Ballistic alignment dual automatic sight switch optic mount

• US 9,417,034 B1
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Original Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Klein, Gabriel
• Application Number:
  US14/099,241
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/17 Convertible sights, i.e. sets of two or more sights brought into the sight line optionally
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/007 the device being tilted in a vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/008 the device being pivotable about an axis coaxial with the axis of the barrel, e.g. for loading

Abstract

An optic mount for a firearm allows a user to switch between a primary optic and a secondary optic, facilitating rapid target acquisition when a user switches between close quarter engagement and long range engagement. The base of the optic mount is securable to a firearm. A primary optic platform can be pivoted and linearly translated with respect to the base. The primary optic platform is spring biased toward the front of the base. An actuator mechanism rotates a secondary optic platform on the base from a spring-biased first orientation to a second orientation. When in the first position, the primary optic platform engages the actuator mechanism, causing the secondary optic platform to be rotated to the second orientation. When in the second position, the primary optic platform does not engage the actuator mechanism, allowing the secondary optic platform to rotate to the first orientation.

Claims

1. An optic mount for supporting a primary optic and a secondary optic on a firearm for use in both close quarter engagement and long range engagement, the optic mount comprising:

a base capable of being secured to a firearm;

a primary optic platform pivotably secured to the base and linearly translatable with respect to the base;

the primary optic platform being spring biased forward with respect to the base;

a secondary optic platform rotatably secured to the base, the secondary optic platform being rotatable from a first orientation to a second orientation;

the secondary optic platform being spring biased to the first orientation;

an actuator mechanism linked to the secondary optic platform;

wherein the primary optic platform engages the actuator mechanism when the primary optic platform is in a first position, thereby causing the secondary optic platform to be rotated to the second orientation;

wherein the primary optic platform does not engage the actuator mechanism when the primary optic platform is in a second position, thereby allowing the secondary optic platform to rotate to the first orientation; and

wherein the secondary optic platform is a swivel platform, the swivel platform being rotatably positioned over the base and secured to a swivel shaft that is rotatably secured within the base, the swivel platform having an upper surface configured to receive a secondary optic, the swivel platform being rotatable from a first orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm to a second orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially perpendicular to the barrel of the firearm.

2. The optic mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a first locking recess defined on a surface on the base;

a second locking recess defined on a surface on the base;

wherein the primary optic platform is a swing arm assembly;

wherein the swing arm assembly includes a swing arm and a locking post, the swing arm being rotatably secured to the base by a shaft extending through the base and the swing arm, the swing arm having an upper surface configured to receive a primary optic, the primary optic having a foot that is secured to the swing arm, the swing arm capable of being translated linearly with respect to the base and capable of being pivoted about the base, the swing arm thereby being movable from a first position in which the primary optic is secured directly over a barrel of the firearm to a second position in which it is offset from the barrel; and

further wherein the first locking recess is configured to receive the locking post and the second locking recess is configured to receive the locking post.

3. The optic mount of claim 2, further comprising:

a spring extending around at least a portion of the shaft and, the spring being received within a spring receiver on the base, the spring having a first end that engages a surface on the swing arm, the spring having a second end that engages a spring retainer that is secured to the base, whereby the swing arm is spring-biased forward.

4. The optic mount of claim 2, further comprising:

a dowel pin extending outwardly from the base; and

a locking aperture defined on a locking structure on the swing arm, the locking aperture configured to engage the dowel pin.

5. The optic mount of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to engage a dovetail rail on a firearm;

and

further wherein a locking assembly is on the base for securing the base to a firearm.

6. The optic mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a torsional spring having a first end secured to the swivel platform and a second end secured to the base so the swivel platform is spring-biased to the first orientation.

7. The optic mount of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one stop wall on the base capable of engaging at least one side surface of the swivel platform to limit rotation of the swivel platform with respect to the base beyond the first orientation.

8. The optic mount of claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism further comprises:

a cam surface formed on the swivel shaft; and

a push rod having a first end for engaging the cam surface to rotate the swivel shaft and a second end having a push rod face for engaging an actuator portion of the primary optic platform.

9. The optic mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a shield secured to the base and capable of extending over a secondary optic secured to the secondary optic platform.

10. An optic mount for supporting a primary optic and a secondary optic on a firearm for use in both close quarter engagement and long range engagement, the optic mount comprising:

a base;

a lower surface on the base that is configured to engage a dovetail rail on a firearm;

a locking assembly on the base for securing the base to a firearm;

an opening defined in the base;

a dowel pin extending outwardly from the base;

a swing arm assembly including a swing arm and a locking post, the swing arm rotatably secured to the base by a shaft extending through the base and the swing arm, the swing arm having an upper surface configured to receive a primary optic, the primary optic having a foot that is secured to the swing arm, the swing arm capable of being translated linearly with respect to the base and capable of being pivoted about the base, the swing arm thereby being movable from a first position in which the primary optic is secured directly over a barrel of the firearm to a second position in which it is offset from the barrel;

a locking aperture defined on a locking structure on the swing arm, the locking aperture configured to engage the dowel pin;

a spring extending around at least a portion of the shaft and, the spring being received within a spring receiver on the base, the spring having a first end that engages a surface on the swing arm, the spring having a second end that engages a spring retainer that is secured to the base, whereby the swing arm is spring-biased forward;

a first locking recess defined on a surface on the base, the first locking recess configured to receive the locking post;

a second locking recess defined on the surface of the base, the second locking recess configured to receive the locking post;

a swivel platform rotatably positioned over the base and secured to a swivel shaft that is rotatably secured within the base, the swivel platform having an upper surface configured to receive a secondary optic, the swivel platform being rotatable from a first orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm to a second orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially perpendicular to the barrel of the firearm;

a torsional spring having a first end secured to the swivel platform and a second end secured to the base so the swivel platform is spring-biased to the first orientation;

a cam surface formed on the swivel shaft;

a push rod having a first end for engaging the cam surface to rotate the swivel shaft and a second end having a push rod face for engaging an actuator portion of the swing arm assembly;

at least one stop wall on the base capable of engaging at least one side surface of the swivel platform to limit rotation of the swivel platform with respect to the base beyond the first orientation;

a shield secured to the base and capable of extending over the secondary optic;

the optic mount being capable of being arranged in a first configuration in which;

the primary optic is in the first position, with the spring biasing the spring arm forward;

the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly in engagement with the push rod face so the cam surface is rotated and the secondary optic is in the second orientation,

the locking rod engaging the first locking recess to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft,

whereby a user may acquire a target by viewing the target through the primary optic; and

the optic mount being capable of being arranged in a second configuration in which;

the primary optic is in the second position with the spring biasing the swing arm forward;

the locking aperture engaging the dowel pin, to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft;

the locking rod engaging the second locking recess to further prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; and

the torsional spring biasing the secondary optic to the first orientation;

whereby a user may acquire a target by viewing the target through the secondary optic.