SIGHT ADAPTER FOR USE WITH AK SERIES RIFLES

Abstract

The present sight adapter can be designed for use with AK series rifles and can comprise a cutout element that allows standard pistol rear sights to be used with any AK series rifles. This sight adapter can comprise a lug section a leaf section and an aft section, wherein the aft section can comprise a dovetail-shaped cutout wherein the gun sights are made with a male element that is shaped to fit into this dovetail cutout allowing different sights to be interchangeable.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present device relates to a sight adapter that is designed for use with firearms. The sight adapter is specifically designed for use with AK series rifles and can comprise a cutout element that allows standard pistol rear sights to be used with any AK series rifle.

BACKGROUND

A rear sight and a front sight are present on AK series rifles. The user aligns the rear sight with the front sight and the target as a way to increase accuracy of a shot. The AK series of rifles is not known for its accuracy; specifically the sights of the AK series have long been a source of complaint. Many users have reported that the short sight radius is one of the reasons for the poor accuracy. In reality the sight radius is almost identical to that of the M4 carbine (the standard carbine of the US army) a weapon renowned for its accuracy. The problem with the standard AK series sight is the distance of the sights from the eye of the shooter. Unlike most modern rifles that have the rear sight at or towards the rear of the receiver, the AK series rear sight is positioned at the front of the receiver, making the rear sight farther from the shooter's eye, much like shooting a pistol held at arm's length.

A specific type of rear sight that can be used with this type of firearm is a tangent sight. Tangent sights comprise markings corresponding to the angles of elevation and the distance from the target. A rear tangent sight can be mounted to the rifle by attaching the front of the sight to the rifle at a location on the front of the receiver. The general configuration of an AK series tangent sight comprises an elongated piece of material with a centerline groove along the length used to align the sights. The length of the AK series sight runs parallel with the gun barrel. The angles of elevation are marked with horizontal indentations at regular intervals long the length of the sight. One of the main drawbacks of using this sight is the small slit used for the rear sight. This small slit is not practical for use when the sight is held at a significant distance from the user's eye, which leads to an inaccurate shot. Additionally, a tangent sight mounted to an AK series rifle does not have any ability to move horizontally. Therefore, the user cannot adjust the sight to compensate for windage.

Pistols often utilize sights located at the rear of the slide. These sights are generally made to be interchangeable so that different style sights can be utilized for different purposes. Specifically, sights with different colored marks can be used, including glowing marks for use in sighting at night. In order to make the sights interchangeable the rear end of the pistol slide often comprises a dovetail-shaped cutout. The sights are made with a male element that is shaped to fit into this dovetail cutout. This fitting allows different sights to be interchangeable. Many of these sights comprise a more open rear view, which allows for greater accuracy when aiming the firearm at arm's length. Additionally, the dovetail fitting allows the sight to be moved horizontally, which allows the user to compensate for the effect of windage on the bullet's trajectory.

The location of the rear sight on an AK series rifle corresponds to the location of the rear sight on a pistol when it is held at arm's length in relation to the user's eye. The use of the pistol rear sight on the AK series rifle would provide many benefits to the user of an AK series rifle. AK series rifle sights are not easily interchangeable and are not compatible with pistol sights. Therefore, what is needed is an adapter that can be easily affixed to an AK series rifle, which can make the AK series rifle compatible for use with pistol sights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above aspects can be achieved by a sight adapter comprising a tangent sight with a dovetail cutout. The dovetail cutout being sized to accept sights and accessories designed for pistols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an perspective view of the top of a sight adapter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an perspective bottom view of a sight adapter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sight adapter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a photo containing a perspective top and side view of a sight adapter containing a sight accessory according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a photo containing a side view of a sight adapter containing a sight, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

