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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/511,878, filed Oct. 16, 2003, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to modular sighting devices for weapons. More specifically, the present invention relates to a low profile configuration for a for providing a flip-up type sighting mechanism that folds down onto the firearm in a compact manner to prevent damage or snagging when not in use.  
         [0003]     Generally, sighting mechanisms for firearms are bulky and protrude outside the firearm&#39;s general contour. This construction creates a greater opportunity for the sighting mechanism to be caught on clothing or brush while the fire arm is being carried thereby knocking the sighting mechanism out of alignment. Prior art devices that have attempted to address this problem by allowing removal of the sighting mechanism or providing a hinged attachment of the sighting mechanism. Generally, however, the prior art devices require that each time the sighting mechanism is moved into the active position, the sighting mechanism must be re-aligned before it is ready for use. Although this re-alignment step may be acceptable when the firearm is used in a controlled environment such as a firing range, it is not acceptable for a firearm employed for field use, such as hunting or combat environments where immediate, fully aligned use of the sight is required.  
         [0004]     This is of particular concern in the field of combat firearms. A firearm that is used in the field requires a sighting mechanism that is located out of the way during times of non-use, thereby providing a streamlined profile that is not likely to be bumped or jarred out of alignment. Further, the sight must be quickly engageable when the firearm is urgently needed. The readiness time for the sighting mechanism to move from the non-use or down position to the use or up position must be minimized. Additionally, when moved from the down position to the up position, the sight must be fully and accurately aligned. It is critical that the sighting mechanism have the ability to be consistently and quickly engaged, and provide accurate aiming. Further, the sight must maintain as small profile as possible when in the retracted storage position to prevent bumping or jarring of the sight.  
         [0005]     In prior art devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,292, issued to Swan, a self-aligning flip-up sight is provided that provides a sighting mechanism that can be easily moved from a storage position to an active position without requiring re-alignment of the sights. However, this device has a relatively large vertical profile, even when it is in the retracted position. The large profile results from the use of two iron peep sights mounted fixedly at a 90° angle relative to one another. In order for the sighting mechanism to be moved into the storage position, the iron sight must be placed into a position that allows one of the legs of the iron sight assembly to lie parallel to the firearm with the other leg pointing upwardly. If the iron sight assembly is not in this position, the mechanism cannot be moved into the storage position. Further, when the iron sight assembly is in the proper storage position, one of the legs extends upwardly from the upper surface of the firearm thereby requiring that the protective shoulders of the sighting mechanism extend a sufficient distance to protect this protruding leg of the iron sight. In this manner, the sighting mechanism has a profile that is larger than desired to allow the mounting of additional accessories if desired. Specifically, if a user wished to mount an optical telescopic sight in addition to the retractable sight, an additional spacer would be necessary to allow the required clearance.  
         [0006]     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art devices, there is a need for a device that provides an improved method of compacting and activating optical and iron sight sighting device. There is a further need for a sighting mechanism that provides improved engagement method for firearms sighting devices which has the ability to consistently and quickly engage, and provide accurate aiming, while providing a reduced profile in the storage position thereby reducing potential interference with other ancillary aiming devices and attachments.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In this regard, the present invention provides for a low-profile self-aligning flip-up sight. The present invention sighting device folds downwardly against a mounting rail either directly on the fire arm, onto a receiver sleeve mounting area or other desirable location, thereby keeping the sighting device within the firearm&#39;s contour during non-use and streamlining the profile of a weapon. The sighting device is spring-loaded and flips into an operational position with a simple movement of a finger or thumb. The device includes a pair of iron sights that are also pivotally mounted relative to one another allowing them to fold against one another in the retracted position while moving into a position wherein the two sighting elements are oriented at a substantially 90° angle in the deployed position. Further, the present invention sighting device self-aligns itself as it moves into an operational position, thereby providing accurate and consistent aiming while eliminating the need for re-alignment each time the sight is deployed.  
         [0008]     The present invention is particularly suited for iron sight type sighting devices. The sighting device includes two iron sight elements, one having a large aperture and one having a small aperture. In the prior art, when two iron sights were provided they were rigidly mounted perpendicular to one another. The sight was then selectibly positionable so that one or the other of the two iron sights was in the operative position while the other sight was positioned out of the way in a position that was substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm. However as noted above, when utilized in a flip-up type sighting mechanism, if the sight was positioned in the wrong manner, one of the iron sight elements would prevent the sighting mechanism from closing. Even when positioned in the proper alignment, extended shoulders were required to protect the protruding top arm of the sight from impact. To resolve this issue the present invention provides that the two iron sights are mounted so as to be pivotably movable relative to one another.  
