Sight Assembly
Described herein are sight assemblies that can be used, for example, with a firearm. Methods for using the described sight assemblies are also described herein.
The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/063,151, entitled “Sight Assembly For a Firearm”, filed Oct. 13, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention relates to a sight assembly for a firearm and method for orienting the same that provides functionality in multiple positions or states to facilitate aiming of the firearm. More specifically, the sight assembly of the present invention is movable from a folded state, to a first extended state, and from the first extended state to a second state.
BACKGROUNDPeople often use an aiming device coupled to a firearm (or to surveying equipment or other apparatuses that require aiming) to assist the user in aligning or aiming the apparatus. In current practice, there are several different types of aiming devices that are used on firearms. For example, scopes (also referred to as optical sights or telescopic sights) use some form of graphic image pattern or reticle mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point. Alternatively, sights can be used to align the firearm by eye using a simple system of markers that have to be aligned together and with the target. Specifically, such sights may include a front sight and a rear sight each with different features that are aligned together during aiming.
In certain circumstances, it may be beneficial to use a scope when the target is a long-range target and to use the sights when the target is a close-range target. Furthermore, in some circumstances, the scope may fail, thereby necessitating the use of the sights for aiming. However, when both a scope and sights are provided on a firearm, the sights may be non-functional due to one or both of the front and rear sights being blocked in the line of sight of the user of the scope.
Therefore, a need exists for a sight assembly that can be used on the firearm in multiple viewing orientations even when a scope is being used on the firearm.
SUMMARYAccordingly, the present invention may provide a sight assembly for a firearm that includes a post that is configured for aiming the firearm. The post is rotatably coupled to a pivot, thereby forming a first movement sub-system. The pivot is rotatably coupled to a base, thereby forming a second movement sub-system. The first movement sub-system allows the post to rotate with respect to the pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm between a folded state and a first extended state. The second movement sub-system allows the post and pivot to rotate with respect to the base about the longitudinal axis between the first extended state and a second extended state different from the first extended state. In a preferred embodiment, in the folded state, the post is folded down against the firearm, in the first extended state, the post is upright, and in the second extended state, the post is offset.
The present invention may further provide a method of orienting a sight assembly for a firearm that includes the steps of providing a sight assembly that has a post that is configured for aiming the firearm where the post is rotatably coupled to a pivot, thereby forming a first movement sub-system, and the pivot is rotatably coupled to a base, thereby forming a second movement sub-system; rotating the post with respect to the pivot via the first movement sub-system about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm between a folded state, in which an axis of the post is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a first extended state, in which an axis of the post is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and rotating the post and the pivot with respect to the base via the second movement sub-system about the longitudinal axis between the first extended state and a second extended state, which is angularly offset from the first extended state.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing figures:
The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
Referring first to
When mounted to the firearm 10 as depicted in
The front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 of the present invention differ from conventional firearm sights in that they have multiple directions of movement. Specifically, each of the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 is capable of rotating about at least two different axes of rotation. In that regard, the front sight assembly 100 generally comprises a base 101, a sight pivot 102, and a front post 103. The sight pivot 102 is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis A-A or an axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis A-A of the firearm. Rotating the sight pivot 102 about the first longitudinal axis A-A or an axis parallel thereto also results in the front post 103 rotating in the same manner. The front post 103 is further rotatable about an axis B-B that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis A-A of the firearm.
