Pistol Slide Stepped Recess for Optical Sight Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching optical sights to pistols lack security and versatility, particularly when using after-market sights, as they often require adaptor plates that elevate the sight and complicate co-witnessing with existing sights.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a pistol slide with distinct portions for secure direct mounting of optical sights, using adaptor plates that fit into a stepped design, allowing for secure attachment and alignment with existing sights, and incorporating a spring for stability and reduced movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an adaptor plate is used to attach optical sights to the slide, then versatility is improved, but security and positioning are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slide top surface is segmented into a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion forming a recess that receives the adaptor plate. This segmentation allows the optical sight to be attached directly to the first portion while the adaptor plate fits into the second portion, providing both security and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor plate serves as an intermediary component that fits into the recess of the slide while providing a mounting surface for the optical sight. This intermediary structure enables secure attachment without elevating the optical sight, resolving the contradiction between versatility and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an adaptor plate is used to attach optical sights to the slide, then versatility is improved, but positioning is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidpositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The slide top surface is divided into a first portion for direct optical sight attachment and a second portion forming a recess for the adaptor plate. This segmentation ensures the optical sight remains at the correct height for co-witnessing while the adaptor plate provides versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor plate is nested within the recess of the slide, with the optical sight attached to the first portion. This nesting arrangement maintains the optical sight at the proper positioning level while incorporating the versatile adaptor plate structure below it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If direct mounting is used to attach optical sights to the slide, then security and positioning are improved, but versatility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidversatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slide structure is designed with a universal mounting system where the first portion provides direct mounting for security, and the second portion with its recess provides universal adaptability through the adaptor plate interface, allowing different optical sights to be mounted securely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3669136B1A firearm with interchangeable sighting device system
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 FN HERSTAL SA
  • EP3669136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669136B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3669136B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A firearm having a top surface to which an optical sight is to be attached having a first portion and an adjacent second portion stepped down from the first portion. An adaptor plate is received in the second portion, its shape corresponding to the second portion to properly orient the adaptor plate. The bottom of the second portion and the underside of the adaptor plate having features to receive a spring. An optical sight is attached with at least one fastener to the first portion and directly to the slide of the pistol with a part of the optical sight cantilevered over the second portion and on the adaptor plate. The upper surface of the adaptor plate has a topography that corresponds to a complimentary topography on the underside of that portion of the optical sight.