         [0009]     The present invention is a flip-up sight and is comprised of three major components namely, a base, an alignment member and a sight housing. The sight housing contains the actual aiming system in the form of collapsible iron sights. The aiming system is comprised of two independent legs pivotally mounted on a central sight adjustment screw positioned within the sight housing. The two legs cooperate to form a collapsible aiming system. Each leg includes a circular aiming peep sight, one sight being larger than the other. In the deployed position, the leg with the larger aperture is always in the upright position, the leg with the smaller aperture can be rotated approximately 90° around the sight adjustment screw and is configured to be retained in one of two selected positions. Accordingly, when the large aperture sight is desired the small aperture sight can be folded down out of the way of the large aperture. Further, when the sight housing is placed into the stored position, folded down against the base, the two legs of the aiming system can fold against one another allowing the sight housing to store tightly against the base while preventing one of the sighting elements from protruding outwardly from the firearm.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sighting mechanism for a firearm that includes at least two aiming elements and has a compact profile when placed into a storage position. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sighting mechanism for a firearm that can be retracted to a low profile storage position against the contour of the firearm while being quickly and easily deployable to a fully aligned active position. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a retractable sighting assembly for a firearm that includes at least two user selectable aiming elements that can be fully retracted into a low profile storage position against the contour of the firearm.  
         [0011]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the flip up sight of the present invention in the deployed position with the large aperture aiming element in the active position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the flip up sight of the present invention in the deployed position with the small aperture aiming element in the active position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the flip up sight in the retracted position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a firearm with the flip up sight assembly in the retracted position mounted on the receiver thereof;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the flip up sight in the deployed position with the sighting elements reversed and the large aperture aiming element in the active position; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the alignment member.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Now referring to the drawings, the retractable flip-up sighting device of the present invention is shown and generally illustrated in the figures as  10 . In particular, the present invention is a retractable flip-up sight  10  for a fire arm wherein the flip-up sight  10  has a reduced profile when in the retracted position. This feature allows improved shielding and protection of the aiming elements within the sighting device  10  when in the retracted storage position. Further, the sighting device  10  includes a self-aligning feature that ensures that the sighting elements remain in proper alignment with the firearm each time the sighting elements are deployed into the active position from the storage position. The flip-up sight assembly includes three major components: a base  12 , a sight housing  14 , and an aiming device  16 . Further, to facilitate the self-aligning feature, the sighting device  10  includes an alignment member  18 . The sight housing  14  serves to contain and support the actual aiming device  16  while also including features to protect the aiming device  16 . The sighting device  10  is designed to be mounted preferably on a Swan universal receiver sleeve, extended rigid frame receiver sleeve, or any other attachment device such as the receiver rail that is attached on the top of a firearm upper receiver. Additionally, the sighting device  10  may be used in place of or in conjunction with most conventional firearm sighting mechanisms.  
         [0021]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the base  12  is formed to include an interface means  20  to allow the sighting mechanism  10  to be mounted onto a variety of firearms. The base has  12  an upper surface  22  and a lower surface  24 , wherein the lower surface  24  has a cross-sectional profile that is configured to interface with the dovetailed shape of a typical receiver sleeve. The base  12  also includes a right side  26 , a left side  28 , a front  30  and rear  32  wherein the right side  26  and left side  28  include lower interface members  20  for retaining the sighting mechanism  10  on a receiver sleeve. Two identical, vertical and parallel mounting tabs  34  extend perpendicularly upward from the base  12  upper surface  22 . The tabs  34  are thin, have a rectangular shape and lie in vertical parallel planes a predetermined distance apart. The tab  34  planes are parallel to the base  12  sides  26 ,  28 . A spring trough resides between the tabs  34 . The width of the trough is defined by the separation between the tabs  34 . Each of the mounting tabs  34  includes a mounting pin hole with a common center on an aligned axis perpendicular to the axis of the base  12 .  
         [0022]     The sight housing  14  has two parallel side plates, a catch plate  36  and an adjustment plate  38 , positioned in vertical planes. The sight housing  14  is further defined by an upper support region  40  between the catch plate  36  and the adjustment plate  38 . The upper support region  40  is configured to retain and protect the aiming elements  16   a ,  16   b . The sight housing  14  also includes a lower interface region  42  which includes an inside surface bounded by the catch plate  36 , the adjustment plate  38  and further may include alignment surfaces  44  to enable the self alignment feature of the present invention as will be described in detail below. The catch plate  36  and the adjustment plate  38  have holes  46  in the lower interface region  42  thereof, the holes  46  corresponding to the mounting pin holes in the tabs  32  on the base  12 .  
