CA-3216081-C - OPTICAL SIGHT MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

An optical sight includes a housing and an optical element supported by the housing. The housing includes a first surface defining a cavity accessible from a first cavity side of the housing and a bottom side of the housing and an opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first surface is configured such that the first cavity is inaccessible from above. The first cavity is configured to accommodate a first fastener such that a head of the first fastener is supported by the first surface and such that a shaft of the first fastener extends through the bottom side of the housing. The optical element is disposed within the opening of the housing.

Inventors

• Jerry Glen S. Elpedes
• Matthew Stephen Bindon

Assignees

• TRIJICON, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20231011

Priority Date

20221213

Claims (20)

1. 28 CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. An optical sight comprising: a housing, the housing including: a first cavity having a first surface, the first cavity accessible from a first opening on a first side of the housing and a second side of the housing, the first opening extending continuously between the first side and the second side, the first surface including a portion opposite the second side of the housing such that the first cavity is inaccessible from a third side of the housing opposite the second side of the housing, the first cavity configured to accommodate a first fastener therein such that a head of the first fastener is supported by the first surface and such that a shaft of the first fastener extends through the second side of the housing; and a second opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing; and an optical element supported by the housing and disposed within the second opening of the housing.
2. 2. The optical sight of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is configured such that the head of the first fastener is accessible from the first side of the housing when the first fastener is within the first cavity.
3. 3. The optical sight of claim 2, wherein an exterior side surface of the head of the first fastener includes a first aperture. 29
4. 4. The optical sight of claim 3, wherein the exterior side surface of the head of the first fastener includes a second aperture, wherein the second aperture is opposite the first aperture side of the head of the first fastener.
5. 5. The optical sight of claim 1, wherein a portion of the housing separates the first cavity from the second opening of the housing.
6. 6. The optical sight of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is configured such that a top surface of the head of the first fastener is inaccessible from the third side of the housing when the first fastener is in the first cavity.
7. 7. The optical sight of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a second cavity having a second surface, the second cavity accessible from a fourth side of the housing and the second side of the housing, the second surface configured such that the second cavity is inaccessible from the third side of the housing, the second cavity configured to accommodate a second fastener therein such that a head of the second fastener is supported by the second surface and such that a shaft of the second fastener extends through the second side of the housing, wherein the fourth side of the housing is the same as the first side of the housing or different from the first side of the housing.
8. 8. The optical sight of claim 7, wherein the second cavity is configured such that the head of the second fastener is accessible from the fourth side of the housing when the second fastener is placed within the second cavity.
9. 9. The optical sight of claim 8, wherein a side exterior surface of the head of the second fastener includes a first aperture on a first side of the head of the second fastener.
10. 10. The optical sight of claim 9, wherein the side exterior surface of the head of the second fastener includes a second aperture, wherein the second aperture is opposite the first aperture.
11. 11. The optical sight of claim 7, wherein the fourth side of the housing is opposite the first side of the housing.
12. 12. The optical sight of claim 7, wherein a portion of the housing separates the second cavity from the second opening of the housing.
13. 13. The optical sight of claim 7, wherein the second cavity is configured such that a top surface of the head of the second fastener is inaccessible from the third side of the housing when the second fastener is placed in the second cavity.
14. 14. The optical sight of claim 1, wherein the optical sight further comprises a reticle displayed on the optical element.
15. 15. The optical sight of claim 14, wherein the reticle is provided by a light source. 31
16. 16. The optical sight of claim 15, wherein the light source is disposed within the second opening.
17. 17. A method of mounting an optical sight to a base comprising: inserting a threaded shaft of a first fastener into a first threaded bore of the base; inserting the first fastener into a first cavity of a housing of the optical sight through a first opening on a first side of the housing, the first opening extending continuously between the first side of the housing and a second side of the housing, the first cavity including a first surface, a head of the first fastener being supported by the first surface and the threaded shaft of the first fastener extending through the first opening on a second side of the housing when the first fastener is inserted into the first cavity, the first cavity including a portion opposite the second side of the housing such that the first fastener is inaccessible from a third side of the housing opposite the second side of the housing when inserted into the first cavity; and rotating the head of the first fastener such that rotating the head of the first fastener tightens the first fastener in the first threaded bore.
18. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting a tool into an aperture of a side of the head of the first fastener; and rotating the head of the first fastener with the tool. 32
19. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: inserting a second fastener into a second cavity of the housing of the optical sight through a second opening on a fourth side of the housing, the second cavity including a second surface, a head of the second fastener being supported by the second surface and a threaded shaft of the second fastener extending through the second opening on the second side of the housing when the second fastener is inserted into the second cavity, the second cavity configured such that the second fastener is inaccessible from the third side of the housing when inserted into the second cavity; inserting the threaded shaft of the second fastener into a second threaded bore of the base; and rotating the head of the second fastener such that rotating the head of the second fastener tightens the second fastener in the second threaded bore.
20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting a tool into an aperture of a side of the head of the second fastener; and rotating the head of the second fastener with the tool.

Description

OPTICAL SIGHT MOUNTING SYSTEM FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical sight, and, more specifically, to a system for mounting an optical sight to a firearm. BACKGROUND [0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. [0003] Firearms conventionally incorporate a sight to aid in aligning a trajectory of the firearm with a target. In one configuration, the sight includes a front sight in the form of an upwardly extending bead or post fixed proximate to the muzzle end of a barrel of the firearm, and a rear sight in the form of a raised block having a U or V-shaped notch formed therein. By aligning the front and rear sights, an operator of the firearm may properly align the firearm relative to a target. [0004] In another configuration, the sight includes an optical element that displays an illuminated reticle for use in aligning a barrel of a firearm with a target. One such sight is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,215,050. The foregoing optical sight incorporates an optical element, which receives light from a light source and displays a reticle (e.g., a red dot) on a lens for use by an operator in aligning a barrel of a firearm with a target. Such a sight incorporating a lens and an illuminated reticle is generally an improvement over mechanical sights, as the illuminated reticle of the optical sight may be viewed from numerous angles from 1 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-10-11 the rear of the firearm and does not have to be exactly aligned with an eye of the operator. Allowing the reticle to be viewed from numerous angles from behind the firearm allows the operator to be positioned somewhat offset from a longitudinal axis of the firearm while still maintaining the barrel of the firearm trained on a target. [0005] Optical sights are typically secured to a firearm, or to a mount that is secured to a firearm, by one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners are typically tightened by a tool, such as a screwdriver. This requires the operator to approach the fastener from above to rotate the head of the fastener. Therefore, optical sights typically are designed to allow space above the fasteners to be unobstructed so an operator may properly secure the fasteners to the firearm or the mount. Because of this need for space above the fasteners in typical optical sights, the size and configuration of the optical sight may be limited. Alternatively, optical sights including a larger optics train may require a larger housing to allow access to the fasteners while housing the larger optics train. [0006] In order to minimize the total size of optical sights as described above, the light source displaying the reticle may be placed in a position such that the light source is not within a housing of the optical sight and thus, may be exposed to the environment in which the firearm is being used. Such environments may expose the optical sight to various forms of debris, such as sand, dirt, or water, which may diminish the effectiveness of the light source and may damage the light source. 2 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-10-11 [0007] Based on the foregoing, an optical sight incorporating the light source within the housing while minimizing the total size of the optical sight is desirable in the industry. This may be accomplished, for example, by a housing of the optical sight which allows the fasteners to be tightened by a tool from a side of the housing or by an operator accessing the fasteners from a side of the housing. SUMMARY [0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. [0009] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an optical sight including a housing and an optical element supported by the housing. The housing includes a first surface defining a cavity accessible from a first cavity side of the housing and a bottom side of the housing and an opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first surface is configured such that the first cavity is inaccessible from above. The first cavity is configured to accommodate a first fastener such that a head of the first fastener is supported by the first surface and such that a shaft of the first fastener extends through the bottom side of the housing. The optical element is disposed within the opening of the housing. [001 OJ In some configurations of the optical sight of the above paragraph, the first cavity is configured such that the head of the first fastener is accessible from the first cavity side of the housing when the first fastener is placed within the first cavity. 3 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-10-11 [0011] In some configurations of the optical sight of either of the above paragraphs, the head of the first fastener defines a first aperture on a first side of the head of the first fastener. [0012] In some configurations of the optical sight of any of the abov