Abstract:
A pivoting accessory mount used for attaching auxiliary devices such as sighting devices to a firearm. The accessory mount includes a base member that attaches to the firearm and includes a mounting support and a shaft. An accessory receiver is pivotally received and retained about the shaft. The accessory receiver is pivotable between an inactive position along the side of the upper receiver of the firearm and an active position extending substantially vertically relative to and in alignment with the upper receiver of the firearm. The mounting shaft is linearly displaceable, thereby engaging the accessory receiver when in the active position to prevent accidental displacement of the accessory receiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/647,622, filed Jan. 27, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a pivoting mounting assembly for interfacing accessories with firearms. More specifically, the present invention is related to a pivoting mount for a firearm accessory that allows the user to mount an accessory in a manner wherein the user can selectively pivot the accessory between an active position and an inactive position thereby providing for rapid changes between desired accessories. 
   In the prior art there is a broad range of accessories that are mounted onto a firearm to provide increased accuracy or broader functionality. Similarly, many accessories are available that are configured to be paired with another accessory wherein the combination provides for an enhanced use. In this context for example, there are telescopic extenders that serve to magnify the objective image as seen in a telescopic sight. It should be appreciated that in general an accessory such as the type intended to be described herein includes all types of sighting devices capable of being mounted onto a firearm, including but not limited to telescopic sights, optical sights, night vision devices, range finding and illuminating devices as well as various laser devices and directed fire equipment. 
   Often there is also a need to provide an accessory that includes several configurations or is provided in two parts such as for example an optical scope with a secondary power multiplier or extender. This would also hold true in many other cases, such as, for example an infrared or night vision device that is used in conjunction with an optical scope. As can be appreciated, when using such a two-part device, there are times when the user needs only the optical scope and there are other times when the user requires the combination of both an auxiliary accessory like a multiplier and the optical scope, therefore creating a need for at least the accessory component to be easily moved out of the way when not in use. It can also be appreciated that with such an arrangement, while the components of the sighting system must be movable, they must also be reliably aligned when placed back into their active positions. 
   In order to interface these accessory devices with prior art firearms, such as rifles, shotguns, black-powder weapons and handguns, there are typically spaced apart attachment points that are provided along the top surface of the receiver or barrel of the firearm, which are used for attaching accessory devices. Such mounting devices serve to position the accessory in a convenient location above the barrel of the firearm while allowing the accessory to be placed in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the firearm. This positioning is particularly important when the accessory is a scope or another sighting device, because this positioning also allows the sighting scope to be mounted in a convenient location for the user while allowing the scope to be aligned with the barrel of the firearm. The scope is then sighted relative to the firearm to provide an accurate and positive alignment between the aiming point of the sight and the barrel of the firearm. In addition to providing mounting points along the top of the firearm, many modern combat rifles include an extended rail interface that is formed along the top of the firearm receiver and often further includes a mounting rail, which extends over the barrel of the rifle. In this manner, the rail provides a modular interface assembly to which the various accessories can be clamped. 
   In this regard, there are a number of different types and configurations of sight mounting devices that allow the sight to be removed from and replaced on to the firearm, each of which includes its own design problems and disadvantages. Prior art mounting devices typically encompass and hold a sighting scope in a scope holding portion which is then attached to a base that is in turn mounted to the attachment points or rail interface on the receiver of a firearm. The standard and most widely used method for mounting scopes on firearms consists of a combination of a scope base and scope rings. A scope base is a platform securely attached to the firearm to provide a pre-configured mounting platform for the rings. The rings are typically formed as individual, horizontally split cylindrical clamps fastened around the scope body or “tube”, with lower mounting portions which can be removably secured to the base. These types of mounting devices are generally mounted using a variety of screw fasteners requiring the use of a tool, such as a screwdriver, to firmly seat the scope holding portion on the base or to remove the scope holding portion from the base. Thus, it is often difficult and time consuming to attach or remove the scope from the base. 
   Additionally, there are many different scope ring/base combinations that are available in the prior art. One popular style known to those skilled in the art is the “Weaver” system, which utilizes longitudinal rail-type bases and rings that wrap around the barrel of the scope and are then transversely clamped to the rails. Another mounting configuration is the popular “rotary dovetail” style in which a base is provided with a ring-receiving slot, and a mating dovetail portion of the scope ring is dropped into the slot and rotated 90° into locking alignment with the receiver and barrel. Yet another style is the “Ruger® dovetail” system in which a dovetail “base” is actually machined into the firearm&#39;s receiver, and specially mated rings are clamped on with heavy screws. 