         [0023]     The aiming elements  16   a ,  16   b  include at least one sighting device such as for example an open iron type peep sight having an aperture therein. Similarly, the aiming elements  16   a ,  16   b  could include any conceivable aiming device such as a magnifying sight or an open sight. As shown in the Figs., the aiming elements include preferably two different aiming elements such as a large aperture iron sight  16   a  and a small aperture iron sight  16   b . Similarly, the present invention may include 3 or more aiming elements  16  and fall within the scope of the present invention. The aiming elements  16  include a top aiming end and a bottom mounting end whereby the aiming elements  16  are mounted into the upper support region  40  of the sight housing  14 . The aiming elements  16  are mounted on and retained in the upper support region  40  of the sight housing  14  by the sight adjustment screw  48  that is positioned and attached between the catch plate  36  and the adjustment plate  38 . An arced spring  41  is attached along the bottom of the upper support region  40  and applies pressure against the bottom edge of the aiming elements  16  thereby allowing the elements  16  to rotate independently of one another approximately 90 degrees around the sight adjustment screw  48  and hold in the desired position by engaging one of two detents  43 . A sight adjustment knob  50  is attached to one end of the sight adjustment screw  48  wherein the aiming elements  16  are adapted to be moved laterally across the sight adjustment screw  48  as the sight adjustment knob  50  is turned allowing fine tune adjustment of the aiming elements  16  for compensation in alignment with the firearm as well as windage adjustment.  
         [0024]     As can be seen by viewing  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , multiple aiming elements  16  can be used in the sight housing  14  in conjunction with one another. In  FIG. 1 , the active aiming element  16   a  is a large aperture iron sight and is in the up or active position. The inactive element is a small aperture iron sight  16   b  and is shown folded downwardly in the inactive position. In  FIG. 2 , the small aperture iron sight  16   b  is shown in the up position against the large aperture iron sight  16   a . In this position the small aperture iron sight  16   a  is the active sight because when looking through the aiming elements  16  the only aperture through which the user can aim the firearm is the small aperture because the rest of the small aperture aiming element partially blocks the large aperture. Further, as will be more fully discussed later, both aiming elements  16  would be positioned in this manner when the sight housing  14  is placed into the retraced storage position. It should be also appreciated, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , that the relative positioning of the aiming elements  16  may be reversed placing the small aperture aiming element  16   b  in the rear position closest to the user and the large aperture aiming element  16   a  in the front position without departing from the disclosure of the present invention. Further, a third or more aiming elements  16  could be added as well and still reside within the present disclosure.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the U-shaped alignment member  18  has two vertical sides  52 ,  54  and a front face  56 . The vertical sides  52 ,  54  have inner surfaces that are parallel to one another and an outwardly chamfered top edge. The vertical sides  52 ,  54  each have a mounting pin hole  58  located in their rearward upper quadrants perpendicular to the inner faces wherein when the alignment member  18  is installed onto the base member  12 , the mounting pin hole  58  in the vertical sides corresponds to the mounting pin holes in the tabs  34  on the base  12 . In this manner when the alignment member  18  is installed onto the base  12  the inner faces of the vertical sides  52 ,  54  rest against the tabs  34  with the mounting pin holes in the tabs  34  being in alignment with the mounting pin holes  58  in the vertical sides  52 ,  54  of the alignment member  18 . To further assist in retaining the alignment member  18  on the base  12 , additional holes  60  are provided in both the alignment member  18  and the tabs  34  on the base  12  where by a spring pin is installed through the common spring pin holes  60  to retain the alignment member  18  and the base  12  in assembled relation. Alternatively, other fasteners such as bolts or rivets could be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0026]     Turning back now to  FIG. 1 , the sighting device  10  of the present invention is shown in the deployed or “open” position, the sight housing  14  lower interface region  42  is positioned over the outer faces of the vertical sides  52 ,  54  of the U-shaped alignment member  18  such that the mounting pin holes in the in the side walls of the sight housing  14  share a common center with the mounting pin hole in the alignment member  18  and the mounting pin hole in the mounting tabs  34 . A mounting spring pin  70  is then inserted into the mounting pin hole thereby attaching the sight housing  14 , U-shaped alignment member  18  and the mounting tabs  34  together. Accordingly, the sight housing  14  is pivotally attached by the mounting spring pin  70  to the alignment member  18  and the mounting tabs  34  such that the sight housing  14  can rotate about the mounting spring pin  70  a predetermined amount. Alternatively, other fasteners such as bolts or rivets could be used in place of the mounting spring pin.  
         [0027]     As can best be seen in  FIG. 3 , a finger release clamp  72  is provided to hold the sight housing  14  in a retracted or down position against the base  12 . The finger release clamp  14  engages a pin catch slot  74  formed in the catch plate  36  thereby holding the sight housing  14  in a normally closed first position. The finger release clamp  72  is mounted in a pin bore which is drilled into the base  12 . A tension spring is also mounted in the pin bore thereby providing resistive force against rotation of the finger release clamp  72 . A half-cylindrical notch is formed in the upper surface of the base  12 . The purpose of the notch is to provide a place in the base for the clamp  72  to fold into, out of the way, when it is not holding the sight housing  14  in a down position. Another notch is formed in the rear of the catch plate  36 . The purpose of this catch plate notch is to avoid damage to the sight housing  14  if it gets knocked down with great force into the clamp  72  which is partially protruding from the base notch.  