Similarly, the rear sight assembly 200 generally comprises a base 201, a sight pivot 202, and a sight post 203. The sight pivot 202 is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis A-A or an axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis A-A of the firearm. Rotating the sight pivot 202 about the first longitudinal axis A-A or an axis parallel thereto also results in the sight post 203 rotating in the same manner. The sight post 203 is also rotatable about an axis C-C that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis A-A of the firearm 10. The details of the components of the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 will be described in more detail below with reference to
In the second extended state, the front post 103 of the front sight assembly 100 and the sight post 203 of the rear sight assembly 200 are rotated about the first longitudinal axis A-A or an axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis A-A. Thus, in the second extended state the front post 103 extends from the sight pivot 102 and from the barrel 12 of the firearm 10 at an angle. Stated another way, the axes E-E, F-F extending through the sight posts 103, 203 intersect the plane that includes the first longitudinal axis A-A and that extends through the barrel 12 from the top surface of the barrel 12 to the bottom surface of the barrel 12 at an angle. The angle may be between 30° and 60°, more specifically between 40° and 50°, and still more specifically approximately 45°. In still other embodiments, the angle may be between 50° and 80°, more specifically between 60° and 70°, and still more specifically approximately 65°. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the sight post 103 of the front sight assembly 103 and the front post 203 of the rear sight assembly 200 are rotated about the longitudinal axis A-A by approximately 45° when going from the first extended state to the second extended state, and vice versa. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the angle can be outside of the ranges provided herein in some embodiments. When in the second extended state, the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 may be considered to be in an offset position or orientation.
When the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 are in the second extended state, the firearm 10 is rotated about the first longitudinal axis A-A before the user aims and fires the firearm 10 for proper aiming. Specifically, in order to accurately use the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 in the second extended state, the firearm 10 is rotated about the first longitudinal axis A-A so that the sight posts 103, 203 extend in a direction normal (or perpendicular) to a plane formed by the horizontal ground surface upon which the user is standing.
Referring now to
Furthermore, the front sight assembly 100 comprises a first movement sub-system 110 that facilitates movement of the front sight assembly 100 between the folded state and the first extended state, and a second movement sub-system 130 that facilitates movement of the front sight assembly 100 between the first and second extended states. In the exemplified embodiment, the first movement sub-system 110 generally comprises a first spring 111a, a second spring 111b, a first ball 112 mounted to an end of the first spring 111a, a second ball 112b mounted to an end of the second spring 111b, and first and second detents 113a, 113b formed into an outer surface of the front post 103. In the exemplified embodiment, the first movement sub-system 110 preferably comprises two of the springs 111a, 111b and two of the balls 112a, 112b (one ball 112a, 112b mounted to each of the springs 111a, 111b). However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and a single spring or more than two springs can be used in other embodiments. For example, a single spring 111 and a single ball 112 may be used, as shown in
The second movement sub-system 130 generally comprises a first spring 131a, a second spring 131b, a first ball 132a mounted to an end of the first spring 131a and a second ball 131b mounted to an end of the second spring 131b, and four detents 133a-d (depicted and visible in
In the assembled front sight assembly 100, the sight pivot 102 is positioned within a cavity 129 of the sight block 106 so that the balls 132a, 132b are aligned with and positioned within one of the detents 133a-d. As will be described in more detail below with reference to
Furthermore, the front post 103 is movably or rotatably coupled to the sight pivot 102 via a spring pin 117 or other fastening element. The front post 103 is coupled to the sight pivot 102 so that the balls 112a, 112b are aligned with and positioned within one of the first and second detents 113a, 113b. As will be described in more detail below with reference to
Referring to
The rear sight assembly 200 generally comprises the base 201, the sight pivot 202, the sight post 203, a clamp 205, a sight block 206, and a viewing element 221. The clamp 205 and fastening element 207 function in much the same way as the similar features of the front sight assembly 100 to mount the rear sight assembly 200 to the firearm 10. In certain embodiments the rear sight assembly 200 may be mounted to picatinny style rails of a firearm, although other mounting techniques and mounting locations are possible in other embodiments. Furthermore, when assembled the sight block 206 is positioned within the base 201 and coupled thereto using a slotted spring pin 208 or other fastening element. The viewing element 221 comprises a first aperture 222 and a second aperture 223. In certain embodiments the first and second apertures 222, 223 may have different diameters. During use of the sight assemblies 100, 200 to aim the firearm 10, one of the apertures 222, 223 is aligned with the sight post 118 of the front sight assembly 100. The specific one of the first and second apertures 222, 223 that is used during aiming can be modified by rotating the viewing element 221 about an axis D-D. Specifically, a spring 224 and ball 225 are positioned within a detent 226 when it is desired to use the first aperture 222. The viewing element is rotated approximately 180° so that the spring 224 and ball 225 are positioned within a detent 227 when it is desired to use the second aperture 223.
