Mounts for optical sighting devices

Abstract

Disclosed are implementations of a pivot mount for an optical sighting device. A sight support member of the pivot mount is movable between a use position, in which an attached optical sighting device can be used to sight a firearm, and a storage position, in which the attached optical sighting device is vertically offset from the use position.

1 . A pivot mount for an optical sighting device, the pivot mount comprising:
 a base configured to releasably engage a mounting interface of a firearm; and   a sight support member rotatably coupled to the base;   wherein:   the sight support member includes a pivot portion rotatably connected to the base;   the pivot portion is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; and   the sight support member is configured to move an attached optical sighting device between a first position, in which the attached optical sighting device is in a use position, and a second position, in which the attached optical sighting device is in a storage position, both the first and the second positions being laterally offset to one side of the horizontal axis about which the pivot portion rotates, with the second position being vertically offset below the first position.   
     
     
         2 . The pivot mount of  claim 1 , wherein the sight support member further comprises a sight attachment device configured to secure the attached optical sighting device to the sight support member. 
     
     
         3 . The pivot mount of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The pivot mount of  claim 3 , wherein the spring-loaded ball detent is configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The pivot mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a pair of spaced pivot bosses that project upwardly therefrom, and the pivot portion of the sight support member is configured to fit between the pair of spaced pivot bosses, wherein the pivot portion of the sight support member is rotatably coupled to the pivot bosses of the base by a pivot pin. 
     
     
         6 . The pivot mount of  claim 5 , further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The pivot mount of  claim 6 , wherein the spring-loaded ball detent is carried in the pivot portion of the sight support member and is releasably received by a recess located on an interior side of one of the pair of spaced pivot bosses. 
     
     
         8 . The pivot mount of  claim 7 , wherein the recess configured to releasably receive the spring-loaded ball detent is formed in a detent plate. 
     
     
         9 . A pivot mount for an optical sighting device, the pivot mount comprising:
 a base configured to releasably engage a mounting interface of a firearm; and   a sight support member rotatably coupled to the base;   wherein:   the sight support member includes a pivot portion rotatably connected to the base;   the pivot portion is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; and   the sight support member is configured to move an attached optical sighting device between a first position, in which the attached optical sighting device is in a use position, and a second position, in which the attached optical sighting device is vertically offset from the first position, both the first and the second positions being laterally offset to one side of the horizontal axis about which the pivot portion rotates.   
     
     
         10 . The pivot mount of  claim 9 , wherein the sight support member further comprises a sight attachment device configured to secure the attached optical sighting device to the sight support member. 
     
     
         11 . The pivot mount of  claim 9 , further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the first position. 
     
     
         12 . The pivot mount of  claim 11 , wherein the spring-loaded ball detent is configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The pivot mount of  claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a pair of spaced pivot bosses that project upwardly therefrom, and the pivot portion of the sight support member is configured to fit between the pair of spaced pivot bosses, wherein the pivot portion of the sight support member is rotatably coupled to the pivot bosses of the base by a pivot pin. 
     
     
         14 . The pivot mount of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the first position. 
     
     
         15 . The pivot mount of  claim 14 , wherein the spring-loaded ball detent is carried in the pivot portion of the sight support member and is releasably received by a recess located on an interior side of one of the pair of spaced pivot bosses. 
     
     
         16 . The pivot mount of  claim 15 , wherein the recess configured to releasably receive the spring-loaded ball detent is formed in a detent plate. 
     
     
         17 . A pivot mount for an optical sighting device, the pivot mount comprising:
 a base configured to releasably engage a mounting interface of a firearm; and   a sight support member rotatably coupled to the base;   wherein:   the sight support member is configured to move an attached optical sighting device between a first position, in which the attached optical sighting device is in a use position that is aligned with a sighting axis of the firearm, and a second position, in which the attached optical sighting device is vertically offset from the sighting axis of the firearm and is positioned over the mounting interface.   
     
     
         18 . The pivot mount of  claim 17 , wherein both the first and second positions are located substantially on a vertical plane that is substantially co-aligned with the sighting axis of the firearm. 
     
     
         19 . The pivot mount of  claim 17 , wherein the sight support member further comprises a sight attachment device configured to secure the attached optical sighting device to the sight support member. 
     
     
         20 . The pivot mount of  claim 17 , further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent configured to releasably retain the sight support member in the first position.