Patent Publication Number: US-9417034-B1

Title: Ballistic alignment dual automatic sight switch optic mount

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates to universal optic mounts for firearms, and more particularly to a ballistic alignment optic mount that accommodates dual sights that can be automatically switched back and forth. 
     The instant invention provides a universal optic mount for supporting both a primary magnifying optic and a secondary non-magnifying optic on a firearm for use in both close quarter engagement and long range engagement. 
     The optic mount is provided to a user separately from the firearm. A primary optic and a secondary optic may be mounted on the optic mount by the manufacturer, or, more likely, the primary and secondary optics may be secured on the optic mount by the user. The optic mount is particularly useful for a primary optic that is a telescopic or magnifying sight, and a secondary optic that is a non-magnifying sight, such as a miniature reflex sight. The primary optic and secondary optic are useful independently of each other, and a user may easily switch back and forth between the two when acquiring a target, as described in more detail below. It should also be noted that the mounting platforms are universally suitable for use with virtually any combination of magnifying and non-magnifying optics of any manufacturer. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments (not shown) that the magnifying and non-magnifying optics could also be mounted in the reverse configuration with the non-magnifying optic in the primary position. 
     The base of the optic mount is releasably secured to the receiver of the firearm or a hand guard secured to the firearm. The base has a lower surface that is configured to engage a universal dovetail rail on a firearm or on a hand guard secured to the firearm. A locking assembly on the base releasably secures the base of the optic mount in place on the dovetail rail. 
     The primary optic is mounted on a swing arm assembly, which includes a swing arm and a locking post. The locking post can be selectively engaged to prevent undesired movement of the swing arm, as described below. 
     The swing arm allows the user to move the primary optic from a first position in which the primary optic is secured over the upper receiver of the firearm to a second position in which it is offset to the side. To allow this movement, the swing arm is rotatably secured to the base by a shaft that extends through the base and the swing arm. The swing arm has an upper surface configured to receive a lower housing portion of the primary optic. The user can move the swing arm linearly along the shaft with respect to the base, and can pivot the swing arm about the base. 
     When the primary optic is in the first position, the locking post is received in a first locking recess defined on the base. Optionally, the swing arm may be further secured by a first locking aperture on a first locking structure on the swing arm that engages a first dowel pin that extends outwardly from the base. 
     When the primary optic is in the second position, a second dowel pin and the locking post each prevent it from pivoting with respect to the base. A second locking aperture on a second locking structure on the swing arm engages a second dowel pin that extends outwardly from the base. Additionally, the locking post is received in a second locking recess defined on the base. 
     When the swing arm is in either the first or second position, it cannot be pivoted about the shaft until the user pulls the swing arm rearward, opposing a spring that causes the swing arm to be spring-biased forward. The spring extends around at least a portion of the shaft, and is received within a spring receiver on the base. The spring has a first end that engages a surface on the swing arm, and a second end that engages a spring retainer that is secured to the base. 
     Rearward movement of the swing arm disengages the locking post, and the optional first dowel pin when the swing arm is being moved from the first position; and rearward movement of the swing arm disengages the second locking aperture and the locking post when the swing arm is being moved from the second position. 
     When a user moves the primary optic between the first and second position, the secondary optic is automatically rotated between a first orientation and a second orientation. When the primary optic is in the first position, the secondary optic is in the second orientation. Alternatively, when the primary optic is in the second position, the secondary optic is in the first orientation. This automatic movement of the secondary optic is made possible by a swivel platform that is actuated by a cam mechanism. 
     The swivel platform is rotatably positioned over the base and secured to a swivel shaft that is rotatably secured within the base. A secondary optic is fastened to the upper surface of the swivel platform which accepts most miniature reflex sight bases. The swivel platform is rotatable from a first orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm to a second orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic is substantially perpendicular to the barrel of the firearm. 
     The swivel platform is spring-biased to the first orientation by a torsional spring. The torsional spring has a first end secured to the swivel platform and a second end secured to the base. 
