Low profile flip up site

• US 20050188602A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Original Assignee: Richard E. Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Richard E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/147
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/065 Protection means therefor F41G1/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/08 with aperture ; tubular or of ring form; Peep sights F41G1/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/17 Convertible sights, i.e. sets of two or more sights brought into the sight line optionally

Abstract

A low profile, self-aligning, flip-up mechanism for aiming devices used with firearms. The mechanism folds the aiming device into the contour of the firearm during non-use. The mechanism is spring-loaded and flips into a vertical operational position with a simple movement of a finger or thumb. The mechanism includes at least two separate aiming elements that are mounted in a fashion that allows them to rotate relative to one another thereby facilitating a smaller storage profile. The mechanism also causes the aiming device to self-align itself as it moves into an operational position assuring vertical position repeatability.

Claims

1. A flip-up aiming sight for use with a firearm, comprising:

a base member having a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface configured to mounted on an upper receiver of said firearm, said top surface having a mounting element extending upwardly therefrom,

a sight housing having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section including two side walls extending upwardly therefrom, said side walls forming an aperture therebetween for containing an aiming means, said lower section configured to be rotationally mounted to said mounting element on said base, wherein said sight housing can be placed in a first, inactive position adjacent the general contour of the firearm and a second, active position protruding substantially vertically from said firearm; and

an aiming device including at least two aiming elements rotatably mounted within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing, wherein said aiming elements are rotated to a position parallel to one another and both of said aiming elements reside entirely within said aperture in said upper section and are substantially entirely parallel to said base when said sight housing is in said inactive position.

2. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, said aiming elements further comprising:

at least two aiming elements mounted within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing, said two aiming elements being movable relative to one another allowing a user to select one of said aiming elements for use when said sight housing is in said active position, wherein said at least two aiming elements can be positioned substantially parallel to one another and parallel to said base when said sight housing is in said inactive position.

3. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 2, further comprising an adjustment screw extending through said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing and a lower end of said at least two aiming elements, said adjustment screw operable to move said aiming elements laterally within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing

4. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, wherein said base member is a supplemental rail configured to be mounted onto said upper receiver of said firearm, said mounting element being located on an upper rear surface thereof.

5. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface of said base member is a clamping device configured to interface with a Weaver type interface rail.

6. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, wherein said base member includes clamping means to interface directly with the upper receiver of said firearm.

7. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, wherein said base member includes claiming means to interface with a supplemental rail system mounted on said firearm.

8. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, wherein said base member is formed integrally into a supplemental rail that is configured for mounting onto the upper receiver of said firearm.

9. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring adapted to urge said sight housing from said first inactive position to said second active position;

a retainer for selectively retaining said sight housing in said first inactive position.

10. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment member attached to said base member, adjacent said mounting element, said alignment member having two vertical sides, each vertical side having a top edge with an alignment chamfer formed thereon; and

two sight housing lower aperture alignment surfaces corresponding to said alignment chamfers, whereby in the sight housing generally upright position the alignment surfaces are wedged against the alignment chamfers, respectively, bringing the sight housing to rest in the same vertical position every time it is placed into the active position.

11. A flip-up aiming sight for use with a firearm, said sight protruding generally vertically from the firearm when being used and horizontally folded down into the firearm'"'"'s general contour when not in use, said flip-up aiming sight comprising:

a base member, said base member forming a supplemental interface rail for mounting onto a firearm upper receiver, said base member having a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface configured to mounted on the upper receiver, said top surface having a mounting element extending upwardly from a rear portion thereof,

a sight housing, said sight housing having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section forming an aperture for containing an aiming means, said lower section configured to be rotationally mounted to said mounting element on said base, wherein said sight housing can be placed in a first, inactive position adjacent the general contour of the firearm and a second, active position protruding substantially vertically from said firearm; and

at least two aiming elements rotatably mounted within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing, said two aiming elements being movable relative to one another allowing a user to select one of said aiming elements for use when said sight housing is in said active position, wherein said at least two aiming elements can be positioned substantially parallel to one another and parallel to said base when said sight housing is in said inactive position.

12. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 11, further comprising:

a spring in said sight housing adapted to urge said sight housing from said first inactive position to said second active position;

means for selectively retaining said sight housing in said first inactive position.

13. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 11, further comprising:

an alignment member attached to said base member, adjacent said mounting element, said alignment member having two vertical sides, each vertical side having a top edge with an alignment chamfer formed thereon; and

two sight housing lower aperture alignment surfaces corresponding to said alignment chamfers, whereby in the sight housing generally upright position the alignment surfaces are wedged against the alignment chamfers, respectively, bringing the sight housing to rest in the same vertical position every time it is placed into the active position.

14. A flip-up aiming sight for mounting onto a supplemental rail system, said sight protruding generally vertically from the rail system when being used and horizontally folded down into the rail system'"'"'s general contour when not in use, said flip-up aiming sight comprising:

a base member, said base member having a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface being formed as a clamping device configured to interface with a supplemental rail, said top surface having a mounting element extending upwardly from a rear portion thereof,

a sight housing, said sight housing having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section forming an aperture for containing an aiming means, said lower section configured to be rotationally mounted to said mounting element on said base, wherein said sight housing can be placed in a first, inactive position adjacent the general contour of the rail system and a second, active position protruding substantially vertically from said rail system; and

at least two aiming elements mounted within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing, said two aiming elements being movable relative to one another allowing a user to select one of said aiming elements for use when said sight housing is in said active position, wherein said at least two aiming elements can be positioned substantially parallel to one another and parallel to said base when said sight housing is in said inactive position.

15. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 14, further comprising:

a spring in said sight housing adapted to urge said sight housing from said first inactive position to said second active position;

means for selectively retaining said sight housing in said first inactive position.

16. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 14, further comprising:

an alignment member attached to said base member, adjacent said mounting element, said alignment member having two vertical sides, each vertical side having a top edge with an alignment chamfer formed thereon; and

two sight housing lower aperture alignment surfaces corresponding to said alignment chamfers, whereby in the sight housing generally upright position the alignment surfaces are wedged against the alignment chamfers, respectively, bringing the sight housing to rest in the same vertical position every time it is placed into the active position.

17. A flip-up aiming sight for use with a firearm, said sight comprising:

a base member having an upper surface and further having a bottom surface configured to mate with an upper receiver surface of said firearm;

a sight housing having a lower section pivotably mounted to an upper surface of said base member, wherein said sight housing is pivotably movable relative to said base member between an inactive position adjacent the base member and an active position protruding upwardly from the base member, said sight housing further having an upper section including first and second upwardly extending, spaced sidewalls, said sidewalls cooperating to define an aperture therebetween, said aperture being longitudinally aligned with a front sight of said firearm when in use with said firearm; and

an aiming assembly disposed within said aperture, said aiming assembly comprising a first aiming leg and a second aiming leg, wherein at least one of said first and second aiming legs being pivotably mounted between said sidewalls and being pivotably movable with respect to the other such that said at least one of said first and second aiming legs is pivotably movable between a first position wherein said first and second aiming legs are positioned in parallel facing relation, and a second position wherein said first and second aiming legs is positioned perpendicular to the other.

18. The sight of claim 17, wherein said first aiming leg is a fixed aiming leg having a larger iron sight opening and said second aiming leg is a pivotably movable aiming leg having a smaller iron sight opening, said second aiming leg being pivotably movable relative to said first aiming leg.

19. The flip-up aiming sight of claim 17, further comprising an adjustment screw extending through said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing and a lower end of said at least two aiming elements, said adjustment screw operable to move said aiming elements laterally within said aperture in said upper section of said sight housing