Flip-Up Firearm Sight With Pivot Axis Below Rail Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm sight systems for AR-15/10 and M16/M4 rifle variants are impractical due to the need for special tools for mounting and adjustment, susceptibility to loosening and impact damage, and deviation from MIL-SPEC centerlines, leading to calibration issues and reliance on power-dependent optical devices.
Innovation Solution
An integrated flip-up rear sight system with an elongated mounting rail and pivotally connected sight arm that can be easily adjusted and secured, featuring a pivot axis below the rail surface and magnetic inserts for secure positioning, allowing for elevation adjustments and impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flip-up style sight is mounted on a Picatinny rail using a single fastener, then the sight can be adjusted and mounted, but it is susceptible to loosening during use and loss of sight calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The sight arm is designed to be dynamically adjustable during operation. The sight arm can be rotated to different positions (e.g., 0 degrees for iron sights, 90 degrees for optic mounting) and locked into place, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining secure attachment at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The sight system is divided into separate functional components: the sight arm, the sight post, and the mounting interface. This segmentation allows independent adjustment and maintenance of each component while ensuring overall system reliability through multiple attachment points rather than a single fastener.
2Reliability
If a special tool is required to mount, adjust or uninstall the flip-up sight, then the sight can be securely attached, but it creates burden especially in tactical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The sight system incorporates a quick-release mechanism that allows the user to mount, adjust, and uninstall the sight arm without requiring special tools. The mechanism uses a simple lever or button operation that the user can perform with their fingers, enabling tool-free operation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
3Ease of operation
If the sight arm is positioned in flip-up orientation, then the sight can be used for target acquisition, but it is susceptible to strike or impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sight arm is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a horizontal firing position and a vertical storage position. When not in use or during transport, the sight arm can be rotated to a vertical orientation where it is less susceptible to impact damage from stray bullets or debris, while still being accessible when needed for target acquisition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the rear sight deviates from MIL-SPEC centerline to bore centerline, then the sight can be mounted on Picatinny rail, but it exceeds vertical adjustment travel of front sight post
Solution Approach 1:
The sight arm is designed with an asymmetric mounting interface that compensates for the deviation from MIL-SPEC centerline. The mounting brackets are positioned and angled to maintain proper alignment with the bore centerline, ensuring accurate sight calibration while still allowing flexible mounting on Picatinny rails. The asymmetric design also provides built-in elevation adjustment capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a practical, tool-free, and impact-resistant sighting solution that maintains MIL-SPEC centerlines, ensuring accurate calibration and operation without power dependence, enhancing tactical effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is affixed to a forward portion of the sight arm and functions to secure the sight arm in the elevated position
Data Source
AI summary
Firearm sight systems have an elongated mounting rail including a plurality of transverse bars separated by intervening transverse mounting location channels extending from a rearmost channel to a forwardmost channel, the rail having an elongated upper surface, the rail defining a pocket below the upper surface and at least in part forward of the rearmost channel, and a sight arm pivotally connected to the rail and movable between an elevated position angularly offset from the upper surface of the rail and a stowed position in which the sight arm occupies the pocket. At least a forward portion of the sight arm may be entirely below the upper surface of the rail when in the stowed position. The entire sight arm may be entirely below the upper surface of the rail when in the stowed position. The sight arm may pivot on a pivot axis below the upper surface of the rail.