     This spring bias is opposed by motion of the swivel shaft, which is actuated by engagement with the swing arm assembly. The swivel shaft has a cam surface. A push rod extends within the base, and has a first end for engaging the cam surface to rotate the swivel shaft. The push rod has a second end that has a push rod face for engaging an actuator portion of the swing arm assembly. When the swing arm is in the first position, the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly engages the push rod face, thus moving the push rod against the cam surface and rotating the swivel shaft and swivel platform. When the swing arm is in the second position, the torsional spring causes the swivel platform to rotate to the first orientation. 
     Rotation of the swivel platform is limited by at least one stop wall formed on the base. Each stop wall engages a respective side surface of the swivel platform. This is particularly useful to limit rotation of the swivel platform with respect to the base beyond the first orientation. 
     The user can secure a shield to the base over the secondary optic. This shield protects the lens of the secondary optic when it is in the second orientation. 
     In summary, when a user desires to acquire a target by viewing the target through the primary magnifying optic, the user arranges the optic mount in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the primary optic is in the first position, with the spring biasing the spring arm forward; the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly is in engagement with the push rod face so the cam surface of the swivel shaft is rotated and the secondary optic is in the second orientation and the locking rod engages the first locking recess to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft. Optionally, the first locking aperture engages the first dowel pin, to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft. 
     Alternatively, when a user desires to acquire a target by viewing the target through the secondary optic, the user arranges the optic mount in a second configuration in which the primary magnifying optic is in the second position, with the spring biasing the swing arm forward; the second locking aperture engages the second dowel pin, to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; the locking rod engages the second locking recess to further prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; and the torsional spring biases the secondary non-magnifying optic to the first orientation with its sight line parallel to the barrel of the firearm. 
     Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision of an optic mount for a firearm that allows a user to easily and rapidly switch back and forth between a primary optic and a secondary optic. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optic mount that provides a primary optic and a secondary optic that operate independently of one another. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the optic mount of the present invention in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the first embodiment of the optic mount of the present invention in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a left view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view thereof; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of the swing arm assembly and the base and the locking switch; 
         FIG. 7B  is a right view of the first embodiment of the optic mount in a first configuration, with the locking switch in a locked position; 
         FIG. 7C  is a view thereof with the locking switch in an unlocked position; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the primary optic and base; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the optic mount in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the optic mount of the present invention in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view thereof; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view thereof; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the secondary optic, the secondary optic platform and the base; 
         FIG. 14  is a lower perspective view thereof, without the base; 
         FIG. 15  is an upper perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the secondary optic, swivel platform and swivel shaft; 
         FIGS. 17A-E  are views of an arched cover plate that can be secured to the base for engaging the locking post; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the optic mount in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view thereof in a second configuration; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a cover plate that can be secured to the base of the second embodiment of the optic mount for engaging the locking post. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, the universal optic mount of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at  10  in  FIGS. 1-20 . As will hereinafter be more fully described, the optic mount allows a firearm user to alternate rapidly and easily between target acquisition through a primary optic and target acquisition through a secondary optic. 
     The optic mount  10  of the present invention provides a universal optic mounting system that allows easy and rapid engagement and disengagement of a primary optic  12  and a secondary optic  14  mounted to a firearm (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the primary optic  12  is a magnifying sight, useful for long range engagement, such as fixed 4× magnifying optic. The secondary optic  14  is a non-magnifying sight (1×), such as a miniature reflex sight. The primary optic  12  and the secondary optic  14  are each capable of operating independently of the other. While the exemplary embodiment of the mount is illustrated and described in connection with these exemplary sights, it should be understood that the mount  10  is a universal mount which is configurable for use with any combination of magnifying and non-magnifying optics mounted in either the primary or secondary position on the mount. 
     Engagement and disengagement of the primary optic  12  causes disengagement and engagement, respectively, of a secondary optic  14 , without the need to realign the primary and secondary optics when each optic is selectively engaged. This allows a user to easily transition between close quarter engagement and long range engagement or vice versa. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show perspective views of the optic mount  10  of the present invention in two alternate configurations.  FIG. 1  shows a first configuration, in which the user can acquire a target through the primary optic  12 . The primary optic  12  is secured in a first position, and the secondary optic  14  is rotated to a second orientation, so that it is substantially out of the sight line of the primary optic.  FIG. 2  shows a second configuration, in which the user can acquire a target through the secondary optic  14 . The secondary optic  14  is rotated to a first orientation, and the primary optic  12  is pivoted to a second position, so that it is out of the sight line of the secondary optic  14 . 
