Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device ( 01, 14 ) for fastening an auxiliary part ( 19 ), in particular a targeting unit or the like, to a weapon, which has at least one ferromagnetic part, the device comprising a base plate ( 02, 15 ), to which the auxiliary part ( 19 ) may be fastened, and the device ( 01, 14 ) being fixed on the weapon by at least one magnet ( 04 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 20 2006 015 136.2, filed on Sep. 29, 2006. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for fastening an auxiliary part, in particular a targeting unit or the like, to a weapon according to the teaching of Claim  1 . 
         [0003]    Fastening devices of the generic type are used, for example, but not exclusively, for fastening targeting units, such as telescopic sights or other optical targeting aids, to a weapon, such as a hunting or sporting rifle. However, attaching other auxiliary parts such as rangefinders, illumination units, or night vision devices to such a fastening device is also conceivable. 
         [0004]    For this purpose, it is known from the prior art that the weapon per se is provided with a fastening device of the generic type, which is provided in most cases on the barrel as a base plate or mounting plate. In many cases, such a fastening device comprises one or two mounting feet, on which, for example, an auxiliary part is fastened by a bridge which connects the two mounting feet. In addition, auxiliary parts specially tailored to a weapon are also available on the market, which may be screwed directly onto the base plate of the weapon. 
         [0005]    Precisely for auxiliary parts having a short construction, such as red-dot sights of lens-optic or laser-optic construction, a connection of the auxiliary part to the weapon at a single fastening point, i.e., to a mounting plate, is preferred. Especially high demands are placed on precise orientation of the auxiliary part in relation to the barrel of the weapon in this case. For this purpose, it is known from the prior art in possible embodiments that the auxiliary part and/or the base plate has a pivot pin, which is used for a pivot mounting having a locking mechanism of the auxiliary part on the weapon. 
         [0006]    The fastening devices disclosed in the prior art share the feature that they are placed on a base plate already provided on the weapon, so that the weapon already has to have constructive features such as a base plate or at least fastening or retention elements such as threads or similar features for mounting an auxiliary part. However, firstly there is the need for adding further auxiliary parts to weapons whose base plates are already occupied by existing auxiliary parts, or attaching auxiliary parts to weapons which have no base plate or no suitable base plate for fastening. Precisely in regard to shotguns, which generally have no targeting unit and for this reason have no base plate, the demand results for attaching auxiliary parts subsequently. The subsequent mounting of suitable fastening devices to a usually valuable weapon is very complex and costly and is impossible in many cases without significant constructive rework. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    On the basis of this prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a device which allows the fastening of an auxiliary part, in particular a targeting unit or the like, to a weapon which has ferromagnetic parts, without permanent reworking being necessary on the weapon. The present invention particularly allows a simple and cost-effective construction of a fastening device and allows a sufficiently precise orientation of the auxiliary part on the weapon. Furthermore, the device allows easy replaceability of the auxiliary part, so that especially flexible retrofitting possibilities of the weapon are opened up. Furthermore, the weapon may be returned to its original state by simple and tool-free removal of the fastening device. The present invention also enables the simultaneous fastening of multiple auxiliary parts to a weapon, by attaching more than one fastening device to the weapon. 
         [0008]    This object is achieved by a device according to the teaching of Claim  1 . 
         [0009]    Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the subclaims. 
