Apparatuses and methods for mounting an optical device to an object

• US 20030192224A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J. Robert Van Kirk
• Original Assignee: J. Robert Van Kirk
• Inventors: Kirk, J. Robert Van
• Granted Patent: US 6,705,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/124
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/002 Mountings with recoil absorbing means

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for removably mounting an optical sighting device such as a telescopic sight to an object, which may, for example, comprise a surveyor'"'"'s tool or a firearm, etc. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a front mounting assembly and a rear mount assembly. In one embodiment, a first mounting member that is attachable to the object and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein. A second mounting member is pivotally, movably or removably coupled to the first mounting member and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the optical sighting device may be supported between the first mounting member and the second mounting member and a second position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between the first and second mounting members. A windage adjustment member may be supported on one of the first and second mounting members and an elevation adjustment member may be supported on one of the first and second mounting members. A resilient support member may also be supported on one of the first and second mounting members. A telescopic sight that has reticle with crosshairs and a circle whose center coincides with the center point of the crosshairs is also disclosed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removably mounting an optical sighting device to a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

a first mounting member attachable to the firearm and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein;

a second mounting member movably coupled to said first mounting member and being selectively movable between a first position wherein the optical sighting device is supported between said first mounting member and said second mounting member and a second position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between said first and second mounting members;

a windage adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members;

an elevation adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members; and

a resilient support member in one of said first and second mounting members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said windage adjustment member and said elevation adjustment member are supported on said second mounting member and said resilient support member is supported on said first mounting member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second mounting member is pivotally coupled to said first mounting member by a hinge assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a latch assembly in one of said first and second mounting members for releasably retaining said second mounting member in said first position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a locking groove in a portion of said second mounting member; and

a latch member movably supported on said first mounting member and being selectively movable between a first latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and a second unlatched position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch member is selectively movable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position by a threaded member supported in said first mounting member and in threaded engagement with said latch member to axially move said latch member between said first latched position and said second unlatched position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch member is slidably supported in said first mounting member and is selectively slidable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member in said first mounting member for biasing said latch member to said first latched position.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said first mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

a push button attached to said latch member and movably supported in said first mounting member; and

a latch biasing member in said first mounting member in biasing contact with said push button for biasing said push button and said latch member to said first latched position.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said first mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member between said latch member and a portion of said first mounting member to bias said latch member to said first latched position.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a locking groove in a portion of said first mounting member; and

a latch member movably supported on said second mounting member and being selectively movable between a first latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and a second unlatched position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said latch member is selectively movable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position by a threaded member supported in said second mounting member and in threaded engagement with said latch member to axially move said latch member between said first latched position and said second unlatched position.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said latch member is slidably supported in said second mounting member and is selectively slidable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member in said second mounting member for biasing said latch member to said first latched position.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said second mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said first latched position and said second unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

a push button attached to said latch member and movably supported in said second mounting member; and

a latch biasing member in said second mounting member in biasing contact with said push button for biasing said push button and said latch member to said first latched position.

14. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a threaded bore in said first mounting member; and

a threaded lock member supported in said second mounting member and being selectively threadably engagable with said threaded bore in said first mounting member when said second mounting member is in said first position.

15. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a threaded bore in said second mounting member; and

a threaded lock member supported in said first mounting member being selectively threadably engagable with said threaded bore in said second mounting member when said second mounting member is in said first position.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a lock opening in said second mounting member; and

a threaded lock pin threadably supported in said first mounting member, said threaded lock pin having a tapered lock end receivable in said lock opening in said second mounting member when said second mounting member is in said second position.

17. The apparatus of claim 3 comprising:

a threaded hole in an end of said second mounting member opposite from said hinge assembly; and

a threaded retainer operably attached to an end of said first mounting member opposite said hinge assembly for threaded engagement with said threaded hole when said second mounting member is in said first position.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said insert has at least one hole therethrough that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical sighting device is a telescopic sight with a fixed reticle.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said telescopic sight is multi-powered.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly.

24. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm.

27. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly.

28. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

29. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm.

31. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly.

32. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

33. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said insert has a plurality of apertures therethrough that correspond with mounting holes in the firearm.

35. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly.

36. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

37. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm.

39. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly.

40. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said resilient support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

41. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm.

43. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly.

44. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said third support member comprises:

a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and

a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.

45. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;

an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and

at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.

46. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly.