The rear sight assembly 200 comprises a first movement sub-system 210 that facilitates movement of the rear sight assembly 200 between the folded state and the first extended state, and a second movement sub-system 230 that facilitates movement of the rear sight assembly 200 between the first and second extended states. In the exemplified embodiment, the first movement sub-system 210 generally comprises a first spring 211a, a second spring 211b, a first ball 212 mounted to an end of the first spring 211a, a second ball 212b mounted to an end of the second spring 211b, and first and second detents 213a, 213b formed into an outer surface of the sight post 203. In the exemplified embodiment, the first movement sub-system 210 comprises two of the springs 211a, 211b and two of the balls 212a, 212b (one ball 212a, 212b mounted to each of the springs 211a, 211b). However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and a single spring or more than two springs can be used in other embodiments.
The second movement sub-system 230 generally comprises a first spring 231a, a second spring 231b, a first ball 232a mounted to an end of the first spring 231a and a second ball 231b mounted to an end of the second spring 231b, and four detents 233a-d formed into an outer surface of the sight pivot 202. The location of the four detents 233a-d is denoted in
In the assembled rear sight assembly 200, the sight pivot 202 is positioned within a cavity 229 of the sight block 206 so that the balls 232a, 232b are aligned with and positioned within one of the detents 233a-d. As will be described in more detail below with reference to
Furthermore, the sight post 203 is movably or rotatably coupled to the sight pivot 202 via a spring pin 217 or other fastening element. The sight post 203 is coupled to the sight pivot 202 so that the balls 212a, 212b are aligned with and positioned within one of the first and second detents 213a, 213b. As will be described in more detail below with reference to
Referring to
The front post 103 of the sight assembly 100 comprises a body portion 140 extending from a proximal end 141 to a distal end 142. Furthermore, the front post 103 of the sight assembly 100 comprises a protruding element 143 extending from the proximal end 141 of the body portion 140. The protruding element 143 has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile such that it has a rounded end located furthest from the proximal end 141 of the body portion 140.
As can be seen in the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second detents 113a, 113b of the first movement sub-system 110 is formed into the protruding element 143 of the front post 103. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the first and second detents 113a, 113b are elongated channels or indentations that are formed into the protruding element 143 of the front post 103 and that extend from opposing side edges of the protruding element 143 of the front post 103. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first and second detents 113a, 113b can take on shapes other than that depicted in the figures, such as being circular indents, square indents, or the like. Furthermore, although the exemplified embodiment illustrates first and second detents 113a, 113b being indentations formed into the protruding element 143, in alternative embodiments the first and second detents 113a, 113b may be protrusions, protuberances, ridges, or the like extending from the protruding element 143 of the front post 103. Regardless of the shape and exact structure of the first and second detents 113a, 113b, the first and second detents 113a, 113b cooperate with the ball and spring 111, 112 of the first movement sub-system 110 to facilitate movement of the front post 103 about the axis B-B.
Specifically, as noted above
When the ball 112 is located within the first detent 113a, the front post 103 of the front sight assembly 100 is in the first extended position such the second longitudinal axis E-E extending through the front post 103 from the proximal to distal ends 141, 142 of the front post 140 is oriented at a substantially normal or perpendicular angle relative to the first longitudinal axis A-A (see
Referring to
When the sight pivot 102 is in the first extended state, the balls 132a, 132b are positioned within the first and second detents 133a, 133b leaving the third and fourth detents 133c, 133d free (see
Although four detents 133a-d are illustrated with two stop positions (one with the balls 132a,b in the first and second detents 133a, 133b and one with the balls 132a, 132b in the third and fourth detents 133c, 133d) additional stop positions can be created by adding additional detents, by using a single spring and ball with multiple detents, or the like. In certain embodiments when the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 are in the first extended position, the axes E-E, F-F are oriented at a substantially 90° angle relative to the axis A-A (see
Thus, the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 of the present invention are capable of movement from a folded state to a first extended state, and from the first extended state to a second extended state. In the folded state the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 are out of the user's vision line and thus cannot be used for aiming. In the first extended state the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 extend upwardly and perpendicularly from the barrel 12 of the firearm 10 and are used in a normal manner. In the second extended state the front and rear sight assemblies 100, 200 are oriented in an offset manner relative to the barrel 12 of the firearm 10 so that they can be used while a telescopic scope remains on the firearm 10 for easy transition between long range and short range targets, or the like. Thus, rather than having only the functionality of a traditional sight assembly or only having the functionality of an offset sight assembly, the present invention allows for both and facilitates an easy transition between the three states of the sight assemblies 100, 200. The structure and design of the front and rear assemblies 100 and 200 is configured to optimize speed in transition between the three states.
