|
| United States Patent
|
5,595,011 |
| Gorslin |
January 21, 1997 |
Telescopic-sight system for AK47-type rifles
Abstract
This invention provides an improved telescopic sight system for
rifles, particularly by providing for AK47-type rifles an improved
telescopic sight system utilizing a pistol-type telescopic sight and
a mounting method which does not require disassembly of the rifle
for mounting or for cleaning and which provides maximum stability
and rigidity. The pistol-type telescopic sight is mounted above the
normal front gunsight and its mounting there does not interfere with
"fast" normal-size sighting of a target.
| Inventors: |
Gorslin; Richard A.
(Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
08/552,939 |
| Filed: |
November 3, 1995 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
42/112 ;
42/125 |
| Current
International Class: |
F41G
1/00 (20060101); F41G 1/387 (20060101); F41G 001/38 () |
| Field of
Search: |
42/101,100 33/245
362/110 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
|
|
|
|
4299044 |
November 1981 |
Johannsen |
|
4430822 |
February 1984 |
Fromming et al. |
|
4756111 |
July 1988 |
Lapier |
|
5070636 |
December 1991 |
Mueller |
|
5189560 |
February 1993 |
Edwards et al. |
|
5428915 |
July 1995 |
King |
|
Primary Examiner: Jordan; Charles T.
Assistant Examiner: Chelliah; Meena
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improvement in telescopic sights for rifle means of the type
comprising barrel means portions located at about arm's length from
the eyes of an aiming user, comprising, in combination:
a. pistol-type telescopic sight means for enlarged focused viewing
of a target when said pistol-type telescopic sight means is located
about an arm's length from said eyes of a said aiming user; and
b. mounting means for mounting said pistol-type telescopic sight
means along and above said barrel means portions.
2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:
a. said rifle means comprises front-barrel-portion-mounted front
gunsight means; and
b. said mounting means comprises attachment means for attaching said
pistol-type telescopic sight means to said front gunsight means.
3. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein:
a. said rifle means comprises gas release port means; and
b. said mounting means comprises second attachment means for
attaching said pistol-type telescopic sight means to said gas
release port means.
4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:
a. said rifle means comprises gas release port means; and
b. said mounting means comprises attachment means for attaching said
pistol-type telescopic sight means to said gas release port means.
5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said rifle means
comprises an AK47-type rifle having front-barrel-portion-mounted
front gunsight means and mid-barrel-portion-mounted gas release port
means and wherein said mounting means comprises
a. front attachment means for attaching said mounting means to said
front gunsight means; and
b. rear attachment means for attaching said mounting means to said
gas release port means.
6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said aiming user's
view of said front gunsight means is unobstructed by said
pistol-type telescopic sight means and said mounting means.
7. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means
comprises adjustment means for adjusting the position of said
pistol-type telescopic sight means for improved aiming.
8. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said pistol-type
telescopic sight means is mounted to maintain a position above said
front gunsight means.
9. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said mounting means
comprises riser means for holding said pistol-type telescopic sight
means above said front gunsight means without obstructing said
aiming user's line of sight to said front gunsight means.
10. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said mounting means
comprises:
a. frame member means attached along and above said barrel means
portions, a front portion of said frame member means being attached
to said front gunsight means, and a rear portion of said frame
member means being attached to said gas release port means; and
b. riser means attached to said frame member means along and above
said frame member means,
i. said riser means being constructed and arranged so as not to
obstruct said aiming user's line of sight to said front gunsight
means; and
ii. said riser means being constructed and arranged for attachment
of said pistol-type telescopic sight means;
c. said mounting means being constructed and arranged for mounting
of said pistol-type telescopic sight means on said AK47-type rifle
without modification or disassembly of said AK47-type rifle.
11. A method of making an improved telescopic sight on rifle means
of the type comprising barrel means portions located at about arm's
length from the eyes of an aiming user, comprising the steps of:
a. providing pistol-type telescopic sight means for enlarged focused
viewing of a target when said pistol-type telescopic sight means is
located about an arm's length from said eyes of a said aiming user;
and
b. mounting said pistol-type telescopic sight means along and above
said barrel means portions.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said rifle means
comprises front-barrel-portion-mounted front gunsight means and said
method further comprises the step of
a. attaching said pistol-type telescopic sight means to said front
gunsight means.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said mounting of said
pistol-type telescopic sight means along and above said barrel means
portions is accomplished so as not to obstruct the line of sight of
said aiming user to said front gunsight means.
14. The method according to claim 11 wherein said rifle means
comprises gas release port means and said method further comprises
the step of
a. attaching said pistol-type telescopic sight means to said gas
release port means.
15. A method of making an improved telescopic sight on an AK47-type
rifle comprising a barrel, a front-barrel-portion-mounted front
gunsight, and a mid-barrel-portion-mounted gas release port,
comprising the steps of:
a. providing a pistol-type telescopic sight;
b. mounting said pistol-type telescopic sight along and above said
barrel, said mounting comprising attaching a frame member along and
above said barrel, comprising the steps of:
i. attaching a front portion of said frame member to said front
gunsight and
ii. attaching a rear portion of said frame member to said gas
release port.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said mounting steps require no
modification or disassembly of said AK47-type rifle and place no
constriction on said barrel.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein said mounting comprises the
further steps of:
a. attaching to said frame member riser means above and along said
frame member; and
b. attaching said pistol-type telescopic sight to said riser means.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of
adjusting the position of said pistol-type telescopic sight for
improved aiming.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein said riser means is constructed,
arranged, and attached so as not to obstruct said aiming user's line
of sight to said front gunsight.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said riser means is constructed,
arranged, and attached so as to hold said pistol-type telescopic
sight means above said front gunsight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing an improved telescopic sight
system for rifles. More particularly, this invention concerns
providing for AK47-type rifles an improved telescopic sight system
utilizing a pistol-type telescopic sight.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, when doing partial disassemblies for cleaning of
rifles, particularly of the AK47 type, it is necessary to remove any
rifle telescopic sight that is in the way; and prior-art telescopic
sights for such rifles have been mounted above the trigger area,
where they are most definitely in the way and must be removed for
cleaning the rifle. Furthermore, after cleaning the rifle, such
rifle telescopic sights of the prior art must be re-mounted and
re-adjusted prior to use; and present mounting locations and methods
do not usually give the required amount of stability and rigidity,
or they depend for such stability on attachment to the barrel, which
is usually unwise.
Furthermore, in using such rifle telescopic sights of the prior art,
"fast" normal-size sighting of a target (before using the enlarged
telescopic image to "zero in") is made difficult because mounting of
the rifle telescopic sight interferes with the normal view down the
barrel through the normal sights of the rifle and because there is a
large focal difference between the two views. And some prior art
rifle telescopic sights even require modification (as well as
disassembly) of the rifle before installation.
Among the needs not met in the prior art are (1) the need to have an
enlarged-view sight available without interfering with a user's
ability to quickly sight a normal-size target along the barrel; (2)
the need to have an enlarged-view sight available which does not
interfere with cleaning of the rifle; (3) the need to have an
enlarged-view sight available which does not have to be removed,
replaced, and re-adjusted each time the rifle is cleaned; (4) the
need to mount an enlarged-view sight onto a rifle without
disassembly or modification of the rifle; (5) the need to mount an
enlarged-view sight with the maximum degree of stability and
rigidity, but without direct attachment to the barrel; and (6) the
need to fulfill all these mentioned needs in a manner which is
efficient and inexpensive.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned needs by the provision of an improved
telescopic-sight system for rifles, particularly of the AK47 type. A
further primary object of the present invention is to provide such
an improved telescopic-sight system for rifles which is efficient
and inexpensive. In addition, it is a primary object of this
invention to provide such telescopic-sight systems which overcome
the flaws in such sights of the prior art. Other objects of this
invention will become apparent with reference to the following
invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a highly-preferred embodiment of the present invention,
this invention provides an improvement in telescopic sights for
rifle means of the type comprising barrel means portions located at
about arm's length from the eyes of an aiming user, comprising, in
combination: pistol-type telescopic sight means for enlarged focused
viewing of a target when such pistol-type telescopic sight means is
located about an arm's length from such eyes of a such aiming user;
and mounting means for mounting such pistol-type telescopic sight
means along and above such barrel means portions. Further, this
invention provides such improvement wherein: such rifle means
comprises front-barrel-portion-mounted front gunsight means; and
such mounting means comprises attachment means for attaching such
pistol-type telescopic sight means to such front gunsight means.
Even further, it provides such improvement wherein: such rifle means
comprises gas release port means; and such mounting means comprises
second attachment means for attaching such pistol-type telescopic
sight means to such gas release port means.
