WO2017109720A1

WO2017109720A1 - Supporting device for optical sights group on a weapon

Info

Publication number: WO2017109720A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/057871
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco FORMICHETTI; Marco MARSILI; Daniele CAPPARELLA
Original assignee: Formichetti Francesco; Marsili Marco; Capparella Daniele
Priority date: 2015-12-21
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2017-06-29
Also published as: ITUB20159297A1

Abstract

A device (100, 110) configured to support an optical sight group on a weapon comprising guiding means (101, 101') configured to be fixed at an action, or at a slide, of a weapon, at least an upper module (102, 102') supporting an optical sight group overlying said guiding means (101, 10Γ), characterized in that said upper module (102, 102') is configured to magnetically interact with said guiding means (101, 10Γ), said upper module (102, 102') being slidable on said guiding means (101, 10Γ) so as to be able to move from a rest position to a recoil position, after the execution of a gunshot, and from said recoil position to said rest position, realigning itself to the barrel of the weapon.

Description

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR OPTICAL SIGHTS GROUP ON A WEAPON

* * *

The present invention relates to a device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, of the type of, either long or short, firearm or air guns, and of the type using an optical sight group, additionally or alternatively to a metal sight groups. Such types of weapons may, for example, be used in tactical, hunting and shooting sport field, where it is preferable that the device for supporting an optical sight group is a quick release device.

As known, there are different types of weapons using an optical group to aim more precisely than with only metallic sights groups. Usually, the optical group is a mountable and dismountable group, by means of a supporting base attachable to the weapon in use. In particular, the optical group may be attached to the weapon by means of quick release fasteners which allow the optical group to be tightened to the weapon to make the optical sight unit integral to the same weapon. The known quick release fasteners are formed by three main components: a base, in the form of a one-piece body or two composable pieces, attachable to the action of the weapon; a central one-piece body that constitutes the optics holder module; and rings useful for attaching the optics holder module to the base.

Some solutions of quick release fasteners only comprising the central body and the rings are known. In this case, there are linkages on the central body pivoted on an Allen screw, useful to fasten the optics on the weapon, by operating the levers in a clockwise direction.

Similar examples are disclosed in the patent applications US 2002/0026741 and WO 03/064960, which relate to a laser sight incorporated in a scuba gun and attached to the gun through mechanical supporting and fastening means.

There are also more sophisticated systems which provide fasteners fixable on bases previously installed on weapons, and including the base, the central one-piece body and the rings which are tighten on the one-piece body through a large screw. In this case, the tightening of the system on the weapon occurs by operating a suitable lever provided, on its outer surface, with a milling that facilitates the grip. Therefore, the release of the one-piece body, with following removal of the optical group, is possible by operating a dedicated button. Such systems also comprise a screw, opposed to the locking lever, that allows to adjust the tightening intensity. The base may have a dovetail profile useful to easily anchor it to the frame of the weapon, e.g. a rifle, through suitable screws. The removal of the optical group is also possible by means of a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, by simply removing a device that binds it to the base.

A similar principle is adopted in patent US 578,958, disclosing a sight that can include a gyroscope mechanically or optically coupled to an optical sight, in order that a turning of the sight is possible.

Other known systems include fasteners, so-called "saddle" fasteners, which are provided with linkages configured to allow a lateral release of the optical group.

Other known solutions adopt very complex internal linkages or inner parts interlockable to each other.

Furthermore, there exist solutions, such as that disclosed in patent US 627,824, which allows to perform movements of the optical sight through an electric motor capable to drive it in predefined directions.

All these systems, which adopt tightenings of mechanical type, have several problems related to the fact that, especially for large calibre weapons, where the recoil energies can be very high, even higher than 20 Joule, the tightenings have to bear the inertial load generated by the weight of the optical sight group.

Moreover, although these mechanical tightenings can be made of high quality materials and subjected to surface treatments, such as cementing, in order to strengthen and harden them, after a certain number of mounting and dismounting operations, these tightenings are subject to such a wear that a precise alignment of the optical group after dismounting and subsequent mounting is no more ensured.

