Patent Application
20120131838
This application relates broadly to the mounting of accessories onto weapons. More particularly, it concerns a device that interfaces with the built-in iron sights of a weapon, and allows for the mounting of accessories, optics, or other useful items to a weapon through the use of the MIL-STD M1913 Picatinny rail interface adaptively attached to the device.
The present invention relates to firearms and accessory mounts for securing accessories, such as optical sights, to firearms.
Soviet and Eastern-Bloc firearm designs are still widely in use by a large number of governments and have become available to the public. Users of these rifles often desire to improve the accuracy of their weapon by adding optical sights or other firearm accessories that are not readily mounted on rifles patterned after those designs. Unfortunately, some weapons are not provided with accessory mounting rails and are not readily adapted to have them.
To name one example, the AK-47 (Automat Kalashnikova 1947) is a gas-operated assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It was standardized and adopted in 1947 and was originally produced by Russian manufacturers for wide-spread use in many Eastern bloc nations during military conflicts during the Cold War. It was one of the first and surely the most widely adopted assault rifle. The AK-47 and numerous variants were produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle in the 20th century and continue to be manufactured in many countries, including the United States yet today. In addition to being produced as a rifle, the AK-47 may also be provided without a butt stock and be used as a pistol. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “AK-47”, “rifle” or “weapon” includes all variants of the AK-47.
The AK-47 is provided with a notched rear tangent iron sight having a pivoting lever arm that is pinned at its forward or distal end. As issued, the sight lever arm is calibrated with numbers and graduations, each numeral denoting hundreds of meters. The front sight, located near the rifle muzzle, comprises a post that is adjustable for elevation (up and down) in the field. Windage adjustment (left to right) is typically done by the armory prior to issue. The default sight setting is designed to places fired rounds within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to approximately 250 meters. This “point-blank range” setting allows the marksman to fire the rifle at any close target without adjusting the sights. Longer settings are intended for area suppression. The AK-47's sights were fashioned to emulate the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This was done in order to ease transition and simplify training over to the new weapon.
The AK-47 is in the AK family of weapons and includes the Chinese Norinco, or Poly Tech™, AKS, type 56, AK-47 S, the Hungarian AKM variations, the Romanian AKM variations, the AK-74, the Polish Tantal and the Russian AK 74 versions and the 545. Most often, three variations are discussed, including the AKS, AKM, and AK-74 and the pre-existing rear sight supports differ only in minute details. Each has a rear sight that includes an adjustable tangent sight with a hinged member that is hinged at the distal or barrel end of the sight and is aligned along the bore. Typically a tangent sight has a sliding member that bears on left and right walls having curved surfaces.
The tangent sights on all of these rifles, while crudely effective, do not provide the precision now sought by military personnel in the field and those sportsmen who have acquired these rifles for sporting purposes. Those users seek a simple and effective way to mount telescopic sights and other types of optical sighting aids. Modern optical sights include the AimPoint™ and the EO-Tech™ red dot sights. Historically, because of the shortcomings of the rifle/optical sight mounting interface, such optical sights have not worked consistently and up to their accuracy capacity when mounted upon the receiver of an AK style assault rifle.
Others have attempted to make aftermarket mounts available, but with limited success. In general, replacement receiver (bolt) covers are provided with scope mounts (e.g., a Weaver or Picatinny rail) affixed to the top surface thereof. Unfortunately, because of the relatively loose nature of the fit of the AK-47 receiver cover, these arrangements not very stable and are not precise enough to ensure that a the point of aim or “zero” will be restored (“return to zero” or “RTZ”) once the user disassembles and removes the receiver cover for field stripping and cleaning the weapon.
After a period of use, usually at the end of the day, the AK-47 is stripped and cleaned. Unfortunately, there is no physical way to disassemble the weapon without first removing the receiver cover, at which point the sighting zero is lost. Upon reassembly, the point of aim will have changed. Other attempts to provide a platform for optical sighting equipment include mounting scope mounts or rails on the left side of the AK receiver. This involves permanent alteration of the weapon and technical issues may arise when unskilled shooters trying to alter the AK-47 receiver. If done improperly, the mounting hardware could actually block internal moving parts, interfering with the insertion of the magazine. Such alterations may also adversely affect a rifle's value since it is no longer “original”.
Yet others have attempted to use Picatinny rails manufactured right into forearms to replace the standard forearms. However, when mounting an optic there, the optic is too far forward for the shooter to see a correct sight picture. An additional drawback is that the AK-47 quickly gets very hot near the forearm and an unwary shooter can cause that area to overheat and damage the mounted optical sight.
Another problem confronting the shooter on a limited budget is that the AK and its variants often were manufactured using stamped steel receivers, and so were not suited to conventional scope rail mounts, which are usually affixed by threaded fasteners after drilling and tapping a rifle's receiver.
There is a need, therefore, for a method and apparatus for mounting telescopic sights and other types of optical sighting aids and accessories onto inexpensive surplus rifles such as the AK-47.
