a fastening element having a second fixing structure, the first and second fixing structures being corresponding to each other and facilitating fastening of the fastening element to the fastening region.

[0012] In another embodiment, at least two screw holes in the dovetail connecting component are countersunk. In yet another embodiment, the fastening region is a groove with depth, and the fastening element has a thickness approximately equal to the depth of the groove. In yet another embodiment, the first end of the oval dovetail connecting component is rounded. In yet another embodiment, the first and second fastening structures each include at least one screw hole, and the at least one screw hole in the fastening region and the fastening element are coaxial. In yet another embodiment, at least one screw engages the first and second fastening structures. In yet another embodiment, the firearm is selected from handguns and pistols. In yet another embodiment, the observation optics is an MRDS, and furthermore, a closed-type MRDS.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. The applications of the present invention are not limited to the details of the configuration or arrangement of the illustrated components. The present invention can be implemented or realized in other embodiments or in various other ways. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of an accessory mounting structure for a firearm. [Figure 2] This figure shows an illustrative dovetail connector component according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a closed MRDS fixed to a firearm using the dovetail coupling component shown in Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a closed-type MRDS in a fixed state, with the side cover plate in place, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] This is a left side view of the MRDS in a fully fixed state. [Figure 5B] This is a right side view of the MRDS in a fully fixed state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Before describing embodiments of the present invention in detail, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components described in the following description or shown in the drawings. The art of the present invention can be embodied in other embodiments or implemented or performed in various ways. It should also be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the present invention.

[0016] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to ensure that this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0017] As those skilled in the art will understand, a set of features and / or functions can be readily adapted within the technical context of standalone observation optics, such as weapon sights, front-mounted or rear-mounted clip-on weapon sights, and other configurations of field-deployed optical weapon sights. Furthermore, as those skilled in the art will understand, various combinations of features and functions can be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting existing fixed or variable observation optics of any modification.

[0018] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximations and therefore may include values ​​outside the range unless otherwise indicated. The numerical ranges include all values ​​from the lower limit to the upper limit in increments of one unit, assuming that there is a separation of at least two units between either the lower limit and either upper limit. For example, if a compositional property, physical property or other property, such as molecular weight, melt index, temperature, etc., is in the range of 100 to 1,000, it is intended to explicitly list all individual values ​​such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and partial ranges such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc. With respect to ranges that include decimal values ​​that are less than 1 or greater than 1 but less than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 as appropriate. With respect to ranges that include single-digit numbers less than 10 (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is generally considered to be 0.1. These are merely examples of what is specifically intended, and it should be understood that all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the minimum and maximum values ​​listed are explicitly described in the disclosure of the present invention. Within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention, numerical ranges are provided, in particular, for the relative amounts of components in the mixtures listed in the various methods, as well as for various temperature and other parameter ranges.

[0019] In this specification, for ease of description, terms expressing spatial relativity such as “below,” “downward,” “below,” “upward,” and “above” may be used to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in a figure and another element or feature. It will be acknowledged that these terms expressing spatial relativity are intended to encompass various orientations of the device in use or orientations other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, an element described as being “below” or “downward” of another element or feature would be oriented “upward” of those other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “downward” can encompass both upward and downward orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (90° rotation or other orientations), and the spatial relativity descriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly.

[0020] As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. For example, the term "and / or" used for an expression such as "A and / or B" is intended to include both A and B, A or B, A only, and B only. Similarly, the term "and / or" used for an expression such as "A, B, and / or C" is intended to include A and B and C, A or B or C, A or C, A or B, B or C, A and C, A and B, B and C, A only, B only, and C only.

[0021] When an element or layer is described as being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it will be understood that the element or layer may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer. As a variation, there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is described as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0022] As used herein, a "firearm" is often a portable firearm that is a barreled weapon that fires one or more projectiles or bullets that are propelled by the action of an explosive force. The term "firearm" as used herein includes pistols, rifles, rifles, shotguns, carbines, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, light machine guns, automatic rifles, and assault rifles.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a portion of an exemplary firearm 10, such as a revolver or pistol, which portion includes an accessory attachment structure 15. In the particular illustrated embodiment, the accessory attachment structure 15 has a plurality of protrusions 16 and at least two threaded openings 17. In the particular illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 16 assist in aligning an accessory on the firearm 10, and the threaded openings 17 engage with threads, for example, when securing a standard open-type MRDS. As will be understood, this is merely an example of an accessory attachment structure that can be used on a firearm. Other brands and models of firearms may have different types of securing structures and / or different configurations of the securing structures. However, one commonality of accessory attachment structures is that they are provided with threaded openings 17.