   There is therefore a need to provide a mounting arrangement that gives the user the ability to move at least a portion of a sighting device into an inactive position until the user requires it, while further providing for the device to remain reliably aligned when replaced in the active position. Further, the device must be easily and quickly deployable so that in combat situations the sighting device can be deployed rapidly with reliable and repeatable results. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In this regard, the present invention provides a modular accessory mount that interfaces with the desired accessory and allows the accessory to be reliably and repeatedly moved between an active position and an inactive position. In accordance with the present invention, a new and novel pivoting accessory mount is provided for use with a variety of sighting scopes such as are used on prior art firearms including, civilian and military rifles, shotguns, black-powder weapons and handguns. The pivoting mount of the present invention is useful for mounting one or both of a primary optical sight and for a secondary sighting accessory. For example, an optical scope may be mounted using the pivoting mount thereby allowing the scope to be pivoted to the side should the user wish to use the open sights on the firearm while also allowing the scope to be quickly positioned into the active position when needed. Similarly, an accessory sighting device can be mounted fir coordinated use with a primary sighting device using the pivot mount of the present invention, wherein the accessory can be pivoted out of the way when not needed but can also be quickly deployed when desired by the user. 
   The pivoting accessory mount of the present invention is designed to allow quick and easy engagement and disengagement of accessory devices, such as sighting devices, on prior art firearms without the need to re-adjust or re-zero the accessory each time it is deployed. The present invention also includes features that allow it to be tailored particularly for use in the modern type sporting rifle that includes some form of receiver rail mounting system in that the present invention can include modular interface components that make it particularly flexible and customizable for a variety of applications. 
   Generally the pivoting accessory mount of the present invention includes a mounting base that is configured for mounting onto a firearm. In particular, the mounting base includes a lower portion that is tailored to the application with which it will be used. For some applications this means that the lower portion will be configured for fastening using screws. In other applications the lower portion may include a clamping assembly. In all cases, the upper portion of the mounting base is configured and arranged to receive and support an accessory receiver into which the accessory is placed and retained. The accessory receiver is pivotably attached to the mounting base and is pivotable between a first engaged position and a second disengaged position. Additionally, the accessory receiver is provided with a locking mechanism that serves to retain the accessory receiver in the deployed position until the locking mechanism is disengaged. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pivoting mount for a firearm accessory. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pivoting mount for a firearm accessory that has an engaged position that ensures positive alignment and repeatable results after multiple operations. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a pivoting mount for a firearm accessory that is highly durable and easily operable to allow a user quick and positive operation between an engaged and disengaged position. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty that 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 
     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a military combat firearm with a fore-end rail installed around the firearm barrel; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a front, perspective view of the pivoting accessory mount of the present invention in the engaged position; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a front, perspective view of the pivoting accessory mount of the present invention in the disengaged position; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the pivoting accessory mount taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the pivoting accessory mount installed onto a firearm in the engaged position; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a side view of the pivoting accessory mount installed onto a firearm in the disengaged position; 
       FIG. 5   a  is a front, perspective view of an alternate embodiment pivoting accessory mount of the present invention in the engaged position; and 
       FIG. 5   b  is a front, perspective view of the alternate embodiment pivoting accessory mount of the present invention in the disengaged position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Now referring to the drawings, the pivoting accessory mount system of the present invention is shown and generally illustrated in the figures. As can be seen in  FIG. 2   a  the pivoting accessory mount  10  generally includes a base member  12  having a bottom surface  14  configured to engage a firearm and a top surface  15  that includes at least one support element  16  extending upwardly therefrom. In addition, the accessory mount  10  includes an accessory receiver  18  with an upper portion  20  that forms an accessory clamp and a bottom portion  22  for interfacing with a mounting shaft  24  and attaching the accessory receiver  18  to the base member  12  as will be described in detail below. 
   The accessory mount  10  of the present invention is intended for use with any known type of firearm including handguns, black powder weapons, sporting rifles and military rifles. For the purpose of illustration a typical military combat firearm  24  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . A conventional combat firearm  24  generally includes a conventional stock  26 ,an upper receiver  28  with a flattop  30 , a lower receiver  32  and a barrel  34 . The barrel  34  is joined to the upper receiver  28 . The barrel  34  defines the forward portion of the firearm  24  and the stock  26  defines the rearward portion of the firearm  24 . The longitudinal axis of the firearm  24  runs from stock  26  through receiver  28  to the barrel  34 . In place of the traditional hand guards that are typically provided on this type of firearm  24 , a fore-end rail assembly  36  is shown installed in front of the upper receiver  28  and around the barrel  34 . Such a fore-end rail assembly  36  provides a user with additional interface rails  38  to which various firearm accessories can be mounted via a modular interface system as is well known in the prior art. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , as was stated above, the present invention provides a pivoting accessory mount  10  for interfacing various accessories with a firearm  24 . In particular, the present invention provides an accessory mounting system that allows easy engagement and disengagement of various accessory devices in a rapid manner that further eliminates the need for realigning the accessory after each deployment. The accessory mount  10  principally includes a mounting base  12  and an accessory receiver  18  that is pivotally attached to the mounting base  12 . The mounting base  12  is further configured for attachment to a firearm  24  such as by clamping onto an interface rail  30 ,  38 . 
