Universal mounting system

[0001] This invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly to a mounting system for various red dot emitters or reflex sights.

[0002] Anyone who has watched much television, especially crime dramas or military themed shows, has seen the use of a red dot emitter. In such, a red dot emitter is mounted onto a weapon (e.g., a firearm) and adjusted to emit red light that is very directional (e.g. emitted using a laser diode) to coincide with the path of a bullet when the weapon is fired. One might have also seen a reflex sight in which an image (e.g., a reticle or cross hairs) is projected on a partially reflecting glass element of a sight, therefore allowing the user of a weapon to see the image superimposed on the target.

[0003] There are many different red dot emitters and reflex sights, each having a different mounting system, and each requiring a specialized mounting bracket. Therefore, a dealer of such red dot emitters must carry a different mounting bracket for each red dot emitter and/or reflex sight that they market. This creates inventory, stocking real estate, and cost issues as each individual mounting bracket takes up space, must be accounted for, and has a cost. Consider a maker of mounting devices for red dot emitters and reflex sights making a different mounting device for each different mounting configuration. This requires the manufacturing, shipping, stocking and marketing of many different mounting systems, one for each red dot emitter and for each reflex sight. This is further compounded for different styles of weapons. Consider a situation in which there are 20 different red dot emitters and reflex sights and three different styles of weapons yielding 60 (20 time 3) unique configurations 60 different mounting devices.

[0004] What is needed is a universal red dot emitter and reflex sight mounting system that reduces inventory, stocking real estate, and costs.

[0005] In one embodiment, a system for mounting a red dot emitter/reflex sight to a weapon is disclosed including a base that has an orifice for accepting a mounting plate. The base has legs for engaging with the weapon and each leg has a clip that slideably interfaces into a cutout of each leg. Each clip is adjustably held within the cutout by an adjustment screw. The mounting plate is sized to fit and be held in the orifice and the mounting plate has features for affixing a red dot emitter/reflex sight to the mounting plate. Note it is anticipated to have a different mounting plate for each red dot emitter/reflex sight that is supported.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for mounting a red dot emitter/reflex sight to a weapon is disclosed including affixing a mounting plate within an orifice of a base that has legs for engaging with the weapon. The mounting plate has features for affixing the red dot emitter/reflex sight to the mounting plate. Next, affixing the red dot emitter/reflex sight to the mounting plate (e.g., using screws, sliding mechanisms, etc.). Next, engaging clips with the weapon, each clip being slideably interfaced into a cutout of each leg of the plurality of legs and each clip being adjustably held within the cutout by an adjustment screw then tightening the adjustment screw of each of the plurality of clips to hold the base, and therefore, the red dot emitter/reflex sight, to the weapon.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method of mounting a selected red dot emitter/reflex sight (there are several red dot emitters/reflex sights) to a weapon is disclosed including affixing the selected red dot emitter/reflex sight to a mounting plate selected from mounting plates formed to hold each of the red dot emitters/reflex sights (e.g., there is one mounting plate for each red dot emitter). Each mounting plate has features for affixing one of the red dot emitters/reflex sights to the mounting plate. Next, the mounting plate is installed to a base that has a plurality of legs for engaging with the weapon. The base also has clips and each clip slideably interfaces into a cutout of each leg. Each clip is adjustably held within the cutout by an adjustment screw. Next, each clip is engaged with the weapon and each adjustment screw is tightened to hold the base to the weapon, therefore, holding the red dot emitter/reflex sight to the weapon.

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram of an exemplary implementation of the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 is described.

[0016] The red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 has a frame 99 that includes a base 101 with a set of downwardly depending legs 103. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the frame 99 of the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 is shown with four legs 103, however, nothing herein limits the use of less than or more than four legs 103. The number of legs 103 employed is dependent on the weapon 32 on which the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 is to be used. As will be discussed hereinafter, the present invention is intended to be used with many particular models of weapons manufactured by many different companies, though one particular weapon 32 is shown. Therefore, in the embodiment shown, four legs 103 are provided. However, it is understood that if the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 attaches in the same manner as described herein, but to a different weapon not mentioned herein.

[0017] In the example shown, two of the legs 103 (the back legs) are disposed proximal to back end 30 of the weapon 32 while two legs 103 (the front legs) are disposed slightly forward of middle portion.

[0018] In the weapon 32 used as an example, flanges 84 are formed on each side (note the opposing side is symmetrical with respect to the flanges 84) in which the clips 102 of the legs 103 engage to hold the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 to the weapon.

