Patent Application
20240344807
This disclosure relates to a handgun optic mounting system, and more particularly to mounting systems that improve durability and accuracy of an associated optic mount.
Conventional handguns were used for short-range shooting, between 0-25 yards. Recently, more handguns are equipped with optic mounts for improved accuracy. However, at mid-range to long-range distances, which can range from 25-100 yards or more, accuracy with a handgun decreases due to handguns generally having a lower muzzle velocity than rifles which allows a bullet's trajectory to be more greatly influenced by gravity. Some conventional techniques include angling the handgun to compensate for the bullet drop however it requires significant skill and can be challenging during stressful and urgent times.
In conventional optic mounting systems for guns, and more specifically handguns, there are two hardware mounting apertures on the recessed surface. In some conventional handgun optic mounting systems, the threaded mounting apertures can include mounting protrusions which elevate the threaded apertures above the recessed surface to provide an optic mount with additional threaded engagement. For example, a gun optic system involving two mounting protrusions is disclosed by Alec Daniel Wolf. in patent USRE47335E1, reissued Apr. 2, 2019. However, when threaded mount protrusions are used, a thinner and weaker fastener must be used due to the threaded mounting apertures having a decreased diameter.
A handgun optic mounting system is disclosed for improving accuracy and durability with use of an optic mount to a handgun. The handgun optic mounting system comprises an optic recess disposed on a handgun slide of the handgun, the optic recess having a recessed surface angled relative to an upper surface of the handgun slide, a barrel central axis, or both. Angle of the recessed surface improves accuracy at longer ranges. The handgun optic mounting system further comprises a plurality of threaded apertures extending into the recessed surface including a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture has a single mounting protrusion extending above the recessed surface, and the second aperture terminates flush with the recessed surface, allow a larger fastener to engage with the second aperture to create a greater clamping force with an associated optic mount.
Accuracy is improved by the handgun mounting system due to the angle, or tilt, of the recessed surface relative to the upper surface or barrel central axis of the handgun slide. A shooter will use an attached optic mount for aiming, which comprises the corresponding tilt of the recessed surface. Targeting with the tilted optic mount will naturally cause the handgun slide, including the barrel central axis, to tilt upwards which will reduce effects of bullet drop at long ranges. Any negative impact to short range accuracy due to the tilted recessed angle is minimal due to shorter ranges requiring less accuracy.
Durability is improved by the second aperture having a flush termination with the recessed surface compared to the first aperture comprising the single mounting protrusion. The single mounting protrusion maybe required when an obstruction within the handgun slide prevents the first aperture from fully extending into the handgun slide, thereby preventing sufficient thread engagement. The single mounting protrusion compensates for this limitation. However, to properly fit within mounting holes of the associated optic mount, a smaller diameter of the first aperture is required due to the single mounting protrusion occupying space within one of the mounting holes. The second aperture, which has no associated obstruction and can fully extend into the handgun slide, does not comprise a protrusion and so the second aperture comprises a greater diameter to receive a larger fastener. A larger fastener allows for a greater clamping force which will increase durability of the optic mount and engagement with the handgun slide.
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art of firearms and accessories upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
For purposes herein, the term “proximal end” means an end of a handgun slide nearest a shooter.
The term “optic recess” means a recess on a handgun slide configured to receive an optic mount such that the optic device is configured to mount on a recessed surface of the optic recess.
The term “optic mount” means an optical sighting device configured to engage with a firearm.
The term “mounting hole” means holes of the optic mount used to engage with the firearm.
The term “extractor chamber” means a chamber associated with an extractor for hooking onto the rim of a cartridge case.
The term “angled” means not parallel.
The term “anteriorly tilted” means a forward tilt of a recessed surface relative to a shooter such that a portion of an optic mount disposed closer to the distal end is lower than a portion of the optic mount disposed closer to the proximal end.
The term “threaded engagement” means an area of contact between threads of a fastener and threads of a receiving first and second threaded apertures.
The term “bullet drop” means an effect on a bullet at mid to long ranges which causes a downwards curve due to gravity.