         [0010]    The device according to the present invention for fastening an auxiliary part, in particular a targeting unit or the like to a weapon, which has ferromagnetic parts, has a base plate, to which the auxiliary part may be fastened. For this purpose, the device is fixed on the weapon by at least one magnet. In contrast to the prior art, which provides mechanical fastening of an auxiliary part to a weapon and accordingly requires a base plate and/or special fastening parts on the weapon, the device according to the present invention may be fixed and fastened to the weapon with the aid of one or more magnets, in particular one or more permanent magnets. Therefore, the fastening of an auxiliary part with the aid of the device according to the present invention does not place any significant requirements on constructive reworking of the weapon, but does require that at least one part of the weapon comprise ferromagnetic material, so that the magnet may adhere, which achieves the positive action between fastening device and weapon. Because handguns are manufactured in most cases from metal, usually iron, they typically meet this basic condition for using the fastening device according to the present invention. The fastening device is primarily used for the purpose of making targeting units or the like attachable to the weapon, so that it is predominantly used for fastening to the barrel of a weapon. In practically all cases, the barrel of a weapon comprises rifled steel or similar material, and therefore has ferromagnetic properties, so that the magnets may adhere thereto. The special advantage of a magnetically fixable fastening device is that no mechanical change has to be performed to attach the auxiliary parts to usually very expensive and sometimes also old weapons. In particular shotguns, which typically have no fastening devices, may be retrofitted easily, rapidly, and without problems to attach auxiliary parts with the aid of the fastening device according to the present invention, without having to be constructively reworked in a costly and cumbersome way. 
         [0011]    The location at which the fastening device is attached to the weapon is fundamentally arbitrary. However, from the above statements it suggests itself that the device is fastened to the barrel of a weapon. The barrel of a firearm comprises ferromagnetic material in practically all cases, and, because of its elongate design, has outstanding properties to attach a fastening device thereto with the aid of one or more magnets. In particular because the fastening device is used for fastening a targeting unit, which has to be oriented along the barrel of the weapon, it suggests itself that the device be attached directly to the barrel of the weapon with the aid of a magnet. 
         [0012]    Many weapons have a barrel rail, which stabilizes and guides the barrel of the weapon. Such a barrel rail usually has smooth surfaces and is typically also worked from ferromagnetic material. Therefore, it advantageously suggests itself that the device for fastening an auxiliary part be fastened to a barrel rail. Because the barrel rail is guided above the barrel of weapon in most cases, and is therefore well visible in the field of vision of the shooter, it is especially well suitable as a mounting surface for fastening a targeting aid, such as a telescope, red-dot sight, or similar item. 
         [0013]    Fundamentally, the magnet(s) which is/are used for fastening the device may be attached to both the weapon and also to the fastening device itself. However, providing the magnets on the fastening device suggests itself, in particular it is advantageously possible to attach the magnets to the side of the base plate facing toward the barrel rail. The base plate is typically placed on the barrel rail in such a way that the largest possible overlap area of barrel rail and base plate results, which may be used for the magnetic force transmission and fixing. By attaching the magnets in the base plate on the side facing toward the barrel rail, the magnets use this contact area for the positive fastening using magnetic force. 
         [0014]    In principle, the magnets may be attached independently of the base plate of the fastening device, and may only connect the base plate to the weapon indirectly, for example. However, it is especially advantageous in an outstanding exemplary embodiment if the magnets are integrated or inset in the base plate. The magnetic flux is thus improved so much by contact of the magnets with the base plate and the barrel rail over their entire area that the magnetic lines are guided through the barrel rail and conducted via the base plate back to the magnets to allow the greatest possible force flux of the magnetic field between base plate and weapon. 
         [0015]    In the most simple and elegant possible embodiment of the device, at least individual areas of the base plate comprise magnetic material. Thus, for example, the side of the base plate facing toward the weapon may be worked from magnetic material, and thus allows a high magnetic force flux over the entire area with the weapon. 
         [0016]    If magnets for fixing are only situated on the base plate of the device, the danger that the device is pivotable in relation to the weapon at least arises. Magnets do generally offer a high force action, but they do not allow a formfitting connection, so that in addition mechanical guide aids are to be provided. For this purpose, it advantageously suggests itself that opposing clamping jaws be provided laterally on the base plate, which at least regionally enclose the barrel rail and orient the fastening device on the barrel rail. These clamping jaws may be used for the purpose of fixing the orientation of the fastening device in relation to the weapon and may also support the positive connection of the device to weapon if necessary by a certain mechanical clamping action. For this purpose, the clamping jaws are predominantly to be understood as a mechanical guide aid which encloses the barrel of the weapon, in particular the barrel rail of the weapon, with a complementary shape, and ensures the precise orientation of the fastening device. 
