Abstract:
A rifle periscope ( 30 ) is provided for allowing an indirect line of vision without obstructing use of existing sight assemblies ( 18, 20 ) mounted on a rifle ( 10 ). The rifle periscope ( 30 ) includes a removable mount assembly ( 32 ) attached to a barrel ( 22 ) of the rifle ( 22 ) so as to allow for an unobstructed direct line of vision when using the sight assemblies ( 18, 20 ). The removable mount assembly ( 32 ) has a first surface ( 48 ) and a second surface ( 52 ). The first surface ( 48 ) has a viewing mirror ( 50 ) attached thereto for to providing a first indirect line of vision that is outside of a firing range of the rifle ( 10 ). The second surface ( 52 ) has a targeting mirror ( 54 ) attached thereto for providing a second indirect line of vision that is within a firing range of said rifle ( 10 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to rifles, and more particularly to rifle periscopes for attachment to rifles and providing an indirect line of vision.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Rifle periscopes are known for providing users with an indirect line of vision for viewing surrounding areas without exposing the users to those areas or any persons within those areas. In addition, the indirect line of vision also allows the users to fire their rifles from protected positions.  
           [0003]    Current rifle periscopes are mounted on the rifles in a manner that permits the users to utilize existing sight assemblies integrated within the rifles. A drawback of these rifle periscopes is that they obstruct normal use of the sight assemblies when the users wish to take a direct line of vision ordinarily taken when the users do not have to seek cover. In other words, a part of the periscope may block at least one of the sight assemblies. Furthermore, some rifle periscopes require the simultaneous use of two or more movable mirrors. As a result, the design of the periscope is somewhat complicated thereby increasing manufacturing time and costs associated therewith.  
           [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a rifle periscope having a simple structure that provides for an indirect line of vision without obstructing the use of existing sight assemblies integrated within the rifle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a rifle periscope that allows for an indirect line of vision without obstructing normal use of existing sight assemblies integrated within the rifle.  
           [0006]    The rifle periscope includes a removable mount assembly for attachment to the barrel of a rifle in a manner that allows for an unobstructed direct line of vision when using the sight assemblies. The removable mount assembly has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a viewing mirror attached thereto for providing an indirect line of vision that is outside of a firing range of the rifle. The second surface has a targeting mirror attached thereto for providing an indirect line of vision that is within a firing range of the rifle.  
           [0007]    One advantage of the present invention is that a user may view the surrounding area from a protected position without exposing himself to any threats within the viewed area.  
           [0008]    Another advantage of the present invention is that a user may fire his rifle from a protected position without exposing himself to the target or other persons in the surrounding area.  
           [0009]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the rifle periscope does not obstruct a direct line of vision when making normal use of the sight assemblies integrated within the rifle.  
           [0010]    Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rifle with a rifle periscope mounted thereon, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a view of an unobstructed direct line of vision taken when using a rifle having a rifle periscope mounted thereon, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a rifle periscope, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3B is an exploded view of a rifle periscope, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a mirror base, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of a rifle periscope being used to view a target, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of a rifle periscope being used to fire at a target, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cover for a rifle periscope, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views.  
         [0020]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are generally shown views of a rifle  10  with a rifle periscope  30  mounted thereon, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rifle  10  preferably is a military rifle having a trigger  12  adjacent to a pistol grip  14 . The pistol grip  14  is intended to provide the user with a handhold for maintaining control of the rifle  10  while he pulls the trigger  12 .  
         [0021]    The rifle  10  also preferably includes a forestock  16  that is intended to provide a handhold for the user&#39;s other hand. Of course, the pistol grip  14  and forestock  16  may be used to handle the rifle  10  in various circumstances other than while firing the rifle  10 .  
         [0022]    The rifle  10  further includes a front sight assembly  18  and a rear sight windage drum  20  for aiming at a target. The user may aim the rifle  10  by taking a direct line of vision with the front sight assembly  18  and the rear sight windage drum  20 . In other words, the user may align the front sight assembly  18  with the rear sight windage drum  20  on the desired target.  
         [0023]    The rifle  10  has a barrel  22  that directs rounds of ammunition when they are fired from the rifle  22 . As best shown in FIG. 2, the rifle periscope  30  is mounted on a portion of the barrel  22  in manner that does not obstruct a direct line of vision taken with the front sight assembly  18  and the rear windage drum  20 . In particular, the rifle periscope  30  is preferably mounted on the barrel  22  between the front sight assembly  18  and a flash suppressor  24  of the rifle  10 . However, it is understood that the rifle periscope  30  may be secured to other suitable portions of the rifle  10  that allow the user to view and fire the rifle  10  from protected positions.  
         [0024]    Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show a military rifle, it is understood that the rifle periscope  30  may be used for various other types of rifles.  
         [0025]    Referring primarily to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there are shown, respectively, a perspective view and an exploded view of the rifle periscope  30 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rifle periscope  30  includes a removable mount assembly  32  for attachment to the barrel  22  of the rifle  10 .  
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment, the removable mount assembly  32  includes a mirror base  34  having a curved surface  36  (as best shown in FIG. 4) for mating to the barrel  22  of the rifle  10 . The removable mount assembly  32  preferably also includes a backing plate  38  that has an opposing curved surface  40  for mating to the barrel  22 .  
         [0027]    Preferably, the removable mount assembly  32  is secured to the barrel  22  by attaching the backing plate  38  to the mirror base  34  in a manner that clamps the barrel  22  between the curved surface  36  of the mirror base  34  and the opposing curved surface  40  of the backing plate  38 .  
         [0028]    The backing plate  38  is preferably engaged to the mirror base  34  by a plurality of screw fasteners  42 . The screw fasteners  42  are inserted through openings  44  formed in the backing plate  38  and thereafter fastened to threaded holes  46  formed in the mirror base  34 .  
         [0029]    Of course, the rifle periscope  30  may be attached to the barrel  22  of the rifle  10  by a variety of other suitable fasteners. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a snap-fit engagement between the backing plate  38  and the mirror base  34  may allow for easier attachment and detachment of the rifle periscope  30  from the barrel  22 . Moreover, a mere strap may be used to secure the rifle periscope  30  to the barrel  22 . It is understood that various other fasteners may be used to attach the rifle periscope  30  to the barrel  22 .  
         [0030]    The mirror base  34  preferably has a first surface  48  intended to receive a viewing mirror  50 . As best shown in FIG. 5, the viewing mirror  50  is positioned in a manner that provides the user with an indirect line of vision for safely viewing objects that are beyond a firing range of the rifle  10 . The viewing mirror  50  may be made of aluminum, plastic, or other suitable materials that provide sufficient reflection.  
         [0031]    Furthermore, the rifle periscope  30  may be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the barrel  22  thereby permitting the user to employ the rifle periscope  12  for viewing surrounding areas in various circumstances. In this regard, the rifle periscope  30  may be rotated at an angle  26  from the horizon (as shown in FIG. 1). There are at least two situations in which the user may wish to rotate the rifle periscope  30 .  
         [0032]    First, the user may wish to have an indirect line of vision for viewing surrounding areas at a similar height level as the user&#39;s eyes. For example, a user holding the rifle  10  near eye level may only need to rotate the rifle periscope  30  a relatively small angle from the horizon. In contrast, a user holding the rifle near waist level may need to rotate the rifle periscope at a larger angle from the horizon.  
         [0033]    In another situation, the user may rotate the rifle periscope  30  at various angles for viewing above or below the level of his eyes. For example, a user may rotate the rifle periscope at a relatively large angle to have an indirect line of vision for viewing an object or person located uphill.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  6 , the mirror base  34  also includes a second surface  52  intended to receive a targeting mirror  54 . The targeting mirror  54  is positioned on the barrel  22  in a manner that provides the user with an indirect line of vision for aiming and firing at a target. Preferably, the targeting mirror  54  is positioned about 45 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the barrel  22  so as to allow the user to aim and fire the rifle  10  from a side of the rifle  10 . Similar to the viewing mirror  50 , the targeting mirror  54  may be made of aluminum, plastic, or other suitable materials that provide sufficient reflection.  
         [0035]    The targeting mirror  54  preferably has one or more markings for providing the user with a periscope sight. The periscope sight allows the user to aim and fire his rifle  10  at a target from a protected position. These markings preferably include a flash suppressor profile line  56  and a center bore line  58 . The flash suppressor profile line  56  and the center bore line  58  intersect at an intersection point  60  intended to serve as the periscope sight.  
         [0036]    The user preferably holds the rifle  10  sideways to aim and fire the rifle  10 . In particular, the user may hold the forestock  16  in his upwardly facing left palm and grasp the pistol grip  14  with the fingers of his right hand (as shown in FIG. 6).  
         [0037]    The user may then utilize the targeting mirror  54  to aim the rifle  10 . This is accomplished by positioning the rifle  10  in a manner that allows the user to see that the flash suppressor profile line  56  is outlining the actual profile of the flash suppressor  24 . Simultaneously, the user may train the intersection point  60  on the desired target thereby aiming the rifle  10  at that target. The user may then pull the trigger  12  with the thumb on his right hand.  
         [0038]    Although this example demonstrates a user holding a rifle  10  for shooting a target positioned to his left, it is understood that the user may utilize a similar technique for shooting a target positioned to his right. Preferably, the intersection point  60  serves as the periscope sight as long as the user sees that the flash suppressor profile line  56  outlines the actual profile of the flash suppressor  24 .  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment, the rifle periscope also includes a cover  62  intended to conceal the viewing mirror  50  and the targeting mirror  54  when they are not in use. The cover  62  is preferably secured to the removable mount assembly  32  by a compression fit and alternatively by a snap fit or various other suitable fastening methods.  
         [0040]    Furthermore, the cover  62  preferably is attached to the removable mount assembly by a cord  64  so as to dangle the cover  62  therefrom when it is not being used to conceal the viewing mirror  50  and the targeting mirror  54 . In particular, the mirror base  34  preferably has a recess  66  formed therein (as best shown in FIG. 4) for receiving an anchor  68  integrated within an end of the cord  64 . The anchor  68  is held within the recess  66  when the curved surface  36  of the mirror base  34  is mated to the barrel  22 .  
         [0041]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.