Firearm accessory protector

Abstract

A protector assembly for mounting a firearm accessory on a firearm includes a base having a rail opening for receiving an elongated rail on the firearm extending parallel to the barrel. The base of the protector assembly includes an accessory opening sized and shaped for receiving and attaching the firearm accessory, such as a sight, to the base. The protector assembly further comprises a shield attached to the base that is longer than the firearm accessory to at least partially envelope the firearm accessory without contacting the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base to protect the firearm accessory from damage due to contact between the firearm accessory and other objects during use, transport, or storage of the firearm.

1 . A protector assembly for mounting a firearm accessory on a firearm having an elongated barrel extending longitudinally between a forward end having a muzzle and a rearward end opposite the forward end and a rail mount including an elongated rail extending parallel to the barrel between a front end and a rear end, the protector assembly comprising:
 a base having a rail opening sized and shaped for receiving at least an outer portion of the elongated rail and an accessory opening sized and shaped for receiving and attaching the firearm accessory to the base; and   a shield attached to the base, said shield being longer than the firearm accessory and being sized and shaped to at least partially envelope the firearm accessory without contacting the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base to protect the firearm accessory from damage due to contact between the firearm accessory and other objects during use, transport, or storage of the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the shield extends farther forward than the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base. 
     
     
         3 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the shield extends farther rearward than the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base. 
     
     
         4 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the shield extends farther rearward than the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base. 
     
     
         5 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory opening is adapted to attach a sight to the base. 
     
     
         6 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the accessory opening comprises a semicylindrical holder sized and shaped for receiving the sight and a retainer selectively connectable to the holder for retaining the sight received in the holder. 
     
     
         7 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an extension extending laterally from the base, and wherein the shield is attached to an end of the extension opposite the base. 
     
     
         8 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein:
 said extension is a first extension;   the protector assembly further comprises a second extension extending laterally from the base opposite said first extension; and   the shield is attached to an end of the second extension opposite the base and extends from said first extension to said second extension.   
     
     
         9 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base extends longitudinally and has a front and a rear;   said accessory opening is a rear accessory opening located adjacent to the rear of the base; and   the protector assembly further comprises a front accessory opening adjacent to the front of the base sized and shaped for receiving and attaching the firearm accessory to the base.   
     
     
         10 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of extensions extending from the base, wherein:
 a first extension of said plurality of extensions extends laterally from the rear of the base;   a second extension of said plurality of extensions extends laterally from the rear of the base opposite said first extension;   a third extension of said plurality of extensions extends laterally from the front of the base;   a fourth extension of said plurality of extensions extends laterally from the front of the base opposite said third extension; and   the shield is attached to each of the first extension opposite the rear of the base, the second extension opposite the rear of the base, the third extension opposite the front of the base, and the fourth extension opposite the front of the base.   
     
     
         11 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said shield comprises a semicylindrical shell partially surrounding the firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is attached to the base to protect the firearm accessory from damage. 
     
     
         12 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said semicylindrical shell has a plurality of apertures for reducing material used in the shield. 
     
     
         13 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the shield includes a sighting element allowing the firearm to be roughly aligned with a target. 
     
     
         14 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 said sighting element is a rearward sighting element and the shield further includes a forward sighting element positioned farther forward on the shield than the rearward sighting element; and   the rearward sighting element and the forward sighting element are used in combination when aligning the firearm with a target.   
     
     
         15 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rail opening in the base includes a slot;   the base includes a threaded member bridging the slot;   a width of the slot is selectively adjustable by turning the threaded member; and   the rail opening size and shape changes as the slot width is selectively adjusted to selectively clamp the base to the elongated rail.   
     
     
         16 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes an indexing element selectively insertable into the base to engage the rail and repeatably locate the base relative to the rail. 
     
     
         17 . A protector assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the indexing element comprises a pin selectively insertable through a hole in the base to enter the rail opening. 
     
     
         18 . A sight assembly for mounting on a firearm having an elongated barrel extending longitudinally between a forward end having a muzzle and a rearward end opposite the forward end and a rail mount including an elongated rail extending parallel to the barrel between a front end and a rear end, the sight assembly comprising:
 a base having a rail opening sized and shaped for receiving at least an outer portion of the elongated rail and a sight opening;   a sight sized and shaped for receipt within the sight opening of the base for attaching the sight to the base; and   a shield attached to the base, said shield being longer than the sight and being sized and shaped to at least partially envelope the sight without contacting the sight when the sight is attached to the base to protect the sight from damage due to contact between the sight and other objects during use, transport, or storage of the firearm.   
     
     
         19 . A sight assembly as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the shield extends farther forward and farther rearward than the sight when the sight is attached to the base. 
     
     
         20 . A sight assembly as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the shield includes a sighting element allowing the firearm to be roughly aligned with a target.