Stabilizing recoil lug and rail for rifle scope mounting and method of use

A device and method for stabilizing a rifle scope that employs a pocket cut in the bottom of a scope base (picatinny rail) that precisely mates with a key formed on the top of a recoil lug, such that when the scope base is attached to the rifle's action receiver and mated with the lug's key, the lug holds the barrel and the scope base locked in tandem so that they move exactly together during recoil events or any vibrations experienced by the rifle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The demands and expectations for precision long-range shooting have increased. As shooters increase the distances they are shooting, the caliber and recoil of the rifles required to accurately achieve those distances has increased; scopes are getting larger and rifles are getting more powerful. A problem with existing scope mounts is that while scopes are anchored to rifles using rails and/or scope rings, often the rails are attached to an action receiver by only a few small screws. These screws are often not sufficient to anchor a scope exactly in place after repeated shots and, as a result, the scope often shifts slightly or becomes loose. Additionally, scopes can come unseated or loose from a rifle when the rifle is stored in a vehicle or other area and subject to frequent vibration. When the scope comes loose, it requires the shooter to recalibrate the rifle before the rifle can reliably engage a distant target. In an emergency situation, such as a response by a SWAT team, a loose scope can mean the difference between the success and failure of the team.

While previous rails and lugs, such as American Rifle Company's Nucleus Bolt Action Receiver, Rail and Recoil lug, have included a guide channel carved into the bottom of a rail and a keyed lug that can guide a barrel into the same general position under a rail when the barrel is being attached to a receiver, these existing devices do not hold the rail in tandem with the barrel and the action receiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is a device and method for stabilizing a rifle scope that employs a pocket cut in the bottom of a scope base (picatinny rail) that precisely mates with a key formed on the top of a recoil lug, such that when the scope base is attached to the rifle's action receiver and mated with the lug's key, the lug holds the barrel and the scope base locked in tandem so that they move exactly together during recoil events or any vibrations experienced by the rifle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with the references made to the drawings. The components are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present disclosure. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the figures.

The stabilizing recoil lug comprises two main components: a Mil-spec1913rail12(i.e., a picatinny rail, scope base, cross-slotted base or rail,1913rail, top receiver rail, or receiver rail) and a stabilizing recoil lug10(i.e., recoil lug, lug, washer, spacer, recoil ring, ring spacer, ring washer, barrel spacer, receiver spacer, recoil absorption ring, etc.). As shown inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10is positioned in line between the barrel17and the action receiver11. In one embodiment, the scope rings19attach a scope16(i.e., reticle, glass, rifle scope, etc.) to a rail12, the rail12is attached to the action receiver11, and the action receiver sits in a stock15(i.e., buttstock, chassis, etc.). In yet other embodiments, the rail can be used to support night vision or other sighting devices. In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10forms a ring having an external diameter that is the same as the external diameter of the receiver face. In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10fits over the outside threading of the end of the barrel17so that it does not interfere with the screwthreads on the end of the barrel17when the barrel17is screwed into the action receiver11. In another embodiment, the inner circle of the stabilizing recoil lug10can be threaded to receive the threading on the barrel17so that the lug10can be screwed directly onto the barrel17. In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10has the same external diameter as the external diameter of the action receiver11, but in other embodiments the stabilizing recoil lug10can have a smaller or larger diameter than the external diameter of the action receiver11.

In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10is made from aluminum, aluminum alloy (e.g., 6061, 7075, or 7068), titanium, steel, steel alloy, stainless steel (e.g., 300, 303, 304, or 400 grade), or a composite. In one embodiment, a resilient material is used for the lug that will compress to absorb recoil and then expand to its original size.