   To facilitate attachment of the mounting base  12  to a firearm  24 , the bottom  14  of the mounting base  12  is formed to include a mounting channel  40  and a clamping device  42 . The mounting channel  40  is formed in a shape that is particularly suited to engage the standard dovetail shaped interface rail or Weaver type interface rail that is provided on the top of the firearm receiver or on the extension rail system as described in the prior art. The mounting channel  40  is shown to include one fixed side  44  and a second movable side  42  that is attached to the base  12  using fasteners  45 . In this manner, the fixed side  44  and movable side  42  cooperate as a clamp to engage the dovetail interface and retain the mounting base  12  in a fixed position on the rail interface. Similarly, the bottom  14  of the base  12  may be machined in a manner that allows the base  12  to be mated with a separate clamping mechanism. The mounting base  12  would then be attached to an auxiliary clamping mechanism using fasteners such as screws. The auxiliary clamping mechanism would then serve as the means by which the mounting base  12  is attached to the rail interface. In either configuration, this disclosure is provided to simply illustrate some of the means by which the mounting base  12  can be attached to the firearm  24 . For example, the mounting base  12  may be configured to be attached directly to the firearm  24  upper receiver  28  or barrel  34  using screws that engage mounting lugs provided on the firearm  24  itself or bands that extend around and engage the barrel  34  of the firearm  24 . It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that there are numerous other possibilities that exist for attaching the mounting base  12  to the firearm  24 , all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   The mounting base  12  is configured to include at least one support element  16  extending upwardly therefrom. The at least one support element  16  has a mounting shaft  46  that extends therefrom substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the barrel  34  of the firearm  24  when the pivoting accessory mount  10  is installed onto the firearm  24 . The mounting shaft  46  is configured to receive and retain the accessory receiver  18  as will be described in more detail below. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting base  12  can be seen to include first and second support elements  16  extending upwardly from a forward and rearward edge thereof. In this case the mounting shaft  46  extends between and is supported by both the first and second mounting elements  16 . 
   The accessory receiver  18  is pivotally mounted to the base member  12  such that when the base member  12  is attached to the firearm  24 , the accessory receiver  18  can be pivoted between an engaged position (as is shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  4   a ) and a disengaged position (as is shown in  FIGS. 2   b  and  4   b ). Generally, the axis around which the accessory receiver  18  pivots is aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the firearm  24 . Additionally, the location of the mounting shaft  46  within the accessory mount  10  is positioned such that the engaged position brings the accessory receiver  18  into a position above the interface rail  30 ,  38  of the firearm  24  and the disengaged position allows the accessory receiver  18  to pivot to one side (preferably the side opposite the shell discharge port) thereby positioning the accessory receiver  18  out of line of sight along the top of the firearm  24 . This allows a clear line of sight for a user who desires to use the open sights of the firearm  24  or a primary sighting device  47  should the pivoting accessory mount  10  be holding a secondary sighting device. 
