Abstract:
A firearm system can include a modular mono-block shotgun system and a standardizing sighting system. The modular mono-block shotgun system can have multiple interchangeable barrels of different gauges for assembling a single shotgun. Each barrel can include an inherent low-rail sight longitudinally along its top surface. The standardizing sighting system can be installed upon the low-rail sight of each barrel of the modular mono-block system. The height of each barrel with its corresponding component of the standardizing sighting system can be substantially equal to the height of a largest gauge barrel with its corresponding component. After changing barrels, a need to make adjustments to the shotgun to account for changes in sighting and impact spread can be eliminated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility application is a conversion of a U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/068,339, filed on 24 Oct. 2014 and titled “A STANDARIZING SIGHTING SYSTEM FOR A MODULAR MONO-BLOCK’, to which priority is claimed. The entire contents of 62/068,339 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to the field of gun sights and, more particularly, to a standardizing sighting system for a modular mono-block. 
     For competition shooting, the introduction of modular mono-block systems was a great advance. Having all the necessary different gauge barrels together in one interchangeable package is a great cost-savings over having separate shotguns for each gauge. However, the modular system propagates the same physical short-coming as having separate shotguns—each gauge requires the shooter to adjust their shooting parameters (e.g., stance, hold, targeting, etc.) to accommodate physical differences between different gauges. 
     While the barrels of the modular system are interchangeable, the assembled shotgun in not interchangeable in the shooter&#39;s hands. That is, a shooter is unable to hold a modular shotgun with a 20-gauge barrel the same way they would hold the modular shotgun with a 12-gauge barrel. While this may not seem like a huge obstacle, in competition shooting, every second spent having to readjust for gauge changes is a detriment to performance. 
     What is needed is a means to standardize the barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system to mitigate physical differences and decrease the need for a shooter to readjust after changing barrels. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present invention can include a firearm system that includes a modular mono-block shotgun system and a standardizing sighting system. The modular mono-block shotgun system can have multiple interchangeable barrels of different gauges for assembling a single shotgun. Each barrel can include an inherent low-rail sight longitudinally along its top surface. The standardizing sighting system can be installed upon the low-rail sight of each barrel of the modular mono-block system. The height of each barrel with its corresponding component of the standardizing sighting system can be substantially equal to the height of a largest gauge barrel with its corresponding component. After changing barrels, a need to make adjustments to the shotgun to account for changes in sighting and impact spread can be eliminated. 
     Another aspect of the present invention can include a method for standardizing different gauge shotgun barrels. Such a method can begin with obtaining a modular mono-block shotgun system having interchangeable barrels for assembling a single shotgun. Each barrel can be of a different gauge and can include a low-rail sight longitudinally along its top surface. A high-rail sight extension of a standardizing sighting system can be selected that is appropriate for a gauge of each barrel. The low-rail sight can be removed from each barrel. The high-rail sight extension can then be permanently mounted onto the low-rail sight. The ability for the low-rail sight to attach to a barrel can be preserved. The combination of the low-rail sight and the high-rail sight extension can be reattached to each barrel, wherein a height of each barrel with the combination attached is substantially equal. Adjustments to the shotgun to account for changes in sighting and impact spread can be unnecessary after changing barrels. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention can include a high-rail standardizing sighting system that includes high-rail sight extensions for installing upon low-rail sights attached to barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system. The barrels of the modular mono-block shotgun system can be interchangeable and of different gauges. The height of each barrel with its corresponding high-rail sight extension installed can be substantially equal. After changing barrels, a need to make adjustments to an assembled shotgun to account for changes in sighting and impact spread can be eliminated. Each high-rail sight extension can be comprised of a rail and risers. The rail can be of a predetermined thickness and of a length matching a corresponding length of the low-rail sight. The risers can extend from a bottom surface of the rail. The position of each riser along the rail can correspond to a riser of the low-rail sight. The length of each riser can match its corresponding riser of the low-rail sight. The width of each riser can be at most as wide as the low-rail sight. The height of each riser can be such that the rail is level with respect to the barrel after being permanently mounted on the low-rail sight. The riser mounted nearest the buttstock can be elongated and tapered to provide a visual gradient from the low-rail sight to the high-rail sight extension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for standardizing the barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system using a standardizing sighting system in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 1A  is an example embodiment of a high-rail standardized sight in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 1B  is a collection of different gauge shotgun barrels standardized using the standardizing sighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a method describing the standardization of the barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system using the high-rail sight extensions of the standardizing sighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention discloses a solution for standardizing the different gauge barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system. A standardizing sighting system can be comprised of high-rail sight extensions, one for each shotgun barrel gauge in the modular system. Each high-rail sight extension can be permanently mounted to a low-rail sight included on the barrel. After installation of the standardizing sighting system onto the barrels of the modular mono-block shotgun system, the overall height of each barrel can be substantially identical, which eliminates the need for a shooter to make adjustments to their position and/or the shotgun when changing barrels. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  100  for standardizing the barrels  120  of a modular mono-block shotgun system  105  using a standardizing sighting system  125  in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In system  100 , the standardizing sighting system  125  can be installed upon the barrels  120  of the modular mono-block shotgun system  105 . 