Therefore, both the mechanical stress generated by the recoil on the various component parts of the quick-release tightening, and the wear due to the mounting and dismounting operations require the execution of a periodic calibration of the optical group with consequent loss of performance of such quick-release systems compared to systems of fixed coupling between the optical sight group and the weapon, which are usually better in terms of performance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, in particular of quick-release type, capable to allow countless mounting and dismounting operations of the optical sight group without inducing stress to the same device and ensuring the immediate and precise alignment of the optical sight group with the barrel of the weapon, having, therefore, such characteristics to overcome the limits which still affect the current quick-release devices for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, with reference to the prior art.

According to the present invention, a quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, as defined in claim 1, is provided.

An embodiment of the device according to the present invention is intended to be also used on other pointing or aiming systems, for instance torches or laser pointers.

In order to better understand the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, merely by way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a bottom plan view of an upper module of the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a magnet used in the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the quick- release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the invention;

Figures 7a and 7b respectively show a bottom perspective view and a bottom view of a component of the device of Figure 6 comprising some modifications relating to the design of some components of the second embodiment of the quick-release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the device of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a further mounting configuration of the quick- release device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, of Figure 6.

With reference to these figures and, in particular, to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the quick-release device 100 for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention is shown. In particular, the quick-release device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises guiding means, shaped as a lower base 101 fixable on the action, or on the frame, of a weapon, not shown in the figure; an upper module 102 for supporting an optical sight group, not shown in the figure, and eyelets 103 to fix the optical sight group on the upper module 102. Fixing means, known to the skilled person, alternative to said fixing eyelets can be provided to fix the optical sight view on the upper module.

More in particular, the lower base 101 comprises lateral linear guides 101a extending along the entire length of the lower base 101. Still laterally, the base 101 has, on its upper surface, at a central position along a longitudinal axis, parallel vertical protrusions 101b, also defined frames 101b herein, longitudinally extending along a central portion of the lower base 101. Such protrusions 101b include housings 101c within which a first and second magnets, shown in Figure 5, are respectively stably inserted, optionally through snap-fit connections, having a first pole 500 of a first polarity (e.g. either north pole or south pole) and a second pole of a second polarity, obviously opposite the first polarity (e.g. either south pole or north pole). In particular, as shown in Figure 5, each magnet has the first and the second poles 500 and 510 which extend along the entire base surface, so that, when inserted in the respective housing 101c, one of the two poles is facing towards the outside of the lower base 101 and the other pole is facing towards the inside of the lower base 101. In this regard, the two magnets are arranged in the two housings 101c so that the respective poles facing towards the inside of the lower base 101 have the same polarity (whereby also the respective poles facing towards the outside of the lower base 101 have the same polarity); by way of example, the north pole (or south pole) of the first magnet is facing toward the inside of the lower base 101, and the south pole (or the north pole) of the second magnet is facing towards the inside of the lower base 101 (whereby the first and second poles of the first magnet are arranged in the same direction of the first and second poles of the second magnet, respectively).

As shown in Figures 1 and 5, said magnets are positioned in such a manner that the respective poles alternate in sequence along a direction transverse to the main sliding direction of the upper module 102 with respect to the guiding means.

According to an aspect of the invention, and by way of example and not by way of limitation, the lower base 101 has a thickness ranging from 8 mm to 10 mm, preferably equal to 9 mm, a length ranging from 120 to 130 mm, preferably equal to 123,5 mm, and a width ranging from 18 mm to 25 mm, preferably equal to 21,20 mm.

According to another aspect of the invention, and by way of mere example and not by way of limitation, the lateral linear guides 101a have a height ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm, and preferably equal to 2 mm, and extend inside the thickness of the lower base 101 by a depth ranging from 4 mm to 6 mm, and preferably equal to 5 mm. In particular, a central plane of symmetry of the lateral linear guides 101a is optionally positioned on the thickness of the lower base 101 at a height ranging from 35% to 55%, more optionally equal to about 45%.

According to another aspect of the invention, and by way of mere example and not by way of limitation, the parallel vertical protrusions 101b have a length ranging from 50 mm to 60 mm, and preferably equal to 55 mm, and a width ranging from 6 mm to 8 mm, and preferably equal to 7 mm.

Advantageously according to the invention, the size of the housings 101c are such as to perfectly match with and to internally tighten magnets.