The present sight adapter can comprise a dovetail cutout to allow the user to replace the standard small slit rear sight commonly found on AK series rifles with a more open pistol rear sight. The present sight adapter can allow the sight to maintain proper elevation adjustment and can provide the additional ability to shift the pistol rear sight for adjustment due to windage. In addition to the ability to add a standard pistol rear sight via the dovetail cutout, almost any pistol sight can be inserted increasing the adaptability of the rear sight to match the preference of the users. This includes the ability to use pistol style night sights, peep sights or any number of other aftermarket pistol rear sights.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a sight adapter according to an embodiment. The present sight adapter can comprise a rear sight for use with AK series rifles. The present sight adapter can comprise a lug section, a leaf and an aft section. The lug section can be narrower and can comprise two lugs. The lugs can be used to affix the sight adapter to the gun. The lugs can be secured to the rifle through the use of pivot ears, which can be located on the top of the rifle at the front of the receiver. Between the aft section and the lug section can be the leaf The leaf can comprise a central groove, one or more slider slots and one or more range interval markings. The aft section can be located farthest from the lugs. The lug section and the leaf can be similar in design and function similar to a common rear sight for use with AK series rifles. The aft section can comprise a dovetail cutout that is sized to accept accessories, including sights that are originally intended for use with pistols.

The dovetail cutout in the aft section can be dovetail in shape, meaning that the top of the opening is narrower than the bottom, when this shape is viewed from the side it has the appearance of the shape of a dove's tail. The dovetail cutout can be sized to act as the female connection for the male dovetail shaped sights and accessories. Specifically, the dovetail cutout can run perpendicular to the groove and can extend fully across the entire aft section of the sight adapter.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a sight adapter according to an embodiment. From the side view the elevation of the aft section can be viewed. The aft section can be offset from the plane of the leaf. The offset can allow the top and the bottom of the aft section to be slightly lower than the leaf. The lower location can allow any added sights to align properly on the AK series sight.

The width of the uppermost part of the dovetail cutout opening measuring from the front of the gun to the back of the gun can measure 0.250″ with the sides extending into the adapter 0.079″ deep at a 74° angle. These measurements can be used to secure a Glock® brand pistol sight. However, the dovetail cutout can be sized such that it can secure any brand pistol sight that has a male dovetail shape and the dimensions can correspond with the dimensions of the male dovetail of the sight and accessories to be attached to the sight adapter so that a secure fit can be achieved.

FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of a sight adapter according to an embodiment. The bottom of the lug section and the leaf can be flat, and the aft section can be slightly lower, which is due to the offset of this section. The leaf can comprise one or more slider slots, so that a slider can be used to adjust the elevation of the tangent sight for shooting at varying distances. The slider slots can be indentions into one of the bottom corners of the leaf These sliders slots can perform the function of slider slots that are located on any traditional tangent rear sights for use with AK series rifles.

FIG. 4 is a photo of a perspective top and side view of a sight adapter containing a sight accessory according to an embodiment. To use the sight adapter, the user can choose any sight with a dovetail connection. This shape is commonly used by all sights designed for use on pistols. The ability to choose any sight with this shape, can provide the user with a much wider range of sight options than what is currently available for use with an AK series rifle. The user can take the selected male dovetail sight and slide it into the dovetail cutout. The dovetail cutout can be sized to securely hold the sight in place during use. The size can also permit the movement of the sight accessory horizontally with a force applied by hand. This movement can allow the user to compensate for windage while sighting with an AK series rifle.

As an alternative embodiment, additional features can be included on the sight adapter. Hash marks can be included on the very back of the aft section on the user side of the dovetail cutout. These hash marks can allow the user to more accurately adjust his or her sighting of a target. Moreover, the dovetail cutout can comprise two channels running from one side of the gun to the other side within the dovetail cutout.

FIG. 5 is photo of a side view of a sight adapter containing a sight, according to an embodiment. The two channels that can be included in the dovetail cutout can be located on each of the two bottom corners of the dovetail cutout. The two channels can be included for ease in manufacturing. The sight adapter can function properly with or without the two channels.

Although the present sight adapter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the present sight adapter, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the present device.

Claims

1. A sight adapter comprising: a lug section comprising two lugs wherein the lugs are secured to a rifle through the use of two or more pivot ears located on the top of the rifle at the front of the receiver;a leaf section comprising a central groove, one or more slider slots and one or more range interval markings; andan aft section comprise a dovetail cutout.