The AK Adaptive Rail System, hereinafter referred to as the “AKARS”, as presented in the present disclosure utilizes the features of an existing iron sight affixed to a weapon to act as a host for the pivotable attachment of an AKARS to enable the additional weapon accessories, optics, lighting or other useful items to be mounted upon the host weapon without alteration to the rifle's receiver or any other portion the host weapon.
Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the above mentioned difficulties by providing an easily installed accessory mount for use with rifles equipped with tangent or ladder-style sights. Preferably, the present invention provides an easily-installed accessory mount comprising a replacement receiver cover fitted with a Picatinny or Weaver rail mounted upon its top surface.
The AKARS mount of the present invention has an elongated body with a distally projecting protuberance providing laterally mounting holes for a mounting pin on a distal end and the receiver cover release button at the proximal end. Once the tangent sight is removed from its base, the AKARS of the present invention removably mounts upon a rifle using the same cavities used by the tangent sights in the tangent sight base at the front using a common pin and is retained in a closed position by engaging the receiver cover release button. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the AKARS is adapted for installation by a user without requiring additional tools, alteration of the original receiver or gunsmithing. Once installed, the AKARS provides a rail affixed to the top surface of the AK-47 receiver cover permitting a universal mounting surface for optical sights or other rail-mounted accessories. The AKARS in configured with V-shaped opposing lateral edges adapted to receive clamping attachments used with either Picatinny or Weaver™ style mounts.
The AKARS does not interfere with the mechanical operation of the AK-47 weapon in any manner. The position where the AKARS attaches to the weapon does not get too hot to affect the accessories mounted thereto and it is easy to assembly/disassemble. The AKARS may released by pressing in the receive cover button and tilted up and forward to a generally vertical position. While the AKARS is in this disengaged condition, the weapon may be field stripped and cleaned without removal of the pivoting mount. Since the AKARS is securely and pivotally affixed to the rear sight base and since it is not removed from the rifle during routine cleaning, when the receiver cover re-engages the receiver, the sight pattern returns to zero and is ready to accurately engage the shooter's target. One embodiment of the invention allows for removal of the receiver cover separate and apart from the rail portion of the AKARS.
Advantages of the AKARS are that the accessory mount does not permanently alter the firearm in any way, can be quickly and easily installed in the field, and provide the shooter with RTZ after the weapon is field stripped and cleaned.
The material for making the AKARS may be one of aluminum, steel, other metals or composites. The AKARS may be finished in a number of ways, including anodizing, phosphate, painting, bluing or other suitable means of providing a suitably durable finish. The AKARS may be manufactured by and combination of machining, molding and EDM.
One embodiment of the present invention is a hinged sight mounting system for an AK-47 series rifle. The system is universally adaptable to all currently available models of AK-47. The sight mounting system is affixed to a top cover of the rifle and includes an extension on a front portion that interfaces with a rear sight block on the rifle via a captured pin. A rear portion of the sight mount comprises a fixed iron sight and a predetermined length of MIL-STD M1913 Picatinny rail interface. The mounting system becomes a part of the rifle after installation and is held in place using existing components of the rifle.
One object of the present invention is an adaptive rail system for a weapon. An elongate body is adapted to couple to a receiver cover of the weapon. A rail extends from the body. A front extension also extends from the body, the front extension being configured to be pivotably coupled to a sight housing of the weapon.
Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to
In accordance with the present invention, the accessory mount 110 has an elongated body 141 comprising a rail 130 and terminating in the front extension 134. The upper surface of rail 130 is configured to accept accessories such as scope rings or other optics and preferably comprises a plurality of transverse raised segments alternately spaced with a plurality of transverse grooves configured to accept equipment or supports designed to clamp on a Military Standard Picatinny rail 130 (or a Weaver rail) providing a universal mounting surface for optical sights. Accessory mount 110 is attached to receiver cover 109 in any suitable manner, such as with fasteners, such as rivets or screws. In the alternative, the accessory mount 110 may be secured to receiver cover 109 by other means, such as by welding or adhesives. Rail 130 may be a separate piece that is mechanically joined to body 141. Alternatively, rail 130 may be made integral with body 141.
The right edge and the left edge of the rail portion 130 are suitably dimensioned to receive clamping attachments and preferably have a V-shaped profile such that the center of the V-shape projects outwardly to engage a mating profile in a mounted optic (not shown).
The front extension 134 is dimensioned to include a distal or forward end that substantially fits within a pre-existing tangent-style sight housing or base 108 and hinges within the sight housing's left and right opposing pin receiving members 116 and 118 by releasably engaging the AKARS mounting pin 145 through hinge retaining holes, as at 144. Once the front extension 134 is secured with mounting pin 145, the AKARS 110 mounts is free to pivot about the axis formed by the pin, and can be moved between an engaging and disengaging position with the receiver 122. The AKARS 110 mount engages receiver 122, it is now secure in place, being captured by the take down button's 148 firm engagement with take down window 146. This fit between the pivoting front extension 143 and take down button 148 provides repeatable positioning of the AKARS 110 mount and thus any optics mounted to the unit with benefit from a return to zero after cleaning of the weapon. Sight notch 136 is provided to enable aiming the rifle 100 in conjunction with the rifle's front sight 115.
