A self-aligning flip-up mechanism for aiming devices for use 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 causes the aiming device to self-align itself as it moves into an operational position. Vertical position repeatability is assured by the location of alignment surfaces in the sight which come into contact with alignment chamfers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms sighting 
devices, and more particularly to a self-aligning mechanism for sighting 
devices which protrudes from the firearm when being used and folds down 
into the firearm's general contour when not in use. 
Sighting mechanisms for firearms, such as rifles, shotguns and handguns, 
are generally bulky and protrude outside the firearm's general contour. 
This creates a greater opportunity for the sighting mechanism to be caught 
on clothing or brush when carried and knocked out of alignment from this 
contact or contact with other solid objects. Prior art devices which 
address this problem require re-alignment of the sighting mechanism before 
each use. Although this may be acceptable in a controlled environment such 
as a gun range, or the like, it is not acceptable during "field use," such 
as hunting or combat environments where immediate, fully aligned use of 
the sight is required. 
Field use requires a sighting mechanism that is located out of the way, 
i.e., within the firearm's general contour, during times of non-use, 
thereby providing a stream-lined profile, yet quickly engageable for times 
of immediate use or need. 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. The sighting mechanism must have the ability to be consistently 
and quickly engaged, and provide accurate aiming. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
devices now present in the prior art and the requirements for sighting 
devices in field use, the present invention provides an improved method of 
compacting and activating optical and iron sight sighting device. As such, 
the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved 
engagement method for firearms sighting devices which has the ability to 
consistently and quickly engage, and provide accurate aiming, while not 
interfering with other ancillary aiming devices and attachments. 
To attain this, the present invention provides a self-aligning flip-up 
sight. The present invention sighting device folds against a receiver 
sleeve mounting area or other desirable location, thereby keeping the 
sighting device within the firearm'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 present invention sighting device self-aligns itself as it 
moves into an operational position, thereby providing accurate and 
consistent aiming. 
The present invention self-aligning, flip-up sight consists of a sighting 
mechanism mounted on the rear of a receiver top section or elsewhere that 
provides optimum usage. The sighting mechanism is restrained against the 
rear of the receiver sleeve by a simple clamp until needed. Upon need, the 
clamp is finger-rotated. A torsional spring then causes the sighting 
mechanism, to flip-up into a vertical aiming position. This vertical 
position is assured repeatability by the location of alignment surfaces in 
the sighting mechanism which come into contact with alignment chamfers. 
Thus the sighting mechanisms of the instant invention can be carried in a 
down position until needed, and then can quickly and accurately be 
released into a repeatable up position where they can be used to sight in 
a target. 
The invention allows two basic types of sighting devices, i.e., "iron" 
sights and compact single optic frames with lens projected beam optics, to 
fold into a down position and be engaged in battery for repeat accurate 
alignment. The invention also addresses the rigid but fragile single frame 
optics' proneness to damage from external forces by including brush 
deflectors and a fold and protect capability not normally required for 
iron sights to this extent. 
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 preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by 
like numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 a left side elevational view of a 
conventional combat firearm 10 having a stock 11, upper receiver 12, lower 
receiver 17, barrel 16, pistol grip 13 and magazine 14. This firearm 10 
has a Swan universal receiver sleeve 2, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
5,142,806, dated Sep. 1, 1992, mounted on the top 15 of the upper receiver 
12. U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,806 is incorporated herein by reference. 
For purposes of exposition, the longitudinal axis of the firearm 10 is 
defined as extending from the stock 11 through the barrel 16. The firearm 
longitudinal axis will be considered to be in a horizontal plane. The 
vertical axis will be considered from the magazine 14 and/or grip 13 
through the lower receiver 17 and to the upper receiver 12, with "up" 
being in the direction of the upper receiver 12 and "down" being in the 
direction of the magazine 14 and/or grip 13. Rearward will refer to a 
direction toward the stock 11 and forward will refer to a direction toward 
the barrel 16. Right and left sides are determined looking from the stock 
11 toward the barrel 16. 