     A typical firearm has a universal dovetail rail for attaching accessories such as sights. The optic mount of the present invention has a base with a lower surface that is configured to engage a universal dovetail rail on the firearm or on a hand guard secured to the firearm. When the user places the optic mount on the rail, the user secures the optic mount in place by a base locking mechanism or locking assembly. A typical base locking assembly  11  is visible in the top view of  FIG. 3 , with the levers rotated into the locked position. Each lever rotates a plate  11 A to extend below the dovetail rail. The bottom view in  FIG. 9  shows the plates  11 A. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show top and left views of the optic mount  10 , with the primary optic  12  in the first position over the base  16 . When the base  16  of the optic mount  10  is secured to the firearm and the primary optic  12  is in the first position, the sight line of the primary optic  12  is substantially parallel with the barrel of the firearm (not shown). 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show that when the primary optic  12  is in the first position and the secondary optic  14  is in the second orientation, the secondary optic  14  does not substantially interfere with the sight line of the primary optic  12 . 
     To allow a user to pivot the primary optic  12  between the first position and the second position, the primary optic is mounted on a swing arm assembly, which includes a swing arm  20  and a locking post (rod). The swing arm  20  is pivotably secured to the base  16  by a shaft  22  that extends through shaft receiving apertures  23 A,  23 B in the base  16  and the swing arm  20 , respectively.  FIG. 7A  shows an exploded perspective view of the base  16 , the swing arm  20 , and the shaft  22 . The swing arm  20  is spring-biased in a forward position. A coil spring  24  extends around at least a portion of the shaft  22 , and the coil spring  24  is received within a spring receiver  25  on the base  16 . The spring  24  has a first end that engages a surface on the swing arm  20 , and a second end that engages a spring retainer  26  that is secured to the base  16 . The shaft  22  allows the swing arm  20  to be translated linearly with respect to the base  16 , and pivoted about the base  16 . By translating and pivoting the swing arm  20 , as discussed in more detail below, the primary optic  12  is movable from the first position to the second position and back. 
     The swing arm  20  has an upper surface  28  that is configured to receive the primary optic  12 , and a lower surface  30  that is configured to engage the base  16  when the swing arm  20  and primary optic  12  are pivoted to the first position.  FIG. 8  shows the optic mount before the primary optic  12  has been secured to the swing arm  20 . The primary optic  12  in the exemplary embodiment has a foot  32  that is secured to the upper surface  28  of the swing arm  20 .  FIG. 8  shows fastener holes  34  on the foot  32  of the primary optic  12  and fastener holes  36  on the swing arm  20 , allowing the primary optic  12  to be fastened to the swing arm  20 . It should be noted here that the upper surface  28  of the swing arm  20  as illustrated is configurable to readily accept the lower housings of other types and brands of optics. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , a rod, or locking post,  40  extends through the foot  32  of the primary optic  12 . The locking post is secured to the primary optic so that it cannot translate with respect to the primary optic  12 . For example, in  FIG. 8 , a pin, or roll pin,  50  is received in the locking post  40  towards the front end of the locking post  40  in front of the foot after the locking post has been extended through the foot  32 . A washer  52  is seated on the rear end of the foot  32 , and a fastener  54  extends through the washer  52  into the locking post  40 . The pin and fastener thus constrain the translational motion of the locking post  40  with respect to the foot  32  of the primary optic  12 . When the primary optic  12  is in the first position, the swing arm  20  is spring biased forward (toward the secondary optic in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ) so the locking post  40  is received in the first locking recess  42 . The locking post  40  and first locking recess  42  prevent the swing arm  20  from being pivoted with respect to the base  16 . A user disengages the locking post  40  from the first locking recess  42  by pulling the swing arm  20  rearward. 
