APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR AN ILLUMINATING GUNSIGHT

Abstract

Apparatus and methods provided for a gunsight and sighting system for use on firearms. The gunsight and sighting system comprises a mount portion coupled with a hood portion. A projection window with a collimated image overlay is secured to the mount portion by the hood portion. A front sight dot is disposed forward of the projection window, while two rear sight dots are disposed at a rear of the mount portion. The sight dots may be illuminated by any various desirable colors to enhance visibility in various lighting conditions. Light sensors are disposed at the front of the mount portion to detect ambient light and/or light in a target area and accordingly adjust illumination of the sight dots. The light sensors may be disposed in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to firearms. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for gunsights and sighting systems for use on firearms such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers and the like.

BACKGROUND

Gunsights are principally of three types, namely iron or open sights, telescopic sights, and electronic piper sights (e.g., laser, holographic, and/or projected sights). Iron sights are inexpensive, sturdy, and lightweight. A drawback to iron sights, however, is they require a shooter to line up a rear sight with a front sight and the target. It can be challenging to switch one's focus among the rear sight, the front sight, and the target as required while aiming a firearm. Further, a drawback to laser, holographic, and/or projected gunsights is that it can be difficult to acquire the aim piper in low light conditions, due to not quickly being able to see the image of the targeting piper. Another drawback to laser, holographic, and/or projected sights is that they are relatively slow to line up on a target, which is a substantial disadvantage in many military, police, and hunting situations.

What is needed, therefore, is a gunsight that facilitates rapid and accurate implementation of the Laser, holographic, and/or projected sight, while also performing reliably and accurately in varying light environments.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a gunsight and sighting system for use on firearms. The gunsight and sighting system comprises a mount portion coupled with a hood portion. A projection window with a collimated image overlay is secured to the mount portion by the hood portion. A front sight dot is disposed forward of the projection window, while two rear sight dots are disposed at a rear of the mount portion. The sight dots may be illuminated by any of various desirable colors to enhance visibility in various lighting conditions. Light sensors are disposed at the front of the mount portion to detect ambient light and/or light in a target area and accordingly adjust the illumination of the sight dots. The light sensors may be disposed in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.

In an exemplary embodiment, a gunsight and sighting system for mounting onto a firearm comprises: a mount portion coupled with a hood portion; a projection window with a collimated image overlay secured to the mount portion by the hood portion; one or more front sight dots disposed forward of the projection window; and two or more rear sight dots disposed at a rear of the mount portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, the mount portion is configured to couple with any of handguns, rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, BB guns, Airsoft guns, pellet guns, and directed laser weapons, and the like. In another exemplary embodiment, the mount portion is configured to be coupled toward a rear of the firearm, such as directly above a grip of the firearm to facilitate visibility by a shooter. In another exemplary embodiment, the mount portion is configured to be coupled with a Picatinny rail comprising a slide of a handgun.

In another exemplary embodiment, the mount portion comprises a battery compartment configured to house a suitably sized battery for powering internal circuitry and components comprising the gunsight and sighting system. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the one or more front sight dots is disposed above the battery compartment and in front of the projection window. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more rear sight dots are disposed below the projection window such that a shooter can accurately aim the firearm by aligning the one or more front sight dots with a target while centering the one or more front sight dots between the two or more rear sight dots. In another exemplary embodiment, the proximity of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots to the projection window is configured to obviates the shooter having to shift focus among the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots, and the target.

In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be backlit so as to enhance visibility in various lighting conditions. In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be illuminated by way of any one or more of various desirable colors. In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be illuminated by way of a suitable electronically controlled lighting source, such as an LED or chemical light generator with an electrical or mechanical adjustment system. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrical or mechanical adjustment system includes a Decrease Brightness button and an Increase Brightness button for altering the brightness of the illuminated one or more front sight dots and the two or more ear sight dots.

In another exemplary embodiment, two or more light sensors are disposed at a front of the mount portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more light sensors are configured to detect ambient light and/or the amount of light in a target area and signal an electronically controlled lighting source to accordingly increase or decrease the illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more light sensors are disposed in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion and configured to communicate with one another so as to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a gunsight and sighting system for a firearm comprises: configuring a mount portion to couple with the firearm; securing a projection window with a collimated image overlay to the mount portion by way of a hood portion; disposing one or more front sight dots forward of the projection window; disposing two or more rear sight dots at a rear of the mount portion; and providing illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises disposing two or more light sensors at a front of the mount portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises configuring the two or more light sensors to detect ambient light and/or the amount of light in a target area and signal an electronically controlled lighting source to accordingly increase or decrease the illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots. In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises disposing the two or more light sensors in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises configuring the two or more light sensors to communicate with one another so as to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein may be better understood with reference to the drawings, description, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a forward perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system mounted onto a handgun, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system mounted onto a handgun, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a forward view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system mounted onto a handgun in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a forward perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rearward perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a forward view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system, illustrating a reticle as viewed by a shooter, according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system, according to the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the gunsight and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first sight,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first sight” is different than a “second sight.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