The front and rear assemblies 100′ and 200′ of the second embodiment each include a base 101′ and 201′, a pivot 102′ and 202′, and a post 103 and 203. The posts of the second embodiment are the same as the posts of the first embodiment and therefore are not described in detail. Also, in the second embodiment, the posts 103 and 203 are coupled to the pivots 102′ and 202′ via the first movement sub-system 110 and 210 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, for the front assembly 100′, at least one spring 111a or 111b and at least one ball 112a or 112b are supported by the pivot 102′ where the ball 112a or 112b engages the detents 113a and 113b formed at the end of the post 103 when pivoting the post 103 from the folded state to the first extended state about pin 117. Similarly for the rear assembly 200′, the first movement sub-system 210 includes at least one spring 211a or 211b and at least one ball 212a or 212b supported by the pivot 202′ where the ball 212a or 212b engages the detents 213a and 213b formed at the end of the post 203 when pivoting the post 203 from the folded state to the first extended state about pin 217.
The second movement sub-system 130′ of the front assembly 100′ includes a modified pivot 102′ and modified base 101′, and the block 106 of the first embodiment is eliminated. The second movement sub-system 230′ of the rear assembly 200′ likewise includes a modified pivot 202′ and modified base 201′, and the block 206 of the first embodiment is eliminated. Pivot 102′ of the front assembly 100′ includes an extended body portion 150 that is received in a central bore 152 of the base 101′. A retaining pin 160 couples the pivot 102′ to the base 101′. Pivot 202′ of the rear assembly 200′ also includes an extended body portion 250 that is received in a central bore 252 of the base 201′. A retaining pin 260 couples the pivot 202′ to the base 201′. Because the second movement sub-systems 130′ and 230′ operate in the same manner, only the second movement sub-system 130′ for the front assembly 100′ will be described. One skilled in the art would recognize that the same description applies to the second movement sub-system 230′ of the rear assembly 200′.
The second movement sub-system 130′ includes a plurality of grooves 154, 156, and 158 formed inside of the extended body portion 150, as seen in
To ensure that the retaining pin 160 remains in its selected groove 154, 156, or 158, a locking and release feature is provided. The locking and release feature may include a biasing member, such as a compression spring 164. The spring 164 is preferably located between an outer surface 166 at the end of the pivot's extended body portion 150 and an inner surface 168 of the base's inner bore 152, as seen in
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that various combinations of the features depicted in the different views may be possible in some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A sight assembly comprising:
- a post, said post being configured for aiming the firearm;
- said post being rotatably coupled to a pivot, thereby forming a first movement sub-system; and
- said pivot being rotatably coupled to a base, thereby forming a second movement sub-system,
- wherein said first movement sub-system allows said post to rotate with respect to said pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm between a folded state and a first extended state, and said second movement sub-system allows said post and pivot to rotate with respect to said base about said longitudinal axis between said first extended state and a second extended state different from said first extended state.
2. The sight assembly according to claim 1, wherein
- in said folded state, said post defines an axis that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.
3. The sight assembly according to claim 2, wherein
- in said first extended state, said post defines an defines axis that is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
4. The sight assembly according to claim 3, wherein
- in said second extended state, said post defines an axis that is angled with respect to a plane including said longitudinal axis.