The invention 1 is a self-aligning flip-up sight for firearms and is 
comprised of three major components: a base 20, a U-shaped alignment 
member 50, and a sight housing 80. The sight housing 80 contains the 
actual aiming device. The invention 1 is designed to be mounted preferably 
on a Swan universal receiver sleeve 2, extended rigid frame receiver 
sleeve 3, or buffered attachment device 4 attached to the top 15 of a 
firearm upper receiver 12. However, the invention 1 may be used in place 
of or in conjunction with most firearm sighting mechanisms. In the 
following described embodiment, the invention 1 is described in 
conjunction with the sleeve 2. 
As may be most clearly seen in FIGS. 5, 6 & 10, the base 20 is formed as 
part of and extending rearwardly from the universal receiver sleeve 2. The 
base 20 has a generally flat upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22 which 
has a cross-sectional profile identical to the cross-sectional profile of 
the receiver sleeve bottom 48. The base 20 has a right side 23, a left 
side 24, front 25 and rear 26. Two identical, vertical and parallel 
mounting tabs 28a and 28b extend perpendicularly upward from the base 
upper surface 21. The tabs 28a, 28b are thin, have a rectangular shape and 
lie in vertical parallel planes a predetermined distance apart. The tab 
planes are parallel to the base sides 23, 24. The tabs 28a, 28b begin 
nearly at the base front 25 and extend rearwardly approximately 1/4 of the 
base longitudinal distance. A spring trough 29 is shaped into the base 
upper surface 21 between the tabs 28a, 28b. The width of the trough 29 is 
defined by the separation between the tabs 28a, 28b. The trough 29 begins 
at the base front 25 and extends rearwardly approximately 1/2 of the base 
longitudinal distance. The tabs 28 a, 28b have symmetrical inner faces 44a 
and 44b in apposition with bottom inner edges terminating at the spring 
trough 29. The mounting tabs 28a and 28b also have symmetrical outer faces 
45a and 45b terminating at the base upper surface 21. Two narrow alignment 
surfaces 27a and 27b are channeled into the base upper surface 21 between 
each mounting tab 28a, 28b and the adjacent base side 23, 24. The 
alignment surfaces 27a and 27b begin at the base front 25 and extend 
rearwardly approximately 1/2 of the base longitudinal distance. The outer 
face 45a of mounting tab 28a faces and is perpendicular to alignment 
surface 27a and the outer face 45b of the mounting tab 28b faces and is 
perpendicular to the alignment surface 27b. The mounting tabs 28a, 28b 
each have a spring pin hole 46 located in the their forward lower 
quadrants perpendicular to the inner faces 44a, 44b and outer faces 45a, 
45b with a common center. The mounting tabs 28a, 28b also each have a 
rotational spring pin hole 47 located in the their rearward upper 
quadrants perpendicular to the inner faces 44a, 44b and outer faces 45a, 
45b with a common center and parallel to the spring pin hole 46. The front 
25 of the base, located against the rear edge of the receiver sleeve 2 and 
immediately forward, adjacent and between the tabs 28a, 28b, is raised 
forming an arc shaped section 32 with a vertical height equal to 
approximately 1/3 the vertical height of the tabs 28a, 28b. 
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8, the 
U-shaped alignment member 50 has two vertical sides 51a, 51b and a front 
face 52 with a rectangular cutout 53. Each vertical side 51a, 51b has an 
inner surface 54a, 54b, outer surface 55a, 55b, rear 58a, 58b, front 59a, 
59b, bottom 60a, 60b and top 61a, 6lb. The inner surfaces 54a, 54b, are 
defined as the facing surfaces of the vertical sides 51a, 51b, 
respectively. The vertical sides have inner surfaces 54a, 54b are in 
apposition in parallel planes and the vertical sides' outer surfaces 55a, 
55b the same predetermined distance from the inner faces 54a, 54b. The 
inner faces 54a and 54b and outer faces 55a and 55b are all parallel to 
one another. The vertical sides 51a, 51b also have a spring pin hole 46 
located in the their forward lower quadrants perpendicular to the inner 
surfaces 54a, 54b and outer surfaces 55a, 55b with a common center. The 
vertical sides 51a, 51b also each have a rotational spring pin hole 47 
located in their rearward upper quadrants perpendicular to the inner faces 
54a, 54b and outer faces 55a, 55b with a common center and parallel to the 
spring pin hole 46. The spring pin hole 46 and rotational spring pin hole 
47 of the U-shaped alignment member 50 are located such that they share 
common centers with the holes in the mounting tabs 28a and 28b and are 
parallel to one another. When the U-shaped alignment member inner faces 
54a and 54b are affixed adjacent to the outer faces 45a and 45b of the 
mounting tabs 28a and 28b, the top portion 56 of the front cutout 53 rests 
nearly on the base front arc-shaped section 32. The U-shaped alignment 
member 50 is attached to the mounting tabs 28a and 28b by a spring pin 95 
as installed through the common spring pin holes 46. Alternatively, other 
fasteners such as bolts or rivets could be used. The spring pin 95 is 
inserted through both vertical sides 51a and 51b of the U-shaped alignment 
member 50 and the mounting tabs 28a and 28b via the common center spring 
pin hole 46. 