Advantageously according to the invention, the lower base 101 can be coupled to the action of the weapon thanks to milling areas lOld of the lower surface of the base 101, as better shown in Figure 2. The milling areas lOld extend for the entire length of the base 101.

Still advantageously according to the invention, the housings 101c have, towards the inside and optionally also the outside of the base 101, slots lOle through which the magnetic field exerted by the two parallel magnets positioned inside the housings 101c may be maximised, since no materials shielding the same field interpose.

According to an aspect of the invention, and by way of mere example and not by way of limitation, the slots lOle have a length ranging from 29 mm to 31 mm, and preferably equal to

30 mm, with radii of curvature ranging from 3 mm to 5 mm, and preferably equal to 4 mm, and height ranging from 7 mm to 9 mm, and preferably equal to 8 mm.

Figure 1 also shows in detail the upper module 102 sliding on the lower base 101 along a main sliding direction.

In particular, in the first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the upper module 102 is a one-piece body comprising lateral fins 102a, having side edges 102b bent inwards (as shown in Figures 2 and 3) sliding in the lateral linear guides 101a of the lower base 101. Each lateral fin 102a centrally has a slot 102e, although this is not an essential feature of the invention and other embodiments of the quick-release device according to the invention could have no slot on the lateral fins 102a.

According to an aspect of the invention, and by way of mere example and not by way of limitation, each slot 102e has a length ranging from 29 mm to 31 mm, and preferably equal to 30 mm, and a height ranging from 7 mm to 9 mm, and preferably equal to 8 mm.

The upper module 102 has, on the upper surface, at the opposite ands along its length, supports 102f capable to house an optical sight group lockable on such supports 102f through the brackets 103.

Furthermore, the upper module 102 comprises a third magnet, for example housed inside a housing 102c of a vertical protrusion, or frame, 102d centrally projecting from its lower surface, as shown in Figure 3. The third magnet, that is of the type shown in Figure 5, is inserted in the respective housing 102d so as to have the north pole and the south pole arranged in reverse order with respect to those of the first two magnets facing towards the inside of the lower base 101 (whereby the north pole of the third magnet is facing the south pole of the first or second magnet and the south pole of the third magnet is facing the north pole of the second or first magnet).

Advantageously according to the invention, the size of the frame 102d is equal to that of the frames 101b and the dimensions of the third magnet are equal to those of the first and second magnet, and, in particular, with height ranging from 9 mm to 11 mm, and preferably equal to 10 mm, thickness ranging from 4 mm to 6 mm, and preferably equal to 5 mm, and length ranging from 39 to 41 mm, and preferably equal to 40 mm.

Advantageously according to the invention, the size of the slots 102e is equal to that of the slots lOle so that by matching the slots 102e onto the slots lOle, the magnetic field lines generated between the first and third magnets and between the second and third magnets are maximised.

According to another aspect of the invention, the magnets may be differently positioned within the device, for example in positions such as to determine a cancellation of the metal-to- metal contact thanks to the juxtaposition of equal magnetic poles.

Furthermore, the upper module 102 comprises a safety catching element 102g capable to prevent the complete decoupling of the base 101 from the upper module 102, towards the shooter, because of the recoil resulting from the gunshot.

More in particular, the safety catching element 102g is positioned at the front, on the upper module 102. At the rear of the latter, a gasket, not shown in the figure, of the upper module 102 is positioned.

The gasket, for example made of rubber, is inserted under pressure inside a housing 102h of the lower surface, as shown in Figure 3, and it is shaped in such a manner to have two side protrusions that, in an assembled configuration, are inserted in the side seats 102i, as shown in Figure 1.

Advantageously according to the invention, the seal is sized so as to avoid contact between metal surfaces, in particular during a possible sliding of the upper module 102 on the lower base 101, for example under the action of a recoil of a particularly powerful weapon.

A further advantage is that, since the upper module 102 is not mechanically integrally coupled to the weapon, but it is free to slide on the lateral linear guides of the lower base 101, the violent movement generated by the recoil of the weapon is not absorbed but dissipated thanks to the elasticity of the magnetic field.

Advantageously according to the invention, the device 100 is a quick-release one.

