GB2428773A

GB2428773A - Mounting bracket for a rifle scope

Info

Publication number: GB2428773A
Application number: GB0614385A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Julian Marsh
Original assignee: Starlight Nv Ltd
Current assignee: Starlight Nv Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-22
Filing date: 2006-07-20
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Also published as: GB0515096D0; GB0614385D0

Abstract

A bracket 100 comprises a first portion 110 adapted for attaching the bracket 100 to a rifle scope 10 and a second portion 120 adapted for attaching an image enhancement means 20 to the bracket 100. The bracket 100 is has a generally substantially cylindrical outline excepting cutaway areas 111, 121. The first portion 110 and second portion 120 are connected together by means of a quick release fastening means, in this embodiment a bayonet fastening means. This allows the two portions of the bracket 100 to be quickly simply and reliably connected and disconnected even in dark, cold or damp conditions.

Description

1 2428773

MOUNTING BRACKET FOR A RIFLE SCOPE

The present invention relates to a bracket suitable for mounting a night vision device to a rifle scope.

Accurate rifles are generally provided with a telescopic scope that enables a user to obtain a magnified view of a target area. Typically, the scope may be provided with crosshairs giving the user an indication of the position at which the barrel is aimed.

Such scopes are only suitable for use in relatively bright conditions such as daylight. In low light conditions, it is necessary to use some form of image enhancement means along with a telescopic scope. Typically, the image enhancement means would comprise an image enhancement means or night vision device. Such devices are typically operable to capture an image at infra red wavelengths and output a corresponding image at visual wavelengths. Various arrangements of scope and image enhancement means are known, all of which suffer from some disadvantageous feature or other.

In one known arrangement, a user may remove a conventional telescopic scope and replace it with a telescopic scope incorporating an image intensifier. It can be difficult to remove and replace a scope in low light conditions. Furthermore, there may be little opportunity to adjust the new scope to ensure its correct alignment before use.

Another known arrangement is to provide an image enhancement means which is attached to a conventional scope via a hinge. The user can thus swing the image enhancement means into position when required and can easily move it out of position should the light subsequently improve. This arrangement however makes it difficult to use the image enhancement means for spotting targets or other general viewing tasks.

A further arrangement involves providing an extended rail on the rifle behind a conventional telescopic scope. An image enhancement means can be slideably mounted on this rail allowing it to be positioned behind the scope when required. This system does not however provide for simple removal of the image enhancement means from the gun. It also does not make it easy to utilise the device for spotting or other general viewing tasks.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bracket for attaching an image enhancement means to a rifle scope that overcomes or alleviates the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting bracket, suitable for attaching a image enhancement means to a telescopic scope comprising: first attachment means, for securing said bracket to said telescopic scope; and second attachment means, for securing said image enhancement means to said bracket wherein said second attachment means are quick release attachment means comprising complementary features provided on said bracket and said image enhancement means adapted such that the image enhancement means may be rapidly secured to or released from said bracket.

This provides a bracket for attaching an image enhancement means that allows the image enhancement means to be used both as a standalone spotting device and to be rapidly attached to or removed from a telescopic rifle scope.

The first attachment means may comprise a plurality of deformable fingers adapted to grip a scope when retained in position by a locking ring.

Preferably, the fingers are deformed by being deflected inwardly by abutment of the inner surface of the locking ring with the outer surface of the fingers.

The locking ring preferably engages with a thread and is moveable axially relative to the fingers when rotated. The inner surface of the locking ring and the outer surface of the fingers are preferably adapted such that by axial movement of the locking ring varying degrees of deflection of the fingers may be achieved. The adaptations to the fingers may comprise sloped abutting surfaces. The fingers may each be provided with a groove to facilitate deformation.

The quick release attachment means may comprise bayonet fastening means, snap fit fastening means or friction fastening means,, as desired.

Such means may additionally incorporate an 0-ring or otherwise, so as to improve the fastening and to hold the image enhancement means steady relative to the scope. In one preferred embodiment, the quick release attachment means is a bayonet fastening. In such an embodiment, bayonet pins may be provided upon the bracket and bayonet slots may be provided upon the night vision device.

The image enhancement means may be any suitable form of night vision device or image intensifier. Preferably, the image enhancement means comprises an imaging means operable to capture an image at infra red wavelengths and output a corresponding image at visual wavelengths.

The bracket may be formed from any suitable material including any suitable metal or alloy. The bracket may be provided with a suitable coating to inhibit corrosion and/or increase grip.