While not shown in the drawings, one embodiment of the invention uses a modified pin having circumferential cut(s) made in the pin's surface located along its length. This rib or ribs are then engaged by fasteners, such as circlips or e-rings to laterally secure the pin in place. This may be necessary is excessive shock causes pin 145 to disengage from the outer and center hinge arms 138, 140 and right and left pin receiving members 116, 118. Due to the tightness of the fit between these components, it may become necessary to machine some relief wells in the sides of either or both of the hinge arms 138, 140 and the side walls of the pin receiving members 116, 118, to accommodate the additional thickness added by the fasteners. In the alternative, pin 145 may be provided with though-holes at locations corresponding to holes in either or both the outer and center hinge arms 138, 140 and right and left pin receiving, members 116, 118. In this manner, pin 145 may be laterally secured by one or more pins passing vertically through it and its supporting members.
The AKARS mount 110 may be comprised of a single, unibody portion as shown in
While the AKARS 110 is shown in
Referring to
While the mount 128 and rail 130 are shown to be in abutment with one another, yet another bifurcated embodiment of the AKARS mounting system 110 provides a recess within the mount, such that as rail 130 engages guide pins 132, the abutment takes place underneath the top surface of the mount. In this manner, when the two mounting components 128, 129 are in abutment within a recess of the rail mount, the mating seam between the two is covered by the overhang of the rail mount.
Although the accessory mount 110 may be adapted for attachment to any rifle having a pre-existing tangent or ladder-style sight (e.g., such as a K98 Mauser, a Mosin-Nagant variant or one of the SKS family of rifles), the AK family of rifles is of particular interest. As noted above, the AK family includes the AK-47, the Chinese Norinco, or Poly Tech, AKS, type 56, AK-47 S, the Hungarian AKM variations, the Romanian AKM variations, the AK-74, the Polish Tantal, the Russian AK 74 versions, Yugoslavian/Zastiva variations and the 545. Most often, three variations are discussed, including the AKS, AKM, and AK-74 and the pre-existing rear sight supports differ only in minute details. Any reference herein to the AK family of weapons or the AK-47 is an express reference to the AK family of weapons generally.
While this invention is well suited for retrofitting existing military surplus or service rifles (e.g., 100), it can also be incorporated as an OEM feature in rifles configured for sale or delivery with optical sights.
The AKARS 110 mount may be deployed as follows. First, ensure that the weapon has been cleared. Remove any magazine from the weapon. Pull the bolt to the rear of the weapon and visually inspect the chamber to ensure it does not contain a round. Place the function selector lever on the right side of the weapon in the non-firing or “safe” position.
Next, remove the existing rear sight from the AK-47's rear sight block. This is accomplished by placing the rear sight leaf in a fully upright position, generally perpendicular to the weapon. Press the rear sight leaf downwardly towards the weapon while keeping the leaf in the upright position. This will depress the rear sight leaf spring, and allow the rear sight leaf to be removed from the weapon. For ease of removal it may be helpful to depress the rear sight leaf spring with a stiff rod, such as a cleaning rod, while removing the sight.
Next, remove the receiver top cover. This is done by depressing the recoil spring take down button at the rear of the weapon through the take down button window. This will enable the cover to be pivoted upwardly and off of the receiver. With the original receiver cover removed, install the AKARS mount onto the weapon. Place the center hinge arm 140 in the rear sight block's open central portion 111 so that the outer arm supports 138 are on each side of the block's elevation lips. Firmly press the AKARS downward toward the rear sight leaf spring so that the hinge retaining pin holes 144 align with the holes located on the elevation lips of the rear sight block. Once aligned, install the hinge retaining pin 145 through the hinge retaining holes 144 on the outer and center support arms, thus pivotably connecting the AKARS mount to the rear sight of the weapon. S6. Once the front extension is secured to the sight block, lower the AKARS until the attached receiver cover 109 falls back into place, engaging the recoil spring assembly take-down button 148. Mount optics or other accessories, if desired.
In addition to the embodiments shown and described, the invention also includes variations. Included in those additional embodiments, include, without limitation, incorporate the AK-47 rear sight into the AKARS mount so that it does not need to be replaced. The AKARS can also be provided with a leaf sight that can pop up if needed. Although AKARS is described as a rail affixed to the receiver top cover, it is also envisioned that the AKARS may be fabricated from a single piece of stock, thus strengthening the interface between the two components. It is also envisioned that the rail of the AKARS may have a peep sight or an adjustable rear sight incorporated into it to allow for adjustment of windage and elevation.
The Picatinny rail may be elevated so that a sight can be deployed such that the sight is aligned with the front sight post of the weapon. Additional rails may be added in different planes than the single plane shown and described. It is also envisioned that additional measures may be taken to ensure that the receiver cover returns to the same position each time it engages the receiver. This could include guides or indicia or alignment structures. There has been no specific length described in the embodiment of the invention because a wide variety of lengths may be appropriate in difference circumstances.
While this invention has been shown and described with respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 61/393,849, filed Oct. 15, 2010 and to U.S. provisional application 61/410,927, filed Nov. 10, 2010, the contents of each being hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61393849 | Oct 2010 | US | |
| 61410927 | Nov 2010 | US |