[0024] Figure 2 shows an exemplary double-tail-shaped connecting component 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The double-tail-shaped connecting component 100 is generally oblong and has a smooth upper surface 20, a first end 22, and a second end 23. The perimeter 25 of the double-tail-shaped connecting component 100 is angled and contoured so as to be wider than the surface where the upper surface 20 contacts the firearm 10, thus creating a so-called "double-tail" profile.

[0025] In the particular illustrated embodiment, the first end 22 is a rounded end and the second end 23 is a flattened end. As shown in FIG. 3, the rounding of the first end 22 facilitates the alignment of the closed-type MRDS 200 when slid onto the double-tail-shaped connecting component 100. However, in other embodiments, the ends 22, 23 may be the same as each other, different from each other, rounded, flattened, pointed, or of any such geometric shape that allows the MRDS 200 to slide onto the double-tail-shaped connecting component 100.

[0026] The upper surface 20 has two screw holes 27 that are aligned with and coaxial with the threaded opening 17 of the firearm 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw holes 27 are countersunk. This allows the dovetail coupling component 100 to be fixed to the firearm 10 using the existing structure of the firearm 10, and the screws are flush with or lower than the upper surface 20 so as not to adversely affect the sliding of the MRDS 200 on the dovetail coupling component 100.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a closed-type MRDS 200 fixed to a firearm using a dovetail coupling component 100. The bottom surface 30 of the closed-type MRDS 200 has a number of channels that allow the MRDS 200 to be coupled to the dovetail coupling component 100 in a sliding relationship and that can be fitted to the accessory mounting structure 15 of the firearm 10. Specifically, the bottom surface 30 has mortise slots 37 having a contour that matches the contour of the dovetail coupling component 100. Additional channels 36 allow the MRDS 200 to slide while avoiding the projection 16.

[0028] The mortise slot 37 and channel 36 are open at the first end so that the MRDS can move in the direction of arrow 201, and the second end is closed so that once one of the rounded end 22 and / or projection 16 aligns with the closed end of the slot 37 or channel 36, it stops further movement in the direction of arrow 201.

[0029] As can be understood, the specific arrangement of the channels 36 and slots 37 is specific to the form of the accessory mounting structure 15 of this particular firearm 10. The design and form of the channels 36 may vary in particular depending on the firearm 10 to which the MRDS is attached.

[0030] The far side of the MRDS (as viewed in the illustrated orientation) or the side where the channels 36 and slots 37 are open is the fastening region 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening region is a recess or groove 32, which extends along the length of the side of the MRDS such that each of the channels 36 and slots 37 opens into the groove 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening region 32 further has a fixing structure 33. In one embodiment, the fixing structure is at least one screw hole, or in the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3, two screw holes. In another embodiment, other fixing structures may be provided, such as irregular recesses, projections, snap-fit ​​structures, buttons, tabs, and combinations of these and other structures.

[0031] The fastening region 32 is specifically designed to secure the fastening element 40. As shown in Figure 4, the fastening element 40 has a shape and geometric arrangement such that it is fixed to the fastening region 32 when fitted with it. That is, in the particular embodiment shown, the fastening element 40 is a plate that has the same overall shape as the fastening region 32, but is slightly smaller in dimensions than the fastening region 32 so that the fastening element 40 can be positioned flush with the outside of the MRDS200 when fixed in place. The fastening element 40 has a fixing structure 43 that corresponds to the fixing structure 33 of the MRDS200. Therefore, in the particular embodiment shown, the fixing structure 43 is at least one screw hole that is aligned with and coaxial with the screw holes 33 of the fastening region 32, or, as shown in Figure 4, has two screw holes that are aligned with and coaxial with the screw holes 33 of the fastening region 32. However, in another embodiment, other fastening structures may be provided, provided that such fastening structures correspond to the fastening structures 33 of the fastening region 32, such as irregularly shaped recesses, protrusions, snap-fit ​​structures, buttons, tabs, and combinations of these structures and other structures.