     In some embodiments, not shown, to further prevent the swing arm  20  from pivoting about the base  16  when the primary optic  12  is in the first position, a tab on the swing arm engages a tab recess on the base. For example, the tab extends forward from a lower projection on the swing arm. The lower projection  38  is received within an opening  39  defined on the base. A tab recess is defined on the lower surface of the base adjacent to an opening in the base. The tab recess has a tab recess surface. The upper surface of the tab engages the tab recess surface. The swing arm is spring biased forward so the tab extends into the tab recess. A user disengages the tab from the tab recess by pulling the swing arm rearward. 
     To prevent the locking post from disengaging the first locking recess and (in some embodiments) to prevent the tab from disengaging the tab recess, the base includes a locking switch  60  for preventing rearward movement of the swing arm  20  when the swing arm  20  is in the first position. The locking switch  60  is secured to the base  16  by a fastener  62 , and a user can pivot the locking switch  60  about the fastener  62  between an unlocked orientation, shown in  FIG. 7B , and a locked orientation, shown in  FIG. 7C . Once the locking switch  60  is pivoted to one of these orientations, a detent (not shown) corresponding to the respective orientations resists pivoting of the locking switch  60  from the respective orientation. 
     The locking switch  60  has a locking tab  64  that extends inwardly from the locking switch  60  to engage a corresponding locking arm  66  on the swing arm  20 . In the embodiment shown, the locking arm has a rear face  68  for engaging the locking tab  64  of the locking switch  60 . When the swing arm  20  is in the first position and the locking switch  60  is moved to the locking orientation, the locking tab  64  engages the rear surface  68  of the locking arm  66 , preventing rearward movement of the swing arm  20  with respect to the base  16 . 
     When the user wishes to move the swing arm  20  from the first position to the second position, the user pivots the locking switch  60  from the locked orientation to the unlocked orientation, causing the locking tab  64  to disengage the rear face  68  of the locking arm  66 . The locking arm  66  has a recess  70  formed on its lower surface, so that the locking arm  66  of the swing arm  20  may slide over the locking tab  64  of the locking switch  60  when the locking switch is in this unlocked position. The user may move the swing arm rearwardly and then move it to the second position. 
     Additionally, as seen in  FIGS. 2, 10, and 13 , the locking arm  66  on the swing arm is configured to engage the locking arm  65  on the base, each having a sloped surface so that the sloped surface  66 A of the locking arm  66  on the swing arm  20  may slide under the sloped surface  65 A of the locking arm  65  of the base when the swing arm is moved into the first position. When the swing arm is moved forward into the first position by the spring bias of the coil spring  24 , the sloped surface  65 A of the locking arm  65  of the base  16  prevents rotation of the swing arm with respect to the base. 
     Movement of the swing arm  20  completely from the first position to the second position is aided by a ledge  57  formed on the swing arm  20  that engages an outer edge  58  of the base  16  when the swing arm  20  has been completely moved to the second position. 
       FIG. 10  shows a rear view of the optic mount when the user has moved the primary optic  12  to the second position. The secondary optic  14  is spring-biased to the first orientation in which the sight line of the secondary optic  14  is parallel with the barrel of the firearm (not shown).  FIGS. 10-12  show that when the primary optic  12  is in the second position, it is offset from the base  16  and does not interfere with the sight line of the secondary optic  14 . 
     To prevent the swing arm  20  from pivoting with respect to the base  16  when the swing arm  20  is in the second position, a dowel pin  72  on the base  16  is received in a locking aperture  74  on the swing arm  20 . The dowel pin  72  extends outwardly from the base  16 . The dowel pin  72  may be integrally formed in the base  16  or it may be received in a dowel pin aperture  73  shown in  FIG. 7A  before the dowel pin  72  has been inserted into the dowel pin aperture  73 . The locking aperture  74  is defined on a locking structure  76  on the swing arm  20 , and is configured to receive the dowel pin  72 .  FIG. 10  shows the dowel pin  72  received in the locking aperture  74  of the locking structure  76 . A user disengages the locking aperture from the dowel pin by pulling the swing arm against the spring bias of the coil spring, which is rearward in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     To further prevent pivoting of the swing arm  20  with respect to the base  16  when the swing arm  20  is in the second position, the locking post  40  is received in a second locking recess  44  defined on the base  16 . A user disengages the locking post from the second locking recess by pulling the swing arm against the spring bias of the coil spring, which is in this case rearward. 