To assemble the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the invention, it is sufficient to perform the following simple operations:

- fixing the lower base 101 to the weapon; and

inserting the upper module 102 in the lateral linear guides 101a of the lower base 101, in the direction of the butt, maintaining the sight group in the desired direction until the upper module 102 and the lower base 101 are completely aligned under the action of the magnetic field exerted between the magnets of the lower base 101 and the magnet of the upper module 102.

To disassemble the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the invention, it is sufficient to perform the simple operation of pushing the sight group towards the muzzle of the weapon barrel until the resistance of the magnets is overcome so as to obtain that the upper module 102 is free from the lower base 101 to hold it in hands.

Advantageously according to the invention, during the weapon operation and, in particular, upon firing, the upper module 102 can slide on the lateral linear guides 101a of the lower base 101, for example until the safety catching element 102g abuts the frames 101b. As described above, especially in case of weapons with significant recoils, the stroke of the upper module can terminate on the gasket provided in the housing 102h, avoiding that the rails can hit the shooter. In any case, the optical sight group cannot abandon its positioning on the upper module.

Once that the gunshot has been executed, the upper module 102 can return, thanks to the action of the magnetic field exerted between the magnets of the lower base 101 and the magnet of the upper module 102, in its state of rest, realigning to its original position. A second preferred embodiment of the present invention has guiding means that comprises at least two base elements 101'.

Advantageously, the second embodiment of the present invention is easily adaptable to weapons of different size, in particular having different size of the action and equipped with universal coupling systems, such as the Picatinny- or Weaver-type slide.

In the following, the features of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, considering that in the related Figures 6 to 9, with identical identification numerals reference will be made to alike elements already described above in relation to the first embodiment. Also, each element described below is intended dimensionally substantially equivalent to the respective elements having similar functionality described above.

With reference to Figure 6, the device 100' according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises guiding means 101' shaped to be mounted longitudinally close to one another, as it will be better described below; an upper module 102' supporting an optical sight group; and fixing eyelets 103 of the optical sight group on the upper module 102'. In particular, in the second embodiment, the guiding means comprises two base elements 101' and respective lateral rails 104 which, in an assembled configuration, define linear guides lOl'a extending for the entire length of the lateral rails 104.

The device described above with reference to the first embodiment must be suitably sized, with reference to the attachment area of the lower base, depending on the shape of the action of the specific weapon on which it must be mounted.

Instead, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, a lower surface of the base elements 101' is shaped in such a manner to be able to be coupled to universal coupling systems, such as the Picatinny- or Weaver-type slide, thus making the use of the device more versatile and independent from the specific size of the action of the weapon.

Advantageously, the two base elements 101' are laterally coupled, preferably through a shape coupling, to the Picatinny- or Weaver-type slide, and hence fixed to each other through removable fixing elements, for example an at least partially threaded screw.

Each base element 101' has, on its upper surface, vertical protrusions 101' b, herein also defined frames lOl'b, longitudinally extending along a central portion of the base element 101'. In particular, the vertical protrusions lOl'b are located in correspondence of an outer edge of the base element in a mounting configuration. Such protrusions lOl'b comprise housings 101' c inside which a first and a second magnets, shown in Figure 5 and already described above with reference to the first embodiment, are respectively stably inserted, optionally through snap-fit connections.

The two magnets are arranged in the two housings 101'c such that the respective pole facing towards the inside of each base element 101' have identical polarity (whereby also the respective poles facing towards the outside of the base element 101' have identical polarity); by way of example, the north pole (or south pole) of the first magnet is facing toward the inside of the base element 101', and the north pole (or the south pole) of the second magnet is facing towards the inside of the base element 101' (whereby the first and second poles of the first magnet are arranged in the same direction of the first and second poles of the second magnet, respectively).

Advantageously according to the invention, the size of the housings 101'c is such to contain the magnets inside, optionally inserted by snap-fit connections.

Figure 6 also shows in detail the upper module 102' sliding on the base elements 101'.

In particular, the upper module comprises a one-piece body 102' having, on the upper surface, at the opposite ends of its length, supports 102'f configured to house an optical sight group lockable on such supports 102'f through the brackets 103.