[0019] As noted above, there are many different red dot emitters manufactured by several different companies, having many different mounting configurations. It would be possible to make a different red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system for each different mounting configuration, but such would require the manufacturing, shipping, stocking and marketing of many different red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting systems. This would be further compounded should different bases (e.g., a base like base 101 of FIGS. 2-5) be needed for different weapons. Consider a situation in which there are 20 different red dot emitters/reflex sights and three different bases, 60 (20*3) unique configurations of red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting systems are required. As will be shown, the disclosed the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 would require three different bases and 20 different mounting plates requiring the manufacturing, shipping, stocking and marketing of 23 parts instead of 60, of which 20 of the parts are mounting plates that have relatively low complexity and cost.

[0020] As will be described, the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100 of the present invention has two main sections. The first main section is the frame 99. A base 101 of the frame 99 has a cavity 105 for accepting any of several mounting plates 150A/150B/150C. Note that it is anticipated to provide mounting plates 150A/150B/150C for a number of different red dot emitters/reflex sights but for clarity and brevity reasons, only three such mounting plates 150A/150B/150C are shown. In the embodiments shown, the desired mounting plate 150A/150B/150C is ready to be inserted into the cavity 105 and secured with two screws 155 passing through holes 154 in the mounting plates 150A/150B/150C and securing in threaded holes 107 in the base 101. Note that in this embodiment, the two screws 155 are flat headed screws and the holes 154 in the mounting plates 150A/150B/150C are countersunk to the size of the heads of the screws 155. Note that although two screws 155 are shown, any number of screws 155 are anticipated, including zero, in which case a different retaining mechanism is used such as a spring-loaded detent or other retaining configuration as known in the industry. Additionally, although in this embodiment, the holes 107 are shown as threaded, in some embodiments, the holes 107 are not threaded and the screws 155 are held using nuts (not shown for clarity and brevity reasons).

[0021] The frame 99 has legs 103 (four legs 103 are shown in this embodiment). Each leg 103 has a clip 102 that is slideably positioned in a cutout 108 of each leg 103 and adjustably held within the cutout 108 of each leg 103 by adjustment screws 104, allowing for movement of the clip 102 up/down within the cutout 108. This mechanism holds the base 101 to the weapon 32. In some embodiments, further, fine tuning adjustment is made using set screws 106 that pass through each leg 103 and, when tightened, apply a force against the weapon. Note that although an equal number of set screws 106 are shown as legs 103, the set screws 106 are optional and it is not required to have one set screw 106 for every leg 103.

[0022] The second main section is a mounting plate 150A/150B/150C (several mounting plates 150A/150B/150C are shown as examples and many more mounting plates 150A/150B/150C are anticipated). Many other mounting plates 150A/150B/150C are anticipated, one for each mounting pattern of a different red dot emitter/reflex sight. As discussed above, each mounting plate 150A/150B/150C has features such as holes 154 through which the screws 155 pass for securing the mounting plates 150A/150B/150C to the frame 99. Some features of each mounting plate 150A/150B/150C provide for mounting of a specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200A. For example, the mounting plate 150A of FIG. 2 has four cylindrical bumps 152A that match holes (not shown) in a specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200A (red dot emitter in this example); and two mounting holes 156A (again, any size hole is anticipated). This specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200A mounts using two mounting screws 159 that pass through holes in this specific red dot emitter, through mounting holes 156A in the mounting plate 150A and are held by either threads in the mounting holes 156A or held by nuts tightened on the mounting screws 159 below the mounting plate 150A (not shown for brevity and clarity reasons). Note that although called “mounting screws 159,” any fastener is anticipated including rivets, bolts, etc. Note that the mounting bumps 152A are peculiar to the specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200A and any type of feature or surface contour that matches any other red dot emitter is fully anticipated, for example, rectangular bumps, triangular bumps, no bumps, etc.

[0023] Another example that is shown in FIG. 3 has the mounting plate 150B with two cylindrical bumps 152B that match holes (not shown) in a specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200B; and two mounting holes 156B. This specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200B mounts using two mounting screws 159 that pass through holes in this specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200B, through/into mounting holes 156B in the mounting plate 150B and are held by either threads in the mounting holes 156B or a nut below the mounting plate 150B (not shown for brevity and clarity reasons).

[0024] Another example shown in FIG. 4 has a mounting plate 150C with rails 152C that match tracks/holders (not shown) in a specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200C. For this specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200C, the specific red dot emitter/reflex sight 200C is slid onto the rails 152C and held to the rail 152C with a self-contained screw locking plate after the mounting plate 150C is attached to the base 101 by screws 155 passing through holes 154.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a fourth type of red dot emitter/reflex sight 200D is shown attached to the red dot emitter/reflex sight mounting system 100. One hole 109 for the set screws 106 is shown without a set screw 106, showing the threads.

[0026] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

[0027] It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.