Preferably, the bracket may have cutaway sections. The cutaway sections enable a user to access the focus controls on the telescopic scope and or the image enhancement means. They also reduce the weight of the bracket.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting bracket, suitable for attaching a image enhancement means to a telescopic scope comprising: a first portion adapted to be attached to a telescopic scope; and a second portion adapted to be attached to an image enhancement means wherein the first and second portions may be connected via quick release attachment means comprising complementary features provided on said first and second portions such that the said first and second portions may be rapidly secured together or released.

This allows the two portions of the bracket to be individually attached to the scope and to the image enhancement means meaning that it is possible to implement the invention with standard night vision devices not provided with a quick release attachment means.

The second aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all features described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention, as desired or as appropriate.

The first portion may comprise first attachment means for attachment to the scope and the second portion may comprise further attachment means for attachment to the night vision device. The first attachment means may be attachment means of the type described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention, as desired or as appropriate. The further attachment means may be attachment means of the same type as the first attachment means or may be any other suitable form of attachment means. Examples of alternative forms of attachment means that may be suitable include, but are not limited to: holes in the second portion through which screws or bolts may be inserted in order to attach the second portion to the night vision device, complementary screw threads or the like.

In order that the invention be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described further herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows an image enhancement means attached to a telescopic scope by a bracket according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the bracket of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a first portion the bracket of figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a cross- section of a locking ring for the first portion of the bracket; and Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a second portion the bracket of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to figure 1, an image enhancement means 20 optionally having an eyepiece 21, is releaseably attached to a telescopic rifle scope 10 by means of a bracket 100. As is shown in more detail in figure 2, the bracket comprises a first portion 110 adapted for attaching the bracket 100 to the rifle scope 10 and a second portion 120 adapted for attaching the image enhancement means 20 to the bracket 100. The bracket 100 is has a generally substantially cylindrical outline excepting cutaway areas 111, 121 to allow access to the focus controls on the scope 10 and/or the image enhancement means 20. The cutaway areas 111, 121 additionally have the benefit of reducing the weight of the bracket 100.

The first portion 110 and second portion 120 are connected together by means of a quick release fastening means, in this embodiment a bayonet fastening means. Pins 112 provided on said first portion are adapted to engage with corresponding slots 122 provided in the second portion.

Typically, there are three pins 112 and three corresponding slots 122. As is usual with a bayonet fastening, to connect the two portions 110, 120 they are brought together with the pins 112 aligned with the openings 122a of the slots 122. After the pins 112 have entered the slots 122, relative rotation of the first and second portions 110, 120 results in the pins 112 engaging with the end 122b of the slots 122. To release the connection, the above procedure is reversed.

The provision of a bayonet filling allows the two portions of the bracket to be quickly simply and reliably connected and disconnected even in dark, cold or damp conditions. Although a bayonet fastening is used in this particular embodiment, alternative embodiments may be provided with alternative forms of quick release fastening.

Turning now to figures 3 and 4, the first portion is provided with a plurality of inwardly deformable fingers 114 separated by slots 115. The fingers 114, can be deformed by being inwardly deflected. The fingers 114 are retained in such a position by use of a locking ring 113 so as to grip the rifle scope 10. In order to make the fingers more readily deformable, they are provided with a groove I 14a about which they can bend.

The locking ring 113 has an internal thread 11 3a adapted to engage with a thread 116 provided on the first portion 110. By rotation of the locking ring 113, it can be moved axially relative to the first portion 110. As the locking ring 113 moves axially, the position of its sloped inner surface 113b moves relative to the fingers 114. The sloped inner surface 113b abuts the fingers 114 and causes their inward deflection. Due to the fact that the fingers have a sloped outer surface 1 14b and the locking ring has a sloped inner surface 11 3b, axial movement of the locking ring 113 relative to the first portion 110 varies the abutment between surfaces 113b and 114b and hence varies the amount of deflection of the fingers 114. The first portion 110 can thus be attached securely to a range of different sized scopes.

The locking ring 113 is also provided with a knurled outer surface 11 3c.

This provides a user with an improved grip on the locking ring. The improved grip enables the user to attach the first portion 110 to the scope 10 more easily and more securely.