         [0017]    If the device has clamping jaws, at least parts of the jaw faces of the clamping jaws and/or parts of the side of the base plate facing toward the barrel rail may be provided with a friction-increasing layer, in particular a friction-increasing film. Such a friction-increasing film between the contact surface of the fastening device and the weapon is used to prevent axial slipping of the fastening device, which is fixed to the weapon using magnetic force. This film may be attached both to the base plate and also to the clamping jaws. Furthermore, the film may support the clamping action of the clamping jaws. 
         [0018]    The clamping jaws offer the additional possibility due to their contact faces with the weapon that at least one magnet is attached in or on each clamping jaw. Therefore, in addition to the attachment of magnets in or on the base plate, magnets may be provided in or on the clamping jaws of the device to ensure the greatest possible force action of the magnets. 
         [0019]    If magnets are provided in the clamping jaws, analogously to the design of the base plate, individual areas of the clamping jaws may comprise magnetic material. Therefore, it is possible in principle to inlay magnets inside the clamping jaws, attach additional magnets to the clamping jaws, and/or manufacture at least individual areas of the clamping jaws or the entire clamping jaw from magnetic material. 
         [0020]    The implementation of the individual magnets is arbitrary in principle. For example, it may be possible to use active magnets for the fastening, so that battery-supported electromagnets may be used for the fastening, for example. However, permanent magnets which comprise individual dipole magnets are preferable in the preferred exemplary embodiments. It may be completely conceivable and advantageous, however, to manufacture at least individual magnets from magnetic film. In particular, such magnets made of magnetic film suggest themselves for the purpose of being inlaid in the contact surface between device and weapon, in particular if they additionally—as already discussed above—also have friction-increasing properties. 
         [0021]    If the device has clamping jaws, it is thus advantageously possible for the clamping jaws to enclose partial areas of the barrel of the weapon in a formfitting way. It is thus completely conceivable that the clamping jaws enclose the barrel on the right and left in a formfitting way, in particular if they are manufactured from flexible material, so that they enclose the barrel by snapping around it and fix the device using the magnet action. 
         [0022]    In principle, the possibility results in the design of the clamping jaws of designing them as flexible, for example, made of plastic, to make them able to enclose the barrel of the weapon by snapping onto it, in particular onto the barrel rail. However, the clamping jaws may also be manufactured from solid inflexible material. In both cases, it is possible to mount the clamping jaws on the base plate so they are displaceable perpendicular to the barrel rail direction, so that in addition to the magnetic fixing of the device on the barrel rail, they may additionally exert an adjustable mechanical clamping action on the barrel rail and/or on the barrel of the weapon. The clamping jaws thus support a mechanical connection between fastening device and weapon by a displaceable fastening to the base plate and may fasten the device in a supporting way to the weapon by their mounting, which is displaceable perpendicular to the barrel rail direction, using defined pressure force, which may be exerted on the clamping jaws via adjustable screws or a lever construction, for example. Such a supporting mechanical pressure connection also has an especially advantageous effect on a high connection security in the event of a high weight of the auxiliary part and a high recoil upon firing the weapon. 
         [0023]    In an especially outstanding embodiment of the device, the clamping jaws are mounted on the base plate by a dovetail guide. Such a dovetail guide of the clamping jaws allows especially uniform, secure, and precise orientation of the fastening device on the barrel of the weapon. Therefore, such a formfitting guide of the clamping jaws in relation to the base plate allows a mechanically defined and precisely supporting connection and orientation of base plate in relation to the weapon barrel. 