The sight housing 80 has two parallel plates, a catch plate 81 and an 
adjustment plate 82, positioned in vertical planes. The catch plate 81 
terminates in a foot end 83b and the adjustment plate 82 terminates in a 
foot end 83a. The sight housing 80 is further defined by an upper aperture 
84 between the catch plate 81 and the adjustment plate 82. The upper 
aperture 84 houses the invention aiming means. The aiming means is 
comprised of an L-shaped aiming element 105 with two ends and a center 
106, said center 106 being mounted on a sight adjustment screw 85 
positioned and attached between the catch plate 81 and the adjustment 
plate 82. The element 105 contains a circular aiming peep sight 87a, 87b 
on each end. An arced spring 86 is attached along the bottom of the upper 
aperture 84 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base 20. The arced 
spring 86 applies pressure against the aiming element center 106 thereby 
allowing the element 105 to rotate approximately 90 degrees around the 
sight adjustment screw 85 and hold in position. A sight adjustment knob 76 
is attached to one end of the sight adjustment screw 85 wherein the aiming 
element 105 is adapted to be moved across the sight adjustment screw 85 as 
the sight adjustment knob 76 is turned. The sight housing 80 is further 
defined by a lower aperture 88 which has an inside surface bounded by the 
catch plate 81, the adjustment plate 82, and alignment surfaces 89a and 
89b, described in detail below. 
In the invention open position, the sight housing lower aperture 88 is 
positioned over the outer faces 55a and 55b of the U-shaped alignment 
member 50 such that a rotational spring pin hole 47 in the sight housing 
80 shares a common center with the rotational spring pin hole 47 in the 
alignment plates 51a and 51b of the U-shaped alignment member 50 and the 
rotational spring pin hole 47 in the mounting tabs 28a and 28b. A 
rotational spring pin 70 is then inserted into the rotational spring pin 
hole 47 attaching the sight housing 80, U-shaped alignment member 50 and 
the mounting tabs 28a and 28b together. The sight housing 80 is attached 
by the rotational spring pin 70 to the alignment plates 51a and 51b and 
the mounting tabs 28a and 28b such that the sight housing 80 can rotate 
about the rotational spring pin 70 a predetermined amount. The spring pin 
70 affixes the inside faces 54a and 54b of the U-shaped alignment member 
50 adjacent to the outside faces 45a and 45b of the mounting tabs 28a and 
28b and the inside surfaces of the catch plate 81 and the adjustment plate 
82 of the sight housing 80 to the outer faces 55a and 55b of the U-shaped 
member 50. Alternatively, other fasteners such as bolts or rivets could be 
used. 
A finger release clamp 90 holds the sight housing 80 in a the closed 
position against the base 20. The finger release clamp 90 engages a pin 
catch slot 71 formed in the catch plate 81 thereby holding the sight 
housing 80 in a normally closed first position. The finger release clamp 
90 is mounted in a pin bore 36 which is drilled into the base rear 26 
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 2. The base rear 26 
has an arced face 30 sloping rearward from a stepped ledge 39 formed at 
the base rear 26 thereby creating a surface for index marks 40. A 
resistance spring 41 is mounted in a resistance bore 42 formed in the 
arced face 30 thereby providing resistive force against rotation of the 
finger release clamp 90. The resistance bore 42 is located parallel to the 
longitudinal axis of the sleeve 2, and drilled into the arced face 30. A 
half-cylindrical notch 34 is formed in the flat upper surface 21 just 
forward of the stepped ledge 39. The longitudinal axis of the notch 34 is 
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base 20. The purpose of the 
notch 34 is to provide a place in the base for the clamp 90 to fold into, 
out of the way, when it is not holding the sight housing 80 in a down 
position. Another notch 92 is formed in the rear of the catch plate 81. 