     The modular mono-block shotgun system  105  can be a system of modular components for assembling a shotgun, such as the BLASER F3 SHOTGUN and the MOSSBERG FLEX 500. Such a system  105  can include a buttstock  110 , forearm  115  element, barrels  120  of different gauges, and the like. As shotguns and modular mono-block shotgun systems  105  are well known in the Art, only those concepts and/or elements pertinent to the present invention shall be discussed in detail herein. 
     It can be assumed that each barrel  120  includes a low-rail sight (not shown), also referred to as a rib, that runs along the top of the barrel  120 , as is common in modular mono-block shotgun systems  105 . A front bead can included upon this low-rail for sighting purposes. 
     Different modular mono-block shotgun systems  105  can support different gauge barrels  120 . The barrels  120  of the modular mono-block shotgun system  105  in system  100  can include a 0.410-gauge barrel (the smallest barrel diameter), 28-gauge barrel, a 20-gauge barrel, and a 12-gauge barrel (the largest barrel diameter). The diameter differences between the different gauge barrels  120  can change the overall height of the barrel  120 . A different barrel  120  height can mean a different sighting point for the shooter that can require a change to how they hold the shotgun to accommodate, which can require adjustments to the buttstock  110 , and so on. Therefore, changing the barrel  120  can require a shooter to take the time make all these adjustments. In a competition setting, a shooter cannot afford to lose time making adjustments. 
     The standardizing sighting system  125  can represent the means to permanently standardize the heights of the barrels  120  to the largest barrel  120  gauge. The standardizing sighting system  125  can benefit a shooter by eliminating the need to make changes based on barrel  120  height differences, which then eliminates the need for other related adjustments, and saving the shooter valuable time in competition. 
     The standardizing sighting system  125  can include high-rail sight extensions  130  for each barrel  120  gauge of the modular mono-block shotgun system  105 . Each high-rail sight extension  130  can be specifically made for the corresponding barrel  120  gauge. That is, a high-rail sight extension  130  for a 28-gauge barrel  120  cannot be installed upon a 20-gauge barrel  120  and expected to function as being standardized. 
     Each high-rail sight extension  130  can be made of a durable material appropriate for being mounted upon the low-rail sight of the barrel  120  and exposed to the forces of repeatedly shooting the shotgun. Manufacturing processes can vary based upon the type of material. Finishes to the high-rail sight extension  130  can also vary based upon material and use. In one embodiment, the high-rail sight extension  130  can be machined from anodized aluminum. 
     The high-rail sight extension  130 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , can look similar to the low-rail sight included on the barrel  120 . The high-rail sight extension  130  can be comprised of a rail  135  and multiple risers  140 . The rail  135  can be of a length, width, and thickness that is commensurate with the low-rail sight and/or barrel  120 . The top surface of the rail  135  can be machined or otherwise worked to have a scalloping pattern that reduces glare for the shooter by redirecting environmental light away from the high-rail sight extension  130 . Further, the rail  135  can allow for installation of a front bead to the high-rail sight extension  130 . 
     Each riser  140  can be positioned along the rail  135  at points that correspond to the risers or other support structures of the low-rail sight to provide stability and a mounting point. The length of each riser  140  can match its corresponding riser on the low-rail sight. The width of the risers  140  should be at most as wide as the rail of the low-rail sight. The height of each riser  140  can be such to that the rail  135  is level with the barrel  120  once installed. That is, if the low-rail sight is sloped toward the front of the barrel  120 , the risers  140  can increase in height toward the front of the barrel  120  to level the slope. 