         [0024]    Various pressure mechanisms may be used for applying a pressure force to the clamping jaws. An especially simple pressure mechanism results by using guide and adjustment screws, but special tools must be used for adjusting the clamping jaw position, in addition the pressure force is only coarsely adjustable, so that the weapon may be damaged easily. To allow the simplest possible, tool-free, and flexible handling of the fastening device while simultaneously gently handling the weapon, it especially advantageously suggests itself that at least one clamping jaw may be clamped in a lockable way using a locking lever against the barrel rail and/or the barrel of the weapon. With the aid of such a locking lever, the fastening device may be fixed on the weapon using a defined pressure force simply, silently, and rapidly, without additional tools being needed. 
         [0025]    Commercially available receptacle and fastening means may be provided on the base plate for fastening the auxiliary part to the fastening device. Therefore, an advantageous design of the base plate has at least one fastening element for fastening and/or fixing the position of the auxiliary part on the face facing toward the auxiliary part. Widely used fastening elements for this purpose are, for example, pivot pins or pivot bearings on the base plate, as well as locking and orientation pins and threaded holes and similar features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of drawings which illustrate two exemplary embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 1 through 5  show various perspective illustrations of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6 through 8  show various perspective exploded illustrations of the individual parts of the first embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a fastening device; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows a lateral schematic illustration of the exemplary embodiment from  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows a lateral schematic illustration of the second exemplary embodiment having a mounted auxiliary part. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1 through 5  show various perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment  01  of the fastening device according to the present invention. The fastening device  01  comprises a base plate  02 , which has dovetail edges  12  on its two long sides. As shown in  FIG. 4 , various fastening elements  09  are located on the top side of the base plate  02 , which are used for fastening auxiliary parts  19  such as a telescopic sight, an illumination unit, or a rangefinder device. These fastening elements  09  comprise locking and orientation pins as well as threaded holes, into which the auxiliary part may be screwed using screws. The locking pins are used for precise orientation of the auxiliary part  19  on the base plate  02  of the fastening device  01 . Two clamping jaws  06  are guided on the dovetail edges  12  of the base plate  02 , the clamping jaws  06  having dovetail guides  07 , which are guided in the dovetail edge  12 . The clamping jaws  06  have friction-increasing coatings  05  on their clamping jaw face. Such friction-increasing coatings  05  may be manufactured, for example, from friction-increasing films, and prevent axial slipping of the fastening device  01  along the barrel of a weapon. The clamping jaws  06  are displaceable to the dovetail edge  12  perpendicularly to the barrel direction of the weapon and may be adjusted on the one hand by a fixing screw  10  and on the other hand by a locking lever  03 , so that they may be pressed perpendicularly to the orientation of a barrel rail against the barrel rail and/or against the barrel of the weapon. The clamping jaws  06  may thus support a precise orientation and positive connection of the fastening device  01  by pressing the clamping jaw face, on which a friction-increasing layer  05  is located, as a support to the magnetic fastening. On the side of the base plate  02  facing toward the barrel rail, permanent magnets  04  are inlaid in the base plate  02 . The two magnets  04  produce the magnetic connection between fastening device  01  and weapon. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the north poles of the permanent magnets  04  point in the direction of the weapon, but the two magnets may also be inserted having opposite polarity in the direction of the weapon, to be able to close the magnetic circuit better. 
