Scope mounting system

Abstract

A scope mounting system having one or more components formed of a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. In one form, the component is formed of an alloy of zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper. The scope mounting system preferably includes one or more components, such as a base and/or rings, at least one of the components being formed by casting.

1 . A system for mounting an accessory to a firearm, said system comprising at least one component formed of an alloy of zinc with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component is formed of an alloy of zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is a telescopic scope, and wherein the at least one component comprises a scope ring for engaging the telescopic sight. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component comprises a base for mounting to the firearm and two scope rings each having opposed jaw members for engaging said base. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component is formed by casting said alloy in a mold. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one component comprises a scope ring having exterior side surfaces defining a three-dimensional convex curvature smoothly transitioning into a three-dimensional concave surface portion. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one component comprises a scope ring having an integral recoil lug projecting therefrom. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component has an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 50,000 psi, a yield strength of at least about 40,000 psi, and a shear strength of at least about 45,000 psi. 
   
   
       9 . A system for mounting a telescopic gunsight to a firearm said system comprising:
 a base for mounting to the firearm, said base having at least one opening for receiving a fastener to secure the base to the firearm, and a dove-tailed external surface feature; and   a pair of mounting rings, each having opposed jaws for engaging the dove-tailed external surface feature of the base, and a channel for receiving and engaging the telescopic gunsight therein;   wherein at least one of the base and the mounting ring components is formed of an alloy of zinc with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the alloy comprises zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one zinc alloy component is formed by casting the alloy in a mold. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each of said pair of mounting rings is formed by casting the zinc alloy in a mold, and wherein each mounting ring has an exterior side surface defining a three-dimensional convex curvature transitioning into a concave surface portion. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said pair of mounting rings comprises an integral recoil lug for engagement with a slot in said base. 
   
   
       14 . A system for mounting a scope to a firearm, said system comprising at least one scope ring for coupling the scope to the firearm, said scope ring being formed by a casting process. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the scope ring is formed of a zinc alloy. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the zinc alloy consists essentially of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the zinc alloy comprises zinc with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper. 
   
   
       18 . The system  claim 15 , wherein the zinc alloy comprises zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the scope ring comprises means for directly coupling the scope ring to the firearm. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a mounting base for attachment to the firearm, and wherein the scope ring comprises means for coupling the scope ring to the mounting base and thereby indirectly coupling the scope ring to the firearm. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the scope ring comprises an exterior side surface defining a three-dimensional convex curvature. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the exterior side surface defining a three-dimensional convex curvature smoothly transitions into a three-dimensional concave surface portion. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the scope ring comprises an integrally cast recoil lug.