In Figure 6, the one-piece body 102" has, on the lower surface, in correspondence of each side edge, a slide 102"a, configured to be slidable on a respective lateral rail 104 of the base element 101'.

As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, a - substantially aesthetical - variation of the second embodiment has a slide 102"a shaped as a fin facing towards the outside of the one-piece body and configured to be slidable on a respective lateral rail 104 of the base element 101'.

Preferably, in the second embodiment described herein, the upper module also comprises lateral slides 102"b, shaped as profiled elements having a C-shaped section and configured to be slidable with respect to an outer edge of the shelves of the lateral rails 104 of the base elements 101'.

Each lateral slide 102"a is fixed or fixable to the one-piece body 102' through removable fixing means, for example at least partially threaded screws.

In the described example, each lateral rail 104 comprises a lateral surface configured to abut and be fixed through fixing means, for example one or more at least partially threaded screws, to a base element 101'. Each rail further comprises a projecting portion shaped as a shelf. Above each shelf, a respective slide 102"a and at least one portion of a respective slide 102"a slide.

In a mounting configuration, the shelf is in a lowered position with respect to a sliding surface of the base element 101'.

Also, the one-piece body 102' comprises a third magnet, for example housed within a housing 102'c of a vertical protrusion, orframe, 102'd centrally projecting from its lower surface, such shown in Figures 7a and 7b. The third magnet, which is of the type shown in Figure 5, is inserted in the respective housing 102'c so as to have the north pole and the south pole arranged in reverse order with respect to those of the first two magnets facing towards the inside of the base elements 101' (whereby the north pole of the third magnet is facing the south pole of the first or second magnet and the south pole of the third magnet is facing the north pole of the second or first magnet).

Advantageously according to the invention, the size of the frame 102'd is equal to that of the frames lOl'b and the dimensions of the third magnet are equal to those of the first and second magnet.

According to another aspect of the invention, and by way of mere example and not by way of limitation, the three magnets of the device according to the present invention are of equal dimensions and can be of neodymium (NdFeB), particularly adapted to limited spaces, or ferrite (AINiCo).

However, it must be noted that other embodiments of the device according to the invention may comprise, instead of the magnets shown in Figure 5, magnets having a different pole configuration arranged so that, once inserted in their respective housings, they have mutually facing poles so that the magnets magnetically interact with one another.

Alternatively according to the invention, electromagnets can be used in place of the magnets.

In particular, advantageously, the electromagnets allow a finer adjustment of the intensity and polarity of the magnetic field, and, consequently, the calibration of the mechanical strength. Also, it is possible to have the presence of a control button that operates the polarity inversion of one of the generated two electromagnetic fields, allowing the instantaneous release of the optical sight group.

As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the upper module comprises a safety catching element

102g' capable to prevent the complete decoupling of the base element 101' from the upper module 102', towards the shooter, because of the recoil resulting from the gunshot. More in particular, the safety catching element 102g' is positioned at the front, on the upper module 102.

A further advantage is that, since the upper module 102' is not mechanically integrally coupled to the weapon, but it is free to slide on the lateral linear guides of the lower base 101, the violent movement generated by the recoil of the weapon is not absorbed but dissipated thanks to the elasticity of the magnetic field. Advantageously according to the invention, the device 110 is quick-release one.

To assemble the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is sufficient to perform the following simple operations:

- fixing the two base elements 101' to the weapon, in particular to a standard Picatinny- or Weaver-type guide provided on the action of the weapon; fixing the elements to one another through fixing means, for instance a screw passing in respective holes provided on the two base elements;

- fixing, on an outer surface of each base element 101', a respective rail 104;

inserting in the linear guide located between the vertical parallel protrusions lOl'b of the two base elements, in the direction of the butt of the weapon, the one-piece body 102' maintaining the sight group in the desired direction until the one-piece body 102' and the base elements 101' are fully aligned under the action of the magnetic field exerted between the magnets of the base elements 101' and the third magnet of the one-piece body 102'; and

inserting the slides 102"b in correspondence of the respective rails 104 and fixing the slides to respective lateral surfaces of the one-piece body 102' through fixing means, for example screws, inserted in respective holes provided on the slides and on said lateral surfaces, respectively.

