Firearm Receiver Including Scope Mount Arrangement

Telescopic scope mounts for firearms have included mounting bases attachable to the receiver of the firearm (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,363 to York) and sight supports integrally formed in a frame encircling the firearm barrel to which the mounting bases are attached (U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,538).

None of the prior art scope mounts have satisfactorily provided for more complete rigidity, proper alignment, compact low telescopic sight mounting, and ready detachability when the scope is not in use, since either the mounting bases or the sight supports must be removable from the firearm in all prior art, usually by unscrewing relatively small mounting screws.

Broadly, the present invention is a telescopic base mount arrangement integrally formed by casting or other process with the receiver for mounting and holding a telescope sight close to the barrel together with clamp engagement means.

FIG. 1 is a partial right side elevational view of the scope mounts of this invention in a bolt action rifle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a single scope mount;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the rifle showing the scope mounts;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the scope mounts;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a scope clamp;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing, from the rear of the mount, the bolt handle for operating the rifle bolt;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the scope mounts showing a scope clamp in exploded view;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a clamp being attached; and

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a clamp being attached.

With reference to the Figures, rifle 10 includes stock 11, receiver 12, trigger guard 14, stock 15 and trigger 16. Also shown is bolt 17 and bolt handle 17a, forward scope mount block 18, rearward scope mount block19 and scope 22. Receiver 12 carries integral longitudinal forward receiver rib 23 and forward and rearward scope mount blocks 18, 19 formed integrally with receiver 12. Also shown in FIG. 3, forward of receiver 12, is rounded stock portion 24. Mount blocks 18, 19 are integrally formed as part of receiver 12, by casting, forging or otherwise. Mount blocks 18 and 19 are aligned with the receiver 12 as fabricated and cannot move relative to receiver 12 due to loosening of fasteners or distortion of the mounts from stresses on fasteners or other forces.

Mount blocks 18, 19 have right side arcuate depressions 18a, 19a; left side arcuate depressions 18b, 19b and top arcuate depressions 18c, 19c. Depressions 18c, 19c are shaped and formed in alignment so that the scope is properly held and oriented. Turning to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, it is seen that flexible clamp strap 27 has arcuate end portions 27a, 27b, for securing to side mount depressions 18a, 18b, and 19a, 19b using a three (3) piece fastener assembly 28. Fastener assembly 28 includes curved head threaded bolt 29, curved washer 31 and threaded nut 32. Bolts 29, including their stems 30, pass through block passages 18d, 19d and clamp holes, 27c, 27d.

An advantage of the present receiver with mount blocks 18, 19 is to accomplish mounting of scope 22 as close to the centerline of the barrel (not shown but the same as axis 17b of bolt 17; FIG. 1). The present invention accomplishes lower mounting of scope 22 since compactness and adequate strength can be attained in a smaller space. The distance Y between axis 22a of scope 22 and axis 17b is made as short as practical so that sighting is made easier and more accurate. Distance X is measured between line 22a and stock 15.

Finally, with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11, clamp 27 strap is shown with left strap end hole 27c having a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of bolt stem 30 so that strap 27 can be placed on bolt stem 30 and around the scope 22 under relatively small or no tension. When washer 31 is forced against strap end 27a by tightening threaded nut hole 32 to engage end portion 27d forcing it to conform with recess 18b of mount 18 and thus to be pulled down on and thereby tension strap 27 against scope 22.