[0032] To secure the MRDS200 in place, the fixing structures 33 and 43 are aligned with each other, and the fastening elements are fixed to the fastening area 32. In the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 5B, for example, screws are tightened into the holes 33 / 43, thereby clamping the side cover plate 40 to the MRDS200. The MRDS200 is thus prevented from sliding off the firearm 10, as is clearly shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0033] While the mounting system has been described in relation to the MRDS, a variety of other observation optics can be mounted on firearms, particularly small arms, such as pistols or handguns, using the mounting system described herein. As used herein, the term “observation optics” refers to a device used by a shooter or sightman to select, identify, or monitor a target. “Observation optics” may rely on visual observation of the target, or on other images of the target, such as infrared (IR) imaging, ultraviolet (UV) imaging, radar imaging, thermal imaging, microwave imaging, or magnetic imaging, radiation sensors including X-rays, gamma rays, isotope radiation, and particle radiation, night vision, ultrasound, sound pulses, sonar, vibration sensors including seismic vibrations and magnetic resonance, gravity sensors, broadcast frequency sensors including radio waves, television sensors and cellular sensors, or other images of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the observation optics may be unmodified or improved by means of, for example, magnification, amplification, subtraction, duplication, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, or monitored by the observation optics may be within the shooter's line of sight or tangential to the shooter's field of view, or the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the observation optics presents a focused or lit-focused image of the target. The image of the target captured by the observation optics may be, for example, analog or digital, and may be shared, stored, saved, or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters and observers using, for example, video, physical cables or wires, IR, radio waves, cellular connections, laser pulses, light, 802.11b, or other wireless transmission protocols such as HTML, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, Bluetooth®, serial, USB, or other suitable image distribution methods. In one embodiment, the observation optics is an MRDS, in particular a closed MRDS.

[0034] While various embodiments of the mounting system have been described in detail, it should be clear that modifications and variations of these embodiments are possible, and all such modifications and variations fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Next, with respect to the above description, it should be understood that the optimal dimensional relationships of the parts of the invention, including variations in dimensions, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein are included in the invention. Therefore, the above content should be considered only as illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since many modifications and changes are readily conceivable to those skilled in the art, it is not desirable to limit the invention to the configurations and operations shown and described herein, and therefore all suitable modifications and equivalents are included in the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mounting system for fixing an observation optical device to a firearm, wherein the mounting system is Includes an oval dovetail connecting component with a first end forming a dovetail contour, a second end, and a shaped perimeter, The observation optical instrument includes a bottom surface having a mortise-shaped slot whose first end is open to receive the oval dovetail connecting component and whose second end is closed, the observation optical instrument further having a fastening region provided on one side of the observation optical instrument, the fastening region having a first fixing structure, The fastening element includes a second fixing structure, wherein the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure correspond to each other, facilitating the fastening of the fastening element to the fastening region. A mounting system in which the first and second fixing structures each have at least one screw hole, and the at least one screw hole in the fastening region and the fastening element are coaxial.

2. The fastening region is a groove with a depth, and the fastening element has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the groove, according to claim 1.

3. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the oval dovetail connecting component is rounded.

4. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the observation optical instrument is a mini red dot sight.

5. The mounting system according to claim 4, wherein the mini red dot sight is a closed-type mini red dot sight.

6. It is a firearm, It has at least one accessory mounting structure having a pair of threaded openings, A dovetail-shaped connecting component has a first end, a second end, and a shaped perimeter that form a dovetail contour, and is equipped with at least two screw holes, the dovetail-shaped connecting component is positioned on the firearm such that the at least two screw holes are coaxial with the threaded opening and are secured to the firearm using at least two screws, The observation optical instrument includes a bottom surface having a mortise-shaped slot whose first end is open to receive the dovetail-shaped connecting component and whose second end is closed, the observation optical instrument further having a fastening region provided on one side of the observation optical instrument, the fastening region having a first fixing structure, and the observation optical instrument engages with the dovetail-shaped connecting component in a sliding relationship, The fastening element includes a second fixing structure, wherein the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure correspond to each other and facilitate the fastening of the fastening element to the fastening area. A firearm wherein the first and second fixing structures each have at least one screw hole, and the at least one screw hole in the fastening region and the fastening element are coaxial.

7. The firearm according to claim 6, wherein the at least two screw holes of the dovetail connecting component are countersunk.

8. The firearm according to claim 6, wherein the fastening region is a groove with a depth, and the fastening element has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the groove.

9. The first end of the dovetail connecting component is rounded, according to claim 6.

10. The firearm according to claim 6, further comprising at least one screw that engages with the first and second fixing structures.

11. The firearm according to claim 6, wherein the firearm is selected from among handguns and pistols.

12. The firearm according to claim 6, wherein the observation optical device is a mini red dot sight.

13. The firearm according to claim 12, wherein the mini red dot sight is a closed-type mini red dot sight.

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