To disassemble the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon, according to the second embodiment of the invention herein described, it is sufficient to remove the fixing means to decouple the slides 102"b from the one-piece body 102", then to perform the simple operation of pushing the sight group towards the muzzle of the weapon barrel until the resistance of the magnets is overcome so as to obtain that the one-piece body 102" is free from the base elements 101' to hold it in hands.

Advantageously according to the invention, during the operation of the weapon, and, in particular, upon firing, the one-piece body 102" can slide on the linear guide located between the vertical parallel protrusions lOl'b of the two base elements 101', and the slides 102"a and the slides 102"b slide with respect to the respective rails 104, for example until the safety catching element 102'g abuts the vertical protrusions 101'b.

As described above, once that the gunshot has been executed, the upper module 102' can return, thanks to the action of the magnetic field exerted between the magnets of the base elements 101' and the magnet of the one-piece body 102", in its state of rest, realigning to its original position.

In particular, in the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, a guiding module 108 is provided that is shaped to be longitudinally coupled, in particular at the front, to the base elements 101' described above. As shown in Figure 9, the module 108 performs the function of a front extension to avoid that the one-piece body 102", because of the magnet below, is attracted by the metal of the weapon during the phase of insertion in the respective guiding means. In particular, the module 108 is configured to be coupled to a Picatinny or Weaver guide provided on the action of the weapon.

Advantageously, the operations of insertion of the upper module 102' in the respective guiding means will be facilitated and even simpler and faster to make, obviously with only one hand and in a single gesture. In particular, in a phase of use of the device, it will be necessary to rest the upper module 102' on the guiding module 108 and to make the same module 108 slide towards the butt of the weapon. In the moment when the magnets come into action, i.e. when the upper module 102' has completely passed on the guiding module 108, the upper module 102' and the guiding means will align on the basis of the magnetic field generated by the interaction between the magnets as described above. At this point, the system will be aligned and ready for the previously described operation.

Therefore, advantageously, the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention allows to realign and reposition the optical sight group in a firing position on the weapon, even after numerous mounting and dismounting operations, in an effective manner and without mechanical constraints.

Also, the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention, since the upper module 102, 102' can slide with respect to the guiding means 101, 101', allows to generate a cushioning effect, protecting the optical group by dissipating a portion of the stress due to the recoil energy, in particular for large calibre weapons and air rifles like piston spring.

Another advantage of the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention consists in that the device is applicable to any type of short and long weapon, with either optical or metal sight groups.

Also, the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention allows to carry out a change of the sight group, from an optical one to a holographic or other one, in a very short time, less than or equal to 1 second.

Another advantage of the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention consists in that it eliminates the possibility of wear between the several mechanical components and it simultaneously eliminates the whole mechanical stress for the sighting optics.

Finally, the device for supporting an optical sight group on a weapon according to the invention, thanks to the fact that it has no mechanical constraints between the upper module 102, 102' supporting the optical group and the guiding means 101, 101' bound to the weapon, can be made of materials with easier machining with respect to the traditional steel not necessarily subjected to particular heat treatments for increasing its hardness, thus facilitating the workability and the increase in terms of throughput. For example, the device according to the present invention can be made of at least one of the materials selected from the group consisting of anticorodal aluminium, or automatic leaded steel.

In particular, the device according to the present invention can be made of plastic material to minimise the production costs and the weight to an even greater extent.

Finally, it is clear that the device for supporting an optical sight group herein described and illustrated can be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and a number of variations have been suggested hereinbefore, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make other variations and changes without so departing from the scope of protection thereof, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A device (100, 110) configured to support an optical sight group on a weapon comprising guiding means (101, 101') configured to be fixed on an action, or on a frame, of a weapon, at least one upper module (102, 102') supporting an optical sight group overlying said guiding means (101, 101'), characterized in that said upper module (102, 102') is configured to magnetically interact with said guiding means (101, 101'), said upper module (102, 102') being slidable on said guiding means (101, 101') along a main sliding direction, so as to be able to move from a rest position to a recoil position, after the execution of a gunshot, and from said recoil position to said rest position, realigning itself to the barrel of the weapon, wherein said upper module (102, 102') is configured to magnetically interact with said guiding means (101, 101') by means of first magnetic or electromagnetic means having at least one first pole of a first polarity and at least one second pole of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, inserted in said guiding means (101, 101'), and second magnetic or electromagnetic means, having at least one first pole of a first polarity facing said second pole of a second polarity of said first magnetic or electromagnetic means and at least one second pole of a second polarity facing said first pole of a first polarity of said first magnetic or electromagnetic means, inserted in said upper module (102, 102'), said magnets being positioned in such a manner that said poles of said first and second magnetic means alternate in sequence along a direction transverse to said main sliding direction.

