IP Verse

Mounts For Optical Sighting Devices

Patent No. US12000673 (titled "Mounts For Optical Sighting Devices") was filed by Unity Tactical Llc on Jun 7, 2022.

What is this patent about?

’673 is related to the field of mounts for optical sighting devices on firearms. These mounts are used to attach devices like reflex sights, telescopic sights, magnifiers, or night vision devices to rifles. The background acknowledges the need for both primary optical sights and backup sighting systems, such as iron sights, and the desire to rapidly switch between them or position secondary optical devices like magnifiers in series with primary sights.

The underlying idea behind ’673 is to provide a pivot mount that allows a user to quickly move an optical sighting device between an operative (in-use) position and an inoperative (storage) position. Instead of laterally offsetting the secondary sight when not in use, which can cause snagging and obstruct peripheral vision, the invention vertically offsets the sight, positioning it below the primary sighting axis while keeping it above the mounting interface.

The claims of ’673 focus on a pivot mount comprising a base that attaches to a firearm's mounting interface and a sight support member that rotates relative to the base. This rotation allows the optical sighting device to be moved between a first position aligned with the firearm's sighting axis and a second position vertically offset below the sighting axis, while remaining positioned over the mounting interface. The claims emphasize that both positions are substantially on a vertical plane co-aligned with the sighting axis.

In practice, the pivot mount uses a rotating sight support member connected to a base that clamps onto a standard rail. The sight support member holds the optical sight, and a pivot pin allows it to rotate. Spring-loaded ball detents are used to secure the sight in either the operative or inoperative position. This allows for quick and easy switching between the two positions without needing to manipulate levers or latches.

This design differentiates itself from prior art by avoiding lateral offset of the secondary sight. By keeping the sight vertically aligned above the mounting interface in both positions, the design minimizes the risk of damage to the lens, reduces the likelihood of snagging on obstacles, and prevents obstruction of the user's peripheral vision. The vertical offset mechanism provides a more streamlined and practical solution for deploying and stowing secondary optical sights on a firearm.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’673 was filed, firearms were commonly equipped with optical sighting devices, and at a time when users often desired backup mechanical sights. It was also a time when secondary optical sighting devices, such as magnifiers or night vision devices, were frequently used in conjunction with primary sights. Mounts that allowed rapid positioning and repositioning of these secondary devices were desirable, but existing lateral offset mounts had disadvantages.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art failed to teach or make obvious the specific limitations recited in claims 25, 27, and 29. Specifically, the prior art did not disclose a sight support member configured to move the optical sighting device between a first position aligned with the sighting axis and a second position vertically offset below the sighting axis. Also, the prior art did not disclose a sight support member configured to move a longitudinal axis of the optical sighting device between a use position and a storage position, with both positions being located substantially on a vertical plane co-aligned with the sighting axis. Finally, the prior art did not disclose a sight support member configured to move the optical sighting device between an operative and an inoperative position, with both positions placing the optical sighting device over the mounting interface and the second position located below the first.

Claims

The patent has 6 claims, with claims 1, 3, and 5 being independent. The independent claims are directed to a pivot mount for securing an optical sighting device to a firearm. The dependent claims generally add details regarding a sight attachment device configured to secure the optical sighting device to the sight support member.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Mounting interface
(Claim 1, Claim 3, Claim 5)		“As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some implementations, the optical sight mount 100 may comprise a base 110 configured to be secured to, or removed from, a mounting interface 102 of a firearm (e.g., a MIL-STD-1913 rail); a mounting surface 120 configured so that an optical sighting device 105 can be secured thereon; and a backup sighting system positioned within a longitudinally extending sight channel 130 located between the base 110 and the mounting surface 120.”A structure on a firearm to which the base of the pivot mount is releasably engaged.
Sighting axis
(Claim 1, Claim 3)		“Disclosed are implementations of a pivot mount for an optical sighting device. A sight support member of the pivot mount is moveable between an operative position, in which an optical sighting device can be used to sight the firearm on a target, and an inoperative position, in which the optical sighting device is vertically offset below the operative position.”An axis along which a firearm is aimed.
Sight support member
(Claim 1, Claim 3, Claim 5)		“FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an example implementation of a pivot mount 200 for optical sighting devices (e.g., a telescope or magnifier, a night vision device, a thermal imager, etc.) according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the pivot mount 200 is moveable between an operative position wherein an optical sighting device 205 (e.g., an Aimpoint® magnifier) can be used to sight the firearm on a target (see, e.g., FIGS. 7-9) and an inoperative position wherein the optical sighting device 205 is positioned below, or vertically offset from, the operative position (see, e.g., FIGS. 10-12).”A component of the pivot mount that is rotatably coupled to the base and configured to move the optical sighting device between different positions.
Storage position
(Claim 3)		“FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an example implementation of a pivot mount 200 for optical sighting devices (e.g., a telescope or magnifier, a night vision device, a thermal imager, etc.) according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the pivot mount 200 is moveable between an operative position wherein an optical sighting device 205 (e.g., an Aimpoint® magnifier) can be used to sight the firearm on a target (see, e.g., FIGS. 7-9) and an inoperative position wherein the optical sighting device 205 is positioned below, or vertically offset from, the operative position (see, e.g., FIGS. 10-12).”A position in which the optical sighting device is not in use.
Vertically offset below
(Claim 1)		“In some implementations, the pivot mount 200 is moveable between an operative position wherein an optical sighting device 205 (e.g., an Aimpoint® magnifier) can be used to sight the firearm on a target (see, e.g., FIGS. 7-9) and an inoperative position wherein the optical sighting device 205 is positioned below, or vertically offset from, the operative position (see, e.g., FIGS. 10-12).”The second position of the optical sight device is located below the sighting axis of the firearm.

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US12000673

UNITY TACTICAL LLC
Application Number
US17833997
Filing Date
Jun 7, 2022
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Apr 5, 2039
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents