Patent Application
20240369324
The present invention relates generally to an adaptable optic mount, and, more particularly, to an adaptable optic mount with an adjustable stop block that can be universally used on various rifle models, such as the well-known Russian AK and SVD models.
Since about 1954 the ubiquitous AK rifle has had a factory designed method to mount optics, namely, the side rail plate. While not standard issue on every AK rifle, the side rail plate was effective on the specialized rifles it was added to and was eventually adopted as standard issue around 1992 in the AK-74M series. A side rail on an AK-47 refers to a mounting platform that is attached to the side of the rifle's receiver. This rail can be used to attach various accessories, such as a scope, a laser sight, or a flashlight. The side rail on an AK-47 is typically a Picatinny rail or a similar type of mounting platform that allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment of accessories. Some AK-47 models come with a side rail already installed, while others may require the rail to be added as an aftermarket accessory. Having a side rail on an AK-47 allows for greater versatility and customization, as the shooter can attach accessories tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
An optic side mount is designed to be attached and detached without the optic losing zero. Zeroing is the process of adjusting a rifle scope so that it is accurately aimed at a target. The goal of zeroing is to ensure that the point of impact is exactly where the shooter aims the firearm. There are several methods for zeroing a firearm, including bore sighting, which involves looking down the bore of the firearm to align it with the target, and live-fire zeroing, which involves actually shooting at the target and making adjustments based on where the shots hit. For a rifle scope, zeroing typically involves adjusting the position of the crosshairs so that they match the point of impact of the bullets. This can be done using the scope's turrets, which control the position of the crosshairs. Once the scope is zeroed, the shooter can aim the crosshairs at the target and be confident that the bullets will hit where they are aimed. Zeroing is an important step in the process of preparing a firearm for use, as it ensures that the shooter can accurately hit their target and reduces the chances of missing or hitting an unintended target. In practice, if the tension is adjusted properly, the optic will maintain zero and perform as expected.
There are a number of clamping mechanisms in the prior art that generally work the same way. These side mounts are designed to be slid on from the rear of the receiver, pushed forward, and secured by a locking lever. None are designed to slide on from the front of the rail and be pushed towards the back of the receiver. This is because, when under recoil, side rail mounts tend to walk forward to the front of the rifle, not backward. By design there is a stop mechanism in the clamping part of the mount. On the SVD mount it is a small bump type rivet near the front. On the AK style clamp it is built into the rear of the mount itself.
Russian style optic mounts are commonly referred to as either AK or SVD type mounts, but there are actually various mounts produced by different manufacturers that fit these rifle models. In reality, most Russian style optics carry a universal AK/SVD mount, as do most BelOMO optics outside the POSP series. This means that most any optic produced by either company can be fitted to SVD or AK rifles using a suitable side rail.
One thing to note is that all optics mounts are designed to slide on the rail from the rear of the receiver and are pushed toward the front and then locked into place with the throw lever. None of them are designed to slide on from the front as optics tend to walk forward under recoil and an optic that slides on from the front will eventually lose zero and possibly fall off. This happens because each mount is designed with a stopping rivet or the back of the mount that runs into part of the rail and keeps it from moving forward. When slid on from the front these parts do not connect and there is nothing to prevent the optic from moving forward if the tension from the lever loosens. It is possible to slide SVD mount optics onto AK rails from the front but there is no guarantee the mount will not be damaged or the zero will be lost when used this way. SVD clamping mounts need the center groove for the stop pin to slide into and therefore SVD mounts will not fit the common AK side rail plates.
There are generally four types of optic mounts in the prior art. First is the original SVD mount with a locking lever on top that throws and locks forward and a stop pin to prevent the optic from walking forward on the front of the mount. SVD mounts will not fit AK style rails because the stop pin prevents it from sitting on the rail. Second is the SVD style universal mount with a locking lever on top that throws and locks rearward and a stop pin to prevent the optic from walking forward on the rear of the mount. Third is the original NPZ and BelOMO style universal AK/SVD mount with a locking lever on the bottom. This universal mount fits both AK and SVD rifles but lacks the additional attachment security of a stop pin. Fourth is the civilian MTK-83 AK mount with a locking lever on the bottom.
The primary difference between the SVD mount and the universal types is how far forward they sit on a rail, which affects eye relief. Eye relief is a term used to describe the distance between the eyepiece of a rifle scope and the user's eye. It is the distance at which the user can see the full field of view of the device without any vignetting (blocking of peripheral vision). Eye relief is particularly important for people who wear glasses or for those who need to use the device while wearing eye protection, such as shooting glasses. A long eye relief allows these users to see the full field of view without having to move their head or eyes too close to the eyepiece. Eye relief is measured in millimeters, and a longer eye relief is generally preferred for most applications, especially for users who require the device for extended periods of time. SVD optics sit at the front of the longer SVD rail but AK optics sit centered over the shorter AK style rail. The clamp pivot mechanism is intended to sit in the center cutout of any given side rail. The optic must slide forward on the rail until the clamp can freely open or close which can only be accomplished in the center cutout position. To further clarify, not all optics use a stop pin. Many of the universal SVD mounts have the stop pin but ‘regular’ AK mounts actually use the back of the clamping mechanism to prevent the optic from sliding forward. Similarly, PK01-V and some of the newer BelOMO optics do not have a stop pin or flat edge on the back of the mount to keep them from sliding forward. When mounting they have to be lined up with a center cutout on the AK style rail by hand or they will keep sliding forward and come right off from the front. Instead of a stop pin to prevent them from moving forward, the mechanism is actually in the throw lever itself. When lined up with the center part of the AK style rail, the lever acts as a cam when locked and prevents the optic from moving forward. Mounts that do not use a stop pin are increasingly prone to unwanted optic sliding in the field.
Therefore, there is a need is for an optic mount that can be universally used on Russian style rifles with different side rail plate dimensions while maintaining proper eye relief, without the optic losing zero, and minimizing unwanted sliding.
An adaptable optic mount embodying the principles of the invention maintains secure positioning when in use and proper scope alignment (e.g., eye relief and zeroed) when attaching and detaching the scope on rifles with different side rail plate dimensions (e.g., AKs and SVDs) with an adjustable stop block with a well-defined distance between the two stop block points.
The adaptable optic mount of the invention generally comprises a main body with a groove, two stop block points, an adjustable stop block, a locking mechanism, two mounting projections, and a protrusion. The groove is positioned on the face of the main body and generally runs the length of the main body. The two stop block points are each generally positioned at opposite horizontal ends of the groove of the main body, i.e., one at the rear and one at the front. The adjustable stop block can be positioned at either of the two stop block points based on the type of rifle it is attached to. The adjustable stop block may be fastened to the rear or front stop block point via a screw or another similar mechanism. Likewise, the two mounting projections are generally positioned at opposite horizontal ends of the top portion of the main body depending on the specific specifications of the optic attached to. The locking mechanism is generally positioned between the two stop block points and at the bottom portion of the main body. The locking mechanism may be spring-loaded and screwable into a cutout of the groove of the main body. Other similar locking mechanisms may be employed. The protrusion is positioned on the back of the main body and acts to house the locking mechanism along with the cutout of the groove. Detailed descriptions of various embodiments of the adjustable optic mount are disclosed herein.
The adjustable stop block can be positioned at either the rear or front of the groove of the main body, thereby enabling universal application on rifles with different side rail plate dimensions while minimizing unwanted optic sliding when fired. For example, if attached to an SVD rifle, the stop block is positioned at the front orientation, and, if attached to an AK rifle, the stop block is positioned at the rear orientation. As will become apparent, the adjustable nature and positioning of the stop block further enables the mount to sit properly and securely on different rails, thereby maintaining proper eye relief and without the optic losing zero.
To promote an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the claimed invention is thereby intended. The present invention includes any alterations and further modifications of the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of principles in the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The adjustable stop block 45 can be positioned at either the rear stop block point 43 or the front stop back point 44, thereby enabling universal attachment to different side rail plate dimensions. For example, if attached to an SVD, the stop block is positioned at the front orientation, and, if attached to an AK, the stop block is positioned at the rear orientation.
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It is noted that while specific dimensions may be quoted throughout this disclosure, such dimensions are for exemplary purposes only and variation is expected especially when such optic mounts are fit to different side rail plates. Generally speaking, such variation in dimensions does not depart from the scope of this disclose.
