Patent Publication Number: US-11644280-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for optical adapter for firearm slide

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/977,903, filed Feb. 18, 2020, and incorporates the disclosure by reference. To the extent that the present disclosure conflicts with any referenced application, however, the present disclosure is to be given priority. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     Gun sights are used to help improve accuracy and there are many different types of sights available to choose from. A common type of gun sight that typically comes standard on handguns is an iron sight which consists of a forward component and a rear component that in combination help a user direct the projectile towards a target. While very common, iron sights, may not always be the preferred type of sight for a given firearm. For example, a telescopic sight may be more useful for long range targets when using a rifle. Laser sights and reflex based optical sights may be used in place of an iron sight on a handgun to provide the user with a more highly visible sight. 
     It is not always possible to simply replace an iron sight with a different type of sight. For example, certain types of optical sights are manufactured with a standard profile that can be connected to the top of a firearm. This standard profile, however, may not fit every type of firearm. For example, some handguns manufactured prior to the broad use of optical sights may have a profile that cannot be easily adapted to mount an optical sight due to the narrowness or roundness of an uppermost surface of the slide mechanism of the firearm. Adapters for the slide mechanism have attempted to allow optical sights to be used with these types of firearms but suffer from various drawbacks such as not being sufficiently strong enough to endure the recoil forces on the slide mechanism when the firearm is fired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     An apparatus and method for modifying a handgun to accept an optical sight comprises a modified slide mechanism adapted to include a flat recessed rear section configured to receive an adapter plate for mounting an optical sight. Various embodiments include modified internal components used to replace stock components what will no longer fit within the modified profile of the slide mechanism. Replacement of the slide mechanism and associated internal components will allow a user to add an optical sight to an existing handgun. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. 
         FIG.  1    representatively illustrates an unmodified prior art slide in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  2    representatively illustrates a modified slide for receiving an optical sight in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  3    representatively illustrates a partially assembled modified slide with a modified safety lever and modified plunger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  4    representatively illustrates an adapter plate connected to the modified slide in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  5    representatively illustrates a side view of an optical sight connected to the adapter plate and the modified slide in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  6    representatively illustrates a front perspective view of the optical sight connected to the adapter plate shown in  FIG.  5    in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  7    representatively illustrates a perspective view of an adapter plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  8    representatively illustrates a top view of the adapter plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  9    representatively illustrates a side view of the adapter plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  10    representatively illustrates an end view of adapter plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  11    representatively illustrates a rear and side view of a prior art firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  12    representatively illustrates a rear and side view of a modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  13    representatively illustrates a perspective view of the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  14    representatively illustrates a rear view of the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  15    representatively illustrates a top view of the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  16    representatively illustrates a prior art firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  17    representatively illustrates a modified firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  18    representatively illustrates a perspective view of the modified firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  19    representatively illustrates a left side view of the modified firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  20    representatively illustrates a top view of the modified firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  21    representatively illustrates a right side view of the modified firing pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  22    representatively illustrates a rear view of the modified firing pin engaging the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  23    representatively illustrates a rear top perspective view of the modified firing pin engaging the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  24    representatively illustrates a top side view of the modified firing pin engaging the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  25    representatively illustrates a right view of the modified firing pin engaging the modified firing pin block in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  26    representatively illustrates a prior art safety lever in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  27    representatively illustrates a modified safety lever in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  28    representatively illustrates a prior art plunger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  29    representatively illustrates a modified plunger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  30    representatively illustrates a prior art extractor pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and 
         FIG.  31    representatively illustrates a modified extractor pin in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various materials, finishes, dimensions, and geometries, which may carry out a variety of operations suited to a specified application or environment. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems configured for operation with firearms, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the technology. Further, the present technology may employ any number of conventional techniques for machining, metalworking, and gunsmithing. 
     Methods and apparatus for an optical adapter for a firearm slide according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any type of handgun or various slide mechanisms used in firearms. Various representative implementations of the present technology may be applied to retrofitting an existing semi-automatic handgun, modifying a new firearm, or manufacturing a new firearm. For example, the described technology may be used to replace or modify an original factory installed slide mechanism and one or more internal components of a Beretta® model 92 pistol, and other like models such as: the Taurus® PT92, Girsan® Regard MC, Helwan 920, Vektor Z88, SP1, and SP2, Yavuz 16, and the AT92, to provide a suitable surface for mounting an optical sight on the pistol when the slide mechanism as originally manufactured is not suitable for receiving a mounted optical sight. 
