Scope mount for a firearm

Abstract

A scope mount for a firearm includes a base member configured to mount a scope to a firearm, at least one attachment bore extending at least partially through the base member, and an auxiliary device configured to be removably retained in the attachment bore. The auxiliary device can be configured to be retained in an attachment bore magnetically or via a locking taper mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scope mount, comprising:
 a base member configured to mount a scope to a firearm;   at least one attachment bore extending at least partially through the base member; and   an auxiliary device configured to be removably received in the attachment bore.   
     
     
         2 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base member extends along a longitudinal axis; and   the attachment bore extends transverse to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         3 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the auxiliary device is configured to be magnetically retained in the attachment bore when the auxiliary device is received in the attachment bore.   
     
     
         4 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base member includes a ferrous element in the attachment bore, and the auxiliary device includes a magnet configured to removably secure the auxiliary device to the ferrous element when the auxiliary device is received in the attachment bore; or   the auxiliary device includes a ferrous element, and the base member includes a magnet in the attachment bore configured to removably secure the auxiliary device to the magnet when the auxiliary device is received in the attachment bore.   
     
     
         5 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base member includes a ferrous element at a terminal end of the attachment bore;   the auxiliary device includes:
 a mounting portion configured to be received in the attachment bore; and 
 a magnet on the mounting portion configured to removably secure the auxiliary device to the ferrous element when the mounting portion is received in the attachment bore. 
   
     
     
         6 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one attachment bore is a pair of coaxially aligned attachment bores defined in opposing sides of the base member;   each attachment bore has a terminal end spaced from the terminal end of the other attachment bore;   the base member includes a ferrous element extending from the terminal end of one attachment bore to the terminal end of the other attachment bore; and   the auxiliary device includes:
 a stem configured to be received in either of the attachment bores; 
 a recess defined in an end of the stem; and 
 a magnet in the recess configured to removably secure the auxiliary device to the ferrous element when the cylindrical stem is received in one of the attachment bores. 
   
     
     
         7 . The scope mount of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the terminal ends of the attachment bores are spaced by a partition;   a pin hole extends through the partition from the terminal end of one attachment bore to the terminal end of the other attachment bore; and   the ferrous element is a dowel pin fixed in the pin hole.   
     
     
         8 . The scope mount of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the dowel pin protrudes out of the pin hole into each of the attachment bores such that the magnet is prevented by the dowel pin from contacting the terminal end of either attachment bore when the cylindrical stem of the auxiliary device is received in one of the attachment bores.   
     
     
         9 . The scope mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one attachment bore is a pair of at least partially tapered, coaxially aligned attachment bores defined in opposing sides of the base member;   the auxiliary device is configured to be received in either attachment bore of the pair; and   the scope mount further comprises:
 a tapered stopper configured to be received in either attachment bore of the pair; and 
 a fastener receivable through the stopper and into the auxiliary device to releasably secure the auxiliary device to the base member when the stopper is received in one attachment bore and the auxiliary device is received in the other attachment bore. 
   
     
     
         10 . A scope mount, comprising:
 a base member configured to mount a scope to a firearm, the base member including a pair of at least partially tapered, coaxially aligned attachment bores defined in opposing sides thereof;   an auxiliary device configured to be received in either attachment bore of the pair;   a tapered stopper configured to be received in either attachment bore of the pair; and   a fastener receivable through the stopper and into the auxiliary device to releasably secure the auxiliary device to the base member when the stopper is received in one attachment bore and the auxiliary device is received in the other attachment bore.   
     
     
         11 . The scope mount of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the auxiliary device includes:
 a tapered end configured to be received in one of the attachment bores, and 
 an aperture defined in the tapered end; 
   the stopper defines a clearance hole configured to receive the fastener; and   the fastener is receivable through the clearance hole and engageable with the aperture to releasably secure the auxiliary device to the base member.   
     
     
         12 . The scope mount of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the auxiliary device includes:
 a sleeve defining a first end configured to be received in one of the attachment bores, a second end opposite the first end, and a clearance hole extending from the first end to the second end, and 
 a secondary optic mount defining a recess in which the second end of the sleeve is receivable, and an aperture in the recess; 
   the stopper defines a clearance hole configured to receive the fastener; and   the fastener is receivable through the clearance hole and engageable with the aperture to releasably secure the auxiliary device to the base member when the stopper is received in one attachment bore, the first end of the sleeve is received in the other attachment bore, the second end of the sleeve is received in the recess.   
     
     
         13 . The scope mount of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the secondary optic mount comprises an armature configured to releasably mount a base plate for a secondary optic;   the aperture and the recess are formed in the armature; and   engaging the fastener with the aperture draws the stopper and sleeve into their respective tapered bores to secure the auxiliary device to the base member.   
     
     
         14 . The scope mount of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a surface of the armature is contoured to be complimentary to an exterior surface of the base member such that the surface of the armature contacts the exterior surface of the base member when the fastener is received through the clearance hole and engaged with the aperture.   
     
     
         15 . The scope mount of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the base member includes a longitudinal axis; and   the attachment bores extend transverse to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         16 . A scope mount, comprising:
 a base member configured to mount a scope to a firearm, the base member including a longitudinal axis, a pair of end walls, a main stem extending along the axis between the end walls, and a tool storage compartment configured to receive a tool therein extending from an end surface of one end wall at least partially through the stem.   
     
     
         17 . The scope mount of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the tool storage compartment is configured to receive an Allen wrench.   
     
     
         18 . The scope mount of  claim 16 , wherein the tool storage compartment includes:
 a recess defined in the end wall; and   a bore extending from the recess at least partially through the stem.   
     
     
         19 . The scope mount of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the recess is elongated and extends transverse to the longitudinal axis; and   the bore extends longitudinally from the recess at least partially through the stem.   
     
     
         20 . The scope mount of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the recess has a first depth;   the bore has a second depth;   the second depth is greater than the first depth; and   the bore is in fluid communication with the recess.   
     
     
         21 . The scope mount of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a resilient member disposed in the tool storage compartment configured to retain the tool therein until manually removed by a user.   
     
     
         22 . A scope mount, comprising:
 a scope clamping member including at least one upwardly extending protrusion and a first angled fastener hole;   a secondary mount configured to mount an auxiliary device, the secondary mount defining at least one aperture in which the at least one upwardly extending protrusion is receivable, and a second angled fastener hole configured to align with the first angled fastener hole when the at least one upwardly extending protrusion is received in the at least one aperture; and   a fastener receivable through the second angled fastener hole and into the first angled fastener hole to secure the secondary mount to the scope clamping member.   
     
     
         23 . The scope mount of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the at least one upwardly extending protrusion is a plurality of dowel pins; and   the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of dowel pins.   
     
     
         24 . The scope mount of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the at least one upwardly extending protrusion is a boss;   the first angled fastener hole is disposed rearwardly of the boss; and   the boss defines a footprint which tapers in a direction extending away from the first angled fastener hole.   
     
     
         25 . The scope mount of  claim 24 , wherein the footprint of the boss is triangular or isosceles trapezoidal. 
     
     
         26 . The scope mount of  claim 22 , wherein the secondary mount comprises:
 a main body in which is defined the at least one aperture and the second angled fastener hole;   an elongated extension portion configured to mount the auxiliary device extending from the main body in a direction away from the second angled fastener hole; and   a storage compartment defined in an end of the extension portion opposite the main body, the storage compartment configured to receive a level indicator.