Additionally, according to such preferred embodiment, the present
invention provides such improvement wherein such rifle means
comprises an AK47-type rifle having front-barrel-portion-mounted
front gunsight means and mid-barrel-portion-mounted gas release port
means and wherein such mounting means comprises: front attachment
means for attaching such mounting means to such front gunsight
means; and rear attachment means for attaching such mounting means
to such gas release port means. Further, this invention provides
such improvement wherein such aiming user's view of such front
gunsight means is unobstructed by such pistol-type telescopic sight
means and such mounting means; and, further, wherein such mounting
means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the position of such
pistol-type telescopic sight means for improved aiming; and,
further, wherein such pistol-type telescopic sight means is mounted
to maintain a position above such front gunsight means; and,
further, wherein such mounting means comprises riser means for
holding such pistol-type telescopic sight means above such front
gunsight means without obstructing such aiming user's line of sight
to such front gunsight means.
Also, according to such preferred embodiment, the present invention
provides such improvement wherein such mounting means comprises:
frame member means attached along and above such barrel means
portions, a front portion of such frame member means being attached
to such front gunsight means, and a rear portion of such frame
member means being attached to such gas release port means; riser
means attached to such frame member means along and above such frame
member means, such riser means being constructed and arranged so as
not to obstruct such aiming user's line of sight to such front
gunsight means, and such riser means being constructed and arranged
for attachment of such pistol-type telescopic sight means; said
mounting means being constructed and arranged for mounting of said
pistol-type telescopic sight means on said AK47-type rifle without
modification or disassembly of said AK47-type rifle.
Yet additionally, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this
invention provides a method of making an improved telescopic sight
on rifle means of the type comprising barrel means portions located
at about arm's length from the eyes of an aiming user, comprising
the steps of: providing pistol-type telescopic sight means for
enlarged focused viewing of a target when such pistol-type
telescopic sight means is located about an arm's length from such
eyes of a such aiming user; and mounting such pistol-type telescopic
sight means along and above such barrel means portions. Further,
this invention provides such method wherein such rifle means
comprises front-barrel-portion-mounted front gunsight means and such
method further comprises the step of attaching such pistol-type
telescopic sight means to such front gunsight means. Even further,
this invention provides such method wherein such mounting of such
pistol-type telescopic sight means along and above such barrel means
portions is accomplished so as not to obstruct the line of sight of
such aiming user to such front gunsight means, and, further, wherein
such rifle means comprises gas release port means and such method
further comprises the step of attaching such pistol-type telescopic
sight means to such gas release port means.
Yet further, according to a preferred embodiment, this invention
provides a method of making an improved telescopic sight on an
AK47-type rifle comprising a barrel, a front-barrel-portion-mounted
front gunsight, and a mid-barrel-portion-mounted gas release port,
comprising the steps of: providing a pistol-type telescopic sight;
mounting such pistol-type telescopic sight along and above such
barrel, such mounting comprising attaching a frame member along and
above such barrel, comprising the steps of attaching a front portion
of such frame member to such front gunsight and attaching a rear
portion of such frame member to such gas release port. Further, this
invention provides such method wherein such mounting steps require
no modification or disassembly of said AK47-type rifle and place no
constriction on such barrel.
Even more, this invention provides such method wherein such mounting
comprises the further steps of: attaching to such frame member riser
means above and along such frame member; and attaching such
pistol-type telescopic sight to such riser means. Further, this
invention provides such method further comprising the step of
adjusting the position of such pistol-type telescopic sight for
improved aiming. Even further, this invention provides such method
wherein such riser means is constructed, arranged, and attached so
as not to obstruct such aiming user's line of sight to such front
gunsight; and, further, wherein such riser means is constructed,
arranged, and attached so as to hold such pistol-type telescopic
sight means above such front gunsight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an AK47-type rifle having
attached thereon the preferred embodiment of the telescopic sight
means and mounting of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the forward end of the rifle and telescopic
sight means of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the telescopic sight means and mounting
apart from the rifle.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1
showing, partially exploded, the prior art location of a rifle
telescopic sight.
FIG. 5 is a partial rear view through the telescopic sight means of
the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the telescopic sight
means, mounting means, and forward end of the rifle, showing in
detail a preferred method of attachment to the rifle.
FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of the telescopic sight means
mounted on the forward end of the rifle.
FIG. 8 is a side view with partial cross-section showing mounting
details.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, through the section 9--9 of FIG.
8, of the rear mounting of the telescopic sight means.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, through the section 10--10 of
FIG. 8, of the front mounting of the telescopic sight means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
FIG. 1 illustrates a rifle means, embodied by rifle 12, particularly
an AK47-type rifle, to which a pistol-type telescopic sight means
(for enlarged focused viewing of a target when such pistol-type
telescopic sight means is located about an arm's length from the
eyes of an aiming user), embodied by telescopic sight 11, has been
attached in a forward location 14 (at about such arm's length) above
and along barrel means portions at such location 14 of the barrel
means, embodied by the rifle barrel 23. The telescopic sight 11 is
of the type commonly referred to as a telescopic pistol sight. This
type of telescopic sight incorporates an optical lens system which
allows a clear field of enlarged viewing while located a lengthy
distance (as mentioned, about an arm's length) from the user's eye.
The common usage of this type of telescopic sight would be at
outstretched arm's distance while mounted atop a hand-held pistol.
This type of telescopic sight 11 mounted on a rifle 12 in such
forward location 14 provides numerous advantages over conventional
sighting systems as will be described later in detail. Advantages
include improved locating and sighting of target, and sighting
speed. The forward telescopic sight location obviously leaves the
remainder of the rifle uncluttered and accessible for normal
operation and maintenance.
In FIG. 2 the actual mounting of the telescopic sight 11 in the
forward location 14 of the rifle 12 is illustrated. The telescopic
sight 11 is located in a position above the normal
front-barrel-portion-mounted front gunsight means of rifle 12,
embodied by such rifle's front normal sight 20, and above the
rifle's mid-barrel-portion-mounted gas release port means, embodied
by the gas release port 22. Telescopic sight 11 is attached to rifle
12 by the mounting means of the present invention, embodied by
mounting bracketry system 16 comprised of specialized clamps and
adapters to be hereinafter described. But it is now noted that
clamping at the front attachment location 17 and the rear attachment
location 18 assure maximum rigidity and stability which are often
compromised with conventional rifle telescopic-sight installations,
as will be addressed further. The forward end of telescopic sight 11
is generally located in line with the front end 24 of rifle barrel
23.
FIG. 3 illustrates the telescopic sight 11 with its mounting
bracketry system 16 (not attached to the rifle 12). Components of
mounting bracketry system 16 include frame member means embodied by
frame member 52 and riser means embodied by clamp risers 42 and
upper clamp halves 41. Frame member 52 is attached by lower clamp
half 56 to gas release port 22 and by front clamp plate 70 for
attachment to the pedestal of front normal sight 20. A prime feature
of the mounting means of the present invention is that no
modifications or alterations to the rifle 12 are required.
As illustrated in FIG. 4 with the telescopic sight 11 attached to
the forward location 14 of the (AK47-type) rifle 12 the remainder of
the rifle is unobstructed. In particular, the area of the rifle 12
requiring periodic maintenance and disassembly for routine cleaning
has not been altered or obstructed. A conventional rifle telescopic
sight 27 is shown with broken lines in the conventional sight
mounting location 30. This conventional location hinders
accessibility and may even require sight removal for routine
maintenance. In addition to the task and time required to remove and
replace the sight and/or it's mounts, the sight may require
readjustment to achieve its former settings. In addition, the
portion or components of the rifle 12 to which the conventional
sight 27 is attached commonly provide unsuitable conditions. The
dust cover 25, shown removed for normal accessibility, is of flimsy
sheet metal construction and offers an unstable sight mounting. The
portion of the rifle above the trigger area 31, although not
requiring removal for normal maintenance, is difficult to adapt to
and requires machining for sight mount attachment.
FIG. 5 illustrates the view looking forward while sighting on a
target with the telescopic sight 11 mounted on rifle 12. With the
telescopic sight 11 elevated above front normal sight 20, as in the
present invention, the sighting characteristics using the rear
normal sight 21 and the front normal sight 20 remain unchanged.
While locating on a target 32 with the normal sights of the rifle,
the aimer/shooter slightly raise an eye-view to view the target 32
enlarged through the telescopic sight 11 and adjusts the aim as
necessary. With the telescopic sight 11 being of the type used for
pistol shooting, the aimer/shooter need not change the eye focus
distance while alternately viewing through the normal sights 20 and
21--and the telescopic sight 11. This ease and convenience of
viewing provides increased sighting speed, i.e., the pistol-type
telescopic sight of this invention is mounted above the normal front
gunsight and its mounting there does not interfere with "fast"
normal-size sighting of a target. Ease of viewing is also
appreciated by shooters who use prescription eyeglasses and have
difficulty with varying focal distances.
