Modular Sight Mounting for Precise Alignment and Customization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm, air gun, and crossbow sighting systems lack versatility and ease of customization, particularly in terms of attaching and detaching sighting components and bases, which limits user flexibility and performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of a sight system that includes a sight receiver with interchangeable bases and sighting components, utilizing interfitting structures and fastening means to ensure alignment and stability, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of sighting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sighting components are made fixed and integrated into the firearm, then alignment precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability and ease of customization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sighting system is divided into separate modular components: a sight base that attaches to the firearm and interchangeable sighting components that attach to the base. This segmentation allows the sighting components to be fixed relative to the base during use (maintaining alignment precision) while enabling easy interchange of different sighting components (providing customization capability).
Solution Approach 2:
The sight base is designed with universal attachment features (such as dovetail interfaces) that can accommodate multiple types of sighting components. This allows a single base to support various sighting configurations, providing both stable alignment when a component is attached and the ability to customize by swapping components.
2Ease of operation
If sighting components are made interchangeable and detachable, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but alignment precision and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sight base is pre-configured with precise attachment interfaces (such as dovetail slots with specific geometries) that guide the sighting components into correct alignment positions. This preliminary preparation of the attachment mechanism ensures that when components are interchangeably attached, they automatically achieve proper alignment without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with simpler interface features (such as keyed interfaces, registration pins, or indexed positions) that provide both ease of attachment and inherent alignment. This substitution maintains precision while simplifying the interchange process.
3Reliability
If complex fastening mechanisms are used to attach sighting components, then reliability and stability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted as a separate, simple feature from the overall attachment system. Instead of using complex multi-component fastening mechanisms, the design employs dedicated fastening elements (such as set screws, pins, or spring-loaded latches) that are isolated and optimized for their specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment interface is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through features such as tapered surfaces that guide assembly, spring-loaded retention elements that automatically engage, or friction-fit interfaces that provide inherent holding force. This eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple fastening steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Sight systems comprise a sight receiver and a base attachable to and detachable from a sight receiver. A base carries a sighting component, such as an iron sight or optic sight. A sighting component may be attachably and detachably mounted to a base, or a sighting component may be made integrally with a base. A base may carry plural sighting components. Sight systems may include plural interchangeable sight receivers, bases, and/or sighting components. In some embodiments, a sight system may comprise a base deployed with an elastomeric or otherwise resilient mounting pad. In some embodiments, an elastomeric or otherwise resilient mounting pad may be proud of a front or rear face of the base, or a side face of the base, or both. In some embodiments, the pad may be proud of a bottom surface of the base.