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Rifle mount

Rifle mount description/claims

This application claims the benefit of and priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/995,323 filed Sep. 26, 2007, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention broadly relates to apparatus for mounting accessory sighting and aiming devices to firearms. More particularly, the present invention relates to an accessory mount fitted around the barrel of a rifle and configured to support a series of accessory devices simultaneously.

2. Description of the Related Art

Rifles have long included sights and optical scopes for accurate aiming of the rifle at a target. Moreover, mechanisms for mounting optical telescopes and similar aiming devices on firearms are well developed in the art. In more recent years, the increasing use technological accessories in conjunction with firearms has generated a need for weapons to be capable of supporting various technological accessories, such as flashlights, infrared and night vision scopes, laser spotters, and so forth. Consequently, a wide variety of mounts for rifles and other hand weapons have been developed which permit the mounting of lights, scopes and the like on the weapon, often along the barrel. Such mounts are generally referred to as Modular Weapon Systems, and replace the factory hand guards of the host weapon systems.

These modular weapon systems generally include Picatinny or other standardized rail interface systems, often using MIL-STD-1913 for standardization of the mounting systems, and are affixed to the barrel or stock of the rifle for mounting accessories thereon. A variety of designs have been suggested for such modular weapon systems and such rails, as well as differing numbers of rails which can be coupled at one time to a rifle.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,600 to E'Nama discloses an attachment that clamps to the barrel of an M-16. Traverse slots, depending from the device, allow the securement of a singular accessory. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,650 to Swan teaches a multi-purpose rifle mount secured to the receiver of the rifle. The mount has a sleeve that fits over the barrel. The barrel remains “free-floating” in that the sleeve is positioned a distance from the barrel and does not contact the barrel at any point. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,484 to Mooney et al. teaches a universal mount for rifle comprising an upper rail having a plurality of traverse ribs running from the back of the upper receiver to the gas block, and a hand guard surrounding the barrel. The hand guard includes side mounts allowing the addition of accessory devices such as flashlights and laser sights.

However, it has been found that current accessory mounts affixed to the stock or hand guards of firearms are susceptible to inaccuracies due to being jarred and jolted during the course of regular operations and especially during firing. The current systems made for the bolt action rifles tend to be configured too far forward on the weapon and are not sufficiently rigid. Moreover, they oftentimes include complex and intricate attachment mechanisms. In addition, such accessory mounts often detract from the original ergonomics of the firearm. Therefore, a continuing need exists for a simple, yet versatile accessory mount that does not detract from a firearm's original ergonomics.

The improved rifle mount of the present invention comprises a recoil lug having an aperture formed therethrough, wherein the lug further includes about its periphery at least one accessory mounting point. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is a one piece mounting system which has an integral recoil lug that is sandwiched between the receiver and barrel creating a more rigid mounting system that is in a ergonomic operating area.

In a preferred embodiment the improved recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention includes three accessory mounts disposed about the periphery of the lug. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention also includes extension wings which align the mounting rails with the barrel of the rifle. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is operable to hold a variety of interchangeable accessory devices (e.g., aiming devices, laser range finding devices, flashlight devices) in a rigid yet more accessible area for the operator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounts comprise standardized mil spec (i.e., “Picatinny”) mounting rails for interchangeability of current technological accessory items known in public and military arenas, such as a flashlight, laser, night vision device, aiming device etc.

A preferred embodiment of the improved recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is constructed as a one piece unit. The recoil lug accessory mount of the present invention is formed out of a single piece of metal for rigidity. The one-piece rifle mount device of the present invention replaces the existing factory recoil lug, to better stabilize the action into a stock. Moreover, the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention may be incorporated into a weapon without extensive modification of the rifle, undue process, machine labor or additional skill set outside the typical process of gunsmithing or armorer skills. In another embodiment, the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention includes accessory mounts which are selectively attached and relatively coupled to the recoil lug portion of the mount.

The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is designed to work with receivers that have integral rails or mounts. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention is held in place by the inherent compression-tension/friction between the barrel and receiver when tightened, therefore eliminating addition compression pins, indexing or mechanical means to maintain alignment to the host action/rifle. The recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention will not degrade, interfere, or limit the inherent accuracy of the host weapon system. Every bolt rifle or rifle that needs more rail space or needs a more rigid accessory mount will benefit from the recoil lug rifle mount of the present invention.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art rifle and scope mount;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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