     The secondary optic  14  is mounted on a structure that adjusts the orientation of the secondary optic  14  in response to the position of the primary optic. As shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , the secondary optic  14  is mounted on a swivel platform  80  towards the front of the optic mount  10 . The swivel platform is positioned over the base, and has an upper surface to which the secondary optic  14  can be secured. It should again be noted here that the upper surface of the swivel platform  80  as illustrated is designed to accept the miniature reflex sight as illustrated, however the upper surface can be configured to readily accept the lower housings of other types of non-magnifying or magnifying optics. 
     The swivel platform  80  can be rotated from a first orientation to a second orientation.  FIG. 13  shows the swivel platform rotated to the second orientation. The sight line of the secondary optic  14  is substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm when the secondary optic is in the first orientation, and the sight line is substantially perpendicular to the barrel of the firearm when the secondary optic is in the second orientation. 
     A torsional spring  82  causes the swivel platform to be spring-biased to the first orientation. The torsional spring  82  has a first end that is secured to the swivel platform  80  and a second end that is secured to the base  16  in a spring receiving slot  83 . 
     The swivel platform  80  can be rotated in the opposite direction of the spring bias of the torsional spring  82 , and then released to return to its original position. The swivel platform  80  is driven by a cam  84  and push rod  86  that are actuated by movement of the swing arm assembly. The swivel platform  80  engages a swivel shaft  88  that is rotatably supported within the base  16 . The swivel shaft  88  has a cam surface that engages the first end of a push rod that extends within the base. Translation of the push rod towards the cam causes the swivel shaft and the connected swivel platform to rotate. The second end of the push rod engages an actuator portion of the swing arm assembly. The actuator portion of the swing arm assembly may be a front surface of the swing arm itself, or a front surface of the primary optic, or another structure attached to the swing arm  20 . When the swing arm  20  is in the first position, the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly is spring biased forward and drives the push rod  86  forward. The push rod  86  engages the cam  84  and rotates the swivel platform  80  and secondary optic  14  to the second orientation. 
     The cam surface  85  of the cam  84  at the lower end of the swivel shaft  88  is generally depicted in  FIGS. 14-16 . The interaction of the cam surface of the swivel shaft and the push rod  86  is depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 12 .  FIG. 9  shows the bottom view when the primary optic  12  is in the first position and the second optic  14  is in the second orientation, while  FIG. 12  shows the bottom view when the primary optic  12  is in the second position and the secondary optic  14  is in the first orientation. When the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly engages the push rod face  87 , the push rod  86  and cam  84  are moved from the configuration shown in  FIG. 12  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the upper end of the swivel shaft  88  has a narrow portion that is received within the swivel platform  80 . Shaft projections  90  on the upper end of the swivel shaft are received in notches  91  formed on the lower end of the swivel platform  80  to rotatably link the swivel shaft  88  with the swivel platform  80 . Posts  92  extend upwardly from the swivel platform for supporting the secondary optic  14 . These posts  92  are received within the secondary optic  14 . Fastener holes  93  in the swivel platform and fastener holes  94  in the secondary optic allow the secondary optic  14  to be secured to the swivel platform  80  by threaded fasteners (not shown). 
     Rotation of the swivel platform  80  and secondary optic  14  are limited by at least one stop wall  95  formed on the base, shown in  FIG. 13 . Each stop wall  95  engages a respective portion of the side surface  81  on the swivel platform  80 , or the secondary optic  14  itself, to limit rotation of the swivel platform  80  and secondary optic  14  with respect to the base  16  beyond the first orientation. At least one stop wall  95  opposes the spring bias of the torsional spring  82  when disengagement of the push rod  86  results in the swivel platform and secondary optic  14  returning from the second orientation to the first orientation, which is aligned with the barrel and useful for precise target acquisition. A stop wall  95  may also be provided to prevent the secondary optic and swivel platform from being rotated beyond the second orientation by the push rod and cam. 
     A shield  18  is secured to the base  16  so that the shield  18  extends over the secondary optic  14 . The shield has tabs  19  that extend inwardly. Fastener holes may be formed on the tabs on the shield and on the lower surface of the base for receiving threaded fasteners. The shield can be removed to allow the user to affix or replace the secondary optic on the swivel platform. Threaded fasteners are not required to secure the shield to the base. The shield  18  may be frictionally secured to the base, for example, by tabs at opposing lower ends of the shield. These tabs are slid into place in slots formed on the base. 
