Cartridge Deflector and Scope Mount for Top Ejection Rifles

Abstract

A combined cartridge deflector and scope mount for attachment to a lever action top ejection rifle. The cartridge deflecting component, by means of three deflection elements, changes the trajectory of both the ejected whole cartridges, and the empty shell casings, from vertical and to the rear of the rifle to a trajectory of slightly above horizontal and to the right of the rifle, as seen from the shooter's position. The scope mount component of the invention allows a riflescope to be mounted directly above the ejection port of the receiver, the conventional and most desirable position. The invention, in many cases can be attached to the rifle using existing screw holes without the need for a gunsmith.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cartridge deflector and scope mount attachable to a top ejection lever action rifle comprising:
 an attachment surface;   a cartridge and shell casing deflecting component;   a scope mount component.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the primary deflection element forms the curved forward edge of the deflecting component of the invention, said curved edge having a radius identical to, or nearly identical to, that of the arc described by the unfired cartridge's contact point with the primary deflection element as it rotates around its fulcrum on extraction. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein each ejected cartridge and shell casing makes contact with the deflection component twice: once with its front portion and once with its rear end. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the secondary deflection element of a shell casing is the flat area on the deflection component directly to the rear of and on the right side of the primary deflection element. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the secondary deflection element of an unfired cartridge is the flat area near the top and rear of, and on the right side of the deflection component. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the deflection surfaces make use of the rotational energy of the shell casings and the cartridges being ejected from the rifle to redirect their flight. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the ejected cartridges and shell casings are deflected to the right of the rifle and slightly above the horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the deflector component of the invention is positioned between the front scope mount upright and ring and the rear scope mount upright and ring. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the scope mount component is positioned such that the riflescope is held directly above the cartridge and shell casing deflector and directly above the ejection port of the rifle receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge deflector and scope mount of  claim 1  wherein the main body of the invention is of one piece, not including the two half rings that are attached to the main body by screws.