As shown in exemplaryFIG. 2, a cutaway view of the location designated inFIG. 1, the stabilizing recoil lug10has a bottom with a pin hole10aand a top with a key7(i.e., pin, shaft, fastener, tab, nub, protrusion, protuberance, member, shaft, rod, mandrel, ball, cone, woodruff key, etc.). The barrel17and the action receiver11each have a dorsal surface facing the scope16and a ventral surface facing the stock15. The key7on the dorsal end of the stabilizing recoil lug10extends above the dorsal surface of the barrel17and the action receiver11, and it fits into a pocket (i.e., a keyseat, keyway, slot, groove, opening, detent, collar, collet, etc.) formed out of the bottom of the rail12.

As shown in exemplaryFIG. 3, the rail12has a top and a bottom, and a pocket8in the bottom that is shaped to receive the key7of the stabilizing recoil lug10. In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10has a greater external diameter than the external diameter of the barrel17and equal to the external diameter of the action receiver11. In other embodiments, the diameter of the stabilizing recoil lug10relative to the action receiver11and the barrel17vary. In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10is the same external diameter as the action receiver so that it fits a standard stock15for that receiver without any modifications. In one embodiment, the rings19(i.e., scope rings, scope base rings, clamps, scope stabilizers, etc.) are separate from the scope base12, but in other embodiments, the rings19and the scope base12are integrally formed as a single piece. As an integral unit, the rings19are less adjustable, but also less prone to movement. In one embodiment, the rail12is a standard MIL-spec1913Rail. In other embodiments, the rail is customized to fit a particular scope and action receiver. For example, an integrally formed rail and rings would not need to have the same pattern on top of the rail and would not need a pocket and key. In one example, the disclosed device fits directly to dove tail mounts on the action receiver11. In yet another embodiment, the key7and stabilizing recoil lug10can be used with a two piece rail (not shown) by having a pocket in one of the rails that connects with the key.

In one embodiment, the key7on the stabilizing recoil lug10can be shaped as a square, rectangle, triangle, circle, pyramid, oval, or another geometric shape; provided that the pocket8is shaped to receive it. In one embodiment, the sides of the key7can be tapered or vertical; provided that the pocket8is shaped to receive it. In one embodiment, the key7fits the pocket8tightly, pushed on forced fit, or interference fit, but not hammer tight. In one embodiment, the rim of the uncoated pocket8is about 0.0002 inches wider and 0.0002 inches longer than the key7, leaving 0.0001 inches of clearance on each side. In one embodiment, when the key7is coated (i.e., with KG Coating, Cerakoting, etc.) the key7will be between about 0.0001 wider and thicker than the pocket8. In one embodiment, the ratio of dimensions around the coated key7to the dimensions around the pocket8ranges between about 0.1 to 0.9990 inches and 0.1 to 0.1005 inches. If the key7is more than 0.0005 inches smaller in either width or thickness than the pocket8, then the pocket8will not properly hold the key7, lug10, and rail12in place. If the key7is more than 0.0002 inches wider or thicker than the pocket8, then it will not fit into the pocket8properly. If the key7is uncoated, then the key7should be about 0.0005 thinner and narrower than the pocket8. In one embodiment, the key7is between about 0.0005 to 0.0001 inches narrower and thinner than the pocket8. The coating provides some flexibility and fills in the gaps, which allows the key7to fit the pocket8tightly. In one embodiment, when the key7is coated, it will connect to the pocket8with an “interference fit.” In one embodiment, if an uncoated key7is used, then it will be sized appropriately to connect to the pocket8with an “interference fit.” In many embodiments, the pocket8is uncoated. In some embodiments, the pocket8may also be coated or coated instead of the key7.

As shown inFIG. 4, when the rail12is seated on the action receiver11, the bottom of the rail12fits the dorsal surface of the action receiver11. In one embodiment, screws20hold the rail12against the action receiver11. In one embodiment, as shown in the cutaway portion ofFIG. 4, the stabilizing recoil lug10fits between the barrel17, the action receiver11, and the rail12without leaving any gaps that could lead to instability. As shown inFIG. 5, the screws20are separated or apart from the stabilizing recoil lug10. In one embodiment, the key7fits snugly into the pocket8. The key7does not interfere with the attachment screws20.