In the embodiment shown, the first portion is proved with holes 117 for mounting bayonet pins 112. The first portion is further provided with a groove 118 in which may sit an 0-ring (not shown). The 0-ring can help secure the connection between the first and second portions 110, 120 against accidental rotation, It can also act to damp vibration and thus secure the image enhancement means 20 in a desired fixed position relative to the scope 10.

Turning now to figure 5, in addition to the bayonet slots 122 discussed above, the second portion 120 is provided with holes 123 through which screws or bolts (not shown) may be inserted in order to attach the second portion 120 to the image enhancement means 20. This allows the second portion to be securely attached to the image enhancement means 20. In some embodiments, the second portion may be omitted and the necessary bayonet slots 122 (or any other necessary formations for a quick release fastening with the first portion 110) may be provided as an integral component of the image enhancement means 20.

It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which is described by way

of example only.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket, suitable for attaching a image enhancement means to a telescopic scope comprising: first attachment means, for securing said bracket to said telescopic scope; and second attachment means, for securing said image enhancement means to said bracket wherein said second attachment means are quick release attachment means comprising complementary features provided on said bracket and said image enhancement means adapted such that the image enhancement means may be rapidly secured to or released from said bracket.

2. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim I wherein the first attachment means comprises a plurality of deformable fingers adapted to grip a scope when retained in position by a locking ring.

3. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fingers are deformed by being deflected inwardly by abutment of the inner surface of the locking ring with the outer surface of the fingers.

4. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the locking ring engages with a thread and is moveable axially relative to the fingers when rotated.

5. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inner surface of the locking ring and the outer surface of the fingers are adapted such that by axial movement of the locking ring varying degrees of deflection of the fingers may be achieved.

6. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 5 wherein the adaptations to the fingers comprise sloped abutting surfaces.

7. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the fingers are each provided with a groove to facilitate deformation.

8. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises snap fit fastening means.

9. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims I to 7 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises friction fastening means.

10. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims I to 7 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises bayonet fastening means.

11. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said means additionally incorporate an 0-ring.

12. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein bayonet pins are provided upon the bracket and bayonet slots are provided upon the night vision device.

13. A mounting bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the image enhancement means comprises an imaging means operable to capture an image at infra red wavelengths and output a corresponding image at visual wavelengths.

14. A mounting bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket is formed from a suitable metal or alloy.

15. A mounting bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket is provided with a coating to inhibit corrosion and/or increase grip.

16. A mounting bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket has cutaway sections.

17. A mounting bracket, suitable for attaching a image enhancement means to a telescopic scope comprising: a first portion adapted to be attached to a telescopic scope; and a second portion adapted to be attached to an image enhancement means wherein the first and second portions may be connected via quick release attachment means comprising complementary features provided on said first and second portions such that the said first and second portions may be rapidly secured together or released.

18. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 17 wherein the first portion comprises first attachment means for attachment to the scope and the second portion comprises further attachment means for attachment to the night vision device.

19. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 18 wherein the first attachment means comprises a plurality of deformable fingers adapted to grip a scope when retained in position by a locking ring.

20. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 19 wherein the fingers are deformed by being deflected inwardly by abutment of the inner surface of the locking ring with the outer surface of the fingers.

21. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the locking ring engages with a thread and is moveable axially relative to the fingers when rotated.

22. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 21 wherein the inner surface of the locking ring and the outer surface of the fingers are adapted such that by axial movement of the locking ring varying degrees of deflection of the fingers may be achieved.

23. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 22 wherein the adaptations to the fingers comprise sloped abutting surfaces.

24. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein the fingers are each provided with a groove to facilitate deformation.

25. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises snap fit fastening means.

26. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises friction fastening means.

27. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the quick release attachment means comprises bayonet fastening means.

28. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein said means additionally incorporate an 0-ring.

29. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28 wherein bayonet pins are provided upon the fist portion of the bracket and bayonet slots are provided upon the second portion of the bracket.

30. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 29 wherein the further attachment means are attachment means of the same type as the first attachment means.

31. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 29 wherein the further attachment means comprise holes in the second portion through which screws or bolts may be inserted in order to attach the second portion to the image enhancement means.

32. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 31 wherein the image enhancement means comprises an imaging means operable to capture an image at infra red wavelengths and output a corresponding image at visual wavelengths.

33. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32 wherein the bracket is formed from a suitable metal or alloy.

34. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 33 wherein the bracket is provided with a coating to inhibit corrosion and/or increase grip.

35. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 34 wherein the bracket has cutaway sections.