Although iron sights are inexpensive, sturdy, and lightweight, a drawback to iron sights is that they require a shooter to switch focusing on the rear sight, the front sight, and the target while aiming the firearm. A drawback to laser, holographic, and/or projected gunsights, meanwhile, is that it can be difficult to acquire the aim piper in low light conditions, due to not quickly being able to see the image of the targeting piper. Another drawback to laser, holographic, and/or projected sights is that they are relatively slow to line up on a target, which is a substantial disadvantage in many military, police, and hunting situations. Embodiments presented herein, however, provide a gunsight that facilitates rapid and accurate implementation of the Laser, holographic, and/or projected sight, while also performing reliably and accurately in varying light environments.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system 100 mounted onto a firearm 104, according to the present disclosure. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the firearm 104 comprises a handgun, it should be understood that the firearm 104 may comprise any of various projectile weapons, such as rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, and the like, as well as various weapons familiar to archery, such as long bows, crossbows, compound bows, and the like. Further, it is contemplated, that the firearm 104 may comprise any of various training weapons, or non-lethal weapons, such as BB guns, Airsoft guns, pellet guns, and directed laser weapons, and the like, without limitation.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the gunsight and sighting system 100 is coupled with a top of the firearm 104 by way of a mount portion 108. The system 100 preferably is mounted toward a rear of the firearm 104, such as directly above a grip 112 of the firearm 104 to facilitate visibility by a shooter. The mount portion 108 may be coupled with the firearm 104 by way of any of various mounting techniques, such as, by of non-limiting example, mounting onto a Picatinny rail comprising the slide of the handgun, mounting onto a rear sight dovetail of the handgun, coupling with the slide of handgun by way of a suitable adapter, or machining the slide specifically to receive the system 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gunsight and sighting system 100 comprises a projection window with collimated image overlay gunsight 116 coupled with an “iron sight” that serves as a secondary sight should the projection window with collimated image overlay gunsight 116 fail to operate correctly. The iron sight comprises at least one front sight dot 120 and at least two rear sight dots 124. As best shown in FIG. 3, the rear sight dots 124 are disposed below a projection window 128 that includes a collimated image overlay of a reticle 132. It is contemplated that a shooter can accurately aim the firearm 104 by aligning the front sight dot 120 with a target while centering the front sight dot 120 between the rear sight dots 124 or by aligning the reticle 132 with the target. The proximity of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 and the projection window 128 obviates the shooter having to shift focus among the front and rear sight dots 120, 124, the reticle 132, and the target.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the gunsight and sighting system 100 in greater detail. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the system 100 generally comprises the mount portion 108 and a hood portion 136.

The hood portion 136 couples the projection window 128 with the mount portion 108. The hood portion 136, as well as the mount portion 108, may comprise a rigid material such as metal or plastic to protect the projection window 128 and internal circuitry and components comprising the system 100. The mount portion 108 further comprises a battery compartment 140. As will be appreciated, the battery compartment 140 is configured to house a suitably sized battery for powering the internal circuitry and components comprising the system 100, as described herein.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 4-5, the front sight dot 120 is disposed above the battery compartment 140 and in front of the projection window 128 (see FIG. 7). The rear sight dots 124 are disposed at a rear of the mount portion 108 (see FIG. 6) and below the projection window 128. As such, the shooter may aim the firearm 104 by viewing a target and the front sight dot 120 through the projection window 128 while centering the front sight dot 120 between the rear sight dots 124. It is contemplated, therefore, that the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 may be used as a secondary sight in an event wherein the reticle 132 is not displayed in the projection window 128.

In some embodiments, any one or more of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 are configured to be backlit so as to enhance visibility in various lighting conditions. Any of various desirable colors, or multiple colors, may be incorporated into the front and rear sight dots 120, 124. It is contemplated that the illumination of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 may be achieved by way of a suitable electronically controlled lighting source, such as by way of an LED or chemical light generator with an electrical or mechanical adjustment system. For example, the brightness of the illuminated front and rear sight dots 120, 124 may be controlled by way of a Decrease Brightness button 144 and an Increase Brightness button 148. As will be appreciated, the shooter may dim the illumination of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 by pressing the Decrease Brightness button 144, while the shoot may press the Increase Brightness button 148 to increase the illumination of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, light sensors 152 may be disposed at a front of the mount portion 108. The light sensors 152 are configured to detect ambient light and/or the amount of light in a target area and signal the lighting source to accordingly increase or decrease the illumination of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124. It is contemplated that the forward position of the light sensors 152 are configured to detect and accommodate changing ambient lighting such as occurs when entering or exiting a differently lit room. Further, in some embodiments, the light sensors 152 may be disposed in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion 108 and configured to communicate with one another so as to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the system 100. Further, in some embodiments, the light sensors 152 may be configured to adjust the brightness of the reticle 132 and the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 simultaneously.

