Mounts For Optical Sighting Devices
Patent No. US12287178 (titled "Mounts For Optical Sighting Devices") was filed by Unity Tactical Llc on Aug 17, 2023.
What is this patent about?
’178 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, and 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 quickly switch between them or position secondary optical devices in series with primary ones.
The underlying idea behind ’178 is to provide a mechanism for rapidly repositioning an optical sight between an operative (in-use) position and an inoperative (storage) position without laterally offsetting it. This is achieved either through a sliding mechanism that lowers the sight vertically or a pivoting mechanism that rotates the sight down and out of the way, while keeping it aligned above the firearm's mounting interface.
The claims of ’178 focus on two distinct embodiments: a sliding mount and a pivoting mount. Claim 1 covers an optical sight mount with a base and a sight support member that slides linearly. This allows the attached optical sight to move between an aligned position and a vertically offset position, both located above the mounting interface. Claim 4 covers a pivot mount where the sight support member rotates around a horizontal axis, moving the sight between a use position and a storage position, both laterally offset to one side of the pivot axis, with the storage position being vertically below the use position.
In practice, the sliding mount uses vertically oriented posts on which the sight support member slides, potentially employing spring-loaded detents to secure it in either the operative or inoperative position. The pivoting mount uses a pivot pin to allow rotation, with spring-loaded ball detents to hold the sight in the desired position. A key advantage of both designs is that, in the inoperative position, the optical sight remains positioned above the firearm's mounting interface, reducing the risk of damage and interference with the user.
This vertical repositioning contrasts with prior approaches that laterally offset the secondary sight when not in use. By keeping the sight above the mounting interface, the design minimizes the risk of the sight impacting other objects, reduces the likelihood of tangling with environmental obstacles, and avoids obstructing the user's peripheral vision. The invention offers a more streamlined and protected solution for managing secondary optical sights on firearms, enhancing usability and durability.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’178 was filed, firearms commonly included optical sighting devices mounted on rails. At a time when backup iron sights were still frequently used, systems commonly relied on mechanical adjustment mechanisms for sighting rather than purely electronic solutions. Hardware constraints made integrating backup sighting systems directly into optical sight mounts non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the closest prior art failed to teach or make obvious a second position where the optical sight is vertically offset below the firearm's sighting axis and positioned over the mounting surface. For another claim, the examiner noted that the closest prior art also failed to teach or make obvious that the second position is vertically offset below the first position, and clarified that the claim language is consistent with the positions being substantially in the same vertical plane when the second position is vertically offset below the first position.
Claims
This patent has 5 claims, with claims 1 and 4 being independent. Independent claim 1 focuses on an optical sight mount with a slidable sight support member that allows for linear movement of the optical sighting device. Independent claim 4 focuses on a pivot mount with a rotatable sight support member that moves the optical sighting device between use and storage positions. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features and configurations described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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US12287178
- Application Number
- US18234919
- Filing Date
- Aug 17, 2023
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 5, 2039
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents