MRDS Housing With Impact-Absorbing Top for Drop Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniature red dot sights (MRDS) on firearms are prone to damage from impacts, particularly when the firearm is dropped, affecting shooter accuracy due to the lack of space for design features to mitigate damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a load-absorbing/dispersing material, such as rubber, gel, foam, or polymeric materials, on the top side of the viewing optic to absorb and redirect impact forces away from the optical elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the MRDS is made small to be suitable for handguns and pistols, then it can be attached to small firearms, but there is limited space to include design features to mitigate impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of MRDSVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a load-absorbing/dispersing material (such as rubber, gel, foam, or polymeric material) on the top side of the MRDS housing. This material is positioned in advance to absorb and disperse impact forces before they can reach the optical elements, thereby protecting the sight from damage during drops or impacts while maintaining the compact size needed for handgun attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Weight of moving object

If the firearm has substantial mass (like a pistol), then it provides stopping power, but the impact force from dropping the firearm can damage the red dot optical element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirearm massVSAvoidimpact damage to optical element

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a load-absorbing/dispersing material as a mediator between the firearm housing and the optical elements. This intermediary material absorbs and disperses the impact forces generated by dropping the firearm, preventing these forces from directly reaching and damaging the red dot optical element, thereby allowing the firearm to maintain its substantial mass for stopping power without compromising the optical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces the impact force experienced by the optical elements, enhancing the durability and accuracy of the MRDS by distributing the force across a larger area, thereby protecting the optical components.

Implementation Method 1

a load absorbing/dispersing component on at least a portion of the top side... reduces the impact force experienced by the optical elements, enhancing the durability and accuracy of the MRDS by distributing the force across a larger area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force absorption and distribution:

Data Source

PatentUS12601567B2Viewing optic with impact absorption material

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 SHELTERED WINGS INC

AI summary

A viewing optic has a base and a housing. The housing has a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side and a top side. The front side, rear side, left side and right side extend upwardly from the base. The top side extends between the upper edges of the front side, rear side, left side and right side. A load absorbing/dispersing component is on at least a portion of the top side. The load absorbing/dispersing component comprises a load absorbing/dispersing material.