The purpose of the this catch plate notch 92 is to avoid damage to the 
sight housing 80 if it gets knocked down with great force into the clamp 
90 partially protruding from the base notch 34. 
Rotating the finger release clamp 90 in a rearward direction disengages the 
finger release clamp 90 from the pin catch slot 71 and allows rotation of 
the sight housing 80 from the normally closed first position to the open 
second position. A torsional spring 72 urges the sight housing 80 from the 
closed first position to a vertical open second position. The torsional 
spring 72 surrounds the rotational spring pin 70 in the lower aperture 88 
area between the foot ends 83a and 83b. One end 73 of the torsional spring 
72 rests in the spring trough 29 and a second end 74 is located in a sight 
housing spring cavity 75. The spring cavity 75 is located perpendicular to 
the upper surface of the lower aperture 88. The first 73 and second 74 
ends of the torsional spring 70 are located such that the sight housing 80 
is urged in a forward direction to the same approximately vertical 
position around the rotational spring pin 70 when the finger release clamp 
90 is disengaged from the pin catch slot 71. 
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by 
like numerals, there is shown in FIG. 2 a perspective view of a 
self-aligning flip-up sight 1 in the normally closed first position, as 
configured at the rear of a universal receiver sleeve 2. This shows the 
relative position of a sight housing 80 as held in the closed first 
position by a finger release clamp 90. Also can be seen the rear 
adjustable aiming element 105, a sight adjustment screw 85, and a sight 
adjustment knob 76, which allows a user to compensate for wind adjustments 
when utilizing the sight 105. Turning the sight adjustment knob 76, the 
aiming element 105 is moved across the sight adjustment screw 85 providing 
a means for adjusting the aim. Alternatively, other sight adjustment 
mechanisms could be used. 
CHAMFER SYSTEM 
Consistent vertical positioning of the sight housing 80 is accomplished 
with the aid of alignment chamfers 57a and 57b, formed on the tops 61a, 
61b of the U-shaped alignment member vertical sides 51a, 51b, just forward 
of the rotational spring holes 47 and extending nearly to the fronts 59a, 
59b. The alignment chamfers 57a and 57b begin at the innersurface-top 
edges 54a-61a, 54b-61b and slope downward toward the outersurface-top 
edges 55a-61a, 55b-61b. In this embodiment of the invention, the chamfer 
slopes are at a forty-five degree angle and the longitudinal axis of the 
alignment chamfers 57a, 57b are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the 
base 20. 
The sight housing 80 has corresponding alignment surfaces 89a and 89b. When 
the sight housing 80 is released to the open second position, the 
alignment surfaces 89a and 89b are wedged against the alignment chamfers 
57a, 57b, respectively, bringing the sight housing 80 to rest in the same 
vertical position every time it is released. The alignment surfaces 89a, 
89b in this embodiment have a forty-five degree upward slope from the 
catch and adjustment plates 81, 82. The slopes of the alignment surfaces 
89a, 89b correspond to the slopes of the alignment chamfers 57a, 57b. 
Repeatability is further ensured by the "squeezing" action of the 
alignment surface 89b and catch plate 81 against the U-shaped alignment 
vertical side 51b toward the base mounting tab 28b, and the corresponding 
"squeezing" action of the alignment surface 89a and adjustment plate 82 
against the U-shaped alignment vertical side 51a toward the base mounting 
tab 28a. This ensures repeated and accurate alignment of the U-shaped 
alignment member vertical sides 51a, 51b during each movement of the sight 
housing 80 to the open, second position. 
The consistent vertical positioning of the sight housing 80 is also aided 
by the clearance of the adjustment plate foot end 83a and catch plate foot 
end 83b from the alignment recesses 27a, 27b when the sight housing 80 is 
released to the vertical open second position. Both the clearance of the 
foot ends 83a, 83b from the alignment recesses 27a, 27b and the chamfer 
system allow the self-aligning flip-up sight 80 to be carried in the 
normally closed first position streamlining the weapon profile. The 
self-aligning flip-up sight 1, only when needed, is released to a 
consistent open second position while providing instantaneous consistent 
accurate sighting, minimizing the possibility of the sighting mechanism 
being knocked out of alignment. 
The above-described embodiment used a conventional firearm "iron" peep 
sight as the aiming device. However, 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. 