     The riser  140  that will be nearest the buttstock  110  can be made into an elongated and tapered end  145  piece. The tapered end  145  can provide additional stability to the high-rail sight extension  130  and provide a visual gradient from the barrel  120  to the top of the rail  135 . Further, the top surface of the tapered end  145  can continue the scalloping pattern of the rail  135  for additional glare reduction. 
     In another contemplated embodiment, weighting elements can be added to the risers  140  to compensate for differences in barrel  120  weights. 
     To promote design unity, the exterior surfaces of the risers  140 , including the tapered end  145 , can be worked to mirror any patterns already present on the risers of the low-rail sight. Further, the risers of the low-rail sight can be worked to match a desired pattern on the risers  140  of the high-rail sight extension  130 . 
     Once each high-rail sight extension  130  is installed upon the corresponding barrel  120 , the overall barrel  160 ,  165 ,  170 , and  175  heights  162 ,  167 ,  172 , and  177  can be standardized, as shown in collection  155  of  FIG. 1B . Collection  155  can present a 12-gauge barrel  160  with high-rail sight extension  130 , a 20-gauge barrel  165  with high-rail sight extension  130 , a 28-gauge barrel  170  with high-rail sight extension  130 , and a 410-gauge barrel  175  with high-rail sight extension  130 . 
     As shown in collection  155 , the height  167 ,  172 , and  177  of each smaller gauge barrel  165 ,  170 , and  175  can be standardized to the height  162  of the 12-gauge barrel  160 . The height  162  of the 12-gauge barrel  160  can be used as the standard because it is the largest gauge of the modular mono-block shotgun system  105  and cannot be made to match a smaller gauge. 
     By using the low-rail sight as a template for the high-rail sight extension  130 , the combination of the low-rail sight and high-rail sight extension  130  can be nearly visually indistinguishable. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a method  200  describing the standardization of the barrels of a modular mono-block shotgun system using the high-rail sight extensions of the standardizing sighting system in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  200  can be performed within the context of system  100  and/or using the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
     Method  200  can begin in step  205  where an unmodified mono-block shotgun barrel of a modular system can be obtained, such as from a customer requesting standardization or from a seller of the modular mono-block shotgun system. The gauge of the obtained barrel can be identified in step  210 . While a customer or packaging should provide this information, the gauge can be typically verified by markings on the barrel. 
     In step  215 , the appropriate high-rail sight extension can be selected for the identified gauge. The low-rail sight can be removed from the barrel in step  220 . Step  220  can require a variety of sub-steps to be performed that vary based on the specific modular mono-block shotgun system. 
     As an example, step  220  can require execution of sub-steps  222  and  224  when using a BLASER F3 SHOTGUN. In sub-step  222 , a release mechanism located on the barrel at the rear of the low-rail sight (e.g., locking button) can be depressed. The low-rail sight can then slide off barrel in sub-step  224 . Sub-steps  222  and  224  can be required to be performed repeatedly until the entirety of the low-rail slide is completely disengaged from the barrel. 
     In step  225 , the selected high-rail sight extension can be mounted onto the low-rail sight. Like step  220 , step  225  can also vary based on the specific modular mono-block shotgun system. Sub-steps  227  and  229  can represent the performance of step  225  on a BLASER F3 SHOTGUN. 
     In sub-step  227 , countersunk holes can be drilled through the underside of the risers and rail of the low-rail sight at predetermined locations. The size and locations of the holes can be such to allow a stabile coupling between the low-rail sight and high-rail sight extension without overly degrading the integrity of the sight and extension. The high-rail sight extension can then be attached to the low-rail sight with screws through the drilled holes in sub-step  229 . 
     In step  230 , the low-rail sight combined with the high-rail sight extension can be reattached on the barrel. For a BLASER F3 SHOTGUN, step  230  can comprise sub-steps  232  and  234 . 
     In sub-step  232 , the release mechanism can be depressed, just like sub-step  222 . The combination of the low-rail sight/high-rail sight extension can then slide back onto the barrel in sub-step  234 . Because the holes were countersunk into the riser of the low-rail sight, it can be ensured that the screws used in sub-step  229  will not affect the ability of the low-rail sight to slide back on the barrel in sub-step  234 . Further, sub-steps  232  and  234  can be required to be performed repeatedly until the entirety of the low-rail slide/high-rail sight extension is completely engaged on the barrel. 
     It should also be noted that the steps and sub-steps described in method  200  can be performed by a trained gun technician using the appropriate tools required to execute the described modifications for a specific modular mono-block shotgun system. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems and methods according to various embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose tools that perform the specified functions or acts.