     Because the primary and secondary optics are independently functional for acquiring a target, failure of one of the optics does not affect the operation of the other. 
     The size of the base  16  of the optic mount  10  can be dimensioned to allow other accessories to be mounted on the same dovetail rail. For example, a typical iron sight (not shown) can be mounted on the rail behind the optic mount, providing a backup sight if the primary and secondary optics are damaged during use. 
     With the present invention, when a user wants to acquire a target by viewing the target through the primary optic  12 , the user arranges the optic mount  10  in a first configuration in which: the primary optic is in the first position, with the swing arm spring-biased forward; the actuator portion of the swing arm assembly engages the push rod face so the cam surface is rotated and the secondary optic is in the second orientation; the locking rod engages the first locking recess to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; a locking arm on the swing arm engages a locking arm on the base; and (optionally) a tab on the swing arm engages the tab recess surface to further prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft. 
     Alternatively, when the user wants to acquire a target by viewing the target through the secondary optic, the user arranges the optic mount in a second configuration in which: a ledge on the swing arm engages an outer edge of the base; the primary optic is in the second position, with the swing arm spring-biased forward; the locking aperture engages the dowel pin to prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; the locking rod engages the second locking recess to further prevent rotation of the primary optic about the shaft; and the torsional spring bias causes the secondary optic to be rotated to the first orientation. 
     Movement between the two configurations is achieved by first moving the primary optic rearward, then pivoting it towards the desired position, and finally releasing the primary optic so it moves to a spring biased forward position. This is because when the primary optic is moved sufficiently rearward, the locking aperture  74  on the locking structure  76  of the swing arm does not engage the dowel pin  72 , the locking post  40  does not engage either the first locking recess  42  or the second locking recess  44 , and the locking arm  66  of the swing arm does not engage the locking arm  65  of the base  16 . 
     This embodiment of the optic mount  10  has a removable latch cover  46  that is mounted on the base for receiving the locking post.  FIGS. 17A-17E  show a latch cover  46  that may be secured to the base  16 . The latch cover has the first locking recess  42  and second locking recess  44  formed thereon. Additionally, the latch cover has a channel  47  through which the push rod extends when the plate is secured to the base. It has a fastener hole so it can be secured to the base, for example by a threaded fastener. The locking post of the swing arm assembly is received within the first locking post receiver when the swing arm is in the first position. The locking post of the swing arm assembly is received within the second locking post receiver when the swing arm is in the second position. 
     There may be more than one dowel pin and associated locking aperture and locking structure. 
     The optic mount  10  may include sockets  98  for electrical components such as lights (not shown) or lasers (not shown). 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show a second embodiment of the optic mount of the present invention. In this embodiment, a universal mounting rail  120  is secured to the upper surface of the swing arm  20  so sighting devices that require dovetail interfaces or scope rings may be mounted thereon. The universal mounting rail  120  is similar in design to a typical dovetail rail formed on the upper surface of a firearm (not shown). The figures show the rail  120  supporting rings  130  for securing a sighting device to the optic mount  10 . The forward surface of the primary optic, the forward surface of the swing arm, or the forward surface of the mounting rail secured to the swing arm engages the push rod to drive the cam when the swing arm is in the first position. 
       FIG. 20  shows an alternate plate  146  that is be secured to the base  116  in the second embodiment. The plate has the first locking recess  142  and second locking recess  144  formed thereon. Additionally, the plate has an arched passage  147  through which the push rod extends when the plate is secured to the base. The plate  146  is secured to the base  116  by a fastener extending through a fastener hole  149 . 
     For the purpose of illustration, the optic mount of the present invention is described in conjunction with a firearm having a dovetail rail. However, it is possible to configure the base of the optic mount to engage other firearms having other attachment structures. 
     It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides an optic mount for a firearm that allows a user to easily and rapidly switch back and forth between a primary optic and a secondary optic. The optic mount provides a primary optic and a secondary optic that operate independently of one another. 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.