   The top portion  20  of the accessory receiver  18  serves as the interface between the mounting base  12  and the accessory device  48 . The top portion  20  of the accessory receiver  18  is formed as a two-part clamp that includes a circular opening  50  into which a sighting device  48  such as a scope can be clamped. Fasteners such as screws  52  are used to attach the top portion  20  of the clamp onto the accessory receiver  18 . While a two-part clamp is shown, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous other alternate configurations could be employed to suit the particular accessory device that is to be mounted into the accessory receiver  18 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that a locking means  54  is provided in the interface between the accessory receiver  18  and the mounting base  12 . The locking means  54  is operable to selectively retain or release the accessory receiver  18  thereby allowing the accessory receiver  18  to be reliably and selectively moved from an engaged position and a disengaged position. In particular, the mounting shaft  46  can be see to be depressible in a manner that, when depressed, the shaft  46  moves either a locking pin  54  or a ratchet assembly into position  54   a  (shown in dotted lines) out of contact with the support member  16  thereby allowing the accessory receiver  18  to be moved between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the mounting shaft  46  is released it returns the locking means  54  back to its original position and reengages the support member  16  and/or the accessory receiver  18  thereby preventing it from being accidentally moved. Further, a spring  56  is provided to create a spring bias force that urges the mounting shaft  46  in a linear direction towards the locked or engaged position. It should be appreciated that the locking function may also be formed separately from the mounting shaft  46  and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, pulling the shaft  46  outwardly rather than depressing the shaft  46  may accomplish the unlocking function. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the accessory device  48  is mounted into the accessory receiver  18  and the entire assembly is installed onto firearm  24 . As was stated above, the accessory device  48  may be the primary optical sight on a firearm  24 , whereby the optical sight can be pivoted into an engaged position over the rail interface  30 ,  38  of the firearm  24  and in alignment with the barrel  34  of the firearm  24  or in a disengaged position alongside the firearm  24  wherein the optical sight will not obstruct use of the open sights provided on the firearm  24 . Similarly, the accessory device  48  may be a power multiplier or night vision accessory that will be used in conjunction with an optical scope  47  that is already mounted on the firearm  24 . In another arrangement, both the primary  47  and secondary accessory  48  may both be mounted onto the firearm  24 , each using the pivotable mount  10  of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  depict an alternate embodiment pivoting accessory mount at  100 . As stated above, the mounting base  12  is shown to be formed in two pieces wherein the lower portion  14  of the mounting base  12  is formed as a clamping member and functions as described above. The upper portion  115  of the mounting base  12  is configured to include at least one support element  116  extending outwardly to one side thereof. The at least one support element  116  has a mounting shaft  146  that extends therefrom substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the barrel  34  of the firearm  24  when the pivoting accessory mount  100  is installed onto the firearm  24 . The mounting shaft  146  is configured to receive and retain the accessory receiver  118  as will be described in more detail below. In this particular embodiment, the mounting base  12  can be seen to include first and second support elements  116  extending out to the side of the mounting base  12  from a forward and rearward edge thereof. In this case the mounting shaft  146  extends between and is supported by both the first and second mounting elements  116 . 
   The accessory receiver  118  is pivotally mounted to the base member  12  such that when the base member  12  is attached to the firearm  24 , the accessory receiver  118  can be pivoted between an engaged position (as is shown in  FIG. 5   a ) and a disengaged position (as is shown in  FIG. 5   b ). Generally, the axis around which the accessory receiver  118  pivots is aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the firearm  24 . Additionally, the location of the mounting shaft  146  within the accessory mount  100  is again positioned such that the engaged position brings the accessory receiver  118  into a position above the interface rail  30 ,  38  of the firearm  24  and the disengaged position allows the accessory receiver  118  to pivot to one side (preferably the side opposite the shell discharge port) thereby positioning the accessory receiver  118  out of line of sight along the top of the firearm  24 . This allows a clear line of sight for a user who desires to use the open sights of the firearm  24  or a primary sighting device  47  should the pivoting accessory mount  10  be holding a secondary sighting device. 
   The top portion  120  of the accessory receiver  118  serves as the interface between the mounting base  12  and the accessory device  48 . The top portion  120  of the accessory receiver  118  is formed as a mounting pad onto which a sighting device  48  such as a scope is fastened. Fasteners such as screws (not shown) can be used to attach the accessory device  48  to the top portion  120  of the accessory receiver  118  via holes  119 . 
   In this embodiment pivoting accessory mount  100  includes a locking means  154  is provided at an edge of the mounting base  12  opposite the mounting shaft  146 . The locking means  154  is operable to selectively retain or release the accessory receiver  118  thereby allowing the accessory receiver  118  to be reliably and selectively moved from an engaged position and a disengaged position. In particular, the locking mechanism  154  can be see to be depressible in a manner that, when depressed, the locking mechanism  154  is displaced to allow a locking tab  155  on the accessory receiver to pass freely thereby allowing the accessory receiver  118  to be moved between the engaged and disengaged positions. A spring  156  is provided that urges the accessory receiver  118  to a disengaged position by applying a spring bias. Accordingly, when the locking mechanism  154  is depressed, the accessory receiver  118  is displaced to the disengaged position by the spring  156 . Additionally, the locking means  154  is spring biased so that it returns back to its original position prepared to reengage the tab  155  as the accessory receiver  118  is returned to the engaged position. As was stated above, it should be appreciated that the locking function may also be formed using any other methods known to those skilled in the art and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a reliable and easy to use pivoting accessory mount for a firearm that serves to allow an accessory to be quickly and reliably moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position while eliminating the need for recalibration and alignment. Further, the present invention can be modified to accommodate a number of different types of firearm accessories as well as being suited for mounting onto any type of known firearm configurations. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit. 
   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.