In FIG. 6 are shown in perspective detail the components of the
mounting bracketry system 16 and the location 14 of rifle 12
(AK47-type) where telescopic sight 11 is attached. Basically, the
frame member 52 is attached to the rifle in the location 14 and the
telescopic sight 11 is mounted, through the riser means of the
present invention, to frame member 52. Two clamp risers 42 support
telescopic sight 11 in a stable manner the correct distance above
the normal sight view. Each clamp riser 42 incorporates a large view
opening 46 so as not to obstruct the normal sight view. The top
portion of each clamp riser 42 is a radiused half shell (as shown)
to cradle and locate the telescopic sight 11. The telescopic sight
11 is secured with two upper clamp halves 41 and four screws 43
passing through screw holes 44 and tightening into threaded holes 45
of clamp risers 42. If temporary removal of telescopic sight 11 is
required at a later time, it should be accomplished at this
just-described attachment point between the upper clamp halves 41
and clamp risers 42 to eliminate need for re-adjustment. It is noted
that in the initial installation of the pistol-type telescopic sight
system to the rifle, the just-described attachment occurs as the
last step.
Further describing the mounting, the frame member 52 is designed to
interface with the rifle 12 at the front attachment location 17,
which is the vertical pedestal for the front normal sight 20, and at
the rear attachment location 18, which is a portion of the gas
release port 22. At the rear of the frame member 52 is a rear upper
clamp portion 54 with a locating radius 57 indented on the bottom
surface to locate (as shown) on the round gas release port 22 of
rifle 12. A lower clamp half 56 fits to the underside of the round
gas release port 22 and secures the frame member 52 using two screws
55 passing through screw holes 58 into threaded holes 59. Note (see
FIG. 6) that a portion of the rifle's gas porting may be removed to
facilitate placement of the lower clamp half 56. The front
attachment of frame member 52 is accomplished by clamping its
interface surface 65 to the left face 61 and through the opening 60
of the vertical portion of the normal front sight 20. The frame
member 52 has a clearanced area 62 to fit around the normal front
sight 20 and a locating lug 63 to fit partially into opening 60. To
secure this attachment point is a front clamp plate 70 with a
protruding boss 71 which screws to the frame member 52 with screw 73
passing through screw hole 72 into the threaded hole 64 of the
locating lug 63. The bottom surface 47 of the clamp risers 42 are
then attached to the top surface 53 of frame member 52 utilizing
screws 48 passing through screw holes 49 into threaded holes 50. To
facilitate assembly, the clamp risers 42 incorporate access holes 51
through which a hex allen wrench can be inserted. After the frame
member 52 and clamp risers 42 are attached, the telescopic sight 11
can be installed as previously described.
FIG. 7 shows the telescopic sight 11 installed in a forward location
14 on (AK47-type) rifle 12. As mentioned, the installation includes
view openings 46 to provide a line of sight to the front normal
sight 20. Also, as mentioned, the frame member 52 is attached to the
rifle's gas release port 22 at the rear attachment location 18 with
a lower clamp half 56 and to the vertical pedestal of the front
normal sight 20 with the front clamp plate 70 at the front
attachment location 17.
In FIG. 8 is shown the telescopic sight 11 installed on the rifle 12
with the mounting bracketry system 16 illustrated in partial cross
section to clarify attachment points. Shown is the frame member 52
secured at the rear attachment location 18 on the gas release port
22 with rear upper clamp portion 54 and lower clamp half 56 and
secured at the front attachment location 17 through opening 60 of
the vertical pedestal for the front normal sight 20 with locating
lug 63. The clearanced area 62 of the frame member 52 is shown
fitting around the irregular form of the pedestal of front normal
sight 20. Also shown are the attachment points between the bottom
surfaces 47 of the clamp risers 42 and the top surface 53 of the
frame member 52. Also shown in cross section are the view openings
46 in line with the front normal sight 20.
FIG. 9 shows in illustrative form a perpendicular cross section
(through the section 9--9 of FIG. 8) at the rear attachment location
18. Items shown are the telescopic sight 11 directly in a vertical
line above the rifle 12, the rifle barrel 23 and the gas release
port 22. The rear upper clamp portion 54 of the frame member 52 with
its locating radius 57 registering on the gas release port 22 is
held in place with the lower clamp half 56 and secured with two
screws 55.
FIG. 10 is a front view of such rifle 12 in cross section (through
the section 10--10 of FIG. 8) at the front attachment location 17.
Shown are the spacial relationships between the telescopic sight 11,
the front normal sight 20, and the clamp risers 42 with view
openings 46. Shown also, with respect to the front attachment
location 17, is the opening 60 and the left face 61 of the vertical
pedestal for front normal sight 20. Mating to these features of the
rifle 12 are the locating lug 63 and interface surface 65 of frame
member 52. This interface is held securely by the front clamp plate
70, located by its protruding boss 71 and secured with screw 73.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
* * * * *
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