In one embodiment, the key7can be permanently attached to the pocket8, for example, it can be welded, fused, soldered, screwed, attached with Loctite or an adhesive. In such an embodiment, the position of the rail12relative to the lug10is reinforced.

As shown inFIG. 6, in one embodiment, the pocket8is slightly deeper than the key7so that the top of the key7does not touch the top of the pocket when the rail12is attached to the action receiver11. In one embodiment, there is no gap between the sidewalls of the pocket8and the sidewalls of the key7. In one embodiment, the pinhole10ain the stabilizing recoil lug10aligns with a pinhole11ain the action receiver11. The pinhole11ain the action receiver is present on most action receivers and the pinhole10ain the stabilizing recoil lug10can match the diameter of the pinhole for a particular action receiver11. In one embodiment, the diameter of the stabilizing recoil lug10is the same as the diameter of the action receiver11at the point where the action receiver11touches the stabilizing recoil lug10.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a lug configured to sit in line between a barrel and an action receiver, said lug having a top and a bottom, and the action receiver having a dorsal surface, the top of the lug further comprising a key; and a rail configured to attach to the dorsal surface of the action receiver, the rail having a bottom, and the bottom of the rail further comprising a pocket to receive the key. When the key is in the pocket, the key holds the rail in tandem with the lug and both the rail and the lug move together with the barrel and action receiver. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a key having a top and a pocket having a ceiling, the key being shorter than the pocket, such that when the key is in the pocket there is a gap between the top of the key and the ceiling of the pocket. The device also has a pocket having at least three walls and a key having at least three sides, wherein when the key is in the pocket, each one of the at least three sides of the key touches at least one of the at least three walls of the pocket. In one embodiment, the key has a single, continuous side that forms a circle, oval or other shaped key without corners around the circumference of the key. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a pinhole in the lug, the pinhole corresponding to a pinhole of about the same size on an action receiver, wherein the lug can be pinned to the receiver by inserting a pin through both the pinhole on the lug and the pinhole on the action receiver.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an integrally formed rail and lug, the rail omitting the pocket and the lug omitting the key, wherein the lug and rail are conjoined, molded, or printed (e.g., 3D printed) as a single piece. In one embodiment, the lug is a separate piece from the rail, and the sides of the key are permanently attached to the walls of the pocket.

In another embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug comprises a washer configured to sit between a barrel and an action receiver, said washer having a protrusion on at least one side; the protrusion configured to fit into a pocket on the bottom of a picatinny rail; wherein when the protrusion is in the pocket, the key holds the rail in tandem with the washer and both the rail and the washer move together with the barrel and action receiver. In one embodiment, the lug further comprises a protrusion having a top and a pocket having a ceiling, the protrusion being shorter than the pocket, such that when the protrusion is in the pocket there is a gap between the between the top of the protrusion and the ceiling of the pocket. In one embodiment, the device of the current disclosure further comprises a pocket having at least three walls and a protrusion having at least three sides, wherein when the protrusion is in the pocket, each one of the at least three sides of the protrusion touches at least one of the at least three walls of the pocket. In one embodiment, the protrusion has a single, continuous side that forms a circle, oval or other curved shape without corners around the circumference of the key. In one embodiment, the sides of the protrusion fit the walls of the pocket with an interference fit.

In yet another embodiment, the device comprises a rail for attaching a scope to a rifle, the device having a Mil-spec1913rail, with a top and a bottom, the bottom of the rail further comprising a keyseat. The keyseat having a geometric shape to receive a matching key on a recoil lug. The rail can be a retrofit of an existing rail to fit the key on a recoil lug. When the rail is seated on an action receiver and a lug with a matching key is positioned between the action receiver and a barrel, the matching key fits into the keyseat. In one embodiment, the device includes a keyseat having at least three sides and a rail having two ends, the keyseat located off center toward one end of the rail.