     For example, and referring to  FIG.  1   , a prior art unmodified slide mechanism  100  may comprise an upper surface  102 , a lower portion  104 , a selector switch or safety lever  106 , and an open barrel portion  108 . The upper surface  102  may be unsuitable for mounting an optical sight because the upper surface  102  is either too narrow or too round to provide an adequate surface capable of receiving an optical sight and holding it in position during use. Further, a top surface of firing pin block  110  may sit generally flush with the upper surface  102  prior to and after firing but may moves upwards and extend above the upper surface  102  by small amount, such as by about 0.5-2.0 millimeters, when the trigger is pulled. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2  and  4   , a modified slide mechanism  200  may comprise a body having a flat upper surface  202  that is recessed below a top most surface  218  of the body located aft of an open barrel portion  208 , and a lower portion  204 . A first set of mounting holes  206  may be created in the flat upper surface  202  and used to connect to an adapter plate  402 . A forward end  210  of the flat upper surface  202  may be angled, beveled, notched, or otherwise configured to create a more secure connection between the modified slide mechanism  200  and the adapter plate  402 . 
     The recessed the flat upper surface  202  may be formed by modifying an existing stock slide mechanism. For example, an upper surface of a factory manufactured stock slide mechanism may be machined to form the recessed the flat upper surface  202 . This modified slide mechanism may then be used in place of the original stock slide mechanism. Alternatively, the flat upper surface  202  may be formed as part of a replacement slide mechanism that was manufactured as a direct replacement for a stock slide mechanism. 
     Whether by modifying a stock slide mechanism or replacing a stock slide mechanism with a replacement, the flat upper surface  202  may expose interior components of the slide mechanism or render existing stock internal components nonfunctional. For example, if the prior art unmodified slide mechanism  100  is modified according to the present technology, the recessed flat upper surface  202  may extend downwards into the upper surface of the unmodified slide mechanism  100  such that a first opening  212  for a standard firing pin block  110  (See  FIG.  11   ), a recess  214  for a standard retention pin for the firing pin block  110 , and a second opening  216  for a standard extractor pin  3002  (See  FIG.  30   ) may be exposed. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first and second openings  212 ,  216  and recess  214  indicate areas within the unmodified slide mechanism  100  where the standard firing pin block  110 , extractor pin  3002 , and retention pin were located prior to the removal of a portion of the upper surface  102 . With the portion of the upper surface  102  removed, the standard firing pin block  110 , extractor pin  3002 , and retention pin no longer function as intended and must be replaced with modified components configured to fit within the smaller profile of the modified slide mechanism  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , when the modified slide mechanism  200  is assembled, a modified extractor pin  304  (See also  FIG.  29   ) may be installed such that it does not extend above the flat upper surface  202 . A modified selector switch or safety lever  302  may also be installed within modified slide mechanism  200 , wherein the safety lever  302  may also be configured to function within the smaller profile by having a reduced radius on an upper surface that does not extend above the flat upper surface  202 . For example, referring now to  FIGS.  26  and  27   , a prior art safety lever  106  may comprise an upper radius  2602  that is significantly larger than the upper radius  2702  of the modified safety lever  302 . Similarly, with particular reference to  FIGS.  28  and  29   , a standard safety plunger  2802  may be replaced with a modified safety plunger  2902  that has a smaller length to accommodate the smaller radius of the modified safety lever  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 - 10   , an adapter plate  402  may be connected to the flat upper surface  202  to provide a secure mounting location for an optics assembly  500  such as a reflex sight or red dot optic sight. The adapter plate  402  may comprise any suitable components configured to connect the adapter plate  402  to the flat upper surface  202  and the optics assembly  500 . 
     The adapter plate  402  may comprise a substantially flat top surface  702  and an underside surface  704  that may at least partially conform to the top surface of the slide mechanism  200 . Alternatively, the underside surface  704  may be flat and configured to mate up against the flat upper surface  202  of the modified slide mechanism  200 . A second set of mounting holes  406  may be positioned on the adapter plate  402  to allow the adapter plate  402  to be coupled to the mating first set of mounting holes  206  on the flat upper surface  202  of the slide mechanism  200 . Any suitable type of fastener such as a screw or bolt may be used to couple the adapter mounting holes  406 ,  206  together. 