FIG. 6 illustrates a forward view of an exemplary embodiment of a gunsight and sighting system 100, showing a reticle 132 as may be viewed by a shooter, according to the present disclosure. As described hereinabove, the gunsight and sighting system 100 comprises a projection window with collimated image overlay gunsight 116 coupled with an iron sight that can serve as a secondary sight should the projection window with collimated image overlay gunsight 116 fail to operate correctly. The iron sight comprises at least one front sight dot 120 and at least two rear sight dots 124 that can be viewed simultaneously with a projection window 128 that includes a collimated image overlay of a reticle 132. As such, the shooter can accurately aim the firearm 104 by aligning the front sight dot 120 with a target while centering the front sight dot 120 between the rear sight dots 124 or by aligning the reticle 132 with the target. It is contemplated that the proximity of the front and rear sight dots 120, 124 and the projection window 128 obviates the shooter having to shift focus among the front and rear sight dots 120, 124, the reticle 132, and the target.

As will be appreciated, the gunsight and sighting system 100 may include adjustment configured to enable a practitioner to the position of the reticle 132 to account for elevation and windage. As best shown in FIG. 7, an elevation adjustment screw 156 may be incorporated into a top of the mount portion 108 while a windage adjustment screw (not shown) may be incorporated into a side of the mount portion 108. Various other implementations of the elevation adjustment screw 156 and the windage adjustment screw will be apparent to those skilled in the art without deviating beyond the spirit and the scope of the present disclosure.

While the gunsight and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the gunsight is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the gunsight. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the gunsight, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the gunsight found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gunsight and sighting system for mounting onto a firearm, comprising: a mount portion coupled with a hood portion;a projection window with a collimated image overlay secured to the mount portion by the hood portion;one or more front sight dots disposed forward of the projection window; andtwo or more rear sight dots disposed at a rear of the mount portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount portion is configured to couple with any of handguns, rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, BB guns, Airsoft guns, pellet guns, and directed laser weapons, and the like.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount portion is configured to be coupled toward a rear of the firearm, such as directly above a grip of the firearm to facilitate visibility by a shooter.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount portion is configured to be coupled with a Picatinny rail comprising a slide of a handgun.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount portion comprises a battery compartment configured to house a suitably sized battery for powering internal circuitry and components comprising the gunsight and sighting system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more front sight dots is disposed above the battery compartment and in front of the projection window.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the two or more rear sight dots are disposed below the projection window such that a shooter can accurately aim the firearm by aligning the one or more front sight dots with a target while centering the one or more front sight dots between the two or more rear sight dots.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the proximity of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots to the projection window is configured to obviates the shooter having to shift focus among the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots, and the target.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be backlit so as to enhance visibility in various lighting conditions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be illuminated by way of any one or more of various desirable colors.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein any one or more of the one or more front sight dots and two or more rear sight dots are configured to be illuminated by way of a suitable electronically controlled lighting source, such as an LED or chemical light generator with an electrical or mechanical adjustment system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electrical or mechanical adjustment system includes a Decrease Brightness button and an Increase Brightness button for altering the brightness of the illuminated one or more front sight dots and the two or more ear sight dots.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein two or more light sensors are disposed at a front of the mount portion.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the two or more light sensors are configured to detect ambient light and/or the amount of light in a target area and signal an electronically controlled lighting source to accordingly increase or decrease the illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the two or more light sensors are disposed in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion and configured to communicate with one another so as to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.

16. A method for a gunsight and sighting system for a firearm, comprising: configuring a mount portion to couple with the firearm;securing a projection window with a collimated image overlay to the mount portion by way of a hood portion;disposing one or more front sight dots forward of the projection window;disposing two or more rear sight dots at a rear of the mount portion; andproviding illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing two or more light sensors at a front of the mount portion.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising configuring the two or more light sensors to detect ambient light and/or the amount of light in a target area and signal an electronically controlled lighting source to accordingly increase or decrease the illumination of the one or more front sight dots and the two or more rear sight dots.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising disposing the two or more light sensors in asymmetric locations of the mounting portion.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising configuring the two or more light sensors to communicate with one another so as to overcome interference due to light arriving at angles other than in front of the gunsight and sighting system.