In one embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10can be pinned to the action receiver11through pinholes10aand11a. In another embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10can be pinned to the action receiver11using pinholes on the sides or top of the stabilizing recoil lug10; provided that the action receiver11has a pinhole in the same location to receive a pin. In one embodiment, each pinhole is about 0.093 inches in diameter. In another embodiment, the stabilizing recoil lug10can be permanently attached to the action receiver11, for example, it can be welded, fused, soldered, screwed, or attached using Loctite or an adhesive. Alternatively, the stabilizing recoil lug10can be integral to the receiver.

As shown inFIG. 7, in one embodiment, the rail12connects to the action receiver with four screws20. In another embodiment, the rail12connects with two screws20. In yet another embodiment, the rail12connects with six screws. In one embodiment, the screws20are inset in the top of the rail12so that they are flush and will not interfere with the rings19. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the key7is rectangular with a radius edge and fits into a matching shaped pocket. In one embodiment, the key7is triangular and fits into a matching pocket8.

In additional embodiments, the rail12is a minute of angle (MOA) rail that roughly forms a triangle having a base that fits the action receiver11with the hypotenuse of the triangle-shaped rail forming the accessory attachment edge of the rail. The key7on the stabilizing recoil lug10can be made to fit any MOA rail. Existing rails can also be retrofitted to fit the key7by drilling, routing, or machining a pocket in the existing rail to receive the key.

In additional embodiments, the key7can be pinned to the receiver11using holes drilled through the rail12that correspond to holes drilled in the key7. In other embodiments, the rail can be welded, fused, soldered, or attached using Loctite or an adhesive to the key7on the stabilizing recoil lug10.

Using the device to stabilize a scope16and hold it in tandem to the rifle's barrel17can be accomplished in a number of steps. The method for maintaining the calibration of a rifle scope16on a rifle1comprises the following steps: positioning a lug10on a threaded end of a barrel17between the barrel17and an action receiver11, the lug10having a top, a key7and an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the lug10being about equal to an external diameter of the threaded end of the barrel17, and the action receiver11having a dorsal surface, the key7extending from the top of the lug10above the dorsal surface of the action receiver11, and fastening a rail12to the dorsal surface of the action receiver11using fasteners, the rail12having a top and a bottom, and a pocket8located in the bottom of the rail12. The key7fits the pocket8of the rail12when the rail12is fastened to the action receiver11and connects the rail12to the barrel17. In one embodiment of the method, the lug10further comprises a key7having a top and the rail12further comprising a pocket8having a ceiling, the key7being shorter than the pocket8, such that when the key7is in the pocket8there is a gap between the between the top of the key7and the ceiling of the pocket8. In one embodiment of the method, the rail12further comprises a pocket8having at least three walls and the lug10having a key7with at least three sides. In one embodiment, the key7has a single, continuous side that forms a circle, oval or other curved shape around the circumference of the key7. When the key7is in the pocket8, each one of the at least three sides of the key7touches at least one of walls of the pocket8. In one embodiment of the method, there is an additional step of permanently attaching the key7of the lug10to the pocket8of the rail12. In one embodiment of the method, the lug10further comprises a pinhole10a, the pinhole10acorresponding to a pinhole11aof about the same size on an action receiver11, and the method further comprising the step of pinning the lug10to the action receiver11by inserting a pin through both the pinhole10aon the lug and the pinhole11aon the action receiver. In one embodiment of the method, the sides of the key7fit the walls of the pocket8with an interference fit.

In one embodiment of the method, a rail can be retrofitted by cutting or machining a pocket from the bottom of the rail, the pocket corresponding to the shape of the key on a lug of the present disclosure. By retrofitting and existing rail, a rail may simply be upgraded to include a pocket through minimal machining so that it will mate with the key of a recoil lug of the present disclosure, so that the retrofitted rail can be used together with the lug of the present disclosure to stabilize the scope of a rifle.