FIGS. 13 through 20 describe embodiments of the invention wherein the 
"iron" aiming element 105 of the above invention embodiment is replaced 
with an optics sight using flat aiming optics. However, the basic sight 
apparatus is the same whether or not an "iron" aiming element is used or 
an optics sight is used. To avoid redundancy, the "iron" aiming sight 105 
was described in conjunction with the universal receiver sleeve 2; and the 
optics sight 5 will be described with the extended receiver sleeve 3 and 
buffered attachment device 4. Notwithstanding this expositions, the "iron" 
sight and optics sight are interchangeable. 
FIG. 19 illustrates the detail of the actual flip-up mechanism for the 
different optics embodiment combinations shown. The resulting 
self-alignment flip-up optic sight 5 is comprised of the invention base 
20, U-shaped alignment member 50 and a modified sight housing 180. The 
optic sight 5 in one embodiment of the invention is used with an extended 
rigid frame receiver sleeve 3. The extended rigid frame receiver sleeve 3, 
itself, is more fully described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. applications Ser. 
No. 07/859,958, dated Apr. 30, 1992, and Ser. No. 29/010,110, dated Jun. 
30, 1993, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
The optic sight 5 sight housing 180 eliminates the "iron" aiming element 
105 and replaces the original sight housing catch plate 81 and adjustment 
plate 82 with a circular frame 181 joined to two plate like extensions 
182a, 182b corresponding to the original catch plate 81 and adjustment 
plate 82. Within the circular frame 181 are an aiming optics lens 187 for 
use in conjunction with a separate illumination means 155 described more 
fully below. Each plate extension 182a, 182b terminates in a foot end 
183a, 183b, respectively. The original sight housing upper aperture 84, 
sight adjustment screw 85, arced spring 86 and aiming element 105 are 
replaced by the circular frame 181. The sight housing 180 has the same 
lower aperture 188 as the original 88 and is bounded by the plate 
extensions 182a, 182b and alignment surfaces 189a, 189b (see original 
alignment surfaces 89a, 89b). 
As with the original embodiment, in the invention open position, the sight 
housing lower aperture 188 is positioned over the outer faces 55a and 55b 
of the U-shaped alignment member 50 such that a rotational spring pin hole 
47 in the sight housing 180 shares a common center with the rotational 
spring pin hole 47 in the alignment plates 51a and 51b of the U-shaped 
alignment member 50 and the rotational spring pin hole 47 in the mounting 
tabs 28a and 28b. A rotational spring pin 170 is then inserted into the 
rotational spring pin hole 47 attaching the sight housing 180, U-shaped 
alignment member 50 and the mounting tabs 28a and 28b together. The sight 
housing 180 is attached by the rotational spring pin 170 to the alignment 
plates 51a and 51b and the mounting tabs 28a and 28b such that the sight 
housing 180 can rotate about the rotational spring pin 170 a predetermined 
amount. The spring pin 170 affixes the inside faces 54a and 54b of the 
U-shaped alignment member 50 adjacent to the outside faces 45a and 45b of 
the mounting tabs 28a and 28b and the inside surfaces of the plate 
extensions 182a, 182b to the outer faces 55a and 55b of the U-shaped 
member 50. Alternatively, other fasteners such as bolts or rivets could be 
used. 
A finger release clamp 90 identical to the original embodiment holds the 
sight housing 180 in a the closed position against the base 20. The finger 
release clamp 90 engages a pin catch slot 171 formed in the circular frame 
181 thereby holding the sight housing 180 in a normally closed first 
position. The finger release clamp 90 is mounted in a pin bore 36 which is 
drilled into the base rear 26 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of 
the sleeve 2. 
Rotating the finger release clamp 90 in a rearward direction disengages the 
finger release clamp 90 from the pin catch slot 171 and allows rotation of 
the sight housing 180 from the normally closed first position to the open 
second position. A torsional spring 172 urges the sight housing 180 from 
the closed first position to a vertical open second position. The 
torsional spring 172 surrounds the rotational spring pin 170 in the lower 
aperture 188 area between the foot ends 183a and 183b. One end 173 of the 
torsional spring 172 rests in the spring trough 29 and a second end 174 is 
located in a sight housing spring cavity 175. The spring cavity 175 is 
located perpendicular to the upper surface of the lower aperture 188. The 
first 173 and second 174 ends of the torsional spring 170 are located such 
that the sight housing 180 is urged in a forward direction to the same 
approximately vertical position around the rotational spring pin 170 when 
the finger release clamp 90 is disengaged from the pin catch slot 171. 
