Low profile flip up site
OwnerRichard E. Swaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low profile, self-aligning, flip-up mechanism for aiming devices used with firearms. The mechanism folds the aiming device into the contour of the firearm during non-use. The mechanism is spring-loaded and flips into a vertical operational position with a simple movement of a finger or thumb. The mechanism includes at least two separate aiming elements that are mounted in a fashion that allows them to rotate relative to one another thereby facilitating a smaller storage profile. The mechanism also causes the aiming device to self-align itself as it moves into an operational position assuring vertical position repeatability.
Claims4
A flip-up aiming sight for use with a firearm comprising:
- a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface configured and arranged to be mounted on an upper receiver of a firearm;
- a sight housing having an upper section and a lower section configured and arranged to be rotationally movable relative to said top surface of said base,
- said sight housing being rotationally movable relative to said base member between a first inactive position adjacent said base member and a second active position generally perpendicular to said base member,
- said upper section including upwardly extending, opposing sidewalls that cooperate to define a central support region,
- a spring received and retained between said base member and said sight housing for normally biasing said sight housing to said active position;
- a retainer configured and arranged to selectively engage said sight housing and selectively retain said sight housing in said inactive position;
- and
- an aiming assembly mounted within said central support region of said upper section of said sight housing, said aiming assembly including a windage adjustment screw rotatably mounted between said upwardly extending opposing sidewalls, a first aiming element having a top aiming end and a bottom mounting end mounted on said windage adjustment screw, and a second aiming element having a top aiming end and a bottom mounting end mounted on said windage adjustment screw, said first aiming element being configured and arranged in a fixed upright position generally perpendicular to said central support region, said second aiming element being rotatably movable relative to said first aiming element between a first active position generally perpendicular to said central support region and parallel to said first aiming element and a second inactive position generally parallel to said central support region and perpendicular to said first aiming element,
- said first and second aiming elements being movable laterally along a shaft portion of said windage adjustment screw responsive to rotation of said windage adjustment screw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.