5. The sight assembly according to claim 4, wherein
- in said second extended state, said axis of said post is angled between 30 and 80 degrees with respect to said plane including said longitudinal axis.
6. The sight assembly according to claim 4, wherein
- in said second extended state, said axis of said post is angled at 65 degrees with respect to said plane including said longitudinal axis.
7. The sight assembly according to claim 1, wherein
- said first movement sub-system includes at least one spring and at least one ball supported by said pivot, and at least first and second detents formed in said post each configured to engage said at least one ball, said first and second detents are spaced from one another such that said first detent corresponds to said folded state and said second detent corresponds to said first extended state.
8. The sight assembly according to claim 7, wherein
- said second movement sub-system includes at least one spring and at least one ball supported by said base, and at least first and second detents formed in a block rotatably coupled to said base, each of said first and second detents is configured to engage said at least one ball, said first and second detents are spaced from one another such that said first detent corresponds to said first extended state and said second detent corresponds to said second extended state.
9. The sight assembly according to claim 7, wherein
- said second movement sub-system includes a retaining pin supported by said base, and at least first and second grooves formed inside of said pivot each configured to engage said retaining pin, said first and second grooves are angled with respect to one another such that said first groove corresponds to said first extended state and said second groove corresponds to said second extended state.
10. The sight assembly according to claim 9, wherein said pivot includes a third groove angled with respect to said first and second grooves.
11. The sight assembly according to claim 9, wherein
- said second movement sub-system includes a biasing member disposed between an end of said pivot and an inner surface of said base; and
- said pivot is axially movable with respect to said base between a locked position in which said retaining pin is received in one of said at least first and second grooves and unlocked position in which said retaining pin is disengaged from said at least first and second grooves, said biasing member biasing said pivot in said locked position.
12. The sight assembly according to claim 11, wherein said biasing member is a compression spring.
13. The sight assembly according to claim 1, wherein said post includes an aiming pin or an aperture.
14. A method of orienting a sight assembly for a firearm, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sight assembly including a post, the post being configured for aiming the firearm, the post being rotatably coupled to a pivot, thereby forming a first movement sub-system, and the pivot being rotatably coupled to a base, thereby forming a second movement sub-system;
- rotating the post with respect to the pivot via the first movement sub-system about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm between a folded state, in which an axis of the post is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a first extended state, in which an axis of the post is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
- rotating the post and the pivot with respect to the base via the second movement sub-system about the longitudinal axis between the first extended state and a second extended state, which is angularly offset from the first extended state.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein
- the first movement sub-system includes at least one spring and at least one ball supported by the pivot, and at least first and second detents formed in the post each configured to engage the at least one ball, and
- said first and second detents are spaced from one another such that when the post is rotated with respect to the pivot from the folded state to the first extended state, the at least one ball disengages from the first detent and engages the second detent.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein
- the second movement sub-system includes at least one spring and at least one ball supported by the base, and at least first and second detents formed in a block rotatably coupled to the base, each of the first and second detents is configured to engage the at least one ball, and
- the first and second detents are spaced from one another such that when the post and the pivot are rotated with respect to the base between the first extended state and the second extended state, the at least one ball disengages from the first detent and engages said second detent.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein
- the second movement sub-system includes a retaining pin supported by the base, and at least first and second grooves formed inside of the pivot each configured to engage the retaining pin, and
- the first and second grooves are angled with respect to one another such that when the post and the pivot are rotated with respect to the base, the retaining pin disengages the first groove and engages the second groove.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of
- moving the pivot axially with respect to the base between a locked position in which the retaining pin is received in one of the first and second grooves and an unlocked position in which the retaining pin is disengaged from the first and second grooves.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of
- biasing the pivot in the locked position.
20. The method according to claim 17, wherein
- a third groove is provided in the pivot that is angled with respect to the first and second grooves such that when the post and the pivot are rotated with respect to the basem the retaining pin disengages either of the first and second grooves and engages the third groove.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 13, 2015
Publication Date: Apr 14, 2016
Inventors: Christopher Brucker (Hatfield, PA), Luke Ngo (Hatfield, PA)
Application Number: 14/881,787