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by 
like numerals, there is shown in FIG. 17 a side elevational view of a 
self-aligning flip-up optics sight 5 in the normally closed first 
position. This shows the relative position of the optics sight housing 180 
as held in the closed first position by the finger release clamp 90. FIG. 
18 illustrates the flip-up optics sight 5 of FIG. 17 with the clamp 90 
moved thereby releasing the optics sight housing 180 and allowing it to 
"flip-up" into an operational position. 
FIG. 14 and 15 illustrate the use of the self-aligning flip-up optics sight 
5 used in conjunction with Applicant's extended rigid frame receiver 
sleeve 3. The sleeve's forward portion upper sleeve element top section 
160 has an open, circular, first cavity 150 formed through the sides rails 
162, 163 and into the longitudinal central channel 168. The first cavity 
150 is formed just rearward of the sleeve head assembly 100. The first 
cavity 150 contains the flip-up optics sight 5. A second cavity 151 is 
formed in the longitudinal central channel 168 rearward of the first 
cavity 150. The second cavity 151 contains the illumination means 155 used 
in conjunction with the aiming optics lens 187. The illumination means 155 
may be a laser, or other directed energy illuminator which directs energy 
onto the aiming lens 187. Power is provided top the illumination means 155 
by electrical power from batteries 156 mounted in the sleeve yoke 110. 
Electrical leads (not shown) interconnect the batteries 156 with the 
illumination means 155. 
As may be seen in FIG. 16, various modifications may be made to sight 
housing for ease-of-use in field conditions. Arms 184 may be added to one 
or both sides of the circular frame 181 to prevent brush, vines, and the 
like, from catching onto the lens 187 from the rear and causing damage to 
the lens 187 or sight housing 180. A cap 186 may also be added to the lens 
housing 180 for use when the sight 5 is in the fully closed position. The 
cap 186 is attached to the top 185 of the circular frame 181 and is 
adapted to fits snugly over the frame 181 and provides protection for the 
lens 187 from the elements when the sight is in the closed position. When 
the sight 5 is released to its open, operational position, the cap 186 is 
adapted to being snapped upward and horizontally rearward from the 
generally upright frame 181. The cap 186 then acts as a sun shade and 
provides some protection from falling moisture. 
The principles of the present invention are also applicable to Applicant's 
attachment device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,871, dated Jul. 11, 
1989, and buffered attachment device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,988, 
dated Jan. 11, 1994, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate Applicant's buffered attachment device 4 with a 
self-aligning flip-up optics sight 5 integrated therein. For purposes of 
illustration, the lens cap 186 and arms 184 have been removed. The device 
4 has a forward end 6 and a rearward end 7. The device 4 may be attached 
to any firearm, including pistols. The longitudinal axis of the device 4 
runs between its forward end 6 and its rearward end 7. The longitudinal 
axis of the device 4 is parallel to and coincident with the longitudinal 
axis of the firearm to which it is attached. The unique advantage of this 
embodiment of the invention is that the present invention may be modularly 
added to an existing weapon without modifying the weapon itself. The 
attachment device's interface platform 133, a/k/a locking weaver 
interface, has a central, open, longitudinal channel 134, a/k/a support 
portion, along its length. The channel 134 contains an open, circular, 
first cavity 150 formed into and across the top of the platform 133. The 
first cavity 150 is formed just rearward of the forward end 6 of the 
attachment device 4. The first cavity 150 contains the flip-up optics 
sight 5. A second cavity 151 is formed in the platform rearward of the 
first cavity 150 and just forward of the device rearward end 7. The second 
cavity 151 contains the illumination means 155 used in conjunction with 
the aiming optics 187. The illumination means 155 may be a laser, or other 
directed energy illuminator which directs energy onto the aiming lens 187. 
Power is provided to the illumination means 155 by electrical power from 
batteries (not shown). Electrical leads (not shown) interconnect the 
batteries with the illumination means 155. Power supplies other than 
batteries may also be utilized in the invention. 
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are merely 
illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised 
by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the 
invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.