Optical device mounting apparatus for use with weapons

Abstract

An optical device mounting apparatus for use with firearms and related methods and systems are disclosed. The mounting apparatus has at least one arm portion connectable to a mounting rail of a firearm. A mounting shoe receiver is connected to the at least one arm portion, the mounting shoe receiver having angled dovetailed rails with a substantially planar wall positioned between the angled dovetailed rails, wherein a plane of the substantially planar wall is positioned parallel to a vertical plane of the firearm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical device mounting apparatus for use with firearms, the mounting apparatus comprising:
 at least one arm portion connectable to a mounting rail of a firearm; and   a mounting shoe receiver connected to the at least one arm portion, the mounting shoe receiver having angled dovetailed rails with a substantially planar wall positioned between the angled dovetailed rails, wherein a plane of the substantially planar wall is positioned parallel to a vertical plane of the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm portion comprises an angled leg sized to slidably engage in a slot on the mounting shoe receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the at least one arm portion offset from a center axis of the mounting rail. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising at least two arm portions, wherein a first arm portion is connectable to a mounting rail of a firearm, wherein a second arm portion is connectable to the first arm portion, and wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the second arm portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the second arm portion offset from a center axis of the mounting rail. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second arm portion comprises a first wall and a second wall connected substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first arm portion connects with the second arm portion by abutting the first and second walls of the second arm portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second arm portion is connectable to the first arm portion along a pivoting axis oriented parallel to the mounting rail, wherein the mounting shoe receiver is rotatable about the pivoting axis, and wherein when the mounting shoe receiver is rotated, the plane of the substantially planar wall is rotated. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the pivoting axis is a pivoting axle connecting the first arm portion and the second arm portion. 
     
     
         9 . An optical device mounting system for use with firearms, comprising:
 a firearm rail;   an optical device having a mounting shoe attached thereon;   at least one arm portion connectable to the firearm rail; and   a mounting shoe receiver connected to the at least one arm portion, the mounting shoe receiver having angled dovetailed rails with a substantially planar wall positioned between the angled dovetailed rails, wherein a plane of the substantially planar wall is positioned parallel to a vertical plane of the firearm.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the at least one arm portion offset from a center axis of the mounting rail. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , comprising at least two arm portions, wherein a first arm portion is connectable to a mounting rail of a firearm, wherein a second arm portion is connectable to the first arm portion, and wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the second arm portion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second arm portion comprises a first wall and a second wall connected substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first arm portion connects with the second arm portion by abutting the first and second walls of the second arm portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second arm portion is connectable to the first arm portion along a pivoting axis oriented parallel to the mounting rail, wherein the mounting shoe receiver is rotatable about the pivoting axis, and wherein when the mounting shoe receiver is rotated, the plane of the substantially planar wall is rotated. 
     
     
         14 . A method of mounting an optical device on a firearm, comprising the steps of:
 connecting at least one arm portion to a mounting rail of a firearm;   connecting a mounting shoe receiver to the at least one arm portion, the mounting shoe receiver having angled dovetailed rails with a substantially planar wall positioned between the angled dovetailed rails, wherein a plane of the substantially planar wall is positioned parallel to a vertical plane of the firearm; and   mounting an optical device by slidably engaging a mounting shoe attached thereon with the dovetailed rails of the mounting shoe receiver.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mounting shoe receiver is slidable along a leg of the at least one arm portion in a direction along the mounting rail and in a direction along the vertical plane of the firearm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of angularly aligning the mounting shoe receiver along a central axis of the firearm by positioning the mounting shoe receiver against a raised portion of the at least one arm portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the optical device is mounted offset from a center axis of the mounting rail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of connecting at least one arm portion to a mounting rail of a firearm comprises connecting a first arm portion to the mounting rail and connecting a second arm portion to the first arm portion, and wherein the mounting shoe receiver is connected to the second arm portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first arm portion abuts the second arm portion along a shelf of the second arm portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the optical device is rotatable about a pivoting axis oriented parallel to the mounting rail between the first arm portion and the second arm portion.