The term “handgun” means a type of firearm design to be handheld. Handguns are distinguished from rifles and shotguns that are larger and generally require both hands for stable operation.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In one general embodiment, a handgun optic mounting system is disclosed. The handgun optic mounting system comprises a handgun slide having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. A first half is disposed at the proximal end and a second half is disposed on the distal end. The handgun slide further comprises an upper surface and a barrel aperture having a barrel central axis. An optic recess is disposed on the handgun slide, the optic recess having a recessed surface disposed lower than the upper surface. The recessed surface forms a recess plane anteriorly tilted wherein the recess plane comprises a recessed angle with at least one of the upper surface or the barrel central axis. The recessed angle comprises a value between and inclusive of 5 to 25 minutes of angle. A plurality of threaded apertures extends into the recessed surface, the plurality of threaded apertures comprising a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture comprises a single mounting protrusion extending above the recessed surface and the second aperture terminates flush with the recessed surface. The first aperture further comprises a first diameter and the second aperture comprises a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
In some embodiments, wherein the optic recess may be disposed on the upper surface of the handgun slide.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may further comprise a proximal boundary extending from the upper surface to the recessed surface to form a first height, the optic recess further comprising a distal boundary extending the from the upper surface to the recessed surface to form a second height, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.
In some embodiments, the recessed surface may further comprise a plurality of alignment elements.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed at the first half.
In some embodiments, the single mounting protrusion may comprise threads.
In some embodiments, the handgun slide may further comprise an extractor chamber, wherein the extractor chamber is disposed below the first aperture.
In some embodiments, the first aperture may extend from the recessed surface to a first terminal end to form a first aperture depth, and the second aperture extends from the recessed surface to a second terminal end to form a second aperture depth, wherein the second aperture depth is greater than the first aperture depth.
In another general embodiment, a handgun optic mounting system is disclosed. The handgun mounting system comprises a handgun slide having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. A first half is disposed at the proximal end and a second half is disposed on the distal end. The handgun slide further comprises an upper surface and a barrel aperture having a barrel central axis. An optic recess is disposed on the handgun slide. The optic recess comprises a recessed surface disposed lower than the upper surface, the recessed surface forming a recess plane wherein the recess plane is angled with at least one of the upper surface or the barrel central axis.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed on the upper surface of the handgun slide.
In some embodiments, the recess plane is anteriorly tilted.
In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a recessed angle formed by the recess plane and at least one of the upper surface or the barrel central axis. The recessed angle may comprise a value between and inclusive of 5 to 25 minutes of angle.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may further comprise a proximal boundary extending from the upper surface to the recessed surface to form a first height, the optic recess further comprising a distal boundary extending the from the upper surface to the recessed surface to form a second height, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.
In some embodiments, the recessed surface may further comprise a plurality of alignment elements.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed at the first half.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may further comprise a plurality of threaded mounting apertures, the plurality of threaded mounting apertures comprising a first aperture and a second aperture each extending into the recessed surface, wherein the first aperture comprises a single mounting protrusion extending above the recessed surface, and further wherein the second aperture terminates flush with the recessed surface. The single mounting protrusion may comprise threads.
In some embodiments, the first aperture may further comprise a first diameter and the second aperture may further comprise a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
In some embodiments, the handgun slide may further comprise an extractor chamber, wherein the extractor chamber is disposed below the first aperture.
In some embodiments, the first aperture may extend from the recessed surface to a first terminal end to form a first aperture depth, and the second aperture extends from the recessed surface to a second terminal end to form a second aperture depth, wherein the second aperture depth is greater than the first aperture depth.
In another general embodiment, A handgun optic mounting system is disclosed. The handgun optic mounting system comprises a handgun slide having a proximal end, a distal end, a first half disposed at the proximal end, a second half disposed on the distal end, and an upper surface. The handgun slide further comprises a barrel aperture having a barrel central axis. An optic recess is disposed on the handgun slide, the optic recess having a recessed surface disposed lower than the upper surface. A plurality of threaded apertures extends into the recessed surface, the plurality of threaded apertures comprising a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture comprises a single mounting protrusion extending above the recessed surface and the second aperture terminates flush with the recessed surface. The first aperture further comprises a first diameter and the second aperture further comprises a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed on the upper surface of the handgun slide.
