Dual-Use Mount for Firearm Aiming Devices

Abstract

A specialized mount for firearm aiming devices that attaches an optic, such as a red dot sight, to a firearm. The mount includes a hollow optical passage feature to maintain an essentially unobstructed optical line of sight between the primary aiming device and the top of the firearm. This allows an independently mounted, secondary aiming device to be used relative to the primary optic without obstructive interference.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A firearm optic mounting system comprising:
 a hollow mounting frame having a central optical passage extending longitudinally therethrough, said central optical passage having a diameter sufficient to allow unobstructed light transmission;   a first optic mounting interface positioned at a first location on said hollow mounting frame for securing a first optical aiming device;   a second optic mounting interface positioned at a second location on said hollow mounting frame spatially displaced from said first location for securing a second optical aiming device;   a mounting interface configured to secure said hollow mounting frame to a firearm; and   wherein said hollow mounting frame is configured such that when said first optical aiming device comprises a magnification scope and said second optical aiming device comprises a red dot sight, an optical axis of said magnification scope passes through said central optical passage without obstruction from said second optical aiming device.   
     
     
         2 . A modular firearm optic system comprising:
 a movable mounting assembly configured to translate along a firearm rail in a forward and rearward direction;   a hollow support structure carried by said movable mounting assembly, said hollow support structure defining an internal optical channel;   a primary optic mount configured to secure a variable magnification scope having an objective lens and an ocular lens;   a secondary optic mount positioned to secure a non-magnifying optical sight; and   wherein said movable mounting assembly allows adjustment of eye relief distance by translating said variable magnification scope in one direction or another relative to a shooter's eye position while maintaining alignment of said variable magnification scope's optical axis with said internal optical channel.   
     
     
         3 . A method of configuring multiple optical aiming devices on a firearm, comprising:
 providing a hollow mounting frame having a central optical passage extending longitudinally therethrough;   mounting a first optical aiming device at a first location on said hollow mounting frame;   mounting a second optical aiming device at a second location on said hollow mounting frame, said second location spatially displaced from said first location;   securing said hollow mounting frame to a firearm;   aligning said first optical aiming device such that an optical axis thereof passes through said central optical passage; and   positioning said second optical aiming device such that it does not obstruct light transmission through said central optical passage when said first optical aiming device is in use.