         [0033]    To be able to orient the fastening device  01  precisely on the barrel of the weapon, the two clamping jaws  06  are equipped with clamping and locking capabilities in relation to the base plate  02 . While one clamping jaw may be moved and fastened in a lockable way with the aid of a locking lever  03  in the dovetail guides  07  so it is displaceable in relation to the barrel of the weapon, the other clamping jaw is adjusted in its distance perpendicular to the barrel rail with the aid of a fixing screw  10 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  thus shows the first exemplary embodiment of a fastening device  01 , the clamping jaw having the fixing screw  10  being located in a middle position, and the clamping jaw having the locking lever  03  being located in the closed state. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 2 , the fastening device  01  is shown in a situation in which the clamping jaw having the fixing screw  10  is located in a maximally extended position, and the clamping jaw having the locking lever  03  is also located in the closed position. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a fastening situation in which the clamping jaw having the fixing screw  10  is located in a minimal locking position, and the clamping jaw having the locking lever  03  is located in a closed, locked position. The various adjustment possibilities of the two clamping jaws within the dovetail guide allow a lateral orientation of the fastening device  01  in relation to the barrel of the weapon. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 6 through 8  show various exploded illustrations of the individual parts which the first exemplary embodiment of the fastening device according to the present invention comprises.  FIG. 8  shows a 2-D illustration of all individual parts of the first exemplary embodiment, viewed from top to bottom, a counter screw fastening the locking lever  03  in relation to an adjustment screw in a threaded collar  11 , and two screws defining the clamping jaw associated with the lever in its maximally extended position, return springs  08  inside the dovetail guides  07  between clamping jaw and dovetail edge  12  being used for the purpose of pressing the clamping jaw  06 , which is assigned to the locking lever  03 , against the dovetail edge  12  when the locking lever  03  is opened, i.e., moving the clamping jaw into a maximally retracted position when the locking lever  03  is opened. The clamping jaws  06  have a friction-increasing layer  05  on their clamping jaw faces, which prevents axial offset of the fastening device  01  when the clamping jaws  06  press against the barrel rail. 
         [0038]    The base plate  02  comprises the two opposing dovetail edges  12 , which are used for guiding the clamping jaws  06 , and has two recesses, into which the two permanent magnets  04  are inserted. The clamping jaw assigned to the fixing screw  10  in turn has a dovetail guide  07 , and is guided with the aid of two guide screws and the fixing screw  10  in the dovetail edge  12  and adjusted in its lateral position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the barrel rail with the aid of the fixing screw  10 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of an exploded view of the individual parts shown in  FIG. 8  from top left in relation to the base plate  02 , and  FIG. 7  shows a perspective schematic illustration from bottom right in relation to the base plate  02 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows a second exemplary embodiment  14  of a fastening device according to the present invention in the barrel direction of a weapon. The fastening device  14  comprises a base plate  15 , as well as two clamping jaws  16  extending opposite to one another along the barrel rail, which enclose both the barrel rail  20  and also parts of the double barrel  13  of a hunting rifle. The double barrel  13  of the hunting rifle is used on one hand for firing projectile ammunition, and on the other hand for firing shot, and has both a rifled barrel and also a smooth barrel. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the fastening device  14 , various fastening elements for accommodating an auxiliary part being recognizable on the base plate  15 . The clamping jaw  16  is attached to the base plate  15  with the aid of screws, and has a top magnetic strip  17  and a bottom magnetic strip  18 . The top magnetic strip  17  is used for the magnetic fastening of the fastening device  14  to the barrel rail  20  of the double barrel  13 . The bottom magnetic strip  18  fastens the clamping jaw  16  to the top barrel of the double barrel  13 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  shows, in a view similar to  FIG. 10 , the fastening device  14  having the attached auxiliary part  19 . The auxiliary part  19 , in this case a red-dot sight, is snapped into the fastening elements of the base plate  15 , and oriented precisely along the barrel  13  therein. The fastening device  14  encloses the top barrel of the double barrel  13  using its two clamping jaws  16  for this purpose, each of the clamping jaws  16  having a top magnetic strip  17 , which adheres magnetically to the barrel rail  20 , and a bottom magnetic strip  18 , which produces a magnetic positive connection to the top barrel of the double barrel  13 . Thus, for example, a shotgun, which typically only has a bead for coarse target sighting, may be subsequently retrofitted with a red-dot sight  19  without tools with the aid of such a removable and magnetically fixable fastening device  14 , without leaving visible traces on the weapon.