In some embodiments, the recessed surface may further comprise a plurality of alignment elements.
In some embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed at the first half.
In some embodiments, the single mounting protrusion may comprise threads.
In some embodiments, the handgun slide may further comprise an extractor chamber, wherein the extractor chamber is disposed below the first aperture.
In some embodiments, the first aperture may extend from the recessed surface to a first terminal end to form a first aperture depth, and the second aperture may extend from the recessed surface to a second terminal end to form a second aperture depth, wherein the second aperture depth is greater than the first aperture depth.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims. One having skill in the art will appreciate the features disclosed herein can be used together or separately to achieve various utility.
Now turning to the drawings,
A proximal extent of the recessed surface (121) may be defined by a proximal boundary (124). The distance between the recessed surface and the upper surface (115) at the location of the proximal boundary may be referred to as the first height (125). Additionally, a distal extent of the recessed surface (121) may be defined by a distal boundary (126). The distance between the recessed surface and the upper surface (115) at the location of the distal boundary may be referred to as the second height (127). An angular difference between the recessed surface and the upper surface may be evidenced by a difference between the first height and the second height such that the second height is greater than the first height. The angled orientation of the recessed surface and the upper surface allows a shooter to more accurately aim at mid-range and long-range distances. The shooter, whiling use the optic mount to aim, will naturally tilt the handgun upwards due to a forward tilt of the recessed surface. The tilt of the handgun will correct bullet drop from gravity. Additionally, short-range will be minimally affected by any tilt of the handgun because of the closer range.
The recessed surface (121) further comprises a plurality of alignment elements. Alignment elements may help the user align the optic within the optic recess during installation. Alignment elements may also help to keep the optic aligned within the optic recess during use of the gun.
The optic recess (120) may be disposed towards the anterior end of the slide which is referred to as a first half (113) of the handgun slide (100). A second half (114) of the handgun slide extends from a midpoint on the handgun slide towards the distal end (112) of the slide. In other embodiments, the optic recess may be disposed on the second half of the slide.
The optic recess (120) features a plurality of threaded mounting apertures. The plurality of threaded mounting apertures comprises a first aperture (140) having a single mounting protrusion (141) to raise threads of the first aperture above the recessed surface (121). The second aperture (150) lacks a mounting protrusion and terminates flush to the recessed surface.
As shown in
As shown in
A lowest extent of threads of the first aperture (140) is defined as a first terminal end (143). The distance between the recessed surface and the first terminal end is defined as a first aperture depth (144). A lowest extend of threads of the second aperture (150) is defined as a second terminal end (152). The distance between the recessed surface and the second terminal end is defined as a second aperture depth (153). The second aperture depth is greater than the first aperture depth due to an absence of obstruction below the second aperture that allows the second aperture to extend further into the handgun slide. Because the second aperture depth is longer than the first aperture depth, the second aperture does not require a mounting protrusion like the first aperture. In such embodiments, a top of the second aperture is flush with the recessed surface (121). Due to the second aperture being devoid of a mounting protrusion extending above the recessed surface, the second aperture may comprise a wider diameter than the first diameter of the first aperture.
The handgun slide (100) comprises a firing pin channel (170) configured to hold a firing pin. The firing pin channel may be disposed within the handgun slide having a firing pin axis (171) which passes longitudinally through the center of the firing pin channel. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the firing pin channel and longitudinal axis of the barrel aperture (130) are presumed to be parallel with each other. In some embodiments, the firing pin axis, the barrel central axis (131), and the upper surface (115) are all parallel to each other.
As shown in
Generally, the handgun slide is made of metal. Otherwise, the handgun slide can be fabricated in accordance with the level and knowledge of one having skill in the art.
While various details, features, and combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/459,595, filed Apr. 14, 2023; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63459595 | Apr 2023 | US |