47. Apparatus for removably mounting a telescopic sight to a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

a first mounting means attachable to the firearm, said mounting means supporting a portion of the telescopic sight on a portion of the firearm;

a second mounting means movably coupled to said first mounting means, said second mounting means selectively movable between a first retaining position wherein the portion of the telescopic sight is supported between said first mounting means and said second mounting means and a second position wherein the portion of the telescopic sight may be removed from between said first mounting means and said second mounting means;

means attached to one of said first and second mounting means for selectively adjusting a windage of the telescopic sight when it is received between said first and second mounting means;

means attached to one of said first and second mounting means for selectively adjusting the elevation of the telescopic sight when it is received between said first and second mounting means;

resilient support means for supporting the portion of the telescopic sight received between the first and second mounting means; and

means for releasably latching a portion of said second mounting means to said first mounting means when said second mounting means is in said first position.

48. Apparatus for removably mounting an optical sighting device to a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

a primary mounting member attachable to the firearm and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein;

a secondary mounting member movably coupled to said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a primary position wherein the optical sighting device is supported between said primary mounting member and said secondary mounting member and a secondary position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between said primary and secondary mounting members;

at least one support member in said primary mounting member; and

at least two other support members in said secondary mounting member.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said secondary mounting member is pivotally coupled to said primary mounting member by a hinge assembly.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising a latch assembly in one of said primary and secondary mounting members for releasably retaining said secondary mounting member in said primary position.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a locking groove in a portion of said secondary mounting member; and

a latch member movably supported on said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a first latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and a second unlatched position.

52. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said support member and said other support members are resilient.

53. Apparatus for removably mounting an optical sighting device to a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

a primary mounting member attachable to the firearm and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein;

a secondary mounting member movably coupled to said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a primary position wherein the optical sighting device is supported between said primary mounting member and said secondary mounting member and a secondary position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between said primary and secondary mounting members;

at least one support member in said secondary mounting member; and

at least two other support members in said primary mounting member.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said secondary mounting member is pivotally coupled to said primary mounting member by a hinge assembly.

55. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising a latch assembly in one of said primary and secondary mounting members for releasably retaining said secondary mounting member in said primary position.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said latch assembly comprises:

a locking groove in a portion of said secondary mounting member; and

a latch member movably supported on said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a first latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and a second unlatched position.

57. A telescopic sight system for a firearm , comprising:

a telescopic sight;

at least two mounting assemblies attached to the firearm for detachably supporting a portion of said telescopic sight on the firearm wherein at least one said mounting assembly comprises;

a first mounting member attached to the firearm and shaped to support one portion of said telescopic sight therein;

a second mounting member pivotally coupled to said first mounting member and being selectively pivotable between a first retaining position wherein the one portion of said telescopic sight is supported between said first and second mounting members and a second position wherein the one portion of the telescopic sight may be removed from between said first and second mounting members;

a windage adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members;

an elevation adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members; and

a resilient support member mounted to one of said first and second mounting members.

58. The telescopic sight system of claim 57 further comprising a biasing member between one of said mounting assemblies and a protruding portion of said telescopic sight.

59. A telescopic sight, comprising:

a body member;

a plurality of lenses supported in said body member;

crosshairs on one of said lenses, said crosshairs having a center; and

a circle on said lens having said crosshairs thereon, said circle having a center that coincides with said center of said crosshairs.

60. A method of using a single telescopic sight a on plurality of firearms, said method comprising:

mounting one mounting arrangement on a first firearm, the mounting arrangement comprising a front mounting assembly and rear mounting assembly for releasably attaching the telescopic sight to the firearm, the rear mounting assembly having elevation and windage adjustment members thereon;

releasably mounting the telescopic sight in the mounting arrangement;

adjusting the windage and elevation adjustment members to orient the telescopic sight in a desired orientation;

removing the telescopic sight from the mounting arrangement without further adjusting the windage and elevation adjustment members;

mounting another mounting arrangement on another firearm, the another mounting arrangement comprising other front and rear mounting assemblies for releasably attaching the telescopic sight to the another firearm, the other rear mounting assembly having another elevation and windage adjustment members thereon;

releasably mounting the telescopic sight in the another mounting arrangement;

adjusting the another windage and elevation adjustment members to orient the telescopic sight in another desired orientation on the second firearm;

removing the telescopic sight from the another mounting arrangement without further adjusting the another windage and elevation adjustment members; and

remounting the telescopic sight to the first mounting arrangement such that the telescopic sight is in the desired orientation without readjusting the elevation and windage adjustment members.