         [0028]     Rotating the finger release clamp  72  away from the sight housing  14  disengages the finger release clamp  72  from the pin catch slot  74  and allows rotation of the sight housing  14  from the normally closed first position to the open second position. A torsional spring  76  urges the sight housing  14  from the closed first position to a vertical open second position. The torsional spring  76  surrounds the mounting spring pin  70  in the lower aperture  42  between the mounting tabs  34 .  
         [0029]     In this embodiment as can best be seen in referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a self aligning feature is also provided within the aiming device  10  of the present invention. While the inclusion of this feature is not a critical component of the overall device of the present invention, its inclusion further enhances the overall performance of such a device. Accordingly, consistent vertical positioning of the sight housing  14  is accomplished with the aid of alignment chamfers  78 , formed on the top edges of the vertical sides  52 ,  54  of the U-shaped alignment member  18 . In this embodiment of the invention, the chamfer  78  slopes are at a forty-five degree angle and the longitudinal axes of the alignment chamfers  78  are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base  12 . The sight housing  14  has corresponding alignment surfaces  44 . When the sight housing  14  is released to the open second position, the alignment surfaces  44  are wedged against the alignment chamfers  78 , respectively, bringing the sight housing  14  to rest in the same vertical position every time it is released. The slopes of the alignment surfaces  44  correspond to the slopes of the alignment chamfers  78 . Repeatability is further ensured by the “squeezing” action of the alignment surface  44  and catch plate  36  against the U-shaped alignment member  18  vertical side toward the base mounting tab  34 , and the corresponding “squeezing” action of the alignment surface  44  and adjustment plate  38  against the U-shaped alignment member  18  vertical side toward the base mounting tab  34 . This ensures repeated and accurate alignment of the U-shaped alignment member vertical sides during each movement of the sight housing  14  to the open, second position. It should also be appreciated that the alignment member  18  may be eliminated in favor of chamfering the tops of the tabs  34  thereby providing the same type of alignment action each time the sight housing  14  is deployed.  
         [0030]     It should also be noted that when the sight housing  14  is in the retracted position, both of the aiming elements  16   a  and  16   b  are folded flat against one another and rest flat against the profile of the firearm  84 . Further, the aiming elements  16   a  and  16   b  in this position are shielded by the catch plate  36  and the adjustment plate  38 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the sighting device  10  is shown as being integrated into a receiver rail  80  that is attached to the upper receiver  82  of a firearm  84 . It can be seen that the sighting device  10  has a small and compact profile when placed in the retracted position. This can be contrasted with the prior art devices that utilized an L-shapes aiming element. In the prior art when the sight housing was in the retracted position, one of the legs of the aiming element projected outwardly from the firearm. This projection necessitated that the side walls of the sight housing be wider to provide protection for the projecting leg of the aiming element. In the present invention, with both aiming elements  16   a  and  16   b  folded flat against the contour of the firearm  84 , the walls of the sight housing  14  can be narrower, providing a smaller overall profile depth allowing the sighting device  10  to reside in a more compact position against the firearm  84 .  
         [0031]     While the above-described embodiment uses a conventional firearm “iron” peep sight as the aiming elements  16 , the principles of the present invention are also applicable to the newer optics sights currently becoming available, i.e., compact single optic frames with lens projected beam optics. The newer optics sights have a radial axis parallel to the transverse plane of the weapon and a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the weapon. The newer optics sights have aiming optics which are quite flat along their central axis. The sights focus energy from illumination means on the flat aiming optics. The illumination means may be a laser, or other directed energy illuminator which directs energy onto the aiming lens. The present invention permits, for the first time, an ability to fold down aiming optics when not in use, and provides an ability to flip up the aiming optics to a preset configuration for actual use. Problems with the aiming optics being caught on clothing or brush when carried and knocked out of alignment from this contact or contact with other solid objects, are thereby eliminated. Accordingly, the basic sight apparatus is the same whether or not an “iron” aiming element is used or an optics sight is used.  
         [0032]     It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides an improved sighting device  10  that has a smaller and more compact profile when placed into a storage position as compared to the sighting devices in the prior art. Further, the present invention can be modified to accommodate a number of different aiming elements  16  and can be integrated onto a variety of different firearms to provide a highly accurate low profile flip up sight for use in actual field conditions typically associated with combat weaponry. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.  
         [0033]     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.