Snap-on dovetail pistol sight
View Patent ↗A firearm has a frame, a slide mounted to the frame, and a configurable sight that is removably connected to the slide using a combined transverse dovetail- and longitudinal lap-shaped protrusion and slot engagement. The configurable sight can be quickly and easily installed by hand without the use of tools.
1. A configurable sight for a firearm having a slide, the slide defining a dovetail-shaped transverse slot and a longitudinal slot that connects to the transverse slot and runs parallel to the slide, the configurable sight comprising:
a lower portion that is fitted to the transverse slot; and
an upper portion forming a wing that is fitted to the longitudinal slot; wherein
the wing snap fits into engagement with the longitudinal slot when the lower portion is inserted into the transverse slot.
2. The configurable sight for a firearm according to claim 1 , wherein the lower portion has a dovetail-shape that substantially corresponding to the transverse slot.
3. The configurable sight for a firearm according to claim 1 , wherein the wing has a lap-shape that substantially corresponds to the longitudinal slot.
4. The configurable sight for a firearm according to claim 1 , wherein the wing further comprises a pair of wings the extend from each side of the lower portion.
5. The configurable sight for a firearm according to claim 1 , wherein the configurable sight is made from an elastically deformable material.
6. A configurable sight for a firearm having a top surface with a width and a longitudinal firing axis, the top surface defining a longitudinal slot that runs parallel to the longitudinal firing axis and a transverse slot that connects to each transverse side of the longitudinal slot, the configurable sight comprising:
a lower portion that is fitted to the transverse slot; and
an upper portion forming wings that are substantially fitted to the longitudinal slot; wherein
the lower portion has a dove-tail shape and extends transversely to the top surface by less than or equal to a width of the top surface; wherein
the wings have a flat-lap shape; wherein
the wings snap fit into engagement with the longitudinal slot when the lower portion is inserted into the transverse slot; wherein
the wings are configured to extend slightly beyond the longitudinal slot; and
wherein, when snap fitted into engagement with the longitudinal slot, the wings remain slightly deformed.
7. A method for installing a configurable sight to a firearm, the firearm having a top surface defining a transverse slot and a longitudinal slot connected to the transverse slot, the method comprising:
sliding a lower portion of the configurable sight laterally into the transverse slot until wings of an upper portion of the configurable sight abut the top surface of the firearm;
squeezing the wings in the longitudinal direction to deform the wings away from the top surface; and
while squeezing the upper portion, sliding the lower portion further into the transverse slot until the wings snap fit into the longitudinal slot.
8. A firearm having a configurable sight, the firearm comprising:
a slide, the slide defining a dovetail-shaped transverse slot and a longitudinal slot that connects to the transverse slot and runs parallel to the slide, the configurable sight comprising:
a lower portion that is fitted to the transverse slot; and
an upper portion forming a wing that is fitted to the longitudinal slot; wherein
the wing snap fits into engagement with the longitudinal slot when the lower portion is inserted into the transverse slot.