Low-Profile Enclosed Reflex Sight With Rearward Adjustment Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enclosed reflex sights for firearms have design limitations that prevent co-witnessing with standard height iron sights due to enlarged housings accommodating elevation adjustment mechanisms, requiring taller aftermarket sights and are not adaptable to various firearm mounting footprints.
Innovation Solution
The enclosed reflex sight assembly features a rearward bottom portion housing adjustment mechanisms, with a lowermost surface closer to the firearm's upper mounting surface than the upper bottom surface, allowing it to be positioned forward of the rear end surface, thus reducing height and enabling co-witnessing with standard iron sights across different firearm models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing is enlarged to accommodate elevation adjustment mechanisms, then the adjustment functionality is improved, but the height of the sight increases preventing co-witnessing with standard iron sights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the elevation adjustment mechanism from a vertical arrangement (extending upward from the mounting surface) to a horizontal arrangement (extending backward from the mounting surface). This dimensional change allows the adjustment mechanism to be accommodated within the rearward extension of the housing rather than increasing the vertical height, thereby maintaining co-witnessing capability with standard iron sights while preserving full elevation adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into distinct functional zones: a forward portion for mounting and optical alignment, and a rearward portion for housinging the adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanisms to be isolated in the rearward extension without interfering with the forward optical path and mounting interface, enabling compact integration that maintains sight height within standard iron sight ranges.
2Ease of operation
If the housing is enlarged to accommodate adjustment mechanisms, then the adjustment functionality is improved, but the adaptability to various firearm mounting footprints is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting interface is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate multiple firearm mounting footprints (e.g., Picatinny, Weaver, and custom upper mounting surfaces). The standardized mounting interface geometry allows the same sight design to be installed on various firearm platforms without modification, while the rearward extension houses the adjustment mechanisms in a configuration that works across different mounting scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the mounting interface (forward portion) from the adjustment mechanisms (rearward portion), the design creates a modular architecture where the mounting interface can be optimized for universal compatibility while the adjustment mechanisms are housed in a flexible rearward extension that adapts to different firearm geometries and mounting configurations.
3Length of stationary object
If the sight is positioned forward of the rear end surface, then the co-witnessing capability is improved, but the space available for housing adjustment mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the adjustment mechanisms upward (vertical dimension) or forward (horizontal dimension), the design utilizes the rearward extension dimension to house the mechanisms. This creates a three-dimensional arrangement where the optical path remains forward-facing for co-witnessing, while the adjustment mechanisms are accommodated in the rearward volume, effectively using space in a different dimensional orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms are nested within the rearward extension of the housing, with the elevation adjustment mechanism positioned in the rearward portion and the windage adjustment mechanism integrated into the same or adjacent rearward space. This nesting allows multiple adjustment functions to be contained within the limited volume available behind the mounting interface without increasing the forward profile of the sight.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is related to an enclosed reflex sight for one or more firearms. The enclosed reflex sight may be provided as part of an assembly including a mounting interface. The enclosed reflex sight includes a rearward bottom portion that houses an adjustment assembly, wherein the rearward bottom portion includes a lowermost surface of the enclosed reflex sight. The enclosed reflex sight includes an upper bottom surface forward of the rearward bottom portion of the enclosed reflex sight, the upper bottom surface comprising an abutment surface for the mounting interface. When the assembly is secured to an upper mounting surface of a firearm then the lowermost surface of the rearward bottom portion of the enclosed reflex sight is closer to the upper mounting surface of the firearm than the upper bottom surface of the enclosed reflex sight.