     The adapter plate  402  may further comprise one or more mounting busses  410  disposed along the top surface  702  that are configured to couple to a pair of mating bosses in the optics assembly  500 . A third set of mounting holes or receiving ports  412  may also be located on the top surface  702  and may be used to couple the adapter plate  402  to the optics assembly  500 . A sighting element  404  may be positioned along a rearmost edge of the adapter plate  402 . A forward section of the adapter plate  402  may comprise a lip  408  configured to be positioned along the top most surface  218  of the slide mechanism  200  when an angled forward edge  414  is positioned in the forward end  210  of the flat upper surface  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  11   , as described above, an unmodified slide mechanism  100  may utilize a standard firing pin block  110  that has an opening  1102  for a retention pin. The top of the standard firing pin block  110 , however, may extend above the top upper surface  102  when the trigger is pulled and prevent the adapter plate  402  from mating flush with the flat upper surface  202 . Further, because there is no room for a retention pin the standard firing pin block  110  may no longer be able to be coupled to the firing pin causing the firearm to not function. 
     To solve this issue, and referring now to  FIGS.  12 - 15   , a modified firing pin block  1200  may be used in place of the standard firing pin block  110 . The modified firing pin block  1200  may require a lower profile that does not extend above the flat upper surface  202  when the trigger is pulled. The modified firing pin block  1200  may not include an opening for a retention pin and may be configured to couple to the firing pin by another method. 
     In one embodiment, the modified firing pin block  1200  may comprise a body having a central body having a pair of opposing ends. Each of the opposing ends may comprise an edge section  1202 ,  1204  that extends perpendicularly away from the ends of the central body. A center catch  1208  may extend perpendicularly away from a center portion  1206  of the central body in a direction opposite that of the edge sections  1202 ,  1204 . The center catch  1208  may comprise a lip  1210  and is angled perpendicular to the direction of the center catch  1208  and is parallel to the central body. A recessed detent  1302  may be disposed in a surface of the center catch  1208  that is opposite that of the lip  1210 . 
     To accommodate the modified firing pin block  1200 , the firing pin may also need to be modified. For example, referring now to  FIG.  16   , a standard firing pin  1600  may comprise a first cut out  1602  that would engage the standard firing pin block  110  and a second cut out  1604  to allow the extractor (not shown) fit in position. Referring now to  FIGS.  17 - 21   , because the standard firing pin block  110  and associated retention pin cannot be used, a modified firing pin  1700  may be used in place of the standard firing pin  1600 . The modified firing pin  1700  may include a first cut out section  1702  configured to receive and engage with the modified firing pin block  1200 . The first cut out section  1702  may comprise a flattened section along a rear portion of the modified firing pin  1700  that is rotated approximately 90 degrees along a longitudinal axis of the modified firing pin  1700  relative to the first cut out  1602  of the standard firing pin  1600 . The first cut out section  1702  of the modified firing pin  1700  may also have a shallower depth relative to the first cut out  1602  of the standard firing pin  1600  in that it does not extend as deep towards the longitudinal axis from the outermost surface of the firing pin  1700 . This provides for more material in the location of the first cut out section  1702  increasing an overall strength of the firing pin  1700  and reducing a likelihood of failure over time. 
     The modified firing pin  1700  may further comprise a relief cut  1704  that may extend from a section proximate and end of the modified firing pin  1700  to the second cut out  1604 . The relief cut  1704  may provide an improved fit when positioned within the modified slide mechanism  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  22 - 25   , the relief cut  1704  may be configured to engage and abut a space extending between the first and second edge sections  1202 ,  1204  of the modified firing pin block  1200 . During operation, when the trigger is pulled, the modified firing pin block  1200  may move upwardly such that a first edge section  1202  moves upward and away from the first cut out section  1702  allowing the modified firing pin  1700  to move forward slightly to strike the primer of the chambered cartridge. After striking the primer, the modified firing pin  1700  will return to its original position such that the first edge section  1202  of the modified firing pin block  1200  slides back into the first cut out section  1702  locking the modified firing pin  1700  in position until the trigger is pulled again. 
     These and other embodiments for methods of modifying a slide mechanism may incorporate concepts, embodiments, and configurations as described above. The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. 
     The technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes, however, may be made without departing from the scope of the present technology. The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment may be executed in any order, unless otherwise expressly specified, and are not limited to the explicit order presented in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples. Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 
     The present technology has been described above with reference to an exemplary embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as expressed in the following claims.