Firearm Front Sight with Deformable Engagement Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinned front sights for firearms require high-tolerance machining and are model-specific due to variations in barrel receptacle dimensions, making them laborious and expensive to produce and install.
Innovation Solution
A front sight with a lower tolerance engagement portion featuring multiple raised contact surfaces, such as ribs, that can be press-fit into a barrel receptacle without pre-machining, allowing for deformation to accommodate varying dimensions and secure pinning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-tolerance machining is used to ensure proper fit between sight and receptacle, then fit quality is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the sight engagement portion, specifically providing a width that is less than the width of the receptacle. This parameter change allows the sight to be inserted without high-tolerance machining while still achieving proper fit and alignment through the intentional dimensional relationship between the sight and receptacle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces protrusions on the sight that engage with corresponding features in the receptacle, and a pin that serves as an intermediary element to secure the sight in place. These intermediary features enable proper fit and securing without requiring high-tolerance machining of the entire engagement interface
2Manufacturing precision
If high-tolerance machining is performed on each sight, then individual fit accuracy is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters to allow standard tolerance machining, specifically making the sight width less than the receptacle width. This enables sights to be manufactured using standard machining processes without requiring time-consuming high-tolerance machining, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining adequate fit accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the engagement interface into distinct features: the engagement portion with protrusions, the receptacle with corresponding features, and a pin for securing. This segmentation allows each feature to be manufactured independently at standard tolerances and assembled together, improving production efficiency compared to machining the entire interface to high tolerance
3Adaptability or versatility
If model-specific sights are manufactured for each firearm model, then compatibility is improved, but inventory complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sight with a universal engagement portion that can be accommodated by receptacles of varying dimensions. The key feature is that the sight width is less than the receptacle width, allowing the same sight design to fit multiple firearm models with different receptacle dimensions, thereby reducing inventory complexity while maintaining model compatibility
4Manufacturing precision
If precision machining is required prior to installation, then installation accuracy is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters so that the sight width is intentionally made less than the receptacle width. This parameter change eliminates the need for precision machining prior to installation, as the dimensional relationship inherently guides proper alignment and fit during installation, reducing installation time while maintaining adequate accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A sight for a firearm including a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having opposing sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls including at least one protrusion. The protrusions abuttingly engage sidewalls of a barrel receptacle to secure the sight to the firearm. Additionally, the protrusions facilitate insertion of the sight in the receptacle without the need to machine or grind the lower portion prior to insertion.