2. The device (100, 110) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first magnetic or electromagnetic means comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, each magnet being inserted in a respective first housing (101c, 101'c) of first parallel protrusions (101b, lOl'b) longitudinally extending along a central portion of said guiding means (101, 101') and vertically projecting from said guiding means, a first pole of the first magnet, having first polarity, and a second pole of the second magnet, having second polarity, being facing towards the inside of said guiding means (101, 101'), so that the first and the second pole of the first magnet are respectively arranged in the same direction of the first pole and the second pole of the second magnet.

3. The device (100; 110) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said second magnetic or electromagnetic means comprises a third magnet having at least one first pole, having first polarity, facing said second pole, having second polarity, of said first magnetic or electromagnetic means and at least one second pole, having second polarity, facing said first pole having first polarity of said first magnetic or electromagnetics means, housed inside a second housing (102c; 102'c) of a second protrusion (102d, 102'd) centrally projecting from the lower surface of said upper module (102; 102').

4. The device (100; 110) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the size of said first and second protrusions (101b, 102d; lOl'b, 102'd) are equal to each other and that the dimensions of the first, second and third magnet are equal to each other.

5. The device (100; 110) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said magnets are selected from the group consisting of:

- neodymium (NdFeB); and

- ferrite (AINiCo).

6. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guiding means comprises a lower base (101), characterized in that said upper module (102) is slidable on said lower base (101) by means of lateral fins (102a) having side edges (102b) sliding in lateral linear guides (101a) of said lower base (101) extending along said lower base (101).

7. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, when dependent from claim 3, characterized in that the first housings (101c) comprise internal slots (lOle) facing each other, and external slots (lOle) to which slots (102e) are superimposable, said slots (102e) being located at a central portion of said lateral fins (102a).

8. Device (100) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the lower base (101) is coupled to a weapon at the action of the same weapon by means of milling areas (lOld) of a lower surface extending over the entire length of the base (101).

9. Device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said upper module (102) comprises, at a front end of the module, a safety catching element (102g) configured to prevent the complete decoupling of the upper module (102) during its travel along said base (101) toward a rear end of the base.

10. Device according to the preceding claim, when dependent from claim 7, characterized in that, at the rear of said safety catching element (102g), a seal is positioned that is located into a housing (102h), provided at the lower surface of said upper module (102), said seal being locked between seats (102i) provided at said lateral fins (102a) positioned at the ends of said housing (102h).

11. Device (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said guiding means comprises two base elements (101'), characterized in that said upper module (102') is slidable with respect to said base elements (101'), at a coupling configuration of said base elements (101'), optionally fixed to a Picatinny or Weaver guide provided at the action of the weapon.

12. Device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein said upper module (102') comprises a one-piece body (102") having a sliding block (102"a) at each lateral edge of a lower surface of the one-piece body, said upper module (102') further comprising lateral slides (102"b) fixed or fixable at lateral surfaces of said one-piece body (102"), each lateral slide (102"b) being optionally shaped as a profiled element having a C-shaped section.

13. Device (110) according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said guiding means further comprises a lateral rail (104) for each base element (101'), said lateral rails (104) being positioned in such a way to provide a sliding of said sliding blocks (102"a) and at least one portion of said slides (102"a) on respective shelf shaped portions of the lateral rails (104).

14. Device (110) according to one of claims 11 to 13, comprising a guiding module (108) shaped to be longitudinally coupled to said base elements (101').

15. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of at least one of the materials selected from the group consisting of:

- anticorodal aluminium alloy; or

- free-cutting steel with lead.